" Renter's son and Rembrandt's pupil!" exclaimed Gospard ; "oh, mother, all your wishes are accomplished !"

"Alas! my son will only inherit my money, my name," said Rembrandt, sadly ; "but thou, Gaspunl■- (.iaspnrd Notscher — thon wilt inherit my talent, my fame : dame Catherine will no longer be able to say that ' All Saints' Night' brings us misfor tune."

Ah Rembrandt predicted, Gaspard Netscher becamo ono of tho most cole bratod painters of his day. After his uncle's death he settled at tho Hague, where he commenced portrait-painting, in which branch ho was eminently successful. Charles 11., King of England, endeavoured to attract him to his court; but Netscher preferred his independence, and the estimation in which he was held at tho Hague to the favours of that capricious monarch. He died, there in 1084.

The pictures of Gaspard Notscher arc, very rare ; the Louvre, at Paris, possesses two paintings by this master : they are to be found amongst those of tho Dutch school; although very small, they are almost a name ■ less price. The ono is a " Lesson in Sing ing,' with three figures only, tho other a "Lesson in Music." His subjects wore chiefly conversation pieces and portraits, tlio velvet and satin draperies in which are Oxquisitely managed. Gaspard Noteehcr left two sons, Theodore ami Constantino, who were both good portrait painters, L. M. D.

THE GARDEN.

(HY IIOUTUS),

Calendar of Operations, December 1.

[IfoKTus is willing to answer any quorlos. Cor rOHiKimlunls niiiHl Mivii their full iiiimus and addresses, though nut for publication.]

TO COUKKriPO.NDKN'T.S,

Bonus (M.0., ftirnulO.-Corliiinly; tho burning of liimi'S lakes must of the. sttviiKlli out of IJiom. Hy bunilnf,'. you reduce them to the rourtilUmof cliaivoiil. The hcsl wiiy to make use of them is to bury Ilium in a rouxli slate underneath any trees you may plant. J''ur use in iroppini,' it is bust In break ilium into Hniiill iiirws with ii liuinniur and thon work llioni Into thu soil.

YINKH (.US., Newmarkot), They ou«hl In lie piiieln.'il hack lixme or I wu eyes beyond where tin- bund, Ims shuwn. Tin*;- buds will burst mid c.ontiiiui! iliMwhiK on tliu sap. Any Imils which burst liolow thu bunali plncli back, loaviiiß ouu hml. Continue thus as Ion« as till) vines un: urowlliK. I believe in a close system of piiichinj; of (he vim. l.

Kitchen Garden.

Thi.h is tho last month of the year, and gen erally towards the end of the month the weather gets very warm, ami tho soil is conßoqu^ntly very dry. So, tlioreforo, in the beginning of tho mouth hasten the planting out of nil vegetables .so as to get them established us soon as possible. Make Hiiccos-iional sowings of pens, French ami running beans; earth up and stake those ro quiring support. Transplant main crop of celery out into trenches prepared as already directed. When planting, give the plants a good soaking with water. Make a few more tranches for planting later in the month. Lucks : Also transplant out main crop, giving them plenty of room to make large plant*. As tho early potatoes or other early vegetables come oil' the ground, have tho land dug deeply and well manured for plantim: oul thu main crops' of broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, and drumhead cab bage, at tho end of this or beginning of no.vt .month. Continue the thinning out of advancing (.Tops, stirring the surface noil nil between tho drills. Earth up such as may require it. Keep nil tho paths ami walks clear of weeds, making this department look an well a.i possible. A clean, tidy ap pearance will greatly add to the appear anco of tho whole place. The slugs and snails are still troublesome. Look that they ik> no damage to young plants. Flower Gardou. All planting out ought now to be finished, unless plants which are gelling established in pot. The shrubs ought now to be occa sionally looked over, so as to cut out or pinch ' back any rank or straggly shoot which might be showing, keeping them in a nice, handsome, natural shape, not, allow ing them to encroach on other objects. The bedding plants will now require con stant attention. They out to bo making a strong grow tli. Pegging and pinching must be the'order, so as to give the plants a bushy habit. In light dry soils mulching tho beds would I o of vast benefit, and would make the soil more retentive, giving a much better chance of success. In the mixed flower border still continue thinning out late sown annuals, hooing or stirring the .surface soil, and staking any plants which may require it. (.'limbers train and regu late to their diflbrontsiipporte. Roses still continue jrivinjr liquid manure, and picking off all blooms which are past their best. Dahlias still plant out, stake and thin out those which are advancing in growth. Lift all early spring (lowering bulbs as they ripen off their foliage, and store past. Lawn, attend to last week's directions, Groonhonsc. Attend to last week's directions. Many of the different plants will be tho better of an occasional watering with liquid manure. Have a barrel or water-tight box. and keep it in some out-of-the-way place, but handy. Put a few ehovclsful of any animal manure in tho above and till up with water. Stir this up, then let it settle, and strain oil. This will give both moisture and man ure. The above can be used in the flower and kitchen garden with good effect.

