THE GARDEN.

(By HORTtrs).

Calendar of Operations. March 8.

tHORTiis is willinc: to answer any queries. Cor respondents must give their full names and addresses, though not for publication.]

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

G. Thomson (Dairy Flat).—You are quite right. Continue sxme as last season. Vines (R.M.) —In cutting the fruit of these, I do not think it matters much whether a part of the wood or branch is cut with the bunch or not. The most of the sap has descended the branch, and what little is cut away with the fruit will not be much loss to the cane. It is imperative to cut the wood ■«'it.h the fr'>it when the grapes are wanted for late Seeping.

Summer Pkimxo (t.M).—Leading shoots should be pinched back to their permanent lv, gth. SMe shoots not wanted for lu<i. mc branches should be pinched so as to inu-vO spurs. If these side shoots are allowed 10 grow till winter and then pruned out. all tho Deneflts to bo derived from summer pruning are lost. I usually pinch such shoots wlion they attain about four inches in length, leaving two or three leaves, so that the bud ut each ieitf may burst and become a spur, upon which in time blos som buds will grow. The leading or main shoots T piiu'h Lo yuch length us circumstances may demand. Al'i'i.E Trees <.T.fi.>—The distance which apple trees can bo planted apart so as to give reason able crops of fruit will vary according to the system adopted in training them. I have Krawn these trees four feet apart for four years and obtained srood crops, but the liftli year every alternate row hud to come out. and every alternate tree in tho row. which tUen left them eio-lu feet apart. But to do ibis a close system of summer pinching and winter root pruning had to be obsiTve-.1. 2. I havo never soon scarlet runners left in tho ground tor two seasons. They invariably die during the winter. Tomatoes will likewise die during the winter, but if you have uut a cool irainc, strike a few cuttings of them rturm;,' the autumn, keep from growing during the "winter, atul plant out at the usual time for planting. I tried it last autumn and the result was that the plants fruited three weeks earlier than a seedling, and all through the season they have been carrying double tin: crop of the seedlings. I intend giving an article on pie subject at the proper time to strike the cutiinesth i,- autumn. H.J.—I thank you for the pamphlet. Have only glanced at it as yet. Will Rive it more attention. As to River's system re peaches. I have never tried it in the colonies, but have helped to carry it out in Britain in peach houses, where we had the tree more under control than in the open here ; but I fancy it could be done here. Careful root-pruning during the summer would stop that excessive growth you rercr to. Hut this has been a bad season for peach trees. Itesults obtained this year could not lie a guide for the future—that is to say, it our usual seasons return. Thanks about " River's Miniature Fruit Garden." Have two copic3. Two friends borrowed them 12 months ago, but have forgotten to return them.

Kitchen Garden,

Onions which aye ripe should now be pulled and laid out to dry before storing past for the winter. Potatoes which are ripe and wanted for seed next year should fced.ugi.ip, spread on the ground for a feu days, then stored past in a dry loft. Lose no opportunity of turning over the soil as the above crops are taken-orf the ground. Make another sowing of mustard cress, &c. Sow a small patch of onions for winter use. Make also a sowing of spinach,—the prickly is the best for winter use. A few carrots and turnips should be also sown. If the caterpillar is making its appearance on the tomatoes, dust with lime or wood ashes, which will help to keep it under. Plant out a few more cabbage and cauliflower ; give plenty of water. To growing crops of the above gi\fe liberal supplies of liquid manure, and earth up as they require it. If the break for the strawberry plantation is not already trenched and manured have it done at once so as to have it ready for planting about the end of this or the beginning of next month. Destroy all weeds.

Flower Garden.

