GOSSIP FROM STAGE AND STUDIO.

(By Eotkrpb.)

.mi Baldwin intends settling down k quartette of nogro?ses aro giving at Amsterdam. M Harry Rickards's combination, now ■ gydnoyi is to vi9it Now Zoaland shortly. 'V rson'fl Minstrels, who havo boon ■ ..inh ffood business on the other side, **$iPunedin on Boxing night. "Che Mooro and Burgess Minetrela luwo Tooted the twonty-hrst year of their C°rftinuouß season at tho St. James's Hall, Tendon. -rhn llutro Buffalo Minstrels havo been • roirinß business at tho Princos.i Tin Dnntdin, filling tho houso down- Lt every night. at Benedict's choir under Mr Jaa. Knox . \ -J at work upon Boothovcn's Masa in r which itj ia iotonded to produco during tho ChrMmas season. lB Melbourne "The Shadows of a Great „., » :, still running successfully nt tho iphLtre ltoynl, " Tho Light? o' London " itheOpora Houso, and " Tlie Magistrate" at the Bijou. Since tho appointment of Mr A. M. Hux i.lila as choirmaster of Lpiphany Church o musical portion of tho services has eon dorably improved. Tendon will bo in ted shortly for the erection of tho now church.

Bismarck has fulminated an ordor to hie nsniwoplc wllicll '"'X" 1 with ndvanlage be Imposed .upon tllo whole Wolld that write their name?. Ho demands that honcoforth IJorvone shall sign his nrimo in such a dear distinct, and lu<;ib!o way that it will bo readable at a glanco. and not havo to be studied ''a* if thovo WM eon'ethinK v'il« ---«b!o to bo found in it when rliscovored."

Jlnnkacay has nearly completed a new minting, "The death of Mozart." It is of the same sizo "s his "Milton," and forma, ■ a ce rtßin sense, a companion-piece to it. Jlw/irt is likewise represented as reclining jnan arm-chair ; four friends sing a requiem fortho dying composer, who feebly attempts to beat time. Two femalo figures behind bis chair give full vent to their grief. The picture is said to be a most powerful work.

In Sydney they havo " Tho Mikado " at the Theatre Royal with Mr Howard Vernon is Koko tho Lord High Executioner, and Mr Dampior as Michael Strogoff, and Hamlet at the Gaiety. At tho Opera House jjoucicault's "Grimaldi" has been pro duced, giving Mr G. W. Anson the oppor tunity of making his first appearance in Australia. Fryer's Circus is also in Sydney, doing splendid business and goes on to Melbourne,

It is riot generally known that tho Booths -the famous American acting family —are Jews. The family name was Cabana, which, being a Hebrew, as woll as a Spanish, word OT3 translated from the former language Into its English equivalent "Booth." In jiis declining years Lucius Junius Booth bftea spoko of his Jewish origin, and one Friday evening insisted on attonding service at a New York Synagogue instead of fulfilling hi 3 engagement at tho Bowery Theatre.

A good story is told about tho last revival of the "Liehts o' London, "at the Princess's Theatre. For the boro1 <-ceno half a dozen hnajide furcapped " costora " were onjjaged toriu onto tho assistance of the heroine mit aB the curtain falls. They wero ex torted times out uf numbor to " be natural." "Say just what you would in tho stroats," entreated the stage manager. Thoy did. At the managei's signal those six costers rushed on with one groat shout of " Leave jis— woman alone."

Boucicault'a over green " Arrah-na Poguo" is running at tho Adolphi Theatre with much of tho freshness of a dozen yoars ago. The hoiiso is nightly worked up to a high stato of enthusiasm over the Wioklow wodding scene, whero Shaun fells Feony to tho earth, and tho English officer, who ruslioa forward to vindicate, is stopped by the rich brocue of the O'Grady : -"Aisy, aisy, moejer ! What would you do Hainan was to lay a hand on tho woman you loved ? Begorra, I'd ha' brained him meiell where he stud."

Sir Arthur Sulivan, askod how long it takes him and Mr Gilbert to writo ono of their operettas, paid : "Generally about four months, or at least we avorago that lor each work. Thero is constant discus lion, Wo moot night after nisht, or day after day. He will suggest ono alteration and I another. When about half of tho opera is finisher! rehearsals begin, and while these are progressing wo will be writing tho other half, and thus save time. Wo nevor give less than two months to rehearsals, and that i 8 where we get tho porfect en temble and correctness of dotail."

A gentleman in Philadelphia has in his possession a pair of old buskin gauntlets richly embroidered with gold thread, which are said, on excellent authority, to havo be longed to Shakspsro. Thoy wero j.ro- Kmted in 1769 to David Garrick by a lineal descendant of tho poet; and Garriek was aasured an unbroken tradition stated that the articloa had been part of Shakspero's theatrical wardrobe, and worn by him Garrick's widow gave them to Mrs Siddons, and from that lime until they pawed into the bands of their present owner thoir history is easily tracod.

The Choral Society has determined to por evory note of " The Messiah " this year and next year. To be more precise the selections which are omitted thin year will be at down for performance next year. The most notable omission at the forth coming performance will be the solo " He Shall Feed His Flock Like a Shepherd," while "The Trumpet Shall Sound," although not heard for some years paat.will be given. Wo append the names of the leading soloists :—Soprano, Mrs Mickle ftwaite (a recent arrival); contralto, Miss Mannaell; tenor, Mr B. Barker; baßsos, Messrs Huxtablo and Taylor.

Austria has just lost, by a sudden doath, her favourite and greatest contemporary punter, Hans Canon. He was born in Vienna of Slav parents, and his real namo was Straschkiribka—" a name you can't meeze," he used to say, hence he changed it toCanon. Tho first painting of his which drew public attention to him was exhibited In 1858, and called -'The Fisherman's Daughter." It has been reproduced times innumerable. His " Cromwell in the Pres ence of the Body of Charles 1.," which be longs to the Duke of Saxe Coburg, is equally Weuknown. A vast canvas, in which, in •pired by the Book of Revelations, he repro *nt«d the reconciliation of religions, was Jjie great artistic sensation at the Vienna Exhibition in 1873.

■ There has been a war in London over tho "•portent question of lowering tho musical pitch, and Sir George Macfarren has gone •ofar ss to address the Duko of Cambridge with thii view of getting the alteration ■nude trjoughout tho bands of the British »nny. The total oxpenso of this would, however, probably bo about £50,000, and it Would have to be borne by tho regimontal officers, as tho bands are not in any wsy a Wveroment affair, but aro maintained at |M solo expense of the officers. The Queen nashad the pitch lowered for her own private wad, bat most orchestral players and 'Waliate aro in favour of the present high ptch. The Austrian Government has "wited delegates from the Powers to "net in Vienna and see whether an intor nahonal musical pitch cannot bo settled.

The Mftjeroni-Wilson Company did not jwtthoThameson firebythoirviaitto Nelson. me "Mail" says: Although some of the airs llj."Maritana,"and notably "Alas, those Omnes," by Misa Liddiard, and " Let mo "Ma soldier fall," by Mr Harding, wore *«'• rendered, the pei formnnce generally *aa not such as we had a right to expect X?«. a oom Pany witll s<> h>gh a roputation. "'we orchestra aome idea may be formed I ™* »c lay that it did not boast of a violin, "a that the clarionet, which next to the P^Nj-of which a great deal too much was 'Wl - took the moat prominent part among "^instrument, was shockingly outof tune. oIH? C these circumstances the omission 'wo overture showed a vast amount of """deration f or the feelings of the waience, although many of them no doubt "Ws.looking forward with ploasure to the "womental introduction of the Opera. o« Company have since appeared in "Biiingtoo, and are doing well there.

New Music.

j<LMntlnue my brief review of the pieces of of t? ÜBic forworded by Mr W. H. Webbc, U«t mus'R warehouse at the corner of afm and Cook-streets, y Uypatial," waltz,;by May (Micro. This »Xi; Feourci* in a short time a remark ed P°P?la"i:y as a waltz composer. The fritt ou nm'er notice is very gracefully ff\. Bnd has "'ready reached its 00th Z^nd. It is very molodioiu, and h also J"»J tocjl. A character portrait of Miss ""owson forme the frontispiece.

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"Tho Mikado," a waltz by P Bucalos°i l°v ■ BParklln ß morceau. PrnmJ. W* 5?*1" a VoCal waltz by A. G. cE'il^ US introduc«°n andante or chtldren's voices. A strikinffand very Pleasing composition. It created furore «n Piomenade Concerts. Un Liock, a nautical sone of htehlv descriptive charactor, by w? H. Judo Arranged in G, in C, and A flat, with cX baritr,nV UA '".P? 11™^ b<™. tenor, and baritone. A spirited song, with plenty of fire, while a minor strain is aUo skilfully introduced.

rhino for Ever," a pretty song for baritone, by Thos. Hutchinson, Mus Bac Uxon. It is repleto with tonder feeling and repays oxprossivo treatment, for the air is sweet-.

