RANDOM SHOTS

[By Zamiki,.]

Some write, a neighbours name to lash. Some write-vain thought-tor needfu cash. Sonio write to please tlio country clash, And raise a din. For me an aim I never fesl^ £un _

&l rede memini, I remarked tho othor week that a social lefortner's lot is not a happy one; and I havo no doubt that Mr Stead, editor of the "Pall Mall Gazette" has by this time como to bo of tho enmo opinion. Had he stuck to tho " legitimate " editor business.bo would have been flattered and feted and run after by society; but because he had tho hardihood to say that London's rich men were not quite so moral as they should bo, ho has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment! That is what I soberly believe to bo tho real meaning of tho sentenco, though nominally it is imposed aa a punishment for tho crime of abduction. Mr Stead boldly asserted that London society was rotton to tho coro ; that as a rule, tho highor tho rank, tho lowor tho moral tone ; and ho threatened to make re velations which would •' shake tho founda tions of the Throne itself." Liko most on thusiasts, Mr Stead showed a lamontablo lack of common prudeneo ; he showed his hand to the onomy, and " spiritual wicked ness in high placos " has combined to crush him. At the very otitsot tho Prince of Wales, who is a perfoct typo of thorough "respectability" ofl the orthodox kind, stopped hie paper. It was also excluded from all the London clubs, which aro well known to be advanced schools of social purity, and were accordingly shocked, liko tho righteous iudgo who tried the caso, with the "indecont" details published. And now for three years London society thinks it has purchasod security from molestation, and that it will bo able to go to church and read its daily papers without being shocked by objectionable "revelations." But it is a wretched delusion which is thus cherished ; and the unblushing hypocrisy which tries to believe that by covoring up an evil it has beon abolished, will have a fearful awakening to- the reality of tho position.

But poma will say thoro aro no " revela tions " to make, for Mr Stoad has been con victed of having manufactured tho story of Lily Armstrong, and all tho othor horrible tales that he told may bo consigned to the same category. That is by no means tho true conclusion. The ovidonco concerning those two infamous womon—Jarrott and Mourey — proves indubitably tho'oxistenco of a system identical with that described in the "Pall Mall Gazette, "and their sentence is the only commendable result of the legal prosecution. As for Mr Stead and his collaboratem; Jacques, thoy will, by the majority of the people, bo looked upon as martyrs in a good cause. The fact that £5,000 were subscribed for their defence shows to what a groat extent they aro sympathised with, and tho likelihood ia that a popular agitation will load to thoir early release. The public aro not usually very discriminating, but even the many-headed beast can see what a wide gulf separates theso men from tho two incarnate shedevila who wore co-defendants with them in the case. Why the law did not discriminate it is hard to understand, for it is an axiom that tho intention constitutes tho crime, and clearly Mr Stead had no un lawful intent in what he did, but on tho contrary a burning desire to help the cause of righteousness and virtue. "It is the latter that killeth," and it is not tho first time that tho strong arm of tho law has been raised to crush the fair libj of puro effort and aspiration. A greater One than Mr Stead was adjudged worthy of death for a technical offence. Him too the common people heard gladly ; and though.He was classed with vile criminals, Hia character and work and aims havo been fully vindicated, and acknowledged unim peachable, oven by His greatest enemies. If it was not wrong in ono caso to teach by parables, it cannot be wrong in tho other to denounce evil by means of a fictitious narrative, founded on facts and probabilities. But I need not pursue the parablo, lest I be accused of sermonising. To our local Bocial purists there is a lesson in Mr Stead's case, which (but for tho fact that these good people are quite unsophisticated) hardly neod3 stating. Divided into three heads, the lesson is this:—(l) Bo careful not to disseminato indecent literature ; (2) be chary of assailing openly a powerful clasa of society; and (3) be particularly cautious in your efforts to do good, or you may get threo years in " chokey " for ab duction.

Mr Stead's methods were undoubtedly wrong. He overstepped the prudont and launched into the prurient in his delinea tions of London vice, and especially he erred in setting class against class—the poor against the wealthy. The cause which he has at heart Butters by his blunders, but it is by no means crushed for ever. Very strangely, as it aeems to me, ono of our Auckland papers that prides itself on its highly religious and moral tone has shown symptoms of following in tho footatops of the "Pall Mall," with tho difference that its line is social prurience and champion ship of the wealthy classes. The letters that have appeared in its columns—written chiefly by ''ladies " too—aro aa indecent as anything that appeared in tho " Pall Mall Gazette ;" the aubject matter^ I would not even hint at here. This local purist paper quotes with approval the query of G. A. Sala— "Why don't colonial magnates live in palatial mansions ; why can't they give eight o'clock dinners ; why can't they keep grooms of the chamber, stowards, butlers, under-butlers, tall footmen, stud grooms, ladies' maids, housekeepers, French chefs, kitchen maids, and scullions?" Such profuse expenditure, according to this journal, means " work for the indus trious, well-paid employment for, the skilful, and profit for the manufacturer;" and it hails with delight the advent of Lord Carrington as Governor of New South Wales, with twenty servants and eight horses in his retinue. Now, I hold that these colonies will be a vast deal better without a lavish style of expenditure. I have no desire to see reproduced here the idleness and corruption of London "high life," and, however much I may deprecate the hoarding of wealth, I hold it ia bettor rusting in iron boxe3 than being spent in ruining the souls and bodies of men and women. Let ua havo a fairly equal distri bution of waalth — " neithor riches nor poverty " aa the wise man prayed for - and we shall be a happy, a moral, and a pros perous people. Great extremes of social position always produce evil results, and the horrible state of affairs in. London can be traced directly to the luxurious living of one class and the grovelling poverty of another. Then by all moans lot our rich men live simple and cleanly lives ; let them sink their wealth in industrial and commercial enterprises, instead of spending it in vain ostentation or criminal indul gence ; and let all right-thinking people, with souU above gastronomy, give them praise instead of blame!

The new Gambling Act threatens to end tha occupation of the sweep-promoter ; but a new industry appears, which I may call Gambling! This is perfectly legal too, and simply consists in bouncing into a few shops, seizing weights which are unstamped, and getting the owners of taid weights fined in £1 and costs. Eleven tradesmen in Karangahape'Koad got a lssson in this game the other day, and their sad case suggests a few moral reflections. Firstly — Why should they be pounced upon and-punished for ignorance of the law, when it was such a simple matter to warn them of their duty before taking proceedings ? la the law a sort of man-trap arrangement—an instrument of oppression instead of protection ? One of the culprits, I should add, was aware of tho law, and had called several times to get his weights stamped, but the Inspector waa absent ard the man naturally could not run after the weightyofficialforever. Thatausrgestsques tion No. 2 -Why should the tradesman be punished for the fault of the oHicial ? A correspondent assurer mo that one of the eleven unfortunates bought bis weights along with a "going business," and they had been in use unchallenged for 18 months previously. Question No. 3 is this—Why were these ' particular eleven singled out as victims ? Of course, their pro secutions put all the others on their guard, and they complied with the law at once. If the object is to raise revenue, I would suggest that, when the officer starts on his gambols, he should have a staff of assistants and make a simultaneous descent on all tho shopkeepers in the city. X XX m Were any of my reaciera, 1 wutfder, at the > Scottish oonv3rsaz:one last week? vi-frap -1 '. pose some vert*, and I h*ve do.dcubtlik*

myself wero grievously disappointed. With David the Bruce in the chair, and all the magnates of tho Caledonian Socioty support ing him, I was led to oxpoct a real " Scotch nicht," a hi Kennody ; but wac's mo ! tho result was a groat disenchantment. A dry formal speech from tho chair oponcd tho proceedings, delivered in a singsong tono, without a scintilla of tho dryest " wut," tho sparklo of a Scottish anecdote, or tho illumination of an "antrin" Scotch word or phrase. Then tho singing, when it was not English, was Latin or some other outlandish gibberish, and tho instrumenta tion (though like tho singing "quid o' its kin ") was a hotchpotch of polyglot music, embellished with ornato variations quite foreign to the genius of Scottish simplicity and sweetness. Tho object of the Calec lonian Socioty, forsooth, is tooncourago tho study of tho language and literature, spurts and customsof auldScotland ; but it is ovidontly bout o.i pursuing its object by tho rulo of contrarios. There was noithor "whisky," nor haggis, nor cakes for refreshing tho inner man ; nothing but lollies, pine apples, and ginger pop! What would our hardy neighbours in Duncdin say to that us a Scottish entortainmont? \'ot there was one redooming feature—Simon Fraser with the bagpipos was a good specimen of tho Highland pipoil, with his consequential stride and his able rendering of tho national music on tho primitive instrument!

That " thoro is nothing new undor tho sun " is one of thoso truisms to which most pooplo roadily as?ont; but I vonturo to think that tho mo.it orthodox beliovor in tho doctrino would make an exception in favour of sonio ol our modern engines of destruction. Tho submarine inino, for in stance, which blew up tho "Russian cruiser's" ghost in Rangitoto Channel on Monday last is claimed as a now thine;; so aro our torpedoes, and particularly tho Brennan article, which travels under wator on it 3 voyage of destruction. Yet oven thoso -wero anticij >cd throo hundred years ago. "Rarta lUi Jonson," in a play called "Tho Staple of News," has tho following description of an imaginary engine of destruction : —

Thos.—They write one Cornelius son Hath niiido tho Hollanders nn invisible col To swim the Hiiwn nt Dunkirk and sink all The shipping there.

