Che Examiner.

a ee

| y 1 |“ SOME OF THE OCCASIONS WHICH

THE WINTER STEAMER.

When Prince Edward Island entered the

| Dominion, the late Government, from July |

j i

Charlottetown, March 13, 1876, -_ ear: WAPER QUESTION.

THE

We regret that those in authority have | o long delayed the procurement ¢ fa drill which to ascertain |

We have repeatedly |

ing machine with

what is under us represented the expediency of boring for |

pure water, for coal, and for the purpose of discovering what lies beneath our red sandstone. Some years ago the Legisla- | ture appropriated a thousand pounds to The has, however, never been applied.

Ihe last letter addressed by W. Heard Hsq., to the editors of the city press—

carry out the experiment. grant

which we are unable to quote in full—

is very much to the point. Mr. Heard

writes :-—

lhe chief portion of our rain-fall quickly descends to the strata beneath, keeping the springs well supplied all the year round ; and where a running stream is notat hand, we have only to pierce the strata 10, 20, or 30 feet to gain a constant supply of pure water, [and much superior to rain water] for deinking purposes. But when a large popu- lation collects on a limited area, the greatest care should be taken to keep the wells clean and to prevent by proper draining, the percolation of fluids, which may sooner or later reach the springs, ard thus introduce disease and death at the fountain head. Every one knows that such precautions have not been observed here, and that for the last fifty years or more, the soil has been simply a receptacle for every kind of the foulest {lth ; that not a public sewer exists in the city, and what in some cases the deep wells have been converted into sinks of poison. | Under these circumstances it must be ap- | parent that we have to choose between one of three courses ; either to emigrate to ane other site, or bring i1 a supply of pure water from a reasonable distance, or with stoical indifference submit to blind fate, and be content to accept the periodical visits of | those fearful scourges of typhcid and other epidemics, which have already given us gentle intimations of what is in store.

Mr. Heard continues :—

“ Judging from the cuttings in the rock, which generally present a dry surface, in- dicating good percolation—from the ab- sence of beds of marl or clay among the lay~ ers of roeck—and from the uninterrupted flow of numerous springs on the surfaee, above the water leve!—there is every reason to believe that ifan ample supply of good water can anywhere be found stored up in sand- stone strata, within a reasonable distance from the surface, itis here. Nor can the mere cost of boring be any longer a valid excuse for the refusal of cur authorities to take steps towards the solution of the ques- | tion.”

An attentive friend in the United States lately sent us an illustrated price list of patent improved well-drilling ma- chinery. From it we learn that a boring machine, with all the improvements, with 200 feet of 1 1-4 inch hawser laid rope, 200 of 1-2 inch rope, 3 inch butt, rod, one pair heavy jars, one 6 inch Z bitt, one 4 inch sand bucket, horse power with tum- bling rods, knuckle joints, and all the necessary extras, ineluding wrenches and cranks, the machine being complete, and ready for operation, can be obtained for $425. It may be well for the govero- ment and the civic authorities to consider the propriety of importing one of these machines. At any rate some action should be taken.

CIVIC MATTERS. Ir is a curious fact that while the Pro- gress would prevent Charlottetown from receiving any monetary accommodation— even a loan—trom the Local Government, the Journal is petitioning the Legislature for a grant to enable the enterprising people of Summerside to open up a street. Whether its streets are in order or disorder, Charlottetown gets no aid— asks no aid—from Government on ac- count of them. But surely it is as much entitled to an occasional grant as Sum- merside. Viewed in the light by which the Progress sees, Charlottetown may de- mand, as a right, some consideration from the Local Government. Its population is close upoa ten thousand ; and its share of the subsidy annually received from the Dominion Government, would, therefore, be about eighteen thousand dollars. Be- sides itis the seat of Government ; and it is compelled, at great expense, to afford protection to the public buildings, and all the valuable records they contain. From the platform of sectionalism, on which the Progress would place it, Charlottetown might certainly demand a great deal more than the City Fathers have yet requested. But the citizens have, we are fully assur- ed, no desire to intrench themselves upon this strong but narrow platform. They are willing to admit that the interests of the whole province are their interests ; and they only ask that the people of Sum- merside and the county at large, shall make the same admission ; and act in the spirit of fairplay. With respect to the causes of civic embarrassment we are yet in the dark, We await, with some im- patience, the publication of the civic bal- ance sheet. It is said that, owing to the prevalent monetary depression, a large portion of the Civic taxes remain uncol- lected, If this be the sole fact of the ease, we see no reason why the Local Government should not loan some of its spare cash, for the purpose of assisting the civic authorities out of their pressing dif- ficulty.

ae o+

A MARINE BOARD FOR

ISLAND.

