RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamiel.]

? .no vrrito, a nci-.-h hour's name to lash, H'-'iiio write—vain thought!—for needful cash, -.owe write to plcuae the country clash, Anil raise a din. For in . an aim I never fash— 1 write for fun.

"Foe a nice, clean, well-paid job, I think I'd be a bishop!" Such is tho reputed answer of an Irishman who found himself confined in a model convict establishment, nnd had been asked to name tho occupation at which he would like to bo employed. No doubt many of my readers are of Pat's opinion as to tho nature of tho Episcopal office, and imagine themselves fully quali fied to undertake tho duties thereof at a moment's notice. But littlo do they dream of the peculiar difficulties of tho position— of the many social disabilities it imposes, and tho hundred sources of enjoyment which are shut out from the holder of the office. A bishop, for instance, may not play euchre, or flirt with a barmaid while discussing a "long sleever," or whistle the newest operatic air, or laugh at a larrikin fight, or do any of the thousand and one little tilings which compose the chief delights of ordinary mortals. True, Auck land has shown the bright example of a bishop who dared to attend an operatic performance ; but even then he preserved a sort of ecclesiastical odour by sitting in the "stalls." Trobably the dress circle would have savoured too much of tho vain delights of the world. Amid all, tho bishop, even in the colonies, has one consolation. As Gilbert (the collaborates of Sullivan) says, they are paid for being good, while other people are expected to be good for notliing.'

I had written thus far when I came across the following passage in a recent issue of "Truth":—"Among other curiosities oi the law of gaming, I learn that a bishop cannot refuse to induct a clergyman for playing unlawful games or haunting taverns —a fortiori, I suppose, for playing unlawful games or frequenting clubs. This is on the venerable authority of Sir Simon Doggo, who explains it on the ground that such practices are ' not malum in se, but malum prohibitum. ' If the Church does not regard gambling as malum in se, it looks like a work of supererogation for the State to make it malum prohibitum." This rather staggered me, for it seems directly opposed to what I have set down regarding the dis abilities of holders of tho episcopal office. A second reading of the paragraph re assured me, for I found that the persons permitted to gamble and imbibe were the common clergymen, while the bishop is represented as an objecting party. This would go to prove that the bishops are really good for something (whether for thoir pay or not I cannot pretend to decide), and supports what I write as to the inconveni ences of the office. It is curious to note tho different effect of high rank in tho Church as compared with fie Army, for instance We all Know that

" What in the captain's but a choleric word Is in the common man rank blasphemy;"

but it is plain, on the contrary, that what is only malum prohibitum in the sporting parson is malum in se with tho typical bishop. In these circumstances, who would be a bishop ? Certainly not I.

I have received the following:-—" Dear Zamiel,— Do you think it would servo any good purpose if one or two of our Auckland citizens were 'shown up' in the papers occasionally? I have a gentleman in my mind's eye just now whose 'goings on' for some years have been very peculiar. Ho posos as an ornament in various places. He is, of course, fashionably religious ; but a tale could be unfolded that would rather startle several of his noar relations. It would mot be at all necessary to give his name, because his relatives would recog nise him from ono side of the tale and his acquaintances from another, producing perhaps a mutual recognition highly bene ficial. Then there would bo the general effect on the public mind, by showing that although a man's actions may not come within the reach of our law courts, he cannot on that account _ rely nppn escaping public denunciation unless there can be somo reason as signed for his acting in a way that most other men regard with disgust (or at least affect to regard with disgust). For in stance, when a man induces a young woman on the eve of her marriage to sign over (on the quiet) all her property of considerable value to her illegitimate child and make him that child's guardian, the act may only justify suspicion ; but suppose this man's life has been aseries of these sharp practices. Now.Zamiel, isitwrongto think thatitwould be benoficial if men had occasionally to stand a moral trial by tho whole of a com munity having either to write their defence to tho daily papers or else run the gauntlet of a general denunciation?"

The question propounded by my corres fondent is rather a delicate one. Much as believe in the reforming power of the press, I fear that if " trial by newspaper " were a recognised institution, it might as often be productive of harm as of good. The law at present doesn't recognise it, and any newspaper constituting itself a tribunal for the investigation of private character would find the business rather expensive; instead of replies would como writs for libel, with heavy claims _.for damage te wounded feelings and blasted reputations. Now, although the law of libel stands in urgent need of amendment, I am not sure that it would be safe or judicious to relax its present checks upon the rights of news- Sapers in discussing private character, [owever, where flagrant wrong is done, most journals will risk something, relying upon the sympathies of juries to save them from suffering for the fearless exposure of wrongdoing. The fear that their misdeeds will in one form or another reach the public eye, no doubt even now restrains many persons who are not swayed by higher motives from flagrant wrongdoing.

There is an evil that I have seen undor the sun ; and as "one fool makes many," so this evil brings others in its train. Some culpably careless person drops £10 in the public street and advertises a "handsome reward for its recovery." That is evil No. i_a great waste of energy because of a Btupid action. Another person, who is honest and therefore poor, picks up the money, returns it intact, and is rewarded with a curt " Thank you " and a colonial bob. There are a lot of evils here. There are false hopes excited; there is base in gratitude exhibited, barefaced breach of faith committed, disappointment on gendered, and confidence between man and man shattered. But J the evils don't end there. A reporter gets hold of the incident, nnd dishes it up to the public in a nice " local," in which hodilatesupon thesterling honesty of the finder, and the certainty that he could have appropriated the cash without fear of detection, while the mean. ne3S of the owner of the recovered money is held up to execration. This is the bluest evil of all. I don't take the°floomy view which Salvationists do of the utter irreclaimableness of the average reporter ; but I do say that the publication of such facts with such comments forms a decided incentive to dishonesty. Tho average man, after reading the "local," is ready to s wear that if he found a " tenner," he «' wouldn't be such a blooming muff as 'and it baok to the loser ;" and the poor but honest party who restored that which was loßt begins to thinkhimself highly aggrieved, and perhaps resolves that in future he will not scruplo to-rob Peter to pay Paul by sub tracfeg"'_rtT_-e from his honesty in order to

■__fch his poverty. Thus an incalculable amount of mischief is done by thoso careless people who bank their money in tho gutters ; and* lam half inclined'to think that they should be punished by law, iv the same wav as drapers aro who expose their goods for sale in such a way as to tempt the poor to Bteal.

Even my pure nature, I confess, is in danger of being corrupted by these shocking examples of human ingratitude and unre auited worth. My only safeguard lies in the fact that I never by any possibility drop upon missing £10 notes or thoso small sums of money which "a poor woman " has lost while going shop ping Another class of temptation assails one more strongly. The next-of-kin office announce that they want badly a certain r£ j£ "who was transported in 1850 for horse-stealing," in order that he may take possession of a fortune left him. When I read thiß, could I help wishing that I had had the good luck to have been transported at Some far back date, in order that I might be more deeply transported at present I A German who is doing a long term of penal servitude at New York has late!,' been declared the h_.rto an immense .fortune"which-, awaits him in Vaterlond; tho only drawback in his case being that as Isoon as his present timo is up he is to bo re arrested on a second charge. Still, I fancy that I could " do " seven years xsheerfully if I were certain of opulence ami ease at the •nd of it. Then there's the poor nobleman —Sij; Roger Tichborne—now languishing in _li- ' "

an English prison, but certain soon of a happy release and a fine start-off in the " Tichborne Arms Hotel" at the ex pense of the admiring British public. But why multiply instances ? It is too patent, alas! that honesty is unrewarded, that Virtue is its own reward, whilo rascality flourishes and Vice pockets the coin and leers triumphantly. It's bad enough that it should be so, but it's a thousand times worse to have it all blazoned in thejpapers. Don't, please, tempt poor peoplo with theso facts ; give them instead the "goody-goody" stories of honesty rewarded and vice punished. They may not be true, but they aro conjsoling.

Some of the passengers by the Manapouri on her last trip tell a good story about Cap tain Logan, who has had some rare experi ences of men and things in bis fifteen or sixteen years' cruising betweon this colony and Australia. The Captain, who is one of the good old school of nautical commanders, invariably reads the Church service when at soa on Sunday. This time, although personally unknown to tho captain, there was among the passengers a big ecclesias tic, and when the usual hour of worship ar rived, and the old salt entered the saloon to prepare for the customary devotional exercises, the Church dignitary, possibly in facetious mood, or perchance disapproving of these unconsecratcd pro ceedings, approached tho Captain and in quired. "And where are the unbelievers to sit." Taken aback by tho abruptness and unexpected nature of the interrogation. Captain Logan for a moment or two failed to compass the situation ; but the idea at length dawned upon his mind that he had beforo him somo New Zealand Bradlaugh, who objected to being disturbed from his comfortable seat on the saloon cushions, and to whom a prayer-book was like a rod rag unto the infuriate bovine. Thon, turn ing with grave and saddened countenance to the supposed "hard case" before him. tho captain said : "There is, the social hall and the smoking-room upstair . but I trust, sir, you are not an infidel!" The ecclesias tic abruptly retired to meditate amid the titters ot those who recognised him.

