The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

STORIES FROM THE DIARY OP A DOCTOR. THE 8TUANGK CASE OF CAPTAIN OASCOKJNK. It has for name time seemed to me the mailer with him. There is no thai in the treatment of many diseases hereditary disease in the family, and the immediate future hold, a ^ H ftAttf ^St^ Vi.% t in IU hand.*. This secret is be- j him on the subject. It seemed impos- roining more, day by day. an open one. Bible to associate illness with him in any I allude to the marvellous success which **/ has already attended the treatment of i disease by the elaboration and discov- ! ery of new forms of inoculation of sero- me _i, tneropie virus. The following story it. A may serve as a proof of this theory of man." mine. One evening at my club 1 came across an o ld college chum ; his name w i. Walter Lumsdeu. He bad also I lagged d. entered the meuicalprofeswm. and had a large country practice in Derbyshire. We were mutually glad to see each other, and after a few ordinary re- marks Lumsden aaid abruptly : " 1 " as in a fume at missing iny train this evening; but. now that 1 have met you. I reeee to regret the circumstance. The fact is .1 believe your advice will oe valuable to me in connection with a Me in which I am much interested." I'o.-ue home with me. Luinsden." I replied to this ; " I can easily put you up for the night, and we can talk over medical natters better by my fireside than here." l.umsden stood still for > to confide in me. All 1 could get him to " ' An inexplorable fate hangs over '>y no possible means can I avert II 1 have to do is to meet it as a " 'Do you mean that your life U doom- ed t' 1 asked of him. ' ' Sooner or later it is.' he replied ; ' but that a not the immediate or vital question. Nothing \\ill induce me to hand on what 1 suffer to posterity. My fat her und Miss Lynwood both know my Mv.hr' ' ' Hut not your reason for it,' I an- swered. ' ' I prefer not to tell them that,' he replied, setting his lips firmly. 'Have you seen a doctor f Are you poeitive of the t ruth of your own state- ment ?' I ventured to inquire. ' ' 1 have seen one of the first doctors in London.' was the reply. ' Now l.uuis- den.' he added, giving me a wintry sort of smile, ' even an old friend like you must not abuse your privileges. I re- fuse to unswer another word.' " He left me. and returned to ' The Priory.' This conversation took place yesterday morning. I saw Robert lat- moment ' er in the day. He is completely broken to think. He then decided to ac- i d , OW . n m ^ k8 like . ' Terv ? ld m n ' t is not only his son s mysterious con- cept my offer, und half ah hour later ; duel w hi. h affects him so painfully, but we bad drawn up our chairs in front of every dream ami ambition of his life the cheerful fire in iny study, and were [ iave '" bound up in t he hope that I I I ' l '"" l<1 enjoying our pipe, after some port The . g ^~- t ^ ( *^ night was a chilly one. in the latter ena coigne's unaccountable attitude oom- of November. The wind was roaring P'*te ly crushes that hope." vv by do you tell me this story!" I lustily outside. It is cumstanees that the comf< own home are fully appreciated. ' asked. Vera 7 use 1B imfort.s of ones \v e li. with i h ..i "\ou have done a good thing with i"* . "Vlery. Gaac ,ur life." Mid Luuisden. abruptly. '"I Ja-Ubft nTfnTf your Well, with the vain nope that you , "'ay perhaps help me to get a clue to Gascoigne refuses to on the ground state of health to often wish I bad not married, and bad marry. He refuses Vo telT his "ailment settled in London oh. yes, I have a **y_ what means can 1 get him to large practice; but the whole thing is no .. w " T "'forcing his con- .. , replied. It M-CIIIM somewhat of a grind, and then one nev- that it is simply a matter of tact " to me er couies across the foremost men of . Which valuable quality I don't pos- one's calling-in short, one always feels * * *rain of," replied Lum.s len. "I _ .;.., w ian (lie cast) were \oiir.s Halifax: a little out of it. I used to be keen you'd cu*e were worm the uicrable enough to cut his throat, the o d