RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamiel.]

Seine write, a nelKhbour's name to ln»h. Some wrlto-yain thoughtV-for i...-,11 >! cash Some write to P'oasetho ejgjl^1,1)I*'1 *' Korme.waimlnoverfa^^1

•' Op old sat Freedom on the heights"—an

exiltedand windy location, but ono which doubtless agreed with tho eoddess afore said, who has rather a liking for liberty in Oil things. To-day, if Freedom does not git on the height?, Frcethought does, and 'nclines to make tho location even windier than before. Our local Rationalists and •'lending Frcotiiinkcrs " on Monday last celobrnted the Paino anniversary, and to ilustrato, I supposo,

"How hard It is to climb Tho Btoop whore Fume's proud temple shlnoa afar,"

t loy made a painful pilgrimage to tho top o: Mount Eden, whore "by tho glimmer ng moonbeams' misty light" they oratoil nod gushed over thoir idol to their hearts' oantont. It was a novel idea, and I hope tho 200 ladies anil gontlomon who made tin; u<c«nt enjoyed tho senmtion. "Zniniol was not tlioro on that occasion ; but ho has been on tho top of Mount Kdou (a thing which many Aueklandors, to thoir shame, Cinnot say); and he fancies that curious re motions might occur to the apostles of Freedom anil Reason as from thoir vantage ground of liberty they looked dawn on that sid spot, outside tho gnrdou of bliss- Mount Eden Gaol. Did they not in fancy hoar tho sighs and groans of those " spirits in prison ""who languish in bonds so near tho lovoly mountain ? Did not fchoy reflect that many of tho inmntos of that purgatory on tho borders of Eden were ardent lovers of liberty—that they loved, not wisely, but tio well, freedom of thought and freedom of action, and that their notions of freedom having clashed with those of tho majority, the ond was that they were cooped up like sn many wild beasts in a menagerie J Tis a thought which has frequently occurred to mo as I stood upon tho heights of Eden— tuat it is sad to see Freedom deposed from her place on tho mountain top, and hold in vile dungeons in tho valley below ! Now that the goddess of lleason has been installed in high pi ices, may wo look for a hotter order of things ? I fear not. Tho local Freothinkcrs enthroned on Mount Eden may be taken to typify Frecthovight installed in power in tho •.iovornment of tho colony ; but neither politically, socially.nor morally can Frocthought ever bo a great re generative power. In the field of critical rjsearch it may do good service, and as an iconoclast its valnsis of tho highest: but so far 89 constructive work is concerned the apostlea of Reason Imvo not got, nnd pro bably never will got, further than observ ing "times and seasons " in tho old narrow H:yle of certain church people, quibbling ovor trifles ot interpretation liko a Dryas dust parson, or "lighting for dead men's bones " liko tho veriest ghouls.

Regarding the lato scandalous scone at the burial of poor Holmes, lot mo say at once that it was creditable to nouo of tho parties concerned in it. I don't alludo to t'io "priestly arrogance" or Rationalistic itnpudeneo displayed, but feel inclined to tike a broador stand. To my mind, it bo t'-ays a morbid condition when pooplo me 89 punctilious regarding tho particular rites to be observed over .1 dead body. Orthodox or Kationalbt—Spiritualist or Materialist—it surely matters little what wordi aro uttered, or by whom, over tho lirelws clay. If man is all material, it is quite immaterial whether hia remains arc «jramittfid to tho grave "in the hope of a glorious resurrection" or laid down to o^iniil sleep. If, on the othor hand, " there is a spirit in man," that spirit lifts gone to its proper nbodo when tho casket is Ci-tolf. and rites and coromonios over the caat-off shell seem mere unmeaning forms, .da one unassociated with any religious or irreligious sect, Holmea'a body might very well have been interred quietly and docently without any further ceremony (and who o^uld wish fjr a better ono?) than the dropping of a f3W tears over tho gravo by sincere and Borrowing friends. By tho adoption of 11 burial ritual, and by tho imitation of "priestly arrogance " and narrow- minded nosa in their mothods, tho Auckland Rationalists have once more prored that they are far from attaining to true free dom of tfaaught and real discrimination of what are tho essentials of rational action. Liberal lawgivers havo secularised mar riage, and surely, instoad of getting up a nw and useless burial ceremony, Free tbinkors would do good service if they tried tj educate popular seutimeni up to the secularising of interments. Tho ab iect ignorance of some people in tho litter respect was illustrated oomo years ago in the North of England. A poor labourer had accidentally fallen into a blast furnaco, with the result that his body was almost immediately ro isolved into its constituent gases, the little residuum of ash forming part of tho iron being made. Tho case was shocking, no doubt, but it received an added honor fr >ra tho fact that the friends of do«eased insisted upon his having "Christian burial," and obtained a semblance cl it by getting the priest to recite the Bervicc £0," tho dead vsver the flaming furnace !

Speaking of morbid sentiment regarding the dead, I havo lately been forcibly struck by a curious exhibition of it on tho part of our Australian neighbours. Tho "Corn stalks " are eminently senGible in many mat ters, but in respect to veneration for the dead they go to extremes of foliy which seem to me most lamentable. The Sydney and Melbourne people, in recording tho death of friends in the papers, generally add same tribute to thß deceased, which is al ways sentimental, and frequently poetically expressed. Not only so, but they insert flfn Memortam" notices of doi£k on tho anniversary of the sad day for ten or a dozen years after the event. This is carrying things too far. "Faithful unto death" is a noble sentiment, bnt faithful a dozen years after it, when there are active duties to the living being neglected, is the very extreme of unhealthy devotion. At first I felt inclined to attribute this excess of obituary effusiveness as much to an,over plus of cash an to an excess of misdirected affection ; but on reflection, it occurs to mo ie may be an economical device, and by repeating the record of death and recapitu lating the virtues of deceased, the mourners may save the expense of a tombstone. If the latter be tlw case, I have no objection to make, for of all tho foolish and wasteful expenditure on this earth that on costly ■orara-stones and lying inscriptions is about Tithe most, -vicious and wicked (Sisfc I know of.

2 was sotticswhat surprised to find that <•. • rsEpectable journal like the Melbourne " Age " allows its obituary column to be defaced by wretched " poetical " effusions, eaunoiating rather .queer theological opinions. Looking over several recent issues, I find the following couplet of very frequeut occurrence. Ood takoa the good—too stood on earth to stajr. And loaves tie bad—too Wd to take a way. I find this applied indiscriminately to the dear departed — from a child of a few months old to the ancient of days. The teaching here is peculiar, and moro Pagan tliart Christian. "Whom tho gods love die voiing," said the ancients, but accord -1 ne to this couplat tho bad iievor die—a gantiment in direct contradiction to that of . the Psalmist, which declaresi that the wiclced are cut off before they see tho half of their' days, while tho righteous are rewarded •with long life. A memorial notice of a lady has this appendix :— 'Tls one year today Since our dear mother passed away. Our loss has been her gain; ■\Vo would not wish her back again. Gono but not forgotten. That beautiful lino which saye "wo would not wish her bsck again " suggests that tho verse was corcposed by her son-in-law; while tho words " gono but not' forgotten," have that ambiguous ring which makes them appropriate aliko to those who think of the departed with swoot or bitter thoughts. Thero are many more specimens that I might give, all in tho most admired doggerel, and to any person of taste utterly shocking; but lot one moro quotation aaffice. After a momorial notice I find this :— One year has) passed away ■ Since my dear husband wai culled away; Tho thought still lingers round ray heart Twaa bard for mo from him to part. — Ball&rat and homo papers please copy. The " poetry " is so framed that it can be "' altered to suit any number of years, until the widow has made a fresh conquest, or until she has gose to join the departed;

and the simple faith with which " Ballamt and Homo papers" arc requested to copy tho effusion on each occasion of its appear ance forms not the least .-i-lfocting part of the announcement. Seriously speaking, these notice?, even in the column set apart for them, and without note or comment, read liko travesties of naturul affection, and betray a low tasto op tho part of tho neigh bouring communities. They are not much above certain grim but fictitious obituary notices of a Yankee humorist, such as:—

" Tho death umrel smote Alexander MoGlue And Rave him protracted repose; lie won: aelieck shirt ami a unmoor !> shoe, And had a iiink wart on liis no«o. Xo doubt he is tmppiur sourinK through space, - Ovor thcro. on tho evergreen shore. His. friends are informed that the funeral takes plncu Precisely a quarter past four.'

Does the "Age" really keep an obituary poet to write these doleful monographs lor sorrowing and bereaved friends? 1 incline to think it does, from tho way in which tho effusions are repeated with variations and modifications, to suit dillbrent cases. Then I wonder if it pays to be an obituary poet '.' And does it not hurt him very much to write thoso excruciating lines? 1 think I could be an obituary poet myself, and write about us good stull' as tho "Ago" man : but I could not do it under a thousand a year, and even then I should have some qualms of conscience. I hope none of my readers think 1 am jesting with a sacred subject or milking light of natural grief for those taken away by death. My intention is all the other way. 1 consider griof, lilial or parental, or sorrow for "a nearer and dearer one," much too sacred n thing tn bo paraded in paid print and dog goivl vorsc, nnd my object is to aim at a highor standard, and show how far wo in Now Zealand aro in this respect ahead of our Australian neighbours.

