South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Thursday 24 January 1884, page 4
THE MARQUIS TSENG'S DIARY.
The present diplomatic agent of China in England has published in his own country a diary of his experience in aprevious Embassy in the time of Lord
Beaconsfield and Gambetta, and extracts from this have been translated for publi-cation in the Nineteenth Century for December last. No living Chinaman is so competent to express an opinion on these matters as the Marquis Tseng, who, as the son of a great Chinese statesman, has seen much of official life in his own country, and who has also practical acquaintance with the English language and national habits. He says that he was less afraid of the untried ocean than of the great respon-sibility thrown on him, because more might be expected from his father's son and Kivo's successor than he could accomplish. He complains much of the cost of living both in London and Paris, and attributes it in the first place to the eagerness for gain, and in the other to the profuseness of living which is fashionable. Before leaving China, he met with an intelligent young countryman who submitted to the departing Ambassador six propositions which struck him as so showing such original thought and depth of insight that he repro-duces them, endowing fully all but the first and last, which will probably appear the most important in their foreign relations. The first, deal-ing with the necessity of a firm alliance with England for the purpose of repelling foreign invasion, the Marquis cannot accept in its entirety ; the last, as to the suppression of the opium traffic, is diffi-cult and complicated by its bearings on Indian finance. But we can see that he agrees with the assertion that India's danger is England's danger, and that danger to England not only means danger to the whole of Europe, but implicates China as well. With England on her side, China need not fear the aggressive designs of Russia. If England puts forth all her might to protect Turkey from Russia, will she not be induced to aid in protecting China from the same foe ? Chinese traditions from the opium war favour the idea that England is as rapacious as Russia, but the Marquis and his counsellor believe that England is losing her warlike strength, and now endeavours to maintain her position by peaceful measures. The four points on which he concurs with his young adviser are the necessity for maintaining an honest and straight-forward policy in all international rela-tions ; encouraging intercourse with Western scholars ; keeping up knowledge of the price and quality of Western mechanical contrivances, so as not to be cheated ; the translation of treatises on foreign systems of government, so as to adopt useful reforms, and also works on agriculture, medicine, and mining; and the establishment of schools at treaty ports, where the young Chinese may learn the new without forgetting and despising the old, like the students sent to England and America. The strength of Western countries does not lie so much in the superiority of their weapons of war or the abundance of their natural resources as on the sympathy which exists between the people and the governing classes, as taught by China's sages of old. The Marquis Tseng saw safety to the social order in the large and beautiful parks of overcrowded London, and quotes from Mencius that "if the people are made to share in the means of enjoyment, they will cherish no feelings of discontent." We fear, however, that the denizens of the slums and rookeries of London are seldom seen in the parks, which were meant to be lungs to them as to others. Although the Marquis seems to hold the Mal-thusian doctrine that the earth's productions are not sufficient to pro-vide for the wants of her countless people, and that deterioration is one of Nature's laws, he does not seem to think that even in China the limit has been reached. China Proper is not really so densely peopled as the British Isles or Belgium, though her statistics are varying and unreliable. Our writer believes that much improvement in agriculture may be derived from the application of Western research and scientific experiment, so as to direct Chinese industry into new
channels. And he confirms the statement of Mr. Henry George that China has vast treasures of mineral wealth unworked, hidden beneath the soil. Coal and iron, which he hears are becoming ex-hausted in England are lying in enormous quantities in the ancient Empire. The Marquis Tseng has risen above the ideas of a previous Ambassador, Liu-ta-jen, whose opinions of European characte-ristics appeared more than three years ago in the Nineteenth Century. The latter approved of the destruction by the Imperial mandate of the short railway laid down within the Empire, as that would have been the beginning of a course destructive to Chinese institutions ; and he dreaded above all things the proposed railway communication between India and China, for though the English greed of gain would make it as if for commerce, the English greed of territory would use it as a means of conquest. Liu-ta-jen thought that happiness and morality would be better promoted if the Times employed five times as many com-positors and