THE GARDEN.

I ;; (BYifioKTus.)

Operations for November 26.

i . -.iitng to answer any queries. I .fffflt* •? niist ifive their real names

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

■™««rtvo < Sub - tro " ical) - - The G B "i ««i crow in ;i larg-e mini bin , tf» Wb iho Sickland, especially in ffio" , ? Sa"es rioin- the sea coast. fef;l I do not think it will &*?s, olaccas a plant to grow for &» X our climate. \\ c have gummcra t0 cause it to % ite f and rayidly. ns m climates ■fSW* Srnwn extensively. A few C » iS n ffr of gentlemen and the Board tried experiments fijjd B° t with very marked success. SB. bnt D ?i ly about it is that it makes ornamental plant if planted Jfflgft that the frost cannot kill it BUIBS /Amateur). ---»i? i#> «nns it is better to htt your bulbs & not lift them till the V® moerly-ripened off: then lift I pnt my bulbs in fcwiti W sand, and they keep 5?, *\L OS Vines (Grape).-Paris green BtfB". . wrineing y° ur vines Wlth - but ÜBO it in a very diluted »„> under glass, the foliage i* Kne tender, would be more apt to MT&an when grown out in the **°yre KTOwth is much hardier. You %SaUie follQjviog ■& Rood mixture for «Sl bug: One wineglassfu of WJ*h> fctrfo* gallons of water. The "Kltaot injure the foliage, and the house will act ns a manure to the ♦""ffiiof the Aucklnnd vineries the (* J?sleen used with success for the It is said to keep mildew SJrfcsOMONS (Onion).-Yes, if you firtthebouns: plants as you thin out. "Sake equally as good bulbs as those Crt left where they were sown. If the #rLdrv, and consequently the soil dry, as follows i-Jlake up a thick OoW-manufo and water (clay will •wPnl the roots of the plants in this ffiibHlDit in tno ground; the roots will fiXnrith the mixture, and it will help ia SeHu)ly till they get established. ■i SliSd a splendid crop of onions all ffitedoae seaijon, but the labour is con-

Paris Green.

i t biotl|hti; thia insect destroyer if tie poHfe a * ew Weeks ago I stated to "use ifc with great iiW I found' by using it iiOyfthftfe-when the mixture is iritltreDgth. of half-an -ounce to three l|&at«, : 4i^TK c number of plants lafersuaJuient foliage get scorched, menially "* c mixture is nob kept jJofirrecL When allowed to ,jj,j p&jjon soon gets to the bottom, (Hi fiJ&K flf tbe syringing the Inst ftiter* fe' 6f ' far greater strength iljjf beginning. Thus great jgtfcetercised so as to mix in such tyjrUafc every drop of water is made ineitefM proportion of poison, and lalis&ii&tfed ih this manner over tutor plants. Where very tender iirtW be r syringed, the mixture fawfac&f' to a strength of half-an lto four or fi ve gallons of water. lit abet tfe taken with either fruits jtiaMS ttat have been syringed with m so that they are thoroughly free pifjiefore they are used as food. Horticultural Society. ißeyal Horticultural Society of Auck idd their. Spring Show ot fruit, i tad vegetables on Friday and Sfllsitreek. The exhibition has, I taught the public and the members ijiffcfejy that unless a marked hn wt'w'niade in the number of ey adin.'the patronage given by the a k'ftiealiiual exhibitions must be iifi Tho different exhibits staged iisiwed that it in nob from any

■to produce splendid flowers, w, etc., but from the apathy ie general grower.?. Year after i.Ktt of the growers nobly come il.nth their best productions ; iftfflonly to come forward when [BsteOßt certain to get first honours'. ilee and several other causes horti olmatters in Auckland have suffered pospast. Societies one after another no formed, but all seem to go the 'Bjfrom the want of proper support. weafter committee give time and lisdin many instances theirmoney, ramfcany good result. Any small fyAgein the old country, or even ••{■pur thriving country districts WiH beaehamed of the patronage wtoonrAuckland exhibitions. Tiie gjoaiity are bound to give another *in the autumn, and if they are *Wefame manner by the public *f of the members say that they will »«ioything more to do with horti «e?hibitione in tho future held in H which would be a great- pity. HMching. *« ( rfter season I have drawn the at *«.horticulturists to the importance «fruit trees, flowers and vege t^,"imates such as oura, where we lew prolonged periods in which m-m falls, and during which Upon the mois- Vto soil and atmosphere, every should be made to retain fltee as long as possible. .1 will fro extract taken from an American l ®tog pretty extensively with the

mulching on a most ex- not only in the forests, but on Wand wherever the materials for scarce, or of poor quality, there JM poorest soil and the weakest and The earth in our il nw • Wifch a mulch composed of S U *ig3, branches, and the half m wood and bark of old trees, millions of undershrubs and This mulch is being i{w e, ¥' and as the "lower fine mould, furnishing ly. w tae growing plants, new *i«?H, d t0 the UPpCr  'Wd - 8 *" wo °P era tion3 o: «fte«- F° 3lfl havo been £ oin S the earth's surface ijjr° we(growth of vegetation. Iwf'* of plants that have *«S!ls.TO the earfch ' s 6ur  fe. Sf lids become during kit? m exi sted.- The cone »tie^ a 8 cl ass draw very little return little, as may be Ncol!" e ? ami "ation of the 'vast X" try ln Afferent parts of the K'Oe ft Were covered with pine mklZ Contrar y. where we find [P|^t m^ e vand similar decidu - F&ltaf %• ara üßuallV"safe ih m J,; 7. fc yof the soil, and know %d a . hl S her °rderof cultivated ed with P ine > spruces 'S* JjX l !*^ 6 ?-' ■ ■■ An analysis of the ***U IS? ome from » also its I ■:s* pliable form as food for oi . fertiiifc y ma y ! I Bno doubfc taken ML k J " le slow process of a s y stem oi what may JSfcnSE* 8,0,1 of Primaries, the bec °me active and .."PPort living- organisms. UObi . continued.)

i r 'r*'? tfeentiv " Amert- the "Boston «?Hof, lhe wanted a special 4k baby.. W 'SniT'llO'l , the twinkling of a

DRAUGHTS.

