RANDOM SHOTS.

[lit .Zamio.]

-■tama write, a rieißltbour's name to lash, I fiSmo write-vam thought l-for needful cash, * some write to plcasethe ooun**^. Form..anaimlnever T fash- rftin>

"His Sorene Highness the Prince of Monaco has been pleased to confer upon "our distinguished fellow-townsman, Herr yon Squash, the Imperial Order of Cavalier Servente. This mark of appre ciation oi the eminent talents of Hen- Squash will be presented publicly at an early date." This is tbe latest shape in which the ridiculous Wing for notoriety »nd childish vanity seek to tickle the groundlings and excite an insatiablo envy and everlasting mortification in those less blest. Was it not enough that ■we had the C.M.G. before which to bow down in humility ? is it to bo the urWy fato of this alllicted community that the twopenny decorations which potty princes and inconsequential societies shower like autumn leaves in return for a dedication or on receipt of some more substantial con sideration to their not very princely incomes, shall become objects of worship ? If so, a lack-a-day for thissnob-breeding democracy. Sometimeagolquoted from that clever book, "John Bull and his Island," a satire upon the Continental love of bits of ribbon. The author, however, adds that so universal is the contempt for theso things in England that those who possess them avoid ridicule by keeping tho baubles quietly locked up in their drawers. If this were the testi mony of an Englishman, it might be set down to national prejudice ; but ib is the statement of a Frenchman who is not prone to turn a blind eye upon John Bull's faults, but who was honest enough to commend English common-sense In laughing out of countenance men who ask homago for decorations that rather less worthy of respect than the insignia of Templary lately conferred in state upon King Tawhiao.

A writer, describing the Medical Congress lately held at Copenhagen, at which 2,000 medical men were present, says:—Look ing over the assembly of the first meeting, and at the great dinners, and at the supper at the Royal' Palace, the English and American section was at once recognised by the absence of medals and decorations. Some of the Germans, Esmarch and Volck ttan especially, were covered with crosses, ribands and medals. Virohow alone among his countrymen was ires distingue in the complete absence of anything of the kind. Two or throe Englishmen wore some foreign decorations.and one Yorkshiroman attracted much notice by a very unique order, which, on inquiry, proved to bo that of President of the Leeds Bicycle Club.

"Cavalier" has quite a grandiloquent sound, hut Byron tells ns that the duties of certain members hearing that magnificent title filloffioes the reverse of aristocratic— •y Coaches, servants, gondola, he goes to call. And oarrles fur and tippet, glovos and shawl. The Cavalier Servente' follows the not very* noble calling of attending on "my lady." The word knight had no higher origin- Knight is Saxon for boy, transformable into •"servant," the uses to which boys wero usually put in those days.

As an antidote for this morbid craving after titular distinctions, it is refreshing to light upon simplicity of address applied to a man of recognised eminence. Tho Presi dent of the United States is the ruler of fifty millions of people. His authority and patronage stand second only to those of the Czar of Russia. In a letter from the Attor ney-General to his chief I find this powerful potentate addressed, not as " Your Serene Highness," or "your Majesty;" not even as "Your Excellency," the title which we give to our Governors and Foreign Ambassadors; not the " Your Grace "of Archbishops and "My Lord" of lesser episcopal rulers; nay, "Your Wor ship," the cherished property of municipal magnates, is] denied him. The letter runs simply : " To the President of tbe United States: Sir,—" Why, the presiding genius of a local debating society could go one on that; and yet there aro people foolish enough to believe that it needs more brains to hold the office of President of the United States than are ordinarily found beneath the Imperial Crowns of Russia.

If I were a sailor and superstitious, which, thank the stars, I am not, I should as soon think of going to sea in a :" coffin as signing articles' for the Triumph, despite her sohd iron sides, which have stood a strain that would have knocked a loss solid hull into old scrap iron. Bad ■ Inok dogs her. The stranding at Tiri was only the beginning of her catalogue of mis iortHnes. Her repairs in dock wero fatal to two of the unfortunate workmen, and now her baptism as an Auckland steamer has been sealed in blood. How comforting in view of each a record to know from those all-wise beings who can prove to their own entire satisfaction that men and flies are the common offspring of a distant grandparent, that there is no such thing as T'luck," that everything goes by a general . average of ohances. Reckoned by this rule, Hfljtho Triumph ought to prove an un- I safe vessel. She has exhausted her highest possible average of ill-luck, and the balance remaining must, one may suppose, be a record of unmitigated good. XXX

Mortuis nil nisi bonum is a good old proverb that has descended to ns with the learning of the ancients, and the mandate it contains is universally obeyed by persons of good taste and ordinary refinement of feeling. "Zamiei" does aot believe in the eiokemng adulation of the sinful dej«rted that is co common in this model city of ours ; buteyon that is preferable to unkind ond spiteful references to the travellers who have crossed the bourne from which no traveller returns. A reflection similar to the foregoing passed through "Zamiel's" mind as, last Sunday evening, he sat in a city church and heard the pastor uso the sad occurrence at the Triumph excursion for the purpose of "pointing a moral" about the evils of the abuse of wtordcants. *' The women had been drinking," said this shining light, " and one of them staggered to a hatchway, and fallingdown, waskilled." Uow, had this "been true, " Zamiei" main tains that the- allusion was a piece of gratuitous cruelty to the relatives of the un fortunate decoased, quite unnecessary, quite uncalled-for, and utterly unjustifiable. But when it transpires from the evidence given at the inquest that there is good reason to doubt that the woman was in a state of intoxication when a false step hurled her into eternity, can words be found strong enough to denounce the con duct of this exponent of Christianity? Shame on him, say I.

The following conversation is said to hiWiO taken place between two lads of the larrikin class, near St. Patrick's Cathedral:—No. 1, ** Say, Bill, that's a bloomin' high steeple." No. 2 (deprecating), "Well, now, not so blooming." No I (irate at the modified ad miration of his chum), "Not so bloomin' be Mowed I You never saw a bloominer."

Is the " age of miracles " past, as curtain orthodox divines would have us believe. Or is it only bursting on us in its fulness, according to New Testament promise ? _ Is the present a time of superftbounding scepticism, gross materialism, and scientific certitude? Or are we still sunk in the depths of dark superstition, weak credi bility, and blind ignorance ? It is e»sy for the unthinking and the frivolous to treat these questions as conundrums, and " give them up ;" but serious people like you and J dear reader, are impelled to probe into the spirit of the times, and press for an answer to tho queries propounded. This broad question is not bo easily disposed of: Is this nineteenth century of ours better or worse than its predecessors in she matters of general enlightenment, keenness of mental power, and freedom from fntel lectual bondages? Verily, I believe if we could divest ourselves ef all amour propre for a single hour while we took a dis passionate view of the past and the present, the verdict wonld be that superstition and ignorance havo not ceased to exist, but have simp'.y changed their form. Like Shelley's cloud, "they change, but they cannot die '," at least, they aro not dead yet. I don't want to raise a controversy as to the eternity of evil, but appearances tend to . support the conclusion that superstition is ' an entity—a something " which having '.been, mast ever be," and the scientific '~ doctrine oi the indestructibility of matter ."'• ' ibeing granted true, it would be demon strated that superstition must survive E (through all the mutations of matter and developments of higher forms. But let me eet'from the abstract to the concrete—from ' I itho clouds to terra firma, or there is no;say ing where I may land. -i Bfvd W?.'bb<:-b ■■■'■..-*. *'x '' * ' f""•' '' "Well.Mr Milner Stephen, " the Groat Augf^jiUn Healer," is in our midst, and I jus pretensions are so vast that they _B_te.&_i

deserve even a moro imposing preamble than that given abovo. There is no uso of mincing matters. Either Mr Milner Stephen deserves to rank side by side with tho Great Physician, or ho must bo branded as a most consummate quack, who adds blasphemy to his horrible im posturo. " Zamiei " frankly declares his inability, from the information ho possesses, to decide in which cetegory our " Austral ian Healer " shonld be placed. The pub lished records ot his " cures" show his powers to be at least equal to those of Christ in treating the sick* and infirm. The lamo by him are mad. to " leap exulting like the bounding roe," the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the dumb to speak, the paralytic to rejoice once more in the use of their laculties. And all these remarkable cures are effected by tho simple means of touching with the hand, breathing on tho affected part, and even occasionally by the word of command. Against theso cures thero aro various fail ures alleged; and ns I understand it, Mr Stephen does not deny that ho, like tho apostles of old, is occasionally worsted in his attempt to " cast out dovils." But if even one of his cures bo real, then I say tho age of miracles is not past, for men of science aro face to faco with an unexplained pheno menon, tho past records of which they havo hithorto dismissed with tho unthinking or cynical remark—" Oh, that was a miraclo !" X X

If a belief in the miraculous is, as some allege, a proof of ignorance and superstition, then the present ago is not one whit further advanced than the darkest of tho dark ages in that respect. There are millions of be lievers in the " new superstition " of Spirit ualism, thousands of whom are prepared to testify to more} wonderful things than tho Old or .New Testament contains. In America thero are hundreds of " healers " of the Milner Stephen typo, with their millions of patients. Even in _ Aus tralia there is moro than one claimant to the "gift of healing," An Ade laide clergyman named Woods caused some stir lately by professing to cure diseases by " tho laying on of hands," and the Key. Mr Dowie, a Victorian clergyman, is a moro recent inheritor of the gift. Tho latter gentleman is an exponent of tho " faith cure," and gives directions for tho casting out of devils. At tho close of his " mission " in Ballarat, a lady informed the meeting that sho had suffered for years, and at last she had recourse to prayor, when sudclonly sho felt a whirlwind sensation in iier chest, and eventually fancied it (the evil spirit) issued through her eyes. Sinco then she bad enjoyed perfect health. Whilo the testimonies wore being given, exclamations such as "Praise the Lord," "Hallelujah," &c, were uttered by those on the platform and in tho hall. Mr Dowle in making a few remarks towards the close of his meet ing, said he did not himself cure tho afflicted ; lie was only a mere agent. It was the Lord who cured. Tho rov. gentle man than asked those who believed in tho eradication of disease by faith and holiness to put up their hands. The audience con sisted of about 400 persons, and all appa rently testified then* belief in tho way re quested.

