RANDOM SHOES.

[By- Zamtkl.]

firfr\p, write, a noljThbour « muno to lash, Eraiowritc-vainthoughtl-for needful cash. fcoinu write lo please tho country clash, And raise a din. For ir.'s, rwi mm I never fash— I write for fun.

IK the pre.-cnt " silly seaton" of the New Sttalftnd papero, the Osprey controversy is a Ttritable godsend, and from Dan to Beer gheba—l menn from Waipapa to Parenga ronga—tho press and people have all got licbbornc on tho brain, and are once more, as in the time of the sonsational trial, rang ing themselves for and against tho obeso individual who i« by law and Act of Parlia ment declared a rank impostor. It is really surprising to hoar of tho fleet of Ospreys that must have beon cruising about the South Pacific thirty odd years ago, and almost .13 surprising to know that such a crowd of " old identities" oxist who aro prepared to make solomn affidavit to having «een, read of, or travelled in a three-masted ichooncr bearing that uncommon namo. Ouo individual lias the temerity to boast thai; ho "stowed away" on such a schooner w lien he was a youth. Tho infection has

spread to Australia, and dozens of nows-

papers there arc flooded with corres i pondenoe relative to one or other of tho multitudinous Osproys ; evon sleepy-headed Tasmania has beon aroused on tho subject,

and contributes her sharo to the new Tich bbrne testimony. " Zamiel "is nlmost ashamed to confess he ia not an "old ■Identity," and his recollection of what sohoortera wcro scooting wound, here thirty years ngo i-! of tho haziest description, which fiots perhaps account for his being scarcely üblo to see tlw relovancy of all this Osproy evidence. )*ut he lays claim to just a glimmering of common-sonse, and ventures to surest, that no more lottery be writton until eomeone ia prepared to say he was on hoard the Osprey which picked up the hoir to the Tichbome estates with tho other survivors from the wreck of the Bella. In tho present state of our information, to prove that there was ono or several Oapreys trading to colonial ports is but to proTO that tho Claimant had sufficient brains to invent a plausible story, with a colourable admixture of fact. ■ x xx

This calls to mind that celebrated axiom which the pretended Tichborne formulated —"Some people has plenty of money and no brain?, and other people has plenty of brains and no money." It is no doubt one of the many Providential 6ompeneations of life that talent nnd wealth should not often be conferred upon tho Bame individuals ; but pervorso men are continually sotting themselves to alter the excellent nrra»ge menta of Nature. Therefore, we find that, nowadays at least, the one aim of men •f ability is how to turn their talents into hard cash ; and on the other hand ; tho rich man, believing with Soloman that "money answereth all things," does his bust to con v»rt eomo of his glittering yollow dirt into erudition or culture, or tho appearance ot it. Th« nouveaiix riches of America, many of them as ignorant as Hottentots, affect the possession of literary or artistic taste, and spend thousands of pounds upon the 'f ratification of their craze ; while crowds of struggling authors, with a superabundance of brains, which the world does not want,

are eking out a subsistence by literary " hack "work, and indulging" dreams of

being able to convert their brain tissuo into the grosgflf shape of material wealth. Crasnfl a fool, and Diogenes a philosopher— such is the compensation tn this life; Dives in torment, and Lazarus in Abraham's bosom —that is the balancing of accounts in tho future state. But men are impatient of tho slow process of "the mills of God," and therefore, as I have pointed out, they make perpetual efforts to- adjust mutters accord ing to their own ideas.

One of the latest attempts to supple ment the labours of Providence is seen in the parcistent peddling of diplomas, orders, and title 3of nobility. Tho western boor •who has " struck ile" has but to spend a few hundreds of his easily-earned pounds, and, presto I—change r-ho isjthojpossessorof a patuufc of nobility, and ia entitled to bo called Count or Baron. In the same way pretentious quacks can get diplomas, which are -supposed to bo the stamp of merit, in exchange for filthy lucre, and may strut about in their borrowed plumes, and rccoivo the adulations of the ignorant. American medical diplomas are often tho subject of condemnation by the superior Briton, but the lattor has little need to throw a stone so long as his learned societies givo the titles of F.R.G.S., and so on, to any vain fool who is willing to bleed to the amount of the entranco fee. Tho Germans are a nation of toadies, and1 among themselves deal freely in patents of ~ nobility, but Italy is par excellence the land of mercenary dealings in titles and. ditlomas. Here is a copy of a circular which an enterprising title-broker has been addressing to wealthy people every where :—

"Sir, —Knowing the high position you justly hold in the financial world, and wish ing you to profit by the eama, oither in the interests of your business or those of your family, through the advantages of nobility, I have the konour to inform you that I can, for an amount offi «ialiy fixed/ obtain for you either cer tain docorations or a title, which would doubtless facilitate the transactions which tou have undertaken. Titlo of Prince, 75,000f.; Duke, 50,000f.; Count, 25,000f. j Baron, 20,000 i. All warranted, and in good form. Trusting to the favour of an early snifor, —I am, sir," &c.

As " Truth " remarks, there is a refresh ing candour about this communication which will..doubtless have the effect of securing orders from wealthy upstarts who wish to shine in society. In the same way the Italian learned seoieties dispense their ribbons and parchment at fixed rates to those foolish people (usually the most in «ompetent of their class) who are " pleased ■with a rattle, tickled with a Btraw." It is, indeed, a sign of sad degeneracy that Italy, which was onoe mistress of tho world, should have become the pander to the world's vanity. "Zamiel" deems it but small merit in himself that he considers these Continental titles "not worth a Con tinental," bat he confesses to a mild sur-

priae at finding how many of hia fellbw . being* are prepared to do homage to such things as sham aid shoddy. Present ■ompany, ' dpar reader, is of course «K*eptsd ; but don't you think, entre nous, Hmk Carlyle was right, and that mankind ura " mostly fools ?"

Being in the vicinity of that cheese -' ftotory again lost week, I thought I would drop in and ascertain how those girls got vtx with their new employment. As I ap proneked tho Gothic building, I met a band of youthful maidens, their ages varying from sixteen to nineteen, with fine physique, a»<( figures well-developed,' yet plodding along with weary footsteps as if they were finishing a (housand-miles-in-a-thoueand hours contest.. To my surprise, however, their countenances wore api'expression of happiness and relief, out of all harriony •with the genoral weariness of body so strikingly manifest. Their remarks to eaoh other told me these were the factory-girls, leaving work for the last time, to their groat joy and satisfaction. A few remarks upon the heat of the day gave me an intro duction, and after a little general conversa tion two or three discreetly-put questions - elicited ths information I wanted,

fl X ■'. .. ■ X :. ■; X ■''■■■■ Biusnr the first week one-third, of the girls reilgned, and the local storekeepers sold all their stocks, of porous plasters and tinature of arnica. Then the • directors ■ had another meeting, and with a view: of encouraging the girls who wore still holding o«, agreed to- show them personally how easy tho work was; but it is to bo noted that, mindful of their chairman's experi , once, they carefully .'divested themselves of superfluous clothing before entering the workroom. Still the perspiration would and did flow, bo that they were reluctantly com polled to acknowledge that perhaps it might bo more conducive to the comfort of tho girls and the interests of the fnotory if the steam-engine wore to do the curd breaking portion of the work, and they accordingly instructed the manager to pro care at once a belt from the local saddler, , ■}; nnd_ make the necessary connection with tho engine. This was done, and for a week it looked a» i! the difficulty had been solved though the saddler is said to have | sold during that week more embrocation :■;-- " than in ,any , four weeka since ho cpm ' niencod business, . when, suddenly the; ;'.'■■■ engine refused work, and the services of a - .skilled engineer had to -be obtained to get

it to work again. Next day it broke down a second time, and this had such an effect upon the girls that they all gave notico of their intention to leave tho following weok. The Board of Directors have now deter mined to engage a number of full-bUoded young Irishmen, and if they fail, in all probability "Zamiel's" advice will be solicited to help them out of the difficulty.

One would imagine that the young men's mutual improvement societies of Auckland and of other colonial cities and towns were infected with a kind of dry rot, for it is an indisputable fact that, in Goldsmith's words, they briefly "flourish and decay. Such institutions, however, have been serviceable, and of good effect in the past, although proudly ignored by the wise young men of the present. It must be admitted that the tendency of these lingering be tween-life-and-doath societies has been to develop a taste for thoughtful considera tion of prominent political and social questions. Although tho meetings of members havo been but poorly attended (a good lecture will draw on an average eight members, unless the leoturor bo a man of high social standing), somo of tho papers produced havo been excellent in design and aim, and creditable to the writers as literary compositions ; while several of the debates have tended to foster tho habit of careful . and discriminating thought, aud the ability to meet criticism and opposition with dignified serenity and courtesy. In some instances leading membors have bson drafted into local bodies, and found a wider field for tho practical outcome of matured thought and observation. But_ what ever their ultimate provinco in tho arena of public life, such men are an ac quisition to their colleaguos. In well ordorcd socioties they havo been schooled into the habit of keeping temper in chock, hearing and reading on both sides of ques tions, and by studious means they havo ac quired broad and intelligent sympathies. Who does not know that tho greatest nuisances in public bodies are tho obstruc tive talkers and querulous and choleric squabblers, who havo had little or no train ing in the essentials of. practical and useful discussion ? It seems, howovor, that mutual improvement associations havo lost their charms for, at least, Auckland young men, who evidently bolievo that kicking a foot ball is preferablo .to the study of political economy.

