STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT

AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1881

EARLY SKETCHES OF NEW ZEALAND.

NO. 3-CHOOSING THE SITE AT NEW PLYMOUTH. SHIP'S COVE— (CONTINUED). Upon entering the " bush," by a track, we were followed by our native guides (their invariable mode of showing the way). This occurs from their insatiable curios'ty in examining the wear, to the very thread and style of 'he pakeha. Every wind in the path displayed to us new beauties in the evergreen vegetation. The graceful tern, with its noblo canopy of branches and lea Acs j the nikau, resembling the cocoa palm ; g'gantic pohutakawa, of the myrtle family, with its thousands of scarlet, honey laden blossoms banging over the shores; varieties of useful timber growth ; the twit tering and chirping of the feathered hosts, mingled with almost deafening sounds from a kind of tree locust; the rich green plu mage of the nimble kakatu ; the " ka !ka !" parrot; the " whoo whoo *' of the pigeon, as lie heavily shifts from bough to bough ; the beautiful tui, with its dark glistening plumage and white tufted throat—the "bell, or parson bird, of Cook's description —mocking the others. In a lofty honey suckle tree Wairuama pointed out two pairs of pigeons. The touch of a single shot brought one whizzing to the ground; and so heedless were the others that they re mained at their feed till two more were brought down by the next shuts. CATCHING BIRDS. The valley terminating, we struck off the path aud ascended the hill, through the tangled supple-jack and dense underwood that characterise the New Zealand forest, North and South. Upon the top Wairua ma pointed to a clear spot among some large pines, where lie intended to catch birds. Climbing to a branch, and taking with him a kaka (that we had winged) lie covered himself with branches; the bird kept up a continual cry, bringing down others so near the traps that the lurker within was enabled to grasp one wih his hand and draw it in side ; but not without a gash or two bein" inflicted by the bird. Presently the old man took Wairuama's place, while the latter ascended a lofty fern tree with his prize ; drew the ends of the branches over his head, in the form of a cone, till he was fairly enclosed, and performed a similar catch to the former one. We had thus, in a short time, a large bundle of game, by this (to us) new process than we should have seemed by gunpowder method. This done, the agile youngster descended and broke off a leaf, doubled it between his lips, and called about him a number of tuis, some of which he dexterously knocked down witli a stick. Passing along he twisted between bis thumb and finger a small fern leaf, form ing a hollow with his two hands, and, placing his lips near them, he called a num ber of ngirungirus, about the size of " torn tits." The little victims, darting to and fro, were caught in the joined hands. When he made himself master of half-a-dozen or so he quickly tied their legs together, bar barously broke them, and plncked feathers from their heads. The cries arising in con sequence attracted others, upon Which we expressed our abhorrence, but this had the effect of exciting his laughter only. It is remarkable that sympathy with agony seems to be totally eradicated from the un civilised composition, or the quality of pity, being completely reversed or absorbed in enjoyment of contortions and cries arising from extremist suffering. May we not trace something of this peculiarity in refined literature, contrasted with the opposite tastes of sensational novels ? THE BIVOUAC. Evening, in this way, came upon us, and we bivouaced under an enormous rata; whilst Wairuama was roasting birds the old man gave us, upon inquiry, the names and qualities of each wood, shrub and weed that grew around us. The favourite totara for canoes, rata for its medicinal bark, various species of elegant ferns. Prom flowery creepers to the smallest herb and weed he appeared to be as muoh at home with as old Culpepper was in England's woods and byeways. After supper, while blowing away at the negrohead, and arranging our selves comfortably in our rugs, our inter preter had to satisfy Wairuama's curiosity as to whether we were missionaries (mean in" Christians). "Certainly," wc replied, "like all the pakehas." Over this he took exception in the respect of the old hands, who did not observe the sacred day with prayer; and we shortly found that a per plexing antagonism existed between the "Kewara's" disciple and those of the mis sionary : that the one was ingrained in their dispositions to barbarian indulgencies, and the other attractive as to the possession of superior articles of use and food, and that it was pleasant to enjoy both alternately, or as occasion served. The frequent orgies lield by the whales : their slang and blasphe mous language had far greater attractions for the native than had the habits and teachings of the missionary. Nevertheless, their teachings in reading and writing had taken root generally. The night was mild; not a cloud obscured the brilliancy of ; the stars. About mid night, while turning on my agreeable fern he'd I heard and observed Wai-ma-ma arise and methodically arrange the fire at our feet, smoke his new pipe, and at mter yala hues »■ song. Immediately outside the