Tho case brought by the police against Mr Cunningham, of tho Governor Browne Hotel, of obstructing a sergeant of police in tho oxecution of his duty, shows a little of the other side of the story, which licen sing reformers do not take into their reckon ing. As a dispassionate critic of saint and sinner, it is my duty to set it down. Hotels liko the hostelry named are tho only homes of a large number of respectable men. On the Sunday in question, according to the evidence at the magisterial investigation, two mombers of the police force entered suddenly into tho hotol, and catching no one in the act of tippling, proceeded to pull about two mon who wore fast asleep in the bar parlour. Mr Dunningham remon strated, and said that whilo he was quite ready to answer any quostions, he would not have his boarders subjected to any in dignity, and he expressed his opinion that the police were exceeding their duty. Suiting the action to tho word, he laid his hand on tho arm of the police sergeant, when ho was promptly told that an inform ation would be laid against him. These facts, as Bworn to, wero not challenged; the police did not deny that the men were boarders ; one of them (a coasting skippor) swore that he was not under the influence of drink, but was merely taking an af tor-dinner nap ; and the excuso given by the sergeant for molesting the men, namely, that he thought they might bo drunk, would, even if woll founded, have involved no infringement of the law. The Magistrate, after taking some time to consider tho evidence, decided, apparently with reluctance, that there had been a technical obstruction, and fined tho landlord 5s nnd costs.

Now, what must.strike ono in thiscase is the needless officiousness of the police and the unpleasant contretemps to which every person who has occasion to uso an hotel is liable if the Magistrate has correctly ruled that the officers wero in the lawful execution of their duty whon they were pulling those boarders about on the sofa. Tho rights of the humblest boarder are just as much to bo respected as those of the swell frequenter of the aristocratic hotel, and if a landlord is not justified in remonstrating against an undue interference with his guests, there can bo no security of privacy in any hotel. This " obstruction " reminds mo of one of the beststoriestoldin Sergeant "Ballantino's Experiences." One night in Piccadilly, tho Sergeant's attention was attracted by a crowd around a policemen who was at tempting to arrest a drunken woman and had Fallen upon her. Ho touched the officer lightly on the shouldor, saying, "Why do you not spring your rattle ? you will hurt the woman," when the policeman jumped up, and, seizing the lawyer by tho collar, said : " I tako you into custidy for obstructing me in tho execution of my duty." Meanwhile, Sir Alexander Cock burn, at that time Attorney-General, re turning home from the House of Commons, had come up, and observing another con stable treating tho woman roughly, remon strated, when tho constable who hod hold of Ballantine stretched out his arm for Sir Alexander, and said, "larrest you also." "Arre3t me!" exclaimed tho astonished Attorney-General, "'What for?" "Oh 1" retorted the versatile officer, "for many things. You are well known to the police." If some of the crowd had not recognised the two eminent legal luminaries, it is quite possible that both might have spent the night in the cells. x.xx The police are invested with largo powers, and it is to be feared that these are not al ways wisely used. No doubt they have their trials, and " when constabulary work is to be done, to be done, a policeman's lot is not a happy one;" but is it treason to think that, resting in the calm conscious ness that the majesty of the law is at their back, they might be magnanimous, and concede that a man may speak to a policeman, or even lay a hand on his arm in friendly remon strance, without being suspected of wicked designs against the Constitution of the colony and the v sovereign rights of the Crown and its executive officers.

It has often been said that tho English man takes his pleasures sadly, but the same remark could not be truthfully applied to the aboriginal New Zealander. The ex ploits of the British tar on shore are at times as nothing when compared with the freakßofan "elevated" Maori chief. An instance of this peculiarity was afforded in one of our main thoroughfares the other morning. Amongst tho natives who had been seeing Tawhiao safely off on his mission on the previous night was a dusky duke or prince, or something of the kind, whose proportions were ample, and whose pride was excessively great. Finding a stay in town undesirable, he made his pre parations for returning to the Waikato on Wednesday morning. Emerging from his hotel at a comparatively early hour, he was disgusted to find that there was not a cab on the stand, and not even could he discover an express van in which to have his royal person conveyed to the railway station. But he appeared to have made up his mind to go there in state, and in state only. Disconsolately he stood upon tho hotel steps for several minutes, and then, to his extreme delight, a man appeared round the nearest corner trundling a hand-cart. The massive frame of tho conceited aboriginal shook with suppressed excitement, his "heremais" awoke the previously undisturbed echoes of Queen-street, and terms were soon arranged with tho proprietor of tho hand-cart. The hoary-headed chieftain mounted the frail vohic'lo, and amidst the laughter of the crowd who had assembled, was wheeled off in the direction of the railway station. Ho appeared wholly indifferent to the amused glances bestowed upon him by tickled pedestrians, and as ho disappeared round Customs-street corner, his delighted ejacula tions of "kapai" bestowed freely upon his admirers fell trippingly from his royal tongue. He was supremely happy, and the perspiring and fatigued propellor of the " go-cart" had no reason to regret tho job he had undertaken. x x x C'rowners' 'quests aro not held, in the highest esteem by tlie nation at largo, but there is ono individual whose opinion, if set down in strong Anglo-Saxon, would, I'll warrant.be sultry indeed. He was a wit ness at tho inquiry into a recent fire, and upon being introduced to the Coroner, he said he wished to know who would pay his expenses from Christchurch, from whence he had been brought on this wild goose expedition. The Coroner pointed out that as he had been, subpeened by -he police, they would be the parties to consult on the subject, and then ho quietly read over a clause in the ordinance regulating coronial inquiries. From this it appeared that all persons were required to attend inquests when called upon, and in event of refusing were liable to be prosecuted. The Coroner then added —"Do you refute to givo evidence?" The witness saw the hopdessncfc. of the case, and replied, immediately, " Oh, no ! Cer tainly net," and the business proceeded.

There is unquestionably a disadvantage in living in a small community. In such a

position scandal and ill-feeling gather around a man, especially if he occupies an official position. At times he is compelled to resort .to law for the public good. Such a man's faults, although they may be the unavoidable outgrowth of officialism, be come painfully transparent to unfriendly eyes. No human being can bear to be scrutinized closely and constantly. All petty foibles come out in the familiarity of almost daily intercourse. In short, all this unfriendliness, not to say silent persecution, serves to illustrate the proverb," Familiarity breeds contempt-" This ungenerous feeling may be witnessed in almost every limited circle of society —it sepms to be the common lot of mankind, ! and cvon an unphilosophic pound-keoper, though not a genius may be subjected_ to tlio same sort of unmerited animosity. this brings me to tho naturally quiet but frequently annoyed pound-keeper who resides in a cottage in the immediate vicinity of his grass-surrounded pound at the foot of storied Eden. Few persons know tho troubles of this man, who seldom enjoys a sound night's rest. The cattle, lot out at evontido, prowl about his dwell ing, and occasionally the lowings of a cluster of cows break his dream of happier conditions, " Nature's soft restorer, balmy sloop," relaxes its silken hold upon his dreamy thought, and he opens his eyes to the starry night, pops on his unmention ables, mado by a surburban tailor, and with a lantern and a long pole, ventures upon the dewy sward in quest of intruded cattle, lie impounds them, and retires be t'wecn tho sheets in duteous con sciousness, for has he not turned the key upon his neighbours'cows? During the pre sent week this worthy little man captured six stragglers in tho prospect of a happy case. But, alas, for tho unstability of matters mundane I tho cows were extricated from their atmospheric prison before day break. The pound-keeper wept over his loss, and sighed mournfully in tho ranger's ear, ll They are gone, and we havo no case for the Court." It is Bhrewdly suspected that tho owner of the innocent wanderers possesses another key of the pound, and it is asserted that the locksmith who made the unjust koy is known, and will probably have to father his workmanship.

Tiioro was a singularly punctilious wit ness under examination in tho Supreme Court the other morning. His brogue was rich and racy of the soil, and a thick, bushy, fiery, red beard fringed a faco of great determination, while a clean Bhaven upper lip brought out its salient trail into tlio fullest relief. When answering questions as to tho timo at which various incidents occurred, he was careful on each occasion to impress judge, jury, and learned counsul with the fact that he was not swearing to the exact minute, and his concern to havo this clearly borne in. mind grew deeper and deeper as the examina tion progressed. Ho reluctantly admitted that on the day in question he had had a glass of shandygaff, of which ho believed lomonade or gingerbeer to be some of the ingredients, but he would not swear to it. Asked if a certain individual concerned in tho case had a coat on at a particular timo, he would on no account swear to that, but on being examined as to his own stato at the time, ho became less guarded. Ho asserted that he had only two glasses of liquor during the day, but subsequently confessed to a third ono, adding, however, apolo getically to the judge, that it was only "Zasperriler." He was certain that no "females" were present when a wounded man was being removed home, but in tho noxt breath mentioned that "a married woman" was on tho scene, leaving the Court to tho inference that he ploced married women outside the category " females." In all respects he was a decided novelty, and his presence in the witness box proved a mattvaise quart d'heurc for tho gravity of the law.

