AN EXCITING ADVENTURE.

I WAS telegraph operator and station agent on one of the Western lines of a railroad, when this adventure oi which I am goiug to tell you happened to me.

]t was a wild and stormy night, and, as the depOt was nearly half-a-iuilo out of town, the set of loafeis which usually gollectcd about the stove in the waiting room had eventually concluded to seek some place nearer home to spend the evening, andi for a wonder, I was aloae.

The express from the West was due at 9 50. After that I should bo at liberty, and I began to wish the evening was over Ion" before the tiain came nlong, or eke tbat I hid someone to talk to, tor the depot was in one of the loneliest spots that could hive beau selected ; the wind kept up a dismal moaning in the pine* close by, and every now and then seemed positively howling in tho wires of the telegraph. X began to feel nervous and iidgtty. At last tlio train came. I was also ex press agen', and tho expressman on the train handed me a heavily-sealed envelope, remarking, as lie did so, "Be careful of that Braithwaite. There's v big bonanza in that package, if it were yours or mine." "Money?" I asked, noticing that there were but two passengers getting off—two men in shaggy overcoats and slouched hats, whom I concluded, without thinking much about them or paying but little attention to them, to be huutera returned from some up country trip. "Yes; a trifle of twenty thousand, I believe," anawored Philips. " Old Powers is sending it down to his son, who's putting up a mill somewhere near here, isn't he V "Yes; on tho other side of the river," I replied, " It's lucsy to have a lich father, Philips." " You're right there," answered Philip?. And then the train started off, and I turned and walked towards the office.

As I neared tha door with the package in my hand, one of the men, who had been watching me, made a spring towards me. I doa't know how I happened to be on tho look-out for them, but I must have been, for I jumped back almost the same iustant that hs made his move, and before either one' of thorn comprehended what I was about,lhad made a dive between them and mcceeded in getttug into tbe oilice, and had the door bolted before I knew wh£.t I was doing. I heard a volley of curses hurled after me, and then I knew by tho sounds and the creaking of the door that both of the men were trying to break in. But I had no fears of their doing that. It was of hard wood, well-seasoned, and would resi.t all their efforts in that direction. I put the package in the safe, and locked It securely, before I stopped to think what was to be done. Then I sat down to think, while I conld hear the men talking outside; I knew they Were holding a council over the means to be used to effect an entrance, and obtain possession of the money I had received.

It was anything but a pleasant situation to be in. Here was I alone.half-a-mile away from any assistance, at ten o'clock ac ni^ht —and a stormy night at that —and the pro babilities were that nearly everybody .was already in bed. If they were not, no one would think of coming to the depot at that time of night. Outside were two desperate men, who knew I had a large sum of money in my possession, aud they knew that if they could effectjan entrance I would ■mount to but little in the way of prevent ing an accomplishment of their villanons purpose. Suddenly a thought occurred to me. The clerk at the hotel where I boaided hid taken a fancy to telegraphy and we had put up a ■wiia between the hotel and the depot. Why couldn't I advise him of my danger, and have him send help ? I heard a new .sound at the door just then, which sent the blood in great, sargiag waves all orer me, The men had begun to eat their way in with pocket-knives 1 I rualied to the instrument ana called "George." What if he had gooe to bed, or should he out ? I turned pale at the thought. ,',..'.■■ Btttpreitysoonareponsejcamebacic, He was there. "Go ahead."

I began and wrote: "I am in danger. Two men are trying tognin admittance for the purpose of robbing the express-safe, send help iinmtdiately S Not a minute to lose 1" "Slower," telegraphed Oeo'ge, who had not been practicing long enough to be able to read very well. I went over with the message again. But I suppose excitement made my writiug "blurrid," for again he sent back word : II Slower, and more dl»tiuct! Can't make it out I"

Qod help me! Beforn I succeeded in making him understand me they would be tteoogh the door, I thought, with, a cold mat breaking out all over me. But I vent over the message again, and this time he caught it, and sent back a hurried "All right! Hold out for ten minute? 1" The men were digging away like beavers. I ebuld see the point* of their knives once la ft while, at they splintered away frag ments ot the panels. But I knew that it would take them same time yet to cut away enough for them to make an entrance through. How I wished I had a pistol I 1 I waited in feverish impatience. Sud denly there was a crash, and one pauel wu stove in by the foot of one of the men. "Aha!" he grinned, wi'h hi 3 leering faoe at the aperture. " You sea we mean badness, don't you ? What are you going to do when we get in, eh V I didn't know. Die, I supposod, if they v toik an idea to put an end to me into their r heads. Why didn't George and the help he h«d promised come? It seemed to me that there had beea time enough to make a ten-mile tramp. "We've got the second panel almost wsdy to stave in," said the other man, chuckling horribly over the cheerful infor mation. " Then, I guess, Tom can crawl tbroagb. You might as well bo opening that box o' your'n an' git out that bundle We're after. It'll save all of ua considerable trouble an' time." Crash cams his foot against the panel, audit burst into splinters; and my heart Wily stopped beating when I saw one of tham thrust his head and shoulder* through the opening. I seized the poker, and struck Mm over the head with all the force I could iisjmato. He rolled out a volley of terrible ■-ones, but I was master of tie situation it that particular moment. Suddenly there was a sound of voices, and then the man outside cried out that they were "Dabbed" and tried to make »te escape. But I knsw by the sound that lie was caaght, and was" struggling with his eaptori. There were several pistol-shots ( fired, and eager cries, duriog which the :. poor wretch in the door made no effort to .'escape, bat lay there limp and motionless. "1 began to fear I had killed him. I drew j slack the bolts, and got tho door open just "In time to see the other one overpowered, a I prisoner ia the hands of half-a-dozen boys V bom town, Then we got the man out of foe door. He wasn't dead, but he was in- Musiblej my blows with the poker had ;«wtw much, tor him, ,'....

