HomeMy WebLinkAboutExeter Advocate, 1906-6-28, Page 2CURRENT TOP1C$
Professor Lounsbury's criticisms of
those who are engaged in "school-
Itastering the language" are trenchant
and entertaining and, moreover, gener-
ally well-grounded, He preaches e.
gospelof liberalism, of healthy ,growth,
of sympathy and breadth, as against the
gospel of narrow dogmatism, timid
literalism and fussy pedantieism.
There are those who believe that the
speech is in serious danger from disre-
gard of the derivation of words. Pro-
fessor Lounsbury, on the contrary, con-
tends, with a wealth of pertinent illus-
tration to support his position, that
".much more harmful is the deference
mistakenlypaid" to derivation. There
results from it, he says, an artificial and
even painful mode of expression in op-
position to the best usage, and that, too,
without the slightest counterbalancing
advantage. We may quote one of the
professor's illustrations. Dealing with
the case of "none" as the subject of a
plural verb, he says :
When and where the outbreak of.
hostility to this usage first manifested
itself may not be easy to determine.
Apparently, it was not until of late that
anyone ever thought seriously of ques-
tioning the propriety of the construction.
But the fact seems suddenly to have
dawned upon the mind of some student
of speech that none was a contraction
of no one. The processes of logic were
at once._ set in motion. No one Is ex-
clusively confined in its construction to
the singular; it cannot be used with a
verb in the plural. In that all would
agree. The conclusion was at once
drawn that the word derived from it
must be exactly in the same situation..
It was, therefore, highly improper to use
none as the subject of a plural verb.
Professor Lounsbury has no difficulty
in showing conclusively that King
James' Bible, Bacon, Shakespeare, Mil-
ton and other authorities in English,
strong, pure and undefiled, have freely
used "none" as the subject of a plural
verb. Does not much usage, he asks,
settle the point decisively with the gen-
erality of intelligent men? In the same
way he disposes of a number of "purist"
mare's -nests. Who now objects to such
words as "gratuitous," "presidential,"
"liable," "scientist," "banter," and so
on ? The examples might be multiplied
indefinitely. Great and original writers
coin words and give old terms new
meanings. They think less of strict
derivation than of naturalness and
legitimacy in the broad sense of these
words. Every new science, art, indus-
try makes additions to the vocabulary.
Popular usage, popular humor and
popular economy of energy give the
language new idioms and locutions.
Dryden is quoted as saying : "I propose
lva new word for naturalization, and if
the public approves the bill passes."
Of course usage means permanent
usage. Crazes, fads and fancies in lan-
guage do not make usage. A good deal
of the slang of any day, for example, is
vulgar and ephemeral. It is the "con-
sensus of the competent" that counts.
Writers and speakers of distinction and
taste almost unconsciously adopt the
good and reject the bad. The process is
one of "natural selection."
A wind power electric plant in Indiana
is a successful novelty. The devices
heretofore tried for this purpose have
usually failed because of the variability
of the power. By the new method
electricity is generated as a. by-product
in the course of the wind -mill's service
in driving a water pump. The water is
led into a hydraulic regulator built on
the principle of a water lift in which the
pressure is controlled by weights. Ap-
proximately a uniform head pressure of
seventy-five pounds 'corresponds to the
capacity of the water pumped by a ten -
foot windmill wheel. This Is increased
to 100 pounds for a. fourteen -foot wheel.
The water is discharged from the hy-
draulic chamber by means of automatic
valves. The regulator is the means of
maintaining an even pressure under all
conditions whether the windmill is re-
-•volving fast or slow. Under the uniform
pressure the water is passed from the
hydraulic chamber through • a water.
motor to which a dynamo is attached.
Then it is discharged through troughs
and led away to the fields if desired.
