AN EXCITING ADVENTURE.

I WAS telegraph operator and station agent nn one of tbc Western linos of a railroad, tell you happenulto me. H-was a wild and stormy night, and, as tbe de P 6t was nearly half-a-mijo out of L D the set of loafcis which usually iected about the stove In the waiting: oom had eventually couoludcd to sock some D lace nearer home to spend the even: D g, and, for a wonder, I was alone. The express from tho West was due at Jn , Star that I should be at liberty, Ldi began to wish the evening was over w hi ore the train came nloag, or else Itf I-hid someone to t«lk to, tor the S^wasinono of the loneliest spots that SSh"e been selected; the wind kept Sni diW moaning in the pine* close by, Pi irvnnwKnd then seemed positively Slfngiathe^resofthete^raph. I train banded mea n d ea;'V! Be careful of that »«»""""' ;f wpre yours or mine. *®« * I atad. noticing that there wera but ti'o passengers K*ttiDg. off-two ™n in sha™y overcoats and slouched hats !dconcluded, without thinking mnri Soattaem or pajing but little attention to £1, to be hunter* returned irom some up "Sy/sfa'trifle of twenty thousand, I Philip*. " Old Powers k end og it down to his son, who's putting M a mill somewhere near here iso t he VVes •on tho other side of the river, I nplied,' "It's luctcy to have a rich father, "lou're right tliers," answered Philips I Aid then the train started off, and 1 toned and walked towards the office. Aalneared tin door with the packaga in -Thand one of the men, who had been 1 Mtcrjinjme, made a spring towards me. Idon't know how I happened to be on the •talk-out for them, but I must have been, kl iumped back almost the same instant Whs made his move, and before either !«' of them comprehended what I was Litlhad made a dive bet-veen them and Reeded in getting into the office, and had todoor bolted before I knew what I was I *nLd 8 volley of curses hurled after me, ud tben I knew by the sounds and the mklsE of the door that both of the men wT^ine to break in. But I bad no J™ of their doing that. It was of hard nodi well-seasoned, and would resi*t all i rtjj,(jbrts in that direction. I pot the package in the safe, and locked Itsecarely.before I stopped to think what nitobe done. Then I sat down to think, 'Mil could hear the men talking outside; Ikwf they were holding a council over llujumstobe used to effect an entrance, 4 ml olitjin possession of the money I had ■ tttiifsi > It was anything but a pleasant situation totata. Here was I alone,half-a-mile away from M y assistance, at ten o'clock at nLht < i ttirmy night at that—and the pro babilities were that nearly everybody was Ibd/labed. If they were not, no one .Wold think of coming to the depot at that ftMofnJßht. Outside were two desperate two, who knew I had a large sum of B(Uj in my possession, and they knew fiutii they could ell'ectjan entrance I would uMitto but little ia the way of prevent -1 igu accomplishment of their villanous jr^Snily a thought occurred to me. The faktithe hotel wbere I boaided hid Ifalfancy to telegraphy and wa had ntipM wire between the hotel and the fill, Why couldn't I advise him ot my ! iujp,and have4iim send help? I tori a new sound at the door just g^fliioh sent the blood in great, surging rjlMill Aver me, The men had began to X tntbeb way in with pocket-knives I 1.1)1 lushed to the instrument aua called M What if he had gooe to bed, BiniWdbe out; I turned pale at the

wpt !Jitpity soon a reponselcame back, He fhi litre. "Go ahead." .' lkgananrt wrote: ■■,<■. l?Ina Is danger. Two mea are trying Mtdmittance for thepurpose of robbing iliopwsafe. send help iinmtdiately! "Illminute to lose !" j "Sbwer," telegraphed (ieo'ga. who had ;Btta>practicing long enough to bo able id very well. k liatorer with the message agaiD. But Imppose excitement made my writiug I'ttnd," for again he sent back word : _ 'Slower, and moie distinct I Can't •bit oat 1" God help mcl Beforn I succeeded ia liiijhim understand mo they would be ; ta^hthe door, I thought, with a cold ntheakiqg out all, over me. But I Wmr themessage ajjain, and th<B time lutght it, and Bent back a hurried " All $1 Hold out for ten minuter 1" : Iknen were digging away like bearers. r*Useethe point* of .their knives once , anrhlle, as they splintered away frag .UN the panels. But I knew that it lUlike them some time yet to cut away vN>,ior them to make an entrance ' St How I wished I had a pistol I' Iw&d id feverish impatience. Sud ■f tieie w»b a cash;' and one panel pNtfovein by the foot of one of the .<*•>:•;,'■•; - :; ." '.. ''. ■•'■'- ■ *MP, ha grinned, wiih hia leering ••roe aperture. "You sea we mean •tes, don't you? What are you going i. "Men we get in,'eh?" MMs't'know. Die, I supposed, if they WUidea to put aa end to me into their * Why didn't George arid the help he 'Promised come? It seemed to me ■Sure had been time enough to make a *{*ibamp. .Wye got the second panel almost *?ta stave in," said the other man, "■ing horribly over the cheerful infor pt " TheD, I gness, Tom can crawl W;. You might as well be opening ■jtaco' your'n an' glc out that bundle J*Kfer; It'll save all of u3 considerable Wan1 time," ■■.■ -^ " wSicame his foot against the panel, HitiMt-'lhtd splinters ; and my hffurt gfcfrped Dealing whea I saw one ol SSttttst his head. and,shoulder* through ?Wn?. I seized the poker, and struck ■Wwthe head with all theioMe I could !*«■; He rolled out a volley of terrible • *Mnitl.-m» master of lie situation '«*jjarticular moment. Wdealy there was a sound of voices, JJl'to the nian> outside cried out that P')!»e "nabbed" and tried to make J*>|B. But I.knaw by the sound that JS&ught, and was struggling with his Wi There were several pis'ol-shots "t'liild eager cries, during which the Nltttch in the door made na effort to STTjot lay there limp and motionless". SJhto lear I had killed him. I drew [J%bdlts, and got the door open just JJWto see the other one overpowered, a Burin the hands of half-a-dozen boys fflfd,' Thea we got the man out of mt, He wasn't dead, but he was mm -, my blows with the poker had "too much tor hinii

I bought a pistol tho first thing next morning, and was on the look-out for rob bers after that; but that was the only ad venture-of any account that happened to me while I stayed there. If H hadn t been for that t.'legraph wuich George and 1 put into opcra'i'in, I rather think I should have finished up my earthly cariOc tliat night.