Correct solutions to problem No. 14 re ceived from T. Martin Newton, and F. J., loasonby. '

PIIOBLEAI No. 16.

Through some mistake of the printer, there were no terms under the proWem in last baturcWs Star. The terms are as lollowa : White to move and win

Problem No. 17. By Mr W. Wingate, Gleland Black.

White. White.to play and win,

Solution to Problem No. 14 by J. G. Blakey, Auckland.

12- 8 10- 6 25-22 32-28 18-22 22-22 3-12 1-10 26-17 19-26 12-19 W.w.

The following is one of the games played in the International Draughts Match between England and Scotland, which was played at Glascow on 14th, 15th, and 16th April, 1884, between W. Beattie, of Liver pool, and J. McLachlan, of Larbert. Game No. 50.—" Alma," Beattie's move. 11-15 23- 7 20-27 7-11 30-26 17-10 25-19 2-11 32-16 14-18/20-24 6-15 8-11 26-23 alB-23 c2l-17 26-23 010- 9 22-17 3-12 628-24 18-23 24-28 15-18 3- 8 23-19 8-12 d2O-16 23-19 9- 5 25-22 4-8 16-11 23-26 28 32 18-23 11-16 17-13 23-27 30-23 19-15 32-28 26-23 15-18 11- 7 19-26 32-27 23-27 7-11 22-15 27-31 11-15 15-10 28-32 31-26 11-18 7- 3 12-19 27-23 27-31 9-14 19-16 31-27 15-24 10-15 32-28 29-25 12-19 24-20 e26-30 23-27 31-27 16-20 24-15 27-23 25-21 15-19 2S-32 19-16 10-19 3-7 5-9 27-32 19-23 12-19 27-24 23-19 24 20 9-14 21-17 Drawn. (a) Up to this point, the game has pro ceeded according to the authorities. (b) Here Druminoud plays 16-12, resulting in an even game. The move adopted by my opponent seems weak, if not an absolute loss. {(■) Evidently, fche object wag 19-15,11-7, 18-23, 30-2b', etc. (d) This move, so far as I can see, would have lost the game to Mr Mc- Lachlan. (c) Here 26-23 should have won, as fol lows :-26-23, 25-21,6-10, 24-28, 1-6. Black wins. (r) Any other move would lose. (<j) Only move to draw.—W.B.

Game No. 51.—"Switcher." 11-15 22-17 15-22 32-27 8-11 20-16 21-17 13-22 27-24 25-29 27-23 12-19 9-13 20-17 11-15 31-26 6- 9 23-16 25-21 15-18 19-10 4 8 19-15 3-19 8-11 29-25 5- 9 28-24 9-14 30-16 17-14 18-22 14- 5 2-6 15- 8 25-22 10-17 25-18 7-21 24-20 14-17 18-15 21-14 10-15 24-19 29-25 26-22 22-18 6-10 24-19 22-25 23-18 17-26 15-11 Drawn

The following game is taken out of Gould's " Book of Problems " : — Game No. 52.—" Bristol." 11-16 4-8 1-5 9-13 18-22 16-20 23-13 25-22 18- 9 23-18 26-17 2- 6 16-20 11-13 5-14 14-23 13-22 23-27 24-19 29-25 25-22 17-14 14-10 31-24 9-14 15-24 11-15 10-17 3- 8 20-27 18- 9 28-19 32-28 19-10 10- 6 6-10 5-14 8-11 6- 9 7-14 8-11 27-31 22-17 17-13 ' 13- 6 2S-19 6-2 10-14 8-11 20-24 2- 9 14-18 11-16 W. 27-23 22-18 22-17 21-14 19-15 wins.

Played at the Auckland Draughts Club Rooms between G. Blakey and H. Hender son :— Game: No. 53. —"Dyke." Henderson's move. 11-16 5-14 6-15 11-16 15-19 24-27 22-18 29-25 21-17 31-27 6- 2 32-23 16-19 7-10 710 16-20 10-15 28-32 23-16 22-17 25-22 22-17 2- 7 23-19 12-19 8-12 4-8 3-7 19-24 32-27 24 15 27-24 17-14 13- 9 7-11 19-15 J 0-19 2- 7 10-17 7-10 24-31 27-24 25 22 24-15 22-13 28-24 11-18 18-23 914 10-19 8-11 19-28 20-24 31-26 18- 9 17-10 26-22 9- 6 17-14 23-18 Drawn.

TIT FOR TAT.