"Oh, What a Fall was There:"

After a man has courted a girl with quota tions from the standard poets, addressed original "lines" to hor eyebrows, and seren aded her with a banjo ; existed principally on his knees nt her feet; vowed that the world is divided into two places—" where she is and where she is not;" after he has sworn to challenge his rival and kill himself if she says "no ;" remarked that he can never change, and promise to devote his life to providing her with all.the luxuries of the four quarters of the globe, beginning with a sealskin dolman and diamond earrings, and so won her from Jones, who, though honestly in love and with the best inten tions, never thought of saying or doing all that; after sho is " courted and murricd and all," and gone to housekeeping, itdoes seem a shame that he should tako to snubbing her, and behave as though sho had dragged him, an unwilling victim, to the altar !

And yet, how many romantic lovers, after boing converted into husbands, astonish their wives by becoming grumpy; interpose a wall of newspaper between those whom the church has joined together at every meal; decline all escort duty on tho ground of having " got their Blippers nn ;" speak of their angel's mother, whom she resembles exactly, as " that confounded mother-in-law of mine;" and no longer singing in tho church choir with his head under his beloved one's bonnet, stays at home of a Sunday morning and questions herout of a catechism of his own invention as follows:

"Do you really think I'm made of money ?'

" Where'B all the sugar gone?" " How much coffee do we use, for mercy's sake ?"

jj&" Why do you want a new bonnet when you had one last year?"

" What do you want to go to your cousin's wedding for, when it's a wife's duty to be keeper at home ?" " Have your children four legs a piece like donkeys ? I should think so, by the shoemaker's bill ?"

" Why can't you do your own washing, as my sainted grandmother did ?" "" What's tho matter—what are you sulk ing for?" Certainly, this is a great " como down" for a glorified angel, who was always to live in an atmosphere of bliss, on music and per fume, and be worshipped by her humble adorer. No wonder that the poor, disap pointed, wretched woman sometimesthinks, in the wildnoss of her despair, of putting the teaspoons into her reticule, taking the children, and going home to ma. m.k.d.

A Will Case in Parliament.

•Those who are not conversant with the social life of England during the last cen tury would be slow to credit some of the stories that are told of the gambling pro clivities of the higher classes. During the reign of George 111. that social evil was at its worst; and there were times and occa sions when the demon of the gaming-table influenced, to a greater or less degree, acts of parliament! Here is a story to the point—and it may be relied upon as true in every particular: Lord Foley, who died near the close of the last century, having found his two sons inordinately addicted to gambling, sought by all tho persuasions of an earnest, loving father, to reform them; but they paid no attention. They had beoome companions of the most notorious and most reckless gamblers of tho day—Charles James Fox among the number—and they would not amend. In consequence of this, tho ag grieved father, by his will, left the bulk of his large property to the son of his eldest son, giving only a fixed income for life (amply sufficient fortheirproper sustenance) to the two brothers—his sons.

j The sons, who had counted on their father's death to clear them from their gambling debts, were audacious enough to attempt to get an Act of Parliament passed to set aside the will; and so strong was the pressure exercised by those in high places who thought it very hard that two fine and promising young men should be forcibly restrained from the pleasures of the gaming table, that the bill came within ga very fow votes—only two or three—of passing the Houso ol' Lords ; and Lord Mansfield and Lord Camden acknowledged that they retired, as the vote was about to be taken, rather than vote against it! It was, even for them, too outrageous to receive their recorded sanction. Fox, then high in power, for whom the two brothers were bound to the extent of ~£40,000, did not hesitate to use all his great social and par liamentary influence towards accomplishing this outrageous infraction of law and right. .

Quite Too Too.

There is some wonderful insight displayed in the Chicago criticisms of Mr Irving and Miss Ellen Terry. Who-, on this side the Atlantic, has ever discovered "genius in every wrinkle of Mr Irving's brow, a'' god like power in the .bondings of his little finger ?" Nor has it yet been made mani fest to any but these keen-eyed Western critics that Miss Terry's " plastic soul" is " responsive to emotion asan /Eolian harp;" or t hat her " wind-blown tresses do not bear the inaAs of moral orimping-irons." Oscar Wildo aiscovered more poetry in one of Mr Irving's legs than in the other; but his dramatic insight was as nothing com pared with these Transatlantic transports. .-"Globe."

A LADY'S LETTER FROM LONDON.

Fomlnlno Facts, Fashions, Foibles, end

Frivolities.

[By Ellse.]

loud gl.osvk_.oi.'B suddkn death — hlb Craze for Engine-driving—Lord Bel grave—Richer than Cr-esub—The Late Lord Hertford—ADiplomatist-Chiffons —FASniON Hints—Bali, Dresses—Ordi nary Day Dresses—Wedding Outfits- Some Distinguished Brides—TnEiß Toil ettes—Miss Anderson's Continued Suc cess—The New Burlesque at the Gaiety Theatre—A Dull Piece—"Nell Gwynne" —Novelties — Profits of "loLAvrnE"— —Books—W. E. Nonms's " Tiiirlhy Hall " —Capital Stories—Mrs Reade's "Cherry" —"'__ ie Professor and the Harpy," in the"Cornhill"—Cheap Editions—Works of Travel—The Author of "Zero"— Forthcoming Books, &c.

London, Fobruary S. Dear Mb Editor, — The death of Lord Grosvonor, the Duke of Westminster's eldest son, has been a sad shock for us Lancashire folk. Considering the atmos phere of wealth and rank in which he had been brought up, he was the pleasantest, kindliest, most unaffected of men, devoted to country pursuits, but fully conscious of the responsibilities of his high position. At Rugby, Stafford, and the principal rail way stations on the London and North western line, fow faces were bettor known than Lord Grosvenor's. He had a craze for practical engineering, and was never so happy as when pottering in tho Company's works at Crewe, or driving tho locomotive of a great mail train at sixty miles an hour. Latterly ho lived vory quietly at his homo in Cheshire, seldom leaving Eaton save to go to Newmarket or some other big mooting for a week's racing. Lord Grosvonor was only thirty, and looked younger than his ago. His infant son, Lord Belgrnvo, will bo "rich boyond tho dreams of avarico," for ovory day old leases in London are fall ing in.and the.l Duke of Westminster grows wealthier and wealthier.

Within a very few hours of Lord Grosve nor's death, another great nobleman, tho Marquis of Hertford (who was for somo time Lord Chamberlain), succumbed to tho consequences of a fall from his horso. Lord Hertford was always a great favourite at Court, and I can woll believe the Qiicon grieved dooply over his sudden doath. Fow men understood tho wheels-within-whoels of English Court lifo bettor than ho did. Lord Hortford was, in fact, a polished diplomatist. As regards chiffons, novelties seem quito out of the question this month ; in fact, everything in tlio way of dress or fashion appears at a standstill. Drapers are having their clearance-sales, and wo women aro on the look-out for bargains. Preparations aro already on foot for the spring season, which, should tho weather continuo mild, will com mence much earlier than usual.

Black costumes of lace and satin aro much favoured just at present. Tho skirts aro in almost every case short, but for middle-ngod ladies aro cut with very small train at the back.. The skirts for young girls consist of a series of lace flounces (narrow),or arranged alternately with thoso of satin ; the bock, in (place of tho usual drapery, has throe flounces or skirts, ono falling ovor the othor in fashionablo ballet-skirt stylo. In coloured tulles and nets covered with jiompons this is also a favourite stylo of making, the front of the skirt arranged in bouillon..- to meet short panniers near the waist, Tho bodices are usually satin, with short round basque, orjpointed back and front. Light colours, such as whito or cremo, pale bluo and pink, aro worn only by quite young girls, In tulles or nots a darker shado of sateen or satin is used for foundation. Narrow satin ribbons are profusely usod on dresses of pun's veiling for young girls ; with the long kilts several rows aro placed round tho edge to simulate satin tucks, or tho drapory is raised high on ono side, with a bunch of bows composed of llots of theso narrow ribbons. Tho fashionable glovos for evening wear aro whito with white drossos, pearl grey and nlmond-coloured kids with [Kilo yellow suede. Theso shades can bo ..orn with almost any dross ; at othor timos tho trimmings of tho dress aro matched, and aro usually of silk with ruches at tho top. With short sleovcs the gloves should come woll over the elbow. Very pretty ri-choß of lace aro worn round the throat with at home dresses. Thoy aro mado of whito, black, and coloured lacos, oithor to match or in contrast with tho dress. Thoy are easily mado, and to appear moro drossy tho pleats aro caught together with small pearl, jet, or stoel beads, as fancy may dictate. My old friend Mrs Leach says, in her " Family Dressmaker," that the most fashionablo colour for ordinary day drossos, oither in cloth, cashmere, or velveteen, is red. This shade is used for walking dressos and capes, long paleWts and the fashionablo polisso. Fur has been and _b still exten sively usod for those outdoor garmonts, and when this is not tho case tho Marabout feather trimming in black and tho natural shade takos its placo. Tho costume, to bo complete, should havo both muff and bon net composed of tho samo foathor trimming; in any case, it is now considered correct for tho muff to match tho bonnet instead of tho dress as heretofore. Tailor-made dresses of cloth havo still their deserved popularity ; tho skirts have been varied a littlo for cold woather wear ; instead of being kiltod tho skirt has been plain, and at tho foot a deop border of fur or several narrow bands placed at equal distances all round. Over this style of skirt is worn a polonaiso with fringe of the same kind of fur at tho edge, draped high at ono side, and the back arranged in the long waterfall drapory. The short habit bodices are worn with skirts more fully trimmed, and to theso is added a braided waistcoat. Quito a con venient fashion for renovating last soason's dresses aro the short jackets of plain material or cloth. This stylo was first adopted for making up Paisley shawls into bodices.

