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THE EARTHQUAKE.

Half a dozen theories have been advanced to account for earthquakes. Every good encyclopædia contains them. Serious difficulties confront all, except one. That one is, that some earthquakes are certainly caused by the opening of crevices in the rocks into which the sea flows, until it reaches the internal fires at the bottom of the crevice, when the water is suddenly converted into steam which expands or explodes with tremendous force. Of course such a phenomenon becomes worse until it has run its length. The first explosions of the steam make the crevice larger and a larger inflow of water follows, a larger volume of steam and still more mighty expansions and explosions. The great eruption and earthquake at Krakatoa last year at about this time was caused by the opening of a crack in the mountain which let the sea in upon the fires of the volcano. Steam highly heated produces enormous amounts of electricity, and this also plays an important part in eruptions and earthquakes. But beyond this one cause, nothing is certainly known about the origin of earthquakes. What causes the crevices? The only answer is that the strata of the crust of the earth frequently move, sometimes seemingly from shrinkage, sometimes from pressure from above or below. But the real reasons for the movement are usually concealed and unknown. The strata do change their positions and the change is sometimes attended with an earthquake.

An internal movement and explosion, perhaps some miles below the surface, will be felt over a wide area. The sound and the motion of the rocks and strata radiates from a centre. So last Sunday the rumbling sound and movement did not travel from Maine to Maryland, but moved from some region down in the crust of the earth out to those States. The sound, though it seemed to be, was not really directly under us, it came from some centre down below that may have been 200 miles to the north or east or west or south of where we were. So a shock will be felt almost instantaneously at points remote from each other. Indeed,

the difference of time at which it is felt is due very much to the character of the rocks underlying a locality and to the dip or position of the strata. So last Sunday the shock was much more severe on one side of the Hudson river than on the other, and differed in places quite near each other, because the rocks under these locations dif fered.

But, after all, an earthquake is a very mysterious occurrence and is terrifying. It is said pretty positively that at this latitude severe and destructive earthquakes are not likely to occur. Perhaps not. We hope not, but it seems to us that not enough is known of these catastrophes to warrant such an assertion.-Christian Intelligencer.

POLITENESS.

The rules of etiquette are not always arbitrary decrees, but have their foundation, like true politeness, in Christian principle. Consideration for the feelings of others is the mainspring of the machinery of society. There is certainly nothing which adds more grace to character than these bien-seances of politeness. The deference to age, the courtesy to women, the respect to equals and inferiors, the little thoughtful acts that put one at his ease, the deferential listening while another speaks, the patience with the loud and wearisome talker, and a hundred other courtesies, done simply and without ostentation, naturally flow from the source of social happiness,—an unselfish spirit.

To give some examples: Do not press forward to select for yourself the best place at a public entertainment, nor proclaim with corrugated brow and loud whisper your disapprobation of a more successful pusher. At table, do not express your dislike of food nor imperil your reputation by pretending to be fond of every dish. Eat quietly a little and criticise not, as that pretty baby creature did whom Wilson had invited to dinner. She was helped to something that she evidently did not like, but she picked up her fork and separated a morsel and put it in her mouth. The hostess soon discovered that the little lady did not enjoy the

food, so she had the plate changed and something else substituted. Not a word was spoken referring to the effort. The training of the little woman by her lady mother had begun early.

Always answer a note or acknowledge a courteous act immediately on reception. It would be rudeness for you to be silent if one addressed you by speech; it is just as rude not to reply to a note or invitation, or on receiving a favor or a present. And never omit after a visit of any length to advise your entertainers of your safe arrival at your destination, and convey your thanks for their hospitality.

We recall an instance in which a person was misjudged for years, because she had neglected to acknowledge the receipt of a present. A beloved old lady, who was herself a model of good breeding, taking a fancy to a young girl who was almost a stranger to her, had sent as a small remembrance a wedding present of a prayer-book. The old lady never received one word of acknowledgment, and put down the neglect to her usual horror-" Young America!" I often heard her say, "That girl did not care a straw for the book I sent her!" Years after the dear old lady had left us forever I became intimate at the house of the young girl, now a mother of a family, and on her book-rack, hunting for a volume, I came across this prayerbook, worn with constant use. Do you know that book?" asked she. "I think more of it than any other. Dear Mrs. gave it to me, and I was so touched by her rememembrance of me. So lovely in her. I have used it ever since for my own private prayers!" A few words of acknowledgment, with her warm thanks, would have pleased the giver and saved the recipient from many years of false judgment.

Sometimes we are impolite from thoughtlessness, oftener from bashfulness; but if our courtesy is based on the broad Christian Golden Rule, we shall never forget and we shall conquer our timidity by the stronger principle of duty.-Christian Intelligencer.

Grace makes a man honest to himself, his neighbor and his God.

A FORTUNE MADE BY A WOODEN HAT.

Many persons upon whom fortune does not smile, or who wish to be rich very quickly, think that nowadays it is not possible for a simple man to get to the top of the tree, because all occupations are so overstocked, and there are already too many people in the world.

