RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamibl,]

9ome write, a nolßlil.ni . s n»mo to lasli fJome wriie-vnin tlioii«lit-fo nu. in < rsi,, Bomo writo to please lll0^ ( "I 1 1. t n ' i > se l, l I' di '; l , Form« O naJmlneverL.>. tefoi ; fim ;

Tub Croator of tho Correct Stage Irishman hna oppourod in our midst, and worthily occupies that place in the popular rogard which the pretentious " Prince" for a short time usurped. Tho peii I of sham hag given place to ono of brilliant reality, and Aucklanr?ers have tho privilogo of contrasting a goniiiß with a shoddy imi tation article. After all, I fancy tho num ber was very small indeed of tho?o who woro deceived by tho egotistical word spinner whose chief claim to greatness was tho association with groat mon; and ptv contra I itnagino that very fow have failed to recognise tho ring of tho genuine metal in Mr Dion Boucicault. As an actor ho is great, as a dramatist ho is greater still; but to my mind ho i 3 greatest as a man of tho world, as an acuteyot genial observor, and as an Irishman and Briton. Naturalised as a subject of tho United States, it might havo been supposed that Bouci cault would havo dovolopod some of tho characteristics of that monstrosityknown as tho "Irish-American," whoso talk is of t!io tyranny of " tho brutal Saxon," and whoso cash is devoted to dynamite funds and tho liko measures for " bringing England to her knees." But no ; Mr Boucicault, intensely Irish as ho undoubtedly is, and onthusias tic though lie may bom hislove for America, is devotedly attached to Great Britain, and considers it tho biggest fourth loUor-of-tho alphabot folly for Ireland to seolc separation from tbo yroatcst Power on oartli. Nay, more, lie assures us that Irishmen as a whole do not diviro separation ; and.moro wonder ful still, ho declares that Irish-Americans (save a few solf-ecekinj,' somi-luimtio ngita torsjaro heart and scul attached to theoau.-e of Anglo-Saxon civilisation and progress. Possibly Mr Boueiciuilt unconsciously ox oggoi'atea-tingini; tho actual with tho ought-to-be as it exists in his own biond and liberal heart and intolliponco; but undoubt edly ho spoaks the nentiinonts of a large body of tho be3t Iriehmon, and in viow of that fact we may well, liko Mr Gladstono, have no four to faco tho demand made by a fow enthusiasts for Homo Rulo,

Wo colonists, according to the groat actor-author, " give tho Irishman a chance." I would reciprocate thoseutimont by Baying that Irishmon in New Zealand give them selves a chance, by laying aside old preju dices end comporting themselves as fellow citizens, Our Irish colonists aro not of the type so frequently wot with in America, who on landing inquire—"ls there a Go vernment here?" and on being answered in tho affirmative add, " Then I'm agin it!" All through tho Australasian colonies tho Irishman ia not " aain it," butright"in it," and from Sir Win. Jervois down to Patricks X., Sargiut of police, wo aro go verned by thofO people who are so often assumed to have no capacity for govorn ment. I am not going to follow the ox ample of Mr Firth and inquire how it is that the men who can thus distinguish themselves abroad cannot do so on their native sod. It may all be explained by the theory of two separate and distinct races inhabiting Ireland, whose diverse charac teristics Thackeray so well described in his " Iri^h Note Book," and whoso widely dif. fsrent destinies are confidently predicted by tho Anglo-Israelites. By that theory tho Conventional Btage Irishman may bo proved quite as true a typo as tho Correct Stage Irishman of Boueicault— the former being tho " Canaanitish " and the latter the " Israelitiah " nationality ; but to hint at such a possibility in tho presenco of tho Great Creator aforesaid would be " rank blasphemy," so let mo as gracefully as possible change the subject.

A friend of mine is in the habit of inveigh *.ng in aood set terms against tho clergy for their lack of logical power, which he attri butes to thoir being spoon-fed on religious dogma until thoir reasoning faculties are quite paralysed. There noust.^ljthink^be view as a "working hypothesis," I can see that it fully explains the utter incapacity for business displayed by average clerics, and a few glaring inconsistencies in their conduct. Take our Protestant parsons, who frequently condemn the Jesuitical axiom that "Tho end justifies the means," and try thoir consistency by a few "modern instances." An Auckland reverend brother lately incurred severe displeasure by obtain ing leave to visit a sick mother and going on a phronological lecturing tour. He was sharply criticised in his absence, and recalled to his duty in a couple of hurries; but instead of being cen sured, or " suspended," or something dreadful, he went on with hia "heads and faces "as if nothing had happened—with this difference, however, that in future announcements it was notified that tho pro coeds of the lectures would bo devoted to the enlargement of a church or tho building of a parsonage!

Take> ijgain, t na (; inspired utteranco of St. Pau "It is a shame for a woman to Bpeak in the Church ;" couple it with his other utterance "by permission" that " Sho that marrieth doeth well, but she that marrieth not doeth better;" and then try to get at the logic of our local clergy in their attitude towards that palpably married and loud-speaking in-church lady "Tho Escaped Nun." According to tho Pauline djcta, Sister do I hantal made a fearful fall from grace when eho renounced her celibate vows and flew to the glowing embraces of Professor Auffray ; and sho is guilty of a shameful act every time she lifts her voice in a sacred edifice; yet our clergy men, who pin their faith by Paul, have taken tho escaped ODe by the hand as if her matrimonial leap were a prominent virtue, and have placed her in their pulpits, as if " the glory of a woman " were not her hair, but her tongue! Can it be that the supreme delight of " having a slap at the Catholici" has blinded our parsons, and led them into the practice of that Jesuitical doctrine they so powerfully condemn in theory ? I pause for a reply.

Reclamation ! Declamation ! Execration I Wall-on ! Bawl-on ! Fall-on ! I offer these •uggested rhymes to any rising satirical poet who wishes to shine in" the work of exposing how somebody has blundered with regard to the costly sea-wall erected ba tween the Railway and Queen-street Wharves. In connection with the dis appearance of the wall. I am reminded that a somewhat remarkable prediction has been fulfilled by its collapse. When it was being built a batch of the unemployed under the great Garrard were invited to work in tho water at 9d per hour._ The unemployed, as usual, could not see it, and their leader in ono of his strongest speeches condemned tho horrible iniquity of thoso who would murder their fellow-men at such paltry rates of pay. In his peroration he uttered these remarkable words:—"You may got some deluded wretches to put up the wall for you ; but I warn you solemnly —it will never Hand !" True enough it has fallen (even Fallon cannot gainsay it), and I can only ojaculate —Is Garrard also among tho prophets ?

Thoeo peoplo whom tho average Briton is accustomed to speak of as belonging to "the inferior races" not unfrc-cmently show a high degree of intelligence and montal acutaness. Tho examination of Maori students at the Threo Kings Institute tho other day proved that our brown-skinned friends aro able to hold thoir own in mental fields—their replies in Englieh to questions put in that language being in genernl marked by correct ness. They have also rather ovlrc notion? on certain secular questions. Being askod, for instance, who discovered New Zealand, onoreplied promptly, "The Maoris;" and another, in answer to tho question " Who dooa New Zealand belong to?" said, with equal decisiveness, "The Maoris." Perhaps the. most acute youth was one, who, after being well catechised by Rev. Mr Dewsbury in English composition, turned round and said:—"lf there is no objection, I would now like to ask Mr Dews bury a few questions !" The wily parson was not to be caught, however, but turned off tho would-be querist by saying that be was there to ask questions, not to answer them. I have no doubt Mr Dewsbury had hoard of the fix in which a certain bishop was placed under like cir cumstances, and was warned by hiafate. The Pisbop had been speaking to the Sabbath

scholars about Jacob's vision of a ladder with angels ascon<ling and descending, anil at tho oloso kindly said : " Is tliero a-a-any little boy or a-a-any littlo frirl would like (o ask mo a question?" "Yes, ploastt," said littlo Mnry. " Why was thoio a ladder for tho angels when they had wings?" Tho episcopal dignity twirled his thumbs, looked up to the ceiling, and then .said in his blandct tones : '■ Is tliero an nny little boy or aa any littlo girl would liko to answer Mary's question?" Beyond a doubt tho Maori youth could havo put a similar posor to Mr Dowsbury, but tho latter gentloman had more gnilo thfin the Bishop, and avoided the snaro which his Maori brother hnd Rprond in !ii? sight.

Cambridge folks havo apparently ro covorod their consciousness—and also their senso of tho ludicrous—after the sovoro shock they got last weok in connection with their modestsuggestion that MrSnlashould givo thorn a free lecturo for tho beuelit of tho local library and reading room. Tho " News," quoting a challenge from an Auckland paper in which a certain U. \ 7ostry announces his superiority at opon ing oysters, adds : —" Wo aro not awaro about opening them, but probably littlo Smytho would be willing to back Georgo Augustus Sala against any ono in Auckland at eating them."

Perhaps my readers havo hoard tho story of tho sailor who, on his death bed, do elarcd that ho had often derived groat con solation from that text of Scripturo — " Faint heart never won fair lady !" Poor Jack had more sense than tho old lady who pinned hor faith by "that blessed word, Mesopotamia ;" but it is really surprising what widespread ignoranco tlioro w on tho subject of Biblo quotations. An Amorican humorist hits off tho situation happily by saying that whon n nowspaper editor quotes the provorb "Tho early bird gets the early worm" - and attributes it to Paul instead of Deuteronomy, it makes him blush for the profession ! Perhaps tho best story of Scriptural quotation ia that told of :i Sunday-school tenchor who asked her pupils, as they dropped thoir coppers into tho box, to repeat a suitable Biblo text. The first boy dropped his penny into tho box, saying, "1 ho Lord loveth a cheerful gV-'OT." 'ihp next boy dropped his penny into tbo box, saying, '-Ho that givet.h to tho poor lendoth to tho Lord." The third and youngest boy dropped in hh penny, saying, "A fool and his monoy aro soon parted." It is clear that there was urgent need for a revised version.

