STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT.

AUCKLAND, N.Z., SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 1886.

RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamiel.]

Some write a neighbour's name to lash. Some wriie-vain thought l-for needful cash, Some write to please the country clash. And raise a din. For me. an aim I never fash- I write tor fun,

"What next?" people are asking, and they may well as-k it, as they read the re port of Sir George Grey's achievement in the House of Representatives on Tue-day night. Everybody knows (on the authority of Mrs jsllis) that " all ihinK» are possible to will," -and everybody and his wite knew that the redoubtable ex-Governor, ex-l Jieniier, aud ex-soldier, would introduce a few "Sur prise Bilis" iv the course of ths se-sion (for Cad uot the STaK told them so ?j; but no one, I venture to say, had anticipated such a surprise, or eulcu ated on such a pjs> .ability, as that which eventuated when Sir George Grey brought on aud carried his now nutorical motion to introduce a Bill to repeal the Act 20 aud 21 Vie, cap 53, in so tar as it relates to this colouy. i do not mean that the defeat of the Government was anything wonderful : that is always an ,sasy matter with the veteran Knight uf the Knwau. Nor was mere anything remark able in the brilliancy of bii lactics as con trasted with the empty bombast of Mr Montgomery : that has been so often de monstrates tha. a fresu illustration of it oc •Cß*io p\ao surpii.-e. Wnat is astonisblng in the incideut is that Sir George was success ful in persuading a majority of the House to vote lor the repeal of an act of the Im perial Parliament 1 Let the reader just calmly try to grusp the idea, and then he will be able to appreciate the situation. The Queeo, Lords aud Commons, in I Jar liament assembled in the uuble halls of St. Stephen's, pass au Act conferr ing and deliuing certain rights which the colonists of New Zealaud shall exercise, and now colonists turn round and say—" Uy your leave, we know what we need better than you can tell us; jour Act is declined with thanks 1" Talk of "cutting the painter," and proclaiming the independence of New Zealand ! Why, the thing is already accomplished in prospect by this Bill; henceforth it is not Great Britain whicn shall nave N-w Zealand in tow, but the colony will forge on ahead, and draw the lumbering old hulk atter it ! XXX Then what a vista for future legislative •" leaps and bounds "is diecloaed. Be it re • membered that the object of the repeal of the Imperial Act is to euaole the House uf Representatives to abolish the Legislative Council, and it will be seen how vast are the possibilities wrapped up in this pro posal, uf course, it we can abolish "the Lords," the next step will be to introduce a Bill dispensing with the Governor; and this would naturally be followed by "A Bill to abolish the Imperial Parliament of Great Britain and Ireland." This would be an immensely popular measure, especially with Home Rule sympathisers, and its passing wonld pave the way for tbe introduction of a Bill to abolish the Koyal Family, and transfer tbe seat of tbe Imperial Govern ment to Cook s Strait. Really, after what has happened, not even the wildest effort of the imagination can conjure up any thing that wonld be a "surpriseI —not even a Bill to abolish the Decalogue or dis establish Old Nick! As yet, however, the victory is only half-won, for Sir George's Bill has still to run the gauntlet of the second reading, and it will not be a ••surprise" to find that on that occasion a lot of tie curs who tremble at the Govern ment "whip" will suddenly discover that the proposal is unconstitutional, and that they only voted for the first reading for the fnn of the thing ! As it stands, tne situa tion affords a notable example of Colonial assertion, and a happy illustration of the mixture of slyness and da«h which characterises the tactics of the " grand old man." xxx Tbe repugnance of the Grammar School Governors to the admission of " poor " boys from the common schools into their sacred circle, is fully endorsed by some of the young sparks of that establishment, on« of whom was heard to exclaim to his maternal parent the other day, " Don't jou think it a shame, mamma, that the common, boys from the free schools should be sent in amoog us young gentlemen!" And the lady expresssed her entire sympathy with the »cry proper resentment of her young jacka napes. Now, from the a-counts of this school laid before Parliament, I find that the exoenditure last year, reckoning nothing for rent of the handsome school house, anddeducting the trifling £241 paid, with much grumbling, for evening classes, amounted to the pretty little sum of £6,021. or an average of £35 16s per head for 163 boys on the roll. The fees paid by the genteel pupils amount merely to £10 10a a-year, so that they were pensioners on the pnblic bounty to tbe tune of more than £25 a-piece. The average cost per scholar of the children attending the common schools is only £4 per head. Discreet peo ple would, under the circumstances, hold their tongues about Ihe very moderate ad vaotsees which the masses of the people reap from the expenditure on secondary education, or it may perchance happen thst -those very disagreeable persons called Radi c»ls will compel the»i» exclusive young gentlemen to go to the common schools and earn their place in tbe Grammar School by -merit, or else pay the lull cost of their education. The trouble seems to be that the clever lads sent up on scholarships carry off all the honours in the Grammar School, a liberty ia the highest degree ob jectionable in boys of such bumble origin, and a circumstance which must convince every right-thinking person tbst these vnlgar little boys ought to be taught their place when admitted to the society of a superior order of beings.