pressmen, and discarded the stereotype cylindrical plates and the Walter press. The present Ambassador by implication in his remarks on the Egyptian loans approves of railways. He says that the money borrowed by the Khedive at ruinous interest was largely lavished on frivolous objects, and not on railways and reproductive works. He blames the recent borrowing of three millions and a half of taels (over a million sterling) at 8 percent. for the north-western war, not only because of the object and the over-high interest, but also because the frequent repudiation of loans from her own subjects had thrown China into the hands of foreign merchants, who borrowed from the Chinese at lower interest and cleared a large profit. With regard to mechanical contrivances, "China in old times had no lack of them, and it is a mark of general decline that they are so much neglected." The large population of the country is no reason why everything should be done by unassisted manual labour, but rather that the food, the clothing, and other neces-sary wants should be supplied the cheapest way possible, and that a man's industry should be utilized in better ways than in doing the work of horses and wheeled carriages, or of a few pounds of coals. At the time of the diary there appeared to be no alarms or implications at Tonquin. The business of the Marquis with Gambetta related to the disturbing action of the Jesuit and Catholic missions, and he appeared somewhat surprised to find that French public opinion was not clerical. He had an interview with M. de Lesseps relative to the projected Panama Canal, which he was interested in, but could not offer any aid with money, as the recent famines and dearths had so impoverished China. He was not blind to the importance of cutting off so great a distance in the sea voyage to the Atlantic States of North America, and to Brazil on the South. An interview with the Brazilian Minister is recorded especially interesting. The newest Empire of the West wants people to develop it from the oldest Empire of the East, and, provided the Brazilian Government complies with the Chinese regulations respecting emigration and treated them properly, the Ambassador saw no diffi-culty in such negotiations. The diary is interesting, and is not altogether devoid of the element of instruction. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.—His Excellency the Governor, held an Executive Council on Wednesday morning, January 23, at which three Ministers were present. TEHERAN TELEGRAPH LINE.—A notice posted at the General Post-Office states that this line is interrupted beyond Teheran. DEPARTING COLONIST.—We learn that Mr. Joseph Fisher, J.P., has taken his passage in the Messageries steamer Melbourne, which sails hence for Marseilles on February 4. Mr. Fisher's intention is to spend a few months in England and on the Continent, and he anticipates returning to the colony about the end of the year. THE NEW RUSH IN THE NORTHERN TERRI- TORY.— Some enquiries having been made showing a conflict of opinion regarding the new gold-field in the Northern Territory, it may be well to explain that two fields have recently been discovered. One was found by Mr. Stevens, manager for Fisher & Lyons, the exact locality not having been made public, pending Mr. Stevens's negotiations for a bonus from the Government for the dis-covery. The other field, discovered by Messrs. Houschildt & Egberts—both pioneers and old prospectors— is the one towards which the rush has taken place. This field, which is situated about thirty-five miles east of the famous Union Reefs, has attracted a good deal of attention in Queensland and New South Wales ; and the Tannadice, which left Sydney for the Northern ITerritory on January 16, took a number of diggers, who intend proceeding to the scene of the dis- covery. Already, as our Palmerston correspond-dent has telegraphed, there has been an influx of prospectors from the eastern colonies on the same account; and although the official reports respecting the new gold-field are highly satisfactory, he expressly discourages any special migration towards it. No matter whether the field is good or not, the attempt by unacclimatized men to reach to so great a distance in the interior during the wet season, when the facilities for travel are so few, cannot but be risky, and may be, financially at any rate, disastrous. During the wet season the field cannot be tested by newcomers, and it would be highly prejudi-cial to the best interests of the Territory if men going there under these circumstances should, influenced by their disappointment, leave in disgust, and give the place a bad name. In connection with this matter the highest wisdom for enterprising prospectors is to wait. APPLICATION IN CHAMBERS.— On Wednesday, January 23, Mr. T. K. Pater made an application to Mr. Justice Boucaut for an order to admit to bail William L. Mackie, who was In custody at the Adelaide Gaol on a charge of embezzlement. The order was made, MacVie to find two sureties of £150 each, and his own recognizance for £200. E. & A. STEAMSHIP COMPANY.