ADVICE TO RULING A HOUSE HOLD.

A bidkr who frets his horse's mouth will loon make it a worthless brute.. He raises the tone and feeling of his inferiors who always treats them with courtesy and dignity, and a kindly intention. If one is unable to give what is asked, one should at least let it be seen that one is sorry for it. A^ain, be careful to give each, according to his department, the necessary authority over Ms inferiors, as nothing will go on smoothly without a due subordination, to which, sometimes, other things must be sacrificed. When you perceive a servant's faults <mard against being at once set against him. Weigh his good and evil and be sure that you are fortunate, it you find the most essential good qualities. Think how many are worse than he is, and consider how to amend his faults, which very likely are the results of bad training. As to the infirmities of natural temperament, do not expect to cure them ; be satisfied ■with softening them, and then bear patiently with all such. If you persist, in spite of experience, in trying to correct a servant of some failing which is as the marrow of his bones, it will be less his fault for not being cured, than yours for attempting the cure. Never tell people of several faults at once. You will profit them nothing, but discour age them greatly. Rather set their faults Gradually before them, as you see they have courage to bear the eight with advantage. Talk to your servants ; not merely to give orders, but with three other objects ; Ist, to enter kindly into their interests ; 2nd to warn them quietly of their failings ; and 3rd, to praise them for doing well. Never let them suppose that you are alive to what is ill-done, but unmindful of what they do well. Encourage them with moderate, but hearty praise. Whatever faults a servant may have, you are bound to treat him well so long as he remains in your service : and if he is in a position of trust, you should let others see that you speak to him consider ately, otherwise you lower him in their eyes, make him powerless in his office, and put him to gi=eat and needless annoyance. If you have servants whose good sense, discre tion, honesty, and affection you can trust, give heed to them, shew them all the confi dence they deserve; such treatment will alwayswin the heart of disinterested people. A courteous, kindly manner has more influence than even gifts. The act of season ing the gift we give is more important than the tiling itself.—From "Fenelon's Spiritual Letters to Men.

A Lion and Leopard Fight.—The Zoological Gardens at Pesth have just been the scene of a combat worthy of Nero or Elagabalus. The cage tenanted by a lion and lioness happened to be next to that in which dwelt a female leopard, for whom the captive queen of the desert entertained a special hatred. Probably she was jealous of the bright eyes and beautiful skin of her neighbour, and may possibly have suspected her lord and master of cast ing a tender regard or two across the barrier which separated the two dens. The sus picion, brooded over in silence, became a devouring passion, and it ripened into certainty at the precise moment when vengeance happened to become possible. The keeper of the gardens had inadvertently one day left hanging within the lion's cage the chain which served to draw up the partition, and the lion was not long in seiziig it and -beginning to pull. Whether he was animated with a spirit of fickleness or by curiosity alone must remain for ever a secret. But the result was that the parti tion new, up and the road remained open from one cage to the other. Through it instantly rushed the lioness, breathing hatred and malace, but the lion had no sooner dropped the chain and prepared to follow in chase than the portcullis fell and the passage was barred again. In the meantime, however, a straggle commenced between the two lady warriors such as has not been seen in Europe since the palmy days of the amphitheatre. The leopard, worsted at the first onset, attempted to take refuge from the foe by jumping and hang ing to the top rails of the cage. It Avas all in vain, however. She was. brought to bay a«ain and compelled to fight face to face with the terrible invader. For twenty long minutes the battle raged in royal style. The neck and shoulders of the lioness were deeply furrowed with red gashes. But her victim was overmatched, and at length thrown on her back, when the coup de grace was given by the savage fangs of the victor. The lion, who had been looking on—pro bably with mingled feelings—at the scene, will now, no doubt, be restored to the affectionate confidence of his spouse. No fhing remained at the end of the encounter of the pretty spotted skin which had so captivated him but a few torn and mangled shreds, and the romance of the cages, if romance there was, came to a tragic end. —[Globe. t> ™i A Wife and Something to Boot. —Old Vivian a well-to-do farmer, had some four marriageable daughters; and being one of those men who think their girls should get married as soon as they are out of their short clothes, felt somewhat chagrined that his girls should remain on his hands so lon"° Now, there was a young fellow m the'iieighbourhood who had been waiting on the Vivian girls for some time, and gone the round from oldest to youngest; and the old man had been anxiously waiting tor, and expecting young Bounce; to ' ask consent" for some one of the girls, but as yet he waited in vain. Bounce, however, had proposed -and been accepted, but the old folks had not been made acquainted with the fact. In the meantime, young Bounce had purchased a fine horse of the old farmer, and had given Ins bill at six months for thirty pounds Well, pay-day was fast approaching, and Bounce had not ■fne 'Veady^ to meet it; so the day before the note became due he made his way over to the old fanner's, determined to ask him for his daughter, hoping thereby to get an extension on the bill at least. As good luck would have it, he met the old man in the yard and was about to go through with the interesting ceremony of • asking con sent,' when imagine his surprise and joy on hearing the old gentleman break out with the following: 'Look here, Bounce, you vounc rascal, you have been courtm my ials for morn a year; you have been Saddin' and cuttin' round with the whole of 'em Now, your bill comes due to morrow, and I'll tell you what I'll do. You shall marry one of my girls—l don t care a snap which-and I'll give you a good setfin' out and your thirty-pound bill to boot" and if you don't I'll sue you, by KiterT-'lt'sa bargain,' said Bounce, 'I'll do it.' The next week there was a wedding, and to this day Bounce chuckles over the way the old man gave his consent Sout^tking, and thirty pounds to boot

