RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamiel.]

Some write, a neighbour's name to lash, Some writo—vain thought!—for needful cash, Some writo to please the country clash, And raiso a din. For me, an aim I never fash— I write for fun.

For any one at such a time as tho present to deny that St. Patrick v.-ns a ginlleman, And came of daceut people, would be to be guilty of conduct calculated to cause a breach of the peace, and as " Zamicl " is essentially law-abiding, he will not oven breathe the shadow of a doubt against tho complete historlca: accuracy of the statement advanced by the inspired poot above quoted. Tho anniversary day of Ireland's patron saint was celebrated on Monday last, and the event suggested a fow passing reflections to my mind. My readers may remember that on tho occa sion of last Guy Fawkes celebration I raised a protest against the continuance of tho stupid observance in this far-away corner of the globe, and 1 have a growl of a similar kind -tc malic against this St. Patrick's business. The Guy Fawkes demonstration I condemned as being calcu lated to perpetuate old racial and religious prejudices and feuds which were much better buried in forgetfulness; and the same thing in a lessor degree is true of tho annual "wearing of the green " on the 17th of March. The anniversary is made the occasion, not so much of honouring St. Patrick (whoso birthplace, by-the-way, is disputed) as of flaunting the green flag of Erin and trailing, the Hibernian coat-tail in full view of the populace. This, I need hardly say, is no grievance to mo per sonally ; but I see and hear that it is an offence to others. Even the youngsters are lisping their party hatred in numbers, for some days before the 17th I heard them bawling lustily at—

The green shall be worn And tho yellow shall bo torn,

while the opposition had a ready and effec tive retort by simply transposing the posi tion of the words " worn " and " torn," and trolling out the refrain in the faces of their companions, Of course, tho young people learn this from their elders ; they learn that this observance i_i a purely party one, and following the example of "children of a larger growth," they fight over their colours, or over the thing symbolised by them, or over wrongs, real or imaginary, which do not remotely affect them. But I need not sermonise; I suppose people will go on breeding absurd jealousies and keep ing alive ancient feuds in spite of all I can say. The day is palpably a long-way off,

When man to man, the world o'er. Shall brothers be, and a' that; but suroly I am not unreasonable in think ing that we New Zealand colonists might all agree to dwell together in unity, and sink provincial distinctions. Englishmen do not make a vain ostentation of their nationality; Scotchmen (in Auckland at least) do not parade their national virtues and indulge their national vices on St. Andrew's Day ; and yet neither of theso divisions of the United Kingdom suffers from the neglect. No more, I venture- to say, would Ireland suffer if her sons were a " lee tic " less demonstrative ; rather, on tho contrary, she would gain, for there is always a suspicion of some radical defect in anything which requires an amount of bolstering; (I see in imagina tion a number of shillelahs beginning to twirl ominously, so I hasten to add that "ould Ireland" needßJno bolstering, which, you Bco, is my reason for knocking away this rotten prop of an annual reminder). :As I budded forth into song ovor Guy Fawkes, I see no reason why I should not sing a stave on

ST. PATRICK'S DAY. St. Patrick's Day in the morning— ..Tho »nn is shining bright; The children are out in their sashes ' Of green on thoir dresses whito. 'TIS for'them a day of feasting, Of happy mirth and play; Then out to the woods and meadows To hold St. Patriok's Day! St, Patriok's Day at noonday- Hours pnsi punoisoless wings: Thoro are merry sports and music And merry-go-rounds and swings. Dot. some ot tho grown-up children ll'ivo tastes anothor way. And they wet their shamrock freoly And i ft, on St. Patrick's Day I St Patrick's Day in the evening— With some it cuds not well; Horis's one has had an " argument," Ergo his oyo doth swell; And some havo quaffed the " potheen," . Till thoir senses slipped away, And they're bound to bo sick in tho morning That conies after Patrick's Day 1

'A- _I 'i:lvo heard that Scotchmen ore noted -A for their enterprise ; but a recent incident I which occurred "clown South" docs not go to confirm that opinion. At any rato, they are far from being mi fait in the matter of coroners' inquests, probably because these institutions aro unknown in Caledonia. A Dunedui paper lately gave an account of t'lefinding of humanremains at aplace called ' Mihiwaka. These ghastly relies, according b. a published statement, " were brought to Port Chalmers and given to Dr. Drysdalo, tho district Coroner, who did not consider it necessary to hold an inquest, aa judging from their appearance, the person to whom they belonged had probably been dead for about a century. The skull had received a terrible blow, fracturing it, and deeply in denting it over the temple. From the ap p^afoncer of the marks, they are not the result of a fall, but of a stroke from a blunt instrument." Now, I make bold to say that no properly constituted Oironer would have allowed such a splendid opportunity of pocketing public money to pass with impunity. There are coroners at this end of the colony who know their business,and who would have "consideredit necessary to hold an inquest" on an Egyptian mummy if it happened, to be found in their district. Dead for a century 1 That is no excuse for failing to inquire into a palpable cose of deliberate murder; for though" it might be hard to find the per petrator of the deed, a verdict of " wilful murder of some person or persons unknown " would have served the ends of justice and allayed public anxiety, besides enabling the Coroner to pocket his fee, with the addition of the allowance for post mortem examina tion. Evidently our Southern friends are behind the age in the matter of " crowners' . guests"

+ ■'■'„ ■ + ■•■ + . I A capital story is told of Mr Robert Stout. . During his visit to Melbourne the episode of the Irish informers occurred. Mr Stout manifested a great interest in the Question of -refusing them permission to land and his opinion was decidedly adverse to the stand taken by the Victorian Govern ment, both on the ground of illegality and inexpediency. He sought an interview with the Premier of Victoria, and in the course of his remonstrance assured Mr Service that the New Zealand Government would never h-vve thought of interfering with the liberty of these men. " Well," responded the wily Victorian, "if you can give me a guarantee that New Zealand will-not take it as anan f ■•loudly act, I shall have very great plea -8 ire in paying tho passages of the informers to your colony, and that will be a simple and most satisfactory way out of the diffi culty," Mr Stout becamo suddenly dubious or the issue of such an experiment, and it fow days later tho intelligence wai. communicated by cable that the New Zealand Government had taken m§ - gures in the direction previously followed by Victoria. On tho legal merits of the question Mr Stout was doubtless ri"lit: the Victorian Ministry had no warrant in law for the prohibitory order issued against these men ; but they got over that very cleverly in tho end, by so alarming tho poor wretches \. ith stories of Fenian plots against their lives, and so fully convincing'thorn of the certainty of death if they landed, that at last,-instead of wishing to get ashore.the informers were only too anxious to bo kept in safe custody, and they besought tho Government to get them quietly away.

That there are Ministers and Ministers the following story, which has been told with great gusto in Cambridge, will show : A certain M.H.R., whose figure is tolerably familiar in Queen-street, arrived in the busy Waikato frontier township one day, and with the promptitude begotten of experience in country hotels, made immodiate inquiries after his bedroom. Host KirkSvood being absent, the feirime de chambre informed the gallant politician that there had been rather a rush of visitors, and there was only one good room disengaged. She had board that "three preaching bodies' were ex pected that night, and as she Jiad no particular love of the cloth, she would be glad to hand over the aparbmeut to hor in terrogator, leaving the " preaching bodies " to rough it. Not without a quiet chuckle over the -practical, rationalism of this rural freo/Mnker, our friend installed himself and his belongings in the cosy 'Irticot chamber. -Later in tho-day tho Hon. STe-WR R»-,lUjston, TV.y-?e, nndOlliver turned Up, and the landlord instituted inquiries with refr",reiico In tho attention given to his instructions fur the accommodation of the expected Ministers. Upon learning, the t«rib) c mistake she had committed over Aefinitions, th- mwtr&ss of the be*

chamber was dreadfully agitated, and be sought the local M.H.R. to waive his pre ferential claim. He, however, was loth to surrender the substantial advantage gained through tho good woman's ignorance of tho refinements of titular distinctions in this most perplexing language of curs.

