STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT.

AUCKLAND, N,Z.y. SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1883.

THE HOUSE OF White Shadows.

D y B. L. PARJBON.

AUTHOR OF

( it Blades •»' - Graxs." "Joshua Marvel,' M Bread and Cheese and Kisses," i& " Grift" " London's ITeart," # d-e., d-c, Ac.

CHAITEK XXXVIII,

A P.ECOHD OF THE TAST,

ALt was silent in tho House of White Shadows. Strange as was the drama that ,; n progriss within its walls, it found no expression, and to the Advocate, seated I alone in his study, was about to be unfolded gtecotd of events long buried in the past, '"■ the disclosure of which hud uot, up to thiß - moment, been revealed to man. During ''•-the afternoon, tho Advocate had said to '"•^ Arthur Balcombc, •■flow that I have leisure, I intend, with V'ronr permission, to devote some time to 'vonr father's work; In his day, certainly j 'La number of years, he was celebrated I andwcll-known in many countries, and I liave beard surprise expressed that a career I which promised to slitd lasting lustre upon Ihe name you bear seemed suddenly to conic to an (no?'-Of this ■" abrupt ■ break ■in the labours of en eminent man' there is no cxplanation-as to what led lo it and in whatv. ay, it was broken off. I may chance upon the reason of a singular and complete diversion from a pursuit which'he loved, lit will interest nit,- if jou will give me permis sion lo search among his papers,", t.i ! . "A permission," rejoined Arthur Bal tonibe,. "freely accorded. .Everything in the study, is at your disposal. For my own part, the impressions of my childhood are ohuch a nature as> to render distasteful the record of"my father's labours, But you are a student and a man of deeper observation and research than myself. You may tmcarth something of value. I place all my father's manuscripts at your unreserved disposal. Pray read them if you can do so, aodu'Ctbcm iv any way you may desire.". Thus it happened, that two hours before midnight, the Advocate, after looking through a number of man'u'cripfs, most of them in an incomplete shape, came upon some written pa<:cs, the opening lines of which exercised upon him a wonderfol ficination, The only heading to these pages was, "A Record," and it was made in T]ie following strain :— "It devolves upon mo, Ernest Arthur Balcombe, as a duty, to set down here iv a brief form before I die, the record of certain erents in my life which led mo to the com mission of a crime, Whether justifiable or not, whether this which I call a crime may be otherwise designated as an accident or as thcexecution of a just punishment for trust and friendship betrayed, is for others to de termine. It is probable that no human eye will read what I am about to write until 1 am dead ; but if it should be brought to light in my lifetime, I am ready to bear the consequences of my act. One reason why 1 my.-cli do nothing to assist directly in the discovery (except in as far as making the record and placing it without concealment B amorgmy manuscripts) is that 1 may in I that way be assisting in bringing in bring- I ing into the life of my dear sod, Arthur Balcombe, a stigma and a reproach which will be a cause of suffering to him. It it should happen that many years shall elapse before these lines shall fall into the hands of a human beiDg. it may perhaps be for the best. What is dohe is done and cannot be recalled. Even had I the power to bring the dead to life, I doubt whether I should avail myself ot it. "My name is not unknown to the small world in which I live and move, and I once

cherished a hope that I should succeed ih making it famous. That hope is now like a flower burnt to ashes, never more to blos som. It proves the vanity of ambition upon which we pride ourselves and imbue with false nobility. ■ f

" as a lad I was alwoys morbidly tender in my nature; I shrank from giving pain to living crealure; the ordinary pursuits of childhood, ia which ctuelty to insects forms

so prominent a feature, were to me revolt ing ; to strip even a flower of its leaves was in'ray eye a cruel proceeding, and yet I have lived to take a human life. "My earliest aspiration was to make for myself a name in literature, Every book I lead and admi-ed assisted in making this youthful aspiration n fixed purpose when I became a man. Often as I read the least words of a book which had fired my imagi nation, would I think and sometimes say alood,' Gladly would I die Were I capable of writiog ( a work so good, so fine as this,'' "My parents were rich, and allowed me to follow my benV When they died I was left sole heir to their wealth, I had not to struggle as poorer men in the profession. I resolved, to devote 'myself to wbat T.had to do. So much the worse'for me'perhaps, hut that now matters little. Whether' tbe

looks I hoped to write would be eagerly sought after or not, was of no moment to mo. I What I desired . was to produce ;.for the f lest, as to being successful or unsuccess .f ul, •I was equal to either fortune. - - I " I made many friends and acquaintances.' v who grew to leanlthat they could use and m enjoy my house as their own. In setting thiidown Uayno claim to iavish generosity;' I" £ it was onmy part simply the outcome of a <f-nature that refused to become a slave to 'rigid forms of hospitality. ' The trouble .-.entailed would have been too great, and I declined to undettake it, I chose to'employ %my hours afterimy own fashion, which has teen said was the fashion of solitude.' I lonDdgteatbleasui'e in it, and to see toy,' friends around me, without feeling:. myself called upon to sacrifice my time for jtheir rajoyment,.knowing (aa..they well k'uow): nat theyrwete",welcome'ito tho ■■best my wealth and means could supply them with,; toiH added lo my pleasure a peculiar charm; fnty were satisfied,;,and' so Was J, and ■"jly in one instance wos my hospitality *jsed and my friendship betrtyed. But wa I beta wise, this 'one' instance .would "WJi have occurred to destroy the hopes, of my life. ; ,'. ■ ... ';-.;-. ---"Although it is running somewhat ahead j Mthesequence of events, I may-mention 1 teethe name of tho man who proved fal»e. Ii 'friendship. JtwasM. Gabriel. Hewas ih *fjf young enough to be my son, and llu'Wffist knew him he was a boy and I, *jj {! man. -He was an artist, with rare Went?, ana at the outset of his career, I usisteg "bin; for like the majority of artist", b(!\ was poor. This simple mention ofMm will be sufficient for the present. "Asvpaen' * waß a '3<^< * toolc no pleasure "ithepieasni "■ °* 'a^ 3 °* ,ny own a 2e> so *'*! 1 was a i lan I did not go the way of 111611 in that o'wat absorbing passion to ™icb i 3 given" t be name of love. Those s °tmd me were di 'awn into tbe net wfaich ?*»al impulses aL d desire spread for man- H There was no 'credit in this-it was amPl7 that it did l. "ot happen, I was by ""rneansa woman ba ter- Female beauty ™»plea-ant to me, but lt would seem 8S if jj'rlrsnits to which I was devoted were JJ engrossing to.admit cvf a rivaL T s? J JVflwhrt few can ikMrj-ttot } had WWmyfortieth year and lv <tnever loved. "ytwncame, howeve'. A"■-. .Among my gue ,j. a waß tbef. lady; who ""Wards became my wife and 1 ier parents.: ; «eet and beautiful-lady t wenty-five' wismyjonior.' My unhappinee,^andruin; gft from the chance which brought us R't'did her. wretchedne^-iand. ™*iy| Inthislwasmore to'blame 'thou •s-much more toblame. Ia the ordinary W»{ a life which had reached beyond ZjMle age I should have acquired gnffi* to learn that youth should tSu?? y°utn ; that nature has its .laws Slit is dangerous to trifle with; 'But IiW e «enee did not come to me/ At Afl*? Te-yeara I was as-unlearned-asa C' 0 we'matters dl tbe' heart.'- >I had no SoarE V o{ lova or niarraige, and the A "gest man" of my acquaintance Would at my simplicity Had.the i l jV; tv? ltybeen;afforded him of seejne, my u« r We. -It wa i not' tho fault -.of tho

y,Oungl«dy that she know nothing of this simplicity. No claim whatover had I to demand to be judged by special and excep tional .rules, the had a perfect right to judge mc as any other man of my a«o would have becu judged. All that can he said of it was that it was: most unfortunate for her and for mc.