A Visit to Easter Island.

Commander Kouvcrio K. Clark, in Her Majesty's ship Sappho, visited Easter Island, that remote outlying member of the Poly nesian island croups, so remarkable for its stone sculptures and remaius of native archi tecture, in Juue last. The Sappho sighted the island on the 17th day from Ooquimbi, and anchored on the evening of the same day in Cook Uay. Ou passiug tho village oi Malavcri, the English tlagwas seen hoisted on a lonKiligitulF, and shortly after landing the vessel was boarded by Mr Alexander Salman, the agent of the ' Muison Uraudcr,' of Tahiti, who now owns the greater part of the islaud ; from him during the two days' stay of the vessel, Commander Clark ob tained the information he had to give re garding tho island. Tho Maison Brander four yoxts ago purchased tte propetty ot the missionaries on the islaud, wbo theu left for Gambier Archipelago, taking abuut 300 natives with them. A large grazing farm wa* established, and there are now about 10,000 aheep and 400 head of cattlo on the islaud ; the Hocks increase very rapidly, as there are two, and sometimes three, lambing seasons m the year With tho pre sent number of Bheep, Mr Salmon gets about eighteen tons of wool per annum. There are enormous numbers of poultry in t'ao is land in a semi-wild state, but all owned by the natives; in fact, a lleet could casilybe supplied with fresh provisions, excepting vegetables ; but as yams, sweet potatoes, bananas, and plantains grow readily, they also could be supplied in time. Water U the only scarce at tide. The natives now remaining are only 150 in number, bat they are on the decrease. About 500 were shipped to Tahiti some eight years ago to work on tho plantations of the Maison Brander, besides tho 300 removed by the missionaries. Among those remaining there are no traces of the missionaries' work; they have no religion at all, are ex pert thieves, and very revengeful; they never forgtt or forgive, although in general goodtempered. They are divided into seve ral smalt clans, among which strength or personal courage is the only claim to superi ority, and their chief quarrels arise over the efforts of each clan to secure the (irst eggs of the "wide-awake" every year from Needle Keck, to which they attach a super stitious value. As there is a heavy surf at the bottom of the cliff opposite the rocks, several live 3 are lost nearly every year while they are seeking for the ej>g«. The result of Mr Salmon's repeated talks with the natives on the subject of their firtt arrival in the island v to find that they all say they originally landed on the norjb. side of Anakcna, and came from the east in two canoes, provisioned with yams, taro,: iiuri sweet potatoes, the king (by uamo Hoto metva, or the "Prolific Father") in one canoe, and the queen in the other. On making the land they separated, passing rouud in opposite direction, and meeting again at Anakena, where they landed and settled on Mount Topaze, of which the native name is Uotoiti. They there built the stone houses the remains of which still exist, and made the statues with which, the bill is coveied ; but tho lirst statue was nut made till some fifty years after they landed. The natives say the original name of the island was not tiapanui, but Te-pito-fenva, i.e., the land in the middle of tho sea. Commander Clarke was much struck with tbe evident fertility of the soil. If it were only cultivated he believed it would produce mngnificeut crops, and it seemed to him especially adapted for the culture of vines. The extinct volcano of t'e Rama Kao on the south-west corner of the Maori, is well worthy of a visit. Tbe bottom of the crater is not level, as described by a former visitor; on the contrary, there is no bottom at, 50 fathoms in the centre, but there is a carpet of decayed vegetation spread over tbe water on which one can cross from side to aide.— London " Times."

A Minute of Terror.

A MERCHANT once collected a party to gether to give eclat to one of those little family festivals which brighten the dark track of life and cheer the humun heart la every clime. Jt was his daughter's wedding day. Crowds of her young acquaintances circled round her, and as tue father gazed proudly on the face of the young b:ide, he wished as bright a prospect might open for bis other children, who wete gambolling merrily among the crowd. Passing alons- the passage connecting the lowor rooms, he met the-servant maid, an ignorant country wencb, who was carrying a lighted tallow candle in her hand, without a candlestick. He blamed hsr for this dirty conduct, and went into the kitchen to make some arrangements with hia wife about the supper table. ... ■l he girl shortly returned from the cellar with her arms full of ale bottles, but with out the candle. The merchant immediately recollected that several barrels of gunpowder hart been placed in the cellar that day, and that his foreman had opened one of the barrels to select a sample for a customer. " Where is your candle ?" he inquired, in excessive agitation. "I could not bring it up with me, for my hands were full," said the girl. ~ .. •■ Whe-e did you leave it! "Well I'd no candlestick, bo .I stuok it in .some blicksani that's there in one of The merchant dashed down the cellar steps. The passage was long and dark, and, as he groped his way, his knees threatened to give way under him, his breath was choked, and his flesh seemed suddenly to become dry and parched, as if he already felt the suffocating blast of death. ' . ~ At the extremity of the passage, in the front cellar, under the very room when; bis children apd their friends were revelling in felicity, be discerned the open powder barrell, full almoßt to the top, the candle stuck lightly, in the loose grains, with a lone and red snuff of burnt-out wick top ping the small and gloomy flame. The sisSt seemed to wLher all his powers.jmd the-merry laugh of-the youngsters above' struck upon his heart like, the knell of "With unequalled "presence of mind, he placed a hand on each side of the candle, with the open palm upwards, and the_ dis tended fingers pointing tpwards the object of bis care-which, as his hands gradually met, was secured in the clasping or.lockiog of the fingers, and safely removed from the head of the barrell. As helifted the candle from its bed in the powder, the exuberance of the wick fell off and roiled, a living coal, in die hollow'of Jjis hands. He cared not for the burning smart; he carried it steadily along the passage to the head of the cellar stairs. The excitement was tiien over—he could smile at the danger he had conquered, but the reaction was too powerful, he fell into fits of the most violent and dreadful laughter. He was conveyed senseless to bed, and many weeks elapeed ere his nerves recovered sufficient tone to allow mm to re sume his habit? of, everyrjay life,

Medical Examinations.

