THE REV. CHARLES CLARK ON FREEMASONRY.

The " Canadian Craftsman" has the following : —" At the meefing of the Hamilton Lodges on St. John's night, the Rev. Chas. Clark, of Melbourne, Australia, waf present, and advantage was taken of the circumstance to congratulate him on the success of his lectures in the principal cities of the Dominion. V. W. Broth#r J. M. Gibson expressed the pleasure of the craft in introducing the distinguished lecturer, and proposed that he should be greeted with «.- grand honors.' In sub mitting the proposition, R. W. Brother R. Brierly, D.TLG.M., referred to an incident of goidfield* life in Australia, in whicli a citizen of Hamilton was tended in sick ness and death by Masons, in a region where no church then existed. Brother Clark, in responding, said : —Right Worshipful Sir and Brethren, —There could be no preconception in my mind that my presence here to-night would be signalised by the ' grand honors ' of Masonry, a distinction to which my standing in the craft does not entitle me, and I gratefully accept and acknowledge those honors, bestowed upon me as a humble unofficial representative of Aus tralian Masonry. I can assure you, brethren, that in the prosperous colonies where I have lived for more than seven happy years, our fraternity includes large numbers of men entitled to the highest honor for their intelligence, moral virtue, social worth, and honourable zeal for the welfare of our order. The principles of our venerable mysteries are. diligently studied, sincerely valued, and faithfully applied. Many instances could be mentioned con firmatory of that which warmed our hearts just now in its recital, how, in a remote country, at a time of social dis organisation, where amidst the excitement of a burning thirst for gold, an utter care lessness of humanity might be expected to prevail, the beneficent influence of Free masonry still prevailed to succor the sick and lonely, to assuage the pangs of the dying, and to bury with reverend hands the dead. In these more settled days the triple sentiment of our order, ' Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth,' preserves its ancient charm, and finds illustration in the daily lives of our brethren. In their name I thank you for your cordial welcome, and pray that the God whom Aye adore may command his effectual blessing upon the Grand Lodge of Canada, upon all assembled brethren, and upon our ancient J and accepted Order throughout the world, j so that when time shall be no longer, our confraternity may dwell before him for ever ! in unbroken pence and joy.".

The Wellington "Argus" is responsible for the statement that many of the local volunteers have resigned, in fear of .beinf called out for active service, in the event of Avar with Russia.

The London correspondent of the " Syd ney Morning Herald " says the expectation is that when the present Czar dies,' the hcav Czar Avill not lose much time in making war upon Germany, in revenge for her treat ment of Denmark, wlicsa- wrongs burn in the Czarevua's heart.

English Sporting News.

BY "AUGUR."

THE first sporting event of importance after the departure of the February mail, was the Waterloo Cup.

The ' Derby of the Leash,' as it is called, is brought to an issue on the Altcar Plains, live miles from Liverpool, and the draw, preceded by a dinner, takes place at the Adelphi Hotel in that town.

Unusually large crowds assembled to view the coursing tlii* year, which was rendered extra-enjoyable by the bright pleasant spring weather which prevailed throughout the meeting. The betting fraternity were in great force,and must have done good business.

Waterloo Cup favourites are generally delusions, and those of 1877 proved no ex ceptions to the rule. Crack after crack went down in the first two rounds, and the event was finally won by an outsider, whose price on the night of the draw was 40 to 1. The only fancied candidate who did well was Mr. Briggs' nomination Braw Lass. The winner was Mr. R. (littus's Coomassie, a first year fawn bitch pup by Celebrated Queen. She weighs only -Mm, and Ims won twenty courses without suffering defeat. Her owner has refused £1000 for her, which an Australian sports man offered after she had won the Cup.

Tlie runner up was the above referred Braw Lass, a black bitch pup by Black burn—Happy Lass. The other dogs who did well at the meeting; were Poacher and Change, the winners of the Purse and Plate.

We have had cross country meetings at Sandown Park, Doncaster and Crvydon, but the only race I need refer to is the 'International' at the last-named reunion.

This is the greatest Hurdle Race of the year, and increases in popularity every anniversary. Live hundred pounds is added to a*sweep of 25 soys each, 10 forfeit, so that the stakes are well worth trs ing for. Directly the acceptances were made known, Broadswß was recognised as a ' good thing' by the pv.Vic, and Mr. Padwiek, his owner, evidently agreed, for he lumped down the money on him royally.

Woodcock was also heavily backed, despite his heavy weight, and Sir John Astley stood to win fifteen thousand on scamp. Ebor, Packington and Ingomar were also fancied by their respective friends. Hopbloom, after having held the position of second favouritcf or some time, wasscratched, the reason given being timt lie is a two stone worse horse throu'gl dirt than on dry ground. Industrious, the winner of this race, in 1875 bad the pen run through his name on the afternoon of the event. I will now append an abbreviated account of the race. BETTING AT THE START. 8 to 1. Broadside, 8 to 1 Scamp, 10 to 1 Miss Lizzie. 100 to <) Ebor, 15 to 1 Wood cock, 100 to b' Ingomar and Arbitrator, 20 to 1 Liberator. 25 to 1 Sir Hugh, 25 to 1 Bugle March. Lacy, Duplex, 50 to 1 the others, bar Lottery, who was not men tioned.

THE CROYDON INTERNATIONAL HURDLE RACE. Two miles and a half over nine flights of i hurdle... Sir J. D. Astley's Scamp, by the Rake—Lady' Sophie, (> yrs. list. 111b. (J. Adams)'.—l ; Sir J. L. Kaye's Lottery, 4 vis, lOst. 131b. (W. Reeves),—2 ; Lord Dupplin's Woodcock, 5 yrs. 12st, 41b. (Jones), —3. Nineteen ran. Won by eight lengths ; three lengths between second and third ; Brown Holland was fourth and Broadside fifth: Time 5 mm. lo sees: Value of Stakes £1,270. Broadside was never formidable, and it is clear his party must have made some terrible mistake over the trial. Sir Hugh was running well for ward with the leaders, but fell at the last flight of hurdles, or he would probably have been amongfjt the three. Packington jumped nicely,but could not stay the c ursc. Ingomar was overpowered by the weight he carried, so was Woodcock, who did ex tremely well, 12st. 41bconsidered. Libera tor should be dangerous in the Grand National. He has not been seen at his best yet. Everyone was pleased at Sir John Astley's success. With such a horse as Scamp in his stables, he will probably find cross country work more to his taste than flat racing henceforth. THE TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS. The result of the races for the Guineas at Newmarket will, I suppose, be telegraphed to your part of the world about the middle of May. It may therefore not be out of place for me to say a few words as to the probable competitions. The Two Thousand Guineas is ran over a straight course known as the Rowley Mile. It is the first ' classic' event of the year, and provokes nearly as much interest and speculation as the Derby itself. The value iof the stakes this year will exceed £500. j The winner is almost invariably made first I favourite for the 'blue riband,'and although very few horses have compassed the double event, it generally happens that the Two Thousand winner is amongst the first four at Epsom. On paper it seems as though the Guineas of 1877 must be won by the favourite Chamant. He has wintered well, and, as far as we can tell, bis most formidable opponents (whom he will now meet on equal terms) are tre same horses to whom he gave 71b and a beating last autumn. We know of old, however, that racing'certainties' are not always to be depended upon, and personally I would much rather take 7tol about Lady Golightly (with a start) than 5t02 about the favourite. The Russley stable is sure to be formidable in the Two Thousand, and from the state of the market I conclude that Pellegrino,whose price is 5 to 1 will be called upon to do battle for the Westminster 'yellow and black.' Actaeon is reported lame, and Morier inferior.