A few weeks ago mi Auckl.ind resident inserted in tho Star un advertisement to this effect:—" Lost, a mourning brooch with the naino 0 T engraved on tho back." Tlu initials hero given, 1 ma >' remark in parenthesis, represent a very unusual nanio, Tlio miming brooch WHS not brought back, but there oamo to tho Stau ollieo a lottor from ti settlor living away in tlic country, signod with tho iden tical nnmOi O T . A\'hat ho said amounted to this. His father's name was (i T , and when his father

died many years ago, his mother had a brooch made with tho deceased's name engraved on the back. The settler, who bore his father's name, wanted inquiries to bo made as to the possessor of tho brooch advertised us lost in the Stab, for he sus pected that there were living in Auckland friends of his of whoso whereabouts he had been ignorant for i\ scoro of years. Accord ing to his roquo.it, tho advertiser was com municated with, and the upshot of the little incident was this. U T and a cousin of his becamo once more acquainted lifter nnestrangmont of more than 'JO yoara, during which long period ncithor know where tho other was. (i T had gone out to Australia, nnrl had been quite lost sight of by his family, and ho was at length discovered in tho rathor curious manner just relatod. If ho reads this " Shot" foino evening after his daily labour, ho will no doubt forgive "Z«micl"thaliberty which has boon taken. I find on reflection that this siinplo narrative also has a moral. I apologise humbly, but tho fault is not mine. I can only say that if <!

T had not diligontly read his Stak, even to the advertisements, ho would not have discovered his cousin. Header, go and do thou likewise. XX X

Tho Hospital inquiry and tho railway tunnel accident inquiry havo ongrossod public attention this weok. Thoro is some virtue about reprosontativo government if it is only tho moans oi securing publicity. As soon as a wrong or abuse in a public in stitution finds its way into print, it is as good as dead. There is this about grosa tvroujft that it caunot stand public opinion. By the roverso action of tho samo rulo, whenever a mild sin or breach of the law has a strong support or palliation in popular sentiment, attempted repression v of very little avail. Hence sweepstakes on races and Sunday liquor traffic prevail in spite of the law. I take it that the Hospital Committee's investigations and tho inqu;ry into tho railway accidont in the I'arneil tunnel illustrato the different modei of procoduro which naturally sutrgost thoruaohos to a body that fools itself, amon ablo to public opinion and ono that in a measure is superior or indillbront to it; and there is more hopo of reform in the Hospital than on tho railway.

But even when the right of tho public to full information is not openly disputed, thoro i* sometimea an inclination among persons who havo temporarily gained re presentative ollices to ignore the right of tho press to spacial information and special facilities. Thuso people fail to see, or do not chooao to acknowledge, that in adopt ing such si courso they arc guilty of an insult to tho public, whom tiioy are pre sumed to represent, and that they aro evading a most essential part of thoir trust. The greijfc body of the people havo no means pf informing themselves of tho doings of their representatives, except through tho pre-8.1. They cannot individually go and make inquiries, and the public functions which newspapers perform are ,too well re cognised to bu sot aeido by tho ohurh&hijoss or over-odiciouiinessof individuals who have mistakenly been placed in roprosontativo positions, liarely, one might say never, does this happon with experienced public men. In Parliament, in Courts, in public meetings, special provision is made in order ifciftt the press may havo perfect freedom of action for tno performance of its laborious and responoii,!? work, and tho most pro minent and able i;uM;c mon, recognising that- thoir interosta arc invojyeil iti securing accurate and fair reports of what $heydo, are not merely courteous, but tako the grpatpst personal pains and troublo, to aid tho press reportors in their work. It is an in yar;abla evidonco of excossivo fussinoss in oliice, .or ovorweoning concolt, when a public man wauraes silly airs of superiority and suporciliousaeji; towards the press, upon which ho is entirely dopc.-i'Jant for inform ing the poople who havo els.:te,d him how ho has discharged his duties.

Tbo Jpjpiitablo Cruickshank crowdod a variety of laygjjablo subjocts and pleasant brevities intohisomnfbus.aperiodical of other days, and interesting, perhaps in a lessor degree, is tho lively chat often indulged in bj passengers in a suburban 'bus, or ".Chatterbox" as the vohicle might fairly bo termedj especially, when voluble /emale tongues arc fr.ee te talk. On a certain opening recently I was Joltingly onsconced in a corner of a newly decorated 'bus, which tiwels daily found and round from morn till sunaet. I was partly hidden by the hugs foathered hat of a njiddls-aged lady, whoso symmetrical body weighed at least sixteen stone. Tho lady appeared to baa genial, jolly sort of person, and I must cay that I was really ediiied by her advocacy of " woman's rights." Two gentlemen, appar ently, occupied the opposito seat, and were pcofc-pcobing the idea of women having the franciuae. 'MVomen, my dear sir," said one, " havo lwVj.cin'isa with politica; their province is homci 4n.£ their business to prepare the meals, look' ai,iG» tho babies, and go to church once a v/eejf-" The middle-aged lady gave thoao lords of .crea tion a gauging look; she could stand it no longer; and gave vent to her feelings some what ie tif/s fashion (tho ideas are the lady's, if no.t the oxi*fc words):—" Gontlomen, I regard your talk tf.* t ;,ory silly! I cannot passively sit here and listen po such stuff. Women, especially sensible'wou^:, should share eqiisl rights with men. It is hqu bp cuuse men aro faulty, and sometimes want- j iag in chivalry and gcfld.tompor, that I agree, mainly with the late Mr Will on the ques-. tiGn of woman's rights, but hssause there are so many questions wliich affect) w,omen, j and in the ssttlement of which women ought to have a yoice, ap.d also because there are so,' njany poor women '*-bo have to get their ] own living, and who may fcaye many griov-1 rtneas wisieh legislators will ijot troublo. | ;l^olit' fls Jc.oj» as women are unrepresen ted/ . '■

"Egad," said a gentleman in ft white waistcoat, '' there's a eplcC °' common sense, friend, in the lady's remarks." "A"ja'V ro joined tho other ; "don't see it. Slie'^O" 6 of those sort o' wiramen we calls ranters'. She'd wear tho breeches." "Not at all," replied the lady, reddening as she spoke. "I desire only to wear a woman's proper clothing without troubling your tailor, sir." "Any other reason, madam, in favour of womanhood suffrage ?" said tho more en lightened speaker with the red nose. " I have," said the fat lady, who was evidently fair and quite forty. " Women should be enfranchised because it will make them take wider and more correct viows of life. Power grows with its exercise. If women had political inlluence they would become interested in questions of public interest, and would indulge less in that tittle-tattle

and small talk which narrow tho intellect and incline to scandal. Besides, women aro more moral than men, and would judgo of things from a higher standpoint." This last remark was overpowering to the white-

vested gentleman, who exclaimed " Bosh ; atop the bus !" The driver pulled up and the friends alighted, and wont laughing to- ' wards the Uaoli XXX Speaking of omnibuses, has my reader ever heard tho definitions given as follows:— liuss, to kiss ; rebus, to kiss, again : omni bus, to kiss all round? If he has (of course he has now), and if ho will associate there with tho idea of a " holy kias " as v part of Christian observance, he will bo able to sco the point ot the narrative to follow. To a certain suburb of Auckland which shall be nameless thoro runs a line of omnibuses, tho proprietor of which, if ho is int. a Christian in tho sense that he goes to church regularly, is one in tho hotter nonae, inas much as hoiprovidos well for thoeo of his own household, " Draws hii furrow as htralt,'lit aa ho can, Ami into nobody's tuici-puteh pokes," hi tho suburb roferred to rosidos a Christian gentleman who tritely gave of his

abundance, land whoron to eroct v placo of worship, ami actively assisted in canvassing for cash to erect said house of prayer. The 'bus proprietor in duo course was solicited for his mito, but declined to contribute. Thereupon his Christian brother, in order to turn him from tho orror of his ways, got an opposition 'bus put on tho run at half the former fare. Tho heathen 'busman, nothing dauntud, reduced his faro, and judging by appearances will very soon run tho opposition vehicle oil" tho road. The aidont Churchman, however, had his Christian /.eal properly aroused, and has ordered tho construction of a splendid new omnibus, which ho declares lie will run free, in order to achieve tho salvation of his uiirogonoruto brother. "(!root yo one another with a holy kiss," says tho apostle ; in those days it is, of courso, rendered a " holy buss." Whon the new freo" holibus " starts running, it will bo a standing proof of tho power of tho (iospol of I'eaco to soften tho hearts of men and loosen thoir rurse-ntrings, while it will no doubt bo hailed as a boon by the residents of tho dis trict, whether heathen or Christian, firook or barbarian.

Vet another contribution to the quostion of unionism in Auckland has reached mo, which I think it bost to givo without com ment. It is na follows :—" Dear Zamiel, — Amyono reading tho remarks of 'Voriras' in your last issue re tho Carpenters' Society would come totho conclusion that thcro woio no mill hands in thu Society. As a matter of fact, there havo boon mill hands in tho Auckland branch sinco its formation, a mill hand being elected ono of its otficers at tho start, and therein no obstacle to them join ing now, provided thoy are competent workmen. ' Veritas' states that thoy would bo deadheads. I should like to know what the term implios. Can ' Yoritas ' givo mo an instance where a mill hand is a doad head as a Society man ? My opinion of a deadhoad is a man writing about his follow men and ashamed to subscribe his name : and, in conclusion, lot mo tell ' Voritus ' ho shown his utter ignorance of unionism when he advises mill hands to form a society of their own.—l am, &c., .). A. Parkks, Newton Koad."

This sensible correspondent having signed his name, 1 cannot, of coumo, allow " Voritas " to icply to him unless on equal terms. I hope, however, that we shall havo no further bickerings, but instead practical endeavours to eft'oct tho union no much desirod.