solitary owl kept up an incessant cry of "more park," watching for his prey upon some venturesome rat, I asked Wai-rua ma if ho ever caught the owl. His answer was "No 1" The Maoris were afraid to go about in the dark for there were frequently spirits of the departed about, and also, that ho had often heard them whistling and muttering. A NEW ZEALAND MORNING. About daybreak, anxious to obtain a sight of the vessel, in case of the blue peter appearing at the mast-head, wc pursued a track along the serpentine ridge of the hill until we stood upon the spot that Captain Cook had chosen for his observatory. There is a peculiar charm diffused over a line Now Zealand morning, and on this occasion a succession of lines and tints imbued the aspect with an Italian loveliness, from the far spreading waves of evergreen foliage, grateful and refreshing odour delighted the senses with rich notes of multitudes of birds, mocked by the tui, Idling the air with joyous melodies, at times like silver hells touched by a master hand, and mellow ing afar with "a peculiar softness, till the bright rays of day spread over the scene, when the enchanting choir gently lapsed into that of the songsters peculiar to the day. On this spot our greatest navigator, about sixty-three years previous, might have pictured to himself the sturdy immigrant working out for himself and future genera tions estates untrammelled under the most genial of climates. We looked down upon our vessel with her tapering spars, sleeping within the same calm cove as Cook had ofted looked down upon his own little ship; he to pursue his untracked course with all the anxiety attending seas and shores un visited before by ship. We, laden with humanity and material, guided by his sur veys and tracks, to found a new colony, and embodying his ideas when he dwelt upon the advantages that New Zealand nlibrded to the colonist. On such a morn ing, Cook says :" We were awakened by the singing of birds, the number was in credible, and they seemed to strain their throats as if in emulation of each other. This wild melody was infinitely superior to •any that we had ever heard of the same kind. It seemed to be like small bells exquisitely tuned, and perhaps the distance and the waves between might be of no small advantage to the sound. Upon en quiry, we were informed that the birds here always began to sing about two hours after midnight, and, continuing their music till sunrise, were, like our nightingales, silent the rest of the day." Descending the steep hill, through tangled fern, ilito a small inlet of the cove, we came upon the remnants of a forge, erected by Cook, consisting of un hewn pieces of igneous aud also sand stone, convenient to the landing, and having by its side fresh water. Upon removing tho fern, we could not detect any relic of his visit about the stones, for the occasional burning down the fern would not have loft any wood-work, and the natives would have left nothing of metal or glass. The old man described some presents of the pakeha chief, Cook, that he made to his father, consisting of a medal or coin, a piece of flat iron that had been formed into an adze, and also some spike-nails which had been bent into hooks for whapuka fish ing ; but all these articles had been taken in warfare. The old man appeared to have a distinct recollection of the person of Cook, a "tall, strong man, with smiling face." The spot where boats were hauled up and repaired, pointing to the position of one of the ships when careened and on shore, to the height of the smithy walls, and stating that the building was covered with nikau. Proceeding round the rocks we found the shore strewn with pawa (or the univalved mutton fish), the large, broad shells of which, when polished, have a various tinted, pearly face. Cut into slips and fitted at the back of a wooden hook, they are used chiefly for barracoota- fishing. Drawn over the water, the fish leap after the glittering bait. Turning into the bush, we came across a new whaleboat, hauled under some thick underwood. The boat was an instance of the facility with which one or two pakeha whalers, with perhaps a plane, saw, and adze, will build a boat in which they start upon long coasting trips of one or two hundred miles, with but as little preparation as they would make to cross the Straits, running before a half gale of wind. They were not comparatively good boatmen; very little of cool judg ment was displayed—were generally con tumacious and imprudent; with constitu tions and intellect impaired by excessive drinking, and, perhaps, consciousness of crime and escape. A short distance from the boat we found a low hut that had lately been occupied. A little fern had been spread for bedding, backed by a piece of wood for a pillow, upon which lay a few rags. An old saw and an adze were stick ing in the roof.. About a small hole paved with stones were potato parings, fish shells bones, and a dirty iron pot containing a knife and spoons. Any fears of plundering the hut did not seem to have occurred to the owner, the place being considered safely tabooed by a branch of some sort being placed across the doorway. TARANAKI. Upon arriving on board the barque we presented the old Rangatira with a rug, to his extreme satisfaction, and rigged out Wairuama with a pair of trousers, shirt and cap, to his great rejoicing also, and of whom more anon. Under weigh again, we stood over on our northern course for Taranaki. While rounding the extensive sweep of the coast of Cape Egmont the lay of the country was altogether different from the Alpiue charac ter of that of the Southern Island, the huge volcanic cone of Egmont sloped gradually down to a level plain, to half the extent of the northern shore of the Straits, and trend ing round to the north-west side of the island. The table land terminated in steep cliffs. Passing outside the three chief sugar loaf islands, we rounded to and came to an anchor off the Isurf-washed sands of Tara naki. The intentions expressed on board were to choose the site of New Plymouth on the banks of the Waitara river, about twelve miles north of Sugar Loaf Point, a lump of trachitic porpery about 500 feet in height. After the excitement of landing in tho surf the three intending settlers started for the river along the black titanic iron sand, which was apparently unoxidisable, and cast upon the beach in great abun dance. On the way we bagged numbers of red bill, clusters of which birds were met with at the mouth of the streams, also wtM duck and snipe. We were delighted with the banks of the Waitara, the black loamy soil covered with tall'fern and small shrubs. The bush land stretching far inland with gradual slope to about two-thirds of the ascent to