Lived Pook atd Died RrcH.-A story » told of a sailor on board a vessel laden with mi^ht not still be some one left On arriv ing on the main deck, where the casks had lef n left, he found a fellow who had broken opeu several of the receptacles ofbase lucre, and spread the contents thereof on a table efothim deck, in the midst of^htch he was seeted, weapon in hand. Being told that the ship was fast going to pieces, he replied, 'The ship may go-I have lived a poor rascal all my life, and I am resolved to die rich ' Remonstrance was vain; and poor Jack who preferred the death of a rich man to the me. <§ a < poor rascal,' was left to die all alone in his glory. . A Wise Nobleman.— Henry vlll. designed to send a nobleman on an embassy to F?ancis I, at a very dangerous juncture, but he begged to be excused, saying that such a threatening message to so hot headed a prince as Francis I, might go.near to cost him his life. 'Fear not, said old Harry 'if the French king should otter ,to take away your life, I would revenge you by taking off the heads of many Frenchmen now in my power.'—' But among all these heads,' replied the nobleman, I' there may r.p not one to fit mv shouldera.'

LADY HELPS IN 1662.

' Lady Helps ' are not altogether a new invention, nor are we quite without re corded observation of their drawbacks. Mr Pepys had a 'lady help,' for instance, and we may profit by his *xpe?ience. What says the immortal Diary about ' Gos nell'?;— .

Nov. 12, 1662.—8y my wife's appoint ment came two young ladies, sisters, acquaintances of my wife's brother who are desirous to wait upon some ladies, and proffer "their services to my wife. The youngest, indeed, hath r good voice, and sings very well, besides other good quali ties ; but I fear hath been bred up with too great liberty for my family, and I fear greater inconveniences of expense, and my wife's liberty will follow, which I must study to avoid till I have a, better purse ; though I confess, the gentlewoman being pretty handsome, and singing, makes me have a good mind to her. Nov. 14.—My wife began talking in the morning, and relating the reason of her desiring a woman, &c, and I resolve when the House is ready, she shall try her for awhile ; the truth is, I having a mind to have her come for her musique and dancing. Nov. 17. —At home I found my wife dressing by appointment by her woman (Gosnell) that I think is to be, and her other sister being here to-day with her. I took Mr Creed, that came to dine, to an ordinary, and after dinner home, andspent an hour er two till almost dark talking to my wife and making Mrs Gosnell sing ; and then, there being no coach to be got, by water to White Hall; but Gosnell not being willing to go through bridge, we were forced to land and take water again, and put her and her sister ashore at the Temple. I am mightily pleased with her humour and singing. Nov. 22. —This day I bought the book of country dances against my wife's woman Gosnell comes, who dances finely.

