LADY BLANCHE'S SECRET.

Lady Blanche <Ddlcim£r was one of the best-dressed women in London. Oddly enough, her love of display and tasteful extravagance did not manifest themselves until she became a widow. The late Colonel Dulcimer had lost a fortune at cards, and the only provision he was able to make for her was by insuring his life for a few thousand pounds. And yet Lady Blanche had no sooner cast off her widow's weeds than she blossomed into a leader of fashion, and excited the envy and admiration of her friends by her costly toilets. How she did it nobody could imagine, for her tather was a bankrupt peer, and none of her rolatives were in a position to assist her. Her gowns alone must have absorbed the whole of her modest income, at the most moderate estimate, and these wore not the only ex pensive items of personal adornment which she indulged in. It is true that she lived quietly, and did not attempt to entertain ; but even a little pill-box of a house in Park street cannot bo kept up on nothing, and she certainly went a good deal into society. Lady Blanche was not given to speaking of her private affairs, but she had been known to say to an inquisitive friend : " My dear, it is Lebcuuf who does it all. It is astonishing how little a woman, resid ing alone, can live upon with the exercise of judicious economy. I am an excellent manager, though perhaps I ought not to say so. But I could not make both ends meet were it not for Lebceuf. She was my maid years ago, you know, and she lets me have my dresses at half-price. Of course, it is a very good advertisement for her, for as I go about a great deal. I have got her no etid of customers, and, strictly entre nous, I:.-we her more money at this moment than I*1 a ever hope to pay. It is her way, my dear, of returning my former kindness." But this explanation wa3 not considered satisfactory. Madame Leba-uf was a fashion able dressmaker, who during the last few . years had attained some celebrity. Tho3e who had dealings with her unanimously agreed that she was the last person in the world to show consideration to anybody. She was shrewd and grasping, her prices were enoimous, and she had too keen an eye for business to be capable of magna nimity in the direction indicated by Lady Blanche. Her professional skill, however, ensured her a numerous and ir.crea.~ing clientelle, and as money-lending at usurious interest formed an important branch of her business, she was generally supposed to be making a fortune. But even assuming Lady Blanche had got her gowns for nothing, together with thu commissions on the purchases made- by customers she introduced, she must have been a very good manager to keep up the appearance she did. Of course people will talk, and the income of one's neighbours is a fruitful topic for idle gossip. It was pretty well known that nhe was not in debt —at least to tradespeople ; and it was easy to calculate that she must bo spending two thousand a year, if a penny.

" Where the deuce does she get it from ?" inquired the old women ef the maie sex, talking confidentially among themselves at their clubs. " Perhaps Leytonstono could tell us something if he liked." It was certainly the fact that Lord Ley tonstone was paying the widow a good deal of attention in a cautious way, but no one seriously believed the implied scandal. To begin with, Lady Blanche had an un blemished reputation, and was by no means addicted to flirtation. She confessed to forty—a very damaging admission —and, though decidedly handsome, she could hardly be called fascinating. Her manner was much too brusque to be agreeable, and she was generally regarded as a clever woman whom it was wise to keep on good terms with. Lord Leytonstone, too, was not the man to compromise himself with the opposite sex. He was an elderly peer who had been fast in his youth, but had sobered down into a model of propriety. It was generally supposed that he was on the look out for a rich wife, his own fortune being in .1 very impoverished state. The real truth was that hU lordship was Suite a? much mystified a« the rest of the world [is matrimonial aspirations had induced him to make careful inquiries regarding the circumstances of Lady Blanche. He soon ascertained the extent of the income she derived from her late husband, and satisfied himself that she had no other visible means of subsistence. His experience caused him to disbelieve utterly in the alleged benevo lence of Madame Lebrauf. He was there fore even more puzzled than other people to account for Lady Blanche's apparent affluence. When he called at her house he noted with a watchful eyo the signs of com fort and luxury by which she was sur rounded. A man who is nursing a heavily mortgaged estate by practising the most rigid economy can quickly pei'ceive and appreciate lavish expenditure. As he sat sipping tea in the widow's cosy drawing room he came to the conclusion that her prosperity was real and substantial, and resolved that it might be worth while to cultivate her acquaintance. In accordance with this determination, Lord Leytonstone became a pretty frequent visitor at Park-street, keeping his eyes and ears open, but taking good care not to commit himself. The widow was evidently flattered by hi 3 attentions, but on her part she was hardly less cautious. Not a word or a hint did she let drop which might give him a clue to the secret he wished to fathom, and enable him to decide whether it would be prudent to make her an offer of marriage. One morning he called upon her unex pectedly with the offer of a friend's box at the ODera. As he entered he met a small, plump, brisk little person, at whom he cast an inquisitive glance as she passed him in the hall. Her veil waa down, but Lord Leytonstone caught a glimpse of a pair of very dark eyes which seemed familiar. " May I ask who the lady was I met in the hall as I came in ?" inquired his lordship -casually of Lady Blanche, when he had dis - charged his mission. "Was she small and dark? Itmusthave been Madame Leboeuf," answered the hostess. " Oh, the Madame Leboeuf, I suppose," ho remarked pleasantly, as he took up his hat.