Those who are gifted with the possession of that variety of prophetic foresight begotten of common sense—that prescience acquired from the simple process of analogical reasoning which enables men to read with considerable accuracy tho signs of the times —cannot have failed to notice that during the past few months a wonderful change has taken place in the public mind respect ing the liquor traffic. Mero observation of the current o_ events during the period for some months anterior to the late licensing elections would have been sufficient to de monstrate that such a change was going on, but I question very much if the most acute observer could conscientiously say he had traced to its source the origin of themighty rovolution of public opinion. The effect is patent to nil, but the cause is loss apparent. Tomperonco organisations, properly so - called, are no doubt inclined to the belief that to their united and individual efforts the credit is due, but this solution docs not commend itself to me as being the correct one. In the first plane, it must be remembered that the temperance societies have been of recent years far less energetic in their agitation than they wore some years ago, and, indeed, from their inertness, those profiting by tho liquor traffic had every reason to hope that no danger to their calling might bo apprehended from that- quarter. In the second place, the great majority of the public have coma to regard the blatant public spouter on tee totalism as one of the most shallow frauds of a century of impositions. Tho vulgar ideal of the temperance lecturer is a red - nosed man with no morals, no position, little ability, sanctimonious snuillo, and a genuine belief in cold water. Ho is perpetually riding his hobby to death, and constantly endeavours to use his advocacy of total abstinence as a stop ping stone to notoriety. Ho delights in tho strong healthy public opinion that finds expression in rotten eggs. To be martyred in a shower of premature chickens enables him to advance a step in the only avenue .to distinction left open to him. This ; hideous, popular caricature is,of course,'torrlbly overdrawn, but there is just sufficient resemblance between it and the living original to account for the general feeling of disgust that exists aner.t tho very considerable body of temperance advocates who endeavourtomako capital out of their principles. Such men, therefore, " Zamiel" feels convinced, could not pos sibly have had any hand in the great moral victory. Instead of hastening the revolu tion,such men have more probably retarded it. lam of opinion that the chango in the public mind has be.en of slow growth—so slow, indeed, as to have been imperceptible for years—but now temperance principles have extended their ramifications into all classes of society, and it is difficult to fore see where tho wave of reform will stop.

The man of pleasure, whose whole week is virtually an unwholesome holiday, finds no enjoyment in strolling through the Auckland Market on a Saturday night and witnessing the fun of the place ; but those who labour daily "from morn till dewy eve " see much to laugh at androllect upon. The larrikin is there in all his glory, fully ripe for mischief, while the small trader is eager for the profit of his dealings, for the purpose of providing family necessaries for the coming week. To turn from Qneen street into the Market is something like recreation to some simple-minded folk, and the scenes therein fill them with lively excitement, rmd assist in giving them an appetite for a pound of seasoned po»k sausages, or a taste for a few chalk mixed lollies at the itinerant manufacturer's central stall. The Market has not an attractive appearance at either of tho en trances. A stranger might fancy that he was on the threshold of a Wycombe chair manufactory, as one-half the Market is devoted to chairs and tables. There were, at one time, several poulterers in' this rendezvous of diminutive merchants, but theso havo been reduced to one head. . At one of the entrances I saw two boys (brothers) struggling ovor a broomstick. The struggle lasted for forty minutes, and at last Bobeit proved the victor, and laid Richard on his back amid the shouts of nearly a hundred people. It was but a simple incident, and unworthy tho notice of a legislator; but it afforded amusement for a hundred persons. I missed tho old book seller from his antiquated stall. Larrikins do not read Locke on tho "conduct of the understanding;" thoy aspiro to something more elevating, liko " Turpin on Black Bess," or Tupper mounted on his philosophic pedestal, or the latest edition.of Billy Doran's comic songs. The trotter-man's placo is vacant, and his oil-lamp is extinguished—nobody seems to want trotters now-a-days. Tho last trotter vendor retired from tho Market to Mount Eden Gaol, to test the quality of stono. xxx Tho surroundings of the Market aro dark and misty in night's shadows, and it is not to be wondered at, therefore, that decent married pairs do not linger long after making their purchases, but hurry homeward as if glad to escape the worry and flurry associated with market ing. It is a strange fact, but certainly true, that the markets of the world are not eminently profitable, and a retiring market man with a fortune is'ns rare a phenomenon as a dead donkey, which has scarcely been seen since the days of Sterne, the singular ; author of "A Sentimental Journey." A weighing machine attracted my attention asl was leaving these scenes of enterprise, and, failing to get a cup of cold water from the first Mayor's monument,l spent a penny in testing my weight; the boys considered that I was "green,"and not so weighty as Detective Hughes, whose corpulent body weighed exactly seventeen stono four pounds. At this moment as I stood musing a drunken man ran against me with a bleed ing face, declaring that ho would hammer the "fellah" that had disfigured him—his antagonist was a post! I Called after the fully-developed detective—but he had gone.

It would appear as if successive random shots from Zamiel's. artillery had carried confusion and dismay into the ranks of the female vendors of tobacco and cigars. Towards tho close of last week, it became known that tho well-known proprietress of a cigar divan in Victoria-street had disap peared, and it was generally understood that she had departed for Fiji. She left her stock'-in-traile and sundry other property for the benefit- of her chiof assist ant, who will thus have cause to remember, her. On Wednesday last, the stoiy was current that another of tho sisterhood hud

levanted, and there was tribulation amoiurst

her admirers when they sought for confirma tion of tho rumour, and found that hor

" retreat" in Queen-street was empty, tho windows whitewashed, and tho "bird flown." It is generally agreed that she has f;pne, but where, nobody seems to know, f my remarks, havo been instrumental in assisting to close even two establishments of this class, then it may fairly be assumed that I am entitled to the credit of having dono something towards tho improvement of tho morals of the community, ,

Who on earth is Mr Samuel Ramsbottom, that he should deluge an already over burdened world with sensational pamphlets? I havo lately had handed to me two liter ary productions printed by a Manchester firm; and searching through them, I find that the author, Mr Samuel Ramsbottom to wit, is an old Now Zealander-who has gone Homo to let some daylight into his be nighted brethren who havo never seen the colonies. One of theso sixteen-page tracts is entitled "A Book'for the Age," nnd deals with tho popular question of law reform. I gather that friend Samuel has touched pitch and boon defiled, and is now hollering out to let everybody know the fact. His'object in writing is that P eoPje may be led." to shun tho trickster lng bill-of-sale money-lender, but more par ticularly the crafty double-dealing lawyor." I could almost fancy that Mr Ramsbottom had in view somo recent revelations in tho Auckland Bankruptcy Court when ho penned that sentence. He proceeds to say :—" I look upon the legal profession as a system invented to impoverish tho rich, and the poor are often.altogether brought to want by its operations. Had mankind given heed to tho instructions of tho Great Teacher, such a system would have been abhorred and thrust put of civilised usage. Had the Saviour been living in our day, and going in and out amongst us, Ho doubtless, would have said unto them, ' Woe unto you, ye lawyers, for your deeds of villainy are bad.'" If the lawyers aim at impoverishing the human race, there will be nothing for it but to exterminate them, or make all our sons lawyors "in self defence," as a certain Scottish nobleman is reported to havo doiie. Mr Ramsbottom alleges that he has only known one honest lawyer in-his day ; hut (hat is nothing after the more sweeping statement of Kin" David, which would bring all men under the ban of dishonesty.

■ Sir .George -Groy's Law Practitiohers' [Bill, which thrown Pi>-«> that honourable,

profession to every man in tho community, has doubtless the hearty execration of Mr .Samuel Ramsbottom ; but, curiously enough, though he airs his New Zealand knowledge in a chapter on "The Maoris wid the Lawyers," in which he speaks of •' the stretching-out process of Dr. Buller," be takes no notice of that piece of legisla tion. Mr Kamsbottom would make lawyers ineligible for ParPament, and would ostra cise them completely. And he asks in dignantly:-—" Why can't I possess land or houses without such men having to meddle with them ? There was a time, and not vory remote, when such characters were not permitted in the Isle of Wight. Frederick of Prussia in his time proclaimed a Code of , Law;-, which rendered lawyers unnecessary. I Milton said 'most men are allured to the trade of law, not because of their fondness for justice and equity which was never taught them, but for tho prospect of litigious terms, fat contentions, and flowing foes.'" A legal gentleman whom I know would be interested in a chapter headed "The Devil in Prison," for he professes a huge dislike to that black coated gentleman, arising probably from "professional jealousy." This story re dounds greatly to the credit of the lawyers, for " a solicitor in full practice," who was incarcerated at the same time as His Satanic Majesty, got out by paying a large sum of money, "but the poor devil had to finish lu3 time." xxx 11 Mr Kamsbottom : Sir,—The reading of your writings is both instructive and amusing." Such is a testimonial which the author prints from an admiring friend, and I am bound to admit the truth of the eulogy in so far as the amusement is con cerned. Perhaps tho "instructive" por tion is in pamphlet No 2, which I con fess is altogether too deep for me. Let the production of the title-page suffice. It reads thus :—" Not a romance, but a truth ful story, in which is set forth the threatened assassination of Samuel Rams bottom, on the landing of the Ship Canal Office, on the evening of November 13th, ISS3, as narrated by tho intended victim ; to -which is added an address to the work ing classes and people of small means on the subject of the Ship Canal, by the same author. Price threepence." Tho Albertland friends of the author mighf be interested to hear of the diabolical plot unfolded in this tract; but neither " Zainiel " nor the bulk of his readers are particularly concerned with the adventures of the worthy Samuel or his views on the Manchester Ship Canal. No doubt the nearly assassinated gentleman will go on publishing fulminations against lawyers, money-lenders, and Canal Company speculators. .Lot him do so and welcome, say I; but I warn him that if he persists he will probably have more than one death laid at his door, and his actual assassination may be visibly hastened.