Black and Tan," a polka by Catherine I.owthian. This lady is the composer of the famous "Myosotie" waltz, ani 'ho has tho knack of making a capital use of old materials. The introduction to this polka suggests " The Midshipmite," and tho pioco altogether is very taking, The trio involves tho crossing of the pianist's hands.

" Tho Mikado," polka. A livoly arrange ment by Bucalossi of airs from tho comic opora.

Thero seoma to ho a groat run in the music Miope upon tho "Choleoa China" polka. It is a merry littlo jingle by

Eutkkih:,

A New Guinea Explorer.

Mm -1. \V. I'otts, of Brisbane, who returned from his expedition to Now Guinoa on Saturday in tho Aloxnndra, brings back ivith him not only a vorj large collection of native curios, birds, and orchids, but also so.no rather interesting information as to British Vapua. Tho object of his visit to Now Guinoa wns to spy the land from a pastoral and agricultural point of view. He chartered the schooner-yacht Elsio, of 70 tons, and had with him Captain Dubbin, Longly (tho mate), and ton coloured men ni a crew. The Elsie anchored off Port Moresby on the sth of October, and Mr Potts landed there. From tho Key. W, G. awes, of the mission station, ho obtained 11 horses, with which ho travelled inland up tho Laloke River to the head of that stream. At ono time ho was in sight of the camp of Mr H. 0. Forbes, tho ex plorer. It was some 20 miles distant, and appeared to consist of a num ber of huts. The direction of Mr Forbes's camp was towards South Capo, and within 15 miles of tho coast. The country Mr Potts traversed was of a reddish soil, except on the banks of the river, whero it was quito black ; and scrub abounded on the various pockets formed by the windings of tho river. Generally speaking, tho land was of a rich pastoral or agricultural charactor, and it was all very well watered. There waa also a variety of excellent grussos and herbage. The journey to the top of the river occupied fivo days, and about 100 miles of country were traversed. M r Potts had 10 Anunpata men with him as bearers. Ono village visited wag found dosorted, being only occupied by tho body of a dead man. At another village tho natives seemed inclined to be hostile, and the visitoramadt a speedy departure from that place Returning to Port Moroeby, Mr Potts re-embarked in his ochoonor yacht, and sailed down to Cloudy Bay, taking mails with him to Sir I\ Scratchloy, whom he met in tho Governor Blackall oft" Aroma Village. Ho continued his voyage down the coast to Baxter Bay, and roturniug visited Keropuna, Hood Lagoon, which ho rowod through in a whalcboat ; also tho Dundee ; stayed a night at Kalo River—a magnificent fresh water river, up which ho ascended for 20 miles, at which distance further progress waa stopped by rapids under tho Macgilvory Kan^o ; sailed for Round Head, nnd stayed a night at Hula ; passed insidoFishormanV Island, and called at Bolinpata - a fishing villago built in tho wator ; saw thousand. of natives at Mniba village, and found there forests of cocoanuttroos and gardens worthy of admiration ; anchored off Motimotu, where tho surf breaks on tho shoro very heavily, and whore a boat in which ho was ; landing wns capsized, and ho had to be pulled mt of tho water by the natives : went a short distance up tho William? Rivor ; eai'ed through tho liulf of Papua te Bwmblo Hay, whero ho captured four large turtles; and finally steered for Thursday Island, whero ho arrived yosterday week, and heard of tho reported massacro of the Geographical Society's expedition, and offered the loan of tho Ehio f)r tho use of a relief party. When at Motimotu ho a*cer tainod that natives thoro had had a right with the inhabitants of an inland village They were ail decorated in foathors and plumes, carrying bows and arrows, and in a very excited state, but friondly towar.f? whito mon There wcro also (.hero a la'tre numb.T of Anuapata mon trading for sago. Thosr people bad lnsliod fifteen canou* togcthor, had built houses on them, and were waiting for n favourable wind to carry them homo. The Williams is an uiwx plored river, broodor than tho Brisbane, and its currant is pure find fresh for two miles imto tho ocean. AVhon ho heard of the rcportod massacre of tho Bonito parly, he reccivod it with discrodit, having had pro vioua oxporience of tales concocted by the native?. When down near South Capo he wai informed that Sir Peter Scratchley and tho Rev. Mr Chalmers had boon killed. The statement was invented by a chief, who, in saying he had murdered His Ex collency and Mr Chalmers, wanted simply by braggadocio to inflate his own import ance. Stories of that kind, too, as soon »s they got a start, travel (Mr Potts says) from tribo to tribe with a rapidity which' nearly rival 3 telegraphic communication. Mr Potts bad brought homo with him specimons of aixty different kinds of birds of paradise, and a large assortment "f native weapons, crockory and ornaments; and prizes most of all a very extensive collection of orchids, some of which he has reason to believo aro quite new in botanical resoarch. Ho loft the General and'Mr Musgrave (his deputy) in eood health, and says they aro rapidly improving Port Morosby. The General's house is now finished, and the township is ' being marked off in modern fashion, whilst Mr Musgrave ha5? shown a considerable amount of practical ingonuity by bringing a good supply of water from the ranges to ; tho harbour by means of p bamboo aque iluct Tho General had been to Aroma, and had hoisted tho British flag there. Mr Potts also maintains that he found oysters in New Guinea ten inchea in length, and of a very tine flavour. They grow on the mangrove treos. : Finally, he has in his possession a rich specimen of gold - bearing quartz, found in the ballast of the missionary vcsel Ellangowan. It was found by Mr Kerr, the first mate, and is a piece of out crop Tho gonuinonosa of tho epecimon can be vouched for; but although it is known that tho ballast is from New Guinea, the particular spot at which It was obtained has not yet boon ascertained - From tho " Brisbane Courier, Novem ber 30th.

The Wheel and the Way.

What would we (says the "Pall Mall Budget") not givo to bo ablo to interview at tbi* moment Mr Thomas Stevens, the intrepid English bicyclist, who, on his two wheeled steed, has ridden across Europe from Calais to Constantinople, and, waxing bolder by succoss, has pushed on through Asia Minor to Porsia. Ho is now at Tabreoz, and from thenco he is going to push on through Afghanistan to India. Burnaby's ride to Khiva )s nothing com pared to thia bicyclist's tour to Herat, 1o what visions of terror he must have pven rise in Asiatic villages as he sped noiselessly through a wondering population. To see a wheel running away with a man on the top of it, must have suggested <*°uShts of Shaitan and the Afrits with which Eastern imagination has peopled the invisible world. Sit how t"e world shrinks, and what a prospect does the adventurous 'cyclist open £p before tho eyes of wheel-men' If a b cyclist can trundle his way over Ararat and the Himalayas, what corner of the world will be left unvis tedl by the silent riders of tho iron steed ? We shall have Sling parties to Thibet and bicycling ours tc PcUin. Who knows but that bo ore next century dawns it' J^ *W ni*ed that the inventor of the bicycle has done more to revolutionise the nHgta', moral, and social ideas of mankind than all the philosophers of our time ?

SKINNY MEN.--ws ;i«iih p-j;™" r£",,'"'^ !

The "Pall Mail Gazette" Case

The defence, of which the following aro the salient points, was published in. the shape of a morning odition of the "Pall Mall Gazette," just to hand by the mail, Mr Vaughan, the presiding magistrato at Bjw st., having refused to allow Mr Stead to read it in court. Mr Stead proposed to say :— I have never defended or palliated, nnd I am not about oither to defend or to palliate,' t.lO offences of which I Rtand accused. Ihoy ore to me probably as hateful, if not more hateful than to any ono in this Court, i o protend evon a desire to commit them for purposes of verification and crimination was loftthsomo to mo, almost heartbreaking, as those associated with mo can tostify. Mojo than once I broke down utterly in the inulit of my investigations—onco on tho night of tho very day on which Eliza Arm strong was cold, and again on a subsequent night when another mother had been press ing mo to buy her 12-year-old daughter for prostitution for tho cum of £3. It was unutterably painful. But the very sting of tho thought brought with it strength and resolution. If it was a cruel thing to play the pnrtol the purchaser of innocent maidens for an imaginary violation, was it not far more cruel to allow them to continue to bo sold in roul oarnest into a life of shame ? And so tho very anguish that the playing of my assumed role occasioned inn, spurredme on and nerved me to persevere. I bought Eliza Armstrong to save Eliza Armstrong, and not only that child who waa before you in Court, but many I housand others as young and innocent asshe, over whom, as tho direct and immediate con sequence of what I did for Eliza Armstrong, t!io law has now cast its protecting shield. Dosparate diseases demand desperate reme dies llomicido is justifiable when in no other way can tho hand of the murdoror bo stiiyotl. And tho reason why I bocamo a party to tho ovonte which havo brought me here was becaupo tho situation waa so desperate that nothing else rt mained to bo done to compol tho House of Commons to make tho emendations in the law necessary for tho protection of girls between 13 and 1C from corruption and ruin. Such at least was my deep and paiuful conviction. I acted upon my conviction, and 1 am proud to tako tho responsibility for my act?. •

The law \va« bad,tho Legislature indilfcr onfc, tho press silont; even tho Society for the Protection of Women and Children was hostile, but thoro still might havo been hope if tho magistracy and tho police had been storn to rcpross crimo and discourage vice. Unfortunatoly, this last resource failed.

