Various

“ A story has reached us about a certain swamp in Matanzas province, which the Cubans used a great deal in the early part of the war, but have since been obliged to abandon for want of a guide to lead them through it.
This swamp is remarkable for the many beautiful and healthful spots that are situated in its interior, notwithstanding that it is surrounded by almost impassable bogs.
The entrance to the swamp is so little known that in the whole Cuban army there was but one man who could guide the insurgents through its intricacies to safety. ”

“ Many educated Indians, who were perfectly able to understand that the Government measures were right and proper, pretended to side with the people, and, for the sake of stirring up the revolt, published articles in the papers, and circulated handbills denouncing the wickedness and cruelty of the British Government. ”

“ The coal miners in the United States have gone on strike, in obedience to the order of the United Mine Workers of America.
The cause of this strike is that wages have been so reduced that the miners can no longer earn enough to support themselves.
The men declare that the strike has been forced upon them by the poor pay they have received, and that they have been expecting and preparing for it for some time past. ”

“ This course is likely to give England a great deal of trouble, for the people of India do not love the Europeans.
The telegrams say that there is no reason to fear the overthrow of the British Empire in India, because there are seventy-five thousand white troops in the peninsula, and they are fully able to keep order there.
It is thought that the discontent will lead to a series of outbreaks that will have to be put down by the soldiers, and which will increase the bitterness already existing between the Europeans and the natives. ”

“ The insurgents have lately been joined by a South American named Avelino Rosas, to whom General Gomez confided the leadership of a portion of the army.
This man set himself to learn the secret of the swamp, and after much patient work discovered it. He immediately devised a means of putting it to military use, and has besides established a number of Cuban hospitals in its depths, confident that they will there be safe from molestation by the Spaniards.
The insurgents are showing such extreme activity that some stirring action may be looked for ere long. ”

“ While the immediate cause of the outbreak was the quarrel over the mosques, about which we told you last week, it seems that the anger against Europeans is really due to the measures which have been taken to stamp out the plague.
In India there are many races of people who, while they all live under the same rule, have each their own special habits and customs. ”

“ He is said to have remarked that if the Powers could not force Colonel Vassos and his handful of soldiers to obey them in Crete, it is not likely that they will be able to coerce the victorious army of Turkey.
The Powers are now entirely of one mind. Turkey must obey their wishes, and obey them quickly. ”

“ To lose caste is a very serious thing to a native of India.
Europeans are, as a rule, very careful not to offend the natives in these matters, and are most particular to observe all the customs in regard to caste. ”

“ The Turkish troops that remain on the island are to be gradually withdrawn as peace is restored.
The Governor is to have the right to appoint and dismiss all government officials.
The Assembly, which will manage the affairs of the island, is to be composed of an equal number of Christians and Mohammedans.
The affairs of Crete seem thus to be happily settled. It is to be hoped that brave little Greece, who so recklessly went to her aid, may fare as well.
There is a report from Havana that General Weyler has at last been recalled to Spain. ”

“ It is said that orders have been sent to the insurgent generals to concentrate their forces in Matanzas province, and, if all goes well, to advance on Havana.
It appears that the Cubans are making the weather their ally.
Accustomed as they are to the country and its climate, it is possible for them to move their forces despite the muddy roads and the frequent downpours of rain.
The Spanish soldiers, weakened by the fevers of the island, are in no condition to withstand these hardships, and every march they make causes them as heavy a loss as an engagement would. ”

“ England is preparing to send an expedition into the Soudan to reconquer the province of Dongola, which was lost during the revolt of the Mahdi in 1881-85.
Many of you have probably heard all about the Soudan war, in which the brave General Gordon lost his life. But that you may understand the matter fully, it will perhaps be as well to go over it again.
The Soudan is a vast tract of land in Africa, the boundaries of which are not very clearly defined. Roughly speaking, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean on the west to Abyssinia (King Menelik's country) on the east ”

“ It is rumored in Washington that Japan and Spain are forming an alliance to embarrass the United States in her dealings with both Hawaii and Cuba.
It is felt that speedy action may be the best thing to prevent complications. ”