A well-known Anckland medico has lately become a convert to that oft-quoted die tarn of Dryden, that

Great wits ore sure to madmen near allied, And thin partitions do their bounds divide. This disciple of /Esculapins has a foreign coachman, who bears the outlandish name of Youffull; and as ye doctor hath a merrie wit, he rejoices to address his man jn mono syllabic instead of dissyllabic fashion, thus transforming his name into "You fool." Quite recently, professional business (a3 it frequently does) called the doctor to an in quest at the Lunatic Asylum, and, of course, on alighting, he had to fire off his stale joke—"Here, take the reins, you fool!" Equally, of course, when preparing to leave, lie had to shout out, '"Come along, you fool 1" A wild-eyed lunatic, who bad overheard these ejaculations, dow approached the doctor, and with a respectful salutation, said : " Don't yon think, sir,

you had better discharge that fool of a coachman and take on this jool in his place!" The doctor's face at this juncture was a complete study for a physiognsmUt. Amusement struggled to obtain the mastery over his indignation at the idea of a mere lunatic jumping his claim to that joke ; and what between his dignity and his sensts of the ridiculous, ha came very near going off in a fit of apoplexy. The timely arrival of his chariot "pulled him off," in a double sen«e, and he left the "crank" complete master ot the situation. Two notable results of the rencontre are, that "Mr v'ouffull " no«v gets his proper name, and our medical humorist is chary of his jokes when he visits the precincts of the Whau. XXX An "artificial leg" must be rather an expensive luxury, judging from the re ported proceedings of the Hospital Com mittee in the case of the patient Miitland. The members pro-cut, it appears, made up the sum of £3, and expressed a belief ihat ihe public would subscribe the requisite balance—that being, in the meantime, au "unknown quantity." Whether the leg is to be an ordinary affair, or a marvel of complex mechanism and elegant design, we are not informed. Probably, however, the public may feel that while sympathising with the loser, his loss might Da made endurable by the outlay of a couple of pouuds or so in the purchase ot a wooden leg. With its severe simplicity toned down by tha polisher's art, a wooden leg has a inudest merit and comeliness of its o>vn I which outvie the meretricious fads of Parisian design. It must be explained, however, lest a misapprehension should injure a deserving man wbo ha? suffered an I iireparible loan, thit the leg was atnun lated so high up on the thigh that the good old-fashioned stump will not answer, and only » leg of very light material and Bpecial construction would be of any use. XXX Talking of wooden legs recalls the case of Tim Donognue, " a fellow of inlinite j'at," and a good, honest soul withal. Tim was a miner in a claim on the Waiu tahi Creek some tew years ago, and wlui with frequent damp and over-exertion, hii wooden leg got very seedy and out of sorts. After carefully reckoning his financial re sources, he seDt to a friend in Sydney for v new one, which w»s duly forwarded. When Tim got th& letter from Sydney, advising its shipment, he pegged away down to the Grahamstown steamer, and, finding his parcel on board, took possession and went off with it to his shanty up the creek. The Customhouse official, overhauling the parcels on board and comparing them with the list, found one missing, and on inquiry was told that some digger with a wooden leg had taken ic. With all his ravenous official instincts on the alert, and sniffing promotion in the air, the Customhouse man set to work in quiring arnougat the diggers hanging about the billiard rooms, and presently got the information he wanted. One of Tim's mates heard of