THE EDITOR'S DRAWER.

\ CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE. MM Religious an-d Sjscolaß Education v y ; Becut.au Jnstkuution Oslv.—Sir,-— I" your leading article on Friday referonco was ngain made to the groat question of roliifiona instruction in schools. As you hovo ob served, niae years' working oE the Act has failed to reconcila the opponents of the secular principle ; and .really thia la not to bo wondered at. Looking tha question fairly in the fneo, either from a Christian or citizen stand point, it ia now certain that secular instruction u!ono in the day-schools ie not sufficient for ilia youth nf a country, b not pood for t.h« children lnr virtually , nur is it likely to provo oveutunily tor the welfare of tho country. It cinnot bo de nied that a perfect, Christian must be a good cltJzsn in tho stronger sense of the term ; nnd on the other hand, foai-t. have l>e«n freely expressed many times lately by men of serious thought for tho fufuro of our youth and our adopted country, if tho majority of our children grow up as they now appoar to bo doing — with littlo or no religious training ; for it must bo acknowledged a? ft lame.itablo fact that in a very largo proportion of cases whore children do not receive ro'igimi-* ins!ruction at school they receive vory little at homo -from various causos. Tho littlo hour's instruction in Sundiy-sohool 13 cer tainly not suilicicnt; and oven that school is not fo well attended as it phould bo by those who need its instruction most. I notice that miniftors of eovpral deTiomina tio^s and others aro showing great, un oasinosß in respoot to tho working of tho present Education Act, and am confident that boforc lnng tho necessity of a cihango will bo admitted by all really Christian people. Tho reading of seloeted passages from tho Bible would in itself provo very beneficial, and I be'uevo with you, i-ir, that a largfl number of our Protoatant population would favour this idea, in preference '.o tho present system. l>ut this will not satisfy all There are very ininy who hs.vo a righteous loosing that provision bo mado for denominational schools. Now, fir. I would ask, since Parliament votes miiney annually for secular instruction, what reasonable objection? can there bo to Grant ing a proportionate aim for children who receive riligiom aa well as secular inatrnc tion — more oepecially when those who re ceive both aro likely to provo the must valuable to tho country. Tho fuir that children attending denominational schools would not roceivo tho pamfl amount of secular instruction as thosu attending the State schools Van been the chief cause of tho opposition of the Govern ment to granting capitation allowance tc denominational echooln. Proof of tho fal lacy of this idea can be obtained by refor enco to the periodical reports of regular in spection of denominational schools in Queensland by Government inspectors, who iind the degree of secular knowledgo quits equal to that of the State secular schools. I have no doubt at all, sir, that thoso who favour denominational education will readily submit to the condition suggested—pay ment by results. —Yours, &c., A i'akknt

Cuukch Work.—"A Mother" wishes to draw attention to one serious sourco of risk to our young peoplo in connection with so called church work—tho frequency of con certs, cantatas, etc. She says :—" Tho ob ject of these is to get money ; but tho re sult to our young peoplo is now, and ever will be, disastrous. Calling so many away from home in the evenings after compul sory absence all the day, what time can there be for cultivating the mind by reading or fostering those tender relationships with younger brothers and sisters, or ministoring to the comfort of anxious and over-wrought fathers and mothers '.' Many of us well re member the social gatherings of years gone by in our Fatherland (not soirees, but tea meetings then), where cheerful, spiritual addresses and lively congregational sing ing sent tho people homo spiritually re freshed, ayo, and sometimes con versions resulted. Better return to those simple means (which neoded no practising of can ■t-at/is, etc.), than have onr children out night after night, returning homo u-. unseemly hours and retiring to rest their weary frames, certainly without family worship, and no wonder if too exhausted to pray at all. Let mo ask : Does tho end justify tho means ?"

Thanks to Dr. Bond. —Mr James H. M. Hughes wishes to express hia gratitude to Dr. Bond, and questions " the wisdom of thoae who call themselves the Hospital Board in letting Dr. Bond go for the ?ako of a paltry fifty pounds more. Is this a saving to the supporters of the Hospital': No, sir. They have added to the expendi ture by appointing two medical gentlemen to do the duty that one gentleman was both able and willint,- to perform. I watchod with pleasure when a patient for four weeks tho unremitting attention of Dr Bond and his nurses. Without respect of persons they have honourably acquitted themsalvea as public eervants.

Statue of Sir Geoege Grey.—"Q.VV." writes : " Would it not bs graceful on the part of tho Ajckland Chamber of Commerce to ask Sir George Grey to a public dinner on tho occasion of the opening of the new Art Gallery, and to inaugurate a subscrip tion for a public statue to Sir George in Auckland? Probably even political op ponents would rejoice to show that oa such an occasion they could meet Sir George in the most generous and kindly spirit."

The Dog Ncisance. — "Subscriber" write 3: " Sir,—Some time ago you published information regarding the legal method of dealing with fowls which had acquired the evil habit of straying into neighbouring gardens. lam Bure many of your readers felt grateful for the assistance you gavo in settling a troublesome matter, and I am equally sure that many oi them would re joice if you could give them tho law in re gard to poisoning or shooting Btray dogs which infest many back yards, often making night hideous with their howling, and de stroying gardens, etc. Is it illegal to put down poison ? Or may one uee o ro volver." —The best preventative is a good fence and a gate that will close. We cannot advise either of the other remedies.

Competition FOB the Refuge at Ellers lie. We have received soveral com munications, criticising the decision of the committee in the competition for the above building. "A Trained Architect" considers that "More satisfac tory results would be obtained by building committees issuing fuller and more definito directions to competitors. As the matter now stands, too much is left to conjecture. Then, as regards exhibiting competitive designs, they should be more publicly ox liibited, with tho authors'names, &c, for a reasonable period of time, not as in the case of the Refuge plans—advertised one day and taken down the next. It may seem but a small matter, but when1 it in consid ered that such plans are the results of weeks of labour and thought, to have them thus co unceremoniously shelved is not treating the authors with respect."

" Non-Comi'ETITOE " enters into a long criticism of the various designs, and settles in favour of No. 3. He observes : "They (the experts) cay it has merits which should recommend it to the notice of the Board for a refuge. If the Board had no objection to isolated build'ngs, what possible ob jection could they have to a system that is almost universally adopted for similar purposes, as witness the Kaus Memorial Buildings, Newmarket, England, the Johanistifft, Leipzic, Germany, and Island 'Aged Home,' New York, New Work house, by H. Saxon Snell, architect for the Holborn Board at Mitcham, each block being united by covered ways?"

Another correspondent, speaking of No' 3 design, observes :—" I could enumerate a dozen instances of buildings erected for a similar purpose in Great Britain and America that have all adopted the system followed in No. 3 deßign, and also quote the opinions of very many recognieed authorities on the subject to show that the bluck system is most in favour with those who have made this matter a subject of special study." He also draws attention to the following paragraph in the " Car penter and Builder" of November 12th, 18S6, on the adoption of the block system for the Holboru Board of Guardians :

' 'j ' TIIO new workhouse erected by tho Ho!- If 'Orn Board of Guardians at, Mii.cham, from « ho plans of Mr 11. Saxon Suell, architect, q as been designed on the block system, each d epartment (being detached and separate, '. b at united with the rest by means of opon rl c ;>vored ways. Throughout, tho greatest Q ire has beon bestowed upon saui ary ro q uirements. Accommodation will be pro -8 v, ided for 1,000 able bodied paupers, and - tl 10 total cost, including fittings, laying out 3 ol : tho grounds, boundary walls, drainage, & c, will not oxcood i'tifi por imnato. 3 T here h ample room for extension, the aito in Morton-lane covering an area of Hi acres ]of freehold land, originally forming part of [ th 0 adjoining school establiphment, which ' cc ntniiis i 72 children belonging to the same vi lion." ; Fikk Fikxi).—" Poiifonby " prvh that, al th -."gU nnmparativoly ppoakirga 'ictv chum. ■ he. hriß attended many fire*, and ho considers ' th ats " thora appear* to h»vo b;cn a lament ; ab lo ahsunce of uv.iloin fio extingui-hing 1 np paratu? for the use of our bravo firemen. 1 At iy town or village in England with threo or four thousand inhabitants Iris better ap -1 pli ancOH. It 13 simply usol«s« for our Cjuii ' cil to provide a capacious new reservoir if thi 3 water is to romain unavailable in tho we ter mains. Somothing must bo dono bo foro long, or a second Chicago disaster im :y bof.-.li Auckland, and than it would be usi jless to talk wisely of what ' might havo bo on dono.' "

Wesleyan Doctrine and Polity.

