THE GARDEN.

Calendar of Garden Operations, August 20.

i.ffUW^ffil^mes 1 and ad-

.(BYHOBTttfI

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

b"°' dthesap B^f Ihaw only m "MSI The seed msi^1 fl potsTand placed in a S»to ftflffl " would payjou Snotofsa^ acnw tin them in . a

Kitchen Garden.

M^Bhoalinowbeplanted^outina *$3* apart, and to feet from £s*h£n Place about half a £&««*»-* the roots of each in • cool situation. Rhubarb plants J fc tßegrcund for. forcing this .pring Lid now be coveted with boxes rath m\k tops, and covered with hot, Lather all ground for early spring Lag should have been duff and crOPPmS ~it is required. Keep up succession^ Sof radish, mustard, and cress. Kanother smaU patch of lettuce; STut another, batch; tie up for LUW to advancing- crop. Make Serving of tupnip^ carrots par- Sand round mage. Continue Snjootoabbages and cauliflowers; sow U«A forlaterspring planting; earth Smirideb may require it The ground k tie main crop of onions should be got r^insum^ either the end of this or jpjjiiiigpf'nexfc month. Onions should Is am on ground which was well manured Waatnmn; only fork over the surface, of dch and in a wqek or so it will b 'ia Mod order; for sowing the aili»| Brown Spanish is about the y for gerreral purposes. Cucumber, nek and tomato seed should now be airn'ia pans, and placed in a cold frame. Hsomntw they, will maae capital plants for planting out in October. Those- who lavs not, the convenience of a cold frame caneaalynia&e a substitute. Take a- small k, m ffll with soil, sow the soed, and placcisSeetr of glass on top. This sheet caeaalj; be tilted up during the day so as tointiiir; Tlie. box ought to be put in a ' Flowor Gardes. AlMsplanting' of fiowermg sm>abs, etc x shoaM bo. finished,now, as in numbers cftkife'sap is beginning to get active* li ptoi* iS'deferred miich longer'; the pkb are apt to get? a check from which tkjwjttks a long time to recover. Con taopttnmg roses for- successiohal flower- Bg1. After pruning mulch each plant with ; w MffiL,4lL borders should now'be kied over whenever the soil is in a fit ilife Efflpdy established annuals should kphntediin permanent quarters; also sow «|t patches* of;- same for early spring Omaringi Many of the early spring iwmg bulba and tubers will be-grow ing freely.;, frequently stir the surface MilAßt.tiiein.;.occasionally gave a. little H#inanure; /Plant another batch of fladidi M early flowering. Autiimn- BmaßtiHiinumsihould now be planted wl i Carnations, pinks, picotees, and pis shpfll^ aJsp be planted in borders. uwny should receive special attention so ato gty iem into good order for the «?!&: Qiit tb^ grass.frequently, and ioli'mth;s heavy roffer. Tho " different ps edgings should now be pared so as to m them a neat tidy appearance. Slugs 7 noff to making sad Hype with some of ™ plants, such as pansies, etc. Give fre- Pjfc sprinklings of lime about "the plants ■w evening. After dark is the! best ™,Mttey-aft then oijt feeding, and the »6isalini^BujFetokiU'them. , . Greenhouse. tvll^Hceßungintp flawer place near wgte. Give plenty of water,' occasion «y «svga little liquid manure. All eut -2^ v fuchsia ' etc- si™cF last S^ hof now be potted off. Cine ff? 4 keep near the SS CameUias.^ azaleas don£ ™g tuaan outside to a sheltered .J^ta New Aspect. *iU MoriffT" mf W^ WProaching, I ** vigour 2ft is to P^ ** »fiSi **&* on the haFdi« I?' Another reason for 8 * neither by g«5 other *°*«weert I P^Pagated in this way ones, if ** m™ and raiserß of S? 0? concent \L Tef Wsti ™*> lf sdvaataeea™ g^. about fr imfthe"rirt^*1*8* 0| Tfor apples nfT Stock is Variably f^o PCiy.^e, and the wild ra WLK y ln? 8 as a Bfcock for ?W» neitlS -It [vf ar; bub in other S% WttiiW °f the graft, ? ves> U4S^\? nfwior friiib fhem lisps object^of'H taeisW%* ft<? and ifcs , '■•«*.«f steins

to make the tree grow strongly, and in the other in order to. restrain its vigour j and the object in both cases is to induce fertility. This fact is not sufficiently realised amongst us, but its significance is evident. The French are more consistent than we are in this matter, for they prefer the quince and paradise for trees of moderate size where grown in gardens.

{To.be Continued.)

STAGE AND STUDIO.

[By Euterpe.]

The Lyceum Company, headed by Mr Irving and Miss Ellen Terry, sail once more for New York on October 20th.

The next concert of the Choral Society takes place in the Choral Hall on Tuesday week, the pieces set for performance being Henry Smart's cantata, "The Bride of Dunkerron,' and J. Brahms' short choral work, "Song of Destiny" ("Schick salslied"). I append the argument of the cantata :—" The Lord of Dunkerron, en amoured of a Sea-maiden, seeks her for his bride. She has not the power to quit her element, and he follows her to her spirit home. The Sea-Maiden leaves him that she may obtain the Sea - King's sanc tion to her union; but be, with, the Storm - Spirits, has already doomed her to death for loving one of mortal birth, and she re-appears to her lover only to an nounce her fate. He, for his temerity, is driven lar from tbe Spirit-land, and cast back by the tempest to the shores of the upper world. The Sea-Spirits lament the loss of the maiden—the serfs the death of their master. This tradition—the scene of which is the ruined Castle of Dunkerron, on the coast of Kerry—has been the subject of a ballad by Crofton Croker, the catastrophe in which, however, is deviated from that in the present version by Frederick Enoch.