I bought a pistol the first thing next morning, and was on tlio look-out for rob ber* after that; but tlut was the only a d venturo of any account that happened to me while I stayed there. If it hadn t bei v for that telegraph wnich George anil 1 put into opero'i..D, I rather think I shoitld havo finis tied up my earthly catiot turn night. _____

A Visit to Easter Island.

Commander Bouveric K. Clark, in Her Majesty's ship Sappl>o,visited Hastcr Islam), that remote outlying member of the Poly nesian island croups, so remarkable for Its stone sculptures and remains of uative archi tecture, in Juue last. The Sappho sighted the island on tho 17th day from Coquimbit, and anchored on the evening of the same day in Cook Bay. On passing the village of Malaveri, the English Hag was seen hoisted on a longihgstatt', and shortly after landing the vessel was boarded by Mr Alexander Salman, the agent of tbe 'Maison Braudcr,' of Tahiti, who now owns tho greater part of tbe island ; from him daring the two days stay of the vessel, Commander Clark ob tained the information he had to give re. garding the island. The Maison Brander four years ago purchased tte property ot the missionaries on the island, who then left for Gambier Archipelago, taking abuut 300 natives with them. A large grazing farm was established, aud there are now about 10,000 aheep aud 400 bend of ctttle on the island ; the Hooks increase very rapidly, as there are two, and sometimes three, lambing seasons in the year With the pre sent number of sheep, Mr Salmon gets about eighteen tons of wool per annum. There are enormous numbers of poultry in t'ae is land in a semi-wild state, out all owned by the natives ; in fact, a fleet could easily be supplied with fresh provisions, excepting vegetables ; but as yams, sweet potatoes, bananas, and plantains grow readily, they also could be supplied In time. Water i the only scarce aiticle. The natives now remaining are only 150 in number, but they are on tho decrease. About 500 were shipped to Tahiti some eight years ago to work on tho plantations of tho Maisnn Brander, besides the 300 removed by i;he missionaries. Among those remaining there are no traces of the missionaries' work; thoy have no religion at all, are ox pert thieres, and very revengeful; they never forget or forgive, although in general good tempered. They arc divided into seve ral small clans, among which strength or personal coorage is the only claim to superi ority, aud their chief quarrels arise over the efforts of each clan to secure the lirst eggs of tho "wide-awake" every year from Needlo Rock, to which they attach a super stitious value. Ab there is a heavy surf at the bottom of the cliit' opposite the rocks, several lives are lost nearly every year while they are seeking for the eggs. The result of Mr Salmoa'a repeated talks with the natives on the subject of their fir»t arrival in the island is to lind that they all say they originally landed on the north side of Anakens, and came from the cast in two canoes, provisioned with yam-, taro, and sweet potatoes, the king (by name Hoto metva, or the " Prolific Father") in one canoe, and the queen in the other. On making the land they separated, passing round in opposite directions, and meeting again at Anakena, where they landed and settled on Mount Topaze, of which the native name is Hotoiti. They there built the stone houses the remains of which still exist, and made the statues with which tbe bill is covered ; but the first statue was not made till some fitty years after they landed. The natives siy the original name of the island was not tiapanui, but Te-pito-feuva, ie., the land in the middle of the sea. Commander Clarke wus much struck with tbe evident fertility of the soil. If it were only cultivated he believed it would produce magoificeut crops, and it seemed to him especially adapted for the culture of vines. The extinct volcano of te Rama Kao on the south-west comer of the inland, is well worthy of a visit. The bottom of the crater is no', level, as described by a former visitor ; oo the contrary, there is no bottom at 50 fathoms in the centre, but there is a carpet of decayed vegetation spread over the water on which one can cross from side to side.— 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 tho dark track of life and cheer the humun heart iv every clime, i t was his daughter's wedding day. Crowds of her young acquaintances circled round her, and as tue father «azed proudly on the face of the young btide, he wished as bright a prospect might open for his other children, who were gambolling merrily among the crowd. Passing alonp the passage connecting the lower rooms, he met the servant maid, an ignorant country wench, who was carrying a lighted tallow candle in her haud, without a candlestick. He blamed her for this dirty conduct, and went into the kitchen to make some arrangements with his wife about the supper table. the 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 had 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 i" he inquired, in excessive agitation. " I could not bring it up with mo, for my hands were full," said the girl. '.' Where did you leave it!'

"Well, I'd no candlestick, so I stuck it in Borne black Sand that's there in one of The merchant dashed down tho 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 tbe suffocating blast of death. , ... At the extremity of the passage, id the front cellar, under the very room wher« his children and their friends were revelling in felicity, be discerned the open powder barrell, full almost to tho top, the candle stuck lightly in the. loose grains, with a long and red snuff of burnt-out wick top ping the small and gloomy flame. The si"ht seemed to wiiher all his.powers, and the merry laugh, of the. youngsters above struck upon his heart like the knell of death. ■" .'. ' " ... With unequalled presence of mmd, he placed a hand on- each side of the candle, with the open palm upwards, and the dis tended fingers pointing towards the object of his 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 he lifted tbe candle from its bed in the powder, this exuberance of the wick fell off and rolled, a living coal, in the hollow of his 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 then over—he could'smile at the danger he had conquered, but the reaction was too powerful, and he fell into fits of tbe most violent and dreadful laughter. He was conveyed senseless to bed and many weeks elapsed ere his nerves iecovered sufficient tone to allow him to re sume Ms habits pf every-day life,

Medical Examinations.

