RANDOM SHOTS.

(BY ZAMIEL.)

.-■pp-tnr! wrilo, a neighbour's name to ljish, p.[.;,;0 w.i:_ '- vtiitt t'loii^lit -for nevdii'.l en.1: Gome wiltc. to pleaso the country clash, And raise a din. For me an aim I novoi' fash — I write for tno

Ir I had not an unfaltering faish in the bsrd wh« wrote-" Tho quality cf mer«y ia dc»S strained," I should be constrained to think that ho mide a slight error of judg ment when ho penned that immortal fenti-

ment. Shakspore know aothing of the quality of colonial mercy, or he would have saidthatifcwaaattimesunduly over-strained. It EGomed to mo pad enough when the jury in the Great Barrier case recommended to morcy the braoa of ruifnuia whom they in tho earns breath pro nounced guilty of a revolting and blood thirsty murder. Auckland jurios, fisoo the"mßaslo3 a»d jealousy " vardict, havo got suck a reputation for eoeentrioity that tho canjauction of " murder and mercy " might havo pa wod as another symptom of amiable aberration on tho part of the good mfii and true who ara the personification of British: liberty. Whon, however, somo fifteen huneK-ed people are found in tho course of a single day to sign a petition backing up tho aforesaid roeom mendation, and claiming thn exorcise erf mercy on behalf of one prisoner to tho exclusion of the other, I begin to think that Auckland must bo i» a l "parlous" condition. Aa I said of Iho Mount Jtennio oulrapo nnd tho j eteUlv : <"•-<•■ ■>' "' '"J'hi.l sympathy j«i .I—tint Vlib repro&ah which reals upon them ol se_ ioij to ooii.jt'rto .--. oriuie which is the vot.. some of all thai _ base, and cowardly, and unfoeling, and brutal.

I am in prinoiplo opposed to tha death punishment, but I am willing to admit that it is at timoa an excellent expedient. Supposing that capital puniahmsnt woro abolished, but. that judges had a discre tionary poivolr of pa-sing the death __tnt*nea in cas^a where no "ex tenuating circumstaneea " could bo urged, this Great Barrier tragedy is just snch a t. se a? would call for a reversion to tho old and barbarous code— "Lifo for lifo." For tho death puninhment for mur der iii ona that oanltnends. itself to tho natural iustincfw of men ; it ia ba?od upon tho great law of self• preservation, and is ths vigorous oxpro'sp-iiii ni the united fenti monfc of detestation hit mo wilful shedder ot blood «_ ono unworthy to iivs. In a rudo state of society tho operation of this in stinct l«»da to private irpria'ila and to tl-.e horrid Windette,- n. condition of thinjja which must havo prevailed to pome extent uader llio old Mosaielaw, which ear.powered any witness of a murder to slay tho mur derer with h« own hand : but in the civil ised State tho law of vengeance opsrateg im personally, dispissi.inai._r, it d majasti cally— not .as tha rage of tlio tigor, but na Aho .oad._por--is.rit purpose of a peaceful gregarious bind, thru, ing forth a black sheep u-ho has diegraucd the 11 ,•_ k. Kecom laond ihe mont dasaiad of criininalo to tho pmorcy of Heaven, if yoc will, doar fo'.low cttiz:nß : if tho prnyor docs no good, it will do no harm ; bnt do not, if ?oa value your good name and your city's f&ir fame, pleai with human justice ou thair bshalf. O'.ir Jaw may want amending ; it might ba hotter if, forin»t;iice, wo adopted tin Amarican slaipsiticatio.i of muider in "degrees," »'*«ording to the enormity of itlie -rritzu, tho motive, tho provocation, the mental eonstitation of the murderer, and so _>rth ; but rueh si lango* would not attest one iota the _iaa of llio miserable men pCaiTroy and Penti, Let the law take its -courae. As an old rhyme hath it—

■"rhe law mutt la'_ itso.se; and, finder. VCa'd abiuipTi hmging Winn they abolish __ urfle-r!'

Of al! th* mi.-orab'c ' clap-tr.ip over foiftod upun a eowmunity, I have lea. sympathy wifli ti. * ii'jiisli nli'ecls to find semot'liing puticukrfy patls^tie in the situation of :nen under eenteneo of death! An a sot-olf to " ferosioi. loading articles,'' wo have hud a littlo -of tbij imuseous "gush" about the' "awful fito" whiah hangs over two awful villains—about Ihe bright _in and aky and the gloriously freo atmosphere Which wSll soon bo theirs n more for ever, &c. 'I laay be a callous nii wretch, but I c,uite fail to «-- _a calling -for.^njimUeratiaDji gngff anything ;„_'„.» - .m, in the caaaoi men j „_*?/iftfnde m ned to din. The awful death penalty-hangs over every one of us from the moment wo enter this lite, and this penalty men ore often called upon io pay without tho slightest warning or timo for preparation. A good map is perhaps cut down Toy haart disease while dancing in nn assembly of mirth, and pious folks shudder and roll thoir eyes, and romark on the mysterious pjudgments of Providence. On the other _»nd, Bill Sikes kicks his wife to •death, and when he is righteously adjudged to expiate tbo offence by yielding up his own worthless body to the- executioner, these eamo pious folks stiadder and roll their eyes ftndro _nrk upon the " eacrednesa of hamau life," tlio awfillness of U.a death penalty, and the fearful responsibility of shedding what may prove to bo " innocent fclood 1" Bah ! I have no patienso with such maw kisbnoes ! Bill Sikos is prayed witk and .slobbered over ; his eouj is buoyed up with heavenly hopee so that he may not feel tho pain and Ignominy of bis death _ and he is wafted to glory {or somewhere else) with a lie ou his lipa I People say of him — "Ha was brave, but misguided ; ho aould fnce a lion, but he could not tell a lie; he *tuck to hie 'pal' and nover — well, hardly ever—.winded on him ;" and ha is thus enshrined aa a horo in the heurt*. f men, and onthronsd a% a B*int and m_:tyr on high 1 Meanwhile tho doatk penalty in its most awful form of privation or dipeose ib overtaking hundreds of fellow-men *io never wilfully injured one of God's orea turss. and the priest and tho Levito pass by •on the other side, f'lid the eood Samaritan who renders help is called or fool for hie s>ains ■'

H.Boiß "check !"—colli. *al, conm:-.. ate, ■culcl-b'coded impudence, if • ever it _xi_-ed anywhere! The Oosp-l Temp»rs.uee Kfs eioo peijple of Auckland have declared; toy the lips of » deputation that-lately waiter! Upon the Wenleyan Conference, that they intend to "petitunr tho Queen to sign the pledge and don ths blue ribbon." I know —-^Bmetlififg about ti 10 Queen referred to, I fancy. It is not the consort of King Ta whiao, nor the sharer of the joys ond aorrg^-g ■of His Majesty tha King of_t_gf_3a- n nibal Inlands; but I..*'jUi^fir Most •Gracious Majesty Y'^Sfer^ueen of Great Britain and Irelaj *. _T thg Kaiaer .i.Hind — ""*- -iou?.^s?i?J^.'':oi t*6 mightiest empire that tthu"earth over beheld. lam told tbat tiis august lady it above vulgar hydropathic -prejudices, and occasionally calls . for " summat hot" when she has the coUo. and for "summat c. ong" when she feels ready to perish. Tho Auckland teetotallers bare _card semething to the samo effetfc too, and they moan to eavo tbe good old creature from a drunkard's grave, though they should break their backs in tbo attempt 1 Wbatncheo. ng^tjbi!. 3 mog'Be will tbat loe w'nioh tho Queen will receive from her loyal and devoted subjecto, tjin teetotallers 'of Au»Sland. Tust ati tho good iady is pre paring for the biggest »preo of her lifetime just as bumpsrs of good colonial wine ara about to glow beside tbe " sparkling monn toin dew" of old Scotland—juslt as ths Poet Lasreote is about to give the invitation "Hands all round I" — just then in pops a lean and hungry Auck land teetotaller, bsaring; in one blind a tompsrance tract, and in the other a yard of Hue ribbon—and the. joy o" the Jubilee Year is at once turned to gal and bitterne _ !

I wonder how these Temperate Gospel folks will go about the job of taming Queen Victoria from the exrtr of hor ways. Her Majesty is siroeg on the Bibla as the source of England's greatness, and it is just possible they may try her with a few texts about wine bsing a.mocker, and so forth ;• but I fancy lean see them .beaten. all along .the j line In that attack, for the Queen is a high and dry old Tory, and as such is bound sko maintain that England's greatness is also j .fodissolttbly asrooiated with Beer.. She believes in tho Bible, bat it ti the Bible | pha Beer, and ;the Revisers .fiaya spared

tbat apostolic injunction to " tako a littlo wino for thy stomach's sake." Tho <iui<kland teetotallers may next try hor on tie "rospectablolay." Thoy v.ill probably P'-int out to hor how shocking it is for a parson in her position to sot a bad example; thoy will draw a harrowing picture of a blear-eyed hag pawning her under garment for a draught of rum, aa being (ho inevitable ending of hor protent career ; tfioy will doubtless tell her of exalted or "elevated " individuals in K. v Zealand falling ov*r wharves anel baingiirbed out with boat hooks, all through "the accursed thing," and will point out how unladylike ir, would bo for her to be similarly situated I They may try tho pnthetie dodgo, by reading to ber young Tommy's odo on tho drowning of a mouse in a barrel of ale ; or they may work tho mildly persuasive " fake" by tolling her how jolly they oa« be on raspberry vinegar and weak tea—how good it makes thorn feel, and bow ehoup it is I This last argument may " fetch " hor, for sho baa strongly marked economic tendencies; but long" boforo tho Auckland petitioners have got that langth they and their blua ribbon will bo sum marily nicked into outer darknesj—as thoir priggishnes.9, presumption, and cheek so weil dessrve I

Tha mention of Jabiloo Year makes tha minrl revert to the old Jawish institution, as explained in the tirenty-flft . chapter of Livitiaus. Aftor proclaiming that ovary seventh yoar tin. bo "a Saltbath of rest unto the Und " during whioh no agricultu ral work was to ba dooo, Moses goes on to instituto the greater Jubilee Year, arrived at by numbering "eovon Sabbaths of yoara" whon tho trumpet of the Jubilee was to be sounded. " And ye shall hollow tho fiftieth yoar, ar.d proclaim liborty throughout all tho land unto all tho inhabitants thereof. ... In the year of the Jubilee yo shall return every man unto hia po. o_ ion, . . . The land shall not bo sold for over, for tho lane! is

mine. . . . That which is sold shall r {_ remain in the hand of hftn that hath bought it until Iho year o! Jubilee, and in tho J* I■. !, a it shall go on', ..nd ho shall return "" lo lil.< po*s..\ -i'-'U.'; I" liko minno"-.-., Tpio i '•",„. 1, ~ i7^ •"' "."' !. ' ''!,cv'ation of tiebtora wa» iV..',,of°^i".i,',? I,* ilr °* •Tub| lctV w'dch .. real tiiru of rfjoicing, ofpocially for the poor. The groat Lawgiver, I may remark «n passant, had a thorough grasp of the land quostion, as ia shown by the way in which ho discriminates botwoen town property and country land, declaring that " the houao that is within the walled oity " i should not bo restored in the Jubilee Year, to its former owner, but should be the absolute property of tho piirchap-er if not redoomed witein a year after it changed ii'inds.