Mr A. A. Whitehorne writes me disclaim ing the authorship of the slanderous article on°" Music in Auckland," in the " Magazine of Music," which some of the knowing oi es have been ascribing to him. Mr home has a high opinion of the standard of efficiehcy to which Auckland has attained in the cultivation of the Divine art.

" True to the Core " has been runing and "A Run of Luck" at the Theatre Royal, with "Alone in London" to follow, Miss Agnes Thomas as tho duckweed seller. " Boccaccio," with Miss Annette Ivanova in the title role, rules the roost at the Gaiety, and theZerbeni Quartette company are giving fashionable concerts at the V.M.C.A. Hall, assisted by Mr Armes Beau mont. Mr Locke Richardson is doing re markably well in the same place. "The Pickpocket," at the Criterion, lias been pro duced by the Brough and Boucicau.lt com pany, before a crammed and enthusiastic house. The Gaiety and the Academy of Music have been condemned. Mr Fergus Hume is said to be writing a comedy (" Dolly ") for W&4 Amy Horton. The Ma jeroni Company have been playing in Gee long and Ballarab ; and Simonsen is playing " Rigoletto " in Adelaide.

I beg to acknowledge receipt of a copy of " The Royal Jubilee Waltz," by Mr P. F. Hiscocks, well-known as a teacher and per former on . the violin. It is a very meritorious composition, displaying con siderable vigour and originality of treat ment, and marked by a bouquet of taking airs. The introduction opens with an in spiriting march, which leads up to an andante movement ushering in effectively the waltz proper. In the second set the ba3S takes up the air to a treble accompaniment in quavers. Nos. 3 and 4 are light and sparkling, and-) *" $*$ coc^> fcue composer, departing from the usual recapitulation, works in another fresh melody. The gene ral effect is very good, and the waltz should be popular. It is published by Mr A. Eady, of the Auckland Music Warehouse, at the low price of 2s.

Miss Florence Sb, John, the popular comedienne and burlesque actress, is so seriously ill that her recovery is doubtful. The Mammoth Minstrels are still playing at Wellington, wher& they opened on August sth.

" Babiole," a weak comic opera, was pro duced at the Melbourne Bijou Theatre the other day. The music is by Laurent de Rille, and the English adaption by Mr Robert Recce. The heroine, Babiole, was j played by Miss Grace Plaisted.

Mr Gr. B. Allen, a candidate |or theCChari r of Music at the Melbourne University, and well known in the old days: of the Opera House, writes to " Table Talk " that he has been advising Mr' Carl Rosa to bring out his English opera company for a. colonial tour.

Friends of Madame Lucy Chambers—un rivalled in these colonies as a teacher of singing—will be sorry to learn that she is dangerously ill at Melbourne. While driv ing nome from, the theatre she was taken with a fit, and it was some considerable time before she could be brought to con sciousness. Madame Chambers .■^.well known on the cejßnial operatic staffijpf the early days as Lucia Chamb<si|ljw''and although a Tasmanian by birth, SiHrooks more Italian 'fehau anything. MaifiFyears ago she married Signor Dondi, an unpvalled Mephisfcopbeles, but the union was an un happy one.

Mr J: hil Robinson, the distinguished war correspondent, whose lectures were just beginning to be appreciated, has been re called to England, and has to break up his colonial tour suddenly.

There has again been a hitch in the negotiations for the return to the colonies on a lecturing tour of the Rev. Charles Clark, and Mr R. S. Smythe's mission to London is to clinch matters', if possible.

Miss Madeline Schiller, a pianist of re pute, who made a successful tour of the Qolonie,s many years ago, arrived in Sydney by the last San Francisco mail, intent upon another peregrination.

A Melbourne daily paper announces :— "George Paul Carey, of Stutt's Hotel, Bourko-street, East Melbourne, comedian. Causes of insolvency, want of remunerative .employment, heavy expenses in connec tion with profession, having received no' returns, and sickness of self. Liabilities, L 387 Is 8d ; assets, 10s ; deficiency, L 389 11s Bd."

A Vienna corresp.Qnd,enttelegraphsthustp a London paper :—" The first performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's opera of' Patience' in the Carl Theaore on June 4 was a decided success, and it is probable that this piece will be as popular as ' The Mikado.' The Vienna public has a fine eaf for delicate music, and unceasing applause followed each melodious motive. The duet between Patience and Grosvenor, and the septet, without, musical accompaniment, pleased the audience most. Of course the dia logue was not understood, and all the witty points were lost to the audience, which, however, fully appreciated the comic action. The papers all praise the English Operatic Company, and hold up the perfect manner in which the perform ers played together as a model to the theatres of Vienna.

Until now ladies have taken no part in tbe work of the noble troupe of Mpjier Circus ; however, in Paris there are many sportswomen, and Very soon we may hear of the Countess This and the Baroness That jumping through hoops or turning somersaults on horsebapk.

