A JURITBBB. Xreerson. i Grace, Beauty and Caprice i JBulid this golden portal: . Graceful women, chosen mt " Dattle every mortal. Their tweet and lofty countenance Sis enchanted food! Ho need not go to them, their formi Beset his solitude, Helooketh seldom in their face, Ills eyes exploit) the ground Tho rreen crass Is nTooktag-glas Whereon their traits tire found. Little nnd lest he huts to them. " Bo dances his heart In his breast: Their tranquil mien bcrcaveth him, Of wit, ot words, ot rest. Too weak to win, too (ond to shua , The tyrants ol his doom, Tlie much deceived Endjrmloa Slips behind a tomb. i MBS. DOBBS' "WIIIM." from tho Argosy. Mr. and Mrs. Dobbs lived at Gap ham. They wcroa very worthy coup le, their friends said. That is about tho best people will say of an elderly pair it they aro not intellectual or troublesome Mr. and Mrs. Dobbs woro neither. Mr. Dobba was Btout and commonplace in appoarance, and did not flirt with his neighbor's wife, or gamble in stocks, or livo beyond his income. He was hall-marked among upright men, and was trusteo for half hid friends' chil dren. No doubt ho was a triflo heavy and prosy at times, but tlioso aro drawbacks frequently attendant upon men of probity. Ho certainly was never tempted by impulsos or in spirations of any sort either to do wrong or to becomo witty or original. Mrs. Dobbs was reputed a respect ablo and virtuous matron for othor reasons. Imprimis, she had no tasto in dress; neither did sho paint her taco or excito the envy and spite of her female friends by beautifying her house Sho was fond of a good dinner ot a solid English sort, and always woro black Bilk or satin gowns. Her caps were propoatcrouB erections oi lace, with gilt or steel ornaments attached; and when sho went to tho theater sho woro a rod bernouso. Tru ly this couplo wero loft behind in tho raco of extravagance, frivolity and ec centricity. Fashionable folks would have nothing to say to thorn; those who did consider them worth cultivat ing explained their status as "good, worthy peoplo," with a compassion ato shrug or smile. Mr. Dobbs was "somothing in tho city," and his big ofilco and many clorks brought in some thing more than a comfortable in come. Yet ho mado no parado of wealth and Kept household accounts strictly. Every evening ho returned homo punctually by tho 0 o'clock train from Waterloo, carrying his fish bas ket with htm. Fish was cheaper and bettor in tho city than at. Clapham, and Mrs. Dobbs was particularly fond ot fifth. Tiio worthy Josiah would not have spoiled her dinner for tho world. Sho must havo her salmon in Beason, and her red mullet and white bait, all in duo turn, of tiio best. By this you will understand that Mr. Dobbs was devoted and domestic. Yet there wero thorns amid tho roses of his conjugal paradise, Mrs. Dobbs was now and again beset by spirits of unrest and discontent, and her whims at inter vals caused dear, steady-going Josiah much inconvenience. There wero no children at Clarence Villa; and por- haps for this reason Mrs. Dobbs had more leisuro for complaint. Sho prac ticed tho art oi murmuring with as pteady a "persistence as a prima donna her scales. Josiah suffered her dis contents with more than tho ordinary patience of an exemplary husband. As years went on Josiah philosophi cally gavo up wishing for an heir, seeing his Dorothy had grown portly and middle aged. He uubecribed largely to tho Vari ous charities not having a legitimate outlet for his human kindness. A philoprogenitivo organ impelled him toward children's 'hospitals. Why, said ho, should not his generation benefit instead of they that were to come after? Mrs. Dobbs did not however, view such matters with equanimity See ing tho undue and unwelcome number of olive branches round about other people's tables, sho resented nature's cruelty to herself. She, therefore, frowned persistently on Josiah's philanthropic schemes tor othor people s cnuuren. ills uenovolenco toward orphans, foundlings and waifs and strays was a never-ceasing cause of argument and mortification to her. Sho did not sutler any loss. Serscnally, from these charitable eedB. Not a wish remained uncrant ed, and checks were forthcoming with cheerful readiness when required. She had her carriage, her servants, her milliners as she listed. Josiah erected a miniature Crystal Palace in his gar den because bhe wished to havo bana nas growing. Ho took her to Egypt one Winter, and nearly died of sea sickness by the way, because she had been reading Eastern romances and yearned for Oriental glitter. Nothing that money could obtain was dented her only she had no children. for a long timo Mrs. Dobbs had displayed no extraordinary caprice. Josiah was sailing axongmwondcrrulty smooth matrimonial waters. But the lady's Irequent absence of mind and contemplative inein might have convinced