Pellegrino by the Palmer—Lady Audley (by Macaroni) made his dfebut at Goodwood in a race won by Shillelagh. He ran third, and his trainer expressed himself satisfied with this performance as he was only half trained. His second and last appearance was in the Middle Park Plate, which, with. Chamant out of the way, he would have won. To he first in the Two Thousand he should be a 71b better horse than he was last year. Lord Falmouth has several horses engaged, and it is difficult to say which will run. Lady Golightly seems the most likely candidate, but it is possible she may be reserved for the One Thousand. If this is so, I opine that either Silvio or Queen's Messengerwill be Archer's mount. Lady Go lightly by King Tom —Lady Coventry ran 8 times as a two-year-old, scoring five victories she is a great leathering filly, nearly 16 hands, and should be extremely dangerous in whatever races she starts for, having wintered well and being quite aonnd. Her most notable victories were the Chesterfield Stakes at Newmarket July Meeting, and the Champague Stakes at Doncaster. Two of the defeats she suffered were almost victories. In the July Stakes, Warren Hastings beat her only by a short head,and in the Middle Park Plate, when carrying a penalty, she was within a lenth of the winner.

On more than one occasion whilst a two year old Chamant suffered defeat from this filly, and I think it quite on the cardsthat she will beat them again. Mr Baltazzi, the owner of Kisber, possesses a fair chance of of repeating last year's successes Avith Plunger, by Adventurer Lina. This colt made his first appearance in a sweep stake at Doncaster, which he won, Chamant bfiin» amongst those behind him. In the Middle Park and Dewhurst Plates, the Frenchman reversed this form decisively, but it spite of this, Plunger has plenty of backers.

Warren Hastings, by Citadel Plunder, the winner of the July Stakes, was (last season), as far as looks are concerned, by far the handsomest colt of his year. _ His Derby chancers, in my opii i >n, super;'or to his Two Thousand chance, thougn nothing would surprise me less than than to hear of his carrying off the double event. His breeding, is uot very lasLionable, u:it lie uas shewn fair capabilities, and a private friend assures me he is a great horse

Silvio, by Blair Athol, Silverhair, Lord Falmouth's second string, won the Clear well Stakes with tolerable ease, and may, I for all I know, be a good horse. If, however, 1 were asked to place the first three in the Two Thousand Guineas, I | should plump for Lady Golightly, awarding Charaaut,, and Warren Hastings, the J second and third places. For the Derby, Chamant is in strong de- | nmnd at 5 to I,'and Rob Roy finds plenty of hackers at 12 to 1 ; Rosbach, Touchet, j Pelligrino, and Plunger are also sometimes j inquired after. . j Before the departure of the next mail, i the Lincolnshire Handicap and Grand National Steeplechase will have been brought to an issue. Petrarch has been knocked about in the market in a most re- j markable manner, but finally has recovered ! his position, and is first favourite for the ' Lincoln at 7to 1. Touchet and Midlothian arc next in demand, their prices being 10 to 1 and 10) to 8. PoiiDttivant, wh ,it issaid, j has lost his trial, is nevertheless, . aeked at ■. 100 to (J, and several others find at outside I prices. The Grand National betting is almost a dead letter. Quotations are few and far between,but this, lam told, is owing to the fact that the race is looked upon as a a gift j to Slufual. 7to 1 Shifnal ;15to 1 Citizen ; | 100 to 6 Palm ; 20 to 1 Austerlitz, repro- j seats the present wagering. James Suarry, a well-known character on Northern race-courses, who was stud groom to the late Sir Tatton Sykes, is dead. He owned that game little mare Lily Agnes, who won him many a good race.

The Turco-Russian War.

TllK following interesting items are con densed from various English and Continental newspapers to hand by the last San Fran cisco mail :—

KALAFAT. By advices received last mail, the Turks were in force near Kalafa;, on the Bul garian side of the river, Kalafat being held by Roumanian troops. Osman Pasha, the Turkish Commander, had G3 battalions of infantry, two cavalry regiments, and 78 field-guns, of which 28,000 men were at Widdin. |The troopsj arc armed with the Martini-Henry rifles. At Widdin, theie are ample materials for pontoon bridges, and 5000 men are engaged strengthening the fortifications.

SILISTRIA. There were 20,000 Turks at this post. Contracts for the supply of large quantities of provisions have been entered into. Achmet Pasha commands the fortress, and is said to be a man of energy, but not much '"'will' WAR WAS DELAYED. The winter was unusually severe, com munication being interrupted in all direc tions by heavy snow drifts. The melting of the snow rendered the roads nearly impas sable. The alluvial soil on the plains of Bessarabia and on the banks of the Danube rendered the country impracticable for military operations until the middle of April, and war was declared on the 22ud or 23rd.

RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS FOR CROSSING THE DANUBE. At Kkhenev the Russians had sufficient material to construct a bridge capable of crossing a large army over the Danube in one day. There were also enough boats to put an army over the river. There arc 13 enormous steam launches, large enough to cross the Atlantic, two large barges, seven smaller boats, live torpedo boats. The force consisted of 275,000 men with !)00 guns. RUSCHUCK. The new works have been armed with heavy breechloaders. The garrison consists of 10,000 men. Torpedoes have been sent up, and the eastern face is armed with 4S Krupp guns. SHUMLA. All the chief positions in the Balkans are occupied by troops, which, amounting in all to 40,000 men, are intended in the event of war to be concentrated round Shumla. The passes of the Balkans are occupied by infantry and mountain artillery. The new works of the intrenched camps are con structed so as to be permanent. The arms are so far good, consisting chiefly of heavy breechloaders. THE PRIDE OF THE RUSSIAN NAVY. As to the worth of what navy the Russians possess, let us hear Mr Reed : — As regards the actual effective condition of the much-vaunted vessel Peter the Great, he makes the following statements :— " She is so weak that if driven through the water at a speed greater than eight knots, she shakes to such a degree as to leak in an alarming manner. Although the extent of her longest voyage is the distance between Cronstadt and Revel, her boilers are already under repair, and a commission which was lately assembled to examine her has ex pressed an opinion that all the large steam pipes should be renewed. As to her present capabilities for either offensive or defensive purposes, it is sufficient to say that when her heavy guns are lired, rivet-heads fly about unpleasantly. I think I have said enough about this ironclad, the pride of the Russian navy." As regards the Popepkas— the two Russian gunboats in the Black Sea —he says that "it is literally dangerous to fire the guns on board of them. During a recent practice on board one of them, near Otckakof, the following results were ob tained :—At the first round almost every man ou board was knocked down ; the whole of the superstructure on deck was blown aAvay, and the deck itself, which is iron-plated, was considerably bulged in a downward direction.

THE TURKISH ARMY. Major General Sir Frederic J. Goldsmid, in a lecture on " Inland from Constanti nople to Calcutta," estimates the total military force of Turkey at 148,680 on a peace footing, exclusive of 300,000 of a Sedentary army," composed of 12 years' service men, enrolled for a farther period of 8 years, but only liable to be called out in the event of Avar. 148,000 is added for reserve, 75,000 for auxiliaries, 87,000 for irregulars, making a total of about 460,000. The fleet consisted of 20 ironclads, and 70 other steamers. There Avere 30,000 sailors, and 4000 marines in the navy. The Persian army was supposed to consist of 105,000 men, composed^, of 30,000 cavalry, 79,000 infantry, and 5000 artillery. HOBART PASHA.

He is a man of bold decisive action. He advised the Porte to demand an explanatio from Russia of her intentions, and if thn Avas refused, that Turkey should instan is declare war. He said he -was prepared t 0 sAveep the Black Sea of Russian cruisers, de destroy her trade, and bombard or blocka her ports. AUSTRIA. No one knew Austria's real mind. It was regarded as significant that she Avas fortifying the Dalmatian Shore against possible attack from Italy.

PROBABLE EVENTS OF THE WAR.

I Major Russell, in his new work on ! " Russia and the Crimea," writes that ! Russia will have profited by the lessons of '; the campaigns of 1828-9, so far as not to I enter upon an invasion with an insufficient I fore"—.-ay, -250,000 men as a minimum. I The Russian army must be sufficiently ! strong to mask Eustehuk, Silistria, and ! Schumla, as Strasburg, Metz, and the other I French fortresses were masked in the cam- I paign of IS7O, and still to have the power !of marching upon Constantinople. The ! only hope which Russia possesses of reach in"" Constantinople is by a coup do main. I "A lengthened conflict between Russia and I Turkev°must result in the utter financial ! rain of both — certainly of the former : Power ; hence, the latter may be already | termed ruined—and also either in a Euro- I pean war of gigantic proportions, or in an ! armed intervention in favour of the Porte.' It may here be remarked that some have 1 .suggested that an occupation of Bulgaria, j opposed by the Porte, would not necessarily imply any attempt to march on the capital. 1 Such an hypothesis is evidently absurd ; j the present Russian generals are not likely 1 to fall again into the error of the Emperor ! Nicholas in 1853, who, when he occupied the principalities, made a declaration of his I peaceful intentions, and imposed on him | self the boundary of the Danube, while lie !in no way bound his adversaiy to it. Such ! a strategic error, if repeated, could only 1 result in a repetition of the same disasters 'to the army that committed it. There is ! another reason why, in case of war, an | attempted march on Constantinople would 'be inevitable ; by this means alone could j the war he brought to a conclusion ; othcr | wise, a harassing conflict might go on for ! years. Muscovite soldiers would die, Mils | covitc roubles would be squandered, but no result whatever would be gained. The Turks will probably choose the position which they finally select for their I principal stand, according as their army is ' numerous and efficient, or the reverse. 1 If they feel themselves very strong', they ! will probably defend the line of the I Danube ; if "only moderately strong, they will concentrate "round Schumla ; and if very weak they will retire behind the ' Balkans, descending the passes over those i mountains as best they can, and finally, i preparing from some central position, such !as Aidos, Karnabad, or Selimno, to crush the enemy's columns as they emerge from the defiles of the mountains. The inter mediate position is the most likely one; the last would be the most prudent, since it is evident that the further they make the invader light from his base, the smaller will lie the force which they have to encounter.

The Turks might possibly elect to defend ' the passos of the Balkans,' but our author J thinks it doubtful Avhether such a defence, iv the face of an enterprising and nume rous enemy, would be successful. An enemy might lie delayed, but from all accounts he could scarcely be repelled iv these pusses ; and besides, the passes themselves there are sheep-Avalks along which infantry might be conducted, so as to turn any position Avhieh defenders could occupy. As before remarked, if the Ottoman army concentrated near Schumla they Avould have to be defeated before any advance could be made on the Balkans ; if, on the other hand, they assembled round Aidos or anywhere south" of the mountains, a general actioD must take place before Adrainople could lie captured. The scene of this action and the date on Avhieh it takes place Avill depend on the dispositions of the Turkish generals, and cannot be predicted any more than its .result. If this action is in any Avay unfavourable to the Turks, it will probably make the Russians masters of the entire country up to tli3 position of Biijuk Chek medge-, and will decide the campaign, but not the fate of Constantinople, which can scarcely fall before an enemy that has not the command of the sea. In every previous Avar a great defeat has almost completely prostrated the energies and the defensi\ re poAvers of the Ottoman Government. Turk ish armies never rally after a serious disaster, Avhereas the soldiers of the Czars have always been celebrated for their steadi ness in adversity.

It may be remarked that, Avhatever plan of operations be adopted, much the same time, namely, about 48 days, would be needed after the declaration of Avar before Schumla could be reached, and if all Avent well, and the Russian army Avere sufficiently large to mask and disregard the fortresses, the invaders could scarcely threaten Stam boul Avithin a period of 90 days after they crossed the Pruth.