Loci urj by Eov. William Morlcy. Ok Wed. lesday night, 26th January, a good audionce assembled in tho I'itt-stroet Church to hoar tho annual Wealeyan Cun foronce loc Sure, which this year was do livored by il >0 ticv. Win. Morloy, of Dun | cdin, -whoso e\ ibjoct was "Tho Doctrinal and Ecclesiastical Position of tho Methodist Church." The Prosidont of tlio Conference (Rev. AY. C Oli VQl") occupied tho chair, and in his opening . '"omarks explained that it, was seven years a, '-'l) t!;a<: (' IJ Conferoneo de cided to havo ;ui a\ maal lecturo during its sittings on wmo si 'bject of importance to tho members of tho IV 'ethodist Church. This | stop was at, tho tit 10 opposed by somo cautious brethren, wh ~> feared that, as had i happened ;n KnfrJnao ', >"> indiscreot loo turor might, commit hiv nsolf, and injure tho , rmise ho was trying ro , «ervo, by some rash ( utterance. 'Che tear h. id proved ground- j ie,-i?, and each lecrnro ha i been worthy to j bo remembered. Ho regi ottcd that tho ioc- , turo had boon placed so Into nmontpst tho | Couferonco meetings, as th at fact doubtless , proven ted its beins as « oil itttcndod as j would otherwise have been i 'ho cuso. l The Roy. William Morioy, in introducing j tho subject, oxplilined thi t it was not his own choice, but that of a comraittoo ' who had &olecte:l the top. T c and en- j trusted its handling to him. In speaking of the present position of th> i Methodist j1 Church, ha oc(;uj:iied the place.. . not of an advocate, still Less of an unfriei idly critic, ■ whose mission r.s. bo spy out weak. 'Jesses and endeavour to ovorturn religious systems, but of a son of tho hou?o, to'whoa ''» dwell- * ing in tho family mansion belong s by in horitance, and who, coming to man', j; finds his most congenial homo in that, of his. fathers, and, knowingita comtorts, din best . judgs whether jiroposcd additions . 'ire in harmony with the rest of the stru. -ture. He CDuld not agr'je with those who d opro- n catod such discussions as ho was abo, it to engage in, either urging that thoir i mly j- standard of doctrine was the Bible, or t hat the only ocoupatian of proachera was to si ive c souls, or tint ro statement ot tho doctrir. es n Ion;; ago 'iiid down was unnecessary, at d * like Haunting tlie views of one church in th c ,' faces of tb.o*e who dillurod froai it, Evorj ' church had its nvn interpretation of Scrip-. , w tural trulJi, If ?iio Biblu contained an in- ° spired ia':orpivbinion thoro would bs, whilo mon'.i minds diltbr a 5 thoy do, varying in- ?' foriwatAtS""" "' *.hat! Inwmirfat;,.!, 4= X every a;:o looks .it things in a dill-rtnt way V to its p'i-edece.'aor, old truths need to ba '\ newly minted, ana. to the rising genoiation of churdh raemWi's a cloar tdoi of tho doe- r trines of their church may bo hotter given :' r in the form of a, lecture than by ponding P{ them to a score of volumes. Practical preach- v*_ ing cannot be> dldaaciatod from Christian ° doctrine, as in Scripture doctrine aud morals ,2 continMnlly como together, and doctrine '_'. first. Tho results of false teaching on such ';' subjects as "holiness" rondered it impera tive that the truth should bo emphatically *' put. Keferrine to tho snoaring remark sometimes made that Methodism has the j a! longest creed in Christendom, preaciiorH ' ,_ being bound not to hold or teach finything- * contrary to tho toaahing of Mr WeslayV r< first 53 sermons, he showed how ir.ueh. ? liberty of thought thij stipulation allowed. " less than halt of thoso ecriocna boing doctiinal, and nono but fundamentals! in- "' sistcd on in tiem. Although Mr Wesley ?, was a membev and miniater of tho Church " of England, it is not truvs to assert that tho t '' Methodists' creed is to bs found in the :>9 . Jl articles. Mr Wesley himself, -when organis ing the Methodist Episcopal Church in , America, reduced those articlos to 2S, making many important alterations in tho remaining oies, which the locturor in- J! dicated. They accept the Apostles' Creed, c | the Nicone Creed (with the exception of one , clause), and all the Atb.anaeian Creed but the damnatory clauses. The modification ir of tha Calviuistic theorj- of inherent de- C( pravity by the doctrine of the universality of redemption, and tho special help oi the Holy Spirit given to evory man, woro then V. referred to, the lecturer stating tho belief r,. of his church to be that no eoul -would jjj perish except for its personal rejection of jjj the salvation providerl through Christ, j. and claiming that Methodism had doro £] much to Hboraliso and humanise modern jj theology and beliefs f.s to tho destiny of r> the heathen, and had thu3 itself escaped (j. from auil'ering severely in the strife about i; eechatology ton years ago. SovoroliUuetra- ji tione were give;) of ';hie freedom of thought L allowed under the Methodist system—Dr. jV] Dallinjjer believing that creation was j] eii'ectsd by evolui.iaa, and others of his T fellow-ministers iitmitly opposing that [; belief ; some holding pre-milllenarian and (j c others post-millens,rian views ; some-widely M differing from othern in their views as to m the effects of the baptismal rite. Methodism lc holds tho moral government of God, the authenticity of Scripture,, the atonement, gj freedom of will, aDd i'reon-ess of grace ; that jj man may accep'; or reject Salvation. Whllo i G believing in tlje completeness of Christ's gi atonement, it holds that thcse_ who reject pj Christ are in i the same position as if no E atonement had been made- It re K nrda faith X as the only condition of salvation, but at beiievss that it must be preceded by re- co pentance ; tliat the believer may possess 8a (though som a, for want of instruction, do ki not obtain it)i consciousness of hie accept- s i ance with God, with which must ba joined c ( the witness of the conscience; that Chris- y E tians may obtain power over outward sin 8C and inward evil. The doctrine of Christian jy) perfection -was explained and defended, the lecturer stat ;ing that objections to it arose m usually either from hazy definitions, from l not studyin git with God's Word, or from g. the inconsistent lives of its professors. He g f defined it, ab " the state in which the heart is p cleansed fromallunrighteoueness, God loved x with heart and souland strength, and our jy neighbouraa ourselvos" or in Wesley's words, j( "tho renewal of believers in the image of l Him who created them," not either a state 5, of emotioni or a spurious simulation. After y touching upon the necessity of contint.ed g ( devotion, to God; the state of the dead, j^ consciously blissful immediately after dejith c , ard before the general jurlgment; and the g, utility of ths Sacraments of Baptism and g, the Lord's Supper as signs and seals of I;he j,; covenant of grace. Mr Horlsy closed tshe r£ firat part of hia lecture. The second part jyj was a statement of the ecclesiastical posi- £ tion of the Church, whose constitution and £ modea of government woro fully and clearly j; set out and dofendod, not as being of r Dhrino inspiration, but as being in harmony y, witih New Testament principles and tho c , outgrowth of providential circumstances. g

Ifho lecture which occupied two hours iv delivery, was listened to with great interest ami attention. The Oevonporfc Wesleyan choir led the eioging during the evening.