Tho miserablo exhibition which tho Rovouuo schooner Hawk is said to mako whonovor she comos in contact with even ordinary coasters makes mo wondor what earthly uso she can bo eithor in tho pro vention or dotection of smuggling. I havo often heard of her being easily beaten by various sailing vessels, but never saw hor to such poor adyantago aa whon sho came to closo quarters with several cutters in a raco tho other day. Those vessels loft harbour after her—two hours after, I am informed— picked her up between Kangitoto and Tiri tiri, passed her oasily, and aoon left hor miles astern. Tho " Horald " apologeti cally suggested that tho Hawk waa "hovo-to, but I rather think not. At all events tho Hawk was doing her bost, with almost all hor availablo canvas spreud, and, to. say the least of it, she got a torriblo beating. Aud yet this vessel is a Kerenuo cruiser—a source of great oxpouditurs—and what has sho ever done! 1 havo novor heard of hor accomplishing anything bril liant, and if her apeod is always as slow as it was on Tuesday last, or as bad as the maston of coasters report it, truly I norer oxpoct hor to do so. Surely there ihould bo some method of proving those craft before they aro takon DTOr by tho GoTorn mont, especially when so much may dopond upon their possessing more than ordinary speed.

A somewhat puzzling little paragraph has been going tho round of the papers. It appeared in a contemporary last in this form :—"Sandwiches aro a great staplo in London. Forty thousand men aro said to bo daily engaged vending them." "So,"said I to myself, "sinco I loft London, men aro going about selling that railway-refrcah ment-bar-abomination (hard as adamunt,and a.t indigeHtiblo as an Aucklund dining-room m,eal), aro they?" Then it struck me there might \}Q p trifling mistake somowhoro; and tho hiEtflry 'gf that inoffonaivo, though singular, paragraph resolved itself into this. First, it was printed in somo English papor thua : —" Thore aro forty thousand Sandwich men in London." Next an able American editor, discovering it, remarked under his breath as he nimbly sliced it out, "sandwich men?" "Oh, to bo suro, mon who sell sandwiches." Then ho added n word or two by way of explanation, and tho simple item discovered iteolf next day tq bp, " Forty thomand men aro on gaged in London in selling sandwiches." In this intelligible form it has boon going tho customary rounds, knowing itself all tho while to be a sham and a fraud, doceiring tho good folk who novor saw " Mkndwich-mon " parading in acoros up and down tho korb-stones of London streets. But tho lie has get tho start. Tho jjdible sandwich wins tho race with out en effort, and though I stumble after wtti;< tho wooden idontity my chances aro simply nil. Tho fraudulent statement has long ere now been translated intoChoctaw, Chorokeo, Hawaiian, Fijian, Papuan, and, for aught I know, Mr C. O. Davia has put it into the "Korimako." Thus may we learn how difficult it is to kill a falsehood when once it has got .twonty-four hours ahead. I dislike, as a rule, stories with morals, but hero hare I boon guilty of .tolling one myself.

The Mahdi's Aunt.

It is now eU/ifid that a mysterious Arab lady—alloged to ijo tho Mijhdi's aunt—has appeared upon tho scene in command of an array, wfro, if slip boars out the traditions of her box in war, ought to bo jjjore trouble some than her nopiiow. Nothing nuikes a campaign so awkward far s general $8 tho illogical hostilities of a female. The Amazons fought like furious angola, but what bothered Hercules most was their fleetness of foot, the precipitanay of their tactics, Boadiceas drivo their chariots alight ahead, rogardlesa of tho regu lations' .of jfcke kriegspiel, and Joans of Are are onoi'git ix> drive the Staff College mad. Once before iriij^ory a lady from the Upper Nile—a countrywo^a^ cf the Mahdi's aunt, in fact—embanassoa tlie most civilised of empires by the feminine impulsiveness of her attack, and it was a lcyg time before tho Romans thought again of'moUqifcg Candace, Queen of Ethiopia. Zenbbia per^sst^ jjj fighting long after she ought to have given Cleopatra stoppod short all of a sudden, at Actiuns, just when she ought to have gono on—and so forth. But, whatever tho want of cbhorerici may have feacn, no lady-general has ever been; found deficient jn impetuous valour, and if the Mahdi's aunt can inspire her con glomerate troops with anything like en thusiasm, our chivalrous Guardsmen may has« an embarrassing time. It is bad enough 'la have to fight a prophet off tho back of a cawoj; but when it comes to resisting a pbargo vi ladies—for the aunt probably has a sl&fl of her cousins—the pre dicament will be serious indeed, Nc doubt, iio'icevat, Lord VFolseley will issue eultabie om'TS Wore tt?o crisis arrives, o!s<s *he country may r«n tlus rjal*; cf having its handsome, susceptible Guatdsus«n parried off captive, red tunics and all, by & col^rt of Ethiopian beauty.

Tho bestowal of a Government pension of £S0 a year on Madame Balfe, the widow of the popular composer, is only a suitable recognition of the work of a man. who con tributed largely during his life to the refined amusements ofihis countrymen.

SPORTING.

PRINCIPAL RACING FIXTURES.

Now Zealand.

Dunodlu J.C. Autumn l'"eb. LHi, -7, and 23 Wauisanui J.C. Autumn JFarcli fl and li North Aui'kliiud (l)nri;avilli-) Kucivi. .March li. 7 Oaumni J.C. Autumn March 17 and IS llawke.-H Hny .I.e. Autumn ....March 17 uud HI Otalnilm UacliiK Club February ill Hi'iuierson's Mill Turf Club March 17 Tai-antiki Annivorsary MooUng. ...niaroli 27. 28 Auckland i^C. Autumn.. April 1 and (i Cttiilorbury J.C. Autumn Mottlnc April (i, 7 Auckland lt.C. Steepleeliaso Meetlu«_ ..Juno U Australia. V.lt.C. Autumn February 28, March 5, 1 itKWKsabury lt.C Autumu March :M. 2S A..1.C". Aiuumn April 0,8,10, 11

To Correspondents.

J.N.—Tho Forbury course Is one mile round. G.U.K.-The Hon. J. Willies Despot has nevor avou a race.

.Ikvoi.vkk.—Tho holilor of Huvolvor In the awuiipKOta (ho monoy. NQi-imci!.—Mr Itvdwood purcliaaod Clogs at Jlrli. (i. Stoml'a sale In November, 18SJ. for 130 millions.

STKKri.Ki'UAsKu. AcconlliiK to tilt) nowspapor accounls nf tin) A.K.I. Stooplochnso of 1881, Httreulra mul Chanillor look llui lust Imiillo nliiioMl slinnltani-ously, but UorutiluM swerved. ami run insiilu iv

Si'iisciiiiiEu (Cimibrirteo). -Tuniuoltio wax not by Tuliul (Jain fruin 'I'oimz, by Klraworkß from Tlio Ciem, by MiiribyrnoiiK from Chrysolite (imp.), by siockw.ill from .lullc.t. Topaz i« full HiHtor to Touriniilino iinii l''irnt Water (winner of tli.i Auntralluu Cup. Adnlatdo Cup, St. liOKor, und wlio also ran uucoud for tlio Melbourne Cup of 1888). Chrysolitu wao tlin (linn of Onyx (ilmn of Sardonyx), Robinson I'vuaoe (uiro of Nnvii;ator). mill Tjiplrliut: wbile Juliot wiiHnlHo thn dam of Sylvln (dnm of Martlni-ilfiiry, ColilttbroiiKli. and Itobin ltoo.ll. ('baron. i;a:<iiick.ir. H.mvoHo. anil Tin- Friar. It iH very .ioubtful whotlicr MicrnlH » water raeluK family in tho world than I Ilia,

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

Tin: victory of Administrator in tlio Wellington Gold Cup on Wednesday may bo put down as 01:0 of tho biggest Biirprkoa Now Zealand turfitos have been treated to. Mr Tancred'a horse had never licon montioncd in connootion with tlio nice, and it was voted that on. his Auckland running tho luuidicnppor had been very harsh in allotting liim 7st I,llb, From tho detailed account of tlio raco to hand, it appoars that tho roan son of the Promior was taken to tho front at tlio start, and maintained his position to tho finfeh, although Sou'-wostor made a very close tight of it in tho last eighty yards. In local circles on tho day of tho race, Id's to I could bo obtained about Administrator freely, and it was generally thought that he would not9oo tho post. A pleasing feature in connection with tlio raco is tho fact of tho winner b.iing ridden by tho well-known local horseman, E. Vailo, who went down under engagement to Mr Tailored.

So far as racing and attendance were con cerned, 1 think it may bo safely Raid that tho Summer Meeting of tho Takapuna Jockey Club on Saturday last «ns tho most successful yot hold across tho water. Tho improvements otl'eetod to tho paddock and its surroundings wero greatly appreciated, and it was agreed on all hands that tho steeplechase course as- it now stands is a really excellent one, and so constructed as to provont the accidents which havo formerly taken placo. None of tho contests call for special oommont, but ono mattor in con nection with tho arrangements on Saturday requires drawing attention to, and that is tho looso way in which tho horses numbers wero put up and taken down. In tho rulos and regulations published by tho Club it is stated that all persons Intending to with draw horses aro required to givo notieo to that oil'ect to the Secretary or Clerk 'of Scabs ono half-hour before tho otiicial time for Mtarting. Any person neglecting or rofuting to comply with this rule shall pay a lino not oxeeeding ssovs. to tho raco fund. Not tho slightest regard wan paid to tho rulo by tho othcials on Saturday, horses numbors being takon down up to the time of starting with the most unblushing effrontory. To tho proprietor of tho tohi lisator this moans a tidy rovonuo, but to tho public—who havo quito Hiitb'ciont to contond with on racecourses— it is both unfair and unjust.

