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It is said that up to November 20, over 1,300 projectiles were thrown into the besieged town of Mafeking by the Boer guns with the extremely feeble results of six persons killed. This, says "The Engineer," probably forms a record of ineffectiveness in the annals of military warfare.

A Boston inventor has invented an antiseptic apparatus for disinfecting razors, shaving brushes, etc. It consists of a conveniently shaped vessel which contains an antiseptic solution. Separated at some distance are battery electrodes connected to a battery and induction coil. Holders for razors, brushes, etc., perforated with holes, enter this antiseptic liquid. The articles are promptly sterilized with its aid.

According to a German electric journal an association of farmers in Bavaria is building large electrical works which will be devoted to agricultural uses. The current is produced near the village of Schaftersheim, a distance of seven miles. It is supplied partly by steam and partly by water, and is sent to the surrounding villages at a pressure of 5,000 volts. Movable motors are used for driving thrashing machines, chaff cutters, bruising mills, etc. The motors are very simple in construction, and can be easily handled by the farm hands.

A great advance in membership is reported for the Christian Science movement in all parts of the United States and in many foreign countries. The organization has now 394 charter churches, 80,000 enrolled members, and an active ministry of about 12,000, an especially large proportion of the whole body. One of the most striking indications of growth is the reported in

crease in the circulation of Mrs. Eddy's "Science and Health," which is the textbook of Christian Science. Already nearly 200,000 copies have been distributed.

The most remarkable trait of the population of the British Isles is its head form; and especially the uniformity in this respect which is everywhere manifested. The prevailing type is that of the long and narrow cranium, accompanied by an oval rather than a broad or round face. Measured by the cephalic index-that is the extreme breadth of the head expressed in percentage of its length from front to back-the uniformity in cranial type all through the British Isles is remarkable. It will be observed that the indexes all lie between 77 and 79, with the possible exception of the middle and western parts of Scotland, where they fall to 76. Highland and lowland, city or country, peasant or philosopher, all are practically alike in respect of this fundamental racial characteristic. The people of the northern parts of Europe, who are Protestants, are dolichocephalic, or long-headed.

It is care that kills. One who deliberately cultivates a disposition to throw care to the winds soon becomes an indispensable person to his friends. Care is worry pure and simple. The burden that causes us to worry is heavy enough to bear, in all probability, without adding to it that of all-engrossing care, which never lets the mind rest for an instant. One's best effort to overcome the trials and tribulations of this life is all that is demanded. If that effort surmounts the difficulties, well and good; if it fails, the fret that causes wrinkles in one's soul, the worry that

makes us hated by our friends, the care that wears deep furrows on the brow, do not help us out of the Slough of Despond, but rather force us down the deeper.

In fact, attempts that have been made to produce only plays morally pure on the stage have signally failed. Edwin Booth made such an attempt, and only gave it up when his means were exhausted. There are unobjectionable plays, dramas, and operas; but these are the rare exceptions. In general, the tendency of the theater, even in its classical productions, is antagonistic to Christianity, and inconsistent with high Christian ethical ideals. It is wise to follow the advice given by Dumas, himself the author of the favorite but not unobjectionable "Camille," to a friend, in these words: "You do not take your daughter to hear my play. You are right, and permit me to add in general, never take your daughter to the theater. Not only the play but the place itself is immoral."

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FISH AS FOOD.

The value of fish as food is a topic which of late days has been ventilated on more than one occasion. There is a popular notion that fish is pre-eminently a brain-food. The brain requires phosphorus and phosphates, argues the popular reader: fish contains a fair amount of these constituents, therefore it should be regarded as a typical nutrient for the nervous system. There is no scientific justification for the idea that fish is specially to be looked upon as a brain-food. One is reminded of Mark Twain's joke concerning the stupid man who, inquiring if "fish made brains," was told, "Yes, but you would require to eat a whale." The bon mot is excellent, even despite the fact that the whale is not a fish at all. What we

find in white fish is a large proportion of water, a small amount of fat (hence the use of fat sauces to white fish), minerals and nitrogenous or tissueforming matter. This last in fish is regarded, when compared with the amount contained in beef, as existing in the proportion of 15 to 12-that is to say, 12 parts of beef equal 15 of. fish. Certain fishes are rich in fat. Eels are particularly nutricious on this account, and the mackerel, salmon, and herring are also only fishes in the sense that they contain much more fat than cod, sole, haddock, and the like.-Dr. Wilson.

