A Vision by the Sea.

A FRIEND of mine, who has returned from accompanying his wife to a French water ing place, has' revealed to me secrets which are calculated to destroy the illusions np curtaining to the nymphs that disport in French waters. He weut with hia wife to buy a bathing dress in Pan?.* There he discovered that beneath the_ tight-fitting jersey, which is now the fashionable dress for the water, stays are worn, and many other appliances to aid in fashioning a beauteous figure. I remember going with a lady to bathe at one of these French watcr iDg places. We both emerged from our respective maphine?. Near me I saw a beauteous vision. Her hair was flowing round her nhoulders, her eyes glistened, her cheeks were bright with colour, and her dress lent beauty to a beautiful figure. Soon a wave came. I missed my friend. Close by me was a haggard female ; her form was angular and scraggy; her nose was blue and Tier cheeks hollow; a wisp of hair, not larger than a rat's tail, was hang ing from her head. Where was the glori ous vision that stood by me ? .A voice came from the chattering teeth of the hag. It was the vision; but, 0, how changed ?

John Knox's Courtship.

John Knox, before the light of the Re formation broke, travelled amom? several honest families in the west of Scotland who were converts to the Protestant religion. Particularly he often visited Steward Lord Ochiltree's family, preaching the gospel privately to those who were will ing to receive it. The lady and some of the family wero converts. Her ladyship had a chamber, table, stool and candle stick for the prophet, and and one night fjhe said to him: "Mr Knox, I think you are at a loss by want of a wife." To which he said: "Madame, I think nobody will take such a wanderer as I." To which she replied : "Sir, if that be your objection, I'll make enquiry to find an anßwer against our next meeting." The lady accordingly addressed herself to her eldest daughter, telling her she might he very happy if she could marry Mr Knox, who would be a great reformer and credit to the church ; but she despised the proposal, hoping her ladyship wished her better than to marry a poor wanderer. Then the lady addressed her second daugh ter, who answered as the eldest. Then the lady spoke to her third daughter, about nineteen years of age, who very faintly said:

'•Madame, 111 be very willing to marry him, but I fear he'll not take me." To which the lady replied : "If that be all your objection, I'll soon get you an an swer."

Next night, at supper, the lady said : "Sir, I have been considering upon a wife for you, and find one willing." Knox inquired, "Who is it, madame ?" She answered, "My youngest daughter, sitting by your side at the table." Then, addressing himself to the young lady, he said, "My bird, are you willing to marry me ?" She answered, " Yes, sir; only I fear you will not be -willing to take me." He said, "My bird, if you be willing to take me, you must take your venture of God's providence ob I do. Igo through the country, sometimes on foot, with a wallet on my arm and a Bible in it. You mny put some things in for yourself, and if I bid you take the wallet you must do it^ and go where I go,and lodge where I lodge.' '• Sir," said she, " I'll do all this." " Will you be as good as your word V "Yes, I will." Upon which the jnarriage was concluded. She went with him to' Geneva, and as he was ascending a hill she got up to the top of it before him, and took the wallet on her arm, and sitting down, said : "Now, good man, am I not as good as my word ?"

A new Agony.—The very newest of all the new agonies is for a young lady to have her hand photographed and send it to her Lest young man. This signifies :—" Twas mine.'tis yours," &c. If this isn't " utter then we are " quite too,"

YOUNG FOLKS' COLUMN.

THE LITTLE KOBE OF WHITE. In a rosewood cradle a baby lay; Its mother was etitehinfj, stitclung away On a littlu robe ot white. One foot on the rocker she hoped to keep Her frolicsome baby fast asleep, To finish her work that night. In a rosewood coflln the baby lay; Its mother had wept the night away Watching its dying breath. With it pressed to her bosom she prayed to Her darling baby from going to sleep [keep In the cold, cold arms of death. In the Saviour's arms the baby lay; From the rosewood cotlin far away. In the realms of love and light. The angels a garment had folded about Its little form, which will never wear out— A seamless robo o£ white.

In a primary school, not very long ago, the teacher undertook to convey to her pupils an idea oa to the use of the hyphen. She wrote on the blackboard, " Bird's-ncst," and pointing to the hyphen asked the school, "What is that for?" After a short pause, a.youug son of the Emerald lelc piped out—" Plaze, ma'am.for the bird to roosnt on !"

