1881-12-02 — Page 2

A. S. WATSON & Co. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DRUGGISTS,

GENERAL CHEMISTS,

AND

Manufacturers of the following AERATED WATERS, viz : SODA, TONIC, SARSAPARILLA,

AND POTASH, LEMONADE, GINGERADE, RASPBERRYADE, AND PHOSPHORIC CHAMPAGNE.

Deliveries in Town and Harbour from

7 A.M. to 7 P.M.

Sairs' MEDIGIENE CHESTS REFITTED, PASSENGER SHIPS SUPPLIED.

Prompt Attention given to Coast Orders,

HONGKONG DISPENSARY.

HONGKONG.. SHANGHAI PHARMACY,

SHANGHAL.

CANTON DISPENSARY,

THE DISPENSARY,.

THE

CANTON.

Foocnow.

Songkong Telegraph.

HONGKONG, 2ND DECEMBER, 1881. THE following interesting article on the proposed introduction of a line of steamers on the Grand Canal at Venice is taken from our London contemporary the Standard:-

According to our Italian Correspon- doat, à line of steamers will in a short time be plying

on the Grand Canal of Venice. This news must be a shock to the costhetic feelings of every pro. perly constituted mind, whilst its effect ou Mr. Ruskin is a subject too painful to contemplate. It is only lately that the world of Art rose in protest against the project of the Venetian municipa. lity to repair the Church of St. Mark, on the plea that this famous building was, in a manner, the proporty of all cultured men and women. What, therefore, must be their horror at hear ing that, heedless of the sorrows of Mr. Barne Jones, reckless of the grief of Mr. Norman Shaw, callous even to the anathemas of "Fors Clavigera," the Syndic has signed the Decree which will for ever put his name andor the ban of all who worship the Stones of Venice, and have fed their sentiment from the Bridge of Sighs. Venice still sits, as of old "throned on a thousand isles," but the Queen of the Adriatic echoing with the snort of steamboats will bo, as Hood so aptly described Rotterdam, "a sort of vulgar Venice." Il Canalazzo, the most Phi- listinish of Town Councils cannot efface. It will continue a liquid highway di viding the city in two; and though a soap factory on its banks would astonish

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH-FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2ND, 1881.

The story reads like Mr. Cimabue Brown's nightmare. Unhappily, how. ovor, it is too true, and we are afriad that no romonstrance, no matter how emphatically signed, will make the slightest impression on City fathers whose thoughts run, like those of Jes. sica's parant, on "bags of double ducats." The truth is, the Vonotians, after trying for four centuries to live on sontiment, have come to the conclusion that, though pleasant as a garnish to some. thing more substantial, the pleasures of momory are a most unsatisfactory meal. Reminiscenos of the Doges and of the days when the Republic robbed the cities of the Mediterranean to beautify their own, are, doubtless, most grati- fying, and Orsoola, Ziani, Dandolo, the Council of Ton, and the Bridal of the Adriatic are admirable features in the history of an ancient Stato. But when pockets are empty, trade dying, and wharves deserted, even the proudest of merchants are apt to use harsh lan- gungo regarding antecedents much too picturesque for a work-a.day world, in which mon have bakers' bills to pay and local rates to meet. Venice, ac- oordingly, is determined to wake up from her matbotic dream, and enden vour to regain something of her for

ner prosperity. She has resolved that the frowns of the dilettanti shall not prevent her Canal boing busy with traffic, and she talks of tapping the St. Gothard Railway, by forming a water way botwcon Magadino and her own port. All this is unquestion ably a wrench to old associations. But the picturesque must yield to the utili- tarian, if the problem of how to coin- bine the two cannot otherwise be solved. The coat of innil and the iron helaet were more pleasing to look at thau a short tunic and a Glengarry cap. Bat, after long clinging to these last reianants of a bygone age, the French Government have at last resolved to dispense with the breast-plates of the Cairassiers, and doubtless in time our Guardsmen will be stripped of the same glittering appendage to their equipments. The match-lock and the crossbow weco more picturesque objects than the cartridge, the riffs, and the revolver. But they are gone for over, and though kindly souls cling to them with piteous affection, tho halbert and the Brown Bess can no more be ro callo than could the mastodon or the catapult. Any attempt to citate the romantic past when it is out of keeping with the prosaic present has always resulted in a grotesque ab surdity. When Prince Louis Napoleon and a few score of nineteenth-century squires tilted at the Eglinton Tourna. meat, they must, like the haruspicos described by Cicero, have found it dif-

