PRIZE EXTRACTS FROM CHRISTMAS TIT BITS.

THE BEST DEFINITION OF AN OLD BACHELOR.

«i \ soim grape, hanging by tho twig ot obstinacy on a wall of 'great expecta tions," " . *■ ■

THE BEST SENSATIONAL FORM OF ADVERTISEMENT.

Pkkiiai'S ono of tho most sensational advor tisements was that of a prominent tllusgow warehouseman. Ho offered Mrs Langtry £5 000 if alio would become a saleswoman nt ono of hia public counters for ono month. Tho advertisement lay in tho fact that the offer was mado public, and wont tho round not only of tho local nowspapera, but the London society papers also commented on it. It would, no doubt, havo been a greater Buocees if Mrs Langtry had accepted the offer.

Beat ( Proposal of Marriage by Letter. Porm . Rojoctlon of Marriage by Letter. of I Aoooptanoo of Marriage by Lottor

Dear Miss Shoocuk,— I Bend you at tho same timo aa this lottor a picture, ontitlcd "Tho Old, Old You will notice that tho youth in the picture ia saying something to tho maid, ft doosn't state what ho is Baying, but from all appoaranooa it ia oxactly what I want to say to you, Will you pleaao name tho duy. ACOEI'TANC'E, Jst oi May noxt. HKJKCTION. Jjo, thanka. Mother aaya I mustn't.

THE BEST SEASONABLE EPIGRAM.

BEST, WITH A COUPLBOF DUCKS, BY A I'ATIRXT

AT CHRISTMAS 11V THK LATK DX. JKN'NI'U. I've despatched my dear Madam this scrap of a To say that Miss la vory muoh bolter; A regular doctor no longer alio lacks, £nd therefore I've Beat her a couplo of quacks. Thk Reply. Yes 'twas politic, trnly, my very kooil friend. Thus a "oouplo of iiuaoks" to your patient to Since tho'ro'a nothing ao llkoly aa " quacks," it ia To mako'work for a " regular doctor " again.

THE BEST STORY OF A BASHFUL MAN.

A DA3HFPL awain of Manchester took a violent liking to a fair lady of that town, and after a great deal of hesitation finally brought hia courago up to tho sticking point, and made an evening call at her ionso. He found her busily engaged press ing a garment with a toilor's gooao. Sho, however, received him very courteoualy, and continued hor work. A bovy of the lady's female friends dropped in a few minutes after tho poor man had subsided Into Bilenco, for he found it absolutely Im posaiblo to maintain a conversation with her. The sudden entrance of the visitors, Instead of relieving, only added to hia em barrassment, and he sat in silenco until it became a mattor of sorious concern to the company how to put him at ease, for ho waa well known to all of them aa a man of great worth, bashfulnesa boing hia only weak ness. The young lady finally got through with her work, and callod out to the servant in the kitchen —

"Janel" The door opened, and tho domestic re plied— "Yes, mlaa." "Jane, will you take thia goose out?" The bashful visitor sprang to hia feot in an instant, and exclaimed — "I beg your pardon, madam, for intruding on you, but I'll f/o out. myself!" And before she could explain her meaning out he flew. Wo are sorry to add that the little mieunderstanding mado an old bache lor and on old maid.

THE BEST STATEMENT OF HOW A MAN WITH A WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN SHOULD SPEND AN IN COME OF £200 A YEAR.

"We will supposo this family rosido in tho auburba of ono of our largo towns, and thoir children—two boya and ono girl—are aged respectively nine, aix, and three yearß. RenJ .. .. _ £19 19 0 Bal-sand Taxes I! 0 0 C_a_s 3 6 0 Gas 2 la 0 Lift and Flro In3nranceß II) 0 0 Hasband'B Dro3B— Twosuite £fi 0 0 One overcoat .. .. 2 0 0 ■ Twohata 10 0 Boota 3 3 0 Shirts, linen, gloves, &o. 2 2 0 11 5 0 Wlfo'a Dress— Ono ulster 1 10 0 Onehat 0)1 0 Two bonnets 2 0 0 Two walking dresses .. 800 One house dross .. .. 110 0 Two pairs boota .. .. 18 0 Linen, &o 1 10 0 U 12 0 Two Boys' Dress (each)— Two suits (jerseys).. .. 210 0 Oneovorcoat .. .. 18 0 Three pairs shoos .. .. 22 0 Shirts, linon, etc 1 10 0 15 0 0 One Gfrl'a Dress— Onoul-tor 0 10 0 Two.rockß 10 0 Twohata 0 16 0 SUppera 0 10 0 Linen, eto 0 10 0 Husband'a Hxponsea, Dinner, Tram, I 25 o 0 oto, 10a por week ) Wife's Allowanoo for Houaokeoping, via, por week- Bread £0 2 4 Butchor'a meat and fish.. 0 1 0 Butter .... ..016 Bacon 0 16 Milk 0 19 Eggs 0 10 .£ 0 0 9 Coffeo U 0 5 Sugar .. .. _ .. 00 B Vegetables 0 0 8 Fruit 0 10 Domeatlo help and Bundrioa 0 6 7 1 6 0 Wearandtoar 2 2 2 Sut-merholiday .? ? 2 Bduoatlon, charity, doctor, etc. .. 11 1 0 £200 0 0

THE BEST POLICE ANECDOTE.

False Characters and Burglary.

Twenty years ago was a troubleaome time for the Metropolitan police, in consequenco of the frequency of burglaries and larcenies committed by, or put up by, gentlemen's servants who obtained aituationa in tho best families, in town or country, by means of falae characters of ticketa. At thia time my chief made it obligatory on me to trace and break up the whole gang that was infesting the West End of London. My efforts wore directed in tho direction of Berkeley and Grosvenor Squares, where those characters located, and before long the firat link of evidence wna obtained. The principal party who gave the characters had rooma engaged for him for a few houra only at Park-street, as was stated at the engagement, whilst the old squire received a gentleman, and sub sequent inquiries proved that he drove up to the houae in a brougham with liveried aervanta, held an audience with tho vialtor, and left immediately. Thia led to looking after a female that bolonged to tho gang and waa then missing. In a few houra after I arrived at a town in Hampshire, and traced thia f emalo to kdgings. Questioning her, Bhe said that the "Old Squire" had given her a ticket a few dayß previoualy to get her into a crib as housekeeper, but ahe was afraid to go In, and co loft London, being tired of the business. A London letter just reached her, which she handed to me, and 1 read tho following: " Lane, Streatham, Surrey s "Dear Polly,—Joe has cracked tho crib and got all tho atuff. Wo shall soon make ironey of it, and will be down with you.— Yours, etc., D. C." With a little tip from Polly I left for Streatham, where I arrived late on Sunday night, and by chance got introduced to tho cook of tho house where D. C. had directed his letter from to Polly. Being informed that " Joe " was inside with D. C., and both were examining jewellery, I resolved to wait for their coming out, which came off at midday on Monday, and by evening roaehed NottingHill, thoy entering a house. After obtaining assistance I stealthily entered, and with my brother officer proceeded upstairs, and was mot by a gang of five men and two females. Being known to tho men, a general fight ensued, which ended in my comrade being choked, myself securing Joe and D. ft, and the others, after receiving a good thrashing from my small truncheon, made their escape over the bakony into the street. With further assiatance I searched them and found £100 in money, several gold watchea, rings, bracelets etc., afterwards identified as part of the property stolen from various houses, and where both had lived. After a long trial a verdict of guilty wa- found, Tho judge, in passing sentence, said they wished to mark their sense of the way in which they estimated my conduct, and ordered a reward of £5. Joe, alias County Joe, was sentenced to 10 year.

ponal Borvitudo, and D. C. (Dudloy Coopor) to 15. Thia led to tho apprehenßion of the Old Squire, who was identified by tho late Judge Warren and convicted, as well aa a femalo named Townsend, for giving false tickets, and tho immediate apprehension of some twenty others holding situations under similar circumstances. All being convicted, tho srnng was now fairly broken up. One of tho latter servants may now bo soon not far off the Kensington Road, in livery, and filling the po.ition of hull porter, but thoroughly reformed. Should ho reud thia in " Tit-Bits," no doubt ho will obligo mo with a line in corroboration.

THE BEST STORY OF A NARROW ESCAPE.

