The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 25, 1896, Page 38

/ B A THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1896. 35 BY ALL MEANS HONOR BURNS Dr.' McNutt Is Out in Favor of the Monu- ment. Thinks There Would Be No _Trouble in Raising the Big Sum Necessary. Entertainments Wonld Quicken In- terest, While at the Same Time . Increase the Fund. Dr. W. F. McNutt is a champion of the Burns monument. He was not at the meeting of the Cale- donian Club at which the idea was sprung upon Bcotch circles, but that fact didn’t -seem to hinder or aifect his enthusiasm in the least. He said the monument pro- ject, if properly undertaken, would go on to completion with certainty. What he meant by being properly un- derzaken, he said, was being placed in the hands of thoroughly responsible men, If guch men, who might be easily named by e dogen from the ranks of the Scotch- \merican citizens of this City, were en- -sted in the plan, their interest awakened %0 such a degree that they would be will- ing to undersake it, that in itself would mean & monument, and a worthy one. ‘It is good logic, you see,”” he said. “Thoroughly responsible men will not lend their names to the enterprise unless they see a way to its successful comple- tion.. Their names and their best endeav- ora pledged, the rest would be only a mat- ter of time, and, so far as that, too, the very least time that might be necessary to the work. “So the first thing to do is for all who are interested in the project to see to it that this first step is taken proverly. “Who might be named? Oh, that is not for me to say, but it would not be a hard task to have a large committee of men of the type I have in mind each one of whom would be almost a pledge of suc- cess.”’ “But would it be so easy to find men of such character who wounid be interested enongh to serve on such committee ?*’ “I think so, readily enough. Every good citizen of San Francisco; every good Scotch-American is interested in that sub- ject. We all know that intuitively, but, more ‘than that, they have been tested.’ This matter of a Burns monument has been discussed before and there was at that time a general rally of the country- men of the poet. The mention of Burns quickens the blood of the Scotchman; in- deed, if there be any man of any nation whose heart does not warm under the in- fluence of his beautiful songs he is un- v indeed. approve of Mr. McNeill's suggestion that the receipts of the Caledonian Clun's aunual gathering and games be put away as a nucleus of the fund. It would soon be possible to add to_that fund, and I am sure it could be made to grow rapidly. The talk abont a Burns monument wouid loosen purse strings. There could be many ways devised for increasing the fund. For instance a Burns night at the Baldwin would, I am sure, fill the theater. There should be nothing but Burns— Burns music and songs and Burns read- ings. As the poet says himself: Compared with these, Italian trills are tame; The tickled ear no heartfelt raptures raise,” Dr. McNutt swung in his chair just haif round and laid his hand on a well-worn volume of the poet in the book shelf at his hand, among the dry medical works. “The lines occur in ‘The Cotter’s Batur- day Night,’” he said. “The whole poem is simply & relation of incidents in his own father's house. He eays: They chant their author’s notes in simple guise. They tune their hearts, by far the noblest aim: Perhaps ‘“Dundee’s” wild-warbling measures Tise On plaintive “martyrs” worthy of the name; Or noble “Elgin” beats the heavenward flame, The sweetest iad Scotia’s holy lays; Compared with these, Italian trills are tame; The tickled ear no heartfelt raptures rai Nae unisou hae they with our Creator’s praise. “There is a fine picture of Burns as he bade farewell to bis ‘ane sweet Highland Mary',”’ continued the doctor, laying down the volame to point to a large en- graving occupying the whole space above the fireplace. ‘‘Yes, a_‘Burns Night’ would net only fill any of the large halls or theaters of the City, resclting in a large sddition to the monument fund, but it would serve to quicken interest in the project, and no doubt result in a flood of donations. You may say that I am heartily in favor of the Burns monument. “]t is time that some attention is paid in this way to the men who have done so much toward cultivating and civilizing the world. We find the world dotted with shafts of bronze and stone in honor of the men who have distinguished themselyes by killing off their fellows. We should 40 some tardy honor to those who empha- size the beauty of peace and good fellow- ship. By all means let us build a monu- ment to Burns.” NIGHT AIR. onsidered, With Some Hy- glenic Hints. In summer when therays of the sun fall almost vertically upon the earth’s surface the gradual fall in the temperature at night comes as a welcome relief from the heat of the day. During the rest of the year the sun’s rays strike the earth more obliquely and are sufficient to warm only a thin