A friend of mino in Duncdin, who is gonorally not far out in his calculations, writob:—"To my mind tho Cuplios botweon Vanguard, Lady Emma, and Wapiti, with Nelson, Sou'-wostor, and (if ho ulntids) Captain Webster, who is an ospoeial fancy of mino. A man who took these six against the field would havo nono tho worst of tho wagor. All tho Otago lioiho>j aro going well at prosent. Matanaka is putting in somo really good work, and old Adamant's friends nave a hopo that ho may bo ablo to ropoatliis victory in tho raco. Taiaroa also has a fow font friundu, though it is not a good sign that £1,000 to £00 could bo easily got about his chanco." At tho recont Northern Jockoy Club mooting, it will bo romomborod Mr J. Chadwick, tho ownor of Southern Chief, lodged a prqtost against Trovatoro, tho winner of tho Maiden Hurdlos, on tho ground that ho had previously won a raco ovor tho "Bmall sticks." The matter has einoo been inquired into by tho Club, and thoy havo paid tho stakes to Mr Chadwick, it having boon provod that Trovatoro won a Hurdle Raco of 30 soys at Kowai Pass.

A special meeting of tho Wangauui Jockey Club was hold n fow days back to tako into consideration tho working of the totalisators at their mootings by Messrs Hill and Poolo. It was stated that the totalisator at presont uaed was not boing worked in the interests of oithor tho Club or tho public, and that it was very unde sirable that owners of racehorsos should havo the privilege of working the machine. Various suggestions woro mado by thoso present bh to tho bettor managomont, and eventually it was proposod and seconded that a totalisator bo procured for tho uso of tho Club at tho termination of tho agreo mont with Messrs Hill and Poolo, po that it may be available for tho noxt Spring Meeting. It was also decided that at tho noxt meoting two stoward.i of the Club bo appointod to suporviso tho working, and that Messrs Hill and Poolo be notified that thoy must bo subject to instructions from thoso two gcntlomon.

If over there was an injustice porpotratod on a horso owner and totulisator investors, it was last Saturday at tho Tnkftpnnn Mooting. This was in tho Hurdle Knee, in which according to tho oflicial handicap, the winner Nigger carriod 101b less than his allotted woight. Despite tho assuranco of Mr jL'orciral;' tho hnndicappor, that tho 9st opposite NiggorV name in tho race book was an error, yot Far'rell was allowod by tho clork of the scales to woigli out at 9st. After the race, Mr Halstoad, tho ownor of Minuet, tho uecond horso, naturally lodged a protest, but tho stewards to make matters worso, decided to pay on Niggor in tho tatalisator. How they arrived at this decision I cannot under stand, for it is distinctly lai(J down in tho totalisator rulos placarded by Mr Adams on tho maohino that tho money shall be paid over providing the winner woighs in all right. In this caio it cannot bo said that tho rider of Niggor >yeighed in to tho satis faction of any one but his owners, and no matter how the Club may see lit to deal vrith Mr Ifalstead, there is no donying tho fact that iti;p?o who held tiekots on Minuet in the totaliaaiii fcftvg been unjustly treated by tho Club paying on Niggor. In connection with the matter, I may say that on looking up tho " copy " of tho handicaps supplied to this office by Mr Percival, Nigger is woighed at '.Ist 101b, which, of course, bears out that tho official book is correct.

Tho friends of Mr A. Snidor will bo sorry to hear that ho was one of the party of Melbourne bookmakers severely injured in the railway accident which occurred near Cootamundra. The "boys" wero en route to Sydnoy for the purpose of assisting at the Anniversary £)ay Meeting of tho Sydnoy Turf Club. ' '

Commotion promises to start a warm favourite fortho Champion Stakes, and how that all the1 money in the market at 3 to 1 has been exhausted, hie price at the post bids fair to be extremely short. 0 to 1 is offered without takers against Maluu, from which it is inferred that things aro not altogether couleur de rose with tho Brighton crack.

The following are the prices, etc., realised at the sale of the New Zealand Stud Com pany yearlings in Sydney :— Gns. Brown colt, by Musket, from Rooctto— Mi. K. Mitchclson, of Auckland .. ~ 350 Brown coU, by Musket, from Onyx—Mr H. O3borno .. .. .. SOO Bay colt, by from i-tlsntis—Mr E. Mituhelspn, of Auckland ' 250 Brov/n celt, by Musket, from Realisation— ■ ifcVy.Kelso '.. ..' ': :. : .'. .. §j , Brown ftltj, by >lusket, from IVOiiont-- Mr H. Green- '~ ... ' .'. ..' ' ... )S) Total .. „ (mo The colt by Anterog—Sylvia was passod in at 600 guineas. Mr F. Maekay, of Dulcalmah. near Singleton, N.S.W., turns out to bo the real purchaser of Sir Modred.. He paid 1,000 guineas for hits.

In tho Australian Cup, New Zealand's champion, Wolcomo Jack, is woiglied at !lst 01b, on equal terms with Le (Irand. In tho Newmarkot Handicap, Mr Barnard luia allotted him !lst 71b. Hickenbotham brought Le (irand down to Floinington tho other week, but the champion had not walked 100 yards from tho railway station when ho roared nt the sight, of a boy and enrno down heavily on both knees. Although he had knoo-caps on, both knees woro cut, one severely. Latest accounts stato ho is getting all right again. Mr Robortson has docided to treat Car bineer to n spoil.

At tho annual sale of yearlings from Mr A. Town's Richmond stuil, there whs a. largo attondnuco, Tlio total amount realised was I'J,ITI giiinoan, the blood stock bringing in 8,190. Tho brown colt by Maribyrnong from Tlio Fawn topped tho lint nt 1,i>50 guineas, tit which figure ho was socurod by Mr A. I<\ Smart amidst con- Bidorablo applause. Second on tholUtof high-priced ones camo tho bay lilly by Chester from liuoldor Ko.so, which paused into tho possession of tlie Hon. .1. White at 1,000 guineas. Tho following nro tho ttotiiila of tho stock that brought tho biggest prices :— £IIS. liny lilly, by Chester from (Judder Ilosu lloii. 11. White 10liO Bay lilly, by Kapld liny from Aureohi - Mr A. Cornwall l('° Hay colt, liy Cilm-ioua (imp.) from l'onltimt (impf-JlrW. Cnopw ■• '-"^ Hrown colt, by .U.inbynioiu: "ill of Ihu Fawn--Mr A. K. Smart I'k'jO Hay iicjU, Ijy Maribyrnoiit,' oul of Fair Durhrhii Hun. W. .1. Chirk." '<» Drown colt, liy MurihyrnmiK from Jesfla mlnu-Mr J. MomiKluin 150 Chestnut colt, byAloorthorpe (imp.) from The (iißtfler-lUr W. Cooper ■■ ■• 310 Chestnut oolt. liv drain! fiatiotir from Nina-Mr W. ('oo)ior 2<» Hay colt, by Scottish Cni.-f from Fair ltMumond-Mr W. A. Luiir .. ■• :"« Hay filly, by ltnpii! Hay from Agitation (imn.t-Mr J. Mcinanhan 110 Hay lilly. by Vespasian (imji.) from Cooui a.ssiu-Mr A. Cornwall -'« liayoolt. liy MarlbyrnoiiK from GoraMlno —MrOwldy -10 Mr J. Marshall's two-year old colt Musk, by Musket —I'erfume, lias boon added to tho list.

Mr H. If. Vallanoo has disposed of his rhostnut gelding Voutli to Mr llowitt, of Poverty Bay.

AVhat a wonderful success Hermit ims been as a .stud liorso in tho old country 1 As a racehorse ho turned in considerably over 1100,000 in stakes and bets for Mr llonry Chaplin, and at tho stud ho seems to bo equally valuable. In four voars his stofk hive won in stakes no less than C1.t1.8G7 ! His bont year wan in 1882, when tho Hermits won C44.00S ; in 18S1 tho total was .Cd", 222 ; in lss:i, C 30,801 sand in lbS4, .L'-!t,-.'i(i. Thin is n wondorful record.

A Viiluabli! addition to the blood stool; of New South Wales arrived recently in tho steamship Australasian, from London. Tho shipment, consists of four brood mares, immoly, I"ojigio, n bay three-year -old ; Tho Witch, another bay three year-old ; Althorpo a dasi; bay two-year-old ; and Forrara, a chestnut four-year-old. Ferrara figured at the .Manchester Autumn Meeting. Tho marcs are for tho stud of Mr W. A Long, of Sydney.

That wonderful pony, Brown and liosc, Ims boon moasurod, and the following aro her linen :—Height, ">S inches, or II hands 'Jin, or 1-IJ '-' with her shoes ; longth from point of slioulder to extremity of quartor, (il inches ; head, 'J'J inclicx ; from elbow to pisiform bone, I(U inches; from that to ground, 1!) inchus ; foi'olog, entire longth, ;!5i inclie." ; from root of tail to stitlo, 24J inches; stido to hock, 2-t.J inches; from hock to ground, 1241 inches. All thoso measurements were tuken in a straight lino, and not along tho surface

Sir HorculoH Robinson has lost none of his love for tho sport of racing, and koops a small string in work at tho Capo. At tho Port Elizaboth mooting hishorso Morlo won tho Merchants1 I'hito of HOOmov*. Tho winnor carried lOat.

A report was in circulation to tho clloct that Newstcad liad gono amies, but an Adelaido paper says tlicro is not tho slightest foundation for tho rumour, as tho colt is doing splendidly.

A littlo bird tolls " Vigilant " that whon Malua mid Bonnie Scotland wore youngstors togothor tlio lust-named u^od to run away from Uagot, and as tho name informant also nvoi'H that tho chosnirt son of St. Albany- May llowor if in groat heart just now, ho will want watching for our Nowmarkot Handicap, in which ho Ims tho fouthor weight of Gst 71b. Tho lion;. .1. White's cantofT Salvo lias gone intolko Foulsham's hands (tho tralnor of Malua).

i\lr William Day is preparing a now edition of his manual on "Tho Kacohorso in Training, with Hints on Racing and Racing Reform,"

Mr 3. Powell's maro llinomoa, whilst doing a gallop atSpring Urovo ono morning, broko a blood-vessel, and it is doubtful if sho will over bo fit to raco.again.