Our house lay near tho railway. Thoro waa ■ a biidgo about a quarter of a milo down tho line ; between our house and the bridge lay tho station. Just opposite our houso was a small single lino, which branched oil" to lv , a small and unimportant littlo town. Our garden ran alone by tho lino, while a gap in the hedge and a jump over a ditch guvo roady access to tho metals. Nearly opposite but across the railway waa the doctor's house. One night my lather waa suddenly takon ill. About soven o'oiock or so, my mother bado me go and fetch tho doctor as quick as possible. Off I started, when I bethought myself, " Now, it's half a mile tv tho doctor's. I can make it fifty yards by crossing the rail. at tho bottom of our garden." I was down thoro like a shot, through tho hodgo, over tho ditch, and was jumping across tho metals, when, just as I reached the points of the branch lino, they closod with a snap, and my foot insido thorn, as linn as a vico. Just then I hoard a whistle and a banging of doors as the 7-10 train for X loft tho

station. My horrible situation flashed upon mo. I pullod and strained at my foot, all to no purposo :it was fast. What to do I didn't know, I was almost beside myaolf with fright. I thrust my hands into my pookota with tho vain hope of finding aomothiug. Nothing but a handkorchiof in them. Stay; here in a corner waa a bit of wood. I pulled it out. Joy of joya, it waa a match I I struck it— struck it, oh I so carefully j who shall say with what oogornoaa I watched tho tlomo, for on it dopondod my life. For a moment I thought it would go out in tho night air, but no ; it quivered a bit, grow a littlo largor, and finally dovelopod into a respectable flame. I lit my cap with it, waving it gently about to incroaao the blase. In a quarter of the timo it tukea to read thia I had got my cap in a full bla.o, and waa waving it madly to tho approach ing train. How cruol and rolontleaa tho front of tho ongino lookod aa it came nearer and nearer 1

Suddonly thoro was a tremendous and violent application of tho brakes. Sparks llew from tho wheels. Good luok I tho train was sonsibly atopping. Boliovo mo or not, when that train did como to standatill it waa not an inch farthor than half a yard from mo. Whon tho guard came to see what the obstruction was ho found a lad in a dead faint acroßa.tho motala.

That's tho only bit of romance in my life— not much, perhaps you'll Bay, but enough to make a man's tleah creep all tho same.

THE BEST COLONIAL CHRISTMAS STORY.

Nevbr can I forget Chriatmas Day in Victoria, 187 —. 1 mado one of a family party of 51 persons, all, with tho exception of five individuals, being mutually related.

It waa a happy gathoring. We sat down at about 3 p.m. to tables spread in tho dining-room, verandah, ana hall, with orthodox English Chriatmaa faro, and to our credit be it told that each ono waa amiable and gonial, if not merry, for when tho covors wero removed tho viands were instantly black with flies, and thia waa not exactly appetising. Converaation, also, had to bo carriod on, a? far aa _io langour consequent upon the heat would allow, in a high key, in ordor to be heard above that of thoso festively-disposed iuaocta. "Can you spare ua a fowl or aomothing!" was now and then heard from the window leading into the verandah. "We can bring you a fow flies in exchange I" A fow 1 Yes, indeed, for tho Bpeaker could bo recognised by voico alone, so donao was tho halo of flies through which he loomed.

'•Thank you," from our host, "butl think we havo enough for the proßont. At any rate, wo would not doprivo you for the world !"

But dinner was over, ot loat, and tho gueata diaporsed—mothers and aunts to dispose babioa and young children on couchea to refresh their weary little bodios ; gentleman to lounge about -, tho smokers smoking, others talking, groups of young men and girls to wander in the pictureaquo grounds seeking shade whore it might bo found—gradually, as was natural, aepara ting into couploa. Walter Grey and Alice Cou'tney, couslna in tho first degree, found thomßelvea wan dering down a narrow path towarda a wild part of the grounda, where a small creek, aoldom dry, auggeated coolneaa. There, taking off Bhoes and stockings, Walter prepared to wade in after some flowering reeda for his cousin. Suddenly she aiw nim atart and atrike with a awitch at Eomothing fast dißappearing in the buahes near—something grey and shim mering. Poor Alice, too terrified to scream, dragged her cousin to a more open part of the bank and made him ait down by her aide. Hia foot were dangling over the water. He let them drop in. "It la all over with mo, Alice, darling," he aoid. " They are all poisonoua. But I may as well stay here and die comfortably ; tho water is cool and pleaaant. Don't leave me. I want to tell you—" Ho atoppod, and Alice, following hia eyea, now expanded to their fullest size, and gazing at the water at his feet, aaw tho wounded foot covered with leeches, which fell off by dozens, awollon and dead. Silently the youth watched them. The terror in his face had given plaoe to curiosity ; but ho waa pale and exhausted. "I cannot leave him," tho girl murmured, placing her arms around him. "Ho might faint and fall into tho water. Oh I will no one come J" She suddenly screamed as sho felt her companion sink ing heavily back, a dead weight, in her arms. Her cry was heard by ono of the gardeners, who happened te be strolling by. Ho hastened up, seemed to take In the aitua tion, lifted the fainting youth in hia arms, and carried him to tho houso. Alice mean while found someone, whom sho sent to bring a medical man. Hia services, howovor, were not much needed. The leeches had dono what no medical skill could have aohieved. Walter recovered. Tho following Christmas Day bow nearly tho Bamo gathoring of friends at the same houao, the principal gueata being Walter and Alice, who were there spending thoir honeymoon.

Sanitary Improvements In Naples.

Every one in Nnplea fa at present intent on reforms, and reforms have already been commenced. Such a cleansing as Naples has undorgono, during the laat four or five months, it has not known since it waa built. Of what it is intended to do it ia auffioient to gay that tho projects of tho municipality have been embodied in the bill which ia now before tho Chamber of Doputiea, with every prospect of being passed. Two of the principal articles of the bill are a com plete aystem of sewerage and the construc tion of new streets, which 'Involves the destruction of many of those loathsome houses which wero the nests of disease. It ia calculated that it will take twelve years to effect these changes, and tho loan of 100,000,000 of lire ia to be propoaed, and will no doubt be eanctioned, for carrying them out. A writer in one of the Naples journala oakod a month ago : " And when the city is improved ond now, and healthy build inga havo been erected, what is to bo done with the foul inhabitants of the dirty quarters?" It is an important queation, for, unless vast changeß are made in the people themselves their new resi dences will become aa foul as their old ones. Pari passu, then, with knocking down and rebuilding, a regular moral training through tho medium of schoolß and other kindred institutions must bo introduced, so that the inhabitants may be trained and disciplined to enter on a healthy manhood. Commerce haanow begun to bring prosperity to Naples, and it might be much more increased were certain unwiae restrictions removed. Even before the cholera appeared complaints were made that the heavy anchorage duties levied prevented large ocean steamers from touching here. Tho British and Dutch steamers on their way to tho Levant and India passed by or merely gave a glance. This haa been a great loss for the commerce of Naples, and it is to be hoped that Parlia ment will have the wisdom to rescwd rogu lationa which the whole commerce of the city deplores.—"London Times Corr. Naples, December 2nd.

DOMESTIC DISCORD.

A Man With Two Wives Who Was Truo to

Neithor.

Nnw _o_K, January 11.—A cable special from London of January 10th Bays: The sad story of the domestic misery of an American couplo haa juat come to light through tho intervention of tho American 'egation in London. The husband ia Mr Hicks, a </tta.v.-journali_t, who was marriod at Buffalo in 1878 to Mia, Caroline Sloano, daughter of Judge Sloano of that city. It waß known that Hicks had beon married boforo, and in order to satisfy tho scruples of Miss Sloano ond hor relatives, ho mado an affidavit juat boforo hia second marriage that ho had not eeon hia first wife for over sovon years, and that ho believed aho was dead. Soon after their marriage Mr and Mrs Hicks oamo to England, and for tho past fow years they have lived in London. During this timo three children were born to thorn. From tho ilrHt, howovor, Mrs Hicks has boon haunted by the fear that tho first wifowaa alivo, and that Hicka would dosort his now family for hor. Elovon weeks ago Mrs Hicka found concoaled in tho bund of-Hicks's hat two photographs which had boon recently takon, and which corresponded with tho descriptions sho had heard of tho first Mrs Hicks. Hor husband had lately been vory romißs in hia atten tions to his family, and was spending more and moro of hia time away from homo. The Bocond wife waa satisfied that sho had boon wilfully dooeived for years, and sho fled from homo, taking hor three littlo children with her.

