De Plurimis Rebus.

Catching cold is seasonable , and follows appropriately enough our brief discourse about the Aveather and certain of its effects . Dr . Symes Thompson has recently been lecturing on this subject , or , as he puts it , Avith a becoming professional regard for the fitness

of terms , "losing heat . " We Avear clothes , not to keep out the cold , but to keep in the heat . Yet not always successfully , for the cold siezes hold of us in spite of oui Avraps and comforters and clogs . The consequences are often distressing , and the aid of the medical man not seldom

imperatively necessary . Dr . Thompson ' s advice , therefore , comes opportunely enough . Don ' t be frightened of the night air , says this Avorthy medicine man , it is purer , at all events in London , than the air we breathe by day . So keep the bedroom Avindow a little open at night time .

Avoid draughts and especially very quick currents of air . By all means , if suffering from cold , maintain an equal temperature in the room you occupy , or induce perspiration either by having a Turkish Bath or taking a nightcap of hot spirits and Avater—rum in preference—mixed Avith

sugar and a little nutmeg . The last is perhaps the best suggestion of all . At all events , it would have suited Mr . Stiggins admirably . Had be been present and heard Dr . Thompson ' s lecture , doubtless he would have gone off then and there and caught cold , and have remained in a

chronic state of suffering from the " loss of heat" ever since . A " go " of this particular vanity—Ave should have said remedy—hot , strong and Avarm , Avas exactly to his taste . It seems fated that Paddington Station should be the scene of great jeAvel robberies . Our readers Avill remember

that , toAvards the end of last year , Lady Dudley s ] ewel case Avas stolen almost from under the eyes , certainly from under the very feet of the attendant in charge of it . A few days since H . R . H . the Duke of Edinburgh Avas Avaiting at the same station for the train , Avhich was to convev him on

a visit to Lord and Lady Dudley , when , behold , H . R . H . ' s jewel case disappeared in an equally mysterious manner . In this , as in the previous cases , the robber displayed great judgment and retired , leaving behind not the slightest trace of himself or his booty . Thus , the Duke set out on

his visit Avithout his jeAvels . Two questions naturally occur to us . How do these thieves get wind that royal and noble personages intend travelling by certain trains , and with their jewel cases ? Are the Padclingtou officials

sufficiently on the alert against the loose class of persons Avho notoriously infest all our most important railway stations ? If so , how can the same kind of robbery have occurred twice Avithin the space of a few Aveeks ?

From other parts of the country there is little to record . There have been conferences of different kinds in different

towns . The most noteworthy event , however , is the strike of colliers in South Wales . These differences are seriously to be deplored ; they are costly , create a bad feeling between employers and the employed , and in nearly every case are disastrous to the families of tho latter . Would it

not be well to adopt some such plan as , Ave believe , is pursued in France , and erect a court or courts of arbitration or conciliation for the amicable settlement of all differences betAveen masters and men ? Those Avho Avould

learn something of the working of these courts will find much valuable information thereon in Mr . Brassey ' s book on " Work and Wages . " All we cau do is to hope that tho present strife may end as soon as possible .

In the literary world we have to chronicle the appearance of the fifth or Inkerraann volume of Mr . Kinglake ' s " InA'asion of the Crimea . " As far as we have been able to judge , this is fully equal , in point of graphic description , to the volumes that have preceded it . It will certainl y add largely to the already high reputation of the author .

A deputation , representing the Ancient Order of Foresters , Avaited on the Chancellor of Exchequer , on Wednesday , for the purpose of submitting for his consideration certain suggestions in connection Avith the Friendly Societies ' Bill , Avhich will be presented to Parliament this Session . A

long discussion ensued , the Right Honourable Gentleman courteously promising that every possible consideration should be given to the several amendments suggested , and in some matters urging a conference of Foresters Avith Mr . Ludlow , the draftsman of the bill . The deputation were highly p leased with their reception .