" Yes ; the great Madame Leboeuf. She

■ came to consult me about my dress for the drawing-room. I am especially favoured, ;you see, for Leboeuf always calls upon me, whereas other people have to dance attend-

ance upon her," said Lady Blanche, with conscious pride. "Remarkably condescending of her," ob served Lord Leytonßtone, looking the widow straight in the face. "I've heard -she generally gives herself the airs of a ■wealthy dowager." " Oh, but it's gratitude, you know," said Lady Blanche rather quickly, as she turned aside from hia lordship's scrutinising gaze. "She used to be my maid, and those foreigners are always so dovotcd and warm hearted."

"Yes, very. Particularly middle-aged Frenchwomen," said his lordship dryily- Lady Blanche, who.was quick-tempered, seemed vexed at her visitor's tone; but be fore she could speak Lord Leytonstone had suddenly seized her hand, and was lifting it gravely to his lips.

" I will not be behind the Lebceuf in pay ing especial homage.' to Lady Blanche Dulcimer," he said jocosely, as "he bowed himself out of the room.

It was evident that Lord Leytonstone was in an unusually good humour. His stiff and pompous manner relaxed as he descended the stairs, and -wb/m he reached the street he began to twirl hie dyedl moustache and to hum a fragment of a French chansonette in an undertone.

"Gad !" he muttered to himself, break ing off in the midst of the refrain, " it makes one feel quite young again, and yet it must be twenty years ago at least. She wears well, la petite Ernestine." After another short burst of melody his lordship again commenced unconsciously to shape his thoughts into words. "I will call and pay my respects to Madame. I begin to suspect. that Lady Blanche is even a cleverer woman than I imagined, and, by gad! if my suspicions are correct, I will propose before I'm a day older." ..;'.-.

Lord Leytonstone's reflections kept him in pood spirits for the rest of the day, and it was observed at the club that- he was un commonly sprightly and lively. He did not take his customary hand at whist, lest it should make him late for dinner, as he had a particular engagement in the evening. He Baid he should probably look in at the opera later on, but soon after eight he started off in a hansom to an address in Bond-street, and was set down at the door of Madame Lebcuuf's atelier.

He was ushered into a handsomely furnishsd apartment on the first floor, where he amused himself by studying with com placence the reflection of his well-preserved face and figure in the numerous mirrors, until the door opened and a swarthy little lady, with a moustache and very dark eyes, bustled into the room.

"Milor Leytonstone?" she said inquir ingly, glancing-at the card she held in her hand, and stumbling over each syllable in the name.

" Ernestine !•" said his lordship, with a transparent attempt at sentiment. "Comment! Cest vous, Monsieur Bar ringham?" exclaimed Madame Lebceuf, quite calmly.

" I'es. We used to tu-toi one another upon a time, Madame, but that was when we were both younger," remarked his lord ship, pressing the plump hand which was extended to him.

" Were you not at Lady Blanche Dulci mer's to-day ?" inquired Madame Lebceuf, glancing at him curiously.

" Yes. I passed you in the hall as I entered," said his lordship. "I knew you again at once. That is more than you can say of me."

"I did not recognise you, Milor ; but I had forgotten that you were no longer young even when I knew you," returned Madame Leba-uf somewhat frankly.

" How's Lebceuf ?" inquired his lordship, with a grin, as he polished his eye-glass with his dainty silk handkerchief.

" He is dead," said Madame, pursing her lips.

'' Oh ! Indeed. Left you a fortune, I suppose? " remarked his lordship in an off hand way, as he continued his occupation. "That is my affair. It is no concern of yours," said Madame Leba'uf with startling directness.