How different aro our modorn Jubilee cb ecrvatieos from those instituted by that so called biiuded barbarian of four thousand years ago I How many captives will re joice bocauco of Queen Victoria's Jubilee? How many debtors will be liberated—ho,v many acres -of laud relinquished by the monopolists? Alas! I fear that in this rosDoet onr civilisation has been a progress backwards. Tho nineteenth century Jubilee ii nothing but a round of feasting and pleasure-seeking on tho psrfc of thoso who can afford is, whilo tho poor and oppressed aro left to groan and eaffer all the more became they must p;iy their sharo of tho cost of all tho empty pageantry. Instead of asking tho Quean to don tho bluo ribbon at this timr, would it not ba well to ask hor to uso hor mighty inlteenee in tho direction of inaugurating some great Fecial or political reform, such os tho nationalisation of tho land, thp: enfranchise mont, oi woman, or tha onoonrugement of co oper-ati.vo industry under State guarantee ? It our observances take tho shapa of gorging and guzeling, holding " rureo show?," letting oft'squibs and cracTiers, and enobling a lot of nobodies by giving thorn some ppilfry cross or ribbon oven more oon toinpliblo than tho "bib o' blue," thon I S3V it is tho most solemn inotkery to o_l it a jubilee I

• A friond oi isino (who I fear ha 3 boon at tending that tabor .solo io ths wilderness at Surrey lldls.) has tried to oomfort mo with tho hope of a o.'mins Jubiiee of Jubilees — the second advtnt _f Christ —which bo says will take plaoe in " fifty tilties from the openiog of the Christian era, or in tho year 2500 I That is a matter of (113 years to wait, and I am afraid most peoplo on the earth at the present timo will have uuooumbed bofora the Jubilee arrives. Hat, judging by all appearance?, 018 yo.irs will bo required, if not more, to prepare the world for tho reign of righteousness.

The Rev. Richard JJ&ytor, editor of the "Clirifitiin Herald," fires tie Christian lubilee at a much earlier date. Mr Baxter i« very definite, even down to details, n has taken to the. lecture platfprpgiifsuel lakd io warn the pppop'o.-^ --,0 in Scot- Dealing iiit-'-c-ef I w>?;_ coming changes. Ajiypv. ii-'C.iu'rii-st placo with tho Second or i uri _ '3 Second Coming, ho said t would take plseo 011 the Mount of Olives, md that Christ would eppawibsre just as he had been caught up eighteao JiOndroil years ago, Littlo did Sabbath breakers think that in a few yeara the ohuroh bells would cease to ri»g, and that ministors would .cease to proaoh tha gospsl. For before OtujsJ/'s Second Coming—in the yoar 1897, ho thought; from what prophecy told — wouUj c?mß the throo years of tribulation and persecution, in which Socialism and othor ''isms'' would fcrujmph for a timo over Christianity. Dividing the Second Advent into two periods, ho proceeded to deal with tho first period, which wo^ild come before tha great tribulation, in which Christ would oome ia the air jylth His angels, and the saints bo caugiifc up to meet Him. The mourners at She funeral would find tho body in the coffin rise up in its habiliments, and the minister would find himself disregarding the laws of gravity. Men would leava their srutchea behind, for many ef t&ose who would thns be caught up would be mea in need of crutches, who bad come through the forcible wars by which the ten kingdoms of prophecy woro to be formed; and he believed that these wars wero in very close proximity to tha present time, it v&s not to be supposed that the saints would bo sought up into the air in their ordinary garments, nor was it to be snpposod that they woaid gq into the presence of the King insuffi. entjy dad. Me supposed that, as they were being caught up, angels would put on their coronation robes. The lecturer son eluded by demonstrating the 00m miaoepmant of the great prophetic ehan<je-!a which, he held, would take place in tha heginai"£ of 1887. This year iB. than, the bfgtDning of the end, and in ten short years the Millennium will b^ ushered in I We may ail live" to Ec« £«_), dear, Matters ; aud assuredly the signs of tho f'mes point to thn conclusion that the nations are gathering for the great battle of Arm sgedon. _,--" Hare is a flno . fix fop 'oiaw-abidiog citizen to be plaoedip-^A correspondent who reside e^JSunt Albort writes -. "What B.m;*i to do with two litters of ki.ttgEia,--"^,hfch have beeo foisted upon my fensehold by two shameless feline animals of the feminine gender ? I have faeen ac customed to dispose of these idsitora by cold water treatment, but I am debarred from applying even the most feeling mettiGd of removing superfluous feline animals fey tfce following notice in the " Wew Zealand Gasette " :—

"Inpurfi uancsof the powers and authorities vo-ten in bim by the twenty-alffhth section ot ■The Rabbit Nuisance Aot 18S2,'BisTi:xcal_ ncy the governor ot the Colony of New Zealand, by ft.ed-.itn the ftdvleo and consent of tho Sxecn tlve Council of tho raid colony, doth hereby de clare that tlio eat Ifells domestical Is a nat'irnl enemy of the rabbit, and doth hereby prohibit tho killing aud capturing of any euoh iini.pnal outside the konndarl _ of any etty, borough, or town district." .

'> " What am I to do ?" my eorrespondeot ■ despairingly repeats, nn»i I oonf6sa that I i- bardly know how to advis* him. It is clear that kittens ara eats, and that to kill even > one of these little ones would be a heinous > eiiino, and severely punishable by law. Tfcore .pre two solutions tbat I might eug -1 gent;—Ei_^r tbe kittens may bo turned 1 out of doora cy.d .the mothers ordfared to I" go for" their natural enemies; or the mewing wretebos etn he brought - within the city boundaries e_n4 as phyxiated. The legal standing of eats' appears to be peculiar in England as well as! ihire. Cases are not rare of people obtain ing heavy damages for the killing of their feline peis. An English sonnty judge had a easo befoxp him lately in which a man was I sued for damage done to plaintiff's pigeons Iby his mt. Ho gave judgment for defendant,. I saying that it was perfectly lawful to keep I eats, ond at tho same time quite impossible tin restrain thorn from prowling about; J othof people's property. The harmless necessary G&fc is therefore declared " lawful"! I and endowed with a marauder's license in: England, while In NewJSe aland ithasbecome as much an object of veneration as jt was to the ancient Egyptians or to the modern. worshippers of " Old Tom." It seems to me: that oats havo not had such an innings since! the days (jf Bick Whittington.

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES.

Mar.'.li '•■( -ITaßderi_i'a Mill Turf Oluli Annual

Meeting. I'Vfcruary 23, 21. 20. — IJunoillii Jockey Club Autumn Meeting-. M*ri;lißanin-VV. lanmvi.loot' yClub'd Autiiiiia Mot-ling. .lUrch 9 and 18—Napier Park Racing Club's autumn Me tl: g. Maroh li. IC. 17—tiiwke'i Buy Jc«key CluVa Autumn Mailing. Maroh .11 a'ui April 1 -Ta-anaW Jorkcy Club's Anniversary _eetain7. Ap il 11 ami U— C j .rbury .locker CI ibs Autumn Meeting. Apill 11 mil 12-Auokland Racing Cllnb's Autumn kleeikw;. Dates cf Australian Iti.iee. FVliniar v 56 Newmarket Handicap. March S Uistr. Un Cap. Mitch 5 Cli.a. pi.'ii Raco. TO CORRHSPaNDBNTB. __?.— . nlua lias made tha fastest time in the _ ewinatket Handicap:, lmlo iSJ-ei'B. Tho _.s:o>t tium for tlio <U_inct', six furlonira. was niirto Oy Volcano in ttte First HVxil Sinlci a at tho la-t Autumn Mcatinsr lit the A.J.C., linin H_ cf. He oarrisl Sit iflb.

TV X F oossir. [By Hll'I'ONA ]

The larga nuinbor. of Ne,v Zealand owned horses engaged at th* forthcoming V.R.C Autumn Maotkig will sill round tho gather-

in_g with more interest than on any previous occasion, and Hie reaulti of tho several events will bo looked forward to with groat intsrevst. In tho Aua ralian Cup, thoro is ovory probability that we shall sco a mooting between tho two groat gums, Trenton and Nelson, and I only hops _ lat the pair both strip for the raco dressed in thoir host. There h\% always been a great riilfererco of opinion about wh

eh is the bottor horso of tho two lsve! weights ovor a distance of und, but I think that if till things ec(ual on tho day, Trenton will il^ lri^'^i^Mr^f_. «■•%■?!. There an not a. low >_reklanciorß who th lint Mitrailleuse will have an ».» v_l«i; in Ah. .."*{ n„_ fiiu in aro has n very tak appoaracco on papor with suoli a loni impost as Ist Sib, I don't think for i nvoinonfe that she is such a good thing v some pooplo would mnka us bollevo. I _i_tl bo fully prepared to sco hor run a good race, but if I an) no!-, mistaken it will bo found out on tho day the has mot more than her mutch. In addition t th. iig handi caps, tho juvonile races will alt. bo fraught with thegroatosipinterestin thin colony, form addition to Mr Mitchelao. 's team Mr Sf,oad haa sent Maxim (Wapiti's half-brother) over to try conclu-ions with the crack two year olds of Australia, and if he is successful, no one will bo more pleasod than Auckland turfites. A thorough good judgo who has seen both Maxim and Niagara raco informs me that Iho Clms'churr.h owned youngster is the making-) of a greit colt, and for choice of tho two mon tion; d ho prefers Maxim. That ho is something bottor than the ordinary ho proved con clusively at tho C J.C Summer Mooting, when ho won the Middle Park Plate and Nursery Handicap, and I shall look forward to hiui psi forming some great. do;iU. Tho Wellington Cup, which was decided on Thursday laet, roauitsd in the good thing it waa gonorrally supposed for Pasha, Lady Noah aatinpairunnorcp.withTigrctlia third Thronghout^his enreor Pasha has proved himself ono of the most eoasutent per termors wo have in training in Iho colony ; and, considering that ho had 8_ 111b to carry (including a Vib panalt.y), it must bo cinsidered » very meriorl ma porformarou. Both the winner and Lady Moruh wero Wtill-supportsd by the publio hero, but a victory on the part of Mr Bobbott'.s maro woulel have bsrn tho moat palatable to the majority. Daring tho w6ok I havo heard ono or two question tho ruling of tho stewards of the Takapuna Jockey Club os'er vho disputed raca for the Anniversary ETandioap on Satin day, but n somewhat sloillar aii-e, brought under my notico this week, b^-are out thoir decision aa sorract. This happened in tlio race for tho Foreei Handisap, 1J mile, at tho A.J. C. Aui umn MeetinglSj-dnoyj in 18711 Tn this particular raeo v false ftart took place, in whioh Neredan, owned by Sir Horcules Robinson, got away throe lengths beforo tbo others. Groat dissatisfaction waa expressed on-iong the spectators, nnd tho Committee deeideei to run it ovor again. Tho second start waa a gooi ono, but it waa too dark to ?ee tho hor.-eH round tho cotirss. J. Wilson's colt Rapid Bay, how ovor, prevail to be tbo winner, T. Ivory's Brunswick being eeflond, entl Noredah third. Tho owner of MitrailJOott_far. t7'- * tended tljaJjjJjrff&.. - -«< nod fully In tr ,«. — " _. luiic.'i was to necoiupany tho