Tue correspondence which has appears ed in the Examiner will, we trust, have che effect of arousing the marine and fish- eries department to action, in the matter of a marine board for this province. A marine board is very much needed. Scarcely an official examination passes in Halifax or St. Joha but an Islander— and sometimes two or three Islanders— are among the candidates for a captain’s or a mate’s certificate. To them the extra cost and inconvenience of boarding, lodging and svudying away from home is hard to be borne. We have no doubt that this consideration deters many pro- mising seamen from the attempt to obtain the rights and privileges which appertain to master mariners. This, at a time when our ship-owners are positively unable to get qualified captains and mates for their ships, is a great draw-back to one of the most important interests in the province. We trust the Dominion Government will attend to this matter,

: =

A A I i

The appropriation called for by the En- glish Government for purchase of the Suez Canel shares has been granted by the House of Commons.

Judge Olonzo B. Taft of Ohio. hes beer | appointed Secretary of war in the place of Beiknap—impeacied for high crimes and

| for on the eve of an election; and that | ™ port : " | it is usual to see inside the walls of a C athos

misdemeanors,

to November, had done nothing to secure the object referred to. Mr. Laird had not | been in office four weeks before he had | issued tenders for a steamer.—Oliawa Cor. of | Toronto Globe.

, ' ’

Che Globe's correspondent forgets to | mention the fact that tenders were called |

the advertizements specified that a first- class steamer should be provided. He forgets to state that—after the election was over—the tender of a friend of the

| Government, who had a useless boat, was

and Mr. Laird’s constituents were both cheated and dissappointed. Mr. Laird’s tactics are easily explained.

accepted ;

First, he wished to secure his election ; next, the Government, of which he is -a member, wished toshirk the expense and responsibility of maintaining Steam Com- munication with this Island during the winter. The advertisement for a first- class steamer helped to secure the first object; and the placing of a boat utterly unfit for the service on the route would, it was thought, by demonstrating the im- possibility of the work —secure the second, It appears, now, that Mr. Laird himself has so pooran opinion of the Government, that he thinks they are incapable of per- forming the service. He thinks a private company should qo it. —— 2 SAYINGS AND DOINGS OF OUR REPRESENTATIVES.

Last week Mr. Perry moved a statement, showing what steps have been taken touch~ ing the opening up ofa regular steam communication in the winter season be- tween P. E. I. and the Main Land. He ex- plained that when P. E, Island entered the Confederation, it was arranged that Steam Communication, should be main- tained both Winter and Summer, between the Main Land, but this agreement had not been carried out. The work should be per- formed by the Dominion Government, which should have a boat specially built for the service. Messrs. Yeo, Davies and Since lair supported the motion. Hon. Mr. Laird said he had used his best efforts to make Winter navigation successful. Up to the present the Winter navigation of the Straits of Northumberland was but an experiment which he hoped to see achieved, the

| whole Province being cut of from the rest

of the Dominion during the Winter. With what accommodation there was now pro- vided, the trip was difficult and dangerous, and as to freight, it was impossible to carry it. Atthe union, it was agreed to do all that was possible to provide for this navi- gation. He traced up the history of the attempt made to provide Winter navigation and the failure of Mr. King to provide a proper boat to carry out the contract. Last year Mr: Sewell made a proposition to run a boat, but had refused to sign » contract unless the Government built brea kwaters at Cape Traverse and Cape Tormen- tine, which would have cost fifty thousand dollars. This was late last season, and a new contract has been entered into. The

| Government has taken considerable pains

to have this service performed, and to se- cure & suitable boat. He was of opinion that a company would perform the service better than the Government could do. Hon. Dr. Tupper said he could not but come to the conclusion that the people of P. E. Island had been very badly treated. He censured the Government for neglecting tho Island, saying he had no sympathy with the members that had just spoken, on account of the manner in which they had treated the late Government. Hedid not know whether the service could be performed, but the good faith of Canada stood pledged to do everything in its power to carry their pledges in this direction. In answer to Mr. Blanchet, Hon. Mr, Mac- Kenzie said the Government found it impos- sible to comply with the conditions of Mr. Sewell. He intimated his intention of gratifying the member for Cumberland, by replying to him when the subject came up again. ;

