MISCELLANY.

MISCELLANY.

他们如何在德国做到这一点。

A correspondent thus describes the efforts of the Bayreuth Fire Brigade to put out a fire: “I was awakened from a sound sleep by the loud beating of a drum under my windows. I could hear drums beating in various parts of the city, the church bells were ringing, there was the heavy tramp of soldiers through the street, people rushing about and shouting fire—in fact every indication of a fire, except the noise of fire engines. A house a little way down the street was burning. A crowd bad gathered. I found the infantry guarding a patch of beans, the cavalry stationed about the potato patch with flashing sabres, and the artillery drawn up around a pear tree. The flames were crackling merrily among the beams. At last, around the corner appeared six big Germans carrying a small ladder, and after them six small Germans carrying a big ladder. These twelve Germans wore green suits and brass helmets. When they had managed to place the big ladder against the front of the house they ran away again. After a while wc heard a rattling, as though a dog with a tin can tied to his tail were running through the next street. The twelve Germans again turned the corner, drawing after them what looked like a tin box on wheels. It was the fire engine—an open tin box with a hand-pump. A hose was attached. A Fireman mounted the ladder. Another Fireman carried the hose up to him. Meanwhile, woman with large wooden paniers strapped to their backs, brought water from the neighboring fountain and emptied it into the engine. Finally everything was ready and the pumping began. Several large streams of water came from the joints of the hose and wet the bystanders. A small stream came from the nozzle. The fire was such a trifle that they really managed to get it pretty well under control. Then they consulted as to whether they should adjourn then and there and get some beer, or go on until the fire was completely out. 'Vhey decided to adjourn. In about an hour they came back and finished their work. I hoard one Bayreuther say to another that, after all, the Bayreuth Fire Brigade was tlu; best in the world. The n ?xt day the City Council voted a resolution of thanks and a compensation of 12& cents to the women who carried the water from the fountain to the engine. During the " Parsifal " performances, the Firemen are distributed through the theatre. This seems to me unnecessary—the building could burn down without their assistance.”