THE GARDEN

[BvHortus.]

Operations for December 17.

_jiii«ff to answer any queries. Jib give thoir full names S^'aS ** for p»WICoUon-]

TO CORRESPONDENCE.

■ i Of course, plants of coleus ««S <& „ £ll and lank if not pinched so a< (S°ffU, Pnhit After your cuttings have %* * Ttnerowstrongpnich-out the top &startcf t)n the top two shoots will % shoots- U" l b tt |f oWC d to grow till iff.these BM 1 1 vhon the weakest W»ninc^hcd out. The strongest will StobePinchcfl «« lcador shoul(1 be S»rTtrcate las above whenever Hid,;. Sedan" w^" d The side shoots will jjtts pinching so as to regulate the S^thOirQsAMOXO3TFEHXS (Amateur). a^ D? not a very good thing to dust frl1. 3 ft would "do injury. Tho best Jtfft 10 mi to use would be ammonia. £f°f Ji Uto,isc is one wincßlassfwll to W«»f tynf water. Mix well and put it W!°»mts through n flne-roso syringe Jaft« P'¥r w ili destroy tho snails and (•""USdießine time the liquid will act Bto the Plants. (2) Your ferns will %K beVdt shaded now for the season, rffl' 0 °r thnm to do well all Bummer, ftift^esft capital shading matorial.

Watering Plants.

. hot season is now ap .■ a f e , T lines on the proper water tb[ p iants may be of value tooor ' „ When the watering of plants is it should always be done in a . raann er, no matter whether the d'arein pot or in the open border. A j!drenching must be given so as to the watering effectual. Giving little Ifnterfrwi day to day simply brings US feeding fibres to the surface o^ '^nd where they got scorched by the l[n VB of the sun when the effect of the /"i gopp.. Where water is to be j'jo plants in the open border see ♦he surface soil is broken up ' the *^er is aPPliccl ? or> j! giro*thorough mulching with any uen apply water in quantities so as Lonelily saturate the soil for some T The effect of the mulch or broken ujjji'be to allow the water to pene 2to a greater depth. At the same Arnold) or broken surface will re "tle moisture for a much longer dthan on soil with a hard surface. watering has been sufficiently * the soil will keep damp for a week Ijiithout any rain. Tlio appearance plants, viz., the drooping of their j^fffflsoon tell that they want more t,flienanother heavy drenching should iiiia be given. While watering, if 6 are in flower do not sprinkle the; surer the flowers, as this will caumo itofade quicker ; but where plants are lioOTtue water should be sprinkled Krieplant. In hot dry weather the »!$ all covered with dust, which ipo pores in the leaves, and thus souses them to get unhealthy, rfieavy waterings wash this dust nlpvj-i cleaner and healthier ap sis to the foliage Plants in pots jijiijrs. jjijicli .tho" same treatment iila iii the 'open border, only nierings must be much more frequent, jM bg thorough : every particle of (Sin the pot should be moistened, planta should never be watered while i in the pot is moist, for if this is kdin the soil will soon fret sour and

jjj-DQtafc all suited for healthy root h Whenever a plant in pot shows &able signs of neglect, such as when ffjfcge drop 3 and hangs limp, the htay to recover it is to plunge the lito a buckufc of water, and let it lltefijffoiii five to ten minutes ; fatebutond place in a shady position sraoTcrs. Syringing the foliage of snot in flower is also very beneficial in ijtta in good, health. Fruit trees : a* a3fruit is growing it is better to ifeitroote pretty moist, but at the isjih of the fruit swelling .so as to a tie roots should be kept in a pretty i^'B the fruit will then ripen more

itljStdbe of better flavour. Fruit jaijudihave received too much water iiiping their fruit will nearly !«princefrnit of a soft, flabby in ianrre.- All seeds, moreover, ripen sfarebetter under dry conditions of njiiniosphere than under moist.

Spraying Apple Trees.

sopaaiion for protecting the fruit tfojttacks of the codling worm will *mdy practised during the present mad it is very important that ib be 'ifltßO as to effect the desired purpose tojnrent all risk of harm from the

■J. imong the careful experiments ! fly|wbeen tried in past and previous H^w from which sound advice has ■faned, are those of Professor S. A M^fllinois, Among tho essential re ■ He reports, and which ac '.■r™ the practice of tho best ■TO) are that tho results of once H**.'pying with Paris green WJ* young apples have drooped ■wjßteri ?> resulted in a saving B* (5 per cent, of the apples exposed ■Whis insect. It is nob only im- W Of1 6 Wor^ sl)OuJd be done : iKfrthatitmay bo effective, but apWfw wisely emphasizes cspeci ■•Hak^kl' at BPra2"*nS a^fcer *''1C P™_«gun to hang downwards is ■Sv dangerous, and should not ■■■.«™Wed under any circumstances, if ■? B7 er"r ard to be used. It may . Hr i j~adtl.tllat he iinds Paris green WL *™* »rsenic on several ac- M adefiritfl directions which have been iJK£& yeaiß Prescribe that the 'MHfaV "* ne aS SCO n aS l'!C tt»» a- M rge M cherries, and K*«Mvi«ed the performance of the .;;mJJJ%arethe sizeof peas. The :'HilCf -*? ' *^c ormer uncertain. ■ »S, ha^egun te^vutß down- SlfotlspP Iffe will nilb wash and IRjk *?|? on. at the blossom end found,' by chemical ||Kr'"iafc violent rains have not ■NSifi, ytheP° ißOn il' oin thafc «KiH^?^' $ poicon has not m*S aJ inis"!re<l.ifc w°uld do Bte^M 'hat frqqi, the surn m*^ *n "7* sports, the value of IC L * cro P of Illinois ' SINSw 8 about He is m^ Per cent, of the apple crop BB'^" ficed each year to the BSfeSi at *or t!iis inficcfc BP'^WHM twice tfteJE prpßMPt Hpjtjjf ijf.the State Horticultural BS'Plttf» 1D ; rvin? Ha]l yesterday - RCT?^ * tb£ chair. K!«>otosu? ""Peotor of Fruit RK;"B]^ » re nular subject for K-Wdii. He thought the true K^'ffi* 81 traced t0 disease HSC a Rlide Ullder the ■Wtdy ff tlle spores, of what is BnL aP ple ftnd Pear blight. ■fßSrJL^ ]m of sulphur of ||W-^^ disease germs. If BStyWSls£tu giy this Bi^onw/? ,respecting the use fflK. 4 * Pfonpr estode^roy the codling i«ll!i£rt lon, nfc to use fi"d fclie i#i*oi,Sn! c l ea Ve(J and maki"^ ;jL therefrcni being spoken |Nf»{t S"i? Un. said he had been j'.f f iHj " a solution of one #Sj? 200 gallons of water. li SBS"8 the fruifc» Professor