the cone of Egmont, the upper part being covered with snow; tho mind picturing forth the grandeur of its appearance when in an active state at early periods. The river appeared to be navigable for small, craft for two or three miles as we wound our way to the arrival at a fouling place a few Maoris were found to be encamped; here wo gave attention to our appetites with game, biscuits and contents of llosks. There were about a dozen men, women and children of the party of natives. The only European articles among them were a few black pipes, the bowls o£ some of them fitted to wooden mouth pieces for the original shanks had boon broken or worn away by the teeth, one or two broken shanks had boon inserted through a piece of rinm or sea weed stem, which, when dry, bound like leather. Three or four toma hawks were also seen ; the native weapons were spears and patuas. After we had settled down two or three old women drew near us with expressions of wonder and curiosity at Moruaunt's white skin about the wrist. From their manner we under stood that they had never seen a pakeha before. Iv the course of the evening, after our meal, when wc were comfortably en cased in blankets upon a spring bed of fern, distant sounds of movements in the bush on the other side of the river roused all into a state of alarm; one savage looking fellow seized his patua, and, in a perfectly rude state, paced about muttering "Te tonguta Waikato." This was sufficient for us, for we were aware that the great Te Were- Wero (subsequently the King of New Zea land) had invaded Taranaki with extensive slaughterings, and had driven the head chiefs of the tribes down Cook Straits, who had in his turn made slaves and fed upon the persons of the various occupants of pahs on the coast, save those who were able to scramble away in canoes to the , Middle Island. As from former experience we knew it was impossible to get entirely away from the part that promised to be a scene of butchery. , A RETREAT. ! Scrambling together our belongings and catching up fire sticks wc made for the track; but alas! in a few minutes, we missed it, and plunged one upon another into a gully overgrown with fern. Here we re mained till encouraging sounds of "liarami' reached us. Upon joining the group again we found two strangers had arrived from the river, having seen our fire from the other side. We were again subjected to all kinds of unpleasant-looking demands. At early morning the natives were assembled round the fire, while some women roasted sticks of prepared or dried fern-root, and after beating with mallets upon stones, threw it to the others in the circle. Tho farinaceous root when thus loosened from the fibre we found an excellent adjunct to our game. Iv a short time afterwards the fern was observed to be on fire in the direc tion of the mouth of the river, which again threw the Maoris into gestures and excla mations of fear and indignation. Tho wild unkempt hero of the previous night leaped to and fro, flourishing his patua, and vocife rating in gusts like the escape from a steam jack, displaying his nether parts tatoocd as plentifully as appeared on his distorted visage. "Pleasant company," observed Nugent. " Perhaps he is working himself up to sacrifice one of us for a copper-maori." "Keep your eyes about you," coincided Mordaunt; "that fellow means mischief. Catcli me coming a jaunt again without 1 pistols. Look out for those fiends opposite!" "The first rush towards us," muttered Nugent, "lot them have the contents. Don't raise the guns till you are certain." But instead of further threats, men, women, and children hurried off, and we retraced our steps in the direction of the fire, where we found Mr. Octavius Carrington, the company's representative, with his staff, Messrs Rogan, Bain, and others, together with interpreter Brooks (afterwards of the Wairau massacre), who had arrived in the surf-boats, and had accidentally set fire to the scrub. Presently the natives appeared with all kinds of modern demands for "utn," or payment, for having invaded their country with fire. "Utu," such as blankets, casks of tobacco, rum in hop heads, powder, shot, guns, etc. Brooks' rebukes and some trifling presents soon changed their tones, and we found that the natives were but escaped slaves, a portion of a few who were now occupiers of the district at Sugar Loaf Point. The New Plymouth officials had agreed upon the desirableness of the Waitara district as a site for the township of New Plymouth. The country was abandoned by both of the great war parties mentioned as untenable from its openness and easy access, so that native troubles were but a small item in the prospect of colonization. An enjoyable luncheon having been discussed, accom panied with all sorts of exuberant wishes for the prosperity of the great future, and that their names would go down to a thank ful posterity, a re-embarkation was ordered, and the boats went over the three or four rollers upon the bar gallantly, but the chief coxswain, stalwart Sam. Teague, upon rounding his boat and approaching the sea beach to take in the remainder of the party, missed his steer oar stroke. The boat broached to and capsized, throwing into the surf the astonished occupants. The gun wale of the boat came down upon the leg of Mr. Bain, but happily without much injury. THIS MISSED STROKE OF TEAGUE'S was a memorable one for New Plymouth, for the accident was eventually a leading feature towards reconsidering the site for the township ; and which was then altered to that of Moturon, near the sugar loaves. Upon consideration this selection will even tually be appreciated to its full extent, for New Plymouth landing place is fairly pro tected from the prevailing sou-west winds; the sugar loaves affording a lee, and landing can be effected with surf boats with a cable moored off the beach, except in the un fiequent north-west winds. The next generation will erect a commodious break water, creating thus a sea port conveniently situated at the circling shores of Mount Egmont's plains. There is doubtless a happy future for the Devonshire pioneers, and justice will be done to the sparkling outpourings of the first parties' goblets ; for the whole available country is watered by hundreds of streams, rippling through the dark loam of vegetable decomposition, and those of ferruginous tufas and tertiary clay marls, to be seen about 200 miles of coast line, frequently from ten to fifteen feet in thickness. (To be continued.)

