Hawke's Bay Herald. MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 1887. MATERIAL GROWTH OF THE UNITED KNGDOM.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7822, 15 August 1887, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald. MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 1887. MATERIAL GROWTH OF THE UNITED KNGDOM.

A voxr; several Jubilee articles in the.lune number of the Forln itjhth/ Professor Leone Levi contributes a paper descriptive of the material growth of the United Kingdom in the half-century of Queen Victoria's reign. Commencing with the increase of population Professor Levi maintains that that in itself is evidence of material progress, though it may at times be needful to draft of!' the overgrowth to other less populated fields of industry. In the HO years ending in ISS3 the population of England and Wales increased in the proportion of 4G per cent., and that of Scotland 33 per cent., while that of Ireland diminished in the proportion of 10 per cent. Professor Levi attributes the diminution to various causes, the principal one being the want of security and encouragement for tiie investment of capital, the result of constant wrangling and political disaffection. The great shock given to Ireland by (lie potato failure m 184G, and the extensive emigration that followed upon it, weredoubtless important factors in diminishing the population, but their effect would have worn off in much less than the forty years that have elapsed were it not for the feeling of insecurity which the disturbed state of thecountry engendered. Passing from the question of population to that of education Professor Levi gives a brief sketch of what has been done in that direction in (Ireat Britain since 1532. Kor many years the grant in aid of education did not exceed C:SO,000 annually, and even that amount was not voted without considerable opposition, but the (iovcrnment at length began to realise thiit it was necessary lo provide fuiuls for public instiiiction, and in IS.w the amount voted had grown from £30,000 to X.'«(i,u2l. Then cauin the Klementary Education Act of IS7O, and (ireat Britain entered in earnest upen the noble task of educating the people. Thenceforward the vote increased each year until in ISS-'i it amounted to £4,013,000. The total vote for education, science, and art in IS.V> was £831,070, and in 18S5 it was £5,074,000. The average number of scholars in attendance in (he primary schools in (ireat Britain, which in ISj5 was r>09,000, rose in ISBS to 3,526,250, and it is expected that later retnrns will show a considerable increase upon that number. If there had been no other achievement in the half century the recognition of the State's duty to educate its people would have been snllicient to stamp it as an epoch of progress. In touching upon the productive power of the people of (ireat Britain Professor Levi comments on the great change that has taken place in the actual labor done by workmen now in comparison with fifty years ago, tho lessening of the hours of worlc, and the greater consideration in all respects which workmen now receive. "In all the principal industries of the country," he says, "there has been an enormous increase in the quantity of work produced in proportion to the number of persons employed. The hours of labor have been reduced by the factory laws, Saturday half-holiday has been extensively adopted. Our work-people are evidently taking their work much more easily than they were able to do in times gone by, and yet production has become immensely greater. Human power lies .now less in the hand than in the head, and though both are required, this is the age not of the dull spirit or of the abject slave, but of men of quick intelligence, of ready resources, and of steady and persevering habits of labor and industry." Among instances of increase of production Professor Levi gives that of coal, which in 1855 was 61,000,000 tons, while in 1883 it was 159,000,000 tons, an increase of more than 150 per cent. Pig iron shows a similar increase, the quantity produced in IS5j being 3,200,000 tons, while in ISSS it was 7,400,000 tons. The imports of the United Kingdom in IS5j were valued at £143,543,000, while in 18S5 they were valued at £370,958,000. The exports of British produce and manufactures show a still larger increase. In 1855 they amounted to £95,658,000, while in 18S5 they were £213,045,000. The total trade rose from £260,235,000 in 1855 to £u'42,370,000in ISSS. ProfessorLevi'scomparisons—for convenience of reference to published statistics — are between periods of 30 years only ; had he gone back to the commencement of the half century, the differences would have been still larger. He does not, however regard the prospect for the future of England's trade, without misgiving. He pointsont that other countries have of late years been promoting commerce and manufactures, and that England is no longer in those respects in the enjoyment of uucontested supremacy. "On all sides," he says, "we see that considerable amount of capital has been accumulated, and that with more confidence it is more readily employed in industrial pursuits ; that powerful machinery is everywhere at hand ; and that labor is abundant, and, in money value if not in real efliciency, it is certainly cheaper than in England. As a matter of fact many Continental States are much less dependent now than they once were on British goods. Not only can they provide for their own wants, though at a little moie cost than they would have to pay in the English market, but in many cases they can even compote with British ir"".ufacturers in the foreign markets. Doubtless most of their manufactures maintain their position simply at the expense of the consumers, yet the result is that the market is supplied, and our manufactures are in a manner set aside. The National Pair Trade Association is urging on the nation not to admit free of duly the produce of such nations as place hindrances to the introduction of British good", but by so doing we would injure ourselves, for we would have to pay dearer for all we consume ; we would besides encourage reliance on legislative help instead of inducing more effort for improvement and economy, and perhaps in the end fail in our endeavor to make such nations take our goods." In bis reference to the British colonies Professor Levi points out that the larger and more prosperous ones have not. been planted or even fostered by the State, but are essentially the work of the people, who have sought ont the countries best suited for their labor or wants, or more likely to open for them a new field for trade and commerce. Their growth has therefore been all the more natural and vigorous. There may come a time, he thinks, when some if not all of them may declare themselves free, but be does not believe that in that event their trade with the United Kingdom would cea=e. Common nationality, common language, and common institutions would always prove a strong magnet to draw to one another the scattered portions of (he British race.