The Paris correspondent of tho "Daily Telegraph" sends that journal some re marks anent wedding costumes which, I think, are worth copying. "The whole science of the dressmaker," he says, "is unable to invent anything very new or striking in the matter of bridal raiment. Many who bring big dowries to their husbands choose simplicity, while others less well endowed resort to every means to rob the wedding gown of its immaculate coldness and severity. The French code of rules is a strict ono. If the lace has a creamy-tint about it, still the material must be white—though thore are degrees even in pure whito, as milk and snow differ—and so the difficulty is in creased. One bridal flower alone here stands pre-eminent, and the heavy, waxen, orange-blossom may not be relieved by the starry-white and deep-green of the myrtle, or the pallid delicacy of the jasmine ; even its own foliage is reduced to a few small leaflets. Strictly speaking, diamonds are not permitted to a bride on the wedding day, as they are never worn by young girls ; but an accommodation is made with eti quette in this case, and the fiancie, whose marriage contract was signed yestorday, may to-day hang these glittering stones in her ears. But to mix brilliants with the chaplet of orange-blossom is an innovation that foreigners only care to make. Tho daughter of the Spanish Ambassador, married the other day, wore, out of com pliment to the bridegroom—Prince Kot choutey—a silver coronet studded with diamonds, resting on a garland of bridal flowers, and the veil, fastened to the chignon, floating behind. This fashion of wearing tho veil is also an innovation gaining ground. Save a pair of solitaires, no other gems marred the relative simpli city of the brido's attire—an exquisite gown of white silk brocade interwoven with silver, the necklet composed of pen dant orange flowers, and tho throat and front of the dress ornamented with plain net, similar to the veil. Another bride of a few days since wore a gown composed of a separate train of white satin, and a slip of the same material, covered with a tulle bouillonne, a a Marie Antoinette fischu of net simply hemmed at the edge, and a plain veil secured by a bandeau of orange blossom. A third had chosen the same style of dress, emphasising the effect by substitu ting a train of chiselled velvet for that of satin, ruchings of point a Vaiguille for the bouillonne of tulle, and a veil of the same exquisite lace for that of net, superadding a bouquet of orange-blossom on the left shoulder, from which a garland descended, crossing the bodice, and draping the train at the -side. Of an equally handsome description is the bridal robe of white satin brocade, the back of the bodice cut in one with the train, and the front shaped in sharp points. The petticoat, also in brocade, is looped up a littlo on the right, and open on the left to the waist, so as to show a fan pleating and kilted flounce. A wedding dress worn nightly by a stage bride, and modified so as to be more becoming, may stand as a model for a society less rigid in its notions in this particular. . The satin foundation is pure white, it is true, but the lace with which it ia entirely covered— front breadths as well as train—has so

mellow a tinge as to be almost ecru. At regular distances this lace is fastened to the underlying silk by tassels of orange blossom, mixed with silver wheat-ears. The bodice, too, is of lace, gathered upon a satin lining, and secured at the waist by a narrow satin belt tied on one side with a knot of long loops and streamers." Mind, by-the-bye, yon always rend my confrire "Madge's" letters in "Truth." They are written by a lady who, unlike most fashion scribblers, really has the run of "society," nnd can give hints of the most valuable description. Her recipes especially should invariably bo tried. I know for a fact that they come from the chef (a veritable cordon lieu) of one of the greatest gourmands in London, and aro often culinary high-art. Talking of cook ing, I wonder whether the South Kensing ton Professor who is going to lecture you on pastry and puddings has reached Kew Zealand yet. lie certainly should be some where about the colonies.

We have been to quite a number of now plays sinco I last wrote, but your regular correspondents will have told you about most of them. Littlo Mimi Anderson con tinues to do an onormous business at the Lyceum. This house holds nearly £-100, and it is invariably crammed from floor to ceiling long before the performance com mences. I met Mrs Kendal out at supper one evening last week, and she told mo that Gilbert showed her husband a sketch of "Comedy and Tragedy" some time ago, and offered it to them for tho St. James's Theatre. "To tell tho truth," she added, "I didn't fancy the piece much in the rough, nor am I vory sorry wo missed it. If I had to play Clarice ovory night, I should bo fit for the hospital in a fortnight. Miss Anderson can't feel her parts very deeply, or she wouldn't bo ablo to boar it either."

Tom took us to sco tho now burlosquo at the Gaiety on Friday last. Mr Burnand has solocted the legend of " Camaralzaman" for travestie this time, but has not achieved a striking success. Tho book is far too long; tho songs few and poorly selected, and tho chorus weak. Tho host features of tho piece aro a quack doctor's song to the time of tho old "Post Horn Galop ;" a now setting of Chirgwin's " It Never Could Happen Hero ;" and Nollie Farren's " En gagod Olios Lament," with the refrain, "Well, I Don't Know So Much About That." Hero is a vorso of tho last named —

I'm ofr to bo married—oh ! isn't It funl Woll, I don't knuw so much about that I My bachelor lifo is all ovor and dono, Woll, 1 don't, know so much about that I

I've plenty of coin ua a bachelor who Can do what ho likes, and likoß nothinf. to do; Thoy say what for ono is enough does lor two, Hut—l'm not quite so sure about that. Choi. us.

M. Planquetto's now comic opora, "Nell Gwynne," was produced at tlio Avonuo Theatre last night—too lato, of courso, for mo to bo ablo to tell you much about it in this letter. Pretty Floronco St. John, by far tho cleverest of all opera boufl'o prima donnas, undertakes the titlo rfllo, and tho company ongaged to support her includos Lionel Brough, Arthur Roberts, and Miss Julia Warwick. The sconory nnd mounting aro said to bo exceptionally fine.

"In tho Ranks," a melodrama by Sims and Bet-it, which I remember praising to you when it first came out, was performed at tho Adolphi for tho ono hundredth time last Tuesday; and " Confusion," tho popular farcical comedy, at tho Vaudevilio, will reach its i'OOtli night next Thursday,

Vory fow novolties indeed seem to bo underlined. To-morrow week (Saturday, Feb. l(i), " Peril " replaces " Lords and Commons" ot the Haymarkot, and about the same time Burnand's trnvestio of "Claudian" will be substituted for "Stage Door" at Toole's Theatre. Drury Lano is still filled with admiring pnntomimo-lovors twico o day, but tho lost nights of most of tho East End Christmas pieces are an nounced Mr Alhory hits in hand a comedy for tho Princo's Theotro, which, ns Tom tolls mo, is doing very poor bnsinoss with "The Palace of Truth." Messrs Gilbert, Sullivan, nnd D'Oyley Carte cut up _C3U,000 profit between them out of tho run of " Iolantlto" at the Savoy Theatre. To this must bo added tho profits of two companies travelling tho province .nnd heavy royalties for performing tho opera in British colonies and the United States. Altogether, tho rights of a successful comic opera nowadays do not fall far short of boing worth £00,000 or £70,000. Mr Gilbert makos about £15,000 a-year out of his plays, and Mr D'Oyley Carte is ovon richer. At tho pre sent moment tho latter has two " Pationce," two " lolantho," ono " Pirates," and two " I'rincoss Ida"companicßtrnvellingtlirough Great Britain and Ireland.