thes6 inquiries, and, on his way home, called at Tim's hut, and told him. "The Cuitom-h'.use man askiu' afther meself, is it?" says Tim. ''Jmt that same; faith he seems mighty anxious for an introduction in regard of aomethin' ye tuk off the boat." " Och shura. its nut me leg he'd be afther wautin' Luk at that, Mick; bejabers it* lit for afuli-Jresa jig I'll be bound," says Tim, displaying bis new treasure, which he had just fitted on. After his mate had left, Tim began reflecting, and then proceeded to pack the discarded old leg in the box, and tie it up carefully. Early in the morning came the Customs officer to the hut, sod demandsd the parcel in the Queen's name, "Sliuru, Queen Victoria, God bless her, doesn't want me leg, that Brian Dooley sint me from over there beyant?" "This package hf>s not paid duty; so, Mr Uonoghue, I will take it." Having affixed tbe Customs seal, he took it off, and placed it under bond. l.'ur ing tbe day, the affair got talked about amongst Tim's mates and others, and great indigoation was expressed at this fto-h example of Government oppressiou, official meanness, &c. Very sooa it came tv the ears of several prominent business people tn Grahamstown, who felt great sympathy for poor Tim in bis misfortune, and lost no time in bringing pressure to bear in order to get tbe duty remitted, but without suc cess. At last, however, by dint of importunity, the local official consented to refer the matter to bttd quarters in Wel lington. Elaborate documents were pre pared and signed, comprising a petition, a declaration on oath, and Heaven knows what besides, and transmitted to tbe "authorities." la dae course came in structions to release the limb as "free" goods. Then, with all dua ceremony, the package was opened in the presence of the ..uston's man, and ot Tim and bis fiiends, and, to the diignst of the man in blue, there lay revealed the old, well-worn splintered leg ! This beats the episode of the policeman and the pumpkin, 1 think xxx It waa the old, old story. They were swinging sentimentally on a garden gate in a retired street of the western suburb Adolphus was romantic, but Araminta was matter-of-fact and sarcastic. He descanted on his abilities and the brilliant career that lay before him if he condescended to tread it. she waited for the long-hoped-for pro posal, and grew weary and out of temper. Adolphus continued his egotistical dis course, and at last wonnd up with the exclamation, " Dearest, what do yon think I wonld make!" "Make, lovey?" she retorted, "I think yon would make a splendid figure-head for the Pharmacy when trade is dull and they with to make people sick!" They meet as strangers now. The Salvationists may havo some reason to complain of the treatment which they have received at the hands el the Auckland larrikins, bnt it would appear that their lines are cast in pleasant places when their lot is compared with that ot their brethren in Wellington, A lady correspondent, writing from that hoodlums/ paradise, for wards the interesting intelligence that tha Army has commenced operations there, but the overwhelming hordes of larrikins are proving too much for the small corps. On a recent Sunday morning one Hallelujah "lad" enjoyed tha very doubtful "plea sure" of losing his beard, but whether it was-blown away by one of the delightful •rqualls so common in the Empire city, or wa3 torn out by the unbelieving youths, does not appear from the evidence adduced. But however unfavourable the circum stances may be at Wellington, ths Army is hopeful of converting an M.H.K., ele vating him to the important rank of major, and then having special laws pa«sed which will result in stamping out larrikiaism so far as it affects the "Army." xxx The natural habits and taste 3of the ravenous rodent are tolerably well known.