man is brolten down, and the girl, almolutely prostrated for recent discoveries, and all t hat sort out of him. of thing in my youth, now 1 have got . *" ot at all." I answered ; " 1 never somewhat into a jog-trot-the same old yJIJ 1 * possess confi<ll ' I "' e " medicines the same old treatments which enables you to* effect* yo'ur^pur- are resorted to. year in. year out; but. pose without force. The fact is. this there. I have not come to talk of my- !?._ nous maller-Gascoigne looks self." " You want to give me particulars they tell me! with regard to a case f" 1 said. "'.!" Brief. " Yes. an anxious case, too it puz- sles me not a little." " Have another pipe before you be- gin," I said. " No, thanks ; I don't want to smoke any more. Now, then, this is the story." l.umsden had been leaning back in his chair taking things easy ; be now bent forward, fixe. 4 me with two anx- ious eyes, and liegan to speak forcibl tnin . k . ' >T ** IK, coigne has confided' the 'true state of the ciise to her I" 1 inquir. ,1 , l asked him that said Lumsden be emphatically said be did not. that is determination was to carry his sec- I sat .-.il. -lit. thinking over this queer Are you frightfully busy just nowT" "..,. '"'''"len. Hbruplly. ell, I an, ,,,,t idle." I answered. ,- - -** -- --, >rcuiiy. i ou could not iinwuhlv take m. ii*v FST. "" One'of^ & ^. !. ttST ieTy^ is s*ssz*s t s*x& ?- sr s? a?r ****"oijfne. He in a rich man ; his poo- " or course tint imt I t ilu 1 1 .... 1 1. i S*AI. .1.. _ . * _ llf , i 111 I 1 pie made their money in iron during friendly the latter end of the last century. His fact. 1 at am on very with Sir Itoliert. In Priory . ~ . _ ,T. ,. n. -! .you not come to iwr iv-iiiiic which goes bv the name of The Pn- with me to-morrow I As a matter of ory I he old man strictly entailed the course, you would accompany me to property, leaving it in every case to the The Priory ' " eldest son of the house, and failing di- "And act th ,ti,. ( .. t I . , . ""l 1 , aoj tne. iletective t I aimwer- done. U ung." ' \Vhat do you mean by ' the lime be- ing ' f" ' \\ by. this," I replied, abruptly, and looking full at him. " In a case like i tic I'jeseiii, the blood centres are p-i u- liarly susceptible to dilatation, lieing WkWd, they are soon affected by any change in iho circulation a slight shock of any kind may lead to ui re heuiorr- bage. which means a second attack of apoplexy. H will, therefore, be neoeas- ary to do everything in the future to keep Sir Koliert Gaacoigne's mind and body in a slate of quietude ' " Ves. yes, that goes without saying." answered the son with enforced calm. >ow. come to breakfast, doctor; you inuii wan; som -thinj be 'ly." As he spuke. he approached a well-fill- ed board, and b'n.in to offer us hospit- ality in a very hearty manner My ac- cpunt of his father had evidently re- fievod him a good deal, and his spirits rose as be ale and talked. _ At l.uiusden's earnest request I de- cided not to return to London that day. anil Captain Gaacoigne asked me to drive with him. I accepted with pleasure, ny interest in the fine, soldierly fellow increased each moment. He went off to order the trap, and Lumsden turn- ed eagerly to me. I look upon your arrival as a god- send." he exclaimed. " The opportunity which I have sought for has arrived. It has come about in the most natural manner possible. I am sincerly attach- ed lo my old patient, Sir Robert Gas- '"iKne, and still more so, if possible t his son, whom I have known for many years. Of course, it goes without say ing what is the primary cause of ihe old baronet's attack. Perhaps you can see your way to induce Captain Gaacoigne to confide in you. If so. don't lose the oppori unity. I beg of you." I am extremely unlikely to have .'_-,__. ._,.". . "J -" cs, ,,,e in.iuer Iroir. n,v ,mi.,l l". cb . an . .PI*?rtunity," 1 replied Lapt am Oan India to join cd to lie I was arranged that he should leave MII.V ou his return that the wed- ..._ OIIIK was to take place immediately, was put into my hand. 1 opened it and i h.- .