A "Noah's Ark Race" was introduced at the recent Madras Fair, and was a handi cap race for all animals bred in the country, the competitors including buffuloes, ele phants, a goat, ram, emu, elk, and other creatures, besides ponies and horses. The elephants were as placid as if moving in a marriage procession, and went over the course at a quick walk. The nun and goat, ridden by little boys, ran wcll.aud the buf fidoes went at a good gallop, but the emu would not stir, neither would the elk, until the end of the race, when it^took fright and darted down the course at great speed. Finally, a ram was the winner, a horse coining second, and a buffalo third.

STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT

AUCKLAND, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1881.

A Happy Home.

A pretty story about a German family discloses the secret of a happy home, wherein joy aboundeth, though there are many to feed and clothe.

A teacher once lived in Strasbourg who had hard work to support his family. His chief joy in life, however, was in his nine children,' though it was no light task to feed them all. His brain would have reeled and Ins heart sunk had he not trusted in his heavenly Father, when he thought of the number of jackets, shoes, stockings and dresses they would need in the course of a year, and of the quantity of bread and potatoes they would eat. His house, too, was very close quarters for the very many beds and cribs, to say nothing of the room required for the noise and fun which the merry nine made. But father and mother managed very well, and the house was a pattern of neatness and order. One day there came a guest to the house. As they sat at dinner, the stranger, looking at the hungry children about the table, said compassionately, "Poor man, what a cross you have to bear I" "I? A cross to bear? asked the father, wonderingly; " what do you mean!" " Nine cliildren, and seven boys at that! replied the stranger, adding, bitterly, "I have but two, and each of them is a nail in my coffin." ; "Mine are not," said the teacher, with decision, i ■ ,„ , , ~ "How does that happen," asked the "Because I have taught them the noble art of obedience. Isn't that so, children? Vl Yes," cried the children. "And you obey me willingly?". The two little girls laughed roguishly, but the seven youngsters shouted, "Yes, clear father, truly. , , , Then the father turned to the guest and said- "Sir, if death were to como in at that door, waiting to take one of'my nine children, I would say "—and here he pulled offhis. velvet cap and hurled it at the door —" Rascal, who cheated yon into thinking that I had one too many?" . ~ ' The stranger sighed; he saw that it was only disobedient children, that make a father unhappy. . , ' One of the-nine children of the poor schoolmaster afterwards became widely known; he was the saintly pastor Oberlin. — From the German,

EARLY SKETCHES OF NEW ZEALAND.

Sketch XIII.— Auckland in 1543.

In these unfußhionod tunes, about the middle of the year 1843, a general monetary panic seized upon Sydney and all its surrounding connections by the failure of large steady-looking mercantile establish ments, supposed to bo as stable as the Bank of England, one of them to the extent of half a million pounds. Hard headed and unscrupulous potentates of the commercial gambling, who had crushed and demoralised honest dealings, were instantaneously transformed like splendid princcß to pantaloons in a pantomime, and were pointed at respectively as forming | the band of "the modern Forty Thieves." ! The waves of this social disruption reached of course New Zealand, and left their impress upon its social status. Then, again, the Wairau massacre had spread gloomy warnings and alarms over the new colonists, both north and south. Te Kauparaha had sent the leg irons ana handcuffs (intended for himself and Kangiliaieta) through the country from tribe to tribe as a warning to them, and the prevailing suspicion became settled that Makatu's slaughter of Mrs Robertson and family was intended to notify the destruction of Kororareka (not withstanding the fact that Makatu's father even fully acknowledged the justice of his sou's death, and Hubsequcutly became our staunch ally in warfare). The Wairau massacre, that of Wellington, and Nelson, and that the usual note of onslaught upon Auckland, was yet in store fortheAuck landers; these, amidst other vehement outcricß against the Government, put a stop to all progress, and were fast demoralising the minds of European settlers. On the other side, the nianv disreputable ingrediehta amongst Coast settlers or pakeha-Maoris sided with the old "ritongas or customs against all the efforts of "The Native Protector." Con tinual rumours were circulated that the Bay of Islands natives were becoming turbulent and dissatisfied at Government stringency, -unknowable laws—the "hungry land buyers," customs duties, &c., so that the acting Governor and his worried officials were called upon to do impracticable things., Harrassed and worn by the conflicting interests of Europeans, their offices at "GlenFlibberty" were filled with gloomy consultations and gnasliing of teeth, and bore very few indications of halls ot dignity and ease. The beautiful philosophy of " Mark Tapley " had not then been defined to the world, and it may fairly be considered that these unhappy representatives of tl.e British lion had preceded that gentleman in the discovery; for if, perchance, from some unusual necessity, one of them presented his august person in "the town," all wastes of business places left making of bargains to squeeze themselves into nooks and corners to get a peep at the badgered humanity, who, with an air of hesitating familiarity and smiles of equanimity, as if revelling in continuous sunshine of pros perity, passed tluough the rugged street with safety, for was not the protection and power of the "arrogant chronicle about him ? A great source of safety to the com munity arose, doubtless, from the itinerary visits of BISHOP SELWYN to all the centres of the native population, performed on foot, on smooth and rugged beach, over swamps,' and swimming the rivers; climbing highest ridges of iuounr tains, by war tracks—reconciling quarrels, converting war - council buildings into " wari-karakias," and striking awe and con viction by his energy. Nevertheless, this muscular Christianity was deeemed (by the refined) to be a questionable weapon with which to battle with barbarism— perhaps, from retrospective glance at the state of their own origin, and consequences of similar treatment. The Bishop was, therefore, " wasting his abilities and useful nees on savages, and perhaps objectionable advice in, the matter of lands, in place of attending to European wants;" although before his late departure, through the heart of the country to Cook Straits, he had established, with all his private means and