Penny boy.—But how ls't doao >. Cymbal.—l'll show yon, sir. It is nn automn, runu under water, With n snug now. and lmi a nimble tail Made liko tin auger, with which tall eho wrigglea liotwixt tho Co.-ts of a ship and sinks it straight, Ponnyboy. A mo3t bravo devlne To murder their Hat bottoms.

So you see, dear reader, that tho bravo do vice of an " invieiblo eel," such as blow up the flat bottom of that Russian cruiser, originated in tho brain of one of thoso use loss fellows called poets.

Many amusing sconos wero witnessed during tho sham fight on Monday last, not tho least amusing of which wis a wordy warfaro between an otticer of one company and a subordinate. The company was marching towards the shore at St. Holier's Bay after tho battlo, and thero appeared to be considerable difference of opinion as to tho proper turnings in tho winding lanes. The officer in charge gave the order "Left turn," when tho fol lowing dialoguo ensued : — Subordinate : "Whore tho are you taking us to? That's not tho road." Ollicor in chargo : "I know what I'm doing ; mind your own business, and do as 1 toll you." Subordin ato: "Well, I tell you you're wrong." Ollicer in chargo: "Will you shut up? I am in chargo hero." Subordinate : " Well, civo tho correct ordors." Ollicer in charge: " Never you mind what the ordors are. I am commanding ollieor here, and you'll obey my ordors whether they aro wrong or not." Subordinate: "All right; only you aro wrong." Ollicor in-chargo: " Woll, I ordor you to shut up, will you ?" Tho subordinate again replied, and the dialoguo was much oxtendod, greatly to tho amusement of tho company. At all ovents, they in timo reached tbo wharf and embarkod. This kind of thing, howovor, is not condueivo to good order, and should have been put a stop to at tho outset.

Tho utter inability of our city fathoru to eliminate personal recrimination-from their dobatos on public matters, and to rise superior to the spitoful little innuondocs that are moro gormano to a tap room dis cussion, have received pretty considerable display of late. In thoso respects thoy "out-Horoded Herod" during thoir im potent attempts to solve tho retrench ment crux, but it is a moot point whether thoy havo not surpassed oven their previous exploits in thoir vagaries of dobato upon tho question of

fixing the level* to which Lower ilobsou street shall bo cut down. Tho whole affair is a painful illustration of Councillors' vacil lation of purpose and invetcrato propensity for sneaking out of tho responsibility for a decision. They havo become such arrant slaves to tho habit of referring either to Committee, City Engineer, or City Solicitor all torts of applications and projects, down even to those of tho moat trilling import ance, that thoy can no longer stand erect and act with resolute indepondoncy. They aro mental waather-vanes, and their sole idea of dignified discussion is that which they so regularly reduce to practice in tho municipal beargarden. XXX "Zatniel," who is a tremendous stickler for "tho eternal fitness of things," desires again to draw the attention of tho manage ment of tho Opora House to tho unseemly manner in which some persons be have themselves during tho performance, Ho can scarcely boliovo that tho white-

cravatted " gontloman'a gontloinan " who acts as usher for the dress-circle, or the lads who sell " booka of words" and ginger-pop, are employed by tho manager to lead tho applause. Clar/uers are common adjuncts of Parisian and other continental theatres, but thoy are concealed in out-of-the-way corners of tho pit, and surreptitiously in duce tho audience to encourage tho par formers. If ?f« claque is to bo introducod in Auckland, "Zatniol" would Buggpst that tho paid applauders should bo stationed in somo lora' conspicuous part than tbo drcss circlo. " Aii honest lawyer is as raro as a j;uod parson," said Thomas Cooper at the com muncomont of ono of his lectures some years ago, and yet ho adduced instances of both in tho courao of his lccturo. Our law courts aro becoming exceedingly dull, and tho very antithesis of what thoy ware in past times, and when a lawyer venturos upon a joko or a pun, it is quito refreshing and gives piquancy to tho case. Even the irrepressible and voluble Sprout in his inar vel'ous utterances never ventures boyond the historic, and decorously retains tho privileged custom of not returning a feo. During the last few days, however, eevoral laughable breaks in the monotony of cross examination havo intervened. " Did you ever hear auch a thing as returning a feo t" asked a legal gentleman, at which a report ing recruit who always sits among counsel laughed outright. "That's very rude," said the clerk. "You must behave yourself, young man, or I shall speak to the Bench." A story was then told of a case at Berwick on-Tweed, where an eminent counsel re turned tho fee. Tho barristor, it appearod, had changed hie sentiments, and doelined to plead. His client mildly expostulated and remonstrated with him on what ho con sidered a broach of good faith ; but all in vain tho advocate would not consent eithor to plead or roturn the money, adding that the law was open, and ho might have re course to it if ho felt himself injured.

"No; sir," replied the spirited el!ont, " 1 was weak enough to give you a fee, but I am not quite fool onough to go to law with you, «s 1 perceive that my fortune may soon bo wasted in retaining fees alone before I find one honeat banister to plead for mo. Hero is my advocate," and pulling out a brace of piatols ho, offering one to tho astonished barrister, protested that before leaving the room ho would oithor have his money or satisfaction The foe was immediately returned. " That was a singular case," said Mr C- , a gentleman well known for his probity as a lawyer. " Old Lawyer Grimm would not have been so liberal. The old man accidentally swallowed half-asovereign, and he and his family were naturally much alarmed at the circumstance. A medical gentleman was sent for, and the stomach-pump was vigor ously applied, but for somo time without fuccoss. At length 3s 4d wero brought up, which was all they could get, human nature, in consequence of a technical point, re fusing to disgorge the antiquated fee of 6s Sd."

SPORTING.

RAVING FIXTURES.

Taknimna J.C. Spring November 2S Wellington K.V. Spring N.ivombor 27, 2i Duneclin J (!. Sprinu Novombor 28,3". Island Kay November Meeting Nov. 30 Ttiair.6) J.C. Summer December 23. '2'J. Hawko's liny J.C. Suinmor Dec. 28 Auckland It C. Summer D'JC. 2t>. Jan 1,2 Canterbury J.C. Simnior lunnuryl, 2 Northoru J.V. Summer January 8, U.

DATES OF NOMINATIONS AND ACCEPT ANCES.

Accept.uico.i and Renoral entries Takupumi J.C. apriiiß Mcclii'K.—November 21). Acceptances Auckland Cup and Stceplo chase.—December I.

To Correspondents.

C.«m>!Kiihi«.—Pasha was not by Tho Muto from ItoHD IVAmour. Ho is not nominated for tlio Auckland Cuo. D.H.I". (Whangarcl). -Fisherman won moro races iii Knirlund than any othor Horse that ever cmno to Australia. Gkohcie ABDEN (Otahuhu).—Alfred was not ofllciully scratched with tlio Secretary o£ tho Auckland Kiioing Clou, uo wo aro unable to giro the exact time. Tho otvnor will no doubt inform you. Inouikku.—Tho largest lield that,ever ntnrted in KiiKliinn was Tor iho Stewards' Cup at Good wood in ISUI, when Uroagli Patrick won,hear ing Jt others. Tn 1552 Joo Miller bout 12 others in tlio Chester Cup and Hathildo beat tho s:imo millibar In tho Cumbridgoßhiro of ISO 3. For tho latter raco 12 havo otarti'd twicn Biuoo then, in IS7O when Adonis won, ana also when lout etro won four yoara at tor wards.

NOTES BY HIPPONA

Fuosi ovory point of view, tho Auckland Racing Club Spring Mooting on Tuesday wii" tho most successful the Club have yet hold. Thanks to tho delightful woathor, tho atlendaiico of spectators in tho middle part of tho afternoon must liavo numbered fully ;!,000, and tho racing throughout was of an interesting character. To the majority thoi'Q is no doubt tho Welcome Stakes pro vided the greatest attraction of tho after noon, and it served to introduce oight two yoar-olds that would not have disgraced any racecourse. Whilo undergoing thoir toilettes, each candidate camo in for a largo /era; and for condition it was conceded that Petroleum, Ricochet, and Iteprouch had the pull over theircompanions, but out of tho lot nothing ploasod mo so much aa tho first named, whom Carmody had looking tho very picture of health and condition, Tho chances of Scot I'reo winning woro looked on with but littlo favour,mainly on account of it being plainly evident that ho had not donesnfflciout work, but despite this his powerful woll-shapod framo canio in for a doal of admiration. Whon it camo to rac ing, ho was all there, and tho game manner in which ho strugglod homo from his companions in tho raco was n sight worth witnessing. Scot Free was bred by his owner, and was got by tho defunct Stcrlingworth (imported hero from Aus tralia by tho Now Zealand Stud Com pany) out of a Dainty Ariel mare, and thoro is no mistaking tho fact that in him Mr U. McKinnon owns a rattling good colt, who when ho gets thoroughly wound up, should ba further hoard of. It cannot bo said though that tho race was fought outentiroly on its merits, forthrcoof tho com potitors woro badly interfered with, notably Ricochet, Petroleum, and Reproach, the latter being jammed ngain-t tho rails at tho finish, whiio I'otroleum was blocked and had to como up on the outside, or ho would havo been much closer up. This ho amply proved later on in tho Epsom Plato, which tho son of Oadogan won from end to end like a, racehorse, defeating Scot Free after a desperate set to, by halfa length. Both Petroleum and Snot Free givo promise of improving with age, and I think it is over short ooursoa that Reproach and Ricochet will bo mostly heard of. Tho Princo of Wales Handicap turned out tho good tiling it was anticipated for Cinderella, who is certainly proving a very prolitable specula tion for her owner. She did not, however, have it all her own way, for Woodnymph was only stalled off by a neck in tho last twenty yards from homo. Tho mooting altogether provided atirst-chiss day's enjoy motit, and tho success of tho Club at thoir inaugural mooting augurs well for a .-uct'css fill season,