Senator Haviland bas placed an notice on the Order Book of the Senate asking for Mr. Shanly’s Report on the Prince Edward Island Railway,

On the 2d inst., Mr. Laird introduced a bill to amend and consolidate the law re- lating to Indians. He said that there were at present three different statutes in the Dominion law books relating to Indians, besides portions of several other acts, that were in operation during the existence of the old Parliament of Canada; and it was now deemed advisable to have all these consolidated and made applicable through~ out all the paovinces. It was also proposed to make some amendment t these acts. The principal of these related to the fran- chise under the existing law. Any Indian who became enfranchised cbtained onlya life interest in the land set apart for him. In consequence, very few Indians applied for enfranchisement. Under this bill, any Indian who was qualified by his integrity and sobriety to exercise the franchise, would receive a certificate to that effect from government agents, who would be ap- pointed to enquire into his case, and three years afterwards he would be entitled to receive a patent for his land, and an abs solute control over it during his lifetime, as well as a right to will it to whoever he chooses after his death. The effect of witholding the land for three years would be to induce the Indian to pursue a line of conduct which would render him the better qualified to exercise the franchise judiciously. The bill also provided that after the patent was issued, the Indians might be undergoing three years of further probation receive their share of the monies invested for them by the government. Thus at the end of six years of good be- havior, as it were, the Indian would cease to be an Indian under the laws of Canada relating to that class,and the government would have nothing more to do with them as such.

Benevovent Irisu Society.—At the annual meeting of the above society, held on the 19th inst., the following officers were elect- ed for the ensuing year:

President—James Reddin,Esq., re-elected.

Vice-Presid’t—John Quirk, Esq.,re-clected.

Ass’t Vice-Presid’t—Mr. Michael McQuaid.

Treasurer—Mr, John Walsh.

Secretary—Mr. Chas. E. Kelly.

Committee of Charity—Mr. John Corbett, Chairman; Messrs. Michael Kelly, Joseph O'Brine, Francis McRory, M. P. Hogan,Pat’k Keliy, and Owen Winters.

Marshalls—Mr. Chas. Quirk, Chief; Messrs. Timothy Carroll, William Doyle, James R. Wade, and Frank P. McCarron.

Standard Bearers—Messrs. Miehaol Sween- ey, and John Hennessy.

Messenger—Mr. Patrick Shea.

—E

Tie newly elected French Legislative bodies met at Versailles yesterday, and an address of welcome was made Duc Daudifs fret Pasquier,alter which the regular sessions of the Chambers were begun.

The Standard’s Vienna despatch says

'that horrible accounts of Turkish cruelty

continue to arrive from Bosnia. Twelve hundred Turks attacked the christian in~ habitants of the town of Crupa last Sunday, murdering many and plundering the town,

LEAD TO INTEMPERANCE”

fre earnest and successful labors of the Rev. D. J, Gillis in the noble, christian, | cause of temperance, have gained for that | gentleman the respect of temperate men | of all denominations. The audience as: | sembled in St. Patrick’s Hall on Thursday | evening last, to hear his lecture, contained a |

; | much larger proportion of Protestants than |

lic institution. The lecture, which was | written out, was entitled “Some of the | Occasions which lead to intemperance.” | Intemperance, said the lecturer, is as a blight to our land. It is the curse of the hundred millions of hardy people who make up the British Empire. The insidi- ous way in which it works make it all the more dangerous. Men so drunk that they can hardly keep up in the street, protest that they have not, throughout the day, taken more than a half-dozen glasses. Some, even, have an idea that no one is in- temperate who can make use of his facul- ties. intemperance however, consists in taking anything stronger than is needed for the support of the body and mind, The first occasion to intemperance which the lecturer pointed out was ‘the use of ar. dent spirits in the family. Ifa serpent got into the house among the children he would soon be summarily dismissed. Spirituous

wind at midnight stirred ; iI heard him whisper in the ear, in dull, funereal tone, Of vanity and human pride, and beauty quickly gone ‘See these,” be sighed, “in bright attire,” as whirling by they flashed,