Causes of fire , generally unaccountable , are often wrapt in mystery . All kinds of intelligent reasons are advanced on occasions ; of its outbreak , but the same result is usually

De Plurimis Rebus.

arrived at— " No fellah can make ifc out . " We must therefore regard Captain ShaAV as little less than a wizard , if measured by this standard , when we inspect his statistics relative to this subject . Out of 1 , 573 fires , which occurred in the year 1874 , he positively furnishes us , in great detail ,

Avith the causes of no less than 1 , 259 , not including 18 which he reports as " doubtful . " The different headings , under Avhich he arranges the several causes of fire are someAvhat curious in some cases . For instance , smokei' 3 will be alarmed to find that 36 fires occurred through

" smoking tobacco . " Anxious parents will be horrified to discover that under the two heads of " children playing with lucifers , " and " children playing with fire , " no less than 62 are accounted for . It Avill cause serious alarm to householders generally that " escape of gas" was the

origin of 44 , and "defective flues" of 62 . The heads under which the greatest number of fires are found are , " candles " 218 , and "sparks from fire " 147 , though the climax is reached at 296 , the number of those " not accounted for . " The rescue of life on these occasions is the

most gratifying part of the report , and reflects the highest credit on the courage and skill of the Fire Brigade . Thus , out of 157 people in peril from fire during the past year , the very large proportion of 134 were saved by the Brigade .

We find that one of these heroes has himself saved the lives of 17 , whilst a second has done that service to 1 ] , Statistics SIIOAV a favourable progress in all the branches of this most useful and praiseworthy institution . We wish it all the encouragement it so richly deserves .

Having received universal tokens of affection and loyalty throughout the entire length of his progress in his neAv king * dom , King Alphonso has now reached the army of the North . We hear of him at Saragossa on Wednesday last ; and the telegrams inform us that the respite lately allowed the

Carlists will cease on the King ' s arrival . We may look , therefore , for some important results , when Ave regard the enthusiasm which the restored monarch y has instilled into the army . Carlist affairs do not seem to be "looking up" just noAV either . The sinews of Avar would appear not to be

forthcoming ; there is some little difficulty in monetary affairs Bankers do not like the security , and object to advance further sums . This might facilitate matters for the new king very considerably . For how can soldiers , arms , or ammunition be obtained now-a-days Avithout the " needful ? " We

hope that a fresh difficulty may not so soon be imposed upon the youthful monarch , as the Gustav affair seems to promise . German honour—Bismarck ' s honour—must be satisfied ; no doubt will be ; but we hope that " busy " statesmen will advocate no indecent haste in the matter of

reparation , however Avell deser'ved it may be . There may be some slight tinge of disappointment , perhaps , in the fact that a king has been called to the throne without the permission of Germany ; but Ave trust the young monarch Avill be allowed just a little breathing time to satisfy all parties .

Prevention is better than cure "—cheaper , too , no doubt—in every way more desirable . Are we to regard this as the maxim Avhich Europe accepts when we look into the mighty warlike preparations she is now making ? We have arrived at a pitch Avhen armies are counted by

millions , Avhen countries present the aspect of one huge military establishment . By the passing of the Landsturm Bill , every German between the ages of 17 and 42 , Avho does not already belong to the Army of Reserve , is liable to be called out in the case of an actual , or even a

threatened invasion . This will place at the disposal of Germany a total available force of 2 , 800 , 000 men . May be tho irritable temperament of France , writhing under her late discomfiture and loss of territory , and " eager for the fray , " on the one hand , and the gigantic preparations of

Russia on the other , account in some Avay for the tone of German military politics . France and Russia are apparently on very friendly terms . They hem in Germany betAveen them , and their united forces are said to number over 5 , 000 , 000 men , viz ., Russia 3 r millions , and France about

1 , 750 , 000 . In addition to these great powers , we find Austria , Italy , Denmark , Holland and Switzerland arming to the teeth . What does it all mean ? And what is England doing ? It becomes more apparent than ever

that she will never be able to take any independent action in Continental affairs again , though she might serve as a yery useful contingent to a great power . The total