THE TRIAL SERMON.

"BALM OP GILEAD."

Mr. Chime appointed Brother Carson to preach his 'trial sermon' on the following Wednesday night, and requested rao to hear him. He was not without honour in his own native village, for the chapel was crowded. I went prepared to hear an extraordinary sermon, and take it down in shorthand. The following is as close a copy as it was possible to take. The text was— 'Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no phisician thcrcV Thero seems to me to be a. very odd and new way o' makiif sermons now a-days, or raathcr o unmaking cm, ncamly, a cuttin' on 'cm up inlo I knowncr how many different peaces, what they callcn dividin.' Now I Connor chop up a text in this way, as if I war choppin' tatoes for tho pigs. 1 shall take the text as it stands and try to compound it as quick as I con, and then make some practical remarks. The prophet axes a question—' Is there no balm in Gilead ?' Now 1 nccduer tell any on you what balm is; you know it's what wc puttcn into bread to make it light, to leaven it. Bread would be nasty, bitter, heavy sluffif balm were not put in it. Now anybody wi' hafc a ec may see how this replies to the gospel. Docsucr the Scripter say as a little leaven leavens the whol lump. The whol lump o'what? Why, o'wheat. The wold is a great mighty corn-Held. This corn-field mun be shear'd, and the wheat put in the garnior o' tho church; and it mun be thrcsh'd by the Holy Spirit, and grun by re pentance, and kneaded by faith, and the balm put into 't. and made into loaves, and then baked in the oven of Divine love, and made inlo a kind o' shewbrcad, shewing forth the praises of Him ' who has called us out o' darkness into His marvellous light.' And us my Sally has tried tatoes and I knowncr what to niuk bread light, but couldncr come it, so you may try the pleasures o' the wold, or the llesh, to make your hearts happy and light, but jo'U foind as they'll mak em sadder and sadder, and as now't 'nil do but the precious ' balm o' Gilead.' I've hecrd a'ar Sally say mony a time ' Is thcr no barm in the town to-day?" and the reply has been 'No, not a drop:' and she's lied to put oil' the bakin' to some other day. But if onybody here axes ' Is there ony balm iv Gilead here?* I tell em there's plenty, and they may hoy it without money and without price.

' The balm o' Gilead is very good, So it is 1 think 1 hear you say; Tho test o' ages it has stood, And there's plenty here to-day.1