Tho New Zealand Cup of ISSj has now boon Humborod with tlio past:, and although it foil to old Musket's threo-yoar old son Fusilado, it cannot bo said that it will bo looked upon with pleasuro by those local turlitoa who lovo to havo thoir "pound" on. Tho dream of tlioir hearts for months past has been Turquoise, and right loyally has ho boon supported by them, for they well know that it was only a mutter of health for tho horco to see tho post. But tho glorious uncertainty of tho turf has once more boon exemplified, and tho Auck land representative, who wo thought would at least gain n place, haa boon badly defeated. When wo como to consider (ho timo the nu;o was run in, viz., ,'imin. M7.JSOC, it is hard to account for his col lapse, aa I loam from a private source that after a milo and throoquartors of tho journey had boon travorsed, ho was not in tho hunt. As I stated last week, Fusilado, tho winner, was evidently a woll-kopl rod in pickle for tho event, for tho account of tha running states that \\hon ho was linked the question nt tho finish, ho caino away and won by a length from Administrator, tho highly bred Lochio! being third. At this juncture n low facts concerning Fusilado's past history may provo interesting to my readord, Jlo mudo his Brat uppoaranco in public at tho Chrixtchurch I'lumpton Lark Meeting in September, 18S1, whore ho ran for his breeder, Mr H. Westmacott, in tho Two-Yenr-Old Flutter. This he wou oasily, beating his only opponents, Tho Shah and Ncmosi?, by two lengths, and covering the four furlongs in lmin. S^sec. Tho colt then passed into tho hands of Mr P, Butler for 500 guineaß,and ho was mado a warmfuvouiito for the Wolcomo Stakes at tho C.J.C. Spring Moeting, but in that eventhocutup very inditl'erontly. In tho following Fobniary ho was taken down to Dunodin for tho Champagne Stakes, but again cut an inglorious exhibition, and shortly afterwards it was announced that he had beon purchased by Mr li, Kay. This onded lilm two-year-old career, and his first appearance this season was in tho Geraldino Racing Club Handicap, which he won very easily irom Tim Wnifllcr, Ike, Take Miss, and Uocket, tho l.{ milo boing compasaod in 2inin. Itis.ee, For tho Cup noxt day ho left tho"paddock with odds on him, but ho mysteriously collapsed in tho early part of tho ruco, duo it if. Sf id to some one having " doctored" tho colt. Previous to the Uoraldino Meeting, and since then, however, ho was well supported to win Tuesday's event, and judging by his run ning,the party bohind him mado no mistake in thinking they had a good thing. Fusi lado is among those nominated for the Auckland Cup, but unfortunately his name is misßing from tho list of Perby entries. Tho headings of his pedigree road as follows : — FUSIL \DE, Wai-hi Musket (imp). "3i 3 9 3 S s'" ° m a ay- tr a eft ■ ■ re V 3? Mr Evett's handicap for tho Auckland Cup and Steeplechase will appear on or about tho 24th November. So infatuated are a number of local backers with Nordonfoldt that I hoar of eevoral who havo already sent inonoy to Australia to support tho eon of Musket for tho Champion Kaco, run in March next. Trenton's namo is unfortunately missing from the list ofontrisa for tho great throe mile contest.

That doughty Now Zealand champion Sir Modrod has pa?sed into tho hands of Mr Haggin, of San Francisco, and although I am unable to gain any reliable information from the local agents of tho Pncific Stoam ship Company, i understou. ho was on board tho mail steamer C—y r. Sydnoy on Tuesday la3t bound f lit... new homo. The son of Traducer was purchased through Mo3srs Brown Brothers aud Co., of Sydney, and tho price paid was 1,800 guineas. Mr Haggin, it will bo remembered, was anxious to purchase Commotion.and ho has an estoto of 400,000 acres of purcba?od land near Sacramento, and an extensive thoroughbred ntucl. SirModred'snewowner haa been very successful on the American turf, and only this season won the Withers Stake, the great three-year-old event of the New York meeting, with Tyrant, a son of Great Tom Although the paddocks of Australia can ill afford to lose such an or nament aa Sir Modred, there is some con solation in knowng that ho goos where every opportunity will be given him of proving his worth.

The Caulfield Cup meeting of the Vie toria Amateur Turf Club was financially a great auccess. Tho receipts wero by far the largest evur hooked, and tho profits amounted to £3800, aa against; £2200 lait year,

During tho lnst fortnight Musket's eons and daughtore havo certainly been keeping his momory green. Tho bitter battle fought out in tlio Canterbury Plato at Flemington on Saturday last bot we ton his brilliant song, Trenton and iNordcnfoldt, will effectually shut the mouths of thoso who havo boen in the habit of talking lightly of tho "soft Toxopholite strain," for tlio iinish of the raco would appear to have boon fought out inch by inch to tho bitter ond. At Kiccar ton on Tuesday last, another of Muskot'n eons in tho shapo of Fusilado gave Canter bury .sports a further tasto of tho old fellow's ability to get racehorses by annex ing tho Now Zealand Cup, whilo Soudan (full brother to Krupp) boat a good field in tho Free Hand ion p, In Uio Hawke's Buy provilico this wcolc, Musket's promising' daughter Wailiri also placed tlio l'otano Gup to her credit, whilo coming noaror homo Woodnymph gained further kudos for the defunct stallion by boating those opposed to hor in tho Trial Stakos at tho Auckland Spring Mooting,

At tho sale of Mr E. Do Metro's yearlings in Melbourne, 1 notioo that Mr D. O'Brien becamo the purchacor of a brown nolt by Robinson Crutuo from Sitnahino for Kis guineas. 'L'iio highest price realised at tho sale was 2!)0 guinoas, which sum Mr T. Lamond paid fora chestnut colt by Robin son Crusoo —Ciiovanna. AtMrS. Ciardinor's sale a two-year-old filly, by Tho Marquis, or Angler, from Liirline, was run upto72sgs., when sho was knocked down to Mr A. Davis.

It. is worthy of remark that out. of the 10 principal spurting writers in Sydnoy, .Mel bourne, and Adelaide, not ono mentioned Sheet Anchor as ;i probable, or oven pos sible, winner of tho Melbourne Cup. from 15 to 20 separato horses wero named by tho.'O wrilors as "placed" horses, but in only ono journal (tho Molbourno " Weekly Times') waa Sheet Anchor montoncd, and thon only for a third place. The " boss tip" was given in Now Zealand by "Sir I.auneolnt" who picked in tho "Referee" Sheet Anchor, Trenton, and lloncydow in tho order named to tight out tho finish.

A dispute a oso in Molbourno on sottling day over tho V.11.C. Derby, relative to tho payment of wagers connected with tho win tor favourito Newsteud. Thoso backers who rofuso to [lay Imso their objection on the grounds that Newptead was provontod from winning through a conspiracy, and tho Adelaide Tattersall's Club has boon appealed to on the subject. What the result of (hoir inquiries is likoly to bo it i« hard to say, but somo curious disclosures are expoctod. It has boon givon out that two bookmakers had powor to scratch tho favourito at any timo they chose, and if cup.li a ftatemont bo oven flavoured with truth, thomattor requires to bo sifted thoroughly.

Once moro has the Goralditio Mooting pro vided a reliable lino for tho Now Zealand Cup, and tor tho third year in succession tho winner of tho lioraldino Racing Club Handicap has proved triumphant in tho big event at Kiocarton. In ISS'f Tasman ap propriated that raco, and last year Van guard proved successful, whilo Fusilado put tho ovent to his crodtt this year. In 183-, Welcome .lack also showed a doal of form at tho Ooraldino Meotintf, and subsequently won tho Now Zealand Cup in tho fastest timo yet recorded for tho race.