Rather an amusing incident, bringing out a peculiar point in the "Standard Laws," which occurred at the recent match at Kintore, has just been relabed to us by a county representative. He says: "I had virtually won the first game when I gob 'hulled, , through my Black man having been whitened with chalk oti some occasion, likely to serve as a White piece. On my expressing annoyance, my opponent said he was forced to do hia best for his side ; and I would have to abide by the laws which gave him power to hilff. 'Very well, , I Siicl, 'we'll stick to the roles.' The recol lection of the ' huff' made me play well and carefully; but a spice of revenge for the loys of the man made my wins as nothing compared to the pleasure I felt when at the fifth game I caught my invulner able opponent tripping on Rule 11 In reply to li-ia.l played 23-18, when bo went 9-14, forming the 'Cross choice, which leaves you the option of going 18-9 or 18-11. The usual reply is 18-9, and tin's my opponent evidently expected me to do, for immediately on moving his-piece, 9-14 he innocently placed his hand on the man on sto take the exchange. ISow I've nabbed him,' I mentally said and I moved 18-11, wßereupoh he lifted his hand to play 8-15. ' Oh, no,' I *aid, obey the rule, 'touch a man, play a man; you must play the man on 5.' ' But I can t, he reiiec! 'you would huff my other man.' •I 1 can't help it; you must play the man you touched,' I insisted For some time we argued the kittle point, but as the ludl crousness of my hero's position became Sore apparent, we both burst out laughing, S? opt onent.windincr. up with < They've a Smfounded bother these Standard Laws.' _-" Aberdeen Free Press.

, ■ Tfik Baiucer v. Rekd Matcii -Reed and Satker, says the "New York World," Sve Sceilenfc promts, to make a great coyest of the match* -Inch is o commence it Pifctsburg en September 19. Ihe struggle wilf be keenly interesting, and 5 ded rS 5 their torrter -.contest, under datd of 24 challeneea Mr Fleming 1 lobher contest of 30 games and §50 a Sfe pfcy-tQ commence at Markham on thi I'ffirlst Mr Fleming accepted it ililll lifwhlnMy resigned, fkmittg won tUe lasb five games played. ; r •

STAGE AND STUDIO.

[By Euterpe.]

"General Mite" and "The Circassian Youth " are on exhibition in Christchurch.

Miss Carrie Swain leaves Sydney for New Zealand on December 15th, together with , Frank Gardiner, and a large company.

The Sydney Lodgeof Imps have disbanded by mutual consent, but I hear a new lodgo is about to be formed before long. Signor Carmini Morley is busy at Welling ton preparing " Montana " for production by his amateurs. It is expected to be ready in about a week hence.

The Wanganui Harmonic Society, follow ing the lead of Dunedin, have produced the fairy opera of " lolanthe " with, accord ing to the local papers, much success. Miss Emily Melville has been appearing at the Theatre Royal, Brisbane, in a now faroicalcomedy, "The Amazon,'' written by Mr D'Arcy Stansfield. The "Argus " says the piece was a great success. A young Irish comedian named Scanlan, who has recently been playing in San Francisco, is spoken of as one of the most amusing actors of the present day in his particular line.

Frank Clark's new American Variety Company have made a big hit ab the Opera House, Melbourne. Clark was fined the other week for overcrowding the building. How Liddy's mouth would water at thtj possibility of such a prosecution against him in Auckland !

. A dramatised edition of Mr Rider Haggard's " She" is in course of prepara tion by Mr Edward Ross. It is understood that the production will be accompanied by effects of a novol description, rendered necessary by the unusual character of the story. Martin Simonsen's Italian Opera season is now drawing to a close ab the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, but it is understood that a series of performances will be given at the Alexandra Theatre, when an Italian version of Wallace's " Maritaim" and Alfred Plumpton's new Italian opera, "I Due Student!," will be produced. A three-act comic opera has being dis covered among Weber's manuscripts. Kopellmeister Mahler received the order to thoroughly complete it, and after the first act was heard at Leipzig by the musical authorities, the opera was placed for performance among the novelties of the next season at Leipzig. Miss Louise Davenport did not long re main a widow. An American paper in forms me that " Mrs Mamie L. Sheridan, the widow of the late William E. Sheridan, who died a few months ago in Australia, haa been married to Mr Robert G. Hudson, of the firm of Hudson and O'Neil, managers of Mr Frederick B. Warde, the tragodian." Such is life.

The Holts are said to have secured the Australian rights of the latest Drury Lane production, " Pleasure," which came out on September 3rd. The hero is an under graduate, strong in athletics but rather weak morally. The first portion of tho play passes at Oxford, and includes a collegian's wine party, giving a capital picture of University life. Later the action of the piece takes tho spectators to the Riviera, where occur lifelike reproductions of tho " Battle of Flowers " c>l a masked ball, and an impressive and thrilling episode in this year's Riviera earthquake.

