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EARTHQUAKES OF OLD
strange Ideas of the Ancients as
to Their Causes.
EARNING SIGNS OF SHOCKS.
Pliny Says They Were Shown In the
Air, Cloude end Water and by Ani¬
mals— The Two Mountains That
Craahed Together and Then Receded.
If we oe&rch history to And to what
causes the ancients attributed earth¬
quakes we find that the Babylonians
believed that all occurrences of the
kind were due to the Influence of the
stars, especially of the three to which
they ascribed thunder—namely, jgpt
urn, Jupiter and Mars. The seers of
the day believed that these disturb¬
ances were caused by the stars mov¬
ing with the sun or being In conjunc¬
tion with It, more particularly when
the stars were In the quartlle aspect.
Pltoy chronicles the report concern¬
ing one Anaximander, a Milesian, who
warned the Lacedaemonians to be¬
ware of their city and houses. And
legend has It that the city was soon
afterward destroyed.
Pliny, who wrote his natural history
In A. D. 7T, conceived that earth¬
quakes were eaused by the winds, as
“the earth never trembles except
when the sea Is quite calm and when
the heavens are so tranquil that the
birds cannot maintain their flight, all
the air which should support them be¬
ing withdrawn. Nor does It ever hap¬
pen until after great winds, the gust
being pent up, as It were, In the As¬
sures and concealed hollows.”
Many scientists have observed that
all great convulsions of nature are
likely to be preceded by calms; also
that birds and animals generally ex¬
hibit certain presentiments of the
event, facts which the wise men of
ancient days noted and accounted for
In their different ways.
Pliny says: “When an earthquake
occurs there Is often sound without
any motion. When there Is motion It
is tremulous and vibratory. The clefts
of the earth sometimes remain, dis¬
playing what has been swallowed up,
sometimes concealing It, the mouth
being closed and the soil brought over
it, the city being, as It were, engulfed,
devoured. Maritime districts are more
especially subject to shocks. Nor ar»
mountainous districts exempt. I have
found the Alps and the Apennines fre¬
quently shaken by them. The shocks
happen more frequently In the autumn
and the spring. They also happen
more frequently In the night than in
the day. The greatest shocks are in
the morning and the evening, but they
often take place at daybreak. They
also take place during eclipses of the
moon, because at that time storms are
lulled. They are most frequent when
great heat succeeds to showers or
showers succeed to great beat”
Pliny further says: “There Is no
doubt that earthquakes are felt by
persons on shipboard. There are many
signs for the mariner beforehand, how¬
ever. The timbers of the vessel creak.
The birds that settle on the vessel are
not without their alarms. There Is
also a sign In the heavens, for when a
shock Is near at hand, either in the
daytime or a little after sunset, a
cloud Is stretched out In the clear sky
like a long, thin line. The water In
walls Is more turbid than usual, and It
salts a disagreeable odor.”
In describing the various kinds of
shocks and expanding on his Investi¬
gations on the subject Pliny remarks
that "arched buildings are the safest;
•Iso the angles of walls and walls
made of bricks suffer least. The earth
movement that resembles the rolling
of waves Is the most dangerous, or
when the motion Is Impelled In one
direction. The tremors cease when
the vapors have burst forth, but If
there be no escape of vapor of any
kind then the tremors may continue
for forty days. They have been known
to continue for two years.”
Vhe historian records the greatest
“prodigy of the earth" as having oc¬
curred in the district of Mutlna during
the consulship of Lucius Martlus and
Sextus Julius, when “two mountains
rushed together, falling upon each
other with a very loud crash and then
receding, while In the daytime smoke
and vapor issued from them.” Pliny
•ays the wonder was witnessed by "a
great crowd of Roman knights and
travelers along the Aemlllan way."
The same writer says: "The greatest
earthquake which occurred In om
memory was In the reign of Tiberius,
by which twelve cities of Asia were
laid prostrate In one night. During
the Punic war we had accounts of
fifty-seven earthquakes In one year.
Nor Is It an evil merely consisting In
the danger which Is produced by the
motion; It Is an equal or greater evil
When it is considered as a prodigy.
The city of Rome never experienced a
shock that was not the forerunner of
lone great calamity.”