"Of course not; but I may be permitted to congratulate you, Ernestine, said his lordship, setting his glass in his eye, and flushing up. " You seem to be in clover here. Lebceuf's luck must have changed indeed if he left you in a position to start & business like this. You are making a fortune, I hear? "

" Pas mal," responded Madame, with an angry shrug.

"Well, well. That is capital I rapital!" said his lordship in a more genial tone, as he glanced approvingly round the room. "I am delighted to hear so good an account." " You did not come here to pay compli ments, Milor," said Madame Lebceuf, evidently mollified.

"No, Madame. Frankly, I didn't," said his lordship, leaning back in his chair, and regarding her with an odd smile. "On the other hand, I am the very reverse of un friendly. Nothing is further from my in tention, for instance, than to make known to Lady Blanche, or to anyone else, certain little incidents in your career which are within my knowledge." " My customers nave no concern with my private affairs," said Madame Loboeuf, while her dark eyes flashed. " That is quite true. On the other hand, for your sake, I shouldn't like to tell what I know. However," added his lordship plea santly, "as I said before, nothing is further from my intention. To tell the truth, I called to ask a favour." " What favour ?" inquired Madame Lebceuf, looking slightly relieved, though she feigned supreme indifference. " A very trifling one. The fact is lam very much interested in Lady Blanche Dulcimer," said his lordship. " Oh ! Is that so ? " observed Madame

Lebceuf, glancing at him sharply. " Yes, that is bo," returned Lord Leyton stone, with a shade of embarrassment. " Her—her husband was a friend of mine. To come to the point, I want to know the meaning of the mystery." " Quel mystere ? ". . "Gome, you know what I mean, Ernes tine ! Where docs the money come from ? She'pretends you supply~'her with fine dresses out of gratitude,, but that I flatly decline to "believe, having the honour of your acquaintance," said his lordship,, be coming suddenly brisk and matter, of fact. "That ismyaecret. ..There is nothing to tell," said Madame, rather enigmatically. "Well, there isn't much, because I'm protby sure I've guessed it; butl.wantto make quite certain," said his lordship. "Why, what does it matter to you, Milor ?" demanded Madame Lebceuf, sink ing her voice. •'You were always curious, Ernestine. Supposing I were to whisper in confidence that I contemplate marriage?" said his lordship, stroking' his moustache.' . "With' Lady Blanche Dulcimer ?" "That depends," returned hia lordship, meaningly. .. " In that cnse everything explains itself," said Madame Lebceuf. "How much will you give me if I tell you?" "Pshawl You 'see I have already : guessed." ■ • :

"Yon may suspect, but that is nothing. You want to know more. You want figures," saUJ Madame Lebceuf, With con viction.' !:■-'■ - ' i

" Well, yes. It comes to that, after alb" said his lordship, after 'a thoughtful pause. " You «re quite rights Ernestine. lam in your hands. • Name your price," ---"A thousand pounds." "It is extravagant, but I won't haggle with you, Ernestine," said his lordship. " I will Bay a thousand, payable six months after my marriage with Lady Blanche, if it takes t>lace. Will that suit you ?" " That will do."

" Very wall then. It's a bargain." " One moment, Milor. I will take your note of hand," said Madame Leboeuf, unlock ing a drawer in the table and producing a stamped slip of blue paper in a very busi ness-like manner.'

" Hullo 1 Is this a sample, of your stock in-trade, Ernestine?" exclaimed his lordship, laughing, as Madame placed the stamped paper, with a pen and ink, enticingly before him. ..... .

" Bah ! You are not so simple as tobelieve that ladies only come to me for dresses," said Madame Lebceuf contemptuously. His lordship was tickled by the remark and Madame's manner of uttering it, and he paused with the pen in his hand to laugh good-humouredly. Then he squared his elbows and wrote a few lines on the slip of blue paper, to which he affixed his lordly signature, while Madame looked ever his shoulder approvingly.

" VVell ?" he said presently, after carefully blotting the document and handing it to Madame Leboeuf.