It is related of a rough-and-ready examiner iq medicine that on one occasion having failed to elicit satisfactory replies from a student regarding the muscular arrange ment of the arm aud leg, he somewhat brusquely said : —" Ah ! perhaps, sir, you could tell me the names of tho muscles 1 would put iv action whore I to kick you !" Certaintly, sir," replied tho candidate; "you would put iv motion the llexora and extensjrs of my arms, for I should use them to knock you down I" History is silout, and perhaps wisely so (adds a writer in " Chamber's Journal ") concerning tho fate oi this particular studont. The story is told of a witty Irish studont, who, once upon a time, appeared before an examining board to undergo an examination iv medical jurisprudence. The subject of examination was poisoni', and the examiner had selected that deadly poison prussin acid as the snb jpet of his questions. " Pray, sir," snid ho to the candidate, " what is a poi»onous doso of prusaie acid?" After cogitating for a moment, Iho studeut replied with prompti tude : "Half an ounce, sir!" Horrified at the extreme ignorance of the candidate, the examiner exclaimod : " Half au ounce 1 Why, sir, you must be dreaming. That is an .amount which would poi«ou a com munity, air, uot to spoak of an individual! " WeLl, sir," replied tho liibcruiao. "I only thought I'd be on tho safe side when you asked a poisonous dose 1" ''But pray, sir," continued the examiner, intent, on ascertaining the candidate's real knowledge, "suppose n man did swallow, half an ounce of prussic acid, what treat ment would you piescribe?' "I'd ndo home fora stomach pump," replied the un abashed studeut. l;Aro you aware sir," retorted the examiner, " tbnt pruosic acid is a poison that acts with gi eat rapidity *" " W>H, yes," replied tho student. '• Then sir, suppose you did such a foolish thing as you hsive just Htated," said the examiner j " you ride home for your stomach pump; and on. returning you find your patient dead. What would you, or what could you do then?" askod tho examiner in t'itimph, thinking ho had driven his victim into a comer whence there was no escape. " What would I do »" reitoratod the student, " Do I—why,l—why, I'd hould a post-mortem I" For once in his life that examiner must have felt that duuse ignorance uuitcd to a power of repartee was more than a match for him.

Religious Sects in America.

KKLIQIOU* eccentricity has always found a kind and fructifying soil in America, The Northern aud some of the middle States were colonised by the followers of persecuted sects, ana a current of religious indepen dence may be said to tun in the blood of a large proportion of Americans. This ten dency is (if course increased by the general habits of freedom which spread through the whole system of society in the United States, and which result in an excessivo development of individuality in all matters of opinion. The emancipation of religion from State control has becu attended by too many excellent results in the New World to be open to any serious objection ; yet it may have fostered the multiplication of religious bodies, by seeming to encourage the most extravagant assertion of the tight of separating from old, and creating new, communities for the purposes of worship and of faith. The despotic unity of Home has found its true antipodes in America, whero religion is divided and subdivided like a polypus, which displays in every fragment a distinct and active life. An other influence conducivo to the same effect is to be tound in the heated air of perpotual discussion in which most Ameiic&us live, and which, stimulated by a cheap, all-per vading, and not very coolheaded newspaper press, forces into {rank overgrowth whatever oddities may from time to time arise, and forbid them to die out, as they mifjht do in a more temperate u'mos pheie. jNot even in Germany aud Holland, dutiug the days of struggling thought — not even in Kngland, when Anabaptists, Quakers, and Mugi>letonions .struggled for pre-eminence in fanaticism—have there been more numerous or more fantastic nranifcstatioDß of what is termed the iuner life. Shakers, Jumpers, and Kanters rant jump, and shake their utmost in the cities of America. Spiritualism has there its largest following aud its mo>t eflective mediums. It is there the Free Love has been elevated into a form or mystical aspi ration. It is there that women have been most powerfully moved, and have in turn most poweifully moved others. And it wa» there that Mormonism arose, to astonish the modern world by what proteased to be a new revelation.

How the Jailor's Boy won a Battle.

"When shall wo know that the enemy has given in ?" asKed> lad, a tailor's apprentice, who had ruu away from his master and entered the Briii-h Navy as a common boy about the year IGSO. " When that flag is hauled down," answered the sailor aJdroseed, "the ship will be ours." "Oh, if that's all, I'll see what I can do I" Now this tailor's boy, when be ran away from hi» master, joined a ship which had the good fortune, a few hours after ho entered the service, to fall ia with a French squadron, and a warm action, bravely fought on both sides was maintained. After fighting for a short time, the boy was impatient for the result, and addressed the above question to a sailor. No sooner had he been tola that the withdrawal of the flag from the enemy's masthead •would bo the signal that the action had been decided than he determined to " see what he could do." At that moment tbe vessels were engaged yard-arm to yard-arm, and were obicured in the smoke of tbe guns. In an instant tbe boy mounted the shrouds, passed from the yatd of his own ship to that of the enemy, ascended witu agility to. the main topgallant masthead, struck and carried otf the French flw unperceived, and got back to the yard arm of His own Bhip in safety. Before he could get down to the deck, the British saw that the flag had disappeared, and shouted, " Victory, victory !" The French crew, seeing ako that tbe flag had gone, and thinking that it had beea struck by order of the Admiral, fled from their guns ; 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 exciiement the new boy came down from the shrouds with the French fl*g wrapped round his body, and displayed it with no littie glee to the astor-isherl tars. The news spread quickly to the quarter deck, and the blushing boy was led into the prosence of the Admiral, who praiatd him for his gallantry and rated him there and than as a midshipman ; and it was not long btfore promotion followed promotion ; and the tailor's apprentice was known as one of England's most gallant sailors.

A Column for the Ladies.

PARIS FASHIONS.

This article v reprinted from the London "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 dinucr asd thoativ dress. The petticoat is of b;O*'ii and gold brocade, the design being outlined io pale greenish blue. The bodice and train arc of peacock-green velvet, the sole trim ming consisting of live lines of narrow gold braid, which mv rouud all tfic edges, down the fronts of the bodice aud cover the collar. The waistcoat is of brocade. Mie wears with this a little arrangement of gold net work aud gold seqains, with an arrow to match, and with her quantities ot fair hair, she looks vety handsome, Her new walking-dress i* of Scotch tweod, with a small check in brown, amber, and palo peacock-blue, the latter bci'ig a pet colour of hers, miting her particulaily well. It is madu with a waistcoat, collar, and pointed culFa of pale peacock, blue flannel, braided closely in gold braid. A picco of similar llannel is sat into each side of the basque of the bodice braided over, a device which givo9 apparent width to the hips. A hint about this braiding. Straight, perpendicular lines are better on the waist coat for st"iit figures, while a do»ign in which the lines run from right to left, and back again, is more becoming to thin ones. A pretty stylo of walking dreis is made with a short tunic turned back in two corners in lrout, and with a square design in braid ou each corner. The *kiit is arranged in long pleats, teaching from waist to feet.