Many people laugh at the idea of de moniac possession, and spoak pityingly of the belief in witchcraft which our great grandfathers entertained j but evidently there are still many who have a firm faith in a personal devil or legion of devils, and in their power for mischief. Luther had a hand-to-hand encounter with the old gentle man, and as for witchcraft,. Lord Bacon firmly believed in it, as did John Wesley — the latter, indeed, arguing that it was in consistent with Christianity not to bolievo in it. The Salvation Army are the modern exponents of tho " doctrino of dovils," and their belief in tho personality of the foul fiend is as real as was that of the great Reformer. It was said of a celebrated English judge that in ono of his decisions he "abolished hell, with costs;" it would be more satisfactory if the landlord of that sultry region could be abolished, with or without costs, once for all. There is irreverence, perhaps, in that question of Man Friday—"Why does not God kill the devil J" but then there is something moro besides : there is a suggestion of what most good men believe in—the final triumph of righteousness, the hopo that "somehow good will be the final goal of ill," in spite of the doctrine of the eternity of matter. But I think that the existence of Spiritual ism, Salvationism, magnetic healers, and faith healers, is proof positive that this consummation £s not yet attained. Who can affirm that these are not means to the desired ond? Who shall say that the intelligence of this day would do right to ignore these " signs and wonders ?" Can it be well for ono half of tho community to take refuge in the weak cry of " Miracle !" while the other and more culpable half indulge in tho sillier cry of "Humbug?" No, a thousand times; these are matters of deep moment, and they should beapproached with earnestness. Auckland has a society for Psychical Research ; she has Mr Milner Stephen, now on a visit; lot her show an example of the true philo sophic instinct by entering upon the consideration of these questions with minds open for tho reception of truth, yet keen to detect error. Let thinking men do what they can to remove these subjects from the region of miracle and superstition into that of ascertained facts, for only by that means can ignorance be dispelled and the myths and fables of the dark past be blotted out for ever. That is the true exorism ; if Mr Dowie or Mr Milner Stephen can cast out those "devils" they would earn the thanks of the world by doiv-g so.

" Zamiei" has heard of manages de con venance, of morganatic or left-hand mar riages, of Gretna Green marriages, of mar riages with a rush ring, of marriages a la mode, of. JJeai/en-made and Hannaford- made anions of hearts ; but not until this week had he heard of a new kind of nuptial ceremony which may bedescribod as " mar riage ala bride-cake." The gossips of Karangahape distHct have been making a nine-days' wonderot the event, and of course, full particulars have reached the ears of the übiquitous observer and faithful recorder whose name is superscribed to these effusions. Jn Karangahape dwelt a fair ; and frisky vt'uk>w,petiie in form, charming in manners, and young in yeafg; and of course, it goes without saying that she had many admirers. A small but interesting family formed, however, a bugbear to her youth ful " flames," who had a natural horror to a ready-made family, and for a long time it seemed as if no eligible suitor could be found to end hor single misery. But the other week a lover appeared on the scene, and laid siege in earnest to the widow's heart, and she like the rest of her sex, " vowing she would no'er consent, con sented." Soon it was noised abroad that they were to bo married, and a fow days ago the lady astonished somo of her in timate friends by presenting them with bits of bride-cake. The ceremony, she said, hud been very quietly and privately conducted, and sho and her husband wero Very happy, See., lee.

But human nature is suspicious, and very soon some officious friend had forreted on,, the information that the bridegroom had ipjioiijor wifo, who was still alive, but judicially separated from him—the arrival of that lady fio^i Dunedin placing the fact beyond quostjao. Then some other kind friend took th,e trouble to go to the office of the Registrar .of Births^Deatbs, and Marriages, when a few inquiries elicited the astounding knowledge that the marriage (if there had been one), though it might fos registered in Heaven, was certainly not so recorded on earth. Diligent search and delicntequest ioning as tothename of the par son who officiated on theoecasionfailedtogive any substantial confiVmo&on to the sup positious marriage. Of couisa, if tho first wife is still alive, it discloses un escellfint reason why the second marriage should not just be a regular ona; and, "■ not to put too fino a point upon it," the gossips are firmly conyiiiftod that the sole and wholo oevcinony consisted!*, thedujtribu tion ofthebride.-cake. There was an old Scottish form of marriage, to which I may be allowed to refer, which consisted of the brido and bridegroom stirring together with their forefingers some oatmeal in a bowl of water, which ceremony was held sacred and binding; but Mrsfij-undy will tell us that that was a barbarous custom, ss 1 bow te her decision and 10 • commend my readers to stick to marriago a la motlt, which, while not omitting the bride-cake, has also a parson, lovely brides- ] maids, "postillions and white favours," j and other pretty extravngaitoe.. thrown into the bargain.

Speaking of marriage reminds mo that I failed to supply my readers with tho sequel to a lively scandal to which I referred somo months ago. A Queen-street hotelkeepor had been threatened with social and financial ruin —it having transpired that a. wife whom he had left years ago in "bonnie Bcotlsnd " was being gent for to break in on his dream of illicit bliss, while a wronged husbandhcre, whose wifo bad been seduced'from her allegiance by theblandlshrnonts of mine hoet, was pro vidinjrthe sinews;of war for the expose, urged thereto by the prospect of dropping into the hotel business when, as was c*ilciT-: lated, the publican and sinner would havo done the Pacific slope,/- But the power of

money has overcome that of hate. The erring publican was wise in his generation, and having adroitly opened negotiations, with tho enemy, ho contrived to mollify him, nnd by paying a sum of L2OO, induced him to abandon his revengeful in tentions. So all is peaco, anil Mrs Grundy in this caso winks very hard and says nothing ; for it is a commercial transaction with which our censor does not meddle, and besides, ono tlocs not expect a publican to bo a paragon of morality.

I have recoived tho following:— " Dear Zamiei, —Your remarks anent tho abrupt departure of certain choristers from a well-known and fashionable suburban church of this city were woll timod, and have already borne fruit, Last Sunday only one made an exit before the service was ended, and even that one waited until the sermon was finished, only giving the collection best. Lot tho culprit beware 1 Perpend, I will a tale unfold anent the awful consequences of such depravity. They manage thoso things differently in Scotland—as witness tho following quaint story ;—' I hear from LadyJllenrictt Campbell, who was present at a communion at Jetldart somo years be fore M: Gabriel Semple's death, that either on the fast day, or Saturday, thoro were three gentlemen, cither in the parish or " noturoly knowen thereabout," who roso in tho timo of tho last sormon, and with their servants went out of church cither to some fair or some race not far oil. After sermon Mr Simple roso to givo the ordinary advertisements, ho began with taking notice of this, and said he had re marked three gentlemen riso in timo of sermon, and contemptuously and boldly leavo God's service—to go to a fair or race as ho supposed; but said, ' It's borne in upon me, and I am persuaded of it, the Lord will not suffer them to go oft time without somo remarkable judgmont.' This pereniptori ness did much surprise Lady Henriett, and within somo few months My Lord Lothian writing signified to hor that ono of these gentlemen was found in his room (if I for get not) with his throat cut; a second being drunk,fell oil'his horse and broko his nock ; and somo while after sho heard tho third had died somo violent death.' "

Tho origin of tho term "sweat'em," which causod so much nniusemont iv tho Polico Court on Wednesday, must uot be credited to its oolonial representative, the sturdy nnd self-sufficient Evans, tho Welsh man. I remember tho sensation caused somo years ago in the Minorles by a different application of "sweat'sin" by certain shrewd, dark-oyed men; but in that memorable instance, the term meant sweat ing sovereigns, and not mon aceordiug to the Evnnsic system. Tho Minories' mode was sweating tho Queen's sovereigns, and by this means defacing tho Imago of Her It.ajes.y, and making thereby an unlawful profit. But hero, on the virgin sward of Ellorslio, the in.ro modern style has beon adopted by sharpers at chance. It was a sight to be remembered, that oommanding figure of a full-blown detective before the bench in tho act of explaining and illus trating the fascinating game of "sweat'on}," evolving its mysteries with mathematical precision and eloquent clearness of speech ; and then, to turn from the honest face of the officer of justice to the sad countenance of the nervous listener, whq .corned to feel with Othello " his occupation gono."

I have in my mind's eye a clear view of a gentleman's park, somewhere in the South of England, whero whits letters on black boards warned poachors of "steel traps and spring guns," but neither of these dreadful engines wero ever seen or heard, and con sequently nobody bolitivsd that stool trups unci spring guns were sot on the squire's premises, and poaching wont on,nnd nobody was cither caught by tho leg or shot in the notldlo. Auckland rag-a-muffins, with their higher education and more polished lingo, would havo exclaimed " bogus " " all bosh," and tho orchard would have been robbed. In liko manner tho Eransio move, despite tho explanation of Detectives Hughes and Walkor, does not deter fast, vernal young Aucklandors from being sweated on the sun-burnished racecourse. Both dotectives used different terms in their lucid descriptions: Dotectivo Hughes —"transparent swindler, "because, forsooth, he could see through the Evans dodge; Detective Walker—"specie-," from the slang dictionary, which ho explained and illustrated by exhibiting the dice, cose, and mystic sign^, showing that by moderate fair play the gamo was 50 por c&nt. in Evans's favour. The capturod "spcolor" excused himsolf by pressing the fact upon His Worship's sympathies that ho had a small wife and a family of eight children ,o support, and simply turned "speelor" to supply them with bread. He was unablo to pay the fine of £5, and took fourteen days instead, thero being no races on in the meantime. It ap pears that gambling is carried on tea very largo extent among the green young men of this city. The baneful vice seorae te pos sess a snakelike fascination, and when it bocomos n passion it works upon the heart like slow poison, oorrodine every virtue, and overshadowing the nobler instincts ef human nature, until it becomes a black pall of selfishness, destroying love ef honest work, peace of mind, ana home happiness. Tho votary of tho gambling-table foolishly puts his trust in the blind, deceptive God dess of Fortune, who, instead of presenting him with a bag ot sovereigns, hands him a loaded pistol as a safe and speedy remedy for disappointment and despair.