.iiio to Melbourne, but at tho eleventh hou«' ho refused to go unloss Tom in v Taylor was taken across to rido her. Tho eo*i sequonce was that John Kean, who is to havo the mount on Mitraillauso, had to be put in charge. I understand that Mr Adams leaves by the next steamer to Mel bourne for the purpose of witno?sing tbo raw. In connection with Mitrailleuse, I might mmtion that thi» wrote Joe Thomp son, tjio Victorian m'tallieian.offered EIOOO for the daughter of Musket through Mr M. Qallagher, bat it was dec'-inod.

Sect Freo shaped in soraeth'ng liko his two-year old form In the T.ikapnn* Cup on Saturday, and now that, tho colt, is bsiag trained by n capable man we may sco him svon aohiovo bettor things. Kean has . nly had l_irp in his tuMids since our Summer Meeting, %vii he b»i certainly worked wan ders with him in thg timo. In tho disputed race for the Anniversary handicap, Soot Free had a bit of bad luck, for after getting a bad atari, matters ware mado wareo by his stumbling and getting rid of his rider. Mad this not happened, he would have b?en closer up at the finish, but I quostion whether be could havo won, for hia rider foolishly took an iinnscestary round of tho OoiirflO in the Clip raoo and thus took a great de.nl out of him. Men tion of thia reminds . c that i' cannop understand how jockeys do not males them selves sufficiently acquainted with tho dis tanco of the Bourse before starting. At these outside gatherings it only loads to endless oonfuaicn among tho spoctators, and ia apt to give rise to Mjuabbling.

Mr W. Walters has disposed of Iho yearling filly by Leolinns—Fishwoman ta ' Mr J. Elliott, of Waitara, and tho youngster | was t»ken to Uer new home this week. Last yeai- while on a visit hero Mr Elliott bought a filly fey Ajjteros — H'pporina, ond he tells me thst aha so Rowing into a promising mare. She has not been tj-iod at the racing game yet, but her owner intena.n having a out In with ber next season. . Aeoording to the local piper itagess;' to be a moot pjinfc whether thgt^ "wHI be nny races this year at .Djir'riyjTllo! Tho iodica iions aj-e thn:t-*tn 0 wh, Ii rnattor will be al'o^w.H* eiror* through unlass the promises Av'support aro of a 'njueh more reassuring n ituro thnu tboy aro at pp. enf;. Had Quilp not some do*, at the finish of tha Takapuna Steeplocbsßs on we. would no doubt have witness od Hnothe. good display of horsemanship betwe nthoee two cross-country artists, J Rao and G

Hope Atthe time of the mishap, Quiiphod a loneth's advantage of Falcon, and all hough many think that the last-named would have wo» ; J very muph doubt it. Rae had to comiruSßcb riding his mount immediately ha negotiated thu water jump for the last time, whilo Hope had v giod ijcld of Quilp, and he was bowling along iv ci.(_ H.opt style Mr Leonard's good luck, however, on»» _ ore _.ck to him, and be wasonabled to place another deeeat stake to his credit, while in addition he backed the double, Scot Fres and Falcon.

Tho issuing of tho weights for tho two Autumn ovents--.=-ti.o Newmarket Handi-

cap and Australian Cup (says last week's " Sportsman") hava so far lad to little cpee-

ulation. Tho moment tho'handioaps were published Wi Ham Tell was picket! out as being particularly well in, and the Standish Handicap winner was at once installed favonrito, and was basked for a fow pounds at hundreds to eight, hundreds to ten now being now the best ofer on tho field. For the Australian Cup Trident has been mads the favourito, hundreds to ten being offered on the field, More business has been done in doubles, thousands to five being on offer about any- , . thing unlaid not commenc:ng with William j • Tell; while thousands to ten and twenty are offered against the son of Kettledrum with nnytbing jaot gone in the Cup, The iavourite pinks aro Willis^ Tell and Tri dent, William Tell and Trenton, William I Tell and Nelson, William Tell and Graco Darling, aod I»onomy with tha Australian Cup eandidatei mentioned. There is no thing doing en the Champ'on. Trident Is tho nonn'nil fav-urita. Adv|o_i received inMelb _une from IndU state thai the A#c_land-b?ed colt Match lock, who was a_d by j£e JJon J. Whito to goto India, is ell but broken fiown, hia back sinew having become bowed. I. atch lo'k was bought with a view of winning tho Viceroy's Cup, tha grand prize of Inrf i.i; but fr§ui all aceonnts it will now bo carried off by the English horses Metal or Fitz-j William; ' '

Hays tho " Canterbury Times " : -Owners of crosn country hnrsoj mo already making preparations tor liiu wintor campaign. Ilavonsft'ood in doing steady work with Mil:,-:'* toam at Ri ccartwii, but is not look-

ing very g,iy. F.ingh-a btilligh came up from Albiiry lait week, and now oecupioH his .1.1 btix at Butlor'H. The bay is as round a" tho provorbiai barrel, but looks wonderfully frash snl woll Tho Agont will join M. Ruth', ford's gelding in tho «.)M.tse of a few days, :i"d --vo aro informed shut tho veteran's legs now appear iike'y io stand a thorough proptrallon. Wo know of no new nxpiranta for honours ovor tho big fences, bnl; no shall probably soa Aroha, Secretary, Mammon, Main boom, and a fow othora turning thoir attention to this claaw of business. H. Luun's ]U>npors prefer tho •mall slicki, and in rho enforced ahsanco of Canard, tho black jieket is not likely to re peat ths Buceesseii of last season. Peter Os- ; bick will probably bo seen out in iho Hr-iiid j National, and possibly tomo of tho minor ; events, bat ut present a dearth of good jumpers promises te bs one of tho eliar aetcr. tics of the steeplechase sea-ton.

Tho Henderson's Mill Turf Club havo i-sucid llie prfijrrawini for their annual race mooting on tli« 17th of March (St Patrick's Day) Tiioro are seven events,the principal beiog tho Cup of 100 soys , li milo, Hurdle Raco of 70 s.iy. , '2 miles, and Railway lfan- BAp of 50 soys , I milo. Nominations for these thrso events closo with Mr W. W. Ko'iiiuon at Tnttorsall's Club o i Friday, ISth February, at 10 p.m.

Mr A. Town, tho Now South Wales studmaater, was vory unfortunate this year with his yearling sale. After boing post. poned ou account of the wot, tho next day proved lifty tiraos worse. Tho rain foil in torrentr, all present getting n thorough soaking. Tho auctioneer, Mr Ciibbotn, alternated be! ween wielding the hammer nnd wotrying iho iniuturo from his coat tails Tno atlondunso was not lurge, and neither the Hon. James Whito nor Mr \V. Coopor were present,. Lord Csrriiigt.on made several bid-, bnt in ovory easo with out nvail, and in consequenno of this iMnoit.iblo iibsonr.s of competition napu'i -il_^l.. . - 7 i..:, rt 1 i ...L._J| |o 11,- - JEI l au mt) in" .•(,„.,,.,,,., Crririmt.nr-Tjp Vie.toriPiii' !1 ,, c ; | .. l , (j , lvm . ~, attsnila-iCf", „* 1° socniing 12 lots, for which ho 1 lunched out 'S n total of 1,7-10 guinou'. Amongst his purchases wapi a full si^tor to loUntho, who brought tho highest prico nt tho salo, f>s"> guineas. Mr W. Chirk purchased half n score for 1,000 guineas, ai.d tho othor principal buyer-, were —Mes>rs Benton, Cassidy. 0. and N. Molntyro, Ponnollv Brother", Umond, Cubla W. X, Royds", A. A. Devlin anil Hassal'. Tlio avon.ge for 32 colts was 100.1 guineas, .is against '21i2 guineas for '21 last, yoar, and Oli guineas for .'l4 fillies as against H37 Ruinous for 15 on the previous occasion ; tho rospeit.ivo totals for blo-id stuck being 0.80.5 guinea* this year, :unin_ 10 SOi) guinous in ISSB

In referring to Iho wordy war faro that took plat:.) br-tweun M.jjr C-orgo and Iho Hon. VV. P.obiuson in tho pid.look at Klluriji-v-- 7-1 "-f!fl,; lay, tin Australian Scribe-.. ..'u.i_*' x ; ;' .rjites : What iinn-tiDC Mr Robinson 'ttt s\ j'Jistii referring to the working of W-si i'V'..uti _ e!_iiLon the train iuir gi-...u id, and m.durpo'ng a pfvp-I.lt ion together. I aver Ih it somu of tho b-.pst 1 ria's have been accomplished i-'i Australia by ono stv.ble testing tho speed of the other. Why, it i. an everyday oec.irroiico, both vi: Flemington ami Randwiek, lot throo nnd four horso? owned by dilfircnt trainers to ho going over tho trucks at their bust from start to finish. Tho Hon .Inuirn White, Messrs \V. and li. Connor, Chirnside, ■ om'd SVnlln.'C, tho brothers Dakin, and scores of others arc not ifr.-i i of iho public, knotting what, I heir rriipnc'-.ivo !mis_ oui do. Nor woidl Mr While fool angry if Tommy i.nmond dcsrvitohrd Ohesl. .1:1 or Trenton in iho track •■! Tiidenk morn ing. Th'i t nits of Australia ire no' (r. :. d in tho summary ma ln.-r in nhinti the Hon. Mr Robinson would liko te. mo thorn.