And now for my usual word or two about books. Always bo on tho look-out for now stories by Mr W. E. Norris, the author of "Matrimony," "No Now Thing," and "Mdllo. do Morsnc." I havo just finished his last novel, "Thirlby Hall," which you may remember run through tho " Graphic " for over so long. 1 can honestly recommend it as a really charming book. Possibly, though, you do not know any of Mr Norris's works. If, alas! this should bo tho case, let mo beg of you to make his literary acquaintance without delay. Both " Matri mony" and "Mdllo.de Morsac" aro pub lished by Smith Elder at two shillings, and can—as advertisements say—" bo obtained at all rcspoctable bookscllors." Take my word for it, thoy will enablo you to spend several hours vory pleasantly. There wero so many mysterious para graphs in tho newspapers about Mrs Compton Roado's now story, "Cherry," that I sont for it to Mudie's on the day of publication. Tho book camo, and of course I sat down to devour it, but I didn't read long. Rhoda Broughtpn herself ono can stand, but Rhoda Broughton's imitators are weary scribblers indeed. "Cherry " is an atrocious person — vulgar, * unladylike, bouncing. Need I say more ? In ono way, howover, the disappointment proved a blessing in disguise, for tho enormities of "Cherry" inducod me to pick up the Fobruary number of tho "Cornhill, and there I found another of those capital short stories for which this magozino has becomo so famous. The tale referred to is entitled "The Professor and tho Harpy," and de scribes tho frantic offorts of an old clergy man to rid a young man friond of his of the attentions of an intriguing adventuress. Tho lattor has a good heart, and ovontually makos such a sacrifice for her lover that tho Professor doubts whether he did right to try and part them. The little story is admirably told. Be sure you read it, and don't forget to glanco at James Payn's " Literary Recollections," which aro con tinued in the same issue.

Tom tells me to be sure and mention that six-shillingeditions of Mr Marion-Crawford'b "To Leeward" and Mrs Alexander's "Admiral's Ward" are just out. I can't say I think the former will interest colonial readers, though tho latter must. Every thing Mrs Alexander writeß is enormously popular, especially in America. There is a story of a lot of Philadelphia schoolgirls giving a tea-party and setting aside an empty chair crowned with roses for "Geof frey Trafford," the hero of "Tho Wooing O't."

Interesting books of travels have been rather rare lately. I asked a friend who gets through a good deal of that sort of literature for something first-class the other day, and he could name nothing better than R. It. Stevenson's " Silverado Squatters," which may be clever, but does not contain much novel information. Miss Gordon- Cumming's " Granite Crags," a description of what that übiquitous lady saw in Cali fornia, has also boon well reviewed. _ "Ar minius Vamberg's Autobiography" is said to be worth dipping.in to. A good deal of curiosity seems folt as to thoauthorshipof "__ero,"the vory strangely toned serial at presont running in "Temple Bar." Public opinion attributes tho story to Mr Mattock, whose " Romance of tho Nineteenth Century" was on somewhat similar lines, but I fancy it will bo found that Lady Margaret Majendio is tho real culprit. Severalimportantnew works are promised next week. I see Mr R. C. Trancillion has finished " A Roal Queen," and Mr Charles Gibbon some short stories called "Fancy Free." Mr Edmund Yates's long-promised autobiography will be ready almost imme diately, and the three-volume novel which the late Anthony Trollope left in the hands of the Messrs Blackwood is to be published in April. " Puppets," by Percy Fitzgerald, "Introduced into Society," by Hamilton Aide, and "The Last Call," by Richard Dowling, are all promised shortly. Maud: " Isn't it strange, dear, all the fellows who flirt with me are married men ? I cannot think what has become of all the bachelors." Gertrude (who is not envious —oh, dear, no): "Possibly flirting with the wives of your admirers!" Chicago newspaper reporters have demon strated that lady reporters.are a decided failure. Not that they do not gather in all the news, even down to the most minute oc currence, but from the fact that they invari ably publish the local intelligence all over the city three hours before the fastest lightning presses are able to disseminate the news contained in the printed pages.—American paper. The St. Louis " Chronicle" has a female managing editor, and one of its contem poraries says that when a very mad man rushes into the " Chronicle " office with a club, and expresses in emotional tones an ambition to annihilate somebody, he is politely referred to Miss Fanny Bogby. It

is not hard to imagine the sensation of a person, frothing at the mouth and thirsting for a human life, upon being introduced into tho presence of a shy young girl, whose fair cheeks reek with timid blushes, and in whose startled eyes comes the look of a frightened fawn. Tho murderous man col lapses in a chair, and his hideous weapon of death falls to tho floor. The man thinks himself a brute to have thus boisterously thrust himself into the presence of a shrink ing woman, and he begins to stutter out apologies ; while the beautiful young editor continues blushing and trembling in a delirum of dismay. In Paris the minuet is again in full favour, and it is now danced so proficiently, exactly, and gracefully, that it is entitled to this lasting favour. The costumes of the time of Louis XV. are at many houses de rigeuer, and not objected to, as they add grace to grace. It would not be a bad idea if the minuet should becomo the fashionable dance here. People havo murdered the waltz with their hopping and sliding, and it is no longer tho graceful danco that it used to be.

When lovoly woman's feet aro sevens, And such 'a sizo her soul abhors,. What docs she then. Why. gracious heavens! She squcez.B them in number fours.

THEATRICAL NOTES.

[FROM OUR LOS-DON couresposdest]

The long-promised and equally long-de ferred comic opera, "Nell Gwynne," by Hanquetto and Farnie (author and com poser of "LosClochos do Corncvillo" and " Rip Van Winklo "), was produced at the Avenue Theatre on the 7th inst,,and scored a pronounced success. The music is bright, champagney, and melodious, tho libretto skillfully put together, and both tho acting and singing much abovo tho average. If the piece has a fault, it lies in the story, which seems somowhat involved for opera boufl'o, whoro everything should, by rights, bo perfectly plain sailing. At tho rising of tho curtain aro found tho disgraced Duke of Buckingham and his licontious confrere, the Barl of Rochester, disguised as inn keopor nnd waiter at tho Dragon, very prettily situated on tho outskirts of the Now Forest. Nell comes along with hor foster sister, Clare, a ward of tho King's, and anxious to wed her cousin Talbot. To got the King's consent to this sho has to bring Rochester to her foot. But Roche. .or and Buckingham aro sweet on Jessamine, a nieco of old Weasel, a penurious pawn broker who livos in a rickoty placo called Rats' Castle. Thero is another love affair betweon an amorous Bcadlo and Marjorio, Weasel's pretty slavoy. Tho noblemen, in ordorjto got admission',to Bats' Castle, again disguise thomselvos, this time as Beadle and Ratcatcher; and mystification comeß as Nell and Claro put in an appear ance, first as two ladios of tlie court, and subsequently as a couplo of country wonchos. Noll indeed is quick and ready at disguises, and can and doos in turn put on tho mon norß of a cook at the inn and a fortune teller. Jessamine's lover is Falcon, a stroll ing player, who also oomes disguised as a ratcatcnor; so that in tho second act—tho scene of which is Weasel's pawnshop—thero aro two ratcatchors and two beadles -, and to put it as Farnie puts it, "tho mistakes aro many and confusing." Tho third act shows us a glado in tho Now Forest, a benutiful picture, made still moro at tractive by the splondid retinuo of the Merry Monarch, who is out hunting. Here thoy encounter Noll, quite captivating in her rustic garb, and guessing that the task which Nell nnd Claro hove sot thomselvos will hero bo comploted, thoy wait to sco the gamo, and presontly Rochester is at the foot of Clare, whom ho mistakes for a peasant, ond Buckingham, having found out how woll her companion can sing and danco,and ploy the fino lady, is actually led to propose to tako her to London, where sho will be ablo to " cut out" tho notorious Nell Gwynno. How it all onds is not difficult to guess. . . M. Planquette's score is, in tho opinion of many critics, tho best ho has so far givon to tho world. Tho opera brims ovor with piquant, grncoful, and tender melodies. Tho most popular morceaux will probably be Noll Gwynno's opening rondo, "Only an Orange Girl," which wo shall hoar more than onough of presontly, a charming ballad, "First Lovo," and "Tho Song of tho Clock," with its catchy ticking chorus. Amongst tho moro ambitious numbers may bo mentionodanadmirably-written sostette, " Now tho SiM.ll," tho gipsy duet, " .laid of tho Witching Eye," and a tonorromanza, "The Trysting Treo." There is also a comic pastoral duot sung by tho Beadle and Wcasol, tho pawnbroker, disguised as VVatteaux shopherds. M essrs Lionel Brough and Arthur Roborts soeuro about live encores nightly for their offorts in this piece of nonsonso; indeed, I shouldn't bo sur prised if it bocomo as much the rage as the famous gendarmes duot, "We'll run 'cm in " once used to bo. Miss Floronco St, John has achieved a great success as Nell Gwynne, and Miss Giulia Warwick makes a charming Jessa mino ; both chorus and band are full and un usually oxcollont. Burnand'a travesty of the highly success ful drama, " Claudian," was produced at Toole's Theatre Inst night, and during the forty minutes of its representation kept the audience in shouts of laughter. The burlesquo is aptly named " Paw Claudian, or tho Roman Awry." Tho costumes are "from tho old Clopposian period" and "from larkyological designs by Leech for tho 'Comic History of Romo.'" Tho sconory, tho programmo states, represents tho "Town of Tram-carydos with Wills's bird's-eye viow of the ramparts and othor rum-parts in tho neighbourhood," followed by "a curious old trilateral room in Clau dian's palace." Tho audience aro requested "to bo in their seats at tho commencement of tho earthquake, and on no account to leavo them till tho ond," the author promis ing to show them "an unprecedentedly vivid realisation of the decline and fall." In my next I shall bo ablo to describe this really funny little piece at length. Miss Minnie Palmor has oohiovod a most romarkable success at the Strand Theatre in "My Sweetheart." Tho management aro trying to ongago hor for threo years straight off the reel. "Lotto," on tho othor hand, though supported by a first class company, won't draw, I looked in at tho Opera Comique the other evoning, and found the house a perfect desert. Miss Anderson entertained the dramatic profession at a matinee on Wednesday afternoon, playing " Comedy and Tragedy " to an enthusiastic audience of actors and actresses.