Or it can be stored up in tanks or
reservoirs to be pumped back into the
hydraulic regulator again in case water
economy should be necessary. By pro-
ducing an evenness of pressure In this
way the dynamo is run at uniform
speed whether the wind is blowing a
gale or just enough to make the wheel
go round. The whole arrangement,
when once put In operation, requires
little or no attention. Secondary bat-
teries take any current generated in ex-
cess of immediate demands. It has been
calculated that a fourteen -foot windmill
should produce enough electricity to
light the average farm, generating In the
daytime the current that is burned at
night. The cost of maintenance is said
to be almost nothing, and it must' be
remembered that while the electric plant
tis doing its good work the windmill
proeceds with its usual Operations.
ambay is 1I most erowded pity in
the World.
WE ittiST BOW BEFORE MX
The Vocation of the Christian ,is
One of Dignity
I beseech you that you walk worthy
of the vocation in which you are called.
-Eph. ie. 1.
'!here is no metaphor which St.
Paul more frequently uses than the re-
ferring to the faithful as temples of the
living God. He says to. the. Corinthians,
"Know you not that you are the temples
of God and that the spirit of God dwells
in you? The temple of God is holy,
which you are."
Now God is everywhere present; all
creation may' be properly called his
temple. Since the apostle particularly
dignifies human creatures with this ap-
pellation we must, in a more elevated
sense and in a more perfect manner, be
His temples.
The "vessel of election" explains his
meaning in his letter to the Romans.
The charity of God is shed abroad in
our hearts by the Holy Ghost, who is
given to us. Hence the Spirit of God
adorns and beautifies our souls with an
infinite variety of precious gilts arid
graces ; and so the soul becomes a habi-
tation in which He loves to dwell.
Christians, therefore, should be con-
scious of the dignity of their vocation,
and, admitted as we are in a sense to a
participation of the divine nature, we
should rejoice in our pre-eminence and
be watchful not to descend again by
depravity to original vileness. Our
vocation likewise demands that God
alone be worshipped and adored in our
souls, All our senses and faculties may
bow down before Hirn.
THIS EXALTED VOCATION
has brought us into fellowship with
Christ Jesus and has made us co-heirs
with Him to God's eternal presence.
This alliance with the Deity is so super -
eminent in dignity that the sacred pen-
men seem unable to choose words to
convey the great conception to our in-
tellects.
"You are," says Peter, "a chosen gen-
eration, a kingly priesthood, a holy na-
tion, a purchased people." This is the
consoling thought which supports us
under pressure of human calamities.
It is the only anchor on which our souls
can secure rest amid the boisterous
waves, the raging storms and tempests
of this mortal life. If the vicissitudes of
human affairs disturb us, if we cannot
view with composure of soul the smile
and frowns of fortune, it is clear that
we are unmindful of our high calling,
'Tis our passions that disturb our re-
pose and our passions are influenced by
our loves.
"Where a man's treasure Is, there is
his heart also." If we .love the things
of earth our souls are agitated and
ruffled. We begin to: repine at being
thwarted in our inclinations, we be-
come impatient under disappointments
and are harassed by alternate hopes and
fears. If we keep God's temple perfect,
our souls will resemble 'the heavens,
The firmament is always pure and se-
rene. Clouds, indeed, arise in the lower
regions of the air which often intercept
the raps of the sun and obscure the fade
of day, but they cannot street the beauty
or disturb the
SERENITY OF THE FIRMAMENT.
If we wish to derive comfort from our
vocation, we must walk through life In
a manner worthy of it, Let the know-
ledge which we possess of the nature
of our creation be the grand principle
of our conduct, Let it direct our steps,
compose and purify our thoughts, calm
our passions, fill all our conversations
with goodness and charity and sanctify
all our actions. Therefore, cleanse God's
temple, search out the cracks and rents
and repair these damages of earthly
warfare. Each morning look forward
on the day's duties and permit God's
spirit to direct us to discharge them
with propriety and ,honor.
