General News.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3603, 14 July 1880, Page 3

General News.

' We learn from St. Petersburg that the Moscow Cruiser committee have laid before the Czarewitch several proposals respecting a further development of the cruiser fleet. One of these is that the Government should lend the committee 10,000,000 roubles, without interest, to enable it to purchase several more steamers, establish a regular naval station in the Pacific and effect in every respect as regards steamboat communication in Pacific what the Black Sea Steam Navigation Company has done for Bussian trade in the Black Sea and Mediterranean. In the event of this assistance from the Government being refused the committee proposes that a subsidised Pacific Steam Navigation company should be instituted and affiliated with the Moscow Cruiser association. In this case the entire commercial affairs of the Moscow committee would only take an active interest in their steamers in the event of a war. Both fleets of steamers, however, would be mainly intended for cruiser operations, and on the outbreak of hostilities the: steamers of the subsidised companies would pass under the management of the Moscow committee. According to the writer Gregorio Led, the biographer of Sixtus V. narrates in the 11th book of his history of that Pope the following story:—"ln the year 1587, ten years before the probable date of the production of Shakespeare's play a .Roman merchant named Paul Maria Sechi, a good Cflitbolie Christian, learns that Sir Francis Drake has conquered San Domingo. He imparts his news to a Jewish trader, Simon Cenoda, who either disbelieved it or had an interest in making it appear so. He obstinately contested the truth of the statement, and to emphasize his contradiction added that he would stake a pound weight of his flesh on the contrary. The Christian took him at his word, staking 1000 scodi against the pound of flesh, and the bet was attested by two witnesses. On the truth of Drake's conquest being confirmed, the Christian demanded the fulfilment of the wager. In vain the Jew offered money instead of the stake be had agreed to. The Jew appealed to the Governor, and the Governor to the Pope, who sentenced them both to the galleys—a punishment they were allowed to make up for by the payment of 2000 scudi each to the Hospital of the Sixline .Bridge. A young cleryman having agreed to supply the pulpit of an older brother absent from'home, escorted to church the daughter of the. pastor, and after seeing her safely in her father's pew, ascended the pnlpit, unconscious that this natural attention to the young lady was sufficient' to excite the lively imaginations and in* quiries of the audience. Upon reading the hymn to be sung, the young clergyman was suprised to perceive evident efforts in the congregation to suppress laughter. The daughter of his friend possess*! the mellifluous name of Gmee, and, all uasuepieious of the fact he had chosen the hymn beginning with the words "Amwnng grace,", and proceeded with-- ' ,:, , * " Twm grace that taught my. heart to fear, And greoe ny fean relieved* , How precious did that grace appear The bonr I first believed' i Through meijy dangers, toils, and snarea I have already oome; 'Tib "Grace" bas brought mo safethu« far, And " Once " will lead me home !'V * ""ffreo Press.