-.iing people were to live at 'The gave a start of surprise. It ran us fol- 1'iiory.' All prepart i.uis for the wed- lows: ding were made, and exactly a furl- "Sir ltol*rt Gascoigne suffering from night after the captain's ret urn the apoplexy. Wish to commit you. Come , ,.._ ,. iiarriage was to l>e solemnized. All to 'The I'riory' by the first possible, i'i a |Misition to solve h- reception nxmis at 'The I'riory ' train. Lumsden." , worries me day and night, t i.-wly furnished, anrl general re- Harris wailed in tlie room while Tread I miwt sent Sir"llol*rt (HkMO was the order of the hour. Let the telegram. reel succession to a distant branch of ed. " No I fear i an't n^ f 1 m !'i? i' 1 '! 1 * P resent 'ronet-8ir you can 'induce Captain Robert (the title was accorded a couple consult me I shall be ve of generations ago) is between fifty him my opinion II UL i ..T-i a.d'slrty years of age. His wife i, in t he V.s!!,'7x P t in the u-u.^orth" dead. There is only one son a captain dox fashion'" in an infantry regiment. Captain Gas- Luimden aim, coigne is now thirty years of age. as ly. and did not fine- looking a fellow as you ever met. farther For many years the great wish of Sir Roi art's heart ha l-en to see his non somewhat impatient- he an, At an early hour the following morn- tng he returned tJ lirl be in Ins n.it ive land, and proponed young lady of the name of ;^sr il frS. r -s/ ta and OaaooigiM's a >'\cr. arid I f ^ it at odd moments. The fact"of*VheTiian "Shall I go with you now to see the pa- tient f" )>r. I, UP turned at once, and I followed him into the bouse. Th<- tiHiire-hall was very large and lofty, reaching up to the vaulted roof. A gal- lery ran round three sides of it, brup which the principal U-drooms opened, be said. The fourth side was occupied by a spac- ious and very beautiful marble stair- vous, lost her head at this juncture, and with a quick plunge, first to one side and then forward. Ixilted. I noticed at that moment that Gascoigne was losinit his nerve be turned to me and spoke abruptly. ' or goodness' sake, take the reins," id I did so. and being an old hand, for in my youth it bad been one of my favor- case. This staircase of white marble | ite amusements to break-in horses.soon was. I learned afterwards, one of the ; reduced the restive animal to order. I remarkable features of the bouse. Kir turned then to glance at the captain Itoiwrt had gone to great expense in his face was as white as a sheet he having it put up. and it was invariably ' took out his handkerchief and wiped pointed out with pride to visitors. The some moisture from his forehead. splendid staircase was carpeted with the thickest Axininster, and my feet aank into the heavy pile as I followed _ , Lumsden upstairs. \\ e entered a spac- could not control her it U wonderful ioua bedroom. A font post bedstead nad what a system of telegraphy exists be- been pulled almost into the middle of tween a borse and its driver ; in short. she completely lost her head." "I notice that your hand is swollen," "It is this confounded hand," hetaid. " Thank you doctor, for coming to my aid at a pinch the brute knew that I the room the curtains had been drawn, back for more air ; in the centre of the ' . bed lay the old man in state of com- I answered. " Does it hurt you I Do plete UIK ons. iuunea he was lying on i you suffer from rheumatism t" nis back breathing stertorously. I hast- I "This hand looks like rheumatism or ened to the bedside and bent over him. gout, or something of that sort, does it lie fore I began my examination, Luins- not?" be retorted. "Yes, I have had den touched me on the arm. I raised some sharp twinges never mind now my eyes and encountered the fixed gaze it is all right again I will take the of a tall man. who looked about five- and-thirty years of age. He had the unmistakable air and bearing of a sol- dier as he came forward to meet me. reins once more, if you have no objec- tion." "If your hand hurts you. shall I not drive r This, of course, was Captain Gascoigne. I "No. no. my hand 1s all right now." " I am glad you have been able to He took the reins, and we drove for- corne." he