a more sophisticated man that mischief was brewing. In truth Mrs, Dobbs was Blowly hatching a scheme which she felt sure would run counter to Josiah's wishes. This lent an additional zest to her plan. She considered itaretributivescheme. She would fight Josiah on his own ground with his favorite weapon of benev olence, "I'm going to adopt a child, Josiah. I?owt itUuno .use your contradicting me, because 1 won't listen,- cam tee lady one evening over dessert. She spolco aggressively, cracking the shell ot a walnut with decision. Sno peevish ly found fault with tho fish and the salad, and had slapped her pug for no earthly reason. II Josiah had been less Blow he would havo opined that a storm was brewing. Thero was silence for a minuto after Mrs. Dobbs had opened fire. "Aren't you going to speak?" she said at length. "A child, romarked Josiah, drop- fling his tat chin into his shirt. "My ove, that iaaurely a project requiring very serious consideration." Mrs. Dobbs tossed her head omin ously. Every inch of laco in her cap ieomed suddenly to havo acquired starch, whilo tho gilt ornaments there on scintillated fiercely. "When I say a thing I mean it, as fou know, Joaiah. 1 nave considered hat you indulge your hobbies with out restraint. It is high timo my benevolence found something to oc cupy it." Josiah drank up his wino slowly. When he spoko again it was in a sub dued tone. "Dorothy, my dear, how often have I reminded you in tho past threo years that your poor sister loft a child. As I liavo said before, it is your clear duty" "Mr. DobbsP' Tho lady roso, and swopt her black satin Bkirts to the door. Here sho paused to add: "I repeat, I remember no sister. A dis gracelul marriago severed all connec tion of birth. I beg that you will never alludo to that shameful matter again." Perhaps tho episode alluded to was well romembrea by Josiah, for ho sighed Boveral times in his after-dinner solitude Ho know tho mad-cap girl ho had sheltered for many years beneath his roof was dead, but ho know, too, that her child lived, arid ho would fain have cherished it for the mother's sake. In tho course of tho evening Mrs. Dobbs resumed tho question of adop tion. Josiah was a peaccablo man, and ho loved his wifo; but this last whim was a serious one, and would inevitably entanglo her in difficulties. "I'm going to advertise at once," Bho said. Mr. Dobbs looked very blank. "I should adviso you to try some other plan that would givo less pub licity to tho matter," ho said mildly. "That would bring any amount of beggars and innostors about you." Mrs. Dobbs looked over her crewel work in an injured way. "Thero you aro again, Josiah; always trying to oppose mo and make my life miserable I declare you contra dict mo overy morning and evening about something Haven't I told you beforo what a lonely life I lead? It's all very woll for you, who go away to tho city overy day to make money. You aro just liko all men you aro selfish to tho core." With this final femalo platitude, Mrs. Dobbs began to whimper. Mr. Dobbs lelt guilty of hoinous cruelty. "A companion might "he began. Tho lady lifted herself from tho sofa cushion and Josiah quailed. "A companionl" with withering sarcasm, "to mnko lovo to you, no doubt, Josiah. I know their schem inc ways. Didn't I have enough of Miss Griggs and her maneuvering tricks, working you braces, the hussy, and sending you Christmas, cards. How dare you mention a person of that sort after all my sufferings with them?" Of course in tho end tho lady pre vailed, and Josiah passively counte nanced the adoption. Matters were soon sot in order for the fulfillment of the latest whim. Yet verily her heart failed her during tho week follow ing her advertisement. Her lonely con dition had never been so apparent to her beforo as when sho was beset by a crew of parents and guardians bearing some puny or blighted fnfant for her adoption.' All sorts and' condi tions of men craved her pity for their wretched children. Site was bewildered by the offensive bearing of bolder ap plicants. Moro than onco Mrs. Dobbs had to ring in her respectable butler to get rid of some inslstant parent who endeavored to intimidate her in to an immediate purchase. Tho re sult ot all this was a cessation of the daily advertisement." Mr. Dobbs, of course, was not informed minutely of all that went on, though an interviow with his butler one evening threw a little light on things that had occurred. "I wish to give a month's warning, sir," said this gentleman in privacy to his muster. "Why, now, Tinker, what is the matter? I'm sure you've a very com forr.iblo place, with a boy to do all your dirty work." Tinker coughed and stammered a few words before coming to the point. "Well, now, sir, to speak plain it's along ofthat wild crowd of vagabonds, as Mrs. Dobbs she's seeing of every day. Babies by