“The ghastly garbs they thoughtless don are grave-clothes of the past—

The cerements of death's dark court; pale ghosts do mocking grin

To see poor fuols the livery wear ere death

liquors should be treated in the same way ; for the holy Scripture tells us that strong drink, at the last, stingeth like a serpent and biteti like an adder. Evening parties and social gatherings to which strong drink is admitted, for the purpose of heighten- Ing the amusement — nomination and election days, on which liquor is freely distributed~—are each occasions which !ead to intemperance. The “manliness of drinking’ — that unfortunate pride of strength—which attracts so many of our finest youths towards the rocks of intemper- ance, was alluded to by the lecturer. The idea that ardent spirits are a support to the laborer—whether of the body or of the mind—was exploded by quotations from the works of eminent men. To workers the use of strong drink is not necessary, and if its use is persevered in for any length of time it is very injurious: Ifa man finds that he is unable to perform his work he should take rest and notdrink, All that liquor can do is to concentrate strength for the time; and it invariably causes a reac- tion which injures the system. The pres valent idea that ardent spirits are a prevens tative against the attacks of disease—ano~- ther occasion which leads to much intem- perance—is also a fallacy. The same may be said of the opinion that it is good in the case of exposure to cold. The use of to» bacco is one of the occasions which lead to intemperance. Tobacco engenders a cray-~ ing—a vacuum in the system. Nature ab- hors a vacuum, and so the user of tobacco turns to liquor in order to supply the want ; and this, perhaps, is the veason why the black pipe and the black bottle are so of- ten found in the same pocket. Smoking breeds drinking; drinking jaundice; and jaundice death.

This is but a brief outline of the lecture. At its conciusion, Mr. Maurice Blake, Pre~ sident, made a few remarks upon the labors of Father Gillis and the work of St. Patrick’s Society in the cause of temperance. The Society had been the means of doing a great deal of good; but not so much good as some of its friends had anticipated. Ina city like Charlottetown, however, it was hard to make headway against the oppos< ing influences all around. A great many say, “I do not see any use in juining a temperance association.’’ Well, if a man can take only one glass and stop at that, he need not, perhaps, sign the pledge. but few can do so, and that is the trouble. The reputation of being a temperance man—of belonging to a temperance Association— counts for a greatdeal. If a young man applies to a merchant for a situation the first enquiry about him is, “ is he temper- ate,’’ if so ‘I will try him,” is the word. All the really successful men of the town have been sober in their youth and manhood, These considerations, at least should influence young men to be temper- ate. Rev. Father MacMillan moved a vote of thanks to the lecturer. The motion was seconded by Mr. McDonald of the Argus office, carried unanimously and briefly acs knowledged.

_~—oem -

GAS METERS.

Nothing is so mysterious to the gas con- sumer as the meter, end yet, as a matter of fact, the meter is quite as accurate as any other measure in use. It does sometimes err, butits errors are almost always in favor of the consumer and against the companies. It cannot measure gas that does not pass through it, but may permit gas to pass through without registering the quantity:

It is unnecessary to explain the construc- tion or working of the meter to this audience. 1 will say, however, that the measurement of gas presents difficulties not encountered in any othercase. The gas must be measured while in actual use, as no system of measure- ment and storage would be practicial. Its flow must not be interrupted in the slightest degree as otherwise the lights would be ex- tinguished, or at least be made to flicker in a manner that would be unendurable, and while its flow is uninterrupted, its volume must be accurately recorded.

COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF WET AND DRY METERS.