I find there has been quito a large out pouring of intellect in the composition of gallant invitations to the unprotected fair, ono specimen of which I gave in a former wcek^ notes. A lady reader writes to me as follows:—

" Dear Zamiel,—l have in my possession a printed card somowhat similar to the one used by the young mon of Onehunga, bnt which I consider a. great improvement upon theirs. It is as follows :—

CONFIDENTIAL.

Dear Lady ' Will you, in the generosity of your nature, condescend to allow me the extreme felicity of accompanying you to your romantic and secluded wigwam this delight ful evening? t.S. If not agreeable, please return this card, and if you have no serious objectionsf may I be permitttd to sit on the ragged edge of the fence and see you pass by?

I think you will agree with me that this is a far more ' poetical' request than tho ono published in your interesting notos of Saturday last."

"Zamiel" has a sporting friend who firmly believes that there is something more than mere empty wind in that hackneyed piece of provorbial philosophy about the "luck of a Chinaman." Twelve months ago my sporting friend stood at the elbow of a guileless celestial and watched him back the rankest outsider in a two-year old race at Ellerslio. My friend smiled, and knowingly placed his money on the favourite. A few minutes later the rank outsider Necklace won, and the Chinaman drew a dividend of £S0 or £90. The other day the Englishman again stood near the Chinaman at the Takapuna Racecourse, and saw him back a horse that only a week be fore had finished nearly last among a lot of scrubbers. Again my friend smiled at the exhibition of Mongolian simplicity, but again the outsider won, and "John'" coolly collected a dividend of £23. So my friend determined to follow the Chinaman^ luck. He did not let " John " out of his sight all day, and what "John " backed he backed, and what "John" left alone he avoided with the greatest caro. " Tho result was that when tho spoilsman's wife camo to turn out his pockets at two on Sunday morning, she was agreeably surprised to find that he was £50 richer than when he started for town on Saturday morning. The promise of a new dress absolved my friend from the outpouring of the vials of domestic wrath that generally fallow a return to the bosom of one's family at 2 a.m., and all hands agreed that he was right in believing that there is something " solidly " genuine about tho " luck of a Chinaman,"

Considering that it is but a few weeks since we were constantly hearing "the bitter cry of unemployed' Auckland," things seem to_ be getting on remarkably well in our fair city. The elaborate pre parations being made for the approaching holiday season form not the least significant sign of prosperity. Excursions are being projected embracing a wider range than heretofore, and entertainments are pro mised in greater number and variety than the close of ths year has ever witnessed since tho foundation of Auckland. Tne Cat Show is an original notion which will doubt less attract a good deal of attention, though from the paucity of old maids in colonial communities, the " tabbies " may not be up to the - mark of a London exhibition. Glanoing over the list of prizes offered, a serious omission strikes me—there is no award for the best Manx cat. Now, the Manx cat is a natural curiosity, being the complete antipodes of the Kilkenny cat. The Kilkenny cats consisted of nothing but tail, whereas the Manx cat has no tail at all. The latter may slip into the show under the category of "foreign cats," so that the public may have an opportunity of seeing those curious tailless animals. The Cat Show seems to bo a parody on the late Baby Show, even to the extent of a prize being offered for the "cat with the largest family present." There will be this difference while the Baby Show was an un-squall-ified success, the Cat Show will be a very a-mew sing affair. ~ .

There are numerous concerts promised, besides balls, dramatic performances, and other amusements. In addition there will be the usual rush to the races at Ellerslie, and free " investment" of money (as betting is euphemistically called) upon the horses engaged thore. Talking of horse racing reminds me that a certain patron of the "sport" in Auckland has come to the wise decision to "retire in geod order" from the turf, Ho retires not dead broke or very, badly bitten, but with his confidence rather shaken—that's all! This gentleman has been.one of the chief promoters of a local Jockey Club and not only encour aged the sport, but kept a stud of horses, whose performances won him both coin and "kudos," But the Fates that watch over horse-racing have lately been utpropitious to him. After a long period of preparation for the event of the year, the horses proved not to'be "fit," and instead of winning every race.'as was anticipated, they failed in every instance, while one of them fell and killed himself. Accepting these occurrences as very plain hints, ho has, I am told, re solved upon retiring into private life. I only mention the facts to express my ap proval of the course he has followed and to advise those local admirere who lost money by backing his animals to go and do like wise. ' ... ;V",.' . , .-.; •V< .

The revival-mongers at Port Albert who have been cutting such fantastic tricks be fore high Heaven within the last week or bo, have now dispersed to their homes. Having had leisure since the cessation of the : religious saturnalia to sprinkle cool patience upon the heat and flame of their distemper, they are slowly awakening to a sense of the ridicule with which they have invested themselves, and they are consumed with an anxiety to induce the public to discount the veracity of the newspaper correspondents. A terrible and invincible witness for the naked and dishonouring .truth has, however, arisen to confront and awe them into tremulous silence. The amateur photographer—in these latter days almost rm übiquitous as the irrepressible reporter—was, as it now appears, upon the econo, and screened from the chief per formers of the " Holiness " orgies obtained first-class negatives of the most Btartling performances. Amongst .his views .is one of the unfortunate female who disported herself in the mud in a state of semi-nudity. Her friends have learnt the: awftjl truth and arenow in active negotiation with the enterprising photographer with a view to

the purchase and destruction of this damn ing evidence of weakness and folly. Taking advantage of his position, however, ho stands out for a stiff prioe, and a bar gain has noi yet been struck.

It is Byron who asks despairingly :—

" Where may the wearied eye repose When gazing on the great, Where neither guilty glory glows Nor despicable stute ?" Among warriors and statesmen he was pleased to make an exception in favour of George Washington, and most people will endorse his eulogy of that "one—the first, the last, the best," though to aomo minds a fatal flaw in George's character was his in ability to tell a lie. Had George Gordon Lord Byron extended his research to poets and othor authors, he would havo failed to find any rest for his " wearied eye," unless with that self-esteem so common to man kind, it had rested approvingly on his own figure. The silliness, conceit, and con temptibleness of men of letters are as marked as are the jealousy, feminine vanity, and prido of professional musicians. Even that "myriad-minded man," William Shakespore, does not seem to havo been free from blemishes of character. Mi- Richard Grant White has been at some pains to rake up a lot of old records, so that the " many-headed beast" may revel in the great philosophic dramatist's foibles and moannesses. .Thus he iinds that Shakcspero was grossly indecent in his writings, though he denounced such quality in others; that ho sued one of his Stratford townsmen for £1 153 lOd, and another for £6, and getting judgment against the lat ter, and not being able to arrest him, he proceeded against his surety; that he did not save his father from similar prosecu tion on tho part of his creditors, but that ho did buy from tho Herald's College a coat of arms for that father, and a patent of gentry full of falsehood.

It is consolatory to know that evon " tho divine William " was human, and that a puny scribblor like myself may daro to bo foolish at times. From Sbakespere to Lord Lytton is a big jump, but the latter has just beon shown up in a very silly light, by tho publication of his love letters, und this links him with the subject in baud. As Mr Edward Lytton Bulwer, ho was noted for his foppishness of dress, but the childish strain of his love-makinfj to Miss Wheeler (whom ho married and afterwards separated from) comes upon people as a fresh revelation of his character. Hero is a short sample of his style :—

And so they dressed my Poodle in white and black! O, zoo darling! how like a poodlo! And had oo oo's bootiful ears ourlod nicely, and did oo not look too pretty, and did not all tho puppy dogs run after oo and tell oo what a darting oo was? Ah! me sends oo nino million kisses to be distributed as follows:—500,000 for OO bootiful month, 250,000 to oo right oyo, 250,000 to oo left eyo, 1,000,000 to oo dear neck, and the rest to bo equally dividod between oo arms and hands.

Ten million moro kissos, my own darlinsr, for your letter which ia just arrived. It is read, and now before it is anawored tako tho following [marks of kisses]. Fray, darling shall we not Idas prettily to-morrow. Darling (D) (A) (R) ---(L)H)(N)(G)? Well, my darling, pray write, for my soul hungers and thirsts after Bomo of your wnteoun ness—ten million [moiia of kisses] and 15 [bites). 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 [marks of kisses], my dcarost Rose.

