NEWS IN BRIEF.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 106, 8 January 1881, Page 3

NEWS IN BRIEF.

Scimitar-shaped coins were at one time m vogue m Persia. The people of London spend about ten thousand pounds daily m cab-hire. On New Year's Day the beggars m Paris have the privilege of pursuing their calling unmolested. The Tay i» estimated to discharge a larger volume of water m a given time than any other river ih Great Britain. About oue-half of Boston, U.S.A., of to-day is built upon made Jand reclaimed from the waters of the ocean. Flax is m Ireland a somewhat precarious crop ; but, like hops m England one good return compen&ates for two, or even three, bad years. Smokers may be interested to learn that the German Federal Council have resolved to permit the use of cherry leaves m the fabrication of tobacco. When once the palate has grown accustomed to the peculiar flavor of Indian tea, it is said to be greatly preferred by all good judges of the Chinese herb, by reason of its superior delicacy and strength. The Tartar bride has all her wardrobe hung about the room m which she first receives her husband and her friends ; m Java, on the principle that borrowed plumes bring happiness, all her ornaments are lent by friends. 'xhe Bank of Stockholm, which commenced m 1668, was the first bank m Europe to issue bank-notes, which until that tim» was totally unknown m the West, although they had long been m use m China. Many ladies may not know that white is not essentially the bridal hue. The Bokhara bride wears a rose-colored veil, the Greek and Persian are arrayed m red, and the Turkish maiden hides her blushes beneath k thick covering of i rich brocadb shot with silver. In thirty yearg the Bussian frontier has been extended more than eight hundred miles m the direction of India. During that period England did not advance a yard from the India side until was occupied m 1877,