English playgoers firo promised a thea trical novelty shortly in the shape of ii com pany of Chinese comedians, some eighty strong, who purpose giving a scries of dramatic representations such as arc popular in the Celestial Land. Their repertory will include .selections from tho classic writers of Yu-Kn Dynasty, the golden age of the Chinese drama, as well as specimens of the lighter work, comedies of intrigue and farce produced by the playwrights of the modern schools. And if the arrangement be carried out, as no doubt it will, the " outer barbarians" will havo at length an opportunity of learning the truth about Chinese plays and player?. Tho Parnell Shakespeare Club very pleasantly brought their season to a closo with an entertainment in the Oddfellows' Hall on Monday evening la.st. There was a largo attendance of visitors from far and near, amongst those present being some of the members of the sifter Club at Devonport. Tho programme was nicely diversified, and tho ladies deservo recognition for tho very tasteful manner in which refreshment was provided and dispensed. About the best elocutionary efforts of tho evening were Mr Walker's Romeo, Mrs Walker's Juliet and _Mr Baurhe's Friar in "Romeo and Juliet;" Mrs Goodhue's Queen Katharine in " Henry VIII," and Capfc. Thomas's Petruchio in " The Taming of tho Shrew." Bland Holt and Co. are doing well in Christchureh. Of Mrs Holt the "Press says :—" Mrs Holt is bufc a young girl, and gives evidence of developing into a first class actress of emotional parts. Her elo cution is slightly defective ab times, and her voice a little untrained, but these small faults time and Bfcudy will obliterate.' 3ho possesses plenty .of dramatic ability and un usual personal advantages. Her fine, clear cut, handsome face is open and intellectual, her eyes large and dark, and her figure slight, graceful, and supple. Her gestures are always appropriate. In the rnosfc emotional scenes she never exaggerates, and never falls below what one would ex pect from a woman under the circum stances which impel her actions. Her dramatic taste is true and 'unerring; Hhe rose to every crisis (in ' Alone in London '), and never once overstepped the bounds be tween dramatic power and ranting ; never even showed the slightest tendency_ to do so or the smallest inclinations to ' pile on the agony,' ac an actress with less true dramatic taste would have done. Her re presentation of the rorrow-strickeri, heart broken Nan was all the more on ac count of its subdued intensity, and its lack of anything approaching the maudlin. The delineation was,, throughout, thoroughly real and natural." The other members of Bland Holt's Company are, Misses Ida Her bert, Montie, Frederics, Mabel Tracey, Mrs, Walter Hill, Messrs Walter Howe, Frank Gates, Augustus Glover, G. R. Irelandj W. H. Seagravo, J. Wiseman, Arthur G. Poulbon, and Harry Norman. The following extract is from an Ameri can paper, and must probably be taken cum r/rano salts : —" Mosb everyone, at some time' or other, has observed the peculiar purr of a cat. R. W. Scott, of Bishop's Creek, is the proud possessor of a cat that is an artist in this respect, as it More than purrs--it sings. This jwf appear too strange for belief: bufc, In the face of the fact that several of our most prominent citizens, all gentlemen of -undoubted veracity, vouch foi the truthfulness of the etory, it must be.believed. Mr Scott has in his establishment a very fine music box, and the cab has been., noticed listening to its strains for hours at a time. One evening, Recently, the feline* prima donna poured forth, in a rich and eleai* contralto, the melody of the Grand Duchess. To say that the owner was astonished, would be putting it mildly. He Immediately called, in several-of his neighbours to listen to , the wonder, but it was love's labour lost, for the music stopped. A few evenings later she again poured forth her liquid notes, this time rendering-, in fine style, ' Listen to the Mocking Bird;' Several-genfcle meiis fortunatel|,we|e present, and listened with surprise ajid delight to perhaps, the greatest wonder of tlio age. Many times during the past week the song-cat has tuned herself to the sweetest melody, and each time to the delight of the interested heavere.. Her owner Is justly proud of her, and, of course, values her Highly. He'ies endeavouring to train her to sing whatever he desires, and if successful will probably visit the principal places of the coast."

The Reappearance of Olber's Comet.

In astronomical circles, writes a Naples correspondent, the reappearance of Olber's comet is observed with the greatest interest. It is visible in the eastern sky just before runrise. The elipticity of this comet, which is now returning towards the sun after a course of seventy-two years, was fixed by the celebrated astronomer Bessel, who dis covered the curve in which the comet was to be looked for. When the well-known comet-discoverer Brooks, in North America, announced a now comet on the 24th of August last, the observations proved theldentity of the so-called now comet with that of Olber's. At presont the, comet is near the constellation Lion, and is about as bright as a star of the seventh magnitude, but its lustre will gradually increase.

Viscount and Newspaper Pedlar.

A man in very poor circumetances was buried a few days ago whose cortege I should have considered it an honour to have followed to the grave. He was the Viscount Richard de Verney, commonly called in the poor neighbourhood where ho lived " Pere Ludovic." His poverty was his own act, he having lost a large fortune by imprudent speculations. Undaunted by adversity, he set bravely to work to turn an honest penny. He was a messenger in the Oih'ce of the "■ Journal Oflicial," which paper he carried about, to subscribers. In the afternoon he sold other journals on the boulevards, and from 8 o'clock in the even ing until midnight he performed the duties of dresser in a theatre. He was 53 years old, and has left a wife and three children, who are utterly destitute. — " Galigani's Messengex - . ,,

Feminine Duellists.

Duelling among women, says a Paris cor respondent, threatens to come into vogue in Paris, and the old practice of demolish, ing chignons, tearing off hats or bonnets, and leaving the imprint of nails in faces when quarrels are to be adjusted, will soon probably be discarded for gome sum mary means of obtaining satisfaction. One day recently two-well dressed women came face to face with each other in the Rue Laurence Savart, and bystanders were surprised to hear them suddenly begin to objurgate one another in a vociferous manner worthy of the Mme. Angots of the Central Market. Public interest was, how ever, more deeply aroused when one of the scolds pulled a revolvor from some mysteri ous part of her bodice, and levelled it at her adversary. The adversary fumbled about for her weapon of defence, but before she had time to present it a bullet whistled near her ears and fihe fainted away in a manner hardly worthy of ah amazon. The assailant, a Mmo. Celestine, was seized by the onlookers and disarmed, while her un luckly rival was carried insensible, but un injurodj to an adjacent pharmaceutical es tablishment.