Tom Onrpon thus gives his opinion it The Baron, thn f.tvouriio for tho noxt Etmmi Dei by :-T»n_ urn tho BaronVdnm, is a daughter of L rd Lyon and Vox-, tho latter an own si_ or io Uulopin, and t/int v good enough. He doubtless gels his speed from his dam and hi* staying power from his site —s'.iiio'.iui-S ie is Unit way in breed ing; end so noiiuxrs tho of'uur ; lor Instance, Ormonde may bo supposed to got his spend from his sire, Bend Dr, anil hia staying qualities from his duu Luly Agu-ps, for all ;i! hor family woro stayers' aud ecu to breed etayors. Tho Baron Is not, a v*rv handsome cilt -neither, for tho i:v,i;_- „f (ha*, in th-) |rreat. Onuundi him.e-lf. TI-, Baron is plain, hut good. - 3'v _ . ; ■oom through. Uu'-*I**" """•' '■' K°°. ,J ■~,-.i. .it*" ... Heart; in fast, ho 14 oou __,»!" ovor, though plain. 110 lies tho great rcOonnion-_l.it ion, too, of having iron Iji? races, not by much, it 'ti true, but that docs cot particularly mil Ur, I think Ho does not run himself cut,, and go.ii along head down i.s I (iko tfi -co .1 r.ico hoiso with liis head stroluiicd out in fritnt. of him. I always think that this is v good thing, because- tho ai: gets novo into tiie animal's luugs ; if ho holds in his bead and curves his nock it interferes with his breathing- respiration Perhaps thoro is a littly hole to bo picked about the way his head is sot on his shoulders his nock U a little fingubir, 11 >i owl nocked quilo, but that wav : but then bin disposition would mnko up for a lot of little f-ailt-. Tho Baron is iiko Ormonde- ha goos to tha post and tn'sos no notice of anything 01 anybody—keeps it all for the nee.

A writer in " Truth " mikes tlio following pointed remarks on tho list of winning ownora publi»hcd recently In tlio Loudon pap-. : -If. was only a fow days ngo that tho Hon. W. A. Long mado roferenco bi the heavy ehargoi on hois) • wners Sn tho colonies, and who, ho sni.l, subscribed noarly r.ir.o - tenths of tho money "supposed " to bo given by tho rospociiva clubs, and ta tho following ex tract aould not havo como at a more oppor tune time, it wilt show that not only in tho colonies but in England tho big stakes so often hcord of come almost entiroly out of the pockets of tho _ who provide tho sport,;—." In all thoso £5,000 and £10,010 stakes at. v* whjofi such an elaborated noise has !>af.n made, tho ya'iie of tho raco is sub scribed, and often niorp than subsprihnri, by the owners of the horses entered. i'lpj Whitsuntide PI it c at M inchest.. . r.f'.-2,1)00, really cost'the fund' about £10(1. Thero was a surplus on tho 3c'ipso Stakes. Tho Middle Park, < of SOO,' cost tho Jocltfy Club nothing, as the entrance amounted . to £5*5. Tho Bowhnrft PUte .'«*—ftiOO' cist .48. Tho moat puccsssfu^'hauriicnp of ths yonr was tho C^'^orlie'd Norserv, o' .I,ooo,'at JVsfiTy. The owners'sub?orip-I Hoi. Mounted to. BS7, leaving oniy f.'ll.llpn 1 bo p lid by tlio fund. Tho present system is I vastly pleasant for .in owner who i" hi. -cd | with o small Find of sm :rf horsoa ( - l.nj. if, \s j ruinous to those who havo largo rliirt" nf I about averago form i' thoy are in tho habit of engaging t li. ir steeds heavily M.i-iagrrs of raeo-'ncclif.g<p have li>:.-_-._t 'jtvotrs wilh i c-os-p f.'fMiipy- of Me. because, in tho bo. L.i a.-.d exc'.teai^it: of tno season, thorn it un time f-r ■■ irher rr:fieism orco-np'-ii.'-.f ; bill: nc' that' tho manifold rPr-l neilrni" ! whi -h engross pe.'t,l.> from ' jncji.i to M--.ii 1 «hestf>r have ep,_ ed, thoro wiii fte loi-iuro to | survey tho situation "

" The Blue Riband of tho Tnrf" is a phra,=o ra frequently used by sporting writers that tho account of tho manner in which it originated may bear repetition. In 1846, from soma sudden caprice, If. won'd almost seem, Lord Georgo Bentick sold oil iho whole of his stud to Mr Mo't-yn for £10,000; among the horses thus disposed of, at a nominal price, was Surplice, who was destined to bo tho Derby and St. T.egor winner of ISIB. For yeara it had born Bentinck's greatest ambition to havo his name enrolled among the winners of the great Epsom Stakes, and .then finding that he hud had this 'e&vgtied prize in his j?ra?p and thrown it away caused him bitter mortification. Wo will continue tlie story iv the words of his biographer, Disraoli : -It w_ tho day after the Derby, May 25, 184 S. tho writer met Lord Georgo Bentinck in tho library of the House of Common*. Ho was standing beforo tho bookshelves with a volumo in his hand, and his coijnteninoa was greatly disturbed. His 'eseluHons in favour of the Colonial interest, after all hie labours, had b?nn negatived by the Committee on the 22nd, and on Ibe 24th his h'MO Surplice, whom he had parted with among tho rost of his stud solely that ho iniffht pursue without distraction his labours on behalf of the country, bad won tha.t paramount and Olympic stake to gain which had been the object of his li'o. He bad nothing to sustain him and nothing to console him, »%vo his prido E-.-en that deserted him beforo a heart which ho knew at least could yield him sympathy, tie gave i Fort of suporb groan. ' All my life I have bnen tn ing for this, and for what havo I sacrificed it?' ho murmured, ' _ on do not knoyv "hat tho Derby Is I' '^ Tes, I do ; it in the Bluo Riband nf tho Turf!' 'It is t'no Bluo Riband of tlio Turf,' ho slowly re pented '.' So it was a non sporting man, Benjamin Disraeli lord Beaowi'sfiold, who invented that, am-ing several other phrases that have passed ioto proverbs.

CONDENSED ITEMS. Tho Victorian racchorso Ooriolanus ta an nouneod for private salo. Tho jiiiiiping mare Coral has gono into Oonrgo Hopo'a hands to bo trained

Soon niter thu weights wero published, Silvcimine was struck nut of tho Austra lian Cup. Tho American threo-your-old colt Tho Bard won 41,800 dollars in stakes last season. Tho Hawke's Hay Jpokoy Club has ro solved to add n casualty room to its premises. Mr John I'.ylio, tho oldr-sb brooder of blood stock in tho United Kingdom, died a fow wo _.s ago* < i > Advises from Flemington credit Volcano _nl Trident with eloin^ well in their work, tho former especially. . The Juvenile Handicap at tho Waira ; rnpu races was won by Mr I*. F. Tancred's . filly Maseotte, a daughter of Bundoora. humour halh it that Mr Frank Reynolds, of Sydney, has rofusod ±'1,000 for tho yetirdng brother to Arsenal and Crosp-firo. Archer's grave is just 300 yards from the winning-post of tho Cambridgeshire course, ar.d is exactly opposite where tho horses pull up. Tho jockey who makes most money in Amorica is Isaac Murphy (coloured), who.-o receipts iimuuut to nearly lS,Ooodols. a year.

Britis hor won the Cup nt tho Victorian Club raeo-meoting, beating Oatnorine, Harvester, nnd 17 others. Metoor started favourito. Tho Queensland Turf Club intends to givo 2,0tl() soys. to a race to bo called the Cotitonniul I'ia'o, to oommomorato the cen tennial yoar. A London sporting-ptipnr says that his Royal lligiine-s tlio I'iioeo of Wales eon toittpliiteso.-f sblisliii.g a small breeding stud at Sandringham. Tho Mm kef—Onyx lilly purchased by Mr T Ch rjsitln nt tho Stud Company sale had tho niisforlutio to hurt hoi- oil' hock on tho passage neross to Sydney. A bill having for it* object tlio suppres sion of '•;VV "?- ''•■"-._. ~,. will hrt-'n, I Iroduood into tno No* 1 oi1. tlomo ( ,f As snmbly noxt *_.. on. | jt __________ It. is psi 1 that ono "[the m _, t ;„„.,,„,,,,7V'od ' Tliotvrs io t'-.iim.v.; aiMTlci'artnn just now is Fog, !hog*idinn hy Korari —Mil t on nod by tho lion. SV ItubiiiHin. The yearling lilly by Musket from Sister Agnes, purchased at tho Stud Company's s".io last month, has gono into tlio hinds of the Sydney tiainor, X Key-. " vigilant, '■ of tho "Sp ntsmvi," picks Volcano and William Toll to win the Now m-iikofp Hind'cip For tha Australian Cup ho s*l< eti Trident ami Sxrdius. Hopes nro Hpparonlly ontortitincd of get ling anothui lMcoont of Blink Kop-o, for the Dorby winnor li,4uroa among she eleven Dominations for tho Marlboiough Cup. Tho Committeo ot tho Victoria Racing Club havo decided io iucreaso tho added nnnoy to tho Hat rum ut tho July Grand iiiouiil Meotinglo ,'iOOsov", ' Warrior," who Ins been vory success-

ful in picking tho V RO. D. by winner for S'jvrrr.l \ oirs, nil vises his reader) to buck Absroru fur this \.'ni's raco A Dono.liti writi.r stutco that tho two yearlings piit'.:li.:-o I for Mo-si's Stephenson mil Haz l-:tt at iho ilO'V Zetland Stud Com pany s-ilo have b en added to tlio list. As little r.s ,"i to 1 bus been t.dien und wanted about Tiio Union for tlio noxt Eng lish I'oiby, which is rut her v short price seeing that tho bluo riband is not to bo run till Mnv 25

(loin, btian has still to bo suspended in slnij,'), and Mr Dakin is of opinion that tho t|il follow w.ll always boa eripnlo, should tlio son of Panio pull thrnugli his present difli itliir,-.