"If it should lvippen, which is not un likely, for the iinfor ecu I<i always occurring, that these pages should be read by a man who is con ternp1 itting mnninge with oue young enough to lie h s daughter, I would advise him to pane aud submit his case to the test of natural leason, for if both live thcrewill come a time when nature will take its reveuge for the transgression. The glamor of the present is very alluring, but it is the duty of the wiser and the riper of the twain to cousider tho future, which will press more hardly upon the woman than upon the man. With the fashion ot things as regards the coupling of the sexes, I have nothing to do; fashions nre artificial, and often most mischievous. Frequently where the deeper laws of naturo are involved tuoy are destructive aud fatal.

"It w.i 3my misfortune that during the visit of the young lady to her parents the father, au old and harmless gentleman, met his death through an accident, while he, I, and oiher gentlemen were riding. In my house he died.

"It occasioned me distress aud profound sorrow, and I felt myself in some way ac cduotablc, though tho fault was nono of mine. Before his death he aud I had pri vate conferebccs, iv which he asked me to look after his affairs, and if, as he feared, they were in an embarrassed state to act as a protector to his daughter. I gave him the promise^ readily, and when lie died I took a journey lor the purop^e of ascertain ing how ;ttie widow and the orphan were cir cumstanced. I found that they were literally beggars. As gently as 1 could, 1 broke the news to them. . The mother, .un derstooclit ;.the daughter scarcely knew its meaning.l Her. charming, aitless igtiorauc of the consequences'of povdrty deeply iu terestcd mc, and I revolved in my mind how 1 could beft serye her and render her future a happy one.' "' '"<v ' " - . " Spedkiug as I am in a mcisuro to my own soul I will descend to no duplicity. That I was entirely unselli.h in my do.ire thatlior life should be bight and free from ansioties with which sho could not cope, is true; but nono the loss true is it that for the first lime I felt mynslt under the db'miniuu of a passion deeper and more sig nificant than I had over felt for woman. It was love, I believe, but lovo iv which there was;reason; for 1 took niysolfto task. I set my age and hers' before me. I did this on paper; and ns I gazed nt tho figures I said; 'Absurd, it is not in nature, and 1 must tight it down.' I did wrestle wilh it, and although I did not succeed in van quishing it', I was sufficiently master of my self to keep the struggle hidden in my own breast.

"How then, did this hapless lady become my-wife T 1* otin the fir.-t instance, through, any steps voluntarily and nnrensoaingly taken by myself. I had firmly resolved to hold my feelings "in check. It was the mother who accomplished that upon which she set hfer-'beOrt. I may speak freeiy. This worldly'mother has been long duid, and my confession cannot harm her. It was she who ruined at least the happiness of one life, and'made me what I am,

" Needless here to recount the arts by which she worked to the end she desired ; needless to speak of the deceits she pruc tised to make irie believe her daughter loved me. It may bo that the fault was mine, and that I was too ready to believe. Sulli. cient to say that we fell into the snare she prepared for us; that intoxicated by the prospect of an earthly heaven, I accepted the meanings she put on her daughter's reserve and apparent coldness, and tnat once engaged in tho entcipri-c, I wa« : animattd by the ardour of my own heart, in which I allowed the flower of love to grow to fruition. So we wero married, and with no doubt of the future I set out with my wife on our bridal tour. She was botti child and wife to me, and I solemnly re solved and most earnestly desired to do my duty by hfcr. " Before we were many'days away, news arrived that my wife's mother had met wiih an accident in a part of the grounds which was being beautified by my workmen, ac cording to plans I-had prepared! for the pleasure of my young bride. An accident so serious that death ,could not be averted. In sadness'we returned to the villa. My wife's-coldness I-ascribed to grief—to no other, cause, , Alid indeed, apart from the sorrow I felt at the dreadfulnews, I was myself overwhelmed for' a time by the fatality, which had deprived my. wife of her parents within so shore a time od my estate and whilethey were my guest-i. 'But it will pass away,' I thought, 'and I will b parents, lover, husband to tha sweet flower who had given her happiness into my keep ing.' When we arrived at the villa her mother was dead.

"I allowed'my wife's griof to take its natural course.; seeing that,sho wished for solitude 1 did not intrude upon her sorrow, 1 had to study this young girl's feelings and impulses;' it was my duty to be kind and; considerate to her. I was wise, and thoughtful, and loving, as I beliercd, and I spared no effort to comfort.without disturb ing her. * Time will console her,' I thought and then we will commence1 a new life. She will learn to loOkupon me,- not only as a husband butas a protector, who will fully Bupply the place of. those she has lost. 1 was patient—very patient—arid I waited for the change. •. It'never.came,'-' ..' >: ••blie grew more and more roserved to wards me, aud still I waited, and still was patient. .Not for a moment did I lose sight of my duty..'\ - ... -.A •■ f . '* "But after a long tim 3 had passed I be gan to question myself, ' I began to doubt whether I had not allowed myself to be de ceived. Is it possible, Tasked of myself, that sho married me without'loving mc? When this torturing doubt arose I thrust it indignantly from me, it Was as though I was casting a stain upon her truth and purity. ,

CHAPrEB XXXIX

THE KECQKD CONriNIJED.

,'1 "I will not recount the continual-.en deavours I made to win my wife to cheeifill ness and a better frame of mind. - Sufficient to say that they were .unsuccessful, and that many and many a time, 1 gave up the attempt in despair, to renew it again under tbe influence'of falke hopes. Unhappy and disheartened, the pursuits in which I had always taken delight afftrded mc now no pleasure,' ahd tlioush' I sdiight lelief in solitude and study, I did not'rind it. My peace of mind seemed to be utterly wrecked. There was,, however, in .the midst of. my Wretchedness, 'one ray Of light. Tn the course of a little while ii-child would be born to ns, and this child m'ght effect wbat I was unable ito accompli-h,: 'When my wife pressedher baby to her breast, when it drew life from her bosom, she might be recalled to a sense ot duty and cf some kind of affection, which I was ready to ac cept in the place of that thorough devoted love I bore to her, and which I had hoped she would have to me.: Considering the matter with as m.uch wisdom a3 I cculd bring to my aid, I recognised the desira bility of surrounding my wife with signs of pleasant and even joyful life. Gloomy parents are cursed with gloomy ohildren. I would fill my ih use once moic with friends; my wife should move in an atmos phere of cheorfulness: there should be music, laughter, sunny looks, happy voices, -These coutd not fail to influence lor good both my wife and our little one so:n to be bom. ... A' ~ , , , " I called my frimds around me, and I took special,care there should be many young people among them ''1 heir jfjresence, however, did not,fat first arouse my., wife from her melancholy, and it!was noi.t until ,the man whose name I have already men tioned,' M; Gabrieli'arrived that I'noticed •iv her any change for the better. He came, and I introduced him to' my wife, believing themto have been hitherto Btrangers to each other. I had no reason to believe otherwise when I presented °M; Gabriel to her; had they met befbfo.it. would have been but honest that one or'both should liavo.inade acquainted with; the. fact; ,'l'hey "did not'by direct or,indirect,woi;d, audi had therefore no cause for suspicion Things went on as usual for a Week, after M. Gabriel's,:arrival,' and then 11noticed with-jay that my wife was beginning to grow,.,more cheerful. My happiness was great; I had been too impatient, I thought, with that young girl. ' The shock of losing