As to the force that might, after so long a march, arrive at the last position before Constantinople, that can only be matter of conjecture. General Fadeeff considers that if 250,000 men arrived on the Danube, 150,000 ought to reach the capital. Even, hoAvever, supposing that this number of men o-ot so far —tin improbable contingency under the present circumstances—it by no means folloAvs that Constantinople is lost; there would still be the celebrated positions of the Chekmedges to be carried. These are situated about 20 miles to the north of the Bosphorus, and are supposed by some to have been the place Avhere Attila Avas checked in his march eastwards, and Avhere the Huns were defeated by Belisarius. A full description of this position, is given by Major Russell, avlio says that,, though it is stili unfortified, tis so favoured by nature for defence, that but a feAV AVeeks' Avork would suffice to render it impregnable. In conclusion, says the author, "Aye may con sider that, great as Avould_ be the obstacles to a Russian army advancing on Constanti nople, these obstacles are by no nseaus in surmountable " :—

Although about three and a half months would be required to reach the Bosphorus, neverthelass the feat might be accom plished, even Avithout the command of the sea. If Russia were mistress of the Euxine, the operation would be enor mously facilitated, and most of the real difficulties that now exist, namely, those connected Avith supply and transport, Avould in a great measure be removed. This being the ease, as by the amendment of the treaty of Paris in 1870 there is nothing to prevent the creation of a for-

voidable Russian fleet in the Black Sea*, it seems more than probable that the present time would not voluntarily have been selected for an attack on the Turkish

Empire. Force of circiraistanees, not choice, has forced Russia to assume her present attitude. If deep ulterior designs^ are nourished against the independence of the Porte, the contest will possibly be postponed at least half a dozen years, until the deficiencies of the Russian railways arc supplied : until a Russian fleet has been constructed : until the Sla vonian agitation has readied a climax ; and until the continued insolvency of the Otto man Government has permitted iter land and sea forces alike to relapse into a condi tion of inefficiency and decay. It must, however, be added that, from information which the author has received, on undoubted authority, of the condition of the Turkish armaments at the outbreak of the Servian war, he lias no doubt whatever that had the Russian Government been able in May, 1876, to mobilise and concentrate 200,000 men iv Bessarabia, within a month they might have marched to Constantinople almost without hindrance, and might have encamped on the Bosphorous within nine weeks of the day on which their rear guard crossed the Danube.

THE PRICE OF PEACE AND WAR.

THE " Novaya Yremia"ofSt Petersburg, in an article on the question of a Russo- Turkish Avar, argues'that Avar is, in the end, cheaper and more advantageous to a state than armed neutrality. The history of Austria, it says, affords some striking illustrations of the truth of this proposition. In IS4S the military peace budget of Austria Avas 75,000,000 florins. Since then Austria has made Avar Avith Italy and Hungary (1849), with France (1859), with Denmark (1364), and Avitli Prussia (1866). The first of these Avars cost 147,000,000 florins ; the second, 225,000,000 florins ; the the third, 111,500,000 florins; and the fourth, 230,000,000 florins. With the single exception of the Danish campaign, all these wars Avere most disastrous to Austria. Yet, heavy as were its losses, the country rapidly recovered itself alter each campaign. If Aye now take the cost of the mobilisations of Austria as a neutral poAvcr, Aye shall find that in ISSO it cost her 121,000,000 florins _to maintain an armed neutrality against Prussia; that in 1853 and 1854 she expended

412,000,000 florins in mobilising hey army during the Crimean war ; and that in 1871 102,000,000 florins had to be added to her war budget in consequence of her neutrality daring the war between France and Ger many" These expenses, however, wore as nothing compared to the indirect losses incurred. Although during the Crimean war, Austria did not fire a shot, her army lost' 40,000 men, owing to the epidemics caused by concentrating large bodies of men on her frontier. Armed neutrality is also most destructive to the financial credit of a nation. During' the war and the revolution in 1849 and 1850, tho debt of the State bank increased from 139,000,000 florins to 231 000,00 > florins; during the war of 1859 it rose from 210,000,000 florins to 302,000,000 florin--; ; while during the armed neutrality of 1854-55, it was in creased from 125,000.00011. to 371,000,000 th that is, by from 50 to 75 per cent during the war, and by 200 per cent during neutrality. The other debts of the Stat. increased on this latter occasion in a corres ponding degree, owing to the difficulty of collecting the revenue, and the paralysis of trade. In time of war, on the other hand, the uncertainty which puts a stop to enter prise does not exist; the danger of war is much more prejudicial to trade than war itself, while the enthusiasm and energy which war deveiopes in a nation naturally give a powerful stimulus to all its industrial and commercial operation*. From these arguments the " Novaya Vremia "draws the conclusion that it would be better for Russia, to make war on Turkey at once than to keep her troops in idleness on the Turkish frontier.

THE TllkKK BIDDINGS. —Three Ameri cans, Tom Watson, Joe Brown, and Bill Walker, sat late at the village tavern, and in the merriment of their heart? made an arrangement that the 'shot' should be paid by him who omitted to do the first thing his wife told him on returning home. They then separated for the night, engag ing to meet again next morning, and make an honest report. Next morning, Walker and Brown were early at their posts, but it was some time before Watson made his appearance. Walker began first :—' You see, when I entered my house the candle was out, and as the fire*gave but a glimmer ing of light, I was near walking into a pot of batter, that the pancakes were to be made of this morning. My wife, dread fully out of humour at sitting up so long, said to me, sarcastically, ' Do put your foot in the batter !' ' Just as you say, Maggy,' said I, and without the least hesitation, I set my foot in the pot of batter, and then went to bed.'—Next Brown told his story : —'My wife had already retired to rest in our sleeping-room, which adjoins the kitchen, and the door of which was ajar. Not being able to navigate perfectly well, I made a dreadful clattering among the household furniture, and in no very pleasant tone she bawled out, ' Do break the porridge-pot, Joe !' No sooner said than done. ' I seized hold of the pot, and, strik ing it against the chimney-s Jelf, broke it into a hundred pieces. After this exploit I retired to rest and got a curtain lecture for my pains.' —It was now Watson's turn to give an account of himself, which he did with a very long face as follows:— ' My wife gave me the most unlucky command in the world ; for, as I was blundering up stairs in the dark, she cried out ' Do break your neck ; do, Tom !' ' I'll be blessed if I do, Kate,' said I. as I gathered myself up. ' I'll sooner pay the bill.' And so, land lord, here's the cash for you. This is the last time 1 "11 ever risk five dollars on the command of my wife.' Health and Dress.—The almost criminal absurdity of the system of tight lacing at present in vogue lias been so often touched upon with greater or less vehe mence by various writers, that it would seem almost useless to revert to the matter, were it not that at last'we see some indication of approaching reform, Some years back, an attempt was made to check the growing evil; but the hideousness of the suggested costume, and the energetic way in which it was ridiculed, soon put an end to the 'bloomers.' Caricaturists might well revel in portraying the horrid dress then proposed, but their mirth was carried too far, since it effectually arrested all sanitary progress in this direction. Erom that time M re have maintained our national character for pntience and long-suffering, and have quietly allowed a dress, which is said to ' hide the beauties and increase the defects of the female form,' to pass almost unchal lenged. Once more, however, a reform has been started in earnest. Several ladies in Boston have, undermedical advice, resolved to entirely abolish the odious 'stays,' and, solfar from proposing any fearful assumption of male attire, have demonstrated that none but the wearer need even know that a