Canuing, skulking, ferocioue oajoccasion — revelling in garbage, and pilfering choice chickens —gormaudiziug graio, and devour ing dear little ducklings—he is generally looked upon as a " bad lot." But it seems that an enthusiastic student of natural his tory, in the person of a Mr Bell, bus dis covered that the rat of our hearths aud homes is developing aesthetic tastes. He is now including the garden snail iv his dietary fare. With a sort of suppressed rapture, Mr 1>:11 teds how he has watched him sally form iv tie balmy evening hour and go for the snail*. With a joy almost too d-ep for utterance, tb.it close observer of IZodcntia discerns in this "new depar ture" not only immunity for the housewife from furtlier rat raids, but also hope for the cabbages from the greedy maw of the slimy snail. xxx No doubt the discovery Is a valuable one—for the rat, bec*u<e he pines i-x change of diet; but 1 fear that its benefits will he confined to a very circumscribed are* as regards the human race. How about those unhappy folks who labour under the disadvantage of having no snails wherewith to pamper the jaded palate of the rats? For example, 1 have a neighbour who lost, in a fewnightß, thirteen valuable chickens by those voracious vermin. Having no vegetable narden, and therefore destitute of Helix gardiensis, what is she to do ? Go into tne market and lay in a srock to allure the rats from the poultry-peas? Borrow a bushel or so from Mr Hell, and softly whistle to the rats to come on* and resale themselves ? While it does credit to that gentleman's sagacity and research that he has proved the startling fact of the snail agreeing with the rat, still inethinks but a favoured few will reap any advantage from it. So, the mist of us must suffer on and be bumbly content witn the old-fashioned methods of cat, trap, and poison, until in a moment of inspiration some inventive genius teaches us to ase dynamite in this direction. But tbe garden snail, as an article of food, is m>t confined to ihe rat. Probably few people are aware that in one of our suburbs lives a re idnnt who, for a long time pa,-', Ins enjoyed his bi-weekiy gorge of snails. He hails from sunny Italy, and brings the fertile culinary resources of his country to bear upon thair prepaialion, He collect thim, stews tho ouei in good condition fur immediate use, and futtens up the store stock in boxes of bran. He says they are simply delicious, beating pate de /vie gras hollow, aud putting oysters to the blush. Well, who shall say he is wrong 1 Let the doubter supprcai his shudder of repulsion until he has tried for bimaelf whether or not he can extract some gastronomic pleasure from this garden marauder, and the chances are he licks his lips after a stew of Helix. xxx The examiners of teachers have not favoured us with the usual selections of : amuiing blunders from the papers given by ; the sapient instructors of the rising genera tion, but one or two glimpses are given which tell of the budget of fun tbat has been lost to the world. < 'ne teacher, in reply to tne question, " What means would you employ to give your pupils a proper sense of their mutual responsibilities as membsrs of society ?" responded vaguely, " Compulsory attendance. Appointment and retention of teachers solely in hands of a Government department, thereby showing the taxpayers tbat tbe teachers are not simply and solely the paid «er vants of the parent!." The answer is de lightfully original, if its bearieig on the question is not quite bo obvious as one could wish. One candidate, whose strong point was uatural history, had discovered that the horse is a ruminant animal, and tbat a cow " made a peculiar noise called its voice." I feel disposed, however, to make some allowance for the temporary lunacy of unfortunates v»bo have been wrestling for hours with the knotty problems which examiners glory in. After a poor girl has 264 been asked to find the value of of •105 00625 of a ton, and thirteen other arithmetical questions, into the nature of which I dare uot enter lest the printer should become profane in his vain hunt tor fractious to express the sum, a little wan dering in tbe mind is pardonable. xxx Are the managers and ushers of our two leading places of amusement in league with the/Esculapian confraternity for the purpose of keeping up tbe sick rate ? Have tbey arranged for a commission on the number of cases of catarrb, influenza, pleurisy, neuralgia, rheumatism, and kin dred aches and pains tbat they can turn out? I ask the questions in all seriousness, for the means that are taken both at the Thea tre and Opera House to, promote draughts and general discomfort are so well calcu. lated to effect the desired result that they surely must be stimulated by a monetary consideration. At the Theatre, the method pursued is generally to raise the atmosphere to the temperature of a Turkish bath, and then to throw open all tho windows, leaving the audience to quarrel amongst 1 themselves as to which shall be closed and which kept open. Things, however, are infinitely worse at the Opera House, although the means of ventilation are much more effective. There the audience are steamed into a state of profuse perspiration until the intermission arrives, when the screen at the entrance to the circle is drawn back, and the door at the foot of tbe stairs is opened to permit of the upward rush of a full blast of icy-cold air, which s&ws the seeds of aches and rheums in all directions. The audience turn round on their seats and look entreatingly at the cold-blooded ushers and doorkeepers ; but all to no par pose. The door must remain open for its regular time, and the screen on no account can be drawn. Thus it was at Miss Green wood's concert oh Monday night, and the feelings of that audience, at first being par. boiled into pulp, and then refrigerated into shivering fits, I leave to be imagined. Let Mr Abbott effect some improvement in this respect, or he will find the public fighting exceedingly shy of his Opera House. The English may take their pleasure sadly, but for all that their chronic melancholia does not render them careless of their health.