crust at jts surface which loses its heat rapidly after the sun has set and the temperatnre of the air falls abruptly. Under these conditions night air may become a source of danger. The suaden change in temper- ature calls for extra protection of the body, and one should never think of set- ting out even on a short journey without extra wraps. “Except in severe weather it is not neces- sary to care so much for the extremities, as the cirenlation of the blood is main- tained in these parts by their constant motion. But the chest, as the seat of the bulk of the blood and the vitality of the body, should be protected from chill. The so-called chest protectors are useful, bgt nothing is simpler than to babituate one’s self to wearing woolen uaderclothing, suiting the weight to the season of the year. Wool is a poor conductor of heat, and when worn next the skin absorbes the pérspiration and prevents too rapid loss of :the body heat. Moreover, when the temperature falls suddenly at night, the moisture present in the air is condensed and falls to the ground in the form of dew. The dampnessand chill form an additional source of danger, against which it is necessary to guard, especially in the matter of footwear. Thicker shoes and warm, dry stockings should be worn. “Phe-direct rays of the sun kill many o2 the microbes that are the specific cause of disease. Consequently night is the favorite tume for the evil gnomes of disease to coilect their forces and make their plan of attack sgainst mankind. Powergsn against the warm, bright rays of the sun, they succumb in the unequal contest; butat night, aided by the slight Its Effects C | | by dampness, they rse from their hiding places and are borge away by the com- stantly shifting currents of air upon their errands of sickness and death. Though this may seem to be more or less fanciful, the study of the origin and life of the various germs of disease has proved that the idea embodies & truth, and that night awr is favorable to their propagation.—Youth’s Companion. SOME FOOLISH BETS. Within the Year Some Curious Ones Have Been Won and Lost. The last six months bave seen some curious bets made, won and lost. To start with, we have that of two Englishmen at Monte Carlo, who ran a race for a prize of 1000 francs, the winner of which, so the conditions ran, had to immediately stake the loser’s money on the red at the tables. Of the luck which attended the venture, and the “red” dinner which the favorites of fortune afterward gave at the Savoy Hotel, when the lights, decorations and even the waiters’ shirt fronts were of ver- million hue, much has been written already. A foolhardy cycling feat, undertaken by ayoung Englishman named French, was recently accomplished at Monaco for a bet of $500. The object to be accomplished was the descent from Monaco prover to the Condamine quarter on a unicycle, When the reader is informed that not only is the path very steep and has three turnings, but 1s broken in several places by steps, the difficulty of taking a uni- cycle over such a course without the rider falling off will be appreciated. Another peculiar wager came off at Gourdon, a town famous for nuts and truffles, in the southwestern department of the Lot, when sixty-five woman had a nut-cracking race. There were twenty- three prizes, of which 12 francs and a sack of nuts were the best. The consolation prize was not what you might call vain- able, and consisted of the debris of the shells only. Ten kilogrammes of nuts had to be cracked and prepared ready to be put in cakes, and in 12} minutes the race ended in a dead heat. One of the most startling wagers of the half year—startling because it was made in the House of Commons itself in open debate—was that of Gibson Bowles, who offered to bet Sir W. K. Shuttleworth that his (Mr. Bowles’) memory was better than that of the worthy Baronet. Had the bet been takea, which it was not, Gibson Bowles would have had to deplore the loss of one guinea, the sum he wished to wager on himself, as he had to acknowledge the following day.—Spare Moments. WRIGHT LAW IS RUINOUS Man A Practical Business Talks About Irrigation Methods. The Law, if Enforced, Means Ruin to Thousands of Farmers in This State, and Is Unjust Henry Miller, of the great firm of Mil- ler & Lux, was asked by a CALL reporter for his opinion with regard to the recent decision of the United States’ Supreme Court affirming the constitutionality of the Wright irrigation law. Mr. Miller is a very plain spoken man and uses the most direct language. He is an earnest, far-seeing man of business, a shrewd thinker and has studied the irrigation problem closely. Hence his opinion will | be accepted as of more than ordinary | value in relation to this subject. Mr. Miller said that the decision meant ruin to many farmers if it were as sweep- ing as is generally believed. The decis- ion is not accepted as final by the oppo- nents of the Wright law. The Modesto case, which was the one appealed to the Supreme Court, simply