It is related of a. rough-and-ready examiner la medicine that on one occasion having failed to elicit satisfactory replies from a student regarding the muscular arrange ment of the arm and leg, he somewhat brusquely said :—" Ah ! perhaps, sir, you could tell ma the names of the muscles I would put in uction where I to kick you 1" Cerlaintly, sir," replied the candidate; " you would put in motion the llexora and extensors of my arms, for I should use them to knock you down 1" History is silent, and perhaps wisely so (adds a writer iD " Chamoer'B Journal ") concerning the fate ot this particular student. The story is told of a witty Irish student, who, once upon a time, appeared before an examining board to undergo an examination in medical jurisprudence. The subject of examination was poisonx, ami the examiner had selected that deadly poison prussic acid as the sub ject of his questions. " Pray, sir," said he to the candidate, "what is a poisonous dose of prussic acid?" After cogitating for a moment, the student replied with prompti tude : "Half an ounce, sir!" Horrified at the extreme ignorance of the candidate, the examiner exclairnod i " Half an ounce I Why, sir, you rnuat bo dreaming. That is an amount which would poi.ou a com munity, sir, uot to spoak of an individual! "Well, sir," replied the Hibernian, " I only thought I'd be on the safe side when you asked a poisonous dose 1" "But pray, sir," continued the examiner, intent on ascertaining the candidate's real knowledge, "suppose a man did swallow, half au ounce of prussic acid, what treat ment would you prescribe J" "I'd ride home fora stomach pump," replied the un abashed studeut. ''Are you aware sir," retorted the examiner, " that pru.-sic acid is a poison that acts with great rapidity?" " Well, y<s," repliod the student. '• Then sir, suppose you did such a foolish thing us you have just stated," said tho examiner ; " you ride home for your stomach pump; and on returning you find your patient dead. What would you, or what could you do ihen?" naked the examiner in tdumph, thinking he had driven his victim into a corner whence there was no escape. " What would 1 do J" reitorated the student, " L)o 2—why, I'd hould a post-mortem !" For once in his life that examiner must have felt that dome ignorance united to a power of repartee was more than a match for him.

Religious Sects in America.

Rkmgiotj* eccentricity has always found a kind and fructifying soil in America. The Northern aud some of tbe middle States were colonised by the followers of persecuted sects, and a current of religious indepen dence may be said to run in tbe blood of a large proportion of Americans. This ten dency is uf course increased by tbe general habits of freedom which spread through the whole system of society in the United States, and which result in an excessive development of individuality iv all matters of opinion. The emancipation of religion from State control baa been attended by too many excellent results in the New World to bo open to any serious objection ; yet it may have fostered the multiplication of religions bodies, by seeming to encourage the most extravagant assertion of tbe right of separating from old, and creating new, communities for the purposes of worship and of faith. The despotic unity of Koine hns found its true antipodes in America, where religion is divided and subdivided like a polypus, which displays in every fragment a distinct and active life. An other influence conducive to tbe same effect is to be tuund in the heated air of perpetual discussion in wbich most Ameiicaus live, and which, stimulated by a cheap, all-per vading, and not very conlheaded newspaper press, forces into jrank ovorgrowth whatever oddities may from time to time arise, and forbid them to die out, at they miyht do in a more temperate a'inos pheie. iSot eveu in Germany and Holland, auricle the days of struggling thought -not even in Kueland, when Anabaptists, Quakers, and Mugulctouions stiugglcd for pre-eminence in fanaticism -have there been more numerous or more fantastic iranifestations of what is termed the inner life, blinkers, Jumpers, and Hunters rant jump, and shake their utmost in tbe cities df America. Spiritualism has tboro its largest following aud its mo<t ellective mediums. It is there the Free Love has been elevated into a form of mystical aspi ration. It is thero that women have been most powerfully moved, and havo in turn most powerfully moved others. And it wa« there that Mor monism arose, to astonish tho modern world by what profensed to bo a new revelation.

How the Tailor's Boy won a Battle.

""When shall we know that tho oacmy has given in V" asked> lad, a tsilor'n apprentice, ■ who had ruu away from his master and entered the Briti-h Navy as a common boy about the year 1080. •• When that flag is haulod down, answered the sailor addressed, "the ship will be outs." "Oh, if that's nil, I'll boo what I can do I" . Now this tailor1* boy, when he ian away from his master, joined ft ship which had the good fortune, a few hours after be entered the service, to fall in witU a French squadron, and a warm action, bravely fought on both side, was maintained. After fi"hting for a short time, the boy was impatient for the remit, and addressed tho above question to a sailor. No sooner had he been tola that the withdrawal of the flag from the enemy's masthead would be the signal that the uctlon had been decided than he determined to " see what he could do." At that moment the vessels were engaged yard-arm to yard-arm, and were ob«cured in the smoke of the guns. In an instant the boy mounted the shrouds, paused from the yard of his own «hip to that of tho enemy, ascended with agility to the m»in topgallant masthead, struck and carried off the French flag unperceived, and got back to the yatd arm of nis own ship io safety. Before he could get down to the deck, tho British saw that the flag had disappeared, and shouted, "Victory, victory!' The French crew, seeing also that trio flic had gone, and thinking that it had been struck by order of the Admiral, fled from their «uns ; and, although the officers attempted to rally them, the confusion was hopeless. Then the British, availing them selves of the opportunity, boarded the French vessel, and captured it. In the midst of the excitement the new boy came down from the fbrouds with the French flug wrapped round his body, and displayed it with no little glee to the astonished tare. The news spread quickly to.the quarter deck, and the blushing boy Was led into the presence of the Admiral, who prawtd him for his gallantry and rated him there and than aS a midnhipman ; and it was not long before promotion followed promotion ; and the tailor's apprentice was known as ona of England's moat gallant sailors.

A Column for the Ladies.

PAEIS FASHIONS.