That this opinion is a false one, and that the right man can always do something for himself, if he has the real stuff in him and perseveres, the following true story proves :

In the year 1826 a poor journeyman turner named Muhle, in worn-out shoes, through which his bare toes projected, with a knapsack on his weary back, arrived at a little village not far from Colmar, in Alsace. In this village was an engine-factory, in which our workman had come to look for employment. But the poor fellow's ragged, miserable appearance did not tell in his favor, and the master of the factory at once sent him about his business.

Our journeyman turned away, and sadly and despondently went out at the door; but he had scarcely placed his hat on his head, when from the office within he heard the voice of the master of the factory calling him back. He returned to the factory, and the proprietor asked him: "What in the name of wonder is that kind of hat which you wear?"

"It is my own, and turned out of wood."

"What! A wooden hat! I must examine it a little closer. Where did you buy it? "

"I did not buy it; I made it myself." "Indeed! How and where, then?" "On the turning-lathe."

"But your hat is oval, and on the turning-lathe things are made round. Some one else must have done that for you; you could not have made that hat?"

"Yes, it is as I say," replied the poor journeyman. "I turned the hat myself."

"And how have you made it? You must be a wonderfully clever fellow to make an oval hat on a turning-lathe.

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"I moved the central point, and then turned as it suited me. As I have to

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"I do," said the carpenter, gruffly, carefully measuring his work. When it was finished, there was no part of the fence as thorough in finish. "How much do you charge?" asked the judge.

walk long distances, and cannot afford to buy an umbrella, I made a hat which would serve me instead. The manufacturer was struck, for he saw that poor Muhle had by himselt discovered a difficult problem in the art of turning, which in the mechanics of "A dollar and a half," said the man, the present day has become of such im-shouldering his tools. portance. He recognized the immense The judge stared. "Why do you value of the discovery, and at once took spend all that labor on the job, if not the poor fellow into his employ. He for money ?" soon found out that Muhle was not only a very clever workman and turner, but a real genius, too, who only required further instruction and guidance. And so it turned out. Muhle entered the business; in due time he became a partner, and after the manufacturer's death he was sole proprietor. At his death he left a fortune of millions. His wooden hat had been the first cause, and his clever head the cause of his

success.

GOOD WORK OR NONE.

It is a rule that a workman must follow his employer's orders; but no one has a right to make him do work discreditable to himself. Judge Ma well known jurist, living near Cincinnati, loved to tell this anecdote of a young man, who understood the risk of doing a shabby job, even when directed

to. He had once occasion to send to the village after a carpenter, and a sturdy young fellow appeared with his tools.

"I want this fence mended to keep out the cattle. There are some unplaned boards; use them. It is out of sight from the house, so you need not take time to make it a neat job. I will only pay you a dollar and a half."

The judge then went to dinner, and, coming out, found the man carefully planing each board. Supposing that he was trying to make a costly job of it, he ordered him to nail them on at once just as they were, and continued his walk. When he returned, the boards were all planed and numbered, ready for nailing.

"I told you, this fence was to be covered with vines," he said, angrily. "I do not care how it looks.".

"For the job, sir."

"Nobody would have seen the poor work on it."

"But I should have known it was there. No; I'll take only a dollar and a half." And he took it, and went away.

Ten years afterward the judge had the contract to give for the building of several magnificent public buildings. There were many applicants among master-builders; but the face of one caught his eye. "It was my man of the fence," he said; "I knew we should have only good, genuine work from made a rich man of him." him. I gave him the contract, and it

in their earliest years that the highest It is a pity that boys were not taught success belongs only to the man, be he whose work is most sincerely and thoa carpenter, farmer, author or artist, roughly done.-Living Age.

TELEPHONE JACK.

Jack is a coach-dog who found his master by telephone. Some way Jack got lost and fortunately was found by one of his master's friends, who went to his office and asked by telephone if the man had lost his dog. "Yes, where is he?" was the reply. "He is here. Suppose you call him through the telephone.' The dog's ear placed over the ear-piece and his master said, "Jack, Jack; how are you, Jack?" Jack instantly recognized his voice and began to yelp. He licked the telephone fondly, seeming to think that his master was inside the machine.

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At the other end of the line the gentleman recognized the familiar bark, and shortly afterward reached his friend's office to claim his property.

OUR CABINET.

SUNDAY EXCURSIONS.

Grant as Cæsar was made to appear ridiculous, not to say contemptible.

It is pleasant occasionally to attend It so happened that during a summer a well-conducted excursion. Apart vacation the writer was one day delayed from the economy, which it renders for an hour, at a little country station possible, there is pleasure in traveling in New Jersey. General and Mrs. in the society of people whom we know Grant, who were traveling the same and respect. Of late years it has, how-way, had also failed to make the conTheir features were not as ever, hecome common in some localities nection.

to hold excursions on the Lord's Day, familiar to the public then as they are and these have proved a miserable at present, and they were not generally nuisance. Along the whole line of tra- recognized. To pass the time Mrs. vel the sanctity of the day is profane, Grant brought out of a satchel an illusand in most instances the whole excur trated paper. Upon opening the paper sion becomes a piece of unmitigated it was found to contain a peculiarly rowdyism. atrocious caricature : "Bacchus as Cæsar." Surely, we thought, the President will be greatly displeased, and we shall have an opportunity of seeing the man in a ferment. Instead of this, both the General and Mrs. Grant appeared to be highly amused, and laughed heartily as they examined the details of the picture.