Then will the light of faith be diffused
over our souls and enable us to pene-
trate the hidden things of life, of God's
wisdom. Then will divine hope compel
us, even while on earth, to enjoy in a
measure that, happiness of which the
plenitude is reserved for a future world.
Then will heavenly charity become the
ruling passion of our hearts and estab-
lish its domination in our souls. Then
will it command and impel all our
powers, ennoble our views, elevate our
desires and purify our natures.
In this we shall recognize our voca-
tion to be saints as says St. Paul, and
of our souls, His living temple, we shall •
hear the voice of the Most High declar-
ing : "I have chosen and have sancti-
fied this place that my name may be THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
there forever, and my eyes and my
heart may remain there perpetually."
JOHN J. DONLAN.
quite an item, as the tamer's wife
Mustuse her head to save her heels..
•
HINTS FOR THE HOME LIFE,
Chops for an invalid should always
bo boiled or cooked in a Dutph oven,
ne.
Fireprverooflrledpaper may be made by satu-
rating paper in a strong solution et
alum.
Wooden spoons, except for measur-
ing, are superior to metal ones for
cookery purposes.
Bitter apple oan be procured at any
good drug store, and it is excellent for
staring with woollen goods.
A clean collar should always be dried
by the fire till stiff, and the starch. will
then last properly.
After eating onions, have a cup of
strong, coffee, and it will remove ell
smof anions from the breath.
Preserve all chicken and game bones
for they form a valuable addition to
the stockpot when soup is in prepare. -
Rice possesses more nutriment than
wheat, oats or barley. It will sustain
life longer than any other starch -produc-
ing plant.
Mutton, lamb and poultry aro the
best meats for children, and they
should never be given meat which has
been twice cooked.
Use a pancake shovel when baking
coolies. With it they ere easily hand-
led, both before and after baking.
'When stoning raisins, rub a little
butter on the fingers and knife. It will
relieve the task of raisin -seeding of fis
stickiness and discomfort.
When bailing meat keep the lid c f
the pan pressed down tightly. The deli-
cate flavor and aroma of most -bailed
dishes escapes with the steam.
Save the water that meat, fish, hari-
cot beans, and peas have been boiled
in This contains nourishment and
may be the foundation of good soups.
When linoleum begins to wear, paint
the surface with a good floor paint, al-
lowing a longer time for it to dry in
than in the case of wooden boards.
Grained woad should be washed with
cold tea. a small part of the surface at
a time, and rubbed well with a flannel
cloth before it becomes dry.
Verdigris should be carefully looked
for on all metal things in daily use.
Directly it appears remove by rubbing
with plate powder or liquid ammonia.
When binding up cuts and wounds,
always use linen, not cotton, as the
fibres of cotton are flat and apt to ir-
ritate a sore place, while those of linen
are perfectly rounded.
its
x( -******4(**)
HOME.
rt
r
* i
*** w ;�*: 't-.
a *
SELECTED RECIPES.
Out -of -Oven Baked Potato. -Bake .po-
tatoes without using the oven. Place
an asbestos mat on top of the range,
and on it lay the potatoes, previously
washed clean and dried. Cover with a
deep pan, and in one hour you may eat
a potato that is just bursting with
meatiness. A five -cent asbestos mat
will accommodate about five medium-
sized potatoes. Occasionally the pota-
toes must be turned around.
Salmon Sandwiches. - Mash half a
can of salmon to a paste, taking out
skin and bones. Add a raw egg beaten,
one tablespoon melted butter, two; of
cream or milk -if milk, use more but-
ter -salt, pepper, mustard and lemon
juice to taste. Mix thoroughly Lo-
gether and spread between thin slices
of bread, trim and cut into triangles.
Raisin Nut Rice Cakes - Boil one-
half pound rice until tender, and allow
it to cool. Then add one-quarter pound
each of chopped nuts and chopped'rai-
sms; mix well together. Add one well
beaten egg and form into balls. Dip
in the white of egg, then in grated cake
crumbs (stale sponge cake is best).
