DE OMNIBUS REBUS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 386, 7 September 1875, Page 3

DE OMNIBUS REBUS.

Larire numbers of Hussian horses are being imp' it 'd and sold in London. A .1:1 ;ue of rats exists in the east of British Bunn ui. They have devastated over 6000 squ ro miles. Two Frenchmen have been arrested in the act of sketching the inner fortifications of Mayence,

Egypt’s great railway from Cairo to Khartoum is progressing rapidly, and it is proposed to extend it westward to Darfur. The British survey of Palestine makes rapid progress. The last place identified is Bethabara, the ford of the Jordan where John baptised. Not long since a premium was offered by an agricultural society for the best mode of irrigation, and the latter word, by mistake of the printer, having been changed to ‘ irritation,’ a farmer sent his wife to gain the prize.

“ For a considerable time past,” writes the Sydney News, “several of our boat builders have been engaged in the construction of small craft for the pearl-shelling enterprise in Torres Straits. The demand for these boats has arisen through the change in the modus operandi of getting the shell. Instead of the large vessels previously employed, it has been found more advantageous to employ small ones, with numerous gangs of ‘ myalls’ to work the beds as deep as six or seven fathoms, and the European diving dress is adapted for greater depths. Captain Hovell, of the Australian Packet, and others, have succeeded in breaking-in natives to the successful use of the diving dress. Though the shallow waters of the Straits have been almost worked out, the more extensive use of the diving dress indicates a great future for the fishery in deeper waters. Messrs Craig Brothers, whose station has been in charge of Captain Scott, have for the past twelve months had the Three Brothers schooner employed, and she has sent to market twenty-four tons of live and four tons of dead shell, which has realised from £SOOO to £6OOO. At present there are nearly forty sail of small craft engaged in this trade; most of these have been built at this port, and sent to Cape York on the decks of the mail steamers.”

It was stated by Mr Burns in the Legislative Assembly on August 10th (the Sydney Morning Herald states), in answer to a question from Mr Mackintosh, that the contractors for the Pacific Mail Service had proposed to change the route from Fiji to the Bay of Islands, in consideration of a reduction in the amount of the subsidy, but that the proposal had not met with the approval of the Government. It is reported that Mr Arthur Sullivan has more than one genuine English opera in preparation, one of which, “ Robert Macaire,” will be produced soon in London, The post of succentor and director of musical instruction at Eton College, said to be of the value of £ISOO a year, has been conferred upon Mr Barnby. His acceptance of this appointment will not interfere with his public duties in London. The Academy hears that the ancient brocade tapestry factory of Venice is being revived by the Fratelli Agnino. This fabric is said to have existed before that of Lyons, and was at first patronised by the Doges for gifts to Eastern monarclcs, at which time, it is said, 14,000 hands were employed. Galignani states that the late Comte de Remusat has left among his papers a curious unpublished work, being a drama entitled *• Heloise et Abelard," and in which are given the various incidents with the mutual affection of the two legendary adorers. A new work by Mr George Henry Lewes, “ On Actors and the Art of Acting,” is in the press and will shortly be published. The Louvre has bought for 12,000 francs the statue of the Virgin recently discovered at Touraine. It is said 1o be a fine example of French art of the sixteenth century.

The International Hiflle Contest took place on June 29th, at the North Bull Ranges, Dublin, in the presence of an immense number of spectators. At the 800yds range the Irish team made 338 points, and the American 337 ; but at the 700yds range America scored 327 against Ireland’s 292, thus giving the former a majority of 35 points. The total majority of the Americans at the three ranges was 38, The Irish, it must be said, bore their defeat well, but there was great disappointment at the bad shooting made by Milner, which was 23 points less than the lowest score made on the American side, that of Mr Coleman. The three highest gross scores were made by Americans —namely, Major Fulton made 161 out of a possible 180, Colonel Gildersleeve and General Dakin each making 164 ; Mr Wilson, of the Irish team, made 163, and Colonel Bodine and Mr Johnson each made 162. At the conclusion the two teams marched abreast to the members’ tent, Major Leech and Colonel Gildersleeve leading the way. The crowd followed and cheered enthusiastically. Shortly afterwards Major Leech came forward, and, addressing the crowd, said: —“The international match has been lost and won. I suppose that a finer set of riflemen never appeared on any field ; and if we Irishmen have lost, we have lost to most gallant foes. And although I need hardly tell you I should like that we had been first, still, as we are second, to no more honourable foes would I desire to accede the palm. They are distinguished gentlemen, and are worthy of the honour they have achieved. I ask you to give some cheers to Colonel Gildersleeve and the American team.” The cheering having subsided, there were calls for the state of the poll, and Major Leech again came forward, and stated that the Americans had won by 38 points. Colonel Gildersleeve then came forward amid loud cheers, and said :—“ It is unnecessary for me to assure you we are very proud at the victory we have won to-day. We have had a fair field and fair play. We feel that we have been contending with the test riflemen in the world. We could not find six other men in our own country able to make the score they have made to-day. I will take this occasion to thank Major Leeeh for the great courtesy and attention he has shown us, and all of you for the kindness you have shown us in keeping out of our way and giving us fair play. The American team will now join in giving three hearty cheers for Major Leech and the Irish team.” Round after round of cheering was given, and the vast assemblage dispersed. At night the teams were entertained at a banquet given by the Lord Mayor in the Mansion House, where a distinguished company was invited to meet them.