Mr Sriazelle, the baritone and reciter, late of the Carl Rosa. Opera Company, Bag been selected to give his entertainment, "Music, Song, and Story," pictorially illustrated, in all the towns of Australia and Ifew Zealand, in the plage of Mr Q, Stanley, whose engagements had to be giveii up oh account of the Emm Pacha ex pedition*

DRAUGHTS.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Warton Craig (Auckland).—ln one of the vacations you send us for a Black win. the position, is as follows :-Black men on I, 10, of' <# 18i. Kin 8T on 23. White men on 13, 17,19. «;. •, > ln*? on 9- White to move, you play 9-u, w,hich loses, play 17-U instead and WMte can draw. Perhaps, by revising tho play, you may sustain the win. A.s>. (Newton). —We should think It is a matter of how much money can be raised' PROBLEM No. 3. , By H. Henderson, Auckland. Black. CaS n>'%k '$$& v?s% vfy -$ WIHTK. White to move and win. The following is another of the games played between Air A. Crajghead, Canter bury, and Mr H. Henderson)'Auckland : - Gamk : No. 7, " Defiance. "

H. Henderson's move.

*This move allows Black to take two for two by moving 19-23, which must prove fatal to the White.

The following game was played in the Anjderstoi) Draughts Club, Glasgow, be tween Mi- Wylie and Mr P. H. O'Neal.

Game No. 8: "Tifk."

: Played at the Auckland Draughts Club, botween J. Kelly and D. Grubb. Gam,k : No. 9. " Sinole Corner." Kelly's move.

THE AUCKLAND DRAUGHTS CLUB.

The prizes won in the recent Tournament were presented to the winners by the Pre sident, at the meeting of the Club last Saturdaynight, and ih doing so he congratu lated the players on the good feeling dis played throughout the contest, each player having to contest forty-eight games,, and there not being a single dispute relative to any of them. The recipients having suitably responded, a vote of thanks was passed to the Presi dent for his handicapping, and also to the Secretary for his trouble in bringing the Tournament to a successful issue. The Club meets on Wednesday and Saturday at 7.30 in Gmbb's Newton Bath Rooms. The subscription is fixed very low, so as to en able all classes to join. Visitors are always welcome to join in a friendly game.

We give our readers another opening in Draughts called the

"SisoLE Corner."

11-15 22-18 the move that defines the opening, and a favourite one with most players. 15-22 25-18, 28-17 gives White a very weak game. 8-11 V ~4 s ias ÜBua^y p*aycc*' 25-22 ; 10-15 24-20 12-16 j 21-17, 27-24 would lose.

8-12 Black has now a vory strong game, and, with careful play, more chances of winning the game than the White.

The blindfold champion in Notting ham, Mr Strickland, has been exhibiting his wonderful powers as a blindfold player, and has surprised the players of the above town by the rapidity with which he calls over the moves of a game, either backwards or forwards. Of course that is not so great a feat as the actual playing of the game, yet it serves to show how clearly he has the games in his mind. He seems a thorough master of the cross-board play, plays very fast, keeps up a lively conversation at the same time, and has created a very favour able opinion among the Nottingham players.

Baby Insurance.

I saw a young man of my acquaintance emerge from a house in a crowded tene ment section of New York. I was sur prised, and asked what he was doing there. "Oh, my employment now brings mo hero every day, he replied. "In fact, I spend most of my time in this district." " And what is your business V 1 in quired. "Insurance,"

" Life or fire ?"

" Well, neither. To tell you the truth, I got rather hard up a little while ago and went into the baby insurance business. I'm doing right well, too, though it's hard work to collect the premiums from these poor people. We insure the funeral ex penses of infants in case they die. " As soon as there is a baby born in ope of these tenements I go and offer to insure it for a few cents a week. That is to say, we agree to provide the funeral facilities if the child dies within a year. The style of things depends on the amount of premium money paid. Some insure for a plain coffin arid one carriage ; others for a handsome casket and half a dozen vehicles. It is a i great comfort to theso poor parents to know that, no matter what may happen to baby, it will have a decent burial."

**But the city authorities always bury the poor free of charge," I remarked. " Why do these folks buy what they can get for nothing ?" " Bless you," responded my friend, "you don't know them. ' They've got as much pride in this matter as you have. They consider it an everlasting disgrace to a family if any member of it i 3 buried in the Potter's Fifeld. Their neighbour! would never let them hear the last of it."

LADY'S LETTER FROM LONDON.

PRECIS,

The Jubilee-Hee Majesty's Tears—Cock ney Humour—" Why Didn't Yer Grow ?"— Lord Lokne's Accident - Some Lixes Thereon'—Stranger Than Fiction—Burn ing Bank Notes Worth £36,000—Where the Diamonds Were—Mary Anderson's Engagement—The New Peeks-The Best Accounts of the Jubilee—Three Italian Opf.ras - Patti's Re-appearance in Opera —End of Two Long Runs-New Salads Fashionable — Russian Salad — Massa chusetts Chicken Saladt-Jubilee Clarkt Cup—Princes Cup—An Enticing Sand wich—Rider Haggard's New Book — "Dawn" Dramatised—New Books and

