sively. Before retiring we had prayers, and a chapter from the Testament by the old lady, then I said goodnight and retired, to find my room-mate, a kind but unattractive young woman, out of a position as cook, already reposing. We exchanged a few pleasant words, did not disturb each other in the least, and after a sound and refreshing night's rest, we parted in friendly fashion next morning. For breakfast, a huge bowl of coffee and milk already mixed for everybody, more hunks of bread, no butter, and no sugar, until some was brought for me, which was doubtless an extra. Pretty coarse fare, to be sure, and one rather stylish-looking girl had a difficult time to eat anything at all, but I thought what the old lady could do, the rest of us should not object to, and at least there was plenty, and all had enough. I left my things in the house quite satisfied that they were safe, and spent the day shopping, etc., returning for an "ordered" supper in time to take the night train for Paris, and glad to be so near the station. It was really surprising to read over the long list of these international pensions in the different cities, from London to Jerusalem, and the amount of suffering and indignity which they are the means of preventing can never be known. Not nearly enough is known of them, and their good work, and while a sojourn in some of them would scarcely be recommended, either for convenience or pleasure, no one who has not experienced the sensation can know how thankful a girl can be on landing alone in a strange city among people speaking an unknown tongue, to find herself in decent and respectable company, a clean place to sleep, and a roof over her head, knowing no harm will come to her though among strangers. SARAH P. BYRNES. Paris, France, Tenth month 3, 1898. Mosquitoes on the Florida Coast. I SHALL never forget the feeling I had when one of my neighbors said, at the beginning of the season: "Oh, well, there are not many days when you cannot drive into town in the middle of the day for the mail." I did not understand her, or scarcely believe her, but I do now. I also know of several other families, who have regularly prepared for the mosquito season by laying in a stock of sewing and reading, and who announced, when the season began, that they did not intend to go out or to receive until it was over; so that practically all social life is at a standstill, invitations usually ending with, "weather and mosquitoes permitting." The moonlight nights in this little corner of the earth are glorious, but we have only been able to enjoy them from our front piazza steps once in nearly two months, and then only for a brief half-hour, while a strong sea-breeze swept in over the bay; at the same time, friends living a mile away have sat out on their piazza “every evening for awhile." I am writing of life on the east coast of Florida, more than three hundred miles south of St. Augustine, and of a part of the country that, in spite of mosquitoes, has a wonderful future before it, and is already the great truck-garden section of the State for early vegetables and tropical fruit, as well as a most delightful winter resort and fishing and hunting country. Sitting now at my front door, behind a screen of the finest wire-work, I can look out on to one of the most beautiful of landscapes, the blue waters of the bay rippling in the sun shine, the long leaves or branches of the cocoanut trees bending and swaying with a pleasant rustling, while the crimson blossoms of the hibiscus-bushes are nodding goodnaturedly over the gray stones of the wall, at the mockingbird playing hide-and-seek among the ginger-plants; and just beyond the wall, on the path leading up from the water, and bordered on both sides by banana-trees, there comes a man, who has just landed at the wharf with a string of sea trout for me; he wears a frame over his head covered with nosquito-netting, and, as they say here, is "batting himself" with a green branch that I saw him break from my favorite guava-tree. Of course I shall buy the fish, which will cost a mere trifle, but it will take at least ten minutes to clear the for, as my fisherman says, "they are very bad this morning.' kitchen of mosquitoes that will come in with the sea beauties If he were a visitor he would have to brush or be brushed off before he could enter with the palmetto brush, that takes the place of the front-door bell during mosquito-time; for the All out-of-door work must brushing operation is a noisy one. be attended to in the middle of the day, when the mosquitoes are less troublesome. Do Fishes Sleep? "Do fishes sleep-and how?'' This question was addressed to Eugene G. Blackford, formerly Fish Commissioner of New York State. His acquaintance with fish began when he was very young, and at the present time he is a recognized authority all over the world. 