said. "I shall anxiously ( ward without further parley. await your verdict after you have con- The country through which we went suited with Lumsden." He held out his hand as be spoke. I shook it. den pain . saw him wince as if in sud- but quirk as lightening he was beautiful, and winter as it was, the exhilarating air and the grand shape of the land made the drive extremely plea- sant. , controlled himself, and slowly left thel . jour honest conviction that my room. The nurse now came forward to' fmth * r w '" recover from his present at- sckt *'d C Gscoine sudden- assist us in our examination My pa-i! sckt *'d Captain Gascoigne. sudden- " ut by the bed to watch the effect. Aftei a tune the patient sank into a troubled ilrep. His excitement and partial de- lirium. however, were the reverse of re- assuring. and I felt much more anxi- ety aUiut him than I cared to show when I presently went down stairs U> dinner. (To be Continued.) ABOUT QUbEN VICTORIA. llifrrrllB X ttd.l. ln4 Nj ,.nrf ruins Crcal Britain's Kulrr llrr <! *i ike ttgmtt I. An interesting evidence of the strong affection that existed between Queen Victoria and her Prince Consort i found in the Queen's boudoir at Windsor Castle, which remains to-day in the same state as when Prince Albert died. On the door is inscribed: "Every article in this room my lamented husband se- lected for me in the twenty-fourth year of my reign." The Queen's bri.lal wreath, with the first bouquet that Prinoe Albert presented to her. lies withered within a glass case. and. ac- cording to some specially favored visi- tors, who were recently allowed to en- ter the room, there are evidences on every side of the thoughtful devotion of the Prince Consort to Her Majesty. Every building which the Queen oc- cupies is fitted wilh elevators for her express accommodation. A suggestion was recently made that these elevators be moved by electric power instead of the old-fashioned steam. The Queen. ever, would have none of it. Sode- his breath came fast and with eff-irt .' if, "", ----- After a very careful examination I I T Jft is a relief. I could not leave agreed with Lumsden that this attack, the * man in danger, and yet it is ne- for me soon to join my regi- severe and dangerous as it was, was to be fatal, and that in all probability men ' 1* _ .*!__._. __ 1 J ! " , 1 1 t termined is her ..pposit.on to the use ol electricity that she bw fordidden its employment in any of the royal palaces. so far at any rate, as the apartments frequented by herself are concerned. .-'fore'ver? long IheVld baVoneTwou.d , " Your father will probably be hinuelf ! The hope that was once entertained by l h <- urse of a few weeks." I re- i those in charge of the Queens house- all bold that electricity might be adopted make t IIP usual partial recovery in mild , '}. the course ' ease* of hemiplegia. I made some sug- Pll*d- .'It is essential to avoid gesticns with regard to the treatment, i "hocks in the future. I need not tell and left the room with Lumsden. We TOU that an attack of apoplexy is a very consulted together for a few minutes. |tT r VB matter that a man once affect- and then went downstairs. Captain 1* "/ it is ^extremely subject to^a re- Cascoigne was waiting for us in the bre-akfagt-roorn. a splendid apartment lined from ceiling to flour with finely carved oak. " Weil f" he said, when we entered the room. There was t ude in his tones. "I take ther's unmistakable solici- ke a favorable view of your fa- condition," I replied, cheerily. currence ; t hat such a recurrence is fraught with danger to life." for ventilating fans and electrical mo- tors has been abandoned. The figure 9 plays an important part in Queen Victoria's affairs. The Duke of Kent. her father, was one of nine sons. Her Majesty is the ninth sove- reign since the revolution of 1688. Born You think, in short." continued Cap_- j n In4 . nineteenth century, in 1819 ion i num. m snort, cominucu v^.u- , , n lfte nineteenth century, in tain lia-scoigne. "that a further shock (1-8-1-919). she came to the throne in would kill Sir Robert T" " Yes. be must on no account be sub- jected to worry or quietude." any mental dis- I looked at the man at my side as I . . , , i_ * i n's,^H CH, V I1C III1U ekl 111 T aiilO i - s a somewhat severe one. ,po ke He was sitting well upright. K"' ^ - nS ?.