Sergeant Gamble relates an amusing anecdote in connection with the Clerk of the Court at Papakurain the good old days. Ho was usually employed by the coroner to take tho ovidence at inquests, but on one occasion he was terribly bothered by the array of technical terms employed by a medical gentleman who was giving evidence. Tho scribe managed very fairly for a time, but at last ho stopped short whon the witness used the word "lachrymose." Scratching his head vigorously, he mur mured, "lacri," "lacri, " lacri," "nrrah, Doctor, how the divil do you spell it ?" Tho solemnity of the proceedings . was broken by a genoral laugh, but the doctor took care subsequently to make his language simple.

A surprising rumour, which, if true, should be sufficient to inspire the pen of a second Charles Reade, is afloat just now. It is reported that amongst recent com mittals to the Whau Lunatic Asylum was a Frenchman who is quite as sano as the most sensible man in tho community, and that his .greatest misfortuno is a bodily infirmity which renders him help less. The story which is current is to the effect that ho has been sent there, despite his prayers and protestations, by a man who has wronged him in a financial transaction, and who has consequently good reason for wishing him to be out of the way. These rumours arc town talk, and there can bo no harm in repeating them. Surely, if thoy aro truo, tho unfortunate man's fellow countrymen should mako somo effort to havo tho matter inquired into, but under any circumstances I should imngine that it is tho duty of tho proper authorities to make somo investigation into tho truth or other wise of tho report. XXX Domestic infelicity appears likely to occupy tho attention of the community in connection with the proceedings of tho Divorco Court for some little timo. No losj than four divorce suits havo already been announced, and now thero is talk of an other cause eelcbre, but what the exact form of it will be, I can hardly say. The un faithful party in this case is alleged to bo the lady, and she . would appear to havo fallen a victim to the blandishments of a well-known lady-killer or "masher," whoso dark languishing eyes and lovely black moustache, to say nothing of his curly locks, have proved irresistible to tho affec tions of more than ono sweet maiden. The object of his affections has employed herself in dispensing stimulants to thirsty humanity in one of the local hostelries. The troublo will come before one of the local lav/ courts very shortly.

But while there appears to be a possi bility that more than one gay husband will loso his better-half through the interven tion of the law, there is a much-married man in Auckland who will soon bo in a position to sympathise with the man who said—" How happy could I be with either, were t'other dear charmer away." He is i well known in Auckland, and there aro few who have not become aware of his little trouble. He has been looked upon as an exemplary citizen for many years past, his wife has moved in respectable society, and his family has increased and learned to "shoot" after the most approved stylo in vogue amongst the young idea. People imagined that he was a bachelor when he settled amongst us and assumed the matrimonial halter, but now it is openly alleged that he is expecting the advent of another wife and family, who are said to be on their way out from Eng land. His prospects are decidedly lively.

Tho shadow of a coming calamity must surely have overclouded the path of Mr Thomas Peacock." He is a can didate for the representation of New ton at tho next election, and one of his opponents is the people's garrulous Garrard. The danger which menaces Mr Peacock is contained in the threat of William George that if his opponent "cadges" lor votes at the election he will havo him " run in " under the Vagrant Act. The prospect is a terrible one, and Beeing that it is strengthened by reports that Mr Peacock will be torn limb from limb by William's personal friends if he ascends the platform, I tremble.at the possible conso quenccs. Really, it would appear as if William George's association with the Salvation Army is making him pugnacious.

Spiritualism has obtained a slight foot hold in the rising township of Tauranga. and, judging from recent developments', I , should imagino that its study will beconio - quite fashionable amongst the rosidents of ! that place My reason for thinking so is this : Taurangians were decidedly sceptical ■at the first seance, but during the evening they mado the acquaintance of a spirit who claimed to be that of a young man who left London for Auckland as a second-class pas senger in the Northumberland. Ho informed tho surprised circle that he died on the pas stigo out, from consumption. This com munication was made fully a fortnight ago, and tho vessel only reached port on Tuesday last. Having hoard the incident which I havo related, I naturally looked to see if any of the second-class passengers had died of consumption, and as it happened, there wore two such doaths. The coincidence, or revelation from tho invisible world, or whatever else it is, should have the effect of stimulating the Tauranga Spiritualists to further investigations. It is to be hoped that tho next spirit will'lcave his card, and then there can be ho doubt regarding his identity. b X X X Verily the times advance and our habits and manners change with tbem. Tho stiff high-toned, old-fashioned courtesy of our grandsires has gone completely out of vogue and been superseded with the jaunty airs and convivial slang of a better-informed ao-o The respectful and decorous bearing"of children in the presence of their elders will soon be looked upon as a surviving vestige of an antique civilisation in this epoch of shams, when precocious exhibitions of skill and a premature imitation of the follies nnd vices of middle ago aro regarded with such complacency. In no more . striking manner, however, is the revolution of customs and habitudes more apparent than in the popular terminology. Tho maid-of-all-work has emerged from her grub condition into the chrysalis house maid, the nursegirl of yore has blossomed into the more dignified nursory governess, > the dancing-master has been supplanted by i **»» Professor of th *• s^-^wchorean Art, t,;e J ,

vulgar boxer of the P.R. has become John Brown, Esq., Light or Heavy Weight Champion of tho World, and the plain agont is hardly recognisable now under the accumulation of high sounding appellations with which he has adorned himself.

Thoro is no need to multiply instances, for everyone must be aware of the de gree to which tho conventional term " lady" has in all walks and condi tions of life driven out the more homoly and honourable word " woman," whilo oven people of pretended refinement are smugly content nowadays to see their better-halves denominated ambiguous "ladies" instead of plain " wives." The champion euphuists of this country, however, are located in or near New Plymouth. Possibly Mary Ann enjoys a monoply there, and can give her self what airs she pleases, besides command ing a duo measure of homage from her suitors. Be the reason what it may, the people of 'Taranaki arc well abreast of the time. Here is an advertisement that my amazed optics singled out from a column of " Wanteds" in a recent issue of their leading journal :—" Wanted, a Washer Lady.—Apply," etc. "N.B.—One who is punctual in returning shirts." Apparently, the " washer-ladies " of that blissful region are not above the temptations and weak nesses of their humbler-styled sisters of tho tub, so that the change of name implies nothing more than an extra infusion of snobbery. In view of such innovations, I must confess myself a sharer in the venera tion and love for old-fashioned things which Squire Hardcaatle so warmly avows in "Sho Stoops to Conquer." "0 tem pora; 0 mores."

When the humorous stories of the tele phone Some to bo collected in book form tho following incident, in which "Zamiol" was an actor, will not occupy an unimportant placo. A few days ago I had occasion to communicate with the hoad of one of our leading oleomosynary institutions. I rang him up, propounded my quostion, but was unable to make out his answer. So I summoned to my aid a trusty friend noted for tho acutencss of his auricular organs. He put my question, but was also unsuccess ful in hearing the reply. Turning to mo, ho remarked fretfully, "The adjective fool must bo drunk." The noxt day I received a letter from the head of tho, aforesaid eloomosynary institution. It was somo what as follows :—lnstitution for the Cure of Love-sick Maidens. Dear Sir, —Infuture, when you have occasion to communicate me by means of the telephone, I trust that you will do it personally, and not by proxy. / may be an adjective fool, but I was not drunk yesterday. —l havo, etc., Zachakiah Trot, M.D., Q.P., X.Y.Z.

A Young Lady Buried Alive.

Chicago, February 8, —The "Tribune's" Dayton (0.) special of February 7th says : A sensation has been created hero by the discovery of tho fact that Miss Anna Hock walt, a young woman of high social stand ing, who was supposed to havo died sud denly on January 10th, was buried alive. Tho horriblo truth was discovered a fow days ago, and sinco then it has boon tho talk of tho city. The circumstances of Miss Hockwalt's death wero peculiar. It oc curred on tho morning of tho marriage of hor brother to Miss Emma Schmind, at the Emanuel Church. Shortly beforo six o'clock tho young lady was dressing for tho nuptials and had irone into the kitchon. A few moments afterwards sho was found sitting in n chair, with hor head reclining against tho wall, apparently lifeless. Medical aid was summoned, and Dr Jewett, after an examination, pronouncod her doad. Mass was being read at the tinio in the church, and it was proposed to postpone the wedding, but Fathor Hahno thought it best to continuo and the wedding was consum mated in gloom and by ;i low mass. An ex amination showed that Anna was of an ox citablo tomporamont, nervous and ulllicted with sympathetic palpitation of tho heart, and Dr. Jowett thought this caused hor death. On tho following day tho girl was interred in WoodlandCemotery. Tho friends of Missllockwaltcould not forgot tho terrible impression mado by her death, nnd sovornl ladies observed that her ears boro a remark ably natural colour, and could not dispol tho idea that sho was not dead. Thoy couvoyod their opinion •to Anna's parents, and the thought proyod on them so that the body was taken from tho grave When the coflin was opened it was discovered that tho sup posed inanimate body had turned upon its right sido, tho hair of the hoad had boon torn out in handfuls, and tho flcsli of the tinners had boon bitten from tho bones. The body was rointerred nnd efforts made to con ceal tho caso.