I Whon Hicks returnod to hia houao ho was 1 maddened to find that his victim hod i o.eupod, and seemed to bo specially angered by tho loss of his children. With tho aid of a firm of private detectives ho aootired London, and finally discovered the fugitives, who had taken refuge in a humble lodging behind a rag-shop in Nottiughill, and were almost absolutely destitute. Hicks roughly orderod his wife to roturn home. She taxed him with hia deceit, and he refused either to admit ho was guilty or to relieve her fears by denying the charge. He assorted hia marital authority, and threatened to have her arrested and hor children taken from her if alio did not apeedily roturn. In order to gain time and rid horself of hor tormentor for tho timo being, she promised that Bhe would return to Hioks's houso with her children on tho following Friday. Aa soon aa Hicks loft tho lodgings, Mrs Hlcka hurried to tho American Embassy and claimed protection ua a distressed American citizen. She related her history, exhibited proofs of Hicks's continued ill usage, and expressed her belief that his first wife was olive in London. Mr White, second Sec retary of the Legation, kindly ehampionod tho lady's cause, and secured lodgings for her and the children where they would bo Bate from molestation. In some way Hicks heard of this movement, and called upon Minister Lowell at tho lottei 'a private residence. Lowell had not hoard of tho case, but promised to give It hia attention and meet Hicks at tho offices of thoLogation on Monday. In the meantime White explained tho case to Lowell, who heartily approved White'a action. Hicka called, but waa re fused an Inteviow with Lowell. He retired with rage at this rebuff, and demanded hia wife's addreeß. This waa also ref üßed, and Hicka became still more angry. He raged up and down the office, blaspheming and vowing he would find meana to smash ovorybody concerned in what ho called a oonapiraoy to rob him of hia wife. Mr White was sent for, and calmly but reso lutely disputed Hioka'a right to the poaaoa sion of tho lady or hor ehildron. Thia pro duced a repetition of the yelling on Hlcka'a part, and the nolso brought Lowell to tho scene. Tbo appearance of the Minister pro duced an effect on Hicka aimilar to that caused by waving a red flag before a bull. Ho redoubled his stamping and oaths until his face beoame livid and hia speech inco herent withjrage. Lowell coolly waited for him to become oxhauatod, ond then said: " This lady haa not yot put horaelf undor my official protection. If she doea I will willingly givo it." Ho then questioned Hicka, who admitted that his firat wife waa alivo. He protested, however, that he would at once take steps to got a divorce from hor, and would then remarry hia second wife. In tho meanwhile he proposed to continue to live with tho latter lady.

Lowell was thoroughly dlsguatod by thia time, and indignantly loft the room. Hicks then became more violent than over, yell ing that he would move heaven ond earth to find his Caroline and hiß children, and Bweoring that at hia next viait ho would bring a rovolvor ond compel information aa to whore they wore hidden. Finally Hicka bocome bo violent and obstreperoua that a policeman waa sent for, and ho waa ejected from the Embaasy, still raving and vowing vengeanco. Ho proceeded to tho Police Court and demandod a aummon. for hia wifo, but the ma"ißtrato declined to Inter fere. Mr White naa since advanced monoy to enable tho unfortunate lady to return to her friends in America. She ia now on her way with her children to New York. Hicks will probably follow her.

A LEPER BURIED ALIVE.

Tho Horrible Fata of an Unfortunate

Old Chinaman.

li. tho village of Chimlong, near Lilong, where tho Basel Mission lias a station, the following aad event lately took plaoo : A man of 60 yoara of ago waa oflllctod with leprosy, and lived in a hut within the vil lage. The villiogors, olmoat all relatione of his, often urged tho old man to remove his hut outside tne village and live on tho hills, to prevent contamination, promising that they would alwaya provido him with food. However, tho leper did not wiah to leave tho village, nor dared his relatives presa him to do so. But the dreadful aicknoaa developed more and more, and tho dread of contamination was Increaeed thereby, bo that the relatives actually proposed to tho unfortunate man to put an end to hia mieorablo existence Thoy made him a present of a long coat for a shroud, but tho leper could not moke up his mind yet to die voluntarily.. Still, from that time he purchased a quantity of opium and kept it In readiness to bo used for committing suicide whonever he should seethe nocossity for doing ao. Lately It happened that the leper waa : lying aaleep in his hat. His son came and 1 wanted to bring him something to oat, but oalling Into the hut he received no anawor from the father. There waa soon a gather ing of people, but no one ventured to go in side tho hut. Some atones wore thrown at tho door, to see if the man took any notice of it, and as there waa still no sign of life In the hut, the goneral impression waa that the ocoupant was doad. It is well known that tho Chinese are very much afraid of a dead body, and in the case of a leper this fear ia greatly increaßod. There la alao an opinion that the disease ia propagated by certain flies feeding on tho corpse and carrying the poiaon of leproay everywhere, so that even vegetables grow ing in tho neighbourhood are considered to becomeinfected,andarethoroforedeßtroyed. Tho resolution was forthwith tekon to havo tho leper burled, and villagors pressed his son to make haste and havo the baaine.a done. He therefore went to a neighbouring village to engage eoolloa for digging a grave and carrying the corpse out. uuiing tho abaonco of the son the elder of the vil lage came to the scone, and, learning how matters stood, boldly oponed tho door and entered the hut to convince himself whether hia relative waa really dead, when, lo and bohold I It turned out that tho leper had only enjoyed a Bound Bleep, from which all the noise, and even the throwing of atonea at hia door, had not been able to diaturb him. Seeing that there hod been a miatoke, the eldor Bent at once a mesaogo to tho son in inform him that hia father waa not dead, and no coolies were needed to bury him However, the cooliea had been engaged for a certain sum of money and came along with the aon, ready to do tho work which was required of them, or, at all oventa, to receive the promised pay. After some do liberation tho villagers unanimously put it before the leper that as things had come to this paBB he had better make up hiß mind and allow the funeral of himself to go on. To this the unfortunate man consented, and took le»ve of hia daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, enjoining upon her to feed the two pigs well and alao take care of tho poultry. A coffin was now provided and the shroud redeemed from the pawnahop. A fowl was killed and rice and pork pro vided aa a farewell dinner for tho leper.

Next morning very early the proceaaion atarted from the hut. First came the coffin carried by the coolies and behind it walked the leper to hia grave, the son and the elder bringing up the rear, carrying the shroud and the pot which contained the opium. Having moved up a hill to a distance of about two miles from the village, the party halted and a grave was dug. The leper took a last meal and then awollowod the opium. After thia he put on the shroud and a pair of shoes ana laid himeolf down in the coffin, when the coolies put the lid on it, without'waiting till the leper should have lost consciousness, _nd lowered the coffi. into tf}6 gW_3.

LONDON THE GREAT.

Undoubtedly tho Wonder of tho Modorn World.

I HAVE frequently pointed out howobaolutely distinct London ia from tho Engliah pro vinces in regard to tho influencea of trade doproaaion, political excitement, or tho aon sational daya of war. London ia bolioved to bo about tho oxact centre of Uio world, it la tho hoart of the British Empire. Every year It ia oasier for foreigners, Americana, colonials aud provincials to get to London ; and every year tho visitors and atrangora paaaing through her gates grow and in crease, It la suid that we have continually within our boundaries 2,000,000 forolgnora from every quarter of tho gloho ( that wo have more Jowa than Palostino, mora Iriah than Dublin, moro Koman Catholics than Komo, moro Scotchmen than Edinburgh, moro Wolahmen than Cardiff and Swansea ; and wo are all tho time increasing our met ropolitan attractions. We aro practically rebuilding London. New theatres, new muaic halls, now hotels, now railway depots, now atroota, moot you at overy turn; and tho projocta now before Parliamentary committees for future extension, aud improvements aro on the most tremendous scale. London is, un doubtedly, tho wondor of tho world. Ono day Now York may bo, or Chicago may bo, or Boston may be. Philadelphia cortainly rivals our greatest manufacturing citiea. Washington is more beautiful than Chelten ham, and quite as luxurioua aa Bath. Brooklyn Ib beginning to rival our Surrey aido of tho water, and ovorybody ugroos that tho United States ia the coming great domi nating commorcial powor of the future. Meanwhile, London is pre-ominontly the groat, " Great City," and, strange to say, during tho last year it might oo called tho moat boautiful of cities, for oddly onough, wo had a climate, for tho first timo for aomo yoara. Tho weather has been singularly bright, tho Bki_a_ high and clear, the atmoaphoro dry, and it has boon generally noted that our autumn foliage has almost suggested somo of the gay and im- f losing colours of tho Amorican fall and ndian summor. This very month of No vombor, which stands, aa it wore, accursed in the calendar, haa boon full of climatic charm. Tom Hood'a description, "No aim, no moon, no atnrs, no t'other eldo tho way —November," has for many and many a year been applicablo to this autumn period of London. Thia year, howovor, wo havo had bright aunshino, and followingonoßnow storm, the month of December has come In glorloaaly. Tho air is cold, it is truo, but it is clear and bracing. Tho roads aro dry and hard. At night in the suburba you can hoar the echo of horsea' hoofs aa tnoy boot tho maoadam or wood, homeward bound from theatre, reoeptlon, or con oort. In tho daytlmo London Ueo biißy that thU common ory of bad trado aooms quite out of place here. From oaat to west the stroota are lined with pooplo puahlng their way in two great streama, coming and going. Thia ia the condition of the Bidewolks. The streets are lined with carriagea, caba and waggons. Every day Regent-atreet and Bond-atreet will show a deadlock. Ono day thia week I counted fivo Bolid rows of vehlclea -, two oiroulated towarda tho oaßt, two towards tho wost, and in tho centre a lino of omni bußoa and carta. Doro'a pioturea of London Btreeta, moro particularly hie Bkoteh of Ludgato Hill, aro often aoid to bo oxag-. goratlons of traffic. They aro not. It ia true ho may aomotlmes havo taken what would bo called the buaiest period of tho day to fix his picture j but none of them give you an idea of a fuller street than tho reality in the groat Woat End thoroughfare which I witnessed thia week. You could ' have walked upon tho tops of the carriages far moro easily than "Eliza " of " Unolo Tom'a Cabin " upon the ioe-blooka of tho Ohio Rivor. All thia, no doubt, aeonis para doxical in connection with tho reports of bad trado i but in regard to London, as I have said before, It must bo remombored . that it ia the centre of European ontorpriao, the morkot of the world, tho loadatono of all groat achemos, and the pawnshop of Christendom. Everybody comos to London i provincials, forolgnora, blacks, whites,; peasants, poets, princes, merchants, inventors, millionaires, thieves, swindlora, philanthroplsta, and aight-Boers. Among ' our lateabarrivalatliia week, by a Peninsular and Oriontal steamer from Brind_i, wero tho flrat contingent of a great number of Japanese, male and fomalo, who aro to pooplo a Japanese native vlllago whioh is to bo opened ahortly at Albert Gate, Hyda Purk, under Royal and arieto oratic patronage. It ia intended to mako this a porfoctly repreaontativo little Jop onoao town, with varioua industries, cub terns, and gonoral life aa in Japan. Wo had a aucceaafuland interesting littlo community of ChincßO in tho department of the Health Exhibition ; but this ia a new departure San* FrancißOO has its Chinatown, with a thousand diaabilitioa | but London will havo Ita Japonose village as a toy, and with all tho charms and Bweots, and without any of the filth and immorality.— Joaoph Hatton in "Chrlatian Union."

