Various

“ The result has been a duel between the member, Dr. Wolff, and the Premier, and the occurrence has raised a storm throughout the country, for that a Prime Minister should fight a duel with another member of the Government is an unheard-of thing.
Austria is a very difficult nation to govern, and the position of premier is by no means a bed of roses.
The reason of the difficulty is that Austria is composed of so many different states which have very little in common with each other.
In all, there are three great divisions: the Austrians proper, who are Germans in their leaning and language ”

“ The only man who seems fit to lead the Government is Señor Sagasta, but, as we have told you before, he has very liberal views about Cuba.
QUEEN CHRISTINA OF SPAIN.
If he comes into office there is little doubt but that he will recall General Weyler, and offer home rule to the island, if he does not accept our offer of arranging terms whereby Cuba can purchase the island for herself.
While this policy is very pleasing to the friends of Cuba, the majority of the Spaniards are unwilling to give up the island unless it is taken from them by force. ”

“ It would of course be madness for King George to try and continue the war, because he has neither soldiers, generals, nor the necessary money.
The Turkish people are as jubilant and happy as the Greeks are angry and depressed. ”

“ The dock, however, has not yet arrived in Cuba, and it is whispered that the real object of the visit of these ships is to be in readiness in case war is declared between the United States and Spain.
The Spaniards are very angry with us just now, and the Madrid papers publish statements which assert that there is no possibility of avoiding the war.
They think that we sympathize with the Cubans, and would be so glad to see Cuba free that we are helping the insurgents to defy them. ”

“ Up to the moment of receiving Great Britain's refusal to treat with us, every one supposed that it was only necessary to explain to England the damage that was being done to the herd, for her to join us in making arrangements to protect them.
Now every one is feeling uncertain what the result of the conference will be.
We told you the cause of this difference of opinion between the two countries was the careless and wasteful way in which the hunters have killed the seals.
Instead of waiting till the animals have reached their feeding-grounds, they have killed many in the open sea ”

“ Duelling used to be a very common practice in Europe, and was considered the only means of avenging an insult. It was, however, carried to such an extent, that men would call one another out, as it was termed, for the most trifling offence. ”

“ He said that he thought it would be a very nice thing to put glass sides into the pier, and heat it. He thought it would make a grand hall for the people of the district to use for meetings in winter, as well as promenading in summer.
These five recreation piers are likely to prove a great blessing to the city. The people who know most about such things have learned that to keep boys and girls good they must be made happy. One of the easiest ways to make them happy is to give them plenty of places where they can romp and play in the fresh air and sunshine. ”

“ He would not allow the Church to be so shamefully robbed, and sent an angry demand to the minister that he refund the money instantly.
Señor Reverter declined to do so, saying that the country had need of it, and upon his refusal the Bishop, without more ado, excommunicated him.
Excommunication is a terrible punishment to inflict on any one. It means that the sinner cannot enjoy any of the privileges of the Church, and that he is forbidden all its comforts and blessings. ”

“ They have become so violently opposed to the law, that they have been making a great effort to revive their language, and have established a literature of their own, and are having the Czech language taught in the schools. In Prague and many of the cities of Bohemia, no other language is spoken. ”

“ The Japanese and Russian representatives are already on their way here, but the meeting cannot be held until the beginning of November, as Sir Julian Pauncefote, who will attend the conference on behalf of England, cannot arrive here before that time.
We shall, in all probability, gain much interesting information about seals and seal life from this convention.
Several fresh meetings have been held in Athens to protest against the treaty of peace with Turkey. It is said that the people are becoming more violent, and are calling upon the King of Greece to continue the war. ”

“ These tribes refused to submit to the British, and instead sent messengers to the Ameer of Afghanistan, asking him to help them.
They have spread a report among the hill tribes that the Ameer has asked hostages from them, and will help them if the hostages are given.
A hostage is a person given and held under the laws of war, as a pledge. ”

“ This news makes the conference all the more necessary. If there are no means of marking the female seals without frightening the herd away from their feeding-grounds, the different countries interested in the sealing trade should lose no time in coming to an understanding, that the herd may be preserved. ”

“ For instance, if this report is true about the Ameer, it means that he has asked that they shall give into his hands certain important leaders of tribes, whose lives and liberty are very precious to the Afridis. These people to be held by him until the war is over, as a guarantee that he will receive his compensation for helping them to fight the British.
NATIVE SOLDIERS IN INDIA.
Hostages are always persons of high rank, and persons whose lives are so precious that their people will not allow them to be sacrificed. ”

“ It is so adjusted that the driver can handle the reins under it, and while it might not be safe to drive a skittish horse with it down, still for the ordinary use in the country it will be a great comfort. ”