CODLING MOTH.

Scarcely a dozen years have passed since the fruit-growers of California proclaimed to the world that insects injurious to fruits were almost if not entirely unknown in the State. Furthermore, it was assorted that auch insect? as tho codling moth and the different species of the onrculio that are so destructive to fruits iiv the Eastern States were not likely to thrivo in tho climate of California. But it appears that the noxious insects have appeared on tho Pacific slope, and are likely to bo as destructive as else where, and [the fruit-growers of California are recommending horoio measures for their suppression. At a recent meeting of the Horticultural Commissioners of Nevada County, California, the following^ address was adopted: "In view of tho scarcity of fruit, caused by frost this spring, the apple crop, small as it is, being already half destroyed by tho codling moth, we would recommend either to pick off at onco every wormy apple and pear to be found on tho trees, and watch closely whatever may bo left of the crop, or, better yet, pick all fruit {apples and pears) from tho trees, and in that way annihilate, by starving out, for the time being at least, the presont brood of codling moth." It is possible to check tl<o increase of noxious insects by such mea sures as recommended above, but there are usually other fruits in the neighbourhood to prevent annihilation. 1 give the above extract as showing how a few years ago California was almost free of insect pests on their fruit trees. New Zea land was in a similar position. Peach trees that once carried an almost certain crop of

fruit every season now got stripped of their flowers nearly every season, and a good crop i.H nn exception through this cause. The codling moth, it is said, has made its ap pearance in New Zealand, and as the season is getting on when its ravages will be noticed, i will give a description, taken from "Own Gordon Receipts," of how this pest attacks the apple, and the best means for getting rid of it or lessening the injury it commits.

Tho codling moth or grub is one of the most destructive insects which can attack the apple trees, and as it has been intro duced hero, it behoves all interested in tho culture of tho apple tree to try and arrest its progress as much as possible. Wo will give a short sketcli of tho insect and its habits, taken from Wealc's Garden Re ceipts : — Tho moth itself is a beautiful little creature, but it is very seldom seen in the moth state. To find the moth in the day time, tho trunks of the apple trees should be carefully looked over, or, if tho orchard be surrounded with a wooden fence, the moth may ofton bo found sitting against it, with its pretty wings neatly folded round its body, which is three-eighths of an inch in length, tho wings being threo-qiiartere of an inch in width when expanded ; tho bond and thorax are brown ; the body where covered by tho hind wings is pale brown, with a silky gloss; the tore wings are grey-brown, they are delicately burred with dark purple transverse lines, and have on the hind margin a largo dark blotch, and within this another blotch almost cir cular, and bordered with scales of a glitter ing, liory copper-colour. Towards evening tho moth begins to move, and may then lie seen hovering about the little apples, which, by the time it loaves the orysalis, are well knit, and consequently lit for tho reception of the eggs, which it generally lays in tho eye of tho apple, only one in each. This is o'lfoctod by introducing its ovipositor between the leaves of the calyx, which, closing over the eye, forms a tent that effectually shields tho ogg from the incle mency of the weather or any other casualty. The act of oviposition is not, however, always confined to the eye. The other end of the apple is sometimes used as a receptacle For the egg, which is then dropped into the cavity surrounding the foot-stalk. As soon as the egg hatches, the little grub gnaws a hole in the rind of the apple and leaves itself in the substance, and it is worthy of remark that the rind, aa if to nflbrd every facility to the destroyer, is thinner in the eye than in any other part, and conse quently more easily pierced. The grub, controlled by an unvarying instinct, eats into the apple obliquely towards the centre, thus avoiding the core and pips so essential to the apple's growth. At tint it makes but slow progress, being little larger than a thread, but after a fortnight its size and operations have much increased. Un to this period the grub has availed itself of the very restricted gallery it has made in its devouring career as a channel through which to force its excrement, and this may always be observed in v little brown heap or mass, either concealed by the leaves of tho calyx or around the base of the foot- Ktalk, according as the eggs have been laid at the eye end or stalk end of the apple. But when it has eaten half-way down the apple and the position of the hole at the top of tho apple continues upright or nearly so, i.- inconvenient for this purpose, another communication with outer nir becomes requisite, and it must be constructed so as to allow the power of gravity to assist in keeping it clear. It is accordingly made directly downwards, towards the part of the apple which is lowest, and thus the trouble of thrusting the pellets upwards through the eye of the apple is avoided and a constant admission given to a'supply of aii' without any labour. 'Die hole now made is not, however, sulliciently open for an observer to gain by its means any knowledge of what is going on within : this is only to be obtained by cutting open a number of apples as they gradually advance towards ripeness.