T.6-borno,a well known English jockoy has arrived in Melbourne, and proposes s-ottlinjr in Australia. Osbornc has been vory success ful on tho racecourses of England, and won, among other race?, the St. Loger, tho Yorkshire Oaks, tho l'arkhill Stakes, and tho Nowmarkct Oaks on Marie Stuart,

Princo of Walos's Stakes on Lcoliuus (now tho property of tho New Zealand Stud Company), tho 1 ivorpool Cup on Wynyard, tho Manchester and Shrewsbury Cups on Indian Ocean, thy I'rincoof Wales'* Stakes tho Giincrack Stakes, tho first October Stakes, tho Fernhil! Stakes, tho Boguor Stakes, tho Bradgato-park Stakes, the Queen's Stand Plato, tho Now Biennial Stakes (twice) and tho July Cup on Spring field, the Now Stakes, the Alexandra Plato and tho Great Yorkshire Stakes on Coltness,

and tho Northumberland Plate ouFalkland

Tho "Molbourno Sportsmin" ha< thu following with reference to tho V.X.C. Derby: -We very rarely witness a Derby in which every horso is tinder tho whip "two furlongs from homo, in fact wo never ro member ftich an occurrenca as that of Saturday, when whips were going like flails as tho whole liuld swept round the turn. It looked liko anything* raco, and

it was only by sheer, gamo battling and determination that Nordonfoldt, lighting out every inch, juet got homo on the post, amidst a scene of oxcitoment almost un-

paralleled on a racecourse. So oloso in iload was tho finish that during tho interval (which seemed liko hours) which elapsed boforo tho numbers went up only thoso standing in a direct lino with the

judge's box woro certain which had won,

and many backers of Nordonfoldt, whilo waiting for tho verdict, "saved" with Chester's supporters. When at length tho tho big 3, which denoted that Nordonfoldt had won his second Derby was hoisted, a lioaworoar of delight fairly shook tho stand, thon up went hats and pigeons, and a general rush was mado to the telegraph oflico.-?. Now Zealand and Sydney wires predominating. Referring tc tho leveo of the Derby horsea previous to tho start, the authority says of tho New Zoalandcrs: — Nordenfddl, of course, came in for most attention—in fact, the crowd which congregated around tho crack son of Musket was groator than tho miss

which surrounded Martini-Henry boforo ho won his Cup. Nordenfeldt and Dunlop were, in my opinion, far and away tho best* conditioned hoiv-cs in tlio raco tho favourito looking (it to run for a man's life. Thunder bolt, on tho contrary would havo boon served by a fortnight's moro work, and of the pair Winchester cortainly carried moet condition. With Derritt in tho saddle, Now Zealandors to a man pinned their faith to Thundorbolt, who was ono of tho grandest looking horfos on tho course, his quarters especially attracting much admiration from the concourse superintending his toilot.

Strange to cay, Hales did not havo a mount in tho Molbourno Cup this yoar, Ellis riding Nordonfoldt and McAulifTo Despot for tho Hon. .1. White With refor once to Ellis having tho mount on Nordcn foldt in tho Derby, a Sydnoy paper pays ; — In giving Kllis preference ovor tho first mount, Hales, in tho V.X.C. Derby, and pacing tho former on Nordenfeldt, the stable displayed excellent judgment, for, although Hales is quite capablo of con coding many pounds to his brother pro fessional whero a "head" and "hands" only aro required on a froo horse, ho lacks the utrongih ho requisite to do justice to such a sluggard a? tho eon ol Onyx in a race liko tho Derby.

Although tho injurioa L>rd Exeter uns tained in the raco for tho Melbourne; Cup woro at lirst considered co serious as to leave no hope of his undergoing another preparation, it is said that thoy havo turned out much hotter than anticipated, and his owner expects that tho speedy son of Julian Avenol and Tiara will undergo another preparation,

Mr \V. A. Long haa purchasod ths Adelaide filly Madolina, by Nockeisgat, from Me" Morrilies, for USO guineas. Monaghan, tho Now South Wales trainer, has been rather unfortunate with tho two yoar-old (illy My Lady, who wont amiss two or threo days before tho commencement of tho V.11.C. Meeting,and tho pen had to bo run through her name for all engagements.

The English stud known as the " Harden Deer Park " has been brokon up, and at tho enle of maros and foals tho total amount realised amounted to 18,505 guineas. Of this sum, IHSO guineas was the highest mico of tho Biilo given for tho broodmare True Lovo (187S) by Sterling from Carnio, a daughter of Stock well; and Mosquito (1871) by Toxopholito (siro of Musket), dam by Woft Australian, fell to tho nod of Lord Wolvcrton for l."00 guineas. Tho samo purchaser gave lOOOguinoas for Lady J'eregrino (187'J), also a daughter of Toxopholito, from Adolaide. The stallions Goorgo Frederick and Boaudesort were ofl'ored, but passed in at their respective rosorvos 4500 guineas and 2500guinoas. Messrs Stephenson and Ha'zlett's marc Fallacy (dam of Evertou Lad), has this season dropped a filly foa.l to Albany, and is to bo sent to Apromont. Mr Peok'a colfc The' Bard continued his victorious career at Doncastur, the win in tho Tattorsall Sa'lo Slakos, making hi? sixteenth consecutive success this saaWn, the value of thcafakes won being HjiSS 9d. P. Archer, who had ridden tho son of Potrarch and Magdalene on 13 previous occasions, had the mount on this occasion, but though the colt won easily at the finish, tho odds of 100 to 12 betted on him looked in jeopardy at one timo, Archer having tho misfortune to break a stirrup-leather dur ing the race. Mr Robert Howett, a leading English bookmaker and owner of racehorses, has arrived at Melbourne on a three months' visit to the colonies.

As a mark of respect for tho late Donald Nicholson,all ths riders on the opening day of tho V.8.0. Sprint; Meeting wore black crapo around their arms.

Advices this weokfrctn Melbourne stato thct MeGrade'j diamond ring has been found. It was jacked up by a boy who resides at South Brighton,

HOW THE MELBOURNE CUP WAS LOST AND WON.

The following particulars concerning tho Molbourno Cup from tho special correspon dent of tho Sydnoy morning paper will bo read with interest: —The largest field that over started for a Melbourne Cup - ISshorses \ —loft tho paddock for tho groat equino . battlo of tho Yoar, and tho preliminary can tors of tho candidates wero oagorly watched and. their faults, if any, wore speedily noticod. All the colonies woro represented —New Zealand by such well performed animals as Trenton and Liverpool, and that colony can also claim tho credit of being tho birthplace of the mighty Nordenfeldt : Queensland had Velocipedo. New South Wales was very strongly represented by Tern Brown, Warwick, Lord Exeter, Brown and Rose, Ceriso and Blue, and Minerva ; whilo, aa if to make up for tho default in tho Derby, Victoria had a raro lot of talent on her sido, and to hor wont tho honour of tho day. Fow cared to glanoo at Sheet Anchor, but his party must havo known a groat deal, for ho was backod in the paddock at up to 20 to 1. It wa? next to impossiblo to get near tho favourito when being saddlod, and all tho others that wore in favour .vith tho public wore surrounded by anxiounadmirora. Nordonfoldt looked ovon better than on Saturday, and his quiet, easy way of taking mattors hardly convoyed the idea that hois perhaps tho most determined and rosoluto colt that ovor stripped in Australia. Tron ton appeared none tho worse for his tussle with Shoot Anchor in tho Molbourno Stakes, but ho was knocked back in tho betting beforo tho start, though ho carat again bofuro leaving tho paddock. Liverpool boro tho appearauco of having dono plenty of roally good eolid work, and hia immodiuto frionds wero brimful of conlidenco till tho last, but Uo quite failod to como through tho ruck. Tho sturdy Despot stripped ac tit as hands could make him, and notwithstanding his many misfortunes, had a very strong party of faithful followers, who ran all risks and trusted him oneo more, only to moot with disappointment, for he never showed pro minently in tho raco. Tho handsomo Lord Exoter, with Williamson up, lookod very (it, but his Caulfiold accidont must havo loft somo ill effect, for he uovor joined tho first flight. Grace Darlingshowodnoondof condition,and at tholaat was vory staunchly supported, principally by thoso who had boon fortunate enough to back hor at Caulfiold, and, unliko tho Caul fiold Cup winner last year, she ran a terriblo raco, and fully justified the confidence of hor admirers. The Metropolian winnor —Acolyte — appeared to bo tho most fancied of his ovor-diin-eroiis stable; whilo St. Lawrence, on tho strength of his Now South Walos running, had a few friends, but noithor was in at tho end. Tho hope of tho ring-Kit Nubblos—strippod in grand form, and when Colloy popped into his paddle, many who had not given him a thought b'jforo disappeared in tho crowd to put a soy. on him, but tho jiaeo was too solid for him all tho way. Tho votcran Coriolanus lookod as gay aa ovor, and when ono romombors what a wonderful horßO ho ran in tho Caulfiold Cup, his today's porformanco Mas very disappointing, for he novor had a dangorous posi tion. Tno absonco of Commotion was not compensated for by tba presonce of his stable mate, I'lausiblo, who, though ho got third for last year's Cup, novor looked or ran like a stayor, and Mr Pearson's popu lar colours failed to hold thoir usual place in tho first flight. Though Tom Brown did not look any woreo for his Caulfield slinking, thoro cannot bo a doubt that it muat havo seriously interfered with his pioparation. Tho fact of his old fiiond M'Orade not b.itig in the saddle frightened many from back ing him : not that tlioy feared Oainaworth would not do him justice, but because M'Grade and tho horso wero bettor ac quainted. Ho was buried in tho ruck all tho way. Tho Warwick Farm pair gave convincing proof of the caro and attention bestowed upon thoir preparation. Warwick had tin) appearance uf 'mving dono a doal of work, while Brown und Rose was in tho pink of condition. In thoir work tho maro had always tho best of tho son of Fawn, and so it proved in tho actual struggle, for whilo ho looked dangerous at tho homo turn, ho moltod awny after tho lir.it mile. Tho veteran Doswurth, now in tho sore and yellow, had scarcely a friend, and Proniothous was in thesamo unonviiblo position ; but Trump Voss's brother, St. ■lohn, was heavily backed at long figures, and Minerva bad tho conlidenco of a select few, The absence of such horsos as Commo tion, Malua, Coronet, Nowstcad, rendered tho raco a most open one: but tho wonderful timo in which it was run shows that wo possess moro racehorses than wo took 'credit for. Mr Watson sont tho Hold away in a line, and as thoy swept Ilka a cavalry charf/o past tho stand, it was scon that First Chester, Prometheus, Thunder bolt, Nordonfoldt, and Minerva wero at tho hoad of all'aira. First Chcstor carriod on tho running at a great paco to thoabattoirs, when Motal disposed of him, antl ho sought rofuge in tho ruck, which was headed by Velocip.'do, Nordonfoldt, Trenton, Ooriso and Blue, Jirown and Koso, Shoot Anchor, and Minerva. Voloeipcdo, Minorva, Sheet Anchor, St. John, Motal, and Ccriso and Blue then took the loading positions, and Minerva just led Sheet Anchor (who camo upon tho inside at a groat pace) into tho straight. The sovority of tho pace told on Cerise and Bluo, St. John, Motal, and Brown and Koro, and thon oneuod tho most desporato strugglo that was ovor soon for a big raco in Australia. Shoot Anchor, Tronton, Grace Darling, Nordenfeldt, and Minerva raced up tho straight at a terrible pace, and at each stride tho quartetto woro gaining upon Shoot Anchor. Tron ton, who had boen disappointed at tho cntranco to the straight, was answering ovory call, and Nordonfoldt, who was intorforod with at tho distance, had much to contend against. All locked in a bunch, with whips and ,«purß at work, they flashed past tho post, and ovon tho judgo was unequal to tho task of separating them, for ho placed Sheet Anchor first, Blink Bonny second, and Tronton third ; whereas, as a matter of fact, it was Shoot Anchor, Graco Darling, and Tronton, who woro not a head cloarot Nordcnfoldt. Tho numbers as first hoisted wero Hashed all ovor tho colonies, and as tho judge, Mr B. Wakloy, also mado a grievous orror withregard tothoDorby, itbo comes theduty of tho club toask him to resign. Tho winner is a lino big powerful son of St. Albans, moro like a fmrdlo-racor than a racohorso ; but his pace is boyond question, aa proved by hi 3 winning tho Cup in tho fastest timo over accomplished in. Australia. Graco Darling was in a Dad position all tho way, and hor performance in getting second ia the bost ever dono over tho Flomingtou course. Nordonfeldt, who was beautifully riddon to a good position all tho way, and ran a groat colt, though defeated, is not disgraced. Tronton also kept up his groat reputation, and tho raco will ever live in tlio momory of thoso who witnoasod tho bitter ness with which tho finish was fought out. There was vory littlo cheering at tho result, as ho was not much backed by tho public,