At the Olympic Theatre to-morrow even ing (February 16th),the "Crimes of Paris," which has been fairly successful, will be withdrawn, nnd a new melodrama by R. Palgrave and F. Gover, entitled "Cast Adrift," produced. Mr Derrick sold "Confusion" to tho manager of the Vaudevillo Theatre for £80. Laßt night (February 14) was the 235 th performance, and tho piece is still drawing £200 houses. The comedy of " The Millionaire," which has been running at the Court Theatre for the last six months, will be withdrawn next week to mako way for Mr Brander Matthewa's now play. Tho full score of "Nell Gwynne," with words of songs, etc., will be published by Metzlers on March 3rd, price fivo shillings. Piano arrangement of principal airs, half-a crown.

The rush to obtain seats for "Princess Ida " is the greatest that has been known in tho history of the Gilbert and Sullivan successes. It is no figure of spoech to say that hundreds are turned away from tho doors of tho Savoy Theatre nightly. Tho score of the opera (naturally much inquired after) will bo published next week. Sarah Bernhardt has achieved an extra ordinary success at the Porto St. Martin as the "Dame aux Cornelias," apart of hers which was very little known in Paris, though invariably includod in her London repertoire. The French papers rave over Sarah's admirable rendering of the morbid excitement of a demi-monde attacked with galloping consumption. Chassaigno's "Falka " is drawing crowded houses both in London and Paris. It will be played at the Comedy Theatre to-morrow evening for tho 100 th time. Massenet's "Herodiade," recently pro duced with great Bplendour at the Grand Opera, Paris, is only a succes d'estime, from a musical point of view. Mr Gye has abandoned the idea of introducing it at Covent Garden.

The alterations at the Criterion Theatre are almost complete, and it will re-open early in March with a revival of "Our Boys," in which David James resumes his original part of the butterman. When this fails to attract, Mr Charles Wyndham will bring back his popular Comedy Company from New York. It is said that Oscar Wilde is about to be married to an Irish lady who possesses three remarkably valuable qualifications—a for tune of £20,000, a London residence, and no mother-in-law. The young lady, who is fair aa well as rich, is Irish, like himself, and an orphan. It occurs to us that when little Oscars gathor about his board, they will make it hard for him to preserve the sweet serenity of his soul, to say nothing of the classical curve of his curls, and the graceful sweep of his knee-breeches,

THE GARDEN.

(Hi Hoi-tub),

Calendar of Operations, April 5.

[Hortus is willing to answer any queries. Cor respondents must givo their full names and addresses, though not for publication.]

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

VINERY (J. 0., Mount, l_don).-In building a vinery nuiko the rafters as long us possible sav about 20 fept, or more long. Givo long coiies -, this will aH'ord more, cropping room. Consult " Brett's Colonists' Guide, where a good description of a house, and mode of. plant ing, soils, _.(•„ is givon. Root Pruning (R.G.).-As your trees are show ing fresh autumnal growth, 1 would root prune ot once, especially tlie pears and plums. Don't touch tlio apples yet; it is too early lor thorn. Root pruning will ot oner- slop Hie tendency to throwing out fresh growth. Earthing vi- Celery (R.M., VVhau).-The general crop of celery should now be earthen up. Begin by tying up oil tho loaves loosely, giving stilllcient room to swell a little, com plete tying up the whole row, then give a thorough soaking with manure water, ing the soil on each ridge, putting the soil in amongst tlie plants to a height ot about six or eight inches. This will have the clleet ot giving nice long blanched stalks. Trenching and Draining (T.1D.).-There is no season better for doing the above work thon in dry weather. Certainly tho digging is harder to do, and costs more, but the bcnotlts to be derived from turning over the soil to some considerable depth while dry arc mani fold, especially if done roughly. 1 would advise you to drain and bastard-trench ot once, and if, as you say, you con get plenty of stable manure, place it between the bottom and top spit. Whatever is planted afterwards on tlie soil, the roots wilt soon reach it.

Kitchen Garden.

Continue tho digging, trenching, and manuring of all vacant pieces of ground. This is the best season for such work. Leave tho soil as rough as possible. The weather will soon pulveriso and sweeton it, and bring it into splendid order for culti vating. Ground not wanted to carry winter vegetables should be sown clown in oats for green feed, which can be cut for uso or dug into tho ground in time to plant the early spring crops. Plant cabbage and cauli flower ; earth up those that arc advancing : moke occasional sowings of mustard and cress and radishes for salads ; keep the soil about them protty moist; earth up leeks and celery, tying up the latter and giving plenty of water before earthing them up. Loto crops of potatoes lift and store for winter uso. Carrots and turnips : Sow the main crops for winter. Make a large sowing of spinoge—the prickly is the best for winter uso. Clear away all rubbish ; keep down weeds. Flowor Garden. This is tho best month of tho year to make alterations in the flower garden and pleasure grounds. Thoy ought now to be pushed on with vigour. New gardens especially should now receive attention. Tho soil should be trenched and drained beforo the wet weather sets in, tho walks mode and gravelled, flower beds marked out; lawns, edgings, anil grass in pleasure grounds levelled, turfed, or sown in gross immediately. This work boing done in tho autumn will always succeed bettor and cost less than if done in tlie winter. Remove tho decayed debris of all plants ns soon as they aro past flowering. Dahlias: Continue tying up and givo fre quent waterings with liquid manure. Bou vardias will now bo beginning to flower profusely. Givo them plonty of liquids. Chrysanthemums also givo plenty of liquid manure; tic them up, stake, and thin out if necessary. Lawn : Cut tlio grass short. Walks : II oo to kill weeds, rako and roll. - Greenhouse. Continuo giving plenty of air and water freely ovory evening to all growing plants. Continuo to re-pot cinerarias, calceolarias, and primula as soon as they havo thoroughly tilled their pots with roots. Chrysanthe mums in pot which arc coming into flower remove in the house, and give occasional waterings with liquid manure. Commence to gradually reduce tho shade on the house. Look after insects.

Cii.-RM of A Garden.— It is indeed this frequent change, the never weary variety, that is tho main charm of a garden. You leavo home for a little time, and when you return, lo ! everything is changed-. New colours, new forms, now perfumes greet you. There aro fresh flowers on tho stem, fresh fruits on the bough. I know few things moro enjoyable than tho first walk in your garden after an absence from home. Few men who aro really fond of gardening ever caro to bo long away from their household gods. It is indeed one of tho most salutary effects of • a love of gardening that your thoughts seldom turn towards the dolights of vogranco nnd thecharms of stray places.—"Cornhill." Manure tor the Garden.—No garden or farm can long bo cropped without re hiring to the soil in some manure or other tho materials extracted from it by tho crops. Obtaining sufficient supplies of manure is ono of the greatest difficulties the cultiva tion of the soil has to contend with, especi ally where there are no animals kept. But a great deal may bo dono in this direction by collecting all the rubbish of tho garden nnd houso, keeping a pit to put such rub bish into, and occasionally getting one cart load of stable-manure to mix with it. The success of tho garden depends solely on the ability of tlio cultivator to keep his ground in good boart. Scrapings from the roods, tufts of grass, lime, rubbish, or any debris cosily rotted will greatly assist. Where it can bo managed, a drain should lead from the manure pit to a small pit for the re ception of tlie drainage of tho manure. This liquid will be of valuable assistanco in growing crops when judiciously applied. A Good Wash for Trees.—A New York (Duchess county) fruit grower has a quince orchard of over 200 trees, and has had much troublo with the borers. As he had used various remedies with no success, and was in a fair way to loso the trees, he set to work himsolf to doviso a preventive. In June, 1882, he made a mixture of one gallon of soap, two of water, and one gill of carbolio acid, stirring in the latter as the suds woro boiling. He then applied the mixture to his trees, and as tho season was dry it remained on the bark long enough without a second application to prevent the borers from depositing their eggs. Tho oxporiment was a success, for a careful examination made in August showed tho troes to bo comparatively froo from the pests. This year ho tried the same mixture again at about tho same time of the year, and in the same manner, but owing to frequent rains, as he concludes, one application was not sufficient. He does not doubt, in tho light of his experience, in the first instance, that had he mado several applications between tho middle of May to the middle of August, there would have been but a few of the pests. There is no doubt but that in the mixtures used the carbolic acid is the in gredient which did tho work. The virtue of this acid in destroying the insects alive or in the ogg or germ state is becoming better understood by farmers and fruit growers, and it is no doubt destined to be a valuable agont in ridding tho country of innumerable posts with which the orchard and garden aro annually infested. Uses of Surface-stirring.—First—ltde stroys the weeds, which exhale tho moisture of the soil with great rapidity. By placing a sash or a pane of glass upon growiug woods, tho upper surfaco of thoir loaves will show the large amount of moisture they oxhalo, tho evaporation of which is arrested by tho glass, and which would be retained in tho soil by the destruction of the weeds. Secondly-G round thus often stirred and loose absorbs tho water of shower* and retains it until much of it sottlos into tho soil below whereas much of the water thus falling runs offa hard surfaco. Thirdly—Tho mellowed surface bocomos more thoroughly warmed than a hard soil by tho noonday sun, and gives off that warmth more gradually during the night.and tho plants are thus surrounded by an atmosphere warmer ond of more uniform temperature during the wholo twenty-four hours. Fourthly—But the greatest advantage of frequent stirring is that tho loosened "soil acts as an arrester of the ascent of the moisture by capil liary attraction, and keeps tho soil in which the roots aro acting moist. To secure this benefit of cultivating the land, it ought to bo done as soon as tho soil bocomes friable after showqrs, whethor there be any weed to be eradicated or not. It is a mistake to suppose that the roots of plants are bene fitted by direct contact with the air in tho mellowed soil. Air is always injurious to them, especially so if it be hot and dry. While the plants are growing their roots should not be exposed to the air, nor should the soil in which they grow be disturbed. The full benefit of cultivation may be secured if it be only deep enough to furnish a few inches of fine and looso soil upon the surface.—" Gardening (illustrated)."

