Science, Art, And The Drama.

Science , Art , and the Drama .

LEMONS AT MASSA-LUBRENSE .

Who has not read descriptions of Sorrento , the fairest gem in Southern Italv and its orange groves ? In April and May the air is heavy with the ent of orange blossom ; and the trees , which are still laden with the golden Tint of the last year ' s crop , are covered , at the same time , with the white flowers which promise a rich harvest . Underneath the trees are carpets of . .. foiipn blossom which , as it is trodden underfoot , sends forth a scent

oDDressive in its fragrance . The sun does not strike on the roots of the trees for they stand so close together as to form an impenetrable shade . Only the common spring violet can flourish in the gloom of an orange grove . As the carriage winds its way up the road , which leads from Sorrento to Massa-Lubrense , the orange gardens disappear and give way to groves of lemons . As one sees the pale yellow fruit through its shining dark leaves , : t _ nnpars as if the beauty of the lemon tree surpasses that of the orange .

The former is the more delicate of the two , and requires a dry and warm climate . The damp soft air of Sorrento is perfect for the cultivation of the orange , but Massa-Lubrense , which is dry and more sheltered , is given up to the produce of lemons , which yield an enormous percentage to the fortunate possessors of land that can be used for that purpose . Orange trees are , here and there , mingled with lemons , just as lemon trees will be

seen in the midst of the orange groves of Sorrento , though , in neither case , are they the chief produce of the place . Massa-Lubrense is largely indebted for its salubrious air to its lemon plantations . Three years must pass before a newly-planted lemon tree begins to bear fruit ; and , in order to bring it to perfection , it must be freely watered . A hollow is dug round the base of the tree to receive the water , as in a basin , so that it may slowly

penetrate to the roots . Poles are planted at intervals in the ground somewhat higher than the trees , and smaller poles or canes are placed crossways above them , which are covered with matting when the winter approaches . It is not removed till the spring is well advanced , for lemon trees mustbe most carefully sheltered from wind or frost . The fruit is gathered chiefly during the summer months , especially in May , July , and September ,

though there are lemons on the trees all the year round . Much depends on the situation in which they are placed as regards the time ot ripening . The fruit , on the upper branches , is the first to ripen because it is more exposed to the sun . Men are employed to gather it ; and young girls place the lemons carefully in the baskets waiting to receive them . Those that fall on the ground are not fit for importation , but are sold in the Naples market .

The stems which remain attached to the fruit are carefully cut off with scissors . Those which have been emptied from the baskets on the ground in heaps must be counted in the presence of the proprietor , or some trustworthy person whom he has . deputed to replace him . Women are employed for counting , and with the greatest dexterity they snatch up three lemons in their right hand and two in their left , and in a sing-song tone chant out

" Uno , e due , " and so on , till they are all counted . The overseer , who jots down the numbers , knows that every number called represents five lemons . Then the process of packing begins . Girls , from 10 to ? . o years of age , wrap each one carefully in tissue paper , while older women place them in the boxes ready to receive them . Great care must be taken by the girls deputed to hand the lemons to the packers to choose those of equal

si / e . The women , by long practice , can tell at a glance the size of the lemons required for the different cases . Each layer must fill the empty space without pressing the fruit too closely together . The cases are of different sizes , containing from ioo to 500 lemons . The wood used for these boxes is sent to Massa-Lubrense from America , and also from Trieste . The wood , which must be pliable , so as to yield to the pressure of the

lemons , is not to be obtained in Italy . A carpenter , who is employed by the day , assists at the process of packing , not only to make the cases as they are wanted , but also to nail the cover on each box as it is filled . A thin strip of the same wood is used as a band to bind round the finished cases . The greater number of lemons , as well as the finest and choicest , are exported to America ; and those of an inferior quality are sent to