iglish trainers in America Siy that the r.cio-t. approach to Archer thov huvc i« FiUpatrick. They say !,o has 111) p-siine ,_ tiWty, and t'tu samo resolute .-ly o ol riding nud li .idling. Cluislchiireh p.p.is stale that I)i«ownrd and Torrent h_.vo recovered from their un soundness, ami I' .'li tiro stiiding along well in their work, l-cpo is also said to bo v much improved horse, A'Ohorw. n 11-.o habit of using much deliberation In moulding ah_ *i\ It rarely took him 1,. . than li>o niintif.. to get. settle! in tho roddlo. Onco there, how ever, ho wns ihoio I'.si.-iy. 11. i in. tubers cf the Vicfirinn Club, Molbourno. havo p.-is_-od a resolution giving thi Couinii to i piwtr to annually revise the list of numbers, lle-ults show that such t rule has long bscu necossary. Tin- Done lin sp irtsinun, Mr .1 Stephen so.), has had aii.ther stro'in of t.'i-l UiP-I—' * Licit i.. "t'n-iii-mill by Mr Field, i,n 1 vat by SI. Albans out of a Ci-rvus mire. !: Is pr.ipoeod to impose a yearly license •pc ol .010 dollars on ill biokmnkois und icneilloM doing business in tho city or State cf Missouri, and there is an idea that thu Homo of O.tlcgites will adopt it. Anold English r.ici)ig identity, Mr Horatio I!.)--., who has beon 1 mg and favourably known as tho " King of Sp nl-mcn.'' died nconjly at Inverness, ho redo (Tinker, tho wimior of (he first recorded steeple

Tho English Uo-by winnor, Silvio, who w.-.s purchased by tho Due do Ca-trio from Lord Falmouth a few yours .-igo, headed tho list of wior.it.g stillions in Franco this soa s-.11, Ids produce having beon cr. litoi with

esi.iss. The Committeo of tho Ticfoiia Amo'eur Turf Club have decided that, tho (inmcial po-ilion of th.) .'iub is sound eniai^h to .arrant them ii icpiying to Sir W.,1. Clarke CI,OOO suit to t e:n by tho worthy baronot

ponvj seven years ; p^o Th) plneo left vacant at Elmendorl Stool: Farm, America, by Iho death oi Iho stallion Piioca Charlie i» to bo liiled by llio

Knglish Derby winner Kinoroft, by King Tim - Wondornft, whieli has boen pur.

chafed l.y Mr l>. Striker. It has been discovered I. at Hunting towor is not eligible to compete for tho

itcs' Prr.duc-n Stakes at tho V'.H.C

Autumn Moating, oven though his u_no appen's hi'tho list of nominations, na his sir* (Darobin) was not a subscriber to tho stako

Guy Fau-liO' cut, a miserable liguro at Taknpuna on Saturday, and especially in the Steeplechase. Tho little horse looked o im_c-.lv overdone, and it is quite ovieli nt that to requires building-up and a thorough ret boforo wo sco him display his last sea. n'sform. On tip ponolrj»ion of tho IJti.t-Vs.clng so*_ in in Engl.i.o'l it was f"_iii that, ono if tho horspsjviv^Vi __..,{ returned Irom a raging _e.n-j?,-ioniont 'o J.ihn Porter's stab's* at J lCuigcloro, was nff'Ctod wilh s'rangli's. In course nf time this aibnont run through tho ' sfpiblcn liko an epidemic, nnd ovon Ormondo i was sffcofrd A threo-old brother to Kit Nubbles, by tha Diver, from i irtlo Noll, eamo by his death in a vn>y simple fashion, on tho Flem ington training ground Ho wa« cantering leisurely nn th-j hack, when ho .-■tumli'-i il, ;md, failing to recover hirnjclf, tell and broke his nook.

| Tho question of bets ovor the Ormondo Bard Melton Sue -pp-t.it- s. f._ ~ hiclr tho two last-ninied horses p tid l.rfiitand Or- I mocdo walked ov. •, tins brtiogl t b. I ito I ho ! (I'linmi'i'O :-f i:'n;;!isii Ta'-'e.s -'1 - rcce-mly, i whon it was doeided tint ih.> bankers ~f j Ormonde w^io o.itillud to receive) ovor the | -.vaJk'ovfrr Lionarrruo, who will be remembered r.s tunning s:; well in Melbourne and to.yards tho closo of bis racing caroev won the Mobi.rt Cup of ISSt, like his lato trainer, Mr F. Long, has joined the m-ij irity. Ho hroko mo of hi- legs a few days ago, and had to bo (hot. Monarquo was by Irish King, nnd was a groat favourito with the public in his flay.

Speaking of the running of Master Agnes at the Island IJ-»y Meeting, "Ssnex" writes :—There wa9 some doubt expressed on the firat day ac to whether Muter Agnes was exactly wanted in tho Hurdle ttueo, bur, thero could be no doubt about it en Monday, for he was backed up to a level money favourite, the Btable piling on the mciney in earnest

From icc.nt Amaricin exchanges it is gathered that no less thant 5 horses have run a milo under 1 43, ond two six-year olds—Ru--ch nud Swift—compa _ed that d.tanco io Imin, 4.lsec. Tho throo-yoar o'd Ada D his a record of Imin. iljsees. As our American cousjns .ire adapts at tlio usi of tha watch, nud attuch great impor tance to the timing of racehprsos, the re cords must bo accepted n» reliable.

Tho statistics of tho French turf have just been publi'hed ; nnd from these it appears that tho Due do Castria's stable, now presided over by tho Baron de Soubey ran, ha", for tho fourth year in succession, won more than any othor stable ; tho total to its ciedir, baing 036,4_5f, which is almost us much aa was won by tho Duke of West minster, who is a long way hi advan-e of all other English owners. M. Michel Eplirueci comes next with a total of 421,6201.

THE GARDEN.

[By Hoivrus.]

Calendar for woek ondtng February 5.

TO CORRESPONDENTS

SiiAoiNo ano Watbbino Plants(" aitiat,enr"). —Yes, llio)t pot plants under glass structures require iliuile dm-I-.K iho middle of thu day. 'Iho best shading material Is a strong course canvas, the pile of which is ju-t sufficiently thick to allow Iho diiued lluht to pass through. If you oould Increase atmospheric pressure in the house at tho samo proportion as iho sun's rays increase tlie l.>. Nt, Ih-iro would bo no need te scr, en the plants. Light and warmth are us necessary for ptin'S as for human brings, and ti.o longer light can bo admitrod to plant) iho bott'ir tiny succeed ; but during the holiest milt of tin) day tha light finni the sun's royu in . t-engih Is out of all prono, tiou to the moisture in the house. It in tetter, therefore, tn ahado during tlio day, taking ibe shade oil' every afternoon whon tho most direct, rays of iho sun aro ocr. Wutirshould only bo Replied in tho evening or in the oirly mo:rlng Give p'e ity, at) mop-t plants' power o' absorbing nioistme is considerable ut present.

To Hobi'uS : Sir, -I havo been In'ormefl that iv it Int.. issue of tie Stab jouweln somo rc fcreuco t) mo in conn pctpon with Zuueininn's Fruit Evaporator, and wish for somo inriicii liiis respecting it 'I'llo machine hai passed ho yend the experiment-il phaH), considerably ovor 10.000 ot ttii.-m being now in us', anel prjpor.-v handlorl, lluy Will pay for their toDiningly tii'lier liu-go cost In ono month's u_ . niipl leave n handsome mnr.ia for profit us well. In, say apples. 1 bushel will ovap .rate lo about nibs lit the dried tint; in, say ra*)) b'lriiia or strawberrus. 1 bushel result! in about 7 to 91;s: point cs, 1 bush-l to Mlbs; V ':i.'h"s (if'ti -r--.'!), 1 huslie! I') about 81b, mid noon. A No -1 iiinc.liino will cmo ■ I'ito in tho 21 hours aboif slo 7 lushois of upples: s. :i;e_<, abjut, liVhbs; potitoo). iibmit. I io fl bushels; and so on. Any limber 1 I' rmatioi required will hn sup. icd with pica ll c. Yours, &c, O. T. Www. 17tli January, 1887.

Horticultural Society. Tim schedule of tho Auckland Gardeners' Horticultural Society Autumn Show has juet come to hand. Tho exhibition is to bo

hold in tho Agricultural Hall on tho 23fh nud 20th Mntwh-novl-. The schoilu lo »hs)_*J- ,n it) numerous list (jf lc ,.nip:-i r -n.:Bs, divided into I -vmc6"cia _cs—Allcomers', Amateur, and Cotter. AU fruit, llowor, and vegetable

'•rowers should at onco apply to A. Aitkcn, lion. Soeretat-y, for a oupy of the schedule, so «s to bo able at onco to soo what class to compote in. It is expected that the ex hibition of fruit, flowers, vegetables, und not plants will exceed anything that has boen held hero. Speculation is alroady aroused ns to who will carry oil the leading prices in tho scparuto classes. It is only to bo hoped lliar too public will patronise tho exhibit oi belter than iho lato spring Show.

Planting Cabbage and Cauliflower, &c.

Anyono who wants to keop up a suc cession of theso useful vegetables during tho season must bo prepared to go to some trouble during tho summer and autumn, so as to mako uny planting a success. Tho night before lifting tho plants from the seed bed the bod should receive a thorough drenching with water. Also tho exact sp.it where each plant is to bo dibbled should ho waters Iso us to mako tho Boil loose. Tlio following day procure a ba-in and half fill it with puddle consisting simply of soil and wator, or manure and wator, to which v littlo hoot may bo added if it can bo pro cured. Tiien got a common garden fork and insert iho bud, loosing up tlio plants, and pull them up with the wholo of tho top root ami fibrous routs attached to each. Next placo tlio rents In tho puddlo. Aftor getting us many plants v- nro wanted, nomnii'iino to dibble the-ni in the exact spots whieli wero watered the day preceding Tho dibble v ud should bo about two-and -11 half inches in diunotir, tapering to a point. This should bo Inserted in tho contro of tho damp spot, making a tieep wido hole, so that thero may ho no obstacle in getting tho long tap root down straight to its extremity. Then thu dibble is pushed down again just v tho lido of tho hole, and to I In tamo dep h pressing the soil up against the plant This ensures tho wholo of thn roots boini brought into eintact with tho soil. Plmt genorullv ut this se.-:son possets a longisl stalk. This a'so should bo covered in dibbling them in pulling tlio plant dowi to Iho ncok, or whero tlio leaves brand out, ut-.il as tho work proceed.-). Butto: cauliflower and stunted cabbage plants an They nro put in with brakxjtt/i , _ ,-i ,'„ ,-rrii „, (l,n________«*i«'»^^ B"" mutilated yy^y!_«m___\_Vt\o happen to havo .. .tip-root aro often bent double in trying to put it into a holo that is not nearly deep onough, and instoad of tho tip pointing downwards it often points upwards, . o ono should wait on wot weather for plant ing out cabbago and cauliflower. If a succession has to bo kopt up, get the plant ing elono ns recommended abovo in proper time, and water woll two or three times, an. thoy will do fairly woll till rain cornea to help thorn on. Whon plants nio fairly established and have m-ido a few fresh loavos they should be earthed up so as to turn a fresh eurfnoo of soil, and also prevent high winds knocking tlieni about.

liavinn Vogotablo Seeds.