mmiS: °n f aC°oUnfc of tbe extremely .small quantity, if any, whic h would adhere thero-

ofNlv S, the loss in the cr °P of the State of athJ% < ? BfciU Sreater> and when that ' h. er States is added in, tho whole amount wxll obviously reach many millions. emoi nT° rtan? c °f a R°noral "se of the mo*fc etticioub remedy becomes evident. We have ? ivon, on former occasions, detailed direc tions tor preparing the spraying liquid, and tor applying lfc effectively to the trees.- Exchange." The New Zealand Government should instruct nomo of our Professors to make elaborate tests here so as to obtain data, in order that the use of insectives may be made compulsory.

STAGE AND STUDIO

[By Euterpe.]

The usual Christmas performance of " The Messiah," by the Auckland Choral Society, takes place on Tuesday next. The seats of the chorus and orchestra will be decorated with fern leaves, cabbage trees, pungas, etc l understand that the usual free Sunday performance of the oratorio for the benefit of tho public at large has been deferred Irom Christmas Day until New Year's Day, and the committee is anxious that the per forming members, orchestra and chorus should make a special effort to attend on that afternoon in order that the general public may hear the "'Messiah" as well rendered as possible. The concert on that occasion will commence ct 3 p.m.,as hereto fore.

The programme for the Ponsonby Choral Society's second season consists of Bridge's "Boadicea," Stanford's "Revenge," Men delssohn's " Walpurgis Nighb" and (Jade's 'Psyche," and the first practice for " Boa dicea" will take place on the 23rd of January.

Edmond Audran is to write the music for " Tho Paradise of Mahomet," a " grand fantastic " piece by Monrcal and Blondeau, winch will be produced at the Theatre dc la Bourse in Brussels at the end of this year. Miss Kate Foley, who was playing in Australia and Now Zealand some 12 or 13 years ago ; is about, to star in America, in Mdrao. Aimea's play "Mam'selle." 11. M.S. Pinafore is as yet very far from being a " sheer hull." Ab any rate, it has been got underweigh again at the Princess's, Melbourne.

A new popular edition of the complete literary works of iUchard Wagner (com prising ten volumes) i.s about to be issued in numbers, at the price of 7d each by the firm of E. W. Fritzch, of Leipsfc.

It is rumoured that Verdi is no# engaged upon another Shakespearian opera, viz. "Romeo c Juliette," for which Boito, his able coadjutor in " Otcllo," is said to have furnished the libretto.

An orchestra of women, who are all players of brass instruments, is making a sensation in Dresden. Tho ladies have an engagement for Vienna next winter, where they will play at a series of balls among the aristocracy.

Hei't' Pollini, the well-known impresario ol Hamburg, is reported to have discovered another phenomenal tenor who tops by three semi-tones tho famous chest C of the ex-coachman Botel. Tlio fortunate singer is, or was until recently a Galiciuu peasant, and after haying1 undergone a course of training, ho makes his first appearance in Opera nt the Hamburg1 Stadt Theater.

Amateur singers will be interested to learn that the copywrijflib of Vincent Wallace's opera "Maritana" expired on 15th November last, and that it now bo comes common properties. Jtia well known that the two songs " In Happy Momonts. " and " .Scenes Thafc nro Brightest " are not at present included in the lapsed properties a« they were not included in the opera until some time after its first presentation.

Acting upon a suggestion from f)r. Yon Bulow, Herr Carl Bechstein, (he well known pianoforte manufacturer of Berlin, lias just patented an ingenious contriv ance combining a conductor's desk with a small pianoforte. The- con ductor is thereby enabled to accom - pany the sooco recitatives in operatic performances himself without leaving his seat, and to support the singers on thostage whenever hn has occasion to do so.