her parents one after attother, under circumstances so distressing, was sufficient Ito upset a stronger tuiud than hers. How [unwise iv me that I should have tormented I myself as I had been doing for so many mouths past I And how unjust to her, ' because she was sorrowful aud silent, 1 | should have doubted her love for mo ! But all was well now ; comfort had come to,her bruised heart, and the book of happiness was not closed to mo us I had feared. A terrible we'ght, a gnawing grict, were lifted from mc. For I cou'il inmgiuo no blacker treason than that a woman should de liberately deccivo a man into tho belief that sho loved him, and that sho should marry hiui uuiler such conditions. My wife had, not douo this; I had wronged hor. Most fervently did 1 thank God that I had dis covered my ciiior before it was too late to repair it.

"I saw my wife took pleasure in M. Gabriel's society, ami I made him as Irco of my house as if it had been his own, He had commissions to execute; pictures to paint. ' Faint them here.' I said to him ; 'you bring happiness to us. I look upon you its though you bclon, od to my family.' in the summer house was a room which lio used as a studio; no artist could havo de sired a better, and M. Gabriel said ho ba never been ableto paiut so well as he was doing in my hou>c. U gladdened mo to observe that my wife, who bad for n little while been reserved towards M, Uabriel, looked upon him now as a sister mi>>ht look upon a brother ; I cnconrnircd their inti macy, and was gratofu! to M. Gabriel for accepting my hospitality iv tho free spirit iv which it was tender tl. He expressed a wish to paint my wife's portrait, anil I read ily consented. My wife gave him frequent sittings, sometimes iv my compauy, some times alone. And still no word was spoken to acquaint me with the fact that my wife and he hid known each other before they mot in my house. .;

"My child was born- a boy. My happi ness would hay been complete had my wife shown riic a little more affection; but again, after the birth of our child, it dawned upon mo that she cured very little for me, and that the feelings she cntertuiucd for mc iv no wiso resembled those which a loving woman should feel towards her husband, who was indefatigable, as indeed I was, in his efforts to promote hor bapp:ness. Kvcn thervit did not.striko me that she was hap pier iv M. Gabriel's sooiely than she was in mine. 'Iho-truth, however, was now to be made known to me. It reached mo through the idle tittle-tattling of one of my guests. Uf my own prompting, I doubt whether I I should ever have discovered it. ,I_ overheard this ' lady making some injurious observations respecting my wife ; no man's name was mentioned, bat 1 had heard enough to cause mo to hour rnoie and to put an end at ouce lo the utterances of a malicious tongue,

" 1 did not act immediately, I* Waited till the next day, determined to do nothing rashly. During my life, in matters of great moment, I.have seldom acted upon impulse and the value of calm deliberation alter a sudden excitemnet of feoling has frequently been made apparent to mc. " I setight this lady, ihen, on the follow ing day, and requested liei to give mo an interview, making it a matter of honour be tween us, th it was pa'sed should be kept private. I told her that I had overheard the remarks shq had made on the,previous day, aii'd that 1 was profoundly impressed by them, and intended .to know what foun dation there was for even a breath of scan dal. I had some diiliculty in bringing her to the point, but 1 was detonnincd and would be satisfied with no evasions.

j "' I love my wife, madam,' J. snld, ' 100 well to be content with half words and in uendoes, which in their elfect are worse than open accusations,'

A" Accusations !' exclaimed the lady, 'Good heavens, I have brought none.'

" ' It is just that 1 complain of,' I said ; ' accusations can be met, and ate by no means so much to be feared as idle wo:ds which affect the honour of those who arc tho subject of them.'

" ' I merely repeated,' ihen said the lady, ; what others have been saying for a long ;ime past'

" ' And what have others been saving for a long time past, madam ?' 1 asked with an outwaid calmness which decoived her into the belief that I was not taking the matter seriously to hear?.

" ' I am suro it is vety foolish of thi-ni,' said tho lady, 'and that there is nothing in it. But peiple are so mischievous, and place such dreadful constructions upon things I It is, after all, only natural that when after a long separation young lovers meet they should feel a little tender to wards each other, even though one of them lijs got married in the interval. 'We all go through such foolish experiences, and when wo fcrow as old as you or I are wo laugh at them.'

"'Probably, madam,' I said, still with exceeding calmness, ' but beforo wo can laugh witb any gonuiues orenjoymont it is necejFtuy to have some knowledge of tho cause of our mirth. When young lovers meet, you said after a long separation, it is natural they should feal a temlerness to wards each oiher. But wo arc speaking of my wife.' •'' Ye?,' she replied, 'of your wife, and 1 am euro you arc too sensible a man—so much,older thair that sweet creature—to make any Unnecessary bother about it.

" she knew well liow to plant daggers in my heart. ' My wife", then is one of these young luvers. You really most answer me, madam. These are, after all, but foolish experiences.' •; ;. ; /

" ' I'm glad you are taking it so sensibly,' she rejoined, 'yes, your wife is ono of the young lovers." " 'And the other, madam ?'.

" ' Why, who else should it be but M. Gabriel 1 You know well enough without forcing mc to tell yon. It sounds so coarse.'

" I did not speak fora few moments; the shock was so severe that I required time to recover some semblance of compoure.

'"My mind is much relieved,' I said) for there U not the slightest foundation for scandal, and I trust that this interview will put au effectual stop to it. My wife and M. Gabriel have not long b'en acquainted; they met each other for tho first time in this house.'

*" Ah,'cried the lady, very vivaciously, 'you want to decieve mendw; butit' is nonsense. Your wife and M. Gabriel have known each other for many years—they were affianced. Had you not stepped in, there is no knowing what might have oc curred. It is much better ns. it is-I am sure: yon think an',: Wbat can be worse f<ir a youngand beau'ifnl creatur'e,thanto'maifrv a poor and struggling artist. M, Gabriel is very talented, but he in very poor. By the time be is a midcllc-agcd man, he may have made bis. way in the world, and thonhis, little romance will be forgotten. 1 daresay you cm look back to the time when you were as young as he is, nud can recall some body you were madly in love witb, but who yon never tbink of, except by tbo merest chance, These things are so common, you •ec ; and now don't lot us talk any more about if.'