confirmed the organization of the disirict and the orig- inai issue of the bonds. They have been sold since, and if there was any illegality in their sale that sale was open to_attack. The land-owners can still have redress in t he State courts against illegal or fraudu- lent districts or bonds, and will seek it in nearly every district in California. The farmers in every district in the State will make a desperate struggle to save their homes and land from confiscation. They have been made the victims of schemers and they have had their eyes opened. All this talkabout repudiation is the veriest nonsense. It is a cry raised by those guilty of either illegality or frana by which they are seeking to divert atten- tion from the real facts. Mr. Miller mentioned the Poso district and quoted a passage from a letter written a former director of that district as follows: “If there was ever displayed incom- petence and ignorance in public work it has been s0 shown in the works of the Poso district, for they disposed of $500,000 of the bonds of the district, collected $60,~ 000 cash taxes and as much delinquent, besides some $15,000 warrants outstanding, and have not given the landownersan acre foot of water; and, further, I make ihe assertion that there has not been a single bond paid for in a legal manner. “In the Alta district $400,000 was paid for the oid 1876 Canal Company’s system, when they had been perpetually enjoined from ‘taking any water out of Kings River, and have no right to-day to the water. “In the Alessandro district $765,000 in bonds were issued for water c riificates—a mere contract—with the Bear Valley Com- pany. Thatcompany had a mortgage on its property foreclosed, and for this high- bonded debt the landowners get nothing. The Perris district issued $400,000 bonds in the same way, and is hkewise leit in the lurch. Neither of these districts ever got water for a tenth of the land.”” Under the Wright law fifty or sixty men owning land in an irrigation district, with the assistance of a crowd of non-taxpay- ers, are able to vote away the property of all the other land-owners in the district. The general effect of the decision will be to withdraw all lands in irrigation dis- | tricts from all possibility of development until the evil conditions existing in them have been relieved by our own State courts. More bonds cannot be sold, and there is no hope of making any further progress under the existing law. OHRISTMAS AT THE OHUTES Big List of Attractions on Haight Street This Afternoon and Evening. If the weather is pleasant the youngsters will have a great time out at the Chutes to-day. Evefy school child in San tran- cisco and Qakland has been presented with an invilation good for the holidays, and, of course, Christmas will bring them out in force. In addition to the regular attractions— Korto, who walks down the chuteson a.| globe, and the animatoscope—a number of features bave been prepared. There will be a five-mile bicycle contest on stationary wheels and a potato race, and in the afternoon Emil Markeberg will make a balloon ascension and parachute drop. The skating rink will be open all day, and everything on the grounds will be full blast. —_———— ‘Wiil Not Retire. The Alliance Assurance Company of London, on and after the first day of January next, will be represented on the Pacific Coast by C. F. Mullins, as branch manager, the rumors as to the company’s retirement and reinsurance being incorrect. The Commercial Union As- surance Company Limited of London, now represented by C. F. Mullins, and the Alliance le occupy the same offices, each company issuing its own policies, and in every respect being independent as to their affairs and busi- ness, the only joint interest being that of management and offices. —————— “Papa,” said Tommy, “do you think Banta Claus would be offended if I puta note into the chimney and told him in which toystove they kept the best fire engines?’—Harper's Bazar, |THE ROUTE FOR HEALTH AND VIEWS What May Be Seen by the Traveler on the Santa Fe Line. The Rigors of Winter Are Never Encountered in the Semi-Tropic Belt. Elegant Palace Drawing*Room Pull- man and Tourist Sleep:rs on the California Limited. The Santa Fe route, which is popularly regarded as synonymous with everything that 1s laxurious, convenient and delight- ful in transcontinental travel, has entered the field with a vestibuled train service known as the Limited. 80 much has been written about the route of the Santa Fe between California of 197 miles. It would be difficult to find a location where the effect of climate alone iz more beneficial to sufferers from throat and lung troubles. The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River may be visited (vig Flagstaff) dur- ing the summer and also durigg the win- ter season when the weather is favorable, The principal industries along the line of the Atlantic and Pacific are the borax mines near Daggett, the salt mines near Danby, gold mining on the Clorado River, lumber at Williams ‘and Fiagstaff, coal mines at Gallup, sheeF and cattle raising, and fruit and vegetable gardens along the line, and last, though among the most important, the Arizona Sandstone Com- pany’s quarry at Flagstaff, which fur- nishes the stone with which Claus Spreck- els’ new mansion on Van Ness avenue is built. 