Various

“ In addition to the horrors of the climate, there is no real supply of food obtainable from the Klondike region. There is practically no farming done, and so no crops to amount to anything are raised. Practically all the food used at the gold-fields must be carried there by the miners, and the method of travel is such that it is impossible for one man to carry all the food he will need until the open season comes round again, and he can secure fresh provisions. ”

“ Swimming is an accomplishment that every boy and girl should acquire, and the knowledge that if a swimmer keeps cool, and has his wits about him, he can remain in the water for a considerable period without danger of drowning, should be taken to heart by every lad and lass who contemplates boating as a part of the summer's enjoyment. ”

“ The only means of transportation is by Indians on mule-back; the mules are very scarce, and the Indians only work when they feel like it. The chances are that many men will be starving in the Klondike this winter, while barrels and boxes of food will be piled mountain-high at the last station, waiting to be carried through the long succession of waterways and portages. ”

“ Thousands died in the awful trip across the continent, and thousands more, who thought to make an easier journey by sea, died of fevers contracted in crossing the unhealthy Isthmus of Panama, the strip of land that divides North and South America, separating the Atlantic from the Pacific Ocean. ”

“ The historian Bancroft says that while between four and five hundred millions of gold were obtained in the seven years following the find in '49, the gold cost, in human life and labor, three times what it was actually worth.
A few of the Forty-niners gained the riches they sought, but the greater part of the gold-seekers barely made a living by the most exhausting toil.
FORTY-NINERS CROSSING THE PLAINS.
As regards the Klondike, all the miners who have returned declare that the life is so hard that only the very healthy can stand it. ”

“ But, so far, all the gold-fields have been located in British Columbia, and the great rush for them has been from the United States.
The Canadians do not like this, and feel that it is not fair that Canada should be making nothing out of these fabulous finds.
There is very little redress for her, however. Americans have taken up the greater part of the claims in the Yukon district, and have been careful to comply with the very strict laws which Canada has laid down to govern mining claims. ”

“ In the Klondike district are a number of rivers flowing eastward from the Yukon. In all of these gold has been found. The Stewart River, which lies south of the Klondike, has been found to be as rich in gold as the Klondike, and it is confidently asserted that the Alaskan side of this region is as rich in gold as the British Columbian. ”

“ Prominent men in Canada are demanding that custom officials shall be placed at all the Canadian mountain passes.
It is expected that the taxing of the Americans will produce a large income for the Government. One Canadian firm has offered $50,000 for the privilege of collecting the customs for ten years.
A cry has gone up that imposing duties on the miners will make their lot still harder than it is at present, but this will not be heeded. Men who start out expecting to make a large fortune in a few months ought to be willing to pay handsomely for the privilege. ”

“ Swithin is found.
In those days the people were very superstitious, and believed in signs and wonders, and frightened themselves silly with every strange noise or unusual occurrence, for everything that occurred was supposed to be a sign that something was going to happen.
According to the record of William of Malmesbury, Swithin was a great scholar in his day, and was chosen by King Ethelwulf as the tutor of his son Alfred. This was the Alfred who afterward became Alfred the Great. He was the king who was scolded by the old woman for burning the cakes. ”

“ Besides establishing custom-houses, the Canadian Government is seriously discussing the idea of making foreign miners pay a heavy royalty for the right to work in the mines.
There was some talk of excluding aliens—that is, all who are not British subjects—from working on the gold-fields, and thus keeping the Canadian find for Canadians. ”

“ In spite of this warning, weak and delicate men, and men who have lived in luxury all their lives, are setting their faces toward the north, to undertake a life of untiring labor and privation, in the intense cold of an Arctic region in winter, and the most extreme heat in the three short months of summer. ”

“ In making the selection of important events, remember that wars and political events are not necessarily the most important. If, for instance, the air-ship had turned out to be a genuine and successful thing, it would have been most important as affecting the history of the world. ”