It is stated in the Continental papers that the followin;; amounts were paid per night to the artists who took part in the produc tion of "Otcllo" at Milan:—Tamaprano, £180; Manrel, £120; Mdle Gabbi. £60; Faccio, the conductor, £20 ; minor singers, £70 ; chorus, £60; and orchestra. £80: and that the royalty paid to Verdi's publishers was £80 per night. J. M. Bailey, once famous as the wit of the " Danbury News," has faded from the humorous world, and is now ar, actor in a daily repeated domestic tragedy. His wife is insane and demands his entire attention. He must dress her and arrange her hair, and attend to all her wants. She is like a child, and he jrives her all bis affection, time, and attention. His devotion is de scribed as something heroic. Says a Yankee critic:—" Mrs Lnngtry when she swallows her dose of poison in 'As in a Lqokinpr-trlass' begins immedia tely to tear at her bosom. But if she must be physiologic, she ought to know that the action is not in her breast, but in her stomach. She reminds me of that amateur lady who, when she says ' Great heavens! my heart is breaking,' always lays her hand on her marble brow—an action that always Hruck me as being peculiarly devoid of 'local colour.'" Mr Fred Maccabe has had a £ood recep tion afc the Academy of Music Sydney. Time has not stood still with Mr Maccabe But vet it has carried him. along without leaving any very rough marks of its progress. He can still easily make good his title as a very prince of mqnQlojrne performers. His S2 hip ventriloqmsm, his rapid Ganges of character, are all admirable, ffis sinking voice undoubtedly shows signs of we"? ag nd tear But tho pleasan manner remains unchanged, and the latter counts for a great £1 gj"*^ oTeSerTntrodit^l features pot trnllerv theun one one of the vvanaennu 5Sl Bb »s* conspicuous as ever and S worthy's musical variations, and his Everybody !»> o^r t of Bettina, work In fairl? C^J" for serious fault whole, there is little room } Q finding in respect of this sensafciona Audran'B fomo us op« *, Parfc ner " American cliama b^ remem bered.

DRAUGHTS.

Problem No. 20. End Game "Cross." By J. G. Blakey, Auckland. Black.

White. White to move and win.

Solution to Problem No. 17. By W. Wingate, Cleland. Black men on 1, 6, 13, king on 30. Y\ hite men on 15, 21, 26, king on 14. White to move and win. 15-10 30-23 21-17 13-22 14-17 White wins.

Game No. 60—"Doctor."

Played between Messrs J. 11. Trogaskis and J. Pentieost, of Truro, Cornwall, i'enti- CQSt's move.

A match between D. Grubb and 11. Bat torsby, for a trophy, was commenced last Wednesday. Fivb games were played, and tho score is as follows : —Batters by wins 4, Grubb wins 1, drawn 0, 5 more games to be played.

DEATH OF MR WILLIAM STRICKLAND.

It iss with feelings of deop rogrefc wo havo to announce what may almost be termed the sudden death of the blindfold champion — for not quite three we^ks ago he met a strong team of Leeds players in ono of his wonderful blindfold exhibitions. This was on .Saturday, the Ist Oct., at the Leeds Draughts and Chess Club, when the gentlemen opposing Strickland were — Messrs Bownas, Goouall, Howell, Bosworth, Stoveson and Cohen. He played again at Bradford on the 3rd Oct., and ib was little thought that this would be his lust public appearance: but, having caught a bad cold, and inflammation or, the lungs sotting In, the blindfold champion succumbed to the master of us all on the morning of Saturday last, Lho 15th Oct. Strickland was widely and worthily known, not only us an unequalled master of the art of blindfold play, but also as o|io of the quickest and ablest 'cross-board players of the day. For the following sketch of the late Blindfold Champion of tho World we are indebted to an English player of the first rank, who enjoyed many a 'cross-board tusslo with poor Strickland ; - Mr Strickland was born afc Leeds, March, 1849, and was therefore only in his 38th year. At 18, he displayed considerable ap titude at the g.-ime, the scene of his opera tions being the British Workman Public- Houses, jusb then inaugurated in Leeds. He gradually improved, but it was not until several years afterwards that the literature of the game was introduced to his notice. He was afc that time without education, but taught himself to read and write for the purpose of studying his favourite pastime scientifically; and after that his progress was rapid, and he was soon on a par with the best of the Leeds players—no mean tribute to his perseverance and abilities. His first match was with Mr D. Murray, of Leeds, whom he defeated ; allowing1 the odds of three mines start in six, he won every came. After thafc ho met and defeated 1. Lockwood, also of Leeds ; and at that, time he was constantly engaged in friendly and other contests with players of repute, his occupation of hawker giving him the oppor tunity to meet all the " cracks" for miles round Leeds and vicinity. He extended his iourneys into Lancashire, acquiring a wide spread reputation by the ease wifch which he defeated the majority of his opponents. Almost contemporary with his study of the "books," he commenced to contribute to the current literature of the game in magazines and newspapers, his reputation beinV consequently greatly increased and extended. He continued _ this laudable practice to the last, and his efforts have done much in that special direction to spread the knowledge of the game. Mis contributions were always interesting and valuable as an aid to students, and were welcomed by both draughts editors and readers. It was not until 1873 that his attention was directed to the blindfold jrame by the successes of Mr I rank Brunne. At first, like many of the experts of that day he doubted the genuineness of blind fold Pla y; but a little experience with Mr Dunne, who had taken up. his residence in Leeds soon worked a change m his opinion, and putting his wonted ardour into the rtudy he soon acquired wonderful pro fiefcney. Extending his efforts to simul taneous play be soon after astonished the draughts world by the brilliance of his manifold powers. . Tn 1878-9 he made an extensive tour throusrh Scotland and the North of Eng fann Contesting blindfold from six to twelve games simultaneously at each of the p aces vfsited and meeting with the plaudits of w£ the nress and the public. On one qc £& hf contested no less than twenty Ses simultaneously; and his repetition Ke moves, both backwards and forwards, was a feat that always evoked applause, a- fhon he has continued to hold the premie posifcion as a blindfold player Al- Fl nmrh J P. R<*d came over from Amer £ with the avowed object of meeting him for championship honours, the former re- I Aim America without the match tak rlce, AS Strickland retained the title tipfc**

TABLE TALK.