I spent Whit Monday in reading up the debates on the Criminial Law Amendment Bill, and saw at a glance that all was needed to carry that measure in face of all obstacles waß a graphic and vivid doscrip tion of tho actual evils with which the measuro was framed to deal. Did these evil* exist, or had they disappeared since tho Lords' Committee reported ? That was tho first question, and to answer that I ad dressed myself without delay. Butin Booking to strengthen tho law by which vicious crim inals could be punished, I coon found that no assistance would bo rondered me by the police. However willing they might be to ■issist in unearthing tho criminal vico of London, of which, as every experienced otlicor in the forco is woll aware, wo havo but skimmed tho surface, thoy dare not 3peak without permission from hoadquar tors, and that permission was, absolutely refused. I approached the lato Homo Secretary through a mutual friend, *» tho Minister intoroetod in tho pacing of tho Criminal Law Amendment Bill, Mid asked him rospueiiully if ho would pjrmit tho superintendents of police to mrnish mo with tho information in thoir posseseion which would enable mo to bring "ho evidence of tho Lords' Committee town to date and rouso public opinion in avour of tho bill. Sir W. Horcourt ro p!iod expressing satisfaction that public ipinion should bo directed to tho bill, but refusing absolutely to permit tho metro politan police to plnco any information whatovor at my disposal. An attempt to iscortain the views of the Chiof Commia tionor, Sir Edmund Henderson, on ono section of the bill met with an equally iecifivo refusal. From tho police, there tore, I could hope for no assistance, not ivon in collecting evidence to enable their illicial chiof at tho Homo (Hh'eo to carry iis bill through Parliament. Tho only «orvico in this causo rondered by ho official custodians of public morality ha* been tho prosecution of thot^e to ivhoso efforts is duo tho carrying of tho bil', which Sir W, Harcourt in threo weeessive years had failed to pats. Cut olf from all liopo of assistance by tho olHcials, whose functions ought naturally to havo made them our mo«t zialous helpers, I had to full buck upon ox officials,saol chaplains, roscuo workers, reclaimed brothol koopors, nid others who wero in a position of in dependence, enabling them to spoak with freedom of tho result of their oxporionce. Their evidenco was unanimous. They all testified to tho fact that young girls, un fitting and unwilling, noro constantly pro cured for dissolute men, wore inveigled into brothels, outraged with impunity, and then spirited auay from brothel to brothel, or rakcn out of the country to feed tho slavo mirkets of tho rogulatod prostitution of the ConVnont. Allagroodthattheovil, instoad ef boing abated, hid rathor incroasod within tho last two yoars. Above tho ago of 13 tho law ensuodimpu nity trotn crime, provided that by any pretext an ignorant consent was wrung, it might bo from an intoxicated child, by in experienced and ruthless debauchee. [ am assured by the chaplain of ono of hor Majority's prisons that in a houso for fallon children noar Newport thoro are somo fifty children under 10, all of whom have boon violated. In Sister Emma's Ilome in Farn hum thero wero last Mny forty girla under 12, all of whom had been violated, and only in four cases had there been any one punished for the crime. In Southern Lon don mon had been shown in public court to havo outraged, tho ono sixteen, the other a dozen childron, but in one cane only was thero a conviction. Tho children over 13 had consented ; thoao undor 13 did not know the nature of an oath. In the 8 weeks between tho beginniug of our investigation »nd the end of July no fewer than 30 caios, involving injury to 43 girls between 3 and 13 yoars of age, were brought before tho law ourta. Every year now homes for ruined childron wore being opened to provide for the shattored wrecks of English girlhood. In tho conspiracy of lust and hungor, I was assured that even mothers traded on their offspring, and sacrificed their daughters to prostitution for cash down. This fact is repeatodly asserted in the evidence taken by tho Lords' Committeo which busy Mr Poland may not yet havo had time to read, or may thiok " hotter loft alone." In the courso of my inquiries, I came across at least threo mothors who wero porfoctly ready to contract with me for their daughters' shame. One was most anxious, repeatedly renewing the negotiations to sell hor 12-year old daughter outright to me for £3 or £i. Nor is it only, poverty that drives to this extremity of crime, Among the reclaimed procureaso3 and keopers of bad houso3 is Kebecca Jarrett. She w.»s introduced to mo by Mrs Joseph ine Butler—a lady whoeo namo ranks with thoso of Miss Nightingale and Mrs Brown ing ns tho throe foremost among tho woman hood of this century. I wan told Jarrott was a woman who had onca been the worst of her sex, but who for tho last six months was consumed by a remorseful desire to make some amends for tho crimes which in her long career of vico sho had committed against her sex. She was-reluctant to tell me tho story of her past life with good cause. It was a terrible narrative. A tale not only of shamo but of crime—of the procuring of innocent children for the worst purposes and their sale to dissolute customers. Truthful although tho con fession appeared, I was loath to believe

It was bolievod to bo indispensable, if the bill wore to pass, that tha articles should appear at the close of tho Whitaun recess. I was thorefore reluctantly obligod to em ploy Rebecca Jarrett in a transaction for which I alone ought to have borno the full legal, as I certainly benr tho whole moral, responsibility. She was most reluctant to return even for once and for purpoees of demonstration to her old role of procuress. Mrs Butler was very anxious lest the virtue of her recently reclaimed convert should be exposed to the strain of too great a temptation, and the attempt to demon strate the existence of such a system of crime might result in the losa of a soul. Jarrett pleaded to be spared this burden. I was inexorable. I said to her, " You have told mo that you have procured and ruined in terrible earnest scores of innocent girls. If you are really penitent, make amends for your crime by procuring one, not for ruin, but for re?cuo, whoso purchase will cave more girls from being mid in the future than all those whom you havo ruined in the past." And Rebecca, drunkard and pros titnle as she has been in tho past, responded (o thnt appeal with fear and trembling, believing that eho was exposing hersolf to risk of etornal damnnfion if she once more fell before the temptation of drink, to which she was exposed in endeavouring to make Eome atonement for her former crimes.

A MAORI TANGI.

Assisting at a Peculiar. New Zealand

Ceremonial,

Tho Departure of Chief Honi to the Spirit Land-Tbc Sing-Song Lamenta tions of tho Mourners-Rum Incidents.

A Maori tangi, or cry over the dead, was shortly to tatio place in tho Pottlement. Honi, ono of tho most important and loyal chiofs in tho district, had passed from his wharo to tho spirit land above, and his friondi and rotations would Boon be assem bling from far and near to pay their last tributos of rospect to the deceased. I may bo prone to consider human nature ex tromely selfish, still I do not think I nin wrong in saying that, however much tho publicans and storekeepers regretted the death of the chiof, their griof was to a lurge extent counter balanced by the thought of the good orders to be received for grog and provisions, those commodi ties being among the most important items of a tangi. Tho Distinguished Deceased. Honi died on a Saturday, and we heard the tangi was arranged for the following Thursday. With this news we nlso heard rumours of important visitors being expec ted to attend tho ceremony. These visitors, who were chiofs of high standing in tho King Country, woro then attending a sitting of the Nativo Lands Court, about 100 miles away, nnd if they were unable to attend on Thursday tho tangi was to bo postponed to suit them. It was al«> siiid that largo proeonts would bo made to tho bereaved tribe by tho different tribes visiting them. Tho natives secured a very good Bito for celebrating their curious cus toroc, being on a piece of flat land just bulow the redoubt and adj'icont to the set tlement, co that besi-Jes tho natives a largo influx of Etiropoans was expected. On this flat was an old wooden cottage, with a dilapitated vitrandah, and undor this vorandah the do ceased was to lio in state. Tho day of the tangi was glorioualy fine, and at a very early hour tho whole nativo population of the district was astir. Tho corp.o was brought across tho harbour in a largo canoo containing about fifteen natives, and a black coffin studded with brass nails was brought ovor nt tho samo time. The coffin and corp?o were both taken inside the houso to await the arrival of the visitors. Cartloads of provisions began to arrivo in front of this bumble dwelling, and a number of natives were busy superintending the unloading of the food. Tho oatables, though substantial, were not particularly choico, and comprised about thirty large cases of sailor's biscuits, from twonty to thirty bags of sugar, and an almost un limited supply of driod shark and fish of all kinds, pork, potatoes and kumeras. About 9 o'clock numsrous canoes wore to be soon arriving from tho different native sottle monta around tho harbour—somo of them larjjo war canoes and othors small, and only holding two or three natives. They wero all making for the same spot, the beach just in front of tho level ground where tho tangi was to be held. Fully three hundred natives had assembled by 10 o'clock and moro woro still coming. As each pa.rty landed tho chiofs salutod oach other by holding hands and rubbing noso», a custom which ."earned to vastly amuso somo re cently arrivod Europeans, who wore watch ing tho proceedings.

