ANTIQUITY OF MAN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 691, 16 July 1875, Page 3

ANTIQUITY OF MAN.

—o— Telegraph.) A Swiss newspaper reports the discovery in one of the cantons of a relic which is believed to be the most ancient evidence existing of primitive man. It is described as a kind of wattle-work of pointed fir-poles, covered with wicker or some lighter stuff. In other words, it is an immesurable antique hurdle or screen, made as the bricklayers and shepherds now-a-day make kiln siJes and fold-gates, and in intrinsic interest, of course, could never compare with such things as the bone needles found in the Dordogne caves, or those very curious etchings of animals and men upon the rein-deer-horns in the British Museum. But when it is added that this relic, clearly made by human hands, was found in the slate-coal, a stratum which is referred by good authorities to the period intervening between the two glacial epochs, the immense significance of this piece of old wicker or wattle becomes evident. Supposing that the Swiss geologists are right, and'that such a thing has really been discovered in the slate-coal—which was mud and vegetation before the last general congelation of Europe —then hero is strong proof that the human race existed before that epoch, and that it had already reached the comparatively high educational point of knowing how to weave. Gorillas and Sokos make nests or houses of branches, but they cannot wattle or turn out basket-work ; and.we must accordingly feel a certain filial respect for those far-dis-tant ancestors who were “ frozen out” in the world’s aphelian. That period is set by some clever people at about sixty thousand years ago—by none at less—and, taken in connection with the recent discoveries made by the Challenger, it warns us never to be sure that wo have reached the bottom of this grave of life. It becomes, indeed, more and more doubtful if we dug never so deep we should find the limit to the history of animated matter ; for even the clay itself out of which “man is made” has just been shown by Carpenter and Huxley, to consist almost demonstrably of the detritus of countless living creatures. Why arc the shepherds and fishermen like beggars ?-Because they live by ‘ hook’ and 1 crook,’ A Grave Destruction.—The following bill was recently seen displayed in the parlo. r window of a house in a southwestern suburb of London : “ To let, a small sitting-room and bedroom, with a superb view of an immense garden, much frequented, planted with large trees, brilliant with (lowers, and decorated with numerous J,tatues and other works of art.” The garden in question wa Brompton cemetery. Plural marriages are on the decline in Mormon territory. The recent conviction and sentence of one year in the penitentiary for marrying a second wife while still living with the first, passed on Reynolds, one of Brigham Young’s bodyguard, cast quite a damper over the ardor of the Mormonites. The case was selected for the purpose of testing the constitutionality of the Act of Congress of 1862, prohibiting polygamy. The Judge, in charging the jury, said that the law was clearly constitutional, and an alien jury—consisting of eight Mormons and four Gentiles—had no other alternative than to bringin a verdict of guilty. Although the Act was passed thirteen years ago, this is the firs tconviction polygamy’ever had in the territory.

Goldsmiths’ Woiik. —Tho process of fino-art manufacture in tliis branch of trade is strikingly exemplified in a little work published by Mr. J. W. Benson, of No. 25, Old Bond-Street and of tho City Steam Factory, 58 and 00 Ludgato-hill, London. It is enriched and embellished with designs, by Italian, French and Unglish artistes, of brooches, bracelets o r-rings. and other articles, suitable for personal wear, or for wedding, birth-day, or other presents, with their prices. Mr Benson, who holds tho appointment to 11.11. 11. the Prince of Wales, has also published a very interesting pamphlet on tho Rise and Progress of Watchmaking. Those pamphlets ai-e sent, post free, for two stamps each, and they cannot be too strongly recommended to those contcmplaing a purchase, especially to residents in the country nr abroad, who are thus enabled to select any article they may require, and have forwarded in perfect safety.

Holloway’s Pills. Dismiss your doubts ; let no one be longer oppressed with tho notion that his malady is incurable till these purifying Pills have had a fair trial. After other preparations had failed, these pills have been used with marked success. A course of this admirable medicine clears tho blood from all impmities, and thus improves its quality. The whole system is benefitted through the usual channels without loss of strength, shock to the nerves, or inconvenience ; In fact, health is renewed by natairal means. For curing diseases of the throat, windpipe and chest these Pills have established pre-eminently world-wide fame, and in complaints of tho stomach liver, and kidneys they are equally efficacious. They are composed of rare balsams without a grain of mercury or other deleterious substance.