CLIPPINGS.

South Canterbury Times, Volume XV, Issue 2068, 8 November 1879, Page 3

CLIPPINGS.

The Vermont “ Chronicle” has collected some startling facts concerning divorce in Massachussetts, Rhode 'lsland, Connecticut, and Vermont, For the last few years the ratio - of divorces to marriages in these four States is 1 to 16 in Vermont, 1 to 23 7 in Massachusetts, 1 to 13 in Rhode Island, 1 to 10-4 fn Connecticut. In the year 1877 there were granted 1331 divorces in those States. If Main and New Hampshire have a like record of temporary marriages, not far from 1800 divorces are granted annally in New England. In reference to the Taranaki iron sand, the New Plymouth correspondent of the “ Wanganui Herald” writes .*— “ Mr Vivian cast at his foundry this morning a number of articles from the metal obtained from the Taranaki iron sand. The first pouring was commenced at, 11,10 and was completed in four minutes, when two bogie engine wheels were cast. In the second pouring a bell and an ornamental door-weighty with a lion on it, were cast. In the third pour- | ing two ornamental plates of Napoleon crossing the Alps, a set of moulders’ tools, Snider, breech lock, rifle lockplate, and hammer. Fourth pouring, three smoothing irons, a magnet for the Telegraph Department, and one or two small articles. The whole casting was performed in a little over half an hour, and the metal ran out very freely from the furnace,” The 51 Port Phillip Almanac and Directory for 18-17 is (says "‘yßgles”) an interesting mile-stone on the march of progress. For instance, in that year the bar consisted of Messrs Oroker, Sydney Stephen, Redmond Barry, R. W. Poblman, William Stawell. and Edward Eyre Williams, The majority achieved the bench. The native police force consisted of a command ut, (H. P. Dana), second officer third do, sergeant, and corporal, with salaries amounting" to D4r 0, and lor private, natives, at 3d per diem ! There were two tanks, and two letter carriers. Inland passages varied from to Is —to Sydney, Is 3d- Five 1 lies sufficted to enumerate the tariff with i Id- patrone postscript —‘‘Goods not luting the produce and manufacture of the United Kingdom, 10 per cent ad valorem." In 30ye;;rs some thirm-s have been improved hut not Ml,

A. return has been issued of the National Debt for each year Irora 1857-8 to 1876-9 inclusive. Tne total National Debt, funded, (including stock held on account'of unclaimed dividends,) unfunded, and (capital value of) terminable annuities, was on April 1, 1879, £778,078,84f1. The total debt created in 1878-9 was £6,283,123, the net estimated amount of taxation imposed in 1878-9 was £4,332,850; debt paid off, £803,125. The girls of Italy do many things onr your ladies would not think of doing, and they leave unlearned certain accomplishments which only the poorest American fair ones pass by. The Italian bride makes her own outfit, and, as the trousseau consists of six dozen of everything, being intended to last to twenty-five, and all must be embroidered and frilled, the task is not an easy one. But they take their time to do it, occnping twoyears in getting it in shape ; and, all the while the work goes on, the lovers are courting. The husband gives the dresses, shawls—-everything, in fact, but the underclothing. Italian girls do not learn to sing, draw, and play the piano. These are left to people who earn their living by them. But they are taught how to sew, cook, and iron.—“ Forney’s Progress.” Drunkenness in Sweden and Norway is cured in the following manner. The drunkard is put in prison, and his o’ily nourishment is bread soaked in wine. During the first day the prisoner receives the bread and wine with much pleasure. On the second day the food is not so acceptable. After that he takes his food with great repugnance. In general, eight or ten days of this treatment suffice to produce such a disgust of liquor that the unhappy man is compelled to absolute abstinence. After leaving prison, his drunkenness is radically cured, with an occasional exception, and the odour of liquor produces an invincible repulsion.