My own doar, kind, darling love and poodlo. Adiou, my own Rose, my life of life, very Poodle of very Poodlos, Adiou! Adieu, oo own Idolatrous Puppy, Kvermyjdoarest dearest dearest fondest kind est bootiiulest darlingost aneelest Poodle, oo own Puppy. Asparagus Acorn Pup Bobadil oo Boots X—

No wonder that Miss Devey, who publiihes these letters in vindication of Lady Lytton, says "that Mr Bulwer's letters to Miss Wheeler exhaust the whole vocabulary of amatory declamation ; bnt their want of reticence and dignity too clearly betray a sensual abandonment to what she called the 'love of a Bashaw,' not concealed by tho affected but ponderous philandering of his playful correspondence under tho names of ' Puppy' and ' Poodle.'" We might go on, gentle reader, and "gaze upon the great" of all times and countries, with the equal result of finding all tarred with the same stick of fallibility; but to give some rest to our wearied eyes, lot us turn to another theme.

Thia is a matter-of-fact age, and hence it is, poradventuio, that} the Investigating Committee of the New Zealand Psychological Society advertise for "information as to the whereabouts of any haunted houses." I have heard and read about these " spiritual" curiosities, but in the absence of more substantial evidenco I still have grave doubts as to the character which they should assume, and therefore I want to know, you know. After tho Committee' have discovered some haunted houses, I presume there will be a big ghost hunt. (By the way, that item should bo ainong.«.t the sporting fixtures. Please send it along, Mr Secretary.) I hope " Zamiel " will be the recipient of an invitation to this great " spiritual" treat. He rernembors being at a rat hunt down in tho old lady's back kitchen? On that auspicious occasion he merely had two ropes run around the feet of his unmentionables and a stout broom stick in his hand. How this armament would answer for an encounter with the in habitants of a haunted house is open to much doubt; so " Zamiel" will only carry that usual terror to all evil-doers—his pocket-book and pencil, wherein will be written all that transpires. The pages may be filled with full particulars of the explorations, but I fear that "nary a ghost" will appear to relieve the monotony. Still, after the same manner as the Inves tigating Committee, I live in hope.

Many tall stories are told of the ridiculous acts perpetrated by absent-minded in dividuals. They may or may not be true, and, entre nous, I cannot say I have ever stretched my imagination far enough to be lieve any oi them. But fact is reputed to be stranger than fiction, and under shelter of the ola saying, I add another to the list of incidents. Tall as some of the stories may be, it would be difficult to believe that the exploits of any of those absent-minded individuals surpassed the achievement of a youthful limb of the law, who, at Onehunga the other day, carefully stabled and foddered his riding whip, and then led - his horse upstairs with the object of putting him to bed. Perhaps some sceptical individual may doubt the truth of my story, but ample verification can be obtained from the landlord of the hostelry where the occurrence happened, and he will probably-not object to exhibit a shattered staircase as the last remaining evidences of somebody's foolishness. The only wonder is that the absent-minded cuss did not qualify himself for the accident ward at the Hospital.

Women at Breakfast.

WnEN They Ace Most as Nature Made

Them,

" Perhaps there is no better test of a woman's health and beauty than her ap pearance at an early breakfast table, "writes Dr. Hammond. "She is then more as Nature made her than at any other Eeriod of the day, when art has been rought in with a view of height ening her charms. If she has slept well, it argues at somo extent a sound nervous system, and the effect is scon in the brightness of her eyes and the tone pos sessed by the mußcles of her face and neck. Her movements are full of grace, for her limbs have been refreshed and strengthened by repose, and her mind is clear and bright, for it also has rested, and there have been no bad dreams to exhaust her nervous sys tem and make her limp and haggard. Her intelligence is then at its maximum, and she feels the recklessness that is so generally the result of eound, healthy sleep, and that is' only a natural elation of the emotions— pleasant, doubtless, for her to exhibit, but far more pleasant to those to whom it is manifested; .

" If, on the contrary, she has slept badly, or has suffered from nightmare, in conse quence of a feeble digestive system, her eyes are weak, dim and watery, her face is flabby, her head appears to be held un steadily on her shoulders, for it droops on her chest, or bobs helplessly from side to side, her complexion is dull and blotchy, red where it ought not to be red, affd pale where it ought not to bo pale. Her expres sion is indicative of the discomfort she has undergone during the night, her move ments are either painfully slow or aggra vatingly brusque, her intellect shows stupidity, her emotions are torpid, her perceptions dull. - ' , . " While the woman that is in good physical health exhibits all the beauty in the early morning that her features are capable of expressing, the one whose organic life is de ranged is at this period of the day at her worst. There is no better test of a woman's health than her ability to,eat a hearty breakfast, and it might almost be said that her physical;beauty is.in direct proportion to the amount of beefsteak or mutton chops she can put into herself at this meal. Cer tainly, pretty women can always eat a hearty breakfast."' .'

SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTURES.

New Zealand.

Auckland Summer Meeting.. Dec. 20, Jan. 1 and 2 Thames J.C. Summer ~ December 20 and 27 Hawke's Bay J.C. Summer Dec. 26 Canterbury J.C. Summer Jan. 1 Northern J.C. Summer Meeting Jan. 9 and 10 Takapuna J.C. Summer Jan. 29 Wellington J.C. Summer Feb. i, 5, and 7 Wellington H.C. Summer Feb. G and 7 Duncdin J.C. Autumn Feb. 2G, 27, and 28 Wanganui J.C. Autumn March i> and U HawEe's Bar J.C. Autumn March 17 and 19

Dates of Nominations, Entries and Accep tances.

Second Forfeit Auckland Cup & Steeple chase and General Entries .. .. Dec. 19 Nominations Northern J.C. Summer Meeting Dec. 19 Acceptances for Duncdin Cup Dec. 27 Nominations Takapuna J.C. Summer Meeting Dec. 29

To Correspondents.

N.Y.—The Painter was got by Korarl from Eglantine, by Traducer. Old Sport.—Ladybird was bred In Nelson by Mr Morse, in 1858. She was a chestnut. H.J.E.—Thirteen is tho largest number that has started for nn Auckland dip. This was in 1879, when Ariol won. Otahuitu.—ln tho last Auckland Gup, Salvage carried Bst 81b ; W'olcomo Jack, 'Jut 101b; aud Libeller, 7bl 71b. F.M. (Parnelll.—Grand Flaneur won £7,939 in stakes, and Progress ti1,201, cxemsivc of übout £GOO for second moneys. Inquisitive- — At tho laat A.lt.C. Summer Meeting Wolcomo Jack won the Railway Plate, Publicans' Purse, and AueU land Plate, all weight-for-:iKO races. Tho only othor event he started for at the mooting was the Cup, in which ho ran unplaced.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

The weights for tho Dunedin Cup, which is to be run on tho 26th of Fobruary next, havo mado their appearance. By com mencing atOst. 91b., tho handicappois have given Welcome Jack a weight that ho is master of, but it is understood tho cham pion is bound for Australia, so ho may bo passed over. If Oudeis is tho olippor ho is represented to bo, ho should bo about with Bst. 121b., and Lady Emma, who has 31b. lessjtnust bo reckoned woll in. July(Bst7lb) has nothing to thank the handicappers for, but I am inclined to think Sat. 51b. will not prevont Johnny Faulkner from winning. Nonsense (Sst 41b), is leniently dealt with, but to my mind tho best treated animals in the race aro Salvago and Turquoise, and should they not incur ponaltios, must take some boating. Taiaroa (7st. 101b.) has no cause for complaint, and with 7st. 41b. Ike is wonderfully well in, but i Necklaco with 21b. less, has got oil' none too lightly. Captain Wobstor(7st 21b)should have an "excellent chanco if ho is landed sound at tho post, and of those with Gst 121b and under, commend mo to tho chances of Lady Evelyn, who, if I am not mis taken, will yet win a big evont. Thero is some time to elapse boforo the raco ie run, but at the present time I think tho winner will como from one' of the following lot: — Salvage, Turquoise, Oudois, Ike, Lady Emma, Johnny Faulkner, and Lady Evelyn. The second forfeit for tho Auckland Cup and Steeplechase must bo declared and paid on Friday noxt, at 8 p.m., or tho nominator will bo liable for tho balanco of tho stako. Acceptances for tho Derby, and goneral ontries for tho wholo of tho minor ovents of tho meeting aro also duo on tho same date and hour.

The Auckland Cup quotations, etc, wil bo found on tho second page.

The last of the New Zealand Stud Com pany's matrons to foal was Lyra, and this week she producod a colt to Musket. The Company havo had wonderful good luck with their maros this season, and tho foals, which number thirty-five, aro all looking healthy and well. I notice that Major OJoorgo has fallen foul of the gentlemen who adjust tho weights at Christchurch. In tho Midsummer Handi cap, Nelson was weightod at 7st 101b, but his owner, thinking him ill-used, put tho pen through his name soon after tho handi cap was made public. If Major Goorgo, however, thinks Nelson badly dealt with, ho cannot growl at the Gst 71b apportioned Wapiti-—in fact, tliefo is a general opinion in Christchurch that tho colt is "thrown

Tho woll-known paneillor, Mr J. K. Poolo, arrived from Sydney in tho early part of tho week, and is now prepared to bo " taken down" on our Summer Moot-

Ing. Tho Now Zealand Stud Company will bo E leased to hear that Leeds, who was got by loncaster out of their highly-bred mare Stoppo, has figured prominently in another good race in England, tho colt having cnrriot 9st, ;:nd ran a dead heat with Pillory, list. 71b,, for tho Aloxundra Cup (Imndicnp) of 500sovb. Among tho year lings to bo sold by the Company on tho 3rd 01 January is a beautiful f III> by Cadogan out of Steppe. A new plan has boon adopted by tho Dunedin " Horald " of showing tho state of tho betting in a race, by prefixing to the name of each horso the amount invested on him in tho totalisator. This givos at a glance the respect in which each liorso is held. Ring betting is now go little in dulged in on the courso that tho totalisator is really the best, and ,n fact tho only test of the odds.on the horses.