Tho dhciploa of Oonfncin.l', and somo benighted Caucasians tin well, aro in tho habit when they bury a friend of placing in tho collin noino monoy to pay tho toll or forry,' broad to nourish tho disembodied spirit on ita travels, and othor necessaries. That is tho extrome of spiritualism, and tho othor extreme is exemplified by tho uiodorn Frenchman. According to " Eigaro "it is a common practice for French gontlemen to stipulate in their wills that a surgeon t-hall stab them to the heart boforo inter mont to mako their extinction sure. To ineot tho wishes of those people, au in genious Belgian has invented a orcueil ■perfeetiowni, or perfect coffin, which per forms tho stabbing process automatically. Strange, that some mon should bo consumed by tho thirst for life while othora court annihilation ! The foßr of tho materialistic Frenchman is that he may bo buried alive, and bo forced to undorgo possibly a fow minutes of torture on recovering conscious ness ; and tho same fear operated in tho caso of Meyerbeer, whoso dying request was that lie might bo buried with a loaded pistol in each hand. I may bo wrong, but I should on sontimental grounds prefer to be buried with a few shilling and a supply of creature comforts than with tho death dealing dagger or pistol. Still the fear of premature inte'ment may prove sulliciontly powerful and widespread to givo an impetus to the new fashion of cremation, which literally returns "ashes to nshos " and renders physical suffering after ap parent death impossible.

REVIEWS.

"New and Complete Manual of Maori Conversation."

By "S.A."

Lyon anb Blair, Lamdton Quay,

Wellington,

This norUHo yot oomplete handbook of Maori conversation should supply a want which many have experienced who wished to acquire some knowledge of tho nativo tongno without laboriously and expensively mastering it by means of grammar and lexicon. The plan of the book is commend ably simple. A very brief space is devoted to an exposition of tho leading principles of Maori grammar, and the remainder of nearly 200 pages is devoted to short conversational sentences such as aro likely to bo in common uso and a very full Maori English vocabulary. The conversational section is excellently subdivided, so that the student wishing to "get up" any particular topic of conversation—be it of a complimentary, business, er commonplace character—hae every facility for doing so. Then there are sections devoted to the woather, to health, to travelling, sporting, farming, plays and amusements, markets and trade, takiug lodgings, being born, married and buried —in short, almost every conceivable situa tion is provided for. Those who aro givon to assert that the idea of gratitude is foreign to tho Maori language and absent from Maori sentiment might with advantage study the section headed "To offer and thank," where they will find seven different forms for expressing those feelingß. Thero aro sixty of these sections, and in each case the English and Maori aro given in parallel columns, while tho index givea a means of ready reference to any particular subject. An interesting chapteris devoted to discussing in conversational style thehistoryandresourcesofNen Zealand, and another deals with the mythology and traditions of tho natives—the Maori division of the latter being taken almost verbatim (but of course with duo acknowledgment) from Sir Goorgo Grey's well-known work on the subject. In tho long and useful vocabulary appended to the work the samo plan of classification is carried out, securing to the student the maximum of information for tho minimum of exertion. This manual, which we observe is on sale at Messrs Upton and Co.'a and other book sellers' in Auckland, can be confidently re commondod as a reliable guide to Maori conversation, though it does not profess to teach tho elements of tho language

"The Beauteous Terrorist and Other Poems.

Bk "A Wanderer."

George Robkrison and Co,

The author of this littlo volume of ninety pages will not be offended if we tell him he ia no poot—probably no one kno better than himself ; but wo aro free to confess ho haa made a vory narrow eecape. Writing as be does with oase, graco, and correctness of diction, couching chaste thoughts in ado quato language, and showing the possession of a cultured taste ami accurate oar, ho produces verses molodio'us and pleasing, well calculated to boguilo a loisure hour, but lacking tho informing power of genius. Tho leading poem, which occupies twelve pages, is a skotch of Sophia Porovskaia, a Russian lady, who was executed for taking an active part in the Jiihilist Company. The remainder of the contents may best be describod aa " fugitive pieces," having apparently beon composed at wide intervals of a long life spent in travel. Perhaps tho best is one entitled " The Silver Wedding," an event whioh tho author celebrated in 1861; and another piece, "Seventy," prove* that ho has roachod the allotted span fixed by tho Psalmist. The book haa a special interest for that fact; but it is hard to divine the motive for publication. Tho writer can scarcely hope to attain poetic fame at his advanced stage of life ; but, on the other hand, tho anony mous publication proves that the volume is meant to invito criticism on its poetic merits,and not as a mare souvenir intended for the induigent eyes of personal friends. Tho following, entitled "Stella," is a fair samplo of the author's powers: — "The beauteous Star of Southern Climes la gocc, ami o:lier etars shinu o'er me • But one bright-alar of happier time'J iiy Stella's face, siill suriloa before'me. What leaguea of ?ea divide us no w. p, . r aLtrac^ °'- dosei' t stretch buWfld me; BV!v!;i tho Wlld Sierraß thou With thy (1 oar arms hath still entwined me. Nevada's bitter tmowa aro past, With Colorado's monutains'hoary: On every Mdo tho prairjea vaet Round to tho eky in lonely glory. But on the Rooky Mountain's height Eight thousand feet abovo tho sea. love, Mv Stella kissod ma through Ihe nieht — Yes, darling, thou wert etill with me, love.

S POR TING.

RACING FIXTURE.

Wel'iuKton K.C. SpriuK N-<vp:nhcr 27, 23 iiunedin J t:. Siirlnc November■ 2S, 3». Island Hay I.'OM'intH r JlcotiUK Nov. 30 ..Lihuhu It.C. Sprint? Dnconibcr 19 'l'j:atni<:i .l.i/'. Pnninii-r Decombir _!3, 29. Ilawko's Huy J.C!. Sinnmer I't-o. 2lj ■Vucklan'l UC. Suiiiinur Dui-. 2(1. Jun 1, '1 rnntrrtmryJ.O. Su i.mcv ninuu-y1.2 Noitl-.o n .\.'.: -umiiiin- January S, !>. HoiciWTilloTnrf C'lu'u Meeliag January 29

DATES OF NOMINATIONS AND ACCEPT ANCE.

Acceptances Auokl.nd Cup and Stneplo eh>iec—December i. Nominations Otuhulm It.U. Sprint? Meeting— December 1. Nominations principal ovi-Lts Northern J.C- Sunimiif Meeting-UonombDr 10. CJpntTal ontries and uccoptanccd Aucklanu Snuimor MoetiiiK—Deeombor 1(.

To Correspondents.

Lux (Cambridge).— Yo». Thunderbolt 1b among ilioao nominated for the forthcoming Auck- Jand Derby.

Dispute.-Tuo proper pronunciation of tho word "Derby," whotherit b- applied to iho hnr-wace, tho town, or tho pooriKO. is "Darby."

A MKi.ROUKNi'E.-Dnn Juan, who won tho Molbouruo Cup In 1873, dioddurihK tho follow ing yenr.

\V.N.Y._In tho last Auckland Cup. Wolcomo Jack wa-j top weight with Hat. iOlbs. !ur quoiso hail bat llta.. and Ncolilace Oat. 121bs.

NOTES BY HIPPONA.

With tho woighta for the Auckland Cup and Steeplochaso before thorn, local turfitos havo had plenty of pabulum to discuss this week, and on tlio wholo Mr Evott's work has boon favourably criticised. L:ko all handicaps, however, tho compilation has not given universal satisfaction, anil tho scratch-