I mun now pass on to the next question— Is there no phisician there V I can answer you in the Urinative. There is a phisician there—Jesus Christ, the Good Phisician. Now if onybody wants a doctor, they'll get the most clover moil as possible, and is noted for his cures, aud lie is tliowt none the worser if lie is kind and feclin*. But all the doctors in the wold put together is'ner hafe so clever as the Gilead Phisician, nor hafe so kind-hearted. For Jesus Christ is touched wi' the feclin' of a'ar infirmities; no earthly doctor can be in this way. They may tell yoe as they be sorry for yoo, but at the bottom they be glad as you be so badly, for the warser yoo aro the better it bo for they, and they'll bo ivcr so long o' getting yoe well. But if yoe bo gettin' the tickrolaroo, and the doctor felt tho peanc as you foel'n it, they'd be gettin' yoo well us soon as possible. Now the Good Phisician is afflicted in all a'ar afflictions, suffers in a'ar Bufferings; so as in gettin' His peatients well, it's gettin' Hissel' well; when they bo in health He bo in health. The Good Phisician understands all about us for He made us. Who so likely to put a watch right when it goes wrong as a watchmaker? Who so able to put the soul right when it goes wrong as the soul-maker? Doctors, yoo know, often cornier tell what's the matter wi' their peatients. It war just so in the case o' a'ar Sally; none o' t' doctors know'd her complcant, und they phi sick'd till they kill'd her and o'must ruin'd mo. But, thank the Lord, she war badly in her soul, and wo call'd in the Good Phisician, and He got her well in less nor hafc an hour. Doctors, yoe know canncr cure all; folks is dyin' cv'ry day. Squire Stubbs, as lives by us, tried all the doctors about a'ar parts, aud none could do him any good. Ho went to Lunnun to try tho doctors there, but it war no use 1 They phisick'd him, and he. soon went off. But there niver war a ease jet as war above the hand o' the Good Phi-ician. Wc hear now-a-days a good deal about' euro alls.' \ ou'n heard about Morison a pills; they war to do wonders—to do iv'ry thing but raise the dead; but that's all moonshine. Iv'ry dog has its day. and thoy'n had theirs. But tho balm o' Gilead is pacific lor iv'ry disease —a unfealin' cure for iv'ry complcant. Some say as the age o' miracles is past, but I saas as itisner. For isner it no miracle to rease the dead ? But them as war dead in trespasses and sins the Good Phisician has quicken'd. But I mun be gettiu' on, and enquire if there bo aich a Good Phisician and sich good balm, why isn t the dowter of my people healed? Now, its to obsarved as the prophet docsner say the son o my people, but the dowter o* my people, and this seems to mo to be the reason. A\ omen, yoe know, is tho weaker vessel; they's subject to more pains and ailments than men, and so tho Erophet wonders more as they docsner come to c heal'd? Somo dbnner come cos they donnor know as they be sick. Igoto a woman and say —* Mary, yoe be sadly diseased wi' sin.' She says, ' Diok, yoe bo mista'en; I donncrfcel bad; you thinken mo warser than I be' I recom mend her to go to the doctor. ' Not so, Anther, Dick,' says she. ' it'ul be time enough for that when I'm badly.' Then I go to a mon and I says—' James, yoo be diseased wi sin.' Ho