This article i-i reprinted from the Louden "Telegraph," and will, we hope, afford some pleasure to our lady readers :— ( " Madge" says in a letter to "Truth : — "Lilla has got a lovely new dinner aad theatr! dress. The petticoat is ot biown anrt gold brocade, the design being outlined in pale j;raeuisli blue. The bodice and train are of peacock-green velvet, the sole trim ming consisting of live lines of nairow gold braiH, which iuq round all the edges, down the fronts of tho bodice and cover the collar. The waistcoat is of brocade. She wears with this a little arranßeuient of gold net work aud fiold seqiiino, with an arrow to match, and with her quantities ol fair hair, she looks very handsome. Her new walking-dresa i" of Scotch tweod, with a email check in brown, archer, and pale pcacock-bluo, the latter being a pet colour of hers, i-uking her particulaily well. It is mada with a waistcoat, collar, and pointed cuffs of pale peacock, blue flannel, braided closely in gold bruid, A piece of similar flannel is set iuto each side of the barque of the bodice braided over, a device which gives apparent width to the hips. A hint about this braiding. Straight, perpendicular lines are better on the waist coat for Bt»ut figures, while a design in which the linos run from right to left, aad back again, is more becoming to thin ones. A pretty style of walking dre-is is made with a short tunic turned back in two corners in trout, and with a square design in braid oa each corner, The skirt is arranged in long pleats, reaching from waist to feet. A writer iv the " World " says :—Short tight-iitting jackets l«ok the best tor out door wear ; tho simpler the bettor. 'I hey are the smartest thiugs to wear for those who can accomplish figuro and fit. They can bo made to match the gowu, or be in cloth or velvet. If tho latter, no trimming is required They look well fastened at tht side. The ulster is on the wane, it has sadly defended the social ladder. The ulster girl will soon be as much a thing of tho past as sho of the 'Period.' A dress I saw prepared for the Bucking hamshire ball will have, I foretell, un intcces foil. It was of chestnut-brown and primrose. The pointed bodice of brown Ottoman silk was cut in a low square be fore and behind. It had a narrow waist coat thickly embroidered in pearls, and golden-brown bugles. A bow of ribbou was placed on the point of th,e bodice at the back with pompons banning ; the lace chemUettc was turned over the bodice, aud here and there pinued up with oiaraond brooches. The front alone of the straw-coloured pottl coat was visible. It was covered with tulle, with large passion-flowers owbroidered in pearls aud golden-brown bugles. Browu libbon bows with, pompons ou them were placed on the ruche at the bjltom of the skirt at equal distances. Up each side of the front width of the petticoat were brown ribbou bows aud pompon*, that were hang ing from the brown tuile skirt, spotted in chenille, wbich waut over It. l'hia was made with paniere drawn tightly back from the front, which foil at tho back ia mauy skirts. Uiamoud combs are to be worn in the hair. There is itill a great mauia for diamond pint, stars, instcts, etc., in the hair. The audacity of burglars, however, is such that will soon put a stop to thin, aud noihing will then be left for them. Btuuty will shortly have to go unadorned, so far as jewels arecoucorncd, for thieves have buea very busy lately. A laoy in Queen's Gate, whose tribe of insects have for some time beon tho envy and ad miration of nil her friends, has been loft en tirely destitute of ornament. Fortunately Nature has smiled upon her. Who did not koow and deplore the loss of that highly re- Hpected frog with sapphires in his tiack aDd oyes.or that bat wbo many a timo has turned night into day, or the numerous other little things we well knew aud loved? uot to speak of that lovely sapphire and diamond pend ant, a drawing of which graced the " Illus trated Londou Mows." In these lo nes, how ever, I must fay there was no small amount iif thoughttulnes» displayed the day after the robucry, by returning, most carefully packed ia an immensity of wadding, a small pearl brooch, with iuitials aud hair, of no value even to tho owner, Tha supremacy of Paria in matters of fashion ia at fact which goes >o entirely with out saying that the French capital can afford to oe bon prince on occakion, and acknowledge superiority wben manifested elsewhere. It has already accepted and taken to itself, as it were, an Englishman, whose name is a household word among u», but whose position hero ii not duo to any talents peculiar to his nationality, a« be has managed to become more French than tbe freuch tbemselveu. Ho thus lose-, tha Bnglish intercßt that might otherwise have attached to him. Mr Kedfern, on tbe con trary, comes to conquer the Parisians with his own weapoun, and the campaign has commenced triumphantly. English tailors have always held the card, and the woman of the period, with nor masculine procliviuon —her taste for riding, driving, boating, yachting, skating, and the rest, comes naturally under the tailor's domiuion. Frenchwomen ore never likely to excol in these tilings as thtir English sisters do; but it ia the fashion to appear to tako deliKUt in them just as it has this year being tho fashion to wish one's friends and acquaint ances " a Merry Christinas," with as small an amount of accent as It was possiole to pronounce the homely greeting—voted pans ing affected here. It U certainly the coat that makes the Frenchwoman when ahorsey or sailuilike detneanoui is desirable, the characteristic* whereof are put on withi tho B't-up. That they Bhould appeal, thoroforc, to Mr ltedfern is a natural consequence. In the new premises lately opened in the Rue do ltivoli the Parisian woman of fashion will find all the luxurious mise-cn-scene to which her countrymen have accuitomed her. She will tread on velvet-pile carpot, be received in lofty, handsome rooms, panelled, gilded, lighted by French windows opening out on a balcony commanding a tine view of the Xuileries gardens; in one apartment costumes exhibited on stands are passed in review ; in another a phalanx of trim girlish figures set off to the best advan tage cloaks, mantles, wraps of every sort. These are the show-rooms. Further on are the trying-on-rooms—a series of oight or ten, perhaps, all furnished alike with fire-place, seats, and a pier-glass, over which a lamp with a strong reflector sheds a brilliant licht as soon as evening draws in and painted with Louis XV. white, picked out W Working out Lady Harberton's dual prin ciple of female skirt, Mr Kedfern has pro duced a very practical solutioo, suited not to Paiia of course, but to women who follow their husbands across the stubble or to the copse-side, »nd girls who skate, to both of w uom liberty of limb and unrestrained movement are an immense advantage. It has two phases. In the one the divided Rkirt—wide, and trimmed with several narrow flounces—is almost concealed be neath a plaio, somewhat full upper-skin, tbat plays the di-cretionary part of tunic, by means of certain buttons and loops, when the whole benefit of the garment as regards freedom of action is in request. Much variety of form is aho obtamablo with the new wraps. A Ion*; cloak in b amoia leather colour, lined w»th crimson,