Nov. 29. —My wife and I pretty pleasant, for that her brother brings word that Gos nell, which my wife and I in. discourse do pleasantly call our ' Maxmotte,' will cer tainly come next week without fail, which God grant may be for the best! Dec. s—Home, and here I find Gosnell come, who, my wife tells me, is likely to prove a pretty companion, of winch I am glad, and in the evening do entertain my self with my wife and her, who sings ex ceedingly well, and I shall take great de light in her. Dec. 6. —Up, and to the office. Dined at home with my wife and Gosnell, my mind very much pleased with her, and after din ner, sat with them a good while, till my wife seemed to take notice of my living at home now, more than at other times. I went to the office, and there till late,| and after a song by Gosnell, go to bed. D ec . s—Up and carrying Gosnell by coach, set her down at Temple Bar. By the way, she was telling me how Batty (my wife's bro ther) did tell her that my ,wife did go every day in the weeke to Court and plays, and that she should have the liberty of going a-broad as often as ahe pleased, and many ©ther lies that I am vexed at, and I doubt the wench did come in some expectation of, which troubles me. Home by coach, where I find my wife troubled about Gosnell, who brings word that her uncle, Justice Joggins requires her to come three times a week to him to follow some business that her mother instructs her withall, and that unless she may have that leisure given her, he will not have her take any place ; for which we are both troubled, but there is no help for it; and believing it to be a good providence of God to prevent my running behindhand in the world, I am somewhat contented therewith, and shall make my wife so, who, poor wretch, I know will con sider- of things, tho' in good earnest the privacy of her life must needs be irksome to lxcr. j)ec. 9—After dinner staid within all the afternoon, being vexed in my mind about the going away of Sa'rahjthis afternoon, who cried mightily, and so was I ready to do, and Jane did also, and then anon went Gosnell away, which did trouble me too ; though, upon many considerations, it is better that I am rid of the charge, altogether makes ray house appear to me very lonely. My wife and I melancholy to bed. No further mention of . the lady help till December 26.

Went myself to Duke's House to see ' the Villaine,' which I ought not to do without my wife, &c. There I saw Gosnell and her sister at a distance, and could have found it in my heart to have accosted them, but thought it not prudent. A^ain five months afterwards, May 2 :— And so to the Duke's House ; and saw 'Hamlett' done, giving me fresh reason never to think enough of Betterton. Who should we see come upon the stage but Gosnell, my wife's maid ? but neither spoke, danced nor sung : which I was sorry for. But she becomes the stage very 29—To the Duke's House, and there saw | The Slighted Maid,' wherein Gosnell acted Pyiamena, a great part, and did it very we'll, and I believe will do it better and better, and prove a good actor. It would appear from these extracts that lady help Gosnell was of the nature of 'kittle cattle,'and that the leisure three times a week that her ,' benevolent uncle, Justice Joggins, insisted upon her having, was required not so much to look after the business her mother had 'instructed her withall,' as to prepare her for the boards of the 'Duke's House.' It is to be hoped that those who, A. D. 1877, put their domestic trust in lady helps may nnd^them more trustworthy luxuries then the charm inw ' Marmotte' of our friend Pepys, A. D. 1682—. 'Pall Mall Gazette.'

FITTING THE CAP. —Some years ago, a letter was received in New Orleans, directed '*■ To the biggest fool in New Orleans. The postmaster was absent, and, on hia .return, one of the younger clerks informed him _of the letter. 'And what became of it! in quired the postmaster.-' Why,' replied the clerk, 'I dW not know who the biggest fool in New Orleans was, so I opened the letter myself.'—' And what did you find in it ? — 'Why' responded the clerk, 'nothing but the words, ' Thou art the man.

How to Heal a Longing foe Divoece -Bishop Burnett, in his Travels through France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland states that in Berne they .had a novel method of dealing with matrimonial dis putants. Divorces were freely granted, but first the applicant must go through the following test :_A small room was pre pared in which husband and wife were put —the door being then closed, to remain so for six weeks, except it should be set in motion at the urgent and united request of the wedded pair. There were m the room one stool, one plate, one spoon, a unity ot all the requisites, and the solitary bed was of such dSnensions that, if they chose to use it together, they must needs lie very close together.' Of one + thin g and_ one only, there was a duplicate; and that was a little treatise on the diities of husbands and wives towards each other. No visitor was permitted to go near them ; and they had only a glimpse at intervals of the grim face of the janitor as he pushedL their food through the hole in the door The bishop states that the test was attended by the most wholesome results, In most cases the parties were excellent friends; in a few days ; and very few could stand out for more than a "fortnight. Another^ very ratifying circumstance was, that they had scarcely on record a case in which a second application was made by persons who had already gone through the ordeal. The Smoker's Plea.-';My dear hus band'said the devoted wife, ' why will younoUeave off smoking? " T±£ odious practice, and makes youi-breath so ''—' Yes,' replied he, but only consider my love, the time I have devoted, and the 'iy I have spent in learninghow to smoke. X I should leave oft o now,aU that money and time will have been wasted for nothing, don't you see 1

Map of Turkey in Europe.