" Mazeppa " says that a Dunedin man has backed Administrator to win a large amount in tho Auckland Cup at 100 to 8. Tho same authority also hears that Mr M. H.-Smith, who lately owned Hippodamia, has sailed for England.

Mr C. H. Lushington has erected four boxes near Ponrose Station for tho accom modation of his team. Thoy woro shifted there this week.

The following alterations in dates of weights and acceptances in connection with the Wellington Racing Club Summer Meet ing have been decided on :—Tlio weights for the Wellington Cup will not bo declared till Monday, January sth ; acceptances on Monday, January 19th (general entry night); and the final payment beforo 10 p.m. on Thursday, February sth. Writes "Sir Launcolot" :—- "It is rumoured that a match has been made by the owners of Welcome Jack and Black Rose to run their horses for £100 aside, on the last day of th« Auckland Summer Meet ing. The rumour lacks confirmation, though." The total amount put through the totalisators at the Wellington Racing Club Spring Meeting was £G,732. The Club's commission totted up to about £470. At theDunedin Jockey Club Meeting, £14,379 was passed through during the two days.

" Senex " states that Nonsense has re tired to the paddock. This week a local backer accepted 400 to 40 about her for the Du'nedin Cup. St. >".imon, who was regarded as the beat horse in England, has gone amiss, and it is doubtful if lie will stand training again. This will be a sore disappointment to all English sportsmen, who were anxious to sco the two great saints, Simon and Gation, op posing each other. In appearance the two horses are said to be very dissimilar, the former being a tallish, short horse, while St. Gatien is represented a3 one of the grand, lengthy colts not often soen upon a race course.

It would appear as if the Eclipse Stakes of 10,000 sovereigns is likely to prove an expensive race to the Sandown Park Club. No less than 101 horses have declared forfeit at the first opportunity, and as there are four more chances ofgettingout.it does not seem probable that there will be many left in by the Spring of 1880, when tho race will be run.

Mr John Mayo has purchased Prince Im perial, by Kelpie, out of Queen's Head, for £600, from the Hon. John Eales. .

Mr A. F. Smart has determined US give up racing for a time, and the whole of his stock has been placed in Mr Clibborn's hands for sale. The lot are to be disposed of without tho slightest reserve, but the date of the sale has not yet been an nounced.

The dark V.R.C. Derby colt, Seahorse, who was said to have beaten Suwarrow's time, and Van away from Blink Bonny in a gallop, started for the Sandhurst Cup and Bendigo Handicap, but, although piloted by Donald Nicholson, was unplaced in each event.

I extract the following interesting itbm from " The Fio:d " :—"Never, perhaps, did the lottery of breeding receive stronger exemplification than it does now in respect to St. Gation, whose dam was driven in harness by a Sussex farmer until she collded with the railway gates at Emsworth, and then she v as virtually given away, with the result that when put to the stud she pro duces a horse that places on record a big performance like that credited to St.- Gatien. Not that any expense was incurred in. finding suitable mates for Sfc Editha—in fact, the cheapest stallions appear to have been patronised, and !•■ the case ot St. Gatien there ai:e some doubts as to the paternity. At the time that St. Editha was put to Rothorhill, that horse was stand ing at Worcester Park(a station midway be tween London and Epsom), in company with Tho Rover—a stilty-legged horse, so broken down as to be almost a cripple—by Blair Athol out of Crinon, by Newminster

out of Mjirgery Daw. Rotherhill Had beon suffering Bovirely from influenza, and failing to sl:int the inare,sho was put to Tho Rover, andl tho produco was St. Qatien. Although fcb is protty cortain that, had tho sire and dam of St. Gatien boon offered for sale by auction previous to tho advent of the crack, (neither would have attracted a. bid, his [-edigree affords a striking instance of a succesi? in breeding Stockwefl on New minster insitead of vice versa, which has of lato been tho fashionable way of breeding, and most justifiably; for, as wo pointed out last winter, the successes of Newminster in tho male line, and of Stock well in the female, wcire as noticeable as tho failures in the other direction, and served to point the yule to which St. Gatien is a startling and =miprising /exception."

SEEING THE CESAREWITCH.

A New Zee (lander's Experience of New markot.

[By as Occasional Contributor.]

Off to thk Classic Heath—ln the Biiu> cagk—Backing the Favourite—Saddling Up—The Kunneus and Jockeys—Rack for THE CLEAKWELL STAKKS— AT TIIKDuCHESS'S Sale—l,ooo Guineas kok St. Honorat—The Cksakkwitch—St. Gatikn—John Hammond Wins £10,000—Trk Middle Pakk Plate— " Aitcmsii: Di'"—Melton to the Fore.

" You'll Iliavo a nice talo to tell Snider, Harris, Dii'akc, Billy Weston, and all tho boys whon you got back to Cliristclnirch," said my fu'iend H , as we alighted from tho Nowmurkot " special "at St. Pancras on tho evening ot tho Middlo Park Plate day, and tilrovo oil' to tho Criterion to get somo diiuior. "Yes," I admitted, "it's boon an eventful Cosarewitch. I saw Corrio Roy carry tho Alanton ' scnrlot' to the front in '82, and witnesnod Don Juan's easy victory last yoar, but noithor of thoso races can bo compared for a moment with the-exciting contest of Tuesday."

Lot mo soo, now, if I can't recall some of tho most interesting incidents of our short visit to th» head-quarters of tho turf for the benolit of your readers. Wo left London oarly on Monday morning by a Great Eastorn Company's racing train, which is made up of first-class carriages only, and does the S)0 miles in an hour and throe quarters. Many of what the "Sportsman" would will " tho turf's most aristocratic supporters " travelled down with U3. Prince Soltykoff and " Jimmy " Lowthor (hobnobbing togother) wore in tho noxt carriage, and on tho platform at Cambridge I noticed Captain Macholl, Lord Vivian, and a whole host of tho " small fry " as sociated with Bedford Lodge. Everybody wastalking about thoCenarowitch. Rumours of sonsatiional trials filled the air. "Can Arcliiduc win with such a weight?" "Highland Chief lame?" " Will Quick limo stay the course ?" Those and fifty similar quostions wore bandied about from mouth to mouth, and eagerly replied to. Arrived ut Nowmarket, wo had * cut of gamopie at the Rutland Arms, and then strolled up town on to tho Hoatli. A cold east wind blow up tho Cambridgeshire bill, but tho Paddock (or Birdcage, as it is raoro usually called) was snug onough, and, by hnlf-past ono all tho regular habititis had assembled in tho rings. Monday's racing was not vory interesting. Tho Ccsarewitch Trial Handicap sometimes gives the straight tip for tho big race itself, and on tho prcsont occasion tho easy victory of Stockholm's stablo companion, Tombola, caused tho former to be so heavily backed that she becamo positively first favourito. The Cloarwell Stakes, for 2yr. olds (an ovont which Archer has won no loss than nino times), attracted an unusually good fiold, considering that, on public form, it looked a gift for tho Devonshire Chum- Eagno Stakes winner, tho l)uko of Port md's Langwoll. Eight youngsters opposed tho latter, tho most promising of tho lot Booming to bo a brothor to tho unlucky Goldsfield, callod Goldsmith, and owned by Sir Geo. Chotwynd. Tho iioldors botted oven money against Langwoll and 4 to 1 against Goldsmith, who, from whoro we stood, appeared to win easily, Tho truth, however, was that Archer brought up tho favourite with a rush, and just caught Sir Geo. Chotwynd'e colt on tho post, and got homo by a neck.

■ Tho weather on tho Cesarewitch day wn» crispand fresh, butsunny: in fact, thoroughly autumnal. Wo spent tho morning at Bedford Cottage, seeing some of tho Duchess of Montrose's horses sold. Hoavy reserves wero placed on most of tho young sters, but Captain Machcll managed to socuro St. Honorat (tho 2yr.-old brother to Thebais), St. Marguerite, and Clairvaux for 4,000 guineas, and Archer, in all proba bility, got it bargain in speedy Prince William for £1,800. Tho champion "sprin ter," Energy, on whom a resorvo of £U,OOO was placed, did not chango hands.