^" " ""L C " P . '^ * y .I -!',.. --! j ! "riving with vigor His face expressed; be has some power in the -ide. I am convinced from the present state of the cue that there is no pro- gressive hemorrhage going on In short, in all probability Sir Ho'-n will regain consciousness in the course of the day." "Then the danger is past f ' said the cantain, with a quick, short sigh of re- lief. " If our prognosis is correct." I re- plied. -"the danger in past for the time bei^ " 1837. (1-8-3-719). in her nineteenth year. Her husband was born in If 19. she has had nine children ; her eldest son. born on the 9th of November, married the daughter of Christian IX. of Denmark, who was then in her nine- teenth year. The horoscope of Queen Victoria, as how-ever, made I ivftn in .. Modern Astrology ." is as fol- bim pull up abruptly, and I aaw a dark i lows : flush mount swiftly to his cheek. A I "Born at four minutes past 4 a.m. girl was comiritr down the road to meet on Aug. 24, 1819 in London If a pho- us; she was accompanied by a couple of to of tne bea vens had been taken at no more emotion than if it were cast in iron. fox-terriers When be saw us she came eagerly forward. " Take the reins, will you doctor t" said Captain Gascoigne. He sprang from the cart and went to meet the young lady. I guessed at once this time the planets would nave been found in the position given in the I'nion Jack horoscope. The second degree of the celestial sign Gemini ascends and the sun and moun are just rising in conjunction ; the benefic planet Jupiter TTTI i || C V^'UIIM lO'lV. I K UC^T" I fl. -i - . , that she must he Mi I.ynwood. She .jlvated over all the planets in he was a very slijrht. tall girl, with a qui k. | mid-heaven, entirely free from afflio- tion. Mercury i.s the ruling planet of Her Majesty. November of the pres- ent year is in this life a critical period. 'The position of the Significalor. or Lord of I be Ascendant, in the fi*ed eager expression of face. Her eyes were dark and brilliant ; the expression of her mouth was sweet but firm; her liearing was somewhat proud. I was too far awav to hear what she said. >>f l n l n> n n v 1.11 IIU*B I v* I mi aaaTT oni\*. . ... . , , , Captain Oascoigne's interview with her ! "en Taurus will give her much detor- was extremely brief She turned to m 'nation It is not well placed in the walk in th* opposite direction; he re- 1 twelfth house, and this indicates that mount d tl'e doe-rart and su?ge^ted tbtt we -should <rn honi". P'irin our drive lakh ha-dl > sook . Wh n e reached " The Priory " I went t once to visit my patient. an<l diH not m>n much of the captain for the remainder of the day. The sick man was making favorable progress, but t thought it well not to leave him until t he following morning. Towards evening, as I was standing by the )>edside. I was surprisM to Sir On the following evening a telegram < what day is thi.st" I !>.- messenger is nailing, sir," The. twenty-fourth of Novemlwr," isaid. he "whv do you pause f I thought for a few moment*, then " I thought as much." said I)r LIIIIH- '""K l> den this was to have Imen the wedding trit 'j' day" 1'iay go on with your story." I said. " It is nearly told, (iascoigne appear- ed on the scene looking well but anx- ious. He had an interview with bis father that night, and the next day my A II r , found a suitable I wrote a hasty reply. Huh you by nine to-morrow morn- ing." Tin- messenger departed, and I went to my loom to pack a few things. I took the night train uito Derbyshire, and arrived at \Volverton Station a must not build up false hopes, l.umsden. f Captain Gascoigne likes to speak to me of his own free will, I shall be only too glad to listen to him, but in my pre- sent position I cannot pos.