THE WORK OF A FANATIC

Horrible Tragody in tho Family of a Spiritualist.

Portland, December 29.— An "Aregonian" apooial from Chehalia, W. T., gives par ticulars of a dood unpnrallolod in tho history of this soction. William Pearson, a well-to do ond respectable formor with a wife and child, was visiting Mrs Pearson's father, Judge Dillabough, near Chehalia. All re tired at tho umial hour last night In good apirits. This morning Mr and Sirs Pearson wore found on tho bod with their throats cut and their infant child dead, ovidently killod by Bomo blunt instrument. Tho parenta, though not dead, wore half frozen. Pearson waa revived during the day, and this evening stated that after ho retired and had gone to Bleep he received a command from aome high unseen power to kill his ohild. This he did with a hammer. Then ho awakonod hia wife and ahowod her what he had dono, and sold If she would cut hor throat ho would do tho same. Ho wont to tho kitchon, got o carving-knife, ond handod it to his wife, who cut hor throat. Ho im mediately did the aame. It Is bolioved he will recover, but his wife will probably die. Friends of thoirs explain tho tragody from the fact that both aro strong bolievors in spirituali-n. Judgo Dillabough, father of Mrs Poareon, is ono of tho foremost oitizons of Lewis county, and tho family ia woll known throughout tho country. Tho terrl blo affair haa created great excitement in the neighbourhood.

Portland, Docembor 30.—A apocial from Chehalis, W. T., states that the physicians who were called to soo Pearson pronounce hia ca.o delußionary insanity. He now imagines himself Jobub Chriat, and says that ovoryono muat obey him. Unleas he teara opon tho wound in hia throat, he will proba bly recover and bo takon to the oaylum. The report that hia wife cut her own throat was unfounded, but alio offered no resistance whon he cut her throat. He made five crashes, two cutting into the windpipe, one completely cutting off tho "Adam'a applo," and two IeBB eorious. She cannot recover. The child waa a two-year-old girl, and waa killed by creasing a stick of stovowood upon her chest, crushing tho ribs into the heart, and then by a blow on tho head. Poarßon was considered the best spiritual moditim in the neighbourhood. Hia father Is an ex-County Judge, and his father-in-law a preaent County Judge. They had lived near Chehalis thirty-two years, and alwaya stood high in tho esteem of the citizepa of the entire county.

The Vti .-, ...,'; .Meh. It i. iv. ■!*■ : ' •' • late Mr Collinß, M.P. in- K...,i.->. ■ it iio.i'y a million pounds sterling. _ i- is .>.> ex j.-goration, but he died very rich indeed. In ids habits he waa as methodical as he was penurioua. When in London he lived in one room on the third floor, in Charloa street, and took hia very frugal meala at the Carlton Club. For years he never spent more than four ahiilinga and sixpence a doy; in fact, this was the sum he provided himself with overy morning. His breakfaat, consisting of too and one nluffin, never varied; hie dinner was a cut from the joint; between the two meals he neither ate nor drank. His wardrobe comprised two suits of morning clothes, which he wore on alternate days, and an evening suit. He never had a great noat or rug, although he always travelled third class by train, and he used to boast that he had not been in a hired vehicle for twenty years. In the country he would go out with a basket and purchase ior cash, from his own tenants, the proviaions he wanted. As he was unmarried, and leaves an only sister, it will be interesting to learn, when his will is proved, if he hod any object in practising auch rigid parsimony. Penu-' riousneas waa, however, hia only fault, for he _ was in every other respect a most amiable and Sgreeoblp man.—"London Truth,"

NEW POEM BY LORD TENNYSON.

Osis of tho standing wonders of our litera ture ia the small amount of attention which English dramatists havo given to tho story of tho great English ecclesiastic who, onco upon a timo, waa murdered In Canterbury Cathedral. In tho Shakc.poarinn ago men had hardly given up regarding Thomas il Bockot aa a martyr and aaint, whoao col lected bones worked miracloa, and for that reason tho story of hia fate may have ap peared shut out from poetical troatmont by the canon which forbids tho introduction of religion on to tho stage. In modern timoa tho tondonoy haa beou Just tho reverse, and instead of regarding Becket aa a saint, hi.itoriana have boon apt to con demn him as a self-Hooking aud ambitious upstart, who played tho gamo of tho Church of Komo, but played it badly, and lost hialife in consoquonbo. Our Poet Luureate has now como forward to do what no poet of tho firat rank haa yot dono —to presout to tho Eugliali-epeakiug race a vivid word picture of the prelate and statesman whoso murdor in tho crypt of his own cathedral, will always appeal strongly to feelinga of sympathy and pity, whatever may bo thought of his character and tho objects of hia life. "Becket" (Macmillan and Co.) is tho first work of any magnitude which Lord Tennyson has given to tho world since he became a Peer of tho Roalra. It will, wo need hardly aay, be widely road and atudiod, and it will probably bo judged not to fall below the previous ossaya in dramatio writing upon which ita illustrious author haa ventured, Perkapa In tho dollnoation of character this poom surpasses " Harold," and oertainly is as auitablo for representa tion on tho atago'aa " Quoon Mary." But Lord Tonnyaon, in his short dodicntfon of tho work to Lord Selborne, distinctly dls claimß tho idea that, " in Its presont form," tho drama ia "intondod to moot the exigencies of our modern theatre." There are, however, numerous scenes scattered throughout the play whloh in form and spirit aro Intensely dramatic, and Lord Tennyaon haa written few finer poasogos, considered merely as pootry and apart from its "acting" capabilitioa, than that in which Bockot determines to aundor himself from tho side of tho King and uphold the authority of tho Churoh instead. Tho play opona spiritedly with a scone botween the two chlof historical characters who figure in it. King Henry 11. and Bockot, his chanoellor, "are dieoovered " seated at a table In a Normanby oaatle playing choaa. Tho King playa wildly, aB might be expected oonaidoring that ho la also explaining to Bockot bis intention to " ouvb Holy Churoh." Ho wlblios to find an Arohblahop of Canterbury who will help him In thia oblect, and who will orown the young prinoo la order that the Pope's In terdict may fall harmlcaa. Tho scone In whloh ho propoßea to Beoket that he shall bo mado arohblahop Is striking: Ific.RY, Who shall orown him J Canterbury le dying. Bkokut. The next Canterbury. Henry. And who shall he be, my friend Thomas? Who. Bec__t. Natno him j tho Holy Father will confirm him. ' Husky (toi/» his hand on BecJcot'. ehmddcr). Hero I B_k_c__. Mook me not) lam not svoo a monk. Thy Jest—no more. Why—loot— la thia a sleovo For an arohblaho»l Himrt. But the arm within la Socket's, who hath beaten down my foes. Bocket'a answer Is In tho form, |'Nolo, oplscopari," to whloh tho King replies that "Nolo Arohlepiaooparl" is quite another matter. What Bocket'a character is we find at least shadowed forth in Henry's own es timate of him, early in the poem :

Como. come, I lore thee, and I know theo, I know thoe, A dolor on white pheamnt-lloh at foaitfl, A -auco-ilovlwr for thy days of flsh, A di_li-de_Knor, and moat amorous Of good old rod sound liberal Uascon wlno. Thon, In tho fine aceuo whoro Bockot Is doubting whether or not to accept tho King's offer of the archbishopric, ho con firms the above view of hia aeeulor leanings in private life. Tho whole pasaoge, wo may remark, ia on* of the finest in the E1 oom, ond diaplaya Lord Tennyson at his est. Bockot is speaking to hit friend, Herbort Boeham, and n.k>—

Am 1 the man . That ranu Within my head last night, and when I riopt Muthourht I ntooil in Canterbury Minster. Anil spiiko to tho Lord God, and Bald, " O Lord, J havo been a lovar of wlnci, and delicate moats. And secular splendours, and a favourer Of player a. and a oourtter. anil a (order Of dogs and hawks, and apes, and lions, and

lynxos. Am / tho man I" And the Lord answered m«, " lhou am, tho man. and all tho more the man."