“ It will be a very pleasant thing to be able to post letters without going off our own doorsteps, but this is only half of the comfort which the new box is going to be to us.
In each post-box will be a special envelope containing blanks, on which the householder can order one and two cent stamps and postal-cards, putting the money to pay for them into the envelope with his order.
The postman collects this envelope with the regular mail, and hands it to a special clerk, who takes out the money, fills the order, and drops the envelope in the mail for the postman to deliver on his next round. ”

“ This main lode had been lost sight of north of El Dorado County, but its reappearance in Trinity has caused a great deal of excitement and turned many gold-seekers thither, in preference to the frozen Klondike region. The first discovery of gold in California was made in what is now El Dorado County, and it was in consequence of the gold find that the county got its name.
El Dorado was the name of a mythical king, about whom the most astonishing stories were told. He was supposed to be lord of a country where gold was as plentiful as dust. ”

“ The present outbreak was totally unexpected. The Swats, as the people of this region are called, appeared to be perfectly contented under British rule. Industry had been encouraged among them, trade developed, and they seemed a very peaceful and prosperous people.
Suddenly, without any warning, the whole population rose against the British.
The Swats had intended to attack Camp Malakand unawares, and massacre the soldiers, but through the kindness of a friendly native a warning was given. ”

“ Four million dollars' worth of gold is said to be waiting shipment at St. Michael's, Alaska, and miners at the Klondike say that fifty millions more will be taken out next season.
Men who went out poor a year ago are now returning with fortunes. Two miners found $10,000 worth of gold in twenty days. ”

“ Children's carriages are made so light that their weight is very slight, and a puff of wind is often enough to set them in motion; and if they chance to be on an uneven sidewalk they are likely to roll into the road among the vehicles. ”

“ Some of the older monks protested, but their objections were overruled, and a day was set apart for transferring the good man's bones to their new resting-place.
According to William of Malmesbury this act was performed on July 15th, and St. Swithin's bones were no sooner lifted from their humble resting-place than the most awful storm of rain that England had ever known burst over the country. For forty days it rained without ceasing, until another flood was feared. ”

“ Fruit-Picker.—Fruit-picking is such an easy matter for boys that I think it is the girls who will chiefly appreciate this contrivance. It too often happens that there will be a very tall tree with fruit well out of reach, and a girl at the foot of it who is not an expert climber. ”

“ The ambassadors have presented the Sultan with a rough draft of the treaty. It provides that Europe shall arbitrate any difficulties that may arise between Turkey and Greece over the details of the arrangement.
So far the ambassadors and Turkish officials are on the best of terms, and meet with the utmost friendliness.
But despite this fact, the peace is not yet concluded.
Germany has made a fresh difficulty by insisting that the Powers shall control the money matters of Greece until the war indemnity has been paid. ”

“ Apart from the interest we all feel in great feats of strength and endurance, such an attempt as that made by McNally is valuable to us, as it shows us the length of time it is possible for a swimmer to remain in the water without becoming exhausted. ”

“ Happily there were two bicycle machinists in the party and they were able to make the necessary repairs, so that all the wheels were usable throughout the entire trip except one, which was so badly broken that the rider had to leave the company.
Captain Lyon, who was in command, says that it has been shown that the bicycle can be of great service in military operations. He says that under the very worst conditions a wheel can accomplish much more than a horse. ”

“ It seems as if the danger to the children attracted the attention of more than one person at the same time, for other brakes also have been brought to our notice, the same in intention, but differing in design. ”

“ Or if by chance the telephone or telegraph had been invented in this period, these inventions would have been important events.
Prizes will be awarded to those who make the best selection and who mention the events in the best order of their importance. Answers may be sent in any time before September 1st.
The Great Round World does not want you to hurry over this contest, but to take plenty of time and do the work carefully. It will be a pleasant occupation for the summer months. ”

“ The returning miners have all told the same story of the journey and the lack of provisions, but, in spite of this, crowds of men are hurrying into this country which is already on the verge of famine. ”

“ During this latter season the sun does not set till 10.30, and rises again at 3 A.M. There is no darkness, midnight being almost as light as midday. During the hot months all kinds of insects pester the inhabitants. ”