It has been on my mind for a long time to say a word about the system of giving and taking " commissions" prevalent in Auckland—s*nad all over the colony, I dare say. But however widespread the ea6tom may be, it is an iniquitous one. These so called " commissions " aro taken by all sorts of people, from the secretaries and managers of large companies downwards. Let ns imagine a case; the example will make my meaning all the dearer. The Company for Exporting Donkeys from Spain ovres Blank, Dash and Co. a certain sum. The Com pany's Secretary hands over a cheque drawn for the full amount to B, D. agd Co., whe return him a receipt in full; but at the same time bis " ceramist-ion " of tw» and a half, five, or even ten per cost., as the case may be. The amount pocketed by the Secretary is not shown on the receipted account, though, by-the-by, it is in B. D. and Co.'s ledger. The Secretary oonsidors that what ho gets is his perqui«ite for putting business in 8., D. and Co.'s way; and tho firm in question think themselves bound to pay it, in order to keep the Secretary in good humour and favourable to themselves.

This typical transaction, which happens many times a day in every branph of busi ne.-a, suggests a number of thoughts. First, as to its honesty. Is the Secretary honest in taking the •'coeunig.ioa " un known to his directors ? 1 u»y no, without hesitation. If 8., D. and Co. can afford to give a discount, tho Company, and not the Company's servant, ought tp get the benefit of it. The Secretary is presumably paid fair wages for his work, and if he is not, that is no reason why he should add to his salary by dishonest and secret dealings. Again: Are 8., D. and Co. justified in giving a receipt in full when they have not received tho full amount, and with tho knowledge that the Company will bo defrauded of a oertain percentage ? This question I also answer in the negative. In fact, both of tl..em ar£ so cloar that it appears to me their immorality admits of no dispute. Tho preva'ei.ee .of t-Jjic custom fa, J ot n afraid, evidenca of a low condition of com mercial morals. How the parties to thpse various nefarious bargains justify them tp their own consciences I do not know • pro bably their consciences have lung ceased te trouble them about such comparatively small things as two and a-half per cent, dis counts. To stjiiio f.be universality of the habit may appear as an ei.tti.so. They only do what their neighbours and rivals ;]o. But of cctiree such an argument (?) is too ' flimsy to be worth refuting. Because cer tain of your acquaintance*) rol), }* that atiy reason why yeu should rot? toov? ' j

I One other question Jg with tho state of affairs I am alUding te rL.cs tp Imy mind, 'j.15 firms whjeh giro thosp " commissions " aw dij.ho_.est by deputy ; their clerks have te hand vva.' '1.8 per centages to thoso wins are djsko*iourab!p enough to takfl thpm. Jlotr far arc the clerks responsible for their employors' actions? Are they accessories, and eqnaUy guilty ) Or js there somo palliation to be found ill the fetct fchat if they refused to conform to tho ',u'.63 of the on.cc, they would lose their places ?

Just a fow incidents to show how the Federal Seamen's Unjop carry on their operations. While tho late strike was at its height, there were a number of non union men out of employment, and op different occasions they accepted engage ments on tho Northern Company's steamers But, strange to say, they never remained on the vessels. It was not intimidation or threats that induced them to givo up work for idlnnt s- Oh, no ;it was usually the promise of " the same rate of wages for doing nothing." On ono occasion ft telegram

j came to the Union saying that "non-Union men at Onehunga w.ro offered 2s Gd per . hour to work' on tt;3 ■ steamer," and icimrdiatcly a reply was sent back: "Give them 2-t t_i en hour to sit down ond ,r.mokc their pipe."," or other words of very similar iu: port. Ihe Unbn has a very large fund at its disposal, and it is said that it could successfully lip lit the largest shipping com pany in the colonies, and judging by recent ovents, things look very muoh that way.

SANDY'S MOTHER'S OPINIONS ON SUNDAY.

Mistku Editor,—l'm sail* vext to sco the way folk spend the Sawbath in this foreign kintra. It's very different to the way it was spent in Scetlan'when I was a lassie. We gaed to tho kirk, wet or dry, at least twa times, and whiles three times on tho holy day, and except to and frae the kirk thero was nac ither straovngin. It's true that atweon tho preachings we sauntered aboot in the kirk-yard, rested on tho gravestanes, and road on thao books o' death that man is born to trouble; that ho cam naked into the world and maungacnakecloot, audinonyinae improving texts; and wo nfton saw lying aboot tho yard roosty cofin handles, bits o' rotten cofin litis and bottoms, bits o' banes, and whilis, a yirdy skull, the gravodigger had stappit anent ha gravestouo, pairtlyoot o'sicht. But a' thao things wore grun' in structive lessons, an' kop' ub frae forgitfcing oor latter ond. In thuo auld tinios tho kirkyards grew quid Btrong grass and docks, fattouod mouy a bit Bheep and cauf, nnd brought a quid penny fruothe llcshcrto the kirk session and tho graredigger; but noo, the folk 'II hae nae gravos near tho kirk, an' a' aboot the kirk tho plant wi' dowers, aud lay oot wi' gravel walks jiat like a gentleman's gardeu, wastiu' tho siller nn' imikiu' us forgit wo hao to doe, tho vera thing we should keop miv' o' midst of a'.

Ayo ! sir, it's changed times noo. I rain' when I was it lassie, my mil her watlna let us open mail* than hull' tho front window shutters on tho Lord's Day, and sho wudnu lot us undraw tho front screens at a'; the back window yins sho alloo't us to draw half-way. It was geyan dark and dull in tho boose thao days, and tho fire was kop vora sma', for there was littlo or nae cook ing ; and on the Sawbath niohts my neither would sit wi' the Bible in hor lap reading aboot hoo tho Lord droont tho Egyptians, blew doon tbe wa's o' Jericho, slaughtered the Midianites and the Auialekites ; or she would read to us frae the Revelations aboot the great rod Dragon that was seen in hoavon, aboot the soarlot woniau, and nboot the bottomless pit, and ither BiMo stories that gar't oor hair stand on end, and made us uffeard to gang to bed. Folk aro unco «hy o' thao gran' auld stories noo. Yell no got ao minister in ten wha'll tap in discoorso on tho gran' battles o' the Auld Testiment, an' as to the deevil and hell, a quid mosy min isters ne'er montion them at a', or if tliey dao, its only to inak' oot that the deevil is only oorsolls, and as to hell, they say thero's neither tire nor brumstane int. AVfiatkind o' boll would that ha ?

I hae mm' my brither Wull, when he was a laddie, gaed out aboot tho doors al sim mer Sawbath mornin', an' began whussling liko a vera burd, but faithcr soon gaed ootand sk.lped him well fort, as he dtuurred. But naebedy thinks the least shame o' whussling on tho Lord's Day; they hao o'en gaeu suo far as to mak' steamboats and railway en gines whussle on that day. Nae doot tho wind itsel', whon blaYtinj* hard, whusslosou Sawbath as weel as on itnor days, but it is tho Lord's wind.

But thero is mam* than whsssling done noo ou the Sawbath. Atweou the Salvation Army, anil sometimes tho Volunteers, tho streets ure hardly free frae bands o' lnusic tho haill day. There they gang up and dotin In their red coats and thoir bine ooats carrying lings, druining and bugling nnd fifing liko puir mad oraturs ; and they e»' this religion. It's nso mair liko religion than playing tho fiddle is to singing psalms I mind a queor bachelor shoemukor chiel iv oor toun cad Jock Baxter, wha had tho impidenco to play tho fiddle in hisain hooso on the Lord's Day. Ho was a curious thinking man, rend Tain Paino and book? o' that kind, but ho was hanulesß and woll bchavod, so the folk took nae notice o' him, but jisfc set him down as a weo thing wrang in the head.

It was an ill day when tho City Council opened the Leebrary on tho Sawbath. Fo'k .honldna bo alloo't to road warldly books and newspapers on tho Lord's Day. Tho Bible, Tho Shorter Catechism, Fox's Book o' Martyrs, and tho Scottish Worthies, are a' the books that should bo opened 911 th.c Sawbath, and thoy should be read in folks' am booses, and no' in public libraries and reading-rooms. Some say it's for the con venience 0' travellers, bat there'so'or muokle travelling nooa-duys. It's that that's pittin' things a' wrung. When f«lk stayed at hame they were far mair o<*ntentlt; but noo, they ris aboot frae ptaoo te place wastin' their siller, and dmim ken what they would be at for a change. Folk hoe nae bizness to travel en the Lord's Day. If every ane stayed at hatna there would be nae need to keep leobraries open, nor for 'busses, steamers, or railways term. Steamers on lang voyages would nae doot hae to keep on, but nane should lee har bours frae Saturday afternoon till Monday morning, and ony that are noar land should anchor frae Saturday till Monday. Mind, I dinna say this oot o ony seonipsthy wi' the working classes, for guidness kens they are far potter off than they were when I was a lassie j but I say it because the Lord said most deeatinefciy that on His day we should dao nae work o' ony kind.