The same evening Lord Leytonstone pro posed to Lady Blanche Dulcimer, and they were married three month later. Everyone was amazed at so prudent a man choosing a wife with no fortune, and who must have been head over ears in debt to Madame Lebceuf into the bargain ; but then nobody suspected that Lady Blanche had invested the money »he received at her husband's death in starting a fashionable millinery and dressmaking business. It would indeed have caused a sensation had it ever tran spired that MadameLebceuf was simply Lady Blanche's agent. The little Frenchwoman had th'i reputation of being the hardest woman of business and the most relentless creditor that could be imagined, while her money-lending transactions were marked by rapacity and unscrupulousness. A nice scandal would have arisen had it become known that Lady Blanche personally di rected and supervied all Madame Lebcuuf's operations while acting as tout among her unsuspecting friends. But, fortunately for her, no one but her husband had any idea of the truth, and as Madame Lebreuf's busi ness brought in £10,000 a year, he was more than reconciled to his wife's enterprise.

Two Sea Stories.

For good nature and solid enjoyment of the voyage, nobody held a candle to our fellow passenger, the Yankee skipper. He was a large, plain, quiet Bostonian, as close as an oyster about himself, but giving token of be longing to the old-fashioned race of New England sea-captains. His trousers had a sedentary gag at the knee in harmony with the tried and true, stoady-going air of his general makeup. He was the kind of man you would like to have with you if you were to be cast away at sea or lost in a wilderness. If a whale spouted within our dreary disc like world of water, he was sure to see it. No sail could dawn on our horizen unseen by his binocular. It encouraged early rising to know that the Yankee skipper would be found on deck with his gazette of ship's transactions and sea-happenings. Tobacco was his enemj", so we were a little surprised one evening to see him enter the blue at mosphereof thestnoking-room where we were holding our usual after-dinner syxnposium. When anecdote and story had been the round, the skipper "took the floor" by a glance round the benches. " Way back in 1850," he began, "I was six months sailing from New York to 'Frisco. Rounding the Horn, we fell in with the deadest calm I ever experienced. In the morning we sighted an albatross a little way off, as badly be calmed as we were, except that she could paddle, while we couldn't make much head way sculling a full rigger. We gave chase in the yawl, and caught the bird after a hard tussle ; for, you ccc, she couldn't rise from the water without a breeze to help herapread her wings, and those wings on starboard measure fifteen feet from tip to tip. Besides, her crop was full, and maybe she'dswallowed too much ballast for sky sailing. We took a strip of sheet copper, and with a marline spike punctured in it the name of the ship and the date of capture. This we fastened round the bird's neck. When we got a breeze, we first made sail and then gave the albatross a chance to spread canvas. With a scream she flew off a little way, circled once or twice around the ship, and then eet her rudder for the North Pole. That bird was caught again, twenty-fivehundredmiles from Cape Horn, and carried into Callao. And I'll tell you how I know it. At Calloa the captain of that ship wrote a letter to a New York newspaper, describing thecapture of the albatross and the writing on the copper collar. My wife saw the paper, and in that way got news of our ship six months bofore my own letter reached her."

Silence followed the recital, until some body expressed a regret that there were only two " marines" in the company to tell it to. " Pshaw !" exclaimed the. skipper, a deeper colour suffusing his face ; " it's true, every word of it." By way of amends, a loud call was made for the elder marine's whaling story, which always gains a good deal from the tar and tarpaulian manner in which it is told.

" You must fancy I'm Mr Jones," he said, " a whaler's mate, spinning yarn for mess mates.' He shifts his' quid and begins :We wuzallfeelin'sort p'grumpy, for tharhadn't been no kind o' luck, when the lookout cries, 'Theer she blows !'—so I goes up to Cap'n Simmons an' sez 1, ' Cap'n Simmons; sh's a blower ; shall I lower?' .■.■..,

" Sez ho : J Mr Jones, she maybe ablower, but I don't see fitten fur tv lower.,'

"Then I goes forrud, and the man aloft sings out agin. ' Theershe blows ! —an' she's a spertner !■' So I goes agin to Cap'nSimmons an' sez I, ' Cap'n Simmons, she's a spanner an' a blower ; shall I lower?

"Sez he: ' Mr Jones, she may be a sper mer an' she may be a blower, but I don't see fitten fur tv lower; but if so be you seefitten fur to lower, w'y lower away an'be 'tarnally dashed tv yer.'

"So I lowered away, an' when we come to about fifty yard o' the critter sez I, ' Hold on, boys, fur I'm death with the long har poon !' An' I struck her fair, an' we towed her alongside the ship; an' when I came aboard, Cap'n Simmons stood in the gang way, an' sez he, ' Mr Jones you air an' officer an' a gentleman, an' there's rum and tor backer in the locker-^n' that of the very, best quality—at yer aarvice, sir, durin' this voyage.' " Then sez I, ' Cap'n Simmons, I'm a man as knows his dooty and does it, an' all I axes of you is sarvility—an' that of the common est, doggoned kind !'"—'i The Century."