Has the gentle reader ever been in one of those not very delicious "jams" -\ybich take place in the STAB publishing oflice at 4.30 to 9 o'clock in the evening ? The reader, particularly if "gentle," will have cause to remember such an experience and to shrink from a repetition of it. " Zamiel" has been in the insane crowd who crush for " an early copy " on several occasions—once too often, in fact—and he would like others as well as himself to profit, by his sufferingß. It was on the evening after some local

sensation trial that I pressed ray way wei. to the front of the surging mass of humanity and tendered my copper fora full, true, an-!.i particular account of the aSair, with cable ! news, "locals.'' telegrams, aud leading I articles threwn into the bargain,- I got in and secured my paper, but getting out was not such an easy matter. Struggling, pushing, sfjueeiwiis.', driving, trampling, elbowing, andl vociferating, i!ic crowd pre-sed inwards,, ami v/lmn X managed to beat my way oat against tha waves of this surging human sea, I had ciushed corns, battered shins, sure ribs, empty lungs, be draggled apranl1, o> sus-slutxd hat on one side nt my head, and a badly-creased (wpy of the Star, in two pieces, grasped in either fist. This wao my net gain from the crushing experiment;. but the per contra -howeif my net loss to ha a book (value 3/6) which I had under my arm when I entered, but which was " nowhere " when 1 emerged. lat once proclaimed my loss, searched for ttie missing volume, and next Jay advertised for it, but all in vaiu; that book (it was bound in red cloth) had " faded into the infinite azure,'' or in other words, resolved itself into the invisible blue ! xxx Does the gemle reader, therefore, con cluiie that there are thieves abut tbe Star oflice? Let him refrain from hasty judgment and hciir further. 1 may have had so lie .such uncharitable thoughts my .•■elf, but a friend's reeitil of his adventures in a more rt-oenr. "yarn " had dissipated them My friend, armed with the indis pensable cippe-, made bis way through the usual crowd to the puMi»hiog cmuter tbe other evening—or rather to within "men mrab'e disiance" ot s M counter—and reaching over- the heads of several peopll, he tendered lii* coin. In a snort time lie felt (forseeiui* was out of the question) said coin being removed, and a folded paper btinrr thrust into his hand ; but on attempt ing to carry off his prize, ho found that it hid tieen simultaneously grasped by another claimant. A glance revealed that '*Numbr Two" was a shabby.;entesl looking gent, who made a polite v >ow aud smiikingh said : " My paper, sir." " No," said my friend, "it is my paper; I. have ju-t paid for it." ■' 1 assure you, sir, you ure mistaken." mid the polite contestant ; '■ I paid the penny for this paper." Quoth the original claimant, " Nothing of the sort; but if you wisi a penny to buy another, here it is !" With offended dignity, Number Two declined tie prof fered copper, ami in hi<i horrified nstonish ment relinquished his hold of the paper, which luv frem! at once crammed into his pocKet, at the same time turning to leave. As he was slowly making his exit, he felt n gentle tip on his shoulder, and the voico of Mr Shabby Geuteel whispered iv his ear : " I haven't got a penny to buy a paper I" Of course, my friend, having succeeded in his previous contention, could not re«i>t this appeal in forma paupcris, so he gave the polite gent a penny, and separtcd. 1 don't know tout it is necessary to draw any " moral" from these incidents of Auckland life. If 1 did, it would be something to this effect :—Let the reader jifllicted with that insane craze for " an early copy " keep a sharp look-out for a shabby-genteel gent. who is devoured with a zeal for literary food, rangioi; from penny newspapers np to three-and-sixpenny books, but who labours under the slight disadvantage of neither having tbe " threc-and-a-tanner " nor the humble copper wherewith to legitimately satisfy his craving ! Verb sap.Uuff. xxx I am not aware of the existence of any soelety to Anckland for tbe advocacy o' Women's nights. Since Polly Plum quitted tbe sunny North, the question has not been advocared lo any marked extent. Ihe women's rights claim has been favoured by Mrs Ellis, a lady from the bauks o! the Wey, flowing under the saintly hill of St. Catherine, in West Surrey, in her singular book, "Everything is Possible to Will." Tha ladies who dream uf masculine privi leges have not had an abler champion than John Stuart Mill ; but that eminent poli tical economist baa passed away. Krclong, however, the subject, in one of i's phases, wiil be ventilated by the members of a city discussion class. Women's Rights is a vague term, and almost limitless, for what privilege do the ladies not crave ? I was struck with the programme of "rights" in tbe "Ladies' League," composed of a number of marriageable ladies without husbands. Their programme is liberal, embracing almost all the privileges-poli tical and social—hitherto exclusively con hoed to the province of the lords of creation. Members of ladies' societies in London, and in several towns in England, have succeeded in obtaining scats at parish boards and thereon speaking a "bitof their mind." But this measure of success is not sufficient to satisfy the claims of the Ladies' League. They intond to press onward until they have a voic! in Parliament, believ ing that women can mako better laws than men. They are very considerate—these single ladies—in regard to married women, whom; independence and improved position would be a certain blow to imperious hus bands. A meeting of the Ladies' League was recently held at the residence of Sir Arthur Hobbouse;the subject of discussion was "Women Superior to Men," and of course the meeting was in favour of women. A maiden member, said to be pretty of face and eloquent of speech, spoke at length on the subject, and gave utterance, to the fol lowing luminous and convincing re mark : "You will have observed, sisters, tbat man was formed of the dust of the earth, and woman from man, a decided step upwards, evidencing unmis takably, and most conclusively, that wo man is superior to man." this sentiment was greeted with applause. Sensible women, however, endorse the views of poor Janet Hamilton, expressed in her admirable essay on the "Mother's Mis oion," in which the Lnngloan poetess teaches, without ignoring woman's rea sonable rights, the vast importance at tached to the position of wom&n in her maternal capacity, and the power and influence which she, as the mother of the chilli, exercises through him on all the acting aßd every-day workings of society.