ing pen was brought into requisition on Wodnosday afternoon, when Fusilado, Leon, Derringer, and Lochiol wero struck out of the Cup. It must bo admitted that tho quartette wero not fairly dealt with, for Fu-ilado could havo no cliauco with Stonoy hurst, while I cannot pee any valid reason why Leon should havo boon awarded "at lilb", for in tl\o New Zealand Uup, with 201b loss, ho ivn unablo to gain a place, and backed by Ilia owner. I (erringor, too, wan very unfairly handicapped when compared with Alpino Roao and Soudan, for Mio only timo tho trio havo mot in tho Nursery Handicap at tho liwt Huwko's Bay Autumn Mooting, whon Alpino Hose with '.evol weights defeated Derringer by half-n-length, Soudan being a good third, Since then Derringer has not shown so much form as Soudan. Among tho othors Lionel i.i disgracefully treated with 7st '21b, and ho has never dono anything to justify Buch a-weight. So much for tlio palpably weak spots of tho handicap, and I will now endeavour to pick out, for tho benotit of my reader? those who aro favourably treated, and most likely to product) (ho winner. Tho imposts of tlio different animals on gaged in tho Cup aro as follow : — et. lb. tt.ln. Trenton .. .. 910 Carbineer.. ..7 0 Taxman .. „9 t VoA 7 0 Turquoise .. Sll Libeller .. .. 7 U Black Hose .. S !) Wapiti .. .. 613 Administrator ..S3 U.-frlKorutor .. 612 Loctik-I .. ..8 0 Kcwi .. .. 012 Son'-westor .. 7 13 Nnrmauby .. 0 11 Stoneyhurst .. 711 fir Hucllvo-o .. 611 Lady Kurnia .. 710 Alpi;,o ltise .. 810 Pearl .. ..7 3 Soudan .. .. 610 Master Agneß .. 7!) Totford .. ..0 9 Ntokl:ica .. ..7 8 Torpedo .. ..0 9 Nc-laon .. ..7 8 Kalo .. .. l> 9 KnelLido .. ..7 8 CiiHtAshor) .. « 9 Radaraea .. ..7 7 Moona .. .. B * huti .. .. 7 t! Lien.Bß .. .. t> i Woodnyniph .. 7 5 Ku*'»-elml .. .. [17 Speculation ..7 5 St. Mkhaol .. l> 7 I tirihtiiifi .. ..7 1 Kinßloader ..0 7 limri^or!! ..7 3 Cnnsiznd .. .. « C VVaitiri .. .. 7 2 KnfloUl .. .. l| ; Bayard .. .. 7 2 liifloman .. .. t> 3 Lionel . ..7 2 Vietorlu .. ..0 0 Minerva .. ..7 1 Kevoko .. ..B0 Mystvry .. ..7 0 Victory .. .. .) 10 Foul Shot.. .. 7 0 A.U 5 10 It will bo seen, thereforo, that Trenton is awarded the post of honour, and although he has 101b over his weight-for-ago, it muwt bo admitted that ho ia not crushed, Hi* recent brilliant deodd at Fleminßton indeed put him a long way in it, and should hi? owDer coo fit to journey up hero, 1 shall certainly have him on my sido. Turquoise is tho next on tho list that strikes me as having a chance, but his running at Christ church does not in?piro confidence that he is a stayor over 2J miles Still wo must not forgot tho fact that last year, with plenty of tacklo to try him, tho son of Tubal Cain was thought next to a moral for tho race, but owing to havinir mot with an tniurv to ono or nis iuuu uu was struck nut. On nu form this reason, Administrator is not badly treated, and although at times ho runs liko a " Sunday " hoKO, ho cannot bo written out of it. Sou-wester has never ehown that ho can got to tho end of a lung journoy, but there is no question about his puco, wliilo Lady Emma is too uncertain for me, and, added to thte, I think that Bho will not bo at hor best till later on inthoeeason. Tho good thing of tlio handicap 'undoubtedly is Stoneyhurat, and with only 21b over his weight-for age, Mr Evett has lot him off too Ughtly. The colt showed by his performance in tho Canterbury Cup that lih i* ono of tho best threo year-old* seen out in the colony, and if ho in landed safety at (ho post, I think that it will tako a real good ono to beat him. Over milo-ani-a-half courses Poarl In- proved herself a do.vnright good mare, and with tho lenient impost opposito her name, 1 don't .--lo why kliu should not havo a fhow in tho ovont, and tho samo remarks will apply to Necklace, but in a somewhat leaser dogreo Kelson is nicely handicapped with 7st Sib, and I will net bo Burprlead to eeo him contesting the race, while I must say that Foul Shot also finds a groat deal of favour in my cyO3. Thore ar3 sorao who think that distance is not the forto of tho colt, but I hold a different view, and it will not surprise me in tho least to sco him turn out the best of tho local division. With 7st, Carbineer, at tho present timo, ia well en titled to be placed among tho likely division, while Wapiti is very leniently dealt with ; in fact, I look on him and Stonoyhurst a3 tho two best handicapped horsca in tho raco. Soudan (tho full brother to Krupp) has been let off vory lightly with Gst 101b, for the colt proved at tho recent Christchurch Meeting' ho was no duffer, and hia impost should put him in it a long way. Of a rmmbor of tho othors, wo havo yet to got a line of owners' intentions and tho doings on the training track, but out of the 52 I tako the following eight as being the must likely to produce the winner :— Stonkyiiurst Foul Shot Wapiti ' administrator Trenton Turquoise Pearl Nelson The following aro tho name 3 and imposts of those engaged in tho Steoplechase : — et. lh. St. lb Granvlllc .. .. U 1 Secretary.. ..10 0 Macaroni.. .. 12 2 Mainboom .. 9 12 Director .. .. 12 0 Medico .. .. 912 Kauph a-Ballagh 11 8 Alfred .. .. 912 Ravendwoud .. il 7 N«nta .. .. 9 111 Scrutineer ..11 7 MttdKO .. ..9 10 King Don.. ..11 0 NlKgor .. .. 910 Kinjj .. ..10.7 Fairpluy .. ..9 7 Shotorer .. .. 10 7 Comanche ..9 7 Alaric .. .. II 5 Bella .. .. 9 7 Qullp .. .. 10 1 Kalwaka .. .. !) 7 Itebel Chief .. 10 0 Activs<3 . ..9 7 Revenue .. .. 10 0 Julia Ann ..9 7 Hawthorn .. !0 0 Caoutohouo ..9 7 In this raco nothing to my mind roads so well as tho threo top weights, and with Ravenswood added, I think tho quartette might bo backed against tlio field Gran ville is particularly well treated with 12st 71b, and if ho is landed here all right, and everything goes «01l with him to the day, [ think wo will havo the satisfaction of seeing tho SOOaov remain in Auckland this year. Acceptances for both tho Cup and Steeplechase are due on Friday noxt.

1 hear on good authority that Thunder bolt has turned out a great disappointment to the Robinson-Lance stable Tho son of Musket was heavily backed by them for tho V.R.C. Derby, and is reported to have beon in splendid fettle, but in that event, and also on several other occasions, ho showed that ho had joined tho ranks of the division who " turn it up."

Mr W. Percival'n mare Envious produced a colt foal to Anteroa in tho early part of the week.

At Chri3tchuroh Tuttorsall'a last week, 100 to SO was laid on tho following nino to produce the winner of tho Dunoilin Cup :—

Lady Emma, Leon, Trenton. Hermitage, Tasmania, Taxman, I.ochio!, Fusillado, and Tiger Tim. In Dunodiu, Lady Emma is pronounced first favourite, and she has already found frienda to accept aa short a price as 100 to 8 to tho tune of a good many hundreds. July and Stonyhurst aro the others most frequoiitlv as!c:d for.

Mr \V. W. Robinßan returned from hi? trip in tho early part of tho week. After sening tho Melbourne Cup, ho loft for New Zealand, and reached Christohurch in time to witnes? Ll.j rocond and third days' ro':'..i 0 there. The N Z. Refereo got s lruck for its £50 prize offered to anyone who phould send in a coupon tipping the winnars of theV.ll.C. Perby, Melbourne Cup, and N.Z. Cup. Mr A, G. Curley, pf Melbourne, was the HHCCOseful tipster.

Among the winning piroa at Ihe C.J.O. Spring Mooting, Muskot'H progeny headed tho list, his reprosontativoi', Fusilado, Soudan, and Artillery, placing £1,80.'! to hi," credit. King of Clubs came next with .C1,1G").

A marvellously quick telegraphic feat was performed in wiring tho result of tho Melbourno (/'up to Now Zealand An .''ooli as tho first horse passed' the winning post, his name was Hashed to La I'orouse, the Australian ter minus of tho cable, 1. t.ter by lottor, of conrso ; as each letter was received, it was cabled to VVakapuaka, and thoro the opera tion wns repeated to Wellington, the re sult being that befoia tho la-t lottor hod loft tho Flemington course tho first was known in Wellington. In other words, tho result was known in Wellington thirty fivo sec') .dri after tho raco was won, and almost bvioro tin: gallop, at which the loaders in tho Bt-rnfrghj rushed past, tho post, had bean reduced to a canter.

The Poverty Bay Turf Club are endeavour ing to secure a permanent coureo near Gisbornc.

Mozart has changed hands, Mr R. G. Talbot having purchased him at a big prieo. This half-brother to Shoot Anchor was tho best time yeir-old (if last season.

Mr I. F. Tancrod lias purchased a brown colt by Hornby - Bribery (Deceiver's dam), and has named him Corruption.

Whito and Clifford, with throo winning mounts oach, and Woods, Froo, and J. B. i'ilbrow, with two each, woro tho moet suc cessful jockoys at tho C.il.C. Spring Mcit ing. Newman, Dodd, O'Connor, Thomson, Byors, Stratford, Butler, Cochrano, and Vailo had a log up on ono winnor each.

Discovery of Maori Remains.