Telegraph Absurdities

The following are a few of many liin.:v.. o >. na actually rocoived:—" A baby carriage was stolon this afternoon by an unknown man, with black leathor top and painted red, from the front yard of the residence of Mr—" "James Ward hurt his tut by having it coitght between the bot and the slage,~at lsew Ferry this morning." The bad spoiling eotne'vliat disgusted the oporutor, who replied, "Whomadothe abbre viations?" This meseago was answered in about liulf an hour lator by "Sent to the forty house, and was told that Mr Abbre viation was not in." "Charles , of No. — .Great Homer-street, fell in Cattlu-stroet tlits p.m., and roceived a scalp wound on his boad." " Sure it was not on his foot?' asked tho operator of tho sondor. "Patrick fell this a.m. from tho second etorey wiqdow of hid residence. Ho struck the pavomont with his head and received a severe sprain to his ankle." " Patrick is a noble follow. Well done, Patrick," replied tho operator. "A dead kat lays in front of No. —->, Oxford-street Please see that it movos at once." In a case like this the operator sends back word that he has sent -•'.vord to tho sausage factory. "A bay whito horsa with spots on tho black hair strayed way from tho stable of Mr this after noon." Shortly thereafter another message in relation to tho horse was received as follows :— " That horse ifi not a whito biy horso —it is a mare " " William shot and fatally wounded hiswifeduring a quarrel at their residence. Tho wound is fatal, ijho will probably dio." "Shouldn't bo sur prised if sho would, as she is fatally wounded," replied the operator. "Philip ,of —street, Bangor, was arrested this afternoon by an officer for carrying a dead deer through tho streets in a bag which had died and intended toaell it formeat." " Tho dead body of a drowned man was found this morning at tho foot of London Road." '•John — diod last night at his reeidonco, without tho care of a doctor." Very many oWier queer ttoi'tea are to bu told of tho tele graph department, but thotiu related above, ntaide being true, sire common occurrence* almost very day.

THE GARDEN

[By Hortus.J

Calendar of Operations, November 14.

IHOBTUS Is willing to answer any quorlos. Cor respondent* muat civn thoir full names and arldrcßses. though not for publication. I

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Foot'iAiii jtßiir).-I partly anßwered your (|ues tliin lost week to a Ponsonby correspondent. Whan inlntf tlio above for checking slugs and t nails on jounir cabbage plants take a handful und spread it in a small eirclo round pach plant There is no noaeaaity to Bproad it nil liver tho ground unless you havo unlimited quantities; in such a eiso, give it a good dresaing all over tho surface of tho ground. Flower Bordkk (M.C , Grafton).-It would bo too lato for you to break up now ground this Eoaon to mako into llowor bor.lerd. Boforo you could got your soil into a woH-pulvopucil Btato tl c weather would bo too dry for plant ing out or sowing annual seeds; in fact, tno bordt-r should bo all planted out now, and the Rcoda through tho ground, co ns to give thoma (banco o( Hiving you much (lower this year. Your eoit being a stliFclay, it would bobottcr for you to give it a good doßo of manuro now, dig it up roughly, and lot it, Ho all summer. Tn tho autumn turn it ovor again, give it moro manuro, and comnienoo planting flowers in it oarly in tho winter. Tunicit Roses (subscriber).—Thoso feh. uld have boon through tlio ground now ; ijlaiu out tt once. rJho abovo liko a dtop. rich, w»rm, sandy noil. Mulct: a 'omnont and plant them out, and w tor thorn. VVhou iliny begin to show llowor give occasaioual waterings with woak liquid manure. I saw a good number of tho above in llowor laßtseusinin Auck land. You ought to go lo a littlotroublo in growing thoin.as thoy aro really a niagiuti nont llowor. Don't lift your tulip bulbs till tho roliiiKO is p operly dried off; aa long us it in groon it ia uuppUca ntri-ngih to tlio bulbs. Tho name applyes to all bulbs; novor lift or disturb them till the follugo is all properly riponodoll".

Kitchen Garden.

Tins out all vogotable crops that aro too thick in tho rows ; givo Huiliciorit spaco to each plant to fully develop. Overcrowding deteriorates the results of a crop. Continue tho tfuccossional rowing of peas and running boons : earth up thoso crops which have attained sufficient sizo. Finish planting out of cucumbors, melon?, tomatoos, pump kins, etc. ; give them a good soaking of water immediately after planting, so as to properly settle tho soil about thorn. Thin out thoso that wore sown in tho bill; givo an occasional dusting of lime, bo as to keep tho slugs off them till thoy get established The main crop of unions should now bo largo enough for thinriingl out. Leave tho plants about six inches apart in row. Whero a largo'enough breadth has not boen sawn, transplant tho thinnings which will mako as good bulbs an thoso loft on tho rows. Plant another row of cabbago and cauliflowor, in serting thoir roots in a thick pasto mado of cowdung and water. Boforo doing so, earth up thoso crops that aro growing. Colery : Proparo Mid plant out ono trench for oarly use; and also one row of koks, putting plenty of manuro in tho bottom of each trench. Make the usual towing of mustard, cross, and radishes. Prick out a few moro lottuco ; tie up a fow moro of tho advanco crop for blanching ; sow another pinch of scod for lator prick ing out. All crops aro now making vigor ous growth, and on poor soils thoy should havo gomo assistance with liquid manuro, or guano should bo dusted botwoen the rows whilo it is raining. Frequently stir ring l-ho 'urfaoo soil with a boo is of groat assistance. Koop woods under at this period, novor allowing them to seed. Whero sood is allowod to ripen it is only increasing tho labours of tho place a hundredfold.

Flower Garden,

Finish sowing annual aoed now. Thin out tho plants of thoso sown oarly in tho season, only allowing threo or four plants in each patch. All bedding plants should now bo out ill thoir pormanont quarters. See to the lilling up of all blanks caused by tho ravages of tho slugs, etc. Attend to the pinching and pegging down of such varieties a« wore planted out oarly. Those that aro showing signs of woak growth, wator with liquid manuro, so as to give thorn a good start boforetho dry Reason sots in. Gladiolinu showing flower spikes should bo staked and given liquid manuro ; it will strengthen tho colour of tho llowors. [loses should now bo showing plenty of lloworp, and where particularly good flowors are wanted thoy should get liquid manure ; nip oil' most of tho buds on each shoot, fo that the strength of tho plant may bo sent on to only a few (lowers, and whonevor a llowor is past its beet, nip it oil', co that it is not allowed to form sood pods. Pro paro pliiccu for planting out tho dahlias ; dig a pretty deep hoio, put about a half barrow-load of manuro in oach hole, cover slightly with soil, and plant out Iho young plants, giving a good watoring after plauting. Kun the hoe over tho borders; and beds, to that all woods may be pulled up as thoy como through tho ground Tho gva,fs on the lawn should bo kept vory short, and rolled whonovor thoro is any rain. Walks should bo r iked once a week, so as to keep them in f»oxl order.

Grocuhouso,

Give ltboral supplies ot wator to nil quick growing plants, and occasionally liquid manure. Givo plenty of air and shade during tho hottost part of tho day.