On the fourth page will be found an article entitled "Vivisection." Measles are stated to lie very prevalent at Waipukurau, and that two-thirds of the school children cannot attend in consequence of the sickness of other members of their families. Mr Xealc, refuge master, denies to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of a parcel of hats from Mr Cook, of the New Zealand Clothing Factory, ami a coat from Mr \V. Bishop, for the use of the inmates. Mr Washington Solly, advance agent of the Mammoth Minstrel Company, now performing with tremendous success in the South, lias arrived in Napier to make arrangements for the appearance of the company here at, an early date. At the Resident Magistrate's Court on Saturday, before Mr (!. A. J'reeue, li.M., (ieorge Clemens failed to appear in answer to a charge of drunkenness, and his bail of £1 was estreated. William Forster, for being drunk while in charge of a dray and hordes, was lined 10s and cost-. The Wuiroa team of footballers, assisted by a few local players, contested with a team representing the Pirates Football Club on the Recreation o round on Saturday afternoon. The game was played in rain and mud, and resulted after an e\ciling tussle in a win for Wairoa by two tries to nil. Miss I'arkes, the daughter of the Premier of New South Wales, who is shortly to turn the lirst sod of a railway line, will be presented on the occasion with a spade worth .C'2oo. It will contain lOoz of gold and SOoz of silver, the handle being wreathed with native roses and branches of gold. The emigrant ship Loch Garry, which recently arrived at, l'ort I'hilip Heads, encountered a terrific storm on the passage. The force of the wind may lie gauged fiom the Ing-book, which showed that the ship under bare polos made an average of nine knots an hour for twenty horns, ami during squalls she ran over ten knots an hour, In a sub-leader in Thursday's issue we stated that payment, is given to members of Uie House 6f Representatives for committee work, this being in addition to the honorarium. Mr Sutfon writes that this is a common error, but that in New Zealand no payment whatever is made for committee-work except in the ease of the chairmen of two or three committees, who receive fixed salaries,

Under Mr G. Neale's supervision a boot-mukingc-tablUhmont has been started at the refuge, for the purpose of providing the inmates with boots. On .Saturday we saw the first pair of boots turned nut, and a sound and substantial pair they are, of the kind known as '• watertights,"' the workmanship being excellent." Mr Nealo and the JJoard are to be congratulated upon this new departure.

The .selection committee of the llawkes ISay Rugby Union have eho.-eu the following team to represent this district in the match against Canterbury: — Hack, I.c Qucsne ; three-quarters, Warbrick, Percy, and M'Causland ; halve*, Taiaroa anil Gibbons ; forwards, Jamieson, Kohson Trotter, Stewart, Sanders, V. Kennedy, Morrison. I'ateison, and Verily. Emergencies, Af'Kae, (back) ; Moore, A. Williams, and Hawkins (forward,-).

it appears that the Mayor of Auckland lias been empowered to issue free railway passes to men in search ot work, and 129 passes had been issued up to the end of last month. As most of the men f»o to work on the North Island trunk railway contracts, the Minister for f üblic Works has suggested that "some system should be devised by which these men could be got to repay their fares out of their wages." It seems that at present they are not even asked for the money.