We publish to-day a rough sketch map of the "theatre of war" in Turkey, which will enable our readers to form a very fair idea of the relative situations of the places which have already b«en the scene of engagements, and are likely to come into prominence during the progress of tho war.

THE SEAT OF WAR IN EUROPE.

In the north-east corner of the map ia Kischinev, the point where the Russian army of invasion was massed long prior to the declaration of war together with- a mass of war material. In the same latitude, but further west, and separated from Kischener by the River Pruth which forms the boundary between Northern Rounaania and Russia, is Jassy. The crossing of the river Pruth and the march on Jassy were the actual commencement of hostilities. It will be observed that the Pruth descends (southward in a straight line and falls into

must go back to Galatz, which was the place where the Russians established their head-quarters, and where they were bom barded by Turkish gunboats under the in domitable Hobart Pasha. A few miles below Galatz, but on the other side of the junction of tho River Moldava with the Danube is Ibrail, where the Russian batteries sunk a Turkish gunboat. From Ibrail the Danube makes a sweep south ward, as already described, # then turns westward (we are following it going up stream) to Kalafat, nearly on the extreme left centre of the map. The Turks' main line of defence on the Danube extends from this last-mentioned point to Silistria. Widin, opposite Kalafat, is strongly fortified, and is likely to offer some resistance, but it being commanded by batteries at Kalafat is likely to succumb as soon as a rigorous bombardment is opened. A cablegram, published in the Stak last week, stated that the Rouma nian batteries at Kalafat were engaged with those of the Turks at Widdin. Rahova, the next point eastward, has about 36,000 inhabitants, and was formerly fortified, and has probably been partly restored of late. Nicopoli, the next point, ie of considerable importance. It has about 8000 inhabitants, and the town and fortress are principally built on heights. The river is narrower here than at any other point, and it is there fore likely to be selected as one of the cros sing places of the Russian army. From Nioopoli to Rutschuk the left bank of the river is a vast marsh. Rutschuk is one of the points of the quadrilateral. It has 40,000 inhabitants. It is strongly fortified, but is commanded by neighbouring heights. A correspondent of the "Times/ writing from this place, says :—" The new works

quarters at this point at the| bend of the railway which runs south to Bucharest, the principal city of Roumania, indicates an early advance on Bucharest itself, pre paratory to an attack on the central Turkish line of defence on the Danube. The Russian army will be supplied by railway running from Ploiesti to Galatz, Jassy, and Moscow. The railway runs from Plocester via Bucharest to Giurgevo on the Danube opposite Pristchuk. South of the Danube.at the Balkan range, is the third line of the Turkish defence, which is pierced by six pawes, and these latter are protected by the Turkish second line of defence formed by Turnova,Schuinla, Privada, and Varna. Should a Russian

the Danube, the strategical points" beni* guarded by the. fortress of Galatz, which commands the advance up the Danube, mmd Ismail commanding: one of the principal mouths on the east side of th© junction of the Pruth with the Damibe. After reach ing Jassy, the Russians lost n© time in rapidly advancing on Galatz, which they occupied in strong force, and strengthened with artillery. At the same time another division of the Russian army moved upon Ismail with the view of establishing a tetes dv pont for operations against the Turkish fortress on the south or right bank of the Danube between Galatz and Silistria. On the river Danube between Ismail and the junction of the Pruth are the two crossing places of Tulcha, and Isakchi, where the Russians crosaed in 1828 into the Dobrndscha. Thia latter is the long slice of country south of Ismail, and bounded on the east by the sea coast, reaching down to Varna, on the west by the southerly sweep of the Danube, with the fortresses of Hir-

The Seat of War in Europe.