So as to prolong the flowering period as long as possible, copious supplies of water will now have to be used, occasionally mix ing a little liquid manure with it. Clear away all annuals as they get past flowering. Save a few seeds of the best, choosing the best developed pods for the purpose. Flowers which had been crossed last spring shouldbecarefully gathered asthey ripen,and putaway with the register of the two strains from which the seed is produced. Remove all decayed flower stems and foliage ; stake and tie all tall growing plants ; pinch those that may require it. Push on the making of new lawns or borders during the dry weather. All bulbs as they ripen lift, dry. and store past for next season. Lawn : Mow the grass, give frequent rollings ; also give plenty of water —in fact, perfect drenchings will be required if the lawn is to be kept dn good order now. Greenhouse. Give plenty of air during the day. 'Water copiously every evening. Cinerarias and calceolarias which were sown early will now require to be moved into larger pots. They delight in a rich, light soil. Keep them near the glass. Sow a fresh baMi for suc cession. Pelargoniums that have been plunged in the open border should now be lifted, cut back, re-potted, and removed to & cool frame. Horticultural Society. Since the publication of the above Society's schedule of prizes, a number of gentlemen have come forward and offered to give special prizes, numbering about (i(>, the special prizes ranging from £5 for the best collection ol grape 3to 2s Gd for^the best pumpkin. The Show is to be held in the Auckland Drill-shed on the 21st and 22nd of this month. I would specially ask amateurs and cottagers to procure lists of the prizes, wherf thny will be sure to find something they can compete for. In the different classes strong competition is ex pected, and it is to bo hoped that the coining Show will be the best ever held in Auckland. The Committee have spared no trouble to make it such, and it only re mains for the general public to come for ward and give their patronage so as to make it a thorough success. Enemy of the Scale Bug. The most important external enemies of the scale insect are certain mites, which are omnipresent upon trees infested with scale, and which feed upon eggs and young lice. They breed vapidly and lurk in great jnumbers under old deserted scales, where their eggs are extremely well protected from the action of insecticides. For this reason, when an effcetive application has been made by spraying infested trees, the trunk? should no* 'm scraped for somo time After, %ut the dead scales should be allowed to remain upon the bark for several weeks, in order that the mites which they harbour may bo given time to complete the work of the remedy used. In this they may be con fidently relied upon c ris powerful auxiliaries. When large numbers of the scales have been killed by spraying with oils, etc., the mites are often observed to increase suddenly, as they are much less affected by the applica tion than the .=eale insects themselves. It seems probable that they feed upon the dead and dying coccids as well as upon the living, and the looseninjr of the scales and abundance of food at such times stimulates them to rapid increase. They soon swarm in such numbers as completely to extermin ate the remnant* of thfi cooeids left alive by the wash.— Pro/. 11. G. Hubburd,

Laying Off Now Gardens. [Continued Front Last Week.)

In tho beginning of April the ground ought to receive heavy dressing of rough bones and unslaked lime, andthcnfoi-kedover so that the lime may slaken in the ground. Afterwards, if good turf can be procured, long strips of about three inches in breadth should be laid on each side of the walks or drives, covering this up with about half an inch of soil. Similar pieces of turf, about three inches square, should be buried about the same distance all over the place (which is called "salting.") The thicker these pieces are put, the better and quicker those grasses in the turf will spread over the ground. I have placed them a foot apart, and in two years they had taken entire possession of the lawn. After the " salt ing" is done, go over the ground two or three times with the rake, bringing all to an even and fine surface ; then sow rye grass. This will hold the ground for two or three years, till the grass in the little squares of turf used in salting covers the whole ground. After sowing the seed, co ovcrthewholegroundtwoorthree times with the roller. The walk and drive making will next occupy attention. Of course they have been made sufficiently deep for the gravel. Now I would say here that a walk or drive once well made will last for years. In my estimation, a drive ought to receive about six inches of rough, or medium rough, gravel in the bottom, and about-threis inches of tine on the top of it. and then bo heavily rolled, so as to bind it together. A walk ought to get about four inches of rough in the bottom, and three inches of tine on top, and then rolled. A walk or drive thus laid down will last good for many year?. The plan of the place ought now to be brought again into requisition, so as to select a goad variety of trees and shrubs. Great care must be used in selecting and planting the above. How often, in New Zealand, do iwe see places, a few years after they are laid out, where the trees- have to be cat down. The selection made was bad and in some instances they woreentirely shutting out the. best part of the views. In planting, the future always ought to be looked to ; estimate what" kind of picture you arc going to produce. By judicious planting objectionable objects can be hidden and the effect of the surrounding scenery greatly enhanced. Calculate the probable height and dimensions to which the permanent trees will attain ; and as the selection is made, spot oil' each tree on the plan in its proper place. A good way to assist a judicious selection is to find out the height of the different trees chosen, then get along pole and have a man to hold it up at each mark where a tree or shrub is to be planted, yourself standing in a position where you are able to judge the effect which a shrub or tree of a given height and breadth will have on surround ing objects. By the above device you will easily perceive and alter the position of any tree which is unsuitably placed. In arranging for planting, avoid hard rigid lines and abrupt terminations ; try and always give the eye something different to look at. When all the permanent trees are arranged for plant a large numberof sheltertrees ; thesewill con siderably assist the others to get well estab lished ; but whenever they interfere with one another cut thes helter outat once. I will deal with the planting of trees during the proper season.