may be worn falling in upright folds or with a corner thrown over one phoulder, or wrapped picturesquely about the throat, tbecrimson visible among the brown. The short cape of a driving; mantle lined with plaid woollen, is provided with hooks and eyes to fasten it out of the way of con tact with the reins, and can as et.*ily be let down again, so as to afford protection to the hands when the ribbons are discarded- Tbe heavy masculine coaching coat is made to cover, but not to shroud, the female figure, the natty costume of cloth beneath being visible between the fur-trimmed fronts lined with quilted silk, Kven that usually uncouth garment, the wa'erproof, is beautilied out of all knowledge, being fitted daintily to the figure at the back and lined with plain colours-checks nr plaids —for town wear, and with white flannel for yachting : besides which there is the dreadnought, which means busiuess. with its oilskin cap, light and properly ventilated, a complete metamorphosis The fame principle U applied to the demi-saison cos tume, the gown of navy blue with check or plaid tunic, tight bodice, and circular cape also of blue, the ample folds of which may be thrown back or tossed over one shoulder in a graceful confusion of blue drapery and brighter-hucd lining. A charmiug com plement fora demi-saisoii costume is a cape of curious cut. somewhat mediaeval, boxing 'in the arms completely, but slightly full on the shoulders, wiih trefoils of gold braid coming down over the bosom, funnel-shaped collar opou in front, and a double row of braid marking its outline, Ostumes al-o are trimmed to profusion with gold braid, the ultra brilliance whereof is mitigated by the introduction of a small amount of black or any other dark colour. In this reduced form gold and silver become quite suitable for the daytime. Here is a dull peecock blue, vicugna-cloth arranged in paniicanx, divided by kilting, nachpanncau ducorated with horizontal scrolls ot thick silver maid tonod with black. The tunic is draped en ponf behind, and plain, save for the folds formed by the draping; the jacket, edted all the way round and up the front with black Astrakan, bus scrolls ot silver braid on either side of this central trimming only, and a soupcon on tho poctccUholes. It is often well thus to reduce the trimming of a bodice to Ruit the exigencies of a pecularly good or full ligure. Jacket-bodices, tight and cut-away are buttoned over vests made in a manner ex actly resembling our ma-culiue waistcoats, either in tho same material as the dress it self, or more effectively a coutrast to it plain when the gowu is of check or plaid, and in check when tho gown is plain blue, brown, green, or gray—tho moat fashionable colours, for the nonce, in woollen stud's. The vest of leather is one ot Mr Kedferu's novelties for women of specially masculiuu propensities. When the separate ve4 is dispensed with, the bodice is trimmed bo as to imply a vest- Thero may be an under, piece of velvit. with both dides of tne jucket buttoned down upon it by means of buttons that are ltko little tufta of plusli ; or the bodice may be foetuinijly open like v parenthesis, to exhibit a plastron of white or scarlet flannel, on which close tows of braid, parallel to the side carves, arc scwd; the braid, of course, matching the colour of the gown, Hcdingotes are decorated in the miliiiiry atyle with a plastron of cords such as t'ccorattj the shell jacket of a Frencb aitilleryinan or the tunics of gome of our Kuulish liilemen. For the rest they may be absolutely plain, and so long in the skirt as to cover almost eutirely tho gown, which nuglit to be as compact and simple an arrangement as possiole. The sleeves of alt jackets, rodineotes, and bo-tices of every description are set high on the shoulder, and slightly gathered, not excepting iliort sleeves and that portion ot the mantle which acts the part of sleeve to it. This squaring and nanowing of the shoulder demands an elongation of the throat, ond the means re sortwl to are straight, Sand-up collars for mortiiug costumes, and Vdice* very bigh bebin.i for evening dresses, albeit cut low ia Iront O^cn iionta are shaped wider at their base, and form almost a triangle within which a great deal ot niched lace or puffed tulle is in tuited, although the edge of the dress itself may be piped with all simplicity. As an accompaniment to tbose high-low bodices, short sleeves of reasonable propor tions are worn, of lato, short sleeves have hardly deserved the sumo of sleovos at all, now they are a fact, trimmed to correspond with the rest. Indeed, between them and too loug glove the arm is almost covered. They areckwe-fitting to the arm, however, as are the majority of sleeves made by the l'urieitiu dressmakers, the sole innoviatiou to th« geoeral slim appearauee given to tliis member beiti? the fuluess on the shoulder Tuo email amount of decoration permitted to the cult is olso as trim as possible. For walking and other day costumes they are, moreover, made long-enough to reach the Wf ist, and the long, loose Swedish or Belgian glove is drawn over. Velvet and plush, when tailor-made, are only a shade more dressy than cloth. They may be ornamented in the same way with cord or braid, eit'ier in silk or melat, and the same forms of jacket and bodico are adhered to, although the closcnttinj;, not the circular cape, is applicable to the richer fabric. The colours chosen ara like wise similar, but tho s-kirt must lie arranged in the shallowest of pleats, unless worn quite pl»iu. A good w«y to make velvet or plu»h skirts is to button one breadth back over another, and to mount the whole upon a foundation skirt, trimmed with a flounce, the panneaux of course being shorter than would otherwise bo required. Kven what goes by the name of a plain skitt mu.t have its complement of frill or frills peeping forth below. These are generally of two mateiials. tho upper one being of the same tissue an the skirt, ilioho below of satin. The plnsh used for skirts is more often striped tban plain, nnd the prettiest as well a* tho most daring combi nations of colour are often induced in. It i» best to complete them by plain tunics and simply-trimmed bodices or jackets, the parti-coloured petticoat r<-quirini> a contrast to carry off its peculiarities. By pleating nnderneath, the most brilliantly stripped woollens may also bo fitted for costumes, no that there be ono stripe of a tulli ciently dark nnd sober hue to act as a screen, from behind which the vivid tintsof tha others may glance at intervals. For instance, if the outer side of the pleat be navy blue, the inner may not only bfi poppy red but bo rendered gayer still by the ad dition of a row of bright gold braid. The more the killings are cut up the brighter will tho general appearance be; two flounces, however, make a aood medium, the tunic boing_ plain blue and the jacket also with a soupcon of red and cnH perhaps about the braid ing. However—exception beiug made ot wide kilted flounces and the muititudmsus lace flouuces or frills lavi hod on tbe even ing dresses —thin ppecics of decoration is less worn just now than it has been for some time, 'I'bat the eclipse will ba only of short duration is more than likely, the favouritism shown to flounces invariably triumphing at ever-recurring intervals. Tho principal reason of their present par tial disgrace is the splendour of tbo materials and the intricate natnre of the trimmings It is as impossible to braid flounces with gold as to cut into strips a material the pattern of which demands space tor its exposition, Therefor broca*