England . Steamers come expressly from America to Sorrento to export them . During the summer months a steamer is always at anchor in the Bay of Sorrento waiting for its cargo . Large fishing boats convey the ready packed cases from Massa-Lubrense to Sorrento . The girls who are employed in wrapping up the fruit carry the boxes down to the shore on their heads at a steady run . The impetus is

olten so great , owing to the heavy weight they carry , that they are obli ged to shout to the passers by to move out of their way as they cannot easily swerve aside or draw up suddenly . Some of these girls go from the village , which is on a height , to the shore three or four times in the course of a morning , but those less strong cannot manage it more than twice . Some of the boxes weigh as much as 150 or 200 English lbs ., and

such great weights strain the backs of those who carry them considerably . Nevertheless , they seldom lay down their burden to rest , unless it be unusuall y heavy . Their wages are one franc a day , but the women who fill the boxes are paid two francs , as the work requires the greatest dexterity . I he largest proprietor of lemon groves in the place employs these women and girls all the year round , and , for that reason , gives them even lower

wages . Most of the proprietors are , unfortunately , hard grasping men , who lake advantage of the necessity of those they employ . Some of the richest of these were originally peasants , and they only care to hoard and accumulate money . A man with over , £ 3000 a year will spend less than ^ 300 , and so his fortune rapidly increases . Few of them sell their products themselves to the American markets , but the lemons are bought up in large

quantities by speculators , who have direct dealings with America . Each oay they receive telegrams , giving them information as to the state of prices , which vary considerabl y , and a proprietor very often feels that he has been taken in when finding he had sold his lemons at an apparently good ? L ? ' t ; ne , buyer had secret information , by which his profits had been trebled . The current price during the summer of 1894 was between 40 and So francs a thousand , though the price in America is much larger , This price is lower

than the average , but the great abundance of lemons last year has more than made up to the sellers for what they have lost on the r . " ff' iw sma " ' et"on tree is calculated to yield 20 lrancs a year , clear Pfoht . Many of the proprietors made 15 or 16 per cent , on their produce , ine population of Massa-Lubrense , from the richest landowner to the na ° ref p ! asant < mav De sa ' 'd to live by the -lemon plantations . Some with I 3 re unusuallv careful of their daughters , object to their working tn a large number of companions , who may draw them into evil ways ;

Science, Art, And The Drama.

but the employers , as a rule , are particular as regards the conduct of the women and girls who work for them . When evening approaches they say the rosary together and sing hymns while they continue their work ; and who can doubt their being unconsciously inlluenced by the beauty that surrounds them—the fair landscape , with its olive yards and lemon groves , interspersed by vineyards .

Painters And Other Artists In The Reign Of James I.

PAINTERS AND OTHER ARTISTS IN THE REIGN OF JAMES I .

{ Continued . ) My ' tens drew the same figure of the dwarf Hudson , in a very large picture of Charles I ., and his queen , which was in the possession of the late Earl of Dunmore ; but the single figure is much better painted . The history of this diminutive personage was so remarkable , that the following digression may be found interesting : He was born at Oakham , in Rutlandshire , in 1619 , and about the age of seven or eight , being then about 18 in .

high , was retained in the service of the Duke of Buckingham , who resided at Burleigh-on-the-Hill . Soon after the marriage of Charles I . the king and queen being entertained at Burlei gh , little Jeffery was served up to table in a cold pie , and presented by the duchess to the queen , who kept him as her dwarf . From seven years of age till 30 he never grew taller ; but after 30 he shot up to three feet nine inches , and there fixed . JeiTery

became a considerable part of the entertainment of the Court . Sir William Davenant wrote a poem called Jeffreidos , on a battle between him and a turkey cock . The scene is laid at Dunkirk , and the midwife rescues him from the fury of his antagonist . In 1638 was published a very small book called The New Year ' s Gift , presented at Court from the Lady Parvula to the Lord Minimus ( commonly called little Teffery ) , her Maiesty ' s servant .

kc , written by Microphilus , with a little print of Jeffery prefixed . A small print of Jeffery Hudson is prefixed to a very diminutive and exceedingly rare book , with the title above-named , to which is added : " With a letter penned in shorthand , wherein is proved that little things are better than great . Written by Microphilus , 121110 ., 1636 . " There are verses to his high and mighty friend , William Evans , surnamed the Great