Editions,

London, July 1, 1887. Dear Mr Editor, - You. will have heard so much about the Jubilee by the time this letter gets to New Zealand that I scarcely like to bore you with my experiences and sensations. We had a capital window commanding Trafalgar Square, and conse quently saw the procession both going to and returning from the Abbey. The Queen seemed to be much moved by her magnifi cent reception ; indeed, she cried so that I am told her eyes and nose were unbe comingly red during the ceremonial at Westminster. I confess I derived quite as much amusement from the crowd below us as fiom the pageant. Short men in the Square were of course at a great disadvan tage. One little fellow—a true 'Arry, pimply, bilious, and generally un wholesome - began (after the first procession passed) to abuse those who obstructed his view. Whereupon a lank'ey Cockney turned upon him and amid roars of laughter from the bystanders exclaimed, " Well, Ouv'nor, why didn't yer grow ? You know'd the Jubilee were a-comin' on. Why did'nt yor grow '!" It is generally -supposed that Lord Lome, after being thrown from his horse on Constitution Hill, remounted and went on with the procession. As a matter of fact, he did nothing of tho kind. The Prince of Wales, whilst congratulating his relative on his escape, said angrily and quite loud enough for thoso near" to hear, " You must get another horse, or you'll make us all ridiculous." His Lordship had consequently to retreat on "Shanks's mare," and ultimately went to Westminster by a short cut. Apropos of this catastrophe Geo. R. Sims has perpetrated the following jea d'esprit: —

"When the Marquis of Lome (the account you have read) Failed to curb his now geo-goc, so kcrbed his own head,

Our l'riucc went at once to his aid. Ho stopped till his kinsman had opened his

eyes. Ho gave him his hand and he helped him to riso. And remained till al1 fonra wore allayed. Tho newspapers lovlntcly dwelt on the deed ; That the action was friendly we all are agreed, $ut tho Prince with lm mother alone Explained as her heir on the Jubileo Day Ho felt, that ho should he the first to display How friendly ho was to the thrown,"

Nottingham is all agog just now over one of the queerest incidents ever heard of out sido of a three-volume novel. An old couple, Mr and Mrs C, lived in the .suburbs of that town for several years. They were very close and very rich, Mrs C. more especially possessing several sets of priceless jewels. Recently they have died, and their heirs (a young hus band and wife) took possession of the pro perty. To the latter's intense surprise, neither money nor jewels could be found. A search was instituted, in the coarse of which the heir's wife (whom I shall call Mrs D.) came upon an old trunk hid away in the lumber room. She opened it full of excitement, but to her disgust found the contents simply filthy old pairs of stays, dirty curl papers, and a quantity of old hair combings. So nasty was it all that Mr« D. gave orders to have the stuff turned out in the court-yard and at once burnt. She was idly watching the operation when to her horror the heat unfolded one of the dirty curl papers and revealed to her astonished gaze a fifty pound note. About L9OO was saved. Sub sequently a memorandum turned up dis closing that the notes in the trunk amounted to L4(>,000, so that L 36.000 must have been destroyed. The jewels, however, still remained, and the search continued. In the meantime Mrs D., to remove from her husband's sight the unpleasant heap of cinders and naif-burned stays, hair, etc., called in the aid of the local dustman, who carted them off without delay. At length an old woman who had been in Mrs C.'h service was discovered and questioned about the jewels. She at once said "Oh ! yes, Mrs C. had some rare fine diamonds, but much good were they to her, for she sewed them up in her stays." Mrs D. fainted. Over L 60.000 is said to have thus been burnt and thrown away. Theatrical folk were last week surprised by the announcement that the heart of icy Mary Anderson had at last been stormed, and that the lucky man was her jeune premier, Forbes Robertson. The story had, however, hardly been published before it was authoritatively contradicted by Dr. Griffin, the lady's step-father and manager. That gentleman is (for excellent reasons) anything but anxious that the fair Mimi should marry. Miss Anderson used to say (I do not know if she does now) that she would enter a convent when her theatrical career came to an end.

Sir James McGarel Hogg has nob—as propriety would have suggested —decided to ascend to the Upper House as Lord Lacon. He prefers, sad to say, the out landish cognomen of Magheramore, wlric 1 is the name of an estate he owns some where in Ireland. Sir St. John Aubyn, tho Cornish magnet, will henceforth bo known as Lord St. Levan, and Mr E. Foliowes be comes Baron Ramsey, of Ramsey, though there is a Lord Ramsey already. Quite the best account of the Jubilee is contained in the "Pall Mall Budget" for June 23. Tho "Daily News "of the 22nd published a 16:sheob issue full of in teresting matter, and the " Illustrated London News" was first in the field (on June 25th) with views of the pageant, &c. Three days later, however, the "Graphic" brought out a special number, which gives a really faithful notion of the pageant. Notwithstanding the hob weather, most of the London theatres are crowded. But then I don't suppose there have ever before been so many tourists and sightseers in town at once. Only fancy, we have three Italian Operas going together. The best is at Drury Lane, where Augustus Harris is outdoing himself with splendid mount ings and perfect em&mbh. In Jean de Reske, too, he has the most glorious tenor the world has heard for years. We wit nessed a performance of "Aida" there such as I imagine has seldom been equaUed. The orchestra numbered 70 picked musicians, and there were a ballet and chorus of 500. / At Co vent Garden, Albani is pnmck donna assoluta, supported by such continental stars as Mdlle. Sandra, Mdlle. Ella Russell, and Signor Guyarre. The latter has a fine tenor voice, but it will not compare with De Reske's. At Her Majesty's, Mr Mapleson has hitherto been far from fortunate, but to night he plays a great card in Adehna Patti, who appears for the first, last, and only time this season as the fair and frail heroine of the "Traviata." We have got stalls, and I anticipate a delightful treat, tfatti's jewels alone are worth going a long way to see, and in this opera she wears all her finest. ■ T , ~ „ The long runs of " The Harbour Lights and " Sophia " came to an end la3t Satur day I see the former was performed 512 and the latter 365 times. The Adelphi will re-open in August with anew melo drama by lucky Geo. R. Sims, who is realis ing a large fortune pub of the royalties for his plays.