I see some fifteen hunner misguided craturs hae signed a petition to open the museum on the Lord's Day. This is anlther , abomination. If they're alloo't to gang ea . they'll hae the theatres «peji as they are iv Papist and Pagan Kintras; but what's in this mnseum they mak sic a brag about? I rjaed ance to sco it, and am snro I'll never gang again. As soon as ye gae in at the \ door ye see a wheen big stookoo images c' naked ro.cn and women, for fra« a modest l sichtloftn tell ye. Thorp's l.raps o'coal and lumps o' stane lying aboot'; the ooal would bo better in some pulr body's hooso, and the stano broken up to mond the roads. There's lots o' broken stance and bonnle shells in glass boxes that would dae vera weel to border bods o' flowors; and there's a great lot o' auld ponnies and .hillings, ann c'en gottd sovereigns in anither glass case, and I'm Bure that would be far better given to the puir, than lying there daeing nae quid, and there are snakes and toads in bottles, butterflies in oases wi' preens sticking through them. Butterflies ! mony a ane I hae catetied when I was a wesn, and pud fcheir wings aff to tnak book marks, and they think they've gottjn ide a wonderful prize to hae tho same butterflies in the Museum. The birds are really vera bonnie. Ane o' them had a breast the vera colour o' the silk gown I was married in, I couldna help remember ing; but at my time o' life, a colours but black are vanity. I see plainly that if oor lassies and young v<*ivo3 gang and look at the birds in that Miueura they'll be oon stuntly teasing their fathers and guldmen for new drcssos. I saw some skulls, but nae haill skelctinx o' oor am kind. Some o' thao would hao an improving effect on visitors. Anyone can look at a skeletin. There's nae indecency aboot it. It doesna encourage frivulity, but pints the road wete a' arc ganging, A'thegither I saw naething surprising in the Museum. for my ' pnirt I wouldna sign ray nair.c to SPpn't on the Sawbath, nor to keep it slint. The Leebrary open is doing far mair harm tljan the lyjtiseum open ovor could dae, I'm Wild there are books and magazines in the Leebrary that' when read may turn weak minds frae the quid auld path in which they wero brought up. Noo a'inaist a' the ill gaun to the Museum and looking at the stookoo images, bottled snakes and stuffed birds can dae is that it's an hour wasted, tj;q,t would hae been bettor spent reading the Bible at hame. Folk mak' a mistake saying the opening o' the jttijjQtjm js the thin end B,' the wedge. "Seeing f lie steanjers "and 'trains rin, and thp Leebrary' is wen, jiwrply tjje wedge is half-way in. If I bod my way o't, I'd opon the Muepum and shut the Leebrary, but wh*jt oan ye dae wi' a degenerate generation h«e this ? Ve'll no' fin' man* than ane in a hutiner that has jn-j-. real respect for the Sawbath at a'. Thoy waistly g,' ca' it jShafc giddy sportin' name Supday, and hardly pvpr, unless in hyppcrital pretension, or In vile scottjii', Sawbath or t])e fiord's Day. The sun was nap cfoofc anise a god, and worshipped, and is nae doot, even noo, worthy 0' respect, but he only shines and makes things warm and cheery on quid days, and on days that ape cloudy, wnt,/' and cauld ; whon ha would dae the malst quid, he never shows his face at a' j so I didna see that we are sac muckle indebted to the sun, that' 'we ehotild ca the best day o-' the week after him. Hech ! I'm "tired. Nop, Mr Editor, I'll send ye'my am name pr^eyitly, but as tho neebours would be bothering me if they kent I had been writing to the papers, I'll, jist sign mysel, for the public, Sandy's Mitheb.

SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTURES.

New Eoalar.il.

Wanganui J.C. Spring Nov. 10 Canterbury J.U, -Metropolitan Nov. 11, 13, II Oxford Jockey Club Meeting Nov. 10 Auckland It 0 Spring Nov. 14 Onehunga It.C. Spring November 22 Takapuna J.C. Spring Nov. 2!) Wellington J.C. Spring : Nov. 27 Wellington K.U. Spring NoV. 28, 2!) Iluiedin J.C. S firing Nov. 29. Dec. 1 Cambrldcro Spring Meeting December 5 Thames .1 C. Summer 1 'eecmbr.r di and 27 Auckland Summer Meeting.. Dec. 20, Jan. land 2 Australia. V.R.C. Spring Novomber 1, 4, 0, 8 Dates of Nominations. Entries and Accep tances. Final payments N.Z. Cup and Derby Nov. 8 General entries, and acceptances A.lt.C. Spring Handicap and Hurdles .. .. Nov. 7 Nominations lour principal events Taka puna Spring Meeting Nov. 7

To Correspondents.

A.Z.H.—Archie started ilrst favourite for the last V.R.C. Derby. VV.—Fishwoman started 2. times last season, winning live races, X.Y.Z.—Darebin was only four years old when he carried list 81b and won the Sydnoy Cup. M. (Helensville).—Maronoy and Paganinl are hoth in I. Foul.hutn'a stable. Silver King is being trained by Mr James Wilson, sen. Wader.—T. Clark rodo Maori, the winner of tho A.lt.C. Spring Handicap last year. It was tlte j ear previous that J, Farrell won on Tim Whifller. QuBKN-BTREHT.-Out of the 2,1 Molbourno Cups that havo been contested. 18 havo been won by uon-favotiriios. most of whom have never been mentioned in the betting. BvnNRViTK.—Mr He Meatre has won tho Cup .ourtimes-twice with Archer and with Tliu Whilller and Calnuiiu, and trained Chester when ho won. Mr John Tait ul«o won tour times, with The Hiiro, (iloncoo, The Poarl.and The l.tiaek. The Hon. J. White has won tho Cup twico with Chester aud Martini-Henry.

THE MELBOURNE CUP.

[By Hipi'ona j

It hardly scoins twolvo months ago since tho electric wire Unshod the intelligence that the Auckland-bred colt Martini-Henry had won tho Melbourne Cup in tho fastest timo yet recordotl. Timo's over-turning wheel, however, tolls us such is tho case, and the afternoon of Tuesday next will witnoss tho twenty-fourth contest for the great turf event of tho Southern hemisphere. It is wonderful the way in whioh the race has grown on the public sineo its inauguration—thanks to the prominence given it by the Press—but nevertheless, thero is no hiding the faat that the excitement this year is nothing compared to what it has been ovor previous "Cup" contests. Sweep promoters, too, complain that their lists have net filled up as of old, and what is a most unusual thing, a " rod-hot favourite " bos not evon como to tho foro 1 But despite this, I have not tho slightest doubt that whon tho field is drawn into lino, tho assemblage of spectators at Floinington will- be quite aa largo as ever it has boon. The scratching of Martini-Honry has un fortunately robbod the raco of somo of its interest to Aucklnnders, and this year it soeojs that Now Zealand is to be altogether out iv tho cold, for Sir Modred is also amongHt thoso who havo boen withdrawn. Out. of ~tho 133 who wore nominated in .Lino lust, Router informs us tho good number of 30. paid-up on Tuesday, but as the'information has bcou cabled in an un satisfactory manner, tho list iv ono or two bistancos cannot bo strictly relietl on. At this period, my readers will naturally ux|>cct mo to havo something; to say with regard to tho different candidates lott in, nnd I now propose to go through the ohntices of each, but in doing so, it may be mentioned my remarks aro based entirely on reuclingup and private hows received from time to timo. Iho following aro tho names of those engaged in tho raco :-—

Hon. W. Pearson's b h Commotion, 0 years, I>y Punic—Kvunlng Star Mr j. O. Inirlls's b h Malua, 5 years, by St

Albans—l-dolla Jlr J. Wilson, jttn.'s, eh h Ottenswork, 5

■ycars,by Gang Forward- Porauvcnture 8 12 llr J. Kcdfoarn's br h The Plii_ger,sycars, •by Argus Scandal—l__d_- Klien .. .. 2 11 Mr.YV*. .{ranch's 1) h Off Colour, 1 years, by

King Colo—The (Jem 8 10 llr-A. ¥. Smart's U h Warwick, 4 years, by Mailbyriioiig—Tho Fawn 8 3 llr .1. Mondy's br b Bristol, 4 years, by 'ClKton—Ccrlto ..8 1 Mr K. C. Na. lor's b Ii Haitings, 5 years.

by WllbtrfoicQ —Curlottu (lucludjng alb penult)) ~ .',' ~ .... 713 Mr 0. Harnflolcl's b or br It Sir Garnet (late

•Tlie Hebrew), 5 yoars, by Countryman —Tlniliider 7 8 Mr B. Miller's b or br h Hoolkn, 6 years, by Ul«riouß--Dtitlgot .. ..7 7 Mr K. 0. Talbot's eh m Illlnk Bonny, 6 Tears, by Ht. Albans- Media (includ ing 71b penalty) 7 7 Hon. J. Whito's be Bargo. 3 years, by Maribyrnong—Une'dor Kose ..7 8 Mr J. A. I_mg'« br h "Vergy, . years, by O.uimatli Vorgy-Kitty 7 6 Mr A. McDonald's br g Bonnie Bee, aged, by Bonnie Carlisle-Miss Wa-p ..7 5 Mr J. Whittinwham's b or br b Claptrap, 5 years, by Tim Whifller—Talkatlvo .. 7 1 Mr M. Jitoobs's blk h Hilltop, 5 years,

by Maribyrnong—Lady Belmore ..7 3 Mr 8. Barnard's eh 0 The Broker, 8 years, by Gold.brough-Melody 7 1 Mr W. Branch's b c Silver King, 3 yoars, by FirstKing—Seuorita 7 9 Hon. W. Poarson's b g Plausible, 5 years, by Vagabond—plaudit ~ ,t .. BIS Mr M. Grttlln's eh h Battalions (lato Bris-

bane), nyears, by Warlike-Queensland 6 18 Jfc- K. P. Wilson's brorblhSigaor,.years, by Ring of the Ring—Seuorita .. .. 813 Mr E. Keys ns b h Lord Oifden. aged, by Kplgram—Legend .. .. ..8 12 Mr 11. B. TothllVs eh h Lord Wilton, 1 years, by Countrymun-lnstop .. .. 6 11 Mr H. R. Falklner's b h Meteor, 4 years, by St, Albans—Deception 6 11 lion. T. Roiby's b h Anchorite, 4 years, by St. Albans—Queen Mary 6 9 Hon. J. White's br «r Tremando, 8 years, by The Tester—Agitation (Imp.) .. ..6 9 Messrs Robertson Brothers' b or br f

