H. R. Robinson, of Nova Scotia, made a second attempt, which proved successful, in November, 1887. The raft was 560 feet long, 50 feet wide, 35 feet deep, and cigar-shaped, as shown in the engraving. A heavy chaincable ran longitudinally from end to end at the center of the mass, and to this flexible backbone were attached other chains at intervals of ten feet, binding the whole together in a solid, yet more or less elastic mass. Other chains were tightened around the outside, and the swelling of the logs when immersed was counted upon still further to stiffen the whole. No fewer than 25,000 logs were thus lashed together upon launching-ways constructed with the greatest possible strength. In weight the raft largely exceeded any vessel that has ever been launched, and in size nearly equaled the Great Eastern. Its successful management on the ways is certainly a very creditable feat of engineering. The subsequent fate of the raft was not encouraging for a repetition of the experiment. The voyage was undertaken in December, and in tow of an ocean-steamer the raft was towed through several gales and reached a point near Nantucket shoals, when a gale of such violence was encountered that the cables parted and the steamer abandoned her charge. The United States Government at once dispatched vessels to remove such a danger to navigation, and in a few days it was ascertained that the raft had broken up, covering the sea for miles with its fragments.

Under this heading should be mentioned the launching of the Trafalgar (12,000 tons displacement), the largest iron-clad afloat, and the successful raising of the steamers Welles City and Locksley Hall, the first of which was sunk in the Hudson river opposite New York city, and the other in the river Mersey at Liverpool. In both cases wire cables were passed under the sunken vessels, and the rise and fall of the tide utilized in raising them to the surface, so that they could be towed into shoal water for repairs.

Railways. A few years ago conservative travelers denounced the railway to the summit of Mount Washington as a desecration of nature, and were fond of saying that such outrages would not be permitted in Europe. Since then similar railways have been constructed on Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus in Switzerland, the last named having been completed within the year. It overcomes steeper grades than any other road of its kind, and such is the rugged character of the mountain that excessive precautions had to be taken to guard against the creeping downward of the rails. The steepest grade of this road is 480 in 1,000. Among the difficulties to be overcome was the provision against expansion and contraction from changes of temperature, which are often abrupt, and in the course of twenty-four hours may cover many degrees.

In Russia some of the great government lines are laying double tracks, and the rails are

steadily pushing on toward the Asiatic frontier and across Siberia. German contractors have secured a large proportion of the Japanese railways now in course of construction. In South America the daring schemes of engineers continue to receive encouragement, and the already elaborate system of railways through different regions is being farther extended. It is singular to find at this day that a tramway 200 miles long, with animals for motive power, is under construction in Buenos Ayres. The explanation is, of course, the expensiveness of machinery and the local cheapness of draught-animals.

Transportation by Rail.-The French Government, having recently met with some disasters in sending torpedo-boats from Toulon to Cherbourg by sea, decided to make the attempt to send them by rail. Trucks were constructed for the service. Each had three axles seven feet apart, the end axles having Recour bearings, which enable it to turn readily on a curve of 375 feet radius. The main platform consists of a frame secured to the truck by a main bolt and supported by spherical bearings which rest in guides. On each of the trucks is a large cradle or skid, shaped to correspond with the contour of the boat, and pivoted upon its bed. The two trucks are coupled closely together, forming as it were a single car, with the cradle-pivots about 27 feet apart. Το lower the cradles as much as possible the supports are sunk between the wheels, the height of the vessel being, of course, limited by that of the bridges under which it is obliged to pass. The boat selected for the trial was 111 feet long, 11 feet wide, and 9 feet deep, and weighed, when stripped for the journey, 38 tons. Of course all the removable parts were detached before shipment. The line of the keel corresponded always with a line passing through the cradle-pivots, and considerable deflection had to be provided for, since the bow and stern projected, respectively, 44 feet and 33 feet in front and rear of the cradles. There was some danger that this overhang would cause too great a strain, as the iron plates were only three millimetres thick, but the journey of 847 miles was performed with no apparent injury.

The boat occupied the space of about five ordinary cars. The train was moved at a rate of about sixteen miles an hour, except for an experimental test, when the speed was increased to twenty-four miles an hour. It was demonstrated to the satisfaction of the engineers that a boat even larger than the one used could be transported from Toulon to Cherbourg in four days and three nights, and could be ready for service in twenty-four hours after its arrival. This exploit is, beyond doubt, the most considerable feat of ship-transportation by rail ever undertaken, and it goes far to demonstrate the practicability of such transportation, under more favorable conditions, of ships of far greater size.