Porter" Well , be not angrie , this small book is read In praise of one no bigger than thy head , " & c . The dedication presents to us a complete specimen of what was then called the euphuistic style of writing , so much admired . " To the most exquisite epitome of nature , and the completest compendium of a courtier , the Lady Parvula , wishes health and happiness , & c . " " Goe on , goe on , therefore diminutive

Sir ! with the guide of honour , and the service of fortune ; your Iovelinesse being such , as no man can disdaineto serve you—your littleness such , as no man can need to feare you , so the first having put you without hatred , the latter below envy , " & c . " Minde not—minde not , most perfect abridgement of nature , the great neglect which the ignorant vulgar cast upon littleness since it hath made you attendant upon Royaltie . " Before this period Jeffery was employed on a negotiation of great importance ; he was

sent to France to fetch a midwife for the Queen , and on his return with this gentlewoman , and her Majesty ' s dancing master , and many rich presents to the Q ueen from her mother , Mary de Medici , he was taken by the Dunkirkers . This was in 1630 . Besides the present he was bringing for the Queen , he lost to the value of ^ 2500 that he had received in France , on his own account , from the Queen-mother and ladies of that court Jeffery

thus made of consequence grew to think himself really so . He had borne with little temper the teasing of the courtiers and domestics , and had many squabbles with the King's gigantic porter . A bas relief of this dwarf and giant may be seen fixed in the front of a house near the end of Bagnio court , on the east side of Newgate-street . Probably it was a sign . Oliver Cromwell , too , had a porter ot enormous height , whose standard is recorded

by a large O on the back of the terrace at Windsor . At last being provoked by Mr . Crofts , a young gentleman of family , a challenge ensued , and Mr . Crofts coming armed only with a squirt , the little creature was so enraged that a real duel ensued , and the appointment being on horseback with pistols , to put them more on a level , Jeffery , with the first fire , shot his antagonist dead . This happened in France , whither he had attended his

mistress in the troubles . He was again taken prisoner by a Turkish rover and sold into Barbary . He probabl y did not long remain in slavery , for at the beginning of the Civil War he was made a captain in the Royal army , and , in 1644 , attended the Queen to France , where he remained till the Restoration . At last , upon suspicion of his being privy to the Popish plot , he was taken up in 1682 , and confined at Westminster , where he died , aged 63- ( To be continued . )

The Bahrein Pearl Fisheries.

THE BAHREIN PEARL FISHERIES .

In the centre of the broad V-shaped bay that separates El Katr from Turkish El Katif lies the Island of Bahrein , famous throughout the world for its pearl fisheries , which rank with those of Ceylon . The island is 30 miles long , and from six to nine miles broad . The pearl fishing at Bahrein lasts from June to October , the banks extending four or five leagues . At the fishing season some 4500 boats , of every size and rig , are busily employed . The scene is one of the greatest picturesqueness and animation . When the pearls have been picked out of the shells they are handed to the master of the boat , who proceeds to sort them by the manipulation of a triple set of brass sieves , pierced with holes of different diameter . The pearls that are unable to pass through the largest sieve are called " Ras , " the residue of the second sieve are " Batin , " while the resulting contents of

the third sieve are known as " Dyel . " Made up into separate batches , according to their classification , the assorted pearls are then sold to the pearl merchant , upon an intricate scale of values , depending upon the shape , colour , specific gravity , and size . The merchant re-arranges them in small packets , and despatches them to the Indian market , whence a great

many go back again to Arabia and Persia . Generally speaking , the Bahrein pearls are not so white as those of Ceylon , but are larger and more regular in shape ; while th ; y are said to retain their lustre for a longer period . The Ceylon banks require to be carefully watched , and fishing is only permitted by Government at various periods . On the other hand , the Gulf banks give no indication of a failing supply .

THURSDAY , May 23 rd , is the date chosen for the next annual dinner of the General Theatrical Fund . It will take place at the Hotel Metropole , witlfBro . Edward Terry in the chair .