Various

“ Bulgaria is a small principality on the north of Turkey, which is under the sovereignty of Turkey. Bulgaria enjoys home rule, and is governed by a prince elected by the people; the prince must not, however, be a member of any of the reigning families of Europe. Bulgaria is, however, a tributary state, and has to contribute toward the support of Turkey.
Instigated by Austria and Russia, Bulgaria demanded several small favors from the Sultan, insolently adding that if they were not granted she would declare her independence and throw off the yoke of Turkey. ”

“ One of Cuba's greatest causes of complaint was the high tariff which Spain imposed on all goods entering Cuba except those of Spanish manufacture. This tariff made it impossible for Cubans to buy their goods in any of the European markets, and compelled them to take the class and quality of goods which Spain chose to send them, and to pay whatever price Spain demanded for them.
Perhaps you will find this a little hard to understand, so we will try to make it a little clearer to you.
All countries are anxious to find markets for the goods they produce. ”

“ Some German missionaries have been killed in China, and Germany has seized a Chinese port in revenge.
Missionaries are, as you know, holy and devoted men who go to far countries to spread the knowledge of the Gospel among heathen and unenlightened people.
These good men have always suffered much for their faith. They go wherever their duty calls, and even carry their message of peace to the terrible cannibals who kill and eat men. ”

“ The pressure on the key at headquarters releases the horses in the stalls of the various engine-houses. Instantly these clever beasts dash out of their boxes and place themselves at the shafts, the collar clasps around their necks and harnesses them to the engine; the men slide down the poles to their places, the gates swing open, and the engine is out and dashing along the road in less time than it takes to tell about it. ”

“ Turkey has been bankrupt for many years, and owes money to most of the nations of Europe, so when Russia learned of this dangerous activity on her part, she took advantage of the old debts to prevent it. ”

“ This seemed fair enough, but unfortunately, the Spanish goods thus forced on the Cubans were not satisfactory to them, and were, moreover, sold at prices much too high for their value. The Cubans found that were they allowed to go to the world's markets for their supplies, they could live for half what it cost them under Spanish rule, and rebelled against the power that was treating them so unfairly.
The question of tariff is said to be the most serious stumbling-block in the way of home rule for Cuba. ”

“ The United States wishes to make a market for the goods manufactured here, and so she has laid a heavy tariff or duty on all goods brought into this country that are similar to those that we make here. ”

“ It is true that the porter is always waiting with a little wooden stool on which you step from the high car-step above, but for old people or lame people or nervous people there is always the dread that they may miss the little stool, and be tumbled over on the platform. ”

“ Spain considers her colonies her rightful market, and therefore has placed a high duty on foreign goods. The Cuban housewives therefore found it to their advantage to buy Spanish goods. Cuba is of course too small an island to manufacture many things for herself. ”

“ It seems hardly fair to criticise the English firemen without knowing the difficulties they had to contend with. Some of the streets through which they had to drive are hardly wide enough for two vehicles to pass, and the fire occurring at midday, all these ways were blocked with carts.
The English firemen cannot drive as rapidly and recklessly as our firemen do on our wide avenues, for any attempt at such driving would mean certain destruction to engine and apparatus. ”

“ If it is not well done he feels restless and dirty, and the pores of his skin become clogged, and the good horse gets sick.
Currying a horse is quite hard work, and lazy grooms do not like to do it, and so they have invented a means of shirking the brushing which is very unkind to the horse. ”

“ China is justly indignant at this act on the part of Germany, and fully realizes that she has good cause to declare war; but she is so weak in military and naval force that she is not able to resent the outrage, and the robbers are likely to be able to hold their prize. ”

“ The gardens being so large, and the extent of the domain of each class of animals so spacious, it has been found necessary to arrange a means for the visitors to see all the beauties of the Zoo without undue fatigue. ”

“ It will interest you to know that the fire department of the city of New York has reached such a degree of excellence that the risk of serious damage and loss by fire has been greatly reduced, and, in consequence, the insurance companies have lowered the rate of insurance ”

“ Every owner wishes to see his animals with glossy, shining coats, and so bad grooms, to save the trouble of currying and brushing, will rub the horse over with a cloth, dipped in kerosene. The coat will shine beautifully, but the poor horse is made most uncomfortable. ”

“ The monkeys in the new Zoo are to be accommodated with a little artificial forest, where they can roam freely. The birds are to have a huge tree-grown aviary, with bathing-ponds and every desired luxury. ”

“ When the train is in motion the extra step folds under the car-step. When the train stops the porter touches a lever, and down comes the extra step, making the descent from the car as easy as walking downstairs. ”

“ The importers cannot, of course, afford to lose this money, and so they have to add it to the price of the goods, which thus become more expensive than the same class of articles manufactured here. It is therefore to the housekeeper's advantage to buy home-made goods in preference to foreign, and thus a market is made for the home products. ”

“ He has also kept his soldiers in Crete, and sent a Turk as governor of the island despite the protests of the Powers.
He has, in fact, been doing pretty much as he pleased, believing that Europe was afraid of him, and that he was master of the situation.
Now the Powers have combined to teach him the difference. They have joined together, and in round terms bidden him obey them or take the consequences. ”

“ Every government is particularly careful to do all that it can to protect its missionaries, and if ignorant savages do them harm, an attempt is always made to punish the wrongdoers, to teach them that these servants of God are well protected. ”

“ We told you last week of his desire to increase the German navy. To accomplish this, it will be necessary for him to do as other nations do, that is, have ports all over the world where he can coal and repair his ships. ”

“ The buffaloes are to have a huge field appropriated to their use, where they can roam at will. The visitors who wish to see them must climb a wooded hill, from which they can view the beasts without disturbing them. ”

“ One roadway is for vehicles going in one direction, and the other for carriages going in the opposite way. By this means the visitors will be able to see everything in the gardens without getting tired. ”

“ The steps of the Pullman cars can only be a certain length, and must not jut out beyond the sides of the car, otherwise they would be liable to be torn off when the oar passes through tunnels or narrow places. ”