A Woman's Vengeance.

New York, February 12.—This morning at Fifty-ninth-street station, Third-avenuo Elovated Railroad, a woman, in the prosonco of other passongers, shot a man who gave his name as Victor Grafton Androe, in the thigh. Thinking sho had killed him, she put tho pistol to her temple and blew her brains out, falling dead on tho spot. Andree said he was a German, has boon in the country six months, was a journalist connected with a German newspaper, and a teacher in an educational establishment. Ho admitted knowing the woman who shot him, but rofused to give any explanation of her act.

Later.—Tho police havo discovered that the young woman was Jennio H. Almy, aged 24 years, who taught in a kindergarten school. Sho lived at 111, West Twenty-fifth street. A largo packago of letters in An dree's room, which she had written to him, show that ho had promised to marry her and afterwards refused, but whether ho had betrayed her or not could not bo ascertained. It was evident that Andree Knew she was wait ing to see him, and he dreaded to meet her. For this reason he reported at tho school where he taught that he was sick, and ro ..lainod in his room the whole of the past week, This morning he ventured out for the first time It was said at Miss Almy's boarding-house that she went away. every morning early, and did not return until night, and it was supposed sho passed the day within Andree's house. The two be-

uune acquainted last fall at 266, East Second street, where they boarded.

Andree's condition has grown rapidly worse, and ho cannot rocover. In his ante mortem statement made this afternoon Andree admitted that ho was engaged to marry Miss Almy, but broke his promise upon the discovery that she was a divorced wife. Ho would not state how he found this out or givo any further particulars. He would not answer any questions in re gard to thoir relations.

Lynch Law in America.

Fort Worth (Tox.), January 23. -Joe Fowler was taken from gaolat Socorro, N. M. this morning by a mob of masked men and hanged. Fowler was a rich cattle-man, but a desperate character. He had been tho murderer of eight men. Ho determined lust fall to leave New Mexico on account of pub lic opinion, and in November sold his ranch to Captain Reed of this place for $52,000, went on a drunk, and next morning at 6 o'clock was flourishing a pistol around in the offico of the Grand Central Hotel at Socorro, when a man named Koyle im prudently undertook to disarm him. After being disarmed, Fowler took out a pocket knife and stabbed Koyle, killing him in stantly. Fowler was placed in gaol. Ho was subsequently tried, and condemned to bo hanged on January 4th. An appeal to the Supremo Court was taken and the hear ing postponed to tho next term of the Court. The prisoner was kept under a military guard until tho 20th inst., when he was turned over to tho Sheriffs keeping. On tho 2lst his friends put a guard over him, but these were arrested for carrying con cealed weapons. At 1 o'clock this morning amob surrounded the gaol and took him out and hanged him to a tree west of the gaol. He begged hard for his lifo, and then asked to be shot. He was pulled up and loft till 8 o'clock this morning, when the body was cut down by the Sheriff. During the lynch ing Fowler's friends attempted a rescue, which failed.

Sixteen Duels on Hand.

New York, February 13.—A special to the " World" from Augusta, Ga., of February 12th says: A wealthy young merchant of this place has caused much excitement by publishing a challenge to tho protectors of some youn^ ladies who recently formed a leap-year club. The young man has just j attained his majority, and desired to enter society He applied to bo elected a mem ber o_. tho club, and was blackballed. In a published letter ho says his failure to bo' elected was due to the combined efforts of the male friends of the Executive Committee of the club, and that.ho held them person ally responsible. To-day he received 1G challenges from as many different young ypung men, and accepted them all. He pro poses to shoot them down ono after the other in the order of reception of thoir challenges, but doubt is expressed us to his #£yity to go through the entiret* *.

THE GARDEN.

(IIV HORTUS),

Calendar of Operations, March 22.

Hortus Is willing to answer any queries. Cor respondents must givo their full names and iddresses, though not for pubbcation.]

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Liquid Manure (J. McF). — You can easily make up a good mixture of the above by mix ing from two to four ounces of Peruvian guano to the gallon of water; tho lesser quantity if for small tender seedlings, tho larger quantity if for strong growing plants. Salt as a MANURE (J.M.). —Salt makes a capital manure for some crops, especially on light soils. About 3001bs. per acre is the quantity usually used. On grass and clover paddocks it is sometimes employed with eil'oet at the rate of 20011)3 por acre. Thkips (J.C.M).—The following Is a good receipt for boiling the above:—Dissolve 81bs of soft soap in It gallons of warm water: then when the water is cold add 1 gallon of strong tobacco juico; dip or syringe the plants with this mixture. ; Before it dries on tho foliago, it is safest to syringe them with clean water. Frequent heavy syringings with clean water will also keep this insect down. Cut Flowi-.ks (M.C).—Nover allow plants to mature seed. Recollect that it takes moro strength from a plant to mature ono seed-pod than to form half-a-dozen flower buds. Cut your llowcrs before they begin to fade ; adorn your room, and enjoy them thoroughly. On no account allow seed pods to mature on your bushes: it only rots the other flowers. Scarlet Runners (Amateur).—l think you arc quite right—they aro perennials. Thoy will continuo fruiting year after year if cut back in the autumn. Sawdust (R.T).—Unless the sawdust i 3 well rotted boforo using, it will do more harm than good. Docayed sawdust Is, liko all othor vegetable substances, useful in improving heavy soils. It is best to let it lio on a heap for twelve months to rot, especially if there nro fruit trees near, for if used fresh in quantities it is apt to generate fungus. Mako a good mulch for borders in dry season, after wards working it into the Boil. Mealy Bug (G.G).—To destroy this destructive bug make a solution of soft soap and tobacco water, not too strong, and apply it to tho infected plants witna syringe. Afterwards syringe occasionally with soap water: another method is to take ono toaoupful of parafln and three gallons of hot water heated to about DO". Whon cold syringe the plants. Lot it stay on for livo minutes, then syringowith clear water. While using the abovo, keep the oil well incorporated with the water by f requont drawing out and pumping back with the syringe.

Kitchen Garden.

Onions which aro properly dried should bo tied up on strings, and hung up to the rafters of a loft. They keep in this manner much longer nnd better than when spread out Ott tho floor. Onions, like fruit, are liable to bo spoiled if ono bad one happens to bo in the heap. If thoy aro hung up, bad ones can bo easily detected and taken away. Thoy also liko a free current of air passing through thorn. Continuo digging, trench ing,and manuring vacant pieces of ground, plant a fow cabbagos nnd cauliflowers, sow for succession. Sow n fresh batch of carrots, turnips, onions, and spinach for winter use. Tomatoes dust occasionally with limo, ashes or dried earth to koop down caterpillars, thin out foliago so as to oxposo the fruit to tho sun. It will ripen hotter and quickor. Koop weeds down throughout tins department. Givo plenty of water to such vegetables as may require it, mixing a little liquid manure with it. Clip ovorgroon hedges so as to give thorn an opportunity to grow a little before tho wintor sets irt. Flowor Garden. Continuo the striking of cuttings of all bedding plants if possible Thoy all ought to bo in tho propagating bed before tho end of this month. Water slightly every ovon ing, taking tho shado off and putting it on again in tho morning. A good numbor of tho herbaceous plants will now begin to look seedy. Remove all dead and decaying stems. Dahlias.— Continuo the tioing up and thinningout; water freely. Give plenty of water and try by ovory moans to incronßO the growth of autumn and winter flowering Elnnts. Uso liquid manure freely to these ovardias should receive special attention, as they aro amonjr tho bout flowers that aro now coming into bloom. Tho budded roses should bo examined, and tho ligatures loosonod or removed. Bulbs lift, dry, and store past as they ripen. Hints. Window Gakdknini! ion Youxo Ladies. —Don't plant yourself at tho window in curl papers. By careful choice of situation and attention to aspect, young ladies may, by moans of window gardening, success fully cultivate every variety of the sheeps oyos foots oculus araemj, and convert cox combs from the single to tho double variety with groat success.

Tomato Jam. —Make a puree of plni:

baked tomatoes without adding anything olso. Add one pound of good moist sugar to overy pound of puree and tho juico of a largo lemon. Bcduco in n Btow-pnn to tho required thickness. With a puree of green tomatoes it is not necessary to add any lemon juico, but more sugar must bo used. Tomato jam makes oxcellont pics and puddings. Tomatoes, whon preserved, are liable to ferment if thoy have not been sufficiently boiled. Tho bottles containing them should be looked to now and again. If any bubbles appear on the surface.the bottles must bo uncorked and the froth nkimmed off. Thoy should then bo half immersed in a pot of water, and boiled for half-aii-hour bofore re-corking.