resus-

would have preferred to have accom plished the duty by arrangement with the London, Chatham, and Dover Company. The Moslem Hadji kas taken advantage of the. Lovantine and Red Sea stormors,, and as the Indian Fakir has long ago visited the Holy Places by aid of the "Guaranteed Railways," it is not impossible that wo may live to see the sixty milos botweon Djeddah and Mocan covered by the iron road for the convenience of pious men who love to do penance with boiled pons in their shoes. The Pacifio Railroad has stripped the Trappor of his old romance and the Indian Bravo of what little ho over possessed. A railway up Mount Vesuvius, another winding round Mount Washington, the Simploo piercol by a tunnel, the sacred Nile mad disturbed by paddle.whools, and thrice-sacred Benares with a noisy station, have prepared us for tramway. cars in the City of Haroun Al Rischid and a Parisian café in Samarcand, hard by the pleasure dims" decreed by Kablai Khau. Unless the nations unite in keeping intact certain show cities, there will soon be no rool of earth too reverential for the supper, farly a spot where the lover of the past may dream, or a man with a fixo 1- income ging up a large family in ras- peatability. For if a place is worth living in, some railway speculator or packet company discovers it, and henco forth its cheapuess is relegated to acciout history. It is true that Green land, Siberia, Franz Josef Land, and the shores of the Victoria Nyanza are still at the disposal of the anchorite

whoso mental horizon is bounded by a small annuity. But as the only two of the four likely to be selected by a sano individuat aro alroady threatened by the navy, oren they may soon be with lawn from the category of locali ties whore Philistines have not yet rabbed the gilt off the gingerbread. A railway to Rune was long, vetoed by

Pio Nono, and one to. Venice was per- mitted only becuse it helped to carry solliers as well as tourists. But with Give-conting stoninbata "calling at all the piers" on the Graul Canal, surely the romance of Venetia is fast taking wings an l.fasing away.'

We learn by telegraph that Baron Courcel has been appointed French Ambassador at the Court of Borlin.

H.M.S. Wivern will undock at the Cosmopolitan Dock to-morrow, making room for H.M.S. Oleopatra. The Ger- man barque Anna was docked at Aber. deen yesterday.

We are informed by the Superin- tendent of the P. & U. Co, that the steamer Peshawar, with the next Eng. lish Mail, loft Singapore for Hong kong at 7 a.m. yesterday morning.

The annual mosting of Zetland Lodge No. 525, for the election of Worshipful Master, Treasurer, and "Tyler for tho onsning year will be hold-in Free. mason's Hall, Zotland-stroet, this even- ing at nine o'clock precisely.

By the arrival of EM.S. Olsopatra with their Royal Ighnossos Princes we low that the detached squadron

Albert Victor and Gorge will probably arriva in Hongkong abant Mindy or Tusly wank. The Prinses visited How in H.M.S. Py.

The Messageries Maritimes steam. ship Tunats, which arrived from Yoko- hama this morning reports having possed on the 1st Debember in lat. 20.41 long., 115.44 a full-rigged Eng- lish ship showing LPJD.

A destructive fire in New York on the night of the 10th instant burnt the Fourth Avenue Railway stables, with the large furniture stores adjoining. The loss is estimated at two million dollars. Mr. William H. Vanderbilt is the landowner. The furniture stores

wore the depository of valuable goods belonging to the leading families. Among the burnt articles was a fipe painting, owned by Mr. Vanderbilt, and valued at $20,000. One hundred horses perished.-London and Chima Express,

A tologram we published a short time The two famous racers, Strathavon go anounced that great dissatisfaction and Strathpeffer, made their first ap- had been expressed in Dalmatia againstpearance for the season in the racing-

enclosure this morning. The first- Austrian tyranny. We now learn that an insurrection against that power has named looks but a shadow of his former self, and we have grave doubts as to broken out in the Catturo district,

his infirm leg standing much hard work. By a judicious course of repeated swimming exercise, the old hero may short gallops, alternated with plenty of

possibly be got fit enough to add one more this already long list of victo. cies. Strathpeffer has quite a juvenile appearance, and we shall doubtless goo this game little customer race away from his field up the Black Rock Hill

for the third time in succession win the honours of the first race on the card. Apropos of old "Peffer," we learn that a well known local sport, who has un- bounded confidence in the little grey's racing abilities, Las backed him against the field at erons for the Champions. There are more unlikely things under

There is a rumour going round tho

colony this morning that now Sagar Refining Company has already benomo un fail accompli. Wo understand that the Lazón Sugar Ringsy has beon formed into a Company, and that the whole of the shares. have already been taken up privately by frioul of the enterprise in this Colony. It would appear to us, in view of the threatened opposition to existing interests, that this undertaking is a great stroke of business, which cannot but lead to most satisfactory results.