says, ' I know I be, and I shouldner mind beiu heal d.' That's good, thinks I. there's some chance of Jim's rokivery. " You cornier do better,' saya I, • than call in mv doctor.' I thowt it better to toll him what sort o£ doctor mine war, what phisic He'd give him, and what rigement he'd put him in. Whr nit came to I foind he doesner like the bitter hearbs o' repentance and would ner come his rigement; so nowt could bo done for poor Jim. How many is there as is in this way—wonner gie up the sweet things o' this wirld—wonncr come down to a waytcrgrucl diet—and woll be pentients o' the worst doctor in the wirld. Which on yoe, I want to know, would employ adoctar as alias kills his patients? Why none on yoe would. And yet yoe be really employin' a doctor as haa killed iv'ry peatient as has iver ta'en his inscriptions. I know as he gees noico phisic. But whomsoiniver heerd o' noice phisic? You may be sure there's some trick in't, for all phisic is nasty. Will yoe hoy noice phisic and he kill'd, or nasty phisic and be heal'd? Now all on yoe as is for the killin' phisic, stand up 1 (No one rose). Oh, I see nB none on yoo loikcs tho devil's phisic. Now all on yoo as is for healin' physic, stand up! (All stood up). Tho Good Phisician is now agoin' roFJid for patients. He wonner charge you for visits, nor for phisic, and He'll gee yoe no more phisic than's necessary. andHo'd heal all on yoe afore yoe go on o't chapel. I mun now be a drawin' my discourse to a close. I ax again— 'Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no phi sician there?' I thank God as there is a Good Phisician, and plenty of balm, and quite fresh. His sarvants is goin' round the town iv'ry day. crying. Balm 1 balm! balm! And there's placea built in iv'ry place whear it may be hed—any quantity, and free gracious for nowt. Hear's tho Baptist barm-shop; the Calvanist barm shop; the Established Church barm-shop, and thank God the Methodist barm-shop. I say as the Methodist barm-shop ia the best. For the Bap tist mixes water wi' their harm; and the Cal vanists wants a ticket o' election afore they'll gie yoe ony; and the Church keeps theirs kivered up in formal pots and kettles till it goes fusty and bad. Yoe mon alias remember as t' Church barm-shop isner ony better than a'ar'n, coz it's established; for it's ony established by a human creature like wursens. The Methodists has a license to sell it to iv'ry body as axes fort. and its quite fresh and unadulterate. And if ther s ony teetotalers here to-night, let me tell 'em ns they needner fear this barm, as it's quite unfer ment, and it 'ul do 'cm no harm. We've plenty o' barm here to-night, and tho Good Phisician is here, and wc shall hey a prayermectin' nrter this sarvico is over, and the Good Phisician's assistants, a'ar brothers and sisters' 'ul go round wi' the barm. Now ia the accepted time, now is the day o' salvation. Death is at the door, and afore to-morrow mornin' yoo may be in hell, and thears no good Phisician there, no barm there. You'll be gettin' worser and worser. Hell 'ul be your hospital, flames of fire your bed, brimstone and smoke your phisic, the devil your phisician, and damned spirits your atten dants. May the Lord in His mercy save us from sich a case. All the people said Amen.— The Round Preacher.