Writing Up the Wedding

A youno man out in the Panhandle came down to Austin to mafry Miss MoNeestor, daughter of General McNeester, who suddenly struck it rich while herding his cattle on the ptAlic lands. The Mc- Neesters were not going to do tilings by halves, so they had a swell supper and invited the reporters. Noxt morning one of the daily papers, among equally florid sentences and paragraphs, contained the following : — " Tho jellies were pure amber and agate masses of quivorinj:, delicious, translucent sweet, catching the scintillating rays of chromatic showers' an they were flung from the transfiguring prisms of the dazzling clmndelicr, and made the perfumed air rosy and violet as they > seemed to hold them a moment in their tremulous embrace before darting them forth on the assembled beauty and chivalry." General McNeester, with the bridegroom, met tho reporter next morning and Raid— " Young man, did you write this here notice of the wedding ?" "I—ah-—let mo see," said the reporter, in doubt as to the object of the inquiry. He was an old Texas reporter, and he had better leave a loophole for emergencies. "Oh, you needn't deny it," said the general, while the groom blushed. "It's the finest thing ever written up, and I'm going to have the tailor make you a fine suit of clothes."

" An' I'm goin' to send you a hoss an' a pair o ! spurs an' a six-shooter—a regular gentleman's outfit," said the delighted groom. —" The Colonel."

Humorous.

Old as the hills—Hho valley. A man who has a turn for music—The organ-grinder. When has a man four hands ?—When he doubles his fists. Galloping Consumption — Dinner at a railroad restaurant.

How does a horse regard a man ? —As the source of all his whoas.

What part of a dwelling-house would best suit a phrenologist for his study ?—The scullery. You can't convince a young man whose best girl has just said "Yes," that the country is groinjr to rack and ruin. "I wouldn't be a fool if I were you," said Jones to a friend. "If you were me you wouldn't be a fool," was the reply. Needing no Bush.—Holt: "Well, my boy, this is something' like wine, isn't it ?" Gtiewt, reflectively : " Yes, what is it ?" " It's as warm as an oven in here," said a. citizen as he entered a lawyer's office. "■ So it should be, for it is here I make my bread," said the man of deeds. " You needn't be so crusty," said Todkins to his better-half. "Better be a little crusty than only one-half baked," was the reply of his amiable spouse. "Fortunate." —An Irish paper announces that Mr Kenny, returning to town, fell down and broke his neck, but happily re ceived no further damage. " Ah, my dear," said a gallant lover to his sweetheart, "you always remind me of a lock and key."" "Why so?" "Because you are something to adore." That scientific expedition around the world may perhaps be able to tell us, when it returns, why a man takes off his boots first when undressing, while a woman begins at her hairpins. ■'! ; ■■■:■• Some singers at a concert wero somewhat startled the other ; evening by finding that the selection, " When wearied wretches sink to sleep," had been printed on the pro grammed,'' When married wretches," &c Overheard in a bookseller's. -tQld party (to bookseller's clerk) ■ I should like a Chaucer. Clerk (altogether new to the business, but very polite): Really, sir, I'm very sorry, but I haven't a bit of tobacco about Sine. " And did he say all that, Pat ?" " Vis, ver riverence, all thim name 3he called me, an' sis I, ' I wouldn't demane meself to lose me temper with such a low blag-gard,' so I just kflockM Him over syrid IH'e' ehtick and cum away. , !? ,-.■"■-'", ■ '}, 1 & JL ...•■ QJsLAt mMmm^J Here lies John Greenwood, priest, A good man and a true : If he is not at rest, God help both me and you. An editor intimates—" Persons sending us poems will pleaso to write on only oiie side of the sheet, and ;«se white paper, so that if the article _is ytfo'fc accepted we may use the opposite side of the paper, and thus some good may come of the poem."

A PATRIOT NIZAM.

Splendid Gift by Nizam of Hyderabad for Frontier Defence.

The "Times " has reason to believe that a communication has been received at the India Office from the Viceroy stating that a most important letter has been addressed to His Excellency by his Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad. The significance of this document can be best judged by a summary of its contents.

.The Nizam begins by saying that he has for some time observed that the revenue of India has shown little increase, while the expenditure has gone on steadily growing, and he finds on inquiry that the latter fact is due solely to the large sums devoted to the improved defence of the Indian frontier, necessary by the aggressive advance of 'Russia in Central Asia.

His Highness then«declared his convic tion that the whole 01 India benefits from these measures for its security against ex ternal attack, and therefore he, "as the oldest ally of the English in, India," has feit it incumbent on, him to show in some open way that the interests of all the In habitants of India, British and native, are identical in this matter of frontier defence against Russian aggression. His Highness accordingly offers the Government of the Queen-Empress, through Her Majesty's representative the Viceroy, as a free gift, the contributions of 20 lakhs (£200,000) yearly for a period of two years, to be devoted to the purposes of promoting the military defence of the Forth-West Frontier.

This very significant and welcome letter is written throughout in the most cordial, and, indeed, affecting terms, and in con cluding it the Nizam frankly declares that his pecuniary aid is only intended for the day of peace and preparation, and that when the hour of battle arrives with any invader of India, " England can count upon his sword."

Daft Bobby.

Daft Bobby lived in a small Yorkshire village, and was looked upon by everybody as a complete idiot, but on one occasion he proved himself as sharp as most people. Bobby overheard some men talking about having money in the bank, and how it paid ; so having a halfpenny, he thought he could not do better than by putting it in the bank. So he went out to look for a likely place in a bankside, and not finding one to his liking, he put it under a loose brick in a wall, shaking his head sagely as he hid it. A young girl happening to see him asked him what he had done with his halfpenny, and he said, " Aw've put it in t'bank." So thinking to have some fun with him she told some young men belonging to the vil lage, and one of them undertook to play a joko on Bobby. He wont and took the half-penny from under the brick and put a shilling in its place ; and when Bobby went to look next day he was agreeably surprised to find it had " grown moor," as he ex pressed it. Ho left it another day to see now it went on ; but on going the next day what was his horror to find the shilling gone and only a penny piece in its place. He said, "Oh dear, that's bad wark. Thah mon do better than that, thah knows ;" and he again left it to its fate. On going the third day he found half a sovereign under tho brick. His eyes fairly danced with delight as he said, " Oh dear, thah's getten t'yallow jaundice. Aw mon put thee iv my pocket afore thah gets ony moor cooud," and suiting the action to the word he put it in his pocket, and refused to part with it when his tormentors told him of the joke. Hβ said it was interest for his halfpenny.