contributions of friends, five or six churches and chapels in the vicinity of Auckland. Relieving changes will always occur in thi.s our mundane slate of existence, and so at last came the gratifying news that

A NEW CioYEK.NOK was appointed, and would shortly vi^it us for the purpnse of settling all Northern and Southern disputes, which had been so powerfully and lucidly point, d out to the great chiefs in Downing-street, in several memorials, editorials, and innumerable lettera.dircct and indirect The evils exist ing in New Zealand could not possibly be permitted to remain longer in face of "a disgraced world," and by no amount of credulity could it bo imagined that any Governor could possibly be so inefficient and wrout'-headed as the laßt administra tors, and an to the insolent innuendoes of the enemies to the public good, and " stiflers of the lire of the people," that we may find our political views shortly out of the "frying pan into the lire;" they were but death gurglings of the vanquished. Accordingly, a day or two before Christ mas, 1843, all good colonists became ex ultant when Captain li. Fitzroy, mx years ago a visitor in command of H.M.S. Beagle, Bon of Lord Fitzroy, and a nephew of the Duke of Graf ion, at rived in the Bangalore. The Governor, a dark com ploxioned, aristocratic-looking man, landed with shining silver striped trousers and coat, cocked hat and feathers, accompanied by General O'Brien (father t>» Mrs Mizroy), and a dashing suite of swelling importance ; also Sir Edward Home of H.M.S. North Star, and otlic gay uniforms. The Cover nor, lifting Ilia hat to the cheers of the assembled lieges, said:—"l have come amongst you, to do you all the good in jny power." Upon proceeding to Government House, the Clerk of Council, Mr C'outts, presided at the table; with new, crisp, engrossed documents before him, which he read aloud, with proper emphasis, and justice to its lofty sounding, and awe-in spiring terms; then the Governor, with high performance of majesty in Council; spoke in impressive tones of his intention to remove all obstacles in the way of the attainment of gicat felicity throughout the European and native population of this important section of Her Majesty's dominions ; that to this end, powers had been vested in him (personally if found to he necessary), but trusted to the co-opera tion of a liberal, and enlightening assistance, which ho intended to invite in Council pleased the organ of veneration in "the Native Protector," with a promise of for bearance and Christian-like dealings with the natives, that all denominations of Christians would be placed on a pur with each other—that all disputed Land Titles should be investigated on certain defined principles, intimating a maintenance of the rights of purchase of land, up to this amount of '2,560 acrcs,iin(l all lieyoml that ?uantity contained in the claim, to bepcaee ullyciyoycd by the Crown. Soall men,of all capacities, were supposed by him to be made happy, and the intelligent and im f>ortant assembly dissolved, l>y its supcr ine coated visitors withdrawing, with sweet deferential bowings, to their respective haunts and homes, discussing emphatically by the way, particular points in the speech, "with critical and forebod ing perorations, whilst other respectable lieges expressed their belief that they had a real Governor at Iast.—[CONCLUDED.]