3 The portion in Arizona to be traversed is a land of prodigious mountain teriaces, extensive plateaus, profound canyons, an: flat arid plains, dotted with gardens of fruits and flowers, patched with vast tracts of pine timber and veined with precious stones and metals, alternating with deso- late beds of lava, bald mountainous cones of black and red volcanic cinder, grass- carpeted parks, uncouth vegetable growths of the desert, and bleak rock spires, above all which white peaks gleam radiantly in almost perpetual sunlight., Here are health resorts and winter sanitariums. The altitude is practically the same as that of the route through New Mexico, undulating between 5000 and 7000 feet above sea level. For the winter season of 1896-97 the Cali- fornia Limited train will be operated semi- weekly between Chicago and Southern California. Westbound the train leaves Chicago on successive Wednesdays and Saturdays, and eastbound leaves San Diego and Los Angeles on successive Mondays and Thursdays, as per time-table herein. e Typical Scene Along the Line of the Atlantic and Pacific Railway. and Chicago or Eastern cities it hardly needs a description. Much of 1t has been the subject of magazine articles year after vear since the road opened a new world’s wonder to the traveler; and also the theme of song and story, the wonder of science. Here nature has arrayed herself fills the mind with awe. ; Everything ison a scale of such mag- nificence the scenery passes that stage where nature inspires; it transcends the beauty of all the fashionable scenery of the earth rolled into one. In New Mex- ico, for instance, the line falls rarely be- jow an elevation of 5000 feet. The land- scape is oriental in aspect and flushed with color. Nowhere else can you find sky of deeper biue, sunlight more daz- zling, shadows more intense, clouds more luminously white or stars that throb with redder fire. Scattered by the way are sleepy Mexi- can villages, ancient Indian pueblos, still inhavited, and those older abandoned atmosphere of mystery. To escape the rigors of winter, there is no more fayvorable region for the traveler, possessing as it does a dry, pure, exhilar- ating air and a maximum of sunshiny days. The fact that it is famous for health resorts is sufficient proof of this plain statement. The California Limited isa solid vesti- buled train consisting ot Puliman palace double drawing-room sleepers and dining- car between Chicago and Los Angeles; and connecting parlor-car between Los Angeles and San Diego, in both directions; also a through Pullman palace double drawing-room sleeper between 8t. Louis and Los Angeles, via the Wabash line east of Kansas City, and Pullman palace sleeper between Den- ver and Las Vegas. The trainisillamina- ted by Pintsch gas, and has ali the mod- ern comforts. The dining-car and buffet service is under the management of Mr. Kred Harvey, whose reputation as a caterer is National. Dining-car being always at- tached, patrons are assured meals at con- venient hours. A notable feature is the swmoking and buffet car, which is furnished with LnEles. easy chairs, writing materials, the latest periodicals, a weil-stocked puf- fet and other conveniences. Palace drawing-room Pullman sleepers, also modern upholstered tourist sleepers run through daily from Oakland pier to Chicago via Mojave, Albuquerque and Kansas City. There are connecting cars on short counection for Denver and St. Louis. Las Vegas Hot Springs have become a halfway resting place. These springs, with an elevation of 6700 feet, have the most pretentious sanitarium to be found in the Territory, situated six miles distant from the city of Las Vegas. This resort offers excellent hotel accommodations, delightful mountain scenery and every variety of bath in the waters of the native hot springs. Santa Fe (6937 feet) is the capital of the Territory and its most ancient city. It was in_existence as an Indian villuge when the Spaniards pene- trated that region in 1540, and still contains many ruins and aspects of In- dian and Spanish life full of fascinat- ing interest both to the antiquarian and the casual traveler. It bas notels and sanitariums. Ojo Caliente (6292 feet), reached via Santa Fe, is celebrated for its hot springs. Albuquerque (4935 feet), in the Upper Rio Grande Valley, is a com- mercial center, possessing an agreeable winter clim Las Cruces (3873 feet) is a pretty town in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, about fifty miles north of the Texas State line, in the center of prosperous vineyards and fruit orchards. The ciimate is very mild, and many iavalids are to be found there during the winter season. At Hudson Hot Springs (4894 feet) are min- eral