A writer in the "World" says :-Short tight-litting jackets 1. ok the best tor out door wear; the simpler the bettor, i hey uro the smartest thiugs to wear for those who can accomplish figuro and fit. They can be made to mutch the gown, or be in cloth or velvet. If tho latter, no trimming is r-quired They look well fastened at the side. The ulster is on Ihe wane. It has sadly descended tho bocul 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 tho Bucking hamshire ball will have, I forotoll, «>i succes fou. It was of cbestnut-brown and primrose. The pointed bodica 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 ribbon was placed on the point of the bodice at the back with pompons hanging ; the lace chemisette was turned over tho bodice, aud here and there pinued up with oiamond brooches. The front alone of the straw-coloured petti coat was visible, it was covered with tulle, with large passion-flowers embroidered in pearls and golden-brown bugles. Browu libbon bows with pompous on them were placed on the ruche at the bittom of the skirt at equal distances. Up each side of the frout width of the petticoat were brown ribbon bows and pompon*, that wero bane ing from the brown tuLo skirt, spotted in chenille, which went over It. l'bia was made with paniers drawn tightly back from the front, which fell at tho back in many skirts.

Diamond combs aro to bo worn in tho hair. There is still a great mania for diamond pins, stars, insects, etc., in tho hair. Tho audacity of burglars, bowever, is such that will saon put a stop to thi', aud nothing will then be left for them. Beauty will shortly have to go unadorned, so far as jewels are concerned, for thieves have btou very busy lately. A lady in Queen's Gate, whose tribe of insects have for some time, been tbo cuvy and ad miratiou of all her fiiends, has been loft en tirely destitute of ornament. Fortunately Nature has smiled upon her. Who did not know and deplore the loss of that highly re spected frog with sapphires in his back and eyes.or that bat who many a time has tinned night into day, or the numerous other little things we well kuew and loved? not to speak of that lovely sapphire and diamond cciid ant, a drawing ot which graced the " Illus trated Londou News." In these loses, how ever, I must fay there was no small amount ii thoughttulnesn displayed the day after the robucry, by returuins,', most carefully packed in an immensity of wadding, a small pearl brooch, with iuitials and hair, of no value even to the owner.

The supremacy of Paris in matters of fashion is a fact which goes to entiiely with out saying that the French capital can afford to oe bun prince on occation, aod acknowledge superiority when niauifested elsewhere. It has ulready accepted and taken to itself, as it were, an Englishman, whose name is a household word among u», but whose position here U not due to any talents peculiar to his nationality, ai he has managed to become more French than the Kreuch themselves. Ho thus lose* th« English interest that might otherwise have attached to him. Mr Kcdfern, on the con trary, comes to conquer the Parisians with bis own weapons, and the campaign has commenced triumphantly. Enslish tailors have always held the card, and the woman of the period, with her masculine proclivities —her taste for riding, driving, boatiag, yachting, skating, and the rest, comes naturally under the tailor's dominion. Frenchwomen ore never likely to excel in these things as their English sisters do; but it iB the fashion to appear to take delight in them, juet as it has this year beine; the fashion to wish one's friends and acquaint ances " a Merry Christmas," wich as small an amount of accent as It was possible to pronounce tho homely greeting—voted pass ing affected here. It U certainly the coal that makes the Frenchwoman when ahorsey or sailorlike demeanoui is desirable, the characteristics whereof are put ou with tho gst-up. That they should appeal, therefore, toMrlledfern is a natural consequence In the new premises lately opened in the Hue de Rivoli the Parisian woman of fashion will find all the luxurious misc-en-sccne to which her countrymen have accustomed her. She will tread on velvet-pilo carpet, be received in lofty, handsome rooms, panelled, gilded, lighied by French windows opening out on a balcony commanding a fine view of the Tuileries gardens; in one apartment costumes exhibited on stands are passed in review j in another a pbalanx of trim girlish figures set off to the best advan tane cloaks, mantles, wraps of every eort. These are the show-rooms. Further on are the trying-on-rooms —a series of eight or teD,, perhaps, all furnished alike with fire-place, Beats, aud a pier-glass, over which a lamp with a strong reflector sheds a brilliant light as soon as evening draws in and painted with Louis XV. white, picked out with blue. , .... Working out Lady Harberton s dual prin ciple of fenialo skirt, Mr Redfcrn has pro. duced a very practical solution, suited not to Paris ol course, but to women who follow their husbands across the stubble or to tho copse-side, and girls who skate, to both of whom liberty of limb and unrestrained movement are an immense advantage. It haa two phase*. In the one the divided S (ji r (; wide, aud trimmed with several narrow flounces—is almost concealed bo neath a plain, somewhat full upper-skin, that plays the discretionary part of tunic, by means of certain buttons and loops, when the whole benefit of the garment »3 regards freedom of action is in request. Much variety of. form is alao obtaiuablo with the new wraps, A long cloak in h aiaois leather colour, lined with crimson,