(To be Continued.)

Intelligence in Animals.

There is a paper on "Intelligence in Animals " in the Christmas number of the New York" Spirit of the Time?," the writer of which has a good word for that littlo-praised creature, the mule. "In illustrations of stubbornness and stupidity," the writer says, "the mule has ever figured .largely, and ' from a mule you can get nothing but kicks' has passed into a proverb ; but that much-vilitied animal possesses reason and instinct to a remarkable degree when these qualities are not blinded by abuse, as shown by the following instance, vouched for by the veteran trainer, ilat Colvin, who witnessed it:—"At Grant's stable, in the stock yards, Kansas City, Mo., there is an old horse and a hoary-headed mule, who have always been turned out together, and when separated show extreme uneasiness ; in fact, they are fast iriends and never quarrel. The other day they were taking an airing in one of the pens, which contains a mud-hole sufficiently large and deep to drown both of them. Near the centre of the pit, on a hillock, was a tempting bit of grass, and the old horse in getting to it mired fast. The mule quickly made a bee line for the stable, ran his "head into the office door, and brayed till the wall shook. He then started back on a wild run, with his tail over his back, but no one followed him. In a very short time he came back, and ran his head into the office, braying longer and louder than ever. This time he went about 50yds, stopped and looked back. Mr Grant was watching him, and, as he noticed his actions, told the boys to follow him, for something was wrong. They went and found the old horse mired down deep, and it took a half-dozen men to get him out of the mud." Here is another story about ahorse, which, however, strikos me as being less successful. '' Horses receive more credit for bringing reason to bear, and I may mention a little circumstance that came within Mr John Sheppard's notice, showing a strong manifestation of intelligence and affection." Said he: I owned at one time a mare called Susie, of whom I thought a "rent deal, find she of me. I left her one day hitched to a buggy on the street, went up eight or ten steps, then across a platform iiito a store, and while making some purchase chanced to look towards the door, and there stood Susie prevented from entering only because the door would not allow the baggy to pass through." But if Susie had 'possessed a little more discrimination she would not have tried to get a wide cart through a narrow door.—" Sporting and Dramatic News."

Extraordinary Trance

A sikcolah instance of the inability of even medical men to distinguish between a trance and actual death has just occurred in Leeds. Emma Whitaker, 16 years old, had for a long time been sufieiing from consumption, and the disease, it was believed, at length terminated fatally. Sheapparentlybreathed her last early in the afternoon, and the body was accordingly washed and laid out in the usual manner. An undertaker was called in and took tho measurment for tlio coffin, and other preparations for the funeral were made in due course. Late at night the mother and a neighbonr were sitting in the kitchen, when they were startled by hearing a noise upstairs, and followed by a cry of "Mother!" Much startled, they went to ascertain what it all meant, when they found the poor girl, still wrapped in her grave clothes, standing on the top of the stairs, complaining that she was very cold. She Mas put to bod, and medical aid summoned. She soon became quite rational, though of course she has not been told how far the arrangements had progressed towards the buiial. This Mngularcase of nance is excit ing a good deal of interest, both among mcd ical men and the public generally.

