The Potentates and the Peasant.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2241, 12 May 1877, Page 2

The Potentates and the Peasant.

When the allied army Avere in possession of Paris (after Waterloo), it was no unusual thing for the Emperors of Russia and Austria, and the King of Prussia, to walk out incog. In one of these rambles, they were accosted by a countryman, of rather a superior address, who asked them to point out the way to the Tuileries ; to Avhieh the reply Avas that they Avere going that AA-ay, and should be glad of his company. The familiar tone of conversation of the Emperor Alexander soon brought out the stranger to converse, Avho, after some time, asked to whom he had the pleasure of talking ? and the ansAver was, 'I am the Emperor of Russia.' This seeming to stagger his belief, he asked another, ' And pray, avlio are you, sir ?'—' I am the .Emperor of Austria ?' Another, ' And A'OU> sir ?'—' I am the King of Prussia !' This seeming the climax of absurdity, he burst out into a loud laugh, and Avas going aivay; Avhen the Emperor of Russia begged he Avould tell them Avho he was. ' Oh,' said he, ' I am the Emperor of China !' and then Avalked quickly away, evidently under the impression that he was ' not to be done.

jgjln the opening article of the "Nineteenth Century," by Sir John Lubbock, M.P., it» shewn that up to IS7O England spent at the rate- of £4,100,000 a year on her colonies and that it is still over a' million and a half. Of this, £650,000 is spent on the American stations. The writer is very severe on the refusal of the Australian Colonies to contribute towards the burden of Fiji, and unfavourably criticises the reply of Sir_ Julius Yogel, who said "it Was not the businessjot the Government to be libeial." Sir Julius might have added, " except in the Avay ol purchasing political support, or providing snug berths for friends or dependents."

The " HaAvkes Bay Herald" believes that the Turco-Russian war will lead to aniacreased demand for New Zealand tallow.- _ The latest instrument of destruction is a range-finder. It consists of a kind 01 telescope borne on a dog-cart, and it enables engineers to measure with perfect «ccm3), in two minutes uv to 1500 yards. J-ne German and British Governments are testing thefinvention, which is expected v double the accuracy of artillery fire, ana quadruple that of infantry.