— Captain Ellis, of the steamer Menmnir, belonging to the Eastern and Australian^Steamship Company, left Adelaide with his vessel on Wednesday, and will not return here for some months. After proceeding to China, via the Northern Territory, and returning to Sydney, he will leave the Menmuir in charge of hi3 chief officer, Mr. Helms, and will proceed to England to bring out a new vessel which the . Company are having built for the trade . 'between Australia and China by way of the Northern Territory, for the carriage of the mails, to which place the Company are the contractors for the South Australian Government. ^ The rew steamer, which will be the finest in the Company's already fine fleet, vdU be in Adelaide about October next, and Captain Ellis, who is now the oldest commander in the line, will probably remain in «harge of her. It may ba interesting to add - that the vessel is being built under the superintendence of Mr. Wildridge, who superVUfiu ihp miMtmnfinn nf «io«WIyt mil H.~ ? j
I the Company's vessels, and who more recently was chief engineer of the Tannadice on her first few trips. ?? '. PROBATES AND LETTERS OF ADMINISTRA-TION. — During the present month probate has been granted in the following estates : — Tas. Thomas, £600 ; Wilholm Schultz, £200 ; Daniel Nickets, £60 ; Mary Beck, £1,650 ; Michael Murphy, £150; J. J. Gallasch, £1,500; Wm. Naismith, £600; Jno. P. J. Jrettejohn, £4,600; Jno. Sandeland, £900. Letters of administration have been granted in the following cases:— Cain Jeleff, £170; James Eichman Fuller, £510 ; D. Elizabeth Leske, £270; Jedidah Linton, £300; J. Turner Sexton, £50; Bridget White, £71; Michael Considine, £800; Arthur Phillips, £320; Loveday Eickard, £341. Emplification of probate was granted in respect to the estate of Richard Grice, £10. Naeeow Escape.— The necessity for some shelter at the Semaphore Pier has long been admitted, and owing to the defective accommodation a young lady had a very: narrow escape fon {Tuesday evening. She was stepping intefoneof the steam cutters when a heavy sea was on, and a violent roll caused her to miss her footing and tumble overboard, taking with her the coxswain who was handing her on board. There were eager hands ready to rescue the dripping pair. The lady, however, with characteristic determination, proceeded to the steamer South Australian and returned to the pier in her dripping garments. . Moonta Institute.— On Tuesday evening,. January 22, the annual meeting of the Moonta Institute was held. There was a fair attendance of members. The annual report stated that the library contained 1,773 volumes, that during the year£41 14s. worth of books, mostly of a popular, educational,- . and scientific nature, had been placed in the shelves, and that about 4,000 volumes had been issued during the year. Members on the roll, 72 ; subscriptions collected during the year, £32 2s. 9d. An honorarium of £10 was voted to the Secretary for past services, and the following: officers and committee appointed for 1884 :— President, Mr. G. Emerson ; Vioe-President, Mr. J. E. (Jorpe ; Treasurer, Mr. John Symons ; Secretary, Mr. W. J. Phillips ; Committee, Messrs. Thomas Jones, J. Hocking, and W. Cowling; Auditors, Messrs. J. D. Hill and J. M. Symons. An Entertainment Committee of eight members was also appointed. The President reported very fully on the new building movement, and remarked that it was proposed to erect on the corner block, opposite Messrs. Roach Bros.' premises, a building to cost about £2,000. The committee was instructed to take all necessary steps for the sale of the present building and for the erection of the new, and a Building Committee of seven members wa3 appointed to obtain plans, designs, &c, and to proceed with the work at such time as they should consider advisable. A Canvassing Committee of nine members which had been appointed previously was confirmed. Obdetation Seevice.— An ordination service was held in the Kent Town Wesleyan Church on Wednesday evening. There was~ a very large attendance, the floor of thespacious building being quite filled in every part. The candidates for ordination were Messrs. T. B. Angwin1M.A., and G. E. Rowe. The formal part of the service was conducted by the Rev. ft. M. Hunter, as President of the Conference, with whom other ministers were associated in the laying on of hands. Therf' charge' was delivered by' the Rev.; J. -JBic^Jord, and was based on Acts xx. 17 and 2&/ It largely consisted of a defence of the validity of the orders of the Wesleyan Church, and of advice to the newly ordained ministers as to their pastoral duties. At its close the Sacrament of the Lord's Sapper was administered to the ministers who had been ordained, the other ministers and members -of the Conference, and a considerable portion of the congregation, who was invited to join in the celebration. ^Lasd Reform Association.— A general meeting was held at the Town Hall on' Wednesday evening, January 23, before a small attendance. The Hon. G. W. Cotton presided, and a so-called risumi of '.'Progress and Poverty' was delivered by Mr. F. Wheeler, who read a number of long extracts from that work, and expatiated at length on' the wrongs of Ireland. Two other speakers; followed in a rather discursive fashion. A code of rules for guiding the proceedings of. the Society were adopted, and a Working Committee of nine gentlemen was appointed. Thirteen new members were enrolled. Dbovtstsg ik the MtrRRAT.