change has been made ; rctaiuir.g the outer

garments unaltered, important variations are made beneath them ; flannel is worn next the skin, so as to keep the whole body at an equal tempertaure, the weight'of the un ler-garments is diminished, and by an ingeniousarrangementaremade to bear upon the shoulders, and not upon the waist.

Popping the Question. —Lord Justice Clark Braxfield Avas a man of few Avoids and strong business habits In courting his second Avife, his procedure Avas entirely illustrative of the peculiarities of his character. Calling on the lady, he said to her, without preliminary remark—' Lizzie, I am looking out for a Avife, and I thought you just the person that Avould suit me. Let me have your answer, yes, or no, the morn, and nae mair about it.' The lady, the next day, replied in the affirmative. Perhaps he repented his precipitancy ; for when a butler gave warning, on account of Mrs Braxfield's scolding propensities, the judge replied—'Lord, mon, yeVe little to, complain o' ; ye may be thankful ye've no married to her.' Here is another instance in point : —Professor D was particularly reserved in his intercourse with the fair sex ; but, in prospect of obtaining a more lucratiA-e professorship, heA-entured to make proposals to a lady. They were walking together, and the important question Avas put without preliminary sentiment or notes of warning. Of course the lady replied a gentle 'No.' The subject Avas immediately dropped ; but the parties soon met again. 'Do you remember,' at length said the lady, ' a question you put to me when Aye last met ?' The professor said that he did remember. 'And do you remember my answer, Mr. D '?' 'Oh, yes,' said the professor. 'Well, Mr. D——,' proceeded the lady, ' I have been led, on considera tion, to change my mind,' 'And so have I,' _ drily responded the professor. He maintained his bachelorhood to the close of life.

All The Difference.—The late Bates Turner, of Vermont, was as witty a man as he was a learned jurist. On one occasion, a young and zealous lawyer, not over punc tilious in his allusions to the Court, nor very formal in hi? manner, was arguing a ques tion before the Judge, and in the course of his argument, by AA-ay of illustration, Avished to ' suppose a case.' ' We will suppose, your Honor,' said he, ' that your Honor were to steal a horse • —'|No, no, no,' in terrupted the Judge, ' not at. all; not at all; 't ain't a supposable case, Mr. S., 't ain't a snpposable case.'—« Very well, begging your Honor's pardon,' proceeded the eager IaAA-yer, Avith more zeal than prudence ' very Avell, then supposing that I should steal a horse .'—'Ah, yes, yes, yes' said the Judge, ' that is a different thino' very likely; Mr. S,, very likely. Proceed,' Mr. S. —Mr. S. proceeded to take a seat amid the shouts of his brethren, and had' the good sense to take the joke in wood part and repeat it often to his friends. General Jackson's Thoughtfulness. —An officer once complained to General Jackson that some soldiers were making a noise in their tent, ' What are they doiim-»' asked the General.—' They are praying now but have been singing,' Avas the reply' — And is that a crime ?' the General de manded.—'The articles of Avar order punishment for anj unusual noise,' Avas the reply.—' God * forbid that prayin« should be an unusual noise in my camp ?' said Jackson, Avith much feeling, and advised the officer to join them. A Sharp Retort.—A Justice of Peace seeing a parson on a very stately horse' ruling between London and Hampstead said to some gentlemen avlio were Avith him ' Do you see whatj a beautiful horse that proud parson has got, I'll banter him a little Doctor,' said he, 'you don't folloAv the ex ample of your great Master, who was hum bly content to ride upon an ass." Why really, sir,' replied the parson, 'the Kino has made so many Jasses Justices, that an honest, clergyman can hardly ikid ono to nde, if he had a mind to it.'

A RUSSIAN ROMANCE.