The Auckland and ManukaU Canal.

(By MAJOR-tiENUIIAt, SxOUD.MtI).)

'In last Tuesday's Stak appoarou a report by Mr E. W. Blair, C.8., on tho sciiemo for connecting by a canal tho harbours of Auckland and the Miiuukau. According to ! tliia report it appears that fhoio is a i differonco of about six foot in tho level of the two waters ; aiao that thoro i;i a diflor enco (if aomo tlirco liours in the tide?, ami that tho extreme range of tido is about

i twelve feet. On thoi-o data Mr ]slnir cal

| oulates 1 hat the current through .'in npon • citi.il would bs frum iivo to ten miles at! ! hour, according to thei-izodf the cinal. At ! oven fivj miles un hour, or 7 ; ', feet per I SBoqnd, \a by far too high a velocity for :i ! navigable cunal, it ix certain that an open ! cut is quite inadmissible, Navigation wonli.' simply t-.o impossible, and no canal with sides unprotected by stone-pitching could withstand tha destructive offootn of such a current. To overcome this difficulty Mr Blair would place n lock somewhere about tho middlo of tho canal. A loch 80 situated would certainly not improve matters ; on tho contrary, it would bo worso tlmn useloes, an it would bo productivo of positivo harm, It could only act an an obstruction to tho tidal water Mowing and obbing through tho opjn halves of tho canal, and what would bo tha result 1 Why, in a vary short time thu canal would bo choked with Hand and mud, tho deposition commencing at ouch sido of the contral loch, and rapidly extending in either direction towards tho entrances of the canal. Moreovor, a loch in that «itua tion would intensify tho current, as tho "fall por milo" would bo about doubled, while llio "hydraulic mean depth" re mained tho same in tho shorter roar.hoe an in the entire length of the canal. It is quito poasiblo to construct a perfectly satisfactory canal, capnblo ol receiving tho largest Kteamora at prosont entering tho Manukau. No one, of coureo, would think of making tho canal largo enough for the groat ocean steamers which cannot get over tha bar at tho Manultau Hands. Tho canal then must necessarily b:i a still-water ono, or vory nearly so, with a singlo loch at each ond, with their gates oponing Inwards or towards tho canal, and pliicud as near to tho basins of tho two harbours ns possible. 1 havo no data to go upon other than thoso contained in Mr Kbit's roport. Ho states that there h a difference of about six feel in the two waters. 1 presume that tho Waitomatn is the higher of tho two, but, it would make no difference in my plan of it if it woro tho other way. Tho surface level of tho canal will, .therefore, generally bo that of high water in tho Auckland harbour, and about six foot abovo high water in tho Manukau. Tha solo of tho canal to bo cut level throughout, and, if possible, at nine or ten foot minus low water in tho Mann kau to ensure to vessels drawing about eip-ht foot navigation througli tho canal at all states of tho tide. In such a canal there will be scarcely any curront, as tho quantity of water lost by evaporation and lockngo would be insignificant, and would bo rapidly replaced from tho Waitoraata end through tho loch gatoa, which would open directly tho lovel of tho water in tho canal tell over so little bolow that in the basin out side. It U not possible to fay what tho 10-s by filtration through tho bed and sijes of the eanul might bo. in EnglandJ two inches a day are allowed for both evapora tion and filtration. In India, generally nothing is allowed for filtr.iiion, r.s tho canals aeon puddli: thomsolvoa. Horo the canal would bo cut in volcanic soil pro bably, which perhaps h moro porous than clay or ordinary earth, but I havo no infor mation on this point. Under any circum stances I should not think tho loss by fil tration would bo so considerable as to in duce a porcoptiblo curront in tho canal. It would ho necessary, perhaps, to deopon tho basins in front of tho lochs by steam iredging, unless tho tcriiiiiii of tho canal :ould be placed whore there is deep water. Lhnvn rnnrr.ly sketched the imni"«>l «;'""i** liccaniu, as'Viiiiuui. :i-.:eura[osnrvpy;>, levels, t;,, it is not' possiblu to give- ou'n an ap roxirautt-eetunare of it* co»t.. In Mr Blair's ■ port the distiincos t-f th» alternative lioea »o jriven as ;;.( and 'J'2 miles. Ho ap i votitly takes his distance from *.hu city } Auckland to the Slanukau llc^u.ls. Tho a lu.il length of tho canal from low wafer n low water cannot he anything liko this "i hothor tho canal would answer an Jinan lial grounds can only bo decided after much tatistical information is collected, bu ;h:it in an ongt neei tag point of viow it would bo quite possible to contract a really satisfactory caual I havo not tho loast ioubt. liy those persona who hove no knowledge of eaunl engineoring, Mr Blair s roport will bo regarded a? ronclusiyo oyi- Jcnco that there nro insuperable dillicitltios in tho way of constructing tho canal. This is greatly to bo regretted, as probably n iruiy uso'ul work to Auckland may now do relocated by the Government tn tho Kalends.-I am, etc., J. F. Snm »akd, Mojor-Goneral. Onehunga, '.'Stii January, ISS7.

The Parsonage, Mangawai.

Miss Tcmx has ;;ro;it piea.-mro in announ cing that tho organ ior the new church ha.s been, purchased, and she thunka tho follow ing subscribers very much for their kind contributions collected by hor:—Meesre Clark and Son. £1 Is ; ths Misses Tutin, £1; Mr Piorco, 10-; Mr Kiee, 10s: "M.K.," Os; Cambridge Hnuso (l*t subscriplions),£l; ilr.J. Percy. '2s (H ; "J.E.," ~i M i Mr T. Maoky.as; Mr J. 0- Whito, 10.' (id: " W.C.," .53 ;Mr A. Bucklaad, 10s ; MrsEjrles. 5-; Mr Heather, 10? ; the Misses Garrctt, 2i Gd; Dr. 11. C. E. Holland, £1 ; concert by Mrs Kovitt, £5 8d lid ; do Sacred, £1 lla (3d; MrCJook, £1 ; Mr Cook, sa; Mr Oliver Keeiter, '.la Gd: Mr Thomas Leslie, .">.-; Mr Fox, 2a (id; Mr Kfidy, ,"w; Mr Lennox, 103; Mr E. Sarah, 2s lid; Mr Mitohelson, £1 Is; Mr W. Leslie. 2^ Cd j Mr fl. Miller, 5s : Mrs Owens, 2s lid ; Uv.i T«n6old, '2s 6ri ; A Friend, 2h j A Fiiond, 15s Cd; Mr Wiseman, 'J* Ud : ".T.K,"2s (id ; Mr Jackson, 2b lid ; Mrs Jnckmun, -la; Miss 8.. McMillan, 2a ; A Friend, Ss ; Mr Jothw, La (id ; A Church Friond, G.!., 103 i ?dit Morley, sa; Mr Trafford, Bs; Mr McK'jn-as, os; Mrs Carlaw, 2s 6d :Mr Skorm, juor., JO? : A Friend, 7? OH ; Mr 1". Mont, £1 : Mr Koss. r>s : Kov. H. Howlott's loc.turo, £2 If, Mr Bond, 10s; Mr K. Stewaxt, 5.i; MissTutin's concert, .i' 4 tia lid ; Mr 11., Varlaw, 5a : Mr .1. K. Cool;, 5* ; Mrs Hyro, 3a (id ; Mrs Hall, 86nr., £1 ; Mr Uootc, 10a. The owners of tho B.a. Ruby and Mr Edward Sarah aro thanked for carrying tho organ free, and at tlio same time Misb Tutin wishes to ac knowledge the following subscriptiona that she has already receivod in aid of the new church :—Misses Tutin. £5 ; Mr Sarah, £1 7s 6d ; Mr A. Boldero, 2a (id ; Mr Hender son, sa; Mr Bowman, ss; Mr W. Mc- Millan, us ;Mr Duncan Stewart, Sa: Mr W. Graham, £1; Mr G. T. Boldero, 10s ; Mr A. Ryan, ss; Mrs Tutin, 10s; Mr Litten, os ;Mr Small-wood, £1 fls: Mr VV. Stewart, Si ; Mr Cook, £5 :Mr T. Cook, 2s (id ;Mr Richard?, sa; the late F. H. Hull, Esq., senr., £1 ; Meesra Thornton, Smith, and Firth, £1 10s ; Mr Thomaa Eyre. £1 ; Mrs Ryan, senr., 10s; Mr Ross, 10a: Mr Bonrl, 10*; Mr Leslie, sa; Mr Hosan. 10? :Mr Penman, 5s ; IMr Kelly, 5s ; Mr Chipman, 5s ; Mr W. Kuahbrook, ss: Mr N. McMillan, 4a 6d ; the Rev. Wilson's lecture. 15s; Miss Tutin's pupils, £1 ; Miss Tutin's con cert, £3; Miss Tutin's second concert, £4 Sa; Mr A. Stewart, £2 Ids ; Mr F. Bugden, 53; Mr G. Linnel, £1 ;Mr K. Parian, 10s ; Mr J. Shepherd, £1 Is ; the Ray. A. R. Tomlinson, £1 : Mr G. P. Pierce, £1 la ; Mr W. S. Cochrane, £1; Miss Lucas, £1; Mr Sfcurcb, 10a; Mr J. Handera, £1 Is ; Messrs Porter £1 Is; Mr Thomas Macky, 10s; Mr Ryan (the Ruby), 5s ; Mr J. Moir, 53 : Mr Sharpe, 2a lid; sale of work, Miss Tutin, £1 Is ."i ; extra sale of work, Miss To tin, £1 Us; Bishop Solwyn, £5 : Rev. VV. Cain?, Canon of Winchester, £3 3a ; sale of work, layine the stone, Miss Tutin, £1 0s 3d ; Mr Thos. Wobster, 10s; Sir W. Fox, £1; sale of work, Aiit« Tutin, £3 3s 3d,