Vines. —Bees and flics are frequently very dostructivo to ripo grapos while hang ing on tho canes. To koep these insects out of tho vinery, nail some light canvas or tippnny ovor tho ventilators. Where this cannot be dono, small muslin bags should be mado in which to oncaae tho bunchos. Do not lot the surface soil in vineries become so dry that the dust will rise. Sprinkle a little water over it occasionally. A little moisture in the atmosphere does little harm so long as there is a free circulation of air.

Preserved Tomatoes.—lf you grow tomatoes, and aro lucky enough to havo a lnrgor orop than you can use at the rnomont, thoy may be preserved in strong brine- When wanted for use, they must be soaked in fresh water for sovoral hours. If, on tho othor hand, you havo a number of tomatoes that will not ripen, you may put thorn in a place whore tho sun can get fully on them, and in a short time they will be como as red as if ripened on the vine. In Britain we used to hang the late, unripe tomatoes up to tho glass in a pine-pit till thoy wore ripe.' When to Gather Fruit.—lt is difficult to state the proper time to gather h» different varieties of fruit, for it is diflbn.. conditions which must guide the growon these matters, and these conditions vr_ vary with the seasons, even in the sam. locality. It is only experience and obser vation which will properly teach anyone to be successful. The general conditions to be observed are these : A few of the earlies will begin to mature and drop off. This is a sign that some of the fruit is ready for picking. The fruit, if ripe, will then readily part from the tree Perhaps there is no surer method of determining maturity than the free parting of the fruit-stem from the branch. If the fruit is not matured, tho atem will break ; better to leave it for some time longer. In picking fruit, care ought always to bo taken that it receives no bruises. If m anted for keeping, when it receives tho sliyntest bruise rapid decompo sition sots in. Every bruise bursts some of tho divisional cells containing the juice, and this juico speedily passes from the stage of spirituous formentation to that of putre faction.

Keeping Pears.—Pears are delioate fruit to handle If picked too early they shrink, become tough, and almost tasteless as far as flavour is concerned. If permitted to re main on the tree till ripo, the sun will evaporate part of its aroma, thus lessening its flavour as well as its juicinoss. It there fore wants careful picking and handling from tho time it leaves the tree till it is used. Pears which aro slightly bruised will not keep long; decomposition is rapid. After picking, it should never be kept long in the light, aa the evaporation will be too rapid. To ripen pears properly they should be .in a cool dark place—neither too damp nor too dry, and whore the air is quito pure. . Pears readily absorb im purities from tho air, otc. Perfectly pure air, darkness and coolness, so that they may slowly ripen without evaporation, is what is wanted. I have know somo growers take the pears and placo them on a blanket on the floor a slight distance apart, then cover them with another blanket The air, in passing through the blanket, is filtered of a portion of its impurities. Seed-Saving.—Whenever seeds are ripo thoy should be picked, and where there are a few varieties, it is better to exercise a little care so that they do not get mixed or their'names lost. A very good plan is to get small paper boxes, and put the seed pods 111 these for a few days, till they become dry ; then rub the seeds out, pick away all remains of the pods and stems, and dear away any dust by blowing it off. Then put tho seeds up in small packages, writing tho name of each variety on every package. Seeds without a namo aro almost valueloss, as, when the time for sowing comes round, it is a puzzle to tell what they are. Writing the names will save much trouble and guessing, After putting them in thoir packages, store them away in some cool,dry place till they are wanted for. use. Vitat.itv ok Seep.—lf seods have been well-grown, welbripenod, and are kept from the influence of air and dams* !*»< ***. -wing

is a pretty correct account of their keeping powors : — Poas, beans, French beans, carrots, and parsnips will only keep sound and good one year. Leeks, radishes, tomatoes, cross, and scarlet running beans will keep two years. Sea ltale, lettuce, and endive will keep three years. Asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflowers, mustard, spinach, and turnips will keep four years. Chervil, parsley, beet.and celery will keep six years. Vege table marrows and pumpkins havo grown after being kept eight years. Cucumbers and melons hove been said to have retained thoir vitality for forty years, but notwith standing all this, in nearly all cases new seeds if well grown and ripened aro best. Soot in the Garden. —Soot is valuable for the ammonia which It contains, and also for its power of re-absorbing ammonia. Tho creosote it contains is valuable as an insect destroyer, and as a fertiliser of all garder.crops. If the soil is dry a little coarse salt may be mixed with soot. Lime and soot should never bo mixed together; lime destroys the ammonia. Soot that has been steeped in water for two. or three days is as good a fertiliser as horse-hoof parings for houso plants, and increases the vividnesß of the bloom of flowers in the open air. Soot and salt, in connection with compost—one quart of salt to six quarts of soot—is an ex cellent fertiliser for asparagus, onions, cab bage, etc. Two bushels of compost makes a heavy dressing for each square rod of ground, to be worked into the surfaco of the soil.

FOR THE LADIES.

Feminine Facts, Fancies, and Foibles,

The whim cf the day is to have ornamonts in which a cat with kittens figures. It is done in ornamental work and oven in jewel lory.

Muffs are worn with tho capes and invari ably match them, and the size of the now muff is small; all muffs matching the dress material are fancifully trimmed with ribbon and lace.

Tho crush hat of the male is now matched by tho " pocketbonnet" of thefemale, which can bo folded up away, whon necossary, in tho pocket. But who ever heard of a cas6 where a woman had any desire to put a new bonnet out of sight ?—American paper.

Flowers are preforred to feathers for orna menting capotes, and roses and pansies with their foiiago are those most used. Many very elegant capotes are ornamented with a Mario Antoinette wreath of roses without foliage, but with a little humming bird perched among the flowers.

Worth has been making a pretty dinner gown for tho Princess of Wales. The skirt is cream satin trimmed with narrow flounces of Brussels laco; the paniersare ornamented with plush appliques, while the bodice and trainareof paleclnret vol vet, tho latterturned back with rovers to match tho paniors.

Pooplo put nil their diamonds on their bodices now ; you novor boo any on the skirt of a dross, and it is oonsidorod very bad teste to wear any round your neck if you can possibly go without—a singlo diamond star or a dragon-fly in your hair and across the'front, and as many diamonds as you can mustor.nrrangcd as a sort of trimming down tho right sido of your bodice.

Narrow bands of volvot, cut at both sides in scallops, points, or shallow trefoils, edged with a single row of bonds of the sameor con trasting colour, is a novel stylo of trimming, used with grontsucces on tho pointed bodices of evening toilettes.

. Volvot with narrow stripes worked be tween, with rows of gold braid, makes a most excellent trimming for a smoking coat; so also does largoly quilted silk with a flower in the centre of each quilting. Cashmere patterned cottons, the design outlined in gold, havo a good Oriontal effect for the same purpose

A pretty mourning cap may bo mado out of a lino cambric handkerchief. Border it with narrow laco, then turn up the corners and tack down. A bow of ribbon on the top will be an improvement.

Full dross toilots for matrons and young married women are composed of Watteau of Pompadour brocadosand eclf-colourcd satin of somo full rich shado. Tho trained skirt-, aro entirely untrimined, with the exception, porhaps, of a narrow kilting or bouillonno placed at tho edgo, and amplo balnyouso of silkembroidorod muslin orcoffeo-tinted laco.

Parisan " elogantes " havo, I hoar, adopted boots of grey doeskin, which look very well with tho prevailing grey costumes. In the ovoning they wear black kid shoes, with a largo " flour-dc-lys " embroidered on tho in stop, and with rod heels.—"Madge."

I notice a growing liking for tho oxces sivoly short jackets, which always suggest the idoa that tho makers wero short of ma terial. They mostly match tho dresses which thoy accompany, and many nro bor dored with feathers of tho same shade, but black and grey astrachan, beaver, and seal trimmings aro proferablo, as regards wear certainly, and nppearanco also, I think, if I omit grey astrachan, which I do not admire ; it always looks grimy, and tho facility with which it may bo imitated in wool is another argument against this sort of fur.

Ribbon velvet will bo required to uinko cockadesand bows both for bonnets and hats; while broad satin and faille morveilloux sash ribbons are in request for tho trimming of evening gowns. Theso are all worn plain, the figured ribbon in tho shop windows being moro for show than anything else, and the purchasers thereof arc mam mas who use thorn for their little girls, or for tho boribboned caps of their nurses. Besides ribbons and tissues for millinery, the mercers have supplied themselves with fresh stocks of chenille fringos, tho latest novelty of the kind being n fringe made of long strands finished off with littlo bunches of chenillo very much in appearanco like the tassels on the pianos and sycamoros.

Cloth tailor • mado costumes aro still in voguo, ospocially with lndios who can appreciate the advantages of theso exquisitely String though simple - look ing dresses. Cloth jackets are also worn differing from the skirt, and are made in all plain dark colours, burnt sienna, seal, chestnut, Saint Louis blue, brick red, scabious, carmelite, old copper, iron grey; mineral grey, ochre grey, silvor ?rey; in short, the whole scale ot greys, olonaises and redingotes of cloth trimmed with bands of fur ore also worn with pleated skirts of woollen material or velveteen. The polonaises are very long in front and draped far back at the sides, the back falling in large fluted pleats, or puffed first and tnen pleated to the edge. This style is preferred bjmany to the redingote ; the plain straight me of this vetement being found too try tgtothe figure by some, and considered to tie wanting in elegance by others. Both light and dark furs are employed in trim ming these costumes, from astraku to chin chilla and otter skin.