The British steamer Cleveland, Cap- bin Harvey, arrived hers this moruin from Keelung, which port sho left on the 29th. ult., and reports having experienced frosh N.E. breeze and mo- derate sea throughout. On the voyage from Hoogkong to Keeling, the The British Parliament, according Cleveland, on the 20th alt, sighted a to a London telegram of the 33th ult.,waterlogged junk, with four hands on will meet for the despatch of business on the 7th February.

Irish troubles appear to be on the incrons, and it would be difficult to predict where they will eventually end. A cablegram received yesterday states that the situation is causing great anx-- iety to the Government. Refusals to pay rent are becoming goneral in the

Wost and South.

her. A boat was lowered, and after some difficulty the four persons were rescued from their perilous position' on the ill-fated craft. When brought.on board the steamer they were found to be in a most miserable plight, being quito exhausted through want of food and from the constant breaking of a heavy sea over them through the condition of their vessel. They were immediately supplied with warm cloth ing and food, and everything done to

in the Wong-Nei-Choug Stakes, and

the sun thau this, but we know one' or two friends of ours who would like to accomodate the confident one on the same terms to a considerable amount.

It has been generally admitted that the St. Andrew's Ball was the most. succossful celebration of the kind ever held in Hongkong. The throwing open the St. Andrew's Ball ag an ad- ditional dancing saloon was no doubt a wise decision, There were one or two little matters which rather mar.

red the pleasantness of the entertain- ment; but of course we cannot expect perfection in Hongkong. The stiffaesa and clique-ism so intimately associated with our public balls was happily much less conspicuous than has been the case on previous celebrations. One very Aagrant case of most unladylike con- duct came under oar personal observa-

tion, and as one of the Stewards hap-

pened to be one of the persons insulted he will doubtless bring the oase before. his brother Stewards at their first

ficult not to laugh in each others' faces. The onthusiasts who now and then endeavour to rovivo the anachronism of the Dinmow Flitch of Bacon, or the hold in the Freemason's Hall this val of the Cleveland at Keelung the meeting. It was the old story of

Lawless Court of Rochford, perform their task amid the jears of a ribald and not always sober circle; while the persistence with which the Burous of the Exchequer kept the national ac. counts on notched sticks rosulted, as all the world knows, in burning down the Houses of Parliament.

A mosting of the General Committee of the proposed Masonic Ball will be afternoon at half-past four o'clock, to discuss and consider among other mat- ters, a telegram received by the Depnty District Grand Master from Admiral Earl Clanwilliam. A full attendance is requested...

The inquest on the body of Essur Singh, tho Sikh constable who was shot in the recent burglary business at Tytam was resumed at the Magistracy yesterday morning before Mr. H. B. Wodehouse, Coroner, and a jury. After hearing ovidence, relating principally to the identification of the portions of the stolen property recovered by the 'police, the inquiry was adjourned until to-morrow, Saturday, at ten o'clock.

make them comfortable. On the arri

shipwrecked people wore banded over. the authorities at that port, and before leaving the vessel wore profuso in their thanks to Captain Harvey for their timely rescue and for the kind treat. inent they subsequently received on board.

course. A sot was being formed for the Caledonians, and two couples were

...