Heiene, 8 yeais, by Countryman—Tin- Under 6 9 Mr J. Whtttlngham's b h IMcntmore, 4

years, bf Kelpie—Merrr Mflid .. ~6 9 Mr J. Whittingham's oh o Merrimu. 3 years, by Argus Sound .I—Cliilt*onicre ..6 8 Mr R. Howie's eh c Sea Horse, S years, by Kelpie—Olarlbol 6 7 tSeratuhcd,

For the second time Commotion occupies the place of honour, uni as the handi capper has given him threo pounds lees than lost year (when ho struggled into third place), it cannot bo said ho is harshly dealt with. His owner evidently thinks so too, for ho has supported him to win a good stake. Notwithstanding this, I cannot look with favour on his chance, but it is quite likely hp may spin rpn intp a position. As Malua got no nearer tljan fourth in the Caulfield Cup, which was over his favourite distance of ground, I pannot soe that his prosjieots of winning appear very bright; but it may bo as well to mention that he is the only representative his owner has seen fit to pay up with, Guesswork has made a lot of friends for the event lately, on account of the good work ho has been doing on tho training ground, and the oablo tolls ns that he and his stable companion Conjecture did a good gallop round the tan during the week, the two miles bolnc done in 3mln 4-Jsoc. The son ot Gang Forward is only a littlo fellow to carry B_t 121b, but he has soveral good deeds to recommend him, notably his running Commotion to a head for tho Champion Kaco of ISB3. The Plunger, with Ssb 101b, would appear to have his fair sharo of weight, but there is no pjuestion ho is a good one, and his three year-old vcfiovd i.].oyfs jihaj; hp rap a irdle and a-ha]£ at fteelpng }n 2min |flsec, qrt.} three miles at Kai.cr.viol. in {.mm 30spc, bp..i of which were performances of great merit. He has not sported silk since he collided with Delusion in November last, but the daily bullotins from Melbourne inform us that ho is striding along splendidly, and added to this, he has boon supported by the stable to win £20,000. Under these circumstances lis must be olasscd among the dangerous division". "I tail tq see tjjat Qff Colour it th,p good'thing'gome people'jnak'p 'him oti'ttq be", and ho is one whom j will pass over, for the presumed "ijfq.qd thing'-."from tin? St, Al ban's stablp generally pud in a fizzle. Warwick has not beon seen out since he was a two-year-old, owing to having met wjtlian i^jcjdetiti t^ntj we all linow how good lie was then. Ijp fs fiepbptcp] tp, bo going splendid milo and a half gajlops; but an a gfiO(J Australian judge recently expressed h*.mßo}f to t|)o pffecj; that $c *ore hp sttvy of him the loss lie lii.eg him, I will cry in gBO4 company by passing Mr A. f. Smart's represantatjv-o oyer- Tbprp are ngt a f@w wfie think Bristol is the Simon Pure, and has been "waiting" for this racp; audit '"will ba admitted everything points in that direction, In the early part of last season, he showed a lot of form, but towards the latter end he began to run a number of "nowheros," so that backers should not overlook him. I might mention that Bristoj is in the hands of the Sir Mod fes combination. If there is 'any horse in the rffCp I have a rejpeqt for, it js Efastjmfs, and I will be greatly disappointed if'heaciM I not finish in the front rank—that is, provid-1 ing all goes well with him, !Ho has a deal

of public form to recommend him and it is i slated, being a long-striding animal, the j I. i.-nington course will suit him to a i nicety. Sir Garnet is a full brother of The Assyrian, but irom all accounts ho is not sound, .lie was backed for a lot of monoy soon after the weights appeared, and ashc belongs to the First Water confederacy, ho is one of those who may create a surprise B o'.ka is a candidate that may be put among the outside division, as ho has never shown his ability to get a distance. For sexual reasons, I havo not much fancy for Blink Bonny, but at the samo time, should she happen to bo all right, it may be she will repeat her Caulfield Cup victory, as she'has lots of pace, and evidently is capable of holding her own in the best of company. Bargo is unquestionably a good colt, but it is asking him a great deal to win under 7st Clb, oxactly his weight-forage. Should the Derby fall to his lot, however, he must provo dangerous, but I havo an idea tho stable will havo a better representative in the lightly-weighted Tremando. Judging by the way Vergy shaped at Caulfield, his chance cannot be despised, and I have an idea that he will occupy a forward position I at the finish. Perhaps the best outsider in tho raco is Bonnie Bee, who is nicely handi capped at 7st .Olb, nnd in tho big two-mile raco at tho A.,1.0. Meeting ho was the tip of the knowing division. Claptrap has been tried so often and failed, that I have no faith in him; but on Hilltop's running in tho Metropolitan Stakes ho must be in it a long way, for he is now called upon to carry 41b less than ho did in that event. Added to this, he has several creditable wins in up country districts to his credit, in the now notorious Robinson stublo tire Tho Broker and Anchorite, and from appearances it would seem that their hope will rest on tho last-named, who with such an impost as Cst Olb, should put in a powerful claim for victory. He did not run as a ;two-ycar old, but lost season, out of two efforts, succeeded ill winning ono. Whon Anchorite was first brought to Melbourne, about throe mouths ago, £500 was refused for him, and he has the credentials of coming from tho samo homo as Malua and Stockwell. Silver King lias not yot faced the starter, so wo aro en tirely in tho dark as to his merits ; and I think Battalious is moro ut homo over a milo and a quarter. Savo tho reputation of being in a stable that do not make many mistakes, and have plenty of good trying tackle, tho heavily - backed Plausiblo has littlo to recommend him. When the Hon. W. Pearson put down his dollars in favour of a horse, however, he cannot be a duffor, and I would be very sorry to ignore his chance. Out of the twelve times Signor has started, only once has he succeeded in placing a winning bracket to his name, and this was a Maiden Plate in Tasmania, so that he cannot have much show ; but Lord Clifden is one of the division that may upset all calcula tions. Lord Wilton is in tho hand* of a smart Adelaide party, nnd after tho way ho shaped at Caulfield, ho must not bo for gotten, whilo he has tho reputation of huv ingdonoßomegood things iv private. Meteor is by the proved sire St. Albans, and his performances do not read like thoso of a bad ojo, for ho won a couple of races in Tasmania when a two-year-old, and ran second in tho only event he started for last season. I havg no fancy for Morrimu, but Holene may havo a word or two to say in the finish, antl Seahorse is another whom wo bare to got a line about in tho Derby. If ho succeeds in placing that race to his credit, ho will require a lot of boating pn Tuesday. Tho last I hijvo to deal with is Tremando, and if the Hon. J, White Is to placo tho Cup to his credit this year I think it will be by his aid. On all hands it is admitted that staying is the forte of the much-talked-of colt, and with the feather weight of (Ist Olb on his back, ho should certainly load tho field a merry danco. Tremando Ins a first-class jiotligreo to recommend him, betnggot by Tho Tenter from Agitation, by Orest from Emotion, by Alarm from Dinah, by Clarion. His sire, Tho Tester (imp.), is by Sacharomoter (a boh of Sweetmeat) from Lady Abbess, by Surplice from L'idy Sur.h, by V elocipede. To sum up, I think the winner is con cealed in tho following half-n-dogon, viz, Hastings, Plausiu.'E, Tremakdo, llill- Toi>, AxciioitlTE, and Lono Wilton, and if asked to pick three from the number, I should -elect— Hastings Anciiohitk, and Tukmando.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

The Victoria Racing Club Spring Meeting commonccs at Flcinington this afternoon, and will bo continued on Tuesday noxt (Cup Day) and the following Thursday und Saturday. The Maribyrnong Plato and Derby aro tho two principal events on to day's programme, and should either of tho Hon. J. White's representatives—Bargo and Tremando—prove successful in tho Blue Riband contest, it will bo hailed with groat satisfaction here, for in the "doubles" both hare met with a doal of support at the hands of local backers.