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MINES OF MOUNT SINAI.

The Egyptians had mined the rugged sides of Mount Sinai for copper and torquoises thousands of years before Moses climbed the mountain to receive the Tables of the Law, and the Egyptians waged wars for the possession of these mines. M. de Morgan with a party of French engineers recently visited these abandoned workings which is situated convenient to the Gulf of Suez, and explored two of the ancient deposits. found the mineral deposits in the sandstone region, and not in the porphyries which constitute the great mass of the mountain. These deposits consists of copper and iron-bearing minerals, especially hematite and some gypsum. most valuable were the torquoise, many valuable specimens of which have been discovered from time to time in the tomb and treasures of the Egyptians.

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ARTIFICIAL PEARLS.

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Fish scales are being utilized in France, where a chemist has discovered that the scales may be used in the manufacture of artificial pearls, and our consul at Lyons has found that the supply is inadequate, and that there is an actual demand for large quantities of the scales in his consulate,

where good prices are paid for them. The scales should be sprinkled with salt as soon as they are removed from the fish and packed in tin cans. Any specimens sent to Mr. Covert at Lyons will receive careful attention, and the results, with any suggestions that may be made, and particulars of price offered, will be duly reported. As the American sturgeon has the most beautiful and largest scales of almost any fish in the world, this may be of considerable importance to fishermen who engage in catching sturgeon.

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ABSTINENCE AS A BUSINESS RULE

IN THE ARMY.

Here would seem to be a case illustrating the desirability of inaugurating in the army a rule such as is now enforced by railway managers and by other employers upon all employees on whose mental or nervous condition may depend the lives of many others, the correct working of valuable machinery, and the safety of costly investment. That rule requires of every man, occupying any position thus important in its reiations to others, absolute abstinence from intoxicating liquors. No railroad will now employ an engineer, a conductor, brakeman, signal-man, or switch-tender who is known to use intoxicants. The managers do not pretend to raise a "moral issue" in the case, or to question anybody's "personal liberty." But, simply as a matter of business, they refuse to employ a drinker, no matter how moderate. So it is with the managers of many other industrial enterprises.

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INCENSE AND DEVOTION.

It has formed a part of almost all elaborate religious ceremonies from the time when the Babylonian Noah offered a sweet savor on the mountain-top and the gods "gathered like flies" to smell it It appeals to a sense neglected by

Western nations and decaying in this. catarrhal climate, but still powerful in its influence on our feelings. If we drop incense because of its vague sensuous influence, we must also abolish music, at least instrumental, for the same reason. Under the power of an eight-foot organ pipe, many a man has mistaken the shaking of his diaphragm for the trembling of his soul; but that is not a bad mistake. The illusion may bring about the reality. If a man does not respond to an appeal to his reason, it is permissible to approach him through his senses. The nerves are easily reached and lead to the brain. If "religion is morality touched by emotion," we have a right to use the most efficient means of getting this magic touch that brings the dead to life."The Independent."

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NOT YET HARVEST TIME.

Some religious papers do not approve of the coming Congress of Religious History at the Paris Exposition, dreading the effects upon popular belief of the comparative study of all religions. "The Midland" (United Presb., January 18), referring to what it regards as the evil effects of the Chicago Parliament of Religions, says: "Missionaries tell us Among the cupriferous minerals the that their work has been made more difficult, in India at least, by the boasts of devotees of the false systems of religion there that in Chicago they had met and triumphed over Christianity. Though not intolerant, the Christian religion is absolutely exclusive. It can have no fellowship with systems which insult the true God and know nothing of that blessed Name by which alone salvation comes to any human soul. Its mission is to expose and uproot all other systems, and rescue men from their delusion and destructive influence. We are convinced that these parliaments

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If possible, nervous people should take a full hour's rest before dining in the evening, and if especially fatigued should eat but little and very slowly until rest is obtained later in the evening. They should always rest after dinner, and should not engage in stimulating occupation or conversation. It may be necessary at times, when especially fatigued, to postpone dinner until a later hour. Nervous people suffer almost always from constipation, and therefore need to take plenty of water between meals; effervescent mineral waters are particularly valuable for such people. Artificial digestive powders and pills should be taken only for an emergency, and the individual is not in perfect health when he requires the habitual aid of such agencies. To recapitulate, persons of a nervous temperament should take large quantities of food only when fully rested. Rest before and after heavy meals and avoid artificial aids to digestion. Take plenty of liquids at appropriate times during the day.