waters of great medicinal virtue, A new hotel and bath-house are in process of comvpletion. The Balt River Valley is now most prom- inently before the public, and Pucenix is best equipped to receive visitors, although there are several towns in the middle por- tion of the Territory, such as Flagstaff and Holbrook, where limited accommoda- tions may be secured. The altitude of Pheenix is about 1200 feet and the valley, sixty miles long by twenty wide, is pro- tected by high mountains. Nearly all kinds of fruits and agricultural products are raised here in abundance by aid of irrigation, Tue Santa Fe, Phonix and, Prescott Railway runs from Ash Fork, on the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad (Santa Fe system), through Prescott, the center of an exceedingly rich silver, copper and goid mining district, to Phoenix, a distance in a mighty splendor, a sublimity that: ruins which give to the region its peculiar | l The run from Chicago to Los Angeles 1s made in the remarkably quick time of seventy-two hours and in seventy-six hours to San Diego. As an instance of the liberal methods of the Santa Fe peo- ple it has been declded to charge no extra tare, though west of Kansas City only tirst-class tickets are accepted on the Cali- fornia Limited. This train, which surpasses anythine of its kind ever attempted, connects at Chi- cago, Kansas City and Denver with the principal fast trains of all lines at these places, and also at the Needles, or Barstow, with the train for this City. Of course this 1s a specially conducted, specially or- ganized hotel on wheels, representing the highest flight toward perfection in passen= ger service, and the company runs it in addition to the regular daily through ser- vice to and from California, which trains carry both palace and tourist sleepers. FIREMAN’S FUND. Record of One of the Best Managed and Most Successful Fire Insurance Companies in the United States. The distinction of being the only insur- ance company organized on this coast that everachieved a National standing be- longsto the Fireman’s Fund. The development of this great company and the increasing magnitude of its oper~ ations can be seen at a glance at the fol- lowing tabulated statement: Asgets. Relns. Reserve, NetSurplus. $741,487 72 §244,603 64 §153,172 18 1,620,894 77 407,998 68 268,331 90 2,481,71779 797,618 97 484,438 26 111,489 67 1,145,458 18 733,067 58 1895..0.8/240,881 14 12221999 42 548.267 81 1896....5,449,095 00 1,218567174 957,206 09 The large annual income of the Fire- man’s Fund Insurance Company ,its vast assets and net surplus, sufficient to guar- antee prompt payment of any future lia- bilities, are apparent by the foregoing fig- ures. The long-continued business ae- pression has swept numerous insurance companies ouv of existence, and numbers of others have steadily lost money. In the face of this the Fireman’s Fund stands fourth on the list in the United States in the actual profits of underwrit~ ing from January 1, 1885, to January, 1896. The annual statement for 1896 shows a capital of $1,000,000 and assets valued at $3,449,095. The net surplus over capital ana all liabilities was §987,205. Thbe Lead office in San Francisco is in their own handsome building, 401 to 407 California street. There are branches in Boston, Chi- cago and Atlanta. ¥ The average underwriting profits of the few companies that have made money dur- ing the last decade 1s less than 4 per cent. When we contrast with this the phenom- enal success of the Fireman’s Fund the conclusion is logical that it is due to the wise and conservative management which has distinguished it. It is a fact worthy of comment that the rincipal officers of the company have goen directing its prosperous career for vears. D. J. Staples has been its presi- dent for more than a guarter of a century. W. J. Dutton, vice-president, has been with it since its organization. Bernard Faymonville, second vice-president and secretary, has given to it many years of effective service. The marine secretary is T. B, Levison, and the assistant secretary Louis Weinman. The general agent, Stephen D. Ives, is a familiar figure in insurance circles, and his long and valuable services to the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company are well recognized. DEMANDED HIS OFFIOCE. R, H. Webster Asks That He Be Put in Possession of the Office of Super- intendent of Schools. Reginald H. Webster, who has been de- clared by the Election Commissioners the legally elected Buperintendent of Public Schools, made a formal demand for the office on Madison Babcock, who now holds the place, yesterday. Mr. Babcock claims thata recent deci- sion of the, Supreme Court makes him a hold-over officer, and that he is entitied to tne vposition, despite the fact that Mr. ‘Webster received a majority of the votes cast for Buperintendent of Bchools at the ‘“’I? elentxm:‘. rfectly friendl. 