telles and figured silks, cbi-elled velvets and brocaded plush are cut up into three short breadths — one front and two side ones—or into peenncauo', and require in either case cmly tue u«u.l garnish of frills at the bottom and the fruti frou pouf and loose breadth behind. To slit th« material at intervals so ib.at.it shall form deep tabs is not Incompatible with breadth of design, and is certainly one of the prettiest ways of trimming a Skir', as suitable to brocades as to plaiu velvet and plush. The underlying flounce is pleated fan-like at the opening. For short evening aowus, a ruchint; of lace yeiU the flouuee The plush or velvet skirt may have n Spanish air given to it by the su-peDsion of velvet balls at each openirn/, while cloth, kilted skirts are cut iuto tabs of the width of the pleat, with an escape of frilling bi- twoen each, Festoons are sometimes more adplicable to certain desiuus—sinyle flowers especially than tub-, bur, thry mostly require additional riecoration a row of chenille fringe, either in single strands as thick as a lady's forefinger, set spatingly, and completed by an acorn or blackberry of clustered busies, or a close double row of small chebille, finished oil' with beads of gold, amber, or garnet. Gold used with discretion is a moßt useful agent. From time to time fashion has taken it up, but failed in the attempt to render it really be coming or iv any wise artistic. Choosing it now, in its palest forms, burnished with age, rich in red tones, redolent of green, or cunningly combined with black, it has a far better chance of permanent succes-; while, in the not so far distant future of spring, the golden-yellow toues of the early ilowers promise to be widely imitated and worn as the favourite colour of blondes as well as hruncs.

THE BRIDAL.

They hastened tho bridal, that gloom might not throw ; Its shade o'or tho light ol Affection's young glow; Lust, iv ominous contrast, one sad widowed bride. Even then borne on o'or the lone ocean wido, Too mournfully soon should return once more, Kro another Kay bridal's fond farewells were o'or, Far, far sho.had left her own dead bridegroom's grave Beneath India's hot suns—by tho deep moaning wave— And oh! not with marriage rejoicings—as when Shu hud left them- that home should be ringing again On her (startled hoort's throbbinga when bitterly now Sho returned released from each parting breathed vow. They hastoned tho bridal—then why now delay Tho destined, tho longed-for, and fate-sealing day! They are waiting for only a fow fleoting morns Till the rosebud of ilope tliall be vc.lt, of its thorns; They are waiting for only that fond human dream, A day iv which death. Borrow, siokness shall seem As a llction—forgotten and thought-clouding caro I'ass away, with all gloom from their young visions fair, And that day ia coming—la named—and tho guests To the bridal aro bullion, ia meet marrlago vests, So the robes of their mourning aro all cast aside, When lo! who is 'midst them i Tho lono widow bride! Clad in funeral sahlo-with cheek whereupon The sun of a tropical Bummer had shone— She is 'midst them. ]iut one—ho who boro hor so late O'or a hemisphere's realms, from forth that samo gate— Oh where, where is ho? Let tho still tomb reply, And tho bright, deadly, smile of an Eastern sky Now hasten the bridal, since evermorogrief Is lasting and certain bliss, doubtful, and brief! Nay, remombor not that, life and love lio before, Nor so swift are death's wings, save on that fatal shore, That, unhidden, tho silent and torrible guest Should stand by the lovers, or sit at tho fonst. Or for one marriage sealed, should another dis solve And from all its sworn fondness the cold heart absolve; Nor goeth tho widowed ono midnight-liko thoro To darken tho scene that her soul could not bear; Lot the nuptials proceed! Look around, is thoro one Like, v thing to bo colUncd "ere set of the auni Hath tho pastor enjoined thorn, with faltering breath, To romombor, in life we are circled by death ? Hath ho spoke of a marriage, mysterious and high Of tho soul with a bridegroom whose footsteps draw nigh? lie still! Arc such questions for seasons like this To make solemn tho smile, and tho blush und and tho kiss 1 Let the nuptials prococdl And begono every thought Save the bright ones with life and expectancy fraught 1 Tho bridal is over; tho pastor has laid His hand on iho reverent hoad of the maid, Whom he loved as a child, and on whom, as a wife Ho has breathed tho kind blessing, to ond but with life. There aro fervent caresses, tho fondest and lost, Ere her Spring timo of life into Summer has But what do I gaze upon? Woe* woe. is me! ; They hastened tho bridal, that gloom might not They ileforrod it, that gloom might not shadow In vain!' A hoarso stands-dark and still at tho door; One bridal is o'er. Now bo hushed every Mako way for another—tho bridal of death 1 "Like a thief in tho uight," hath tho dark mantled king ~,, Entered there with his icy and blood 'freezing His"iiig of botrothment that plights to tho clay The hand that in terror shi inks vainly away. Cold, cold grow tho fingers that feel it, and Aro the pulses of lifo, and the palo brow has dropped. ... And in Wdst of the marrymg-guests swiftly and soon , • , Roth bridals are onded, ero well it is noon. Heavon shield the truo lovers, so awfully wed, The kind lips that bound them lie breathless and deadl , ■ ..... Now hasten the bride's waiting etariots away. For Death's ebon chariots may brook no delay i In silenco and paleness tho guests havo dls- Tho Lwedded are gone, the cold pastor is The grave hath divoroed from hia bosom tho Who watched him go forth in tho fulness of Who watched him return in his Bhroud to hor As ho voicolessly passed on his way to tho tomb 1 The laic Miss M. E. Hamilton, sister of the late Sir William Bowan Hamilton.

A Miser's Feast.

A. MBKOHANT who had lately died at Ispahan, and leit a largo sum of money, was so great a niggard, that for many years ho denied himself and Mr sod, a yonng boy, every support except a crust of ooarf c bread. He was, however, one day tempted by the description a friend gave of the flavour of cheese, to buy a small piece ; but before he got home ho began to reproach himself with extravagance, and instead of eating the cheese ho put it into a bottle, and contented himself, and obliged his child to do the same, with rubbing the cruat against 1 he bottle, enjoying the cheese in imagination. Ono day he returned home rather later (ban usual, he found his son eating his crust, and rubbing it against the door. "What arc you about, you fool?" waahis exclama'ion. "It is dinner-time father; you have the key, so I coulrt not open th>- doot; I was rubbing wy bread against it because I could not get to the bottle." " dunnot you co without cheese one day, you luxurious little rascal? you'll never be rich !" added the angry miser, a. ho kJVj , the poor boyfornot being ableto^; v ' him . self the ideal gratification., .W^"*

STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT, APRIL 21, 1883.