A HORRIBLE CHASM.

A Smoking Crater In the Protrfes

of Texas.

The grooloafc excitement prevails at Slcopy

Hollow (Texan). Nothing is tulkod or thought, of but, nature's great convulsion on tho night of November nth, At a point about eovon niilo'i southeast uf this littlo country post-ollico occurred ono of tho strangest freaks of nature over recorded in thoannalnof the world's history. At the abovo-inontionedpointißtheconfiuoncooftv.-o Creeks—Post Oak and Chambers—tlio latter qnito an irnpoifrmt stream, and what would bo called a river in tho New Eng land State*. Here i» located the owe for t!.o terror and excitement that hiiva .">•; hold of tho ptopltf. An immense upheaval haaocourrod at that point, causing i rant in tho earth that is horrifying tn

Tho topography of tho country

I b< fore this agonising kick of old Mother Earth was almost a dead level. It ia now one vast crook bottom, covered with dense tim ber, or was! such boforo this occurrence To day a yawning chasm, fifteen miles long and moro than 1,500 feat brood, fturoa ail', in tho face who has tho courage to look at it. A ilonso cloud of sulphurous sirmko rises slowly from its rumbling ir.')ul!i. Intense heat prevails at a distance of half 11 milo on either aide of this vast ami torriblo crator, and, to add to its awful grandeur, it- intorsocts Chambers Creek just bolow ita union with Post Oak, thus forming quita a largo body of water, that plungos into this bottomless chasm with a jar and thunder ing tone that can bo felt, and hourd for t>venty-two nrilos. Tho nearest telegraphic station to this point i.i Oorsicnna, thirty fivo inilos away. The people in this neighbourhood aro composed of a thrifty though illiterate class of planters. Thoy are naturally superstitious, and tluawonder fid phonomonon has just run them wild. Thoy iipond tboir ontiio tiuio praying and singing. Thoy havo abandoned thoir lioldx to prepare for tho awiul doom, us thoy suppose, in store for thorn. They neither eat nor sloop, only as thoy aro exhausted A portion of the timo to-day a strong east wind has b^on blowing, driving (ho heat to the wost aido of tho opening, so tlmfc your correspondent could approach tulHcier.tiy closo to examine partially tho inward ap poaranco of dm jaws of hull. No languafja, howovur .-in ful or eloquent, could approach oven n faint picture of so grand yet so fearful a scone.

Imagiiio a fiery opening in tho oarlh fifteen miles lung and 1,300 foot wide boleh ing forth groat clouds of black, sulphurous -moke, from beneath which camo the duoii muttoi-ings of subterraneous thunders, whoso voicos speak (.nly through tho open mouth of hell, then may you form but a slight idea of this scene. Au the wind moves tho huge volumo of amoko a-ido it rovouis huge monetois of every hideous and conceivable shape, writhing and twiating in the molten mass bonoath. Sounds and murmurs liko human voicos in the awfuloet agonies seem to como from ri;_r ht under your foot as you stand on tho brink of this horriblo chasm. Various theories havo been advanced by exports and old women as to tho moaning of all this imre.-t of old Mother Earth. There is no doubt in tho mind of your correspondent that it is associated with tho reconl earthquakes at Charleston, S. C.

What tho result may bo before nature resumes her equilibrium in this section is hard to tell. It has already resulted in the destruction of twenty-live lino rar.ch.es ; 700 head of stock, thirteen dwelling-houses and about 3,000 acres of fino timber havo boon swallowed up. The lo?s of human lifo amid tho pro'ont excitement is impossible to ascertain, but is supposed to bo fright ful. People aro gathering up their effects and llooing from tho country 111 waggons or wheelbarrows and on foot. Great bull'oring and destitution must follow in the wake of such a wholesale destruction of lifo and property. Tho atmosphere for twenty miles around hue an intenßO sulphurous 9 mm\y toU^u?s?yt?;io lraIlI£S> t HS.!i '{jVhifte sulphurous o'driuf, your"correspondent vwll bo compelled to tako up hi* rotreat witb tho break uf day. Animals, birds nnd insects, even tn tho vivacious TexiiH mi.sq'd'ui, aro iowin : tho neighbourhood of tni-t awful display uf nature's firework*. Horses, c.Utie, hugs aad dogi tiro lying dead through tho limbore suffocated with tho sulphurous gunoa that seem to bo 00/.ing from tho ground. Tho ground is so intensely hcaU-d tor ten miles around that every living spear of grass and all tho timber it dying. Tho picture of do solution anil woe is frightful ov-rjn to con template, but imagino what it in to ono in tho midst of all this lonelineas. Aeidu' from tlio rumbling noiso bonouth your feet thu silence is painful. I-en.l tlits communication by horseback mail to tho nearest ruilroad point, thirty-five miles away, and will write you moro fully whon my bruin and nerves got steadier ami I got out of this infernal region.—La.v- WELLES,

BOSTON'S SUNDAY LAW.

How Shrewd Hotel Barbers Evade

tho Police.