Shepherd Dogs.

It is said that a fiingie shepherd and his doc will accomplish more in gathering a herd of sheep from a Highland farm than 20 shepherds could do without dogs ; and it is a fact that without this docile animal the pastoral life would be a mere blank. Without the shepherd's dog the whole of the mountainous land in Scotland would not be worth a sixpence. It would require more bauds to manage a stock of sheep, gather them from the hills, force them into nouses and drive to market, than the pro fits of the whole stock would be capable of maintaining. Well may the shepherd foci an interest in his dog; he it is indeed who cams the family's bread, of which he himself is content with the smallest morsel; always grateful and always ready to exert Jiib utmost abilities in his master's interest, neither hunger, fatigue, nor the worst treatment will drive liim from liis side. Me will follow him through fire aud water, as the saying is, and through every hardship,with out murmuring or repining, until lie literally falls dead at his feet. If one of them is obliged to change masters, it is soiaetiines long before he will acknowledge the new one, or condescend to work for him with the same willingness he did for his former lord ; but it he once acknowledges him, he continues attached to him until death, and though naturally proud and high spirited, in so far as relates to his master, these qualities arc kept so much in sub ordination that he has not .i will of his own.

The Shooting of Robespierre.

Almost all historians of the French re volution have represented thefamous wound of Robespierre as self-inflicted. Most of them state that the bullet he aimed at his own head broke the jawbone, and thus made it impossible for him to speak. M. Thiers, however, makes lighter of the wound, and in his account of the scene at the Hotel de Ville says, " Kobespicrie drew a pistol upon himself, but the ball, striking beneath the lip, only pierced the check, and inflicted a severe, though not a dangei ous wound." This version is now in process of being altogether upset by an account of the circumstances given in the pages of "La France." This journal reproduces a deposition made by the gendarme Meda or Merda, afterwards a colonel in the army and a baron of the empire, and some other papers which support the story contained in it. The gendarme says: " I knew the elder ltobespierre; he was sitting in an armchair—that was in the hall of the Hotel de Ville—having his elbows on his knees and his head leaning on his left hand. I made a rush at him, and, presenting my sword to his heart, said to him ' Yield, traitor !' He raised his head and answered,

'It is you who are a traitor, and I will have you shot.' At these words I took one Jof my pistols in my lefc hand, and stepping one pace aside, fired at him. 1 intended to hit him in the heart, but the ball struck his chin and broke his left jaw." This story is confirmed by an engraver of the period representing Meda in the act of discharging his pistol, aud by the fact that Meda was shortly afterwards presented to the Convention, and warmly complimented by the President upon having oommittpd the assault.



