Tur Norrn SHore has known many seasons that 
have been wet, but this season has surpassed all others in 
the number of rainy days and the amount of rainfall. 
The reports of the Weather Bureau confirm the recollec- 
tions of North Shore residents. For thirty-six days there 
was a fall of rain sometime during the twenty-four hours 
of the day. While there has been some gain to the reser- 
voirs of water, the destruction has been great. The hotel 
business that flourishes during the summer months has been 
operating in many places at a dead loss. he summer sports 
and attractions have been hindered and all sorts of al fresco 
events have been cancelled. The season from an outdoor 
point of view has been a failure. The gardeners have 
suffered the most. Through the Connecticut Valley and 
along the northern portions of the State the tobacco plants 
have been injured, great fields of corn laid flat and home 
gardens ruined. In Marblehead, fields of squash and 
potatoes are blighted beyond hope of recovery. In the 
local gardens the beans are ruined by mildew and squash 
and potatoes injured and corn laid flat and all sorts of 
held truck put back. In the flower gardens beautiful deli- 
cate flowering plants have been beaten to the ground and 
such plants that have bloomed have had their flowers 
destroyed by the rain. The foliage of the trees and shrub- 
bery has been the only redeeming good in the gardens. 
The amount of damage done is incalculable and it will be 
reflected in increased prices of foodstuffs and garden 
products. 
Tue Most Notas.é Even’ of the last week was Presi- 
dent Wilson’s call for a Pan-American Conference to con- 
sider the condition of affairs in Mexico and to come to a 
mutual agreement as to the best course for America and 
the other American governments to pursue to insure peace 
ov the continent and to establish justice and equality for 
allin Mexico. The council indicates the unselfish interests 
and purposes of the United States government. The 
peaceful forbearance of President Wilson has been the 
most valuable contribution to the cause of peace in the last 
century. It will at once disarm all suspicion of this coun- 
try in the Southern American States and will do much to 
inake the Monroe doctrine a vital force. If President 
Wilson does not watch out he will be granted the Nobel 
Peace prize. He already dserves it. 
ANOTHER COWARDLY automobile tragedy has come to 
the attention of the North Shore. On Saturday night a 
man was struck in the darkness of the night, and the oper- 
ators of the car fled without giving aid. The man died in 
the Beverly Hospital. Accidents may happen, especially 
in the night; the victim may even have been careless and 
criminally negligent of his own safety, but flight by the 
operators of a motor vehicle under the circumstances is 
moral cowardice. 
Tue Netw’ York YaAcut Crus has been paying a 
friendly visit to our shores during the week. The early 
part of their stay was not pleasant. The club should try 
it again; perhaps next time the North Shore will be able 
to provide better weather and a more friendly welcome. 
INTERESTING SIDE LIGHTS on world affairs and politics 
may often be had in the correspondence of foreign papers. 
The following letter was published in a Shanghai news- 
paper anent the present World War. The caption “Bel- 
gium says: ‘I am a Country, I am not a road,’ ” is brilliant. 
“Now there is a great battle in Europe. This began 
because the prince of Austria went to Serbia with his 
wife. One man of Serbia killed him. Austria was angry 
and so write Serbia. Germany write a letter to Austria, 
‘T will help you.’ Russia write a letter to Serbia, ‘I will 
help you.’ France did not want to fight, but they got 
ready their soldiers. Germany write a letter to France, 
‘You don’t get ready or I will fight you in nine hours.’ 
Germany to fight them, pass Belgium. Belgium say, ‘I am 
a country; I am not a road.’ And Belgium write a letter 
to England about Germany, to help him. So England help 
Belgium.” ‘The short choppy sentences, couched in quaint 
English, are interesting, but the Shanghai correspondent 
had the facts well in mind nevertheless. 
An Isie oF SHOALS preacher accuses Billy Sunday of 
having but fifty sermons and then preaching them from 
place to place. He forgot to state that Sunday has the 
marvellous faculty of getting an atidience to hear his fifty 
sermons. Sunday is a remarkable man and there is no 
gainsaying the facts, whatever view one may have of his 
methods and mannerisms. He has been a vital force ii 
Philadelphia and Paterson. Why not let him do his work 
in his own way? 
A Roman Catnoric Priest, the heir to millions inher- 
ited at the death of an uncle in South America and another 
in Australia, has refused to enter into the responsibilities 
of the inheritance. Contented to continue his good work, 
he leaves the burdens of the world for others. Why 
should he at sixty burden himself? The rejection of such 
a fortune seems surprising in these days of materialistic 
ambitions, but did not the priest show rare judgment and 
great power of will? 
A Boston STEAMSHIP CoMPANY has rendered a ser- 
vice to the cause of public safety that should be com- 
mended. It has been able to devise a safe mechanism for 
holding life rafts in place in such a manner that in an 
emergency twenty of them may be kicked free in a minute. 
Safety first is being emphasized in every public transporta- 
tion enterprise. ‘She public demands it and good business 
policy demonstrates its value. 
Wuat Tuts Wort of ours needs is the spirit of 
friendliness and brotherly kindness. The world War is 
demonstrating beyond the peradventure of a doubt the 
futility and folly of martial contests. 
Tue LIGHTNING caused some damage to property 
hereabouts on Monday, but this can easily be repaired. 
It is fortunate that there were no personal injuries 
inflicted. 
All aboard for Plattsburg. Drill, ye patriots, drill! 