Wet meters being simpler in construction, composed entirely of metal, and having no valves except the float, are most durable and less likely to get outof order. They are, however, liable to stop from freezing, from too much or too little water, and from send- ing moisture into the pipes. They also register vapor of water as gas, though the quantity is too small to be of consequence. The dry meter is not liable to any of these objections, but being more complicated and more delicate itis more liable to wear and too get out of order. The innaccuracies which result from wear or corrosion are gen- erally in favor of the consumer, as gas leaks from one space to another and escapes being measured. The dry meter is now more generally used.

The accuracy of the meters is very often questioned by the consumers. ‘The resem- blance of the dials lead them to infer that like clocks, the meters may run fast or slow. But the case is not parallel ; the meter is an engine in which the gas is the motive power, and unless the gas passes through the meter itcannot move. On its dials are faithfully recorded the number of the evolutions in cubic feet. All waste and leakage is record- ed as well as the useful consumption. Some think that the increased pressure makes the meter spin round faster and record against the consumer ; but if he regulates the burns ers so as to prevent ‘ blowing,’ he at ence neutralizes the effect of the increased pres- sure. From the nature of things, the injury which the meter suffers in use must generally be against the company. Ifa valve ieaks or arust hole occurs in the measuring drum, or a crack in the leather, gas gels through without being recorded. Sometimes the valve of a dry meter become tixed in such a position as to let the gas through without moving. The meters are all tested by State inspectors by passing a certain number of cubic feet through each, and noting whether it is properly recorded on the dials. In New York and Massachusetts a meter is stamped correct when it varies less than 2 per cent; in Ohio the tolerance is 3 per cent. Prof. Wormiley, State inspector for Ohio, in testing 2321 new meters found only [3 that varied over one half of | per cent, Mr. Stimpson, State inspector in Massachusetts, in one year tested 11,316 meters ; only 148 failed to come within the requirements of the law. Very few of these varied 5 per cent; 62 averaged 8.47 per cent, against the companies; and 85 averaged 4.5 per cent short.—Exiract {rom an address delivered in New York, by Prof. C. FP. Ghandler.

——- —————

Reuter’s tele from Vienna state that

il THE CARNIVAL.

—__——

| WRITTEN FOR 11K BXAMINER, | The festal lamps were bung al oveand music | filled the air, While tides of laughter, swelling high, laved | the dull brows of eare. In mimic pomp, or weird array, each reveller shot by; Joy triumphed in the bounding stroke and sparkled in the eye. |

still amidst that cheerful throng a

shadowy figure went

But

And oft he muttered, a8 he passed, with looks of ill-content:

«A parable of life is this, wilh moral often told—

Allare not gems which sparkle, nor is all that glitters gold.”

Oft, when some masker paused to muse, | |

caught his creaking word | Harsh as the lonely graveyard gate by |

has shown them in. How many a prototype of these bas flaunted,

too, his day,

W hose mouldered bones, some grains of dust, compounded are with clay.

Limbs, just as supple once as these, and eyes which shone as bright,

Now faded, as these, too, shal! fade, in ever- lasting night.

See how they sweep along the course—the yielding air gives room ;

So swilt, so rapid, is the road which Jeads us to the tomb.

Or, like a maistrom in the midst, death | draws us ere we think,

And, from the surging whirl around, con-

ducts us o’ersthe brink. These lights which lend their garish ray,

like death-bed tapers burn ;

These wreaths might deck the funeral-car or cold seputchral urn.

The music to the hearing ear $j alone,

And every drum-beat like the knell of mor- tals quickly gone.”

OUR MARINE.

Tur report of the Minister of Marine and Fisheries, up to 30th June, 1875, was laid before Parliament, on Thursday, 17th ult. The total amount expended on the various branches of this Department up to the 30th June last, was $919,885.58, the total amount voted having been 1,045,692.95. The total number of persons engaged in the outside service of the department was 1,511. Total number of light stations in the Dominion on 31st December last, was 378, and of lights shown 444, Fog whistles 22, number of lightkeepers, engineers, and assistants 467. The steamers under control of the Marine Department somprise Nepoleon III, Druid, Lady Head, Sir Jas. Douglass, Richelieu, Newfield, Glendon, and two River Police steamers Dolphin and Adele employed in connection with the River Police at Quebec, and by the [Harbor Master, The Water Police Force at Montreal during the past season, consisted of one chief constable, four sergeants, and twenty constables. Persons engaged at Montreal and Quebec in the crimping business have been arrest~ ed and promptly punished. The river police service at Quebec and Montreal cost $37,895, an expenditure over receipts of $12,274.91. The Marine Hospital at St. Catharines received $2,590, and the hospital at Kingston as usual, $500, and the Sick Mariner's Act does not apply to the Pro- vince of Ontario. The expenditure in the other Provinces for sick seamen was as fol- lows :—