Scene—breakfast table. Mother reads from morning paper:' What is vinegar without a mother? Little M. inquires. ,What does that mean?* Mother—'lt means there is what is called mother in vinegar.' Child remarks— ' There's vinegar in mothers, sometimes,'

SUNSET.

Grandly the, sun goes down, Kissing the blushing West, And each cloud has a mantle of gold Hiding its silvery breast; And it tinges the green of each fairy bower, Tliis beautiful glow of the sunset hour. Over tho silent hills, Over each pleimiuit scene. There are visions of wonderful forms, Rich with tho golden sheen ; And the blue peeping out 'mid the scenes WO prize- Seams just like the blue of a maiden s eyes. Over tho land and sea, Over each rill and grove, And away o'er tho western heights Linger the charms wc love. For tho sun has enrich'd, with tho wealt hit gave, The earth s teeming sod and the rippling wave. Sweetly the evening's song Soundcth from mead and rill, And the lays which are thrilling us now Ever (heir part fulfil. When they show us tho love and the sovereign power \\ liicli kindle the skies at the sunset hour, Man, with his hopes and fears, Longs for the promised rest, But the light of the life-giving sun, Enters his troubled breast, And his heart is at peace, though the heavens lour, Awaiting the close of life's sunset hour. E. S. Husband. Newton, August, 18S1.

SHOULD WE MARRY WHERE WE DO NOT LOVE?

From Harper's Bazar. Idly I read the old familiar score, Wistful I touch tho sweet responsive keys; I feelihe breath of days that are no more. I hear the night-wind's whisper in the trees. This yellowing sheet in every bar and line Reminds of happiness that once was mine. Each nolo recalls a rose ate vanished hour So full of pleasure that its ghost is pain ; Each weird repeat is perfumed liko a flower That pressed within an album's page hath laiiu Were I to sing, a melting baiitone, A voice superb, would surely join my own. Ah I let me try. The strain is meant for two— I never practised it alone before— The witching melody that was not new When courtly couples trod the polished floor In grandma's youth : tho soft arpeggio Evoked for her tho bloom of lo;.g ago. Alas! the quick tears blur tho words to-day— 1 had not thought myself so very weak. What 1 grieving for a friend who did not say 'I Jove you,'though he saw on brow and cheek Shy tokens of a secret unconfessed A tenderness I often fear he guessed! ' Tis passing strange what little things may start A sleeping world to vivid waking life Within the soul; what trifles send a dart To pierce a wound concealed; what sudden strife Of yearning, anger, and intense self scorn May of a drifting random thought be born. I'll fling the fetters of this mood aside Last eve I answered yes to one. who sought In manly fashion for his chosen bride; i And though my hcarttolovc must yet be taught I'll keep his troth when I shall wnnr his ring ; But the old song for him I'll never sing.

JOSEPHINE.

I know a young lady, a dear little miss, As 'cute as a ketten. as sweet as a kiss. As gay as a butterfly, wise has a sage. A charming young lady, but six years of age. She's full of her oddities, crotchets, and whims, She plays the piano, sings fragments of hymns, Makes calls and receive their, polite as you please, In any society quite at her case. She sits in her rocker with needle in hand, As busy as any fair maid in tho land, And heaving a matrimony sigh, says ' 1 guess That I must make dolly a pretty new dress.' 'And dolly, if you will keep still and not cry, I'll dress j ou and give you a rido by and by; But you must wait quiet, and patientty too, For maiuma has got all the sewing to do.' You little old woman, so loving and wise. Your smile is a sunbeam escapedfrom the skies A sunbeam far brighter than words can express; That falls in my pathway, to comfort and blcEB,,

Feminine Brevities.