may be worn falling in upright folds or with a corner thrown over one ehoulder, 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 easily be let down again, so'as to alford protection to tbe hands when the ribbon* are discarded- Tuc 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 bilk, liven that usually uncouth garment, the wa'crproof, is beautified out of all knowledge, beinp fitted daintily to the figure at the back and lined with plain colouis- checks nr plaids —for town wear, and with white flannel for yachting : decides which there U the dreadnought, which means business, with its oilskin cap, light and properly ventilated, a complete rnntamnrphosi*. The same principle is applied to the demi-saison cos tume, the nown 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 drupery and brighter-hucd lining. A charming com plement for a demi-mison costume is a cape of curious cut. somewhat medjfoval, boxing in the arms completely, but slightly full on the shoulders, wirh trefoils of gold braid coming down over the bosom, funnel-shaped collar open in front, and a double row of braid marking its outline. Costumes 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 daytimo. Here is a dull peecock. blue, vicngna-cloth arranged in panncuux, divided by kilting, each jmnncau ducorated with horizontal scrolls of thick silver braid toned with black, i h". tunic is draped en poitf behind, and plain, cave (or the folds formed by the drapint'; the jacket, edted all the way round and up the front with blaok Astrakan, baa scrolls ot silver braid on either side of this central trimming only, and a soupcon on the pnckot-holes It is ofteu well thus to reduce the trimming of a bodice to suit the exigencies of a pecularly good or full figure.

Jacket-bodices, tight and cut-away are buttoned over vests mado in a manner ox actly resembling our masculine waistcoats, either in tlio same material as the dress it self, or more effectively a contrast to it — plain when tho gowa is of check or plaid, and in check when iho gown is plain blue, brown, green, or £*r ly —tho most fashionable coluurs, for the ntuce, in woollen stuffs. The vest of leather is one ot Mr ltedfern's novelties for women of specially raaaculiue propensities. When the separate ve?t is dispensed with, the bodice is trimmed so as to imply a vest- Tbcro may be an under piece of velvet, wilh both sides of tne jacket buttoned down upon it by means of buttons that aro like little tufts of plush ; or the bodice may be seeminsly opeu like a parenthesis, to exhibit a plastron of white or scarlet llannol, on which close rows of braid, parallel to the side curves, are sewn; the braid, of course, matching the colour of the gown. Kedingotes are decorated iv the miliiary style with a plastron of cords such as decor.it;) the shell jacket of a French aitilloryman or the tunics of some of our Kutliah liflemen. For the rest they may be absolutely plain, and so long in the skirt as to cover almost entirely the gown, which ougut to bo as compact and simple nn arrangement as possiole, Tho sleeves of all jackets, rclinnotes, aud boiiccs of every description are set high on tliß shoulder, and slightly gathorpil, not excepting ihort sloeves aud that portion of th» nnutle which acts the part of slce»e to it. This squaring and narrowing of the shoulder demands an elongation, of the throat, »nd the means re sorted to are straight, s'am'-up collars for morning cosuinies, and b'ulices very high behind for evening dresses, albeit cut low io front. Open fronts are shaped wider at their base, and term almost a triangle within which a great deal of ruched laco or pulled tullo is in seited, although tne edge of the dress itself may be piped with all simplicity. As an accompauimeat to these high-low bodices, short sleeves of reasonable propor tions are worn, of Into, short sleeves have hardly deserved the same of sleeve* at all, now they are a fact, trimmed to correspond with the rest. Indeed, between thorn and tho long glovo thi) arm is almost covered. They are close-fitting to the arm, however, as are the mujority of sleeves made by the Parisian dressmakers, the sole iuaoviatiou to thn general slini appearance eivco to this member beinjy tho fulucss on the shoulder Tue small amount of decoration permitted to the cuff is also as trim as possible For walking and other day costumes they aro, moreover, made long-enough to reach the wrist, and tho long, looso Swedish or Belgian glove is drawn over.

Velvet and plush, when tailor-made, are only a shade more drossy than cloth. They may be ornamented in the same way with cord or braid, eitncr in silk or melat, and the aame forma of jacket and bodice are adhered to, although the closelitting, not tho circular cape, is applicable to the richer fabric. The colours chosen Bra like wise similar, but tho skirt must ho arranged in the shallowest of pleats, unless worn quite pl»in. A fjood 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 panneaitx of course beint; shorter than would otherwise be required. Kveft what goes by the name of a plain akiit mu.t have its complement of frill or .'rills pooping forth below, 'lheso are generally of two mateiials, the upper one bciuj! of the tame tissue as the skirt, those below of Batin. The plush used for skirts is more often striped than plain, and the prettiest as well as the most daring corubi nations of colour are often indulged io. It U best to complete them by pl-iu tunica and simply-trimmed bodices or jackets, the parti-coloured petticoat ivquirini; a contrast to carry off its peculiarities. By pleating nudemeath, the most biilliautly stripped woollens may also bo fitted for costumes, so that there be one strips of a suili ciently dark and sober hue to act as a screen, from behind which the vivid tints of the others may glanco at intervals. For instance, if the outer side of tho pleat be navy blue, the inner may not only be poppy red, but be rendered gayer still by the ad dition of a row of bright gold braid. The ruors the killings are cut up the brighter will the general appearance be; two flounces, however, make a tood medium, the tunic being plain blue and the jacket also with a soupcon of red and gnld perhaps about the braid ing. However—exception being made ot wide kilted ilounces and the multitudinous lace flouuceß or frills lavi hod on tbo even ing dresses —this species of decoration is less worn just now than it has been for some time. That the eclipse will be only of short duration is more than likely, the favouritism shown to ilounces invariably triumphing at evei-recurriug intervals. The jliincipal reason of their present par tial disgrace is tho splendour of the materials and tho 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 Bpaco tor its exposition. Therefore broca*