(Tolie Continued.)

Soils and Root Formation.

Some diversity of opinion exists as to the relative influence of rich (md poor soil on the formation of fibrous roots. Ido not think that uny hnrd and fast line can be laid down in this matter, as it will be found tlmt the condition? under which fibrous roots are most frequently produced are of a somewhat varied nature. Whether roots multiply most in poor or rich soils I cannot say, but 1 do know that whereas in some poor soils libre is freely made, in others the very reverse is the case. If we pot a strawberry, or indeed any free-rooting sub ject, in silver sand, or in pure sand of any kind, we .shall find that in a very short space of time the roots push down to the bottom of the pot, and should the same happen to stand on any free kind of fibrous compost, the roots will quickly find their v, ;ij into it. I'ot the same plant-in some fibrous material, however poor, and this tendency to downward progress will not bo so marked. On the contrary, the com post, even to the surface, will be tilled with fibrous roots. The inference to be drawn from which is, that the mechanical com position of the compost has much to do with root production. At the same time mix intimately with the poor sandy material some manurial ingredient, and the samo result will bo obtained ; tho roots, finding; what they need athome, will be in no hurry to geek fresh feeding ground. This being the case, it is obvious that whatever is added to the soil with tho view of enriching it should bo in the form of small particles evenly distri buted through the wtiolo body of the earth. Jn tho case of compost made up for pot ting this is very important, and the obser vance or neglect of it will exercise consider able influence upon the progress and well being of the plants themselves ; for it may bo laid down as a rule that unless the whole body of soil becomes well tilled with feeders, a vigorous, healthy existence is, to say the least, improbable. That something more than richness in the soil is needed for tho free multiplication of fibrous roots is evi denced by the fact that fat loams, when of a stiff, tenacious nature, require the addition to them of some light, porous material. Mix with them some leaf-mould, cocoa-fibre, poor fibrous peat, or any porous material, however poor, and there will be a perceptible increase in the amount of fibrous roots made in them. Evoryone knows how freely roots are made in moss, in old tow, or sawdust, and wo use leaf-mould for seed-growing and for seedlings in their earlier stages of growth, simply because we know that being porous—that is to say, tho particles composing it not coming closely together—tender rootlets can ramble freely amongstit. It is probable that poverty more than any other tiling influences root production, but if treated wo add richness. We get the soil best calculated to induce the formation of a largo amount of healthy fibres.—J. Cokkhill.

On tho 400 th night of "lolanthe," Mr D'Oylley Cavte, following the precedent es tablished with " Patience,"distributed bou quets to the ladies all over the house. Miss Fortescue, until recently one of the fairies, occupied a box with her Jiavce, Lord Gar moyle.

GOSSIP FROM STAGE AND STUDIO.

[By Eutbepk.]

Duuixn the recent holiday season tho Chrishtchurch people kept two theatres and Woodyear's circus going. Miss I'omeroy and company occupy the boards of tho Theatre Royal. The lady recently ap peared there as Hamlet, rather a novel role for a woman.

Mr A. T. Thinning's Opera Company (.now in Melbourne) will arrive in New Zealand soon after February, noxt year. Their pieces will bo "Boccaccio," "jManola.," " The King's Dragoons," "Manteaux Noirs," "Blue Beard," and "Rip Van Winkle."

