Ancient Babylonian Library Discovered
PROF. H. V. HILPRECHT, president of the University of Pennsylvania expedition to the ancient site of Nippur, has returned to Constantinople, and reports the discovery of the library of the Great Temple, with over 17,000 tablets dealing with historical and literary matters, all believed to be at least 2,280 years older than the Christian era. It is stated that the unexplored remains of this ancient library will require five years for excavation. The explorers believe that if the unexplored parts prove as rich in results as the portion already uncovered, there will be no example in the world's history, not even in Egypt, of so complete a recovery of the records of an ancient civilization. Nippur, from whose ruins these tablets are taken, was situated about midway between Babylon and Erech, those cities which comprised the beginning of Nimrod's kingdom. These studious archaeologists are coming to believe, from their studies of the buried history of Babylon, that the Babylonian "civilization" was superior to that of Greece and Rome. Thus is seen another reason for the scriptural designation of Babylon as the "head of gold," in comparison with the baser kingdoms that were to follow. THE report of the third vice-president of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union states that "at many afternoon teas intoxicating liquor has taken the place of tea to a noticeable extent." It does not seem to have occurred to the author of the statement, however, that this was a natural consequence. The continual tippling of tea is responsible for much of the appetite for strong drink in both men and women. Tea drunkards are becoming more and more common, but the vast majority fly to something stronger before the "tea-drunkard" stage is reached, and become alcoholic drunkards. The connection between tea-drinking and liquor-drinking is much closer than many are free to admit. THE position of the Boers in the Lyndenburg Mountains was attacked by General Buller on September 7. The Boers were driven from their position, and, being compelled to retreat over a narrow road, lost heavily. The British occupation of the Lyndenburg Mountains is believed to mark one of the closing acts of the war. The Boers are now planning to trek into German territory in East Africa, which will mean an overland journey of over a thousand miles through the wildest portion of Africa. It is stated that many of the Boers will take this trip, leaving all their possessions in the Transvaal, rather than live under the authority of their conquerors. THE Japanese consul at Amoy, China, reports that the riots against native Christians in the Amoy district are becoming serious, and that the city gates in six adjoining districts have been completely closed. The United States consul at Shanghai has been making a systematic effort to ascertain the number of American and English missionaries that have been murdered in China. He has found that 93 have been killed, while there are 170 others in the disturbed districts that are not yet accounted for, the majority of whom have doubtless lost their lives. THE yearly expenses of the sultan have been estimated at no less a figure than $30,000,000. Of this $7,500,000 is spent on the clothing of the women in the sultan's harem, and $400,000 on his own wardrobe. Nearly $7,500,000 is swallowed up in presents, $5,000,000 goes for pocket money, and still another $5,000,000 for the table. It seems impossible that so much money can possibly be spent in a year by one man. However, some 1,500 persons live within the palace walls, live luxuriously and dress expensively, at the cost of the civil list. THE most important scientific report brought before the British Association at its recent session at Bradford, England, was that dealing with Sir William Preece's discovery of wireless telephony. The wireless telephone system has been established across a lake, and between certain islands and the mainland. Parallel wires are stretched along the shore of the island and that of the mainland, the end of the wires terminating in metallic plates in the sea. These wires are then attached to ordinary telephones, and the service is complete. THO little has been said of the recent Zionist congress in London, this meeting of the Zionists was one of the most important yet held. Jews were present from all quarters of the globe, and much enthusiasm was manifested in their deliberations. It is confidently expected by the leaders of this movement that Jerusalem will yet be the home of the Jews, notwithstanding that the laws of Turkey in reference to Jews in Palestine seem designed for the special purpose of thwarting such a movement. THERE has been much uneasiness during the week over the threatened strike of the entire membership of the United Mine Workers of America, including 143,000 men, laborers in the coal mines of the Eastern States. The strike, had it been declared, would have been one of the most gigantic in the history of the country, and one in which, without doubt, many lives would have been lost. A SERIOUS riot occurred at Sarajevo, Austria, on September 7. The Austrian authorities had forbidden the Mussulmans to celebrate the jubilee of the sultan. The latter persisted, and were only quelled by the united efforts of the police, fire brigade, and three regiments of soldiers. Many of the Turks were shot by the soldiers before they could be dispersed. THE north polar expedition, under the Duke of Abruzzi, nephew of the late King Humbert, reported at Tromsoe, Norway, on September 6. The expedition reached a point in latitude 86.33 degrees north, thus penetrating farther north than Dr. Nansen's trip. The ship was frozen in the ice eleven months, and three members of the expedition perished. A GREAT earthquake is reported to have occurred at Lituya, Alaska. On account of the few inhabitants of the country, only five are known to have lost their lives. Five of the immense glaciers which open into Lituya were destroyed by the earthquake and were sent crashing into the bay, partly filling it with great mountains of ice. THE New Voice continues its publication of charges of official corruption in Manila. The reports brought by their special representative, who spent much time in the Philippines, brings to view a deplorable condition of things in the islands, where liquor and the social evil hold high carnival and receive equal protection. A TERRIBLE disaster was narrowly averted off the coast of Massachusetts on September 9, when a large excursion steamer carrying 600 people crashed upon a submerged rock, tearing a hole in her side. The steamer was run ashore at full speed, and by the prompt use of life-boats the entire company was saved. MISSIONARIES of the Presbyterian, Methodist, Congregational, and other denominations who have been working in China are appealing to their home boards to send aid to the suffering native Christians in Northern China. These boards are about to issue an appeal for money to be sent to that troubled field. THE big freight steamer May Flint, while sailing to an anchorage in San Francisco Bay, on the night of September 9, became unmanageable, and crashed into the prow of the battle-ship Iowa. A great hole was stove in the side of the steamer, and she went down with her cargo of 5,000 tons of coal. REPORTS from Colon, Colombia, state that the rebels have seized the city of Turbaco, near Cartagena, as well as the railway. The next day after the capture of Turbaco, government troops arrived, and a battle ensued, whose outcome has not been reported. THE receipts of the American Board of Commissioners for foreign missions in the past eleven months of the fiscal year have been $589,935, as compared with $525,030 for the corresponding period of last year, an increase of $64,905. THE Japanese Government is calling home its subjects in other countries who are able for military service, and seems to be preparing for a long campaign, either in China or against unfriendly powers who are now there. THE War Department and the Red Cross Society are both taking measures to relieve the distress among the Indians of Alaska, who are suffering from disease, lack of food, fuel, and clothing. THE officers of the National W. C. T. U. have expressed their disapproval of the prayer chain inaugurated in Indiana for the defeat of President McKinley, and will not take part in it. THE mayor of Trinidad, province of Santa Clara, Cuba, has telegraphed the military governor for assistance, as a cyclone has destroyed all the crops in the district.