Horticultural Show. Tho Auckland Gardeners' Horticultural Socioty hold their annual Spring Show ori tho 20th and 21st inst, Friday and Satur day of noxt weok. In tho pot plant dopart mont it is o.xpocted that some of tho spoci metis will excel anything that has ever been stagod at any spring show in this part of tho colony. Tho cut flowors, fruit and vogotablo departments will also bo well re prosonted, especially if tho weather will only continue genial during the ensuing week. Most of tho intending cempotitors in oacL class aro reticent about what they intond to exhibit, but from gonoral indica tions thoy aro confident that it will take somothing oxtra good to wrest tho first honours from thorn in special lines. The Committee of tho Socioty have done thoir utmost to mako this show the most success ful spring show over hold in Auckland, but all thoir labours will go almost for nought if tho public do not cjmo forward lo aßeist thorn by thoir countouauco and by paying a " colonial Robert " at tho door,

Drying Plants.

It is a profitable occupation for soino member of tho family to gain a knowlodgo of botany. Too materials for its study !io at ovovy oiio's door, and tho exponse.nnd work attending the preparation of an herbarium v very slight. Tho study of any branch of natural history cultivates a habit of observation, and it seldom fails to roturn v good deal of valuable information. Lor the influence which such studies always oxort upon tho minds and habits of thonght of young people they are always to be en couraged, if tho inclination toward them naturally oxiete. Botany ia easiest studied bocause its objocts are everywhere and aro easily preserved, A most valuable aid to the botanist is an herbarium, not merely a collection of pretty flowers artistically pasted in a book, but good ample dpocimens of all the plants in one's neigh bourhood, whether handsome or homely. The pressing of plants for beauty alone ia seldom an educator. Tho object of an herbarium ia to cultivate observation and to preserve a record of the life histories and distinguishing attributes of plants. The practice of prossing plants forpurolydecora tivo purposes in the parlour is not to bo dis couraged, of courso. It U well to cultivate a taste for tho beautiful, wherever it is fonnd, but to dry a few pretty flowers, to paste them in a scrap-book, aud then to call them an herbiuium, is a degrading of the scientific uses of collections which are properly designated as herbaria An herb arium is never made for beauty ;it ia made for study. Botany is often brought into dierepute by tho "herbarium" of a school girl, Tho genuine herbarium and the truo, systematic work of the botanist aro too often associated in the public mind with the simple idea of " driod poties." For ornamental or for scientific purposes, however, plants aredriedin thesamemanne:*, and, leaving the distinctions of tho two pur poses, wo may raeot on the common ground of discussion of the means of preserving plants. To tho botanist, a properly dried specimen is scarcely inferior to a live speci mon for systematic study, In some casos it is even better. For ornament dried plants a characteristic boauty. They may bo arranged in bouquets, or on some suitablo background in imitation of a painting, and thon bo framed. Select plants which aro not wet, and be fore they wilt place them between drier 3. These driers are large blotting papers about ten by sixteen inches. Some of the more porous kinds of carpet paper, which may bo procured at dry goods or carpet stores, make excellent driers. If the plants are not fleshy, and if set in the sun while pressing, ordinary news papers may be used. The plants should not be laid in looao between the blotter*, for as the driera are changed (he upecimeni' could not be moved without damaging them. It ia therefore necessary to lay them between the folded leaves of thin manilla paper such

Os U u=od at tea storos. The thinnest sort should be selected. It may bo procured of mostgrocersor storekeepers. Theapecimons can then bOßhiftcd from one drier to another with no inconvenience. One or two driers should bo placed above each shoot of speci men?, and on the top of the pilo aboard and heavy weight should be placed. A pile of twenty or thirty driers may bo made with convenience. It is desirable to set the wholo pre« or pilo in the sun, it the weather is clear and warm. Tho dricis will usually need to bo changed every day. When the plaats are eulficiently dry to be taken out they will not feel moiet to tho finger*. If the epeeimon breaks upon boing quickly bent, it is another test of dryness. Dried plants are frequont y sub ject to attack by a minute brown beetle. In such cases the specimens muse be dipped in a solution of corrosive sub limate in alcohol, and again laid bo tweon driors for a day or so. 'Ihe length ot time required for tho drying of plants varies much, from foui days to ten days being the average, depending upon tho kind of plant and tho humidity of the atmosphere. Some lleshy plants and most orchids require a groater length of time. The etoms of cacti and othor fleshy plants should be split before drying. It is also deeirablo to boil such plants before putting them in tho press. They then dry splendidly, ahoy contain ho much moisture that they Will often grow in tho press if this precaution is not taken. It is aIBO necessary to boil spoci mona of firs and spruces to kcop tho loaves from falling oil' Yory lnrgo plants aro ofton diihcultto dry satisfactorily. Loaves which aro largor than tlio driors may bo folded, or they may bo cut in two lengthwise and one-half dried. This half will illustrate all thocharactors of a sym metrical leaf. Very large Ilowors, liko sun flowers, may bo similarly treated. In most such cases, however, smaller leaves or flowora may bo selected, which will illustrate the plants as well. Of large plantsonly asoction of tho stem can be preserved. Tho label must toll its size. Many plants, as orchids and some willows, always discolour in drying, and pomoentirelyloso their colour.—"Ameri can Cultivator."

Priests sit Play

One ! two ! three ! Tho moon is casting cold black shadows across tho silent Floren tine piazza as throo dark figures steal across tho cornor nnd disappear down a narrow stroet into a gloomy doorway. They creep up tho echoing staircase by tho light of a email taper, which the first carefully shelters with his hands from tho ancient wandoring drafts of the old stairway, and as their ehu filing footsteps die away into silence the hoarso bell in tho Campanilo tolls out the quarters. Tho Kovormo. Signore Solomono, has company to night, for thoro aro threo black priesta' hats hanging in tho dingy passage, and sounds of voices, laughter, and a strong odour of tobacco smoke come through the keyhole, Let us look in. Solo mono's salotto is a large bare room, with a rod-tiled floor ; there is a stovo on one side, and by it an old woman is knitting and crouching over a scaldino, In tho middle of tho room, through clouda of smoko, gloams the light of a small oil lamp. Four shorn puffy faces peer eagerly ovor four pairs of fat hands and dirty cards. A halfompty flask of wine is on the table, and as tho old crono knits, her little woasol like eyes peor out ovor and aaon towards Lhe group. Presently there is a dispute, accompanied by an astonishing clumour, and an amount of shrugging of shoulders and gesticulating such as might herald a doadly combat. But no; they are only warming to tho gatno, and Solomone soon quiots them as he decidos tho point with much friendly pawing on oach of tho disputants' ehouldora. Tho coppers jinglo across tho table, and while preparations arc boing made for a now deal, tho talk begins on things clerical and priestly. "I had really a most in teresting confession to day," says tho little round-face man opposite His black, round eyes sparkle and his thin lips part into a .-:milo as ho speaks. '• It was really most interesting,' ho continues as the others look up with Buddet'' interest, -'that.is, whon I once got tho poverino started," ho adds with a nice appreciation of his own skill in these matters. •' Ho told all ho know, and he had a groat deal to toll. I am sick of sit ting day after dayjistoning to a parcel of womon who como to confess their husbands' or lovers' shortcomings. Dio Santo ! their children worry me to doath," Tho little round facofrowns indignantly as tho speakor boats out his little protestation on tho crazy table. The company grunt jyiupathoti cally as ho takes up tho talo of hie wrongs. " 1 know all tho tunos of tho eignorino of my parish, they nover do any thing worth confessing ! I have had ten yoars of thorn now, bah ! I'll give- it up, I will !" '• You should take to a prison, like mo," says a tall man of hanging lo.ver lip and fiVi-ihy, protruding eyes; " ono gets something thoro worth giving absolution for. Nearly all my penitents are worth listening to, and thoy mostly mako a cloan breast of it. I really enjoy it, there's so much human naturo in it." " But I shonld notliko to bo shut up alone with murderors.'j puts in the first speaker, for ho is timid, the poor little tastor in human nature. A hardworking parish priest is our friond Solomone, and says macs cheerfully day after day for his ono franc twelve centimes of pay. Ho could not live were it not for a tiny storo of wealth that came from a relative and will go to tho Church, lie is tho best of croatures, a most active mombor of the society of Miserecordia, tonding tho sick night after night, and over ready to help from his slondor purso tho agod and destitute. Ho has but ono failing: Naturo seems to have intended him for a buffoon ! Blotch with streaks of black and red that wildornoss of rippling faco ; cover up that little shaven spot be hind ; give him a cap and bells ! What an inimitable wink i« his ! He gives these card parties twico or thrice a weok, and is ever roadv to porform for his friends' amusement. First ho can caricature himself when en grande Icnitc. at tho high altar. What mock solemnity is there in the mochanical gym nastics of tho " business" of his profession ! What '' bobbing.-", bowings, curtseyings !" what whcslings to and fro ! what crossings and handpoisings! llow ho bates the Josuits ! ho can creep ruund tho room in their thin sanctimonious manner, looking by some master illusion absolutely at tenuated for tho moment. Bishops and archbishops, dignitaries and powers come up at tho call of his genius. How killing is his reproduction of an epicurean prelate ovor his favourite dish ! and how delicious tho solemn concorn of a priest-dandy over his sweet, potticoated frippery 1 Excited by the onthusiaatic applause of his friends —how these churchmen love a laugh !—he bids more and more wildly for applause, until, wearied out, he sinks exhausted into a chair. " Bravo, bambino ! bravo I" scream his frionds. But ho is very sad and despon dent at times, comforting himself only in that his dusolato loneliness in life must bring him rocompenso heroaftor. "I must bo right, or what a poor fool I should be at the end of it all I" ho will say pathetically. The little green eyed, wrinkled old crono is his only domestic, and she ekes out the pittance she receives by doing some "laying out" work that Solomone obtains for her. Although her clientele is not very large, she has real enthusiasm for her work of laying out the dead, and at the mention of her business her little ereon oyes light up, and her poor, skinny, wrinkled old hands clutch convulsively in anticipation. She has her simple pleasures, too, and when her work is dono she will creep out to see a funoral and will roturn radiant.