The patron of a tonsorial establishment connected with a hotel found very littlo difficulty in having his wants attended to

yesterday. However, only regular cue'

tomerH could obtain recognition ; others found it impossiblo to scrape an aorjuaint ance sullicient to effect tho desired end. During tho wook proprietors had planned their little campaign, and a? a result quo"is found but little moro incjn vonioneo in caring for their toilet than on rpgular days.' Almost without ex ception shaving wont on in evory first class hotel in the city yesteuhy morn ing, and it was well shown Ihst tho harbors could outwit the opponents of Sunday opening. In one hotel tho im provised barber shop was situated in a portion of tho bnilding that few of tlic blue-coated guardians of the peace would have dreamt of prying into. To it guests were conducted in tho most secret and guarded manner posti'olo. In front of somo of tho hostolrie3 polico ollicers in citizens' clothes woro soon perambulating in seemingly the most innocont manner, but re;-.!ly with eyes wide open. Thoy found little satisfaction, however. Tho front doors, woro closod and carefully screened from observation. Apparently, ovorywhero tho most perfect quiet pervaded. Tho initi.itted were admitted by tho vory con voniont back door, whoro a trusty custodian of tho koy was stationed, who only admit ted those who were known to him. In many cases the guests were shaved in their rooms. Many took the trouble, to become guests for an hour, Hired a room and wero ehaved. Several of the proprietors of shops wero not a littlo indignant that the hotel men could evado tho laws so successfully, whilo they were obliged to look on. Thoy cay that they are unable to understand why they should not be allowed to oblige their customers in a similar manner, and threaten to make trouble if this thing is allowed to go on. Not a fow customers havo been Bhavod at their own residences, being obliged to pay extra for tho accommoda tionl Naturally, in tho hotels the barbers sutler little pecuniary loss. The transient gucsta from out of tjwn, particularly from rsew York, liko a clean shave on Sunday, and are willing to pay liberaily therefore and the tips make a welcome addition to a man's regular salary. The matter of ob taining a shave on Sunday has come to bo on a par with obtaining ,1 drink. Guostaof a hotel havo not the least difficulty in satisfying thoir wants. Others havo to learn the rupos before they can follow suit.

rrosoerato tuo Swindlers'. I If when you call for Airaerloan Hop Bltton (see green tvrig of Hops on. the white label and Dr. Soutc's name blown in> the bottle), tho ven dor handH out auythinK but j4.merican Hop Bitters, refuse It and bqud that vendor aa yOH would a viper: and'lf he has taken your moner for anything else, indlot him for the frand and Due him for dtirnaeos for tho dwindle and Wf will jw you ÜboraDr Cor t!»i ocnyieUo*.

Migration in Norway.

Oao of the Great W-,:.rtci-,-3 of tho

Natural World,

Onui; in about evory tuonty-fi"'e yc^rs

Norway and Sucdon are tho scenes of a

migration which is ono of the wondors c-f natural world. Tho participants in this movemement are tiny rat-liko creatures, called popularly loumiings and scientifi cally MyodcK lonium", Tho lemming is not moro than i-ix imhes long, including a half inch tail, and individually is no more in teresting than a thousand other animals, but collectively it challenges attention, It lives ordinarily among the poat-mosses of mountains, and, although tho principal food of ali the predacooun animals of that region, it continues to increase) ho rapidly in numbers ihafc by the timu tho migratory

movement taken place tho mountains fairly swarm with its congregated families From uo';r and far tlio K-mmins/s coma, led

by a TOstles-- impulse, and after forming an

immense army on som:; groat plateau start east or west, as tho case may bo, and in an undoviating lino march forward. Hills, valloya, lakof-, aro crossed, with an utter (Hsrcigai-d to tho havoc made iv their ranks by doath.

It is 'i sad timo for tho farmer, for whon I lie living torrent pours over a cultivated

section it spreads and lingers till every oatablo is gone, in tho meantime bringing forth ynunjj; in great numbers and with un inual rapidity, ro that, dospitc all tho numerous causes of destruction that follow or await it, tho torribto army actually inerenooa in size during its onward march. Besides the river* and lakes, which swallow up groat multitudes, a pro lilic source of deuth is found in tho various animals of tho country. Carnivorous beasts, and birds, such an wolves, foxos, wild cats, tho various membors of the weapol family, eagles, hawks and owls, follow thci moving army with wild cries and insatiable glut tony. This in quite natural, perhaps, but what is extraordinary, many herbivorous animals poem to bo driven to fury by the in vasion of tlio littlo creatures, and deserting thoir ordinary food rush among tho lemmings, anil not only stamp thorn to death, but uao their teeth for the samo purpose, and even nnf, tho fle'h. Reindeor and cows aro pro rninont in this deadly employment; whilo man, with his household pot:', tho cat and the ring, exarts himself in tho same destruc tive work,

Still thu stream murs on, never deviating from tho course first laid out, rilling tho air with vilo odour* and making tho earth loathsome. For throe years this torriblo scourge afflicts tho land, roeisting nil efforts to turn it or conquer, and covering with desolation overy spot it visits, until at laet the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Kothnia interposes its impassable waters. Docs it thon turn b;ick? Nu. With the samo frightful disrugnrd of contoquences wbich has characterised thu infatuatad creature from tho outset, tho wholo army, with ciiger haste, plunge into tho wavos, and —there ends tho migration.

What i- tho cause of this extraordinary fact? Nobody knows. Tho most plausiblo theory yet advanced is that the vast increase in numbors of the lemming in ita mountain homo cre'ites a scarcity of food. Hunger arouses tho desiro to seek for food ol.°owhere, aud a movement onco mado, a long dor mant instinct 0!' migration, which most animals possess, forcos it to continue ita onward march with unreasoning and fatal persistency. Olans Mugnu-' and somo other writc-r3 have suggested that tho lemming? aro a scourgo rained down from heaven, but, there aro several fniriy good reasons for not accepting this theory.

An Amorous Parson.

A sbnsatio.n-.w, divorco case is about to occupy tho New York tribunals. Tho petitioner is tho Rev. Timothy A. Brown, a Mothodiet preacher, who last year married a quudroon young enough to bo his grand-daughter. The co respondent is another preacher, the Rev. William -I. l'ymm, who is^ ij^ciibpd as u;oMr Pymin occupied tho pulpit oi Mr Brown's chapel on a certain Sabbath cvonin^', tlio miiti-ier him.-'olt biMng absent at another servico. Mr Brown returned to his huuia ear'ior lhan ho was expected, and di'covored a nuin clinihing out of his bed room window. He gnatchod up an axe, and gavo chase ; but ihe supposed burglar (MCupcd by swimming auross an nd j'icont river. Next day Mr Brown was unpleasantly enlightened by reading a letter font to his wife by tho promising young p:ir?on who had talton hiw duty on tiio preceding evoning, which letter ho chiincod to intercept, r»nd tho tone of it may bu judged from this extract : —

"If he did eco us In-1 night, as I escaped with difficulty by the window, what signi fied it to griovo or to bo incapacitated by disastrous regret? 1 always now, by the graco of God, carry a uofonsivo woapon, and Porno day, if an overruling I'rovidenco ordains that I curve that old nigger's anatomy into piouiemt, it will bo his own fault. I will not imbibo r-o much again ; but I was deprcsol, and tho Scripture pays (proverbs xxxi, (j and 7) give strong drink untn him that i» ready to rjerish, and wino unto him tha' is heavy of hoart."

Mr Brown, ama/ed, horrified, and furiou", thpn searched his ppome's writing-table, and found dozens of letters, mmy of which havo been printed in tho Now York papers. Here aro a couple of extracts : —

" I will bo along Tuesday ovoning on the wheols of tho whirlwind to see you when that rigglirg old black nigger of yours is on his round perverting tha gospel, and then, as Lord Byron say?, you will ri«e and cling to my embraco, for as tho Scripture says, («Q9 Ecclesia^te-j iv. and v), there is a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, and wo must try to obey the Scripture and sweet love whon tho old nigger ia away. Oh, Octavia, why Hid you not keop yourself jtlo.ne for mo? Why did you covenant to marry that con temptible object of scorn *

"Glory, h.illolujab, Anon, Octavia, how I admire, love, worship, and adore you, and as the Scripture nays (see Solomon's

•;ongi. and ii.), let mo kips thee with tho kisses of his mouth, fir thy lovo is better tlmn wino. Tell mo. O thou whom my soul ove3t, whoro thou wiltest meet me ? Will it be in the little cabin by the crock's silent shr.re? Behold thou art fair, my lovo—see Solomon's Song—behold thou art fair ; thou hast dove's eyes. Kead all Solomon's Song through ; it means you and me "

The Servant "Tipping" Nuisance.