Province of Quebec...............$25 128 63 RG eo c cccrecidecsencecses li 164 65 Neve Peta iid i nck 12 539 61 Prince Edward Island............. 1,591 U7 British Columbia..........eccceees 3,881.81

The total expenditure of the department for this purpose was $273,422.89, and re. ceipts $243,797.01. The total inspection of steamers was 661, gross tonnage 113,115 tons, and 69 771 tons register. These bes longed as follows :—Western Ontario, Hu- ronand Superior divisions 203, Eastern Ontario 88, Montreal division 144, Three Rivers division, 51, Quebec division 59, Lower Maritime Provinces 106. 227 were paddle wheel steamers, 384 screw boats, 272 passenger steamers, 57 freight steamers, and 332 tug steamers. Dur- ing the last calender year 20 steamers have been lost, broken up or put out of service ; 78 new steamers were added to the list, and the amount received on account of tonnage dues, inspection of steamboats,and certificates to engineers, was $15,011.90. The number of wrecks and casualities, up to 3lst December, was 263; amount of loss $2,326,671.23; casualities on the inland waters of the Dominion, involving a loss of $141,850. Loss of life 76, with disasters to sea-going vessels. Amongst the vessels lost were the Stella Maris, at Cape Breton. N. S.; the steamer /resident, enroute to Halifax; the Calcutia, of Quebec; the brig Pierre Nolasgue, at Magdalen Islands; the American steamship Alhambra, lost on Cape Sable, N.S.; the Portuguese brigantine Farto, lost at Sable Island; the 1’ Esprance, of Magdalen Islands, stranded at Chimney Corner, Cape Breton: the Normanton, of the Mitchell line of steamers, in a collision nine miles above Metis light in the Lower St. Lawrence; the barque President, of Windsor, N. S., lost at South Haaks, in the North Sea; City of St, John, N.9.., ground- ed on Seal Bar, Bathurst Harbor; steamship Vergo, ot Halifax, N. S., stranded at Pierre Miquelon; the steamer Manitoba of St. Catherines, collided with, and sunk the Comet in Lake Superior; steamship Strath- tay, of Dundee, stranded at Bick in the Lower St Lawrence. The amount expends ed for rewards for saving life and purchase of life~boats during the fiscal year ended 30th June last, was $3,552.86. The amount appropriated by Parliament for this service was 6,000, leaving an unexpended balance of $2,447,14 which reverted to the treasury,

om +

MR. BRYDGES’ “SAVINGS.”

We have recently received the Report of the Ministers of Public Works, and impor- tant public documents, containing, among other things, the annual official report of Mr. C. J. Brydges on the Intercolonial Railway, to which we may have occasion to refer again. Mr. Brydges does not hesi- tate to claim that ‘‘ the cost of changing the gauge’’ has been “nearly paid for’’ by “the savings effected.’’ Thus, he states, in effect, that as the stock of stores was $290,905 less on the 30th June, 1575, than on the 30th June, 1874, he, therefore, saved that amount: that as the outlay on acs count of construction was less than in the previous year by $263,742, he therefore saved ‘hat amount. Mr. Brydges 1s alto- gether a very wonderful man. He not only demonstrates that be used in working the line, or some way disposed of, $290,905 worth of stores and thus saved them, but by comparing small things with great ones, he makes out that he has effected savings without end. He appears just now to have entered upon a career of unparrallelled prosperity. The intercolonia! Railway will be entirely completed by the end of 1876, so that in 1877 his savings will appear to very great advantage. Not only will he have eaved the $800,ULc0 or $1,000,000 exs penses incured in changing the gauge (in- cluding $120,000, the cost of changing his forty broad gauge locomotives,) but by a continuation of his method of reasoning, he

will have “‘ saved’’ the whole cost of the Intercolonial Railway, blunders included. —

a republic has been proclaimed in Servis,

| THE MISSING LINK—RARE NEWS FOR’ ANTI*

| shallow men.