In this connection may be noticed the shipment from the Krupp gun-foundry at Essen in Westphalia, to Antwerp, of an enormous gun destined for the Italian navy. In this case the inflexibility of the article to be transported simplified the problem, as weight alone had to be considered. This one item, however, was formidable enough. The gun is 45 feet long, 16 inches caliber, and weighs 118 tons. The special truck constructed for the trip weighed 98 tons. It was 75 feet long, and rested on 32 wheels. The trucks were adjusted so that at six different points deflections could take place for passing curves, without disturbing the adjustment-level of the main platform. The transit was effected without accident and the gun transferred to shipboard at Antwerp. It has since reached its destination at Spezzia. It is worth mentioning that this gun has been two years in making, and two others still larger are at present in the works at Essen.

Wells, Artesian.-The great artesian belt, as it is called, in Kern and Tulare counties, California, contains hundreds of flowing wells, and the importance of economizing the water for purposes of irrigation has led to the adoption of various devices, of which storage reservoirs are the simplest and, when all the circumstances favor, are perhaps cheapest and best. Some of the wells deliver 2,500,000 gallons of water every day, and, taking the whole artesian belt, it is probable that 100,000,000 gallons of water run daily to waste. If it found its way promptly into natural water-courses this would not be particularly objectionable, but the conformation of the country is such that it often stays where it is not wanted and rarely goes of its own accord where it is wanted. There is a State law requiring such wells to be capped when not in actual use, but it has heretofore been a dead letter. The nuisance of waste water threatens now to become so serious that the best systems of capping are of prime importance. The illustration shows the cap that controls a large well recently sunk for the Miramonte Colony in Kern County. A is an 8-inch elbow of cast-iron; B is a water-cap or gate of the same diameter; C is the gateflange; D is a 10-inch casing; E is the small connection and pipe; F is the anchor of concrete; G, the cast-iron flange; H, the 8-inch casing, and I, the sand and cement between the casings. In beginning the work, the 10-inch water-tight casing of galvanized iron was put down forty feet. To the outside of the casing, nine feet below the surface of the ground, was riveted a cast-iron collar and flange, on top of which cement was poured, forming a roughlycircular block, four feet in diameter and a foot thick. When this "set," the earth was filled in above it, and it formed a very secure bar against upward movement. At the upper end of the 10-inch casing is a flange and collar with a water-valve gate, and above it a castiron elbow to divert the water. Everything being in place, the well proper was started in

casings filled with sand and cement. The small opening in the side of the casings is intended to connect with a 3-inch pipe to lead the water to houses, barns, etc. When the cap is closed there is, of course, a heavy pressure in the well and all its connections, but it has thus far shown no signs of weakness. The multiplication of artesian wells renders their successful management a matter of considerable moment. Another remarkable well of this character is that recently bored for the new Ponce de Leon Hotel at St. Augustine, Fla. It is 12 inches in diameter, 1,400 feet deep, and flows with a constant volume estimated at 10,000,000 gallons of excellent water daily. It issues from the pipe with sufficient force to rise about 20 feet perpendicularly. The mouth of the well is ten feet above tide-water. The geological formations pierced were sand, small shells, and blue-clay rock, while at a depth of 450 feet a good supply of water was struck. At a depth of 520 feet a large accession of water occurred, and again after, at a depth of 1,100 feet, passing through coral and limestone. The drilling was continued through sandstone and limestone to 1,400 feet, but no advantage was gained thereby. The temperature steadily rose as the depth increased, and reached 86° at the bottom of the boring. Only two months were occupied in the work, the strata being generally easy to penetrate. American engineers have been very successful in sinking artesian wells, but much time and money are annually wasted in illadvised attempts to sink wells where there is no reason for suspecting the existence of a water

EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. The American branch of the Evangelical Alliance in March issued an appeal to the public in behalf of a closer and more intelligent co-operation on the part of Christians for defense against the many and great perils with which American institutions and Christian civilization seem to be threatened. Such co-operation, it was believed, would strengthen every denomination and greatly increase the effectiveness of each. Many prominent men of different denominations had expressed the belief that the Evangelical Alliance of the United States was a medium through which the desired co-operation could be naturally sought and easily effected. The alliance therefore would labor to promote this object, by the organization of branch alliances, which, being formed so far as practicable in every community, would afford opportunities for meeting and discussing the situation, and devising plans for the cooperation of the churches; by holding annually great conventions, the discussions of which would be put in print for general distribution; and by making the National Alliance a bureau of information touching religious and reformatory work, in pursuance of which aim carefully prepared tracts, bearing upon different departments of the subject, would be issued at short intervals. In accordance with the motives of this appeal, a National Christian Conference was called by the Alliance, and was held in the city of Washington, December 7, 8 and 9, for the discussion of the following questions: "What are the present perils and opportunities of the Christian Church and of the country?" "Can any of them be met best by a hearty co-operation of all Evangelical Christians, which, without detriment to any denominational interests, will serve the welfare of the whole Church?" "What are the best means to secure such co-operation and to awaken the whole Church to its responsibility?" Mr. William E. Dodge, President of the Evangelical Alliance, made an opening address, in which he dwelt upon the necessity of bringing the truths of Christianity to bear upon the social and economical questions of the day, and insisted upon their power, with the forces which they had in reserve, to meet the perils of the time, and find a solution for its perplexing problems. The several meetings on successive days were presided over in turn by the Hon. John Jay, Mr. Justice Strong, of the United States Supreme Court; Senator Colquitt, of Georgia; Mr. Justice Harlan; President Angell, of the University of Michigan; and Senator Hawley, of Connecticut. Subjects pertaining to the objects of the Conference were discussed in stated papers and addresses, as follows: "The City as a Peril," Rev. Daniel Dorchester, D. D., Rev. S. J. McPherson, D. D., and Rev. Mr. Loomis, of Brooklyn, N. Y.; "Immigration," Professor Hjalmar H. Boyesen, Rev. S. L. Baldwin, and Rev. J. M. Foster; "The Misuse of

Wealth," President Gates, of Rutgers College, and Rev. Robert C. Matlack; "Estrangement from the Church," Bishop J. M. Hurst and Rev. Arthur T. Pierson; Ultramontanism," Bishop A. C. Coxe; "Jesuitism," Rev. J. M. King, D. D.; "The Saloon," Rev. R. S. McArthur, D. D., Rev. A. G. Haygood, D. D.; "Perils to the Family," Rev. S. W. Dike; "The Social Vice," Col. J. L. Greene, Rev. J. C. Thomas, D. D., Prof. S. E. Baldwin; "Illiteracy," Gen. John Eaton and Mr. N. M. Butler; "The Relation of the Church to Capital and Labor," Rev. James McCosh, D. D., Hon. Seth Low, and others; "The Christian Resources of our Country," Rev. J. M. King, D. D.; "Influence of the Universities on the Religious Character of the Nation," President Gilman, of Johns Hopkins University; "The Christian Resources of the South," Rev. N. E. Hatcher, D. D.; "Co-operation of Churches in Christian Work," Bishop Samuel Harris, Rev. Washington Gladden, D. D., and Prof. George E. Post, of Beyrout, Syria; "Methods of Co-operation among Christian Denominations," Rev. Josiah Strong, D.D.; "Methods of Co-operation in Large Cities," Rev. A. F. Schauffler, D. D., with discussion of the general subject of "Christian Co-operation," by other speakers; and "Individual Duty, growing out of Perils and Opportunities," Rev. A. J. Gordon, D. D. EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION. The following is a summary of the statistical report of the Evangelical Association, which was made to the General Conference at its meeting in September: Number of itinerant preachers, 1,123; of local preachers, 634; of members, 138,668; of Sunday-schools, 2,348, with 27,210 officers and teachers, and 162,837 pupils; number of churches, 1,836, the value of which was estimated at $4,236,948; number of parsonages, 572, having a probable value of $635,589. The returns show an increase in four years of 18,437 members, or 15 per cent., while the increase during the preceding four years (1879 to 1883) amounted to 93 per cent. The value of church property had increased during the past four years 18 per cent., and the Sundayschools showed an increase of 20 per cent.

The Charitable Society had a capital fund of $24,822, had received an income during the past four years of $5,948, and had expended, during the same time, $5,852. Its capital had increased $1,048 since 1883. The Ebenezer Orphan Home returned a realized endowment fund of $153,375. Its receipts and expenditures for the year were balanced at $11.920. The Publication House returned the value of its assets at $498.483, and reported a gross profit in four years of $131,749; the net increase in the value of its assets during the same time was $51,681.

The total receipts of the Missionary Society for the year had been $139,448. Of the expenditures, $12,144 had been on account of the "European," and $9.883 of the "heathen," treasury. The total receipts for the past four

years had been $496,613, and the total expenditures $520,351. The indebtedness of the society had increased in four years $19,710, and was now $40,319. The society possessed funds and real estate to the value of $112,846. It sustained 542 missions, which were served by 552 missionaries, and returned 45,531 members, with 9,904 officers and teachers, and 63,733 pupils in Sunday-schools. The conferences in Germany and Switzerland reported a joint net increase of 400 members. The mission in Japan returned 8 itinerant preachers, 2 local preachers, 4 churches with 150 members, 7 Sunday-schools with 33 officers and teachers, and an average attendance of 280 pupils, and 18 baptisms during the year. The Woman's Missionary Society was sustained by 77 auxiliaries, with 2,012 members, and had received during the year $1,825.