New salads are very much " the thing " to have at lunch this season, consequently one meets with all sorts of queer mixtures. Myself, 1 think there is nothing bo equal salad made out of the white hearts (only) of "cos" lettuce and flavoured with a suggestion of fine-chopped spring onions, lhat, however, is far too simple for most people nowadays. Both the following so called "Russian" salads are nice:-Boil asparagus, new potatoes, French beans, haricot beans (previously soaked 24 hours), beetroot and young carrots. Place on ice to cool. Have raw tomatoes finely sliced. Chop all, fine, pour into salad bowl and dress according to taste. Number 2 is more elaborate:- To a mixture of vegetables (as above) add the flesh of a moderately-sized lobster cub in cubes, thicken with mayonnaise and set in aspic jelly. Fill a mould and place on the ice to cool. An hour later dip the mould in hob water and turn out the. shapely salad on a dish and serve.

V'hab the menu cards call Massachusetts Chicken Salad is also very popular, and when artfully-dressed is a most enticing dish. Boil a tender young chicken, and when cold cut up into very small strips. Add the hearts of some "cos" lettuce (broken up with the fingers ; never touch lettuce with a knife) a little endive, finely chopped spring onions, and some cubes of tender celery (if available). Do nob pour the dressing on till the last moment. Incomparably the best recipe for salad dressing is the following : — To every two tablespoonfuls of oil (must be the finest Lucca. N.B.—Barto Valle", of the Haymarket, London, sells the best) add a small dessert-spoonful of white wine or tarragon vinegar, a teaspoonful of mustard, plenty of pepper, a little salt, and a couple of pinches of sugar. Mix thoroughly. We tried a new Jubilee cup on Jubilee Day, which was made thus :.—A bottle of sound claret (St. Julien would do), a pint of dry champagne (say Moet's Brut Im perial), a glass of brown sherry or Madeira, the thin rind of a lemon, the juice of a ripe orange, two-and-a-half tablespoonfuls of pounded sugar. When the sugar has dis solved add a few slices of cucumber and a liberal lump of ice. If you think this too heavy, a bottle of seltzer or appolcnair may be added at the last moment.

Tom prefers the simpler '' Prince's Cup," the recipe for which I think I gave you once before. It is certainly more wholesome than the Jubilee mixture: 1 bottle of dry champagne ; 1 wine-glass white Curaco, 1 wine glass Hennessy 3 star Brandy ; rind of a lemon ; a little sugar ; and 2 bottles of Schwelppo's soda-water, with ice ad lib. Whiist I am on tho subject of recipes let me tell you that a most delicious sandwich for afternoon tea or supper can be made with thin shaves of cold chicken, mustard, and cress, and hard boiled egg, sprinkled with red pepper. Its success depends, how ever, altogether on the skill with which the maker " fixes up" the three different layers. Mr Rider Haggard's new story, "Allen Qnatermain" (the sequel to "King Solomon's Mines ") is to be published to-morrow. I see from the papers that the London booksellers alone have subscribed for 10,000 copies, and that this is tho largest number of a six shilling novel the trade have ever taken up. No doubt the book will sell well, but I shall be greatly surprised if it is not universally pronounced a sad falling off on " She " and " The Witch's Head."

Mention of Mr Haggard reminds me of Mr Had den Chambers, a clever young Austral ian journalist, and the London correspon dent of the Sydney "Bulletin." who has been making his mark as a storyteller in the " Argosy " and other magazines of late Mr Chambers not long ago wrote a grace ful littlo comedietta called "The Open Gate," winch was accepted by the manage ment of the Comedy Theatre and played with somo success there. Its reception emboldened him to fly at higher game, and lanb week, in conjunction with Mr Stanley Little, he produced a dramatic version of Rider Haggard's sombre novel, " Dawn." The original title had already been ap propriated for another play, consequently Mr Chambers was obliged to select another one. He chose the ugly one of "Devil Garesfoot," which possibly had not a little to do with the failure of the pla}', for a failure I am sorry to say it proved to be. Mr Chambers seems more successful as a novelist than a dramatist. His story "She and I," now running through "Cas soll's Saturday Journal," is much above the average. If you have not read Marie Corelli's " Vendetta," do so now. It is just out in " Bentloy's Favourite Series," to which Miss Fothcrgill's " Borderland " and Rhoda Broughton's "Dr. Cupid" are also about to be added. Mr Baring Gould's new novel, " The Red Spider," though not such a powerful work as " Mehalah " or even " Court Royal," will bo widely read and appreciated. The scene is laid in an out of-the-way nook of Devonshire fifty years ago, and the story deals with many interest ing Old World legends, customs and tradi tions.

Mr Clark Russell begins a new nautical romance, called "The Frozen Pirate" in " Belgravia" for July, and next month " Longman's" promisestheopeningchapters of " One Traveller Returns," by David Christie Murray and Henry Hermann.

A Bit of Shooting.

