SCISSORS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 7738, 18 April 1896, Page 6 (Supplement)

SCISSORS.

Did you ever hear an explanation of the origin of the term 'Tommy Atkins ' as applied to all British soldiers ? It originated in this way : About forty years ago the queen caused a little ledger to be published and distributed to every individual in her army and navy. In this book the soldier was expected to enter his name, age, date of enlistment, length of service, description of medals received, etc. In the back of the ledger, by way of instruction, a filled-out leaf wa3 inserted. The name used in the blank was ' Thomas Atkin,' just as we use ' John Doe' and ' Richard Roe 'in legal patterns. Soon after some wag gave the name of ' Tommy Atkins 'to the book, and it has since become common to apply it to the soldiers themselves.

The late Prince Henry of Battenburg was a brilliant performer on the violin and the violoncello. He was very shy by nature, but would play when urged. During his sojourns in Paris he frequently attended the smoking concerts of a German society of commercial clerks. He was introduced by a former Hessian school-fellow. The Prince would play the . violin, sing, drink beer and make himself generally popular on these occasions.

0. Egeberg Borcbgrevink 13 the name of the sturdy young Norwegian who was the first man known to have set foot on the great continent that surrounds the south pole. He is now on a visit to America, but will next September start out as leader of an expedition whose purpose it is to fully exploit the antarctic continent and, if fortune favors him, become the discoverer of the south magnetic pole. His former effort was not completely successful* This time Mr. Borchgrevink will travel inland 1,160 miles on snowshoes and sledges, with three Norwegian com* panions. He aays it will take more than two years to do it. He has already raised money in England, which coun> try claims the continent, to back him. Eleven scientists will accompany the expedition and Dr. Hansen's arctic steamer, Jason, has already been chartered for the project. Borchgrevink says he is certain the land surrounding the pole is a great continent and not & mere island. He is traditionally, as well as physically, fitted for his great task, his father being a Norseman and his mother English. He is 32 years old, hardy, strong-willed, modest and ambitious.