SOCIAL, THEATRICAL, SPORTING

AND LITERARY.

(For the 'Frisco Mail of November 2m)

Mr Gladstone's Philistixk Friends—Their Latest Bktisk—The G.O.M.'s Chips an d Chops-Gladstonk at Erox-A Remixis" CISNCK-McCAIiMONT'B MILLIOXS—TIIK LATE Mr Berkskord Hoi»e—Loud Iddesleiuii's LtTERAity Hemains—Lady Bijassey's Ac" COIU'LISHMIiNTS ■» AN ANECDOTE — GEpROE FonprfAM'jg Last Wojips—yKßSE3 Tiiebeqn —Xhisatkical Notes—The Golden Ladder —"Killaloe," New Cojiic Song—Ossoby's Deuut. London, November 2. It is Mr Gladstone's misfortune to have Philistines about him who are continually finding him in some silly fix and making tho " Grand Old Man " look ridiculous- What, for example, could be in worse taste than tho latest emanation from the Estate office at Hawarden ? At first people thought the advertisement must be a joke> but it was pofc, in fact, the nqtice ap peared two or three times in all the, lead ing London and provincial papers. Here it is : ''In consequence of the numerous ap plications for chips Mr Gladstone has de cided to make a uniform charge for all wood felled by him." Naturally the Conserva tive " jokist" was at once on the gui vine.

Q.O.M. (loquitur)— Friends, a tariff I'm arranging For my trophies of tree-lopping. I'vo made nothing out of "changing," So you see nnistcharge for" chopping.'

An extradition warrant has been applied for and granted against a well-known Baronet who has carried off a child of 13, the daughter of respectable parents, to the Continent. The horrors of tho story pro mise to wholly eclipse what Conservatives now gracefully stylo "The Hughes-Hallett incident." Key. Alexander Wilson, in his new book about Eton in Dr. Keates's time, confirms Sir F. U. Doyle's statement that .Gladstone was for a time editor of the school paper. In one number, the G.O.M. wrote an "Ole to the Shade of Wat Tyler," which con cluded thus: " So men of taxes, men of law In alley close and murky lane. Shall lind a Tyler and a Straw To cleave the doßpot'a slaves in vain." Mr Hugh McCalmoht, tho Scotch iron master, has nob (as was reported) left "Gumboil" a largo fortune. On the contrary, that young gentleman's unfortu nate amount with Miss Fortescuo and others olfended tho old man, so that he cut him off with an insignificant legacy. Lieut. Mc- Calmont, of tho Guards, however, benclits to the extent of fhrr.c million*, and another nephew gets a million !

Mi' Bevesford Hope is a great loss to the High Ghuroh party, and his familiar figure will be much missed afc tho notorious All Saints', Margaret-street. Excessive do votional exercises brought on the relapse that killed him. Mr Hope was a capital speaker in what " Truth " calls a " sort of dressiug-tfowp and slippers" confidential way, and was usually well listened to in tho House of Commons. Somo years ago ho published, anonymously, a political novel, callod "Strictly Tied Up, !> \vhieh achieved and deserved a conspicuous suc cess. Ho was proprietor of the " Satur day Review," but never interfered with the management of that journal. Lord Iddesloigh's literary remains, in cluding his papers and correspondence, have boon placed in tho hands of Mr An drew Lang, who hopes to produce there from un interesting und entertaining biography. " Business without advertising," says tho proprietor of a well-known quack medi cine, "is like winking at a pretty girl in tho dark."

The Selwyn-Hughes Hallett " incident " is already well-nigh forgotten. At the an niversary dinner of a Rochester Cricket Ciub the other day the gallant ColoneVs health was proposed and drunk amidst the greatest enthusiasm, the company rising to their feet and singing " For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." Tho Conservative youth of this cathedral city aro evidently pretty warm members. I think I may say that such an occurrence would havo been im possible in the colonies. But (as Mr Col lette sings) " You Never Can Tell."

The late Lady Brassoy could do many othor things besides write readable works of travel. She was a practical hospital nurse, and one of the most active working members of tho St. John's Ambulance Society for along time. Sho gained a first class diploma at South Kensington School of Cookery, and was legally qualified to teach in Government schools. Her lady ship sketched passing well, and read a great deal. She was adored by her hus band and children, whom she ruled affec tionately but autocratically. Lady Brassey did not dross particularly well. Her toilettes were often too striking to be in pei'feot tastp. Overdoing things in more ways than one was, indeed, her chief foible. judging from his new book, " What I Remember," T. A. Tiollope is a much more amusing person than was the now almost fcn'gotten Anthony. He recalls amongst other things many pithy sayings of Archbishop Whately's. " The difference between a form and a ceremony," said Whately, "is a nice one. It lies in this, you sit upon a form, but you stand upon ceremony." And again, " Honesty is the best policy—yet he who is governed by that maxim is not an honest ipan."