'Certainly they sleep," was Mr. Blackford's response. They sleep suspended in the water with their eyes wide open. I have seen them do it often. I have many fish in tanks with glass fronts and can watch them. Sometimes I see a fish suspended in the water keeping perfectly still for half an hour at a time, and then I conclude that he is asleep. He does not even move a fin at such times, and the motion of the gills is barely perceptible. "Fishes don't close their eyes, because there is no necessity for their doing it. They have no eyelids, because their eyes are not exposed to dust as ours are. They don't close their eyes in sleep because the light is so modified by the water that it is not hard for them to find a twilight spot. "But they can close their eyes if they want to do it, and they do on very particular occasions. I will show you.-John, bring me a trout.” The man went to a tank, and soon returned, bearing in his hand a fine trout about eight inches in length. This Mr. Blackford held, while he took a lead-pencil and touched one of its eyes with the point. The trout wriggled about vigorously, and at the same time drew an inside yellow curtain over the eye. "You see, he can close his eyes if he chooses,” said the former Fish Commissioner. "The habits of fish are little known in many respects. We have only bugun to study their migrations in a way that promises to lead to anything. We have captured some thousands of cod and mackerel and put metal tags on their fins. Some of these will be caught in United States Fisheries Commission on them, that will give nets far north and south, and as they have the address of the us an idea where the untold millions of fish that race along our shores at certain periods spend other parts of their year. A Low Point Reached. THE Interior, of Chicago, one of the leading Presbyterian newspapers, reflects severely on the General Assembly of that church in regard to its compromising attitude on the Princeton Inn business. Speaking of interest in Temperance, it says: "It can go no lower than it did in the last Presbyterian Assembly, when it was openly and officially declared on the platform that no warning against college drinking habits could be given for fear that it would be construed as a reflection upon Princeton. That came pretty nearly to an open confession that all the protestations of the church on the subject are empty pretense, without a bracing principle in them. That hour professedly given to the subject of temperance, and cut off by the impious trick of time-consuming prayers, marked the lowest point to which the temperance sentiment can ever descend among a God-fearing and honest people." Tax Rebate for Forest Trees. DR. J. T. ROTHROCK, writing in Forest Leaves, remarks as one of the signs of promise" for forestry reform the fact that owners of timber land in Pennsylvania are commencing to seek the rebate in taxes which an act passed by the last Legislature now renders possible. Let every owner of timber land remember, he says, that if he has an acre of ground which has on it fifty trees that at six feet above the ground have a diameter of eight inches, that he can receive annually from the Commissioners of his county a sum equal to 80 per centum of the taxes he has paid for that year, provided that this per centum shall not exceed fortyfive cents per acre. This law embraces any area up to and includes fifty acres. It may be said that in money value this is small return. We do not think so. It is not for one year, but for as long as the owner allows these trees to stand. For fifty acres it would aggregate twenty-two dollars and fifty cents annually. Or in ten years it would mean $225 cash in hand, with the trees still remaining as an available asset. For less than this sum many a fifty-acre tract in this State has been despoiled of trees which required half a century or more to attain this growth-and when the trees were gone there was no income. The Tallest Chimneys. THE highest chimney in America and the fifth highest in the world is the one built for the Omaha and Grant Smelter, at Omaha, Neb. It was constructed in 1892 by W. M. Scanlon, architect, and Cook Brothers, contractors. The dimensions of this gigantic chimney are as follows: Height, above the stone table at ground, 352 feet 7 inchcs; size at base, 32 feet square; size at throat, 20 feet in diameter; thickness of outer shell at base, 481⁄2 inches; at top, 13 inches; thickness of core at base, 26 inches; at top, 9 inches; diameter of flue, 16 feet; foundation, 56 feet square by 16 feet deep. It cost $53,000, and was built in 120 days. Nearly 2,000,000 bricks were used in the structure, as well as 8,480 