Considering that tho New Zealand Cup conies up for decision on tho llth of the present month, matters in connection there with are not so brisk as we might expect. When the big Flemington ovonts are de cided, however, a change is sure to take place, and we may then expect to hear of s.ino genuine stnblo commissions being put in the market. During tho present week,

Welcome Jack has beon backed in Christ church for the evont, and there have been numerous inquiries for him here, but the fielders not caring to meddlo with the race until nearer tho day, littlo businoes has been done. Sou'<wester and Nelson, (with Necklace as a close attendant), 1 hear from a roliablo' eoucce, were tried over a mile and a-half one morning last week, and the former had all the liest of Major George's colt, but it may bo men tioned that he had tho worst of the weights. The gallop at any rate has had the effect of hardening Sou-wester in the betting mar ket. On the same morning Trenton did a first-class gallop with Tusman, and his owner thinking so highly of it, wagered a level £50 ho would beat Liverpool, and offered to go on, but the pencillers refused. Johnny Faulkner is doing splendid work, and it is thought he will be Dan O'Brien's Cap representative. Wapiti, from all ac counts, will not be forward enough to take part in the big two-mile race, The foliow mg are the "Christchureh prices for the Cup: ---100 to 15 against Vanguard 100 to 15 — Poii'-wester 100 to 12 — "Welcome Jack. The New Zealand Stud Company s more Onyx (dam of Sardonyx) dropped a fine colt to.Musket on Wednesday last. Ouida has also produced a filly to the same sire. I think it will bo generally agroed that the handicapping committee of tho Auck land Racing Club have beon pretty success ful in their adjustmegt qf the weights for thp principal events of tho Spring Moating, In'the Handicap, Kalo strikes me as having a good show with 7st. 101b., and if Carbineer (7st. 41b.) will only slmpo as well in publio as he does in private, he will ho hard to beat, while I am very fond of Satanella's chance, as she is particula*"ly well treated with list, 81b. In the Hurdles, I liko nothing better than Minuet and Shotover, but I have heard (fe stated the latter is not so sound as might bo wished Aooeptancos and general entries for tho meeting are due on Friday noxt, at eight o'clock.

The Pakuranga Hunt Club Mooting on Saturday Inst furnished an enjoyable after noon's sport, but the attendance was not so large as I anticipated it would havo been. Of course.the great attraction was tho Hunt Cup, and a prettier sight than the nine competitors as thoy ascended tho hill on the far side of tho cqurse could not have bepjj wished for. "]V'"g Don, the winner, fencedinbeautifulßtyle, and MrT. l{ulstpad came in for a deal of praiso for thp judgment he displayed in riding him, Tho old fellow was in first class condition, and Ted Kelly deserves credit for thoway in which hebrought him out. It is always pleasing to record the success of a sterling sportsman like Mr R. B. Isaacs, and the more so when we know that he and his friends benefitted by the horse's victory. Let mo hope that it is not the Insf time I wjll be called n'pqa fo chronicle tji'^'supcess of the' " bjlSjck and amber stripe^," flip Auckland Racing Club received four tenders for the right to work the totalisa tors at their meetings daring tho present season, the tenderers being Messrs Stool*. and Hill, — Jones, p!j \\Mlillgfon, VV. Adams, nnf} Jf. "Adaras. A.c 'ordlng to tho cqiiaitions, "all fpur wove informs,! on acpoupf of only providing to WQl'k two machines instead of tbreti. Tho Committee invite fresh tpnderg, to close at nobfl on, f upadgy n§x.. It would seem that after all weave not to have the pleasure ef knowing how Sir Modred would shape at weight-far-age when Eltted against the two Victorian cracks, c Grand and Commotion, for tho cable informs us that both the New Zealander and Le Grand are in Queer-street. This is a thousand pities, and I think it safely may be said the V.R.C. Meeting will J>e shorn of one of its greatest atthictiot's. J A private telegram recie^ejl from Christ church states thaf'Mr' Is. '6t.i'tfer lins'pur. chased' thV"two-year-old Muskeg—Wai-i-ti colt that won the Juvenile Race at tbe Flumpton Park Meeting lost month,

Parading tho paddock at the Hunt Club Meeting on Saturday last Wus St. Leger, Woodnymph, and lite two-year-old filly Steal All. All three aro looking well, but Woodnymph has not grown nearly so much as might havo been expected. The well-known sportsman, Mr G. Bate, again announces tho salo by auction of his horses in training. The sale is fixed for Saturday, 15th November (tho day aftor the C.J.C. Spring Meeting), and from the catalogue which has been sent me, I gather that tho lots to be submitted comprise Tho Poet, Minerva, The Painter, Tho Jilt, If So, and tho two-year-olds Patrician, by Feve— Jenny Lind, and Nemesis, by St. George— Fleurange. Messrs C. Newton and Son, of Christchureh, aro the auctioneers.

Horse-owners should bear in mind that nominations for the four principal events of the Takapuna Jockey Clv.b Spring Meeting closo on Friday next. Since last season the Club have expended £70 in improving the course, antl by the end of tho month it promises to bo in first-class order. At a committeo meeting of tho Hawke's Bay Jockey Club last week, the programmes for the Boxing Day and Autumn Meetings wore drawn up. Tho largo sum of £590 will bo givon away at tho first-named gather ing, tho principal event being the Hastings Handicap of 250sovs. For tho Autumn Meeting an alteration was made in fixing the meeting for the 17th and 19th March, thus leaving a day between. The first event on tho first day will bo a Free Handi cap of lOOsovs , dLtance 1 milo. which tako3 tho placo of fho Maiden Plato. It will bo followed by the Maiden Hurdle Race of lOOsovs., Napier Handicap of GOOsovs., Nursery Plate of lOOsovs., Welter Handicap of 100 soys., and Railway Stakes Han dicap of 100 soys. On the second clay tho first ovent will bo tho Grand Stand Handicap of 200sovs., then tho Provincial Plato of 12550v5., Handicap Hurdles of ISOsovs., Tradesmen's Handicap of SOOsovs., Autumn Handicap for 2 unci 3-year-olds,^ of 12;isovh., and Consolation of fiOsovs,— being an addition of lOOsovs. to the Napier Handi cap, fiOsovs. to tho Nursery Plate, 25sovs. to the Railway Stakes, 50-ovs. to the Grand Stand Handicap, 50sovs. to the Trades men's Handicap, and 25sovs. to the Autumn Handicap. The nominations and acceptances have also been very consider ably reduced.so that our Napier friends are determined not to bo bohind tho times.

Mr W. Percival has lost his brood mare Prunella from the oli'ects of foaling. She was got by Sylvia's son Goldsbrough from Titania, and was imported hero when a yearling by Mr E. Perkins. T. McClusky, who rode Krupp in the dead heat with Necklace at the A.R.C. Autumn Meeting, wishes me to state that he is open for engagement to ride during the forth coming season. Being a good horseman, he should not be long in finding employment. Captain Webster has split his hoof, and is an unlikely starter for tho New Zealand Cup. Mr H. Redwood's three-year-old colt Black Rose, got by Antcro* from Red Rose, has arrived at Christchureh for the purpose of fulfilling his engagements at tho C.J.C. Spring Meeting. A. Wellesley has invited me to be present at the drawing of his Melbourne Cup eon? sultation.

£1,800 wont through the totnlisatar at the Pakuranga Hunt Club meeting on Satur day.

AMONG THE HOOKS

(NY OUII LONDON COHHKSI'ONUKNT.)

London*, Soptembor.

Tin: autumn publishing season commonccs this month, and from now till after Christmas tho reviewers of the " Athenreum," " Aca demy," " Spectator," "Saturday Review," " Examiner," and other great critical journals will bo kept hard at work. No especially remarkable works are promised in tho immediate future, but early in October wo shall havo Lieutenant Greeley's account of his now world-famous Arctic Expedition, with full explanations or confessions ns to tho alleged cannibalism. This should be ono of tho big literary sensations of what Yankees call tho " fall" season, and Froude's final volume of the " Life of Carlyle " may bo another. Miss Bratldon's "Ishmael" was published last week. It is a capital novel, and will tako its place as one of the most remarkable of tho author's works. In it she has given a vivid picture of Paris under the second Empire, from the coup d'efnt to 18(58. Tho hero is the sou of the Com to de Caradec, a French nobleman who lives in a solitary chateau in Brittany. The Count's dearest friend elopes with his wife, tho latter taking hor infant son with hor. Tho Count follows tho pair, and, after killing his false friend in a duel, abandons wifo and child to thoir fate. The Countess takes to a fast lifo, and soon dice of drink. The Count then consents to reeoivo back his infant son, but treats him as an outcast, hating him because he has his false mother's blood in his veins. Thanks to the village cure's kindness, Raymond (that is tho boy's namo) gets a fair education, but as he crows up, ho finds his father's coldness un bearable, and runs away to Paris. Here ho assumes the name of Ishmael, and becomes a stone-mason. His life amidst the bour geois, his upward career, his enjoyments, his struggles, his sorrows, are all vividly described, intermingled with boldly-drawn pictures of historic scenes, worked into the story with con summate ski|l. To detail the plot further and tell the talo of Ishmael's unfortunate marriage, extraordinary success, and pas sionate love would be to deprive the render of some of the pleasure derivable from Miss Braddon's latest romance. Suffice it to say that, though inferior as regards sensa tionalism to works like " Henry Dunbar'" and "Phantom Fortune," it is snperibr'to the majority of the author's later works, and will compare favourably indeed with such stories as " Asphodel" and " Vixen." Charles Roade's " A Perilous Secret " (bettor known to you as "Love or Money") has not after all been brought out in three volume form, but is running serially through " Temple Bar." This seems poor polioy on tho Ivfessrs Bei'tley's part, for the story, qesides having been printed in a number of nowspapers, is perfectly well known through the drama of the same namo.

