News by the Mail.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3830, 7 April 1881, Page 1

News by the Mail.

The remarkable electric light, manufactured here by the Brush Company to order, for use in the British nary, and successfully tested yesterday 100,000 candle illuminating power, fifty times greater than the ordinary electric lamp for street lighting, ia believed to be the largest and most powerful light ever made with human hands. It is designed to be used in night attacks, and to scrutinise the sea for torpedos. A forty-horse power engine is required to produce the light. The car* bons used are two inches and a half thick. The intense heat generated between the carbon points is half a million degrees, oneninetieth the estimated heat of the sun. It is calculated that with an ordinary reflector a beam of light will be cast so powerful that a person fifteen miles away can see to read by it. •

An immense corporation has been organised in St. Louis, the purpose of which is to forward grab in bulk, and all kinds of produce and merchandise from St. Louis to Liverpool and other foreign ports. The State of. Delaware has passed a prohibition liquor law. Beecher has cancelled all lecture engagements, and will devote himself exclusively to church duties in future. His congregation had become dissatisfied, and an effort is being made to compel bis resignation as pastor, if not withdrawal from the congregational commission. President Grarfield's inaugural address was telegraphed verbatim to the London press, and produced excellent impression. Both English and Americans alike admired it for its style and wise modertion of tone. Journals praise liberally the new President's political good sense, nnd augur a prosperous administration. President Garfield's inauguration, notwithstanding stormy weather, was a brilliant . affair. Nearly 50,000 people were massed in front of the capital, at Washington, and the address is pronounced one of the most careful and Statesman-like documents ever delivered there. General W. S. Hancock, the defeated democratic candidate, was present, at the head of his brilliant staff, and by the attentions paid him seemed to divide the honours of the day with his successful rival.

Lieut. Schwatka, U.S.W., has offered to place at the disposal of H.M. Government the Franklin relics recently diacohered.

General Grant positively refused an invitation to attend the. Garfield inauguration at Washington on the 4 h March. Grant is said to be very sore because of his failure of re nomination, and does not scruple to show his feelings. He has left for Mexico, in which country he says he has had a deep interest ever 6ince he was there as a young officer during the Mexican war. A seditious speech, recently delivered by Mr Dillon, member for Tipperary, is engaging the attention of the Crown Law officer? with a view to prosecuting. t Eussia has appealed to the several European Governments to assist her in crushing the organisation under which the use of infernal machines Is increasing seriously. : Next to the offspring of the helpless poor, no one has better reason to dread the colder winter weather than some of the children of the rich-- Fashion once decreed that bare kuees were., the proper thing for children, whether in winter or summer; and although this rule has been modified to some extent, the custom almost invariably prevails of restricting children to a single thickness of cotton or wool as sole protection of knee and lower leg against the cold. How this senseless and cruel violation of physical law ever became popular is more than the sane intellect can imagine; but the fact that it is so, will force itself upon the attention of anyone who observes children under ten years of age. It. may be too much to hope that the generality of mothers will modify a dress that looks pretty, but ordinary humanity damands that the extremities of childrnn be very warmly clad, and if the present style of dress .is. not to be altered in shape and effect, a'change to thicker clothing for feet and knees will be of unspeakable benefit to hundreds of thousands of chilren who suffer keenly from weather such as we hare had of late. —New York Herald. It is epenly stated in political circles (says the Home News) that the secession of Lord; Granville, the Marquis of Hartington, and Mr Forster, may be expected at any time, while the chance of retaining Lord Delborne or the Duke of Argyll is reg «rdecl as a very doubtful one. There can be no doubt that the position of such u;en a^ there in a Government which includes a Chamberlain and a Dilke is exceedingly embarrassing; and it is a marvel to many persons thai they have managed t>> go on together so long, A disruption is sure to lake place shortly, and, according to present appearances, the break up will most likely tuKe plic over the pro* posed le^ielati v for Irelnnd.