Under the title of " 'Fifty Years' Experi ence of tho Stage as Actor and Manager," Mr Creswick has written a volume contrast ing the present stage with that of his ea Her experience.

The Christmas pantomime for the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, is tho awfully hackneyed " Aladdin, or tho Wonderful Scamp," with Miss Maggie Moore in the chief part.

The Williamson Opera Company are using up their old repertoire in Sydnoy— " Tambour Major," " The Pirates," " Pina fore," The Mascotte," " Pationee," and " Lea Cloches do Cornoville." They talk of returning to New Zealand soon.

Miss Eloise.Juno has been giving a series of readings in Ballaret, Geolong, Stawoll, and other country towns. She is accom panied by Messrs Juneker, Lambert, Templeton, &o.

The Dnnodin dramatic amateurs fly at exceedingly high game. The Masonic SliakespeareClnbthorehave had "Hamlet" in preparation for a considerable time, and a stage rehearsal was held recently at the Princess Theatre.

It is reported that Boleno Brown, a variety artist in Sydney, one Sunday night attended a mooting of the Salvation Army, and was so impressed that ho went on tho stage and asked to be received as a Salva tionist. He was greeted with open arms. It is once more reported that Sir Arthur Sullivan proposes to write a grand opera, tho libretto being that of " Mary, Queen of Soots," written by Choileymnny years ago, and upon which Sullivan tried his hand in early life. Mr Gye hopes to get it in time for next year. MissEmilie Melville, at Melbourne, has not been having good luck of late. Mr Charles Harding is now leading tenor of the company. Holms improved greatly inthe histrionic part of his profession. At the Melbourne Opera House " Man teaux Noirs" is still running merrily, and " Kip Van Winkle " is in active rehearsal as the Christmas attraction. The company will also revive "Boccaccio" shortly, with Signor Verdi in tho title role. This is the first time the character has over been been played by a man, and the music will have to be transposed in consequence. [Since this was written news has come to hand that Verdi was tried and found want ing. Miss Edith Stanley (a recent arrival from England) has now been entrusted with tho part.] Zulu Thompson is still in Brisbane. His panorama is now called "Scenes in the Egyptian War." It will come in handy for the next European war also. Tho performance of Flotow's "L'Ombra," lately given at the Melbourne Victoria Hall by the " Opera di Camera Company," proved a disastrous financial failure. The Company, consisting of Signor and Signora tiraziozi, Signor Coy, Miss Martina Simon son, and Signor Zelman, have reorganised for a country tour. The "Thunderer," of Printing House Squaro,lias struck a new idea in journalism. It intends to issue shortly "The Clock," a new evening paper to bo published in hourly editions from noon to sunset, at tho price of a halfpenny a copy. It will consist mainly of news, including all the Home and foreign telegrams. M. Gustavo Aimnrd, the French novel writer, died recently at the Asylum of St. Anne. Commencing life as a cabin boy, lie afterwards' became a prolific writer of tales of Indian life and adventure.

Mr George Coppin, accompanied by Miss Flora Anstcad, after playing in Adelaide, whither ho has now gone, will visit Tas mania and New Zealand.

The " Youth " mid " Lights o' London " Company will re.mli Dunediu, under the pilotage of Mr J. P. MivcDonald, about the JOth December.

It is rumoured that Clara Stephonson, once so popular in Auckland, is now keep ing an hotel in Rockhampton, Queensland. A continental paper recently spoke of an opera entitled " Lucia " by " the celebrated composer Lammermoor." Mr Charles Hermann has engaged a troupe of " real Indian savages," with whom ho intends to make a tour of the whole United Kingdom, playing "Uncle Tom's Cabin."

Among the advertisements in a theatrical paper is the following: " Wanted, Man or Lady Fish to perform in its own tank." "The Silver King" was a pronounced success at Melbourne.

The funeralmarch played at the obsequies of the late Comto de Chambord was speci ally written by M. Frederic Viret. Tho Montague-Turner Company, who are playing in Adelaide, have been unfortunate lately, owing to the illness of the priina donna.

Messrs Chatto and Windus have just published a small volume of "wise and witty " selections from Ouida's novels. It is said that Mr Langtry is living in Wales on his wife's allowance of £3 a week.