An interesting anil valuable) collection of relics of tlio native raco lias boon brought to light in a somewhat remarkable mannor. Tlio disoovoror, a native named To Tiuih.'iii.;;1., an intelligent young follow belonging ton luvpu of tiio Ngatihaua, told his i-tory to one eorrc-pondont, who repro duces it aa follows, divostod of tlio rhetor ical ornaments with which tho Maoris delight to oncumbor oven thoir ordinary conversation :—Ono morninj; about a week ago, just at tho hourofMmriao,ToTinihanga was riding past tholong-descrtod Bcttlomont of Wahingavo, when glancing up at tho hills on tho we.-t lin -ihv what 1 conclude to bo a inirago. Ho says v livor appeared to run along tho tops of tho hills, anil grcon trees tjrew along its margin, and as plainly an he could sco mo at that mo ment ho saw a chief in a oauoo gliding over tho stream. His first impulse wad to lly from what ho regarded as an uncanny visitation, but something impolled him to remain. Ho pays tho rhii>f pointed down wards with his linger suvural limo.*, and then tho mirage, or apparition, us Tini hanga persisted in calling it, fad. il away. This part of tho story 1 am not quito pro pared to boliovo, now do 1 suppose it will impose on tho cnilnlity of many of my reader*, and wove it noli that ie forms a fitting prelude to thn ptory of a ro maikablo discovery, i should not have tnkon tlio troublo to noto it down. It is quite true that mirages have been observed in tho Waikato, but the autumn, not the spring is, I phould opine, tho proper ueuson, and it may bo questioned whether the phenomena ever assume such definite fea tures as those doseribed by my nativo friend. However, this i< no": all. To Tiui hanga galloped away from tho plaoo as soon as iio recovered his breath, and did not feel quito fafo until ho was in the bosom of his family. Being of a shrewd, inquiring turn of mind, he was much pu"?.lod to conceive what tho shadowy chiof meant by pointing downwards so persistently, and or' Saturday week ho made up Ilia mind to proxpoettholiilli'Mo.uuavthaoldfOtHoiuetit. Tim foirnati >n •« *U-ny, with pitches of lierbuiro, ami Tinihaugu might have fos.-iekod about tho hill until tho Day of Judgment and ho would probably have found nothing, had ho not happened to light his pipn at a pnrtictil v" spot and carelessly, as pooplu will, tluow away the lighted match. A patch of dry fern caught tiro, and spread ing to somo low scrubby gr.iwth, ci-.uij.l away a »p.iee sulKoiont to liiy barn «' :i! eoomed tho entrance to a cavo, which a cursory examination proved to bo a placo of burial. Tho existence of such a placo wns unknown to Tinihanga, and inquiries which he made from tho natives in tho neighbourhood revealed 'he fact that they, too, woro ignorant on tho matter. After making Fomo objection?, they permitted a European named Bigly to exploro t'nu mausoleum, ann [ruin mm i, in tlio lust placf, received nn intimation of the " find." Tinihanga told mo tho story abr.it tho inirago on Tuesday, after 1 had inspected tho cavo. Tho remains evidently belong to a period long anterior to tho advent of tho pakeha Tho natives of tho llauraki liulf and tho country surrounding were amongst tho earliest to enjoy, or perhaps, 1 should say, sutler from intercourse with tho niiito man, and no traco of anything which U connected in any way with Europe is tv bo found, indued, tho im mouse hizo of foine of tho skulls indicates that thero wcio giants, or at. least some big moil, in tho old days", Tho quantity of human romaino is not great, but of weapons, implements, and ornamonta thoro is an im monsc varioty. I cannot pretend to clarify them, and it is not easy to do so as long as they remain in their prcsont dim and study repository, and tho natives to far are obstinato in thoir refusal to allow anything to bo removed. I tried to pockot a small greenstono ornamont, but my guido was too quick for mo, and I had to disgorge Thoro are splendid specimens of tho patu paraoa, a weapon mndo of the bonos of the whalo, beautiful poenamu hcitikis mid whaka knias, matios, taos. and toka«, the latter, a sort of dart, being very ecarco. Thoro was a cunningly cavvod taiaha, but ago had told upon it, and it lookod as if it could not longer bear tho brunt of tho battle. Many of tlio implements vvero familiar, such a-> tho well-known stone axo head, but others were quite Btrango, and noither Tinihanga nor hi 3 friends could toll thoir uee. Tho grotesquely ornamontod tawhau and rapo of a whuku tana woro amongst tho curios, togothor with a tiheru, v contrivance for baling out a canoe. Tho chambor had ovidently boon constructed with skill, and is doubtless the last resting placo of somo lino of great chiefs, Naturally thoro is not a trace of written languago, but on the limostono walls aro to bo soon the outlines of rudo drawings executed in somo sort of red pig ment. Unfortunately, ago and tho infer iorityof the paint havo combined to blur tno outlines, iiikl nothing intolligiblo remains of what was no duubt tho pictorial rocord of tho achievements of a raco of doughty warriors. It is to bo regretted that tho discovery was not mado a littlo oarlior, as prossuro might have boen brought to boar on tho natives to induce thorn to allow tho specimens to bo sont to tho Wollington Exhibition. But though it is too lato to curry out that idea, it is to bo hoped tho Govornmont will tako .stops to havo the eolleetiou sont to tho Indian and Colonial Exhibition in London next year. Many of tho implements and ornaments aro sui generis, and, to far as tho natives who have seen thorn know, havo no follows extant. — " Waikato Times."

Abducting a Girl at Sydney.

In the Writer Police Court, Sydney, tho othor d.iy, .lolin Ramollio, or Reynolds, wus chargod witli having taken away Annie Milos, 17 yoars of ago, from tlio custody of hoi' parents with intent to marry her. Tlio accusod said lhat after his arrest in Now ca jtlo ho hud taken the girl to a registry oflico, but thoy would not marry thorn bo causo tho girl was under ago. Thomas Miles, father of tho girl, paid that ho was a waygonetto driver, about Manly, and re sidod on tho Old Pitt- wator Road. Ho on gaged tho accused abontoight weeks ago in tho soup kitchen, and gavo him employ ment. On October 25 ho found that Ilia daughtor had loft homo in tho company of tho accused. Ho subssquently found that they had gono to Newcastle, wliithor ho followed them, and he brought his daughter back, Annio Milos paid that sho know tho accused about three months. Two months ago he askod her to go away with and marry him. Ho said that his mother had gone to England, and had left him a torraco of houses, £100 down, and Cl per week. Sho refused. He allied her after a lapse of a fortnight, and she thon consented. He took her to New castle, whoro ho engaged a room. He only stopped thero one bight. Next morning ho wont out, Faying ho was eroing to make arrangements for tho marriage, flo came ba«k drunk, and the next day he wan arrested. In answer to the bench, tho wit ness wiid that tho accused had rinno nothing wrong to her. The liev. 3. Fogtiin, of I.ho Primitive Methodist Church, New castle, said that ha had been asked by the accused to marry him, but that ho refused on account of the ago of the girl. Tho accused was committed for trial at the next Court of Quarter Session. Tho ac cused is a strongly-built individual, whilo the girl is a mere child both in appearance (?,nd manner.

THE GARDEN.

[By Houtuu.]

Calondar of Operations, November 28.

[lloktur is willing to answer any quorloa. Cor respondents must fflvn thoir full naincß anil uddreßses, though not for publication.!

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Petunias (Aniatmir).—Both tho (Jouox am siiiKlo variotii s of theiputuidasexhi'jitodAt tlm Horticultural yhow last wr-ek succeed us well out in tho opon border as in rots in tho house, only they will not flower bo earl". You woulJ bu üblcj to procure youns: plants from cither vi I lie l.u-nory llrniß which exhibited the ] liinm ; J':.n.tcil oct mow. un.i occasionally waiereu, tlm, would nii-o plonty of llowora towards Iho end of summer.

Growing Larok Lkiskh (" Vegetablo",.—Tho way that exhibition locks are lirown ia almost thtf-sanic ax yrowinn eolery. Lit: out v trench about nine Inches ic-.-p ami nine inoi-i-s wiou. unii in tho bofniri aprt'iil thru', or I'i.ur inched of rich, well volt- d luiimru; fork it into iho bottom Boil; then nUni your le.;ka iv this, about from nine to twelve mchofl apart. ,iivo llieiu abundnnco of wator once or tv/leo a wcok whilu tlioy aro growi"g frouly. Kurth u l> liko celery, by drawing the soil from each nidi) of the trench to tlio plunts, bo as to K'vo them lonK blanched btalkß. Foot Liquid Maxukk (fT.H).—Pho usual method of making Boot water is to take ::bont one iicck of toot, to about aitfhi (,'Ulohb of water. Win'ii imtllnt; iheiio.jtiii tno water btir well, and us it bocom> s saturateii with Water ie will s:io;i sink to ihe bottom. Lot it lie or one day bjforo using, and when iiaiin: try and not stir up tho sediment. Alter uslnij stir it up, awl.it will axain sottlo before it. i i v.antol forupo thenoxtday. Aiiodwrniuinuii is to put tho soot in a bntf and place it iv tho wator, but tho bag must bo very tlno in tox turo, bo as to prevont tho coot from worktOK through. In using tho abovo, If It leaver any colour en tho plants, syrin^o with clear wator befor.i i. rtrii". nn I.lm plants. It. in Im <i sililu lo obtain paiiKiiiicv wi iv. i ooluur.

Kitchen Garden.

Earth up lato crops of potatoo? whenever thoy attain sufficient growth. When tho oarly crop is being takon out of tho ground havo thogrounddug and manured, and plant tho Into crop of cabbage and cauliflowers, cr some other crop, as all ground is bitter

covered with a crop during the summer, even if it is a grcon ono tobodug into tho soil again in the autumn. Earth upthoadvancing crop of cabbages and caulillowors. All melons,

marrows, pumpkiiiH. tomntoOH, etc., should bo out now, w> as to yet them woll estab lished boforo t.ho dry woathor sota in. Any that aro planted now will havo to bo well watered and shaded till thoy f;ot estab lish. Mako tho usual successional sowing of peas, and earth up and stake thoso thai, aro growing; also mako tho usual fort nightly sowing of French and running bonus, Tho main crop of locks should now bo planted out. Dip their roots in a thick paste of cow-manure and water before planting. Cominenco planting out calory. liocollcct, while making tho tronehos,to put in plenty of well-rooted manuro, bo that you may bo able to grow good Celery,aH tho woll being of this crop depends on plonty o; manuro and moistuie. Onion- :If the mail, crop is not thinned out, havo it dono at onco if largo enough. Tomatoes: Mako trollis for training tho tomato plants ; give occasional watering with liquid manure, so as lo strength..!! tno plants. Thin out late crops of vegetables which aro attaining sutliciont size. K<;op the hoo going occa sionally botwoen. the rows of all vego t:ible. j, so n-< t; kep ivcofis under. As oarly crops aro cut or dug clear away the debris at onco, and dig tho ground. li slugs ur snails are troublesome, give fie quent sprinklings of lime during the oven ing. Flower Border.

Tho season is getting pretty far advancer, now. All sowing of annuals ought to CO'U"O, also nil planting out of bedding pUuU unlot J where they are e.-tabii-iiul in [■■><■-, and even then shuuhl bo planted uut as fiuon vi pjs-ible. Give them a good watering after planting, and shade for a fow dajs.