Rushing Europe on Wheels

An American and his wife, writes a corres pondent, Mr and Mrs Harold R. Lewisi, of Philadelphia, on a tandem tricycle, have since Jubilee Day travelled all over the South of England ; and then, from Dieppe, ridden to Geneva, by way of Rouen, Paris, and Dijon, thence over the St. Gethard to Milan, by way of the lakes ; back over the Splugen, by. easy stapes through Switzerland, down the Rhine from its Source to the sea ; around Holland, only ending their trip of 2,200 inilos in Brussels because they found themselves riding, nob on the rubber, but on the steel rims of their wheels, the tires being entirely worn out. Ameri cana are usually proverbial for "rushing Europe," but if English cyclists were to follow the example of Mr and Mrs Lewis, thoroughly study the languages of countries through which they are going, and en deavour to live the life of the people as much as they can, they would come back, uot with a stock of the traveller's petty grievances and grumblings, but with the memory of " one summer" delightfully spent and the knowledge that they have made one of the most interesting rides on record. Trips like these, which unfortun ately are almost always made by foreigners,' iio nioro than anything else to increase the hopes and lessen the fears for the future of cycling

The Englishman's Hat.

In the new instalment of his " Hundred Days in Europe," in the " Atlantic Monthly," Oliver Wendell Holmes says :— In walking the fashionable streets of London one can hardly fail to be struck with the well-dressed look of gentlemen of all ages. The special point in which the Londoner excels all other citizens I am con versant with is the hat. I believe in the English hat as the best tiling of its ugly kind. As for the Englishman's feeling with reference to it, a foreigner might be par doned for thinking it was his fetitch, a North American Indian for looking at it as taking the place of his own medicine-bag. It is a common thing for the Englishman to say his prayers into it, as he sits down in his pew. Can it be that this imparts a religious character to the article 1 How ever this may be, the true Londoner's hat is cared for as reverentially as a High- Church altar. Far off its coming shines. I was always impressed by the fact that even with us a well-bred gentleman in reduced circumstances never forgets to keep his beaver well brushed, and I remember that long ago I spoke of the hat as the ultimum moriens of what we used to call gentility, the last thing to perish in the decay of a gentleman's outfit. His hat is as sacred to an Englishman as his beard to a Mussul man.

A Private Still

A few years ago in the town of S. it used to be a common practice among the people to have private stills secreted in their houses, and to detect these Custom House officere were employed. One of the officers happen ing to meet an Irishman, got in conversa tion with him, and eventually asked him, if he knew of a private still. The Irishman answered " Yes;" whereupon he offered him £5 if he would show him one. The Irishman told him to hand over the £5 and then order a cab, which he did. The officer perceiving, that they were driving round the Barracks several times, asked him the meaning of it. Whereupon the Irishman put his head out of the window, and ordered the driver to draw up in front of the sentry's box. -The Irishirtan then said to the officer, "Yoiiseo that sen try?" -"Yes;," "\VeIU behind-him is nriy brother Bill. They Vonlt make him a corporal, so he's a private still!" When the officer turned round to look after his money the Irishman had dis appeared.

A man sent in, to an editor an item to the .effect that his fortieth wedding anni versary would be observed;on a certain day, but the printer inadvertently left out the word " anniversary."

LADIES' GOSSIP.

According to the latest definition, a bachelor is a man who has lost the oppor tunity of making a woman miserable. Wife: " You haven't been inside a church since we were married." Husband (sorrowfully): " No; a burnt child dreads the fire."

A maiden lady says that if single life is bad, it stands to reason that double life is twice as bad. But ladies rarely understand mathematics.

Wife, to second husband, "Ah, James, you are so different from my first husband." Husband, " Yes, no doubt—he died four years ago, and I didn't." " I feel so miserable again this morning," said a complaining wife. "Yes," replied her exasperated husband, "you wouldn't be happy if you weren't miserable all the time."

It is asserted that Solomon never laughed. That's not remarkable. A man who had seven hundred wives and a few. hundred mothers-in-law was nob likely to be in a very merry humour. A stout old lady got out of a crowded omnibus the other day, exclaiming, " Well, that's a relief anyhow," to which the driver, eyeing her ample porportions, replied, " So the 'osses thinks, mum."

"I can't afford more than one flower in my hat," she said to the milliner. " Well, where will you have it?" "As I sit next to the left wall in church, you, can put it on the side next to the congregation,' , wae the soft reply. A married man who was out at a party, when he proposed returning home, Was urged to stay a little longer. "Well," he replied, "perhaps I may as well; my wife's temper probably is already as bad as it. can be.

FOUND OUT.

A young lady visited a jeweller and told him that her father was going to buy her a pair of diamond earrings, and that she would like to look at some. The jeweller, knowing her father by reputation, spread out a number of costly gems before her. She looked them over critically, and having selected the most handsome pair asked if she might take them home and examine them at her leisure. The permission was Eromptly accorded, and next day the young idy brought back the earrings, and said she was not quite satisfied with them, and she thought that after all it might be come time before her father would indulge her taste for diamonds. J< That's a great pity," replied the jeweller; " I was at recep tion last night, and I thought them very becoming to you."