Heir August Wilhelmj and Rudolph Nie mann arc about to undertake a tour in Germany ; and Joachim, the rival violinist, lias organised a series of quartetto concerts in Berlin.

Mr Irving and Miss Terry have recently boon the guests of Lord Young, the flower of the legal fraternity in Scotland, at his charming place on the Forth, about three miles from Edinburgh.

Dr. Schliemann has arrived at Leipzig, where he is about to see through the press his last new work, entitled " Ilios."

Messrs Mucmillan announces a new volume, by Mr J. H. Shorthouse, the author of "John Inglesant," to be called "The Little Schoolmaster Mark."

Lever's well-known novel, "Charles O'Malley," has been dramatised, and will shortly be played in the English provinces. Mrs Craik (nee Miss Mulock), the accom plished authoress of "John Halifax, Gentle man," is having published a collection of ancient Irish molodies, to which she has written words. The book is entitled " Old Ireland." In the preface she says: "Being myself an Irishwoman, my work has been a work of love; hoping to sing—not sermonise—into the English heart a tenderer feeling towards Old Ireland. I prefer to dwell, not on the faults, but the virtues, of my people; their domestic purity, their strong affections, their innate loyalty, courage, and fidelity; also last, not least, their indomitable gaiete dc cirur, which implies neither hardness, shallowness, nor selfishness of heart, yet enables the Coltic nature to tide over trouble in a way which the more sombre Saxon can hardly understand."

FOR THE LADIES.

Feminine Facts, Fancies, and Frivolities.

A new complimentary phraso now heard in Paris is, " You are quite electric." Pre sumably it is meant to assert that the com plimented one is most sparkling and brilliant. Nonsense: the compliment must mean that you are shocking.

The manufacture of artificial feathers, the " American Register" says, gives omploymont to more than 3,000 women ; 4,000 are engaged-in bookbinding, at which only 5,000 men are employed. 25,000 do work in shoe factories; 80,000 manufacture men's clothes, professionally, in addition to tho millions who do this kind of work at thoir own homes. It is somewhat surpris ing that more women are engaged in making men's clothes for the market than in making women's clothes, the latter being only 22,000 in the United States; 2,000 women—and .surely it is very proper— get a living by making confectionery ; 1,400 make twine, and 7,000 are engaged in making corsets. The census shows that 217 make fireworks and explosives, and twenty make gunpowder.

Some time ago a lady was robbed of her jewels. Not many days ago tho said lady held a reception. She found that one of her guosts'was wearing the identical stolen articles. The hostess questioned the lady, and learned that tho lady had purchased them in the city only a few days before. The incident was curious, and will most likely lead to the identification of the thieves.

A very pretty summer toilette is of lawn with narrow satin stripes and a printed pattern of large drooping iris blossoms in white and pale violet. The skirt is of lace over a foundation of Parma violet-coloured faille, tlireo ruches of tea-rose faille bordering it at the edge. The tunic is of batiste, full from the waist, puffed and caught up at the hips with flat brows of pale violet, white and tea-rose ribbons. The corsage is of batiste on a pale violot lining, pleated and crossed front and back, leaving the throat exposed in a very pretty matter ; the satin sash ribbons are fastened in front by a stress buckle and the sleeves are puffed ; the chapeau to wear with the dress of munilln straw covered with an im mense bunch of clover blossoms.

Fencing is likely to supersede fiddling as a girl's accomplishment. The advent of two young ladies in London society who learned their skilful and graceful uses of the foil in Paris, where they were " finished " (scholastically speaking), has been the means of starting this new- accomplishment, and already it bids fair to become fashion able.

The latest novelty at the seaside on the Continent is a toilette composed entirely of cock's feathers, and we are promised swan gowns, partridge frocks, and other feathered triumphs of the milliner's art. As for the birds, well, nobody asks their opinion as to the threatened fashion. Where will the extravagances of fashion lead us to? Trouville has already acquired an un pleasant notoriety for the way in which tho gambling there is conducted, and tho same complaint has reached us from other seaside resorts.

At a marriage which was solemnised in London a few days ago, the bride's dress was of cream white satin, over a petticoat of cream figured nun's veiling, with a small bonnet of creme net spotted with pearls and soft creme aigrette and feathers ; she also wore a diamond crescent brooch, and car ried a very large bouquet composed of the choicest white flowers, gifts of the bridegroom. The bridesmaids' dresses were simple yet remarkably becoming, consisting of string-coloured mousseline-ue-laine and over petticoats of crimson Ottoman silk, hats 01 suite, and each wore crescent shaped pearl brooches, and carried large1 bouquets of crimson carnations, the bride groom's gifts.