required to complete the figaro. The two couples were found and duly took their places, when without any ap parent cause one of the women-the term lady would be misapplied in this caso deliberately walked away taking Acting on our suggestion that it her partner, and vis-a-vis with her. would be advisable, in the face of Earl As one of the Stewards, a store-keeper, Clanwilliam's refusal to allow the young was dancing with the wife of another Princes to take part in any ceromorials Stoward (also connected with a store) for this disgraceful be- in Shanghai, to ascertain to what extent the cause they would be permitted to be fotod in haviour was doubtless explained. And Hongkong, V. W. Brother C. P. Chater, yet the person who was guilty of this Deputy District Grand Master of gross infringement of all the recognised Hongkong and South Chinn, telo rules of well bred society bears the graphed to the Admiral on Wednesday naine of a gentleman who came to. evening asking if the Princes would Hongkong as, and actually, is a We understand that, owing to Earl be permitted to accept an invitation to tradesman, and we believe is not Clanwilliam's refusal to permit the a Masonic Ball to be given in their ashamed of that fact. Coald grim Princes Albert Victor and George to honour on the 27th instant. A reply satiro go farther than this proof of the accopt any public invitations unless as was received at 10 o'clock yesterday old saying " put a beggar on horseback midshipmen nud in conjunction with the morning to the effect that similar invi-nd he will ride to the devil ?" If the other officers of the fleet, there is every tations had already been refused else. Stowards do not take cognizance of probability that the proposed Public where, and that no exception would be this deliberate insult to their guests, Subscription Ball will be abandoned,made in this case. Under these cir. they will lay themselves open to severo However galling the position takon upcumstances it is most unlikely that any censure. Why was Krug's cham- by the Admiral may be to our self. Masonic Ball will be given this season, pagne substituted for Heidssick? This conceit, there can be no doubt that he A meeting of the Gonoral Committee, change was almost universally taboood has acted like a thoroughly practical and delegates from the various Lodges, as a piece of mistaken economy. The and sonsible man. We have no doubt will be held this afternoon to finally Champagne Cap was simply undrink- that the young lads are thankful to his decide the question; but as the pro-able, and the gentleman who decocted. lordship for sparing them the inflic posed ball was to given specially to the last brow of punch with equal tions of public receptions, stupid show honour to the sous of the Grand quantities of whiskey and brandy has speeches, and other antiquated absur Master, H.R.H, the Prince of Wales, received a good many anathomas by dities. The mere fact that these two and as that privilege, through Earl tipplers of the warm baverage who boys had the look to be born Royal Clanwilliam's decision, has been denied felt rather "heady" all yesterday, Princes is surely no-renson-why they the Craft, doubtless respect for the Will the Stewards forgive us for hint- should be bored throughout their lives memory of the Inte District Grand ing that the supper was a long way by the fussy importunities of people Master, V. W. Brother T. G. Linstead, from being up to high class from? with whom they have nothing in com- will cause the abandonment of the pro The music was outside the pale of

criticism. jected St. John's Day celebration.

Do one, the Vii; with their fifteen score of bridges, must remain to afford solaco to the fow sad-eyed pilgrims who como to weep over the artistic paradise which atilitarian age has lost. The gondola and the picturesquely-clad gondolior But it is in the facilities which steam, may for a few years longer maintain a and the comforts which have followed languid existence, just as the Thames in its train, supply to the modern tra- watermen scramble for a living against voller that the difficulties of reconciling the competition of "Citizen A" and the picturesque and the convenient his grimy brethren. But their songs most fully display themselves. When, will cease when the struggle for baioc- more than five centuries and a halfago, chi becomes greater, and as the "hands" Sir John Mandeville "passade the sco" from the deck of a shrieking tug level in the "day of Seynt Michelle," his suronem at them. Even the feather voyage was unquestionably more ro- and the ragged volvoteen may disap-mantic than that of the inost poetical pear before the reality embodied in`a passenger who entrusts himself and Sou'wester or suit of moleskin. The portmanteau to the Baron Osy in order Piazza di San Marco, the Campanile, to proceed to Antwerp. "For als the Torre dell' Orologio, the Doge's moche as it longe trime passed that Palace, the Church of Santa Maria ther was no generalle passago. Yet della Saluta, the Academia, the Scuola wo fancy fow would care to change of San Rocco; the Rialto, where Shy-places with the doughty Knight of St. lock cozened Antonio, and Othello Albans. In those days a jouruoy to mado. love to Desdemona, are there for Jerusalem was a wonderful font, though the tourist whose finer feelings are not Sir John had "often tymes passed and lacerated by a smoke-borried façade. ryden the way with gode companye of But who can quote Byron with the many lordes." In our times a tonrist smell of train oil in his nostrils ? And

can accomplish the trip vory safety for though the moon will light up, as of the most moderate expenditure, though, yore, the wondrous view from the after lodging in a good hotel, being Ponte dei Sospiri, it is sad to think that swindled by an Arab with a sheckel it must be enjoyed in the incongruous made in Birmingham, and worried by society of a Glasgow engine driver, who a dragoman who trolls out music-hall gives her half a turn ahead," and ditties, there is a struggle before the wipes his sooty brow with a wisp of excursion can be vondered with the cotton waste, as the fannel bolches out thinnest coating of sentimout. Chan- smoke against the convent wall which core Canterbury Pilgrims travelled in guards the choicest treasures of Titian, a romantic fashion, though, possibly

rotto, and Paolo Veronese.

had they lived in our day they mon.