CORRESPONDENCE,

A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY.

QUARIANS. To the Editor of the Examiner.

Sir,—Observing that some degree of in- terest is evinced by the public in any relic of the past history of the Island, I have des cided to state one or two facts which may be deemed worthy of a little attention by those of an antiquarian turn of mind. As lama person of a retiring and diffident nature, wothing short of the earnest and continued iasportunities of my friends have persuaded me to appear in print. I am fully aware with what virulence and calumny they are assailed by the unthinking part of the public who uphold theories popus larly held in disrepute, Nothing is either too true or too sublime to be beyond the reach of ridicule.

In making the short statement of facts which follow, I am quite aware that I am setting myself up as a target for the bolts of After careful consideration, however, | have come to the determination that the fear of discredit or derision should not prevent me from performing a duty. The facts I have to state are as follows :—I am a farmer, residing on the Nesbitt Road, East Point, and engaged, as most of my neighbors, in procuring mussel or marsh mud during the winter months, At the southern end of my land is a creek, about which lies a considerable tract of marshy land. For the last two or three years my- self and sons have used the deposit in this marsh as @ manure, and finding it answer exceedingly well in one position, have made pits of a very considerable depth. Being

oaks of decay | Convinced that the lower mud was the best,

_ and our anticipations of being troubled by

, the rise of water in the hole proving unx _ founded, we have used the same pit for the | past two winters, Bearing this in mind, it | must not. be a matter of surprise that the | pit is now excessively deep. The substance is a kind of heavy black peat, somewhat similar, I fancy, to that found in Lennox Island, and in the vicinity of Big Skibboo, in the neighboring province. As however, I cannot speak from personal observation of these localities, I cannot speak positively as to the similarity of formation. One day, in the latter part of last month, myself, my son William, and a man in my employ, one Alfred McAlduff, were engaged in procur- ing manure from the pit. The two latter were in the hole, digging and loading the sleigh, while I remained above. I was about to light my pipe, when I suddenly heard loud exclamations from my son, fol- lowed by asimilar demonstration from his companion. William, I am sorry to say, when much provoked, is wont to indulge in an unscriptural energy of expression, tho’ I have frequently checked him for so doing. In the present instance, I feared McAlduff, by the slowness of his movements, had ex- cited him. AsI knew that mcAlduff ob» jected to be addressed or objurgated in an uncivil manner, and had, in fact, gone so far as to say “ he’d be d—d@ if he’d be swore at,’’ I dreaded lest some altercation might be taking place; and, with this in my mind, I ran violently into the pit. The two men appeared to be intently regarding some object which they had just unearthed. I approached, and, to my infinite surprise, beheld, projecting from the mud, the cere- bellum of a human skull. Gradually, and with the greatest care, we proceeded to free the remains from the superincumbent earth, and at length had the satisfaction to disclose an entire skeleton of a full.grown human being. The skeleton, speaking generally, was much the same as that of a large male specimen of the present Indian race. The skull however, was very much flattened on the top, and the jaw bones very large and thick. The lower arm bones were much longer than the usual standard. The legs, on the contrary, were short in a very noticeable degree. This dis- covery, in itself, is sufficiently strange; but the strangest part of the story is yet to tell. Behind the figure and in a position directly continuous from the back of the spine, were ninteen small articulated bones. There cannot be the slightest room for doubt that these members represent the osseous frame- work of a tail. Startling as this fact may seem, it is beyond dispute. Of the great number of persons who have been to my house to view this most interesting speci- men of a departed race, not one has, in the most explicit words, failed to endorse my own first formed opinion. It was indeed argued by our minister, that it was quite possible that the bones, theugh undoubt- edly the bones ofa tail, might be merely tose of one taken from some animal, and used by the man as a weapon, offensive or defensive. But the position clearly invali- dates this argument. The hands were fold- ed in front of the body, and therefore could not have been holding the tail, which as it appeared to make a direct junction with the back bone, could not haves maintained that siiuation without some eupport. Add to this the undoubted similarity of the bones, and the plainly apparent articulations from the end of the tail to the neck is conclusive. I content myself at present with this brief narration of this most interesting discovery» leaving it for some future time to comment on its immense importance,as a link im the chain of history of pre-historic man. I may say that I never believed in Darwin's theory ; and this discovery does not incline me any more that way. Doubtless, he and his confederates may fancy they see in this the missing link. ButI will mention this one fact which seems entirely to have es- caped peopies notice in the present century, We are nowhere informed in the Bible that man in the early ages of his existence, had not a tail. We have only, in the unthinks ing spirit of a shallow period, assumed the case without a particle of evidence. In the middle ages it was held by many of the scheolmen that Adam had a tail, and that of no inconsiderable length ; and they added many striking proofs in support of this theory. The skeleton may be seen at my house, where! shall feel it a pleasure as well as a duty, to give all the information I can to those deeming the specimens worthy of their inspection. I would wish further to say that a particular, for which there is no foundation, has gained currency to tosome extent. It has been reported that a glass flask, which had probably contained some cordial, or fermented beverage, was discovered by the remains. This, however, is a mistake, no such bottle was found. I am, Sir,