Mr Hanway, says tho Now York " Ob

friend in high station for not coming oftonor to dino with him, " Indeed, my lord, I cannot afford it,' ho pair), nnri explained that ho could give hn money more usefully than to well-paid and well fed servants. On another occasion ho was paying tho servants, who, as usual, appeared as he was leaving the house where he hud dined. "Sir, your great-coat," mid onn. upnn which ho paid a shilling. " Soar hat," said a second — another shilling. " Your umbrella "—a shilling. " Your gloves, sir." " Why, friend," paid Mr Hanwoy, "you may keop tho gloves, they aro not worth a shilling !" The Duka of Newcastle told this story to George 111., who laughed heartily; but on reading; Mr Hanway's pamphlet, which the Duke had left with him, ho took the matter more seriouely. He sent for his head cook and two or three of the chief servants of his houpehold, and told them that as they wero well paid for their services, he would not be subject to being taunted with having his servants paid by others. " I will not," said his Majesty, "allow a single vail to bo taken in my household, and tho first who ia guilty of the offence shall he dis missed." This royal command caused great grumbling, but his Majesty's firmness was well known, and the example wsr fol lowed by many noblemen und gentlemen. So iioreo wan the rosentmont of the whole fraternity of servants, that, on the next public appearance of tho King at Drury Lano a howl of disloyal execration pounded from tho pit and tho galleries, which were packed with servants, determined thus t<i express their nngor ufc losing a l;uj;o part of their perquisitob by the King's influence.

Great Fire in London.

& fibb broke out at half-past 10 yoatorday morning in Kuighfcridor-stroei, City, and ro suited, within two hours, iv tha destruction of several warehouses and it church. The tiro originated in v block of buildings having a frontage to Knightririerstreet, and bounded on tho other sidei by Old Changs, Knightridor court, and Carter-lane. It was first observed in the back part of tho contra ■.vareliouae, in tho paper cutting rooms of Messrs Thomson Brothers, whole sale paper dealers and stationers Ono of the workpeople called out that the place was on firo, and tho news Boon spread through out tho buil'iing, enabling all those why were in thouppor floors to mak° their escape The spread of tho fire was very rapid. Thw rl.imnK, finding dry mnlorial, ran up to the top floor, und, bursting through tho roof, spread on both sides. Tho occupants of tho properties surrounding the fire saw with alarm that the tiro was spreading in all directions, At tha north of the block ore situated the promises used by the Post Oflice Savings Bank department; and the western side, facisg Knightrider-court, is occuoied by the premises of Messrs Cook, Son, and Company, wholusale drapers. Both of these establishments have private hydrants upon tho different floors, and volunteer brigades of men, and the valuo of this drilled aid, which was im modiatoly brought into use, was vory great. Tho hose was attached to tho hydrants, and water so in poured upon tho Hamos from several different directions. Nothing, however, couid check tho onergy which tho fire had developed in a few minutes, and when tho brigado began to arrive they found an outbroak of a remark ably fierce and threatening character in progress. Tho firo brigade authorities despatched a large form of_ men with engines and ladders ; but during the tiros occupied in sending instructions for aepia tance to the several district stations the conflagration made rapid headway, and was, on the arrival of tho firemen, burning not only along the front of Knightrider stroet, and steadily toward tho church of St. Mary Magdalen, but also well in the middle of the block. In fact, every few seconds witnessed a fresh extension of the flames to additional buildings. At a quarter-past 11 o'clock, although steamers and hydrants wore pouring water upon tho flames in ovory direction, the firo appeared to be in'cvcoming tho fire men, and spreading with startling rapidity across the block uf warehouses. A. message wan therefore forwarded to headquarters by telephone, asking that more hslp should bu afforded. This was shortly followed by a turthermeeaago.asking that all the available aid should bo fiont on. By midday 20 steamers wore engaged upon the scene. At this time the firo was at its height.and was soen to huvo burned ro far towards OH Change that the premises of Messrs Borrin and Son?,furriers, were a mass of flames ; und tho premises of MeMra Old royd, Messrs Davey, Messrs Heyer and Car penter, Mr W. Pcucock and other firms wero more or loss seriously involved. Then, despite tho most ptronuous efforts, the roof of St. Mary Magdalen Church caught firo, and wan soon blazing furiously. At this point one of tho mr,et severe struggles with tho flnrnes commenced. The extent of the calamity if the fire should cross Old Change would bo so enormous that tho authorities of the Kire Brigade concentrated their mon and deliveries at tho best points, and poured thousands of tons of water upon the burning building The roof of tho church was well alight, however, and presently part of it came asunder from tho other as e'eanly as if it had been cut with a knifo, and fell with n torrific crash into the church. The roof, which was very substantial, was constructed of lead and oak, nnrl tho fall of such a rna-s of burning material into the church could have but one effect—the (ntal destruction of the interior. The wall?, however, vvtre it «uoh solid ma«oriry that they withstood tho shock, and remained siiinrlincr

By 1 o'clock it woaeucn, with ure-it relief. that tho fire had been conlincd to (lie block iv which it broke out.

The Coming Race.

Tub preponderance of tho white Aryans in wealth and territory over tho rjtlii.-r pjpu lations of tho globe has been ayaarcl, nnd a like preponderance in numbers may be regarded as certain of attainment in the not remote future. Among Eastern population.", that, of India alonn increases. On its 1,400,000 pqnaco inilcs of territory, our Indian Empiro has a population of about 240,000,000—170 per sons to tho pqnaro mile — increasing at the very considerable rate, uuoxnmpled in tho previous history of tho East, of 1 per cent, per annum, with very little fertile soil romaininj; unappropriated. Of the Far East, the total population in not probably much above 300 millions—tho population of China is almost always greatly exaggerated by publicists—and the Semitic and Negroid numbers, compared with those just cited, are quite significant. The Chinese, though they omigrate largely, do so onl> from a limitod tract, and nnt increasingly, while they do not multiply out of their own country, nor, as far as \re knuw, within their own borders. Hence it seems protty certain that the earth and its fulness are, with tho exception of eertaio tracts, reserved for the possession and en joyment of the white Aryan?, and among the.se the predominant stock in force, wealth, and numbers will undoubtedly be the Teutonic. Next will come the Slavonic peoples, whose growth in the lal-! hundred years is more surprising even than that of the United State;, where immigration has greatly assisted it. In 17SS, the population of Russia and Poland (not of course, wholly Slavonic) waß 25 millions ; in ISSS. it was i)S millions, an incoa^o ot 2liO per cent., or u'O per cent, nioro than the rate ot increase of the population of Groat Britain within tho same period. During these hundred years, tho so-called Latin races, who are in reality Ibernian and Celtic much moro than Italic, have, relatively speaking, greatly declined in number; and though doubtless thoy will play a great part in the history of tho future, it will not be a supreme purr. Xor need a struggle be apprehended between the Teutons and the Slavs. The latter only here and there touch the seaboard ; they have a boundless field for expansion in wide Asia, where they will be out of reach of all rivals ; and no fore shadowing ia visible of India having to guard herself, so far as Russia is concevnod, savo against political wars on a narrow frontier. In Europe, the Slavs and Germans, though they disliko each other, will not light. The result of a war would, as tho former woll know, be tho incorpora tion of tho whole of tho B-iltic provinces of Russia with tho German Empire, and the consequent relegation of tho Czar to the posi tion of un Oriental potentate.