SOME CURIOUS WEDDING RINGS.

These symbols have n6b always been manufactured from the precious metal gold. Wβ are told that in lieu of a ring the churcli key has often been used ; and Wal pole tells of an instance where a curtain ring was employed. The Duke of Hamilton fell bo violently in love with the younger of the celebrated Misses Gunning, at a party in Lord Chesterfield's house, that two days after he sent for a parson to perform the marriage ceremony; but as the duke t had neither license nor ring the clergyman refused to act. Nothing daunted, Hamilton declared he " would send for the Archbishop." At last they were married with a ring of the bed curtain, at half past twelve at night, at Mayfair Chapel. For getful bridegrooms have been reduced to greater straits than this even j in one instance a leather ring had, on the spur of the moment, to be cut out of a piece of kid, from the bride's glove. A tr&gia story of a forgotten wedding ring is told in the ". Lives of the Lindseys." . When he should have been at church, Goliff Lindeey, the young Earl of Balcarres, was quietly eat ing hie breakfast in nightgown and slippers; when reminded tbab Mauritia of Nassau was waiting -for him at the altar, he hurried to church j bub pforgdt the ring } a friend present gave him one, Which he, without looking at, placed on the bride's finger. After the ceremony was over, the Countess glanced at her hand and beheld a grinning death's head on her ring. She fainted away, and the omen made such an impression on her that on recovering she declared that she wgi destined tp,die withi in a year; a presentiment that probably brought about its own fulfilment, for in a few months the careless Colin was a

widower.

A HOLIDAY IN CORNWALL.

[By Elise.]

Dear Mb Editor.—We have just gob back to town, after a most delightful summer holiday. My husbaiid and myself deter mined that this year we would do something quite original, so instead of seeking a fashion able seaside resort or " trapezin g"offtoSwit. zerland we betook ourselves to a quiet little fishing-village in the south of Cornwall. Movagissey, as this old-world retreat is called, lies well out of the ordinary tourist route, being ten miles from a rail way station and boasting no conspicuous attractions in the sightseeing line. The in habitant? liveentirely on theproceedsof their fishing and are a singularly primitive people, honest, temperate and God-fearing. They greeted us hospitably, and treated us during our visit most kindly, but without an atom of the cringing respect so often paid by the masses to the classes. The women at Mevagiseey " rule the roost" completely. The men pay the money they earn into " the missus's " hands directly they receive it and are grateful if she allows them a six-pence to buy " a bit of baccy" with. Most of the young fellows are strict tee totallers, and their elders seem to consider a nob of cider quite a small dissipation. I was told that no self-respecting girl Would dream of speaking to a lad, much less of " keeping company " with him unless be was a teetotaller. Insomeother respects, strange to say, the young folks are decidedly lax, Illegitimate children abound and appear to be taken quite as a matter of course. A buxom dame was pointed to me who left her husband and 5 children one fine morning, and "took up" with a young man named (let, us sayf Jones, . living opposite to them. The injured hus band, no doubt you think, half-mur dered Johes. Not at all. He accepted the situation philosophically, merely observing that 'twas unneighboui'ly of Jones not to have relieved him of "the kids" as well as "the missus." The deserted children, in point of fact, Boon became the plague of their father's life. They wouldn't go to school and he couldn't keep them clean. At length one afternoon about a year after the elopement the injuried man came to a determination and proceeded to Jones's. His " late missus " Was in alone nursing the infant which she had recently borne her lover. " Mary, come home," * quoth the husband, without circumlocution, " our kids be running wild and I can't keep "em clean, I can't." Mary ruminated , for a moment: - a ln alt pro l bability she was tired of Jones and yearned after her children. But then there was the baby. She pointed to it signi ficantly, and queried "What of this?" " Say no more," responded her spouse, eagerly. "We'll not make a fuss about, a trine like that." (This M ; positive fact.) The re-united pair forthwith '■quitted Jones's roof, -worfchybp reflect on tile instability of feminine affec tion. The extraordinary feafoires t»f the transaction are that all parties concerned are strict Methodists and regular church goers : that the principals concerned never exchanged an angry word, though living opposite one another, and that their neighbours seem to have thought little if any the worse of the wife for her escapade. It occurred four years ago* and ehft has ever since lived in connubial happiness with her husband. . ! *^§r?ft^^l

POETRY.

TO POESY.

Thou'rt like a white-faced nun that knows no

sin, O! Would I were a priest to dwell within Thy holy fane; to live a devotee. So I might worship as I sing of thee.

I've roamed, a pilgrim round a barren globe To kiss the border of thy heaven-flamed robo I And scorched my soul when too near thy loved

throne. Yet I cling to thee—my beautiful, my own.

And yet thou art so coy; but, goddess fair, f would not have thee bold for fools to stare Into thy soul. In strongest towers keep Kisses for those who love thee, pure and deep.

I hear thee wHisp'rlng to the sleeping flow rs. And singing anthemS in the woodland bowers; O teach me, love, that magic lore of thine That turns earth's weakest song to melody divine.

E'en let me die, so 'tis in thy fair arms, Die, ever singing of thy godlike charms. What care I, sweet, so thou dost recompense With smiles ol love, my own frail recklessness.

Thou.come3t like a maid to meet her love, r I hear thee trilling to the woodland dove; ■■■<. And the flowers kiss the "music of thy feet," ij" But I will kigs thy soul, love, when we meet. S<; W. E. Wilis. »..