But opposite Solomone is one of a ditlbr ent cast. Horn on the day kept by the Church as the day of Pentecost, ho regards that fact as a divinoindication.and.although apriest, gains hia livelihood as a teacher of tongues. He is intellectual, although warpod by a purely theological training, and loved teaching tho many pretty English girls that come to him to 'road 'Dante in tho original, you know," and by his account many aro consumed by a hopeless passion for him. And then he paints in oils, for tho Churcli and' postperity. Possessing little technical skill, and having ;i purely intellectual appreciation of art, he will Bpendhiasparehoursbeforeagfganticcanvas, on which huge Madonnas with pink painty faces and distorted eyes tread clouds franti cally or sail wildly about the sky, mixed up with crescent moons and serpents. He laments that he, only he, is loft of all the priest painters, and cherishes the thought of tho timo when his works ahall take their place beside those of Fra Angelico. "I don't bother about technique or realism. Fra Angelico was purely spiritual," he is accustomed to say, ignoring the tact that Fome of that' spiritual Fra's quaint hieroglyphic productions are of the bloodiest realism. Our friend paints other subjects too, and sketches aggravatingly healthy iiionka in tho prime of life gazing at skulls with an air of wishing they could but make some use of them—soup even. "But it is no good, they aro too dry," thoy seem to say to thamsolves despairingly. But whilst we liavo boon talking, tho quartette have finished their game, and the guests are clattering down the stone staircase. Solomone is already busy vrith his beads,

GOSSIP FROM STAGE ASM STUDIO.

(By Euterpe.)

At the Sydney Olympic. Miss Amy Horton remains the reigning favourite.

Clark and Ryman's Red Stocking Mm strols have disbanded.

Franz Yon Suppc, the composer, is dan gorously ill with brain-diseafe at Vienna

Mdme. Nilseon has decided to settle in England, and has purchased a mansion at Kensington Court.

Mr O. It. Sims'* health is so poor that ho has beon ordered to travel and take absolute mental reßt, „

The Wybort Reeve Company were to commenco a four wooka' (reason at tho Theatre Koyal, Adolaide, on Oct. 2i, the opening piece being " Duty Bound." "Harbour Lights" is tho proposed desig nation oftho new pioco of MessrsG. R. Sims and Henry I'ettitt in preparation for tho Adclphi, but tho novelty is not likely to be brought out beforo Boxing night.

Sala, immediately on his arrival from the South, proceeds to tho Hot Lakes. On Ins roturn ho will deliver two more lectures in Auckland, boforc leaving for Sydney, on the "2ud Uecombor.

Moro compositions by Schubert are being discovered. The latest is his music, composed for Goethe's " Claudino yon Villabolla," but, unfortunately, as yot only tho first act can bo found.

" Hoodlum Blind" is an enormous success bo far at tho Princess'?, tho receipts oxceod ing those of " The Silver King" Every night soon after the opening of tho doora boards are on view indicating that tho house is full.

The prizo of a thousand dollars for tho best cantata, offered by the North American Choral Socioty, has-been won by Herr Brambach, of Bonn. The subject of the cantata is tho voyage of Columbus, and it is an elaborate work.

Mr 0. K. Fleming announces that he in tends to produce hiscomicopura "Angelica" at tho Christchurch Theatre Royal on Anniversary Day, December 16. He pur poses to havo a chorus of 50 voices, and a band of 25 performers.

Miss Louise Pomeroy was to commence a Boaaon in New York on September 21, playing the title male parts in "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliot," besides Viola in "Twelfth Night" and Bosalind in "As You Like it."

Mr Lithorland Cur,ard, known here as tho former partner of Kellar the illusionist and the business manager for Mario de Grey, has arrangod to bring " Billy" Emerson and his minßtrel troupe to New Zealand for a 13 weeks' tour, commencing in Dunedin on Boxing night.

Miss Christian, who visited New Zealand somo ten years ago, and with whom every body was delighted,contemplates revisiting New Zealand at the beginning of next year. The lady still retains her position as the most finished vocalist resident in Australia.

Mdine. Sarah Bernhardt has signed a contract for a minimum of 225 reprosenta tions in North and South America, from May 1, 1886, to May 1, ISB7. The terms are 2,000 francs for each performance, and a percentage on all receipts above a certain amount.

Mary Anderson's betrothed, it is said, is neither a New York plutocrat nor a British nobleman, but tho uuassuming son of a rich Kontucky manufacturer of farming im plements. Ho was a boyhood friend of the actress, and was assiduous in his attentions to her whilo still in his nonage.

Tho latest thing in realism on the stage comes to us from Milwaukee, U.S., whore the curtain rose upon one member of the company taking a loaf of bread from the tin where it had just b.on baked by an oil stovo, while another put some rusks in the oven to bako, and a third was seen inthe act of preparing a fricaseed chicken.

It is reported that Miss Nellie Stewart and Miss Emma Chambers had a lively wranglo in Brisbane over the part of Sorpoletto in " Les Cloches," which was finally allotted to the latter. Mr Musgrove had to put his foot down gracefully but decidedly before Miss Stowart would con sent to go on as Germaine.

Sophocles' tragedy, "Antigone," was pro duced at the Town Hull, Melbourne, on Nov. (i. for the purpose of raising the sum of £5,000, to build a now wing to the YVomou's Hospital. Miss Goneviove Ward and Mr W. H. Vonion took tho leading roles, and Mr Gordon Gooch was one of the two musical directors.

Mr Goo. Cluteam's projected pianoforte recital takes place in Hoffmann's music Warehouse on Thursday week, and those who wish to be present had better be early in their application for tickets, as tho num ber to bo issued has been limited to 100, at. 2s Cd oach. A very choico and attractive programme has been drawn up.

News comes from New Yoik of the doath of William (Jarletou, tho author-actor. In a moment of insanity and poverty he barred his door, tightly plugged up the keyhole and other spaces, turned on the ga«, and lay down on his bed, where ho was found dead in tho morning. Mr Carleton wrote tho play of " Fritz in Ireland " for J. K. Emmet.

Flotow, the popular composer of " Martha Stradella " and other operas, Jeft at his death a manuscript opera named "WiJow Grapin." It is comic, and con tains some very pleasing melodies. The piece was recently performed at Pesth with decided success, and " Widow Grapin " is likoly to find its way to other European theatres.

A Company, known us Leigh and Vernon's Colorado Minstrels, has been playing in New Plymouth. Like tho Hugo Minstrels, it includes several of the fair sex, and comprises Misses Amy Vaughan (Inter locutress), Constance Vero. Edith Montroso, Louise Howarde, Eva (Jourtayne, Claribol Lindsey, and Mossrs C. Rollins and 11. Vornon (corner-men), R. Devereux, F. Rowley, H Marshall, S. Kedforn, U. Severno and Brothers Norton.

Mr Boothroyd Fairclough, with his wife Miss Elsa May, are just about to appear at the Adolaido Academy of Music in a series of dramatic and musical recitals. After their season in that city, they will tako a professional tour acrosa the border back to Melbourne. Herr Felix Schinellits chek, whose violin playing at the Exhibition in Wellington was greatly enjoyed, is leav ing Dunedin for Sydney, where he intends to settle down as a music teacher.

Performances have recently been given in England by a Viennese Ladies' Orchestra. Tho ladies, to the number of about forty, aro becomingly dressed in crimson bodices, slashed with gold, and white skirts-ex cepting the conductress, Mdme. Schipek, who stands conspicuous in black silk, and, fiddle in hand, conducts and leads alter nately, after the manner of Herr Strauss. And they are said to demonstrate—what many psoplo deny—that tiddlo-playing is really graceful.

An old New Zealand favourite, Miss Eloise Juno, commenced her tour of New Zealand at Sloan's Theatre, Invercargill, on October 27, where she plays for eight nights. Her Company incluties Messrs C. H. Taylor, J. J. Kennedy, Wilson Forbes, J. H. Nunn, Charles Searle, L. Dunbar, R. W. Rogers, W. H. Horton, F, Henningham. P. Spiller, T. Evans, and J. Davis, and tho Misses Ella Carrington, Nellie Edwards, Lily Hill, Hattio Hayncs, and Jennie Mackio.

Olive Logan thus describes Mdme, Born hardt in one scone of "Theodora":—Her eyes glare, her voice quivers, her body rocks, and her toes wrigglo. Infinitely vilrious as Cleopatra herself, she is now the cooing siron that lulls to rest the suspicions of her husband, now tho avenging paramour who elaya her lover's possible betrayer. Everythingby turns and nothing long, ehe is a dramatic kaleidoscope, upon whose mar vellous changes the enthralled spectator gazes spellbound, wandering what next."