A New Steerable Balloon.

Thk largest balloon ever constructed is, pro bably, that of Herr Ganawindt at Berlin, By the help of this colossal machine, which is capable uf being steered with com parative facility in its course through the nir, he says he is able to attain a speed of fourteen yards to sixteen yards per second, or a milo in loss than two minutes. The maximum spaed attainod by the celebratod balloon of MM. Kreb? and Rf.nard, in their trials at Mendon in ISS4, was only about three quarters this velocity, The Ganswindt balloon is of ellipsodical form, or cigar-shaped, being about IGO yarda long by sixteen yards in diameter. Its capacity is 20,000 cubic yard?, or about ten times the size of the Krebs-Renard balloon. The Ganawindt machine is said to be capable of carrying a load ot nenrly three and a half tons, iniependently of its car and stoam onpines, which tos-ethor woigh about twenty one anil a half tons. Propulsion is effected by moans or throo aerial screws. Two of these, each eleven yards in diameter, are vortical, whilst the other, measuring eijjht yards in diameter, is horizontal. Herr Gauswiodt, who has been making proparatiuno for an exhaustive trial of his balloon, affirm* that ho will bo ablo to travel in any direction ho pleajus, ovon in the midst of tho mn-'t violent, storms. It. will bo interesting to know what bocomon of tiiia oiubitiouH aktempt,— 11 Public Opii.iou,"

Novelties in Naval Warfare.

Eiror/nir Admiral Sir Goorgo Willes recently congratulated tho Naval service at Ports mouth on tho success with which tho old armour-clad Resistance had withstood tho attack of ths Whiteheud torpedo, tho most formidable miseile yet practically adopted in naval warfare, the dangers to which battle

ships will bo exposed in the future from unseen enemies appear to bo on tha increase. There may, of course, be considerable exaggeration as regard? the destructive power of tho new projectilos ; but it would be rash to not limits to the ingenuity of inventors. The latest development in the possibilities of tho attack comes from America, and it is remarkable how little we are indebted to native mechanicians for the more deadly and exceptional imple ments of war. To the Americana we owe tho Gatling, the Gardner, tho Hotchkiss. and tho Maxim machine guns, and our first really practical conception of a turret-ship ; I whilo tha Hordenfeldt gun we owe to a ' Norwegian. The Americans also boast that thny will shortly revolutionise all our idoas of modern naval warfare—although it is t3 bo borne in mind that, with the exception ofppeed, the recent armour-clads, ! cruisers, and gunboat* authorised by Con gress do not differ from' English vessels of war—by meana of the Destroyer and the Peacemaker. The speciality of the,former ia that it earrios a submarine gun, a speci men of which is storod for experiment at Woolwich, the invention of Captain Ericsson, the designer of tho Monitor. Tho superiority of such a weapon over the Whitehead is not manifest, even if practicable; but it is regarded as an honest attempt to introduce a new_ principle of gunnery. Tho gun ia 30 feet in length, and carries a projectile only 5 feet less than tho Jongth of the gun itself. The gun is fitted in the b:>w of the i-hip, 9 feet bolow tho water line, and is intended to fire direct ahead from tho cutwater in tho same way as tho torpedo is lired through the stem of the Vesuvius, the direction of the shot being determined by the position of the ahip. The gun is constructed of steel, and weighs 40 tons. Tho precise charge has not been determined, but it is claimed that 30ib of powdsr will suffice to project the phot a distinco of 300 yards. This, how ever, is exceedingly doubtful, in con- Fequ3nco of the resistance of the water. But at any rate this is no advantage over the Whitei.cail torpedo, which hue an ef fective range of 600 yards.

The Peacemaker owes its existence to Professor Tuck, of New York, and haß besn built by Mo-srs Dclameter and Co. It is a submarine torpedo boat, and is reported to have made successful voyages in the Hudson, rising and sinking at will. It measures 30 feot in length, with a beam of Si feet, and a depth nf 74 feet. The pro pelling power i» supplied by a 14-horse power Westinghouse engine, the steam being furnished from a caustic potash boiler, and driving an ordinary screw propeller. She is steerod on a level keel by the usual stern rudder, but for deflection up or down Ride rudders are used, as in the Norden foldt submarine boat. The Peacemaker is intended to carry a couple of torpedoes, linked together by a chain, which are de signed t:> attach themselves to the bottom of a ship by means of magnote. The ex plosion does not take place on impact, but is accomplished by electricity after the vessel has retreated to a safe distance. The torpedo arrangement is probably too fanci ful for use. This, however, is merely a de tail. The power of tho craft lies in its bo ing able to sink and rise at will, and that it can do this is vouched for by a number of witnesses.

But tho meat recent and most infernal triumph of American ingenuity applied to tho ;irt of war has yot to be described. It is nrthing lofs terrible than the projection of .1 dynamite gun carried by a dynamite crni--cr, both of which are at present in nudities. Our own gunnery officers have lon;,' been experimenting with explosive eliel!« ; but it is understood that in conse quence of the violent energy of tho ordinary ' t"IMIJt;i L'"J havo nat ri«"rt™"'J—-*^-~ r-~- nuv. Ttio .-mi'jncini invenrors are »"• *■- overcome the initial difficulty by the application of pneumatic force. I learn thut while Congress ha? authorised Mes-sr.-? Cramp and Son?, of Kensington, Pennsyl vania, to construct the vessel, the gun it to provided by the Pneumatic Gun Company of Nj.f York. The specific itiona cull for a vess?l not leas than 230 feot long, 20 feet be<im, 7{i feet draught, an engine power of 3 :i')o horses, and a speed of 20 knots. It will thus be seen that while the horse power h exactly the same as in tho vessels of the Scou class, and the length and breadth substantially tho esraa, the American vessel is to have 6 feet less draught and thrco knofs moro speed. She is to bo built throughout of steel aud propelled by twin-PCrcws. Her peculiarity will consist in her armament, which will comprise the now pneumatic dynamite gun°, two pointing forward and one aft, e.ich of which nnn be fired once a minute. The guns are 70 feet in length—they are also said to be 65 feet—and arc rigidly fixed in po-ition. The gun-room is directly 'in the middle of the ship, in the lower hold, and the lostr stoel tufaei or puns of 10J inches diameter extend fore and aft at an angle from the keel to the spar deck of the vessel. Directly over the gun room, on deck, is a working or conning tower, in which are the steering pear and the machinery for discharging the guns. The range and direction in firing have to be taken by mnnceuvring the vessel, as the guns are fixed in their places ; and it ia expected that she will render effective service at a rango of three miles. She will also carry on her spar deck a full armament of rapid-firing fan?, such as the Hotchkic?, to repel the'attacks of torpedo boats. The dynamite or gelatine projectile to he used is thrown hy the sudden releseo of compressed air at a pressure of I,ooolb per t-quare inch. When the valve at the breach of the gun is opened and the com prossed air admitted theie is no shock, but an immense velocity is attained before the shell leaves the muzzle, and at a range oi two mile? the accuracy of the gun is said to be rotcarkable. The cart ridge consists of a thin copper can of the diameter of the gun, containing 2001b of dynamite, and attached to it along wooden shaft, which serves to steady the flight of the shell as the eticlc does that of a rocket. It remain?, of course, to be seen whether dynamite can be used with the same safety to the crew of the vessel as gunpowder, and whether a speed of 20 knots can be realised. Tho builders, however, have undertaken the contract, and under conditions which in case of failure will oompol"them to refund the money expended upon tho ship And if it should bo demonstrated that dynamite shells cannot be used with safety, the poa seasion of a 20 knot crui-or, which could be armed with tho ordinary weapons, would bo a formidable acquisition to the American navy.

A Woman's Stratagem.

He was seated across the room.