bushels of lime, 1,500 barrels of cement, and 2,351 cubic yards of sand. It has not sunk an inch since it was completed. The four chimneys that exceed this in height are: One at Hutte, Saxony, 460 feet; two at Glasgow, Scotland, 435 and 454 feet, and one at Bolton, England, 367 feet. CURRENT EVENTS. A SERIOUS dispute between England and France has arisen out of the "Nile question,"—the occupancy of Fashoda. by a French force under Major Morehand, in the face of the English army at Khartoum. The English claim is that they have overthrown the Khalip, and so conquered the whole region. Naval "preparations" of a threatening character have been going on in both countries, and war has been in the minds of many. But it seems incredible that the two nations will take up the sword against each other under existing circumstances; France would be insane to do such a thing. The English fleets, close at hand, are overwhelmingly superior. One report, at this writing, is that Russia would not support France, believing her claims untenable. THE violent party divisions in France, and especially the Dreyfus controversy, distract the councils of that country. The French Chambers assembled on the 25th, (as also did the English Parliament), but these paragraphs are prepared too early this week to report action in either. It has been thought that the Brisson ministry in France would be voted down. Assaults upon it from all quarters have been planned. One report concerning Dreyfus says he has been brought back from the desert island where he has been kept, to Paris, and placed in a fortress prison, in expectation of a new trial. The military party continue vehement against another trial. PRACTICALLY, no progress was made by the Peace Commission at Paris, last week. The interchange of views by written messages consumes much time. The effort of the Spanish Commissioners has been to get the United States to assume at least a part, if not all, of the debt of Cuba. This the Americans refuse to do, and a dispatch on the 23d from Washington said it was expected that they would next day make definite and final refusal to further discuss the subject.' At Madrid the Sagasta Government appears to be increasingly weak. One member has withdrawn, and others may do so, not wishing to be identified with the concessions which Sagasta is compelled to make to the United States. Some of the Spanish would like their commissioners to withdraw from the Peace Conference and let it fail. It has been agreed that the Spaniards shall have until January 1 to remove their troops from Cuba, it being a physical impossibility''.to do it earlier. The number is mentioned as 140,000. There is much complaint that cannon, etc., on the fortifications at Havana, are being removed; the Washington authorities règard these as “immovable,” and belonging to the place. It has been intimated that force would be used, if the removal were not stopped. The last of the Spanish troops have left Porto Rico. The PRESIDENT MCKINLEY, returning eastward from Omaha, spent some time at Chicago, last week, in attendance upon the great so called "Peace Jubilee.' weather was unpleasant. He has made a number of speeches, and they appear to be concessions to the demand for "expansion "-humoring the idea that the results of the war are providential," and that we must accept our responsibilities." He came east from Chicago by Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Pittsburg, and reached Washington on the afternoon of the 22nd. The newspapers appear to regard his speeches as in aid of the campaign" for Republican members of Congress. THE "Peace Jubilee" demonstration in Philadelphia is begun at this writing, 25th, with a naval review on the Delaware. On the the 26th there is to be a Civic, and on the 27th a Military parade. Great numbers of people are expected in town. The 27th has been declared a legal holiday by Governor Hastings. President McKinley and meu beis of his Cabinet are expected on that day, and it is announced that he will make a 66 notable speech.' An important decision concerning railroads was handed down by the Supreme Court of the United States, on the 24th inst It decided that the "Joint Traffic Association;" which was formed in the Eleventh month, 1895, and included thirty-one important railroads, was contrary to the Anti-Trust Law, and the Inter-State Commerce Act. The case had been contested with great earnestness in the lower courts, and the discussions there were in favor of the railroads, but, these the Supreme Court now reverses. opinion was delivered by Justice Peckham, Chief Justice Fuller, and Justices Harlan, Brown, and Brewer concur. Justices Gray, Shiras, and White dissent. Justice McKenna took no part in the discussion, as he was AttorneyGeneral