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

(By the Brindisi Mail of January IS)

(From Our London Correspondent).

A UIG MIXING BOOM-THE TRANSVAAL GUI.n- MINING COMPANY—A GOOD THING FOR TUB PROMOTERS—THE QUEEN'S NEW BOOK—MORK AHOLT JOHN BUOWN—THE PRINCE OK WALES'S. INDIGNATION—THE DUKE OF PORTLAND AND MAIiY ANDERSON—A RUMOURED ENGAGEMENT — I'RINCE LOUIS OK UATTKNBERG AND HIS FIANCEE — ARISTOCRATIC PARSIMONY —THE STOIJE NEWINGTON MURDER — " PRINCESS IDA" AT THE SAVOY—"LOW WATER"— A GHASTLY FAILURE—TOOLE IN A "MINT OK MONEY"—THE MOST POPULAR BOOKS—EFFECT OK A KAVOI'KAULE REVIEW — NEW AND CHEAP EDITIONS.

London, January IS. The weather ever since Christinas has been wet, mild, and generally depressing. Nine men out of ten are suffering either from coughs and colds, or lassitude and dyspepsia. City folks alone seem to be in good spirits. The reason of this is that money has once again become plentiful, and all speculative enterprises are consequently on the up-hill path. Strangely enough, I happen to know something about one of tho " big mining booms" of the moment. It bear? the name of the Transvaal Gold-Mining Company, and is being engineered with rare skill by Baron Albert (irant, and a cute South African named Guyfine Owen. With the aid of a cleverly-drafted prospectus, these gentlemen (who are the vendors) have already raised an enormous sum of money, and practically got rid of all liability in the coneSfn. What will be the upshot of the business remains to be seen. That gold exists upon the Liabon-Berlyn Fields is, I believe, beyond doubt, but whether it can be worked profitably seems to be worked profitably seems to be another and an exceedingly -awkward question. Some .grange stories are current in society about the Queen's now book, which will, there can be little doubt, practically take the form of an apology or justification for the Royal favour shown to the late lamented .John Brown. The Prince of ales and the junior members of the Royal Family arc said to be aghast at the idea. Brown's influence over the Queen led to trouble enough when he was alive, but that she should persist in mourning over him, and talking over him, and writing about him now he's dead, is gall and wormwood to the Royal chickens, who, though they have not been so careful about keeping their own names from unsavoury scandals, seem singularly embittered by the favour which the Queen lias shown for her High land attendant.

The rumoured engagement of Mary Anderson to the Duke of Portland is prema ture. His Grace has shown the young lady considerable attention, and openly admits he admires her greatly. Between this much and a proposal there is, however, " a great gulf fixed."

The marriage of Prince Louis, of Batten berg—the young fellow who was out in the _olonies a few years ago—to the eldest daughter of the late Princess Alice, is fixed for April 19th, and will take place at Darmstadt. As the youth is anything but well ofi', and Prince" Louis of Hesse will not be able to give his daughter a very sub stantial dot, the Queen proposes to provide for the young couple at the expense of the long-suffering British taxpayer. The richer some of our royalties and great noblemen become the more parsimonious they grow. The Queen is enormously wealthy, and could well afford to help her poor relations, yet she seldom, if ever, makes a present of greater value than an Indian shawl. The Duke of Edinburgh— as hundreds know to their cost—will stick at nothing to save money. I could fill a column with stories of his small meannesses, which, strangely enough, ho makesno effort to conceal. The Duke of Portland—young, handsome, and "rich beyond thedreamsof avarice"—is another "hard nail." Great were the rejoicings on his vast estates when, a few years ago, he succeeded his eccentric uncle, but the tenants have since dis covered " King Stork" may be even a more objectionable monarch than " King Log." The Stoke Newington murder still re mains a dark, impenetrable mystery, and ere long will be probably relegated to the rapidly lengthening list of undiscovered crimes. Our detective police appear to be hopelessly behind the times. In novels Mr Detective certainly achieves marvellous feats, but outside the regions of romance he appears to blunder worse than you or I should.