tho score, they're brought by impulent rascals such as I ain't been accustomed to. One of 'em Bho wouldn't no out ot tne gate tin 1 railed tho police. It aint respectable in a gentleman's house, I do assure you, sir." Somehow or other Mr. Dobbs man aged to sooth the outragod feelings o! his man servant, nnd prevailed upon him to put up awhile longer with the inconvenience of tho situation. The worthy Josiah was concerned for tho protection of his wife. "How are you getting on with your uusiness, my lover" inquired JUr. Dobbs that evening. "Oh, pretty well," ssid the lady cheerfully, yet persistently avoiding her husband's eyes. "1 lind it very difficult to make up my mind; and I waut a pretty little boy, not quite a baby, with no disgraceful connections to hang about him. No doubt I shall see one to suit mo in a few days." Tho few days passed without further allusion to the subject, and the follow ing curious advertisement appeared in all the daily papers: WANTED. For immediate adoption, a little boy between 2 nnd 4 years old. Must be healthy and pretty and sound In body and mind. Tho parents or relatives must renounce all claim on him forever, lie ill be comfortably provided tor in the future. Apply daily to Messrs. Griilham and Grab bum. Solicitor!, 201 Parliament street, Westminster. Alter the appearance of this adver tisement the persecution of Clarence Villa died away, and only now and again a respectable man or woman, leading a littlo boy, was heard inquiring for Mrs. Dobbs' residence of a local policeman. But tho lady was obdurate to all claimB made on her pity. See had hardened her heart to aestituto cases; and pen niless widows or consumptive fathers met with Bcant ceremony at her hands it their offspring wero not de Birable. After this had gono for a fortnight or moro, Mrs Dobbs one day visited Messrs. Griflham and Grab ham during business hours. "I havo come about the child, Mr. Griflham," she said, going at once to her point. "How is it you havo Bent mo nono that aro pretty or interest ing?" From tho force of habit, Mrs. Dobbs was apt to speak dictatorial ly to strangers. "My dear madam, pray remember children , aro not made to order." Mrs. Dobbs winced. "I see I must except no assistance from you, sir," she said loftily. No doubt my hus band's opposition to my object has influenced you, I will tronblo you no further in this matter. You may con eider your quest at an end. Good morning." Weary ot her undertaking, Mrs. Dobbs had almost resolved to aban don her whim; ,Sho chowed the cud of hitter thoughts on her homeward way that day. Providence or fortune was against her success. That evening Mr. Dobbs came homo in an unusual de gree ot haste, und of a cheerful mien. "Lovo," Baid ho, tripping over tho dining-room mat, "I've found a child for you." Mrs. Doobs lookecd up coldly. "It's impossiblo I shall liko it," said she perversely. "No ono wants to part with a child unless there's something the matter with it." Mr.Doobs beamed yet more bright ly. Ho was not to bo subdued by any wet blankets. "It's a little boy, and ho is 3 years old, fair, pretty and most intelligent. His father is just dead." "What about his mother?" queried Mrs. Doobs cautiously. Josiah reddened, stammering alittlo. "She all, poor soul is dead too. This is no beggar's brat. Ho is well born, Dorothy, on one side. I can givo you every proof." The noxt day the child was brought tp Clapham and left a Clarenco Villa by a clerk from M. Dobbs' office. Ho was poorly dressed, but a handsome little lad, lively and spirited. Ho was not at all shy, and addressed himselt freely to tho pug and parrot. The piping treblo voico and shrill, childish laughter touched the maternal chord in Dorothy's heart. Sho went a littlo sadly that day while her eyes followed tho child. Ho stroked her velvet gown and fingered her rings while he sat up on her knee, chatting about the things around him. "What is your name?" questioned the lady. "Harry," answered the boy readily. But nothing more could bo elicited from him. He did not seem to under stand that he could have a second name Ho was but a baby boy, scarce ly three. In tho afternoon Mrs. Dobbs tele graphed to her husband that ho must make arrangements for her to keep the child a day or two. It would not bo necessary to send any one to fetch him that evening. The day passed quickly, with little feet pattering besido her, exploring tho wonders of garden and green houses. Towards 7 o'clock Mrs. Dobbs began to look anxiously for her spouso s return, bhe had quite decid ed that sho would keep the child, but still there wero questions to be asked preliminaries to bo settled. The boy must bo hers entirely. Nono must over claim him, or interiero with his welfare Mr. Dobbs came leisurely up the garden at his usual hour, car rying his fish-bag. His stolid face changed a