A vory popular error in connection with vegetable culture is that of saving ecod from growing crops that are intended |:i supply the watts oi' tho household, under the im pression that such a proceeding Is eoonomi-

A greater mistake oould scarcely bo

made, especially with regard to orops that continue to furnish Mieeessional gatherings

for any lenglh of time, as for instance, vegetable marrows, cucumbers, kidney and runnor beans, tVc It ii by no meant) a rare occurronco to find some of tho enrliost and tinoet produco left for soed, whereby tho fer tility of tho plants is brought to au obrupt termination, ns tlio forinutiOn of soed ia far moro exhaustive in its client than nn unli mited nnmhor of blossoms or pods up lo tho pnrind of maturity of the food. In tho ease of beans of the kidnoy or runnor s. otions it is tho pod thnt furnuhos tho edible pirtion ; also with vegetable marrows ami cucumbers, tho seed vessel or cover ing is at its highest stato of excellence as food before tlio seed commences to draw on tho resources of tha'plant j and in proportion as they nvo moro or less oare ftilly' removed *?>,'_' ba (ho duration of tho potiod in wl'Vch snecessional gatherings will ho prciitieod. I always gutlior all such .I.ops nt-rogular intervals, according to tho soGson nnd tho rapidity with which thoy attain development, and shon'd any of tho produce boenmo ton old, from having oscipo'l observation at provious gat borings, it iv pulled oil' and thrown away, as n very small quantity of eood-pqds is sufll ciont to arrest the succODsional dovplopmont ef the crop

When it, Is desirable to savo seed of any select stock, it is by far t ho best plan to sot a row (nr a portion of one neonrdlng to tho quantity required, especially npart for seal, and not to gather any produce from it, draw inf out any plants that- do not appear l iiio. Ry this means ono may grea'ly pro long tho s ason if production, in compirison ■tHli '-v'.ifh il.o cost o' wod is little or no i thing If anyone bo scr-ptical of the power of soed pods arresting the production of soo. _s<ivo cropa. lc.fc him select two rows of French baans and puttier tho blossoms of one rev ns fa t as fully expan ded, and allow tho o'hers to mature their sec). -Tlio latter will eea?o'b?ooming and bo thoroughly dried up by tho time the sord-pois are ripe, while the other will con tinue growing find producing fresh b'oom-pt and pods for a much longer period- It _ , of course, not practicable to pursue the same plan with peas grown for the table, and the only way to seoure a continuous supply of these is by surce=sioi)al sowings Buf.scarlotrunners will continue bearing tho wholo poas'in, as well as vegetable morrows or cucumbers, if wall a'tended to in the matter of moisture at the roots j and above all, in preventing any portion of tho pro duce from going to seed. The saving of the roed of vegetable crops is also nn irr, p;rtiint matter, as regards future crops, for a careful selection will eventually produce a good strain : but indis crimina'e sovd-savii g will eventually deteriorate tho most select stock in existence. From careful observation, I should say that seed-saving and vegetable growing are. ns a rule, both more satisfac tory and i emun srntive whon carried .ut as totilly distinct rpeotiona.—("l.(J.," in f'Gsrdon Illusfi'i'ed.")

My r.ov)qrsl>iu'_d biarin mind that the above remarks, mado by ''I.G.'jf'not only apply to vegetables, but to almost ail cla'sos of flowers Tii3 moro flowers that are out fn m a plant before they 1 como to maturi-y, t c more there will be to cut, os whatever srongth of the plant is saved by not a'lowing those flowers to ripen into ro d wi'l go towards as sisting o*her flowers to develop. Tho p.-ictice of roso and dahlia growers when they want, fir-t class specimens is to cut off all such buds os would como to maturity about the same timo as the one spo 'idly wanted Whore a puenos sinnnl S"P Jy of fl wen is wanted from any plant, a 1! flowers Bhould be cut off __ soon as tho petals show signs of dccs.y. Never on any account allow thorn to develop seed peds, os every portion of strength lost in thia direction curtails the flowerii.g capabilities of the plant.

STAGE AND STUDIO.

(By litiTtni-E.)

Mn SIMOSSBN, of tho Alexandra Thoatro, Melbourne, has boon putting his sentiments on a poet card, nnd was foolish enough to

post it. He sent tho following missive to a certain Miss Sholly :-" 10th Fecembor, ISSO. Madame, I heioby givo you notico that unless the seoro of 'Norma' of irpno is returned by 12 o'clock to morrow (Fri day) I shall tako proceedings againet you for tho recovery of the snmo immediately. M. SIMONSEN." Miss Shelly alleges that she nover had tbo score, that sho has suf fered damago in reputation from tho card, and that only £100 will sootho ho-. Tho case will bo tried at the first sitting of the County Court this month (February).

The "Magazine of Music" says that tho Irish aro tho raco to whom wo owe tho finest national music in tho world.

It is said that a Sydney manager with a "down" upon dotidieads has posted up a sign "Only air admitted free."

Dvorak's "Ludmila" is said to bo very fine in part, but not a masterpiece, this being attributed to the dnlnoff and stupid ity oi tho libretto and tho curl ou ' potpourri. character of tho music.

Gounod has relinquished his fantastic notion of writing un oratorio, "Jeanne d'Arc," on tho altar slops of .helms Cathe dral, and is turning his attontion to Scribe's " Butaillo dcs Dames" for operatic pur poses.

Tho following w orlts nro in preparation for forthcoming fo-tiva's : An oratorio, " Kuth," by Mr F 11. Co wen, for VV oi coster; an oratorio, "Isaiah," by Signor Mancint'lli, for Norwich ; au oratorio by Dvorak for Birmingham ; a short work by Sir Arlhur Sullivan for Gloucester, nr.d a sacred cantata by Mr C. Leo Williams for Gloucester.

Hit sea afifl ,iof I a I

Aj->-*r*eTiTna is organised by a o who demands for their applause monthly contribution from oacli artiste, in proportion to his or hor silary. Tho aver it[,'o contribution is about £2, and a3 thoro are <'.! persons on whom it is levied, the chief receives about £1,000 a-yeur.

Tho Russians aro making great pveparn. tions for celebrating tho 50:1) anniversary, on I:7th November, of tha production of the groat national opera, "A Life for the Czar," by Glinka. Tho contribution of the city of Smolensk is an elegant railing for Glinka's ftatuo. Tho dosign consists of phrases from Glinka's compositions, repre sented in gilt notes on v stave of iron bars.

Madamo Mario Kozo ij considering an oll'-ri- for a scries ot concerts and opera re- I eitals in tho United States for KS77-S and , ! Western America, thcuico going to Aus tralia nnd back through India home. If tho monoy guarantee bo forthcoming, she will probably accept it. Whilo at Glas gow recently, Madams Ko/.o was presonted with a diamond locket and chain by 1,000 University rtudents, who marched down to the Grmid Opera for tho purpose After iho performance, thoy dragged her carriage homo in triumph.

MiiUiouitNK, January 11. It is tlio intention of tho Triumvirate !o revive several of tho old and popular operas during tho present season, and also to pro duco " I'ri-icess Ida" and the new oi.-e by Gilbert und Sullivan. Wo boliovo you are to havo Tho Silk Stockings and Swinging Beauty Show ovor in New Zealand .lorlly, most 'likely with Lithei'iuiil Cunuid us nianagor. George Darrellft latest, and, to our mind, best production, entitled "The New Rush," bus done big businoss. Somo

characters it might havo boon as well to out out entirely, also ono of tho scenes, but \ct tbo scono which takes placo in the cafe) is everyday lifo. M any _ old nnd p ifjuliir favourites aro in "The j*«w hush " cast.

Muggio Knight, although hiving pissed through a deal of hard and heavy wink lately, plays as charmingly na over, and protly little Mini Boucicault is na great a favourito as she was tho day she landed. The male members of the Company must not bo forgotten. George him-eii never h»d a bcttar part ; Walter Everau^-jj-g'^ : actor and a populiir J ,,SJri~S I,' Gordon, , nnMg__raTto Iho Melbourne stage; , ITulßeck (thanks to tho Triumvirate), who - is always cast for the villain, ami plays tho part so will that " tho gods" h ,wl and i

j<-or at him whon tho not is only half over. Tho-a nro several others wo c .uld enumer ate, but spnco does not permit. January 18. At tho closo of tho opera season, most liko'y W. J. Ilolloway,Essie Jcnyns.and tho remainder of the powerful Company will play a long season -'.t tho Princess, producing Harvoy'h "Ring of Iron," "As You Like It-," " Ingotnnr," &c " Faust" has drawn packed houses to tho Alexandra for somo liino pnst Ail who li'ivo witnessed this npora are unanimous in their nrniso of tho artists, seonery, orches tra, . o Martin Simoneon is to be con gratulated upon tho success ho has achieved, notwithstanding thore wero somo hundreds of "croakers" in this city who predicted empty houses nnd failure to tho Italian Opera Company j yet, strango lo say, those self samo people regret that they did not ad vanco their mite towards the subscription when Martin Simoneen "as taking it up. Tho theatrical managers and Jnmes Pain, of fireworks fame, havo boen having a dig at ono anothor through tho press, letter after lottor having appeared from both sides in tho " Argus " and " Horald." " Robert Dovoroux " is tho next opera to bo produced by Simonsen'e Company.

January 27.