-uhly lead the way In a medical conference." l.umsden sighed impatiently. " Well, welL" he said. " it seems a pity. The chance has most unexpectedly arrived, and you might find yourself secret which and has al- 'igne to his grave. I can. of course, .say nothing fart her. but before I hurry awsy to my patients, just tell me what you think of the- Captain." " As fine a man as I have ever met ," I replied, with enthusiasm. " BteM you. I don't mean his charac 1 1 1 K 1 1 1 , m i < i i ur 1 1 1 n * u us y |ni it to London He stayed away for J u le after eight o'clock t he next enorn- Jngle night, came bark t he next '" . A carriage from ' The Priory ' was day, and went straight to see MUs Lyn- ' waiting for me, and 1 drove there at went a sir w ho lives with her father and inot her at a place called Bnrnhoroogh, Nobody knows what passed l>er.\een the yuuiiK' couple I, in tin- ruing after a lumieil uiex-oi|f<>. uriived for me to once, l.umiiden met me ju.st outside the bouse. you are." he said, coming up to me Almost cheerily. " 1 can't say what a relief it is to see you " ter . r ; what do you think of hU health '" I do not see much amiss with him, except - " "W hy do you make an exception f" interrupted Lumsden. "I have meta- phorically sjteakimr. \ A magnifying glasses to search into his complaint. and can't get the most remote trace of " I notice that his right hand is swol- len," I answered; "1 further observe that he winces when it is touched." Well. I never saw it." answered go up in once to sec Sir Itolieri I found " W hut almut the patient I" I inter- 1 Lumsden. " What sharp eyes you have I >,. Hwullen state of the hand protably 'I I'.ironet in a state of frightful 1 rupted. agitation and excitement, lie told me "I am glad agit that i he marriage was broken off that his son absolutely refused to marry either Miss I.ynwood or anyone else that he would give no reasona for this delermiirttion l>eyiind the fact that he did not consider nix II'A a healthy one, tliat no eurtbly consideration would in duce turn lo lie.-ome the father of chil- dren I be whole i liiiix is a frightful bloM lo the old man. andthe m\>irit of it is, that nothing will induce Cap- tain iTucoigiie svou to hint at what is to aay he is no worse; on the contrary, there are one or iwo .sym- ptoms of returning mu*i I points to rheumatism." " Possibly," I replied At that moment Captain Gascoigne " Why did you send for me t" I ask- j returned to us. Hi. dog-cart was at ed, abruptly the door; we mounted, and were soon " Well, you know, I wanted you here j spinning over the ground at a fine rate for more reasons than one. Yesterday! The. inure the captain drove was a little however ; as we were uoinx Sir I to!>erl ' ca.se neemcd utmost Iripeless I "< C.ipi-iii, iisc >it(iie ui^hed for further flow n hill, she became decidedly difficult KOI i fioi: ;id\ ice I simL'esied your name. he | to handle. We were driving under a knows you by repute, and asked me tO| railway bridge, when a train suddenly foi MII without d'-lv." wen 1 \erhead. rushintt past us with a " That U all right," I answered, crashing roar. The mare, already ner- H b't -u !il -nlr open his eyes and fix hem uiHiii my face. Lumsden and 'apt sin Gascnigne were both in the room. The old man looked quickly from me to them When he saw his son a queer mixture of anxiety and satisfac- ion crept into his face. " Dick, come here." he said, in a feeble nice Captain Gascoigne went immediately o th- bedside and bent over to his fat her What's up. Pick' Who is thatf lie glanced in my direction. "I have come here to help to make you better," I said, taking the initiative it once " I am a .loctor, and your old Friend Lumsden wished to consult me alwut you. I am glad to aay you are on be mend, but you must stay very quiet, and not excite yourself in any way." " No. no. I understand," said Sir Itoliert. " I have been very bad. 1 sup- pose f You have done it, Dick, you know you have." "Pray rest, father, now," said the son ; " don't think of any worries at pre- sent." " Tut. boy. I can't rest I'm a disap- pointed man. Dick I'm a failure this is a fine place, and it will go to the <l>gs it is all your fan t. Dick, ana you k ow 'i. If you want to help me