Writing from London, our correspondent sends ihe following notes abont the latest novelties in the musical world :— Herbert Campbell's new song, "I Should i ike to Find One Now," describes a num ber of excellent things which were common in the days of old, bat are not to be had at present. By-the-wav, I ace " Mad"c "in "i'rutb " lecommends losti's "Good-I3y«" as a nice song for contraltos, and the " Guards Parade March" as an easy and effective instrumental piece. Sbe also eulogises a tarantella called the " Dance of Sprites." which somewhat resembles the charming " Funeral March of a Marionette,"

SELECTED POETRY.

1 HAPPIKR OTHERWHERE, Of Nature's secrets, euro! 7 none jb'or men he<rta greater prize 'Shun tbat hid by tho nulling sun TSutweeu his closing eyes ? Viyr be the landscape gay or bleak, Dwa life show joy or care, Tho twilight ever Beeius to speak- O* Happier Otherwhere. Wheajo'er the Mower-strewed eartii Tl.n gentlest zephyr plays, And birds proclaim their younglings' birtb' In evening roundelsiys, Thon, be the yearning soil distraught By labour, feaat, or prayer, Tho twilight yet awakm tho thought O£ Uuppier Otherwhere. When cut by savago winds the trees For summer breezes sfyh, And those ouoo bright and scented leas In sombre furrows Ho, Do Nature's features to tbe heart Hut bring more deep despair. Then twilight shades tho sunae impart OH Happier Otherwhere. Thus when upon our scrawl" in lite Death cornea to Met his noa!: And friends s'jftnd round to watch the strife And doubts wo all must feel. Then, though for thought of old misdeed Our looks aotne shadow worn1, Still iv oiireytw the hopo they'll read O? Happier Otherwhere. R.A.M.Ha- Juno, 1883.

THE LOCKET.