HURRAH FOR THE MAN WHO PAYS!

There are men of brains who count their sains By the million dollars or more • Theybuy and sell, and really do well On tho money of the poor. They manage to get quite deep In debt By various crooked ways; And so we say that the man to-day Is the honest man who pays. When in the town he never sneaka down Some alley or way-back streot: With head eroct he will nover dbflect. But boldly each man will meet. He counts the cost before he is lest In debt s mysterious maze. And he never buys in mannerjinwise. But calls for his bills and pays. There's a certain air of debonnair In the man who buys for cash; He is not afraid of being betrayed .By a jack-log shyster's flush. What ho says to you he will certainly, do. If if s cash or thirty days; ■■. . . ... And when he- goes out, the olorks will shont, Hurrah for tne man who pays! Dick Steels.

STAB SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT, MARGH 15, 1884

7



mESTIMONIALS TO « TJRETT'B COLONISTS' /~1 UIDE JJBBTT'B COLONISTS' VJTUIDE AND /-IYCLOP.3SDIA OF TTSEFUL OF U SEFUL KNOWLEDGE » NOWLEDGE, BEING A COMPENDIUM OF INFORMATION BY PRACTICAL COLONISTS UPON FARMING, HORTICULTURE, AND ALL SUBJECTS OF INTEREST TO NEW ZEALAND SETTLERS. Edited by Thomson W. Leys. The publisher has much pleasure in acknow ledging receipt of the following testimonials from well-known agriculturalists and other practical colonists on the value of the above work:— The following letter is from Mb James Wal [ lace. Hillside, Papatoitoi. As one of the most practical and successful settlers in the Auckland district, bis opinion is of great value. "Sir,—l have looked forward with a con siderable degree of interest to the publication of Bbett's Colonists' Guide, and can now say that it has far exceeded my expectations. Hardly a day passes without my finding some thing in its pages both interesting and instruc tive. It is a book that should be in every settler's house in the colony. The portion devoted to farming is full of reliable informa tion, and I have no hesitation in saying that it is the most comprehensive and useful guide for a New Zealand colonist ever published." From Sm George Grey, K.C.B.—" My dear Sir, —I have kept in constant use for upwards of two months the copy of Brett's Colonists' Guide and Cyclopedia- op Useful Know ledge, which you were good enough to send me. I have tested it in many ways upon a great variety of useful subjects, and am satisfied that it is by far the best work of the kind I have ever seen. I feel that its merits and usefulness in re lation to all practical subjects, on which a settler's comfort and success depend, render it a necessary appendage to every home in New Zea land. — Faithfully yours, G. Grey. — Kawau, January 7th, 18&t" Mb John Wallace, of Bothwell Park, Waiuku (formerly of Flat Bush), who is one of our earliest settlers, and has been for many years closely connected with every effort to pro mote the agricultural interests of the Auckland district, writes as follows :— " Dear Snt,—l have much pleasure in adding my mite in warm commendation of Brbtt's Colonists' Guide. It is a book that should be, not only in every farmer's library, but should also be on every colonist's book-shelf, no matter in what line of colonial industry he or she may be engaged. There is information for all. In looking back over a perod of 41 years' of hard colo nial work how much valuable time and money might have been saved if at the beginning such a fund of information had been available to guide us as is now within the reach of all in the shape of Brett's Guide. Colonists, who desire to be worthy of the name, should not, from its ele gant appearance or the quality of the material, make it a drawing - room book, to be looked at and admired as one would a picture or a curio; they should have it on the mantle-shelf, the