Tho Body Laid Out.

The body of tho decoased chiof was brought out and laid on tho verandah, while tho different tribes seated themsolvos on tho grass, forming a half circle in front of tho cottage, tho tribo to which tho dead chief belonged being eontod nearost the corpse. Two of the female relatives of the deceased sat one on eacli side of the body, and with sticks topped with a bunch of forn loaves drove away tho fliea that would otherwise have settled on tho corpse. Net being a Maori linguist, much of what followod was unintelligible to me. For about two hours first one chiof and then another rose from tho midst of his pooplo, nnd delivored what appeared to be as tolling an oration as Marc Antony's speech over the «l«ad body of Ciisar. A nativo interpreter informed me that oach spaeoh was laudatory of the dead man, but that not unfroquently politics and praiso of tho dead got mixed together, While all this talking was going on I wae amused to sco how eagerly somo of the nativos wero watching the arrival of soveral carts loaded with bnrri-1? of beor when they ought to have been listening attentively to the speeches of thoir superiors, or join ing in thi sing-song cry and lamentations that ovor and anon broke from the assem bled multitude The hot sun had the offect of breaking up tho party about noon, or at least of stopping tho koreno, or bigtalk, and introducing the more important item of presentations. Many of tho tribes mado tho bereaved tribe preeents of food and drink, as this wont toward entertaining them selvos and other visitors. Two of tho presentations, however, were particularly striking. Tho first was made by a very old chiof, who ontored tho cottage and shortly afterwards appeared bearing in each hand a whito wand about fix feet flight, eplit nt tho top, and in the split being inserted ten now £1 bank notes, so that they fluttered in the breezo like »o many banners. Fivo times ho entered the house, each timo roturning with two similar wands, and, having etuck them in the ground in a row in front of the cottago, ho quiotly and gravely resumed his soat, leaving £100 waving gently in the breeze. The coroinony wan hardly ovor when wo were startled by a cry in tho direction of town, and looking rouni saw alargo body of natives approaching the tangi ground. As they drew noar they formed into a com pact body,tho women, in two rows of about twelve each, leading; the men were in tho same formation, only about eight deep. Convivial Mourners.

Every man and woman in that throne had a bottle of rum, and this was held abcwo the head in the right hand ; the left was used to beat time to the song or chant with which they enlivened their march. I'orhapa it ia hardly correct to call tbeir onward progress a march, since it was really a dance, and is called a haka. Though a hundred natives took part in this haka, it wbb surprising to see now they kept step in dancing, and in their singing they also kept woll together. It was a curloua and novel Bight to soo the body of men and women as they passod us at what eeemed to be half a trot and half a dance, waving a bottlo of rum overhead with one hand, wildly waving the other about, though still in perfect union with each other, and sing ing, shouting and crying, also in perfect unsion, at'tho top of their voicoß, If the rubbing of noses had interested the late arrivals in the colony, this haka miict in deed have inado them think they were in a savage country. When the rum had been presented with due solemnity to the relatives of the deceased, the whole of thoso present set to work to demolish their midday meal. If the food was not choice, the manner of eating it was certainly not the most genteel; and after watching for a tow minutes the way in which the fat pork waß handed about and eaten, I, together with two or threo othora, withdrew to get our own lunch bofore our appotitea wore quite taken away. In the afternoon the proceedings wero very similar to those of the morning, only that the strong drink taken at noon tended to make the lamenta tions greater and the speeches shorter and fewer. But the persons who had acquired tho most energy from their refreshments were the two elderly females who kept the flies away from the faco of the dead man. Toward evening it was evident that unless aomo ono interfered there would be a great deal of drunkenness among the natives, and many of the Europeans were becoming alarmed lost there should be a serious row, aa waa often the case after the natives had boon imbibing. Some of the more influen tial chiofs were appealed to, but they ad mitted themselves powerless.

Taking Precautions. Our energetic Inspector of Police was then interviewed by a few of the more timid of the inhabitants, and, much to their delight, he ehowed himself to be a prompt actor, calling out his men. The whole available force was four. He despatched ono to the officer in charge of the redoubt with a request that v body of the armed constabulary should bo placed under his command. The request was granted, and a force of eight men and a sergeant shortly afterward arrived. The full strength of the hostile party was twelve rank and file and two officers. The work before them did not, however, prove very desperate, as the natives were etill sober enough to under stand what they wens doing. 15y mean? of an interpreter tho inspector harangued the crowd, informed them that no liquor waa to be consumed "on the premises," but that they might take as much as they liked to their own settlements and drink it there. The interpreter, 1 presume, properly explained to them that " or. premises " meant on the taogi ground, or, in fact, anywhere except at their own

homes. At any rate, the natives seemed to understand him, and after a little " loud talking " oh the part of the most excited natives this was submitted to. A general rush was made for the canoes, and very soon the liquor, the food and the natives and tho dead body had disappeared. When the laat of the liquor was gone, and not till then, the word of command was given. " Right turn, quick march," and the police and armed constabulary nlsodeparted leaving our little villago as quiet and deßorted as over it was, and nothing seemed to remain to remind us that a red-letter day in tho annals of Maoridom had just enmo to an ond. Later in tho evening fires were seen burning nt the various settlements round the harbour.and over the quiet water tho sounds of tho distant carousals wero wafted to our cars. - Leeds (England) " Mercury."

Burmah Before the War.

From the " Times of India " we obtain the following intelligence in reference to the crieis experienced in Upper Burmah prior to tho despatch of tho British forco to Man-

dalay : —

" Rangoon, October 4. — Tho Burmo«o and tho natives of India hero generally agree in condemning the impudent falsehoods oi the Burmese Envoy at Paris aa telegraphed by Router on tho 23rd.

It is thought that the arbitration pro posal was inspired by France to cover the defeat which thoir Mandalay intrigues met with owing to British vigilanco. Thebaw'p wish to establish friendly rotations with England is curiously shown in tho attempt to ruin the Bombay Corporation nnd British trade in his country.

" Rangoon, October 23. —A Mnndalny letter of tho 15th instant nays tho Burmose gun boat Bundoola, with 500 well-armed well drilled soldiers to net n» marines, has loft for the frontier station of Minhla. Minhla can hardly be recognised, owing to the de fence preparations. An embankment has been thrown up, and cannon mountod com manding the approaches from below. When a steamer is signallod from below, the garrison turns out under arms, tho gunu ore manned, and all boats aro ordered to stand clour. These demonstrations are con fined to steamers proceeding up. Torpodnes havo been placed on the rivor, to be worked by shoro batteries. Two old hulks nnd several large boats are ready to bo sunk in the channel if requirod, and chains are to bo placed ncroßS. Bamboo rafts, laden with combustibles, aro stored at different stations to act aa fire rafts. The Tinodah Mengyoe'e eon in law commands tho frontier, with orders not to allow any British force to at tempt a landing under any circumstances. If an envoy bo coming, a hundred men may go with him as an etcort; the romainder are to stay below Minhla. No war steamer, under any pretoxt, may cross the forts. If the envoy is in ono, the Burmese Court will j nrrango to send a stoamer and bring him up, but tho war steamer must remain three inilos bolow tho Minhla anchorago, with a Burman guard aboard to watch and resist any landings. Soveral telegraphic messages have passnd botwecn tho Kinwoon and Mr Barnard After remonstrances and inquiries the Kinwoon finally offered to arrange mattors, Mr Bornnrd, it is said, roplied that British foi'ocaranco was worn out, aftor fouryeitn' mis govornmontin Burmah, and a final settlement must bo ceme to, oven if forco be nccestary. It is reported that Thobaw naked tho Kinwoon to advieo on tho quoation of ponce or war. Tho Minister strongly ad vocntedpeaco— not on tho ground of British superiority, but on that of tho poverty of tho country and the disturbance of trade. Kngland, he said, may bo ignored when Franco opens up tho Tongking routo Meanwhile tho treaty nn grnntod bytholate kinff|Bhouldbeconcedcd Thobaw angrily told the Minister ho favoured the English, owing to his previous intercourse with them. His Majo>ty sarcastically told him that ho should rotire from tho world and spend tho remainder of his lifo in a nunnory, with n rosary nnd prayers, Tho Tinodah and anothor Minister advocated war, with tho usual bombast about ro covoring Pegu and Arakan, and inarching on tho frontiers of India. Thobaw ordored a discussion by all his Ministers, when it was found that tho views of the peace party predominated Thobaw, however, declared that ho would novor yield tho British domands. Tho Kinwoon as a last resource wired a message of ?,000 words to the Burmoso Ambassador at Paris, asking tho French for advieo and assistance. Tho Italian elomont in gonerally friondly to the British ; tha Germans, strange to say, aro coq'iotting with Franco. Thoro seems no donht that tho stock of arms and aminuni tion in Burmah in much largor than is gene illy Rupposcd. Those foreigner's en gage I in tho smuggling trado will now finrl their '.'ccupation gone, and possibly thoir own position somewhat precarious on the arrival of a British force in Uppor Burmah.