The Indian givl is kept as closs a prisoner as her French sister. She must never be seen unaccompanied cither by a mother, father, elder brother, or- married sister. She sleeps in a room close to her mother, and which has no other entrance or exit save through her mother's apartment. No man is allowed to speak to her save in her mother's- hear ing, and when engaged she 13 not permitted a moment to say a word unheard by her mother to the man who is to be her com panion for the rest of her life. However old she may be, if unmarried, she must not be seen out alone; whereas, on the contrary, if married, however young she may be, she is allowed every freedom. A married woman of fifteen may be chaperon to a girl of forty or fifty years of age. An unmarried woman cannot even cross the street to buy a yard of ribbon alone. She is rarely trusted nlone with servants. That she has her love romances despite the watching, need not be added.

Another fruit has been added to the list of fashionable colours, and we have now ripe gooseberry, as well as crushed straw berry, and dark cherry is another favourite colour. Apropos of fruits, there seems to bo a revival of them for bonnet trim mings this season, and barberries, cur rants, and cherries are used for this pur pose ; and though to my mind they could never look pretty or suitable, still, being much smaller than last year, and used in less profusion, they are not so objectionable as they were then.

Lilac and pansier, 'which have, with wallflowers, been the favourites, are eiving place to summer flowers, and especially roses, both for even ing dress and "bonnets. Roseleaf bonnets have just one cluster of bright-coloured flowers introduced, and charming little bonnets of white spangled net or tulle have a wreath to cover the brim of small roses or buds and fern, underneath which are fastened strings of the same material as the bonnet.

At a recent fashionable wedding that took place at a beautiful country place in •France, the bride walked over the greenest of lawns in an exquisite white dress, shielded by a white moire parasol, covered with orange blossoms, which is, perhaps, the most original bridal arrangement that has been thought of for a long time.

In the year 1766 we are told by a lady writer far the "Hampshire Telegraph" "that a lady of distinction at the West end of the town took the following method of testifying her Rorrow for the loss of her late husband : She dressed herself entirely in black orape, had two black servants to wait on her, eat nothing but black pud dings, and drank nothing but black cherry brandy, for one whole year."

Red heels to ladies' boots are coming in again. When heels are at their highest fashion takes to colouring them, lest per chance their stilted perfections should pass unnoticed. When pink stockings were in vogue Charles Lamb, then in his salad days, described modesty taking her flight from earth, and being last visible to mortals by the " track of her glowing instep." But .now he might say that modesty has taken to her heels, and that the latter blush as they vanish.

POETRY.

IN MKMORIAM. Who e'er arises to conduct tho X^ 6 ' And lead our singers in thci^ariod ?n™ Long as there ':lmll be music in n,^» g- Wonerer sh.U forget him-Jo"^ &. Spectator.

Auckland, Nov., 1883.

THE BLIND MAN'S DEFINITION OF FRIENDSHIP.

He never saw the bright expanse of Star-bespangled sky, Or marked the graceful airy flight Of singing birds on high; Nor over saw the rainbow arch Or curious ocean shell ' N 2,, r h vi ?w° d with reverent tenderness The blossoms of the dell.

HTh?'=t r ha^ hal\ ea day>s harbinger. The star of early morn And never saw the flitter of the Dewdrqpsjon the thorn; wL v 'it Tcfin the Srocnwooa When the leaves and zephyrs play kor.the western sunset crimson lado into quiet grey

sr e t? o St m, "^"Fpy amongst the flowers 1 he liel.ls of waving grain • The antlered deer beside the'lake The pearly drops or rain.

The glance made eloquent by love A- id chil.lhoo.Vs dimpHnß smile, W ere each unseen by one who walked In darkness all the while, lhe windows of his soul were closed, His eyes devoid of sight; As child, and boy, and man he lived In one perpetual night.

Yet, asked true friendship to define " 'Tis like the Sun," replied, nil 03? genial warmth and cheering rays lho blind are not denied. Tho' seeing not the golden orb, He felt its influence kind; What grander definition Of friendship can we find!