little when he looked through tho window and saw the child on his wife's knee. "Ho is a pretty boy, Dorothy." he said nervously, when ho camo near. "A darling little boy: I mean to keep him, Josiah," she said, gently disen gaging tho chubby hands from her chair. "Will you stay with me, Harry?" The child laughed gleefully, tossing back his curls. K- "Stay witli oo; pity, pity flowers," he cried clapping ins 'minds. "Tell mo nil you know about him, Josiah. What is his parentage, nnd will his nearest relatives surrender all claim upon him?" Josiah shifted uneasily in his seat. Ho had the appearance of a man op pressed with guilt. "Ho i an orphan," said ho look ing speculatively at his own broad toes. "So much the better for me, ' said Mrs. Dobbs. But I will have no dis tant reltaives hanging about. He must belong exclusively to me." Mr Dobbs drew nearer to his wife. "Dorothy, he ought to belong to you it to anyone." Tho lady put down the child from her knee, His large blue eyes gazed in wonder at this sudden rejection. "What is the boy's name?" said Mrs. Dobbs, breathlessly. "Henry," ho rejoined, slowly. "But Henry what?" she asked, more sharply. "Henry Morrison. He is your sis ter' child a friendless orphan now. God help him if you don't. Mrs. Dobbs fell back on the sofa cushion, and covered her faco with her hands. The tears wero falling thro ngli them when little fingers essayed to movo them. "Has oo, been naughty? on't ky." Perhaps the lady was verj conscious of her own naughtiness, for she cried still more at this appeal, drawing the child into her embrace. There was never any more doubt atyoiit the adoption. Henry Morrison calls Mrs. Dobbs mother to this day, and Josiah is a little less generous toward asy lums nnd hospitals. There will be a very pretty penny by and by for bis adopted son. Norway, Michi;an, was destroyed by fire, its population rendered homeless, and their losses reaching 5300,000. - -Too Jefferson's Home. j Across tho marshes and bayous eight miles to tho west from Petite Anse island ripcj Orange island, fa mous for its orange plantation, but called Jefferson island since it becamo the property and homo of Joseph Jef ferson. Not bo high as Petito Anse, it is still conspicuous with its crown of dark forest. From a high point on Petito Anso, through a lonely vista of trees, with flowering cacti in tho fore ground, Jefferson's house is a white spot in tho landscape. We reached it by a circuitous drivo of 12 miles over tho prairie, sometimes in and some times out of water, and continually diverted from our courso by fences. It is a good sign of tho thrift of tho raco, and of its independence, that the color ed peoplo havo taken up or bought lit tlo tracts of 30 or 40 acres, put up cabins, and new fences round their domains regardless of tho traveling public. Wo zigzagged all about the country to get round these little en closures. At ono place, where the main road was bad, a thrifty Acadtan had set up a toll of twenty-five cents for tho privilege of passing through his premises. Tho scenery was pas toral and pleasing. There were fre quent round ponds, brilliant with lil ies and flcurs-do-lis, and hundreds of cattlo feeding on tho prairie or stand ing in tho water, and generally of a dun-color, mado always an agreeable Eicturc. The monotony was broken y lines of trees, by cape-like woods Btrctching into tho plain, and the horizon lino was always fine. Great variety of birds enlivened tho landscape, game birds abounding. There was the lively nonpareil, which seems to change its color, and is red and green and blue I beliovo of tho oriolo family the papabotto, a favorite on New Orleans tables in the autumn, snipe, killdce, tho cheerooko (snipe?) the meadow lark, and quantities of teal duck in tho ponds. These littlo ponds are called "bull-holes." Tho traveler is told that they aro started in this wa tery soil by tho pawing of bull?, and gradually enlarge as tho cattle fre-' qucnt them. Ho remembers that he has seen similar circular ponds in the North not mado by bulls. Mr. Jefferson's residence a pretty rosovino-covored cottage is situated on tho slope of the hill,-overlooking a broad plain and vaststrotchof bayou country. Along ono sido of his home enclosure for a mile runs a superb hedge of Chickasaw roses. On tho slops back of tho house, und almost embracing it, is a magnificent grovo of liveoaks, great gray stems, and tho branches hung with heavy masses of moss, which swing in the wind liko tho pendant boughs of the willow, and with something of its sentimental and mournful suggestions. Tho recesses ot this forest are cool and dark, but up on ascending the hill, suddenly bursts upon the viow under tho trees a most lovely lako of clear bluo water. This lake which may be a mile long and a half a milo broad, is called Lake Peig neur, from its fanciful