— Mounted' constable Phillips telegraphed to the Commissioner of Police on Wednesday that two men had been drowned in the Murray at Swanport ; bu$ . that although some people had dragged for the bodies they had not been recovered. He intended leaving tor the scene of the casualty at onse. The Recent Fiee at Narne.— An inquest on the fire that occurred at the Oddfellows Hall, Nairne, on Sunday morning, January 20, was held by Mr. T. S. O'Halloran, S.M., on Tuesday afternoon, January 22. The Jury viewed the scene of the fire, and found that the fire had been confined to the front part of the hall, destroying the doors, some of the partitions, and damaging a small portion of the furniture, while a piano at the other end of the hall and the interior portion of the hall generally had been affected by the . Bmoke and : beat. The Jury heard the evidence of a number of witnesses, from which it was gathered that the fire had probably started where it raged ' most fiercely, near the entrance to the hall, and the general supposition appeared to be that it had been caused by some person dropping a lighted match when leaving the halL The hall was left by the Oddfellows at about half - past 9 o'clock on Saturday night, and the fire, which had apparently smouldered for some time, was discovered at about twtnly minutes to 2 o'clock. The damage was estimated at about £150, covered by insurance in the Union Insurance Company, which was represented at the inquest by Mr. Harry Turner. The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that there was not sufficient evidence to show how the fire originated. Elder's Wool ash Produce Compaity.— , An ordinary general meeting of Elder's Wool and Produce Company was held at the office of the Company, Grenfell-street, on Wednesday. There was a small attendance of shareholders, Mr. P. Waite (Chairman of Directors) presiding. The Chairman stated that the meeting was only called to comply with the- deed of the Company, and as the books were only made up once a year, namely to June 30, there ' was no report or balance-sheet to lay before the share- holders. He might say, however, that the business of the Company was progressing satisfactorily, and that during the past half year they had sold 21,040 bales of wool as compared with 16,563 sold during the corresponding period of the preceding year. In addition to this, they had done a very fair business in stations, land, stock, wheat, and flour. The future of the wool sales looked very well for the Company, for now that they were firmly established, and there were regular resident buyers in Adelaide representing manufacturers at home, they believed that before very long the whole of the clip of the colony would be sold here instead of being shipped to London as hitherto. He was glad to be able to announce the most pleasing fact that the Directors saw their way clear to give the shareholders a dividend of 1b. 6d. per share, or ai the rate of 10 per cent, on the capital invested. (Hear, hear.) There being no business to transact the meeting closed. Johs Hul & Co., Limited.— In the report of this Company for the half-year ended December 31, 1S83, we observe that the Directors declare a dividend of. 2s. per share, payable on and after February L_ The profit and loss account shown— Working expenses for the six months, £19,602 14s. 7d. ; balance, £3,947 2s. ; second dividend, £3,500, which, with minor items, bring the total to £28,590 5s. 3d. On the other aide are— Profit and loss to June 30 last, £4,008 2s. 4d. ; traffic returns, £24,582 2s. lid. Feeehasoxey.— We understand that it is the intention of the Freemasons in this province, working under warrants from the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, and Scotland, to constitnte themselves a, Grand Lodge of Free asd Accepted Masons of Soutt
Australia. The unanimity of the craft with regard to the formation of this National Grand Lodge is said to be unprecedented, there being reason to believe that every Lodge in the province under each constitution will transfer its allegiance to the Grand Lodge of South Australia. The inauguration will take place in April next. It is anticipated that the ceremony will be largely attended, and that it will be carried out in a manner surpassing any previous demonstrations of the craft. The ScrEsrmc Basis of Cookery.— Mr. W. Mattieu Williams, F.C.S., recently delivered before the Society of Arts a lecture on this subject. The lecturer supplemented his philosophy of frying by explaining why fish, &c., were less greasy when fully immersed in a bath of fat heated above 212* than when merely heated in a greased fryingpan. It was because the water contained in the tissues of the fish, &c, was made to boil directly it came in contact with the hot fat, and the steam thus issuing prevented the penetration -of the fat; whereas, if cooked on a greased metal plate, one side at a time, the upper side might cool down below the boiling point of water, and the fat could enter then to replace the condensed steam The constituents of animal food were next described. The albumen of meat was explained to be the general lubricant of the animal machinery. Gelatine was shown