The Gifts of Different Nations.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4419, 12 July 1884, Page 4

The Gifts of Different Nations.

One day the bon Dicic, as the French say, rose in a good humour as to creation in general, and especially so as to this earthly planet. So He called together the patron saint of each country, in order to confer some favour upon each.

First appeared St. George, glistening in silver armour, feathers, helmet, dragon, and lance complete, and stands before Him. "What do you desiro for your lands!" ask? h hon D>m, " Speak !it is possible I may grant it." " I want," replied St. George, reverently, uncovering and displaying a mane of golden hair, amazing to behold, " the finest navy in the world."

"Granted," says the hn Dieu; upon which St. George, replacing his helmet, collects his mise-en-scene and retires.

Next comes St Louis, eldest son of the Church, and of undoubted sanctity. " What do you ask for hi belle France?" is the question ; upon which St. Louis, kneoling—which fiery St. George forgot to do-answers: " The bravest army that ever marched to battle."

" Granted, ' is the roply ; upon which exit St. Louis, to make way for St. Joseph, patron of Italy, who, in reply to the same question, expresses—with the courtesy proper to his nation—his wish to possess tho "Empire of Art "

St. Andrew asks for Scotland corn, being a cold poor country ; St. Patrick for Ireland, that no poisonous serpent or reptile should over troublo tho soil.

"Granted, granted," cries the bon Dim, dismissing tho whole army of martyrs with a nod. But suddenly looking round and observing that one guardian saint is missing, " Where," he demands," is that lazy Spaniard, St. James ? What a fellow is that! always putting off everything to manana (to-morrow). Where is Santiago ?" Suddenly a great noise is heard of horses' hoofs clattering through the courts of heaven—for St. James, being always late, invariably travels on horseback—and the patron of Spain gallops in. " What does my good St. James want?" asks tho bon IJicit, smiling at the haste with which the saint precipitates himself from his saddle, and hastens toward tba throne.

"I desire," cries St. James, prostrating himself on tho clouds (for, of course, all this takis p!ace in heaven, aud St. James is the most devoted of all the patron saints which rule over Europe), " for my beloved Spain that »c should be the wittiest of nations."

" Granted."

" And," adds St. James, seeing that the bon Dimi is in the best of tempers, "that I our women should be the most beautiful." i

"Hum, hum! Too much for one nation} 9 nevertheless, for your sake, Santiago, who | are such a good and pious knight, I will say ' ■ granted for wit and beanty." Upon which .' St. Jamo?, rising, and making a series of .' the mostprofound obeisances, was just about .'| to depart, when he suddenly stopped and jijf turned round : "I forgot to say I also wanted to ask tor tho best Government."

" Now, this is too much !" exclaimed the bon D*ew,exasperated at his urgency. "To .-._ all tho other saints I have only granted one ~§;; wish ; you have already two. To punish _■:. you, I declare that Spain shall never have .■; any Government, at all."—"Wary of an Idle Woman in Spain," by Frances Elliot,