Pennsylvania has a "Youngwomans town," and California its "Susanville" and » Maryaville,".



Dv» Tji v/v N s * F • Hi KSTATJS, KOU.-3W. AiNU Ii&ND S.OKNT, IJ*OR SALE OR LEAS-, a Wow and P Commodious Uo^flenco ?.n<] ■'>■■ tvi-.- a (tho l»to Oapt. Symond'B), s!tna'<> ii' Q en-,<,t.*.O', O"ehun«&, Th« hous->c mta'n- IS r.ioma h au<?» h'gb, ann coii'tu-jcda a ocagii'.flscnt view of Manukau H'ubrar v,n,-,,p;,rj. iind ■ urn...n. log rtisttima. Th*i?i«undß aro tsstrfolty luM.on'— a tenniE lawn, (l'lA^r uarrUn. oro:nvrf!,&o. at tached 10 tin; h'jOv-i) iiitiiill th» iii-emwj "it. bnll tins, n. mo-t ilfslmnl' r. i i--Co :i>r a ROntleruaii'.i (amtly.— Oardp ti vi • ■ n ..-' /-') oir tioulars fiom IJ. i?'. itv*iny, Statute A^'i'* Qr- (;n ---street. **Ji3o> PROSPECT TERRACE.-^Handsome Villa o£S Rooms nnd i Joi<:h; fitted with Cupb^rrls, Dresser, Registered Grates Oven. ;cc; tf'iod well nnd timk, ni.:e nardi-n, w.:ll-stocked. £3GO. (720) MARY-STREET, MOUNT EIIEK-Onttaiio oC 3 Rooms", rtiikiilioiis . Stable; Cail.-'.ud, &e.j allotment 1(1 x Oil. £3011. (718) COMMICItCIAI'j KOA!i, oil" Great North Rn d. -New Verandah CnUatfi of.> Kimiim. lti-i,'is tcreUGratc, Cunbuardx, to:. Allnliuent !Hx 150. £100. (7231 AWHITU, Manukan Hcads.-18l acres iirst claaa Land: G ticres in Brass, 30 -i/mvs surface sown, 120 acres level plnni;liiible land, house Of 4 rooms. &c ; run of 2000 acres available ; amide water supply. -J niHo from steamer landing and Tek-graph Station. Price only £100. (701) PITT-STREET, comer ot Cross-street-H.md some Villa of 5 rooms, verandah, bow win dow, gable end, gaa and water laid in Price only £370. SPRING-STHEKT. — A Bargain.— i Building Allotments. No.'a: 12,13, 14, and 15. las Gnr foot. :NT ALBERT—New llouso of 5 l-ooms, stable, piggery, &0., together with about li sere good volcanic land; situated close to Mount Albert, Hall. Price, only ,£27j. GEORGE AND WILLIAM STREETS, P()NT- SONBY-Brick llouso of four rooms and Bcullery, outhouse, &c; allotment Jii x 132; £100. BROWN-STREET, PONSONHY ~- Veranilah Cottage of. 5 rooms, register grate, colonial oven, dresser, &c; two tanks; lUinuiient, 10x109. Price, £:110. Easy ternu. GRACE-STREET, PONSONBY-Now and well finished Villa of 5 rooms, pantry, wash house, &c; register gr.ites, colonial oven, 600 gallon tank. To be had a bur^.i in. RAZOUBACK-IS Acres Good Land, 215 acres in grass; collars of ihrne rooms, eow-slied, piggery, &o.; never-failing supply ot water. Price, only £250. TE MATA, RAGLAN' —2SO Acres Splendid Land, level and well watered; situated between Whaingaroa and Aotea Harbour, Forabsolulosalo. HACKKTTSTUEKT, PONSONBY. — A nice Gable-end Verandah Villaofa cooma; bow window; well finished. No reasonable oiler refused; must bo sold. CLARENCE-STREET. PONBO. BY.-Four roomed Verandah Cottage (almost new); good well; allotment 80 x 87. £)li). (722) NOUTHCOTE.-llandsome New Villa nf five rooms; bow window, &c; allotmenl ■ i>U x L'i)o, with water frontage, 3 minutes walk from Stokes's Point Wharf. Price, only £325. (720) MONTAGUE-STREET, NEWTON.—Now Six roomed Verandah Cottage, lltted with register grates, colonial oven, cupboards, &c. Price, 280. (710) MONTAGUE-STREET, NEWTON, i-roomed Verandah Cottage; allotment 33x1)0. Price, only £180. (718) PERCIVAL PARADE. rONSON'BY.-Brick llonsoof 6 rooms; allotment 11x100. Price, £308. (717) IRELAND-STREET, ALMA PLACK.—Veran dah Cottage of 4 rooms an'J scullery, kitchen range, sink, gas and water laid in from main. wood shed,and wash-hoiue; good view of harbour. £.'SOO. (720) WARKWORTH.-House of 6 rooms and largo allotment. No reasonable oiler refused. (722) MAHURANGI.-13 Acres first-class Land, i 0 acres in bush, consisting of kauri, UStara, puriri, &c.; all plouglmble. To be had a bargain. (7i'i) PAPAROA.: — Lots 101 and 102. 150 Acres, situated about 1J miles from Paparoa vil lage Price, only 30s per acre. (175) MiTaKU u-l'uri J,.»i J2- iU rrrrtS >m n, principally kanri: b"U dvd or. odq si ob> n. deop oicik; situated IJ iniies from tuwn shio of Matakohe. Prioo, £1 10h ri«r ooro. ifiHl O'NK'l.-STRKKT. Poitoabi—VarATi.-iah Cot tage, 4 roomx, Bcullwy, and celnf; nnp board, rf"ai'tered oven, eto Only £3'» (632- KInG--TkE"T. off Uroat North H. ad— BMco Hu ld'n« AUotiueiHß NOS. 70, 7S, 77, and i«rt 73, 100 X 153 feet f 'onraK i to Ki'H-^irei-t and Howe-.treet; onitWaied. i rice (or ih» lo', £ICO. (Coll KiK.