Utuition will neeil to bo ghcuto the early planted out bedding plants. Pii\ch and peg down the shoots »lu:ro iiccessaiv. The pinching will jrivo the plants bit!or habit :'-ml incr.-ii.-u tho number ■ 110 anng rta'US. !'' iho i"-'l is ligla nh dry, mulching wM bo of great, honour, i. tho plants Short «ra«s, btnble litter, otc . is just tho material to uso. Bedding plant. on all soil^ will now bo tho bettor for ftn ne curfonal \vat»ring, u-ing liquid manuro whon possible Tall (jiosvingplautflor bulbs -noli as gladiola?, otc., wanting support, .--hould iiO : taked and tied so as to prevont tho wind from damaging them. Kosus : f«ivo liberal supplies ot liquid umuuiu, nml ( .ick otv all bloami nn they boaomo .-pen. Dahliim: Continuo tho [I'anlingout.putling plenty of manure under each plant; you cunnot put too much. Climbers will now bo making rapid growth Attend to tho training, tying, pinching, and rogulating thorn to tlioir supports. Some of tho early sprint' flowering bulb" will bo ripened oil' now ; lift and store pa&t for tho summer. Kefori lifting, sco that all tho haulm is properly ripened oil' The grass on tho lawn should bo kept vory short now, and rolled with n heavy roller whenever it is wet. Try and keep tho walks, bods, and borders frco iif wofitls by froqiiently ueing tlio lioo, ami killing them in the i-eedling stato.

Greenhouse As active growth will now bo going on in a number of plants, attention must be given to tlio Wiiloriiijj, so iliat they arc never allowed tosuflor for tho want, of water, liivo liberal waterings of liquid manure to all quick-growing plants. Kopot puoll n» may have filled tin- poU with roots. (Jive plenty of air during tho d ly, shading during tho hottest part of it.

THE HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

Tho Auckland Oaroonors' Horticultural Society held their Spring Show on Friday and Saturday last week, and tho Committee of Management may bu congratulated upon placing boforo thn public tho best exhibi tion that has over been held in Auckland. Tho pot plant section of tho Show far ox eooded anything over held hero, especially tlio collections of 12 ferns. Mr U. Damson, gardener to S. Morrin, Bsq , obtained first prize, and D. Hay and Son second. There was a good doal of speculation by tho know ing ones as to who would obtain first honours; tho merits of tho dilforont collec tions havo bcon frequontly discusfod for some timo back, and tho growers of both tho first and second collections aro freely backing thomaolvos that they will lako 11 wt placo at tho next autumn show. Mr IV H»y exhibited a magnificent collection of seedling colons, which for size, riehneH.-, and variation of colour in tho leave, wero iuo<-t distinctivo specimons over shown on thic sido of tlio Lino, and perhaps not to bo equalled either in Europe or imcrici. In tho cut flowor dopartmont Mr C. McDonald exhibited a grand collection of rhodo dendrons, showing that this magnificent class of plants should bo uioro oxtonsivoly grown whoro soil and situation suit (hern. Tho different stands of rosos woro fully up to tho mark, considering tho heavy rain en tho day preceding the Show. Mr E. Lippiat succeeded in taking first honours for tho 3'i best, as woll as the champion prlzo for tho boat roso in tho Show. Tho remaining stands of roses and other cut flowers woro fully up to tho mark, consider ing weather, otc. In tho vegetable depart mont I do not think I over saw a better display as to quantity and quality. Mr I). Mclndoa succoodod in taking tho cup for tho best collection. Somo of tho classes for amateurs, csp.cially in tho f.ot plant department, woro not as well represented as could bo wished for, but in cut (lowers and vegotables a protty goo-i display was stagod, Mr Han cock gotting tho special pri/.o of £2 'is for scoring most points in this class. In tho Cottagers' Class tho pot plants woro bettor represented than in tho aiiialour. Cut llowers and vegetables wero also woll represented in this class—T. Phillips, C. 1 'ollins, and Mrs Eaton coming well to the front. Mr W. .!. Palmer, nurseryman, ob timed Mr G Louis's cup, valued at I' 3 lis, for scoring the groatest mimbor of points in tho All-comer ' class. This oxhibition hau demonstrated that private gontlemcn, nurserymen,amateurs and cottagers entered into competition with considerable zest, and that tho public aro longing to appreciate tho efforts of tho Society by patronising tho shows in greater numbers every oxhibition that is held.

Effects of Irrigation.

Since Hio vinos which hanj b«en treated in Franco by submersion, as a remedy acraini't phylloxera, havo been bearing fruil ooneiderabie discussion has bc-rn provoked in the journals duvtuJ t-i vi'innltural interests throughout tho country relasingtn the offset of t'lH prantiooiiji in thcquali'y of the wines produced from tho grapfis. Many havo contended that tha wine- ?8 pro duced wero inferior, but recently Mon sieur Faucon, who Iris tho honour of hav ing originated this remedy in tho valley of tho Rhono, has mado public a Plato ment in which ho contradicts the the ory tiiit submersion of tho vines in tho winter timo will injure tho quality of tho wine 3. His conclusions nre that in a soil whore there is free and easy drainage the application of water during

tho winter time does not loavo any marked effect turing tho summer so as to caueo any injury to tho fruit, but ho adds that thie irrigation ought not to bo practised in summer. Tho cases whoro the quality of tho wine has boon injured, ho claims, aro traceable to the practice of summer irrigation, whereas submoreion as a remedy against tho phylloxera is only properly applied in winter. His point that the soil should permit free drainage ?o that the routs of tho vino may not remain wet during tho Bunimor is forcibly takon. This dis cus-inn in France is of hpecial interest to this ecast, and tho result of it as ropo.ted upon by Mr Faucou, who is tho leader in the submoreion practice, fully sustains tho recommendations that havo been marie by members of tho Viticultural Commission in this State, Cautioning tlio vino-growers against summer irrigation wherever it is un n^cownvy for thovigourof tho vines,and ad vising extromo caution in such places where it may bo absolutely necossary ; advocating tho upo of wator in wintor timo whoro thoro is an insufficient supply of rainfall, and tho promoli in of complete drainage of tho sub soil in which roots aro imbedded. —United States Viticulture Commissioner's Ropovt.

A Trip to Hawail

Wfi havo received a copy of a most attrac tive littlo volumo under tho abovo title, published by the Oceanic Steamship Com pany of San Francisco. It is written by Charlos Warren Sroddard, and written, ton, with great ability, forming a most attrac tive description of a voyage to and through Hawaii—" Tho most romantic island king dom in tho world, a solitary group in a seroiio sun, where tho Hummer is fragrant ami perpetual." This littlo book comos most opportunely,eoeing that under tho now San BYonciseo mail contract, which coin moncos next month, passengers be tween Australasia and tho United States have tho opportunity of viewing some of tlio wonders of theso islands dur um a brief stay at Honolulu, tho capital city oi Hawaii Tho author's descrip tion of his arrival at Honolulu is worth (|uoling: -"On tho sovonth day an island risos liko a small blue cloud out of tho sea ; than another, and yot anothor, and toward tho last wo make our way. Green with a vorduro that never fades ; brown with the bronze-tints of lava Hows that have boon cold for centuries ; a beach of dazzling whiteness, fiingod with groves of cocoa pulmi; tho noa liko a huge omorald, with sunshine roiloctod upon tho coral bottom, and brilliantly-tinted iiah sporting nbout us it is thus that wo approach Honolulu at noon on tho seventh day .... Tho

inomitainx turn i;loriously groon ; valloys

—vistas in Edon—dawn upon tho eyo in swift succession ; tho soa rises in long voluptuous waves, mid fawns upon tho roof, while within the surf tho tranquil wator is liko a tideloxs rivor, whoro only tho water lilies aro lacking ; but in their stead ..ro troopsof Hawaiian Surmlners -veritable .voter nymphs—with a profusion of glossy locks floating about thoir .shoulders liko soa weed." Tho various place* of interest are all described, including tko gigantic active volcano of ICilanea, tho crater of which is nine miles in clrcumferonco and !)00 foot doop. Sights and umus-omonts aro also touched upon, and tho wholo is ill ustratod by several . dozon of woll oxo euted engravings. The HliiftratiuOß em brace, bopides landscapes, pictures of the "hula-hula" or national dance, surf bath ing, and landing v boat amid tho breakers. Viows are also given of tho Royal I'alace and Ciovornrncnt buildings at Honolulu : whilu tho advertisement paces consti nito n camploto guido book to tho hotels, restaurants, <'f II iwali. Heading this glowing docoriptinn of tluse happy i.-10.-< and of tin: flegantly appointed steamers of tho 0 eanie Company, thu most c.inti.-inod stay-at-home cannot, but, tool a dociro to visit tho enchanting spot; while Iho intoning visitor, armed ni-h tlii-. buok, has his hopow rnixeil to tho highest pitch of exiioctanny, ami yot not unduly rui-<od, for tho reality far exceeds the description.

Cocoaual Cellulose as a Lining for Ships.