The last words poor George Fordham uttered were, " I'm waiting for the flag to fall." The splendid horseman thought of his life's, work as that life's last hour came. He was under the Great Starter's orders, and patiently,oalmly, he waited for the flag to fall which was to start him on the last race of all—the goal of which is eternity. The ever-ready "Dagonet" has enshrined these las,t words in two pretty verses:— " I'm waiting for tho flag to fall." The dying horseman whisccred low; Then, with a smile, •' God bless you all," The starter soon will bid mo " po." A blameless record his through life, A life beset with snares to sin, YVith many a deadly pitfall rife, He loved his art—and rode to win. The flag has fallen. Never more Shall we behold " the Demon's " face, Or cheer him a3 the mighty roar Proclaims him victqrin the race. The fiat's gained; the tost is past, May we not say our hearts within, " Our hero's won (his raco-his last-^ And gained t}ip prize ho rode to win." Qn, hja gravestone Fordham, requeued that the WQrdSi "It is the pace that kills." might be engraved. They are singularly inapplicable, as the great jockey was steady almost to a fault. George R. Sims, who well understands the value of a pqeticai raqtsbp, haj chqsen a pretty co"p]# by J- A- IjqwsU to illustrate the meaning of the title of his new melo drama," The Golden Ladder." This is it: Tis sorrow builds the shinipg ladder up, Whose golden rounds are our calamities^ •♦Sophia," which has had a run of 450 nights at the Vaudeville, will be replaced tq-night by Mr U. A. Jqnes's new drama "Heart of Hearts." i The last nights are announced of "Ruddigpre," which has somehow failed to hit the popular taste "as "Tfie Mikado did. A revival of " Patience" will pro bably follow " Pinafore." Planquette's successful comic opera, "Les Vqltigeuvs d^e la which had a long run in Paris last year, was prpduped at the Xyenue Theatre in a somewhat moch fied fpnft 9n Wednesday «< The

Old Guard " (as it is now called) contains plenty of taking melodies, but cannot bo compared as a work of art with " Les Cloches." The piece will doubtless draw till Christmas.

Thegigan tic tank at the Standard Theatre, which did duty for the famous boat race scene last year, now assists in the tidal harbour scene of "A Tongue of Slander." The sensation of the piece is the heroine's jump from the pier-head into the water, whence she is rescued in orthodox fashion by the hero, both subsequently appearing before tho curtain dripping to take their call*. In reality, however, they don't go into the water at all. The plunge is made by two cleverly got-up doubles, pupils of Professor Beckwith, and. well accustomed to perform ing in the water. Rider Haggard and Edward Rose are busy over a dramatic version of " She." It will be brought out- at some big theatre vvith grand spectacular effects. Great re liance is placed on the " hot potting " and cannibalism pcenes, which are said to be of a moat realistic and blood-curdling charac ter.

Lonnen's new song " Killaloe" is the mak ing of Miss Esmeralda, the new burlesque at the Gaiety, and promises to outvie in popularity even " Ballyhooley." It des cribes the misadventures of a "brave mounseer" who tried to teach French in Killaloe.

"Mais our," Mossoo would cry. " Well, of courso you can," says I. "Non— no—" "I know," says I, with some surprise. When a boy straight up from Clare heard his mother called a mere He fjavo Mossoo a blow between tho eyes. Says Moasoo with much alarm, " Go and call for Johnny JDarm." "There's no such namo," eay3l, "about the place." "Comment," ho made reply. "Como on ycr self." says I, And X scattered all the features of his face, After this Mossoo decided —that it wouldn't do to teach French in Killaloo Unless he'd got a face or two to spare. The magistrate to whom Mossoo appeals is perplexed, For a fellow who you see spells whisky O.D.V. VVhy, you never know what lio'll bo up to next. Then nothing more was said, Mossoo went homo to bed And mixed no more in Killaloe affairs, And the papers of tho place said tho foreign teacher's place Was closed for alteration and repairs. The moral, of course, is — Don't speak foreign languages, for Whatever tongue you tako it is mighty hard to spako When your ear keeps changing places with your nose.

Romantic Elopement.

A romantic elopement has just occurred in connection with one of the oldest aristo cratic families in tho kingdom. The chief actor is a high-spirited youth, whose age is given as no more than 17, and who is the only son and heir of one of tho county families of Worcestershire, and whose name occurs in Doomsday Book. The father of the youth is a retired captain, and his mother is of a distinguished family, a member of which, for his military service, was raised to the House of Peeis. Three months ago tho young heir was introduced, at the close of a boating excursion, by tho private secretary of his fattier, to a bar maid, aged between 21 and '22, at a vviue and spirit vault in Stonrbridge, whom the secretary pronounced " the prettiest girl in England." It was an all'air of " love at first sight,1' and the young follow declared he would never marry anyone else. A friendship sprang up, and family entreaties and threats were alike in vain. The young man declared if his wishes were thwarted he would end his life with a revolver. At this time ho was on a vacation from his college. Tho family communicated with the detective p'olico of Birming ham,: and for weeks past private detectives have watched tho barmaid's movements almost night and day. She is tho daughter of a poulterer living in Wolverhampton. Detectives, solicitors, and clergymen havo also visited the girl's home, on behalf of the family, to try to obtain in formation of the heir's whereabouts, for it wasdiscoveredhehad run away from college. Very little information was, however, forth coming, and though one interview was secured at the hotel between the young man and his mother, tho only result was his declaration that if ho were taken by force ho would be taken homo on a stretcher. Authentic news was received on Sunday that the couple had eloped, and had been married at, it is believed, a country church near Liverpool. Tho brido has her self communicated this information, and asked for forgiveness. The young heir's family are naturally greatly concerned. The young fellow has, during the latter part of tho pi-oceedings, backed up his independence by putting foiward " his solicitor " when it has been threatened by his family. An attempt ts secure a special license only a few days before the successful elopement was frustrated by the registrar happening to possess private in formation of how the matter stood. In his second attempt, however, he seems to have been more fortunate. Some doubt at pres ent exists whether the ceremony took place at a, registrar's office or at a church. The elopement is being much discussed in hunt ing circles, the heir's family being accus tomed frequently to figure at meets.— " Birmingham Daily Post."

