BY THE WAY.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 240, 29 December 1888, Page 2

BY THE WAY.

Chbtstius of 1888 is past and gone. Millions of tongues have uttered the seasonable greeting, “A merry Christmas to you,” whilst millions of saddened hearts have felt in any but a merry mood. I suppose the last week has given occasion for more hypocrisy than the rest of the year taken together. The Pulpit and the Press remind us it is the season for forgiveness—the time of “ goodwill to meo,” and yet if the truth were known, how little is is really so 1 But it pleases us to delude or attempt to delude ourselves in thia way, and what after all is life but a series of illusions. Even our great festival of Christmas itself is said to be held on the day of the old Roman feast of the birth of Sol, and the custom of giving Christmas boxes comes from some heathen usages practised on the occasion of that feast. “Will you walk into my parlor? said the spider to the fly." That’s what it used to be, but we have changed all that. Tho revised version should read, •* Don’t come just now, I’m having a holiday.” It was extremely obliging for the lawyers to notify the fact that they would give their clients a fortnight’s holidays. Perhaps I’ve got hold of the wrong end of tbe stick, and the lawyers are giving themselves a holiday. Well, it doesn’t' make much difference whichever way it. Lawyers are not always so black as they’re painted, and I’ve no doubt they deserve their holiday. May they enjoy it, say I; in fact, the worst harm I wish them is that the present holiday may be so enjoyable that they will be tempted to continue it. Let them make it one eternal holiday if they please. I’m sure no one would object to extending such scanty privilege to- this much maligned class. But I suppose it is unlikely that such an event will oome to pass, so for small mercies vouchsafed let us be truly thankful. A number of us throw away our old worn out boots and shoes, without any idea as to their commercial value. Few people know that these cast-offs can ba converted into new shoes. It is said that the prisoners in Central France are employedto suoh an industry. The old shoes are taken to pieces, all the nails removed, and the leather soaked in water. The uppers of children’s shoes are then cut from it. From the thicker leather of the soles are made the high heels of ladies’ and the soles of children’s boots. Even the old nails are utilised, for by means of a magnet the iron nails and the tacks and brads are separated and then sold. The sale of these alone ia said to pay the expenses of collecting the old shoes. There now remain only the scraps of leather, but these are not wasted, tor they are highly prized for agricultural purposes. The boots may also ba treated in another manner, by which they are rendered into a pliable mass, and afterwards converted into a kind of artistic leather.

Surely the suppliers of news to the cables must think the colonials rank fools. Otherwise, what reason can be given for sending word that the Honorable Artillery Company of London was disbanded ? Why the news was worth the expense, I fail to perceive. Possibly the agent of the Press Assooiatioa thought colonials would be impressed wit'i the fact that the Company had a long lifi (since 1585). Well, in 300 years they should have ba l a chance of distinguishing themselves, but if they did, it has escaped my memory. However, I am more inclined to think that it was because the names of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Portland were connected with the company, that gave us the privilege of hearing the news so quickly. It so, it is on a par with most of the news transmitted to the colonies. Any item referring to Royalty, or any reference, by the veriest babbler, to Australia or New Zealand, and especially those of a flattering kind, are cabled out forthwith. No doubt the opinions of the Earl of Aberdeen are entitled to weight, but his eulogies would not lose their value by awaiting the mail.

In connection with the cables and ths news sent by them, a very good story is told. It was just after a break in the line and when it was expected tc bs restored every minute. One of the Australian papers had made every § reparation for getting out a special edition irectly the first news arrived. Special arrangements were made for the speedy transmission of intelligence, and everybody was on the qut vive expecting it. At last word was received that it was coming. Steam was got up and everything put in readiness for printing it with the quickest possible despatch. The telegram arrived and was taken into the editor's room. After suoh a long break in the connection with the old world, the news now received could not but be important. The telegram was open and its contents scrutinized. The editor's face may be pictured when he read that the Australian eleven had to abandon a match on account of the bad weather I And that was all 1 Since the incarceration of Mrs “ Gor-lon-Baillie ” numerous anecdotes have been related with reference to her varied career. It may not be generally known that under the non de plume of Ayra Whyte (she seems to have been fond of double names as well as doubie-dealiog) she had written passionate love poems for magazines. Ous of the love songs she wrote iu this manner is singularly prophetic of her career. It is called “ Aujourd’hui ” (to-day) and is supposed to contrast the present with the past. “ Gold blows tho wind across the mountain ; Faded are the lilies by the way ; No kiss, no song, all silent is the fountain—'Tis to-day 1” Foilowing a veily exalted precedent, though he no doubt looks upon it as a little idea of his own, Sir Harry Atkinson has suggested that the police of Dunedin should contribute a day's pay towards the expense of holding an Exhibition in Dunedin. The police of the colony are by no means overpaid and it is the height of meanness on the Premier's part to make such a suggestion. If the people of Dunedin want an Exhibition by all means let them have it—that is if they can afford it. The financial results of past Exhibition* are not such as to encourage fresh attempts, but if the Dunedinttes are prepared to bear the brunt, well and good, But it does not augur well for its success when it is necessary for the Premier of the colony to hint that a.seotion of the police should contribute —the inference being that the whole Civil Service of that small part of New Zealand should likewise contribute. Why doesn't the Premier take off his coat and carry the hat round ? It would be a much more effectual mode of assisting Mr Twopenny and his coadjatope.

This year of grace is fast fleeting away and with it ends that period which ia considered so dangerous. Some have a superstition that those who lived this year out would live for many more—that, in fact by the conjunction of the stars, the last 5 or 6 years were particularly dangerous to human life. Some appearance of truth is given to this so far as 1888 ia concerned, when we remember that two Emperors hafc passed away and that the Whitechapel murderer has been at hia fell work, and recall the number of dreadful railway collisions, tho shipwrecks and other accidents which tend to shorten life. Those, then, who believe these things can reassure themselves and strong in their faith that they will live for many years make good resolutions for their guidance in the future. How long they will keep those resolutions is another matter. I’wish all my readers a Happy New Year, together with health, wealth and prosperity, and that they may live to see many more New Years is my earnest desire. Mark.