A second visit to the Savoy Theatre to see Gilbert and Sullivan's new " lyrical absurdity " hag greatly strengthened ray first impression that, musically, "Princess Ida " is incomparably the best opera of the series. "Truth" and the "World" are both very severe on the libretto, which they style dull, trashy, and meretricious. Certainly the story does not contain so many quaint ideas and topsy-turvy notions as " Patience" or " Pinafore," but my impression is that if the latter had never been written people would have simply raved about " Princess Ida." A lovelier set of stage pictures than the first act presents I have not seen for a long time. There was quite a pronounced exclamation of wonder the other evening when the " sweet girl graduates" rose up at the conclusion of Lady Blanche's lecture on "the must and the might be," and re vealed to an admiring audience the full glories of their superbly embroidered silken robes. All the dresses in " Princess Ida" were specially designed from the drawings of Gilbert himself, by the famous Parisian costumors Atirjuste et Cie. The "Princess" (acted by Miss Leonora Braliam, the lndy who scored such a suc cess in tho title Wile of " Patience," and was

"Phyllis" in " lolanthe ") wears a dress of white brocade puffed at the waist with white silk gauze, and sleeves to match, the front of the dress and sleeves fastened with buttons of diamonds and pearls, the entire body trimmed with fine gold cord. A regal mantle of white embossed velvet lined with yellow silk and gold damask, and bordered with the linest golden embroidery, which flows from the shoulders, fastened by a clasp and chain of gold, diamonds, and pearls. Round the waist she wears a belt and girdle of diamonds, the head-gear beinc a glittering coronet. As " Prince Hilarion," Mr Bracy looks every inch a hero, his costume of bronze brocade, trimmed with gold gimp and real otter fur, being ex ceedingly becoming. The hat, sleeves, and tights are of reseda silk or plush, orna mented with jewelled bands of turquoise and diamonds. The amazonian armour worn in the second act by the girls is silver-plated, and most dazzling. Of the principal morccaux in the opera, Ifnncy theexquisite trio in thefirst prologue, "Expressive glances shall bo our lances," will be the most popular with musicians. A duet between the two kings, Hiidebrand and Gama, is also somewhat expressive. Hu.d. do you and inform the lady Most politely, most politely. If she don't we'll storm the lady Most politely, most politely.

(To Gam a) You'll remain as hostage hero, should Hilnrion disappear. We will hang you, never fear, Most politely, most politely. The trio between the three warrior sons of Gania, which ends the first prologue, struck the public taste at once, and on the

occasion my last visit was encored twice. M .ss Bond received a simi lar honour for " The Ape and the Lady," rondo. The latter grows upon one like the Captain's song in I'inaforo. It has a catching symphony, which precedes ami follows every verse. The humours of Lady Blanche's "mighty must" song Hies rather over the heads of ordinary theatre-goers. Go, mighty mußt! Inevitable Shall! In thoo I trust. Time waves my coronne. Go. mocking la. Go, dissappointing Was. That I am this Ye are the cursed cause! Oh. Weak might-be! Oh! may, might, could, would, .should, How powerless yo For evil or for good! In every sense

Ye moods I cheerless call Whatever yotr tense Ye are Imperfect all!

Tho success of " Princess Ma" is un mistakeable. It should run fully as long a? " lolanthe."