AMUSING CORRESPONDENCE.

Some epistolatorycrackersarevery amusing Lord Berkeley wishing to apprise the Duke of Dorset of his changed condition, wrote: " Dear Dorset,—l have just been married, and am the happiest dog alive. Berkeley." This interesting news being acknowledged with: '' Dear Berkeley,—Every dog has his day. Dorset." Mr Kendall, sometime Uncle Sam's Postmaster-General, wanting some information as to the source of a river, sent the following note to a village post master : " Sir,—This department wishes to know how far the Tombigbee river runs up ? —Respectfully yours, &c." By return mail came,: " Sir, —The Tombigbee does not run up at all; it runs down.—Very respectfully yours, &c." Kendall, not appreciating his subordinate's humour, wrote again: "Sir, —Your appointment as postmaster is revoked ; you will turn over the funds, &c, pertaining to your office, to your successor." Not at all disturbed by his summary dismissal, the post master replied : " Sir.—The revenues for this office for the quarter ending September 30 have been ninety-live cents; its ex penditure, same period, for tallow candles and twine, los dollars. I trust my successor is instructed to adjust the bal ance." His superior officer was probably as much disgusted with the precise corres pondent as the American editor who writ ing to a Connecticut brother: "Send full particulars of the flood " —meaning an in undation at that place—received for reply : " You will find them in Genesis." A good specimen of Yankee brevity is the order received by a commissariat officer named Brown from a Colonel Boyd, which could scarcely have been couched in fewer words than—"Brown—beef—Boyd." The colonel received his supplies with a note running— "Boyd — beef — Brown." — " Chambers's Journal."

A Frenchman's Holiday.

Mr E. Heath, describing the recreations

of the Paris ouvrier in the October number of "Good Words," says: —The recreations of the Paris ouvrier wear a character of Arcadian simplicity or of reckless debauchery. The guingettes outside Paris and the dancing-saloons within are the places where the young ouvricrs and onvrieres enter the downward path of moral ruin. OnfOtes, and especially during that of the Republic, which, though nominally confined to the fourteenth of July, con tinues foi several Sundays afterwards, there is much dancing and all the ordinary amusements of a fair. The peculiarity in Paris is that the dancing booth and the greasy pole invade many of the main thoroughfares ; not only on the great day itself, but on the following Sunday dancing commences in the streets at sunset, and is kept up until the following morning. The salle de danse in the evening, and billiards or cards during the day, form the occupation of too many young mechanics on Sunday. The first day of the week is, I Mr Heath states, only a holiday once a I month for the majority of workmen. On the '» afternoon of pay-Sunday the owner takes !j his family outside the barrier for a walk J into the country. They have a simple J dinner at one of the numerous restaurants j in the neighbourhood, and wandei in the -J woods plucking the wild flowers or find a"^ quiet nook, where one of the party-.'j reads aloud. These happy afternoons si •fill the workman's heart with joy, vl and he begins to recall his childhood'! and to talk of his old home in some distant | province. He takes his allumette de cam-$ pagne, is joyously excited, but nothing!; more; the whole family return by train s or tram-car, laden with lilac or wild flowers, J and are same in bed by eleven o'clock. ;J Saturday evening is the favourite timel for the theatre. The ouvrier prefers the j| drama, and if the scene is patetic is easily l|i moved to tears. On Sunday afternoon a*.| few visit the Louvre, the Luxnmbourg, andrfl the Salon, and other picture galleries when -| open. They are observed to. pass^;; the nude subjects characteristic of French J, art with indifference, and to fix their atten*yS tion mostly on historical scenes, or pictures 5 J which touch the feelings; a scene from the^ Inquisition, a mother weeping over her'j| children, or an inundation, or a famine. ( r*

Chiavini, of Circus fame, was to have left;| Singapore on Nov. 7, per Buxine, for;-- Australia.

Mr 6. R. Sims is said to be receiving-: £200 per week in royalties on the per-j formance of plays of which he is the author. Mr Burnand's coming burlesque on "Th* Tempest " contains a comic Prospero, witb| a music-hall Miranda to keep him company.; a red-nosed Alonzo, and a female Ferdinand in tights. Mr Burnand has also complex' his burlesque on " Hamlet."

STAK SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT, DECEMBER 1, 1883.

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