Mr. Ivixv;i,aic7: i n his „ CNV ~. V-rimca," with the dramatic ft of «* his nature, takes out one ;,i ~'stll)cts nr he believes to have acted or otf* I' 4 nsed, more powerfully than anvrt^ b( *» in exeirmg the Russians „ n * 'Sekc with the Turkish insurgents ami Bi V,nl*thv the Turks. ThofollowWiSJ'^of -The young Colonel NichoA 6.B*?*:- --a noble whose birth ami on«p?'-reefl *»* nectcd him with the districts COl>- Moscow's fiery aspirations • Sff l* ted V nature a man of an enthusiastic %IT"S. hr with a romantic example in-for/T' tlon> the life of hi.s father, he In I ' llI!» in himself to the idea of BelfWcriS USt? med the outbreak of Prince Milan's i, ■„', UP0I> he went oil to Servia wit! theT C-Ctlon. acting simply under the banner o ,<' g r.of Cross, and had already en "red ,** humane task, when 'he f„ i lV° u h * called upon by General 'SL^Tf accept the command of what w e m , v ,L te brigade-a force of some five thoS?»S infantry, counting of volunleS ! militiamen, supported, it scums by '( guns; andbefore long, he not on]r\dto take his brigade into action, but to v G; r as the means of assailing an enteraM pos.tion at Rokowitz. You" S very well understood that the ir«S force entrusted to him was far from fi one that could be commanded iv the 1 our of battle by taking a look with a field glass and uttering a few words to an aide ue-camp : . so he determined to c . r t forward Ids men by the simple and prim? five cxoedient of person illy advancm* i» ii'ont of them. He was a man of stature, with extraordinary beauty of features; and, whether owing to the mid summer heat, or from any wild, martyr like, or dare-devil impulse, he clu,se as he done from the first, to be clothed altogether in white. Whilst advancing in front of his troops against the Turkish battery he was struck —first by a shot passing through his left arm,then presently by another one which struck him in the neck, and then again by yet another one which shattered his right hand and forced j him to drop his sword; but despite all ; these wounds, he was still continuing hjs ! resolute advance, when a fourth °shot ; passed through his lungs,and brought him at length, to the ground, yet did not pre- I vent him from uttering—although with great effort—the cry of 'Forward! for. j ward !' A fifth shot, however, fired low, | passed through the fallen chief's heart and I quenched his gallant spirit. The brigade he had commanded fell back, and his body j —vainly asked for soon afterwards by I General Tchernaieff—remained in the I hands of the Turks." " These are the bare facts upon which a huge super-structure was speedily raised. It may be that the grandeur of the young colonel's form and stature, and the sight of the blood, shelving vividly on his white attire, added some thing extraneous and weird to the senti ment which might well be inspired by witnessing his personal heroism ; and fe\v people, understanding ' Young Muscovy,' will be slow to believe that designing men, enchanted with the bright opportunity, took good care to seize and use it by putting in motion all the democratic and ecclesiastical machinery they had at their command. But, be that as it may, the actual result was that accounts of the incident—accounts growing every day more and more marvellous—flew so swiftly from city to city, from village to village, that before seven days had passed, the smouldering fire of Russian enthusiasm leapt v p into a dangerous flame. Under countless green domes, big and small, priests fiercely chanting the ' Requiem' for a young herb's soul, and setting forth the glory of dying in defence of ' syn orthodox ' brethren, drew warlike responses from men who—whilst still in cathedral or church—cried aloud that they, too, would go where the young Kireeff had gone ; and so so many of them hastened to keep their word that before long a flood of. volunteers from many parts of Russia was pouring fast into Belgrade. To sustain the once kindled enthusiasm apt means were taken. The simple photograph representing young KireefFs noble features, soon expanded to a large-sized portrait ; and Fable then springing forward in the path of truth, but transcending it with the swiftness of our modern appliances, there was consti tuted, in a strangely short time, one of those stirring legends which used to be the growth of long years—a legend half-war like, half-superstitious, which exalted its really tall hero to the dimensions of a giant, and showed him piling up heca tombs by a military slaughter of Turks." This is a wonderful instance of the way in which great are determined at critical moments by circumstances in themselves of slight account, and it is in accordance with the fitness of things that the_ death of Kireeff, with its stage acces sories of heroic stature and bloodstained white dress, should be put in its proper light by the historian who found the go verning circumstances among the causas of the Crimean w;irin a dispute aboutthe keyof a church door. W~e have reason to believe that Mr Kinglake has not exaggerated the influence ot Kireeff's romantic death. His account is substantially confirmed by the address recently given by M. Aksakoff to the Slavonic Society of Moscow. M. Aksakoff", in that address, gave a retro spect of the proceedings of the society, and its _ efforts to obtain subscriptions and assist volunteers, and he said that it was after the death of Kireeff that volunteers began to come forward in large numbers, first officers, then private soldiers—then peasants who had never served in the army before, with such words on their lips as, " I have resolved to die for my faith," "My heart burns," "I want to help our breth' ren," " Our people are being killed."

The Potentates and the Peasant.

When the allied army Avere in possession of Paris (after Waterloo), it was no unusual thing for the Emperors of Russia and Austria, and the King of Prussia, to walk out incog. In one of these rambles, they were accosted by a countryman, of rather a superior address, who asked them to point out the way to the Tuileries ; to Avhieh the reply Avas that they Avere going that AA-ay, and should be glad of his company. The familiar tone of conversation of the Emperor Alexander soon brought out the stranger to converse, Avho, after some time, asked to whom he had the pleasure of talking ? and the ansAver was, 'I am the Emperor of Russia.' This seeming to stagger his belief, he asked another, ' And pray, avlio are you, sir ?'—' I am the .Emperor of Austria ?' Another, ' And A'OU> sir ?'—' I am the King of Prussia !' This seeming the climax of absurdity, he burst out into a loud laugh, and Avas going aivay; Avhen the Emperor of Russia begged he Avould tell them Avho he was. ' Oh,' said he, ' I am the Emperor of China !' and then Avalked quickly away, evidently under the impression that he was ' not to be done.

jgjln the opening article of the "Nineteenth Century," by Sir John Lubbock, M.P., it» shewn that up to IS7O England spent at the rate- of £4,100,000 a year on her colonies and that it is still over a' million and a half. Of this, £650,000 is spent on the American stations. The writer is very severe on the refusal of the Australian Colonies to con tribute towards the burden of Fiji, and un favourably criticises the reply of Sir_ Julius Yogel, who said "it Was not the businessjot the Government to be libeial." Sir Julius might have added, " except in the Avay ol purchasing political support, or providing snug berths for friends or dependents."

The " HaAvkes Bay Herald" believes that the Turco-Russian war will lead to ania creased demand for New Zealand tallow.- _ The latest instrument of destruction is a range-finder. It consists of a kind 01 telescope borne on a dog-cart, and it enables engineers to measure with perfect «ccm3), in two minutes uv to 1500 yards. J-ne German and British Governments are test ing thefinvention, which is expected v double the accuracy of artillery fire, ana quadruple that of infantry.