The two great pantomimes at Drury Lane and Her Majesty's are doing tremendous business just now. The former gives twelve performances a week, yet the book ing is so brisk that there are no good seats to be had in either stalls or dress "circle til! the second week in February. I know tin* to be a fact, for I tried my utmost to secure a box for one evening next week yesterday, and failed utterly. After a short recess the Globe Theatre reopened on Saturday last (January 12) with a new comedy by A. \V. Pinero, entitled "Low Water," which was a com plete Jicwo. Of late first night audiences have seemed both ill-tempered and exacting, and on this occasion they damned the piece before the second act was half over. The play, it must be admitted, was a poor thing enough, but even had there been any good in the last act, the "gods" would have declined to sec it. Once

" cat-culling" begins-, all is over. A far pleasanter fate was in store for "A Mint; of Money," the new comedy written by Arthur Law for Toole, and played like " Low Water " for the iirst time on" Satur day last. Mr Law thoroughly under stands Mr Toole's strong points, and has in " A Mint of Money " chosen for his phases of farcical humour that illustration of laughable terror and grotesque bewilder-* ment which, in the hands of popular low comedians, has so often proved effective. With this object, the huio, one Kerosene Tredgold, is made a nervous young gentleman, much embarrassed by the attentions which his wealth attracts Yrom ladies anxious to marry himself and his fortune. When the play begins we find him a victim to the blandishments of Mrs Flutterby and six of her daughters, whom she has named after the days of the week. The triumph of this match-making matron seems early won, when by the aid of .in opportune fainting n't Miss Thursday Futterby is deposited in the awkward arms of the" millionaire. Poor Tredgold hasn't the ghost of an idea what to do with the damsel, and hi? appearance in a fair curly wig and light frock coat is supremely ridi culous. The "oil-man," however, as the petroleum proprietor is contemptuously called by his rival, is too good a catch to be secured without a struggle, and he next falls a victim to an adventuress who subdue.-' him by the mesmeric power of her eve. Under the rule of this Medusa 081 lther, who is accompanied by a drink lov ing brother, more unpleasant than her self, the miserable Tredgold suffers till at last even his meek endurance can hold out no longer. Ho bundles the tipsy O'Blather into a temporary re treat in the coal hole, and is just beginning to rejoice in his comparative freedom, when the footman comes in to ask where the " rest " of the coals are to be shot, u<f the cellar is full. You may imagine the comic effect produced by the conscience-stricken dismay which leads the wretched millionaire ; to fly from the supposed pursuit of justice. As the farce (for of course it is nothing more) proceeds, the fun grows brisker, though, of course, the proceeding? grow more and more improbable. What these are like may be guessed from the fact that they lead to Tredgold's disguise in the clothes of the very man for whose death he thinks himself responsible, and culminates in his concealment up a tree, whence he peeps periodically forth to comment upon the conversation of the friends who are dis cussing him at their picnic party beneath. Next to the " Life of Lord Lytton," the book most talked about just now is "'The Millionaire," a story I favourably recom mended to you some weeks ago. It has since been eulogistically reviewed by all the literary journals of standing, and in fact the author, who turns out to be not Laurence Oliphant, but Mr Louis Jenningw.is a made man. " Once False, Both Fair," a highly sensational novel by J. B. Harwood which ran through "Chambers's Journal" lastyear should be popular in your part of the world. It has a capitally contrived plot, and plenty of " true love" and "villainy." The best "blood-and-thundei" yarn I have come across lately is, however, " Called Back," by Hugh Conway, i novelette published in the form of a sixpenny Christmas Annual by Arrowsmith and Co., of Bristol. The his tory of this little tale carries an instructive moral with it. " Called Back" was pub lished about six weeks before Christ- ' mas, and distributed lavishly all over England. The cover, however was plain, and it didn't sell until in Christ mas week Mr Walter Besant, the novelist, who is an omnivorous reader, picked up a copy at Charing Cross Station to amuse himself with on a railway journey. He was greatly struck with the ability of the writer and the originality of the story, and recom mended it to a number of friends. Amongst others the editor of "Truth" was advised to buy the new annual, and it pleased him so that he praised the story highly in his paper. From the time that number of "Truth" circulated, the sale of "Called Back" began to grow, and now it is going off at the rate of 5,000 copies a week. One stnail bookseller told me that during the six weeks before Christmas he only sold thir teen copies, whereas now he often gets rid of fifty or sixty in a day. And yet some publishers pretend a review can neither aid nor injure a book !