It is said that tho owner of Malua has won ovor £50,000 in stakes and bow since ho purchased him.

Maud S.,tho wonderful Amorican trotting maro, aa a thrco year old, wan bought for £70.

Tho following aro tho scratchings to dato for tho Champion Stakoa :—Wing, Lands borough, Marque, E.vminstor, Rebus, Chloo, und Illusion (dead).

A buna fide, offer of '2,ooosovrf. has beon refused for Mozart, who will not again appear in public boforo tho Y.R.C. St. Legor.

Thu two-year-old colt Maroondah, got by Angler from our old friond Lurlino, ha* gone into Mr F. F. Dakin's hands to bo prepared for his futuro ongagemontfl. Ho is among thoso nominated for noxt year's V.lt.U. Derby.

Tlio Duko of YVostminstor has recently lost, from inflammation of tho lunge, a yoar ling lilly by llormit, for which his grnco gavo .Lli.ooo in July last, at tlio sale of tho Yardloy yoarlingn. T. Hales, tlio woll-known horseman, has boon sutlbring from an aeuto attack of con gestion of the lungs. Foars woro, at ono timo, entertained tlmt tho attack would liavo a fatal termination, but ho is now pro greasing towards recovery. Tho stewards of tho English Jockey Club nro dotortnined to work somo reform with reference to jockoyg who bot hoavily and own honioa themselves. Tho followin ■ no tico appoars in a lato numbor of tho "Olficial Ciilondar" : —"Tho stewards of tho Jookoy Club givo notico that, for tlio futuro, liconcos will only bo granted to joekoys on condition that thoy aro not owners, or part owners, of any racehorso. Lonvo may bo givon, on Bpocinl application, to jockoys to own ono or more hor.ios, but this permission will only bo granted when tho jockoy is also a trainer, and tho horso is to bo trained in liis own stable. It having boen represented to tho Btowarda of tho Jockoy Club that many jockeys aro in tho habit of botting largoly on horso racing, and also of receiving pro sonts in connection with racos from pornons othor than tho ownor of the horeo they rido in such racos, tho stewards heroby givo notice that such practices will not ba toleratod in futuro, and that any jockoy who may bo roportod to thorn for theso ofj'onccs, and who may bo proved, to tho satisfaction of tho stewards, to havo bocomo ongagod in botting transactions, will bo liabloto havo his liconco at onco withdrawn."

In tho conrso of an interview, Fred Archer assortod that ho would not ride in a race, during his trip to America, for £5,000. Tho "Tinman,!1 spoaking of somo of his most remarkable victories, said :— -lMy winning tho Derby on tho Duko of West minster's Bond Or, in 1880, you may properly term sensational. A fortnight before tho race Muloy Edris 'savaged' my right arm—that is, bit it to tho bono, cut ting into tho muscles and thoroughly disabling it. A case was made for the arm, and a spring of peculiar contrivance ar ranged to support tho hand. In that way 1 rode Bend Or, and it was nip and tuck throughout tho fight. It was only tho last fow strides— tho last try—that I rushed Bend Oi to the front and won, boating Robert tho Devil by a head. It was right out of tho liro, I can toll you, sir." "Any other rar;o of that kind you now recall 1" "In this connection you can note tho raco for tho Two Thousand Guineas in ISB3, when I wen on Lord Fnlmouth's Gall Sard. Fifty omtio to the post, and it was a "burn ing" oluiko from beginning to end. Timo and time ilgain I was not confident, but the colt did not fnil mo, and in tho few last strides I placed him a winner by a lioad, and there was only a head between second and third. A closer1 race arid a' more sen sational one probably never was ridden by me, though perhaps tho oxcitemont was not so 'great as when I won the Derby with Bend Or."

A doctor's fco of thirty guineas for grant ing a certificate of the daath of an old lady of eighty, at Islington, to avoid tho pre sumed scandal of an inquest to the friends of tho docefised, appears, to say the least, a v.cry singular charge. Its payment was declined by' the family, and, though the doctor explained that the amount claimed was for various cliargos, yet it was not denied that the certificate was refused un less thirty guinoas was paid. Honca an inquest and an unsoomly squnbblo ovor tho gravo.

FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS.

(BY ACTION.)

CRICKET FIXTURES.

CLUB MATCHES. February 7-Nowton v. Otiibuhu. Our Hoys v Warehousemen. Auckland ». West Knil. New ton v. Olulmhii (continued), United v. Gordon, 1. ZiiiKari v. National, Alphu v. l'uriioll. February H.-Qordon v. W«at Knd, t)ur Hoys v. Warehousemen (continued!. Aueklnnil v. West Knd, Alpha V. Nowton (cuntuuiej), United v. OtJihuliu.

February 21-Oordon v. WeatKnd ('■ontlnuoil), Our Hoys v. Newton, Auckland v. Vagiibonilii, Alpha V United and, United v. OUihuhu (eoti ivbrunry 28—Uordou v. Auckland 2nd. Our Boys v. Otahuhu, Auckland Ist t. Unltc.l, Alalia v. Gordon 2nd, Nowtori v. United L'nd.

March 7—Gordon V. Newlon, Auckland v. United (continued). Alpha v. Auckland 2nd, Went ICnd v. OUihuhu.

INTERPROVINCIAL MATCHES.

Shaw's English Elovou.

January, 33, 21, 2(1,27, v. Now South Waloa, at Sydney.

AQUATIC FIXTURES.

January 29-Auckland Annual Kiwitta. February 7-Hanlun v. Cliltord, £100 u-blilo. February 28-C1 i ll'ord y. Heocli, £SOO u-Bide March ffl-Hanlan v. Boacb, £.100 u-blilu and championship of tho world, on the l'aruuiatta April 18-Clifford v. Haitian (if tho former is victorious in hlB match with Hoaeb). Cllil'drd v. Teenier, &100 a-Bido. February 11—Auckland JtowliiK AMOelatlon Bogalta.

A IWKKPHTAKKH raco botweon weral Hi toot, opon bo:its is likely to take pluco on Saturday next. lloarn, Mcdrntli and othors, although beaten at Auckland Kogatta, havo ex pressed thoir intention of forming a crow for next year, when thoy may have better luck. Logon is building "» 18ft, sailing boat for ono of tho Tougun chiefs. Ho sent tho Arrow, which took place in tho small yacht raco on Regatta Day, to Onehunga on Thursday, and will ship a lCft. ploasuro boat by steamer for Lovuka (Fiji) on Thurs day next. The annual meeting of tho Auckland Re gatta Committee takes place at tho Waito muta Hotel on Tuesday evening. Thon is tho timo for email boat-owners and all othors who may bo interested in noxt yoar'a regatta to roll up and givo thoir votes for mon who they can trust to look aftor thoir interests. Growling afterwards is of very little use.' In tho champion raeu for all comers, in untriggen, attho Port.lackson Regatta, tho starter.i were Loycoek, Mosaonger, l'earce, Massey, and P. Kemp. Messongor vrent off with a slight lend, nnd, getting clear at Goit Island, had tho bost of it all through. Whenever Laycock mado an effort to get up to him ho always got away again, while Kemp kopt stoadily on a good third, with Massoy last throughout. J'oarco gave up at fioat Islnnd, preserving hiinnolf for tho all comers' raco in skift.

ComnaringLynch,tlioAucklandor,and Po cock, "Bumpy," in tho "Canterbury Time*" flll y :—"Tho swinging delivery adopted by both Mosprs Lynch and Pocock made tho liifit remind mo of tho second. Tho similar ity in pnco did ho oven moro. Like Pocock, too, Lynch has a tendency to curl from leg whon bowling round the wickot, and to broak from tho off whon bowling ovor it. In dismissing Spring's Otago eleven for 35 runs, Lynch porformod a feat of which I think Pocock would not haro boon ashamod. Against Canterbury also the Aucklandor bowlod bo well that, had it not b«on for tho oxcollent wickot and the similarity botwoen hia bowling and Pocock's, ho would havo probably got a fair analysis. Tho Canter bury batsmon boitnj thoroughly accustomed, through constant practice to Poeock's bowling, would naturally find this iactholp them a groat deal in playing a bowlor closoly resembling him. I did not say that Lynch was a« good a bowlor as Pocock, nor do I think BO."

