Facts and Fancies.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 715, 24 October 1914, Page 3

Facts and Fancies.

fhe Dyspeptic Ostrich. Long ago the phenomenal power of the stomach'-o.f the cstrich was immor»talised in the idiom of all the world's great languages. To have the 'stomach of an ostrich" is the synonym for incomparable digestive power. As a matter of fact, however, the ostrich, if not a confirmed dyspeptic, has a most deiicate digestion, and the successful feeding of ostriches in captivity requires constant care. Holy Wars. There has been no universal war by Moslems on unbelievers since the early days .of Mohammedanism. It has been supposed that only the Caliph, an office now claimed by the Sultans ef Turkey, can order a general war, or Jehad, but, as the Persians and the Moors who are Mohammedans do not acknowledge the spiritual authority of the Ottoman Sultan, and look to their own rulers for their' cue in such, cases, it, is not at all likely that there will be another Jehad. Holy wars have 'been 1 proclaimed by the Mahdis, as was til 9 case in the Soudan in 1882; but there has been no general war between, the followers of the Prophet and the "infidels" since early times. Leaf Pictures. The necessary outfit consists simply of a small printing frame such as photographers use and a quantity of oommercial blue print paper. The leaves or ferns which are to be the subjects of the lesson are pressed in a book for a few days after gathering; when thoroughly dry each specimen is placed in the printing frame, covered with a piece of Hue print paner, yellow side clown, and the back of the frame latched in place. The whole is then exposed to strong sunlight until inspection shows the shadows to be deeply bronzed; the print is then removed and washed in several changes of - water, when the exact image of the leaf, with all' its delicate tracery of veins, will be found shown in white upon a blue ground. ! Martyrdom of, St. Gc-cila, There are varying accounts of the martyrdom of St. Cecilia. One story goes that she was boiled in a cauldron of oi?. What is regarded as the true ■ account of her martyrdom is that an attempt, was* made to suffocate her by ' Confining', her for a day and night in the'"ealidarium," or hot room, of the bath in her own house, .and, this not proving effectual, an executioner was ordered to behead her. The executioner, faltered, delivering three blows, which 'did not prove immediately effective, but caused death some three days later. St. Cecilia is the patroness of Church music, and is often portrayed singing, to the accompaniment of some music usually, or listening to an , angel who came to visit her. In the Roman' Catholic Church her festival day is, made the occasion of splendid 'music in tlie churches. The legend runs that an angel was so enraptured -with Cecilia's music that he left heaven to be her audience. Maroh'CSih as a "Memorial" Day. March 25th, probably from the connection cf the date with the vernal equinox, is marked in the calendar by many curious anniversaries in addition to tho generally recognised Lady Day.. It- is the/'memorial" of St. Dismas, tho penitent thief, who was crucified on the right hand of Christ.' The name • of, Dismas, though resting oh dubious authority, was once a favorite Christian name, and in 1696 Dismas Corten was tho Provost cf Malines. This is also the "memorial" .of, Abel-, the "first martyr," and of Melchizedek, the mysterious "king and priest," whose oblations of bread - and winei typified the Christian Eucharist. Strangest anniversary of all, March 25th is the festival of St. "William, the boy martyr of Norwich.' He was a' devout child, alleged to have been murdered by the Jews at' Norwich ' on' Easter Day, 1146, in derision of the crucifixion of Christ. This fable raised a "great popular ferment against the Jews, and was one of the' supposed' crimes which led to the eventual.expulsion of all Jews from England until they were protected by Cromwell. ' Gradte Gharms. The peasant women of European countries .use charms to keep their new-born babies from ill. These charms vary with the various nationalities. Here are a few of them. In Ireland a belt made of a woman's hair is often placed about the child to ward off harm. Mothers in Holland place a curious mixture of garlic, ealt, bread, and'steak in the'cradle of their offspring. Roumanian mothers tie red ribbons round the ankles of , their babes, 'and those of another Balkan race attach bits of asafoetida round the necks of their" infants. Welsh mothers put a pair of tongs or a knife in the cradle as a charm against ill, and a similar practice prevails in some parts of England.. The Grecian mother, before putting her baby into the cradle, turns round three times before the fire while singing, her favorite lullaby. The Turkish mother hatig3 a variety of amulets about her infant, while a email piece of mud, steeped .in hot water, prepared with certain cere>monies, is stuck upon a child's 1 forehead. Lastly, tho Spanish mother brushes her baby's face with a pinetree bough to bring ,it good luck. Which of these various charms is the most potent the chronicler sayeth'. not. •