'.•'I bad no desire to exchange another word wich the lady up6n the subject 1 al lowed her to rest in the belief that I had been acquainted with the whole affair, and did not wish it to get about. She promised me never to speak of it again to her friends in any injurious way, and it was a real pleasure to see what a sensible view I took of the matter, and our interview was at an end, ~ j

" I had learnt all. At length, at length my eyes were opened, and the perfidy which had been practised towards me was revealed, All was explained. My wife's consistent coolness,',her insensibility to aU the affec tionate advances I bad made towards her, Tier pleasure at meeting her lover—the un worthy picture lay before my sighr. , There was no longer any opportunity for self-de ception. Had! not recognised and ac knowledged the full extent of the treason, I sbould have become base in my own es te'eni. It was not they,-had been lovers— that knowledge in itself would havo been hard to;,bear—but that they should bave concealed it from me, that they should have met in my presence as straDgers, that they should tacitly have agreed to trick me, and to. place me in a.'disv honourable position ! i For hours I could not think with calniness upon these aspects of the misery which had been forced upon me, .- For she, my wife,. was in the first in stance responsible for our marriage; she could have refused • me. I'waß!in utter ignorance of a love, which during all these years, was burning in her heart, and making her lifd and mine a torture,

Had sho beon honest/ had she been true, sho; would have said to mc, 'I love nuothcr, how then can I accept tho lovo you direr me, and ho iv can you hope for a re turn ? If circumstances compel mc to raarfy you! there must be no concealment, no treason. You must take mo ns I am, and never, never make my coldness a cause 6f reproach or nnhnppincss.' Yes, this much she ;might have said to me when I offered her,my name, un hqnourcd name, upqn which there bad.hitherto been no stain aud no dishonour. I should have acted as la fallijer towards her; I should have con ducted her to the aims of her lover, aud into their lives and mine would not havo crept this infamy, this blight, this shame, which even death eanuot efface.

"Of such a nature were my Uioughts during the clay. ' ' - .

Then came the resolve to be sure before I took action in the matter. The evitlenee of my own senses should ponvinco me .thitt iv my Own house my wife aud her lpvqr werq playing a bane part, were systctuatj cally docciviug ma and laughing tit me. *'Of this ma-i, this friend whom Iliad taken to my heait, my horror aud disgust were complete. I, whose humane instincts had in my youth been made the sport of my rioinpauions, who shrank from inflictiug tho slightest injury upon tho meanest crcaturo that crawled upon the earth, who would hot even: stiip the leaves ftom a flower,' found myself ' now tiansfoinied. Had M, Gubiicl bo;m in my presence at any moment during.those hours of agonis ing thought, I would htive torn him limb from limb, and rejoiced in my cruelty. So Lttle do we know oursclvc.

" I kept up the whole night: I did not close-my eyes, aud when morning broko I had schooled myself to the task before mo— to assure myself of the truth and extent of the shame. '. .

" I kept watch, and did not betray my self to them, and what I saw tilled me with amazement at my- blindness and ciedulity. That,my wife was not guilty, that she was not faithlc's to me in the ordinary accep tance of the term, was no palliation of her conduct.' Thqie is it pollution of the soul as infamous in my judgment os a pollution of the body.

" Steadfastly I. kept before mo one un alternable resolvo. In the eyes of the world tlio name I owocd should not bo dis-j honoured if by any earthly means it could 03 prevented. Wo would keef, our shame and our defcp unbappiuess within our own walls, In the light ot this "resolve it "was impossible that 1 could challenge M, Gab riel. He must go unpunished by mo. My naniejshould not be:dragged through the mire to become a byc-woid for pity. j

"By degrees, upon ono excuse and another, I got rid of my visitors, and there remained in tho villa, only I, my wife and child,1 and M. Gabriel. Then in M. Gab-' riel's studio I broke in upon, the lovers, and found my wife in tear*,

" For a moment or two I gazed upon' them in silence, and they, who had risen in confusion when I presented myself, cou-, ronted mo also-in silence, waiting for the storm, of anger which they expected to, burst! from nic_ as an outraged husband. They: were mistaken, I was outwardly calm.i •-....■

'• 'Mulam ' I enquired, addressing my wife, {may I enquire tne caused your tears?" "She did not reply ; M." Gabriel did. 'Letine explaiu,' he said; but I would not allow him to proceed.

' " ' I do uot need you," I said, ' to inter poso between ■ man and Wife. I may presently have something to say to you. Till then bo silent.' Again I addressed my wife, and asked, her why she was weeping Sho lacks neither courage nor endurance.

■"- They arc not the fust tears I have abed,',sho replied, ' siuco I entefcd this un happy house.' ' I am awate of it, madam,' I rcpliod, 'yet the house was not au unhappy one before you entered it. Honour, and tiuth and faittfnlnesi Woie its characteristics, aud towards no man or woman who has received hospitality; within these walls has any kind of treachery been praotised by me, its.master aud. your husband. Tears arc a sign of grief an! suffering from it, as I believe you are ; I ask you why you have not sought consolation from tho mars whose, name you bear, and whose life, since you and he first met, h.is J had but One alni, to make you happy.. :. .'.'/•-.'. ," ' You canuot comfoit me,' she said. "'Can he?' I niked, pointing to M. Gabriel.; .';", ',-'• V..,■ \. • ■ ..,,--. "' You insult mo,' she said; with great dignity. ' I will leave you. We cinspeak of this in private' ' ' 'j

" 'You will not.leavo roo,'l said; 'and we will, not sptak Qfthu in private until after "some kind of explanation ii affordod me from your own lips and the'lips.of your frieud. In saying I.insult you thew is surely a mistaken idea in your mind-us to whit is due from you to toe. M. Gabriel, whom I ouce called friend, it here:enjoying my hospitality, of which' I trust he has had no reason to complain, I find you In td»rs by his side, and he.!by.his.altitude en deavouring to; consolo you," When I ask you,-In his p'e«euco, why; being Ih grief, you do not come tb trie lor consolation, you reply that I cannot comfort yon. Yet yon are accepting comfort from him,- who is hot your husband.'. It suggests itsell.tp me-lliat If an. insult ha» been. pjs«od,~lt hat been pas»ed upon mo. • I -do not, howaver,1 re ceive it ai such, for if an^niiulfc bd's.boeii offered to me, M Gabriel is partly, rospon sible!for it, and it is only, between equals that' Such au indignity can be offered,;''.';■ j' 'Equals,'cried li; Gabriel ;;', he under stood my wordß in the serso I intended thpm; 'I am cortainly ypnr equal,',; fit bas tb be proved,' I retorted; '1 use-tho term in so-far ns it offecta honour and straight conduct .between man and man,- You can' bring ageiiest'irie no accusa tion of haTing failed in those rejpecta'inrhy bejiayiou't towards yoti, Itbaejjo beacon whether I j can in truth bring eueh an accusation.against-you-; and.if 1 ,can>ub siantiace it by evidence; which the com* monest mind would not reject, .you aro not my equal.- Isee that-this plain and honest reasoning disturbsyou; it should notyith out sufficient .cause. Something more. If, in j addition, I cau prove that you' h&Ve violated my hospitality, you arc hot only not toy equal/ but you' bayo, descended to. a depth of baseness! to describe which 1 can find no fitting toims.''- ■*! •■.,,...,.?;'.''.",'-,'

[To be continued.)

Rules For Opening the Door in the Wee Sma' Hours.