It might be supposed that, on account of the smaller number of trains or other means of conveyance, travel on Sundays would be especially safe, but the facts have proved the reverse. The most appalling calamities have, in many instances, befallen Sunday excursionists. One of the most dreadful of these was the recent Lake Minnetonka disaster, by which two of the most prominent families of Minneapolis were hurled into eternity. Every reader, we feel sure, can remember a number of similar Occurrences. Beware, then, of taking part in these scenes of profanation. The commandment of the Lord still holds good "Ye shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuaries—I am the Lord!"

DON'T WORRY!

When the late General Grant was President of the United States, there were some people who affected to believe that he designed to make himself a permanent ruler. The illustrated satirical papers, which are always ready to make fun of prominent men, represented him in the most ridiculous positions. A favorite caricature represented the President in the rôle of Julius Cæsar receiving the homage of the Senate. Of course

Was it not the best way of regarding it? It is said that a great man, some years ago, died of humiliation and grief when he saw how mercilessly he was Would it caricatured in the papers. not have been far better to smile than to weep?

There is a plague which kills more people than cholera does, and its name is "Worry." Every hour which you spend in fearful anticipation or vain repining, takes away more of your lifeforce than a whole day of honest labor. "A merry heart doeth good like medi

cine."

THE USE OF CULTURE.

"It's a good thing," said the 'squire, talking over the proposal with his wife, "to get used to the ways of the world airly. It comes awkward to a man, after he gets grown up an' has reached the top of the ladder the Lord has set before him to climb, to be brought in company with those that

were born somewhere about the top rungs. It must take a deal of trouble to get used to servants and forms and ceremonies then. But they're the very things a man's got to know-and not only know, but be used to, if he's going to get on in the world."

"Marty is a well-behaved boy," said the mother, half resenting the idea that any training could be better than that of Paradise Bay.

"Of course, he is, mother, and he's got good stuff in him, too. But he's like my Sunday boots. There ain't no better made boots in Albany than them; good stock and good work, every stitch on't. And they're all right for church here an' Skendoah meetin'house, too. But you just ought to have seen them boots when I went into the governor's house to present that petition we sent up 'bout the bank. I thought they were just the meanest, awkwardest, cheapest-looking things a man ever wore. I'd had 'em blackened at the hotel; but they wa'n't used to it, you see, an' it didn't take well. They squeaked an' hollered; stuck out at the side an' up at the toes, an' were run over at the heel, till I thought every one in the room mus' be lookin' at them; an' when I sat down, I hustled 'em under my chair jest as far as I could get 'em. But there was the governor, jest as homely a man as ever looked over a stump fence, with feet as much as three sizes bigger 'n mine; great, long, flat mudsplashers, the biggest I ever saw, except Henry Clay's-I never shall forget his. As I say, the governor sat there among all them great ladies and gentlemen with jest the commonest kind of boots, not more 'n half blacked, and a patch on the toe of one on 'em; but I tell you, Martha, they looked as if they'd just grown there. They were used to it, you see-used to it. That makes the difference, Martha, whether its with men or boots."-Our Conti

nent.

A PIGEON'S LOVE.

A writer in the Scottish Naturalist tells a story of a pigeon, which illustrates the truth of the saying that God

tempers the wind to the shorn lamb, and the higher power of instinct prompted by parental love. Two pigeons had built their nest in the top story of the dove-cote, and had hatched their young, which came out of the egg about the middle of March, 1876. On the 16th day of March a very severe storm of snow and snowdrift set in at dusk. It must be noticed that the door of the dove-cote looked to the northwest, from whence the storm was coming; so that the snow blew right into the portal where the young pigeons were lying, only a few days old.

The storm was very severe, so much so that it was thought to be the hardest that had happened for many years, and the young brood would have no doubt perished but for the happy expedient that the father of the young pigeons adopted. He stood in the doorway, with his tail spread out to the storm and the wings in a fluttering position, evidently with the intention of stopping the draught, so as to shelter his naked offspring, and there he stood for hours with the snow thick upon his back and tail, breaking the intensity of the cold. But for this the young must have died.

THE GOOD OBSERVER.-It is related

of Agassiz, that once upon a time he had occasion to select an assistant from one of his classes. There were a number of candidates for the post of honor; and finding himself in a quandary as to which one he should choose, the happy thought occurred to him of subjecting three of the more promising students, in turn, to the simple test of describing the view from his laboratory window, which overlooked the side-yard of the college. One said that he saw merely a board fence and a brick pavement; another added a stream of soapy water; a third detected the color of the paint on the fence, noted a green mould or fungus on the bricks, and evidences of "bluing" in the water, besides other details. Of course, the one that kept his eyes open and saw the most was given the coveted position. It is a very valuable habit to become a careful and attentive observer of things around us.

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