Indian mußlin plays n largo part in ball toilettes in all the pale, tender shades of cream, tea-rose, Neapolitan sky blue, printed with flowers and sprays in softly-blended colours. These muslins are made up with satin, surah, and satin nerveilloux. Other fabrics employed for ball toilettos aro crepede Chine, silk maslin, crepe lisso, gauze, and om broidored not draped over any of tho above mentioned silken fabrics,

Fur skirts, called ft la Robinson, after the great Crusoe, who had no choice of materials wherewitJitoclotho himself; hats ornamented with small animals —artificial, it is true, but beautifully imitated-a tiny fox, a mignon bear, a delicate soal, cats, dogs, horses; lace stockings embroidered in gold; full waist coats, callodhoro " ostoniacdodindons,"are a few of tho eccentricities in whioh fashion indulges.

Shoes for evening wear are made in velvet, in satin, and very fine kid; tho fronts or toes aro exceedingly short, so as to display tho stocking, as they are ornamontod oither with fine embroidery in beads or jot or with a small bow. For demi-toilotto tho kid shoes with six straps across the instep are in voguo ; also, patent leathor shoes with a velvet bow and paste buckle in front.

Ruches havo found their way to the tops of long glovos ; but tho simpler both gloves and shoes are tho bettor they are in style. Gloves of dark shades aro worn In day time, and frequently over tho sleeves ; but with evening toilettes tan.pearl yellow.pearl grey, and even white gloves with white dresses, are worn ; they reach tho elbow if the sleeves are demi long, and abovo tho elbow with short sleeves.

For very little children under four years of age, a pleated pelisso or blouse is in great favour, made of white gros grain or white ribbon velvet. If a lady considers white too cold for winter, then a very pale shade of colour must be chosen, but white is more correct. These exquisite little vfitements are trimmed with bands of white or coloured plush, and a pelerine and parements of the same.

Ball gowns for very young ladies are mado quite short, but for others past the first youth the back of the skirts just touch tho ground, resting a couplo of inches only on tke floor. Tulle and net are tho principal materials used, mounted on silk or satin, and, while the youthful are more appro priately clothed in pure or creamy white, yet many choose to appear in dresses of dark colours, such as green, chocolate, purple, and dark blue.

Very small mantlets with visito sleeves are made entirely of sable; they reach a little below the waist behind, but are longer in front, and many are bordered with a fringe of sable tails. These mantlets are a novelty this season, and are rather expensive, but thoy really are a modification of the long sable capes worn many years ago by elderly ladies, which had an opening on each side through which the arms v. ere passed.

Sable is a rich and beautiful fur which is never out of fashion, although its high price prevents it from being very general. Pele rines and muffs are made both of sable and sable tail, and some sable pblerines have a fringe of sable tails round the edge, the pele rine being rather short and small in con sequence." Boas of sable tail are very fashion able—this winter, and marten tail is much used for the same purpose.

Red is in unusual request, especially red cloth, for the dresves of both boys and girls under seven. A vest is a favourite style, cut away straight or rounded oil" over a plain white waistcoat, or one of the pleated red cloth, turned under blouse fashion. The skirt is of rod cloth in flat pleats, and a sash of scarlet surah passes through a strap in front, which unites tho waistcoat and skirt, and is tied behind. Three rows of chain stitch in white and. silk ornament the collar, rovers, sleeves, and the edge of the skirt.

" My opinion," said to me (a writer in the "Queen") tho other day one whom a reporter would stylo a prominent leader of the testhetic movement, "my opinion is that gossamer is to be traced to God's samite, that is, God's silk ; in fact, the corruption is so easy that the change might come about imperceptibly. Without this the connection between God's summer and the old tradition is hard to trace; with it all is probable. Samite, the old silk of great price, which Tennyson borrows in his ' Idylls of the King,' 'clothed in white samite, mystic, wondorful,' must have been the highest ad miration of those with whom tho legond would have firmest acceptance, and in their reverential admiration they would enwrap her whom they worshipped in this, the finest of fabrics."

The metallic braids in various colours and mixtures are used for trimming woollen drosses, especially .serge costumes. On the navy-blue dresses we see very narrow red braid, used either in graduated macroons on tho upper fold of tho box-pleats, or laid in Straight lines round the kilt and as a border to all the draperies. Very pretty little de tached fronts of coloured silk arc made from tho small silk squares : those with fancy shaded stripes or plaids aro even more ef fective than plain ones.

Handsome "sack " bags-of Roman-striped plush, lined with s.itin, and with drawstrings of silken cord, aro most useful and effectivo receptacles for fancy or plain needlework. A square boudoir cushion of black brocaded satin is edged with two rows of gathered white lace of marvellously pretty design. It is tied across with a coloured ribbon, finished with a bow at the upper edge, and at one corner nro a couple of love-birds nestling, as they should do, amid their choice and costly surroundings, in complete und luxurious har mony.

Gold braid in narrow widths forms a very effective bordering to the flounces of a creme nuns-veiling; ribbon-velvet is also a much admired trimming. A pretty dross of this material is composed of coffee-coloured nun's veiling ; tho tiireo flounces which cover the front of the skirt are edged with wide coffee laco, nnd have three rows of deep rod velvet on each ; bodice and waterfall drapery of red velvot, V nock and elbow sleeves finished with ruches of coffee laco. The sumo style is followed, making tho drc-.s entirely of nun's veiling, having only a velvet vest to the bodice, or one of the popular handkerchief fronts of softfilk, matching in colour the trimming on tho flounces.

At tho Rydo Fancy Dross Ball a short time ago a lady looked charming as "Madame Favart," dark green skirt, and crimson over skirt and bodice, white chemisette, and sleeves and crimson scarf on hor head ; she carried a small guitar. Another lady rep resented ''Snow," white satin dress trimmed with tufts of swansdown and holly, hair powdered and dressed with robins and holly, altogether having v charming effect. We noticed two or tnreo " Lady Teazles," all having different ideas of the dress, ono wearing a plain white satin gown, powdered hair, and no patches! Surely an error. Anothor wore n rich brocaded silk sacquc ovor a pink satin quilted petticoat trimmed with pearls, powdered hair dressed with pearls, patches, &c.

Revs. Thos Spurgcon and Chas. Bright.

[FI.OM THE " CIIItISTIAN WoI_BD."J

During the past month the New Zealand Baptists held tho annual meoting of their Union in Nelson. A considerable number of ministers and delegates attended. It was hoped that ono of the members of the Govern ment, tho Hon. T. Dick, would have been present, but pressure of public duties prevented it. Considerable iclat was, how ever, given to tho gathering by the presence of the son of tho world-renowned pastor of tho Metropolitan Tabornacle. Mr. C. H. Spurgeon is in littlo danger of boing spoilt by popularity, aud therefore it may be quito lawful to say that his son's presonce in Nelson has boon quito an event in the history of this fascinating city. I will vonturo on something perhaps rather moro trying to tho self-ropression of Mr Spurgeon, by assuring him and his myriad admirers that his eon, al though indebted of course to his father's po pularity for much of the enthusiasm evoked by his presence, hassuccoeded in producing an excoeaingly favourable impression on his own account. The Drill-shed, ono of tho lnrgert rooms in the city, was packed on one of tho Sunday night meetings nt which ho was an nounced to preach, and a daily paper, not much given to eulogise pulpit utterances, stated the noxt day that it was ono of tho most officient evangelistic services ovor held in tho city. Tho best oulogium perhaps was that of an old sottlor—"He's a chip of tho old block." For myself, I could not help grieving over a too evident extensive strain which was being put upon tho ardent young divine. Ifcaro.is not taken—and I commend the words to his revered father and mother— the hugo tabornacle which he has set his heart on roaring at Auckland will prove his mausoleum. Even a son may not venture on an imitation of the Herculean task of Mr C. H. Spurgeon nt Southtvark. Mr Thomas Spurgeon looked wan and wearied. He was intending, I believo, to have n month's holiday, but unhappily there aro men who cannot have holidays. The reli gious world has as little control over its weaknesses as the othor world, and where over a Spurgeon goes he must lay his account with alargeamountof senseless man-worship. I heard from the lady at whose house Jlr Spurgeon stopped that on his return from the service at the Drill-shed he retired at once to bod, thoroughly exhausted, and did not have a wink of sleep nil night. This, as everyone knows, who has got brains and usos them, moans a good doal. If I had des potic authority in the caso I should go to tils steamboat office, tako n passage for him to Europe, and " deliver him to his mother." The Church and tho world might then per haps rejoice in his ministry for a half cen tury, instead of having to mourn ovor a pro mature decay, such ns has so frequently of late'laid churches desolate