'" 1. • Upon reaching, the; Uoop, "which! is still where it wasi'n tho morning, retreat to the kerb; then irdagirio that"yoii'a>oin''a'ri elevator, and,--swioging your aTtns xapidly and,'powerfully,, ndva'nco upon tlie stoop,! the momentum thus acquired Will carry yon upjthe'steps to'.tbe.door;... •"'!£.,■,- J?' : '!: f" % Having Rot.tq ,tho .dope , grasp the prqtuberanco (that's the knob,' but you won't recognise it) in your left hand, and while using the protuberance, as an,ancho rage, as'well'as a landmark, begin to ex plore directly beneath'it'fof the keyhole, 3. The keyhole .found, fumble" ia your pockets untill.you collide with a thin .piece of |wood. 'That's a toothpick ; but by all mcari'vinser,t it in the keyhole ; it has never been known to open'a door,-but this must not discourage you.') „ 4. -Should the tooothpickfaiVaperiktiifc may succeed, Therefore, leaving the'tbpthY pick in the keyhole, insert the pocket4knife nlsp. '• -Perhaps you are studyingaCombina tion lock and have hit upon the combination, 'An eXpottwiU.decide.!! .! !!!,>! "AAAh i

5, No"; :thepenkniie and tho toothpick) have not opened tbe door, Sometbingmus't' be j wrpng; with the ;lock; y . u h,ns! ; b.een, tampered with. Not so fast. i:;locwin ■•' 6|. .Ybu-have a- buttton-hook r Put'the hooked end intbo-keyholc." Turn it .three, times'to tho left and .twice to the right. Pullitttnvnrds*you vigorously.""Shout and' stump ; jam the tdothpick'* and penknife farther, in. „ Give the_buttonrhook another, tremendous pull.: The door Is oponing. A figiite'Hbldihgia lamp and almostispectral; ia a! white] wrapper Stands in thovestlhuleii You !have discovered, the!, combination?! The combination is complete ? Yp.u'll.'he'ar; all alnutit when you get up,stairs^ YGo'pd highf'.'youpoor, miserable, enslaved married man.-.Now, don't stand_ there protfestifog, that you have .taken nothing' strorigjsr than,' lemodfi.de!'!' Did le'mohflde biog your ihair t DpcsYlemonade make, you stutter? ! Dld; lemonade give you- partial paralysis, of^Jhe? 'legs'? "You'll " finally "admit that you've been flown to the. club!. Yj)&, verily;-:tbe' club, like charity, covereth;a.ninltitUde ,'pf ii-na.-L-Buffalo, C'ommcmAT'A}li)ertii'ei\'''"

CHOICE EXTRACTS.

A fiotukk is a poem without words.

Next to tho oiiginator of a good sentence is tho first quoter.

I Many people are esteemed merely because they are not known.

j : It is only those who are despicable who fear being despised.

He is richost who is content with tho least; for contentment is tbe wealth of nature.

No degree of knowledge attainable by man is able to set him nbovo the want of hourly assistance.

A celebrated philosopher used to say, I" The favours of fortune are liko steep rocks—only eagles and creeping things mount to tho summit."

! Place beforo children nothing but what is simple, lest you spoil their tastes, and noth ing that is not innocent, lest you spoil their hearts.

| A moro glorious victory cannot bo gained over another man than thi*, that when tbe injury bogan on his part, the kindness should, begin on ours.

Learn to bo pleased with everything, with woalth, so far as it makes us beneficial to others ; with poverty, for not having much to care for,- and with obictirity, for being unenvicd.

Infinite toil would not enable you to sweep away a mist; but by ascending a littlo you may of ton look over it altogether. So is it with our moral liraprovoraent : we wrestle fiercely with a vicious habit which could.have no hold upqn us if wo ascended into a higher moral atmosphere.

! Lord Macaulay'S Talkativeness.— To women, ovon tbe most highly gifted, ho was generally distasteful, notwithstanding all his talent* and acquirements. I have often heard him styled, by thoso who in general appreciated conversation the most, a perfect bore, I must own that I have sometimes seen him to be inch in company, and admitted to b» so by his greatest ad mirers.—"Sir Archibald Aliion,"

FAsaiONAiiLE Friendship,—Backbiting is all fair "in aociety." Abwo me and I will abuse you, but let us be friends when we meet. Have wo not all entered a dozen rooms, and been sure from tho countenances of tho amiable pel sons present that they have been discussing our little peculiarities, perhaps as we Were on the stairs ?wa« our visit, therefore, tho less agreeable ? Did we quarrel and say hard words to one another's faces ? No -we wait until some of our dear friends take their leavo, and then comes our turn. My back is at my neighbour's service; as soon as that is turned let him make what faces he thinks proper, but when wo meet again we grin ami shake hands liko well-bred folk, to whom clean Hnoa is not more necessary tluiu a cieau, sweet-looking countenance, and a nicely got-up *nille for company.— "Thackeray.

Perhaps the most uoiquo picco of pulpit oratory of tho present day is the following extract from a discourse dolivered by Rev. Dr. Brown, a Jewish Rabbi, ia New York on 29th Janurary last, on the occasion ot the dedication of a Jewish Temple. He said he would address his hearen as businoss men. "The congregation," he ■aid, " has Uken a house that has been üßed by the Methodist Episcopal wor shipers ; therefore, in business parlance, this is simply a reepcuins of the old firm, which consisted of tbe Father, Son, and ilolyGhos,.and which the now partner ship has dissolved. The Eon and Holy Ghost have stepped down and out. but the bu incss will still bo continued by the Father, the old be id of the firm, one you have always trusted, Tho same goods will bo offered for sale. We slull continue to deal iv charity, brotherly love and all tho virtues, and we appeal to all old cus tomers to continue thoir trade,"

It is a Yankee who has scored again, and tho " Cock-a-doodlc-do " nuisance must vow be coniideied a thing of the past. A " New York " Correspondent says;—" The family of a well-known pbysicau, whose homo is in tho annexed district, were re cently annoyed by tho loud crowing before daylight of four bantam roosters in a neigh bnir's yard. An idoa occurrod to the doctor. Tbe bantams wore tame and easily caught. Ho seized them ono by oue, and, pulling out the vocal cords clipped them off. Thi operation was painless to all but one, which struggled and was accidentally killed. The Others resumed their placo in tho yard, but have never since been heard ti!crow. The doctor now from his window gleefully watchos thoir. going through all the motions ol ctowlog, but without making a sound, and is thrown into fits ot laughter byj witnessing the increasing wonder of their owner and the evident amazement of the hens." '. i ■■>■■,? « .

When a certain.family ia London took a now cook last month It was specifically stated and fully understood that sho was not to have any- men banging about the kitchen. She held to tho agreement for three or four nights, and then the family discovered that she had a beau. Ho came reivilarly evory night after that, and three or; four nights ago the master was at the back, gate, waiting for him. When the young man appenrco the master threw a whole iceberg into his tones as he inquired, \' Well, sir, have you come here courting?" " I have," was the calm reply. "In lovo, are you?'' "Yes, sir." ''Who with?" " Sarah, tho cook." " Oh, I didn't know but you loved one of my daughters," sneered the master of tbe house. "No I don't at present," said tho man as he seemed to catch a sudden idea " but the thing hasn't gone so far "Tvith Sarah but what I might break off In caie you had somethlog better up stairs for me!" Sarah dosen't work there any £more, but the master has had a Bevere shock.

i The Bank of England has in its possession aniong other curiosities, a one thousand pound note on the back of which is written the utterance of a remarkable man. In 1811 Lord Cochrane was unjustly accused of fraudulent speculation on the Stock Ex change. He was found guilty, and sen tenced to. a fine of one thousand pounds, a year's imprisonment, and to stand in the"' pillory, Ho was spared the indignity of tbe la-t part of the sentence, but suffered the! loss of the Order of the Bath, his rank in the Royal Navy, and bis seat in the House of Commons, The fine was paid with the note referred to, on the back of which Lord Coihrane wrote these words : —" My health having suffered by long and elope confinement, and my oppressors being resolved to deprive me of property or life, I submit to robbery to protect myself from murder, in|the hope that I shall live to bring the delinquents to justice. (Signed.) Cochrane. " King's Bench Prison, July 3,1815." Fifteen years afterwards he bad succeeded in vindicating his good name, and his rank of Admiral and the Order of the' Bath-deservedly gained after many a doughty dbed—were ultimately restored to the'gallant sailor.