There is no denying tho fact that the Christmas attractions have not proved so siieeo'sfiil ob our theatrical managers antici pated. Business has been good at most of tlipp. housos, but not so go-.d as was expected. What to attribute this falling off to, wo hard.y know—not to any fault of our lessees. Far from it, for eaoh p'.ny has boen mounted in lavish stylo, dresses have boen costly, and tho artists the most competent that could be procured : but then wo have had Pain, of fireworks famo, who, indeed, has caused much pain in theatrical circles, drawing his fifteen and twenty thousand peoplo to tho Cricket Ground two and threo times a weok. Tho excessive ha.'it has been much against us, for no human being could sit comfortably within a theatre during somo of tho hot weather we havo had ; and then, again, wo havo, without n doubt, too many places of omiisoinont—live largo theatres opon ovory night, besides many hulls, &c ; so to perhaps ono and all nf thoso wo must put tlio fi'ling-ofT down to. However, Robinson Orusoe will ho played for tho last timo noxt Friday week, nnd then, trom what; wo can gloan (as matters are kept pretty qnioi), the Trium vii-n'o promiso us a splendid product! •). of "Tho Tempest," with George Kignold .i-. Caliban, plated by him many yoars ago in London. Arrangements for this gre.it pro duction hae-e been lnr.g in hand, tho big firm's spsnJ.il artists having born ongag-i ou the scenery f'r monlhs T's Trium j virito nlso in. ud produoimr Birtley Cumpr.ol]'s play of "Siberia," and later on " Harbour L;"hls." Two now artists are on thoir way to Australia — Mr and Mrs' VV. J. Florc-nco who come under engagement -to the Triumvirate. All' through the past week, ltfberto Dovereux has been tho attraction at tho Alexandra Tbpatro, On Saturday night Verdi'soperaof fUn Bullo inMaschera "was produced, Tho Italian opera season, which, taken so far, has been highly satis factory to all ooncemed, will close about the latter part ef February, and M_irl!n Simonsen and hia Rovai Italian Opera Company will proceed to tho Sydney Royal. James Pain's last grand dis play of fireworks took placo on tho East Melbourne Cricket Ground on Siturdav night, and y/tm witnessed by several thousand people, sir) C. T. Hrocb and Ctmp.iv gave their first special display last Friday on tho Molbourno Cricket I ground. Cui'To..

Sydney, January 17

This is tho fourth week of Minnie Pi'mnr, j and tho attendance at Majeroni and VV il- I son's Opera House in ns treat as ever. ■ Tha Ballet of Nations, introduesd into tho pantomime of " Whittin gtbn and nis ■* Cat," is eplen^i lly got up, beautiful ond cirreot dve 'sts,' limo light effects excellent, plenty of dunces reels, and jigs, and national airs suitnb'o to each cinntry. Sophie Harris appears as Britannis, and a handsome and beautifully dressed Brit innia she makes. Alice Wool dr-ge roptes-nts Germany and sings "Tho Watch o-i tho Rhino " in first clais stylo. Then we have Australia represented by Mrs Harry I c ton, and remarkably well this lady loo!--s and sing 8 ; also Lc-naMerrick (as bonnio S otland) does a Highland fling as very fow con.do it. Thero aro also Fra-ice, Russia, _Amorioa, and other nations well represented by a score or two of handsome, well - shaped young Indies. W. c' fhendan has been under fio rcare of Dr Tarrant for a weok or two, and has therefore been unable to play. L*st week the doctor performed an operation on

Sheridan, oxfrncling several pieces of bono from his ar. , whieli had been shattered by a rifin shot many years ago, in tho A met ran Civil War. Tho patient is progressing favourably. " Sleeping Beauty" nt the Hoyal is an enormous euco.oss ; nevor a night passes but what the nouso is packed to over-flj*ing. Tho marvellous Ray nor Brothers hold their own, and tho living statuary of tho Faust Family is wonderfully realistic. Tho child won der, littlo l_>aisy Kaunt.. contributor lnr share towards tho show Hor character song, "Tho Marquis of Hanover Square," is encored evening after evening ; and Amy Iforton's song, written especially for her, and entitled " Oh, You Men,'' always brings down the houso. Tho termination to tho first net, "Tho Angel's Watch," is truly a beautiful sight-a female figure suspended inniid-iiir, nnd surrounded by olect.iic lights, wa'ehing tho slumbors of " Tho Sleeping Bounty."

January 25

After being performed for 24 nights, " Dick Whittington and His Cat" has been withdrawn from tho Royal Standard Theatre. Up to date tho Theatre Koyal Pantomime is still doing good business. The dross circle has dropped a littlo this week, but tho stalls and upper circle are picked overy night, "Sleeping Bounty" will only bo played about another 10 or 12 times, for on Saturday, February sth, Currio Swain will mako hor first ap pt?ar;inco in this city in her own play of " Carrio, tho Tomb iv." Fred Hiscocks' Federals are now playing Cieir farewell season at the Academy if Music; in fact their last six nights aro announced. What becomes of the Federals wo aro not certain Tho chances aro thoy will disband. Frank Clark, who is nt present in this city, may induce somo of them to join his sho>^ .•" Melbourne, or maybe ho will bring "is k.i It _ t-nekings crowd over here for the season, 1 ,how at tho Academy. Wo believe I red •pcocks i-ho-tly proceeds t<? Aniejicn • red of fresh t .loot " M _-ffc">»J^J'.*<~l lof business. Tim great heat haio is agsi

all tho sho'.rs. People cannot bo expect to Bit in a oloso theatro fo several hoi

together. Colbourne Baker makes a splen did Matitann, and adds ap.otli._r to the airialy ling li-t of Australian artists Finnic I.idd inrd fullilfi every requirement nro led i.i tho part of Li'zariil.i, whilst Amies Beaumont, as Don Oicßar, is welcomed as another friend. "Nell Groynne" is to bo tlio next opera, with several novelties, to follow during tho season, " Merry War, ' included. "fis eaid hero that the rent of tho Theatre hoyal during tho Stmonsen Italian Opera Company season Hill bo £ISO por week. We hopo to liav. something to communicate in our next re tho business transaction now pending between the lato lteseo of several Now Zealand theatres and tho popular littlo actress now playing iv this city. Matters have not yet been quitosettlcd. Mrs Charles Wyndham, wifo ot the lessee of the Criteiioa Theatre, London, is at present in Australia. Sho is enjoying tho mountain air of Kstoomba, W.A.R.

Lord Shaftesbury at Osborne.

Omu-.r tho di.to of Iho 19-.li April, Lord Ashley entered in his diary ; — "Anril lOth.-Osborno, Isle of Wight. Tim Queen baa sent mo for to talk ovor the condition of Ihe working people ; and hare lam. I was obliged to put off Golden Lauo Ragged School (VV. Cooper took the chair for me), Her Majesty vory ainiiblo and very considerate tor tho poor. God bo praised, who has pat such thoughts into her hoart ! M.iy they bring forth fruit to His glory On carlo, and hor own peace in time and eternity."

From n memorandum found an)i^ tho papers of Lord Shaftesbury, niy__ em,. ;r.. versations with him upou.^a subject, iiit.il down nt (lie fimitho following particulars arc obtained,*

"Tho Q'lccn sen_;r im to Osborne; tho Fairy was i_ iy for too ai Gosport, and I wont. Thrjueon was greatly alarmed, m:ii co wafo'o Prince, by tho Revolution in Fran/and the exile of Louis Philippe. They-j^rgj ihe continuance of commotions ■"L. gland, and were desirous to know ho.v they could exerci=o their influence to soothe the people. Tho Queen, oa my lrrivnl, expre.-f-ed this sentiment very warmly, and added at dinner, ' Tho Prince will lalk to you to-monow. We have sent lor you to have your opinion on what we

I Bhruld do in viow if the stato of alfairs to chow our interest in the working classes,

and you uio the only man who can advise us in ttio matter," "On tho following moruing, duiing a ' long walk in tho gardens, lasting for over 1 an hour and a half, I discuseed wirh the Princo tho condition of t_.fl-.iirs and the stato of tho nation. He asked mo my advico ar.d how ho could be?t assi.-t towards the common weal. '". ow, sir," I ea'd to him, 'I have to nek your Royal Highness whether I am to sp. ak out freely, or to observe Court form ':' "'For Cod's sake,' he answered, 'speak out freely.' " 'Thon, sir. I would at this juncture say you hold a p. itlon in which you can render to tho country far greater assistance than if you were its king. You can speak as a king, reptoient a king, without tho nees saiy and inevitable restrictions of a king. Your presence, though formally different, is virtually the presence of the Queen. My e-.irntst advice jio you is, that you s-hould put yourself .it tho head ol all social move ment* as ihuy bear upon the pior nnd thus show interest felt by Royalty in tho happi ness i f the Kingdom,' "•What can I do!' tho Prince a Ued, eagerly. " ' On the IStb of anniver sary of Uio Labourers' Fiiend~&e.__ly w»_ll, bo lv Id, and if your Koyal Highness will accompany mo, lint to- sco seme of the duellings of tlio poor, and afterwards to preside at tho meeting, 1 am satisfied it will have a good cfl'ect. You should como in throe carriage 3, ar.d have the foot men in red liveries—even theso things aro not without th. r influence' " —From "The Lifo and Work of the Seventh Earl of Shaftosbury," by Edwin Hoddor.

The Albert Bronze Medal.

At tho Oatcfiisad Town Hall recently tho Mayor of that boiongh (Aid, McOormott), before a largo company, presented the Albert brons.6 modal of the second class to Fd ward Scullion, a workingr-ian, for hav ing risked his lifo in attempting to sivo throo of his fellow croitures at the Fell ing Chemical Works on August 9th. On that day some boys wore playing round an air Miaft nf an unused sulphuretted-sower who a ono of thorn, named Lennon, foil in and was overcome by the cbemict.l fumes.

. young man n:irap.i Quinn attemp ed a tes.ine, but ,vas similarly overtaken by th.i | impurity, ns was another mun, named j Swinbiirne, who also ventured i-ifo the fpi'.-ilt. in n.n attempt to rescno the two b'.'oro intii'ion. d. A fourth man, named L'iiuil'..;t .as lowered into the air-shaft, and had to ba drawn out insensible. Still another attempt was mado by fed word Scullion, who with a iopa fastened under his arms, threo times descended info tho deadly sower, and ono by ono brought the inanimate . bodies to tha'surface. Lennon and Quinn were found to havo Eucciimbed, and Swinburne, though he survived somo days, nlso ultimately died from the effects of tho poisoaoils gasos Tno medal horo tho following inscription • Presented in the name of her Majesty to Edward Scullion, chemical labourer, for gallantry at tho works of tho Newcastle and I3at.esl_.ad Chemical Company, on tho 9th of August, 188(5, and also for gallantry in saving lifo on land,"

A Dramatic Tragedy at Pesth.