to be the material of the cell walls of the animal structure and of the various membraneB and tissues of the body. This natural gelatine,, the lecturer said, was insoluble in cold water. That which was commonly described as gelatine, such as calf s-f oof. jelly, the prepared gelatine of the shops, the thickening material of stock and of soups, was cooked gelatine, or .the tissue material rendered soluble by long, immersion in hot water. The cooking of gelatine was just the opposite in its results from the cooking of albumen. The latter consisted in the conversion of a viscous liquid into a solid, the former in the conversion of a solid into a viscous liquid. Albumen was rendered tough and indigestible if heated for any length of time about 180°. Gelatine might be heated up to 212* for long periods if under water.' The nutritive value of ordinary gelatine had been a matter of very long and serious investigation, beginning with the laborious researches of the celebrated Bone Soup Com-' mission of the French Academicians. Liebigdenied its nutritive value, and- for a long time his. views were accepted, but they had' since been refuted. The cause of Liebig s mistake was that animals fed upon gelatine diedofstarvation. Amultitude of experiments proved this incontestably, . But further research' showed that if the gelatine was mixed with the saline juices of flesh it became nutritious. If an animal were fed with the richest viands from which all the chlorides (such as common salt) were removed it would presently reject such food, as the dogs of the Academicians refused the bone soup, and thus be starved ; the reason being that without Buch chlorides they could not digest and assimilate the otherwise luxurious viands.' Every dietary ought to contain all the materials demanded for the building up of the body. If the scientific cook presented these materials in proper proportions and condition the maximum amount of nutrition was obtained with the minimum mass of food, if one or the other material was in deficient proportion an excess of. there dundant material must be taken to get sufficient sustenance, and thus the system became overloaded with unnecessary, useless food,' producing dyspepsia and various other derangements. : . House* Lahd, akd Mortgage Company,^ Limited,— The .half-yearly report of the above Company stated that the Directors, owing to the general depression which has existed during the. past six months, have refrained from' making as many calls as the articles [of association permit, but yet have been able to take up any good business offer-' ing. The high rates of interest paid for deposits by the Banks has prevented the' investmentof any largeamounts with the Com--pariy. The Loan Branch of 'the Company's business is said to be both remunerative and safe. In November last a portion of the Company's property at Seaton was Bold at a action at remunerative prices. Efforts will be made to effect further Bales as soon as there is any prospect of success. The expenses of the Company have been materially reduced, and the Directors hope to make still further reductions' during the next half-year. The balance-sheet shows that the called-up capitalis now £19,693 10s. ; mortgage account, £7,600; money on deposit, £500. On the credit Bide are-rLand account, £17,326 12s. lOd. ; money advanced on mortgage, £8,329 5s. 3d. The profit and loss account indicates that the expenses of management have been £499 2s. 9d., the income for the half-year has been £405 4s. 7d., and this, with the preliminary expenses] and the debit balance ' from last year, leaves a debit balance of £1,375 12s. 4d. SUPPOSED DBOWKEfG IS THE TORRENS.— \ Police-constable Rae, stationed at the Torrens Station, reported to the Commis-; eioner of Police on Wednesday that' Walter Murdoch, a Corporation labourer,' had brought to the station' on the lake' a black hat, a black sunshade trimmed with lace, and a - handkerchief marked 'Eliza White.' Murdoch found the articles deposited on the Rotunda about 7 a.m. On the report being made at the Torrens Station . Rae and his men dragged the river for two hours and a half and searched the vicinity, but no trace of any-' thing was found, ??' ' , The Acid Cure.— Mr. Coutts gave his lecture pn the above subject in Mr. T. J.^ King's schoolroom, Port Adelaide, on Wednesday- night, January 23. Mr. King, occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance, A vote of thanks was passed to the lecturer, A New Setger.— The London correspondentof the Liverpool Daily Post says: — 'I: hear a great deal of anew singer who is expected to create a sensation at the opera this season. His story is slightly romantic When Patti was down' at her chateau in South Wales she heard a great deal of a miner who had a lovely voice. She not only heard of him, but she heard him, and the result of the performance was that the miner left the scene of his industrial labours, cultivated such musical capacity .as he combined . with his rich voice, and will come out this season — if all be well— a great baritone.' Expense of Private Legislation.