Yours respectfully,

Siras WILcox, Nesbitt’s Road, East Point, March 3, 1876.

The Times Washington despatch says President Grant has requested General Schenck to resign the English mission in compliance With a demand made by the British Government for his inamediate re- call.—The News says the appointment of Richard H. Dana, jr.,as American Minis» ter to the court of St. James, is one of the old traditions of honoring men of letiers with important positions. Mr. Dana will be welcomed here on many accounts. The appointment seems to indicate a return to a healthier sense of public duty in the dis~ tribution of portfolios. The Hour says: ‘ Shenck’s course of quitting England with, out taking leave of the Queen is unprece- dented. At the request of Lord Derby the suit of the Emma Mine Co., against ex~

Watchman,

minister Shenck has been withdrawn,’

ST PATRIA HA

~ ™*

NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. —

vw \

Hinsical, Literary and Dramatic ENTERTAINMENT

WILL BE GIVEN

On the Evening of March 17,

ST, PATRICK'S HALL,

Doors open at 7 o’clock—commence at 8 o'clock.

ed seats 50 cents. March 5 1876.—ne ha pat lia

CLEARIAG-OUT SUIE.

YHE subscribe:s are instructed by Mr. W. F. Carter, to sell by auction on THURSDAY next, the 16th inst, his

Tickets of admission 25 cents; Reserv-

Stock of Groceries and Shop Furniture,

in the store on Queen’s Square, lately occu- pied by Hugh Dunbar. : MACKENZIE & STUMBLES. Auctioneers. Ch’town,,March 13.—ar Lin

EXTENSIVE SALE

BANKRUPT STOCK |

I will sell at auction on

Monday, the 20th instant,

at 11 o'clock, at the store lately occupied by Mr. J. J. Cohn, Welsh and Owen’s Brick Building, Queen Street, all the Stock in trade; consisting ofa

Stock ot Dry Goods,

In Women's Dress Goods, Cloths, Sheet- inzs, Shirtings, Printed Cottons, White ard Grey Cottons, Tickings, Jeans, Cas- bans, Linings, Grass Cloth, Towellings, Table Covers, Blankets, Hats and “aps, Ladies’ Straw Hats, Ready-made Cloth- ing, Boots and Shoes, Jewelry, Cutlery and Small Wares, Hardware, Groceries, Glass and Crockeryware, Tinware, Buf- falo Robes, Trunks and Valises, Furni- ture, Organs and Pianos, Stoves, Shop Furniture, etc., etc,, ete.

The above large stock of merchandize is all in good order, and will be sold without reserve, in Jots to suit purchasers.

Cata:ogues will be prepared showing the number and quantities in the lots, and the Goods may be examined st any time pre- vious to the day of sale.

Trerms—Al]ll sums under $100, cash; up to $500, three months; and over $500, four months credit. Jn all cases good and ap- proved Joint Notes wiil be required.

Sale positive. No postponement. By order of the assignee.

WILLIAM DODD, Auct’r. March, 13, 1876.