OPINIONS.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 208, 13 October 1888, Page 2

OPINIONS.

“Opinions maybe worn on both sides like a leather jerkin.” [CoNTBIBUTSD.J "give it an understanding,but notonguk. ’ So counselled Hamlet with his friends, but the above quotation may with propriety be reversed, “ It bath a tongue, but no understanding ” —Edison’s phonograph. Since by means of the instrument, the power of fixing and reproducing buman speech, an era will thus be formed in the history of oivilisation : probably on many matters it will supersede handwriting. There are very many subjects on which we dislike to write fully, but we would like to speak our thoughts, arid here is the means of so doing. Authors and public speakers will doubtless make use of this invention. In acquiring correct pronunciation of foreign languages it will prove a valuable aid. In Courts of Justice it may be used to prevent misrepresentation of what passed in an otherwise private interview: indeed, the application of this instrument is possibly boundless.

THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE. From every corner of the Empire they have come, and at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, they attend in London at a third great conference. Their work shows a preference for moral as opposed to doctrinal questions, and to the spectator from outside it would seem as though the clergy were fairly agreed upon a working basis of while their attention is yearly becoming more and more taken up with the practical methods of how to combat practical evil. The before the Conference is tabulated thus :— temperance, puriiy, care of socialism, and the polygamy of heathen oozverts: this programme is full enough to satisfy the most exacting, and good results must follow. CHARITY. A William Dauntsey died 300 years ago in Wiltshire, England, leaving property for endowing a free school and alms houses in the parish of West Lavington. This institution now costs £60,000 per year, and provides free education for all the children of the parish; a free farm, free dinners, all books and other appliances free; exhibitions to tempt these children to remain at school, free lectures, etc., where they may learn farming; and a free club for the parents of these children, and a provision of 7s a week for some 700 of th m when they grow old. The result of all this is thriftlessnesa, idleness, slothfulness, and help lessness. Experience goes here to prove th) t this charity is not a blessing, but a curse. The folk of West Lavington are, however, pro'itio. so that the population of Wiltshire is not likely to suffer a reduction of numbers,

CAN IT BB IMPOSSIBLE. ’ That the Education Committee of the United States Senate has proposed an amendment to the Constitution forbidding the manufacture, importation, and eats of alcoholio liquors throughout the Republic, Is it a joke 7 THS SALVATION ABMY. On the occasion of the celebration of the 23rd anniversary of the Salvation Army at at the Alexandra Palace, there ware 40,000 Salvationists present and 40,000 spectators. The ‘‘march past” in the evening was the imposing item of the day’s proceedings. The General and family took up a position in the grounds near the palace, as the army four abreast, marched past, bands playing, banners flying. The procession was a striking one; over three-quarters of an hour was occupied by thia march past of the troops. Among those supporting General Booth was a Ituesian Princess, now a member of the Army. Major E. Fry presided at the great organ, and a number of well-known Salvation Army hymns pealed in spirit-stirring tones through the building. Tbe day’s proceedings were most orderly throughout.