When a movo to tlio HenUi was mado, the rings ,\vero found to bo overflowing, and oven tho Paddock somdwhnt uncomfortably crowded. Of tho Cesarowitch horses walk ing about there, by far the most noticeablo proved to bo tho magnificent St. Gatien, who literally towered above such small fry as Gonfalon, Bon Mooro, and the heavily backed Studloy. Floronco is a grand inaro, and Highland Chief and Quicklime had plonty of admirers, but Stockholm looked too slight a filly to carry 7st. 121bs. successfully oyor the sevoro Cesarewitoh course. In tho ring, Stockholm was a red hot favourite, and heaps of money went on Highland Chief and Archiduc. Witli Gibs, leas on his back, St. Qatieu would have had moro admirers than anything in tho race, but that he would out-do all records and carry an unhoard-of weight to victory in such a field seemed unlikely. Notwith standing this, liowover, Mr Hammond's colt left off third favourite at 9 to 1, his stable companion Floronco being heavily backed for a placo at 3to 1. Towards the last any thing over 4 to 1 was freely accepted about Stockholm, and 10's betted against Archiduc. Tho following are details of tho running:—

Tiik Cksarewitcii Stakes (Handicap) oi £1,102, over 2m. 2fur. 240 yds.

Mr John Hammond's St. Gation (by Rothor hill or The Rover—St. Editlia), iiyra.,; Bst. lOlbs. (Wood) 1 Lord Roseberry's Polemic, 4yrs., Gst. lib. (J. Wall) ~; 2 M. Lefovre's Archiduc, 3yra., Sst. 51bs. (Archer) ■. •..'..'..3 Mr J. Hammond's Florence, 4yrs., 9st. 21bs. (Webbj 4 Also ran : Lambkin, Highland Chief, Stock holm, Sir Reuben, Quiok.ime, Master of Arts, Bracken, Xema. Palermo, Ben Moore, Gonfalon, Studley, Crim Tartar, Postscript, and Sir Francis. •

Betting : 9 to 1 Stockholm, 8 to 1 High land Ghief and Archiduc, 9 to 1 St. Gatieh, 10 to 1 Quicklime, Studley, Sir Reuben, 100 to 8 Ben Moore, 100 to 6 Lambkin, 20 to 1 Gonfalon, 28 to 1 Florenco, Xema, and Crim Tartar, 50 to 1 Palmero, 66 to 1 Polemic and Postscript, 100 to 1 Sir Fran cis and Friday, 200 to 1 Bracken and Master of Arts.

The Race.— They say Master of Arts led for tho first mile, but when I could see the field, Crim Tartar was in front, with Archi duc, Quicklime, Stockholm, and Xema close up. The favourites appeared to be all in it till about half-a-mile from homo, when the pink cap borne_ by Stockholm fell back, and tho rank outsider Polemic, going a great "bat," rushed to tho front cloar of Archi due, on whom, however, Archer did not seem to be moving. St. Oatien and Florence now came on the scene and the former, settling Archiduc, in a few strides collared Polemic, and leaving him with ridiculous ease, won in a common cantor by 4 lengths, Archiduc third, Florence fourth, Xema fifth. Archiduc was probably second best, though whether he or Florence would have won with St. Gntien out of the way it would be difficult to say. Lucky John Hammond, who began life as a stable-lad, throws in for tho nice stake cf £40,000. During the present year hehas won three such fortunes: one over the Derby, one over the Manchos ter Cup, and ono over the Cosarewitch. He mado no secret of the fact that St. Gatien would win, but very few turfites could bring themselves to believe the colt was such a " nailer" as to knock evon Robert tho Dovil's record into a cocked hat.

Tho chief event of Wednesday was tho Middle Park Plate (or 2yr. old Derby), for which a highly tried "darkoy," by Stirling —Casuistry, belonging to tho Duko of Westminster, and Mr Mainley's Cora were mado tremendous favourites. Neither of them, however, could compete with the Ascot New Stakes hero Melton, whom Archer just got home before the French Xaintrailles, a very fine colt that should do wonders next year, Melton was a compara tive outsider, and did the ring a turn they much required, backers on the whole getting the best of the smaller races.

Lucerne made a dead-heat with Tristan for the Champion Stakes. Odds, 6to 4, were laid on the latter, in a small field, and he would have won as easily as lie did last year, but refused to budge when collared, and Lucorne just got up. Tristan will now go to the stud. During the last four years he has won M. Lofevre £25,000 in stakes alone, not to mention bets.

FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS.

(BY ACTION.)

CRICKET FIXTURES.

December 13-Nowton v. West End 2nd, A est End Ist v. Otahuhu (continued). Parnell v. I Zingari, Gordon v. Vagabonds, Alpha v. Ware housemen, Auckland United v. Auckland (continued), Alpha Ist v. United Warehouse men, Our Boys v. National (continued), Auck land 2nd v. United Second. Deocmbor 20—Auokland 2nd v. Warehouse men, U'oßt End v. Our Boys, Auckland v. United (continued), Alpha v. Gordon 2nd, Gordon v. Otahuhu (Domain). Newton v. West Shaw's English Eleven.

December 12,13,15, IG, v. Australian Eleven, at Adelaide (probably). December 23, 24, v. Sandhurst, December 2G. 27, v. Ballarat. January 1, 2, 3, 5, v. Combined Australian Eleven, at Melbourne. January 9.10, v. Wolloneong. January 12.13, v. Casdclo district. January Hi to 22, v. Narrabrl and tho North. January, 23, 21, 20,27, v. Now South Wales, at Sydney.

AQUATIC FIXTURES.

December 26, Nelson Rogatta January I—Lyttelton Regatta. January 2—Hearn v. Harrington, at Riverton, for £200 and Championship of New Zealand. January 2, Bluff Annual Regatta January 22. Wellington Annual Regatta January 29—Auckland Annual Regatta. February 7—Hanl.m v. Clifford, £SOO a-side. February 28—Clifford v. Beach, £500a-ijide March 28-llanlun v. Beach, £500 a-sido and championship of tho world, on tho Paramatta Rivor. April 18—Clifford v. Hanlan (if the former is victorious in his match with Beach). —Clifford v.Teenier, £500 aside.

CYCLING FIXTURES.

Auckland Bicycle Cr.un Runs. Saturday, Decombor 13—Newmarkot, Remit era, Oreenlano, to Onohungß and hack. Saturday, December 20—Tho caves, Three Saturday. December 27—Northcote, The Lako, and North Shore; 315 boat.

The annual Bluff rogatta takes place on January 2nd,

Professor W. Miller was left £1,500 by his father.

On Monday last Logan launched a small fishing yacht for the Thames.

Sam Dove has finished a 16ft. open boat for E. Porder, which will bo put in tho water about Christmas.

During the criekot season just passed Oxford University played eight matches, winning seven and losing tne,

Bailey launched two-fine looking fishing boats this week, ono 4 tonß, and the other 5 tons. Both will probably be entered for the Auckland Regatta.

A cricket match between Press and Par liament, at Sydney, on November 29, re sulted in an easy victory for the former, with a total of 173 against 90.

The Star Boating Club sends four crews to Nelson to compote at the anuual regatta at Christmas time. The men are now in active training, and should render a good account of themselves.

The second deposit of £25 in connection with the t-culling match between Hearn and Harrington was made on November 28th. The final deposit of £50 is to bo made on Decembor 15th. Hearn left for Riverton onMoniay.

In tho programme of tho Nelson Regatta, fixed for Docembor 2Gth, there are 13 events on tie programme, and altogether over £150 will be given away in prizes. Crews from Wellington, Wanganui, and Blen heim are expected to competj.

A racing doublo sculler built by Rees for the Lyttelton Rowing Club, is 22ft. Gin. in longth, 3ft. 3iin. amidships, and is fitted with ISin. slides, which can bo lengthened to 17in. if required. She is built of clear pine, with trimmings of cedar.

Thero is a prospect of the 20ft. open boat raco on tho Auckland Regatta programme falling through because of tho miserable first prize offered (£10), although fully half-a-dozen new boats are likely to com pete. The Regatta Committee should at tend to this matter before it is too late.

Tho programme of tho Lyttelton Regatta, Rx.d for January Ist. 1885, includes a race styled Intorprovinoial Ch unpion Four-oared Outrigger Race, for which tho first prize is £25 and silver cup presented by the Union S.S. Company, to bo won twico in succession or three times at intervals; second prizo, £10.

David Livingßtono, the well-known long distance runner, who defeated O'Connor recently in Newcastle, Now South Wales, ran ten miles within the hour at Invercar gill on Nov. 22, on the track of tho South land Caledonian Socioty, running the die tanco in SGmins. 15secs. Ho did tho fust thrco miles in 15 mina.

Thoro will bo several Auckland boats at tho Wairoa Kcgatta, which will take place on Now Year's Day, and thoy will probably include tho Droam, W. Matthows's now boat, and a now 20ft. boat built by Laing, of Ponsonby. Those boats can bo entered for two soparato races, for each of which largo prizes aro offered.