for the fortification of Butsehuk consist of live closed outworks. Two of these lie to the north-east, the largest to the east, and two to the south of the old fortress. Th« ramparts, scarp, and counterscarp of the latter have been repaired and partly armed with h«avy breachloaders, Of the out works up to the present time only the ; eastern, the chief part, has been armed, ■ and that with 40 Krupp guns. As regards i the remaining outworks, guns are anxiously , oxpected. The garrison consists of 10,000 ] men, and an increase of this number is not : expected." The next point of importance ■ is Silistria, which forms the right front of the quadrilateral. Of this point the ©ones- \ pondent of the "Timos" writes : —" Of all Turkish fortresses the greatest importance ig attached to Silistria, aa far as, at least, the strength of the garrison is concerned, which consists of 24 battalions of foot, 24 field guns, and two squadrons of horse, amounting in all to 20,000. On the part of the Turks, it is believed that Silietria, in the event of war, will be called upon to play a prominent part ;. still the fortiined works leave much to be desired, as they neither conform to the rules of medern con struction, nor are they suited to the nature of the surrounding country, but the- arma ment is very good. For provisioning the place comprehensive measures are being taken, and contracts for the delivery of large quantities of. provisions have been entered into. The commander of the fortress is Muschir Achmet Pasha, who is said to possess little genius, but much energy. The General of Division is Feriksellan Pasha.' 1 South of Ruschuk and Silistria is Shumla, forming the south-west front of the square. The whole of the district surrounding the town bristles with forts and redoubts.

The Seat of War in Asi«o«

column advance via Sophia on the west, and pass the Balkan, they woiild have to take the strong fortress of Phillipolis. Even were they to force one line of defence after another, and reach Adrianople, their numbers would probably be much weakened by casualties and disease, and their further advance would be delayed by the eheckmeges, and probably by the stern mandate of England and other Powers.

sbra, Kassdva, >ana isTHSTrTs^^HH^^H^^IW south by Shumla and Varna. The Dobrnd scha is very »arshy and unhealthy, especially in the northern part and it is not probable that more than » Russian division will operate in this direction, so as to turn the fortresses on the south bank of the Danube and make a diversion on the east side of the great quadrilateral formed by Silistria, Ruschnk, Shumla, and Varna. We hare desoribed all these fortresses at length in our columns, but will give a brkf resume here. Some field works have b«en . erected by the Turks at Hirsova, but the place is not likely to offer a prolonged re- Bistanc*. Near it, on the east bank of the river, is Matechin, which conld only oiFord shelter t# a very small body of men, and could not hold out. Rassova, the next point southward, is near the end of Trajan's wall, which used to extend across from the river to the sea, "but it is now in rains. Rassova has also been strenghtened by the Turks. The next point is Silistria, of which more anon. We

Every commanding hill within a radius of a German mile is covered -with fortifications. Immediately b«kind Bchumla rise to the south, vest' and north-west hills from 600 feet to 800 feet kigh, descending almost perpendicularly towards the town. The positions formed here are quite impregna ble, for these hills extend southward, west ward, and northward to a broad plateau which is covered with an impenetrable forest. This natural fortress, with which Schumla has now "been placed in communi cation, commands the country for several I miles in front of the fortress, and some good guns could easily hold an enemy in check, and prevent any attack on the small forte that are to protect Sch>urala on the east and north-east. Even to a, victorious^ army whi«h has already gained the possession of the Danubian fortresses and Varna, Schumla might bar the road to Constantinople. But to do this effectually it will require a garrison of at least 40,000 men. It would then not be possible.to pass by Schmula without cutting off one s retreat; and in order to enter upon a regular siege of the fortress it weuld be necessary for the besieging army to distri bute itself over a space of from, ten to twelve German miles. For this at least 100,000 men would be required; and even with sneh a force little could be dona un less the garrison were forced by hunger to capitulate. Varna, the south-east point of the quadrilateral, is on the sea coast. Having described the line of the Danube, we will again glance at the central part of the map. Looking south-west of Galatz the reader will find PJoiesti, spelled also Ployeski, whither the Russians have recently removed their head-quarters from Galatz. The establishment of the head-

The War in Asia.

The scene of hostilities on the East side of the Black Sea, where South Russia joins Turkey-ir£Asia, has so far been more frnitful in engagements than the European

arena. The chief Turkish;defences on the Armenian frontier are Kara and Batoum. Kara has stood repeated seizes in previous wars, and was captured by the Russians in 1855,- after holding out with a garrison of 15,000 Turkish troops, under General Williams, for six months, against 40,000 Russians. In a recent issue of the Star, we gave a full description of the fortress. It is situated on a bare plain 5000 feet above sea level. The position is one of great natural strength ; population, 12.000. Five or six days march South-west of Kars is Erzeroom, the capital of the Pashalic of the same name, an important walled city with a population of 60,000. It is on the same elevated plateau as Karsf and