Our Warships

The struggle between guns and armour, leading to ever-increasing thicknesses of the latter, has compelled naval architects either to reduce the area of protected sur face, or else to increase the displacement enormously; the only other alternative being to adhere to the ancient thicknesses, and to endeavour to obtain greater resisting power by an improved quality of armour. Consequently we see in the newer designs unarmoured ends and thoroughly protected central citadels, which are sometimes called partial belts. The Italians have even gone so far in their newest and heaviest ships as to dispense altogether with s}do armour at the water-line, and to depend both for floating pqwer and stability on the resistance afforded by a. curved "steel deck, rising from a few feet below tho water-line at tho sides to a few feet above it at the centre, and also on the improbability of the numerous water-tight cells which cover this deck being all riddled. Or if these are riddled they expect that cork filling, the coal and other stores, will not only act as armour and stop the heavy shots, but also as displacers of water, and so assist in maintaining the stability and floating power. To a limited extent, this plaji is copied in pur Admiral class of ships, but it is open to serious objec tionw. If we cqnajder the effect of a tor pedo explosion against a ship's double bottom, we can imagine it to take place either in the centre of a square bounded on two sides by the bracket frames, and on the other two by the kelsons, or else against the frames themselves. In the former case ifye result would be a severe bulge or a hole in the centre of the square with little or no damage to the inner Bkin, which is two or three, feet away. If, however, the explosion takes place a* the crossing of the frames and kelsons, which constitute a very rigid column cross shaped and with two angleirons rivetted into the corners, ib is absolutely certain that the inner skin will be, damaged, and It is probable that this short column will be shot into the ship, leaving a hole at least eight inchea squaro in the inner skin of ..'the ship's side or bottom. Such results may safely be expected, and it is most desir able that any. torpedo experiments used as the basis for future constructive design should be so varied in charapter as to afford the very fullest* possible injormatioii is to jbhe points to which we have directed atten tion above, s*" JSp^ine^flrjg."

FIGHTING LIONS.

A Terrible Battle Between Eigfit

Kings of the Forest,

Early one morning there was a fearful battle in the Jubilee Exhibition at Liver pool. Delmonico, the most plucky tamer of beasts, had been trifling in a cage with ( three big forest lions. Five more lions, of a different kind, but very big also, arrived from Africa and were put at once into the big cage with the three already there. When he had done, Mlle.Kora, his partner, went in with the lions and took a little dog. This was repeated during the day, and the new lions were too much stunned by the noisy crowd and the visits of the dog to think of anything else. Shortly after midnight, however, the menagerie was filled with a frightful roaring, and a ser vant rushed in to find the big iron cage rocking and the eight lions fighting furiously, rolled up into a huge dark ball, from which the blood-stained fur was flying in all directions. The huge beasts rolled over and over, biting pieces out of each other with a ferocity that was sickening. The new arrivals were pitted at unfair odds against the lions who had been in possession. The tamer arrived half-clad,~and found his lions bleeding fearfully, but still righting. The appear ance of Delmonico with a red-hot iron pro duced an effect, and all but the two chief combatants crouched sullenly down. On these two hot iron was useless, even when applied to raw flesh. The lions responded only by tearing away at each other more fiercely. At last Delmonico entered the cage, half-clad as he was, and shut himself in." He next opened a door communicating with a second cage, and di'qve into it the six lions that had been looking on. The two contestants paid no attention to him, but while he stood there the big forest lion, who had been defending his home against the five strangers, rolled over on his back, growled faintly, and died as the other seized him again by the throat. There was not on the dead lion any unbitten whole piece of skin large enough to have made a glove. Curiously enough, nob one of the lions had its tail bitten off, which seems to indicate that some code exists among lions which prevents them from making each other ridiculous.

Hypnotism in Paris

Tiik ampifcheatre of the Chaiite Hospital in Paris was recently crowded with per sons who had been invited to witness the experiments of hypnotism made by Dr. Luys, member of the Academy of Medicine and doctor at tho Salpetricre. Before in troducing Mdlle. Esther, his subject, the doctor showed his auditors photographs il lustrating the effects produced on her in his laboratory. Mdlle. Esther was then brought forward. The " Standard's" correspondent thus describes the experiments : — By means of magnetic passes, the doctor throws her from a state of lethargy into a cataleptic condition, and then into a state of lucid .somnambulism. Dr. Luy3 placed a tube containing hashish on her neck, and she seemed instantly to tcel the ofleob of tho narcotic preparation. ' She assumedanaturalair, and soon went straight towards Dr. Reclus, who was present, and proposed to perform the Mascotte with him. The docter was rather annoyed by the pre ference shown by Mdle. Esther, so Dr. Luys diverted her attention from him to Dr. Segond, who consented to play the part of Pippo. Mdlle. Esther took that of the Mascotte. He sat down beside her, whereupon she promptly kissed him. "Now sing," said Dr. Luys, holding the tubo to lior neck, and she began at once, stopping short when the tube was with drawn. Dr. Luys then begged Dr. Reclus to place himself behind the young woman, and to put the tube on her neck and then fradually take it away. Mdlle. Esther egan again to sing ; but in proportion as the tube was taken further and further from her, her voice become fainter and fainter till it died away entirely. She then fell, in a cataleptic condition, into the arms of the hospital assistants who were behind her. Dr. Luys made other experiments upon Mdlle. Esther. By looking at her he made her follow with her eyes an imagi nary bird in the air, and at last she thought she had caught it in her hands. Then, by making her look down, the doctor frightened her by making her imagine thei'e was a serpent at her feet. Tho most remarkable display was when Dr. Luys placed a tube containing 10 grammes of essence of thyme on Mdlle. Esther's neck. In a few moments her face bocame purple, her arms and hands stiff, and the neck swelled out in a most extraordinary manner. From 31 centi metres it grew, by the contraction on the muscles, to 35. The suffering seemed to be intense, and when the tube- was taken away the patient was two minutes at least before returning to a state of lethargy. Other experiments were made, but 1 have mentioned the most striking. I draw no conclusions, but note the fact that Dr. Lnys has for many years been studying hypnotism, and that no one can for a moment imagine there is anything like charlatanism in his experiments.