Pot-Plant Watering.—Every plant in pot will require to be watered every day or so. To ensure the efficient watering of each plant, when potting, -no plant ought to be filled up to within half-an-inch of the top of the pot, for small pots ; for large pots, up to two inches will need to be left, according to the size of the pot. The water used in watering pot plants should always be as near as possible the same temperature as the air of the house tho plants are growing in. The bost timo to apply the water is early in the morning, during tho winter months; during the summer, late in the afternoon, when the heat of the day is over. Water regularly and abundantly is the rule, but no plant should be watered unless it

requires it; whilo at tho same time water ing should never bo delayed till the soil be comes parched and the foliage flags for the want of water. When such is the case, lift such plant and plunge it for a few minutes in al can .or tub of water; then place in a shady place for the rest of the day. A good waly to find Out when a pot plant requires water is to strike the side of tho pot with the rmckle of the forefinger. If the soil be moist, the sound will bo a dull sound. If the soil be dry, tho pot-, will emit a clear ringing sound. A littlo practice will soon enable a novice to distinguish tho difference. Whichever pots emit this dry, clear, ringing sound, give them plenty of water, fill the pot up to tho rim in somo coses, and refilling it again, thoroughly saturating tho soilin the pot. Never givo plants small quantities of water at a timo. Small quantities only wet the surface soil in tho pots, and do the plants no real good.

THE SIEGE OF SINKAT.

Tho Story of Towfllt Boy's Gallant

Resistance,

(From our London Corrf.si-ondk.n-t.)

You will have heard by cable of the fall of Sinkat, and how the gallant band of Turks shut up inside wero, after a desperate .ally, overcome and cut to pieces. The news reached here on the Tuesday after (February 12), and created a great sensation. I fear Gladstone's Government is now doomed. Their vacillating policy In Egypt has dis gusted friends and enemies alike), but they might have weathered the storm if thoy had given Tewfik Bey the assistance ho so agonisingly begged, The idea of British troops lying inactive within a day's march of the starving and beleaguered garrison at Sinkat has naturally revolted everybody. Tho "Pall Mall Gazette" tells the story of Tewfik Bey's stern resistance as follows : — The news that tho garrison of Sinkat has at last mot the fate which se long has im pended over it is tho moro to be regretted because it involves tho sacrifico of one of the few Egyptian officers who in tho recent crisis havo displayed heroic courage. Tewfik Bey, tho gallant commandor of the doomed .garrison, who blew up his fortifications, "spiked his guns, and perished at the head of a sortie of all his troops, has been contending with rebellion in the Eastern Soudan since August last year. The story of his gallant resistance to tho insurrectionary forces to which he has at last succumbed is told in considerable detail in the despatches of Consul Moncrief which appear in the last published Blue-books. The first detailed account of Tewfik Bey is given in tho de spatch dated August 2-1 (Egypt, No. 1, 188-1, p. 12), written at a timo when Consul .Moncrief believed that the insur rection in tho Eastern Soudan had entirely collapsed, owing, he said, to the courage and conduct of Tewfik Bey, the Governor of Souakim. On the 2nd of August, Tewfik, then at Souakim, heard for tho first time of disloyal meetings at ten hours' distance from Sinkat. Sinkat was at that time garrisoned by only sixty men. Tewfik at once proceeded thither, and ordered Osman Digna, the chief of tho revolted tribes, who defeated Baker the other day betweon Trinkakat and Tokha, to report himself at Sinkat. Osman at first refused to come. Two days later, however, ho not only arrived himself, but ho brought 3,000 armed men with him, baiting 2,000 yards from the barracks. He sent messengers with two letters from the Mahdi to Tewfik Bey, stating that since the Egyptians wore worse than Christians, Jews, or even Kaffirs, debasing the Koran, all arms, ammunition, and Government property must bo surrendered to Osman Digno, tho vizier of the Mahdi. The mes sengers added that if these de mands were not complied with they would put overy man to the sword. Tewfik's position was serious indeed: he had only sixty men, in a mud-built barrack large onough to accommodate 200, while he was exposed totheimmediato attackof 3,000 of the fierce tribesmen, whoso courage was brilliantly attested when 1,000 of thorn put to flight the 3,000 troops uilder Baker's command. Not for one moment, however, did ho think of surrender. To gain timo he told them that ho had two superiors with out whose order ho could not comply with their demands. When the messengers re turned with this answer, he set to work to loophole the barracks and pile up sand bags at the gates. For four hours, during which the messengers kept coming and going, Tewfik and his men were strength ening their position ; but at last Osman Digno lost patience, ond swore that he would attack them before the shadows where six feet longer. Tewfik bade him come on and do his worst. The insurgent army swarmed up to tho attack. Fortunately, Towlik's men were almost all blacks, who fought with unflinching bravery. The garrison, however, was too small to hold the whole of the position, and at least twenty Arabs penetrated inside the barracks. These intruders were killed to a man, and in half nn hour the assailants were beaten off with a loss of 100 killed. Of Tewfik's force seven soldiers were killed, and one officer and ten men wounded—not excluding Tewfik him self, who received five severe blows with the sharp stakes of the insurgents. Just afterthe rebels had recoiled from tho assault, a rein forcement of SOO men reached them, but they fortunately had nodesire to renew theattack. Hod they done so, Tewfik's fate would have been sealed, as he had only twelve rounds of ammunition for each of his reduced garrison. His soldiers, however, wero full of courage and gaiety; their wives sangto cheer them on during the fight, and the in cident concluded with a general dance of both sexes. Theoddsagainstthem, however, were so desperate that, some of his officers : advised Tewfik to give up the arms, for resistance was hopeless, Tewfik shared [ their views as to the impossibility of success, but refused to listen to any suggestion of I surrender. Had he given in, Souakim and , Tokha would have fallen, and there would have beon no Egyptian authority left in the north of the Eastern Soudan. He received , seventy men and a mountain gun from Souakim, and stood on the defensivo. A week later a fresh rising threatened Tewfik ; onco more with destruction, and he was strongly urged to retire on Souakim. He refused, however, and showed so bold a front to the rebels that one by one the tribes , lost heart, and by August 20 the insurrec tionary movement had dwindled down to Mohammed Tahir and Osman Digna and a fow hundred men. Tewfik had tele graphed to Khartoum for relnfororce ments, maintaining that without 2,000 infantry, 200 cavalry, 6 mountain guns, and 3 mitrilleuses, he could not hold the district, especially if any disaster hap pened to Hicks Suleiman Pasha. The Gover nor of the Eastern Soudan, however, thought otherwise, and no reinforcements except a few Bashi-Bazouks were sent. Tewfik, said Consul Monorieff, " knows the people well, and has much influence person ally, and was more likely to be right than Suleiman; but probably one complete battery otartillery.twoorthree mitrailleuses, andfiveliundredin_antry,wi.haman-o'-war, if sent immediately, would meet every re quirement." The concluding passage in this despatch will be read with peculiar interest to-day, now that tho brave Tewfik is no more:—