In Lawrence, Kan., Mr. Fishback has married Miss Fry. Charley—'Throw me a kiss, Mary.' Mary (quite contrary)—'l shan't; if it isn't worth coming for, it isn't worth having.' Charley goes for it. Tho latest Gotham foolishness is for a young woman to have a photograph taken of her hand, and to present it as a souvenir to her intimate friends. ' I nover saw such a homely person in my life, said Mis 3 Sharp in allusion to Miss Fendcrson. 'And yet looking-glasses are ridiculously cheap. Superfluous-' And so you learn dancing, Bob' And how do you liko valsing?' 'Oh. it's not had 1 I can manage very well, myself; but 1 think a girl's rather in the way.' If the men were aa silent about their ages as as the women, we shouldn't hear so many army reminiscences as wo now do. The ladies are worthy of being patterned after in this regard. Harmony Brown (Philistine)—'l heard it was all 'off' between you and Miss Roweshett. Wobbinson (aesthete)—' Yaas. Incompatibility of complexion I—she didn't suit my furoitcnar I A French engineer, after a scries of experi ments with a loaf of bread baked by a Vassar College girl, now announces that the project ot tunnelling Mont Blanc is entirely practicable. 'I understand that your son is a bachelor of arts,' said Mrs. Brown to Mrs. Homespun, whoeo son had just been graduated at Harvard. ' Well, yes,' replied Mrs. Homespun, yes, he S a bachelor—but he's engaged.' A little boy seeing the clergyman coming, ran into the house to tell hia mother. When he came out the clergyman asked him if his mother was at home. ' No, sir; she's out.' ' Please tell her I called.' ' I did tell her,' said the boy. She complained to her milkmen that he did not give her good measure; and he said it was the fault of her pitcher—he lillcd it chalk full always. She admitted it was so, and told him she was glad he spoke the truth at all times. A London letter says tho very name Ameri can has in every rank and condition of life in England come to typify a man who adoies aristocratic rank; if a woman, a creature who would go on her knees for the privilege of fre quenting salons of the noblcsc. 'How beautiful is the language of flowers!' exclaimed Miss Posigush;'which is your favourite flower, Mr. Smart? Graham, said Smart, sententiously. Miss Posigush thinks there are somo persons without a particle of sentiment in their souls. Corporal punishment haa been revived in the Chicago public schools. The bad little hoys couldn't get along without a. whipping now and then, and the Chicago mothers are not Amazons in strength. Tho lifting of a Wc3tern slipper is altogether too much for them. Says Reuben Knott unto his fair, In language burning hot. ' Matilda, do you lovo me, dear V Says she, ' I love you, Knot.' ' Oh, say not so!' again he cried, ' Oh, share with me my lot 1 Oh, say that you'll be my bride !' Says she, 'I'll wed you Knott.' ' Oh, cruel fair, to serve me so! I love you well, you wot 1' ' I could not wed you, Reub, says she, 'For then I should bo Knott." A light breaks in on Reuben's mind, And in his arms she's got. She looks demurely in his face And says, 'Pray kiss me, Knott, — Boston Transcript,



J YOUNG, Family .Grocer. Shortland-street, ■ Auckland, JBIDLAKE, Upper Symonds Street. Clocks, » Watches, and Jewellery skilfully repaired. MADAME __ GRIFFON, Milliner and Dress Maker, Upper Queen-street. MHIGGINS, Tailor, etc., 91, Victoria street, • Auckland. pHEAP BOOT AND SHOE WAREHOUSE, 42, Victoria-street, Auckland.—W. Holds worth. pRINTING.-Go to the Star for Cheap Print f- mg. Largest and best assortment of type in Now Zealand. GEORGE WM. WHITCOMB, Baker, etc., Ponsonby Road. DKfciT Place for Ranges, Ovens. Stoves, and -L» Blacksmith's Work.—R. NICHOLLS, 32tj Upper Queen-street. H Pitt Street, Practical t- Watchmaker and Jeweller. Repairs Executed. ALL descriptions of Cabinet Making and Up holstering done reasonably at JOHN EVANS, Parnell Rise.



Convincing Argument. — Walter Wilson went to his wife at Little Rock, after several years' separation, and sought a reunion. She would not believe that ho was sincerely repent ant, and laughed at his declaration that he couldn't live any longer without her. He con vinced her by killing himself in her presence,