you wul <i> ] what I wish get Helen here and have the marriage solemnized as quickly as possible. Oh. 1 know what I am saying, nd I won't be silenced there needn't I* a fuss everything is ready the iooi,,s furnished t h place in order. You can be married by special license you know you can. Dick. I sha'n't *' in my grave until thin thing U set 1 1 You get Helen here and have the wedd- ing by special license, yes. yes. There'll be no rest for me. Dick, until I know that TI and Helen are man "and wife." you and Helen are yes t hat you " Stay quiet, sir ; slay quiet. I beg of you," said Captain Gascoigne, in a voice of distress. I can't while you are so obstinate do you mean to do what I wish f" The old man's tone was very testy. " I will talk the matter over you presently." was the reply; with not now presently when you are stronger." There was something in the captain's voice which was the reverse of sooth- ing. An irritable frown came between the patient's eyes, and a swift wave of suspicious red dyed his forehead. " I must ask you to leave the room." I whispered to the younger man. He did so, his shoulders somewhat l>ent, and a look of pain on his face. "Has Dick gone for the license I" said Sir Robert, looking at Lumsden, and evidently beginning to wander in his mind. Lumsden bent suddenly forward Kverything shall be done as you wish. Sir Roiwrt. he said. "Only remem I XT that we can have no wedding until .you are well now jro to si. 1 motioned to the nurse t admlnis fbe will be the producer of her nwn troubles and sorrows. The grand |iosi- tion of the Sun and Moon in the as- cendant will give her the dignity needed to uphold her position as head of the Constitution." GREAT LONDON. Lrasl HH.-l.-Bi anil I '! Uaellsl r|il London is perhaps the most eccentric wonder in the Its vast extent history of the world. of sordid, inartistic buildings, and its enormous migratory lodger population ; its abundant evi- dence of wealth, and yet its widespread areas of local poverty ; its feeble-mind- ed native occupants, and the energy of its foreign and provincial immigrants; the sumptuousness of its western man- sions. and its unlimited extent of squal- id homes ; its ill-arranged, ill-kept, and dirty streets, and its polluted atmos- phere. are all exceptional, and most of them are in their various ways superla tive. Moreover. London, all its considered, is perhaps the least efficient and least influential aggregate of people on the globe. A population so enormous and con- densed i.s. from sheer incapacity of ap- prehension. led to take the facts of its- condition absolutely and without com- parison, and to suppose that in its spe- cial sphere the actual condition is at once natural and necessary. London so c-ompletely fills the eyes of Ixmdoners that t hay become incapable of measur- ing the great community or of estimat- ing its condition and its worth by any outer standard. Hence it is that the chief city in the world falls frequent- ly behind those less important places which are not completely overwhelmed by their own greatness. Petty capitals and large provincial t"ns cum pare themselves with one another, to their mutual benefit. They thus acquire self- conscious modesty, and are not left to !he assumption that in their respective areas and communities whatever i.s, or is determined, right. must be natural and Nothing: Els*. A tourist bad arrived unannounced at a crowded village inn. It was already late in the evening, and there was no spare lied. The traveller grew impatient. Haven't you at least a bundle of hay you can give me ? he demanded of t he landlady. That -worthy was also getting im- patient. There isn't a thing left, .she answer- ed, exc*pl a bit of cold roast beef. A Touch of Nature Mr. Meek (on street car) 1 find that I have no money to pay my fare this morning I have had uiy pocket picked. Conductor (bluntly) Thai old story won't KO lieie I';IV or git." Mr. Meek It wasn't a pickpocket. My wife went tbrounh mx clothes lie- fore I got up. Conductor (sympathetically) ter a soothing draught, and sat down r i K ht. Cay next time. All