B. P °BT Ell & C°- FURNISHING IRONMONGERS, Queen-street, Auckland. E. P. and Co. have Just Landed, ex Oxford TnCRLAND Castle, Loch Unit, and Emily Chaplin,— LAR G E SHIPMENTS OF FURNISHING IRONMONGERY, The whole of which have been carefully selected in the European and American Markets. Pur chasers will find the Greatest Variety and Largest Stock ot' Furnishing Ironmongery in Auckland, and the goods no woffered are the best value ever offered in this market. BEDSTEADS. French and Half-tester Iron and Brass Bed steads, with improved foot-rail; Child's Cots and Bedsteads. FENDERS. Bronzed and Berlin Black Dining and Drawing Room Fenders, with real bronze mountings ; Nursery. Bedroom, and Kitchen Fenders. FIRE IRONS. StNjl Ormolu Head and Kitchen Fire Irons. Pokerettes, Coal Vase Tongs, &c, Szc. LAMPS. Bronzed, Real Bronze, and China Vase Lamps, with 2links', Duplex. Queen, Eclipse. Anu capnic, and American Burners, German Reading Lamps, &c, &c. GAS FITTINGS. An ENTIRELY NEW STOCK of CHANDE LIERS and BRACKETS, of ENGLISH and FRENCH DESIGNS. Gas Heating Stoves, for Flat and Tailors' lions. See., &c. STOVES. AMERICAN «• P A SSPORT " COOKING S > OVES, with or without hot water attach ment. SMITH & WELLSTOOD'S COOKING STOVES of all sizes. LEAMINGTON RANGES. from 3 feet to 5 feet Giuches, with or without covings and plate racks. REGISTER GRATES, Berlin Black and Fine Cast, best finished, with tiles and bright beads. CUTLERY. J. Rogers and Sons'. Loekwoods", and P. Wal ton's Ivory Table Knives, White Bone, Stag, and Black Knives and Forks, Pocket Knives, Scissors. ELECTR O-PLATED WARE. Tea and Coffee Services, Cruet and Pickle Frames, Breakfast Cruet«, Sardine and Bis cuit Boxes, Fish Carvers, Fruit Knives, Candlesticks, Knife Rests, Butter Knives, Salvers, Egg Frames, Kettle Stands. Tart Servers. Orange Saws. Crumb Scoops, &c., .Sec., plated on Nickel Silver. BRUSHWARE. DAWSON'S BEST Hair Brooms, Scrub and Bannister Erushers, Paint Brushes. Turk's Heads, Flue Brushes. Horse, Dandy, and Spoke Brushes, &c, &c. MATS. Prison-made Cocoa Fibre, Brash, and Open Door Mats, Wool-bordered Mats and Slips. BATHS. Hip, Sponge, Shower, Foot, Child's, and Plunge Baths ; ENAMELLED Cast Iron Plunge Baths, &C, &C. JAPANNED WARE. Japanned Iron and Best Paper Tea Trays. Waiters, Toilet Sets, Boiler Fillers, Cash Boxes, Lanterns, &c. Britannia Metal Tea and Coffee Pots, Mustard Pots, Candlesticks, &c, &c. GARDEN TOOLS. Flower Pot Stands, Brackets, Fern Stands and Boxes, Moss Baskets, Ivy Stands, Plant Sprinklers, Fumigators, American Garden Tools, in sets, and Trowels, Rakes, Hoes. Spades, &c. Galvanized Iron Wire Netting for Fowl Houses, &c^. &c. Wood Bread Platters. Butter Coolers, Tea pot Stands, Bread Knives, &c. Kenrich and Sons' Tinned and Enameiled Hol lowarc, with patent covers NOBLE'S DYNAMITE, KREB'S LITHO FRACTEUR, Bias tins and Sporting Powder, Caps, Single and Double-barrel Guns, Load ing, Copping, and other Sporting requisites. MANTLEPIECES. White Marble and Enamelled Mantlepicces for Dinimr, Drawing, and Bedrooms, in great variety.



yj-EW ZEALAND GENERAL COM JLI " MISSION AGENCY, Nokgrove Buildings, Clark's Place B rSIIOrSGATK-STREET. WITHIN. CAPTAIN ASHBY, late Marine Superinten dent in London of the New Zealand Shipping Company, and for about 20 years known in con nection with the New Zealand Shipping Trade desires to inform his frinds and the public, generally that he has commenced business at the above address, under the style of WILLIAM ASHBY & CO., as General Shipping and Insurance Agents. From long experience acquired of the local wants of the Colony, and tho London Markets, the firm are in a position to offer special advantages to Colonists in their business relations with Great Britain, and from their intimate knowledge of the requirements of passengers on a long voyage, orders entrusted to their care will receive their very best atten tion. tiondon. November 7fi. IR7&. 8 THE m TO N O R T HERN ADVOCATE. rr\o BE PUBLISHED JUNE 6th. The only Local and Genuine Advertising Medium for HOBSON, RODNEY, WHANGAREI, BAY OF ISLANDS, HOKIANGA, AND MONGONUI COUNTIES. £%> Aggregate Population, 24,000. *®8 FOR SALE, by R. C. GREENWOOD, HOTEL BROKER. HOUSE, LAND. AND COMMISSION AGENT, Market-house ; And at the Corner of Queen and Short land-streets. FOR SALE, a country Hotel (freehold), 6 acres of good pasture land, doing a very good trade, near town, and in every way a good investment for an enterprising person with a little capital. Terms easy. FOR SALE, i miles from town, a Dairy Farm of 50 acres, for the most part volcanic soil of the very best quality, free from stones, thoroughly fenced and divided into 8 or 10 paddocks, and mostly laid down in good grass. House contains nine rooms, with every convenience, good stabling and outbuildings, &c, &c. Price £1609. Terms easy. FOR SALIC, a compact little Homestead, six miles from town W a good road, about 5 acres of good land, fenced and divided into three pad docks, good orchard, and garden, well watered by stream, good welh Cottage contains 5 rooms, and only 18 months old. Price, £230. Terms very flasy. FOR SALE, a Cottage of i rooms, nearly new, allotment 33 by 90, situated in Sundry-street, Newton, let to a good tenant for 10s. per week. Price, lowest, £ISS. Terms, £35 cash, balance at £9 per cent. FOR SALE, near town, a Villa Residence, containing seven rooms, with every modern convenience; about 2 acres of rich volcanic soil, laidout as paddock, orchard, garden, shrubbery, &c.. very handy to town, and suitable for a business man. Price. £500 (lowest). Terms, £100 cash, balance at £8 per cent. FOR SALE, a very desirable Property, about three miles from town, of about 18 acres of the richest volcanic soil, laid out with 6 paddock 3, i acres of orchard, 2 acres of garden, with laree and extensive vineries; well and substantially onut House, containing about nine rooms, good stabling.and outbuildings. This is a property seldom to be met with, as the gardens, vineries, and orchards are worth some hundreds per FP£ c- £220° i terms casv. P i,,,-iV - bAlj:h" %■ new, well and substantiallv bmlt six-roomed House, off Karansahape Road ■ rooms large and lofty, bay window, good view' arge allotment, good well, tanks, &c. This house .is only just finished, and can be had a barg«in. Terms easy. FOR SALE, ajour-roomed Cottage in Cook street (quite nety) very large allotment, good situation, and will be sold cheap, as the owner is leaving Auckland. Price, £220 : terms easy FOR SALE, a Cottage in Rokeby-street beiii° the third on the left from Upper Queen-street! ]Pri nG d£9o- FOR SALE, three Cottages in Duke-street lei to good tenants for 30s. per we*k. Price for the lot, with freehold allotment, £150. FOR SALE, a very superior Villa Residence, near town ; also, several Cottages. &c, &c. FOR SALE, choice Farms, large and small; Land, improved and otherwise ; Allotments in the city and suburbs, &c. WANTED, Property of every description to Sell; no charge for advertising, or commission if not sold. KhT See Advertisement Board, Market-house ; or cab at office, corner of Queen and Shortland streete. R. C. GREENWOOD. LAI-iDj E^jlATjE 06 COMMISSION AGENT- Market-eouse ; I And Corner of Shortland and. Queen-streets, '