Drop in hot lard and cook to a golden
brown. Serve with whipped cream.
Two New Ways to Bake Apples -Peel
thin and core well, then place in deep
pan, allowing heaping tablesponlul "u -
gar and one-half cup water for each ap-
ple. In the centre of each apple place
a teaspoon of chopped nuts and strip
of lemon or orange peel, and over the
whole sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg.
Bake very slowly. Or, fill the centres
with honey and teaspoon of butter in-
stead of the nuts and sugar.
A New Way to Cook Liver - When
liver is tough, as it is sometimes in spite
et your most careful selection, try this
way of cooking it: Run slices through
the food -chopper, using the medium disk,
drop it by the spoonful into a basin
cf bread crumbs, turn it over and dip
it out Into a frying -pan of hot fat not
as deep as for fritters but enough to
have plenty when the pats are turned,
which will be as soon as they are crisp
on one side. After a few minutes put
them carefully into a greased pan and
set them in the oven to get done clear
through.
Apple Snow. -Grate a medium-sized
tart apple, peeled, and set aside. Whip
stiff the white of one egg with a pinch
of salt, then add one tablespoon of the
grated apple, alternating with a cup of
sugar a little at a time until sugar and
apple have been quite used, then con-
tinue beaking until the snoW has risen
to at least one and one-half pints in
quantity, for it will swell surprisingly.
Cooked apples may also be used, in
same proportion, the pulp of one apple
to each white of egg. Chopped dates
or ntus may be added or fresh grated
cocoanut, ell giving increased tood
value of their individual types. This
snow may be served Ice-cold as it lo, or
browned in the oven, hot,
Wedding Cake. -- Take two pounds
of butter, two pounds of sugar, four
Otte of flour, three tablespoonfuls Of
cinnamon, two tablespoonfuls of nut-
meg, one tablespoonful of ginger, one
tablespoonful of allspice, air pdunds of
raisins, two pounds of currants, one-
half, pound of candied tenon peel, one -
halt pound of candied orange peel, juke
et two lemons and one gill grape juice,
...
one dozen eggs and one dessertspoonful
of cloves.
Place the butter and sugar in a large
bowl. Break the eggs into a quart mea-
sure or pitcher. Cover a small tray
with a clean sheet of paper. Lay on
this the sifted flour, the fruit and the
spice. Now beat to a very light cream
the butter and sugar and pour in one
or two eggs at a time, beating a little
after each addition until all are used.
Noxt stir in the contents of the tray
all at once. Mix very thoroughly until
quite smooth. Put into papered cake
tins, smooth over the top and cover
with corrugated paper. Bake eight
hours, keeping the oven in a clear,
steady and moderate heat. When done.
remove from the oven very carefully,
and turn gently from the tin; allow it
is rest either on the bottom of the tin
or an a cake sieve until thoroughly
cold. Icing is no longer always spread
on wedding cake as it adds unnecessary
sweetness and is seldom a success.
A practice in one family for several
generations has been to have the wed-
ding cake intwo loaves, one very Iarge
and one small and round. The latter
is sealed away in the airtight tin pail
in which it is kept. Thus cared for, the
cake keeps for many years.
Line the baking dish with tissue paper
well buttered on both sides. Then pour
the ingredients in, surrounding the out-
side of the tin with thick corrugated
paper, and place another piece under
the bottom. This paper will prevent the
heat from striking the cake directly and
even the gas oven can be used with good
results.
A PRACTICAL SEWING ROOM.
A sewing room, where there are chil-
dren, is more or less of a necessity. 11
is easy to drop into this. room for half
ar, hour, where with all the materials
at hand, the work can be picked up
where it is left, and the materials do
not have to be put away each time.