" Raxcioon, Oct. 20.—Mr Haas was re ceived coldly on his return. Tho Kinwoon says he loft surreptitiously during the night, without giving official intimation. His return, whilst romoving tho insinuations mado at the time of his flight, shows that France continuos to evince nn interest in Uppor Burmah which U uncalled for ; all French employes having befln dismissed, tho Burmoee Envoy at Pans is being ueed ns n tool by France. Possibly M. Haas may be ablo to assist British subjects to remove and use his influonco to stop barbarities by tho Burmose. But it they commence, fill whito faces moy suffer equally, and be, as tho cause cf ail tho troubles, bo involved with the others. Thobaw's palace-guard has been largely increasod. Ten thousand foldiors have been reported to tho king ns boine ready with loaded guns. Cirponters aro employed in strengthening the palace by erecting stockades, &c. ; in fact, nothing has been left undono to make the palace dofone.es secure according to Burmese ideas. Fourteoon field piocoe guard the south gate. The Burmese are making war liko preparations with cheerful alacrity, auguring ill for a peaceful solution of the disputes.

" Rakooon, October 28.—A Surati trader hero lent Thebaw half-a lakh yoaterday, at an interest of 48 percent. A correspondent of the " Gazette " noticing this, and other supplies of money being sent to Upper Burmah by British subjects, observes that it can hardly be for other purposes than to bo used against us, as honost traders are endeavouring to get in thoir outstanding debts rather than increase thoir liabilities in tho present crisis.

" Rangoon, October 29. —Tho launch Sittang, which left yostorday for tho frontier, carries two Nordonfeldts, and in fitted up with a torpedo boat. It is thought here that a couple of Bengal Light Cavalry regiments would be vory usoful in the Burmah expedition for i-coutiug purposes and dispersing parties of the enemy, Mr Barton Groves has beon appointed to or ganise a field postal service. Threo steamo the launches have been chartered by Go vernment for tho postal service"

COCA.

Tlio Leaf an Excellent Stimulant to tho

Norvous System.

TnE coca leaf, when chewed, iB a powerful stimulant to tho nervous system, of the nature of opium, but leas violent and more lasting in its notion. Bornayq says: "There is so much concurrent testimony as to place beyond doubt the fact that the moderate use of coca loaves as a mastica tory enablea fatigue to bo endured with les3 distress and with lees nourishment. Mark ham cays that ho ehowed coca very frequently, and, besides the agreeable, soothing feeling produced, ho found that he could endure long abstinence from food with less inconvenienco thnn ho would other wise have felt; and it ciiablcd him to ascend precipitous mountain sidos with a feeling of lightness and elasticity and without losing breath. To tho Peruvian Indian coca i? a solace which affords enjoyment and has a most beneficial effect." Quoting from the game authority : " The incredible fatigue, says Yon Tschudi, endured by the Peruvian infantry, with very spare diet, but with the regular use of coca, and the laborious toils of the Indian miner kept up under similar circumstances throughout' a long series of years, certainly afford sufficient ground for attributing to tho coca leaves not a quality of mere temporary stimulus, but a powerful nutritive principle." But the excessive use of coca ia well known to be injurious, and the unsteady gait, the yellow coloured skin, the dim, sunken eyes; tho quivering lips and general apathy are tho indications of tho invoterate coca chewer. It is, however, considered the least injurious of all narcotics in use, and in the higher regions of tho Andes its effects are loss marked than in warmer and damper districts. As a palliative agent in tho hands of a skilful physician cocaine is capable of greatly alloviating human tuflor ing, and its nee in this manner will hence forth bo widely extended. — " Vick's M«ga tine,"

The Nordenfelt Submarine Boat.

The interest excited by the recent trials of tho Nordenfolt submarine boat is sufficiently shown by the presence at Landskrona of 39 officers, representing every European Power, together with Brazil and Japan. Such a boat, if successful, will exercise a powerful influence both on navnl warfare and on coast defence. Its passiblo uses are mani fold, its moral effects unquestionable. Against its operations no system of defence at. present suggested seems adequate. The introduction of fast torpedo boats has sup plied a now factor in warfare, and, pace Hobart Pasha, their influence will some day make itself powerfully felt. But the tor pedo boat has been met actively by the machino gun, capable of delivering an ex tremely rapid fire of email shell at ranges far beyjnd the useful limit of the White hoad, and passively by tho Bteel wire net ting with which it is proposed to surround ships. Again, the torpedo boat can bo met and fought on the sea by similar boats, faster, better handled or better armed. On the other hand, a boat which can maintain a fir speed undor water for several hours, which need only rise to the surface for brief periods, and can sink at will if dis covered, which can lie perilu and direct a steered torpedo, or run up to close quarters and fire the Whitehead at 10 feet below tho surface, is undoubtedly an exceptionally dangerous antagonist If the problem of producing such a boat can bo solvod, the largest ship would bo secure only when in rapid motion, no port could bo satisfactorily defended, and no system of submarine mines could bo regarded as safe. Mr Nor denfelt has addresstd himself to the solution «ith a measure of success which will bo diacussed later

ft is no new problem. Submarino boats were omployed in the American wa', whore sumo successes wcro claimed for them ; and, considering the ouormoua advantages to bo obtained, it is not surprising that at least ono European Power has devoted both time nnd money to experiment. But thoro has been a natural tendency to preservo secrecy on tho subject—sinco to create tho vaguosuspicion of tho possession of a submarine boat would bo a more fieeirablo object than to proclaim the ex istence of one with known imperfections and limitations. Besides, the past record of the performances of these boats has not been free from disaster. Several have sunk with their crows to rise no more ; others have remained fixed and helpless at the bottom for long periods, to be saved only by exceptional coolnosa and exertion on the part of the crows. It would be clearly unwiso to create an antecedent im pression of tho exceptional danger involved in their sorvico at a timo when such danger might bd duo chiefly to structural imper fection and want of knowlodge. For tho problem is no easy ono, when its conditions come to bo realised. Power to sink and rifo rapidly at will, fair spood under wator, horizontal and vertical steoring power, under full control, -endurance of motive force, and air supply for tho crew, are only somo of the many requirements on tho fulfilment of which success is depen dont.

The Nordenfelt boat, the first of its class, waR bulit at Stockholm about two years ago. Tho boat is cigar-shaped, with a coffin-liko projection on tho top amidships, formed by vertical combings supporting a glass dome, or conning tower, one foot high, which enables the commandor to sco his way. Tho dome, with its iron protecting cover, ■itanda on a horizontal lid, which can bo swung aside to allow tho crow of three mon to get in or out without difliculty. Tho length of tho hull is 64 feet nnd tho central diameter 9 feet. It is built of Swedish mild stcol plates g inch thick at tho centro, taped to g inch at the ends, supported by ■lnglo-iron framing, 3 inchos by three inches by 3 inch. Tho arrangements for sinking tho boat are of a special naturo, for which tho inventor claims important advantages. Practically, such a boat can be sunk in three ways, singly or taken in combination It may be forced down by power applied from within, weighod down by taking in *ea wator sufficient to destroy the buoyancy, or it may be eteored by tho application of its ordinary motivo powor modified by a horizontal rudder. Mr Nordenfelt hns adopted the former arrangement, placing ■iponeons on oach side of tho boat amidships, in which aro wolls for tho vortical propollovs, capable of working tho boat up or down. In order to propare for action enough sea wator is taken in to reduce tho buoyancy to lewt., which eufliccs to