THE QUEE -'S L'JVE OF SCOTLAND,

In the memoirs of tho late Sir Arcbib Id Al'son, just published, wo find the following, anecdote. Her Maje ty spoke chiefly of the eftr|y-history of Vcotland, to him, and was voryihquiSitlve about the battles of Stirling, Falkirk, Torwoo'd,.,and Bannockburn, and thelgroundibn. which each was fought. ■:'■" I described," says Alison, " the localities as Well as I Could, and she promised to observe thejplaces the next time she passed ia the railway. When-1 mentioned the singular circumstance that both armies at Bannock burp, were commanded by hci .ancestors, theidne being led by Edward 11., the other by Kobertßruce, she said: '< It is so ; but Farji more proud of my Scotch descent ;han al' any' othor. When ,1 first came into Scotland, I felt as if I Mere going home." Soon after, the converaation turned upon Queen Mary and Elizabeth, and sbe said ; " I am thankiul I am decended irom Mary. I have nothing to do with Elizabeth,"— "Court Journal,"

FOR THE LADIES

It is said the United States census em braces seventeen million women, Who wouldn't be a census?

An amorous swain declares ho is so fond of his girl that ho has rubbed tho skin from his nose by kissing her shadow on the wall,

"Think I'd live in that building?'' ex claimed the lady who kept a lodging-house, Why, all the doors fasten with bolts. There isn't a key-hole in the building." " You made a fool of mo," said an irritated man to his wife. "My love." she sweetly responded, "you do youreelf injustice. Call yourself a fool, if you wish, but remem ber that you are in all respects a self-made man."

E izibcth Cady Stanton advises billards for girls of the period. If a girl handles a oilliord-cue ns dexterously as she throws n stone, the man four feet to the left of her i< likely to havo an eye poked out. " Yes," said young Mr Guy of tho Bicker kuockor Club, "yes, I was engaged to her, but I've brokon it off, you know, until I sec whether she is going to ba successful in breaking her unole's brother's will, you know."

A fond mother, beholding her child eating a quantity of sugar plums, began for to curse and lo swear, and warned him he would have the stomach ache unless he shared the sweetmeats with his little sister. "No no, dear mother," ho sagely re plied, "I would willingly share the taffy with sister, were it not for fear of also shar ing the stomach ache with her. Say no more but let me suffer alone."

"Why aro you so late 1" asked a London School Board Teacher of a little girl, who hung hor head and replied : " We have got a little baby up at our house." "Don't let it occur again," said the teacher, fiercely. And the littlo girl said she would not, ancl took her 5cat,......

In a town not many miles from Boston a man stepped Into a neighbour's house, where he saw the head of the family lying upon liis back on the floor, and his wife standing over him, as ho thought, with a threatening air. Ho was about to with draw when the prostrate man shouted-: "Come along in, Steve; she is only chalk ing mo out a pair of pants."

An Austin yoang man has been boring a young lady with his attentions for some time past, altuough on various and sundry occasions she had given him to understand tbatjhe was distasteful to her. Alfewjcven ings ago ho assured- her that he was anxious to fulfill her every wish. "Is it really a fact that you will do. whatever I ask of you?" '• Your.slightostwishislaw, Com mand me and I shall obey." " Well, then, I wish you would sen if,you can induce my mother to mdtry you. She is a widow, and not as particular about whom she marries as I am."

At a dinner party the little son of the hostess was allowed to come down to dessorf. Having had what his mother con sidered a sufficiency of fruit, he was told that he must not havo any more, when, to the surprise of every ono "of the guests, he exclaimed : "If you don't give me some more I'll tell I" A fresh supply was at once given him, and as soon as it was finished he repeated his threat, whereupon he was suddenly and swiftly removed from tho room ; but he had just time to convulse the company by exclaiming, "My new tsoiuers aro being mado out of ma's old bedroom curtains !'.' i

Thoughtless people, who imagine that girl-hood is free from tho caros and anxieties of mature year.», will be surprised to know that Ihe springtime of existence also complains of its trials and petty miseries, "My sister ii culled more jolly and good-natured than I," said sweet six teen to her friend, " but then sho has none of my troubles. II«r hair curls naturally, and is never out of crimp in the worst fog imaginable, and when exposed to tho sun she burns a fashionable terra-catta color of tender shade, with little, or no red in it,"

lrogg says bis wife is tho most fickle minded person he ever saw. The other day she spoko of Miss Blank as a charming young lady and remarkably handsome woman. "And," said Fogg, "I told her that was just what I thought; that Miss Blank was a most delightful young lady, ono whoie beautiful face ono never tired of gazing upon, and considerable more to the sumo oflect. Well,: wonld you believe it, Mrs F. suddenly tacked about and said: ' Ob, sbe isn't so very protty t She's got an swlul horaoly nose, her mouth's a mile too big, and sho hasn't got a bit of expres sion in her eyes. Then she's got such a disagreeable way about her,' "-

A well-known physician in a certain town is very much annoyed by an old lady, who is always sure to accost him ia the street for the purpose of telling over her ailment. Onco she met him in Piccadilly, Loudon, wh'-n he was in v great hurry, "Ah I t see you arc quite foeblo," said the doctor: " shut your eyes, and show me your tongue." She obeyed; and the doctor, quietly moving off, lolt her standing there for somo time in this ridiculous position, to the infinite amusement of all who witnessed the funny scene. ; "Do you think, Mary, yon could leave father and mother, this pleasant home, with all ita ease and comforts, and emigrate with a young follow who has but little besides his strong right band to depond upon, and with him search out a new home, which it should bo your joint duty to beautify and niako, delightful and happy Tike' this?" Dropping her head softly on his shoulder, sho whispered,' "I think I could, Archy." "Well," said he, "there's Tom Jonea, who's goiug to Australia, and wants to get a wife. I'll mention it to him,"

''Biddy, brine Mrs Smith a glass- of sherry." Exit Biddy. " You must bo so tiredirom your walk." > Biddy brings the glass of sherry. " Not that way, my good girl. You should always bring it on a plate or Balver." Exit Biddy. "She is very willing, but really -sbe knows so little." Biddy, re-entering with wine in a soup plate—" Shall I bring a epoOn, ma'am, or will the lady lap it up ?" .

OLD HICKORY'S WIFE.

