Under the beading, "La Course Fréné fique," which we venture to render freely as above, a recent "Echo do Chine" quoted an amusing composition by Rémy in "Lo Matin d'Anvers." Tt consists of dispatches from various points on the route of an automobile race, describing the happenings of the way. The following is a translation Runnont.—The sixth automobile, after smashing to atoms a milkman's cirt, but-tod a party of four old men, who were pi: ing whist at the door of a wine-shop. The four old men are dead. The driver, happily, came to no hurt.
Marepnick.—Mr. X's car came violently into collision with an electric tram, which Was utterly destroyed. Afterwards it ran through a church, crushing seven or eight women, who, despite the warning cries of the driver, had neglected to get out of the way. The incident occasioned a delay of two minutes, the more regrettable since Mr. X. held a splendid position.
Rermgt.—Count Z., handling his automobile in the most masterly way, passed clear through a flock of sheep. The two shepherds could not -be found. A tyro burst, but this was quickly repaired.
Moxrarnati.—Car No. 137 carried away the side of a house which unlucky out upon the route. Several of the inmates floundered in the ruins of the plaster, but the reservoir of the automobile was merely dented.
Covrosanzns.—Viscount de M., who is so highly esteemed in the Automobile World, came into collision with a funeral Procession which, owing to the imprudence of the Mayor, had been allowed to start upon its journey to the grave. The mortality is between ten and fifteen—it is impossible to give an exact return until the fragments have been thoroughly overhauled. Viscount de M., will enter a claim in due form at the nearest police-station on his way.
Gaossont.—Car No. 421 cut a passage through a number of little girls who were returning to school. Her speed, however, i was in no way affected, and she pursued her course without further incident.
Weset.—About, a kilometre from the police station the excellent and amiable Mr. P. tore through 2 company of rifle-mon near the arch, which had been erect-od on the road. We are given to understand that there are survivors. Mr. P., wwe regret to say, sustained 2 wound on the left eyebrow. He was tenderly treated at the police-station, and departed with the customary congratulations.
E1sexnacu.—The automobile belonging to Mr de C., the valiant President of the Vertigo Club, cut through a procession. There were so many dead that for several Kilometres, the wheels of the car were clogged with the mangled remains of the victims. To this unfortunate affair must be attributed the eminent driver's falling-off in the time-test. Up to that point he had made 130 kilometres per hour.
Arx-a-Cnarrite.—About fifteen kilometres from the police-station the car of Baron von F., one of our most distinguished sportsmen, clove through forty-five scholars in bathing costume, who were about to amuse themselves in a stream hard by, under the charge of a master. The Baron von F., in the most sporting yle, had at that moment attained the incredible speed of 190 kilometres per hour. A hawk-like glance thrown behind him, showed that only the master remained standing. In spite of the violence of the shock only one spoke was broken—which reflects the highest credit on the builders. At the police-station Baron von F. partook of wine offered in his honour.
Haxovre.—Contrary to the predictions of the pessimists who foresaw that catastrophies would occur, we learn that since Aix-la-Chapelle only 785 accidents have occurred, in which the aged, the infirm, and infants of tender years' were chiefly concerned. Only one affair deserves special mention—a Regiment of the Line was annibilated by four automobiles which arrived together. The Colonel, however, still breathes. He has lost his arms and legs, his horse, and three ribs, but there are hopes for his recovery. By a providential chance the four drivers were saved. One shudders at the danger which assailed them in running foul of a regiment armed with rifles. General Munckhaussen congratulated them in the most, soldierly manner. A great banquet was afterwards given in their honour. The company drank entbusiastically, "The Progress of Peace!"
Benuix.—The accidents inseparable from this form of sport diminished between Hanovre and Berlin. Furthermore, a certain number of the victims were animals. We learn of the deaths of 123 women, 97 men (9 of whom were above the age of 75), and 247 children less than 6 years old. There was one larger matter—Six automobiles, arriving in line, swept through 3,000 strikers who were howling outside a manufactory. One of the cars, by deplorable ill-luck, burst its carburateur. The others, lantly handled, held on in a formidable rush which won the warmest admiration of the three'strikers who survived. Finally, the great sporting test has been made. The automobile is shown to be the most useful of vehicles, and it remains to hope that it will soon take a permanent place among our traffic.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.