Wilkio Collins has patched up and materially improved his new romance "I say, No! since it appeared in tho "People." As a murder-story, however, this novel can't compare with "Hand and Ring," by Anna Katharine Green, which has just been published in England nt five s.hi.l;ngs. Miss Green is rapidly becoming" ctcile prin. ceps in this Bty}e 'cyf talq, Chirk" Russell's "Jack's Courtship," which has been running through " Long man's Magazine, for tho last twelve months, draws to a close. I sco ho is tq contribute the sorial story to " Balgravia " noxt year. The title will be "A Strange Voyage." Messrs MacMillan have issued the first ; volume of their "English Illustrated Maga zine." It is handsomely bound in sea-green cloth, and makes a, splendid "a (id worth of miscellaneous rootling and beautiful illus trations, Next year an attempt is to bo made to make the lottei press of this maga zine a little lighter. Hugh Conway, °of "Called Back" fame, contributes the serial story which commences in October (tho first number ot the new volume), aud willbeentitled"AFamily Allan*." Chuttoand Windus have in tho press for immediate production "Tho Lover's Creed," by Mrs Cashel Foley; "Foxglove* Manor," by Robert Buchanan ; "Beauty and tho Boast,", by Sarah Tytlor; and "Mercy Holland,"'by Julian Hawthorne. Thphos| 6| theso' will' prorjabfy b.Q Miss Tytjor's story, whjch has attracted considerable attention whilst running through "Good Words,"

I think I may fairly claim to have been I one of the first to discover the now famous novelette " Called Back." Directly it came out as Arrowsmith's Christmas Annual I recommended it favourably to vo\*,r yeadprs* notice. This waa early in last, and it wasuottill lateitiJan iiaryt|i;*,ttJiesalo Of the Initio \york reft\!y caminenoed. In rgpeiit letters I mentioned another shilling Story of a most exciting and absorbing character, viz.," Thellouseon tho Marsh,''by Miss Florcttce Warden, a tp,le rivets the reader's attention from the first page yt. thp last, " The House"on the Marsh" t.i^d Mjss Anna .Catherine Green** " I.oven wprth Case" (al.q a s!iiil(ng)(vio now soiling i.q tens of thousa,nd,s, in a, few weeks there will be a, run on "At the World's Mprcy,'1 another laovelette hy Miss Warden ' S^'_ by..!!9lvaJ' *s IBQ tk§ of "The White Witch, now running in the "Ar gosy," and ''The Iron Hand," at present the leading attraction of "The Family tfevaU." T< At the World's Mercy "is not quite such a sensational tale as "The Houso on the Marsh," but will wile away an odd hour or so pleasantly enough. The success of Miss Warden's tale has led many people to invest in othgr volume. of '.'The Family Hpy^d Story-telle.r Series." Most of W°m. however, are. trash like "-Dora Sjpoyn,'! which,, nevertheless, must please a pertam clues of leaders, for London book sellers toil melt and "Wife in Name Only" have ah enormous sale. The circulation of 1 " The Family Herald " average? 275,000,

FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS.

(BY ACT.TCON.)

CRICKET FIXTURES

November 1 — West End Ist v. Gordon Ist, Gordon 2nd v. Auckland 2nd, Alpha Ist v. West. End 2nd, Auckland Ist v. Otahuhu (at Otu- Imhu), United v. Our Boys, Warehousemen v. Parnell, United 2nd v. 1 Zingari, Newton Ist v. Avondale. --_,_, November 8-Go-don Ist v. VV est End Ist (con tinued), Gordon 2nd v. National, Alpha Ist v. United 2nd, Auokland Ist v. Otahuhu (continued, at Otahuhu). Auckland 2nd v. West End 2nd, United v. Our Boys (continued). Warehouse men v. Avondnle, Alpha 2nd v. I Zingari. November 15—Gordon Ist v. Warehouse!; Gordon 2nd v. We_t Knd 3rd; Alpha Ist V. United Ist ; Wtst End Ist v. Auckland : Auck land 2nd v. West, tnd 2nd (continued). United v. Alpha, Our Boys v. Newton, I Zingari v. National. ... , . _ _, November22-Gordon Ist v. United Ist, Gor don 2nd v. United 2nd, Alpha Ist, v. Auckland '>nd West Knd Ist V. Auckland Ist (continued), Auckland 2nd v. West End 2nd. Our Boys v. Nowton (continued), I Zingari v. West Hnd. November 211 —Alpha Ist. v. Auckland 2nd, United Ist v. Gordon Ist, (continued), West End 2nd v. Gordon 2nd, West. End Ist v Auckland lHt (continued), I Zingari v. Warehousemen, Nowton v. Otahuhu.

AQUATIC FIXTURES.

Novotnbcr 8-Oponing of the bruiting season. November 10-North Shore Trial Fours. November 9-Whau River Regatta. January 211—Auckland Annual Itogatta. February 7—HanNn v. Clifford, fciOO a-sidc. February 28-Clilt"urd v. Bench, fi*>oo a-side March 28-Hanlan v. Beach, £*iOO a-side and championship of the world, on tho Paramatta Itiver. April 18—Clifford v. Hanlan (if tho former Is victorious in his match with Beach). Clifford v. Teenier, £500 a-side.

CYCLING FIXTURES.

Auckland Bicycle Club Runs. October 25—From top of Upper Queen-slreel to Mount Albert, Three Kings, and Onehunga,

Caer has completed a Rob Roy canoe for W. Baker, and also a 3-ton fishing boat for Williams.

St. George's Rowing Club now includes 27 members and owns two racing whale-

boats,

Ponsonby Rowing Club's shower baths are now in working order, and are found exceedingly convenient and pleasant.

Clare has nearly finished Webb's new yacht, which has been very comfortably fitted up inside, and should prove a handy pleasure boat.

An aquatic carnival is to be held on the Albert Park Lagoon, Melbourne, on Novem ber 5. Hanlan, Beach, Laycock, Brett, and Fittes aro to be asked to put in an ap pearance.

The Whau River Regatta is advertised for Prince of Wales's Birthday, which falls on a Sunday. The date should evidently be altered to November 10, the day fol lowing.

During tho past year the direotors of the Caledonian Society (Dunedin) have been gradually improving their grounds, hoving spent during the year no less than £420 in this manner,

At Bailey's boatshed, the Waitemata Boating Club's new whaleboat has been completed, also skiffs for Messrs Kissling and Fripp, and three fishing yaohts, pre viously noticed by me as among the «(orders," are underway.

The twenty-second annual report of the Otago Caledonian Society states that the year's revenue from all sources was £2,367, and the expenditure £2,105, the latter in cluding £418 for additional ground recently obtained, and for completing various works of extcneion and improvement.

On Saturday last Gordon ngainst Auck land scored 2'iS runs for seven wickets; and West End Socond v. National put to gether 222. For Gordon McCuusland (75), Aneenno (o*9), and W. ltyburn, not out (30) wero tho principal contributors ; and for the National Berry contributed 94.

Tho new boat ordered by the West End Rowing Club has not yet arrived. Tenders havo been called for erection of a club shed, which should be pushed on rapidly, as the season is likely to be tar advanced bofore uny real rowing work can be commenced. Tho Club now includes about CO members. At tho last annual general meeting of the Wanganui Rowing Club, the assets o,f the Club were stated to amount to £610; liabilities, £30. The balance-sheet showed the receipts for the past season to have been 4*llo 19s (id, and the expenditure £100 17s oil. The fleet of boats possessed by the Clv b consists of two four-our racing outriggers, two four-oar racing inrigged gigs, two prac tice outriggers, and three pleasure boats.

In Scotland, says the Dunodin " Herald," the wheemen aro holding camp meotings ; tlioy bring their tents and remain in con stant companionship for a week together. This is sensible, and enables them to, solve some of the many abstruse cycle questions of the day. It has been provsd, for instance, that the Aberdon^ans will never ma,ke go.od wheelmen on account of their massive heads, which causes the cycle to be top-heavy.

In the cricket match Civil Service v. Legislators, played at Wellington, Buck land bowled 45 balls for 3 runs. The Civil Service had the assistance of Edser, the crack Canterbury bowler, who is employed in the Telegraph Office at Wellington, Hayward Nelson, interprovincial man; Alpe, one of Auckland's 1873 interprovincial team; Lynch, of Auckland, and brother of Dan Lynch ; and Blacklock.crack Welling ton hat; and yet the Legislators beat them.~

An Interesting dingy race for f 5 a-side, between C. Hewson and J. Brett, has been arranged to take place in the harbour on Saturday next, weather permitting. The course to be rowed over is a very. lons ono, viz., from the Bastion to .he ond of the Queen streetjWharf ,and should try the com petitors severely. The former has won soveral races during the last two or three years, but his oppenent is a good rower, is by far the stronger of the two, and has been making splendid progress in his train' ing of late, Th 6 race is to sta,rt about half-past four o'clock.

A general meeting of the Te Kopuru Regatta, Club was held on the 22nd, when an influential committee was elected, with Mr F. Matthews as President, and Mr H. Ludlow Vice-President, Mr Woodhend re elected as Treasurer, and Mr Harvey Secre tary. A balance of over £30 was reportod in hand, and it was resolved to «aye amongst other races on New "gear's Day next, a yacht race, a 20ft. open boat race, ay.d a sculling race, first prise for each of the above race? to he not less than L2O. New hoats are being built, and first-rate competition may bo anticipated.