When General Jackson was a candidate for the Presidency in 1828 not only did the party opposed him abuse him for his public acts, which, if unconstitutional or violent, were a legitimate subject for reprobation, but they defamed the character of his wife. On one occasion a newspaper published in Nashville was placed upon the General's table. He glanced over it and his eyes fell upon an article in which the character of Mrs Jackson was violently assailed. So soon as he had read it he sent for his trusty old servant, Dun woodic.

J'Saddlo my horse,'* said he to him in;a Whisper, ''and/put my holsters on him." . . '■'"''•

Mrs Jaeksbn watched him, and though sbe heard not a word, she saw mischief in his, eyes. The General went out after a few moments, when she took up the paper and understood everything. She ran out to the south gate of the Hermitage, by which the General would have to pas?. She had not been there more than a few seconds before the General rode up with the countemance of a madman. She placed her.-elf before the horse and cried Out:

','Oh, General I, dint go to Nashville I Let that poor editor live,"

"let me alone,'' he replied ; " how came you to know what I was going for ?"

She answered :' "I saw it in the paper after you went out; put up your horse and go back." He replied furiously : •' But I will go get out of my way." . Instead of this shegras'ped his bridle with both hands. • • ' ' ■ . ■

Hecried'tO her: •• I say let go of my horse I The villaia that reviles my wife shrill not live I" ' ■ Sho grasped ' the reins the tighter and began to expostulate with him, saying that Bhq was tho one who ought to be angry, but that sho forgave her persecutors from the bottom of be,- heart, dud-prayed for them— that he should forgive if he hoped to be for given. At last, by reasoning, her intreaties and her tears, she so worked upon her husband that he seemed mollified to n certula extent;1 She-wound up by saying : ;'f No; General,.you shall not* take the life, of my reviler—you dare not doit; for it is written, 'Vengeance IS mine, I will repay, saith the Lord 1'" The iron-nerved burp gave way before the pleading of his beloved wife, and replied : 'llyield to you; but had it not been for yon! and the words of the Almighty, the wretch should not have lived an hour."

SELECTED POETRY.

THE SPIRIT VOICE.

Through village scenes and o'or the plana, A wanderer passed with laggard tread, That he might find the means to gain The daily bread. ■

The beautiful around him glowed, Tho fresh, green corn, and breezy wild; And Nature, with sweet sense, endowed Her wayward child. Ho saw tho landscape, bright and fair, Tho village church, the cypress tree ; And sighed ' Does life bring nought but care To me I To me I" 'Yon scenes outstretched 'ncath Heaven's own bluo In Heaven's own glorious sunshlno glow; Tho harvost-promises smiles in viow— Still blooms tho roao. ' The soft, refreshing shower descends, Tho birds pour forth ecstatic lays; Tho brook's low voico with music blonds, A song of praise. ' Yet, what but was is lifo at best, With all its springs o£ joy and pain, Unless there be somo spirit-rest— Sonic heaven to gain! ' Tho gorgeous homos of Fortune's sons, Whioh seem from earthly blights secure, But mock the gaze of lowly ones— The veriest poor. ' Did God intend that somo should livo In plenty's broad, proliilc smile, i While others all their years should give ' To coasoless toil ? ' And then, whoa ruddy health departs, And strength no longer nerves tho arms; To lose tho warmth o£ loving hearts— And homely charms I In England's jblc whore Alfred reigned, And Shaksspkre shod the light of thought; Whore Cromwell, freedom's victories gained, [And Milton taught I ' Whero Goldsmith broathed his heart's desire> O'er Auburn's scenes, and hapless swains; Whero Burns, from Nature's rustic lyre- Woke Scotfa's strains I ' Oh, grant mo, Thou, who hast tho power; The surest rest a man can crave, With ono fresh daisy, morning's flower, To deck my grave. Tho wanderer then forgot to weep, And on a mossy bank reclinod; When o'or him stole a gentle sleep— And rest of mind. A sccno of mingled light and shade Opo'd In his dream, and full of flowers; - Whero fountains o or tho waters playod, ■ -. ' In Bilver showers. Tho trees were full of golden birds, Of morry note, distinct and clear: And through the woods came whispered words, " Why murmur here ?" ' Spirit,' ho cried,' whose- home is light, Of form unseen, from regions blest; Dispel the mist of mental night And give me rest.' ' Despair not, mortal,' said the voice, 'Thy nearest work do not despise; And make tho path of right tby choice. Where duty lies. ' The latent thought within thy broast, Though undeveloped, yet may shine, By life's rough winds and storms caressed— A flower divine, "Tis not for mo to draw aside Tho veil that hides tho high decrees ; Butsaored truth thy steps shall guide To shores of peace. ' Arise, the untried future bravo, Lot failures nervo to heartlor strife; Nor sink, as sinks the abject slave, | ■ To.fruitleßS life. 'Ariso, a goal before thoe lies: Ne'er deem thy woes decreed by fate ; And thou shalt win life's noblest prize— A bloit estate; " ;

' The richer wealth that far outweighs Tho finest gold that earth bOßtows; Lovo, wealth of mind, with cheerful days, And soul repose.

' Ariso, and strive with choerful face, Ne'er envy those the world call great j Thy ovory scorning chance embrace— And work and wait.

' Thou may'st not own the fruitful fields, Hut thou can'at all their charms enjoy; Aud share the good which Nature yiolds, ,""'*',' "Without alloy. ' Tho uoblest spirits of thy race, Tho masters or tho wondrous lyre, , Will not disdain thy dwolliug-placo, Nor thy deslro.

' Thy Maker servo who gives theo light, . And through life's mazes loads theo on;. Not always reigns tho starless night; Tho day Bhall dawn." if, t... JOHN BLACKMAN.

The Club that Killed Captain Cook.

GAylord Clarke, of the " Knickerbocker') magazine in New York was quite a humorist; in his way. When he was publishing the magazine Barnum had his museum where tho'' Herald" building now stands. Clarke and Barnum Wore great friends, yet each liked to turn the joke on the other. On One occasion Clarke came down to the museum ia great haste, and wanted to know of Mr Barnuul if he had the club Captain Cook, was killed with,' aud,'if he had, would he allow him to exsmlne It, as he was writing an article for the magazine on tbo death of Cook, and would like to familiarise himself with the appcaranco, of the weapon that ended his existence. .Mi Barnum said that he was bnly too happy, to be able lb gratify his curiosity, as lie had the identical club, and that he! would go and get it for him, Mr Barnuruj in narrating tbe incident after words,, said:—". I. went and picked ,out an Indian club that looked, as if it might have killed Captain j Cook or anyone else, and brought It back; and assured Mr Clarke that it was the identical club. He examined it for a time critically,',and then, handing it back, said, ' Mr Barnum I thought you must have it, as all the small, museums In the country have it;' a large one like yours could not afford to do without it.'.V I told Clarke I owed him one ; and then' he left, chuckling over how nicely he had turned the point on me." "-' '.-'"" 'A. ''•■.'.,..,'

Science Lectures for Ladies.

It was lately remarked that an exceed ingly brilliant auditory, amongst which were many elegantly dressed lades, attended at Berlin a lecture on chemistry delivered by one of the most celebrated chemists of the age. After witnessing, a number of beautiful ' experiments and hearing of the marvels of science a young lady grew fatigued, and requested her husband to lead her from the ball.