There should be plenty of light, at
least for the machine, a high bads,
straigh chair and rocker. Always sit
while cutting patterns, and thus .avoid
stooped shoulders. A carpet is out c f
the question; so . stain the floor with
some of the many stains, then a varnish
may be added, if desired. A looking -
glass, costume hanger, a chest, a table
for use in cutting out, a small sewing
table, a cheap cheffonier for pieces, new
materials, linings, table and bed linen,
etc., .a set of shelves, stocking bags,
with the necessary outfit for darning,
are some of the furnishings suggested
for the room.
If there happens to be a closet in the
room, in it may be kept clothes that
need overhauling, a quilting frame, a
one -burner oil .stove and a flat iron, an
ironing board, sleeve press board, a
broom stick slightly padded.
Ono mother who sews for a large
family, and keeps them all well dressed,
has a room similar to the one describ-
ed. In it are two windows, between
which stand the sewing machine, thus
giving light to both sides. Onthe left
le a small table, with a drawer and
shelf beneath. In this drawer are kept
papers of pins, a book of assorted
needles, basting thread, several thins -
hies, and all kinds of sewing articles.
The stocking bag hangs on the closet
door, and into it each week go the
stockinges whichrequire mending.
If one cannot have a whale room, at
least insist on some corner of tfie home
to devote to the sowing nook. A corner
In the bedroom may serve the purpose,
The best place for this praetical sew-
ing room is adjoining the kitehen, as a
great deal of sewing cttn be done while
the dinner is belitng, and only a few
steps taken to attend to both, whloh is
INTERNATIONAL LESSON,
JULY 1.
Lesson I. Jesus 'and' the Children.
Golden Text, Matt. 18. 14.
THE LESSON WORD STUDIES.
Note. -The text of the Revised Version
is used as a basis for these Ward
Studies.
Intervening Events. -- Descending
from the Mount of Transfiguration with
Peter, James and John, Jesus healed the
demoniac lad whom some of the dis-
ciples had been unable to heal. Of
this incident Mark gives the longest ac
count (Mark 9. 14-29). Shortly after this,
while on a tour through Galilee with
his disciples, Jesus again foretold his
death and resurrection. Arriving at
Capernaum, the incident of Peter's tak-
ing a shekel from the fish's mouth and
paying therewith for himself and his
Master the annual contribution to the
temple treasury which was expected cf
every Jew, took place (Matt. 17. 24-27).
Our lesson text is part of a longer dis-
course of Jesus on humility and forgive-
ness • recorded in Matthew 18, and with.
short parallel passages in Mark and
Luke (Mark 9. 35-50; Lulce 9. 46-50; 15.
4-17).
Verse 1. In that hour -Immediately
following the miracle of taking the coin
from the fish's mouth referred to in the
last verses of the preceding chapter. The
working of the miracle had again ex-
cited in the disciples the hope of a glori-
ous kingdom upon earth, and hence
their question, Who then is greatest in
the kingdom of heaven?
2. Called to him a little child - The
statement of this fact incidentally throws
much light on the publicity of our
Lord's work as teacher. No other great
teacher in the history of the race was
so continually and conspicuously • in
view of the public
3. Verily - Literally, amen. This word
occurring at the beginning of a discourse
or sentence, means of a truth, surely, or
truly; at the close of a sentence it sig-
nifies so be it, may it be fulfilled. The
repetition of the word, as often in John,
gives it the superlative significance cf
medly.
Exceptost assurye turn -- From the haughty
and self-seeking spirit, revealed in the
question which the disciples had just
put to Jesus.
In no wise enter - Much less be great
therein, since the kingdom of heaven ;s
a spiritual kingdom of humility.
4• Greatest -- Literally greater, that
is greater than others. So also in verse
1 above.
5. Whose shall receive one such little
child -To be taken in its.. literal sense as
pointing to the function and calling of
the disciples as teachers.
Receiveth me `-- A kindness rendered
to a friend is In a very real sense a
kindness rendered to us as well. In this
sense the words of Jesus are to be
taken.