Friends of tho Row Charles Bright, a Nor folk minister, I believe, who camo out a year or two ago for his hoalth, and who was ono of tho ministers attending this conforonco, will be glad to learn that his health is im proved. His fine talents soom to be thoroughly appreciated. I have heard nothing in New Zealand comparable with tho address and sermon which I had the pleasure of listening to from his lips. Thoughtful, smypathetic, nbreastof tho ago, nothing could have been more opportune Tho best compliment that could havo been paid him bos been paid by our newly-formed Freothought Association. Last Sunday night theso two addresses formed the sub ject of the chief speaker's animadversions. Godsend Now Zealandandthesistorcolonies some men of the same mental calibre ! I wish I could convey to tho young men of tho Nonconformist colleges in England my sense of the importance of the sphero which Australasia presents for consecrated service. Tho fields aro indeed "white unto tho harvest," but the labourers aro few. The religious sects in possession hero havo un doubtedly done good work in the past, but if the Wesleyans and Presbyterians are to hold thoir own in the coming struggle with Freethought, thoy must "not only relax their rigid formularies, but raise the vhole tone of their ministry. John Wesley and Jonathan Edwards were doubtless good for their age, but they both believed and taught what no man in his sensos believes to-day, and what no man who has any regard for the moral sense will dare preach to-morrow. If the only alternatives before our young colonists —all educated as they are by the splendid public schools—are a bad orthodoxy, with its terrific issues, or blank unboliof, it is not difficult to predict which will be chosen. Tho ovangelical beliof will go by the board. At present Australasia has no "Christian World" with its via media to direct the growing thought, and " Souls are wander ing far and wide." May the Mother-country be stirred up to her responsibilities towards her distant off spring! Nelson, N.Z., November 3, 1883. A.C,

SCIENTIFIC NOTES.

Among the new applications of cotton is its use, in part, in tho construction of houses; the material employed for this pur pose being the refuse, which, when ground up with about an equal amount of straw and asbestos, is converted into a paste, and this is formed into large slabs or bricks, these acquiring, it issaid, thehardnessof stone, and furnishing a really valuablo building stock. It is also proposed to substitute, in the general manufacture of rope, cotton for hemp, thus not only saving about fifty per cent., but obtaining a preferable article for all shipping uses—cables, bolt rope, halyards, tow ropes, hawser, tackle and falls, hoisting, &c.

Successful tests have been made with an improved construction of elevator brake, the peculiar feature in this case being that the air is compelled to act as a brake, giving a yielding force nnd stopping the car readily but gradually. One of the tests consisted in putting on much more weight than its <r iven capacity, raising it to the top of the building, then severing the supporting cables ; tho car, under those circumstances, with its heavy load, unsupported, dropped only six feet, when it stopped gradually, in a descent of four or five foot, and remained stationary. Tho cables were again attached and other tests made, the car making fast or slow ascents and descents as desired.

Recent experimentsshow tho photography of sound-vibrations to be a practical pro cess. A small, thin platinum plate was at tachcel perpendicularly to a thin iron plate, which, as in the telephono or phonograph, was fixed on a wall piece and vibrated to sound. With a solar microscope an image of the platinum plato wns focussed on a screen, after which a prepared photographic plate was quickly moved across, in the plane of the screen, by a strong spring, while tho mouthpiece was spoken to. A bounding lino between light and shadow was thus obtained on the prepared plate, forming a curve closely corresponding to the sonorous vibrations—simple curves for vowels, complicated ones for consonants.

A communication of much interest has been made by Herr Bissinger to one of the German scientific associations on the mag netization of steel and iron bars when broken in a testing machine. Tho phenomenon, ho says, i 3 not brought about by the elonga tion that accompanios tho broakago, but is produced at the very moment of break ing, the two halves being converted into magnets of equal strength ; the breaking occura with a loud noise and strong shock, so that the resulting concussion might possibly be considered as the cause of the magnetization. The bars wero placed verti cally in the testing machine, the south *pole forming at their upper extremity. The different tools and objects of steel in the vicinity of the bar at the moment when it breaks also become magnetised, though to a much less degree.

An improved construction of steam boiler has recently attracted attention, the design being to insure greater durability and to generate steam with a minimum amount of fuel. This is accomplished by providing a water chamber at the back or bridge wall of the furnace, this being supplied with circulation tubes, which extend into the fire box and combustion cham ber. By this method, it is claimed, a safo, inexpensive, and durable boiler, of compact form, not liable to become injured by expansion and contraction, is secured. Each tube is independent, being thus free to expand and contract, according to the heat it may receive, without affecting tho others. A continual circulation of the water through the tubes has the effect of causing the sediment to fall to the bottom of the water chamber, whore hand poles aro provided for its removal.

The Bed Sdnshts.—Henry J. Slack, F.G.S., F.8.M.5., writing in "Know ledge," says:—"Much interest has been excited lately in the character of atmos pheric dust, in the belief that wo have been passing; through a meteor stream of very minute bodies, which may havo caused the splendid after-glows following sunsets, and the similar appearances before sunrise. Bo sides tho investigations of Captain Noblo and Mr Mattiou Williams in this country, similar examinations of atmospheric dust on the Continent have led to like results ; and it was stated in the French Academy that there was reason to be lieve an unusual quantity of fine meteoric matter fell-in tho second half of November and the beginning of December. Collect ing snow as soon as it falls in tho open country, letting it thaw in a perfectly clean vessel, nnd viewing the matter de posited under the microscope, seems the most successful way of catching these par ticles, free from much admixture; but at any time, in ordinary localities, the air is found to contain a multitudo of small objects. In and near towns the quantity is much greater than away from them in open country places, or at considerable heights, far from habitations, where the air is often pure. Snow, however, in such places, would be likely to yield meteoric dust."

The Salvation Army and Re porters.

Press reporters do not appear to be held in much esteem by the Salvation Army en gaged in tho mission of making convorts in America. Thoy aro tho object of special prayers, the terms in which theso prayers arc couched being quito the roverae of com plimentary to tho fraternity. The " New York Sun" relates that ono of them, happen ing to bo present at a Salvationist meeting recently held at Philadelphia, found himself. thusdoscribed: —"Wehaveareporterhero," said a lieutenant," "a miserable reporter, a sinful sorvant of the unholy newspapers. The Prince of Darkness has made him stub born ;ho will not join us. Oh, tho wicked roportor ! Tho Devil holds the fort in his brain ; ho is going to tho kingdom of flames, and he is a type of all roportors, who are a wicked lot." Tho speaker paused to allow timo for the heart of the sinner to be moved to repentance; but as the reporter remainod standing, in spite of solicitations to kneel, and was in no way melted, the soldiers, malo and female, lifted up their voices, and wept over tho dreadful man, whilst the lieutenant shouted, " Oh, kill this reporter; kill him. He is too obstinate to yield. He is proud; all reportersoroproud. Oh, strike him down, for he is tho devil in disguise." Without waiting to hear moro, the repre sentative of the Philadelphia newspaper quitted the meeting room, the Salvationists greetinghisexist with the cry, " He isgone ; he is past praying for."

German Court Scandal.

A court scandal of a very painful nature, and which is causing a groat deal of trouble totheaged Emperor of Germany, is reported from Berlin. There has been a great deal of reticence observed in high quarters, but we are in a position to give the main facts. It appears that Prince Frederick Charlos, known by the soubriquet of the red Prince, has boon suspected by his wife of infidelity for some time past; indeed, he has hover boon regarded as a model of domestic virtue, but his conduct has of late become so noto rious, that his wife had left him, and re turned to her family at Anhalt with tho avowed intention of never returning to hor husband's roof again. Tho Princess intends to sue for a divorce, but tho Emporor, in order to pvovent such a sensational denoit ment being brought before the courts, is doing his best to bring about an amicable separation. Tho Princess, no doubt, will listen to tho Emperor, and, as she still de clines to return to her husband, it is believed that a separation will bo arranged. Princo Frederick Charlos is tho most renowned of the Hohenzollern family of soldiers. It was he who defeated Marshall Bazaine, und shut him up in Metz. His youngeßt daugh ter is tho Duchess of Cominught, who is at present with her husband in India.

Mummy Wheat.

The "North Otago Times" says:—Several years ago a good deal was heard about- Egyptian mummy wheat, not so much on account of its value as a cereal (for its value was not very well known), but because of its novelty. A gontleman in tho Oamaru district procured a single grain, and from this single grain, in course of time, a fair craantity was raised. Mr Dennison, of Hilderthorpe, procured a small qnantity, from, we believe, the original grower in this district, and has now oi. his farm about seven acres of this wheat. Tho peculiarity of this description of wheat is that tho berry is of enormous size compared with other wheats, and tho ear is a novelty, inasmuch as it presents tho appoarance of an ear with horns, two smaller ears branching off from the main one. At the present time the grain has a beautiful appearance, the skin being fine and clear, and the berry plump, The value of the wheat as a marketable com modity has yet to •be proved, but if its value may be judged from its appearance, it should be Tyorthv of attention,

CLIPTOMANIA.