Pliny, of course, takes s good many
of bis accounts from Aristotle, but his
references to events are confirmed by
other writers. Herodotus describes a
great disturbance In his day, when
“the sea came beyond Memphis, as far
M the mountains of Ethiopia, and also
from the plains of Arabia. The sea
aiao surrounded Ilium and the whole
of Teuthranla and covered the plain
through which the Meander flows.”
Pliny makes actual mention of one of
the Aeolian Islands having "emerged
from the sea.” It was a matter of
•oomoB belief among the scientists of
Pliny's day that Sicily was torn from
Italy by such a disturbance. — New
lock World.
who bows brambles must not go
b MBj frol.—Qyatn Proverb.
Starrsville News.
Frof. W. O. McConnell, our ef
ficent teacher, spent the week-end
with relatives in Monroe.
Miss Myrtle Morgan has return¬
ed home after a delightful visit to
her sister, Mrs. Earl Jackson, at
Madison.
Misses Lucile McDowell, of
Shady Dale, and Lizzie McDowell,
of Monticello, two pretty and ac¬
complished young ladies, were the
guests of Mrs. Oscian Benton sev¬
eral days last week.
Mrs. J. L. Epps and two chil¬
dren spent last Friday with her
mother, Mrs. S. H. Johnson, in
Covington.
Mr. Alvin Harwell and little son
have returned to her home in At¬
lanta after spending several days
with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.
A. Skinner.
Mrs. S. H. Starr, visited relatives
in Newborn a day or two last week.
Prof. H. J. Langston and Misses
Rosebud Preston and Myrtice Wayne,
of Monroe, were the admired guests of
Mr. C. U. Skinner’s family last Wed¬
nesday night.
Miss Rosa Crenshaw, spent last
week with relatives near Covington.
Mrs. R. L. Epps and little daughter
Lillian, of Mansfield, spent last Thurs¬
day with Mrs. C. C. Epps.
Mrs. Walter Hill, of near Covington,
spent several days last week with her
parents here.
Messrs. C. W. and F. H. Wright
and Misses Nell, Leila and Pauline
Wright, of Leguin, attended the en¬
tertainment at Miss Aline Conley’s
last Friday evening.
A most dolightful and unique enter¬
tainment was that given by Mrs. C.
U. Skinner, last Wednesday evening,
in honor of the visiting young ladies.
Splendid music was rendered by
Misses Preston, Wayne and Mc¬
Dowell.
Misses Josie Webb, and Mr. Clif¬
ford Turner, of Livingston, spent the
week end with the formers parents,
Dr. and Mrs. Webb.
Mrs. J. L. Skinner, spent several
days this week with her mother,Mrs.
L. T. Biggers in Covington.
Miss Ceasla Skinner, is home from
a visit to relatives in Atlanta.
Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Middlebrooka
had as their guests Sunday, Mr. and
Mrs. C. J. Cash and son Claibom and
Mrs. Mattie Middlebrooka, of Coving¬
ton.
Miss Aline Conley entertained a
number of couples delightfully Friday
evening.
Mr. R. S. Epps, made a flying trip
to Atlanta, last Wednesday evening.
Mr. and Mrs. C. U. Skinner and
children, spent last Sunday afternoon
with relatives in Mansfield.
Quite an enjoyable singing was
given at the home of Miss Carrie Mae
Lunsford last Sunday afternoon.
Mrs. J. C. Morgan, was visiting
relatives in Oxford the latter part of
last week.
Mr. C. C. Epps, spent several days
this week with friends in Shady
Dale.
The largest and prettiest stock
White Goods, Laces and Embroid¬
eries in Covington at C. C. Rob¬
inson’s.
A Plea to Protect Children.
Editors Covington News :
Pardon me for asking a corner
in The News for “A Plea to Pro¬
tect word Chijdren.” ‘ ‘Spare the We Rod read and in God’s Spoil
;
the Child.” The same word says;
“Children Obey Your Parents in
the Lord for this is right. And ye
fathers provoke not your children
to wrath, bring them up in the
nurture of the Lord.”
Parents can’t always realize the
proper way to train a child. We
forget we have all been children
and possess children’s ways. We
should use great care in what way
we correct a child. Get their ten¬
der minds to think what is the ob¬
ject of my parents correcting me.
By so doing you will win their ten¬
der love. Be careful not to use
rash means, by so doing you will
provoke the child. It will prove
ruinous to both girls and boys.