And he procoods to describe to his friend how in hia dream ho received a warning of tho fate which would await him :

And then I asked aifaln, " O Lord my God, Honrv tho i>'lux hath been my frloiul, my brother, And mini) upllfl_rin this world, ond chonon me Kor tnls thy icreat Archbishopric, bolioTinff That I should go aifolnet tho Church with Mm, Aurt 1 shall go nR-iilnut him with the Uhuroli, And I have said no word of this »o him:

Am I the ni*n V And the _ord answered mo, " Thou art the man. and oil tho more tho man," Anil thereupon, methought. He drow tow.rd mo And smote uio down upon tho Minster floor, I foil.

Bcsidca confiding to Becket the soe of Canterbury, Henry haa also entrusted him with the secret of Fair Rosamund's bowor. Thia lady playa a prominent port in tho tragody; It ia «ho of whom tho King ia apeaking to Bockot in tho opening scene, and she ia present at the lost, aa a cowled nun, whon the arohbishop is murdered. There are numeroua acenoa whore her light and childish nature ia well depicted, ono particularly, where ahe i« found by Queon Eleanor—according to tho historical tale —and offered the choice of death by poiaon or tha dogger. In Lord Tonnyson'a drama Beokot entora in time to stay tho enraged Quoen's hand, just whon Rosamund haa tent her boy Geoffrey from the room, and has accepted tho secona' alternative. Eleanor tells her that her choice ia a good one, for tho poiaon would havo

moated thy beauty ont ef ahapo, ond mado Thy body loathsome even to thy child, While this but loaves the* with a broken heart, A doll-faoo, blanohod and bloodless.

Fair Roßamund throughout la tho " doll faco," the summer bird that hates the cage in whloh Henry haa enclosed her. Her appeal to Beokot for liberty la very touch ing :

Poor bird of passage Iso I was; but father, They Bay that you aro wise In wlng.d things. And know tho wan of Nature. Bar tho bird From following tho lied summer—a chink—ho's

out, Gone I And there stole into tho olty a breath Full of the meadows, and It minded me Of the sweet woods of Clifford, and the walks Whore I could move at pleasure, and I thought Lo I I muat out or dlo.

When tho King hoars of the auddon change of hia archbishop from obedience to dofianco, hia reaontment at what he con ceivea the treachery of tho man whom ho haa advanoed bla.ea out uncontrollably. Ho oxclaima :—

I ralaed him from tho puddle of the gutter. I mado him poroolatn from the olay of tho olty. Thought that I know him, orrod through love of him, Hoped, were ho choaon Archbishop, Church and Crown, Two alatera gliding In on equal dance. Two rlvere gently flowing aldo by Bido—

But no I A very fine aceno follows, where Beoket, disguated with the earl, and courtiera who leave htm, calls in the holt and the lomo from the streots, and says, " These are my eoris," and Bets them to banquet on venison ond drink French wine. We muat for bear quoting the beautiful lyrical duet, which, sung outeide Rosamund's bowor, ushers in the second act. The'last scene of all is that which is the climax of the play, as of the whole story of Becket, and Lord Tennyson haa skilfully led up to it. If it ia not quite equal to the battle soone at the ond of "Harold," it ia yet full of dignity and power. When the baronß have burat into the Cathedral, and the monka have fled frightened, they offer Beoket terma for hfs life :

De Morviixe. Abaolvo the bishops. Beoket. Nover— Except they make Biibmisaion to the Church. You had mv answer to that cry boforo. D_ Morviixe. Why, then, you are a dead man; flee I Beckkt. I will not. I am readier to bo Blain than thou to alay. Hugh, I know well thou hast but halt a heart To batho thia sacred pavement with my blood. God pardon thee and these, but God'a full curse Shatter you all to piecea it ye harm One of my flock I The motive for the murder at the clo3e ia represented to be a? much Eitzurae's dealre to be revenged for private wrongs aa any real desire to plehse the King. Becket, in fact, is made a martyr to private malice more t!'- •to a sense of public justice. He falls cxc uning that he is killed " For thy Church"; and the play cloaes with the rapid cxi" of the murderers from the cathedral, the bursting of a great thunder storm, and the body of Becket left alone, with Rosamund Been kneeling over it. The close is intensely and splendidly dramatic. The noble author ia to be congratulated on the Bustained spirit and power which he has imparted to a work which will always remain an admired monument, though not the most admired or the greatest, of hia poetical genius,

LATE LONDON LIFE

Goselp About tho Upper Ton-Thousand in

tho Great Metropolis,

Canon Liddon preached to an immonso con gregation on a recent Sunday afternoon in St. Paul's Cathedral on the fear of men. Ho told a story of tho late Sir Robert Pool with quiot dignity ordering his carriage when at a dinnor-party Christianity was denied, saying that ho waa sorry to retire, but that ho waa atlll a Christian ; while, without approving of tho truncated creed or singular molhoda of the Salvation Army, tho canon praised its followers for thoir not boing ashamed of what thoy professed. Ladies of rank and fushion, mombors of Parliament, lawyora not a few, distinguished medical men, agriculturists up in advanco for tho Cattle Show, and the U3ual numbor of Americans wero present. Quukoriam has boon atartlod by the an nouncomout of the intended marriage of ono of its members to a viscount. Miaa Beatrico Pease, tho lady in question, ia tho daughter of a late minuter in tho body, ia a mombcr of ono of tho wealthiest of tho Quaker familios, and is alao related to tho Sturgea of Birmingham. Those who knew tho friends of v gonoration ago will at onco murk tho greatness of tho change. Lord Sydnoy waa down at Windsor Castlo last wook on ono of his periodical visits to the Queon. Sinco the doath of tho Princo Consort, Lord Sydnoy has acted aa Hor Mftjoaty'a principal confidential advisor concerning hor money matters, and ho al ways audits hor private accounts. Tho othor day, Bays " Truth," o curious caso camo boforo Mr Justico Chitty. A gentleman namod Pound loft a will by which ho bequeathed hia entire property to his wife, Mra Pound. A gentleman called Jackeon also loft a will by which tho lady who was known as Mra Jackson becamo his aolo legatee. Pound ond Jaokaon evontually turned out to bo ono and tho samo poraon, and tho queation arose as to who was en titled to hia proporty. It aeema a moat extraordinary thing that a man could not only load a completely dual existence un detected, but ahould almost deceive him self into belioving that ho waa two different poraona. If a family likoa to put before tho name of its head the word duko, marquia, earl or baron, there ia no reason why onyono ehould intorforo with thia harmless fad. The only difference between "lord"and "sir" ia a word of four lottere and "sir" of threo letters, and wero anyone to wish to be habitually addressed by hia dependents by a word of a dozon lottorß, no harm would be dono by gratifying him. For my cart, I should bo perfectly willing to address a shoeblack as " your royal Tiighnesa," if I thought that it would add to hia happi ness.

It appoara that tho Duko of Cumberland has come into another goodly fortune, in a aingularly unoxpeoted mannor. Tho Duko of Brunswick loft to him hia villa at Heit zing, with all ita contents, and on opening a certain iron safe on the premisea, coins, notoa and Btocks wore found to tho value of £100,000.—"Tho World."

DYNAMITE IN LONDON.

Further Particulars of tho London

Biidgo Explosion.

London, December 18th.—Researches Into tho oxplosion on London bridge causes a sensation. Tho disclosures show that tho outrage was planned with an amount of cool noßa, determination, and foresight hithorto uucrodited to terrorists. Everything proves the participators in tho plot must have re mained beneath the bridgo a quarter of an hour, doapito the awiftneaa of tbo current. Tho work was prosecuted with immense dilliculty, but the doop shadowa were suffi cient to prevent detection. It la boliovod that a chemical f uao ignited tho exploaivea, giving the conapirotora time to land and oatoh tho tidal train for Paria. A keeper of a tavorn at which throe auapocted mon took rofroahmonta describes tho tallest of thorn, who was evidently the leader, aa a froo and easy, Intelligent man. He paid the bill at tho tavern, but objected to taking adrink on board the boat. It is noteworthy that the tide of Saturday was lower than it had boon for months past or will bo until apring { olao that tho hour selected was when it was lowest, proving that tho plot was carefully laid. It is proposod to übo submarine eloctrlc light to enablo the diver to examine tho extent of dairiago to the bridgo. , , Granville and Gladstone aro provldod with extra guards sinco the oxplosion. London, Docomber 18th.— Col. Magindio, Chief of tho Department of Exploaivos, aays, in hia report about tho oxplosion at London Bridgo, that the dynamite was probably Buaponded to the grating over tho aowcr-hole at the base of the pior. The force of tho oxplosion waa much greater than waa suppoaod at firet. Several etonoa wore badly shifted and jointa opened. A curb-atone at the bottom of the Bewor* was pulverised, und a diver found fieauroa in tho pior extending six feet into the bed of tho river, into some of which ho could thruat hia hand to the wrist. The damage to the bridge, however, is merely auporlicial, and tho Btrongth of *he atructuro remaina unaffected.