[Extracts from Society Pavers and Ai_cj. the Most Interesting Soueces.]

Some years ago an English gentleman bequeathed to his two daughters their weight in £1 bank notes. Tho eldest daughter received £51,200, and the younger £57,344.

"May," asked a little girl of a companion, " what do yon suppose is the difference be tween a beau and a beau ideal ?" " Well, I dhn't know," was the frank response, "unless they leave off the ideal after they get married."

A famous prize pig which was slaughtered tbe other day weighed 39 score. The car cass had actually lost 161b in weight by evaporation after thirty-six hours exposure. —" Truth."

Thoro is something suggestive of Mr Squeers in the following, which is from tho " Daily Telegraph :—" An orphan boy can bo purchased into a school of long standing and high repute. Gne year, prepaid, £2s; two, £45; three, ;CGO. Masters, fees, books, laundress, Church, and kind home during holidays and at all times.

Paris daily papers aro full of the " Ques tion dcs Chiffonniers," by the last "ordon-

nnnce" of the new Paris perfect. The refuse of every house cannot bo put out every morning in the street any more. So that about 50,000 rag-pickers aro without": any work at all. " One Who Knows " says that there is to be an English translation of Mdme. Marie Colombier's brottchure "Sarah Barnum." :. The book is said to havo reached a fcrty third edition. The absurdities of heraldry are curiously ' exemplified by a hatchment now to be seen A in Queen-street, Mayfair. Instead of being placed upright, it lies on its side, so that - the widow's white grounded half is on the 5 top of her defunct husband's coat, and as A she bore a red lion, that creature is kicking ' 1 his heels in the air in the most wonderful I j way.—" Truth." : A

It is said that snuff-taking is becoming fashionable. There ought to be some mis-

take about this. One cannot conceive of A fashionable ladies taking snuff, and gentle- A men will hardly affect the habit. The old- A fashioned men who were never without the A snuff-box have passed away, and it is not I likely that the custom will become popular:,. again, A public entertainer at Portsmouth, who,-: offered prizes for the oldest persons, has been , successful in unearthing a very old party:.. indeed. They were headed by a female I pauper of the age of 101. Life is, indeed, Ofl vain thing, if 10l years of it brings one to theA workhouse. Four men and four women,A each more than ninety, came next; the:. third batch contained twenty men and eighteen women above eighty; while in the;;; last division were sixty-four men 1 and forty - five women who were. I more than seventy. Theso.figures seem to' ] teach us that men are longer lived,than , women. Although the aged female heads the list, yet of the total above seventy, 88.1 were men and C 8 women. |j " Truth " says :—"I see that the Mor- ■• mon Legislature has decided that in future;"?; men are to be responsible for the slanderous A utterances of their wives. I trembleA to think of tho consequences which might"; result to many people if such were ■ the rule in England; and where a. man must be responsible for the remarks of a A couple of dozen ladies instead of one, I safety, it is obvious, will be practically,; impossible. , Husband, you'll have to go and call that I boy yourself. I can't make him get .up. He sleeps as if he wsro a log." " On, well, Maria, the boy can't help it.. It's fate. He was born to be a policenan."—"Hawk-' eye." - ,

Taking 110,000 letters, which gives round H numbers for every letter, the alphabet Is 98 used in printing the English language in the Ag following proportions : —a, 8,600 ;b, 1,600; ■ c, 3,000 ;d, 4,400; c, 12,100 ;f, 4,500; g, M 1,700 ;h, 6,400; i, 8,600; j, 400; k, SOU; 1, ffl 4,300; m, 3,000; n, 8,000;; o, 8,000; fl p. l,700;q, 500; r, 6,200 ;s, 8,000 ;t, 9,000; ■ v, 3,400; v, 1,000; w, 2,000; x, 400; y, 2,000} ■ z, 200. Thus, c stands at the head of the H poll, and zat the foot; but, like most unpo- A? pular candidates, the latter "makes compora- .A tively more noise, when he gets an oppor- A tunity, than eithen of the others. .- . 'A

The Parisians who imaginedinnocently that,: all was over about Sarah Bernhardt aridV. '■/, Marie Colombicr must have been rather sur- .' prised on seeing the two othor books pub A A lished on Mdlle. Coloinbier's whipping I | First of all a book called "La Vie de Marie _\ Piegonnier" (which, of course, isa bad ipke A on " Colombe and Pigeon"); then a third j; book called "L'Affaire Sarah Bernhardt et As Marie Colombier," which gives a photo of ;v Marie Colombier, and relates simply the A different things which occurred. » Three small boys, from nine to fourteen, ':■_} weropunishedatHanleyfor "stealingletters -;| from Hanley l'ost-oflico, by putting a hand ■ through the slit of the letter-box. These :•■:'■ proceedings were described as "extraordin- Ai arily clever," and the cleverness, incpn- A spicuous atrirst sight, no doubt lay in the Aj| fact that three boys should all-steal letters A4 by putting only one hand through tho slit. 3m The hand, no doubt,' belonged to ono of ." them, which made it less clever in him than . in his.two companions.—"Globe;" It is curious to notice how ill-in_br_ned§9 some of my contemporaries are as to Lord ;3 Tennyson's public honorarium. As Poet A:-) Laureate, he is an officer of Her Majesty's. 9 household, just as the Barge-master ib, or A|s the Keeper of the Jewel Houso, or the con-. _____ ductor of the twenty-four musicians coin-,A|t posing Her Majesty's private band. -But A| there is an important difference. Though -f the Poet Laureatoshipis included in the Lord H Chamberlain's department, the pay attached .-A| to it is not drawn from this official's office, M The £_!00 ay oar paid to Lord Tennyson, and to Werdsworth and Southey before him, is somewhat anomalously charged to the head of " Civil List Class V. Pensions." It Is not, .. of course, in reality a pension at oil, but is includedamongst these allowances probably because it is paid for distinguished literary services. The butt of Malmsey wine, or, rather, the modern equivalent, which is also : part of the Laureate's yearly honorarium, is, however, sent to him by the Lord Chamber- ~, lain. Anothor old custom still scrupulously ' kept up is tho annual sending round of 'fat A'; bucks to certain high officials of the Govorn- . ment servico. This task forms part of the ' duty of tho Master of the Bud-hounds.— "Figaro." A, _. ..■•:■; 'A

"G.A.S." and Mr Thos Holloway.

But there is another name—well, not of fame, but of notoriety—which in my mmd H will always be associated with the once cart : $jJM lottghi of Kensington Gore. It is that of the •;. recent Mr Thomas flolloway (or. Brown), of whom nnd of whose millions we have"?H heard so much. I knew the " Professor,"". Ai| slightly between 30 and 40 years ago; and l|l always found him " a good sort of man.*|£H That he should have died so immensely' ■, ;J wealthy is all tho more noticeable when it is |\ remembered that in his early business tran sactions he was certainly not fortunate. W/H > . . . . One Sunday "Professor" ;A| Holloway camo. As I have said,'lhave some slight knowledge of him. . Presently ' V arrived Mr Thackeray, arm-in-arm with, I think, John Leech; and the "Professor" ..;.' whispered to me how supremely happy he would be if I would present him to tho author of "Vanity Fair." I hesitated at first j but, fancying I discerned a benevolent twinjde \ beneath tho great man's spectacles, 1 took heart of grace, and did the "Professor's" ■■: bidding. It is no secret to those who really • ra| knew the illustrious William Makopiece; |9 that he could say upon occasion things: 1H which mado you intensely uncomfortable. H Thus, when (with Mr Thackeray's permis-..;;^ sionj I had gone through the coromony of ■■.';'.'§ introduction, he made 3ie "Professor" a .-A very low and stiff bow, and said—"l hope,, wM sir, that you will live longer than your ; '*£ patients." Tableau. —G. A. Sala, in . ;>| " Illustrated London News." jln

A Horrible Tragedy.

Elgin (111.), January 25.—The reports of a A: terrible tragedy come from four or five miles west of Elgin, William Combs, a fanner about 40 years old, cut his wife's throat. In her dying agonies she wrenched the weapon from him and fatally stabbed him. Combs is said by his physician to have been insane-for some time. Later re ports give a different account of tho tragedy. It appears that Mrs Combs staggered te the house of a neighbour, 40 rods away, covered with blood, flowing from the deep ji fashes, and with a lons knife in her hand, he said her husband had tried to murder her, and thinking he had done so, cut his own throat. Combs was found dead on the floor of the house, which showed ' . evidence of a fearful struggle. Tho woman was alive at last accounts. Some of the leading features of her story and the fact that sho and her husband had hod frequent quarrels recently, lead to the suspicion that *" she may have murdered her husband, and received the wounds in the struggle or madfl an attempt »t suicide, '".'■■ aa.\;Aaa.|l!lh

THE AUCKLAND EVENING BTAR, SATUKDAY,|^^(M/;^ijM^

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