kept together by a silver setting. The stone itself is about eight inches
long, and is set into the outside wall of the Kaaba, where it can be
conveniently kissed by a person of medium height.

Mohammedans always turn toward a certain point of the compass when they
say their prayers, and it is toward the sacred black stone that they turn.

The gathering together of the pilgrims at Mecca has often brought plague,
and nearly always brings disease in its train, and there is very little
doubt but that the Bubonic Plague, which is raging in India, would be
caught by the pilgrims, and spread by them over the whole of Asia and
Europe.

This plague is supposed to attack only the dirty and unwashed, and as the
majority of these pilgrims are filthy beyond description, it would be
certain to fasten upon them.

This will be the first year, since the death of the prophet Mohammed, that
there has been no general pilgrimage to Mecca.

We may hear a great deal more about it yet.

* * * * *

At last active measures are about being taken in reference to the terrible
Dead Man's Curve.

Some weeks ago, it was said that it was to be done away with, and the cars
run through a tunnel made under Union Square.