— It is known in a vague way (writes the Pott Mail Gazette) that- enormous sums are' spent annually-by railway Companies in promoting and opposing private Bill legislation, but few who are not experts will be prepared for the huge aggregate whichthe return just issued . discloses. In the decade from 1872 to 1882 the ' total amounts to nearly four millions sterling, divided as follows:— In promoting Bills, £2,502,457; in opposing' Bills, £807,068; general legal expenses, £615^087; ?_' total, £3,924,712. Gas Companies have also.spent freely, their total amounting to £356,226, while water Companies have disbursed £383,936. In the case of gas and water only a small proportion was expended in opposing . Bills, Scotland being nil with respect to gas, and Ireland in the same category as to water. The grand outlay is no less a sum than £4,664,874, and this, it must be remembered, does not take into account the expenditure of the oppositions promoted by private and other parties to the schemes of .the railway, gas, and water Companies, so that the total cost of this class of 'private bill legislation must amount to even a much larger sum. The Result of 'Not Wearikg Nightcaps.— The question is always being asked (observes thePaU Mail Gazette J why it is that the present generation suffers more from brain troubles and worries than its predecessors. It is the fault of the complexity of modern civilization is one favourite answer, or ' the world is too much with us,' or we suffer more because we feel more. A medical correspondent sends to the Times a new explanation which, if Hs diagnosis be correct, rather detracts from the dignity -of the disorder. We of this generation Buffer more from brain troubles, says Dr. Mortimer GranviHe, simply ' because we have left off wearing nightcapa. Dr. Granville was led to this hypothesis bj observing thai many people not habitulls given to dreams had been dreaming |» good -Jeal during the recent cold nights. The cold was much felt, and the bead, being un
:overed, had tfie blood supplied to it driven Tom the surface to the brain, and hence light sleep and dreams. Many famous men of letters in formertimes have held 'nightcaps' jf one kind to be ' the proper inspiration ;' but brainworkers in thi3 more sober [age should clearly take advantage of the return Df milder weather to lay in a stock of nightcaps in the literal sense. Cost of Tramways ik the United Kingdom. — Some interesting details as to the amount of capital employed in the construction of tramways in the United Kingdom have been published in a Parliamentary paper (bays a London paper). The total length open in England, Scotland, and Ireland on the 30th of June last was 671 miles, the construction of which had cost £9,750,000, or about £14,530 10s. per mile, including in some cases the cost of equipment. These figures refer to 28 tramways belonging to local-authorities. and 113 belonging toother than local authorities. The 141 lines are worked with 20,122 horses, 117 locomotive engines, and 2,819 ears. During the year ended June SO, 1883, 295,721,171 were carried over the lines,' the gross receipts being £2,211,973 ; the -working expenses, £1,752,360 ; md the net receipts, £459,613. A calculation from these figures'shovrs that the number of horses required per mile during the year is thirty, the number of horses to a car about seven. The number of passengers to one borse during the same period was 14,696, and the average number of passengers carried by each car during the year was 104,902. Losgevttt op Scientific Men. — The death-roll of the Royal Society for the last year is a striking testimony to the longevity of scientific men. Oat of the twenty-one members who have passed away the youngest was fifty-five, and the oldest, Sir Edward Sabine, the father of the Royal Society, was in his ninety-sixth year. There was another nonogenariaD, but the octogenarians on the whole had it. There were no less than nine of them. It would be difficult for any other Society to produce such a list. EvilsofHigh-heeled Boots. — An English paper remarks :— ' Since the high heel made its appearance medical men have more than once borne witness to its bad effects. The late Mr. Hilton condemned it. Others have done the same. Of late years public opinion has done away with certain of the longestablished extravagances of dress, and has given rise to methods more agreeable to the symmetrical development of the body. The Lancet hopes that in the process of reform the feet,' in which too often vanity pays a price which is dangerously expensive, will not escape notice. The evils of the highheeled boot or shoe are due to 'the fact that' it is an essentially badly fitting article. It is made in defiance of the relation which it oughttobeartothe anatomy of the foot, and to the direction in which the pressure of the body weight falls upon the latter. Hence the peculiarly cramped walk of ladies of the present day. Anyone may observe the consequences of the 'advanced position,' nearly under the instep, and the increased height of heel, in the substitution of a forward inclination of the body, and a trip suggestive in a measure of the stumbling gait, for the upright carriage and the free and graceful swinging movement natural to the leg in walking. These matters, as far as they are merely relative to deportment, do not strictly concern us, but there are attendant .circumstances