resemblance, I beliovo to a wool-comber. Tho shores aro wooden. On the isl and side the bank is precipitous: on tho opposite shore amid the trees is a hunting lodge nnd I believe, there are plantations on the north end, but it is in aspect altogether solitary and peaceful. But tho island did not want life. The day was brilliant, with a deep bluo sky and high-sailing fleecy clouds, and it seemed a sort of animal holiday; squirrels chattered; cardinal birds flashed through the green leaves; there flitted about the' red-winged blackbird, bluejays, red-headed wood peckers, thrushes and occasionally a rain-crow crossed the scene; high over head sailed the heavy buzzards, do scribing great aerial circles; and off in tho still lako tho ugly heads of tho al ligators toasting in the sun. Charles Dudley Warner, "Tho Acadian Land" in Harper's Magazine for February. Tiio World Not so Very Lnrsc. From the Washington Post. The world is growing smaller every dayl Threo gentlemen wero standing together in tho East Room of the White House at tho last State recep tion. Richly dressed and beautiful women wero thronging into that mag nificent parlor from the Green Room, having "been through" as the expres sion is for a presentation to tho Pres ident in tho Blue Room. Tho social mill was in furious operation that evening, and an enormous grist was being ground out. Suddenly a medium-sized, facinating lady fioin New York, in an elegant and becoming costume, emerged from the hopper. Sho was tho wifo of a high railway official in that city. The three gentlemen glanced at her. No one of the three knew that either oi the others had ever seen her before." "Ah! said Browne, "the last timo I saw her I was pouting sand into her shoes at Long Branch." "Indeed!" said White. "Tho last time I met her was at the Hotel Con tinental in Paris, when sho presented me to Clara Louiso Kellogg." "And that reminds me," snid Greene, "that the last time I saw her I wus 6eated by her side in her carringe, driving up Fiftli-ave.for a turn in Cen tral Park." And then the three gentlemen looked at each other, and shook hands, and lausmed. How sninll this world is. The Long One and One. the Short New Zealand Times. There is a story oi old Peter JTau cett, the New South Wales Sopreme Court Judge whola;ly retired. He was somewhat short-sighted, and one day a very diminutive barrister appeared before him to move something or oth er. When the short man stood along side "Jumbo," a very tall barrister, who was sitting down, their heads were about on a level, and as soon as the smad man began: "If your honor please, I " "Ye must stand up when y address the court," interrupt ed old Peter, irascibly. "I am stand ing up," said tho small man, with dig nity. "Then tell the gentleman alongside ye to sit down." JPIiAGUE OF CHOLERA. Hew the Drttd DUeus bst renetrsted ANiriea Serersl Tints. From tho Pittsburgh Dispatch. Asiatic cholera is an epidemic dis easo of great virulence. It has been known from a very romoto period, and has visited at ono time or anoth er almost overy country on the globe. Tho first account published in detail was in tho first part of tho sixteenth century. Tho dispaso seems to have prevailed first in India, and tho vari ous epidemics in otlies countries can bo traced as having been brought from that country. The invasion of India by tho Portuguese and afterward by the English during the sixteenth cen tury served to introduco tho disease into Europe. It again was brought into Europe during tho eighteenth and the early part of tho nineteenth century by tho English in vasion of India. In 1832 it again pre vailed in Europo, and 120,000 peoplo died from it during that year. It first appeared in America during that year (1832) and wasbroughtherebya French emigrant ship, wliich disem barked along tho St. Lawrence1 river and spread the disease to the various towns along the river and tho great lakes as far as Fort Dearborn, near where Chicago now is. From thenco it spread as far as tho Mississippi. In the sarao year another ship brought it to Now York, and from thenco it spread southward along the coast to the gulf, and westward into tho inte rior, along tho courso of tho great high ways of travel. It first appeared in Pittsburgh in 1833. It next appeared in 1845, and again in 1853. In 1805 it occurred again, but had a limited extent, audits last appearance was in 1 873, at which timo it did not prevail to any extent. All the cases that have ever prevail ed can bo traced to pre-existing cases ot cholera, proving that it does not arise spontaneously, but is always caused by pre-existing cases. This is almost absolutely proved, and teaches a lesson with regard to prevention of the disease What the specific conta gious material is that causes cholera is a subject yet of much investigation nnd dispute. Tho investigations