'he meeting was perfec! ent on both sides, and when Mr. €Vebltar ’hnd tiled both his oral and written demand he v”‘;bowod out courteously by Mr. Bab- ¢ TIHES WILL BE BRIGHTER Col. George Stone’s Views ‘on the Business Outlook. Growing Interest in Mines, Agri- cultural and Timber Lands and Other Investments. Completion of the Turlock Canal—A New Electric Road- for Scnoma Valley. “During my twenty-six years’ residence in California I can't remember & time whea the outlook for the general prosper- ity of the State was so encouraging,’” said Colonel George Stone, who was seated in his office yesterday, and he removed his cigar, the better to emphasize this to a Carr man, who had been detailed to gather the opinions of leading men of the State on the business outlook for the new year. 4, “What makes me think so? Well, to begin with, the great interest in mining shown by our people, and I doubt if there ever has been such a desire in the history of that iadustry on the vart of outside capital to invest in our quartz mines. If our Government would establish a depart- ment of mines with a secretary in the Cabinet I think it would help to place this great industry where it belongs. The old order of things when mining was regarded as a wild speculation has passed away. The business as a rule is now carried on legitimately, and it isequally conservative with manufacturing. “The prospect of reasonable protection for the fruit, lumber and other products of our State,” continued the colonel, ‘*has stimulated all classes of business. Desir- able lands are being sought for, and while six months ago a:ricultural and timber lands could not be disposed of at any price transactions in thatline are now fre- quent. *‘I notice also there are fewer men seek- ing employment since election. This is another evidence that the old-time faith in the prosperity of our country under Republican rule is as strong as ever. New railroads are projected, especially shortin- terior lines, new irrigation projects and the completion of many old ones that remained unfiuished pending the uncertainty of the Wright law.” Few men in the State, perhaps, are bet- ter qualified to give an opinion on the industrial outlook than Colonel Stone. As a large employer of labor while en- gaged on contracts for the construction of the coast line of the Southern Pacific through San Luis Obispo and fanta Bar- bara counties, and other large enter- prises, his opportunities for trustworthy observation are exceptional. “‘As president of the Union League Club, gxesiuem of the People’s Home Savings ank and of various mining companies your hands ought to be pretty full, Colonel ? “My principal business is railroad con- struction. I have just closed a contract with the Turlock Irrigation District. The work includes the completion of the well-known canal and the baildingof a flame, which we estimate will require in its construction 1,500,000 teet of lumber. There will be in addition necessary bridges, etc. i “*You may say in THE CALL"' he added, “that an enterprise of great importance to the State has been started in the organiza- tion of the Santa Rosa and Sonoma Ruil- sond, of vhich I have peen chosen presi- ent. “It commences at Embarcadero, running through Sonoma City, Kenwood, Agua Caliente. Santa Rosa, Henldsb\xrf.finiggu Valley, thence on to kaps. It will be about seventy miles in length in Sonoma County and forty miles in Napa County. The company was organized by Captain A. M, Griswold of Kenwood, Sonoma County. Bonds have been already placed in the East. It will tap the richest part of the valley, and will powerfully aid in the de- velopment of its agricultural ana indus- trial resources, as well as those of the Btate in general.” It is well remembered that the colonel did some pretty hard work to carry the State for McKinley, and by the same t;)ken went down in his pocket in addi- tion. g *“What do you think of the chances of a Californian for a job in the uew Cabinet?”’ “I‘am not doing politics now, but I be- lieve it is tbe desire of the President- elect to recognize our ‘State. We have some splendid material in the party for the Posiuon, and I only hope that neither ocal conditions nor unworthy rivalries will embarrass him in his choice.” BURNS DIED PENNILERS. First Obituary Notice Calls for Help for His Famlily, ‘When Robert Burns uied the following obituary appeared in the Edinburgh Ad- vertiser of July 26, 1706, says the New York Press: “On the 21st inst., died at Dumfries, after a lingering illness, the cel- ebrated Robert Burns. His poetical com- positions, distinguished equally by the force of native humor, by the warmth and tenderness of passion and by the glowing touches of a descriptive pencil, will remain a lasting monument of the vigor and versatility of a mind guided only by tne lights of nature and by the inspira- tion of genius. The public to whose amusement he has so largely contributed will learn with regret that his extraordi- nary endowments were accompanied with frailties which rendered them useless to himself and his family. The last months of his short life were spent in sickness