telles and figured silks, cbielled velvets and brocaded plush are cut up into three short breadths — one (rout and two side oues-or into panneauw, and require in either case only the u-u 1 garniali of frills at the bottom and the frou frou pouf and loose lireailth behind. To slit tin- material at interval--, so ikat it shall form deep tab 1, is not Incompatible with breadth of de-ign, and Is ceitainly one of the prettiest ways of trimming a skir', a* suitable to brocades as to plain velvet and plush. The underlying flounce is pleated fan-like at the opening. For short eveuing cowus, a ruchinj; of lace veils the Uounce. The pluah or velvet skirt may have a Spanish air given to it by the su-pension of velvet balls at each opening, while cloth kilti-d skirts are cut into tabs of the width of the pleat, with an escape of frilling be tween each. Festoons are sometimes more ndplicable to certain desigus—single flowers especially - than tabl, but they mostly require additional decoration a row of cheuille fringe, either in single strands ns thick as a lady's forefinger, sot spatingly, and completed by an acorn or blackberry of clustered busies, or a close double row of small chotiille, iiuished off with beads of gold, amber, or garnet. Gold used with discretion U a most useful aacnt, From time to time fashion has taken it up, but failed in tho attempt to render it really be coming or in any wise artistic. Choosing it now, in its pale»t forms, burnished with age, rich iv red tones, redolent of green, or cunningly combined with black, it baa a far better chance of permanent success; while, iv the not so far distant future of spring, the golden-yellow tones of the early (lowers promise to be widely imitated and worn as the favourite colour of blondes as well as bnmes.

THE BRIDAL.

Thoy hastened tho bridal, that gloom might not throw Its shade o'or tho light of Affection's young glow; Lest, in ominous contrast, one sad widowed brldo. Even then borno on o'er tho lono ocean wide, Too mournfully soon Bhould return once more, Kre another gay bridal's fond farowells were o'er, Far, far she 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 Sho had left thorn- that home should bo ringing again On her Btartled heart's throbbings when bitterly now She returned released from each parting breathed vow.

Thoy hastened tho bridal—then why now delay Tho destined, the longed-for, and fate-sealing

day 1 They aro waiting for only a fow fleoting morns Till t.lio rosebud of llopo uliull bo refc of its thorns; Thoy are, waiting for only that fond human dream, A day in which death, sorrow, sickness shall scum As a Hotiou—forgotten and thought-clouding caro Puss away, with all gloom from their young visions fair, And that duy is coming—is namod—and the guests To thi! bridal aro bidden, in moct marriage vests, So the robes of their lnouroingaro all cast aside, When lo I who is 'midst them 5 Tho lono widow bride! Clad In funeral sablo-with cheek whorcupon Tho sun of a tropical summer had shone— She is 'midst them. Hut one—ho who boro her bo late O'or a hemisphere's realms, from forth that same gate— Oh where, whero is ho ? Let tho still tomb reply. And tho blight, deadly, smile of an Kaatoin Bky Now hasten the bridal, sinoo evermore grief Is lusting and certain blius, doubtful, and brief! Nay, remember not that, life and lovo Ho boforo, Nor bo swift are death's wings, savo on that fatal shore, That, unhidden, tho Bilent and terriblo guest Hhould stand by tho lovers, or sit at tho fenst, Or for ono marriage sealed, should another dis solve And from all its sworn fondness tho cold heart absolvo; Nor goeth tho widowed ono midnight-liko there To darken the sccno that her soul could not bear; Let the nuptials proceed! Look around, is there ono Like a thing to bo cofllned 'ero set of tho oun? Hath tho pastor enjoined thorn,"with faltering breath, To remember, in Hfo wo are olrcled by death ? Hath ho spoko of a marriage, mysterious and high Of the soul with a bridegroom whoso footsteps draw nigh / 130 still! Are such questions for seasons like this To make solemn the smile, and tho blush and and tho kiss? Lot the nuptials procoedl And begone every thought Savo tho bright ones with lifo and expectancy fraught! Tho bridal is ovor; tho pastor has laid His hand on tho reverent head of tho maid, Whom he loved as a child, and on whom, as a wife Ho has breathed tho kind blessing, to end but with lifo. Thoro are fervent caresses, tho fondest and last, Ero her Spring time of lifo into Summer has post, Hut what do I gaze upon ? Woo, woo. is me! Thoy hastened tho bridal, that gloom might not be. They doforrcd it, that gloom might not shadow it o er. In vain I A hoarse stands - dark and still at tho door; Ono bridal Is o'or. Now 1)0 hushed ovory Make way for another—tho bridal of doath ! "Liko a thief in tho night," hath tho dark mantied king Entered thoro with his icy and Wood freezing His ring of betrothmont that plights to the clay Tho hand that in terror shrinks vainly away. Cold, cold grow tho lingers that feel it, and stopped Aro tho pulses of lifo, and tho palo brow has And "ir^'midst of. Oio marrying-guests swiftly and soon Roth bridals aro ended, oro woll it is noon. Hoavon shield tho true lovers, so awfully wed, Tho kind lips that bound them lie breathless and dead! Now hasten tho bride's waiting chariots away. For Death's ebon chariots may brook no delay 1

In silence and paleness tho guests havp dis persed— Tho wedded are gone, tho cold pastor is hearsed— Tho (;ravo hath divorced from his bosom the Who watched him go forth in tho fulness of Who w'atohed him return in his shroud to her As ho voicolessly passed on his way to the tomb 1

The late Miss M. B. Hamilton, sister of the late Sir William Bowan Hamilton.

A Miser 's Feast.

A. merchant who had lately died at Ispahan, and left a large sum of money, was so great a niggard, tbatformany years he denied himself and his son, a yonng boy, every support except a crust of coarte 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 be KOt home he began to reproach himself with extravagance, and instead of eating the cheese he put it into a bottle, and contented himself, and obliged his child to do the samp, with rubbing the crust again»t I he bottle, enjoying the cheese in imfigioation. One day he returned home rather later than usual, he found his con eating his crust, and rubbing it against the door. • • What are you about, you fool ? was his excliima'ion. " It is dinner-time father; you have the key, so I could not open th« door; I was rubbing my bread against it because I could not get to the bottle." " Cannot you co without cheese one day, you luxurious little ra*cal? \oull never be rich 1" added the angry miser, aa he kicked the poor boy for not being able to deny him self the ideal gratification.

STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT, APRIL 21, 1883.



Pennsylvania has a " Youngwomanß town," and California its "Susanvillo" and v Maryßvillo,"



Dip Xp VA N S KSTATHS, HOUSIC, AND LAKD AG&NT, If OR SALE OK LEA?V, a fc'ew and a ' Comnnratoin ltoililcnoii and iltoum s (tho U»o <lapt. Sy-iioaii-l, gltnaw ir. Q e-iittrrer, Onehnni?i. Thu boas*obtain-13 ■• 01118 h anrtn h'|?b, aDrt con'insnds a matffiiliirM view of MunuUau Haibaur. Wants-.ro. »i d -urj-n'.iiimg districts. Th'i abounds urn taatufully Iftln out— a term's lawn, fl'> *nr xardnn, oronard, Sc. *t tachea to tho iitiovo rib nil th.. m ■ i- eiu> out ball. triRS. a. most il«wlrnhl« iv Honou 'or a gentleman* family.-Cardw tl vi.w aort »« nir tloalaru from U. If. Kvuni?, Kbtatc A^'.l Qn»"n street. <?GG) PROSPKCT TKIUtACK.- Handsome Villa of 5 UoDins and r>on:h; fitted Tvit.li Cupboards, Dresser, Registered Grate, oven. &«; (food well and tank, niuo garden, wcll-slunked. £3CO. (729) MAItY-STUKTCT, MOUNT Xl »BK.—CntUwo o£ 3 Room?, Rukchous , Stable Curtshud. &c.; allotment 10 x!)!). £300. (7 IS) COMMERCIAL ROAD, oil' Groat North Uci.d. —New Vorandnh Collage of f> Rooms, Ki-kis torcdGratc, Cupboards, &0. Allotment !llx ISO. £100. (7281 AAVHITU, Manukau Hoods.—lßl acre* lirst class Land; C acres in imisa, 30 >i"res surface sown, 120 aorc9 level plniif;liablc land, hmiso of 1 rooms. &c : run of 2000 acres available ; amide water supply. I niHe from steamer landing and Telegraph Station. Price oily £100. (701) PITT-STREET, corner of. Cross-street—Uiiml some Villa of o rooms, verandah, bow win dow, gable end, gas and water laid in Prico, only £370. SPItING-STJtEET.-A Burgain.-J Building Allotments. No.'s: 12, 13, 11, and 15. Ida per foot. MOUNT ALBERT-Now House of 5 rooms, stable, piggery, &0., together with about I.V »ere good volcanic land; situated CIO3O to Mount Albert Hall. Price, only ':1'7,». GEORGK AND WILLIAM STUKETS, PON SONBY—Brick House of four rooms and scullery, outhouse, &c; allotment Si x 13:2; £100. BROWN-STREET, PONSONIi V -- Verandah Cottage of 5 rooms, re^isicr grate, colonial oven, dresser, &c; two tanks: allotment, JO x 109. Price, £310. E.-isy ternu. GRACE STREET, PONSONBY-New and well finished Villa of 0 rooms, pantry, wash house. &c; register grates, colonial oven, 600 gallon tank. To be had a bargain. RAZOUBACK—IS Acres Good Land. 21! acres in grass; cottagu of llirce rooms, cow-shed, piggery, &c; never-failing supply <>t water. Price, only £250. TE MATA, ItAGLAN —280 Acres Splendid Land, level and well watered; .situated between Whaiugavoa and Aotea 11 arbour. For absolute sale. HACKKTTSTRKET, PONSONBY. — A nico Gable-end Verandah Villa of 5 rooms; bow window; well finished. No reasonable oiler refuaed; must be sold. CLARENCE-STREKT. PONSO. BY.-Four roomed Verandah Cottage (almost new); good well; allotment 80 x 87. £310. (722) NOKTHCOm-Handßomo New Villa of livo rooms; bow window, &c; allotment 50x200, with water frontage, 3 minutes walk from Stokes's Point Wharf. Price, only £325. (720) MONTAGUE-STREET, NEWTON.-New Six roomed Verandah Cottage, flltod with register grates, colonial oven, cupboards, &c. Price, 280. . (719) MONTAGUE-STREET, NEWTON.: J-ronmod Verandah Cottage; allotment 33x00. Price, only £180. (71S) PBHCIVAIj PARADE. PONSONBY. — Brick House of 6 rooms; allotment 11 x 100. Price, £300. (717) IHELAND-STREET, ALMA PLACE.—Veran dah Cottage of 1 rooms and scullery, kitchen range, sink, gas and water laid in from main, woodshed.and wash-hou.-.c; good view of harbour. £300. (720) WAllKWOll'i'H.—House of C rooms and largo allotment. No reasonable oiler refused. (722) MAHURANGI.—I3 Acres first-class Land, vO acres in bush, consisting of kauri, totara, puriri. &c.; all ploughable. To be had a bargain. (723) PAPAHOA. — Lots 101 and 102. 150 Acres, sitnated about U miles from Paparoa vil lage. Price, only 30s per acre. (175) MU'AKClliv-Hari jbut ii -<0 »iras nn,n, principally kanri: bnu .d.-d ou oTinau'cbya deep creek; sl'uatad IJ miles 'rum town- Bhin of. Matakoho. I'iice, £1 10s i.ur aore. Hill) O'NHI'L-STKKET, Pononbi—Verandah Cot tage, 1 rooms, s«uU»iy. and cof'n.r; ''hd board, irsi-tenirt ovhii. otc Only £0(1 (IH2 ■ KInQ--Ti-Ei*.T. olf Oreat North Xi ad— hitce Hu ld'nwr Allotinonts NO9. 