A typical south-wesb duel was fought at Kingston, New Mexico, a few days ago between Jim Burke, who has been known for several years as the Terror of tho. Black Range, and Con Ryan. They had had many quarrels, and early one morning, after " more than the ordinary amount of trouble," Burke said, "Come, .now, let us fight this thing out like men. You and I have carried blowing far enough. Either you'll drop or I will. I'll give you two minutes to draw." Ryan responded by saying thab he was.willing to fight, but that he had no g»n, and that Burke knew ib. "Come on," Burke yelled, "and I will get you a gun." When they reached his house Burke entered and brought out two revolvers, one of which he threw on the ground at Ryan's feet, and said savagely, "There's your gun !*' Ryan expostulated at the unfair conditions, and, the crowd backing him up, it was settled that Burke should put his revolver on the ground also. Both were; then to pick up their weapons and go at it. At a word from, Burke both men sprang forward. Ryan got his weapon first, but for some reason did not fire until Burke had sent two bullets whizzing past his head. Everybody expected to see Ryan drop. His antagonist had the repu tation of being a dead-shot, and his failure to hit his mark disconcerted him as much as it surprised the spectators. Bourke stood in silence for a moment with his weapon outstretched, evidently making a desperate attempt to pub the next shot where it would count. While he was thus surveying Ryan, the latter fired two shots rapidly, " and when the eyes of the multi tude could move from the place where he stood to the spot where Burke should have been they fell on the prostrate form of the man who had provoked a,nd suggested the duel. The Terror of the Black Range was stone dead. The first shot had finished him in the twinkling of an eye, and the second bullet, despatched almost simul taneously on the same course, did not find him there. He dropped like a log at the instant of the first shot, and when examined was found with his revolver clutched in his hand and with a bullet-hole through.his head. It is the verdict of the crowd that the job was the slickest that was ever done in the town."

Food for Consumptives. Scott's Emulsion o»i» Purb Con Livek Oil with Hyfopkosphitm ojf Limb and Soda, is a most wonderful food for the Consumptive. It not Only gives strength and increases the flesh, but heals the irritation of the throat and lungs. It is very palatable ; children take it like milk, ana' in all wasting diseases both for adults' and children it is a marvellous food and mcdieiric. Largo and small bottles of all Chemists. 4s 64 and as 6d.

SCANDAL IN HIGH PLACES AT BELGRADE.

A Rumoured Royal Divorce.

The Vienna correspondent of the " Daily Chronicle" says he has received from a trust worthy mrce a somewhat startling ex planation of the causes that.led to. the recent change of Ministry, and conse quently of policy, in Servia. " King Milan," says my informant, "is about to sue fora divorce from Queen Nathalie, whose return to Servia, Is doubtful. Since, her departure from Belgrade last month the Queen has scarcely communicated with her husband, who has only received a few lines from time to time from her Majesty's secretary, who travels with her. For several years past the Royal couple have been living virtually apart, although in spite of this there have been frequent quarrellings and violent scenes in the Konak. Jealousy is said to be the cause of this unfortunate state of things, which for some time past has been the public talk of Belgrade. The Minister of one of the Great Powers and the wife of a Minister of one of the lesser States are also mixed up in the affair." "The difference between, the King and Queen, however," adds the correspondent, " is not confined to domestic troubles, King Milan believing, and if report speaks truly not without justice, that his wife was con stantly conspiring against him, and was intriguing to have him deposed and herself appointed as Queen-Regent during the minority of the Crown Prince. Queen Nathalie, who is a Russian, has, of course, been supported throughout by Russia, and by the Russophile party in Servia, in her attempts to get rid of King Milan. Pre parations to this end are said to have reached so advanced and dangerous a stage that the King, seeing that the growth of Russian influence had become too great for him to destroy, i-esolved to change his tac tics, and to adopt the very policy that the Queen had been directing against him— namely, the substitution of Russian for Aus trian influence. By this means King Milan counted upon averting the revolution that he believed to be brewing against himself, and upon checkmating the Queen. His Majesty thereupon sent for M. Ristics, with the result that is known."

German Military Honour.—An Officer Degraded.

No slighbsensationhas just been caused here (the Berlin correspondent of the "Times'" says) by an incident which well illustrates the degree of freedom enjoyed by certain classes in this country. In conformity with the verdict of a court of honour composed of the staff officers in the territorial district of the army corps of the Guards, a certain ex-Major Hinze has been deprived of his right to be called any longer by this title and to wear his uniform, while he is still permitted to retain his Iron Cross and another military order. The reasons for this severe punishment are that about three years ago, after he had retired with a pension from active service, Major Hinze omitted to challenge a political oppo nent who, in the heat of a general election, had cast an imputation upon hia mili tary honour; and, furthermore, he had himself in political speeches made state ments alleged to be inconsistent with his character and duties as an officer. As a matter of fact he had, as a Liberalist candidate, spoken in favour of the shorter service system and against the idea of a Septennate; while as to his election slanderer he prosecuted him in a regular court of law and obtained his punishment. A clause in the criminal code of the empire forbids the challenging to a duel with deadly weapons on pain of fortress im prisonment for at most six months; and this, it appears, applies to military men no less than to civilianß, So Major Hinze was thus confronted with the alternatives of breaking the statue law of the empire or of infringing the unwritten rules of military custom. The salient point of the case is that when Major Hinze laid himself open to the charges on the strength of which he has now been so acutely humiliated before all his countrymen, he had retired with a pension from the active service of his country, and thus, as he himself contends, became quite free to act on the article of the Prussian Constitution which says, " Every Prussian is entitled to express his opinion freely by word, writing, print, or artistic representation." Having likewise ceased to belong to the army, Major Hinze thought he was equally entitled to demand satisfaction from a slan derer in a court of law, instead of by the illegal process of mortal combat. But in both respects he has been told by a court of honour (whose verdict was confirmed by the Emperor) that he acted wrongly. The case has a most ugly look from the political point of view, while at the same time in its legal aspect it stamps with authority the practice of duelling as a custom which shall prevail side by side with the law thab for bids it.