place and with Trebisond, the chief port on south shore of the Black Sen. Erzeroom was captured by the Rmssians in 1829, ■when they continued their march on Trebi zond. Ardahan, about forty miles north of Kars, is a town of minor importance. Batoum, the most easterly Turkish port on the Black Sea, is only about sixteen miles from the Russian frontier. It is well fortified, and possesses a strong garrison. Bayazid (mis-spelt " Bayarzi" 00 the map) is situated at the southern point of the boundary line between Russia and Turkey ; its population numbers about 6000. It commands the road to Erzeroom, and is about 160 mile* distant from that town. The chief Russian frontier fortress is Alexandropol, formerly known as Gumri, between forty and fifty miles from Kars. It is the natural centre of any operations against Turkey-in-Asia, and has been strongly fortified with that object in view. Erivan, eighty miles by road south-east of Alexandropol, on the great caravan route from Persia to Russia, is built on the side of a hill sloping to the River Zengia. It has a population of 12,000. Tiflis, about eighty miles north-east of Alexandropol, is tlie chief town of Trans-Caueasia, its popu lation numbering 60,000.

EARLY STAGES OF THE WAR.

The strength of the armies operating in Asia has been variously stated. That of Russia probably numbers 100,000, and of Turkey 70,000 or 80,000. The Russians entered Turkey in thros lines, the right wing operating agaitst Batoum; the centre dirwted from Alexandropol against Kars and Ardahan ; and the left wing from Erivan against Bayazid. The first engage ment occurred near Ardahan, and about the same time, it was reported that the Russians had received a severe repulse near Batoum. Subsequent telegrams sh«w that the reverse at that place was something more than an affair of outposts, and the Russians had been driven back with considerable loss. The second severe engagement was an attack on Kars, in which success again atteeded the Turkish arms. The garrison of that place— which was recently strengthened by the addition ofj 350 guns— twice drove back attempts to carry the works by assault. Other telegrams announce that Bayazid and Ardahan have been occupied by the in vading army, but it does not appear whether the advance was residted or not. Before any advance can be made on Erze room, it is evident that Kars must either be captured or masked, as a large force left there would threaten the flank and com munications of the invading rforces. The investment of Kars and Batoum would divert a considerable portion of the troops at the Russian command.

While the land forces were engaged, the Turkish Slack Sea fleet bombarded Poti and Anaklia, two Russians seaports north of Batoum. Latest telegrams state, but Aye have net learned with what resulte, that they also bombarded Soukham Kaleh, forty miles north of Anaklia, and landing a force, inflicted heavy losa on the defenders. The place is inferior in size and im portance to Poti, but its proximity to Circaseia ha« given the successes of Turkish arms here a special importance, as leading to the rising of those courageous Circassian mountaineers who for bo many yeare waged a war of independence against Rnseia. The revolt of the Circassians unless speedily put down, will seriously complicate Russian operations in Asia, but the large number of troops which that country can upon emergency place in the field make the probabilities of success ful resistance by the Turks for any long period as unlikely in Asia as in Europe.

A FEW HINTS ABOUT POULTRY.

"The poultry yards demands extra atten tion now," says the- Avriter of " Farm and Garden,." in the "Pictorial World," and proceecfoto give tiae following useful instruc tions !-rr

" WMre the supply of eggs has been con siderable there "will be broody hens and a chance of chickans. We had the good fortune; to have broody birds early in Feb ruary, and took advantage of the circum stance to enter upon the multiplication of hermits, the laying season of which com menced in the middle of November, al though, strictly speakiog, this breed lays the whole year round! If it can be done, you cannot be too soon in putting egg^s under birds that are ready for them, but it it is. a fact that on warm and cold soil alike thene is great risk in the business until the month of April, and then, if tilings are about fairly right, yoia may almost reckon your chickens before they are hatched. We do not pretend t©> advise old stagers, but it is proper to-warn beginners that all through February and March there is con siderable difficulty in raising chickens, but it is easy work from April to June—that is, generally speaking. We have seen 150 eggs wasted, with all the extra trouble of tending the birds, and not a single chicken reared; and yet in the very same yard, as soon as March was out, the same number of eggs Avould produce at least I^6 chickens. One reasonj no doubt, is that the early eggs are not fertile, but even when they prove to be so, a week or two of bitter weather will endanger the lives of the newly-hatched broods, and at the same time intensify the hungerJof the rats, the Avorst foes generally of the poultry yard. Those poultry keepers do best who do the least, provided they are not really neglectful. By taking nature for our guide we can scarcely go|wrong, and yet there are those who will go wrong, notwith standing they may obtain teaching for nothing if they will but observe. When a hen steals away and makes a nest in the hedge, she is pretty sure to bring out fifteen strong chicks. The eggs are laid on the damp earth, the bird goes on and off as suits her inclination, and she does not have to submit to handling of any kind. It follows that snug, dark nooks are the best places for the nests, and that they should be on the ground, or very near it. When the nest is made in a basket the bird is likely to break the eggs in getting in and out, and she is likely to eat the eggs when broken, and thus acquiring a relish for forbidden fruit, the remainder are likely to go the same way, and a good bird becomes a bad one through being located in a way she would .never have located herself. Everything is easy if you go the right way to work, and* success rarely attends an effort that is characterised by fussing."