sofa, or the corner of the table; in fact, anywhere so that the eye of Father, Mother, Johnny, and Jenny, and even the helps, may have a chance of look ing at it daring spare minutes in the heat of summer or the inclemency of winter. Mr Brett has shown pluck in bringing out such a book, has been exceedingly fortunate in the selection of his contributors, and I sincerely hope it will prove a financial success." Mr George Holdship, Managing Director of the Auckland Timber Company, and a practical colonist of long experience, writes:— "Sir,—l have looked over your Settlers' Guide, and consider it one of the most useful and valuable books for the New Zealand settler ever published. The information is so varied, and the advice so practical. A Bingle paragraph will often be found worth more than the cost of the book. Mb T. W. Hickson, Estate Agent, Auck land, has contributed the following:— "I have much pleasure in stating that, having carefully examined into Brett's Colonists' Guide, I have no hesitation in saying I consider it good value for the price asked for it, in fact, worth ten and twenty times the money to almost anyone engaged in rural industries." From a Pukekohc Settler. Pnkekohe, December 1,1883. "Dear Sib,—l have recently been presented jy a friend of mine with a copy of your valuable work, The Colonists' Guide. It contains well written articles on nearly every subjeot of interest to the settler, except religion, with which it does not meddle. Those articles are evidently written by practical men, and contain the result of much experience in a compact and readable form. Thus we have descriptions of the best breeds of Horses, Cattle, Sheep. Poultry, etc., etc., for this part of the world ; and thereis also a well-made digest of such laws of New Zealand as are of special interest to tho ordinary settlor; indeed, the book is a real Vade Mecum, and should be in the possession of every settler In the Colony. — Yours respectfully, W. H. Madill." "Dear Sir,—Having subscribed for Brett's Colonists' Guide, I beg to say that I am very pleased with it The amount of practical infor mation contained in it is invaluable, and I con sider it tho best 30s worth yet offered to the New Zealand Public No settler or business man should be without it. I think public opinion will Bay that yon have conferred a boon on the colony by your spirited effort. Thanking yon personally, and wishing the publication every success, I am, Sir, yours truly, Noah Wood." • . Consul Griffin writes as follows with re ference to this work. As a gentleman ofexten- Sive literary acquirements, and acquainted with the valuable library of practical works for which we are indebted to &c United States, his opinion is noteworthy :— "The book is the most valuable work of the Una published in the Colonies. I have read every chapter in it with attention and pleasure. The extent, variety, and accuracy of its infor mation are extraordinary., » K» what tt«u to be, a Cyclopaedia of Universal Knowledge. The insight that it gives into the most approved methods of agriculture, tße management of live stock, tho dalry-in faot everything pertaining to farming operations—commend it to everyone StoSstefffSl prosperity of the colony. The editor has displayed most excellent taste and judgment! All his ideas are eminently broad and praoUcaL The arrangement of the subjeot mattorU simply admirable. I am especially Dleaaea with the articles on vinery, flax, fruit, andhop culture. The abstract of the local Government and land laws of this oolony is tho nVoatsnccfiict and intelligible that has come S^der mi^obßCTvation, whilst the priyting. binding, ana illustrations of tho work aro superb.'' SUMMARY OP CONTENTS: The "COLONISTS 1 GUIDE AND CYCLO PEDIA OF USKFUL. KNOWLEDGE "con tains 830 pages, and is profusely illustrated with engravings, comprises sections on:—



