Odd s and Ends.

The sum of £2000 has been contributed - wards the erection of a statue to Livingstone in Glasgow.

Prof. Proctor writes that the sale of the American Cyclopaedia, which has now reached 30,000, " is simply amazing." Some time ago Bret Harte and Boucicault attempted to write a play together. When they reached the second act they gave it up by mutual consent. It is understood that Madame Ristori and a powerful operatic company will appear at the Melbourne Opera House about the beginning of August next. There is every reason for believing that it is intended to open the Southern Trunk line of railway from Dunedin to Balclutha about the Ist September.

Mr Darwin has finished his work on "Insectivorous Plants," and the manuscript is in the printer's hands. Mr *3(ifirray is Mr Darwin's publisher. "a. new plan for steamship locomotion is suggested in providing screw propellers at each end of the vessel. One of them is thus constantly in the water, no matter how rough it may be. . The Czar of Russia has just sanctioned a new ministerial plan for extending railroads in his dominions, which provides for the immediate construction of over 5000 miles of additional roads.

M. Silberman arrives at the conclusion, as the result ot various investigations and studies, that the average height of the human race has remained unchanged since the Chaldean epoch, 4000 years ago. For the opening festival of the Alexandra Palace, on the Ist of May, an orchestra of 150 picked players, a military band, and a chorus of 1000 voices were engaged. Sir Michael Costa was to have been the conductor.

The Scientific American Office. New York, is fitted with the Miniature Electric Telegraph. By touching little buttons on the desks of the managers, signals are Bent to persons in the various departments of the establishment.

Bridesmaid's costumes are getting to be very lively. At a recent English wedding they wore white Cashmere trimmed with sapphire velvet. At another they were attired in pale blue Japanese silk, trimmed with tea rose. It is stated that Mr C. Bright, the well* known Melbourne journalist and lecturer, trill visit New Zealand before the end of the present year. His late course of nine lectures is about to be published iv a handsome Bvo volume.

There are in the United States seven different orders of monks and friars, twelve of nuns, eight different institutions such as Jesuits and Redemptorists, twelve congregations of priests and brothers, and thirty sisterhoods. Mias Rose Massey, the actress, has entered an action in the New York courts against Mr H. J. Montague, alias Maun, former lessee of the Globe Theatre in London. It is a breach of promise case, and the damages are assessed at 50,000 dob.

It is admitted that Bismarck and Gortschakoff have power to plunge an entire continent into a bloody war, while the people, who are to do all the fighting, are not even asked if they consent to butcher one another. Yet this is the I9fch century. A "Miracle Club " has been organised in New York City, by some of the best citizens, at which all phases of spiritual manifestations occur, including the materialisation of spirit forma without a cabinet, and in the light. Col. Olcott will in due time give an account in the Graphic. Itit stated that the Victorian Governmenfljiisiflfc that Judge Dunne (accused of having been intoxicated on the Bench) shall bring an action against the Maryborough Standard in vindication oE his character, and by the verdict of the jury he will assuredly retain or lose his judicial position. The Academy Bays that Mr Mynors Bright, the bursar of the college, has been engaged for about eight years deciphering the M.S. of Pepys' Diary, and having completed his work he is now about to publish it through Mesara Bickers aud Son in a handsome library form, with numerous portraits.

A special despatch from Rome states that the Pope's birthday anniversary was celebrated with extraordinary rejoicings. Deputations, letters, and congratulations arrived throughout the day. Twelve preceding Pontifia reached the a?e of 85 Pio Kono alone " surpassed the years of St. Peter in his chair. (?) A letter received by the last mail states that a spelling match was to come off in the Boston Music Hall, at which a rosewood piano was to be the first prize. This is something worth striving for, and it will probably draw out the best spelling talent in Boston, and HU even that immemse hall, even at one dollar a ticket. There appears to be a great difference oi opinion as to the preachin? of Mr Moody, the revivalist. Tile H-ibart Town Mercury says:- -"His utterances are an admixture of burlesque ami spiritual quackery, abounding in vulgarity, cant, and impiety, remarkable only f..r penury of expression and audacity of conception.

It appears that American Mcthodist3 have found in Mexico a desirable field for making proselytes ; their priests and missionaries have arrived by the dozens, and even a bishop. Protestant chapels have been, constructed in almost every city, and «yen a large Protestant temple will be built at Fuebja, to be burnt down ac*»

In the sounding of the ocean at depths greatly improved modes have been introduced in recent times. No rope is now used. A machine is thrown into the sea ; it sinks to the bottom, contact with which disengages weights attached to sink it, and it comes to the surface again with the ocean's depth at the spot accurately indicated on its dial.

A new parlour ornament is the "selfacting perfume fountain." It is a large basin of some peculiar composition, from the centre of which comes a spray of perfume about three feet high. This falls into the basin and is " worked over " again by means of a curious little pump underneath, wound up (when you expect company !) like a clock.

The committee of management of the Melbourne Sailors' Home, with a laudable desire of placing the science of navigation within the grasp of all following what is termed ' ' the sea " as their occupation, have engaged an efficient teacher for that particular branch of education, who attends two hours every evening at the home, giving lessons according to a scale of fees which may be termed nominal.

At the invitation of the President of the United States, her Majesty's Government have consented to take part in the International Exhibition to be held in Philadelphia next year, and have entrusted the charge of the British section to the Lords of the Committee of the Council of Education, Mr P. Cunlitte Owen, C.8., being appointed executive commissioner. The Exhibition will open on May 10th, and close on September 10»h, 1876.

" What," said a Congressman, on reaching his New England home, to the venerable pastor of his Congregational Church, "what do you think of this Beecher business, Dr 1 I haven't been able to follow the trial." " Nor have I. I haven't wanted to. It's a dreadful business. It makes me sick to think of it." " What ! do you think Mr Beecher is guilty ?" " Oh, no ! I'm not at all sure of that. But I wish he were guilty, and that were all. It would be a cleaner thing."

The Chicago Tribune, referring to California as a field for labour, says : — "The. tide of immigrate thitherward is one of the remarkable fact 3in the history of this country. Nearly twice as many passengers were carried into the State during the first three montha of this year by the Central Pacific Railroad as during the same period of 1874. It is with the greatest difficulty that sufficient accommodation can be provided for the newcomers, though there appeers to be work for everybody, and wages are paid in hard cash."