Thk long-ftindhi},' rivalry between heavy (.rdiiauco »;.(! armour plates is likoly to bo (Uspo.cd of in a manner littlo fcxpectod, as

nieinn appear* to have been rlicnovorod

wlwrnhy il<n i-ITwata of rliot and islwll, and

even turpedooft, will bo effectually neutra Used, For tome lime past naval architect!

havo ceased to rely solely upon armour for tho protection of thi'i*, for, notwithstand ing the enormous thickness lo which aimour

of pl.it.ci. had attained, tlioy woio found to bo no imtcli for ihe mtillory brought to bear upon them. Stool plntes and com pound platos woro noxt tried but to no nvc.il. As a further increaeo in tlio thickness of plate-, whether of iron or sloe! or both com bintd, NVfi- impracticablo, owing to tho overweigh ing of vessels with armour, shipbuilders tried tho expedient of supply ing ••» second linn of dofonco iv (ho coal bunker.-, which woro constructed along tho sides of ilio chips, especially those ports nhoro tho machinery nnd rungn/.ines arc located. They certainly, to snmo oxtont, furnished that eoceuri lino without over burdening tho vetsol, for coals havo to bo carried undor »ny circumstance*. But a far ruoro olToctivu protection appears now to havo boon suppliod by tho inTontion of a composition which, bolides being ollicaclous an a protoctor, possossos tho merit of being light -n desideratum much wanted by nuvnl constructors. This com position is a preparation obtained from cocoanut cellulose which has tho remark able property, when poisotrated by shot and shell or oven aftor tho explosion of a torpedo, of closing up as rapidly an it has boen penetrated, tints provonting tho influx of wator inlo tho ship's hold. Tho vory Appropriate namo of " coffer dam " has boon given to tho preparation, which, bosidos being vory light, is highly elastic and tenacious. Somo important experiments havo latoly boon niado with tho composition boforo a French commission at Toulon, which, if ovorything that is reported con oorniiiK them is true, provo tho preparation to bo deßtinod to solvo tho armour plato controversy. Tho commission 'Rubmittod tho composition to a throofoM tost against shot, shell, and torpedo. Tlio target wan a coffer dam nindo of a mixture of fourteen parts of pulverised coHuloso r.nd ono part of colluloso in tibro. TliiH composition was comprowd to a folt liko nmsa, of which one cubiu foot weighoJ about Blbs. A layor of beams 4J inches thick, represented tho flide of tho ship, bohind which thoro was v layor of "cofferdam" 2foct thick. Against this target a 7j inch solid s^hot was fired, which ponetratod it, taking with it not quito ono-iifth cubic foot of composition, a very small quantity, considering tho «izo of tlio shot. But as soon as tho shot had passod through tho target tho colluloso composition closed up again, and so firmly that a strong man was unablo to force- hia arm through tho oponing made. A box lilled with water was thun fixed against tho aporturo, tho contents of which might to havo noted in tlio Haino way as if tho ''cofl'jr dam" had boen wavhod away by tho sea. It was observed that, a fow drops of water began to lercolato aftor tho lapso of from 10 to 15 minutes ; and oven aftor tho composition had become woll saturated with wator, only botweon 3 and 5 pints of wator escaped per minuto, which could bo oasily intorcnp'orl by pails. As soon as tho colluloso had bucomo thoroughly soaked and grown denser, it offered greater resistance to tho porcolation of water, which finally almost coaeed to ilow. Tlio experiments with shell gave similar results, the bronch made closing automatically. It was also found that tho "coffer dam " was proof against fire. A special experiment was mado in which rod-hot couls woro placed upon a mass of " coffor dam," and covered with tho samo composition, tho result being that tho liro went out Tho experiments with torpedoes wore not so decisive as those with shot or shell. A chest was anchored out at sea, ono side of which waa lined with "cofferdam/1 a torpodo attached to it, and exploded. Ttio chost floated for a fow .seconds, and then sank. Whon fetched up by a divor, it was found that tho lid had i>oen blown off, but that the " coffer dam " composition was littlo injured, Tho abovo experiments appear to prove that tho material in que-tinn popseesa") tho property of automatically closing a le<ik caused by shot or shell, and of protecting a fhip to a certain extant n;;ninst tiro. Whether its uso will rendor ships uusink ablo remains to ba shown, but, wo under stand that in ordor to investigate this point thoroughly, further experiments on a larger soilo aro to be undertaken by the Toulon commission. — " Scientilic American."

THE PATTERN POLICEMAN.

Thought-Roador and Interpreter

No difficulties daunt, no obstacles deter the Now South Wales policeman irora pureu ing the oven tenor of his way. To obtain a conviction holms boon known to voluntarily add the role of Interpreter to Ms other manifold duties, and he has not been de te.redfroiii attempting even mmd-roading to order to promote the ends of justice. For instance, if a (Jhineeo offimder or sup posed offender (It seem, to make very httlo SifferenM) is brought up i.. a suburban Dolico court,tho cliaiieos ore wn to ono tniit there in no interpreter neaenb. 11ns la indeed a golden opporiu .Hy for our pat torn policeman tlo BtatiouS himself along aidethounfortiinuteChinttmanandenaoisthe rnrt of the Chorus in a Greek play, iue deposition clurk gubbles over the oluirge i.i the usual manner ot deposition clerks, and says to the Chinese prhonor : " Howdoyou ploadguiltyoruotguilty!' Tho China man put on a stolid look, stares vacancy around, elmW hU head like Lord Burleigh in the '"Critic," and s>ays nothing. "I wonder if ho understands." sapiently ro mark Iho Bench. "Oh, ho uiuWtunds oorfectly," says tho Chorus; "ho knows English as well as I do." And tho 'Jhorua fnrthor romarlt", ua if it aggravated the oiT.mce "<A hen I tul: him to tho station and rend thoehargo over to him he wouldn't reply neither." If «n individual when anwtod, and "thoehargo is read over to him," does not there aud then unbosom him=olf to his captor.-! about his private his tory antocedonte, belongings andsurround ings ho is looked upon as U criminal of the deepest dye, purposely concealing some important ovidonoo on purpose to defeat tho ends of justice To return to oar Chinaman, however : Evidence aa to the alleged odenre in «ivon, and read over to tho Mongolian, who again puts on a stolid, far-av,'uy-in-Hong-Kong sort of oxprossiou, again slowly shiike.i his hon<i, and mourn fully expectorates on tho floor. Agnin a doubt lingers in the magisterial mind as he mutters, "I wonder if ho understands." and again thu Chorus rWaa to tho oecivsion. "Oh yo», y»ur Worship, Uo undoretinda all about it"; and in nrdor to oniphaMse this hypothetical undoi^tiuidiiig nil about, it, tho pattern polim.-tnan interprets tho mugis lerial remark by bawlinti i" « very loud Uuy in tho Chinaman's oar. if ono policeman lias no apparent effect, two or nioro bear a haod.both bawling vory louilly, pointing'the while to tho Bench, —" Him. the magw truto nsk" (vory loud) "whether you under stand tho charge; you did it, you srxveo, John ; him, tho mugistrato, ho ask, you toll him." At tlio worda, " You Havoc, John," a transient gleam of intelligence pusses iieio«tf tho stolid Mongolian countun nnqo; ho bows and smilni politely, ovi dontly anticipating so.no further linguistic dovelopmont.". Alas, that transient gleam has sottlod poor John's " bash." llis nod and intelligent look und smile have been taken for acquiescence, and ho is lined or sent to gaol in accordance with tho sentence recorded in tho book-?, which aro ovan as tho laws of tho Medcs and of ihe Pereuins. It would bo highly interesting and instructive to know what tho Chinese think of our civilisation and tho boasted administration of our laws. Unfortunately, it U not given to nil our Chinoso fullow citizens to bo able to ping "Comin' thro the Kyo" in pigeon English.

A DROVE OF "IRISH BULLS'

" Tullymuckloschrag, Parish of " Bully raggoc, near Ballyahlu«utlhory, "in tho County uf. Kilkenny, in Ireland

"Mr Dw.n Nephew,—l havon't sent you a lull hor since tho last time 1 wrote you, bekaso wo moved from our former placo of living, and, consequently I couldn't tell whore a let: hor would liud you. But I now, with p.oasuro, tako up my pen to inform you of tho death of your own living uncle, Kilpathrick, who died very suddenly hut woek afther a lingering illness of six months. Tho poor man win in violent convulsions during tlio whole time of his sickuefs, lying perfectly quiot anil spacho loss, all tho while talking incoherently for wa'hor. 1 had no time to inform you of his death eoonor, oxcopt 1 had wroto to you by the last pist, which wont off ten days before ho clioii, and then you'd had poi-'uge ;to piy. I uin at a 10--i to lull what his death win occasioned by, but i fear it was by his last sicknots, for ho was never well ton days thogothor during t.ho whole time of his confinement, and 1 baliovo his death was occasioned by hid ating ton uiuck rabbits r-chtuir*! with pays and gravy, or pays ami gravy schtuffod with rabbits - I can't tell which. But he that as it may, un soon as ho Ir.ithed Ilia last fie ilocthors ga.u up all hopo'i of his recovory. I can't tell you anything about his ago, for you well know that in March next he'd have been 45 yenrs ould, lacking ten months, and had ho lived till that time, he'd been jit't six months dead His property now revolves to hia next of kin, who all died some ticno ago, so that I expect it will bo dividod between us, and you know his property was somo'hing very considerable, fur ho had a line estate that was sould to pay his debts, and tno r.-main dor ho IoM. in a horse raco ; but it was the opinion of everyone at the time that ho would have won if tho horse ho run against hadn't boon to ) f.isli for him. I uivir saw a man, and tho docth rs all Ray so, that obsarvod directions or tuck medicine betb'r thin ho did, Ho said he'd as l>ivo fciko better alloways as sugar candy if it lnvl only tho same taste. But, poor t-o.vl, he will nivir ate or drink moro, and you havn't a living relation left in tho wide world except myself and your two cousin*, who wore kilt in tho last war. I can't dwell on this mournful subject, and I shall sale my lotthur with black salinwax and put on it your uncle's coat of arms, so 1 beg of you not to brake the salo when you opin this lotthur, and don't opin it till threo or four days afther you've rocavod it, by which time you will bo pre pared for tho sorrowful tidings. Your sweetheart, Judy MalJeo, sondsyou hor love unknownst to ma. When l'at Finnigan urrivos in Amoriky, ax him for this lotther, and if ho doesn't know it from the rest, tell him its tho ono that tells about your unclo's death, and saled in bluck. —I remain, your affoetionato grandmother,—Julia O'Uooli (JAN.

"To Larry O'Hooligan, now in America, forninat tho l'um]). ' N.U.—Don't write again until you ro cavo this.