when the case was begun. The THE Emperor of Germany is pursuing his way to Jerusalem, with his large train. They left Constantinople for Palestine on the evening of the 22d, after several days' ceremonious entertainment by the Sultan. The friendliness of the two potentates is regarded as strongly emphasized, and the continuance of Turkey as a European power seems to be guaranteed, now, by Germany, instead of England as formerly. "A grand farewell banquet was given by the Sultan to the visitors on the evening of the 21st, when the Sultan sat between the Emperor and Empress. A dispatch from Haifa, Palestine, announces that during the time the royal guests are there veiled women will not be allowed in the streets, as the police fear that Anarchists might assume this disguise. THE Asiatic news is generally of troubles of various sorts. From China one report says the deposed young Emperor has been "made away with." Another says he has Bright's disease. Terrible floods have occurred in China, causing enormous loss of life. In the southern islands of the Philippine group-not reached by the Americans at Manila-" a terrible state of anarchy" is reported. In Formosa, the island taken from China by Japan in the late war, violent insurrections of the natives have occurred, and many merchants and other peaceable people have fled to Amoy, in China. were A A "PLAGUE PANIC has occurred in Vienna. man named Barisch, employed in Professor Nethnagle's labora ory, where bacilli of the bubonic plague of India "cultivated," died of the terrible disease on the 19th, and was buried with unusual precaution on the 20th. "The body had been soaked in disin ectants and placed in a double metal coffin, carefully soldered. Barisch's two nurses and physician who attended him, Dr. Mueller, were reported on the 21st ill with the disease. Great anxiety was caused in Vienna. On the 24th it was announced that Dr. Marmoret, the head of the Pasteur Institute of Paris, had arrived with two litres of plague serum, and that all the suspects had been inoculated. NEWS AND OTHER GLEANINGS. THE language used in his speech at Chicago, by President McKinley, appears to give away his reasonable control of public affairs, much the same as in his message to Congress. he gave the war elements the opportunity to "force his hand.' He said: "The war has put upon the nation grave responsibilities. Their extent was not anticipated and could not have been well foreseen. We cannot avoid the serious questions which have been brought home to us by the achievement of our arms on land and sea. We are bound in conscience to keep and perform the covenants which the war has sacredly sealed with mankind. Accepting war for humanity's sake, we must accept all obligations which the war in duty and honor imposed upon us." -Colonel George E. Waring, who went to Havana to study the conditions there, estimates the cost of cleaning the city, including the dredging of the bay, drainage, sewerage and paving, at $22,000,000. DUTCHER'S SHOES. the property of the wife of Professor Kirby Owing to early retirement from the COST AND LESS HIGH GRADE SHOES. SAMUEL DUTCHER, 45 North 13th Street, (below Arch). Please mention FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER, when answering Advertisements in it. This is of value to us and to the advertisers. Smith, of the Johns Hopkins University, a descendant of Mary E. Custis, to whom General Washington willed it. 66 ICE CREAM or iced butter," as it was first called from its supposed resemblance to that substance, was first known in Paris in 1774, according to Harper's Bazar. The Duc de Chartres often went at that time to the Paris coffee houses to drink a glass of iced liquor, and the landlord having one day presented him with his "arms" formed in edible ice, this kind of sweetmeat became the fashion. German cooks at once took up the new art, and it spread to England and America shortly afterwards. Are Quality and flavor always the samealways the best. The best grocers sell Atmore's Mince Meat and ATMORE'S genuine English PLUM PUDDING. BAIRD'S Pure, Non-alcoholic FLAVORING POWDERS AND SPICES Strongest, Purest, Best, Most Economical, are the words of hundreds of customers. They are the Best, because: 1. They will not lose their flavor by heating. 2. They are true to their flavor and non-alcoholic. 3. One ounce of powder is equal to three of the ordi-. nary liquid extracts. 