* * * * *

France is very proud and happy over the visit of her President, Monsieur Faure, to the Czar of Russia.

Last October the Czar visited Paris, and during his stay it was openly hinted that an alliance between Russia and France had been formed which was to be of great benefit to both countries.

The return visit of Monsieur Faure to Russia is supposed to be for the sake of finally cementing the new alliance.

The Russians are making his trip delightful to him in their own charmingly hospitable way, and from general appearances it would seem that M. Faure’s visit is purely one of pleasure.  Diplomatists, however, declare that the outcome of M. Faure’s visit will be a new arrangement of the European alliances, which will leave Great Britain out in the cold, and lessen her influence in European politics.

* * * * *

Prof.  David Starr Jordan has written a letter from the seal islands which fully confirms the worst fears about the decrease of the seal herd.

He says that if the sealing is carried on in its present fashion the seals will disappear in the Bering Sea in a very short while, and that even with the greatest care the herd will not be up to its full strength for a good many years.

Not only are there fewer mother seals than formerly, but the killing of the young pups has made such a difference in the herd that there are very few young braves growing up.  This year there seems to be only old men and mother seals, and hardly any young families at all.

* * * * *

This Bering Sea dispute has been very long in settlement and seems to be as far from a decision as ever.  There is much difference of opinion on the subject, and of course there is more than one way of looking at it; and yet it would seem as though some agreement ought to be reached that would prevent the destruction of the seals.

Doubtless, after much diplomatic delay, dispute, and talk, the matter will be settled, and we will hope that this may be accomplished before it is too late to save the seals from dying out.

G.H.  ROSENFELD.

* * * * *

THE GREAT ROUND WORLD AND THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED ON IT.

(Continued from page 1234.)

And so, next to the dwellings for life, they built dwellings for death—­built them larger and stronger, too, since so many graves are left in excellent preservation, while no houses at all have survived to satisfy our curiosity.  A universally favorite form of grave is the so-called “mound” (known in England as “barrow").  These mound-tombs, to judge from what is found in them, were constructed to hold the remains of the wealthy and powerful among the people, often of their kings.  They differ greatly in size and richness, but all are alike in this:  that the place for the body or bodies is dug more or less deep in the ground, then closed tight with stones or slabs and hard-stamped soil, above which is raised an earthen mound, on which the grass grows—­hence the name.