The Selection Committee of the Otago Cricketers' Association have chosen the fol lowing to praetiso for the Interproviucial match : —T. Austin, Boddington, E. Cooke, Collinson, Carr, Drabble, Dixon, Espie, C. Firth, Fairbairn, Fleming, Parker, Rose, Rattray, Spring, Skitch, P. Turnbull, Wratt, and Wyinks, Hmilan is having a couple of racing shells built by Ruddock, the celobrated Boston boatbuilder. One is to be made of Mexican cedar, 31ft. Cm. long, login, beam amidships, sJin. deep amidships, 2Jin. deep forward and ljin. aft. Tho camber of the keel will bo 2 meters forward and lin. aft. The boat will have supplementary gun wales with strong bracing; the slide will be 27in. long, and tho craft will weigh, when finished, 251b.

A somewhat novol competition in the aquatic line took place at Sydnoy recently. It was a pres3 yacht race, and took place under tho auspices of the Balkrat Yacht Club. Seven yachta took part, representing as many different newspapers. The race was won by the Viola, owned by Mr G. B. Hogg, of the "Courier," which led from start to finish. In presenting the trophy to the winner, Commodoro Morey eaia he hoped that next year Sydney, Adelaide, and New Zealand would take part in the con test.

" Typliis " writes in the " Sydney Morn ing Herald " :—'" Several of our crack boat builders are very Tjuay just now executing orders for the different rowing clubs, New Zealand even favouring us with an order, which is unusual, as most of her boats have been, J understand, if not imported from England, built in Melbourne. Donnelley and Sullivan have a four-oar string-test gig on hand for the Sydney R. C, and one for the Globe R. C, and have orders for several outriggers. ,G. Barnett, of Blue's Point, has orders for several skiffs; and Longford, of Berry's Bay, is on the 'eve of completing an order for a four-oar string-test gig to be shipped to Maoriland."

SPORTS IN ENGLAND.

(FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.)

On Saturday last W. G. George, the popular champion runner, made his last ap pearance on the running path. As I told you last week, the Executive of the London Athletic Club arranged a race to enable the champion to beat Deerfoot's record of 11 miles 970 yards in one hour. Early this year Goorge attempted to do this, but failed by about 30 yards. On that occasion he started Rcratch in a big handicap, and had to pass a lot of men, so it was naturally thought that he could lower the record in a small field. This, however, did not prove the case. When George came out to run,he appeared rather "stale," and com plained of a sore foot. A' start was soon made, and, helped along by several pace-makers, Gcorgo completed- his first mile in 4min. 50 2-sth sec. <Up till tho sixth mile ho had a chance of beating the record, but after that he ran a losing race, and retired when he had finished 9 miles in 46min. 48 2-sth sec, seeing that his case was hopeless. Af tar tne race the Lady Mayoress presented George with a medal, on which were inscribed all the recotde he has beaten. It is the intention of George to make a long tour through India, Australia, and America. He will start ahortly,and I hope that when be gets into your part of the world he will give you an exhibition of his wonderful powers.

Apropos of amateur athletics, I see with gigat satisfaction that the magistrates at uWwe have just sentenced a professional runner to a month's imprisonment with hard labour for running under an assumed name as an amateur at the local sports. The man, it seems, bribed a railway porter, who was an amateur, to let him run in his place, and succeeded in winning a first prize. This fraud somehow came to the ears of the Amateur Athletic Associa tion, and they prosecuted the man, with tho above result. This ease will, I hope,

have a salutary effect on somo of tho pro fessional gents who make a practice of attending provincial meetings as amateurs, and, getting long starts, frequently win valuable prizos, besides assisting their friends to win large sums of money by botting on them. The' Executive of the Royal Aquarium announce that at the latter end of November they will hold in the great hall a six days' go as-you-please contest for the Astley Belt. I sincerely hope that this contest will not be allowed to come off. After the first two or three days these long-distance races are simply revolting. The Bight of half-a-dozen wretched men limping round and round a track is far from edifying, and I wonder that people can pay even a shilling to see such a hideous spectacle. Rowell, Little wood, Fitzgerald, and a lot of Yankee runners are announeedto compete, so 1 sup pose the affair will attract large crowds and till the Aquarium coffers. Ru»by footballers received rather a sur prise last Saturday, when the Marlborough Lomads succeeded in defeating the famous Dondon Scottish team by a goal and a try to nil. The Scotchmen were best behind tho scrimmage, while the Nomads forwards worked together splendidly. Soon after the kick-off, the Marlborians, by a combined rush, carried tho ball into the Scottish twenty-five, and just before half-time Hankey got over their line and secured a try, from which Vans Agnew kicked a good goal. Directly after starting again, Laurie gained a try a foot off the touch line, but Vans Agnew was unable to con vert it into a goal. Soon after this, tho Scots carried tho ball within six yards of their opponents' goal line, but Wilkins by a good run relieved his side, and tho Nomads goal was not in dangor again. " No-sido " was thon called, and victory rested with tho Marlborough Nomads.

Mr Harrisen, tho "father of Victorian football," who came over here with tho Aus tralian cricketers, was present at tho general meeting of tho Rugby Union last week. Aftor tho businesshad been disposed of, Mr Harrison had a long confereneo with the Committee, endeavouring to impress upon them tho desirability of adopting the game as played in his colony. No ono could have more clearly enunciated the intricacies of a new game than Mr Harrison, and it is a pity that so much of his energy and time should havo been wasted on such a hopeless task. Some of the gentlemen present at once pooh - poohed tha idea, and only one or two wished to give it a trial. It is, I think, very unlikely that English football players will give up the game they have played for years, even for such a splendid sport aB Mr Harrison alleges the Victorian game to be. Mr Harrison's idea was, of course, to try and arrangesome Anglo-Australian matches and all English football players would be very glad to play a series of games if both countries played under tho same ruies. Un fortunately, different codes are in force, and if matches are to be arranged.the.Victorians must learn to play the English gamp. An athletic paper called "Pastime," which lias a large circulation among footballers, published Mr Harrison's description of the Victorian game, and I must confees, from I': this account.it seems to me much inferior to both our Rugby Union and Association Rules.

GOSSIP FROM STAGE AND STUDIO.

(By Euterpe.)

Val Vose, the clever ventriloquist, is playing in Pennsylvania.

Mrs 6. B. W, Lewis and hor company are In Wellington,

"Royal Love" ib tho title of Wilkie Collins's new story.

MrC. Kegan Paul is putting into English "Blaise Pascal's Thoughts."

A volume of short stories by the author "John Halifax" is announced by tho Harpers.

Mr Farjoon has written a new story for tho " Town and Country Journal, entitled " The Tragedy of Featherstone."

Mr Dampior has been keeping tho Royal open in Sydney with "Notre Dame," in which several old favourites assist.

Mr Charles Harding is declared to be far and away tho best tenor to be heard in Sydney.

Mr and Mrs J. P. Burnett (Miss Jonnie Leo) and family loft Melbourne for London direct by the P. and O. steamer Carthage.

A new log.al quarterly,, edited by Pro fessor Frederick Pollock, will appear in January next, the price of whichis to bo 2s 6d. Miss Mary Lanyonhas concluded hersoa son at tho Sydney Opora Houso, and will, doubtlesSjSOon make her bowtoa Melbourne audience.

Sheridan's "Fun on the Bristol" com pany open at Sloan's Theatre, Invorcargill, on tho 10th instant, and at Dunedin on Boxing Night.

Miss Fortoscue now gets £25 a night, in stead of E7 a week, though she is; described as not having half the chic or talents of Nellie Stewart.

"The Sins of the City" is the title of Messrs Merritt and Conquest's new sensa tional drama for the Surrey Theatre. It is in eight tableaux.

Woodyoar's Circus has been having a fairly successful season in the Otagon met ropolis. It is said to have greatly improved since its last visit.

Mario Loftus, tho chief star of tho noto rious Loftus troupe, which created such a sensation in this colony somo years ago, is back in America, her congenial sphere.

Messrs Blaokwood announco a cheap edition (being the fourteenth) of " Bon Gaultier's " " Book of Ballads," with the original illustrations by Doyle, Leach, and "Crowquill."

There is a second infant "Roscius" in Missouri, by name Walter Whiteßide. This tragedian of fourteen summers has already commenced giving Shakespearian readings in Kansas City.

The death is announced from Milan, in his 72nd yearj of Giulio Carcano, whose Italian version of Shakespeare's works entitles him to a prominent placo among modern Italian literary men.

The Princess Theatre, Melbourne, has been leased for a period of twenty years to a wealthy theatrical firm, who undertake to remove the present building, and to erect upon the site a handsome and substantial structure. ■

The. Montague-Turner Opera Company have re-opened in Sydney with Auber's'' Fra Diavolo." They also give " Maritana," Bizet's "Carmen," Herold's "Pre aux Clercs," and other operas not yet heard from the Company.

A. Reichardt, the composer of the once so popular song, " Thou Art so Near and Yet so Far," and who has for some years been at the head of the Philharmonic Society of Boulogne-Sur.Mer, has just been awarded the Academical palms. ■ ■ • ■

Extensive alterations are to be made to the Christchurch Theatre Royal.- Part of the dome is to be removed; the stage is to be supplied with flies, the scenic stock added to, and the auditorium beautified. The cost is estimated at about £1,500.