4. The spices are unequaled for making all kinds of pickles. The following preparations at 25 cents per box, or five boxes for one dollar. Vanilla, Lemon, Orange, Strawberry, Cherry, Peach, Banana, Pineapple, Almond, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Allspice, Cloves, Ginger, Wintergreen, Peppermint, Rose, Celery. Orders solicited by Thos. Janney, 3954 Parrish Street, Philad'a.. **The Autumn Meeting of the General Conference of Young Friends' Associations will be held at West Chester, Pa., Seventh-day, Eleventh month 19, 1898. Morning session, 10.30 to 12. Afternoon, 2 to 4. Morning-" Complaints and Their Cures," by Dr. Jesse H. Holmes. Discussion, opened by Jane P. Rushmore. Afternoon "Our Opportunities,"-paper by Sarah Bancroft. Discussion, opened by a mem. ber of Plainfield Association. A general invitation is extended to all interested Friends. On behalf of the Executive Committee. WM. W. BIRDSALL, Chairman. ***Gwynedd Burial-Ground.-Friends at Gwynedd are engaged in the improvement of the burial-ground, which was much needed. It has been in use for two hundred years, and a large number of burials have been made in it. Many families, now residing elsewhere, have members interred there, and will wish, it is presumed, to contribute to the improvement. Contributions for the purpose (a special fund being required), should be addressed to Howard M. Jenkins, Gwynedd, Pa. *** The Philadelphia Quarterly Meeting's Committee to visit the smaller branches as way may open, will visit during Eleventh month as follows: The annual meeting of the Philadelphia First-day School Association, will be held at 15th and Race streets, Philadelphia, on Seventhday, Eleventh month 5, at 10 a. m. The morning session will be devoted to reports of Unions and isolated schools, and the afternoon to illustrationso f practical work, subjects as follow: Address: "How "How to prepare a First-day School Lesson where the Lesson Leaves are not used," by George H. Nutt, of George School. A class illustration on the Intermediate Lesson Leaves. An object lesson, by Beatrice Magill, of Swarthmore College. An object lesson, by Henry S. Kent, of Swarthmore, Pa I. FRANK CHANDLER, Clerks. *** United Evening Meetings, Philadelphia, on First-day, at 7.30 o'clock, during Tenth month, at Fourth and Green streets, excepting on Tenth month 30, when it is at 35th St and Lancaster Avenue, West Philadelphia. The general attendance of our members is urged, whether belonging to that meeting or not. *** Next First-day (30th), is Friends' day at the Home for Aged Colored Persons, the meeting for worship being at 3 p. m. ** Westbury Quarterly Meeting's Philanthropic Committee have arranged for a public meeting at the meeting-house, Flushing, L. I., on the afternoon of Quarterly Meeting, Tenth month 29, at 2.45 o'clock. Mabel Foulke will read a paper on " Friends and Temperance." HARRY A. HAWKINS, MARY W. ALBERTSON, Clerks. · A Conference under the care of the Philanthropic Committee of the Yearly and Quarterly Meeting will be held in the meetinghouse at Solebury, Bucks county, Pa., on Firstday, Tenth month 30, 1898, at 2.30 p. m. Subject, "Peace and Arbitration." All interested are respectfully invited to attend. On behalf of Committee. WHERE IT SHOULD GO. ** The Home Influence Association will meet at Fifteenth and Race streets, (Room No. I, meeting-house) on Third day, on Third day, Eleventh month I, at 3 p. m. A paper on "What Does Time Mean to the Little Child?" will be presented by Annie Hillborn, of Swarthmore. A full attendance is desired, as the time of holding future meetings will be considered. MARY H. WHITSON, President, pro tem. SWARTHMORE PREPARATORY SCHOOL, (Formerly Swarthmore GrAMMAR SCHOOL.) New stone buildings; cottage plan; light, heat, ventilation, and drainage the best; combined advantages of individual attention and class enthusiasm. For circulars address JOSEPH S. WALTON, ANNA W. SPEAKMAN,} Principals. Circulars on application. Friends' Academy, LOCUST VALLEY, LONG ISLAND. A Boarding and Day School for Boys and Girls, under the care of Friends. Thorough instruction to fit for business or to enter college. Board and tuition $150 per school year. New Building with modern conveniences. For particulars, address PRINCIPAL FRIENDS' ACADEMY Locust Valley, Long Island, N. Y. Chelten Hills School, FOR BOARDING AND DAY PUPILS, will re-open September 21st, 1898, (17th year). Coilege preparation. For circulars apply to the Principals. ANNIE HEACOCK. LIDA R. LĒMAISTRE. Wyncote, Pennsylvania. George School, NEAR NEWTOWN, BUCKS COUNTY, PA. Under the care of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends. Course of study extended and thorough, preparing students either for business or for College. For catalogue, apply to GEORGE L. MARIS, Principal, Chappaqua Mountain Institute, A FRIENDS' BOARDING SCHOOL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. The building is modern, and the location is the hill country thirty-two miles north of New York City. For Circulars, address CHAPPAQUA MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE, Chappaqua, New York, |