keep tho conning lower well above tho surface. In ordtr to sink the boat further tho vertical propellers are sot in motion md by their action it is hold at tho ro quired dopth. Thus, to couio to tho surface again it is morcly nocopsary to xtop tho vertical propellers-, in which case tho roaorve of buoyancy at onco comes into play. This principle is rightly regarded as important evon if not essential in a safe -übmarino boat. A breakdown in tho engines dooa not entail dangor, since tho reserve of buoyancy is nover lost for a moment. Ac a still further safeguard, however, Mr Kordenfelt haa provided an automatic check on tho downward motion. A lever with a weight which can be adjusted so as to counterbalance any desired head of water is connected with a throttle valve supplying stoam to tho engine working tho vortical propellors Thus, directly the desired depth is exceeded the increased head of outside water over comes the weight and tho vortical propellers aro stopped. The motive power ia sUi.itn alone, gono ra'od in a boiler of the ordinary marine type, with a forced draught, So long as tho boat runs on the surfaoo, this boilor can bo stoked, and a constant head of steam maintained. The smoke is driven out through two channols, which piss partly round the hull, and point aft. For submarine work, no stoking is, of course, possible, and the firebox has to bo sealed. It is therefore necessary to store the re quisite power beforehand, and this is done by heating tho water in two tanks placed fore and aft, and connected by circulating tubes with the boiler, till a pressure of about 1501b por squaro inch is attained. VVith aboHt this initial pressure, it is stated that the boat has been driven for 16 miles at a speed of threo knots, The greatest surface speed attained is a little over eight knots, and tho boat has boen run for 150 miles without rocoaling. There are threo sots of engines, ono of which drivos the propoller, an ordinary four bladod screw, 5 feet in diameter, witli a pitch of 7 feot 6 inches. The other onginos drivo tho blower and tho horizontal pro pellers respectively. One of tho principal difficulties of sub marine navigation is to preserve an evon keel when under water. Should a boat turn downwards when in motion below the surface, it might easily strike tho bottom or roach a dopth at which it must collapse bofore its courso could be arrested. On the other hand, if tho bow took an upward turn under the same circumstances, the boat would rapidly coroo to tho surface and bo oxposed to view and to projectiles. It is evidontly, therefore, of the utmost im portance to provide amplo stoering power in a vortical direction. In tho Nordonfolt boat, two horizontal rudders are placed one on each cido near tho bows, and aro acted upon by a pendulum insido tho hull. This pondulutn, coming into play tho instant the boat takes a cant in either direction, actuates the horizontal rudders and causns her immediately to return to an even keel By this means it is claimed that tho boat is automatically kept with hor axis horizontal, while since the bow rudders are entiroly boyond tho control of tho crew there is no danger of acoiHent duo to neglect or losb of nervo. In the event of breakdown of tho abovo arrangement, it i 3 nocessary at once to stop the beat and let her roturn to the surface. No compressed air is carried, and the crow depend,therefore, for existence on the amount of air sealed up in tho hull. With this amount of air only, fourmon havo remained for a period of nix hours without any special inconvoniencn. The above aro main features of the invention which Mr Nordenfelt. has just mndo public, and which has received the caroful consideration of experts of many nations.—From a corres pondent of the "Times."

From Jerusalem to Jericho.

A carriage road ia to bo made from Jerusalem to the ruins made at Jericho by tho blast of Jushua's ram's horns. A Bmall modern village now stands near tho ruins, which aro sunk 1,200 feet below tho pea level in a well-watered but dreadfully hot valley. A shrino near the road is a monastery at the very cave in which Elijah w said to have been fed by the ravens. The monastery is literally hang on to thefaco of the precipice, and consists of a series of cells and a hall supported on vaults through which lies tha entrance. A few Greok monks lire like birds perched on tho odge of .i neat in this singular abodo, to which a chnpol pinnacled on a rock is attached.

DON'T DIE IN THE HOUSE.--rough 01l b»u dears out riti, mice, beetles, roaches, txd-bugs, file*, inte, iuiect* molw, jick'nbUl*-'. c-rhero. Xticptnorne, Ftosmz A Cfc« Afißtfi Anrkiiirl. -

THE CHOLERA IN SPAIN.

How tho Rivers Havo Been Poisoned toy the Sewers of Madrid-The Effect Upon the City of Toledo-Doscrip tion of the Ancient Capital.

Toledo, Sept. 18.—Though once tho Cap ital of Spanish civilisation, Toledo doos not boast of gag-works. A few dingy pe troleum lamp 3, hung at considerable dis tances from each other, cast an uncertain light on tho surrounding blackness of the narrow, tortuous streets. No one has writ ten about Spain without describing Toledo. Trio architecture of tho houses is Moorish rather than Gothic. The streets arenarrow, hnd'.y yon til.itoiJ, but comply telyshadod from the sun. Many streets aro not six feet wide, and it U oaay to shako hands from a third floor window with tho neighbour op posito. In these little streets there aro little sewers. Nobody seems to know exactly when or how they were built: but every body ie under the impression that they aro badly built, and not the slightest dcubt is entertained as to their loaking and infecting tho surrounding surface soil. At Toledo, as at Madrid, tho drainage is all direct to the sewer, and there are no cesspools. The ventilation of the houses is principally de rivod from tho Oriental path, or square yard, which is in the centre of each building covered over with an awning, ornamented with a few plants and porhaps a small fountain. In the centre of tho patio there U generally a suspicious looking, untrapped drain ;on the other hand, it must bo ac knowledged that the hills are so numerous, tho gradients so stoop, that, however badly built, the sewers aro readily cloaked. Also at a very slight distance below the surface soil we reach the solid rock. Taken alto-

gether, tho drainago cannot be considered go particularly bad as to account for any special outbreak of disease If, instead of on'y a few, all the communications with the sowers wen properly trapped, Toledo on account of its elevatod position, the constant winds that sweep and purify i's streets, its "tone foundation, and easy natural drain age, might bo considered an especially favoured town.

How, then, did tho cholera climb up the steep rocks that protect this antique city and fortress ? The first case still remains unexplained, It occurred as far back as the 7th of September, 1884. Strange to say, tho epidemic continuod up to tho 31et of December, and this in spite of extreme cold and tho snow that covered all the streets. Toledo is some 2,400 feet above the level of tho sea, and while tho temperature in summer will rise to above 100 deg. F , there aro, I was assured, sometimes more than 15 dog. F. of frost in winter. Accord ing to the official record, there were during this outbreak 90 cases and 64 deaths, but as the population did all they could to conceal the facts, tho Governor-General himself considers that there were probably about 200 caßOs and 100 deaths.

The population of Toledo is 20,383 ac ording to the census, so that the above figures do not represent a large proportion of cases. It was not till the 23rd of June this year that the second invasion of cholera at Toledo was officially recognised. Thera is noionger the same eagerness to conceal the facts, and, consequently, we have 101 cases recorded and only 53 deaths, ard the epidemic is now believed to ba over. It will be said that Toledo has been very for tunate and has escaped cheaply. I believe, on tho contrary, that there is little or no luck in tho matter, but that the compara tive immunity of tho town is duo to the superior sanitary conditions, and, abovo all, to tho energetic and more skilful action of tho authorities. Let mo first, however, give somo account of the epidemic iv the provinco of which Tolodo is at once the capital and the centre. The provinco is of an oblong shape, tho greater longth being from east to west. Both north and south there are ranges of mountains. From tho northwest entora the Tagus ; there is a vast plain to tho south west, and then the river Hows due west, cut ting tho provinco in two. This river has been contaminated just below Aranjuez by tho waters of the Jarama, which in their turn were poisoned by the Manzanares, that is, the Bewers of Madrid, The first case of cholera noticed this year in the province of Toledo happened on tho 30th of May in a small village a few miles north of the Tugus, calloJ Gerindoto. At first this was at tributed to some workers who had coire from Alicante, but as they had left this town moro than a year flgo, and boforo the epidemic, the only possible connection re maining was tho supposition that they had received some goods from Alicante. On questioning a doctor, who had been sent to attend the patient-, I found a better ex planation in the fact that tho village is ex ceptionally dirty. It is surrounded by many market gardens, a great deal of manuro is used, and tho local water supply was found full of micro-organism ; tho result was the death of nearly two hundred persons out of a population of about ono thousand threo hundred. Following down tho course of tho river, it will be found tbat at Puebla do Montalban, threo miles from the river, the first caso was that of a man who died fivo hours after drinking Tagua water. At E' Cirpio de Tajo 250 persons died out of a population of 3,000, und tho epidemic only listed a fow diys. It may bo objected that this village is some Bix miles nway from tho Tagus; but it is Mtuatod between two mountains, with n plow dream, and the people come both to wash and drink in this almost stagnant water. At the western extremity of tho province tho cholera de clared "itsolf at Puente, killing 180 out of 1,100 inhabitants, and thou travellod back wards against tho current of the river to Talavera, where, however, it has not wrought much mischiof, for out of a popu lation of 10,000 it is rare to record more than seven deaths in a day. Then, if we take tho other end of tho province, at Anti gula, a little village overlooking Aranjoez, there were 87 deaths and same cases 200 out of a population of 4C3 inhabitants. Altogether, out of 40 towns and villages, 25 havo experienced severe epidemics of cholora. Some of these, especially on the | plain of La Mancha, were at considerable distancos from tho Tagus; but as agricul ture flourishes principally on the banks of the Taguß, a portion of the male popula tion went there in search of work. Thus we find that when the epidemic is not actually on the banks of the Tagus itself, it declares itsolf on the principal routes going to and from the fatal river, following the rail way lines first and thohigh roads afterwards. The infection onco brought down from tho Tagus by tho itinerant labourer, spreads itself rapidly in tho moro distant villages, for they have no water save that derived from the wells, and their brooks are sluggish or completely dried up. Corral de Almaguer is ono of the worst of those instances. There were 520 deaths, and though the population is set down at 4,000, only half that number remained. Evorybody had the cholera, the doctors included. Tho ground here was especially low and tho village stream almost stagnant. On the other hand, when we got to the mountainous districts, whore the water flows rapidly, where villages are of neces sity difficult of access, ana the inhabitants not co diepoaod to riiscond to tho banks of the Tagus in search of work, we find that there has been no cholern nfc all.

