OILING THE ROADS. 



Some time ago we gave an item con- 

 cerning the possibilities of crude oil as a 

 means for preventing dusty streets. At 

 that time the subject was in the experi- 

 mental stages, but in a recent number of 

 the California Citrograph we learn that it 

 has been so favorably received in the 

 vicinity of Redlands, Cal. that the con- 

 tractor has more than he can do. The 

 trustees of ReoMands have, therefore, 

 determined that the city shall purchase a 

 machine, erect the necessary tanks and do 

 its own road oiling. Oil will be pumped 

 direct from the car to the higher tank and 

 thence run by gravity into the heating 

 tank. Work of oiling will begin on July 

 5th and go ahead at the rate of a mile to a 

 mile and a half a day, a width of 18 to 24 

 feet. It is suggested that parties refrain 

 from driving over the oiled portion of 

 streets for a few days after the oil is 

 applied, thus giving it an opportunity to 

 get thoroughly incorporated with the road 

 surface so it will not stick to tires or be 

 thrown on clothing. 



After all. to be a queen in this age of 

 liberty and enlightenment is not a 

 position that has much authority, espec- 

 ially is this true of England's Queen. 

 The day of the "divine right of kings," 

 together with the star chamber and other 

 abuses, is past, and it is really surprising 

 to learn, from a London newspaper, the 

 number of things Queen Victoria can not 

 do. For instance, while she can recall 

 any subject from abroad, she cannot com- 

 pel a subject to leave his country, even in 

 time of war. She cannot communicate 

 with her subjects nor can she receive 

 presents from her people except through 

 officers of state or through friends per- 

 sonally known to her. She cannot spend 



any of the public money without the con- 

 sent of parliment, nor has she any power 

 over taxation, or the increase of fees for 

 any office. The law assumes that "the 

 queen can do no wrong," therefore she 

 cannot be arrested, and neither can she 

 arrest a person suspected of crime, for 

 should the person prove to be innocent, 

 he would have no redress, as the queen 

 could not be arrested for false imprison- 

 ment. The Queen is exceedingly wealth}', 

 for though good and great she has one 

 fault that seems very incompatible with 

 our idea of queenliness that of parsi- 

 mony. This, so report says, is the secret 

 of her vast wealth. 



During her long reign she has, by her 

 thrift and prudence, amassed a great for- 

 tune. Some of her friends, who know 

 her weakness in this direction, give her 

 money, instead of presents. But while 

 ready to receive valuable presents, she is 

 said to be very chary of giving them. 



From all of which we learn, that while 

 the Queen may be very rich and hold an 

 exalted position, there are many, many 

 things that even she cannot do. 



WITH THE EXCHANGES. 



THE AMERICAN REVIEW OF REVIEWS. 



The August issue ha< not yet reached 

 us as we go to press, so we shall have to 

 content ourselves with a mention of the 

 leading articles in the July number. John 

 Barrett, late minister from this country to 

 Siam, writes on "S'me Phases of the Phil- 

 lipine Situation," in which he gives his 

 impressions of the islands, based upon an 

 acquaintance with them at the beginning 

 over five years ago. before any trouble had 

 occurred between this country and Spain. 

 His opinions are therefore not only free 

 from prejudice but are based upon an ac- 

 quaintance with the people in their nor- 

 mal stite. and the account he gives of them 

 is full of inter* st. 



RDSU B>ahear, the fa:n>us artist, and 