A South Sea Tragedy.—lnter view with a Survivor.

TiiEßKwas lately at Glenelg, South Aus tralia, a brigantine, the Borealis, which was the scene not long ago of a massacre at the Solomon Islands, in the Pacific Ocean, Captain Mackenzie, the present master of the barque, a weather-beaten, grizzled old salt, somewhat below the middle height, in a conversation with a reporter on the "South Australian Register" describes what happened in the following terms :— About three years ago I was trading in the old boat in the South Seas. I was off the island of Malayta* one of the Solomon Group, and being anxious to trade with the natives I got a boat's orew of Fijians that I had aboard to pull me ashore. Prior to my departure early in the morning two big canoes and a small one came alongside. I noticed that some of the men in the canoes had clubs with them, and I attempted to purchase one. None of the swarthy islanders would sell, and know ing the character of the men I felt some what suspicious, and refused to allow any of the men in the canoes to go ashore. I instructed my mate to adopt the same policy. As I was specially desirous of landing I took the gig and went to Malayta. Between that island and the ship there is a small islet behind which I had to go, and thus lost sight of the Borealis. Up to that time I had noticed nothing special, but on approaching the mainland I was startled beyond expression to notice all the islanders who had occupied the beach suddenly rush for the bush. I turned round to go for the vessel, and when I got in sight of it I at once became assured that a dreadful mas sacre bad taken place. I noticed dozens, almost jhundredg, of natives on board my ship. They had loosened the foresheet and were swarming up the rigging. % fired a few shots at the men I saw on deck, and probably with some effect.' 1 then kept off the Borealis, knowing that my boat's crew of Fijians and myself would only meet pur death if we attempt to board. As it was some of the islanders got hold of the guns that were on board, and they replied to my shots. They did not do much mischief, however, although one bullet struck the top of the boat and then bounded on to my foot as I was steering, When I saw what had happened I kept away, and after sailing about all day and the next riiglit, I went the next morning to ope of the adjoining islands to see if there were any other traders abo^t. I found three ships, and on telling my tale, the captains all agreed to help me. We determined to get as close to land as possible, and passed between the ship and the island. Qn seeing, the ships coming, the Solomon Islandersjeft the Borealis and made for the. mainland. We noticed also that the small island which I before alluded

to was perfectly* alive with natives, hun dreds of them being on it feasting, drinking, snd dancing. We attemped to intercopb them, but they jumped into the water men, women, and children -and swam to Malayia, soon disappearing in the scrub. '• I suppose so," cautiously returned Captain Captain Mackenzie. "I know that not half of those who got into the canoes managed to keep in them, till the mainland was reached." " What other vengeance did you take—destroy the village ?" "We destroyed half a dozen villages on the island before we finished." " How did you find your vessel, the Borealis ?" " Oh, it had been ransacked. The seven white men and the cook, a West ■ Indian, that I had left aboard, were not to be found, but subsequently the cook was - found. There were plenty of marks of the struggle discernible, and the stores, which consisted of the ordinary objects of South -Sea trade, as well as rum, tobacco, and ar few guns, were taken. The cook was in a water-tank in a dreadful condition, bub alive. He told me after I left the islanders .swarmed oa,board and lulled the crew, in cluding my son, a fine young man of 19 years of age, He was the last attacked, while he was in the galley. He attempted to defend himself with a)) hatchet, and in. the struggle his two hands wf:rc nearly cub : off, and he received a dreadful gaeh on the forehead. He then struggled to the deck and f. -11 down the hatoh. • He crawled to a tank vhich contained a little water, and remai ,k1 there until he was found. We 'mana ; dto keep him alive until we arrived at Fiji, vhore ho was taken to the hospital. The on5;; part of the ship that was nob ■ransaci- ' was mv state cabin.' That was because a taMe fell against the door,'^nd the natiw -•. did not seem to have sens© to take V- away. The ships that I meb each spared tk one of their crew, so I was enabled ro rt an to Fiji.'' " What do you think made ;ko men attack your vessel?" "Oh, the lovo of plur.rler. They did nob want to kill my men, 1 mppose ; but they wanted the stores, ana killed the crew to get at them. Those ma ks you see on the rail were cause 1 by the.':• attempts to cub away the longboat, wi.if h was lashed alongside. Ifc v.-as, indecc, a dreadful ex perience, and it I had no. sfone ashore I should Ji'ive been murder. las weJJ v I think the attack was plannea '

Bismarck and His Wife.

The last performance of "Patience" wa^ honoured by "distinguished attendance. la the Royal box I noticed Prince William and his v.'ife, and in the barquefc -sat tli9 Princess Bishiark (1 never saw her in an opera Louse) and the daughter, the Countess Bautzan, with her husband. The Princess is a simple, matronly-looking woman. Dressed' i:i plain black, with an old-fashioned bonnet, one might think her a good "burger frau" or farmer's wife rather than the " better half" of the greatest statesman in Europs. She is as good as she looks. She is patient and helpful, though she dislikes her surround ings, does not care for society,and longs for the life of other days, when she was mis tress of a country home and her "Otto" was a simple dike-captain. Though long years have passed, she had remained the same, and Bismarck too. He positively re fuses to attend court. He chats gladly with his old King alone, but the great court dinners, court balls, and court recep tions hungered for and cherished by the, nobles of high and low degree, he shuns as he does the crowded streets. He accepts no invitations. Even the Emperor fears to refuse all invitations; bub this autocrat— once only a"yon none with acceptance. Few receptions are given in his own house—even the most famous parliamentary dinners dwindled down to two or three during the last winter.— "Berlin Letter."