Tho match between Clifford and Hanlan, for £1,000 a sldo, was fixod for to day, and is probably all over before this time. " Typhus," writing in the "Syd»ey Mail " on Jan. '27th, cay« : —" As the ovnntf«l day draws uoaror on which the lirst of tho sorios of sculling matches botweon our great oars men U to toko placo, so doe§ tho interest in tho coming ovonts wax greater and groator. Aluiobl ovory aftornoon, one or more steam boats, laden with th» frionds and admirers of one or othor of the scullers, wends thoir way up to tho convincing ground, the I'arramatta Kivor championship course, where, after tho excessive heat of tho day lias departed, tho aquatic gladiators may bo closoly scrutinised oh they tako thoir aftornoon spins. Whon Hanlan was bring ing himself into form last year to grapplo with Boach for tho aquatic championship of tho world, pooplo who wero in tho habit of going up tho river to see him wore snani mous in their opinions as to his splondid phyiiquo and his thorough appoaranco of condition and fitnoas. If these same persons woro to 100 him now, thoy would hsrdly tako him for tho samo man. Independou dently of being somewhat tanned from ox posuro to our hot nun, Hanlan shows pnl pablo signs of haying roally done nomo good, steady, and useful work, his arms, legs, and body giving ample proof that he has boon doing somothiug inoro than simply making a " pleasure 'of hi 9 training. His face, too, has in a groat moaßuro lost that full and round appearance it was wont to have, and now looks moro like that of an athlete, carrying with it a. thoroughly hoalthy appoaranco and an eyo aa clear as that of a falcon. Whatever ostimato tho Canadian may have placed upon the ca pabilities of William Beach as an oarsman beforo ho raced him fortheoharapionship.itis evident ho ha» a greater respect for him now ; and if ho wai not aa fit then «■ he ought to havfl boon, his experience on that memorable day has taught him a lesson by which ho moans to benofit in his match with Clitlord on th« 7th proximo. Th« Hanlan- Clifi'ord will ■ meot will, I ventnr* to •ay, bo a different man fr;m the Hanlan Boaoh def»at»d on 18th August, 1884. Thomas Clifford is doing a grant deal of work for hii coming raco with Hanlan, bat I confosi ht is not rowing to my liking, and is not improving so rapidly as I could wish, nor does ho mem to care about altering his style in tho slightest dogreo. In all my experience of rowing mon I npvor remomber seoing a man who mado to little usa of his back ; be it at tho commancomont of the stroke or the finish, his body baroly leaver the porpondlcular. Clifford is a vory tall man, and naturally hielengthof arm gives him an unusually long reach : but for all that I do not believe that a sculler, ba he ever so strong in the arms, can got fall power on without some back assist ance It is at tho finish of his stroke, how ovor, that, this peculiarity is most noticoabla, as even thon, whon a littlo baok power is so essential, his deviation from tho perpondicu lar is almost imperceptible. Itmay bethatby moans of Ms excessive strongth in leg and arm ho will bo able to propel hia boat taster, and 'koop going' longorthan hisopponont, but in order to bolieve that I mast soo it; and should Clifford be fortunate enough, bar accidents, to scoro tho second win against tho Canadian, no ono will bo moro agrooably suprisod than mysolf."

The Countess de Belbouf.

Thb Countess of Bolbouf, who died qujto recently, was one of tho Tory fow persons who could remember the old Reign of Terror in Paris, as an actual victim, and very nearly a martyr, in the cause of order and roligion. She was only seven years old when tho vossol in which she was being carried off by her parents as an "emigrant" to Spain was captured by the agents of the popular party. She was thrown with her mother, Madame de Ohabrillan, her .father, and her grandmother, tho Countess de Caumont Laforco, into the prison at Toulon, and the populace demanded, with loud cries, permission to massacre the whole family. The goal was invaded by a horde of these furies, who got an far as the stair cases, and there caught two priests, whom they immediately murdered. General Bizann'ette, who 'was then in command at Toulon, was obliged to apply to an' officer on active service to aid him in effecting the escapo of the intended victims of lynch law. This officer was none other than General Bonaparte, then in command of the artillery, of' the Italian Army, who happened to be at Toulon arranging for the defence of tho arsenal. "If I only had some handbarrows," said the governor of tlie town, "I would get these fugitives safo out of France." "]Very well," replied Bonaparte, "send me in a requisition for tho barrows, and I will see that you have them." The required conveyances woro accordingly provided, and tho little Zoe do Chabrillari, with her parents and some other emigrants, was deposited in them, and despatched under' a strong escort out of the place. The girl afterwards married tho Count de Belbeuf, and lived to the good old age of ninety-five. But to her dying day she remembered more vividly than anything else the scene at the Toulon jprison when she was being carried to her barrow, and was able to descrihe tho circumstances as vividly as on tho day after they occurred,

THE GARDEN.

[B* HOKTU.M.]

Calendar of Operations, February

fIIOKTUs la willing toanawnranyqnnrloß. <:<>r- rc»|)onduiiU must Kivi their full unimta and ttddrt'Sßua. though not lor publication.l

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

(jr.il)loi.AH, JJoi, Ciui.sx'K, kiv. (T.H., I'on »oiib>|.-(l| «uullai;uoil lit all puriuil:! to urn (or tlio vino. Thu lieat time to liao it lm uitmurn is when illi;!,'i»K over tlie liuriluru in tlio sprint;; duat it over tlio aurluco. If you liiiveaqiiaiitily ratliui1 usi: for Itui'piii,,' k!ii:;i and otlior inaoul pi^.sts umlui; i« crowniK veu'Otaliluu. uthur uianiuo is hotter for tlio vino tliun wot. (21 'J'.j Brow Kludi olua for Oiu spring show, you would neod to lilmit your liullia aliout July. Kor exhibition for the n.utuinn shows, plant in Outobox. I eonlil nut sot down any hai'd line iib to time, us Iho tteaHons are ko iliir.rfiiit that bullis will come into tlowui (iuickor aoino yours thun otliora. Cl) Your rose has piobably oxliuuHted Iho t.oil it i« planted in. Noil winter lift it, put aonm Ifood rich uoil into tho hole, and rep uni. (1) My box edKinK wua clipped lust Jlay. and aifain last Uocombcr. and is doiiiK llr»t-claBB. I would not adviao you to clip yours now ; wait till May. If ollppod now, and n dry autumn nets in. a number of your plants would probably die. Tho bout tlmo to ro-lay or to make fresh odifiiiKS from cuUinys in hi May. 'i'liuy would not grow now imluss a Broal deal of trouble was taken witu Iliem. (1) The boat time to lift camellias, rhododon upons, iwuloas, etc., is (t!) Your ([uinco ia probaoly planted on soil with a hard, dry bottom. That niiu-ht lie the cause; of tho fruit dropping on". Try thu oU'tfct o£ mulching in tho spring. Hefure doing so, dig and manure round the troo. (7i Soil from Mount Edon or from any volcanic dhitrict iv not good soil for potiln«. TJio boat in a (riaulu loani of an old «raa» paddock for llio body, with Hand, luur mould, and well-rotted manure mixed with it, Jlonoflour or Kiiaiio 1 would novormix with the (loainKsoil. After a plant Has grown, und if itre<|mrea more stimuliintH timn the noil in ihu pot can nrlvo, then use KUiiuo or fi'flbli cow or liorao dropiiinpi steeped for nemo time in water mid thu ei'Jiimuit •strainod oil—in fuel, liquid manure. S. Boil for fuchsias: Tnu boat is lurfy loam, luaf-moiili), or decayed cow manure und silver Band. I'm! bust growers for inhibition adopt liijuidmanures andsystcmauf their.iwn^yluch they learn hy nxpuiiunce. Situation: 'I'hoy ouKht to ba (jrownin acuol, moist frame. Hun thut you do not overdraw ilium. Thorn nro v number of varieties with Kood lmbiu. I wilt only mention a few which con easily bo obtained from any of the different growers in town, namely: Jjeoward—close, compact habit, dark. Dietato—sLrong urowor, dark. White Kaglo—double white, lluehablt. Ulem phis Murkaman-dark duuble. 'I'hefO are of a free habit of growth, profune bloomer?, and easy to grow.

Kitchen Garden.

As tho different crops como off tho ground liiivo manure wheeled ull over it in heaps, then commonco either trenching or digging it in so as to have tho ground ready for tho autumn crops. This is tho best timo of tho year for trenching new ground or retrenching. Tho soil is dry, and tho buii and air getting about it swootens it, and it sooner gets into a good 6tato for cultivation. If tho garden is undrained, now is tho best timo to havo it dono. Two and a-half to three feet deep is a good depth to put tho tilos. After taking out the trench, let it bo opon for as long v period as possible, so that the air will open fissures down the sides of the trench. Those will novor properly close again, giving free access of superlluous wator to the tiles. Make another sowing of beans ;if in a good situation you will be able to pick the crop before tho winter. The main crop of broccoli and kale should now be planted out. Cabbage and cauliflowor : Plant out a fow moro ; givo a good drenching of water when you plant; sow a good broadth of tho aboTO for planting out later in tho autumn; earth up those that are growing. Tomatoes— Tio up and pinch back ; thin Buch leaves as intorfero with the freo pas sago of MlO huh'h rays to the fruit. Continue thinning iwd pincVing out all superfluous shoots of cucumbers, molonn, marrows, pumpkins, otc. Celery continuo watering, tie and earth up the ourly mop. Make anothor trench for planting tho lato crop. Water should now bo used frequently to almost ovory crop; in fact, tho supply of vegetables must now bo regulated by tho wator supplied to the growing crops. Have nil decayed haulm and vegetub 0 refuse taken to the rot-heap. Ko opportunity should bo lost in increasing tho quantity of munuro, and all vegetable matter makes capital manure when rotted. Mind, the quantity and quality of the kitchen garden produce dopends in a great measure on the quantity of manure applied to tho ground. Flowor Garden.

Plenty of water will now bo required to keop tho different flowers up to tho mark, Whot) applying water don't spray it over plants in flower — only apply it to the roots. Water sprayed ovar plants in bloom simply hastens tho decay %l the flowers. Also fjivo plonty, so that it may penotrate deeply into thu noil. A slight watering does moro hnrm than good, simply inducing the small fibrous rootß to como to tho surfaco, where they got scorched by tho sun. Dahlias : Pinch and tio to stakes, wator freoly, adding .1 little liquid manure occasionally. Continue tho pinching and tying up of all tall growing plants, regulating tho growth of a(l plants that aro showing too much wood. In most bordor plants it is for their flowers thoy aro crown, and in cutting anything out try to promote tho growth of flowering ehoota; carnations, pinks, and picoteos should now bolayered. i'utalittlesandround each plant in a mound, and layer them in this. Common gladiola bulbs which aro ripo, lift, dry in tho sun for a fow weeks, and replant. They will flower during tho winter and early spring. Cockscombs, balsams, and othor strong-feeding plants require frequent waterings so as to bring thorn to perfection. Have all the dobris of annuals cloarod away ah hooii as thoy flowor. All dsad or decayed flower stalks should bo cut oiT and taken iiwuy, hb they somotimos mar tho appearance of tho othor plants in tho borders, Keep tho grass on tho lawns short. If water can bo procured, apply it heavily, and roll frequently.