German and English Soldiers

The position of the (Herman peasant soldier may bring with it curtain inconveniences to which his friends in civil life are not exposed, but for these compensation is made by the respect in which he is everywhere held and the privileges which his uniform commands for him. Now look what occurs under similar circumstances in England. What ever may be the immediate cause of his en listment, whether a momentary caprice or some less creditable cause, the get itself is looked upon in his own circle as a degrada tion. We are not, indeed, quite so un reasoning in this matter as our fathers were. The boy's parents still, it .is believed, regard their soldier eon as a lost creature, and for awhile, at least, are ashamed of him when he comes home on furlough, even if the breast of his tunic be adorned with a, medal. But they get no encouragement in, their delusion, a? was formerly the case, from those who ought to have known better, and learn by degrees first to submit to the inevitable, and by-and-bye perhaps be proud rather than otherwise of their young hero, Whether the Queen's uniform insures for its wearer creditable associations in his native place, we cannot pretend to say ; but this we do know, that elsewhere it operates in a de cidedly opposite direction. It is nob very long ago since a non-commissioned officer in the Household Cavalry, who pre sumed to enter the coffee-room of a Windsor hotel wearing tihe uniform of his regiment, was ordered py the inn-keeper $o withdraw, his presence bein? distasteful to the travelling bagman by whom the house was chiefly frequented. And simultane ously a private in the Foot Guards was told at the door of the National Gallery that admission to such places as that " was not for the likes of he." We hope and believe that a change for the better is beginning to manifest itself among the lower order of our middle classes. We reajl in local news papers of friendly intercourse carried on between the families oi tradesman in coun try towns and those of the non-commiß -sioned officers quartered among tjiem, dnd without doubt th,e mqre generous spirit ipi which discipline is maintained in the ranks will in time break down the prejudice which has too long cut off the private from seeking his companions in civil society elsewhere than among the most degraded of its mem bers. But how long will it be before the voluntarily enlisted man shall hold his head as high as the conscript, wbo, >yhether he hail frqm the cottage, or shop, or the mansion of a Yon, isi treated wherever he goes as one of the elite of Pfuwtys sons $

POETRY.

WILL IT BE LONG?

Will it be long, love, ere waiting shall be over ? Will it be long ero doubts shall clear away i Hour after hour I seek, but ne'er discover The faintest glimmer of hope s golden ray. I do not know, love, if you now forget me, Or if in memory you hold me dear. I do not know, love, if you e'er regret me, Or would the past should fade and disappear.

Dark as midnight the future looms before me, Dreary and dark when stars have rayless grown. , Would for an hour life's clouds could sever ocr And show tho future as the past was shown! Ah, well you know, love, that I ne'er forget you, That you in memory I hold most dear; Ah, well you know how deeply I regret you, And would the past, so sweet, could reappear.

Will it be long,.love, ero my doubts shall fly- Long ere Hope's beacon lights my hearts lone sky? Absence is bitter. Suspense, alaa! is more; Will it be long, love, ero waiting shall be ocr I FiDELIS.

NEVER SAY DIE.

There's a spirit within us that never says die, Though storms rave around us and dark frowns the sky; , , 'Tis the angel of Hope that cheers when we re down. And bids us press forward for victory s crown. Then courage, my brother, And never feel down, Tiie weakest may conquer Tho' Fortune may frown. If poor, let's be honest. For wealth never sigh; 'Twill come if we labour And never say die. There's a lesson before us we often forgot— " Don't try to get wealthy by running in debt, Or else we may wonder what fools we hava grown, To mortgage our castles, yet think they re our own! Then courage, my brother, And never reoino. If wealth will not come, Contentment bo thine. The road may bo dreary, And Fortune be shy, But laugh at her failings, And never say die! We may laugh in the sunshine, and 4ing with the May, Yet mourn at misfortunes and thorns in OH way; But heroes in battlo are those who endure— They never lose courage, and victory's sure. Then courage, my brother, And never despair; A good honest heart Will drive away care. And Fortune will smilo And bright bo our sky, If we buckle our armour And never say die. W. R. Wills.

MIDSUMMER MADNESS.

" Bring hither, bring hither my red bandbox; Bring hither my bandbox green, And my bandbox brown from London town, Aud my box of silvern sheen.

" And it's oh for my trunk of leather tough, And my trunk of oak-ribbed zinc; And my trunk so tough, of canvas stuff. That will bulge, but will not shrink.

" Oh. pile them high with the robes I wear. Till their lids they overflow; My lord he will stare, and eke he will swear. But in they will have to go."