Shot through the heart in adrunkenbrawl, • In v saloon In Xl TJorado - Nobody cared or mourned his fall. Fitting end for a dtsperado. A gaming quarrel—an oath—a blow— And then ii ringing detonation, Ant).ho lay glaring 0:1 his 100, Who our Him stood. Jn exultation. 'He cheated !' " Yes; I watcliod His play ; I gnus.-* he now won't cheat th'i devil!"' Careless, tho victor turai-d'uwuy To Join tho interrupted revel. Twas wild times those of which I speak, And human blood wat>sliud. liko water ; In thiit) wild plaeo law's nna was weak Auti poworlous to avost such slaughter. " Let's take him out—what suy you, boys I" One Reizod him rudely by tho shoulders. The dy.'JK man unclosed:'iis eyes. And gazed upon tlio riulo beholders. Thoy raised him up, and round him pressed ■;: llu inaxio a faint, implotirg gesture, Then placed his hand within his breast. And felt beneath his bH-ocly vesture. ' Ho strove to sponk, and could but gasp. As he drew something rrotn his pocket; The dying hand unclosed its clasp, , And thoro fell out a tarnished locket. His sweetheart's picture, did you say ? That guoas waa good—but try another; The locket held v. tress of grey— The likanoaa was that of l.is mother. At sight cf that old kindly faso, Kyes dimmed with strange unwonted feeling;: Aguin in his hand they pluce<l the case, Aud ono by tho dying mau i» kneeling. Strange how in sinful human hearts Some gcod and tender feeling linger*; And to many un eyo tho tear-drop starts As the locket slips from ttoso lifeless flngere. Long he had lived a desperate Ufo— Scolfor, blasohcmcr. nought revering— Ever read? with pistol or knife— llobber and gamester, bold, unfearing. Reckless and bold, and steeped in sin, All of gooiin his heart had; perished— 80 yo might deem; yet deep within Oue tender memory he cherished. —Thomas Sharps, Onehnnga»

MY LIBRARY.

As one who passes on a rock, The bastion o£ some sea-nymph's home, And feels th ■ npules round him flock, Then cleaves tho foam.

And glides through cool pellucid ways Where cre«pers kiss each thrilling limb. And hears or thinks ho hears, low lays Of Chembim;

And marvels at tho wondrons scene, Tho ruins upon ruins hurled. Tha moving hosts, anil darkling sheen. The awlul world;

Then rises, snatching first somo gem, Some token ol! his sojourn there, And I'ings a dewy diadem From face and hair.

And in tho sunlight, with the sl^h Uf sea-winds whistling in bis ears. Viows his found treasure, tiii his eye Is dim with tears.

80, whoro in lordly swooping bays, Iv distant, dark, retiring noolai, Stretches before my eager gaze, The sea of books,

1 pnuso, nnd draw one fervent broath. Then plunge, utxl seem to pass away Into deep wutcr still as death, Yet clear us day;

Tn move by boulders or the Past, JJy caves whe.ro faltnr dimly puro Gleams of tho Kuturo—all tho Vast Ot Literature;

Thon to return to life above,

From rcKions where nut fow have trod, Bearing n j»om of larger lovo To man and Owl.

—Ulackwood's Magazine,

Lady Florence Dixie.

lady Florence Dixie appears to be still occupying a large amount of attention. Tbe following lines are taken from a Lon don paper, which states tint they are going the round of the clubs :—

"You havo told. Lady Florence," tho yonng man cried, " A story that reads llko a play: And your talo. Lady Florence, is hard to be- Ilevo— Oh! why did yon toll It, I pray V

" In tho tales that I tell," Lady Florence replied, " I remember that rumour flies fast; And all that I cannot conjecture at first, Gets somehow put in at tho last*

" But those mon, Lady Floronce," the young man cried, " Those ruffians, with knivos, got away, And yet of your strugglo all tracos are gone— Oh ! whore are thoir footmarks, I pray r

" Of your questions, bold youth," Lady Florence replied, " I hoped I had heard quito tho last : I thought of my flguro whatever I did. And my coreetg must vouch for tho pastl"

" But the truth. Lady Florence," tho young nun cried, " Credulity's passing away ; You are cheerful while Leaguers aro bont on your death— Oh 1 tell mo tho secret, I pray V

" I am cheerful, yonng man," Lady Floronca replied, " For my case doth both Houses engage; And Royalty's sent to ask how I am— In fact, I am Just now the rago,"