Greenhouse. GWo plenty of air and ehudo during tho day, and wutor freely OTory overling. Seodi of cinerarias, calceolarias, and pri mula should now bo sown in shallow pans, All hardy plants done lloworing should bo placed out of doors in n nico, cool, shady situation. Thoy will givo le*.-< trouble in watering tho next throo months if thus dealt with, nl<o lonring moro room for the othor plants. Begonias cut and ro-pot. Uco liquid manuro frequently, especially to plants in amull pots. Budding.

As tho eeaeon is now on for budding all tho different fruifc trees and roses, etc., I would advice those who have a few that require tho abovo oporation enly to obtain scions from sound healthy troea. Scions taken from diseased or unhealthy trees are sure to roproduco tho disoases of tho parent troo. Insoctpostß are more likely to attack urdioalthy treos. Discard any stock which is unhoalthy or diseased. The sap in an unhealthy stock is not properly manu factured by tho roots. T'io laboratory bolow has not tho right kind of material to work up healthy sapso as to produce a sound healthy fruit-bearing tree. No matter whether in budding or grafting, stock and Bcion should be healthy, and the scion ought always to bo taken from trees in full bearing and tho b.uds woll developed. In brooding from animals, tho honlthiost and best formed is always chosen so as to ob tain a healthy progeny. If the same laws were obsorTed in the vegetable kingdom, a groat number of diseases attached to plants would bp modified With everything budded and grafted, no othor but tho healthiest stock and scions should be used.

Insects and HUdew. in Orchards.

Tho following is a good wanh for keeping inßOcta and mildew from fruit trees ;—Take of quick or unslaked lime four parts, and of common flour of sulphur one part—four pounds of sulphur to ono pock of lime : break up the lime in small bits, then mix tho sulphur with it in tight vessels (iron is best); pour on enough of boiling water to slake the limo to powder; cover in the vessels close as soon as the water 19 poured on. This niakes also an. oxcollent whito wash for orchard trees, and ia very useful as a pre ventive of blight on pear trees, to cover the wounds in the form of a paste when cut ting away diseased parts; also for coating the trees in tho spring. It' may bo considered a3 tho best specific for noxious insects and mildew in tho orchard and nursery. I.ta materials should always be ready at hand ; it should be used quito fresh, as it would in time become sulphate of lime, and so loso its potency. Where over dusting of lime is spoken of this should be used. This preparation should bo sprinkled over the young plant as soon as or before any trouble from aphides, thrips or mildew occurs, early in tho morning while the dew is on tho trees. This lime and sulphur combina tion is destructive to tlieso pests in this way: First, by giving off sulphuric acid gas, which is deadl/poison to minute life, both animal and fun gold, and tho limo destroys by contact tiio same things; besidos, its presence is noxious to them j neither ia it injurious to common vogotablo life, except, perhaps, to tho foliage of evergreens,

GOSSIP FROM STAGE AND STUDIO.

(BY EUTKIU'K.)

Mi-;s I,nri;K I'omkiuiv i* in Now Vnrl:, ap> peiuiiig in " Tho Outranl, " Mamie lirausoomufi writaH to the London " Era " dimyiiiK ' hut <-he in married. Queen Victoria linn '.■ranted a pom-ion ol CSO to tlio widow of Riilfa, tho composer. Fred. Millis and 15-irry O'Neill are at llokitikn.

'flio Intent Anioi-iflun temperance song is entitled " I'lcasc sell no moro drink to my father." , . Mr Wybort Reeve lias boon playing in Sandhurst lately, ami lecturing for the Unitarian Social l/nion. A daughter of Mario and (iriai is in prison for debt in Berlin. She has squandered a fortune of ovor Cl 0,000 in five years. _ Tho Dunning Opera Company opened in Svdnoy in " Boocaooio " on Saturday weok. The " Mail" considered it aruky enterprise. Mru I'arnoll, mother of the Irian agita tor, is, it i.s said, engaged in writing an °PM?" Justin McCarthy, M.1., has now avowed tho authorship of "The Candidate, which is liia fir*t piece of dramatic work. Tho lucky uuthor of "Contusion and " Twins" lifia written a new comedy called " The Plebeian, " which is to follow " Satnti and Sinners" at the Vaudeville Theatre. Mr Irving closed his New York season—a wonderfully prosperous one-in the middle of December, playing for his last round of pioces ".Hamlet," "Charles I," and "iho I Sell*." , . .. ~ The oiii'aj'omcnt is announced ot Mi'U E. Buckle, tho editor of the "Times," to MisH Alice I'ayn, tlio third .laughter of tho distinguixhed r.ovolist and editor of the " Cornhill Magazine." Harry ltiokards, tho comiquo, and a com plete conceit company, are to leavo Eng land on April 15th for Australia, They will appear under the management of Mex.sr.-i Kignold axd Allison. At the Sydney Academy of Music, the Federal Minstrel*, with tho black panto mime, rival any of the theatres in their hold upon the public. " Blue Beard in Black " is the great "draw." Miss do Grey's company successfully began their season in Dunodin la=t week with " Tho Country Girl," the acting copy which has been in u?e for so long of Wycherley'* well-known "Country Wife. ' "Cinderella" is still drawing crammed houses every evening in Melbourne ; indeed, such business has never been known in the Theatre Royal before The piece is ex pected to run into April. M. Loo Deliben, composer of "Sylvia" and other delightful ballad music, hay been elected to tho chair 111 the French Academy made vacant by tho death of Victor Masse, composer of " hull find Viginia " and other operas. tin route to Melbourne by tho incoming San Francisco mail is Jliss Gertie Hoy, •■: young lady who has written a number of burlesques and played in them in America, and who proposes producing them in Mel bourne or Sydney. It has boon decided, after all, not to allow such a celebrity as tho Tichborne Claimant to run to seed, and ho has been engaged to appear each evening for one week at an Edinburgh uiueic hull, the fcalavy for the six nights being £200, Mr Robert; Buchanan seem* to have failed to "hit it" in New York. His new play " Constance " falls flat, and it) pronounced, moreover, a plagiarism, and it is predicted that it he produces another piece in America he will huvu to "swim back" to his iutivo land.

A companion volume to "Men of the Time," devoted to women of mark, and comprising ■JOO names well known in art, literature, science, music, and the drama, has been compiled by FranceK Hayes, and ivill shortly bo published by Messrs Cluitto and WindUH.

The accident which bofol Mr Goorge ])arrell whilst playing in llis "Sunny riouth " at the Grand Theatre turns out far more serious than was anticipated. Ho lius already undergone two operations to eavo amputation, and by last advices had not been pronounced out of danger. A frenzied Now York pareon thus aelivors himself concerning the stjge:—"l don't know what goes on inside the theatre, but from the show-bills I see in the saloon win dows and the criticisms I sco in daily papers, 1 judgo poople see nothing thoro but se duction, adultery, murder, false marriage, robbery, and blasphemy." The I'aris " Voltaire " tells a young man: "If your huncilc .shows a marked predilec tion for Strauss, you may set her down as Irivolous ; for Boethoven, as cross; Liszt, as ambitious ; Verdi, sentimental ; Mozart, prudent; Offenbach, giddy; Wsgnor,crank- Uh. If you would bo sate, select a woman who doesn't play the piano." Mr J. C. Williamson has purchased the right of "The Private Secretary" for Aus tralia. This extraordinarily popular piece is just now being played by no fewer than ton companies in the States in one form or another. It is being done in German at the Thalia Theatre, New York. Mr William son is also said to be angling for Mary Anderson, but is little likely to get a bite.

An enterprising showman has hit upon a unique scheme for the, ill-fated Imperial Theatre, London. He haß a troupe of par rots trained as opera singers (how trained ia not stated), and ho proposes to do "Norma." Tho sumo experiment is reported to have beon successfully triod by another showman in Lima, when tho divns were aocompaniod by a harmonium. Bon Allah, the irrepressible, performed ono night in Bombay, and secured a good house "on his gift bill," but a number of tho audienco wishing to interview him, ho quietly got out by the back way, and took steamer tor Colombo. His natural bashful ness placed tho doairod interview out of tho question. He seems to be pretty consider ably broken up, having had a severe attack of fovor latoly in Achoon.

Mr <i. Schirmor, tho well-known music publishor of this city, always desirous of finding something new and intorosting for his patrons, will shortly publish a acena and cavatin.i by Donizjtti, which hitherto has remained in MS. form. It was composed in 1829 at Naples, and was sont to Mr Schirmer by Signor Giulio C»t trail. It is for soprano voice, beautifully written, and we recommend it to all professionals and ama triecs.

Drury Lano was to bo tho only West End Theatre with a pantomime, but on tho Surroy eide of tho Thames and at the North and East Ends of London there wore to be upwards of a dozon. Tho Savoy management promiso an afternoon at traction in the ehapo of a children's " Pirates of Penzanco." Tho porformere are Imiki fide infants, the Mabel's nge being sovon and the Major-General's nine.

It seems definitely settled that the Princoss Theatre, Melbourne, is to como down at lust. A short season of opera will most likely bo played about Eastor time, and the foundation stone of the now build ing will bo laid in May. The proposed theatre, which will bo the finest in the Aus tralian colonies, is tc bo built on the most approved principles, and replete with all the latest American inventions for tho con venionce of patrons, including a largo saloon bar.