6. One of these little mics that believe
en me -The usual interpretation of this
verse is that Jesus here refers not to
children, but to those young and weak
in faith. This aplieation Of the wants
of Jesus is perhaps justifiable and per-
missible, but since we have so few
passages In which the attitude .of Jesut
toward children and their training is
set forth, we should be slow to divert
by a method of figurative interpretation
Such a passage as this one which, tak-
en literally, as actually referring to
'"diose young in years, yields such a rich
fund of spiritual truth.
6. It Is profitable for hint -And nitre
rspectelly also for those whom his life
Y.
,night, If. prolonged, influence for evil,
A great millstone -.- Llteraily a Mill-
stone turned by an aas,that Is, one, ,too
large to be turned by hand.
Sunk in the depth of the 808 --- The
manner of death here referred to was
00100n anioug the Greeks end Romans,,
though probably not well known among
the Jews.
7 Qecasions of stumbling -to others
who Werre seeking to live Stn upright and
righteou§ life.
it nruet needs be-lt is natural and in
harmony with the actual course of
events.
8. Verses 8 and 9 are it light diverg-
ence from the immediate thought of the
preceding and fallowing verses,. From
persons who give occasion for stumb-
ling Jesus titres to that within the dis-
ciple's own life which may be a hind-
rance to his Christian life.
The eternal fire -Tho use of the sa-
tiate seems to indicate that Jesus refer
red to some place of torment, either
well known in current teaching, or at
least familiar to his hearers from his
own previous teaching on the subject.
9. The hell of fire -Literally the Ge-
henna of fire. Ghenna is the Greek
form of the Hebrew Ge-flinrtom o1 l al
ley of I•linnom," sometimes called "Val-
ley of the Son of Hinnom"; also 'Tophet
(Ter. 7. 31), This Valley of Hinnom waL
a deep, narrow gulch or glen south-
west of Jerusalem, whore in earlier
times the cruel practice of human sac -
'lace to the god Moloch had been car-
ried on. It was during the reformation
under Josiah (2 Kings 28. 10) that the
king "defiled Tophet, that no man
might make his sen or his daughter to
pass through the fire to Moloch." m
our Lord's time the valley was used is
u place for depositing pollutions of every
kind, even the bodies of criminals who
had been executed. From this defile-
ment and from its former desecration,
Gehenna came to be used in a figura-
tive sense to express the abode of the
wicked after death. "The words 'of fire'
are added either because of the ancient
rites of Moloch, or, if a Rabbinical tra-
dition is to be credited, because fires
were always burning in the valley; , r,
further, as a symbol of everlasting pun-
ishment."-Carr.
un-
ishment"-Carr. From the use of the
term "the eternal fire" in the preceding
verse it is probable that the last sugges-
tion of Carr is the corrct one.
10. -Literally, messengers.
Behold the face of my father who is
in heaven -Not as if these messengers
brought to God tidings of the wrong
done . to his little ones on earth, but
rather that they stand in the presence
.of the throne ever ready to do the Fa-
ther's bidding, and thus ready to speed
on errands of help to protect these little
ones and avenge their wrongs.
11. Following the reading of several
excellent ancient manuscripts the . Re-
vised Version omits this verse, but there
teems to be equally good authority for
retaining the same. The verse reads,
"For the Son of Man came to save that
which was lost." It fits well into the
thought of the . discourse at this point.
12. Which goeth astray -Even while
the sheep is yet in the act of going as-
traythe careful shepherd has already
begun his search. This parable `in
Luke is given in connection with two
others, the parable of the Lost Coin and
the parable of the Lost Son.
THE BIOSCOPE IN AFRICA.
Expedition Will Secure Records of Wild
Life in Unknown Lands.
An expedition will leave London
shortly, under the leadership of Brian
Bellasis and Lionel Cooke, with the ob-
ject of obtaining bioscopic records illus-
trating the wild life and the industrial
activities of countries along the entire
route of the proposed Cape to Cairo
railway.
