11 
(?) the Paris modistes have adopted this plan, as a ready means of 
obtaining the much coveted birds for various decorative purposes ! 
Another scheme to which electricity lent its name for the purpose 
of fraud on a gigantic scale, was that of the New York Electric 
Sugar Refining Company,” of which the manager refused to give 
any further information than that the raw sugar was poured in at 
the top of the machine and somehow electrified, when presto! it 
ran out at the bottom in cubes fully formed! Dupes of this scheme 
were so readily found, that the 100 dollar shares ran up quickly to 
300 dollars. When, however, about 250,000 dollars had been 
realized, the presence of the said manager was suddenly and 
urgently required ‘‘ Out West,” whence, I need hardly say, he has 
hot returned! When the deserted machine in New York was 
examined, it was found that the sugar pu! in at the top was prin- 
cipally in the form of refined cubes, similar in every respect to 
those which emerged from the bottom of the machine! 
In connection with the telephone, the wires of which are being 
rapidly extended throughout the country, the latest news is of a 
peculiar complaint it appears to have developed, called characteris- 
tically ‘‘ Telephonic Jinitus.”” ‘This malady attacks those who 
are much engaged in the use of the instrument, and consists prin- 
cipally in irritation of the drum of the ear, accompanied by various 
other unpleasant effects, such as intolerance of sound, giddiness, 
and neuralgic pains. As, however, only those of a very highly 
strung temperament appear to succumb to this complaint (which 
happily disappears after a short period of rest and relaxation) it 
does not seem likely to assume alarming proportions. There are 
indeed few callings or trades which do not engender some specific 
form of disease, such for example as the housemaid’s knee, the 
pulmonary affection of the coal-miner, clergyman’s sore throat, the 
Jawn tennis arm, not to mention the corns and bunions entailed by 
tthe persistent use of the fashionable pointed shoe ! 
Another dangerous contrivance which ,science has put at the 
disposal of the fair sex is the use of glass flux, now so much in 
vogue for giving a glittering appearance to flowers, ornaments. and 
ball dresses. ‘There are few substances. more injurious to health 
when scattered through the air of a ball-room; every grain is a 
sharp particle of glass which is liable to inflame the eyes, and, if 
inhaled, sets up serious irritation of the bronchial passages. Ground 
glass is one of the most deadly slow poisons, and was at one time 
much used asa murderousagent. We may therefore hope that this 
domestic poison whose dangers so far outweigh its beauties, may 
be abandoned by the fair sex, who are, as we know, always ready 
to discard any foolish fashion at the behest of reason ! 
A simple, but at the same time scientific method of improving 