It is bolieved that tho extra plate, " Quito Ready," presented with tho Christmas number of the " Graphic, " is tho largest coloured picture over produced in conjunction with newspaper enterprise. Tho edition publishing is 5G0,000, tho actual printing for which commenced in January last, and, has been in duUy con tinuance. The number of sliects and colours, for which each shudo requires to be passed separately through the press, represent nineteen million impressions. By the next mail steamer duo at Auck land is oxpected to arrive Mr J. Gaylor, who it will be remembered acted, as buainess manager for Cooper and Baily's great Circus Company. It is reported that Mr Gaylor comes in advance of one of the largest circuses and menagericE ever soen in the Australasian colonies. The Company are to leave America at the end of February, but it is not at present known whether New Zealand or Australia will be first visited.

| . David Christie Murray commences a now ! serial entitled "Rainbow Gold" in the January "Cornhill;" Mrs Oliphant supplies tho serial to "Chambers's Journal;" and W. Black is writing a story called "White Heather " for " Longman's." Amongst the recent cheap editions of notable novels issued may be mentioned Walter Besant's "Dcrothy Foster," Buchanan's "New Abelard," Mrs Price's " Mrs Lancaster's Rival," Sarah Tytlor's " St. Mungcs's City," and Mrs Riddel's "Weird Stories," all at Ss Gd, and all worth reading. Mr George Rignold lias received a letter from Mr George Augustus Sala, in which ho says :—" lam working hard at my lectures, and on Nov. 19th am going to Brussels fora month's rest from newspaper work, and shall spout tho lectures on tho field of Waterloo. 1 return in time for Christmas. Next mail I will tell you by what route I have concluded to come. Possibly it may be by way of States and 'Frisco. With compliments to Mr Allison, and our united best wishes to yourself and Mrs Rignold,

believe mo to bo faithfully vaT^NI A no. Sai,a. , Horns™* titf^^rkM and Mr Vornon. |J &£V§& gnocess." wftdif | Lord Tennyson's now bofe^ ■ was expected to be out bY u'%. exact y Pet the Tlmm M &»W Crawford's latest work uS'M I'olifu-ian," fnll n iar riiottof-u4® I and has fo far boon severelyl,. 7«2 critic,,. "Mr Montonello "h^vl Hamilton, of the OolonU'oHlH good novel, and FarffiJ^lJ Square" seems to ploaaa tt, Mr, Cashel Hoey1/?£*•■ *5| thought very namby.pa^ 1 S|i i Cecil Power's "Philistm™^*,! Vory ffnv theatrical noveltl I duced in London during thnXL** J Uecomber, tho majority of 5*M usual, preferring to reserve n^ftll they had in hand till Boxing »« " World " was withdrawn f r iS*ll on tlio 30th of NovemZr l^li mail left, and tho vast stage 'Ci^l up to pantomime rehearsals KnMJ story of " Whittington " w«, r"S| groundwork of Mr Augustus nJ"1! annual, and that enternrisinT?1! promised, with characteristicilSSi outshine in splendour and any Jeerie spectacle ovor prodnlS^l Paris There was to beVnSSi city companies, and al 3o a gJjFNiI as well as a scene in which a M Z.^M would literally be eaten np Cg*Js craw along tho wall inomßtliflS* The ttanstormation scenewiubr^ the four olonients merging into.^ figure of Brittania ruling theY& surrounded by mermaids with m^S?' moving tails. ?T?*N In a letter to the Wollingto^ Mr W. H. Vernon thus S# circumstances which led to Mrt' Anstead leaving tho wfSfl Company :-" Attention to dS? correspondent's opinion to tha^l notwithstanding) is one of th'enW'V tinguishing eharactrjrigticg of B1 company, and want of that iita pM is the immediate cause of the trouble. In order to correct ceryJ3 carelessness upon the stag*, »jfflg a ly injured sundry passages in theS of 'lorget-Me-Not,' a rehearsal w3 one day last weok. All the moaSs company duly attended with the S of the lady for whom it w»s oSI needed. This lady positively, mSf attend, thoreby wilfully brtaffi"! rulo of all thoatrical companieiij*! intimated to her that she KooU^ allowed to appear again if shenerS hor refusal. She did persist aSS* followed. The discipline of a thSSS bo as rigid as that of aniipT?? Ward's company it is rigid, and O offender against it hu9 b«en ths'iaM in question " ,^*S

UNKNOWN

In the short Eastern gloamlngß mittee of arrangement gatheredS'i|| tent under a solemn sense of tesnjjwj on its members devolved the duli§i out the tables. Not that,'fcijjjnf! thoro wero any tables ; that lnxaS* yot unknown in the head-quatS| But substitutes were avoilabltwi rawed on boxes, in tho lids of Mil and in a couple of half doors tqttljjt picked upsomehow. Theseapnutt^ disposed as to bear securely tnoYjijJi presently wero to bo spread, tWflisS, seats gave somo trouble.- "i^'M company had stools or chairsot'Mj but there wore tho two Frenclrt* who had srmgglcd_ up the'j&Mfi l.^ttors of introduction to Sirßag|| baggago with my camp stooljHS To tho Frenchmen was allotbnj|n champagne crate ; to me was atagij boor barrel, set up on its endpjni ante-room was the camp stroot mtifo dining tent; and at the fashipttj hour of eight we "went in".iia the strains of tho " Roast Baffin England." It was a right jovijl'^i tho most cordial good-fellowshinffi Ho would have been a cynical epea who would have criticised!;tbssß ments ; tho banquet itself vraa'M cavil. Rummaging among somo'tilji the other day, I found the.imaMl deserves to bo quoted ; " Soup-Jifi Fish—Whitebait (from tho CaMS Entrees—Cotelettes aux Chamjb Poulets ala Mayonaise. Joints-Si fowl, roast beef, roast saddle 0! ii boiled brisket oi beef, boiled leg old and caper sauce. Curry—Chijtjajui —Lemon jolly, blancmange, MXwii plum pudding. Grilled sardineeji frittors, cheese, dessert." Truthci*w avowal that thore was no table Mi was the board resplendent tnpnj gay with flowers. Table crcckarji deficient, or, to be more accurato,,ttal none. All the dishes were of metal/vi soup was oaten, or rather drunk; 4 mugs und iron teacups. Butittastall the worse on that account, and let it tc corded that there were cbampagMji while between erery two g^tffij magnum reared its golden U| "The Queo.i,"of coujise, therexfffii toasts after tho feast—one was "Ji Friends," drunk in a wistful lilew tho other, the caterer's health, greetlJi vociferous enthusiasm.—"Engliffil tratod Magazine."

Some Sharp Practice by a paper Reporter.

Tnß rocont disclosures ih to dw surreptitiously Government BWNftl mo to a period fifty. yean' ago,,* cleverer things were done thah,Bj|j accomplished now. When tho W) Wellington was Prime Min|stet;ftffl morning newspapers gayo th?..piffl of a very important Government piw» about to bo adopted. It sftraffi

parties and created an immense as* among Tories; for that political j«ffi)j received no information.that tliods intended any such moveif,Wj|j majority of tho Cabinet Msw thomsoWca wore equally in;thedw| yet tho announcement was true. TWj was full of wrath at the pretnatareof of hi? plans, and equally fuUof*fp seoing that those plans had not -ten* mitted to paper. The due to the '-m was after a time obtained. ThoWl Wellington was rather denrdutM later period of bis life, and (as is n(W caso under such circumstances) MOR somewhat loud tone in convermtaa evening, after a stirring debate*. House of Lords, the Duke walWi arm-in-arm, with another, peer, ffl member of his party, but not >» of his Government. In "ft; i of conversation, he gave tho , OBWj scheme which ho had determini»Jj into oll'ect, but of which he had «%™ ing to his colloagues in the &™j|'j ponny-a-linor happened to be ouWpu House of Lords. Ho caught K>t«| of tho loud-talking Duke,, saw otoWf thoybore an important relation u,^: citing politics of the day, and r«*»j attempt anoattliingin the way «■* no3s. Laying asido honour and aeKWj troublesome companions, n0 ' jiylj two peers at a cautious distance, a»K up tho loud words as they ""rjfaj ear. Tho night was dark, tho tf«V, ( steps was made soft for .tl)0 occsfa he escaped detection during »Wffi of tho Duke's walk to Apslo? Returning to his lodgipgs, wb got up an account of »>rjsE} tous policy intended by the Mi 3£& tho head of His Majesty's OojgK written in tho proper newe««F Knowing that none of the FjSk'j plaeo trust in any flimey from a "r^, sent in tho usual way on a Ba»]*J|y liarly special and momentonß »My adopted another plan. Mr B™*>tp< tho "Morning Chronicle" br-j!kp given a " leader" of his °wn' )nJS> Duke was severely handled V* w^jfi mikeknown his plans in f*«£fT ■•SA Tho "liner" went to Mr iiW--> ■~ him the article he had preP^'J^ being pressed, candidly *«"*&» manojuvro ho had adopted, tatior. was too great to Black accepted the "liners fS&#} for it handsomely, and »»!*f ]$ morning as -a double - leaded TO article. Tho effect was «•»«*■ J conductors of the other PaP? M,*pS prised and vexed at beta *uaZS« by tho " Morning Chronicle. ■>_^ were elated at tie disclosures tW»,jJ the Tories were mortified «'/JS&fl thus kept in the dark by the their choice; theDufco'e &""&5M Cabinet were something mote^.-0m at having been deemed «WyJpU9 of his trust; and the club* cWgjjjfl affair day after day.-';Bntl s h»l»,|| Printer and Stationer,

the Auckland evenjlnu sx-ak. Saturday, February 7, isgs

4



SKINNY MEN.-" Wdlrt lUaltli Jtenimer " '«•»£« toJtb