The annual general meeting of the Now Zealand Cyclists' Alliance was held at the Dunedin Cycling Cli.b,'a headquarters, in Dunedin, on Monday, the 13th mat., when Dunedin, Christchureh, and Auckland were represented. Mr B. H. Burn occupied the chair. Tho following aro the officers for tho soason ISS4-85:- W, H. Wynn Wil liams, Esq. (Christchureh), President; Ceorgo Fenwick, Esq. (Dunedin), Vice- President ; Mr A. J. Brown (Dunedin, Hon Treasurer ; Mr J. Foxley Norm (Christ chureh), Hon Secretary, It was resolved to hold ohampionship races, when gold medals will be given -One mile in Christ church, five miles in Dunedin, and ten iniloa m Auckland.

en. &!"!?", *™oenUy presented th. prizes at tot riulip s Grammar Sohool, Sydney, to the boys who had teen successful in the school snprta. in the courso of his romarks he said ; •% All the advice I can give to my brother athletes is that if they wftuid make a suocess in the athletic world, they must take care of themselves. I suppose I was twenty-threo years of age before I knew the taste of a glass of liquor or even smoked a cigar. And it is te this that I attribute my success. My advice to athletes is to keep away frp,tfp, in toxicating liquors and tot^co_p_ without which there is not the least use in any of you trying to pijcel. From my own ex perience I know that, although as far as vovu* physical constitution is concerned you may be thp. greatest wonder in the world i there Is no ohance for you if you do not care for yourselves as I suggest. J, don't suppose that any of you will enter into the profes sional world, whether you do or not. always row'to win.'?

| The Molbourne papers contain particulars of extensive repairs and alterations to the yaoht l_rln, which was built many ye rs ago for Joy, the solicitor (now deceased), and which is at present owned by Fergie, of Molbourne. Tho Erin onco won the la'-<r e yaoht vaoe at an Auckland Regatta, beatinV the Daphne, Good Templar, and others. ■EL 16 *§? _.haß *he following account-.- Ihreeofthe finest yachts in the bay, namely, the Janet, Secret, and Erin, are being pre! pared for the approaching Beason.' The owner of the last named ya.oh.t, the Erin, has spared no expense in" Ks endeavours to make his 10,t W craft as handsome and as oomforiaWe as possible. Mr Fergie gave tfi'te blanche to; Mr Weedon, of BarW street, Carlton, to carry out the decorations in his bpst style, and a similarly liberal ar rangement was made with! Mr McPhee to whom the upholstery work was entrusted Jhe result is that the vessel is fitted «a as luxuriously and as handsomely as a modern large ocean-going steamer. The cabin, though it is only capable of accommodating ten pereens at one time, presents a beauti-

ful nppearar,c3, and by tho aid of tj.lrrr.t <■ fixed on either side of tho 'combing!, of !!-}.: *" skylight, is male to resemble tie. saloon of a largo steamer. The seat* *i on either side of tho table aro cushioned with tapestry of rich brown ■■ and gold. The ceiling U divided into panels '•" of raised embossed ornament in gold unci white on a greyish bluo gtountl— pink, buff, and white with gold ornamentation ~''■ being tho prevailing colours in the remain ing portion of the ceiling. A soft mellow light is obtained through a skylight of ' ground antl coloured glass, on the inner side of which are tho Australian coats of arms, and other devices symbolical of ' music and art, together with emblems of the Masonic order and the M.U.I 0.0.F with both of which Mr Fergie has been eon nected for over 30 years. Altogether the Erin bids fair to prove the most comfort able, if not the fastest, of tho fleet this season.

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.

Moro Abont Their Peculiar Fnith-A Sue-

cessful Meeting,

It is purposed to givo tho readers of the " Alta" a correct statement of'the loading points of the faith of the Seventh Day Adventists, who aro attracting so much attention in Oakland by their large camp, meeting of over 200 tents. Thoy hold that the Bible and not human tradition is the guide. They believe in the fall of man, and that his only hope of redemption is through Christ, the same as is held by other Christian denominations. The second Advent is a doctrine which seems to be prominent among their peculiar views, as they beliove it to be very near, and think that there aro' thoso now living who will livo till the end of the world. One proof of this they claim to find in the 24th chapter of Mattrew. Jesus and his disciples were looking at the buildings of tho Temple, and he said, "There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not bo thrown down " (verses 1, 2.). "And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, ' Tell us when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?'" (verse 3.) The answer was that false teachers would come and deceive many. Thero would bo wars and pestilences", "nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom againet kingdom," "but the end is not yet." The disciples were te be de livered up and afflicted and hated by all nations (verse 9). Then, "This gospel oj the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come " (verse 14). Jesus having passed over these events down to the end, carries them back to the prophecy of the destruction of Jeruselem, which is referred to in verses 15-20. Then He refers to the greatest tribulation the Church ever had or ever would-., pass through. The greatest tribulation the Church has ever passed through is the martyr ago, during which over 50,000,000 of people were put to death. This martyrdem had principally ceased in A. D. 1755, and wholly so in 1779, when one woman was. burnt. Christ said: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall tho sina be darkened, and the moon shall n&t givo her light, and the stars shall fell froia Heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall bo shaken. And then shall appta? the sign of tho Son of Man in heaven 5 and thenshall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power au3 great glory" (versos 29-30). The dark day of May 19, 1780, is held by them to be'tin. fulfilment of this prophecy, and tho follow ing night the moon refused to shine. This darkening has not been accounted for by scientific men. Tho next ovont in order was " tho stars shall fall from heaver.." The great meteorio shower of Novemh.r IS. 1533, is claimed to bo tho fulfilment of this prophecy, and is regarded as the last sign to mark the coming of Christ. As Ho said, "When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass till all these things shall be ful filled." Verses 83-34. They say "this generation " refers to the generation that sees the signs fulfilled. So they conclude that the generation, people Uvittg in 1833, will, some of them, live (UI th. end.

The intetest in tho .-amp meeting is «... abated. Overuse hundred came forward for prayers at a call that was made fear thogg \tho dosired to seek the JUord.

A Jewish Regions Movement In Bessarabia.

if a the Editor of tho London "Times."}

Sm,—The publication of the following facte will, J, think, be of general interest, if ye» can find space for them, since they reveal a state of thing's which is perhaps without a parallel in the history of the Jewish people. They were communicated to me two dayß ago by the Rev. Mr Hefkr, of Frankfort, and are taken from certain "Writings el the Institutum Judaicura in Leipzig " (No. 4), being " documents " of what is called '■'the National Jewish Christ-believine Movement in South Russia j" edited in the original Hebrew language and German translation by Professor Franz Delitzch. The author of this South Russian Besi arabian movement is a lawyer named Joseph Rabinowitz, a mau who is respected far and, near by his compatriots, and who has lot a long timtjbeea endeavouring to ameliorate the condition and to raise the culture of his people. During the time, of that perseou .ion in South Russia in 18S2 -s-hieh "The. Times " newspaper co forcibly brought be fore the British publio. he was zealodsly advocating the repopnlntion of the Holy Land. In order to discover ways and mean* for this, he set out himself for Palestine^ and from the time of his return there commenced a complete revolution of his religious eoa viotions. ~-:,' ■-',

These convictions are based m a belief that the historical Jesus of Bethlehem' was, after all, the true Messiah spoken offcy Abraham, Moses, &y& David ; for-th* crucifixion of whom the Jews have;ev.ir since been wanderers and their land raiMfa desolate. This deop impression oh the mind oi Raljunawitz was not produ&c. by a,ny inftuenoe of Christian missionaries but entrrely by tho force of circum.tonces j' arid Il cf"_? ed al on,g Wltl" ita very strong feeliiif that the only hope for hisasople's wtiim to their land would b<_ to tneir acknowledg ment of such Ma. In this way, without for a m.o.»j>n,t thinking of joining tho Christian Church by baptism, a pfan bf congregations of Jewish nationality, founded upon tho historical and doctrinal works of the New Testament, slowly arid gradually ripened in his soul. He returned trom Palestine with his watchword— " The key to the Holy Land lies in the hands eg our brother Jesus." It may be said, Indeed, that the centre of gravity in hia creed lies hidden in the cry-" Jesus, o»r brother:' 1 Those thrilling words have prowl,'tis*'a matter of fact, to possess s*wft ™ ~e i ^ of at traction among his pes*_ecu te. brethren that they have not only awak-. llG d the heartsof all_ mi Kiachl.iA9v.~hiP Dwu p]ac< , of rosideneft —but of many also in other parts ofßess *«•* j • ore tlian 200 f«rail»es have new jSined in one communion under the titte'of Ihe National Jewish New Testo&eiSk Congregation 5" and by some of them .as last Passover was celebrated accoxdSng to a. liturgy expressly drawn up by Rabinowife. In order to illustrate moro completely tin* nature of this singular movement of the* Jewish mind, resultin* from the painfull massacres of 1883. I subjoin from thoir '■'Articles of Faith," which Dr. Detf-hjoß, ?«« g«n_°. B, ta tile world > a translation of *na 10tU Artiole.. It is worded as follow- I ■According to the decree, of the At sorutable wisdom of our God, our fathesa wore filled with harduesa of heart, and tfie. Lord punished thq» with the spirit of deep sleep, so that taey opposed Jesus Christ and sinned •"•raunst Him until the present day. But- te their unheliof they led other nations jo greater zeal, and they thus contributed to, the "jropitiation of mankind, who have be* lievpd .n Jesus Christ, the Son of David, wr- King, when they heard the good tidinga through his peace-promising messengers (Isaiah hi. 7), who had been disgracefully expelled from communion,, with Israel fa consequence, however, of this our .ib against the Christ cf God, tho world baa grown rich by its faith in Christ;. and th* nations in fulness have enter*d tho King dom of God. Now, too, the time of our fulnoss has. also como. And we, the seed of Abraham, are to bo blessed by our fai*.i In thp Lord Jesws Christ; and the God'of oar foretattvevs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob Will take pity upon us, and recant the benches which have been torn r JU t into our own Holy Root - Jesus. And thus-all Israel shall share the eternal salvat.oo : and Jera salem our Holy City, shall be rebuilt, and the throne of David he reestablished for ever and evermore."

I give you this statement as a record of actual facts, which cannot but be deeply interesting to your readers; and which, if ttr4 already known to you, appears to me. to be worthy of a place in the.lead.ag> journal of the day.—l am, sir, your obedient, servant, J. H. Titcomb, Bishop Coadjutor*- SntralE^! 1 Cb™h ™ *^™;'™# Hamburg, Aug. 2fy '. '.

THE AU CKLAND EVENING STAR TH URSDAY MAYAN.GF2I4S3