Richepin, who is Bupposed to have out- Damala'd Damala in his adaptation of " Macbeth " for Sara* has added a scene re presenting the murder of Lady Macduff, "an incident," says "Truth" satirically, " which no doubt Shakespeare forgot."

Dr. Schliomann's new work, "Tho Pre historic Palace of the Kings of Tiryns ; its Primeval Wall Paintings and Works of Art," will be illustrated with coloured lithographs, woodcuts, plans, &c, from the drawings of W. Dorpfeldand others, taken on the spot.

The next additions to the collection of American authors for English readers will be shilling editions of Mr G. Parsons Lathrop's "An Echo of Passion," and Mr Frank R. Stockton's "The Lady or the Tiger?" Both books have run through several editions in America.

Chiarini still pursues a chequered career. When leaving Picton for Nelson the s.s. Ringarooma, with the circus and menagorie onboard, got stuck on a mudbank. She got safely off again, however. The Com- Sany, after " doing " Nelson, have gone to 'unediri, whence, they will return to Australia.

Messrs Hermann & Wills have written a comedy for Mrs Langtry. She, of course, will be the heroins, and she will have two men inlove with her. Shemarriesthem both —one after the other, of course; and, with that consideration whioli should character ise so sweet a personago, she marries the old man first.

Woodward's Japanese are at Wanganui, Webb's Marionettes at Nelson, and Pollard's Juveniles working up to Wellington. Thence they return to Christchurch, where Miss Gonevieve Ward is doing good

" business." The skeleton of Clark and Ryman's Comedy Company has also reached the Cathedral City.

"Sinbadtho Sailor" is stated to bathe name of tho pantomime at tho Opora Houso Melbourne, at Christmas next. Tho clown in the harlequinade will bo Mr H. Hodson and the columbine Miss Xellie Greenlees (MrsE. B. Russell). "Cinderella" will be placed on the boards of the Royal, with Mi 33 Maggie Moore in the title role.

Mi s Louise Crawford's season at the Opera House ends on Tuesday night. She will be succeeded by Fred Millis, the ven tiiloquist, who has bargained for four nights, and then Professor Oarrollo and his acrobatic pupils will adorn the boards for a couplo of nights. After them—on Boxing Night—Mis G. B. W. Lewis and her dramatic company.

Mr Jolin Hesford, formerly of Mr Wilmott's Company, who, it will be re membered, loft tlio stage some time ago and took' a hotel at Riverton, ha? not been successful in his new walk. The receipts of that flourishing hostelry having fallen to halfa-crewn a day, both the'landlord and hia creditors deemed it advisable to shut up, and Mr Hesford intends to resume his professional labours.

At tho conclusion of the Adelaide season, tho " Romeo and Juliet" Company, headed by Miss Fanny Reid, was disbanded. The speculation all through Molbourno and Adelaide wns a failure. The worn-out scenery which had been used by Mr Irving at the London Lyceum, and after wards carted all through the provinces of Groat Britian and Ireland, found no favour in the eyes of Australian playgoers.

A posthumous article on "Stage Inter ruption," by tho late Dutton Cook, relates tho following incident: —A favourito actress was playing in a temparanco drama called "Tho Bottle," and in the course of the piece she runs across tho stago crying— " llero's the bottle—what, oh, what shall I do with it?" when a man in the gallery callod out "Throw it down and smash it; we'ro sick of the d thing !"

Yon Suppers " Fatinitza" has boen played by Pollard's juveniles. Its success was only partial, as tho young performers, although exerting themselves most credit ably, are scarcely able to da justice to tho music. The first act depicts the Russian camp before R.ustchuk, tho second the in terior of a Turk's harem, and the third the summer retreat of a Russian count. "The Princess of Trebizonde " was presented on the last two nights of the season.

J. S. Smith (Simonsen's son-in-law) has made a lucky " hit" in renting the Hobart Exhibition building. Tho variety enter ment which he there presents to capital business is said to be tho best and most complete entertainment the Tasmanians have had for many years, and reflects tho highest credit on the tact, energy, and business capabilities of Mr George Dean, tho director. Herr Schott (not unknown to local fame) is director of amusement.?.

During a recent performance of "Jano Shore," in Wellington, a funny incident occurred. In that part of the drama where tho Duke of Gloucester, finding that the heroine is not to be suborned, denounces her as a witch, Mr Douglas had just finished tho speech wherein he avers that Mistress Shore has withered his arm, when suddenly an individualia the pit, overcomeapparently by virtuous indignation, exclaimed at the top of his voice, "You're a liar." The applause which followed testified to the sympathy of the audience.

Handel's "Jephtha"has juat been per formed by the Melbourno Philharmonic Society. Miss Carandini sang the music allotted to Iphis, Mrs Kamßden that Of Haraer, and Mr Armes Beaumont that of tho title rdlo, while Mr Gordon Gooch rendered the music incidental to the part of Zebul. Of Mr Gooch tho " Leader " sayß:— "Thoughhisvoiceis sufficiently well adapted forits(the music's)adequate performance, his style is so stiff, and the quality of tone he produces bo monotonous, as to detract from the value of his performance In tho re citatives this drawback became painfully evident; his unwarrantable introduction of appoggiaturas where they are not required, and consequently out of place, is also to be deprecated."

The Sydney "Bulletin" waxes funny at tho expense of several members of Miss Crawford's Company. SpeakingofMissMel rose's recent carriage accident, it says that it shook everything but her unalterable resolu tion to "love, honour, and obey. Marion, we may tell you, is, while her own H.W. is wrestling with Romeo in Adelaide, playing in Miss Louise Crawford's Cotriptiny at Abbott's—with Henry Teece (he couldn't leave it!), Percy Shannon, Martin Ilagan, and Lucy Fraser—'The New Magdalen,' ' Our Boys,' itc. We are glad to sco that Teeco is tho stage-manager; for, when he played hero, it took him all his time to manago his feet. Who, by the way, is Miss. Louise Crawford, who, the New Zealand papers say, has scored so many ' genuine successes' in Europe and America? It won't bo before he reaches New York, prob ably, that we shall hear of the genuine suc cesses scored by Mr Teece (say) in Aus tralia ! Hem !"

Thus the "Bulletin " : —"Dunning is now back in Adelaide with the etarnal " Bcc caccio," and a lot of girls with big limbs, and, by way of novelty, Appleby, Loredan, Annette Ivanova, Annie Leaf, who used to support Mr Harding—how kaleidoscopic is the life theatrical!—and Knight Aston, who, we hear, is in splendid voice—aeon summation he mildly attributes to the effects of ginger-ale." An Adelaide paper says that "-Mr Loredon, as Pletro, seems depressed by tho general badness of the Company, and his scenes with Isabella are almost entirely spoiled by Miss Julia G Wynne's execrable acting and worse sing ing. Mr Lissant, as Lotteringhi, is gradu ally improving, but it seems rather hard that people should come to Adelaide to learn their parts. Only for Mr T. B. Appleby's Lambertuccio, the representation would bo a dismal failure." There has been an evident falling-off in the strength and efficiency of tho Company.

Paris Beauty Show.

Preparations for the Paris Beauty Show, which ia to take the place of the projected Baby Show forbidden by the authorities in consequence of the representations of* the faculty, aro in active progress. The idea is not an absolutely new one. < To say nothing of the exhibition of the sort held on Mount Ida 3,000 years ago, a beauty show was organised in Pesth last year or the year before, and the photograph of the winner was to be seen in the stationers' windows all over Europe. And beauty shows limited to the beauties of the bar are not unknown in London and some of the large cities in the United States. Our barmaids are,. M. O'Rell tells his readers, the handsomest women ho has seen in Eng land—"suprOmement belles." ho describes some of them; The show is to be open to beauties, of every nationality ; and if his countrymen are of M. O'Rell's way of thinking, a picked bevy of the "young ladies" whodo thehonoursofourrefreshment counters would havo nothing to fear from the judgment of the modern Paris.—"St. James's Gazette." *

Stealing Children.

A LAtiy has been charged with stealing children. It appears that her husband had a passion for babies, very unusual with the paterfamilias of ordinary life, and as she was blessed with none of her own, -whenever she found that his flagging affections needed a stimulant sho stole a baby, and pre sonted it to him as his offspring. As infants of very tender ago are more difficult to kid nap from their mothers than those who take their airings in tho streets in the arms of Mary Jane or Jemima Ann, tbeso im portations into the family circle were con sidered (and no wonder) extraordinarily fine for their ago, and gave the greatest satisfaction. After six years of domestic happiness, however, the syatom'has broken down, and it is only too probable that paterfamilias will bo deprived of all his little ones at ono fell swoop. Such whole salo bereavement, if not absolutely un paralleled, may be certainly considered as very unusual.

THE GARDEN.

[By Hortits.]

Calendar of Operations, December 13,

[ItORTUS is willing to answer any queries. Cor respondents rmiat give their full names and addresses, though not for publication.]