THE FARM, by Tbohas Aixen : Directions for Buah and Fern Land; Growth of vari ous Cereal and Root Crops; Management of Cattio, Sheep, and Horses, with Cure of their Diseases, etc., etc. This section, which contains 217 closely, printed pages, with many diagrams and illustrations, including specimens of the best pure-bred horses,sheep, and cattle, together with selections from the Stud and Pedigree Stock Company's thoroughbred stock, comprises the carefully collated experience of some of the most successful Auckland and Canterbury Farmers. HORTICULTURE. BY W. Goldie: In this1 section, which covers 106 pages, with numer ous illustrations, special attention is paid to the management of Fruit Trees, with such Bimple directions and diagrams for Pruning, Grafting, Budding, etc., that any settler, without iprevious knowledge or skill, caa manage his orchard profitably. POULTRY, by Thomas Aixen : Thiß section, comprising 14 pages, gives specimens of the best varieties of Poultry, with directions for their Management, Designs of Fowl-houses, Treatment of Diseases, etc USEFUL MECHANICAL CONTRIVANCES. 34 Pages: Under this heading have been, classed a variety of contrivances, which, will be found useful to the settler; hints and helps for the bush; cheese presses; carts, fences, gates, measuring and splitting tim ber, measnring garments, erecting walla and banks, windmills, &c, &c. ; PRESERVING AND STORING, SC Page*: Includes the best methods of storing, drying, bottling, canning, and preserving froit; tha most approved modes of curing bacon and bams, with design for smoke-house; instruc tions for pickling, sauces, vinegar-making, &c. &c. INSECTS. AND AGRICULTURAL ENE MIES, by Capt. Broun: In this section. Captain Broun, the well-known New Zea land entomologist, supplies the results of years of observation upon native and im ported insecl3, useful and injurious, with fllustrations of the same, and directions for destroying garden and orchard pests. , SCIENTIFIC BEE CULTURE, by J. Hop kins This interesting department has been fully and skilfully treated by Mr Hop- kins, of Matamata, whose works on the Bubject are well known throughout New Zealand. WINE-GROWING AND MANUFACTURE, Practical Arboriculture, Tobacco Culture, Hop Growing and Silkworm Rearing, with Cultivation of Olives, Tea, Sec., are each exhaustively treated. THE FAMILY DOCTOR, by Dr. Knight and Mb. ;.T. A. Pond, of Auckland, comprises Treatises on both Allopathic and Homoeo pathic systems, compiled with special regard to Country Settlers. To it is appended a MAORI PHARMACOPOEIA, giving the medicinal properties of New Zealand Bush Trees and Plants. COTTAGE COOKERY AND FOODS, covering 120 pages, is a complete Treatise on Cookery, according to the best methods, and com prises some thousands of easy receipts for tasty dishes, without the flummery of ordi nary Cookery Books. HOUSEHOLD HINTS extend the information in the Cookery Books with many usefu directions on Household Management. COTTAGES FOR SETTLERS: Four designs of Useful Cottages, with plans and detailed Estimates, are given, so that the settler can. simply copy the specification and send to the mill and procure the complete material for the erection of his house. ALES, WINES AND SYRUPS, PAINTING, TANNING. SOAP-MAKING, and HINTS FOR PROSPECTORS, form separate sec tions, containing a large amount of Valuable o Information. LEGAL MEMORANDA, prepared by MR Thomas Cottek, Auckland City Solicitor, giving a digest of all the laws which It ia imperative for a settler to know, including Fencing Act, Scab in Sheep Act, Timber Floatage, Roads, etc., etc. The above recapitulation only enumerates the General Heads indicating the scope of the work. It is the largest Book ever published in Austral asia, is Handsomely Bound in Cloth, and published at an exceedingly (Low Price, for a Cyclopaedia of this description — namely. TWENTY SHILLINGS (20s). IJenry Brett, WYNDHAM - STREET. PUBLISHER A UCKIAKD HOSPITAL. COMMITTEE: Elkcted : Appointed : J. M. Clark, Esq. * Hon. CoL Haultain J. C. Firth, EsqJ W.C.Kensineton.Esq.. Thomas Peacock, Esq.. Arthur Bull. Esa. M.H.R. Sydnoy Dundo, Esq. E. A. Mackeohnie, Esq. (Chairman) Applications for admission by persons suffer ing from diseases and requiring medical treat ment will be received at the Hospital on any day between the hours of 9a.m. and 10 a.m. - In cases of accident or cmorgency, patients will bo received into the Hospital without delay, beds being kept ready for urgent cases. * ' Patients able to do so will be req\iired to pay for their support at the Hospital according to their position and circumstances. Subscriptions will be thankfully received by any member of the Committee and by the under,' signe . HN_ G A.RLAND, Secretary, Wyndhani-streefc. BOYS' VELOCIPEDES, 22«; PERAMIiULATOKS. 16s; INVALID CARRIAGES, all kinds (Wholeoalß and Retail): BAR.V SLKKI'ING C.VKHIAGES: Also, BICYCLES (best KnirtHl. make). Ri»"K> INrt IIORSKS. .To. K.ANDE Hr* O > IMHUAMATT.V-STltKre'i1 J " v >f AWinU-'i Four P--1 COUSINS AND ATKIN,. COACH BUILDERS, Elliott and Albert-streets, Have In Stock- Double and Single-seated Buggies, Hooded, Phtetons, Vis-a-vis, Waggonettes. Dog Carts, Second-hand Phaetonii and Buggies. Also, Many Thousands Seasoned Finished Spoke*. th» Best Stock in Auckland. TTNION OIL, SOAP, AND CAITOEJ* U COMPANY (LIMITED*. MANUFACTURERS OF COMMON ANB TOILET SOAPS. ____ CANDUES, PEANUT. AND OTHER ' LUBRICATING OILS. Soap and Candle Works; P-uoneu. Oil WorkS! CUSTOMS-STRXET WBS*. .._^__ warehouse and Offices t IjOwkb Almmww BTBZKT. Cash Purchasers of XUUMHf• Deliver? taken at their ParneU Work* ad Warehouse. . , , . ■. **•"