"My love," said the gentleman, on reaching the landing-place outside, " wipe your cheek, there's a large blue spot upon it," ,

The lady, much surprised, turned to look at her reflectlon'in the mirrored window of shop they were passing,' 'and was almost petrified to observe that tho rogue on her' checks had become blue, in consequence of the chemical' decomposition occasioned by the gas the professor had used in making his experiment. ■ She quickly wiped her face, and stifled her vexation in the thought that she should find 'herself amply revenged upon the other ladies ih the hall. In reality the lecture closing at this moment, the audience began to disperse, aud the gentle mAn and his vvif c almost burst with laughter at the sight of cheeks of yellow, blue, black, violet, and other colours, which now made their appearance in the street. Some of the ladies who had manufactured for themselves ivory complexions, rosy cheek?, coral lips, and ebony eyebrows, were so transformed that they would have excited the. envy of a peacock. It is whispered that a lecture from the professor would produce similar effects in other cities beside Berlin.

The Top Rail.

During the Peninsula campaign of ihe late war one of the Union officers found it necessary to take stringent measures to prevent deprediations upon the surrounding country. Complaints, frequently came to him that his soldiers usect the fence rails for firewood. Accordingly he issued an order that only the top rail should be taken. Complaints; however, poured in, and soon a private, Michael Mc Henry, was caught in the act of stealing the lowest rail of a farmer's fence. Michael wub an honest fellow and a favourite, being something of a wag, As this was his first offence, the officer determined to be lenient with him. So he had Michael brought to head.quarters and demanded of him an explanation.

- " Sure, sorr," said Michael, "we wan only a 'beyin' orders. Ach of tho b'ys tuk the top rail as he come to It, an' I was last, an' sure the bottom rail was then the top one, too." ; ' .

The uselessness ot further exblanation wasj ao evident that the matter was d.roppod,' The order bad only caused the rails to be taken in order beginning at the top.



TTITCHENS'S BLOOD RESTOEER. FOX CLEANSING, PURIFFING, AND INVIGORATING THE BLOOD. Seven Years' Testjn Auckland. THlSMedicine differs from ordinary pro. prietary preparations, inasmuch as it was the product of yents of study and investigation by an eminent physician of the Army Medical Staff, with whom Mr Hltchens served during the New Zealand War, as Assistant Dispenser to the Im perial Forces. • -—- •• — ' On its introduction to the public as a specific for the cure of Rheumatism, Kheumatic uout, Scrofula, Skin Diseases, Blood Impurities, and General Debility, it quickly attained great celebrity, and soon wa3 sought after from every part of Now Zealand. \- Its curative and depurative properties have been fully testified by the numerous testimonials received by the proprietor from patients who had long suffered from the above distressing maladies, who had ap. - plied in vain to physicians for relief, and in whose cases, Turkish Batbs, Hot Springs, and other popular remedies had been1 re-' sorted to without effect. This celebrated medicine is compounded ' from products of the vegetable kingdom, is palatable and easily taken, mild,'but effec tual, in its action upon the animal econ omy. It is, in sooth, a veritable BLOOD Restorer, cleansing it, and thereby restor-1 ing diminished vitality. It presents, un questionably, a purer, safer, better, and' more reliable alterative medicine than any that has hitherto been available to the people. ' " "! -" '':• MORS TESTIMONY 1 " '■'-' Nota ' ."-:•'<' SURPRISING CURE - To those who know what ~, ■ H iTCHENs'BIood Restorer HAS DONE. In the Auckland Evuning STAR of the ' 27th April last, appeared- the following local, which explains itself :— .The brig Bella Mary, from Melbourne" in' ballast, bound for Kaipara, put into har bour yesterday morning to obtain medical, aid for Captain Owens, master of the vessel, who has been very unwell during the latter part of the voyage. Captain Owens, who has followed the seafaring profession for,, many years, and had never until leaving \ Melbourne on Apiil 10th last, suffered from illness of any severe nature, was suddenly seized 'on that date with violent pains iv the back. Since then lie has been swung up in a hammock in the cabin quite helpless. The vessel was off Kaipara at noon ou Thursday last, but tho weather being thick and foggy, it was deemed advisable to come on to Auck land for medical assistance. The barque arrived early yesterday morning, and Dr Mooro having been sent for, visited Capt Owens, and gave instructions to the mate ! of tbo vessel regarding treatment.'. The ' invalid is suffering from a species of rheumatism of a severe nature, and the doctor considers it advisable to effect a partial recovery: before attempting the re. moval of his patient to more suitable quatters_ on shore, Capt. Owens is well known in Auckland, and many residents. will be sorry to learn of his affliction." Referring to above, Captain Owen lias this day (Ist December), stated:" After being treated for about five weeks by two medical men successively, with very little , alteration in my condition, except that the pain in my hands and back was made somewhat easier through the effect of the' galvanic battery, I felt a gradual sinking that' told me the dread end was not far off, and one of my visiting friends suggested that I should try what Hitchen's Blood Restorer would do, as it was'being.'so talked about far and wide. "Without much faith iv it, I consented to try it, but' did not notice any good effect until I had taken ~ about the third or fourth bottle, when my appetite decidedly quickened, and I felt tint my strength was coming back to me, ' I then ceased to take the medicine, and . allowed nature to take its' course, but finding my appetite going, I stimulated it . by small doses of the. Restorer, using no other medicine, but applying the ointment , freely,-■ By degrees my whole, system seemed to be'invigorated; and now, after a ~ treatment of six months,'! am able to. re-. sume charge of my vessel, and am only', waiting her arrival in port to do so.- I can ' easily walk four miles a day' without' the slightest inconvenience, I'consider my . friend's suggestion saved my life,' and' that '.'„ it is a duty that I should publicly testify to tbe extraordinary power of Hitchcns's Blood Restorer over the severest cases of rheumnt- , lam." W. M. OWEN., The agents will be happy to shew, original manuscripts of the several pub lished testimonials anent the Remedy, with. scores of others not yet published. L. D. NATBAN & Co. WE HAVE THIS CELEBRATED "> AND FAVOURITE BRAND ob" ■ nt, i BASS'S ALE & GUINNESS'S STOUT Always in Stock. L. D. NATHAN & CO. ■ ' '■'■■:'> 188/S-O rp -vi a q lo82"d We have received our SECOND SHIPMENT by the Rlrig&rooma, from Sydney, transhipped ex Ganges. : , t 3148 PACKAGES, Conßlstlntr 0'- EXTRA CHOICE K&.ISOWS & CHOICE & MEDIUM CONGOUS Ot neat twisted even leaf, and very strong and rich flavour. Albo, . •■'.-.' 125 BOXES CHOICEST MANDARIN SCENTED ORANGE PEKOE. : above,with about ; "','„ 2000 PACKAGES OF FINEST QUALITIES ,!i j (Balance of First Parcel). - . ::■> .; *nd , . >-,-' '- 300 packages of assam : and j dakJeelings, ■ ■■_: -.-, Enable ns to offer a very Raro Seleotlon s; ; • / !S bnyers. Our Fooohow correspondent* Inform .us tha seven-tenths of last shipment was secured a EXCEPTIONALLY CHEAP RATES,' '■'*'..".'" And we are determined to give our clients tn. .. FULL BENEFIT OF THIS, ,J.r. .T L. d. if*™ & c°