THE CUP OF LIFE,

The cup of Life with joy and woe Is filled, and from its solemn flow

Are hopes and fears. Omnipotence here bade us stay, Ordained Our fate, and on our wa||f Placed smiles and tears.

When woe our hearts in hours of gloom Fills, we are blind to pleasure's bloom, Joy sings in vadn: In vain to heal the bleeding wound Is music's soft and soothing sound And sweetest strain.

But -when the show of grief is past Jor beams on the pad heart at last With smiles diivine— Kind defds.'are opening for its rays, Through them its hajpgifcess displays— And Dleesingd shine. 5 |

If joy bestrewed ow path alone. And nothing else but pleasure shone Upon our way, . i Then, we should keenly wish to dwell On earth, when Death's! resistless knelj Calls us away.

Or if our few brief days or years Were covered o'er with unmixed, tears, Midst wail and groan; . If naught remained but dark despair. Then death would leave no being here To grieve and moan.

Letcbme what may, come storm or calm, While from hope's fountain flows this balnj— That storms pass o'er-i ' - ' ■ Let us, in hope's gr.eat power, away » Beyond the woes we meet to-day- , ■■ . ,••. v In triumph soar. j \1 ><■• \ M. MdNSTEb*. -\

ONLY A WOMAN AFTER ALL.

I mot her at a country place, ! Where she was spending her Vacation, And much admired her form and face.

Likewise her sparkling conversation. She was a Boston girl, but wore Nor spectacles nor goggle glasses, . Though she of learningljad a store jx • As rich as other Boston lasses, •. X

The maiden ,was of beauty rare . J ('Tie that, not learning, that doth sway Bβ), As Aphrodite she was fair, Qr Helen, spouse of Menelaus; But colder than Diana fair, Who made a stage of poor Actoeon, And distant as the furthest star That glitters in the empyrean.

I loved her. and I think she knew That much from my admiring glances, For she, as we acquainted grew. Somewhat unbent to my advances; ; ; But when my love I would have toid, t I felt a dread, a terror seize me, I feared if I became so bold, The maiden with a look would freeze me.

At length a firm resolve I made,', For I was borderiri'gftfn distraction, Sβ That the proposal.' long delayed, Td make, whate'ersnight be her action, And having thus mado tfcp my mind. That evening when alone I found her, Before she my intent divined, I boldly threw my arms around hor.

rfelt her tresses brush my face, ■ Theirfaint, sweetperfumetnrilledmy senses, I clasped her in a fond embrace, Regardless of the consequences; I kissed her lips—oh, honeyed bliss! I gave her hand a thousand squeezes, And all she said to me was this : " John, are you sure that no one sees us T i X " Sunday Democrat." )

LITTLE FOLKS' COLUMN.

DON'T FJGHT.

Don't fight! don't fight! There, Fred and Tom. Of words you've had enough ; Tom, take his hand before he goes

Off in that silly huff.

You'll pay him out, you say. No, Fred. Here let the matter end;' You shall not go until you've said; Once more you are his friend.

Come, come ! a little while agro How blithe you were at play! Until a silly word drove all Your merriment away.

And, Brother Tom, for you it was Who first the friendship broke, Tell Fred that you are sorry for The angry word you spoke.

And learn to curb your hasty tongue, For often I have heard How misery and guilt have sprung Out of an angry word.

To dreadful strife words often grow, And strife, time after time. Has led in one quick angry blow To murder's awful crime.

You're sorry, and you'll make it up, Now that is very right; You cannot tell how grieved I am To see my brothers light.

Now, Fred I don't turn away, as though You didn't understand. You know as well as I that Tom Is holding out his hand.

Take it!—that's right! Oh, Tom and Fred, How glad I am ! the pain Your quarrel caused has flown away, Let's go and play again, L. H. OOtraMs

Why are our nose and chin always at vari. ance ? Because words are continually pass, ing between them. '♦I'll always take your part, sis,"- as the boy said when he robbed his little sister of her portion of gingerbread. * In a Hebrew sohiooli—"What crime did Joseph's brethren commit in selling him V All the pupils in chorus : '" They sold him too cheap." ,■.:-■; : ' Ateacherdefinedconscienceas "something within you that tells you when you have dotie wrong." "I had it once, 1, spoke up! ayoung gentleman of six summers, "but they had to send for a doctor." , ■ Spread of Education —■* A obrreapbrieeftt) sends the following, which he saw in a shop window: " A bakers Patent Mangel for Sail, and 2 B §old Encmyre at numb.er —~ _—*—Strete, Sumers Toarne. A Deaided Bargen." "What are you doing now, Thomas?" asked, the minister..patronjsingly. "lam a 'wjfiter . for, the press;' , fsaid the lad, proudly.; >' yqu are quite young, to? that; you writd?" " I direct wrappers." Visitor : " And how is the baby to-day,. Flossie?" Flossie: "Mamma says she is a little better." Visitor: "Not very much, ; though?" Flossie: "No; but, you know,' she can't be very much better because sh§ li Uttl« bit ipf % baby." Some amusing stories of Macaulay's child- Jiood. are related, in the biography by Tre velyan. For example, we learn that on one occasion his father took the boy on a visib to Lady Waldegrave at Strawberry Hill.; After some time had been spent among the wonders of the Oxford collection a servant who was waiting upon the company in the great gallery spilt some hot coffee over his legs. The hostess was all kindness and compassion* and when, after a while, she asked ho|f he wipM feeling, the little fellow lookldup in and replied, "Thank you, mftdajm, the agony is abated,"

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAB, SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 26, 1887.

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