At the Lunatic Asylum in Toledo there had beon ton cases and eight doattiß, chielly among tho epileptics. Space does not permit me to describe this groat institution, where indulgence and freedom of movement is the method of treatment oven for tho most violent. This noble charity—tho second in all Spain—was founded in 1483, though the present building was constructed in 1790. For air, space, ventilation, cleanliness, good drainage, it is the best public institution I have as yet seen in Spain. Thoro i 3, howevor, one groat fault. A few small cella in tho centre of tho building, which aro but six foot equaro and have no window, no light, and no effectivo method of venti lation, aro still occasionally inhabited. Need I add that it was among tho in habitants of these exceptionally bad cells that the first cases of cholera occurred ?— Correspondent of tho " London Timos."

A Tall Yarn.

Two Kentucklans were conversing upon " prodigious " topics, when one of them said he had a grandfather who was eigh teen feet high : upon which the othor re plied, with the usual nasal impros3ivenees, "I guess, stranger, everything grows mightly in this great country: it does. I was going through the forest lately, and saw —would you believe it ?—a snake three miles long." His companion frankly said he would not believo it. Words began to run high, when a third party interposed and begged they would not quarrel upon the grounds of their respective credibility. " Well," replied the man who had given his experience in sylvan zoology, I don't want to quarrel; and if he (pointing to the individual with whom he had had the dispute) will take twelvp. fcot off his grand father 111 coo what I can do with my snake."—"Tit Bite."

LUXURIOUSNESS OF LAZINESS.

Outdoing tho Anolcnt Greeks and Romans.

Exercise by Proxy,

It is said that New York has become tho most extravagant city in tho world, having got ahoad of Parla in that respect. How over this may be, and I see no reason to doubt its accuracy, it is certain that some of our residents are outdoing tho ancient Greeks and Romans in the lujturioupness of laziness. They have reached such a point in the art of doing nothing that they r.DW exercise by proxy. The system of physical treatment known as a maasago, and hither to employed in the cases of weak invalids, is in fashion for hoalthy men and wom(n. It consists of the passivo submission of the muscles to manipulation by a etrong opera tor, who slaps and rubs the flosh, kneads the joints and Boxes and extends the limbs, until every part of the frame has been as thoroughly worked a? would be done by two or throe hours of hard work in a gym nasium. But all tho while the subject lies languid and inert on a couch, the exertion being altogether confmod to the operator. The physicians used to advise this treatment to their nerveless, emaciated patients only Now it is complacently recommended, like trips of watering places for fashionable women, to persons only incapacitated by laziness for self-exercise. It is a current craze with idle sons and daughters of wealth. Every Turkish bathing establishment has its rooms for massage, to which especially resort those devotees of dissipation who lack the desire for manly sports with which to make up for the labour which their circum stances do not require them to perform Tiieso apartments are used extensively by our dandies, and considerably by our belles.

Besides the thorough exercising, the in dolent purchaser of muscular exertion ie rubbud with perfumed oils, quito in the stylo of the storied Roman time. Some of the enjoyers of this luxury do not even go to tho baths for it, but hire experts to come to their homes. So largo has this peculiar industry become that schools for the in struction of men and women have been opened undor tho countenance of reputable physicians. A graduate of one of theae concerns came to a friend of mino for employment. He brought a diploma, also a letter from one of the most socially pre tentious young fellows in town, setting forth his ability as a massager. What will bo the next development of moneyed leisure?— New York correspondent to " Chicago Journal."

A PHYSICIAN'S CAREER.

A State Prisoner -A Poouliar Attach-

ment For Spiders.

Dit. F. H, Dacujler, one of the oldest physicians in Paterson, N. J., died in St. Joseph's Hospital, in that city, yesterday. His father was a prominent government officer in Bohemia, where the doctor was born nearly 77 years ago. He was liberally educated in Saxony* studying medicine at the universities of Bonn and Magdeburg The doctor was licensed in 1840, and served for six years in the Prussian army as surgeon of the eighth brigade and seven teonth regiment of lancers. In 1848 he took part in the revolution, was arrested for high treason and sent to prison, where he spent four years in the dungeons of Kastadt, Khrenbreitstein and Julich. While in these prisons, often doomed to solitary confine ment, his only companions were the spiders that festooned the wills of his dungeon, Ho conceived a strange attachment for those creatures, which he never forgot. On one occasion, when the prisoners were allowed to take oxerciso in tho yard, the doctor and a companion crossodtho "death line." The doctor was severely weunded in the thigh with- a bayonet, while his comrade was "hot dead by the eontinols. The survivor was taken to tho hospital, whonce he subsequently escaped and made his way to England. T hero he married a young English girl, but tho union proved an unhappy one, and the doctor camo to America in 1857, and has lived in Paterson ever since, enjoying a

moderate practice and the general esteem of the German-Americans, with whom he almost exclusively associated. He owned a house in Ellison street, renting out part of it and occupying two or three rooms himself, and living entirely alone. From his love for spiders he would allow no repairs to be made to the rooms, while housecleaning was out of the question. The dust of many years was allowed to accumulate undisturbed.and his beloved spiders multiplied apace. If a parcel of drugs or an instrument loft over night had a spider's wob on it in the morn ing the doctor would patiently sally out and buy articles to replace them rather than disturb the spiders. His rooms are full of thousands of prescriptions of drugs of all kinds. He has been in failing health for some months, and a few weeks ago was removed at his own request to the hospital to die.—" Washington Star."

NEW CURE FOR ECZEMA.

Tho Merits of the Snail.

Tub London " Morning Advertiser " says: —

It novorrains but it pours Tho merits of the mail as an articlo of food having been expatiated on by Mr Holt, theßav. Francis

Barnes camo forward to sing the good qualities of the land winkle of our hedge rows as a plaster or external application for eruptions of the skin. Somo years ago, when Mr Barnea was suffering from a tevere attack cf eczema, he was walking at night fall in his garden. His leg was burn ing, and his eyee suddenly fell upon a snail, and the snail looked so cool —snails take no violent exercise-and Mr Barnes's friend's methodical movement suggested to the observer one of those happy thoughts the momentary inspiration of genius which it is never well to slight. In an instant he seized the snail and rubbed ib upon the itching part. Tho result was immediate relief, and not the creepy crawling sensation pre judiced persons might anticipate. En couraged thus, Mr Barnes hunted up two or three relatives of his little friend, and determining to get at the kernel of the matter, stripped off their shell and applied tho houseless slugs to the eczoma in such a way that their essential juices should, as he puts it, "dry in." That night he slept in perfect ease. In a day or two his eczema was gone. Not wishing to selfishly koep his discovery to himself, he communicated it to a contemporary. In a matter of such real importanco to aufforing humanity it ia a good thing to multiply evidence; and we are enabled to do this. Mr H. D. Bawlings, the head of the famouß Nassau street firm, writes to us to corroborate Mr Barnes's experience. He has tri6d the snail as a remedy lor eczema, and found "instant relief and a rapid euro." His letter speaks for itself. His name is a guarantee that he has not written hastily or without thorough proof of tho healing qualities of that much-despised creature. We have no doubt that the publicity he haß given to his own case will call general attention to tho valuable discovery, for such it 800018 to bo.