and indigence and his widow, with five infant children, and in the hourly expectation of a sixth, is nowrleft wiihout any resource but what she may hope from the regard due to the memory of her husband. “The public are respectfully informed that contributions for the wife and family of the late Robert Burns (who are left in circumstances of extreme distress) will be received at the houses of Sir Willlam Forbes & Co. of Messrs. Mansfield, Ram- say & Co. and at the shops of the Edin- burgh booksellers. It is proposed to pub- lish” some time hence a pousthumous volume of the poetical remains of Robert Burns for the benefit of the author’s family; hisfriends and acquaintances are requested to transmit such poems and let- ters as may happen to be in ther possession to Alexander Cunningham, writer, George street, Edinburgh, or to John Syme Esq., Ryedale, Dumiries. It is hoped that, in the meantime, none of his original produc- tions will be communicated f1 the public through the channel oi uewspapers or magazines, €0 as to ln’inre the sale of the intended publication.” ————————— _ PASSING OF THE PASSPORT. It Is to Be Succeeded by the 1dentifica tion Book. According to the New York Herald the bulky old passport has had its best day. In its stead the identification book is now growing in public favor. While passports were intended for iden- tification they did not always identify. The mere verbal description filled in by the owner primarily, and then copied by some clerk 1n the State Department, was ] sufficiently exact for ordinary occasions, but not for extraordinary ones. And the Wise tourst prepares for both. Travelers who are not equipped with any language but their own uuder the passport system can be exposed to more than petty annoyances,. particularly in the more unfrequented paths of Spain and Russia. They may have trouble in securing mail addressed to them, or in cashing money and express orders. And instances are by no means infrequent where travelers have been absolutely stranded for lack of funds, which were even then waiting for them at some g:vineml postoffice, and they were sacri- d to the elaborate scruples of some honest but obstinate village postmaster. But armed with an identification book one can refuse to be bulldozed by an offi- cial for lack of evidence of one’s 1dentity. The matter of its official adoption by the United States will come up for con- sideration this winter in Washington. Most of the Buropean countries have suc- cessfully tried tie system. France and Italy were the pioneers in the movement, aud have shown no desire to return to earlier methods, The book of identification 15 a small paper-bound volume of a size convenient for the pocket. It may be purchased at any postoffice at an outlay equivalent to 10 cents. On tbe inner side of the cover is laced a photograph of the holder, tied rmly in place, and fastened by a sealed ribbon. To this is attached the signature of the holder. On the paze opposite the cover is a declaration, signed by the post- office official who originally sold the book, attesting the genuineness of the signature, the making of which of course he must witness, and the correctness of the like- ness as set forth by the photograph. The pages following contain the usual verbal description famiiiar to the holder of passports, consisting of details as to eyes, nose, mouth, forehead, chin, hair, coloring, height, weight and particular marks or scars. It also contains a declaration to the effect that ‘‘on presentation of this book and the signing of a receipt any postoffice is required to deliver to the holder all mail matter addressed to him.” Ttisim- perative that the signature on the receipt should correspond with that of ' the book, and the better the photograph the easier the hard path of the globe-trotter. HELPED 10 HOMES The Good Work of a Prosper- ous Californian Insti- tution. What the Continenta! Building and Loan Association Off:rs to Thrift and Industry. The above design of an inexpensive and elegant home was kindly furnished THE CaLy by the Continental Building and Loan _Association, 222 Sansome street. William Corbin, the manager, saia toa reporter yesterday: “We have within the past year assisted over 100 families to such homes.” He reports a majority of small residence improvements in the Mission along the new Mission electric road ex- tension. Rapid transii is working won- ders in that section. He shows for 1896 of timber per acre, whereas in Brazil, for example, it is abcut one cubic foot. FULLY APPRECIATED. During the past eighteen years our people have witnessed many individ- uals and institutions that for a short period of time would obtain a nigh place in public estimation, but few indeed, like Mrs. Dr. Wegenet’s maternity home, have held continnously throughout f0 mainy years a constantly increasing public approval. This may be attributed to her constant personal supervision to each and every detail of her large and per- fectly appointed establishment. The doc- tor recently found