A DUDES DISCOMFITURE

Tho "Doatroo" Opera Company Make Unoj-pooted Uso of a Foolish. Letter.

Auokq the diaadvantagoa of tho poaltion of prima donna of the light opera are tho innumerable miesives from maaculine ad. mirera, sometimes tender and apologetic, but often grossly Impertinent. Laat even ing, dospite the watchful care of the stage doorkeeper at Harerly'a Theatre, a note waa delivered to Miaa Lily Post, who waa singing tho title rolo in " Deairee." It read aa follows: My Dear Mies Poet: I have aeon your charming impersonation of Desiroo, and am desiroua of beooming acquainted with you, and for that purpose invite you to sup with me after the performance. I am aware that I have more cheek than brains, but I have plenty of money and am a New Yorker. I ahall bo aeated on tho alxtii row loft, third aeat from tho centre aialo. If you aocept my Invitation, when you come forward for your aolo in tho second aot pleaso wink with your right eye. I will have a carriage at tho stage door. Amused, In spite of her vexation, at the insufferably cool impertinence of the letter, Miss Post exhibited it to . arieua members of tho company. It was resolved that the concoitod Now Yorker should be punißhed, and in aB open a manner aa poasiblo. So when tho curtain rose on the second act and the wholo company was on tho stage, Mr De Wolf Hopper, who, aa Pommerot, should bo the first to speak, walked deliberately to the too-light with the letter in his bands, and putting on his eyeglasses, began to count, in a manner, which attracted tne attention of the entire audience, until he singled out tho New Yorker, who waa beginning to squirm under such close scrutiny. Mr Hopper then removed hia glaaaoa, and, after once more glancing at the letter, alowly and Bolemnly winked hia right eyo and pointed over bis shoulder toward the back door. The audience by this time began to euspect the position of affaire, and all eyea were fixed upon the alxth row. Then Mark Smith stepped to the front, and inthe same manner aa Mr Hopper winked ond pointed over hia shoulder, while tho unlucky dude aeemed trying to shrink out of aight behind his neighboura. But the end waa not yet, for, aa though at a concerted eignal, the en_ tire company, principalaandchorua, fastened their gaze upon tho now thoroughly un comfortable young man, and each deliber ately winked the right eyo. Thia waa too much for hia dudeship, and, riaing in hia seat, he beat a hasty and inglorioua retreat amid shouts of laughter.—" Philadelphia Press."

A Mysterious Crime

Anohier mysterious crime attributed to the Nihilists has just been discovered at Moscow. The police had their attention attracted to the cellar of an old, unoccupied building, by the terrible smell which pro ceeded from tho place. They fsund in the cellar the decaying corpse of a young man, whose identity had been effectually destroyed by the use of vitriol. The fluid had been liberally dashed over tho victim, and hia head, neck, cheat and arms were burned. In addition to this hia head had been smashed, and two large stones with which this evidently had been done were found, covered with blood and tufts of hair, lying near the body. The police believe the victim was some young etudent who had joined tho Nihilists and betrayed some of their secrets. Their theory is that he was decoyed into the cellar by the conspirators, and after being disfigured by vitriol finally murdered and left to rot. Search is being made in the various colleges to ascertain it any of the etndente are missing.

A PIASTER HAND.

Dueino the reign of Louis Napoleon, I waa engaged on tho dotoctivo forco, and by aevera! very lucky operations, found myself ono of tho very best nwuchards in Paria, and when Baron Vincent desired ono of the most acute men, I waa detailed for the purpose. I waa much aurprised to be rocoivcd < by tho Baronoaa Vincent inatead of his high ness. That, however, waa explained, and in o few moments I was in possession of tho facta of the case. Simple enough, and yet withal terribly porplexiiig. " A magnificent emerald necklace was missing two daya ago," tho lady informed me, " and some time thia morning it waa discovered that a priceless diamond set waa alao stolon."

Tho baroness had taken tho diamonds in her handa while hunting for tho emerald necklace, alio declarod; since which timo blio had aeon nothing of thorn. I mado a thorough examination, but dis covered nothing upon which to baso a clue. I could not oven satisfy myself as to whether tho valuablea had boon takon by professionals from tho outsido, or by come ono within.

I bowod niysolf out of tho distinguished lady's prosonco, and wont homo to Btudy tho caso.

You may imagine my aurpriso, tho very next day, to learn that another and almost equally valuable diamond bracelet had dis appeared in an equally myaterioua manner. in tho questioning I was obliged to detain the titled dnmo for tho best part of an hour. Wo of course booamo wonderfully friendly, that ia, considering the difference of our stations in life, and in course of converaation tho baroness told me hor eldest daughter. Mademoiselle Olga, waa aoon to bo married to Morquia Tardieu, a Moxioan gentleman of excooding wealth, of middle age, very dark complexion, and the blackoat of eyes and hair. When at last I could no longer delay my departure, I rose to leave, and passing into a second salon, I stopped suddenly before a plaster hand faatened againat a mat of purple velvet hung on the wall. It waa Buch an odd thing that my inquisi tivenoaa waa arouaed. I exclaimed—

"At the risk of being rude, Bareness Vincent, may I ask is their any special sig nificance in this—ia it simply a new feature of tho bric-a-brac craze ?"

"Yes," she answered smiling, "I presume It la. It is censidered very fashion able for dear friends to exchange a model of thia sort instead of picturoß. It ia quite en regie to have the hand or foot moulded." "Ah!" I answered, smiling in turn. " You people of wealth havo many ways of üßing your monoy. I presume this ia the hand of your husoand '! "Ah, no I 'tis not tho baron's, but a caat of the Marquis Tardieu's hand, which he presented to hia Intended brido, Made moiselle Olga." She lifted it from the nail and passed it to me for examination. In my time I have dabbled in all the ologles, and among them had interested myself in palmistry, there fore, I looked at the mould with consider able care.

I became deeply Interested aa I turned it over. It waa remarkable for the develop ment of the palm on the side of the little finger, and the exceeding length of the thumb.

Deßbarollea, the acknowledged authority on palmiatry, states that tnls onlarged devolopmeut indicates the Instincts of an assassin; the length of the thumb, in flexible will; while tho line of life encircling the baso of the thumb, which was deep and wide, proolaima a thief, and when joined with the other peculiarities, apoke again of murder.

I had examined the hands of a great many rascals, and had more than ordinary belief in the indications. I handed it back to tli6 noble damo, with the remark that it was a vory peculiar hand. I am cure B_e road eomothing of the distrust I felt for the owner of Buoh a palm, for she remarked— "The Marquis is doubtleßß a ohorming gentleman, but I must own that neither I nor my daughter ia ao enraptured aa the baron. There now," smiling again, "you will think me exceedingly indisoreet." Tho remark waß strange, and I could not but wonder at the singular apooch of the lady and the rapidity of our Intimacy. I wanted to know more of thia marquis, and found that he frequented a noted gambling-house in the Rue do Marat; therefore I mado it my buainoss to visit it frequently. He nevor visited the place alone; he wus alwaya accompaniod by o grey-haired old man nomed Do Liale. The saloon was kept by a Spanish woman, whoso reputation was none of tho best, although tho place was one of tho moat faßhionable in Paria.

One night I found play very hot and furiouß. A young man opposite tho mar quia bad been winning largely. Other players crowded around, with, tho Spanish woman and De Lielo watching tho game. I caw the marijuia draw a card from his aleevo, with which he replaced ono in his hand. Luck bogan to turn, and the young man began to pass over hia coeh to his un scrupulous antegoniat. This continued until the young fellow placed the whole of his money on the table. Among other accomplishmonta I am a ven triloquist. When, therefore, I saw the marquis about to play a king taken from his iloeve, I cried, in a voice which ap peared to proceed from under hia feet— "You are a thiof, Marquis Tardiou I" Thiachargo breaking the deathly still nosa which had prevailed but a moment boforo, startled the houso. Tho marquis, unaware of the real speaker, lost his aelf possossion, and pushing back his chair, loft two kings of hearts upon the board. It woe plain that the marquis was a rascal, and great confußion followod. •Do Lisle took advantage of the diversion and dropped both doublo cards into the pocket of the young man. The marquis, recovering himself, and aware of De Liale's operation, insisted that both he and hie victim should bo searched, when it would bo easily proved who was the real swindler.