MOODY IN BOSTON.

A co-respondent of the " Independent" gives a glowing account of the Revival in Boston. "We cnll a few passages :—" The religious community is profoundly stirred. We have never seen anything like it since Mr Finney's day.......... The Tabernacle is filled three times a day. Many attend for the fun. Moody draws. One evening I took a seat far back. The sermon was upon Bartimeus and Zaccheus. The story offered many points to the preacher. He was very racy. The interview of; Zaccheus with Bartimeus, after the latter's eyes were opened, and Ms surprise to . learn - that Jesus was 'in that part of the country,' the description of the suddenness of the publican's conversion—' in the tree, some where between the limbs' andtha ground'—' and of the emphatic belief in Zaccheus, conversion among the ' business men' when the restitution checks began to. sfly' ronnd 'Jericho', convulsed the [audience. Just before me sat an Irish gamin, and a negro tramp. They swallowed every word, and disturbed us all with their approval. I was afraid the preacher had lost his audience. But wh«n he suddenly turned and closed with a most powerful appeal, the hall became as still as a forest. And when he called on all to bow their heads in silent prayer, the boys eating peamits behindlme, the tramp, and the gamin, bowed too. And when Mr JSankey said, 'Keep your heads still bowerf while I sing 'Knock ing, knocking, who is there ?" they obeyed, and no sound could be heard save low

every time I hear him..... .-,-. He has power in prayer. When aome'earnest man prays in the meeting the ', Am ens' come- from our Methodist brethren freely; but when Mr Moody prays they break out in volleys from every quarter of the house. He comes at once 'to the grips' with God. "'Ask for something when you pray,' he said this noon. A. Scotch woman heard a niinistefmake a long and voluble prayer. When he was about to close, she could stand it no longer, and cried out, 'Ask him for something.' His comments on the ask, seek, knock, in Luke, 11th chapter, were novel. 'If you don't get a blessing by asking, ' seek' the reason why. It is in yourself. If you don't get by seeking, 'knock.'" .... Mr Moody makes a

great deal of restitution. Perhaps this is what leads James Freeman Clarke to ap prove his preaching ao heartily, and to claim that his success is diie to the Unitarian training. His Calvanism surely was not learned at Northfield. A mechanic attend ing one of the meetings at which this sub ject was up, was struck with conviction. His wife noticed,hia distress when he went home to supper. She drew from him the cause : When he left Michigan some years ago, he had defrauded a man of 100 dollars. 'What are you going to do about it ?' asked the simple-hearted wife. ' I was thinking, he replied, 'that a little while ago we put 120 dollars in the savings-bank. I think of taking out 100 dollars of it,, and sending it to the man I cheated, with a confession.' She approved. He did it. Other cases are coming to light. The Temperance work was opened a week ago. Mr Moody's view is that God takes the appetite out of men, and that this is what we are to pray for. He has wonderful- facts to sustain his view. Three men testified to-day that trom the hour of their conversions—for one year, four years, and eight years respectively — they had had no desire for strong drink. An inquiry-meeting for drinking men fol lowed the prayer-meeting. The room was crowded. The meeting was led by a drunkard converted at the Hippo drome. It was intensely earnest. The hymn, "The Great Physician," as they sung it, seemed a prolonged, agonised cry, A squalid old man asked to be prayed for; then another man; then a third. Then hands went up, till twenty-four were counted asking prayers that the appetite might be taken from them."—"American Paper."

CAPTAIN SYMOND'S STONE QUARRY.