" Oh waly, waly. my layde fair, Now whether and will ye flee ? "To Mount Saint Bushah-of-Wom-Ancair On Conyile—by-thc-Sea." They have seized her boxes one and all, In the Tavern Lafltte dc Kidd, And loudly for help the porters call, As they stack them up in entry and nan, And pile them up against bulkhead and wall. But wherever they stowed them, great and small, . , -.., P Far out of her reach they are slid.

Her room is a cell a fathom long, Hor bed is a thing of fears; Whore all night long the noiseless Wditf Of the wingless bird she hears.

And her lord he lies in the hallway losm^ On a sleep-dostroying cot, ,--l.^_ Where she hears him groan in a wrathfts«si*a-« "It's—"( Hush!) "It's—"(sh! Hush!).-"hotP

And all this time in their home in town, A mansion of cold gray etone, There are peaceful glooms in seventeen rooms, Where tho burglar sleeps alone, I Robert J. Burdette.

That Nice Boy.

"Nice child—very nice child," observed an old gentleman, crossing to the other side of the car, and addressing the mother of the boy, who had just hit him in the eye with a wad of paper. " How old are you, my son?" ; ...".. "None of your business," replied the youngster, taking aim at another passen ger. ' ' . • " Fine boy," smiled the old man, as the parent regarded her offspring with pride. "A remarkably fine boy. What is your name, my son ? " Puddin' tame," shouted the youngster, with a giggle at his own wit. "I thought so," continued the old man, pleasantly. "If you had given me three guesses at it, that would have been the first I would have struck on. Now, Puddin', you can blow these things pretty straight, can't you?"' " You bet," squealed the boy, delighted with the compliment, f'See me take that old fellow over there."

"No, no," exclaimed tpe old gentleman, hastily. '' Try it on the old woman I was sitting with. She has boys of her own, and she won't mind."

" Can't you hit the lady for the gentle man Johnny ?" asked the fond parent. Johnny cleverly landed the pellet on the end of the old woman's nose,

But she did mind i^, and rising in her wrath soared down on the small boy like a hawk. She put him" over the line, reversed him, ran "him backwards till he didn't know which end of him was front, and finally dropped him into the lap of his scared mother, with a benediction whereof the purport was that she'd be back in a moment) and skin him alive.

" She didn't seem to like it, Puddin'," smiled the old gentleman, softly, " She's a perfect stranger to me ; but I understand she is the matron of an Orphans' Home., and I thought she would like a little fuij, Jjufc I was mistaken." j '

And the old man sighed sweetly as he went back to his seat. He was sorry for the poor little boy, but he couldn't help it.

The Vanishing Trick.

An " expert "succeeded in committing an artful robbery in the establishment of a money changer near the Madeleine, in Paris a few vye,eks since. Soon after the shop was opened for business, g, well-dressed man entered and asked for. tjje change of a note of 500f or £20. The changer had £1,000 in notes at his elbow, and was en-, gaged in arranging his boxes and drawers at the time. As he was counting out the money the stranger suddenly dropped two Napoleons behind the counter by an ap parently awkward and altogether- unin tentional movement, and when the changer stooped down to look for the gold pieces, the stranger performed the " vqn.is.b4ne trick" with the bunch of bank notes, amounting. > £1,000. The thief disap peared with the rapidity of lightning. f

_ Babies are much more susceptible to eolcl than are adults, yet a mother will go out warmly clad from head to foot, and let her child patter along beside her, with less than half of her protection. Another precaution should bo to avoid exposing the babe to clrttts of cold air from windows. Many a babyhashadan attack of croup from this ca«e ; e. Tfcp mother should nive her in tuitens a _ freer play, obey them, and eh© , vfili W% tops use of doctors^

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17/ 1887,

3



Game No. 59._"Ayrshire Lassie."

By W. A. Hannah, Glasgow. 11-15 11-16 5- 9 4- 8 10-26 15-19 24-20 20-11 17-13 25-22 17- 1 24-15 7-11 7-23 1116 1- 5 26-31 31-24 ■28-24 26-19 27-23 32-23 13- 6 28-19 3-7 2- 7 16-20 11-16 8-11 Drawn 23-19 25-22 o31-27 22-13 6- 2 9-14 7-11 8-11 15-22 11-15 22-17 29-25 22-17 19-15 2- 7



T (re) In " International Draughts-player," Var. 3, 32-28 i.s played here. 31-27, as urivon above, 1 consider .stronger.

27-24 5- 9 26-19 4- 8 22-15 18-23 3- 7 17-13 8-11 24-20 11-18 22-18 25-19 11-16 28-22 15-24 2-31-26 10-15 0-14 20-11 14-13 28-19 8-11 Black 22-17 7-23 629-25 9-11 26-22 wins.

(h) " Intel-national Draughts-player " gives 31-27 hoi-e, but gives no oilier play.

32-27 30-26 13- 9 20-10 '26-22 22- 6 2- 7 7-11 6-13 11-20 20-24 1-10 Jilaelc wins.



11-15 23-19 8-11 22-17 9-13 17-14 10-17 19-10 7-14 25-22 11-15 29-25

4- 8 24-20 8-11 27-23 2- 7 28-24 6-10 31-27 12-16 23-13 14-23 26-12

17-26 30-23 5- 9 25-22 1- 5 23-19 9-14 12- 8 3-12 27-23 13-17 22-13.

15-10 32-23 18-27 19-10 12-19 24- 6 11- J 5 6- 2 7-10 2- 7 27-31 13- 9

31-26 17-22 9- 6 21-17 26-22 14-21 6- 2 7-23 5- 9 White 2- 6 wins. 9-13 6- 9 22-18 28-24 13-17 20-16