Macmillans have published a cheap edition of that very clever novel, "Mrs Loritner," by Lucas Malet—the norn de plume of the late Canon Kingsley's daughter. A five shilling edition of Mrs Oliphant's pleasant Scottish tale, "A Lover and His Lass," is also out; likewise 3s 6d issues of Dandet's "Port Sal ration," Robinson's " Hands of Justice," and Chas. Gibbons's "Of High Degree." The last named is the best of these three. .Tr.mes Payn's "Thicker than Water," and Haw ley Smart's " Hard Lines," I cordially recommended to you when they came out in three volume form, go those who have not read them will be glad to hear that Longmans have addad them to their six shillings series. The only two-shilling issues announced are Miss Hay's "Under the Will" and "Madeline's Mystery," an anonymous tale edited by Hiss Braddon.

At latest dates JTred Maccabe was in London disengaged. J. K. Emmet was showing at the Chestnut-street Opera House (Philadelphia), in " Fritz " last month, and W, E. Sheridan was billed to appear at the Star Theatre (New York), in "Ingomar," on ti.a sth ultimo.

A Lecture to the Ladies.

Somk parting- voids of tilings not to do, madam—that1 is, if you would have^the best. chance of getting your daughters oil' your hands. Beware of four in hands or New market coats ami deerstalker hats. Never dress like gentlemen if you would please gentlemen. If men should be manly, ladies should bo feminine. Slang may seem wit, fast, and original. With this view and am bition, be slangy if you pleaso : but a slangy wife who could bear t ' ' Ladies have a right to dress as they like." Granted ; but who wants a wife to be mistaken from behind with a hearty slap on the back, with " Well old fellow, how are you ?" Who enters upon this line (if we know our sex) may almost "give up hope." Beware of promiscuous lawn-tennis and all sorts of clubs, which take ladies morning and evening after men, as if all men were brothers. Fancy ladies ladies proper, ladies feminine, and ladies modest, and with proper self-respect— hoydening and struggling about after balls With men in flannels, and not even braces, and—a luitl amcwh/i indescribable. Fancy " walking with the gnus," following up the men as they follow up their game, and not leaving them even forn shooting luncheon m a Held by themselves ! " What an old fogey ! What old-fashioned notions ! Have not ladies a right, Sec, to amuse themselves like others, and enjoy life in their own way V" AH this, wednisrako us not) most >eely ad mit : only "getting off our hands" is ju»t now uur iheme. We only say, romember trie i;o.-t, a price lit which few ladies intend to pureliuso this liberty of modern days— namely, to destroy all that charm so attrac tive to men—ye*, even to men not the -no^t particular; and us a iv.-ult, rathei to hung on than to "gut oil'" the parental hands, unless wedded to men of a bad style indeed. Lastly, madam, beware of any balls where you arc not present. or staying at any balls alter supp. r. Give no men a ch.-ince to prime your (laughters with ci.amp.igna and then talk nonsense with them; the lie.-it 01 dancing makes this tar too easy. As to in,- latch-key, and ladies sent abne, with the mere fiction of one eluijivi-.ju-guinji-al, and ladies returnin< at the small \inuv in the morning alone— if alone, bra. rarely unattended by some gentleman hansom ..-al>s preferred, and perhaps stopping r o have a cosy little .-up per by tne way- -" we could a tale unfold." An experienced old Indy used to say, " Uua't tell me about engagements, love, and at tachments, and all that, till you can report that, they have been in and out of the lawyer's office." L'eoplo can't live upon air ; and. to see .-on.<- of them even at a we Idinjr breakfast, you will find they are (pnte a> hungry aite;- marriage as before. Lupirl is a young gentleman that must be well led. '■ Lux,-in a .-olta-e" seems all sunshine and honeysuckles ; but rent and taxes, and soap, soda, ur,d sandpaper, how ever vulgar and sublunary ' must all be duly provided tor. So when you come to the settlement it often proves a settler indeed. Instead of money the gentleman has ex pectations, and is '-looting out for some thing to do ;'' hohn.-«"u rich uncle who may die," or a bronchitis aunt not expected to wheeze and cough through another winter. You may have oilers enough of this sort, just as the servant-maid has when she comes into her quarter's wages. I'ray madam, beware ot all such ; have no younger sons or younger brothers about your premises. Curates are very dangerous —no good themselves, they keep others off. As to dashing young oliicera, few can say, in the words of "poor MU. Baily," " IVe got a one-pound note in my regimental smallclothes." So-bo guarded and dis tant ; let us recommend a cast of counten ance like the builder's notice board—"No admittance except on business." But do not aim too high. The higher you aspire the less your chance, tiil ,d last it ends at a vanishing point, .lust take your pencil and draw a pyramid, a cone, or a tail triangle. Take .1 slice oil'the ba:-e, and it is a very wide slice ; this represent* the comparative number of the striving men of business ; and among them, most ladies proper would suc ceed. But this might boo little "come down," while every slice nhove represents a class smaller and small';- , literally line by degrees and elegantly less. Knt beware of one danger. The higher you aspire the lower you may sink, with a great blot on your family escutcheon. Lord Burleigh truly said, " Marry your daughters early or they will marry themselves," and choose, in then despair, a partner for life even lower than the lowest you could have proposed to them.—" London Society.'

