He has always taken a deep interest in the American Government and in the American people. In this country, "the Grand Old Man," as Mr. Gladstone has long been called, is regarded with great admiration and affection. An account of Mr. Gladstone's career will be published in a later number of THE GREAT ROUND WORLD. It will show why he is so highly honored as a statesman, a writer, and as a friend of his fellow-men. * * * * * Many readers of THE GREAT ROUND WORLD doubtless remarked the great strike that took place in Chicago more than three years ago, and the share in it of Debs, the political agitator, which led to his imprisonment. Within the past few months Debs has been busily engaged in making plans to found a colony for unemployed men and women, where they will be given opportunities of earning a living. He has lately purchased 30,000 acres of land in Tennessee for this purpose. It will be interesting to watch the outcome of this experiment. As a rule, experiments of this kind are not successful. It is to be hoped that this new undertaking will prove to be an exception. Our workingmen certainly need help. All over the world they are complaining, and many people believe that, unless their condition is improved, they will resort to violence against the rich. So all efforts in their behalf are particularly interesting at this time. * * * * * It is announced that the Emperor of Germany, who is fond of roving about the world, will start on his much-discussed trip to the Holy Land about the middle of next April. He is to start from Hamburg on his yacht with his two eldest sons, and he will return in six weeks. It is reported that he will then pay a visit to the Sultan at Constantinople. Europe watches every move of the Emperor's with the greatest interest and with curiosity as to whether it has a political significance. Progress Invention and Discovery [Illustration: Spring-post for Bicycles SEE THIS GROOVE AND GIB DICKINSON-BROS. ENGRAVERS.] A NEW SPRING-POST FOR BICYCLES.--This post does not seem to have the objectionable features that other spring-posts have. It is small, neat, compact, and at the same time does its work admirably, as we have reason to know, having had it tested. The illustration shows quite clearly how it is constructed. To the ordinary observer, when it is attached to a bicycle it appears to be an common seat-post; the spring, however, prevents the constant vibration which is so trying to the rider and so hard on the machine, especially in riding over cobblestones. Riding a machine with this spring-post, as compared with one without it, is very much like riding in a spring carriage as compared with the ordinary springless cart. * * * * * [Illustration: Buoy with light]