Though the enterprise is mainly com-
mercial, and has the support of many
of the most important African com-
panies, it is , hoped that it may accom-
plish something of scientific value. The
leaders have been asked by the Zoologi-
cal Society to try to get a few specimens
of rare animals, notably a white rhino-
ceros, which, they are assured, if cap-
tured young enough, may lie persuaded
to march with them.
Ethnological interests will be sub -
served by obtaining phonographic re-
cords of the dialects of various native
races
In the centre of Nyassaland is a mys-
terious native city where a warlike na-
tive chief holds court. His city is com-
pletely surrounded by walls, and is
composed of stone kraals.
To the white man it is forbidden
ground, no European having as yet
entered its gates ; but Mr. Bellesis and
Mr. Cooke hope, by dint of many pre-
sents, to gain permission to enter and
take records, which should be of great
interest to the outside world.
When Broken 1-I111, the terminus of the
southern section of the railway, is
reached, the real difficulty of the expedi-
tion will begin. For many months but
slow progress can be made, with the aid
of native bearers, and when the north-
ern shores of Lake Victoria Nyanza are
reached the presence of hostile natives
and the extreme danger from fever will
render the journey somewhat pre-
carious.
In Abyssinia the Emperor Menelik will
be visited, and animated pictures of
London will be shown to him, in return
for which it is hoped permission will be
granted to bring home to Lohdon re-
cords of life in the most gorgeous court
in Africa.
From Abyssinia the expedition will
strike back to the Nile, and proceed by
steamer and rail to Cairo.
TI4E FLIGHT OF SEEDS.
Most persons probably, think that
winged seeds from trees travel to great
distances on the wind. But the studies
of Doctor Ridley of the Botanic Gar-
dens at -"Singapore indicate that winged
seeds have afar narrower range of
"powder than do seeds and plumed
seeds. The greatest distance travelled
by the winged fruit of a forest tree, ob-
served by Doctor Ridley, was 100 yards.
Under the most favorable circumstances
he calculatesb it would take this plant
100 years to Spread 300 yards, and 1,-
500,000 years to spread from the Malay
Peninsula to the .Philippines, if a land
connection existed.
Hostess : "Have you got as much as
you 'Would like, Johnny,?" Johnny
(eyeing the good things on the table) t
"Well,I haven't got as much as I Would
like, but 1've got sa much a8 I cart
WHERE FIGS COME FRO
IIO)riW THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES
ARE OBTAINED.
They Are Brought From Growers oLi
Camel -Back to Packing
Houses.
How Smyrna figs aro packed for
marcet is described by a correspondent
ondeit
at that Asia Minor city.
Fig trees begin to bear in their siuthn
year, and are full of vigor in their 111
teenth. Those upon', low plains yield(
fruit which is larger and richer in sac..
chorine matter than that of the bill
suffer from exces
often
but the trees s o e
of moisture in wet seasons.
'About the middle of August the fruit
ripens, when It is picked and dried in
the open air from three to six days. It
is then packed in sacks , holding 250
pounds each, placed upon camels and
token to the nearest railway station or
fruit warehouse. Two such sacks mak,
a load for one camel
WORK OF PACKERS.
These consignments from the oouna
try groves are bought by exporters and
taken to great packing houses. ` There;
small armies of employes, chiefly .wo-)
men and girls,, sort, wash, dry and pack)
the fruit,
Work is provided for thousands in
Smyrna during September and October}
and the prosperity of the poorer classes!
is largely dependent upon the amount
of money put into circulation .in that'
brief season.
In sorting the figs classification is)
guided by color, size and especially, by!
the thinness of the skin. Inferior grades;
are thrown aside and sold for purposes,
of distillation.
A certain quantity of these grades is
shipped to Austria, where it Is used as;
a substitute for chicory. It is said that;
the delicate quality of Vienna coffee 1'
due to the use of fig powder.