^NGA iAVK KO UJ, ncai- S)nion|B -well. Ut.k, ouc-hoiißH. &:o "iTcOhi.W a!'of, raeut, abr.at 30 x 132. Tho hoitn ih woll built, and in nist-oUnb ordnr, w^iii KINO- srKKKT, POSd:>-Ji--Y — Now ami Well-ilntshod Mnhle-er.doii Vtllu, h hum »ud scuUery, fltte^ with oifiniat oraii, register graioH, «uob:iards, «c : goad wo'l; Ifroand nioely laid out; brick ba.hn, &o.; (rood view; a roally preitj place. Pi 100, £400. (fill) OAKLKTOV GOKK KOA.D—Handsoiuo VU's oontatnlng 7 rooms, bathroom. (urg« umUii1. wanohO"Be, So., &0.. fif.ud wliti oopiier, onpbottrda, nniimnny iitKornomfvrtH. si'iMto onrnoc oM.'arloton Hore Kotut «nd Seaflßld, Vlow Knad; grand atlot:i*j» t: fipenijid little gurdeu; in all a vtry doairabl i htk; proity place. (C 23! HUBSiJ.L-srKifKr (off Great North "o.^i—3 Alktinebt", euoh 33 x 111). Prize, £70 f.T tto lot COUHINGTON ■ BTHKST (off Gato North. Road)— 2 AllntmnUa, each 50 x 116 with froutaKUH 10 3 snreet>-. Price, £30 for Iho IoS NOBlfOlj^-rfTKKtCT —Verandnh. (Joitaun, i room-«. cupboard, oven, grati-B, &o. fri^e, only £220. (509) FRA.NK..IN KO.VH (near Collcrb Koad)—New »n<i we!l-finl:hei) Shop and Owelliui; of 7 rooms: watnr l»ld tn. Good bssluass poal tlon. Terras etsy. s'riee. £80.1. <f9>)» OTAHUHU —Verandah Couane, I rooms allotment 35 x ill. near Publlo School. I 'rlcA, £190. Terms: £50oa-ih; balance nn 13 >ild luk foolery piinclples i (lt(!) KLLKR3LlH—Ssilenain Villa Site, pl»ntwl wll_h ornamanwl t'«w, and .artty frtiiced.- ' PONd>NßY—House 7 rooms, urniwy, ■store room. Sec, a,-., io««t.h> r with 5 aoioi lnid ont In orohnri Ksrrtßii. pad'Miok, &o; Suleiidtit f.i « vi.-w. iGil LIN i OL>N--TRH,!>; > Vm-y Comfonable Home 7 room tMth I'Our)), pantry. ar»blo. (■■*!• honso. &c. Slo. : »Dout natf au anre laid out lufluwiir-xirdon.orob iri.&i)..wtth «u»Tnnoo , to Urao* sliest; oou dbe aubiivi.iod to id raotaiio, «5».>. am. WOOI»STnKKT-t;omfort«.b'e hesldf.n<e of l rooms, fitted wlcb rus and almoat, evwy ooovflnienoe; pplendtd allotment, ar*out 140 X 150. till Ufltetully laid ont with flowuro, Jruii-treos, &O.; «r»nd view oJ harli ur, »o. 1275) AVONDAT,E iWhaul-Nfoß lltile Lot of 9oorea near the Station, gooo land. Price, only £15 per acre. (S-W KUKN P^AHH1, oirKybar Piisa—Double vimiso of Broumsandoi-liur « oJ^ld. I'rlco £260. BHKKH AN-.STKkKT, iO^ *)■« HY—MoeCot taae !<*•"" '■». verai.ds.li In fr. Nt, am) very oomf ■ ....; nn»r tho Htti! £3W. (»rtl) BAJLKY'ii PADDOOK (Newto<i)->ow Cl >t. taire of thre» rooms; Rood w«ll; freehold allotment S3 x 100; only £130; easy teruit. (531) PONBONBY TtfKRACK - New liousa; J rooms (not quite finished): «ood «-cl■. tank woonehed, kc: good ailocm«nt. 80s mo all fenced and planted. £450. '447> JOH<-3TKh;iiT, Ponsootiy — Oheip Oo -taxo, 4 rooms nna fre»ncln al otjuent, 40x80.prlonnnly fil2o. (472) H*CKKI'-Bl'KKK'', >ear steps to b-iaoh f^>')« of st Mary's ttoad-Hanriao-o Villa, «able ends, bow-windows, and fitted with rente ter ttrate, oveu. caoWrds. eta ; a'kwniMrt 33x99; prloo onlr fi>Bo. ()"1» CLAKBNOB-rtl'HKEl'- a New and Weil flniHhed Verandah Cottaue. 4 rooms urd Boullery ; flttel with reKwter gr«'o, oven, cupboards, tanks, oto.; prico £250, wy terms ■ **™ii PHOBPKCT TKBRAC.t—Handanmo and vvR? desirable House, 6 roomx, souilerjv eto.J. register grate, over., cupboard, shelv-eB. X .a Bnd water laid in, ate; allotment 83 x 101); splendid little garden, ohoice treas.ttto- PAPAKUK \— Now Hojse and ontbaildtnus, and 37 aorea real Rool land in orchard, «tc, in valuable oositlon i a»t at ra^wav station, TUR4NUA uKH)KK,|near Howlck)-A wry oheaplitUo Karm ot 105 aor«a. part culti vated, plenty of timber and watar; goo;! House, fto, (about 17 miles from Anok nnd). Only £225. "■*'' RAZOK HAOK-f plenfiid llttlo Karm, Maowg, largo Honjflbtesd, and every oonv t nie.w: abont 3 miles from Pokeno W«, (l^i OHA.LMKKsWN-fJompaCt llttlu Farm of lbO .acres; P»« in cultivation xplenrin orohurd; aood piec. of tiu-h; »«*.£■ House and outbuilding almost .now. £ijlo. ™P^ 0 o;^P>^yol^;^r;^^ot Je 8lte». "usineas Proves. Ko,. for bale, on applioitlou to J), Y. KVISS, IIOUSB, LAND, AND tKi'AT* *OKNT, Queen-streot<noxt"ii>*'!Wl »,