which deserve comment. The boot or shoe, in order that it may not shift on the foot, which has lest much of its usual purchase of direct downward pressure,, must hold it firmly and even tightly, and in particular it is necessarily constructed so as to hold with undue firmness just above the back of the heel. With* some persons perhaps no inconvenience results, with others who have fine skins chafing is readily produced. This is in itself a trifle, anil is presumably :altogether too inconsiderable to affect the will of fashion, but it may nevertheless be the slight beginning of graver troubles. Probably there is no practitioner fairly long acquainted with' town- practice who cannot recall a case or cases in which extensive inflammation of the leg- with, abscess formation has followed even such a slight abrasion, and the exciting cause when looked for was discovered in the patient's shoe. There fcava even been instances, fortunately rare, but still occasional, where abscesses arising round some neglected trifle of this kind have ended fatally. These are facts which cannot be denied, and should not be overlooked; but even if they could, is there any woman with a mind of her own who will say that the dainty step so much desired by some, bought as it is at the cost of healthy muscular exercise, is not overvalued? We rather hope that -the honest feeling and sound judgment whish have guided that sex in many better purposes will ultimately overcome the false sentiment! which now leads- certain of its members to support an- . unbecoming and injurious custom.' '' ' ? Pbofessob Huxley- on Technical Education. — On the -eitoning of December 11 Professor Huxley- distributed the prizes .gained at the Finsbury Technical College (says an Engliah:paper),;:ahd, in alluding to the pro-' greBS made in technical education, said he had not the smallest doubt that before this generation had passed away, instead of one hundred and fifty centres at which such examinations were conducted, they would be counted by hundreds, and instead of two or three high-class places of technical instruction they would be counted in different parts of this island by the score, and that they, would have in the Central Institute the great uniting point for the- whole of this network, through which the information and the discipline which were needful forcarrying the industries of the country into operation would be distributed into every locality in which such industries were carried on. Everything which spreads a knowledge of technical processes among- our- industrial' classes tended to fit them to fight better that' great battle of competition in which they had hitherto maintained themselves victoriously, in virtue of ? the inward natural powers and capacity of the race, but in which the struggle -became more difficult, not 'only because on the' -Continent of -Europe training and : discipline were supplementing whatever might be lacking of energy and capacity, but because on . the other side of the Atlantic there was a people as numerous as ourselves of the same stock, blood, race, and power, who would run us harder than any .competitors had hitherto done. If we were to hold oar own
m this ipreat world competition it- must be . because the native force and intelligence were supplemented by careful training and discipline, such as were proposed to be given by the system of technical education. The Financiai. Position of the Wobeing Classes.— 'Professor Leone Levi sends to the ? Times the result of his researches into thefinancial position of the working classes. In 1866 the annual wages of operatives, domestic servants, and others, estimated by Mr. Gladstone at £250,000,000, were found to amount to over £400,000,000 ; and in the present year they may be estimated at £448,000,000. Comparing the numbers and income- of the working classes with those of others, Professor Levi shows by figures that in thirty years an . average family of .the lower middle Class has improved its financial position by 37 per cent., while one of the working class, has improved by 59 per cent. Aa far -as he can judge, the economic condition of the working classes has immensely improved of late years. What they mostly need is a greater force of moral purpose, a greater, culture of the intellect, a greater refinement of manner and taste, and an increasing capacity to repel whatlis depressing and to attract what is ennobling in their intercourse of life. Boothman Fund.— Received— Sympathy, £1 ; F. B., £1; from sympathizers at Glenelg, £3 5s. ; A Friend, £1. Operative Plastebebs' Association. — A special meeting will be held at the London Inn this evening. Abeivai 0* the M.M.S. Natal at Mabseilles;— TheMeaBageriesMaritunes steamer Natal, which left Adelaide on December 15, arrived at Maraenies on Monday, January 21, two days in advance of ihe contract time. The-Spdjal System op Txxatxzsx.— We have received from Mr. W. G. Eigby a copy of the 'Manual of ti«T Principles and. Practice of the Spinal Syttem of Treatment,' complied from the n Quarterly Magazine of Health.*1 Thu work, which n jpnbljahed by F. Coutts £ Son, of luauiou, wmbow, aTl' Manchester, is netily gofcopi and lithe work recommended by Mr. John Coutta xojthe lectures be i» bow ddmriag.