The oarda were found upon the young man. , From what I had now seen I was aatißfled that in some woy Marquis Tardieu bad managed to ateal the precioua atones. I called upon the baroness the next day, and, by dint of questioning, conneoted the marquis with the stolen jewellery, although I did not arouso any suspicion. He had been so far above suaploion aa the intended husband of Olga Vincont that it never oo ourred to me to inquire into hia oppor tunities. I was not yet prepared to denounce him, for I wished to recover the gema, and contented rayaelf by remarking to my agrooable client— "I agree with you in mistruatlng the marquis. I beg of you to cancel the engagement with your daughter at once, before Paria is ringing with the oscapades of the Marquis Tardieu 1" Before she could question mo more closely I withdrew. The marquis, I felt convinced, was for too wiee to at tempt the sale of the stolen gems in Paris. I did not want to alarm him by aoarching hia baggage ; and besides, I felt tolerably sure that the atonea would be concealed In some very peculiar way. It was possible, indeed, that they were placed in some safe deposit company'a vault, out of which it would bo next to impoßßiblo to reacue them, since wo hod no legal proof of Tordieu'a connection with them. To fasten the crime securely upon him it became neoesaary to diacover the

corns on his person. ° After the scene in the gambling-room, the most expert shadows were placed upon tho marquis and his grey-hairea accomplice. Confident that the marqais would scent danger from the action of Baron Vincent in cancelling the marriage contract, and that his next move would be to get the stolen jewels out of France, I inatructed tho ahadows to renewed vigilance, with orders to summon me upon the first sign of a journey, and the word waß not long delayed. " Ah," I said to myself, as I saw the two take a cab, and observed that De Lisle was evidently about to travel, "so, my grey haired friend, you expect to take those jeweis out of Paris ? Not if I can prevent it." They repaired to the Safe Depoait Com pany of Paris, and in ten minutes came outside, where they bade each other good-bye. I observed Do Lialo waa very careful with a leather travelling bag. Leaving one of my men to keop De Liale in view, I searched several stores until I obtained the exact counterpart of tho article. I reached the station in time to board the train, and by seeing the guard, got into the some carriage with De Liale. In due time I obtained his Batcbel and left mine. I had the jewela, but when he opened my satchel he would find my card, to be handed with my compliments to Marquia Tardieu. We may imagine his astonishment on diacovering the trick by which he lost his valuable plunder.

A Clerical Elopement.

I Const.k.atio. waß depicted upon many faces on Sundny last In a certain church. It was caused by tho elopemont of a young and talented lady, tho wife of tho rev. gentleman who is pastor of tho said church. It became known early in tho morning that , she had ilod with one of the lending mem bers of tho congregation. The rei*. gontlo man, who is a most worthy man, is greatly oast down over tho infidelity of hia wife and tho cupidity of tho member of hia church— a churchwarden—and an activo member in tho Sunday-school. There is much sym pathy expressed for the clergyman. _ His wife lenvea two children, aged respectively two and five yeara. She is a prepoßaesaing lady, and had many admirere. She was activo in church circles, and seemingly co much attached to her family that her hus band and friends never suspected anything wrong botween hor and tho churchwarden. True, tho churchwardon's lavish atten tion to the clergymon'a captivating wife caused come comment. Ho Boomed to bo constantly at hor Bide. At church parties ho was frequently hor eacort and guiding star, and loved to baak in hor smiles. In Sunday-school thoy united in solving knotty Biblical problems, and Bang from the Bamo hymn-book. When forced to acparate at tho closo of tho services, tho churchwarden is alleged to have tenderly pressed the lady's hand and whispered somothing into her ear. It appeara that she did not dls courago the " gentleman's " advaucea. Al though he was frequently at the parsonage and aang in a deep base voice at tho har monium with tho lady, the pastor was unsußpecting. He always considered tho churchwardon as one of the most loyal parishioners, and waa dazed by the shock no received on Sunday at learning that his wife had eloped with him. The lady did not inform her husband that she waa about to leave her home, and ho had no idea that sho had gone until he reoeived a telegram Baying that she " waa happy with her dear Tom, and would never return to tho paraonago." This opened the poor clergyman's oyes, and ho at length came to the conclusion that ehe had gone, whither he know not. Tho frienda of

"dear Tom" say that tho pair have gone to Paris, where the churchwarden has a sister living.—" Modern Society."

Temperance and Life Insurance.

By far tho most valuable testimony as to whether or no total abstinence tends to pro long life ia that of life insurance statistics, when attainable; for actuaries have no theory to prove, but are obliged to seek exact truth in the interest of business. The Whittington Life Inauronce Company of London has for over twenty years divided its poHoy-holders into a temperance section, composed of all who will make application as total abatainers, and a general section, including all others ; and the manager in a recent addresß gave some of the results, which are very remarkable and instructive The Uvea even in the general section are se lected with aa rigid an exclusion aB poaaible of all intemperete peraons, bo the com parison is not between temperate men and aots, but between total abatainers and moderate drinkers; and tjjadeath-rate has in ai_ years been 45 per tfWW^n tho_ tern peranco section, against 101 per 1,000 in tho general section, with tho difference increas ing instead of diminishing. It ia true that the Uvea in the former section averaged thirty yeara old at tho time of inauring, ngainat thirty-six in tho latter, so that tho difference is not quite so extreme aait looks; but even so, theße statistica-are startling, and justify the strongest statements of tem peranco agitators. The manager also states that 12 per cent of those who insure aa total a_Btainera backslide within ten yeara ; that tho temperance aeotion die off rather faater from consumption and bronohitis than the other (we are reminded that Medford rum used to be considered in Now England a prophylactic againstconsumption), but that on the other hand not one death has occurred in that section from diaeaae of the liver, while it ia olten a cauao of death In the other.

An Infamous Business.

The action of the Auetrian Vice-Consul'at; Marseilles in sending back to their homea eight girls being exported for immoral pur poses has led to startling discoveries at Buda Pesth. It has been ascertained that a regular traffic in Hungarian maidena has lonebeenln existence, with its head-quarters at Buda Poath, and that it has grown to large Eroportiona. Somo of theso unfortunates aye been decoyed to Brazil, aa in the case of thoae intercepted at Maraoillo3 laat week; but moat of them have been aent to Egypt to recruit houaea of ill fame at Cairo and Alexandria, or to become slaves in the haroma of Egyptian beya and pashas. The Austrian Imperial Government gained some knowledge of thia infamoua traffic a few monthß ago, and issued an order prohibiting the exportation of women to Egypt, unless each was accompanied by somomalo rela tive or legal guardian. Since thia order has been enforced the agents of the Egyptian procurers have adopted new tactics. They now engage the victims to go to America for domestic service, assuring them that they will find good homea and Bituatione, with a cbanco of marrying well and becoming American ladiea. Tickets for passage to Amerioa are ahown the girls, and small amounts of money given them with which to purchase outfit!. They leave Buda Peath in charge of the agenta, but as soon as they get beyond the Austro-Hungarian frontier the route of the journey is changed and they are shipped to Egypt. When they once arrive at Alexandria there ia no further hope of their eacape, and they thenceforth are fated to a life of the most debasing servitude. These revelations have caused a tremendeus eensation at Buda Peath, and several men and women alleged to be pro curera have been arrested,

Drunkards be to Hammered.

The news from Burmah shows us that at last Sir W. Lawßon'a true sphere has been discovered and a place found where he will be warmly welcomed. King Theobaw has, it Beema, given up drink, to whioh he has hitherto been greatly addicted. As ia usual with unfortunate drunkards, ho is not satisfied with becoming sober himself, but ho insists upon every one else becoming sober. His methods are not exactly those of Sir W. Lawson and the Alliance, but there is no reason for auppoaing that_ the teetotal zealots of England would hesitate to adopt such methods had they only tho power to carry them into effect. The Jesuits and missionaries of Spain were bo anxious to benefit the souls of tho native* of the Weßt Indian Islands, of Peru, and of other countries that they burned their bodies olive. The Alliance is no whit be hind the Jeauita in zeal and fanaticism. In Mandalay hammering appoorß to be the punlahment adopted for drunkenness. A Burman has been hammered to death, and tho oompanlon of his drunken spree, a Jewish British subject, ia dying in gaol, with several bones broken. Thuß it will be seen that the customs introduced by Theebaw differ widely from those which Erevail here. In Burmah drunkarda are ammered to death ; in England' they hammer their wivea to death. , Tho Bur mese method clearly possesses marked advantages, but we fear that Sir W. Lawson will never succeed in Inducing the Houee of Commons to legalise it bore.— " London Standard."

A Curious Will.