“ The British officers in the Egyptian army have been ordered back to duty, and it is said that action will be taken in a few weeks. It is expected that the Mahdists will fight to the death, but they will not be as powerful this time as they were before, as they are now no longer united. The tribes south of Khartoum are in open revolt against the Mahdists, and a part of their forces will have to be detached to quell them.
The news from India is still very discouraging. ”

“ The portion of the Soudan owned by Egypt comprised Lower and Upper Nubia, the White Nile region, and the territories around the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, Dongola being one of these Soudanese provinces.
Egypt is now a dependency of Turkey, and is ruled by a Khedive, who is a subject of the Sultan. Egypt pays a yearly tribute to Turkey. ”

“ Much was done by England to develop the natural resources of the country, and all went well until the rebellion of the Mahdi in 1881.
The Mahdi claimed to be a Moslem prophet.
The prevailing religion of Egypt and its provinces is Mohammedanism.
Now the Mohammedans believe that a great prophet, or Mahdi, will come to lead them. Under his generalship they expect to gain possession of the whole world.
More than one ambitious man has come forward and claimed to be the Mahdi. ”

“ In many districts the miners have been offered the price they ask if they will only go back to work. They have invariably refused, saying that they will not resume work until the better rate of wages is made general in all the mines.
There is danger of a coal famine if the strike lasts very long. ”

“ When human lives were in danger the doctors did not try to find out what caste sick persons belonged to, but did what they thought best for them.
We know for ourselves, in our own families, that the rules of the Health Board in regard to sickness are not always agreeable to us. ”

“ The property-owners in the neighborhood, however, are anxious that the inlet should remain open, as they say that the Shrewsbury River has been some two feet deeper since the Hook became an island, the boating and fishing have much improved, and, above all, the current has become so much stronger that the river can now drain itself, and has become much healthier in consequence. ”

“ Detachable Shelving for Windows.—The scent and the sight of flowers are the source of so much enjoyment to most persons, and the means of keeping them in our houses, as a rule, is such a puzzle, that the "detachable shelving for windows" ought to find favor with everybody, young or old. ”

“ England also has her labor troubles. A great strike is going on in London among the engineers.
It is a struggle for an eight-hour working day.
The men do not insist that they shall only work eight hours a day, but that eight hours shall be considered the full day's labor, and all the work they do over that shall be regarded as overtime, and paid for. ”

“ The discussion between the United States and Japan seems no nearer a peaceable settlement.
The Secretary of State has made public the official grounds for Japan's protest.
They are:
First, that it is necessary for Hawaii to remain an independent state, in order to preserve a good understanding between the Powers that have interests in the Pacific Ocean.
Second, that annexation will endanger the rights which Japan has acquired through her various treaties and contracts with Hawaii. ”

“ He added: "The concert of the Powers is firm and united in its decisions. Therefore I request your Majesty to take my advice into earnest consideration."
The Sultan's great friend, Emperor William of Germany, has also intimated to him that it would be wise for him to obey the wishes of the Powers, and not resist the demand for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops from Thessaly.
The Russian sentiment is also strongly against Turkey. ”

“ Several of the Western manufacturing cities are already running short of coal, and though there is plenty at the pit's mouth, the strikers will not allow it to be handled until their demands are complied with. ”

“ The slides for changing stops and for time exposures are alongside of the exposure lever and always show by their position what stop is before the lens and whether the shutter is set for time or instantaneous exposures, thus acting as a warning.
In the quality of the work they will do, Pocket Kodaks equal the best cameras on the market. They make negatives of such perfect quality that enlargements of any size can be made from them. ”

“ It will be a great advantage to the Government to close the inlet, as the heavy guns can then be transferred to the proving-grounds on the Hook by a railroad built on solid ground, and not liable to give way under their extreme weight. ”

“ It will be found full of suggestions of practical value to teachers who are carrying the miscellaneous work of ungraded schools, and who have the unspeakable privilege of dealing with their pupils untrammelled by cast-iron methods and account-keeping examination records. ”

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“ Weyler is said to have declared that to conquer the rebellion he will need 200,000 more soldiers, and a fresh supply of money amounting to $200,000,000.
President Canovas, however, merely promises that in case the Spanish army suffers very severely in the rainy season, he will send 20.000 men in October "to inflict a final blow on the insurgents." ”