Nearly Killed by Stupidity.

Aiiraham Cohen*, a tailor, living at No. 63, Norfolk-street, while eating his dinner the other day ( swallowed a fish bone. He was averse to securing medical aid, as was also his wifo. Meanwhile ho suffered tho greatest pain, and during tho night his cries were agonising. Some neighbours sent for a physician a week afterwards; but Mrs Cohen positively refused to permit him to do anything fortbeeii(Teringman,and finally ejected him. Ho called again, but not with tho same reception. He saw the man, and observed that he was reduced almost to a skoloton, having been unable to swallow anything for nearly a week. His neck was pwollon to twice its normal sizo. Neigh bours then caused an ambulance to bo sent for, and ono from Chambers streot Hospital responded. Surgeon Garrison met with tho same opposition as did the othor physician. "When Mrs Cohen leirned that he desired to carry her husband to the hospital she became furious, and snatching up the bottle menaced the doctor. The husband lay on a bed speechless, though it was evident that he was likewise opposed to being carried away. Dr. Garrison drovo to the Eldridge-etr^et police station-house and got a policeman to go with him to the house, and so was able to treat the suffer ing man and carry him to the hospital. On reaching it the man was unconscious anc dying. House Surgeon Hatkaway decided to perform tracheotomy. The man's wind pipe was severed and a tube inserted. The operation, wliich is an oxtremely dangerous one, was successful. The patient began to breathe mora freely, and soon recovnred consciousness. His condition was rnich, however, that it was deemed inadvisablo to search for tho fish boae until later.—"iS'ew York Hearld."

Hooking a Bashful Wooer.

It was the second time ho had accompanied the young lady home from ono of thoae little social parties which ore gotten up to bring fond hearts a step nearer to oach other.

Whori they reached the gate 3 eho asked him if he wouldn't como in.

He said he would, and ho followed her into the house. It was a calm, still night, and tho hour was so late that ho had no fear of seeing tho old folks. Sarah took his hat, told him to sit down, and eho laft the room to lay off hor things. She had hardly gono before her mother came in, smiled sweetly, and, dropping down besides tho young man, she said, "I always did say that if a poor but respectable young man fell in lo\c with Sarah ho should have my consent. Some mothers would sacrifice their daughter's happiness for riches, but I am not of that class." Tho young man gavo a start of alarm. He didn't know whether ho liked Saruh or not, and he hadn't dreamed of such a thing as marriage. " She has acknowledged to mo that she loves you," continued the mother, "and whatever is for her happiness is for mino." Tho young man gave two starts of alarm this time, and he folt his cheoka grow palo. " I_l haven't—" ho stammered ; when she said; " Oh, never mind. I know you haven t much money, but of courso you'll live with me. We'll take in lodgers, and I'll riak but we'll get along all right." It was a bad situation. Ho hadn't even looked lovo at Sarah, and he felt that heoughtto undeceive thomother. "I hadn't no idea of-of—" ho stam mered, whon she held upher hands and said : " I know you hadn't, but it's all right. With your wages and what tko lodgers bring in we shall get along ns snug i»s bugs in a rug." " But, madam, but—but—" "All l aekis that you be good to her, interrupted the mother. "Sarah has a tender heart and a loving nature, and if you should be cross and ugly it would break her down within a week." The young mans oyes etood out like cocoanuts in a shop window, and he rose up and tried to say something. He said : "Great heavens I madam, I can't per mit " "Never mind about the thanks," she interrupted. "I don't believe in long courtships my self, and let me suggest an early day for the marriage. Tho 11th of September is my birthday, and it would be nice for you to be married on that day." " But—but-but!" he gaßped. " There, there, I don't expect any speech in reply," she laughed. "You and Sarah fix it up to-night, and I'll advertise for twelve lodgers right away. I'll try und be a model mother-in-law. I believe I am good tempered end kind hoarted, though I did once follow a young man 200 miles and shoot the top of his head off for agreeing to marry Sarah and then jumping tho country." She patted him on tho head and sailed out; and now that young man wants advice. He wants to know wheather he had better get in the way of a locomotive or slide in to the dock.

ALL SORTS OF ITEMS.

A siNOOLAK hybrid—The equine-ox. Satisfied men can only be found in coffins. Peter was the first man who " went out on a fowl." To keep steel knivos from rusting—One sure way is to have thorn silver-plated. The tanner 19 the most independent man in the world -when his wife is away from home. A crank, according to Dr. Howard Crosby, is " a man who has a capital idea without sense enough to work it out." The old adage has received a praotical revision in Bloomington, 111. The "doctors disagreed," and one killed the other. Now camphor's pungent odor Fills tho house, ana the forebodor Is ot winter's near approach j ana »no com mences to unpack Her last season b furj nnd garments, Toexamlno if those varmints, Thu unruly moths, have maueafoußt upon her sealskin sacque. " Bos<»n Gazette. Porpoiso leather, which is sometimes made into shoes, is Baid to be as hard as iron. It is veiy suitable for the millionaire fathers of marriageable young women. Evening Reflections Concerning Eve-A Southern poet, whoso muse ambles to tho theme of " Woman," is much perplexed at the matrimonial experiment of Adam and Eve. He Bays ; — How odd it was to enter life Not as a miss, but maduni. To baa perfect Btranger'a wito, Tho wifo of Mr Ad -in. I wonder that she bad him! But no ono has detected, Imagined, or suspected, That she over objeoted. The best thing a real ignoramus can do is to become a drunkard. Everybody will then observe what a smart man he would be if ho would only lot whisky alone, and thousands of lies will bo told for his bene fit. Bible, history, und Frei.ch lHeraturo classes havo already been formed for the winter months. " Meet at tho houses of different members, you know ; lots of fun— nearly always havo something to eat afterward • do join I" A Now York dentist avers that women who talk most lose their teeth soonest. He mußt havo been bribed to say that by a syndicate of husbands. There may or may not be " sermons in stones," but many first class clergymen seem to get a pile of " rocks " out of their sermonß. The pin seems to be the lodestar of woman^ existence. It's hair-pin, rolling pin, or pin money that she's reaching out for continually. EPITAPH ON A POPDIiAB PET. Ale", poor Jumbo 1 Hero's the fruit Of faithless Baraurn's greed of gain. How sad that bo well trained a brute Should owo its exit to a train. "London Punch." " What was the trouble at church thia morning ?" inquired one Dakota citizen of another. " I understand there was a row." "Oh, it didn't amount to anything. Some of the members in the back pews threatened to shoot the minister unless he spoke louder. That waßall." " On the top and surface, brethren," said a minister last Sunday, " things are often clean and right, but it is when we look below and explore the depths that wo ap preciate tho meanness and deceptions of our fellow creatures." Ho had been buy ing a barrel of apples, evidently. The meanest man in the city cuts tho dry goods advertisements out of the " Picayune" before he gives the paper to his wifo. He says she wants to go out and buy everything she sees advertised. There are thousands like her: but only one such moan man, so far as heard from. When a Miesouri man calls on tho Presi dent he discards his quid of tobacco, takes his trousors out of his bootlegs and gets off the following speech in r. sort of v loud camp mooting tono: "Mr President, lam proud to have tho distinguieh'ed honour of shakiDg hands with a Democratic President after waiting twenty-four years." Then he looks for a cuspidor, but remembers that he doesn't need one, and takes out of his pocket a lot of documents showing that he has been a patiiot and office-seeker from way back.—"New York Tribune." HOPK, FAITH, AND CHARITY. HOl'E. I bos that Bmith is coming up this way; I bopi' he'll settle that account to day. FAITH. He's fouling (or his wallet, Ua! I know Tlml ho had come to pay that balance duo. CHARITY. He's going past, by Jovo! Wni], well, no doubt Soni'j oilier creditor his cleaned him nut. "' I oaton Courier." Lawyer: ' You say you made an ex amination of l!ie promises. What did you find?" Witness: '"Oh, nothing of coneo quenco : a beggarly account of empty boxes, as Shakspeare says." Lawyer : " Never mind what Shakspearo rays. He will be summoned, and can testify for himself if ho knows anything about tho case."— " Detroit Free Press." It sometimes bappons that a man ran sacks tho wholo houeo for a pin, and, unable to find one, drops Into a chair in disgust, and is immediately and unexpectedly re warded for his search. Thore is a curront of cheerful resignation in the following epitaph which may commend it to some of our readers :— "Hercliesthabody (>f dnad and Rone Polly; " We cin't bring her back, co let ua be jolly.', —"Modern Society." The high-school girl explained to her particular friend that "he kicked tho bucket" was slang, and that the polite expression was "he propelled his pedal extromitioa with violence against a famili&r utensil for the transportation of water and other fluidß."—Punch,"

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, BATI3KDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1885

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