(To the Editor of the Star). Sir, —Four years ago, Captain Syaftonds employed Mr Lowe as civil engineer to go down with him to his property at Big Muddy Creek, to make a careful examina tion of the land and report on it. He was accompanied by his friend Mr Pepper corne, C.E. . Not only did he find that there was abundance of iron, fireclay, and other minerals, but a hard freestone fit for building purposes. Mr Lowe in his report said : "That after careful examina tion he was confident there are upwards of six acres of the beds of stone. Samples were brought up to Auckland and dresse( and reported on by the stonemasons Messrs. Gillinghans, Buchanan, and Car lyle, and exhibited in Auckland. Their opinions were published—to the effect that they all considered the stone good. Cap tain Symonds then sent apiece of stone to Dr. Hector, who sent a report of the analysis at the same time saying, " that if proved it was a valuable building stone.' All these particnlars were brought to the notice of the public through the kindness o the editors of the daily papers. J In vain th« owner of this valuable quarry waited hoping that some one would encourage hin to open it, and bring it into the market He then advertised that if any one woul( open the quarry, they might have the fre use of all the stone for three months Still none came forward ,or gay him the slightest encouragement. H was told that no one would. : come foi ward until he had himself opened it, an( exposed to view a workable bedj of stone This he has now : just succeeded? in doing having^ sent down a party of xuen, who hay opened up a face ©f 12 feet of good stone the further they went "in, of course, th better the quality. According to the a( vice of Mr. Keals, architect, Captai Symonds is having a small monument mad by Mr Thomas, of Lornerstreet ; and fo lowing the advice of the chief engineers Messrs Carruthers and Stewart, he has ha two pieces of stone, of different colours an quality, chemically tested—frozen. The* specimens may be seen in Mr. Sharland Dispensary. ' They have borne this sevei test well.

Captain Symonds caii do no more to proi the value of his quarry. He now Avaiti hoping that some One Avith capital wi come forward and lease the quarry, mere! giving him royalty for the stone. Tl price of the Hobart ToAvn stone is 5s 6d pi cubic foot. The stone masons are willii to give 3s ,4d per foot for Muddy Cre stone, the same price, as they give for i Oamaria stone.—l am, &c,

Amicus.

BRITISH TRADE IN THE SUEZ CANAL.

Ik reference to Russia's threatening rep sals in case of the Khadive assisting t Sultan, the " Otago Times" says :—" I prisals can only well be made by an atta on Port Said or Alexandria; and a attempt to attack these towns would p ■bably.be regarded by our Government a siifficient reason for employing the fli in their defence." Since the above w written, the British Squadron has b« ordered to Fort Said. We remarked y terday that the British traffic through 1 Suez Canalwas 70 per cent, of the who We were, then citing statistics oj[ a year two back. The statistics of last year sh it to 3be even greater. The ([ Pall M Gazette" says :—The returns of the tonnj psssing through the Suez Canal dur 1876, show that England keeps its le while the-trade of other nations with i East is on the whole decreasing. 1 tonnage ofjnerchant ships of all nati< using the canal' last year 'was 1,986,6 against 1,908,970 in 1875/ Of t 1,986,698 tons, 1,510,198 belonged British ships, leaving only 478,500 to credired to the mercantile marine of ev< other country. Thus the British shippi which paid toll to M. de Lesseps was mi than three times the. total tonnage co prised under every other flag! In 1&> the foreign fonnage was 494,549; so tl there was a falling off last year to the t tent o£» 18,049 tons. This failing ( however, was more than compensated an. increased British tonnage of 95,7! But for this increase in British trade t traffic of the canal would have contrast unfavourably with 1375. The total nu ber ,of merchant ships which pass through the canal last jrear was I3S against 1411 in the previous year; I British ships increased from 1061 to 101 or as nearly as possible three a day. Afl the British," iongo interyallo, comes t French mercantile marine, which sent tonnage of 135,335 in 1876, agaii 129,466 in 1875. The Dutch, with th Eastern possessions and ions-establish trade, naturally rank next, sending throji the Canal a tonnage of ;101i031, agaii 88,116 in 1875. Then comes Italy, wi

a diminished trade of 60,998, tons li year, against 65,325 in 1875. Austria st 65.280 in 1876, and 65,223 the year 1 fore; Spain, 37,238 and 31,878j GermSi 27.281 and 31,049, rather a serious ] centage of reduction; and Russia was the same position with 1tf,627 tons 1 years to show, agaias* 18,222 in 1875. must be remembered ihat, 1876 was ay of exceptionally *ad trade, but 1877 p mises to - be. p*» better, and with war, n be worse.,.- The Government vessels i yachts oi" all nations passing through Canal represented in 1876 a total tonn; of 109,172, towards which England c tributed 68,035.