Be kind and tender with our chil¬
dren. In conclusion, parents, let
me advise you never to correct your
chidren when the wind is from the
east. Wait for the the change.
East wind brings no good. Young
and old get nervous and ill, our
organs all out of tune. Let us re¬
member that 90 per cent of all dark
crimes come with east wind. Sui¬
cide and murder of the darkest dye,
suits for divorce and every other
devilment that can be thought of
comes with east winds. Let us all
use discretion, love one another,
keep healthy, fear God and keep
His commandments.
“Uncle” John Roquemore,
Mansfield, Ga.
f HE COVINGTON NEWS
What The Tariff Bill Contains
Bill contains 100,000 words.
Estimated revenues under new duties
prescribed, $300,000,000 per annum, an
increase of $10,000,00® over Dingley
bill.
Inheritance tax, $10,000 to $100,0000
taxed one per cent. $100,000 to $500,
000, 2 per cent. More than $400,000, 3
per cent.
Authorities issuance $260,000,000
Treasury certificates to run one year.
Coffee on free list.
No increase in beer tax.
Eight per cent a pound on tea from
contry where produced, 9 per cent
from other countries.
Lumber, steel rails and other steel
products reduced 60 per cent.
Coal on reciprocal basis, with country
admitting our coal free.
Wool first and second class un¬
changed.
Reduction of 5 per cent on refined
sugar.
Iron ore and hides on free list; shoes
reduced 40 per cent.
Tax on cigaretts, perfumery, fancy
soap, toilet articles, cocoa spices,
feathers, furs and window glass in¬
creased.
Reciprocal trade relations with Phil¬
ippines and Cuba.
If normal conditions fail to return,
authority given to issue $40,000,000
Panama canal bonds.
New provision fixing bases of ap¬
praisement at not less than wholesale
price of article offered, is expected to
reduce printing paper 50 to 66 per
cent.
» Wood pulp admitted free from all
countries where uo export duties
levied.
Coal tar dyes, cement, asphaltum,
polished glass, watches, jewelry and
zinc ores increased.
Pig iron reduced from $4 to 60 cents
ton; steel rails from $7 to $3.50 ton;
white lead reduced; many iron and
steel articles reduced.
Section which will require foreigners
to build factories here to manufacture
their patents.
Provision to terminate commercial
agreements with foreign countries on
notice.
Bill goes into effect day after pas¬
sage.
TRIED TO BE NICE.
But Fannie Made an Awful Meea of It
With the Old Lady.
"When Fannie is bent upon pleasing,”
sighed Fannie’s younger sister, “she
can certainly make a horrible mess of
things. Last Sunday Charlie Evans,
having arrived at the point where he
felt he wanted his family’s opinion of
me, Invited us both up to take tea
with his mother. The minute 1 laid
eyes on his mother 1 knew Fannie
would get In trouble—she simply can’t
help getting nervously foolish when
there’s a religious person around.
“Charlie’s mother kissed us and. ad¬
dressing herself to Fannie as the elder,
said something about our being very
sweet to come and see a daughterless
old woman. Whereat Fannie looked
at Charlie and his two brothers and
replied feelingly that it must be a ter¬
rible disappointment to have only
them. Mrs. Evans, to rectify my sis¬
ter’s misapprehension, told us proudly
that she had three more sons, not pres¬
ent
"By this time Fannie realized that
she had made a bad beginning and
leaped further in with the supposition
that the other three were off having a
good time instead of moping at home.
The older lady drew herself up and
said severely:
“ ‘My three sons are in heaven. Miss
Barnea.’
“ ‘Oh. how awful!' came Fannie’s
ready gasp.
“’No, not awful at all!’ and Mrs.
Evans was positively glaring at us. *1
feel that they were specially blessed
In being allowed to pass thus early to
their Lord. They died m little chil¬
dren.’
“ ‘Dear me. how glad you must have
been!* blurted out flustered Fannie.
“By this time 1 had kicked a hole In
her ankle, and that quieted her for
•while. She might have kept still for
the rest of the evening had not her pet
subject, the higher education of wo¬
man, come up for the old lady’s disap¬
proval. Then Fannie made a hand¬
spring Into the conversation by re¬
marking that when we had more edu¬
cated mothers there would be less In¬
fant mortality.