" i.-i.— When you como to thir place, atup and don't road any more till my noxt."

A Sensational Elopement.

London iengog with a now eenaation in which tho olomotits of romance and pcaudal aro painfully mixed. A handsome young assis tant in a Dublin dry goousthopolopod with a Miss Wilson, whoso acquaintance ho made during hor chopping visits. Miss Wil son was also young and hanjsomo, and was, moroovor, an heireys and a ward in ehancorv. Her fatlior is still living, and became ter ribly enraged vhen ha loarnod of tho olopo mc-nt. Ho chafed tho fugitives over half -jf England, and finally ovortoo'.v iliem and cauxod their arrest while thoy were on tho way to Sfotltind to bo married. Thoy woro brought separately to London, mid the young man was arraingod at Llio Bow street I'olioo Court on -lth Ootobor on a charge r.i contempt of Court, in having sought to marry a ward i:i chancory, without tho consent of tho Lird High Ohancolior. Ho wai also charged with iradulerK. raproßen ttilions, and tho girl's f-tther swore that ICnvanagh had assumed aira of great import niwo, ami talked as though ho woro a Cnwus, nlthaugh when l\o elopod ho ' was penniless and without work or proa paoU, and the girl whom lie --tole hud to dofriy ovon the oxponsea of tho flight. Tho expectant bridogronm was romandod with out bail, although if bail had been allowed it probably would not havo boon obtained.

just boforo tho examination Kavanogh told his «ido of tho story to a correspondent. Ho said that his arrest alono prevented his marrying Misa Wilson, and that what he moat doplorod was tho fact that vvhilo thoy woro on the way to Scotland they assumed the relations of husband and wife, without waiting for tho ceremony. Ho said he had not boon aware that tho younu lady wnsa ward in chancery ; that he waa sincere! v anxious to marry lior, ai:d would do so at fctiia moment if tho Lord High Chaneollor would givo him permission. Ho admitted that ho wa< poor, but said he was willing to work liko a slave for hi.-) wife, and did not want a t-hillingof her money. Miss Wilson, who waseeen subsequently, seemed brolton hoated, She said there eouH bo no objec tions to Kavanagh oxeopt that ho was poor, and she tearfully declared that flio would dio unless they woro ro-united. Much sympathy is expressed for tho youngsters, and itia believed that tho Lord Uigh Chan color wiit not bo quito relentless. Ho will prnhabl.-imprison Kavanagh for twomonths, nnd thtr. will allow him to many Miss Wilson, but tali i { care to tie up her money so that iho uione con control it,

NOTES FOR THE LADIES.

Brooados for Drosses,

Brocades have had their day, and I »m

sorry for it. ftundisomo in appearance, tliey wore long betraying signs oE wear. Now is tho time for women who do not mind being v littlo behind the fashion to purchase Bilk and velvet brocades. They can buy them at half their original cost, and they combine well and effectively with un patterned cutiimore, or tho;e soft, imi^h surfaced Woollens which prevail bo oxten sively. I intend getting some good brown silk brocade for a drew for myasif, making it up with seal-brown cashuitre It will, I know, look handsome and wear well, though it will not bo strictly in accordance with new modes, yet not so far behind the style as to be at all conspicuous. Plain and Btripod velvets are to bo worn largely: they will bo mado up with now rough clothe. The "Xripls" is a fashionable make of cloth, and there are other materials intei mixed with tineol; but I never choose tinsel mixtures if Icm avoid it. lam afraid tinsel will bo conspicuous amongst our winter fashions, and more especially on our millinery', feathers and flowers, and laces, as well as dress mateiials, showing that specious glitter which so soon becomes tarnished and vulgar. Indeed, tinsel is only a syuonym for trumpery, and is to be shunned accordingly. — " Penelope," in " .Sheffield Telegraph." The millinery world of Paris Ims been btirrod to its innerinostdepths by the display of thochillbns which ModameJudichnstaken with her on her American tour. She is to play fifteen different parts during her visit, tuid for thc^e no less than fifty dresses ure supplied, many of them being of the most costly description. It is even stated as a fuotthat when the dressmaker received the coinodienne's very oxtensivo order, she at oncj set about enlarging hor premises, and hud sovoral work-rooms thrown into one, in ordor to ba able to do justice to the great tiesa of her tack. This will ail'ord some idea of what dress does for the workers of our day. It will be interesting to know what tho Custom House officers ut Now York will h»vo to say to the array of immansely long boxes in which they arc to travel. It will bu romombored that they rofueed to paeu Madamo Barnhardo'fl gowns, being probably of the opinion that so many could not posHibly be ueeded by ono woman, o%'en though sho was an actress.—"Modern Society."

A Woman and Her Now Ehooa WliQn a wotruin hasuno w p^ir of shoes seat homo fho porfornu altogether different from a man. Sho uovor shoves hor toes into i thorn, and yanlta and hauls until eho is red in tho fiico and out of breath, and then goes stamping and kicking (iround, but pulls them on part way, cirofully twitches thoui off again to take a last look and eeo if she has tho right ono, pulls thorn on again, looks at thorn dreamily, says they are just, right, then takes another look, stops suddenly to smooth a wrinkle, twists around and «ur voys thorn sidoways, oxclaims, ''Mercy, how looso they are," looks (it thorn (ifjoiti Bquare in front, worka hor feet around so they won't hurt hor quite hi much, takes them oil', looks at tho heel, the toe, the bottom, and the instep, puts them oil aguin, walks up and down the room once or twico, remarks to her better half that she won't have them at any price, tilts down the I mirror so sho can see how they look, turns up in every po3siblo direction, and nearly dislocatos hor neck to see how thoy look from that way, backs oil', steps up again, takes thirty or forty farewell looks, says thoy inako hor foot 1 >ok awful big and will never do in tho world, puts thorn offand on three or four times moro, asks her husband what ho thinks about it, and pays no atten tion to what ho say-1, goes through it all again, and finally says she will take them It is a very simple matter indeed. A Sonsltlvo Woman.

A woman in far more sensitive than ,i mm. Sho hus finer feelings and a moro dolieato initvl. There are very fow men who reuiiso thi.*, and in conse quence worn in U male to endure much unnecessary suffering. One of our mer chants was going to church with his wife, when sho suddenly stopped and put her liniid to hor head. " What's the matter?" ho inked, startled by tho look of hor fiiee "Oh, 1 h.ivo got on my brown hut." "Jih?" ejaculated tho astonished man ,"ho burst into tears'. " What, Martha, what is tlic matter with you?'1 ho demanded " Djn't you soo what ij tho matter?" she returned in a sobbing voice. " I'vo got on my brown hit with my striped silk Oh, wh -t will peotilo say ?"

Wo aro to wear chiefly polonaises this sea-on. The fashion of wealing a plain and • figured material, mixed up in one's dress, in variably points to tho polonuise. But there are ways of managing to avoid il by those who prefer tho bodice to bo separate. For instance, the flecked stuff can be arranged in panels down tho skirt, with folds of the plain between. A soarf-liko drapery of the Hickod cloth eva thon Conn a (short ■ irtpery round tho hips, tho ends falling over tha ftkirt at th« back. This scarf und the endi could bo lined with thin surah of tho colour of trio little fluffy (locks. Thon die b;idico could either bo of the plain material, with waistcoat of tho flecked, or the revetve —"Madge" in "Truth."

The Princess Mettcrnich, n<* a sports woman, is a dangerous rival of theE-jiprets of Austria. Her skill at handling a j:;in is wonderful, and provokes the greatest surprise and admiration. Sho is at present i i Bohemia on a shooting expedition with her husband, whom sho duily accompanies, dressed quito regardless i.f appearance j for where sport i? concerned t.ho I'rinceps'a por.-onal vanity is swallowed up in hor desiro to return home with a good bag. Her hunting costume consists of a short grey skirt and jacket, a straw hat, and clumsy boots which she laughingly says make hor feet look like an elephant's. Upon her return uttho end of the day sho in not ashamed to eat a dinner that would satisfy n ploughman.—•' Modern Society." I like tho filk-striped canvas .materials that are meant to bo made up in combina tion with plain cinva*. These nro in black and cardinal, brown and gold, navy blue and cardinal, and navy and amber. The stripes aro moro tlnn an inch wide, and look well when gracefully draped. But if your country dressmaker is not very clover, do not entrust wido stripes tn her manni;e raont. They arotorriblu when ill-arranged Tho narrow ones are safer for the handling of the unskilled.—" Madge." Tiio latest amongst the fashionable ladies of Paris U to wear miniature landscapes painted on thoir finger nails by taleutod artists. St. Louis girls have landscapes painted on their finger nails, but they aro not miniature

Silly Superstitions about New bora Children.

It is unlucky to weigh them. It you do thoy will probably dio, und, at any rate, will not thrive. I bavo causod groat con corn in tho mind of a worthy uld monthly nurso l>y insisting on weighing inino. Thoy h:u-o, however, all done vory well with the ejcooption of ono, tlio weighing of whom was accidentally forgotten to bo parforuiod. Tho nurses always protested against the weighing;, though in a amorous sort of way, saying that, no doubt, it was all uonsenso, buc still it had botti-r not bo dono.

It i-i not good for children to s-leep upon honor)—that i?, upon tholnp. There seems to bo s.ime fenso in this notion ; it id doubt 10.c.-i bettor for iho child to bo supported throughout its whole length, instead of hanging down its ho.id or leg.-', a^ it might probably do if sleeping on t'lo lap .Me.-iud, in his " Worku ami Duys," forbidd children of twelve months or twelve years old to bo placed upoii (hiiigs not to bo moved—which somi! h.ivo understood to maan sepulchres. If this is right, perhaps there ia somo con nection bot.woon his injunction and thut which condemns the sleeping upon bouc.j, though tho modern bones aro those of the living, and not of tho dead.