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Tomatoes (Tomato.MountKden).—l would pick oft' the first flowers of your tomatoeß. It will cause the plant to gain a liUle more strength before fruiting. You hav^ now experienced the lirnt effects of what can be done with plants grown from cuttings. They are pro ducine fruit too carl}'. With plants from seed, the usual question ia to stop them from making too much wood and more fruit. If your ground is good, you should make both plenty of wood and fruit. As the season ad yances, wator occasionally with liquid manure.

Vimks Undkb Glass (Vinery). — You must ' continue from time to time pinching back the lateral shoots as they make too muoh Always leavo ono or two eyes, so that they may burst into growth. These will continue drawing on the cap past where the bunch has formed. This pinching must bo continued as Ions; as the canes are making strong growth. You must thin out some of the fruit from the bunches. The quantity will depend on how thick the fruit has set. Your best plan ia to estimate asnearlyaspossiblethesizeeaohberry pliould attain. Thin to that each may attain these dimensions. Oinohcka Trees (Ixion).—l do not think that the cinchona will bo a success near Auckland.'* The late Domain Board last season raised over 2.000 plant?. They attained a height of about ■ three or four inches, but early last winter the fro3ta killed them ail. Since that period the City Council have taken over the Domain they are still further experimenting in thai same direction. Thoy have from 1,000 taS.OOO plant 3 growing now, which, if they with, ' stand the winter, will be distributed freo to settlers. Perhaps by writing to the Town Clerk you might receive detailed information on tho experiments tried, t cannot tell what success Mr Malcolmson ' has had. I do not know whether he hag over cultivated a single plant here or not; but if; asked, he should be able to tell, aajlast season lie wrote pretty extensively on what he was doing. . Fbuit Treks (Fruit),—Your trees, you say, are not growing well; they are pretty old, arc carrying a fair quantity of fruit, but you would like to see them make more wood. Fork the surface—soil round each tree Riving plenty of manure—litter manure Is the best. A moderate amount of restpruning next winter would also incite them to make a little fresh growth next season. Be careful not to overdo it ; when trees tiro fraiting fairly be very chary of inciting them too much growth. You will be able to get rid of more next winter by applying to the limbs and branches a good coating of lime and water. The leech pest on ' tho pears, it it has not made lie appearance yet, will soon do so. Hclebore and water is the best syringe. Lime in a dry state is also good. Dust over the trees; but you must apply this oftencr than tfeo helobore.

Mulching.

Thebe cannot be too much said in reference ■ to mulching ; not only the crops in the, kitchen garden, but the flower beds as well, are greatly benefitted by it. During the hot dry, summers we get, vegetation suffers considerably—more especially on heavy strong soil, from its tendency to crack into deep fissure,?, and thus rapidly part with its moisture. Light sandy soils do not suffer go much, as the body of soil remains more intact. Thereisavastdifference in the power of soils, often even in the same locality, to absorb heat more than others ; also, in a measure, tho position or aspect they assume to the sun's rays causes them to absorb inoro heat, consequently they part with their moisture quicker than those which do not receive so many of the sun's rays. It does not matter what aspect or what qualities tho soils possess : all will be greatly bene-. fitted by being mulched with a thin covering of some non-absorbent mate rial. The latter with some reten tive qualities, of course, will be the best for the purpose. In all cases where plants will be benefitted by a little extra nourishment, halt - rotted stable manure makes a capital mulch. On plants that, are not so needful of extra help, I would use grass, straw, and materials of similar, quality, from which the plants will derive much benefit, and the saving in labour by watering will be considerable. Our Chinese market gardeners always mulch, and this is one of the reasons why they produce good crops of succulent vege tables all the season through. They have been taught in the Chinese hot climate the benefits to be derived. It is a lesson that British gardeners are past learning.. JC would only add that the providing' of mulchy materials for nearly the whole garden ought to be as great a consideration every season as the providing of manure to enrich it. ,

The Chinese Yam.— This esculent has, in its manner of growth and uses, much in common with the sweet patato. It belongs to the genus Dioscoroia with the tropical yams, which are much used for food in warm countries, their large farinaceous roots serving as a substitute for potatoes. These dioscorma edulis dolala, &c, are natives of the East Indies, but having been early taken to the West Indies and other parts of tropical America, they are both cultivated and naturalised. Their roots, often weighing thirty or forty" pounds, are much used for food in those countries. Tho Chinese yam is different from'all other ' species of Dioscorwa with edible roots in' being perfectly hardy. It would succeed remarkably well in New Zealand, and is vastly superior to the tropical yams in the fj edible quality of its rocits. It is occasion ally cultivated in the kitchen garden; Ik and is valued by many on account of . the purity of its flavour, and the absence of any after taste of sweetness or other unde- ' sirablo quality. The ease with which it . can be cultivated and the facility with '?'■■'■ which it may be preserved also commend it. ".. This Chinese yam was first sent to France by a French Consul about tho year 1849 from China, where it is in general cultiva tion. The yam has a root or tuber from,',! eighteen inches to three feet in length. It "'."', is club shaped, with the large part below/ : The portion near the surface of the ground ■".:' is not larger than the little finger, while the .'. lower end is sometimes three inches in diameter. The vine, if furnished with a ' support, will grow to a height of twelve "or • fifteen feet, but is much shoi^er when* allowed to run upon the ground. The !'.', triangular heart-shaped leaves are about". two inches long, and of a dark glossy .',. green. The flowers are very minute in small racemes in the axles of the leaves. ; j They are dull yellow, and are pleasantly.^.* fragrant. The plant is delicious. (Tnless t there are male and female it will bear no seed. But large numbers of bulblete about.." the size of a large pea are produced in the ,'i axles of the leaves. These grow readily, V J? and afford-the most common method of propagating the p!ant. As a field or garden ," crop it has never become popular, mainly oh.'; account of the difficulty in harvesting. The g small end of Iho tuber is exceedingly", brittle, and from the fact that the large enil ■ is lowest, it cannot be pulled, but an exca- .'., vation must bo made to the full depth'to >. which it reaches. This difficulty may be.,':', obviated to?some extent by planting upon,.. ridges. As some persons are exceedingly , v fond of the Chinese yam, plant the roots in || some convenient spot, and as they are per-1 m fectly hardy, allow them to take care of.^., themselves, digging them up as they am&l needed. In cooking they may be treated \, in the same manner as potatoes. The bulb m lets do not produce a full-sized tuber .',., the first year. They may be sown in awed' ,;| bed, and the small tubers produced planted jgj the next spring, either/whole or .cut into'' *V two or three pieces according to their size';,,'.: When full-sized tubers are once obtained: , their smaller ends are reserved for plant-■.£ ing, using the smaller portion for the table. J.: These email ends are cut into lengths ipf £| 1 to 3 inches, according to their size,, and;,": will produce large tubers the first year.,;! Tho tubers make their greatest increase in I size late im the season, and should not he if j dug before winter, or frost will .put an end: , to the growth of the. vines. Soils, beat ■:., adapted for their cultivation are light, r , sandy, or slaty, which have bean deeply | worked and highly manured. The diSr ''.'■ tanco apart in rows is 3. feet and 18 inches . V. in ridges, somewhat similar treatment t»,'i7 the sweet potatoes.. *,[..•. . ... . j-,^

SIR WALTER RALEIGH'S TOBACCO BOX.

Afind of interest to the antiquary is re- :■ ported to havebeohmadeatßudleign,netfar from tho birthplaco of' Sir Walter Raleigh- The article is belioved to bo the tobacco-box ; of Sir Waiter. It was purchased from on.!.' old lady, who stated that she could trace it ; back through members of her own family for I over 200.years. The box is an oval one, /..'.' rather more than three'inches iv length, and ' s . on the cover is a silver medallion, bearing an insciiption, the legible portion of whicß ■ ■■* is, "Sir Walter Raleigh, from his good ;; friend, but simple squire ;" but tho remain ing words cannot be deciphered. The in- ' acription surmounts a representation in high relief of Sir Walter Raleigh smoking his pipe, and an attendant throwing a :;| bucket of water ovor him because he thought his master was on fire. The box was purchased for a few .shillings, and is •'-•; now in possession of one of the Alderman of ': Exeter. . , •. . ~ . |i

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1884.

4



According to an article" on Prince Bismarck's political and domestic life, ■which is the principal feature in the-October number of the Deutsche JRevue, Count Moltke came up to the Prince after the battle of Ko'niggriitz was won, and ex claimed, "You are really a great man now. If we had been beaten, all the old women at homo would have pelted us with wet rasa.' The Prince alludes to the Holy Alliance aa "a Eußsian mouse-trap," and has always declared that the war of 18S6 was only a passing thunder-shower which entirely ;and permanently cleared the air between Germany and Austria. —"Truth." " BUCHU PAIBA."-<!ulck,coßitilelaenre.allmnoylm KMncy, Madder nn,l Vyhixrx JUl.w.6*. At Drotrctets. Kciu! '.-..'•.» Co., AgeuG, AucklMitl.



" ROUGH ON RATS. "-Clem out rats, mlco, roMhM. fllfw.anta. Jhsl-Ijh«3. beetlfa. lUMwU,akuulcß,]iwk-rA»>biU, gopliert. ■ .**!" •" AtDruggbU. ... . ,t