Wonderful if True.

An evening contemporary has the following : »"Ln<lie- who are credulous enough tobelieve that it is possible to stay the march of time, and who cannot consent to grow old with good grace, will perhaps provide themselves with die latest invention for the toilet table, namely, the ' youth and beauty-giving mir ror,'advertised by a I'urmnn speculator in female folly. He has, of course, ' consulted ancient documents,' which have revealed to him a secret which he has turned to account in the interest of the fair sex. Purchasers of his marvellous mirrors, prepared accord ing to the secret process revealed by those mysterious documonts he has been studying, are assured that by the simple act of look ing at their faces in them, they will grow more youthful in appcarrnce and more beautiful. How long the glass which works such wonders need be consulted every day is not stated ; but the advertiser affirms that he ' exaggerates nothing" as to the remits obtained by constant use, stipulating only that brunettes order the beautifying mirror specially designed for dark women, and blondes that intended for fair women. Yerv likely he will find a sale for his goods, and perhaps, o.H tilings considered, since there are ladies who, by tlioir creduatlty, aid and abet in impostures of this nature, it is pre ferable and less harmful to sit for a few hours looking in a mirror than to cover the ekin with cosmetics and perpetual-youth con pounds that are frequently, if not always, injurious."

At a Governor's Table in the So udan.

One evening we dined with the Governor, in Turkish fashion, eating with our fingers in stead of using knives and forks—a not a very delectable form of entertainment. The dinner was served on a large brass tray placed on a circular table, round which all sat, including some Egyptian officers who had just arrived after a long march, and ap parently had not led for a considerable timo. Behind us, immovable as statues, and hold ing lamps above their heads, were somo five or six White Nile slaves. The sweet and meat courses alternated throughout dinner, a rather trying ordeal for the European' palate; hut, on the slightest symptom of flagging on our part, the hospitable Bey immediately insisted that we did not liko our fare, upon which we were obliged to renew our elforts. We were provided with an immense number of dishes, twenty-five eoursesall told, including theinevi table sheep roasted whole, head and all. Once, when assisting at a similar entertainment, the at tentive host, gouged the sheep's oye out with his thumb and finger, and was anxious to put it in my brother's mouth, a mark of attention he had =ome difficulty in resist ing.—"The Wild Tribes of the Soudan." By F. L. James.

Si&R SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT, 3NIAROH* 8, ' 18S4.

4