A remarkable case of eccentricity in will matters has juat been reported from Brad ford, and vivals in real life Eugeno Sues dramatic story of "The Wandering Jew. John Taylor died at Bradford in 1866, leaving considerable wealth and a will directing his property to be so administered as to accumulate for twenty-fivo years. The only charges which wero to bo paid were the cost of maintaining and investing the property and of discharging certain mortgage bonds aa they became duo. At the end of twenty-five years the property was to be divided among certain heirs named in the will, or among such of them as should then be living. In case none of the heirs ahould then be living, the aharo of each one, as apportioned in the will, was to be paid to hia or her natural heirs. The : beneficiaries named in the will were all relati veeof Taylorand all poor. Theyvainly sought to set aaide the will, and vainly appealed time and again to the executors for some relief out of the shares which were eventually to come to them. The executors rigidly adhered to the terms of the will, and some of the heirs, although prospective miltionaires.becamoreducedtogreatpoverty and want. Several of them died in poor houses. Only eight now survive to share the property, which will bo distributed among them early in the spring. The fortune amounts to no loss than 20,000,000 doUOT.

CLIPTOMANIA.

(SPECIALLY SELECTED BY OUB LONDON CORRESPONDENT.)

In tho course of a trial at New York between Mdlle. Ida Ricotti and Mr Maple son, the latter has filed an affidavit in which he Bays that ho considers himsoli a■ perma nently-domiciled American, and that be intends to becomo a citizen of tho United States "Truth." "How arc you, old fellow?" called one friend to another he met in the street, "w._aroyou doing now?" " Filling along felt-wa..." " Thunderation, _inn,_ you don't mca_ to say you are conducting a newspaper?" "Not hardly." '.'J™" what is it ?" " Why, I married . rich old maid who has been wanting to get a husband for the last thirty yea.a." . Oscar Wilde said t&O other day, in hia lecture at Glasgow, that nothing distressed him more than to see in a Mp«>W such and such a colour waa to f™ 1: able next season, and he held that jt would not bo more ridiculous to read in t» muaicai magazine that "B flat" was going to be a fashionable note. I certainly thmk Wm. v "B flat" cannot possibly make vtaeu fashionable, "A flat" can, and very o.ten does.—"Truth." The rumours about Fred Archer s retire ment from the turf appear to bo devoid of foundation, aa the great jockey is reported to have declared to a St. Louia interviewer that ho meana to rido Melton in next year a Dorby. Archer seems to bo comporting himself in America with praiseworthy modeaty, for he attributed his succeaa " to tho facts that ho can chooso hia own horaea to ride, and olwaya takes those that havo tho beat chance of winning."—"Truth." The Brunswickors are fuming like a neat. of hornets over the testamentary disposition of their late Duke, and are tearing down all badgea of mourning for him. He left small personal legacies to a few body-Bor vants, and large ones to several favourite ballet-dancerß, but nothing more to any of hia Bubjectß, who evon lose tbo park, museum, and theatre that they enjoyed during hia life, and for which, indeed, thoy then_Bolves contributed largely. " General " Booth, in hia annual report, demanda £30,000 for next year'b work, and overflows with hectoring language about the purity of hia motivea ; but it would be a more conclusive answer to the criticisms on his proceedings if he were to publiah a really full and bosinesa-like account of hiß financial operations. I wonder that he doea not take this course in his own interests. Tho "General" advertises for a clerk who, it is stipulated, " must write shorthand, and bo fully saved."—" Truth." Will Mr Ernest Hart's pleasant dream be roalisod, ond Hydo Park be lighted by tho electric light? The oost, it must be ad mitted, would not be enormou3 if it did not exceed the estimate of Mr Hart—£s,ooo » year. Mr Hart contends that such a sum is trifling compared to the happiness, en joyment, and health it would confer. This is a statement of great importance, con sidering that it is made by one of our most eminent medical authoritiea, and no doubt it will receive the attention it deaerves.

It appeara that powder and patchea are much worn at the theatre in Paris, as well aa at dinner parties. . It ia bo becoming a style to some faces that one can scarcely find fault with tho revival of the fashion, especially as the costume is invariably copied from the Louis Seize period. At the Italians somo eveninga ago there were aoveral ladiea dreased In thia atyle. The Duchesae della Torres white satin trimmed with Bable created some varied seneationa among the women in her vicinity ; and bo did the Marquise do Serra'a Nile-green satin and silver fox.

A Baroness de B—— was arrested at tho Post-office in the Rue Taitbout, Paris, last week, at the moment sho had claimed a letter sent "Poste-restante." Under the pseu donym of Baroness de B , Mmc, F , a' widow, kept a matrimonial agency in one. of tho small streets neor tho Northern Railway terminus. Her arrest was effected consequent upon a com plaint lodged against hor by a gentle man at Rouen, for obtaining several largo sums of money from him under the pretense of arranging for his marrioge with on un known heiress living in Bruasela. Her laat demand upon him had been for l,ooofr. to cover her oxpeneea to Brussels, where sho Was to see the heirosa and bring the matri monial affair to a satisfactory concluaion.—

" Modern Society." An Hungarian lady, who posaosses the very uneuphonious name of Radivojevic, haa lately accomplished the feat of walking froSi Buda-Pesth to Paria in twenty-eight days. It looka a frightful distance on the map, and Borne one has reckoned up the leagues, and eaya she must have walked an average of thirty-threo a day. They must surely moan miles, not real leagues. I won der what kind of boota she wore on this extensive walking tour. There waa much batting on tho event, and it is aaid that Madame Radivojevic intends walking back again to Buda-Pesth. She ia expected to vieit England before long. She waa a govornosa before she entered upon her new profession, which, she remarks, ia much less fatiguing than her previous one, I can quite imagine it. I fancy that the drudgery of teaching must bo, of all occupations, the most trying, as well as the least remunera tive.

One of tho mysteries of Paris ia an in dividual attired in tho shabbiest of garb, but wearing at hie button hole a magnifi cent white camellia, a flower that might graco tho bust of a duchess. Ho is not a millionaire, nor a florist's walking adver tisement. He is a living monument of the gaming table. Once upon a time he had a tremendous run of luck, and he then deter mined to ensure that, whatever luck befell him, he should never be without his favour ite flower. He contracted with a florist that on payment of a lump sum down he should have a fresh white camellia every day of his life as long ns he lived. Reduced te the dreg* of eoedinesa, he clings to his contract, and struts about with a flower which is worth more than he is worth. There 1b a fine Bontiment of delicate af fection under the ruined gamester's ragged waistcoat. If he were a practical man he would come to a composition with his con tractor, and take it out in vegetables, Princess Beatrice derived great benefit from her visit last year to Aix-les-Bains ; but of late she has again been suffering from rheumatism ; and it is probable that early in the spring ahe will try another " euro." Nothing ia settled as yet, but tho choice reats between (1) Bath, the waters of which place have recently proved most efficacious in similar cases; (2) Dr. Metzger's I treatment at Amsterdam; and (3) the cold-water cure at Wiesbaden, which proved at least temporarily successful In the case of the late Princess Alice, who waa a martyr to rheumatiem and neuralgia. Were 1 her, I would try a pill of plain rhubarb, and a glaas of weak whisky and water every even ing. This is an old remedy, and probably would be Booffed at by modern doctors, but it is a'ike a royal and a radical road to a cure of rheumatism. For neuralgia there is only one recipe—a dry climate.—" Truth."

Those who receive an office which ia granted by "Letters of Patent passed under the Great Seal," to use the official

term, receive a very tangible proof of the honour to which they have attained in the shape of a copy of the document appointing them, and an impression of the Great Seal about the size of a dessert plate and as thick as a ship biscuit. This impression, which is of both the obverae and reverse of the Seal, and is made in a peculiar kind of i waxy composition prepared for the pur pose, is placed for safety in a round tin I case, a kind of cross between a collar-box and a cocked-hat eaße, and is doubtless

much treaeured by ita owners, especially those who posaeea audi a sign of groatneas for the first time. Similar impressions of the Great Seal are, by the way, attached to the Letters Patent granted to a patentee on the final stages of tho patenting an in vention being reached. And this, after all, iß,perhaps, the cheapest wayof obtainingono. The patron saint of all wig-makera is St. Louis of France, who, says a recent Qerman writer, through tho ingenuity of Mb mother, Queen Bianco of Castiile, wore the first wig that ever graced the head of mortal man or woman. The story goes that when King Louis returned from a crusade to tho Holy Land his mother was shocked at seeing that the hardships of the journoy, together with tho hot climate of Palestine, had robbed her son of all hia hair. But besides being a dovoted mother, Queen Bianco was an ingenious woman, who soon found a way out of her difficulty. Each knight at Court); the colour of whose hair had even the1: slightest resemblance to her eon's wasj bereft of one lock, which, deftly joined,? became an ornamental covering for her son's bald head. The honour of being made the patron eaint of wigmakers ought, there fore, by rights have been conferred) on the mother instead of the son; but. there is some conaolation in the fact that after a lapse of Bix centuriea Queen Bianca'a ghost arises pointing out that, in spite of all sayings to the contrary, not only in the nineteenth century women may be inventors, but that even at the dawn of the Middle Ages a woman founded an industry by which thousands at present earn their daily bread,—" Pall Mall Gazette."

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1885.



How to GE_ Sick.-Expose yourseH day and night, ait too much without exercise, work too hSd without reat. doctor all the time, take all the vile nostrums advertised, and then you wtti want to know