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New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 82, 21 November 1874, Page 10

Seuatob Sumiter. — The Washington correspondent of the 'Athenoeum' writes of Mr Sunnier : — "He was familiar with the literature o£ many languages, and people from a distance frequently came to Washington to consult him about mysterious books and manuscripts. His occasional orations, legal arguments, speeches in Congress, and miscellaneoiis writings were sufficiently abundant to make ten or twelve volumes, and a very beautiful edition of them was in course of publication at the time of death. By way of showing the interest he felt in his unfinished work, I may mention that during one of the paroxysms of pain on the night preceding his death, he made this remark : My book, my book, I should not regret this had I finished nay book. His style of writing was noted for its dignity and terseness^ as well as for what has been termed a gigantic morality, and his abilitjy^ in illustrating his thoughts by reference to fche treasures of ancient learning was something rare. The range of subjects upon which his mind feasted was well-nigh without bounds ; history and poetry, philosophy and the sciences, all contributed to his enjoyment ; and there was an earnestness and lofty integrity in all that he did, with his pen and as an orator, which commanded the respect of even his political opponents, and was a cause of admiration on the part of his friends. As a means of self -education, and also for the benefit of his health, ho visited Europe a number of times, made many friends among the highly cultivated -wherever he went ; and among his foreign correspondents were the leading statesmen and authors of the Old World. He was an advocate of all good measures intended to educate the people, and ever munificent in his donations to the literary institutions of the country, and especially to Harvard University. Jls au orator, Mr Summer stood well-nigh alone. Having been unfortunate in his marriage, he lived after the manner o£ a bachelor. His house in Washington was completely filled with rare books, valuable pictures, and miscellaneous works of beauty. His means were always ample, and yet he was wont to spealt of himself as poor, because it required so nmch money to gratify his tastes. He was devoted to all kinds of art, thoroughly posted in its literature, and had a special fondness for the arb of engraving : a thousand dollars for a proof print would, at any time, be forth-coming, when he happened to be fired with the desire of possession." The richest banks of coral and the most beautiful coral in the world are to bj found off the coast of Algeria. In fishing for the product divers' jackets and diving bells are prohibited a 9 tending to injure the bottom. Bach bank is divided into ten parts, only one of which is " exploited " each year. TLe spread o£ socialism in Russia has caused the St. Petersburgh Government to place several of the south-western provinces of the Empire under martial law.