75, 7i\ 77, wid unrc 73, 100 x 152 feet fmntag■■ to Kt-.u-Mre.it and Hi)wo--troet; cultivated, vrice tor th" 10% £160. tGSIH KAKiNGA lAPK HO y\i. n<;ar Simon g •tre.Bt.verr drsir*blo '10060,0™ m>.; void well, tank, out-houne, &c tTooaUd a'lot mpat, nbaut 30 x 132. Tho houso Is whII built, aud In fl;8t-o!»»B order, i5'J3( KIMJ-tirKKKT, PONHOtfBY — Now and Well-anißbod Gable-ended Vlila, S ro-nw awd soull6ry , fitce-i with colonial otb^, re((i9tor grates, cupboards. &o ; gooil well; Rrounrt nicely laid out; Drick buthE, &c; Brood view; a roally protty piece. Pi ice, £100. (811) OAHLKTOV GORK ROM)_Haudso no Villa oontalninK 7 rooms, bathroom, larg^ tvil^r. waatihoußß, tec, &0., fitted with cupper. cupboards, and many other comforts Bimato onrnor uf Carloton Uoro Koaa nnd f eivfl-ld View Koan; grand ftllotuioit: ppieudld little gnrden; In all a very do*ir»bl" *"d pretty plaoe. (C2O! UXJBS'tLL-STKBKr (offOreat-Nor.th vtoa'ii—3 Allutmeiut», each 33 x 100. Prize, £70 fur the lot COI>HINGTONf STHKtT (off Gate North. Road)-2 Allotmai.cj, each 50 x 110 wits frontages to 3 aireetw. Hrue, £30 for the lot NORWOIv<-STKKItT — Verandih Cottage, i room<. cupboard, oven, Rrati-B, &o. l Jrl"O, only £230. (589) PRANK.-..1N KOATI (n^ar College Roart)—New ana woll-flnl hed Shop and Dwelling of 7 rooms : water Uld In. Qnod bßßlnosa ooal- Uon. Terms easy, trlco. £001. (ftOOi OTAHUHU-Verandah Cott*«e, i rooma allntmem 351 111. near Public School. Price, £190. Terms: £5(1 cash; balance on Build ing Society minciplen (U6) KLLKRSLln—SnlenilW Villa Slio, pUntod with ornamautKl trees, and 1 artly fei eed. PONSoNBY—House. 7 rooms, pantry, etore room, &c, «;>'., to^ethiir with 5 acres laid out In orchard, garden, padcook, no; splendid n«fi vluw. (61) LINCOLN-sTRKHiT-Vory Comfortable Honae 7 rooiiiH. btith-rooiD t ptiutry. st-tbl&, t '* v*l* honse, &0.. &o.; aboat halt an anre laid out lnfluwer-garden.orohArn.&c., with entrance to UraOttßtre«t; couid be subdivided to ad vantage £500. ÜBO. WOOU-aTKKliT—Comfortah'e Heslrtence of 7 rooms, fitted with gas and almost every convenience; pplendid allotment, about 110 x 150. all t'Mteiully laid ont with flowers, frult-ttees, &o.; grand view of harbour, *O. <Wst ■AVONDAV.K (Whanl-Nloe lit.la l,otof 9 near the Station, good land. Hrioe. only £15 per acre, (4^l KDKN PLA'IH-, offKybnr Pass—Double Hmifie ot6roorasftndo-liar gmdwiil. Prlc* £260. BHKKHAN-3TKEKT, I'U" SU> HY—Nice Cot tafte : 4 - •;um. vorat.duh la tr-x it., ana very oomfu 1.0; üßic the Hall £230. (3001 BAILKY'd PaDDOOK (Newtou)— Now P.ot tage of three rooms; good wall; freehold allotment 33 x 100: only £130: oaiy terms. 1631) PONSONBY TKHKACK — New House ; 7 rooms (not quite flniahe'i); good wol;, tank, woonehed, 60.; good allotment. 80 x U'O all fenced and nlanted. £150. '117) JOH O-STKiCitT, Ponsonby - Cheap Goitre, 1 ronniH ana noullHry, freenoW ullotraent, 10 x 80, prlofi only fil2o. (J72) HiCKEi'-sl'KßKl', near steps to b'jßcsh root Of St. Mary's Road—Handaone Villa, gable ends, bow-windows, and fitted with regis ter grate, oven, oupboards, etc ; allotment 33 x 99; price onlr £380. (4011 CLAUKNUK-sTKKKI'- A New and Well finished Verandah Cottage, i rooms and Boullery : flttel with regl»ter grata, oven, oupboarda, tanks, oto. : prioe £250, easy terms '19S* PBOSPKOTTKRRAOt—'HimdBome and v.irr deslrahle House, 6 rooms, aouiiery, otc; register grato, oven, cupboard, shelves, g^-.s and water laid in, sto.; allotment 83 x 100; splendid little gardon. choice trees, uto. PAPAKdR x— Now Hojse and ontbaildln«s, nnd 37 aores real gooi land In orohard, etc., In valuablo position il«t at ra Iwav station. TUKANGA OKItKK. Inear Howlck)—.4. very cheap little Marmot 105 aorus, part culti vated, plenty nf timber and wat»r; good House. &o. (about 17 miles from Auokland), •Inly £225. ' 13S) RAZOR HACK-Kploniild llttlo Karin, 82aores, large Homestead, and every convenient) 3; about 3 miles from Pokeno Station. (I«J> OHAIjMKKBTON-'.!omp»cc llttia Farm ot 100 aores; part in cultivation; «ojendid orohard: eooi l plec" of tm-h: or.-alt. &p. Hi.nse and outbuildings almost now. £~10. TUaKA' -dpiunotn nttiu ( .oiofsn.ior ß rt. uioe piooa bMtt, P:«P« °f w»tn' llK!ir Btal{«2j AND NU.MKKOUS OTH"B PROPBimK — Buab Lands, Impr .veo jr»rma, Bmlainß Sites, Hußinosß Promiuea, «c, for Sale, on applio*tton to V. F. EVAN S, BOUSE, LAKD, AND ISTATK A GENT, Queon-street (next" Herald,")