HA SH T O N & SO N • HOUSE, LAND. AND ESTATE AGENTS, 8, New Zealand Insurance Buildings. Queen-street, Auckland. FOR SALE .— EPSOM.—A comfortable Suburban Residence consisting of Verandah Cottage, with outbuild ings, and 5 acres of land. One acre in Orchard ami Garden the remainder in good grass. The trees in the orchard are of trood kinds, and in full bearing. One-half of the purchase money can remain on mortgage. XEWMARKET.—The Lease of Good Business Premises, consisting of large allotment. 51 feet by 135 feet, upon which is erected a Two-storey Dwelling-house and Double-fronted Shop. Sheds, and Two-storey Workshop. A sood business in thi Ironmonger^ and .Hardware, line is now beintr done.. Tlo> property is to be sold cheap. and is a bargain for anyone in the Building trade. . . ~ ~,.,, fJRAFTON ROAD.—A comi'ortablo weh-bmlt Verandah Cottage, with freehold allotment, 50 feet by 120 feet: 2-stall Stable and good well. NAPIER-STREET.—A 1-roomed Verandah Cottage, with well, and every convenience. KYBER PASS ROAD.—A First-class Build ing Allotment in the best part of Kyber Pass Road. 50 feet by 200 feet, beautiful view. GREAT SOUTH ROAD, near JunctionHote —A comfortable six-roomed Verandah Cottage, with an acre of Land in grass. PONSONBY.—Six-roomed House, with out buildings, large garden and paddock, about 13 acres in all. ~,,,« WAKEFIELD-STREET. — Four Allotment with two Cottages erected thereon. The pr o perty has a frontage to Wake field-street and another to Edwardes-street. NORTH SHORE.—Good sites for small Homesteads of from one to five acres on the road to the Lake. WAIUKU.—Farm of 259 acres, with a good seven-roomed House, stable, and outbuildings, well fenced, and a largo portion in good grass. NEWTON.— Building allotments, 33 feet by 100 feet, in Gundry's Paddock. TO BE LET :— GREAT NORTH ROAD.—A six-roomed Cot tage in a open and healthy locality, facing the Surrey Hills Estate, verandah, well, tank, and every convenience. ALMA PLACE. — Four-roomed Cottage m England-street. EDEN CRESCENT.—Two Houses in Brito mart Terrace, adioining Britomart House. QUEEN-STREET.—Solicitor's Offices in now buildings next the Bank of New Zealand, com modious and airy, fitted up with every conven ience. Large Fire-proof Safes attached to the premises. These offices are approached from Queen-street by wide and easy flight of stops. CUSTOM-HOUSE-STREET.— Large and com ! modious Stores in Custom-house-street. The ' Cellars have been asphalted, and are dry and at-proof. H. xVSHTON & SON, House. Land, and Estate Agents. No. S. New Zealand Insurance Buildings. "" UCKLAND STEAM CONFECTION _":a_ factory. albert-street.



E WATERS, C O N FISOT lONE R, Begs to inform the public that the following goods, manufactured at his factory, arc guaran teed of superior quality to any confectionery imported into Auckland. They contain no in gredient or olouring matter deleterious to nealth:— „ _ .. , Dey Goods. Dry Goods—Continued Conversation Lozenges Plain Pipe Conversations Rings Imperial Drops Thick Peppermints Good Words Thin Peppermints Cinnamon Comfits Fruit Lozenges Chocolate Creams Fancy Lozenges London Mixtures Scotch Mixtures Iceing Sugar Sugar Almonds Persian Sh.erbe.rt Marbles Boiled Goods. Burnt Almonds Birds' Eggs Mixed Lollies Carrawav Comfits Sticks (assorted) Carraway do. (small) Barley Sugar Ginger Lozenges Barley Sugar Balls Extra Strong Pepper- Cushions ! mints Acid Drops Super. Extra Strong Best Acid Drops Peppermints Rose Acid Drop 3 Rose Lozenges Black Balls Aniseed Balls Indian Corn Cayenne Lozenges Black Almond 1 ofiy Musk i ozenges Sweet Kisses Paregoric Cough Lo- Red Cocoanut Ice zenges Red and White Cocoa- Bathpipe nut Ice Coabtoot Rock Honey Toffy Gelatine Lozenge 3 Matrimonial Toffy Juiubes Everton Toffy Liquorice Star and Love Rock Pink and White Sugar Imitation Strawberries Candy Imitation Almonds 0 Brown Candy Imitation Raspberries Horehound Candy Cough Drops Nonpariel Comfits Tom Thumbs Regent Pipe Medicated Lozenges of every description always on hand. Waters' Chocolate, 20s. per dozen. One shilling will be allowed for every tin re turned in good order. WEDDING CAKE ORNAMENTS,BONBONS, Somebody's Luggage, &c, &c, &c.



Testimonial. Provincial Laboratory. Auckland, OctoVi 26, 1875.—MR. E. WATERS: Sin,—l have -much pleasure in informing you, that after having made a very careful analysis of various samples of sweetmeats manufactured by you, 1 find that they are free from all adulteration, and that the colouring matters are quite innocuous. With regard to the Chocolate, I find that it is quite equal to the best English or French prepara tions ; and, being entirely free from husk, it will form an excellent article of diet for invalids, especially those suffering from an impaired digestion.—l have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant. James M. Tunny, Provincial Analyst. MR. MAIDEN'S 'BUS between AUCKLAND and NEWMARKET will leave as follows :— (BAS a.m. /9.30 a.m. 10.15 a.m. 11 a.m. From 11.15 a.m. From 12.30 p.m. Auckland < 1.15 p.m. ewrnarket^ 2 p.m. 2.45 p.m 3.30 p.m. 4.15 p.m 5 p.m. V5.45D.rr Vfi.3op.nn.