Mr Augustus Harris intends to beat tho rocord in Mr Pottitt's play "Human Naturo" on September 12. Londoners are to have the march of the British Army across ths Egyptian desert, with a small regiment of mounted infantry of the roal camel corps and the details supervised by officers from the Soudan, a zareba, a battle with the Mahdi's forces, and so forth, until the troops eventually return to England and march along the London streets from a view at tho top of the Trafalgar Square, painted by Mr Emdin and designed by Mr Harris hrmself.

Discussion on Unknown.

the usual interest b W forward to the platform and.- he less attention hune U ™,T a'm«t btff speakers received fnTrn hls 1& of. applause, but t^l B?^^ priest was evidently mo S frthb, J Colby's discourse w aß JJ^* character, and ehieflyconsul,f?Wl*ir enunciation of the Le^t « Ho contrasted it with CatlmlL- PititlllW aoeitaintyinourexutt'S^^ stead of a mere faith ba«ed iZ deatl * miracles. Ho claimed that sniS?oll^ accomplished many great LS?"l^^ which Christanity had L vnr S° ble *S tempt. Among oVrthiSSjl^ Abraham Lincoln would tint? BtaWtW •1.000,000 ol.Uves tat tejj^ V from the other world. Ha S * <ait«« with injuetice unworthr nf ?h N °*I veßtigator, even if the trath™ o ?ndl^ hia own side of bigotry ill inU"»t\k So lon g as was kept o/er &-^ Ot% the bandage which faith /£,? long would the mind be l ack W * ( S « spiritual -knowlodt-o. tH"^ upon the credulity of L^'%M prießthood had always thdrh/ - T^ against liberality oi all &^S* the latter should encraMhT^ >* ground. It was the dS% "ff,^ that there never was any it,novat in e^"» orig n was attributed JtW^ by the labours of a liberal tv i '°> Church was obliged to ZLf !*"• and let into her secluded pTclnM ta^ ofthewallightofhea^fiM*: knowledged that the individual wh?SJS" the way was not a Christian m^ declared that he believed Siwl had in many points outgrown ■«, ■ to wh.oh ho subscribedl-Buthld T m had any direct commnnication Vth? sprite! ■Itwa ß thed 11 tyofan,o lle i h k ! sot himself up as a critic to'faS himself with the subject of whichT^ to treat. Monsignor Capel ■& m C 5 derstand the phenomena and the nhtt I of spiritualism and learn Bomsthini? rflSu' was recorded in its library. BatT« fessed to find in it nothing at all J£&< note Had he^been well LteSdSS could have made such a etatemen as & The speaker alluded to the giS absolution by the priesteas atrSleiotS pnvilese of doing wrong and a* „,£ the gallows and the prison a n<K»krt2 of the machinery of society. : So l 2 the hope of immortality was bsnighedlm the mind, except so lar as it: rests won S evidence of miracles, to long dotfaS subsist and the glory of the Church r»X tarnished. Revelations from • the mmm world alone can break the priestly cX and sweep from the mind all falfo ft«S of Jiic

The Priest's Anrwer. >.. Monsignor Capel took up Mr Oft chief statements seriatim. He at fitßter. pressed surprise that the latter hsdiol tried to ascertain what he in the first ifa had said before replying to it. MuchW was attributed to him was the'tieriii'" parody of hia real words. Hewi)*: liever in immortality. If ho wcrs.m* fcho Catholic Church would inofc•talenV ; him within her bosom for a momcotj.'lt was brought against the Catholics that tiej believed themselves in daily \ comrtsmi "■ tion with the angels and eaints. But the angels and sainta were spirits. To Catholia ' the spirit world was as clear as the liglt of a gaß jet. They walked the Btreeta acctn paniei by guardian angels. Thsd<ad>Sß in their eyes disembodied spirit* who »[.;' rounded the throne of GoiJ. Thevpriyjd' to them as well as to the sainte and stg'tli,' To say that they did not holji:-.commiroicß. --tion with tho spirit world. WQnldbo.Bffl.: trary to the whole evidence of the Hste^" of tho Church. Monsignor Capel dscied that he had expressed a disbelief in spirit ism. He had simply left out of the Mfc gory of possible supernatural manifest^ i tions all biological phenomena Asidefms these, spiritualism was but a mi»represct(» tion of Catholic teaching, and it had h«a in the world from the beginning. Heaited: to see the code wherein spiritDdlisiii: expressed its superiority to gospel,tack)-;: ing. The speaker had been accnscj of -boasting of his superioroedncate llc had never done so, but really felt Mm self insufliciently educated Still he felt certain that he could ntand an examinatioa with the gentleman.vfho bad criticised bin.. on any branch of the subject of spiritual ism that ho might designate. He had caw., fully studied all accessible wqrkß relating.'; to it. He bad even taken part in tramkfr ing some of them from tho French :>jwi:-. ago for a distinct purpose. He ajt)4; What is there new in all this? ilnafediJt:;. stating, a9 he had been charged withdpipc,' that spiritism began 105 years ago sft the exhibitions of Mesmer, lie had related' an instance of its force dating back 2,000. years ago. As to sin being forgiwnfof gold, ho had thought the American'people' vyere more intelligent than to aceep MJ. such falsehood as that, t*? ?** ' simply the doctor of the soul. HedidWt; . pardon, but counselled the sinner M to what' he should do to obtain pardon, In relation';.- : to the assertion that Catholicism ni«d( no,: couTerts among men of higher intelligence, ■ ho cited the examples of Judah P. Be»j»v mm, who entered the faitha im. dan b^i, fore ho died, Cardinals Newman and MM': ning and Lord Ribon, ex Viceroy of hm\ In conclusion he hoped that Mr ColbjjiM: not spoken under the influence'of lip*'.1 ism, for if so the spirita had been.veij,; naughty. ■'■. : j^mi

A Cold Blooded Murder.

Chattanooua, September 6th. CUM Williams, a disreputable negro, jhotiM' instantly killed a street-car driver .named ~ Polk Mitchell at 5 o'clock this-afternoon. ■:■ An hour before Williams bad bespjaW-, from a car for entering it in a dnttlra ■ state and smoking in tbe presence of late, and when asked for his fare refusing"); deposit it. Williams swore that he would heve revenge and followed the. carr_ W&ilq i; the driver was waiting on a switch WiHuffl walked up, shot the driver three tilaesj ma.,'. then shot twice at his body in the.tpwjw;;? death. A crowd of citizens pursued to", and he was captured a mile.from ifm aw ; carried to gacl. Mitchell was' recently, , Assistant Chief of Police, and m ™! popular. Intense excitement prevail!,Ma, _ the gaol is closely guarded.,.The^°"£M: taken every precaution to prevent lyncW<- - A larce force of men are keeping g"""* 1 the gaol, and the local military comjpwiw will be called upon if necessary to pre#rt • the peace. The murder wasthettMiib>m"-« and unprovoked that has ever occurred"; •his city. " . --jf- Chattanooga (Term.), Septobet V- ; Tho bold-blooded murder of Polk Ml* by the negro Charles Willto ■ffi£*X was quickly avenged. Afflob^*,: mined men, mostly composed of.W\. labourers and railroad f™2 ■': shotguns and all other, kinds of JWg > ma-ched about 11 o'clock' last nuMta"; county gaol, followed by severalJJgg £ people, and at once .ta«««HS, tothe gaol. It won appearedtiatßOtm would deter them, and shooting;iaw^; crowd by the poaae o(.t!«Mffl,; certainly result in killing a wg*" people. So nothing wtf MWS ■ the entrance of the mob,. and door of tho gaol was broken in. D**, would not give up the S:. LJ ite.' is a strong building, is a completo sbeet of hal ™o.™; py^ iron, and the enterances of , W g.,, ; irap'-oved and most ™«sql , ture, and the mob had »ba™ ?W effecting an entrance. For an W"^, ; „• battered at the iron doors. «J?' they succeeded in entering tfie %. ,«•' Williams was, and at 12.ljr»*, he , Tbe .,:.:, hanged to the rafters ' prisoner was taken from hu <^lilgf^ g Spstairs, when his securely tied and a block «•» «g e Hß rt his feet. The lynchers then Mg?^;. and dropped M».»»dJ wstK lS B W.'- i in three minutes. Not a D ,3 the militia, winch bad been.odM*?,, .. all is now quiet. ■,

Mob law in America.

LiTitE Rock, SeptemberJ.- yga d Sunday night visited the nk» ~ at Murfreesboro, and ra&aa «» ■ . shoot the Polk boys, fPj% to M ' for murder, but not bang » ™. Idad rfv, within range, tie wood to the gaol, pi led | J a«™ 4 fi : ■ mtorated the wood with <» ,1,7 c, literally roasted both pr % c br ick Nothing was left standing f t , walls of tho gaol, T'« ™£j.to* H mau named Piddle last year,, w« rf seven,! l.iaU Tho f^%^&M " great excitement, f this ! •..,..;..;.,, 5 .. ; eiibrt by mobs f« kill tMB-1^

IHE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1885.

4



"ROUGH ON COKNS."_Aik <=. WW3-P.3..U1, .. a _ . • K6ffiliiant,l-r;Kfr*Co.,Ag«iiSt, AueUini.



Nkveu Return.—lt is said that ono oat of every four real invalids who go to foreign coun. tries to recover health never returns.oxcept os a uoi^ao. The uudortakere, next to the hotel keener;", have the .most prolitable business. This excessive mortality may be prevented and patients saved and c-,:red under thevcare of Mends and lorod ones at home, if they ftsUl but u?e American Co.1 * Hop Blttere In t!m». »e«a"