" Harry," she said, "If a fire were to break out suddenly in the house, what would be your first impulse, do you think ?" " Well, my first thought would be for you, of conrpe. I would get you to a place of safety, and then do what I »ould to ex tinguish the flame?."

•' That would be very nice of you, Harry, to think of me first; but if a fire were to break out now, for instance, wouldn't you lose valuable time reaching me fro.n way across the room ?'

A Thrifty Family.

The Beephor family is a thrifty one. Mr Becchcr is ur.der Faiary to his congregation. Moanwhilo he is lecturing abroad under tho_ Fond management, feanwhile, also, ho is preaching on Sunday, and his sermons sre being published in the " Brooklyn Magazine," and ke receives! a royalty for the publication. Meanwhile, still' further, Mrs Beecher U writing lel'ers about the trip for the famo miwazinc, and she come? in for her phnro of pinmonev. " What do y v do with all the money you make !" Mr Beecher was oncn li'kfii. "Bless mo!" ho replied ; "Uiat'n jqnt, what, I bavu been ueking uiysolf all n>y Ufa !"

SCRAPS FOR THE CURIOUS.

A swaeji of black beetles flew into a M I at Chonoa, 111., a 8 the services Zl to begin one Sunday evening. T nQ Qn and his congregation hastily depMtJ**** the beetles hold undisputed posses^' ""'

In St. Peter's Churchyard, We O f T v, 18 an epitaph written by 8Om(l r>* rhymester, who was very careful « ? Wc stand committed to the fact:_ Dot to Against his will Here lies Georeo Hill, who from a cliff - ~r fc .I>H down quits stiff. When it happened is not known I hcreforc not mentioned on thia'ston

A remarkable freak of lightning h». l I witnessed during a severe thundersto^1 Central Norway. A fir tree w3 10 situated in a field at Loifcen JT, ""«' some twelve feet from the tron«S !* tree being eighty feet high - an d c D 7 •' half. The upper portion waa distance of six yards. The dbp,,i- ,8 lies in tho surface of the P detf?* part being as smooth as if it l been sawn through, while tha Z ing half is jagged charred, and Js"«f to the root. The ground encircl no. «,* stumc is harrowed in all directions nn . " being three feet in width and depth SS continuing for a distance of ten yardj

There is a pretty little quarrel going „„ in that generally decorous sociefr •"•pi Church and Stage Guild." The actor X turned up his nose at the dancer m William Farren, jun., has protested that f will not associate with ladies S gentlemen who earn their livelihood i their heels rather than by their heads " is," he says, "as if you were to aek tk« author to associate with the cC positors who eet up his wnA •" An official of tho Guild has tE«rf out that there ia no analogy between tk two cases, for the actor, like the dancer • simply a reproducer of other people's » n ',i and has hinted that Mr Fan-en's conducti at once ungentlemanly and unchristian Mr Farren, .however, has withdrawn frrJ. the Guild, and left the dancer and tt curate in possession.-

It may be interesting to learn the derivn tion of some peculiar but well known Jtui and Scotch surnames. Riordan, w oc gl mime has recently appeared at the bottom of some letters in connection with the Bi. hibition awards, means (we won't say ie]l royal salmon ; Mucnamara, eon of a sea hound; Macmahon, son of a bear; Brien.the force of water ; Kennedy, wearing a helmet- Sullivan, having but one eye; Gallagher* tho helper of Englishmen; Lysaght, a hired soldier; Farrell, a fair man; Keating » shower of fire ; Kinahan, a moee-trooMr. Flinn, red-haired; Dogherty, dangerous- Mullan, broad head; Cullan, broad poll' Flaherty, a powerful chief ; Lalor, one who spoaka by halves, Lawler meaning the fame ; Tierney, a lord ; Bulger, a Dotch man ; Gait, a protestant; Mactavieh, Bon of a savage ; Macgill, son of a squire; Mao lure, son of a tailor; Mapnale, son of the Abbott Leahy, a champion. All names that begin with Mac mean son of what the next part of the name implies.

Tho next big thing in engineering enter prise ia a submarine railway between Der mark and Sweden, It is to be carried nndir the Sound, starting at Arneger, a well known suburb of Copenhagen, and proceed ing under the sea for five miles to the Islfmd of Salthorm, which will be a sort of half-way house. From Salt horm tho line will be extended for about three miles, still under the Bea, to the Swedish coast at Lemhamn. As tho Sound doeß not exceed fifty featr in depth whero the tunnels for the proposed line have to be made, it is anticipated that there will be no great difficulty in com. = pleting the works in three years. It is thought that the capital will be raised privately amongst the commercial men and others interested in connecting Sweden directly with c the Continent. 'The'" desired guarantee. Yfie^Swedieh Govern- ?

moot ia asked to guarantees percent, on the outlay, and though it haß not so far consented, the expectation is that it will yield rather than allow the French syndi cate, which has the matter in hand, to abandon the proposed scheme.

Feminine Fancies.

Statistics show that in the whole of Europe the women have a majority of: 4,570,000.

A Warriogton man has placed over his wife's grave a large boulder on which they '"; sat when she promised to marry him. - J

A beautiful and chaste woman is the "; perfect workmanship of God, the trae glory :„■■. of angels, tho rare miracla of earth, and the sole wonder of the world.

The Honeymoon.— Mary: "Cb&rlas y dear ; now we are married yon know we should have no secrets. So do, like a lova, hand me the bottle of hairdye; you will find it in my dressing-case "

The question was once raised wbothcr "women, wine, or the king were the 'f Btrongest ?" Decided without a division in w favour of the first of those potent forces,

A little ten-year-old miss told her mother that Ehe was never going to marry, but f meant to be a widow, because widows dreas '& in such nice black and look so happy, A newly-married man down East eava if I he had an inch more happiness" he could not possibly live. His wife is obliged to roll I him on the floor and pat him with a brick- '-j bat every day to keep him from bsing too I happy.

A writer in the " Woman's Journal" asks, | " Does it pay tc be a woman ?'' Well, dear, " unknown correspondent of nn esteemed M contemporary, that depends altogether on what kind of a womsn you are.

A man, unable to choose a wife from three .11 girls whom he admired, sent duplicate let- „ ters of proposal to all, inteudine to marry the one who absented first. The trouble A: that he did not foresee was that the twolate ones would sue for breach of promise.

A Chance for Somebody.—A needy ad venturer advertises that any good-looking young lady can have him by applying soon. _; to Avhich he has been accußtomed—three meals a day, eigara ad .libitum, and a clean ■ shirt for Sundays.

A Theory of Drese.—A young lady nays I —" When Igoto a theatre lam very care- . less of my dress, as the audience aro too at- i tentive to play to observe my wardrobe! 1 but when I go to church I am very particu lar in my outward appearance, as most people go there to see how their neighbours dress and deport themselves."

What to say whan the clothes-line breaks and lets a woek'a washing down in the dirt is an old eubject of inquiry in behalf of tbe women who want to do justice to tbe occasion, and yeb keep within orthodox limits. Under the circumstances, ebe ought to say : " Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth ;" but she pro bably won't think of it.

The course of true love may be traced in the eight letter? produced at the hearing of < a breach of pronii=e case. The first letter commenced ' Dair Mr Smith,"then followed " ?tfy dear John," "My ParUng John," "My own durling Jack," "My darling John," " Dear John." " T)<>ar Sir," "Sir,"' and all was over. Volumes could not Bay more.

Thyre i» a c!»;« of shrewd (?) women i» the Wge eitif-s who impose upon donlorato the finer srooda by huvin? jevroUery, W)?^ , books, pottery, &c, " seat on approval." whitili, af'or they have he°n u?e£ for a» occasion, are returned. Those fashionable r>|>onL'ora aro now olawd into a "W«k lift " hy our roUil merchants, and t formf interesting reading.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY % 1887.

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