Figs of intermediate grades are plat-
ed for shipment in bags of linen or
other material, while the finer fruit is
carefully packed in boxes; containing
!tons one to eleven pounds. Each fig
of the best grades is subjected to a
certain manipulation before being pack.
ed.
During this operation the workers,
continually dip their fingers in sea wa-
ter. As a result of the treatment, It
said, the fruit is better preserved and
retains its sweetness alter long keep.,
ing. SEVERAL VARETIES.
"Macaroni" figs are those which have
been gently rolled between the palms
r,f the hand. "Loucoun" figs are those
which have been pressed into rectangue
lar shape.
Most of the choicer varieties are pack-
ed layers. The upper side of the fruit
is split and the fig is flattened. The
"Macaroni" style of packing involves
the least disturbance of the fig's inter.
nal structure. Boxes of figs are general-
ly exported in crates holding about 336
poun
Lastds. year unsorted flgs arrived
Smyrna from the interior sold at prat
ranging from $2.80 to $10.50 a quintal of
125 pounds. Packed for export, the
prices ran from $2.25 to $12.50 for 112
pounds, according to quality. The crop
was exceptionally large, amounting to
over 20;000 tons. Much of this was
sold long before it was packed.
it --
FORTUNES IN BIRDS' NESTS.
Four Specimens of the Great Auk E9g9
North a Small Fortune.
The enormous value attaching to the
eggs of birds which have •become ex•
tinct has been recalled by the accident
that has befallen the specimen of the
great auk, which constitutes one of the
treasures of the Scarborough (England)
Museum. Kept securely guarded in the
safe, it was recently placed on public
exhibition. 13y some means or other it
has become cracked, and its value has.
been depreciated by more than £60.'
These eggs, which were as plentiful as
the ordinary chickens' eggs in the early
part of the last century, are now worth
small fortunes. The highest price rea-
lized for a specimen was £315, paid by
an enthusiastic collector in North Lon-
don, who now boasts four of these eggta
representing a total value of -£1,415.
There is .one now carefully preserved
under a glass .case in the National Mu•
scum at Washington, which the Amer!,
can authorities value at no less than
£2,000. When first brought into the
market this specimen was sold in 1851
for £22.
The stories associated with the dia.
posal of some of these specimens are
highly romantic. In 1879 a Scotchman
picked up two eggs at an Edinburgh sale
for 18s. each. A little later he parted with
his bargains for no less than £480.
Another specimen purchased for £40
realized subsequently £160 from an
American collector. There are only
about eighty•of these eggs in existence,
of which the British Museum possesses
twelve, representing a value not far
short of £5,000.
Valuable though the egg of the great
auk is, it cannot compare with that of
the aepyornis, or moa, which thrived In
Madagascar some two hundred years
ago. The egg is about twelve inches In
length, and the number known to be in
existenee can be counted upon the fin-
gers. When the first specimen was
brought to Europe, in 1851, it aroused
the greatest excitement.. There is one
specimen preserved in the British Mu-
seum which was obtained in quite a
romantic manner. It was picked up in
1897 floating in a bay off Madagascar.
Its value is incalculable, since it consti'
a n of themost
tuts o e s.
mo
relics of its type, it is impossible to 05-
tirnate its marketable price, for the sim-
ple reason that an egg of this bird s
not been put up at auction within recent
years.
CHINESE IGNORANCE.
Flynn : •: "Cot tell yez they's no us9'
thrryins to iddica'ate (him Chionnese.
Mulhooley "An' pkwy 18 thot?"
Flynn: "01 fist asked wan av ,him
the Chionnese wor-rud for St. Patrfck'9
Day, an', bedad, he couldn't tell role."
Jackie t "1. sa ap h , what's the deet
,
vation of Millionaire?" pPlionaire?" Pape (who haft
jus(,got the bill for his wite's new ;bon,
het) , I m not sure, .Jackie, but 1 ,hint
It Lust be derived from Inliliuer."