The General Conference met in Buffalo, N.Y., September 1. The bishops in their quadrennial address reviewed the condition and growth of the church during the past four years, showing increase in every department, particularly in the building of churches, which, with a few local exceptions, had involved no additional debts, and progress in the cause of higher education. The business transacted related chiefly to the special interests of the funds and benevolent enterprises of the church, and to cases of discipline. A motion to permit an extension of the time during which a preacher may remain on a single charge was disapproved. Resolutions passed by the preceding General Conference respecting changes in certain of the articles of faith were rescinded. Regulations were adopted for procuring more exact statistical returns of the denomination. They include provisions for the appointment of a statistical secretary by each annual conference, and a general statistical secretary by the General Conference, and directions to the ministers, regularly and properly to fill out the statistical blanks, and deliver them to the statistical secretary of their conference. The blanks include tables of membership, property, collections, Sunday-schools, and periodicals, and of financial returns. The sense of the Conference was expressed as in favor of more stringent sanctions of marriage, and ministers were advised "not to marry persons who, in consequence of the existing laxity of the divorce laws of the different States, have been divorced." The formation of a stock company in the Germany Conference for improving the security of the church property was approved. EVENTS OF 1887. A glance at the following list of the events of the year presents in strong contrast the divided interests of Europe and the comparative harmony of the Western Con

tinent. Riot and bloodshed have marked the history of the "Jubilee" year for Great Britain, and she, perhaps, has less to fear from violence than any of the Continental nations. Repeated attempts to assassinate the Emperor of Russia, almost ceaseless mutterings of war,

and political complications that threaten revolution, have been the lot of nearly all the great powers. In this country our only serious foreign complication has been with Canada, whose interests are after all practically identical with ours. Our elections have been free from undue excitement, and anarchy has received a severe though somewhat tardy lesson. The year's disasters will be found under the appropriate head, and details, as of elections and other important local occurrences, will in general be found in the special articles on the different States and countries.

January 1. The Emperor of Germany celebrated the eightieth anniversary of his entrance into the German army.

3. Stephen H. Mayham appointed Judge of the Supreme Court. 4. The Fitchburg Railroad bought the Hoosac Tunnel for $10,000,000.

6. Pension bill appropriating $76,247,500 passed by the House of Representatives; P. C. Lounsbury (Republican) elected Governor of Connecticut by the Legislature, there having been no choice by popular

vote.

10. A new British Ministry appointed. (For details, see article on Great Britain.)

11. Congress passed a bill creating a Department of Agriculture and Labor.

12. William M. Stewart elected United States Sena

tor from Nevada.

14. German Reichstag dissolved on the passage of an amendment to Prince Bismarck's army bill, limiting its duration to three years.

17. Dependent pension bill passed by house (179 by the Senate. to 76); pension bill, appropriating $75,000,000, passed

20. Electoral count bill passed by Senate, having already passed the House.

21. Passage by Congress of the interstate commerce bill.

24. Bill authorizing the President to protect the rights of American fishermen passed by Senate (46 to 1).

27. Dependent pension bill passed by Senate; House rejects resolution to have United States Senators elected by popular vote; the harbor appropriation bill passed the Senate. British Parliament opened by the Queen.

28. Bill appropriating $400,000 for State militia passed the Senate.

29. Post Office appropriation bill passed the House.

31. Agricultural appropriation bill passed the Senate.

February 4. Congress reassembled after the holiday recess, but adjourned at once out of respect to the memory of General John A. Logan; the President signed the interstate commerce bill.

6. Stanley, the African explorer, set out from Zanzibar in command of an expedition for the rescue of Emin Bey.

(821,000,000) passed the Senate; Chinese Indemnity 7. Appropriation for armament and coast defenses bill (8147,750) passed the House.

8. Italian Ministry resigned because of their doubtful position in the Parliament.

10. Chinese indemnity bill passed the Senate. Queen's speech rejected (352 to 246). Dependent pen11. Mr. Parnell's amendment to the reply to the sions bill vetoed by the President.

12. Post-Office appropriation bill passed the Senate; bill to redeem and recoin the trade-dollar passed

the Senate.

the Treasury. 14. Daniel Manning resigned the secretaryship of

15. In honor of Queen Victoria's Jubilec, 25,000