it necessary to move to more commodious quarters, and her present sunny Jocation at 526 Eddy street was selected after it had been remodeled so that every possible convenience and medical appliance for the relief of woman- kind might be utilized in the shortest time. Mrs. Dr, Wezener does not rely npon her professional skill and years of training and experience alone, but has constantly in attendance an efficient corps of trained nurses and a skilied family physician. Special attention is given to travelers. The private apartments of the new home for ladies are not to be surpassed in this Civy. ————— NOT CAUSED BY AN OPAL. Story of Fad Luck, the Cause of Which Is Still a Matter of Doubt, Here is a story showing how to account | for bad luck: A man was shaking dice in a store. He lost. *No wonder,” said a bystander. ‘You're wearing an opal. You never will have luck.” This set the man to thinking. Four days later he slipped in getting off a streetcar and sprained his ankle. This decided him. He gave the pin toa friend who was on the Board of Trade, and who was too hard-headed to entertain any fool notions about the number 13, or ll;}npk cats, or cross-eyed girls with red air. Nevertheless, when this Boara of Trade man lost over $100,000 on wheat he began to worry. He didn’t care much for the pin anyway, and 8o one day when a young man in his office admired the ‘‘fire” in the stone he said, “Take it along if you like it.” The young man overwhelmed him with thanks, Then he waited with guilty knowledge to see whav would happen to the young man. He did not have to wait long. The very next week the employe was taken ill, and he missed four days at the office. The Board of Trade man was troubled in conscience, g0 he told his young friend about the opal pin and the superstition attaching to it, and the employe, aiter de- liberation, decided that he would give the pin to his firl, The opal did very rapid and effective work after it became the property of the young woman. On the second day after she began to wear it she ignited a curtain in attempting to light the gas. The cur- tain was destroyed and the young woman burned both of ner hands in attempting to extinguish tne blaze. The young man who had given the stone to her felt called upon to apologize. “Perhaps it was that opal I gave you,”” said he. *“You know, an opal is supposed to carry bad luck with it. Ididn’t tell you, because I'm not superstitious.’’ 7yt —— T i -,»f’xl'.,»l'l; 1M b, 1A 7 = ——a i, A “w v "M”{I. t!'k One of the Homes Which the A ST f Aot 1l i | o, ot Hatlitay and Todd Association Helped to Build. the best year’s record of bim company. “In addition to assisting over 100 families to homes, loans to the number of ninety were made to people who desire to im- prove existing homes. “To those who desire to lay by sys- tematically a given amount monthly cthe company offers an installment stock, which requires a monthly deposit of 50 cents per share. There are also special features,” continued Mr. Corbin, “‘which make it distinetly ‘the Association.’ One of these is its paid up certificates of deposit, which earn interest at the rate of 7 per cent per annum, payable in cash semi-annually. These certificates are signed jointly by the association and the California Title Insurance and Trust Company, making it one of the safest and most profitable investments in the State. Two important points are to be remem- bered,” concluded Mr. Corbin: “First, these certificates are free from tax; secondly, the large monthly income of the company makes it an investment conver- tible into cash at a moment’s notice.” ————————— Forests cover about 10 per cent of the earth’s landed area, and about 25 per cent ot Europe. The highest yield is in the United Kingdom—namely, 60 cubic feet “I’ll not wear fhe dreadful thing a day longer,” said she. So she didn’t. 8he gave it to her brother, who scoffed at the suggestion that a little stone could wield any influ- ence, good or bad. Nevertheless, when he started for Cincinpati and the train ran off the track and he was tossed half the length of the car, he became cone verted. “I’li not give it to anybody else to be a Jonah,” said he. “I'll sell it to a jew- eler.” 8o he went to the jeweler and said : “What'll you give me for this opal?” The jeweler looked at it and said: “*That isn’t an opal. That’s a catseye.”’—Chicago Record. —— In Malta bees are plentiful and bee stings are in such repute as a cure for rheumatism that resort to this primitive method of inoculation has been a come mon practice in severe cases for generae tions, the result, it is said, having been most satisfactory to the patients. —_———— Teapots were the invention of either the Indians or the Chinese, and are of uncer- tain antiquity. They came to Kurope with tee in 16i0. NEW TO-DAY. FOR SALE BY THE COCOANUT CAKE. THE BEST FOOD FOR FATTENING CATTLE. ana FOR MILK COWS. EL DORADO ; LINSEED OIL WORKS COMPANY, BERKELEY. OFFICE: 208 CALIFORNIA STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. R