of Koch, of recent years, would seem to point toward a micro-organism as tho oavee, an organism called tho comma bacillus. Yet this is not absolutely proved, and in fact thero aro some grave objections to the theory. This organism is found in great numbers in the intestinal canal of cholera pa tients, and it is not found in patients Buffering from any otherdisease. Yet these germs, when dried, die in a very short time. Now it lias been proved that tho contagion oi cholera has been carried long distances and for spa.'es of timo in dry clothing and other manners. Koch's theory, consequently, is not universally accepted. Soma think tho disease is duo to a chemical com pound, which is unstable. Cholera prevails during warm weather, and is most fatal in tropical climates. Cold weather is almost suro to stop an epi demic. It undoubtedly effects its en trance into tho system through the ali mentary canal that is, stomach and intestines and does not cntor through the lungs, in all probability. Yet In effect it is much tno samo, as tho con tagious material often disseminated by tho atmosphere may lodge in tho mouth, and, being swallowed, cause tho disease. Its origin can often bo traced also to water into which some of tho excretum of cholera patients has gained access. The prevention oi this diseaso con sequently limits itself down to destruc tion of the morbid product whicli pro duces it, and isolation of thoso affect ed with the disease to prevent its spreading the destruction of every thing about theso patients calculated to retain the poison. The best meth od of doing this is by fire and disinfect ants. We think that not only should tho clothing be burned, but also the bod ies of tlioso who die of the disease. The safety of tho community at large depends upon the thoroughness with wliich this is done. Isolation of tho patients and prevention of the possi bility of carrying the diseaso by a strict quarantine, both at seaport and inland should be urged. The ob jection to quarantine is found in its interference with commerce, but the interference, as a rule, affects only a minority of people, and tho rule that tew should suiter for tho benefit of tho many should bo applied here. Expe rience, the great educator, has taught that the safety of the masses depends upon the efficfency ot the quarantine. Tho symptoms of tho disease are too well known to need repetition. During the first part of an epidemic the disease usually is mora violent and the mortality greater than later on, the disease seeming to spend itself,, to wear itself out. In vry severe cases death may take place in a few hours. One peculiarity noticed about persons dying from this disease is tho contrac tion of the muscles, which tnkes place a few hours after death. It is some times horrifying to those nbout the body to thus see a dead man move. A Mr. Ward reports tho following: "I saw the eyes of my dead patient open and move slowly in a downward di rection. This was followed, a minuto or two subsequently, by tho move ments of the right arm, previously lying by the side, across the chest." Another caso is reported olthe body turning clear over by tiio muscular contractions on ono side of the body. In many cases ot cholera no treat ment is of avail. In the less sovere forms it) is of tho utmost Importance for the patient to havo early treat ment. Dr. Austin Flint nttaches great importance to this, and says that in an experience of threo epidem ics, during which he attended hundreds of cases, reepvery was the rule if he saw the patient early in tho disease. The deaths during an epidemic occur largely among tho poor, poverty and neglect being largely the cause. A shortage ol $34,000 him been found In the nccountB o! Col. W. H. Webster, late treasurer ot Merrick county, Ne braska. Webster otter to turn over all his property, amounting, to $20,000. Whnt Wo Aro Mutlo Of. Professor Lnngley. In tho South Kensington Museum there is an immenso collection of ob jects appealing to nil tastes and nil classes, and we find there at the same timo people belonging to the wealthy and cultivated par t of society, lingering over tho Louis Seize cabinets or the old majolica, and the artisan and his wifo studying the statements as to tho rela tive economy of baking powders, or ad miring Tippoo Saib's wooden tiger. There is ono Bhelf, however, which seems to have some attraction com mon to all social grades, for its con tents appear to bo of equal interest to tho peer and costermonger. It is tho representation of a man resolved into his chemical elements, or rather, an exhibition of tho materials of which, the human body is composed. Thero is a definite amount of water, for in stance, in our blood and tissues, and there on tho shelf aro just so many gallons ol water in a largo vesseh Another jar shows tho exact quantity of