HIPPIC BUTCHERS.

In France, Germany, Austria, Belgium and other countries there are hippic butchers who make a specialty of this food, and, as is well known in Paris, the sale of horseflesh is very considerable. The butchers, however, are licensed, and the animals are slaughtered with as much attention to sanitation as are beeves. Fortunately, it is very easy to detect the presence of horse meat even in as small percentages as five per cent. Twenty grammes of sausage finely minced are boiled from à half hour to an hour in 100 cubic centimeters of water. The volume of water is then reduced by evaporation to thirty cubic centimeters, then the liquid is cooled and filtered. About ten cubic centimeters are tested with a few drops of compound iodine solution (one part of iodine and twelve parts of pottassium iodie in 100 parts of water). A fugitive reddish violet coloration indicates the

presence of horse meat. The re-agent must be added carefully, so that no excess is added, as this is apt to change the color to a reddish-brown. It is probable, as our medical contemporary hints, that a little investigation in various cities will bring to light the mysterious hidden ways of the sausage vender.

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A new breathing apparatus has been invented by an Austrian. It is for use as a rescue apparatus for coal mines. It consists of an India rubber cloth receptacle made in the form of a collar which closely surrounds the wearer's neck, serving as a breathing bag, and at the same time to hold a store of quicklime for absorbing the carbonic acid and water vapor. A mask tightly enclosing the face, is also employed, and oxygen can be breathed from an accompanying container, so that a man wearing these appliances can remain in a locality filled with irrespirable gases.

WILLIAM W. LEWIS.

The death of Mr. William W. Lewis, which occurred at his home on Berry Avenue, Hyde Park, March 1st, where he lived with his three daughters, Sallie A. Lewis, Gussie Lewis and Katherine Lewis, and his two sons Giles Lewis and Arthur Lewis, cast a gloom over a very large circle of Cincinnatians. Mr. Lewis was widely known throughout the city of Cincinnati, being one of the pioneer Welshmen of the city. He was a man of rare genius, being of an inventive turn of mind. Along in the seventies he invented the horse shoe machine, which he built and worked in co-operation with some of the largest rolling mills in that section of the United States. For the past 20 years he had been concentrating his thought upon the balance valve movement of locomotives and marine engines, and had invented an ingenious device called the automatic gear valve, which has just been patented at Washington, D. C., and at the time of his death was being tried on the C. & O. R.R. at Cincinnati. While making tests with his invention at the C. & O. yards in Covington, Ky., on September 26, he was accidentally struck by an outgoing train, and received injuries from which he never fully recovered. Being a sufferer previous to the accident with valvular heart trouble, which was aggravated by the nervous shock and hastened his death. He was a man of more than ordinary intellect, and was authority on both mechanics and Biblical history.

He had been a deacon for the past thirty years in the College Street C. M. Church, and a life member for many

years in the Bible Society, and an honored Mason for thirty-three years in the Harmony Lodge. His funeral occurred on Sunday, March 4, at 10 o'clock, at the College St. C. M. Church, which was heavily draped in mourning. It was one of the most impressive services ever held in the church, consisting of choir singing under the direction of Prof. Davis, Bible reading by the Rev. Wm. Spiegel of Hyde Park, prayer by Rev. B. Harris, remarks by Rev. H. Griffiths, which were given with great feeling, the text being "My friend Lazarus sleepeth." Solo, "Weep no More," pathetically rendered by Prof. David Davis, followed by Rev. Wm. Siegel; and the solo, "I leave it all With Jesus," was most touchingly rendered by Mrs. Wm. Spiegel. Remarks followed by Rev. B. Harris, who graphically portrayed Mr. Lewis's Christian life, dwelling upon his piety and his mighty thoughts in Scripture. At the conclusion the impressive Masonic rituals were solemnized. The pall bearers were Messrs. James Hughes, John Pugh, Lewis Hughes, Roland Edwards, Jacques Ritchie and William Davidson. The interment was at Spring Grove, where his body was laid to rest amid the tears of his sons and daughters. Mr. Lewis was in his 72 year.

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Professor David Edward Hughes, inventor of the Hughes printing telegraph instrument, now in use on all important Continental lines in Europe and on all submarine lines between England and the Continent, who died recently, was born in London, May 16, 1831, and was educated at Bardstown College, Ken

tucky.

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