A SHOiKiMi tragedy happened at Pestli. Five officers and some young actresses en tered a cc:lT.;o houso late at night, Thero being no mom for all at one table-, a bustle took plaoe, and an officer in fun ordered Kosn Taciano, a little songstress

nine, to giyif hor place up to him. When she refund lie drew out a pistol, and, Rimtii'i; it p.. her, prdd, "Go away, or I will shoot you" Tho littlo %m said sauc.ly «I ehaa 't,'! and the officer pressed eho trigger, whon, to. his honor, °"i J O,, ... ,of evei- >one around, tho little girl fell afe ess to the ground Ho hid hit, her through tho heart. He stared at the frail corpse somo moments, and then, quick asi hghtMvg, directed the revolver against himself and shot himself through the head. In less than two minut.s i-i "'__ _??*-, Tl,° oo '-P-« wcro laid on tho billiard table, and the little girl's father filled tho place with hia cries, Whilst tho officers, in deep eonsto.-narion had thoir brother officer taken to the garrison hospital. The dead man's namo is bchneoweiss He was twonly-oight"years old, and most popular with his equals and superiors.

FEMININE FANCIES.

A pair we_> married in Plainview, Mm. in an unusual way lately. The ceremony was performed iv a dancing hall, tho floor of whieli was tot for dancing, except one cot. Thon the happy couple, followed by three newly-married couples, stepped for ward and formed tho lacking sot. The minister stopped forward into tho centre of tho cir.lo, und performed tho^coremony, the music struck up, and tho danoe wont for ward as if nothing had happened.

Bride's littlo brother, to bridegroom: " Ltid it hurt you much when she did it?" Bridegroom: " What hurt me?" Bride's LB.: "The hook. Did it goia yoar lip?" Bridegroom "I dont know what you mean Johnnio." Bride's mother: "Leave the room this instant, Johnnio I" Bride's L. B. :

"What for? X only wanted to-know If it hurt him. You said Sis bad fished for him a long time, but sho had hooked him e.% last, and I wanted to know if " Bride's L. B. is carried out of his chair and hurried from tho room, and the bridegroom becomes medicative.

" Bob, whore is the state of matrimony ?'' "It is one of the United States. It U bounded by hugging ond kissing on ono side, and cradles and babies on the other. Its chief products are population, broomsticks, and staying out o' nights. - It wns discovered by Adum and Eve while trying to find a north-west passage out of Paradi?o Tho climate is rathor sultry till you pass tho tropics of house-keeping, '.'..":' whon squally weather commonly sets in wit!-: sufficient puwor to keep all hands cool na ciiciimbc-s. For the principal roads . leading to this interesting state consult tho first riair of bluo eyes you run against." " Ahout mermaids," said the captain, as-•'."'"■' ■—.stood iirin the uhtin'shod end of tlio sea wall ami s<uveycrllnn 1».... ~Wv w iy,. a _ .'. express""* of pitiful eondojean.-ion >' W h"*~"' j).« i-ecn.tha moit wonderful thi'i. ';,, -'«?•'* '' ,'. . VJ sI!> wo v -'ei'o we.l over i„ P?* 8 i 2_£s-g* ..°no "jgl't, _l_ niter\H ■ ■ _ lei'i'''. oiiui'.-fcrin tt".--t.„.„., „ "V passod the Formosa group, ~ Z%*_*r-Ssgfi~* , out of my bunk by tho maio, who sira. ~ out, 'Melmaids abord.' Out I _t&npsjfm gets on decs: in a turn of tho holm. '■. can splice my mains'l if there wasn't np twenty of tho hlgae-t mermaids ai. >n' around tho.deck I ever seed. Two i'om had got; the fellows on watoh cornergpnd ', was -i kissing 'em."

A MEAN ADVANTAGE.

"1 used to think Gus Simpson i* a real nice young man, but I hato himiw," said one young I. ly to another. " hy, what has he done:'' "He's troatetSio shame fully, that's what." "In hat way?" " Why, tbo other evening, at/party leaii to him : ' Lot's e.'ifc a phlopai, and if you say yos or no to any of my qifetions I'll owo you a box of candy, and if/ say yes or no you'll give me a box."/' Then what!" " After the party ha tookme homo, aid all the way there he talked yM ossweet as could be about lovo in a cot|'ge, and that mon should not live alone, ; furl all that ; and when hn got to tho Mint gate, and said: ' Fannio, I have wai&d for this opportun-' iy a long time; wffl you marry me?' I whispered ' Ye*,' in a low voice, and— and —" Hero sobs choked her voice. " And what did he do thon ?' inquired her listener, eagerly. "Ho — just—hollered ' philopcna I' with all his might; that's what ho did ' And sho wept alresh and would not bo comforted.

REAL WOMANHOOD.

Tho higher and moro perfect the train ing a woman has received in all womanly essentials, tho better a wifo and mother she is prepared to bo-.ome. She will not want | for suitord who is worthy of them. Men _ are not all blinded by glare and glitter, by i long ringlets nf falso hair, by mammoth 1 panniers, urlificial insteps, i-.nntfnr»l rm^ I n!.». or:""' inpit loog languian _ tne eye- y?'_ lashes duo to decop live arts —net even when the soft rustlo of silk is thrown over a all this, and is softened by draperies 88 of real lace, ami embellisned with |3H tho gleam of costly jewels. Most of _\\ them carry, deep i:i their hearts, a love of , ■ homo aud roal wominhbod. Now, it ie the j business of uli ttus women to call out thia |9 feeling in men ; their doing co is necessary" I for tho lifo of society, for the prosperity of I the world, " Men are what women make jB them," it has boen said. Well, before I women can call forth any good in men, they js< must themselves be good and pure, and 9 true to every law of health, mental .and 7'A physical. yßm

In Danger in Lebanon.

W k had orrivsd ot the chapel, and were,!; about to halt that tV-.e Pasha might pass itij i when, all of a sudden, I heard my nanwj r called by at least a dozen voices, telling max c in the most earnest manner to beware, tor : look out, to'throw myself down, and I don't' ° know what besides. The warnings were ; , shouted out in accents of the utmost:, terror, such as may be hoard in the street 0 when any ono is in danger of being run over, | ° and tho words were shouted so loudly" f' -in French, Italian, and Arabic—tbat 1 i was for a moment fairly bewildered. Afe fist I thought tbat the Pasha must be in! y danger from eomo cause or other, and I r turned towards him. But such was not! f the ca=e. On tha contrary, His Ex-' a collency was evidently in a state-! - of great excitement, and was also nallij ing (o me by namo to take oare, butfdjj , what I could not mako out. : There'was; »' evidently some great and immediato danger, 1 1 threatening mo, but what it wa3 I was^ - utterly at a lo c to understand. At last,'.: s turning in the direction in which everyone| was pointing, I saw what I nsver have, and, novor shall, forget—what I now see as:» , vividly and plainly as I did then, although-, 25 long years have elapsed since the affiiiri; - happened. - fjA 1. Clcoa to mo, at a dbtwieo of not moftt| 1 than half-a do e_i yard . there was a broken i s wall, of which some' four or fivo _fee_ |tf 3 height remained Looking over this walhj t his'eyes glaring with fury, wai the brother!; ' of the man I had made a prisoner of, and i who had been liangod chiefly by the.tosth t raony I had been able to give against Mm. I 3 What, the fellow's intentions were, theiß 1 f could be no doubt whatever. Ha was aioi-.f ing point blank at me ono of thoso shpf||| bell-mouthed carbines, which, are .so-; common among tho nativo3 of Syria, and lj which, boingnl way s loaded with half a-dozen; or more slugs, each about the size Of a large:; ' grape, aro, atanytliingllkeclosoquartars,the:p| most deadly weapons it is possible to im;'| ' agiue I was so near ■ho man that when'!i 1 bad turned towards him I seemed as itwofftpT ) to look into Iho barrel of his gun. NoWj}* could thero bo any mistake as to what his j intentions woro! He seamed, as Orientals;, ! invariably aro when thoy intend to commit | . any dbsparato- crimo, quite i mad with - i rage, and kopt calling but In" A^abfffj'; i " Dog of an Englishman, dog of a Caris. j • tian. you murdered my brother, and howil,,; will kill you I" ,-..._! Never in my life did I feel as I did during , tho ono or two minutes that I faced this;, i man, with his gun potutcd at ms, and within | four or live feet of ma.- Knowing how these-, . bell.mouthed firearm' were always loaded,', and tbat it was impossible that the fellow;,! eoald miss me, I nude up my mind that my.:. time had come, and that in a few seconds ,„, moro I must bs murdered. To givo «S|| accurate account of what my feelings were ~] is utterly impossible. My wholo past life':! spenwl to pass in reviow before me. '.I. should have liked to fight against the fate,', that seemed so inevitable, bjt that _)i..., impossible. The whole thing had boensiji; sudden that I waa utterly paralysed, anas! v.'as inoipatHe of forming any plan .crhaf* M ever. ' >l. *) ■ 'i '.7y Tho man continued his eaths aid abussjV and I wns so near him that I could see, as M hear, when he put his weapon on full oock.. , 1 had then, co far as I could think of anyj.j thing, made up my mind that there wai. , nothing for it but to accept what seemed to,-;-; be a most pitiable fata. All this, it must be.| remembered, passed in tho course ?f lees ' than twenty minutes. , ,-,'(!', But a sound—a sound I oan never forget ; ; - - mado itsolf heard. The fellow had drawn,;,;, the trigger, and I could bear that tho gun m had missed fire. In an instant after a tre- i meudousoath, theman was hammering at his . flint to maka it do better ; but he wastoolate. m Tn a f Ar shorter time than I take to writethefe. line?, nil my energies seemed to come back|| to me ; I had vaulted ovor the wall and had:, - the woii'ld bo murderer by iho throat. We I fill together, but I was uppermost; and 1 although ho tried his best to get his long .... knife out of the oheaih, I was able So py^f, | mcl his head n£..r^t the stones 'unlifnji,.; was almost insensible. In another moment..,| I had the help I needed; the fellow was I bnurd with corda nnd taken to prison. - Thus ended by far the moat narrow escape T hnvo ever experienced I am fully aware that I have not told myp | tale in such n manner-as will give my , readers a vivid account of what I endured _M or the moment I saw tho blunjarbuss 51 pointed nt me, and within very few feet,pi of my head. But it is difficult to depict lit one's feelings under such circumstances,: a more particularly when talten, a^ I was,;,.::' without any warning whatever. -My ia-. 3 tending murderer followed tho fate of his : 1 brother, and was hanged a few days aftec.r! be tried to kill mo. — "All tho T_sijt_p. Ronnd." _ ,''j-!|!j|

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1887

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Bespaibino Bankers,— The number of suicides among the brightest and most capahle of business mem, bankers, and others, will ha reduced to a minimum as soon as the specific virtues ot Am. Hopßiitors aro known. As all mon who work wilh thoir brains and neglect, te _Jako tiio needed oxercise, tho lo.piil takon does Dot nonrKl. ; mid dang., aus debiiity, phjbleal uel mci _. - wane. R<_d,