A LL descriptions of Cabinet Ma* ing and Up A holsterW done reasonably at JOHN BVANB, Parnell Rise. - GF, BRIMBLECOMBE, Queen's Hotel, Symonds-street and Kybor Pobs R GEORGE nate C. Wood) Butcher, ParneU, • supplies best quality Meat at lowest MUCUS. TMoIVOR, Upholsterer and &&■*!*&!*• • City Market. Couches and Chairs to order. AH. WRIGHT, Tobacconist and Fancy . Goods, Upper Symonds-street. riKORGEWM. WHITCOMB, Bakor, etc, yx Ponsonby Koad. .^_^___ J YOUNG, Family Grocer. Shortland-atreet, • Auckland. _____ BEST Place for Ranges, Ovens^Stoves, and Blacksmith's Work.-R. NICHOLS, $a>. Upper Queen-street. rttTY T MART, Victoria-street. Groceries and C Provialons oi Best quality.-ROBKRT HEW. — -RinljAKE Upper Symonds Street. Clocks, J. Watchet'iwdSoweUery skilfully repaired. XjITl I C _N OT I CE. wTpetty, iAMBB- JACKET, MANTI.E. STAY AND CORSET jVlakeßi Note the address— Upper Quecn-etreet, ggoosite Army and Navy REMOVAL N O~T I C E.~ MADAME BOTTENELU Has removed to VINCENT STREET (four Cook-street), where slio will continuo to take orders for Dresses, etc, as heretofore. OR THE BEST AND CHEAPEST LINE IN TWEEDS, Tur H. Robisson (late Stevenson), junction of Queen and Grey streets. Try my Suits at £410s. Style and Fit guaranteed. Give me a Tkial. H. ROBINSON. TJ 0 N E S , . Watchmaker and Jeweller, KARANGAHAPE ROAD (Noxt door to Mr. McPherson's). ■Watob.es. Clocks, and Jewellery neatly repaired MR. J. WRIGHT, A Business Man of 25 years' experience, la now travelling on own account, also for Importers, in the Leather, Grindery, Sad dlery, Harness and Boot Trade, etc., an- Wholesale Ui'X'er Manufacturers. TTPPKR SYMONDS STREET CHEAP U GROCERY STORE. J. HEAP, Family Gkocek, Corner of Symonds and East Streets, Ih Belline Groceries and Oilmen's Stores FOR K yS ttChee| as^and cheap as any Trial and Inspection Invited. RH. HUGHES, . FAMILY GROCER & TEA DEALER. DRAPER, HOSIER, AND HABERDASHER, Junction of Ukios and Wellington Streets. Goods of beßt quality at moderate prices. A nicTassortment of China and Earthenware alwayson hand. Families waited on for orders. Goods delivered. DRAPERY, MILLINERY, & LADIES AND CHILDREN'S UNDERCLOTHING. H. FOUNTAIN, Ponsonby Road, i 9 now offering the above at J°west town prices for cash, and respectfully solicits a conttauonce of the patronage of hia numerous coßtomera. TX & J. BINSTEAD, JjL.WHOLESALE & RETAIL BUTCHERS Victoria Street West, Auckland. Families waited on for orders. Shipping sup plied. Corned Beef in any Quantity. DN. GARN IE R, , Manufacturing Jeweller, dealer in curios Albert Strkkt (near Star Hotel), Auckland AU kinds of Curios—Ornamental Kauri Gum, Wholesale and Retail; Shells of every descrip tion mounted at moderate charges. An Early Trial is Respectfully Solicited Repairs of every description. On Parlo FranQais. WS E R V I C E , (Near Mr. Lambourn's) KARANGAHAPE ROAD, In thanking the Wholesale Houses, Manufac turers, and Dressmakers for the patronage he has received in Frillings and Kiltings, wishes to inform them that he now mokes Fancy Boxes, Orders for which will be;promptly attended to. TE NEW REMEDY FOR ASTHMA? DIFFICULTY OF BREATHING. &C, "EUPHORBIA PILULIFERA" (A NATIVE PLANT OF QUEENSLAND), ~. A MOST VALUABLE REMEDY. ALSO, E D S 0 N'S "SYRUP OF HYPOPHOSPHITES," WITH "EUPHORBIA PILULIFERA," For Asthma,'Chronio Bronchitis. Coughs, Hoarseness, Tightness of the Chest, Incipient Consumption, &c. The advantage of this preparation is the com bination of the expectorant qualities of the Euphorbia Pilulifera with the reparativepro pcrließ of the Hypophosphites so universally esteemed for their power to recoup the waste and loss of tone attendant upon this class of complaints. The proprietor can, with confidence, recommend this chemical combination; although it has not been made publicly known, the sale is considerable and daily increasing, together with the voluntary testimony from time to time to the marked benefit derived from its use, induces greater publicity. The syrup is agreeable to the taste, and may be taken by the most fastidious. In Bottles at 3s. Gd. J. ED SON, MEDICAL HALL, QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND. WANTED, the Ladies to Know that they can get a first-class selection of Gloves at J. Gilmour's, Upper Symonds-street, 2 and 4-buttoned Kid. Jersey, Lace, aud a great variety of SjJJs and. Lisle Thread, in Ladies 1 and Children's, __



FIIR/lEL FIE/B. FIRE. THE SALE OF A. LINABURY'S SALVAGE STOCK IS IOW GOING ON! SAMUEL COOMBES & CO., 83, QUEEN-STREET, Next Auckland Hotel. ,