Cats suck the breath of infanta, ami 10 kill thorn. This extrenv 'y unphiloaophio.il notion of cats preferring oxhausted to puro air is frequently a cause ot grout; annoyance to poor p«s.-iy when, .sftor having estab lished herself close to baby in a snug warm cradle, she linds herself ignominiously hustled out under suspicion r.f com passing tha death of her quito iioa- acquaintance who i* not yot bigOHOtigh t;i pull htr tail. Wlion chi dro 1 fir^c luavo Uicir mother's *M they must go up stairs before thoy go clown stair.-', otht-rwi.ia they will never ri.-o in tho world. Of courpo, it frequently happens that there is no 'upstairs," that the mother's room is tho highest in tho house. In tliia case tho difficulty U mot by tho nur.-o setting a chuir, and Bteppin.tr upon that with the child in her farms, as sho leaves the room. 1 h.ivo setn this dono

If you rook an empty cradlo, you will rock a now Ij.iby into it. This is a super stition in vio'uli oiiervantia, and it is quite curious to «c tho faco of alarm with which a poor woman with hor tonth baby in her Di-niH will dash across a room to proveut tlio "baby-but-one" from engaging in such a duucerous amusement as rockiucr the empty cradle.-" Tit Bits." r

Woman and the Tramcar.

Tun different methods",^ 6top tramoara would moke * to index to their individual chj?* "X t»do, Rostuve, , acW Att . pronounced in action of thia k , ' * 8t« of thorn. lnd»ltliia w

Tho severe, long.faced »„ corner while th/ea? B /e^f U « th, has a deep-grounded belief!*^ »«• » boM.to go by without Uhl\ "'Hldoit sentinel on duty. Sh.^?I*'^ soon as aha can distinguish tho r Wln «l driver and with her f£Z c fr« % aim at his eyes. Her fa™• kcs deadly over with the workinge O f c! r ' 8 *r> % at that moment are Scuft,"? ■ *& and energetic. Plainer S t te>ed countenance speaks. lt«», ••P° ldl ket at your peril." Aya> pass a a b On some drivor?, the now ones, this method of calling thri" has a shattering effect. Butthlu entio» mind it not. Thay pull " ~olde without moving aVuHeoVfeS The woman who c onimandod t Q"W so far a, they are concerned S> angel or a demon. Bht to an Tho idea that the car will n stopping is latent in the major-it. Tt Wlfto« minds. This accounts &?*>'« dinary earnestness and enerevll eitrwt' it This lack oEcenS',,^ manaiTomo.it has a cause for ft, J >' of course. w cx «te nce| Women who make overmuch huh. ticulate with both arms, much «*.** were signalling a locomotive to D 'l tbey destruction. Anxiety, even t« .f'?" rheir faces with the colour of alarm'1 ft* the car does stop, they are certaS faT? own minds that a single Ee «tu™ heit their part would have failed to k ■ • 011 a halt The fact that the dte'"o ployed to stop for passengers is 17 they would scout as a wild \nd *S assertion. BBnseleaa Vory young and vory pretty worn«, ■ have faith in the pote^Vof&i appearance, pose on the corner a D dmS incline their heads gracefully towardfS drivor, certain that he, aa well m ifi 7 world, is eager to serve them Th..» this atmosphere of eelf-eatirfactioaM car, where it is felt bj the sever" a D S nervous women who are already in n sigh as they silently reflect that ther ß » some disagreeable things for that I! lady to find out later on. ym^ The timid woman, young or old, ahva» has hor heart in her mouth when the ord a car to stop. Sho feels that Phe in aW ing herself beyond the usual bounavS tho thought makoa hor uncomJorbiH, Timid persons are prone to aolf-consdoi. nets, and for the life of htr the timid wol can t rid her mind of tho belief that even, body is looking at her because she is «.«!» assertive. "'

Tho very stout woman has the worst tin,, of all. Sho 18 not constructed for exertion! (if that kind, and as her mov.,nonfo „»„ necessity slow, and the driver nlirayaaffcch haste and make 3 her teel his impatience she ie apt to get abroad a little out of tomper,

The theatrical woman particularly ih» beginner, who moves and has her neiiJ with imaginary footlights all around her bids the car stop with a " Haltthere-w. slavos" gesture, which surprises oven tha horses.

The humble woman of the basket and bundle is sometimes pushing and fometimes hesitating. She knows that byreasoD of her appendages she will be unwelcome to conductor and passengers, arid the know. lodge makes her shy or defiant, in propor tion to tho sweetness or bitterness of bet nature.

If lifo wa3 loss desperate with tratneat drivers, thoy would eoe comedy lurking k every corner in the person of some woman,

Strange Breach of Premise Case.

In the Sydney District Court, Elizj J ane A robin, residing in Catherine street, Leich hardt, sought to rocover from George Splcer Pearce, of 137, York-Btroefc, £200 for alleged breach of promise. Mrs Mary Cray, of 163, Downing-street, eaid that Mr Pearco had told her tbat ho had led a very loving life, but hu hoped that the future would be happier for them both, meaning tin future of himself and Mrs Arabia, When the plaintiff lived in Bourke street she went by tho name of Mn Poavce. Tho defendant always called tte plaintiff his "missus," and eho always be liovod that they were man and wife. Thi plaintiff was examined at eotne length. Sh admitted that she had pa-vnod the defend ant's clothes, and had sent him the tickets. She requested him to leave her houso, because he had acted as a tUe! toward her and her etnployers-if necessity required ahe would explain farther.—By Mr Rogers: Did ho not leave your how immediately after tho cawing knife epi eodo ? No. When ho camo back from England did you not follow him about, and ns-k him to live with yonJ,No;in c:imo to mo and said be was sorry lor bit past lifo. Ou how many occasions ban you threatened to take his life? Never. Did you not toll him several times that if you caught him speaking to any female you would stab him to tho heart! No, Did you ever tell him that you would split his head open ? No Did he not run away from you to pave his life? No. Did you ever cut his head open ? I cannot say. Alter ha struck me iv the face I became go excited thit I don't know what I did. I have the mark of hid signet ii >g on my nose. (Launhter.) Did you not tc.l him that you would iftm his charactor away ? No. Did you ever throw a flower pot at him? No. I am quite euro. I did not. Ho has not only spent my money, lived on me Jor eight years, and ruined my business, but he has tried to paint me as black as he can. He hue actualiy sent a man dressed in wometis clothes to my house. He has had more than £300 of my money. The defendant denied that he ever promised to marrj the plaintiff. They lived toother v man and wife until the plaintiff gave way to drink and treated him badly. Since ho had ceased to cohabit with tho plaintiff she had atuok to him like a "torrior would to a rat." (Laugbter.j Shehad ovenfollowed him to Fiji, threatened him with a carving knife, cut hi* head wira a tumbler, and her actions were ttraogsly at variance with what should eharaotenw) the conduct of a love striken lady,. «f Roger? urged that as plaintiff had Men twico married, and that the decease of her first husband had not been proved, (to ™> not in a position to support a claim lor breach of promise. The Judge held tn« tho plaintiff had failed to turn the scale ot, probability, and ho gave a verdict for tn» defendant, but having regard to the circmn stances of the case, he made no order as to cost*.

The King of the Sparrows.

There has been great sorrow m.Spaiw* Land, for their lind old king 18 dead. "And who w«8 ho?" you will nfk-_ n» name wa* Bour, and lie kept a cunosiiy shop in Paris. Here he used to .hre»nty himself, nnd here people ueed to buy q»M» pictures and queer nicknacks. He «' gentle creature, very poor, but briffM_»! chcorful in disposition. He eeomed »i*») to »car tho same long, thin greati «w. summer and winter. In bad weather M wont to h^ar the glorious mum m »" church of St. K«che, but on fine «* he used to walk in the Tod««J Gavdon. Hero ho held his court sp»n_ Hew round him and lighted on him in W numbers that, it is said, he^S" seen for bird-. They would pick b■" in a crowd and would flutter overl«* until ho left tho peoplo and cm<** ? vilh them, whereupon they mn,-Ifeted w lovo for him so loudly that ever W? attention was altraeted by 'JfJ^l scene, lie used, of course to MM 1 but at times refraintd from doing sow their affection. The little, folk "d gardeners called him the Sparrow m J To please tho children he^'Hort reviews. In frosty weather hi», ;e plenty of bread which ho-to^ M crumbs for them. If tkJ m he stopped fce-Hng them, » "■ P •„ his l"t r,-,r his Wj&i'Jy of hi* rli-pleasure, waikoa in silence. During tho sicgo 0! though often sorely P^Z^Virii though he tnfeht h«e killed the W^ |]fJ t.hat bperchoj on *<" d risked hnncir Mtber t •»?''" "hem tb.t then Sa'-hwnshisconrolo'J^,,,!, ho <■, Mdo literally what he P f^ t him . them Wh?nhefellinheMrftog« self ,Ucer) at the_ open, ««J^, ont , room Ho would then s"o d or to h im in and tho sparrows soon "^d. en crow Is, forming a sort of cure he was tired they went' w*7 , d And now they will see the f^ th9pr . never reore for ev'or. N°*°°? tte ir k»fc rows nro md at the 1' Who would not bo wrryto l^» yoa And does not ainh'sthatlM thow you what kindness to saw

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, NQVMMWER 28, 1885.

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"R0l'«"H ON lUTS."-Cl,..r> nut mb. mln. MohM, (11,-1 mi. : . '■ .-. l.c ■:.■. ii,--. I-,-i. .1:. J.i li-iiil ~,'- i : 1...1 A iiuk(»u. K(lDJ , l | llin|ii r«i«er*Oo.. A*nit«. Au.kiiuJ