WHIRLGIG OF PARIS GAIETY.

M. Holler's Novel Circns, Where Clowns and Jockeys Are Men ot Title.

The representations given by the Comique Molier every spring.are among the fetes the most sought after in all the year. There the clowns are not ordinary clowns. Dukes, barons and counts fill these roles make dangerous leaps, train horses and even pigs. The horsemen, gymnasts, all have titles. The programmes are works of art, the names of the artists are written over their portraits, and the most wonderful performance is promised to the few for tunate enough to be invited. La Rochefoucald said, " Great names lower rather than elevate those who do notj know how to support them," but Counb Hubert de la Rouchefoucald, a handsome young man, jumps from one fixed bar tot another, as did his ancestor from maxim profound to maxim sublime. The French nobles of the present day would be more respected did they belong to the school of that son of the crusaders to whom his valeb de chambre said every morning, "Mon sieur le Conte, do not forget that you have something very great to do this day." Charitable ones say that these gentlemen develop their muscles in order to be able to fight when war shall be declared. But, all criticism aside, M. Molier sets a fashion and receives his friends in a circus. He loves horses and owns si dozen, besides mules, monkeys and other animals capable of training. Himself, he has the appear ance of a horseman, and his housei at the entrance of the Bois de Boulogue, is charm ing. There his companions come to fence, to practice gymnastics, to train horses. One day they decided to appear before a public composed only of their most intimate friends. Their success was astonishing and the. performance was repeated. To reach the circus, which is also connected with M. Molier's house, we cross a hall, then a gal lery whose walks are covered with pictures. representing phenomena of thcentire world. From this gallery we enter the billiard room ; then, descending a staircase, we are near the " ring." Very few persons are admitted to the green-room, where are to be found English lords and French dukes,/ all dressed as clowns or jockeys. The re' hearsals are very interesting, and the scene is wonderfully picturesque; often fifty gentlemen and: ladies are in the private boxesV the horsemen, in scarlet tunics, knots of blue ribbon on their shoulders, place themselves in line, while M, Molier, a ■ rider of the haute tcolt, wins the bravos of his friends. These grands seigneurs are aided by genuine circus riders,' of whom Mile. Violat and her friend, Mile, Melie', are the most celebrated. Mile. Violat) stands on a table, holds a hat that Melie knocks on the floor ; the latter then enters a cask that Violat rolls as she dances.

Didn't Injure Him.

A temperance, lecture during a discourse said:—"The leading physicians of the. country have agreed that alcohol possesses no real medicinal qualities, and that no man can take it, even in the smallest quantities, without injury. Show me jk roan whonj whisky does not injure." A man arose and said :—" Ido not think, sir, {that whisky is an injury to me. Ij» fact, I think that I am benefited by it." " You may think so," the lectitfer replied, " but you are mistaken." " Kg, t am prettj certain." "Then, not to have discovered any efH effect, you must drink it in the mo^li moderate way." " No, I can't say that I do." "Are you different from anyone else ?" the lecturer exclaimed. "Why should liquor not injure you ?" v Because 4 cjon't drink it." ''Ah, you are indeed sharp, but you say that you are benefited by it. How so, U yQ» do not drink it, ?' : . ■♦••Jiwtt.iU1'

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, AUGUST 20,188?.

3



11-15 J3-19 9-14 J7-23 S-ll !2-18 5-22 S- 9 5-14 19-25

11-15 24-20 lo-24 28-19 4- 8 25-22 8-11 22-18 ]- 5 18- 9

5-14 19-16 12-19 23-16 6- 9 26-22 9-13 30-26 11-15 1611

7-16 20-11 14-18 22-17 13-22 26-17 18-22 17-13 22-25 31-26

25-30 23-22 10-14 22-17 14-18 13- 9 30-26 17-13 26-23 9- G

2- 9 13- 6 18-22 6-2 22-26 2- 6 26-31 21-17 23-1!) *6-10



11-15 23-19 9-14 22J17 5- 9 26-23 9-13 24-20 15-24

28-19 13-22 25- 9 6-13 29-25 8-11 25-22 11-15 32-28

Wylie's move. 15-24 21-14 28-19 13-17 4- 8 31-26 22-18 7-U 8-11 27-23 18-15 3- 7 11-18 19-16 23-14 12-19 10-17 23-16

11-15 10- 7 16-11 26-31 7-16 23-19 20-11 31-27 15-18 19-16 14-10 27-23 18-22 7- 3 26-23 17-22 22-26 drawn



11-15 22-18 15-22 25-18 8-11 29-25 4- 8 25-22

12-16 24-20 8-12 27-24 10-14 24-19 7-10 32-27

9-13 18- 9 5-14 22-18 1- 5 18- 9 5-14 27-24

3- 7 26-22 14-17 21-14 10-26 31-22 7-10 30-25

10-14 11-27 25-21 20-11 13-17 27-31 22-13 24-19 (5- 9 31-27 13- 6 19-15 2- 9 drawn 19-15