“And, mind you, Fannie was really
trying to be nice for my sake.”—New
York Times.
Kissing ths Book.
“Kissing the book” Is a rather late
development of the mere touching of
the gospels with the fingers, which
dates from the sixth century. It is
likely that the kiss was originally In¬
tended not to Increase the solemnity of
the oath, but to signify reverence and
affection for the book. The kiss ap¬
pears to have come Into fashion to
ward the end of the sixteenth century
and would seem, from what George
Fox says of It to have been a Protes¬
tant innovation. According to him.
the unreformed method was simply to
hold the gospels with three fingers
above the book, typifying the Trinity,
and two fingers below, typifying the
twofold destruction of body and soul
that an oath taker Invoked upon him¬
self If he swore falsely.
Clara—That man who Just passed
was an old flame of mine. Kate—In¬
deed! What happened between you?
Clara—Oh, he flared up one day and
went out.—Boston Transcript.
Right clothes for all mei
--and for every occasio
Here are the right styles in clothes f or
occasions—business or dress wear.
%
Smart, snappy things for young men, mo j
conservative designs for men of quieter tad
and staid, sober clothes for elderly men.
Every garment bears the hall-marks of S |
perior excellence in fabric and workmans^
None but all-wool materials Tiave been usedi
their making, and the popular brands mani
finest factured tailoring. exclusively for me are assurance J
Prices are morderate—$ 1 0, $ 1 2.50, $| :
or $ 1 8 will buy a good, all wool suit.
Elegant line of Odd Pants at right pricesl
M. LEVIN,
COVINGTON, : : GEORG1.J
THE SCHULZ PI
fflgr,:,, __
..... L
No home is complete without either a PIANO or ORGAN in it to
while the time away the long winter nights and the evening twilight of
summertime. It is also essential that you buy a good one when you
buy. We believe you will agree with us in this. In our store you
will find the celebrated Schulz Piano which stands today without a
peer in the musical world—-the price is within reach of all, too. In the
Organs we have several of the standard lines and can please you in
price and quality. Give them a look.
R. E. EVEBITT.
I have also got the only licensed embalmer in the city and my line of undertaking goods
cannot be excelled.
THE WORD “ALPHABET.”
It Comes Through the Greeks and He¬
brews From Phoenicia.
When we speak of our A B C’s as
our “alphabet” we are using a word
hoary with age, that, as far bark as
we can trace It, came from the eastern
shore of the Mediterranean sea. thou¬
sands of years before the Hebrews
went up there and took possession of
the land of Canaan. Back of the peo¬
ple who occupied that land before the
events of Exodus were written we are
not able to trace the word, for we
have not sufficient knowledge of them
or of their etymological history before
we find them In Canaan.
It has been only within recent years
that we have been able to know that
the word “alphabet” came to us from
the Phoenicians. Before that we sup¬
posed that it came to us from the He¬
brews, through the Greek. As we say
“A B C” the Greeks say “alpha beta”
(the first two letters of their alphabet),
which when It reached us became “al¬
phabet.” This we supposed had come
to the Greeks from the Hebrews, who
called their first two letters “alph” and
“beth.” but since then we have found
that both the Greeks and the Hebrews
got the word “alphabet” from the same
source, which was the Phoenicians.
The people of Phoenicia had the
same letters, “alph” and “beth.” which
have suffered but little change In
sound down to our A and B. Alph
meant simply an ox, the sign of it
being a conventional ox’s head, with
the lower part of the face turned
slightly to its right, and beth meant a
house, which was pictured by the rude !
outline had of a primitive dwelling, which
a superfluous line added to dis¬
tinguish it from other character
distinguish like It, ns we from place a O. tail S (l 111 j*
It an j.
two letters of our A B C’s ^
lnally an ox and a house ■enty-si* | f[ .j
the of all of the twenty 1
name “alph ^ ^
ters which call our 3
we
New York Herald.
Very lm>ressive.
Nouveau Riche Is at times a!l ' ^
lug person. Said one of these ‘' X “|
the other day—he was a counu" 1 ^
just as the train was moving fi 1 ’ 111
station:
“Er—John.”
“Yesslr!” answered the valet- ^
“I—I think, after all, 1 would
asparagus served as an entr< ‘
night.” auiM , mot *
And the train moved off s
ered laughter.—New York Tin**