carbon in us; smaller bot tles contain our iron and our phos--phorusin just proportion, while oth ers exhibit still other constituents of tho body, and the whole reposes on the shelf, as if ready for tho coming of a new Frankenstein to recreate tho original man and make him walk about again as wedo. The littlo vials that contain the different elements which we all bear about in small pro portions are more numerous, and they suggest not merely the complex ity of our constitutions but the iden tity of our elements with those wo have found by tiio spectroscope, .not alono in tho sun, but even in the dis tant stars and nebulae, for this won derful instrument of tho now astron omy can find tho traces of poison in a stomach or analyze a star, and its conclusion leads us to think that tho ancients were nearly right when they called man a microcosm, or little uni verse. Wo have literally within our bodies samples of the most important elements ot whicli tho groat universe without is composed, and you and I are not only like each other, and brothers in humanity, but children of tho sun and stare in a more literal sense, having bodies actually made in large part of the samo things that mado Sirius and Aldebaran. They and wo are near relatives. Tho Military Frontier of Frnncc. Tho cession ot Alsnce and Lorraino placed Metz and Strasburg, tho keys of the old French frontier in German hands. It gavo Franco a new frontier and a very open one, a frontier un protected by any very great natural obstacles, for the Germans now held both sides of theRhine.nnd the north ern passes of the Vosges (tho passes by which the a rench army used to march to the Rhino under Napoleon I.) were well within the new German ter ritory. Moreover,this naturally open frontier might bo said to be wholly unprotected by art once Metz ana Strasburg wero gone. True thero was the fortress of Belfort on tho ex treme right, guarding tho w'ell marked valley between tho Vosges and tho Ju ra, which French geographers call la trouee de Belfoit. But Belfort, shat tered by tho successful siege wliich was the last act of tho war, was only tho wreck of a fortress, and in any caso its works wero not of such a character as to fit it for its new position on the very frontier line. Taught by the hard lessons of defeat, tho French Government at once set to work to put tho new frontier into a thorough state of defense. Successive War Ministers have steadily worked, upon the lines originally laid down by the engineers charged with tho task in 1871. Money has not been spared. It has been spent by millions, and now, after the labor of 1 0 yeais. the work is done. Probably so" vast a schema of military engineering was never be foro planned and executed in so brief a time Tho French engineers havo not been content to erect upon tho new frontier three or four first-class fortresses to serve as points of sup port for adefendingarmy. They havo closed it witli a double line of works, linked these together by an elaborate system of railways, and, besides re fortifying Paris, they havo construct ed two other great fortresses in the heart of France to servo as bases of operation for her armies if. as in 1870, the barriers nearer tho frontier wero again pressed byinvndingannies from beyond tho Rhine Rural National Review. How Much CuiibeDrcnint inFlvo Seconds. Revue Bclenttfique. I was sitting with a police official at his office, und wo were discussing some fantastic story, when an employe came in and Bat down be3ide us. lean ing with his elbow on the table. I er. going across long corridors, I walk ed behind him, at the college where I had been brought up. He 'went into a wing of tho house which I knew well, and which led to the class rooms. Un der the stairs he showed mo a stovo on which stood an oyster shell with a little whito paint in it (I had been mixing water colors tho night before.) "But vou have forgotten the vegeta bles. Go to the porter at the other end ot the court-yard; you will find them there on the nble." I waited for a long time; at last I saw him making signs to mo that he had found nothing. '"It is at the left hand side," I shouted, nnd saw him cross the yard, coming back with an immense cabbage. I took a knife from my pocket, which I always kept there, and at the moment when I was going to cut the vegetable I was awakened by the noise of a bowl of soup being put heavily on the marble top of the table next my bed. It appears to me that the idea ol soup was suggested to me by the smell at the moment when the door was opened by a servant bringing in the soup while I was asleep, and it takes live seconds at the most to walk from the door to the bod. ..y looked up and said to nun, -you nave forgotten to make tho soup." "No.no; come with mo." Wo went out toceth- v4 J Vj "Si A" 1 l-f JM j&9 -fetia A .ii Jfoift ,',ti4ut-' , ?