"Suleiman Paßha expressed himself to me in the highest terms regarding Tewfik Bey, and said that the whole of this part of tho country would have been lost but for his gallantry and ability. I feel bound, Sir, to add my own impressions. He showed courage and tact through out a most difficult and critical situation. Ho hold a tumble - down building, wretchedly prepared for defence, against an apparently overwhelming force primed with fanaticism and sure of victory. That tlio latter could only oppose clubs, spears, and swords to Remington rifles.rendered his success possible, but does not detract from the gallantry of the feat; neither does the foot that it was his bounden duty to attempt it. Had ho declined it, or failed, tho consequences would with out any doubt havo been such as Suleiman Pasha described them. I believe also that those would be partially actual or im minent had he not had the firmness to con tinue to hold Sinkat, and that I should not be able to report to you that I believe that, while reinforcements are desirable, there ap pears no longer any immediate danger to the authority of the Khedive's Government in this part of the East Soudan. I trust, Sir, that I am not exceeding my duty in begging you, should you think fit, to bring Tewfik Bey's gallantry and able conduct to the notica of his Highness. (Egypt, i, 1884, p. 16.)" From that day till this month no com munication was received from Tewfik, with the exception of fragmentary messages ask ing for relief. His garrison was raised to 600 men, but, the insurrection breaking out with great fury, he was shut up in Sinkat; and the one capable ruler in the Eastern Soudan was practically a prisoner. The story of the abortive attempts to relieve him are set forth in another column. All faijed. At the end of January tho news re ceived from Sinkat was most heart rending. The people had eaten all the dogs in the town, and had nothing but horse 3 and skins. There was only one bag of barley, and by the Ist of February nothing

hi would be left. If no relief came Tewfik said that he would sally out aid try to fight, his way to Souakim, as he prtferred death' in battle to starvation. It \_s no empty boast. One last appeal he wasitill to make. On February 8 a heartbreaking letter was received at Souakim from Tewjk. At the time he wrote he was in ignoince of the rout near Tokha, and he implo_d that as sistance might bo sent to him. The garri son wero thon starving, and tlu men were chewing tho leaves of trees to vllay their cravings. At last human mitt, re could en dure no more, and the siege of Sitfcat closes in a gallant- sortio, which does mich to re deem' the lustre of Egyptian arias. The last scene of all ia thus describe, by Mr Cameron in this morning's " Standird " :— " Tlie heroic garrison of Sinkat, titer for three months repulsing every attao't, have been slaughtered almost to a mai. For weeks they have been living on half ritions, for a fortnight subsisting on roots and leaves, and it mnst havo been an enfeebled band indeed who issued out at last to die in the midst of the hordes who surrou.ded them. Only four men, thirty women, and the Cadi of Sinkat have been spared. Tew fik is reported to have pointed out to his men that by fighting they might save them selves, by remaining all must in a few ckys die of hunger, while flight was impossible. Having animated his men with his own spirit, he burned all the stores, spiked the guns, and blew up the magazine. Then, each man having filled bis pouches with as much ammunition as he could carry, the six hundred issued out. Osman's hordes at once rushed clown to tho attacK. Tewfik and his men fought nobly, and for a long lime repulsed every effort to break their ranks, but at last numbers prevailed. With a tremendous rush the Arabs burst into one of the sides of the square, and a general massacre then took placo, not a single man escaping. It is supposed that the four men spared were left behind sick and unable to march." Not eVen in the annals of England's wars do wc find many -warriors who have played greater courage or moro patriotic devotion than tho Egyptian hero, Tewfik Boy, the defender of Sin-_a_j

Teaching Animals to Converse.

Miss Maet ._...tt "nee remarked Uiat, con sidering how long w. uttvo lived in close association with animals, it is astonishing how little we know about them,and especially about their mental condition. This applies with especial force to our domestic animals, and above all, of course, to dogs. Under theso circumstances it has occurred to mo whether some such system ns that followed with deaf-mutes, especially by Dr. Howe with Laura Bridgman, might not prove very instructive if adapted to the case of 'dogs. Accordingly I prepared some pieces of stout cardboard, and printe-1 on each in legiblo letters a word such as "Food," "Bone," "Out," &C. The head-master of one of the deaf and dumb schools kindly agreed to assist me. We each began with a terrier puppy, but neither of U3 obtained any satisfactory results. My dog, indeed, was lost before I had him long. I then began training a black poodle, " Van " by name, kindly given me by my friend Mr Nickalls. I commenced by giving the dog food in a saucer, over which I laid the card on which was the word "Food," placing also by the side an empty saucer, covered by a plain card, " Van " soon learned to distinguish be tween the two, and tho next stago was to teach him to bring mo the card; this he now does, and hands it to mo quite prettily, and I then give him a bone, or a little food, or take him out, ac cording to the card brought. He still brings sometimes a plain card, in which case I point out his error, and ho then takes it back and changes it. This, however, does not sften happen. Yesterday morning, for instance, " Van" brought mc the card with "Food" on it nine times in succession, selecting it from among other plain cards, though I changed the relative position every time. No ono who sees him can doubt that ho understands the act of bringing the card with the word "Food" on it as a request for something to eat, and that ho distinguishes, between it and a plain card. I also believe that ho dis tinguishes, for ' instance, between tho card with the word "Food" on it and the card with "Out" on it. This then seems to open up a method which may be carried much further, for it is obvious that the" cards may bo multiplied, and tho dog thus enabled to communicate freely with us. I have as yet, I know, mode only a very small beginning, but hope to carry the experiment much further.—Sir John Lubbock in "Nature."

A Hangman Hanged.

John Price, who filled the office in J7IS, and who rejoiced in tho usual official soubriquet of "Jack Ketch," was a scoundrel rendered still more callous and cruel by his dreadful calling. He had begun life well, as an apprentice, but he absconded, and entering the navy, "served with credit on board different King's ships for eighteen years." On his discharge, seeking employ ment, he obtained the situation of public executioner. He might have lived decently on hangman's wages and perquisites, but he was a spendthrift, who soon became ac quainted with the interiors of the debtors' prisons for Middlesex. Once he was ar rested on his way back from Tyburn after a good day's work, having in his possession, besides fees, the complete suits of three men who had just been executed. He gave up all this to liquidate the debt, but the value being insufficient, he was lodged in the Marshalsea. When released, in duo course, he returned to his old employment, but was soon arrested again, and on a serious charge—that of a murderous assault upon a poor woman who sold gingerbread through the streets. He had attempted to outrage her, and, maddened by her resistance, had illused her shamefully " He beat her so cruelly," the account says, " that streams of blood issued from her eyes and mouth. Ho broke ono of her arms, knocked out some of her teeth, bruised her head in a most shameful manner, and forced one of her eyes from the sockets." One account says that he was taken red handed close to the scene of his guilt; an other, the more probable, that he was ar rested on his way to Tyburn with a convict for the gallows. In any case his unfortun ate victim had just life left in her to bear testimony against him. Price was com mitted to Newgate and tried for his life. His defence was that in crossing Moorfields he found something lying in his way, which he kicked and found to be the body of a woman. He lifted her up, but she could not stand on her legs. Tho evidence of others was too clear, and tho jury did not hesitate to convict. After sentence ho abandoned himself to drink, and obstinately refused to confess, but on the day before his execution lie acknowledged that ho had committed the crime while in a state of in toxication. He was hanged in Bunhill fields, and his body afterwards exhibited in chains in Holloway, near the scene of the murder.—From " Chronicles of Newgate."

A Military Anecdote.

When Sir John Mooro was retreating through Galicia, a party of the 15th Hussars, in which regiment I then served, arrived late one night at a solitary house midway between Lugos and Valraeda. We had had nothing to eat all day, and wore famishing particularly for want of bread, which had not crossed our lips for some timo back; and as the Spanish peasantry generally keep some loaves in store, it became our great object to get possession of the prize at every hazard. A close search, however, in all quarters wherosuch things used to bo found proved unavailing, and we sat round tho hearth in tho kitchen, wet, weary, cold, dis satisfied, and out of humour. At last it was observed that the padrone and his wife having seated themselves on a large chest near tho fire-place, ceuld not, by entreaties or any other device, be induced to move "I'll be shot," cried the man of the horse artillery, " if tho old rascal's store of bread bo not in that chest; and, hang me if I don't get at it in spite of him." We laughed and asked him how he would proceed. "Oh I'll tell you how to proceed," cried he' "The Spaniards, you know, are a mighty religious people, and we must humour them Let's sing a hymn on our knees, and when they see us in that attitude the chance is much against us if they don't kneel too " " A hymn !" shouted we. " What hymn '*•■ "Nay," replied the artilleryman. "I daie say you are all wretched hands at psalmody • but surely you all know 'God Save the King, bo here goes, boys. Down with you on your marrow-bones, and up with a stave. Down accordingly we all knelt.and, with faces as grave as if we had been in church, struck up "God Save the King." The Spaniards stared. One of us contrived tomakethemunderstand that wewere chant ing a hymn to the Virgin, aud sure enough they too knelt down, and put their hands together. This was all that out friend de sired. He quietly raised tho lid of the trunk, withdrew half-a-dozen loaves, popped them into a nosebag, and never wa« noticed We had a capital supper that night, and many a good laugh afterwards at the re collections of our successful psalm-singing

EVENIISG STAR, SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 1884.

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