ENGLISH ITEMS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 819, 1 June 1871, Page 3

ENGLISH ITEMS.

The Rev. J. C. Reichardt says:— '"According to the best calculations, the Jews in Europe amount at least to five and a half millions, of which nearly three millions are in Russia and Polaud; in Austria more than one million; in Germany, 400,000; in European Turkey, 300,000; Roumania, 400,000; Greece, 100,000; the rest in England, Holland, Italy, and other countries. In Asia, more than half a million in Africa, more than one million; and in America and Australia, &c:, at least 400,000 ; so that the number of Jews may be ■computed, at the least, at eight millions." At a meeting of the Victoria Discussion Society, over which Lord Lyttelton presided, the following plan Tfas launched: —" It is hoped to form a training school, to include the thorough teaching of a certain number of resident servants in the several duties of cooks, kitchen, house, chamber, and parlour maids, while instruction would be given to. daily learners in the culinary and confectionery departments. Lectures alsn would be delivered on food, cooking, housekeeping, the laws of health, and other subjects ; while practical lessons in the preparation and dressing of meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, &c, including the higher branches of the culinary a <*t, would be offered to those ladies who wish to gain an insight into this necessary art. It is proposed to attach a ladies' reading-room and restaurant to this training institute, and the service will be entirely conducted by waitresses. A very startling communication has been made to us (" Medical Press and Circular") by a eentleman occupying a most important post in this country, ot the existence of a most deadly poison, by the inhalation of which, simply through the medium of a letter sent °y post in the ordinary way, the reader will suddenly drop down dead with all the symptoms of asphyxia. The po-

sition and acquirements of our informant should place his evidence beyond suspicion; nevertheless, before giving entire {credence to such a startling report, we are anx-ous to obtain confirmatory evidence from any of our readers in whose minds suspicions of foul play have arisen when investigating cases of sudden death, and what such symptoms were. Certainly the following clipping from a Canadian paper relative to the recent sudden death of a person of note, looks very ugly : —" He received an anonymous letter, and while reading it he fell down insensible, and shortly after expired. It is said the letter contained some poisonous substance."