The repetition of the exceedingly successful concert for the Queen's fund will be in aid of the Xajiier Musical .Society, and the proceed t will bp devoted to acquiring for the society some of the very latest music. This is needed badly, ]>u't at present the society is unable to procure it. As the Musical Society is ever to the fore when local charities' are to bo assisted, it may be considered certain that the public will liberally patronise the concert, especially as the programme is such a good ouu.

It is (says the N.Z. Times), a-i we have often pointed out, supremely ridiculous for the present Government to revile their predecessors as the "continuous Ministry," a name especially given by Sir Julius Yogel to a former combination of his own, of which no fewer than three members are in the present administration (Sir J. Yogel, Mr lUehardson, and Mr Reynold.-), whereas there was only one, Major Atkinson himself, in the late Ministry. The present Government is therefore to all intents and purposes the continuous Ministry renewed.

The position held by New Zealand in connection with the number of illegitimate births compares more than favorably with the other colonies, and its record is only beaten by Ireland. The statistics for ISS+, the last year available for comparison, show the following as the,'percentage of illegitimate births to every 100 children born: — Victoria, 429; New South Wales, 4-40; Queensland, 505; Tasmania, 4*40 ; New Zealand, 290. The figure? for Great Britain and Ireland for ISS2 were :— England and Wales, 4'o ; Scotland, 81; Ireland, 27.

A South Island resident, who has recently returned from a visit to Kngland, in writing to a friend in Napier, says infer alia :—" When at Falmoutli I noticed unsightly mounds of material and excavations near the beach and on inquiry was told 'Oh! that was yonr Sir Julius Yogel ! lie came here to try and represent us in Parliament, and persuaded the people that there was gold to be found here, and got up a company to work it, which resulted only of course in loss to the shareholder.-;, and those unsightly mounds.'"' Surely the writer must have been hoaxed by the good folk of I'almouth.

Since the terraces disappeared the scenery at Whakarewarewa is now considered to be the most wonderful in the Hot Springs district. The geysers have been much more active since the eruption, and are truly a wondroua sight. A mud geyser, which has also broken out in the bed of the river, vies with the hot water geysers in its wonders. From it the mud is thrown a considerable distance. Terraces are forming slowly but steadily at Whakarewarewa, which present all the features of the famous Pink and White Terraces-. The tints are, however, somewhat mixed. — liai/qf Ploili/ Times.

The Majeroui Dramatic Company, now on their way from .Sydney to Auckland, purpose opening in the latter city on August 2-tth, " Jealousy " being the opening production. The company includes the names of many well-known artists and favoiites with New Zealand audiences. The season in this colony will be a limited one, six nights only being reserved for Napier, where they will open at 11: o Theatre lioyal on the 10th prow Their repertoire consists of the following : — "Jealousy," "Mario Antoinette," "Elizabeth," " Fedora," " Wanda," "Camille," "Tlie Old Corporal," "Marie (Stuart," " The Kiss,," &c. Our eld friend' Liddy will pilot the company through New Zealand.

As showing the durability of the native silver pine, we may mention that l)i. Lemon lias now on view in his ollice a piece of the above named timber, pait of a telegraph pole, which lias been 1-t years in the ground, and is still (|iiite sound, and as hard as a stone. He has also a piece of a log of the same species of timber, which has been nneailhed, having lain under ground, to judge by the age of the birch trees growing over it, for upwards of 100 years. This specimen is also perfectly sound, and is capable of receiving a beautiful polish. Uoth pieces come from Hokitika, whence the Department is now getting its telephone poles of silver pine.

An interesting collection might be made ot the various things, animate and inanimate, to which "life" has been compared pit the stage by the figurative dramatist, The strangtst lignre ivas one employed in " Tho Golden liaud," when life was compared by a sentimental soldier servant to a veal-and-ham pie. "All!" said lie, with mock emotion, " life is, after all, very like a veal-and-ham pie — first you come acioss a bit of fat, and then a bit of lean, and it's very indigestible when you have done with it." Who, after this, shall say that the modern dramatist i» destitute of imagination, when the grave problems of life are settled by the contemplation of a cook-shop !

An important land case will shortly occupy the attention of the Supreme Court at Wellington. Mr John Thompson, solicitor, has received instructions from members of the Ngatikanwhata tiibe lo initiate proceedings against Mr Alexander M'Donald, of Awabnri, for the purpose of setting aside that gentleman's title to the Awahuri block. Mr M'Donald formerly acted as agent for the natives and administrator of their lands, and they allege that while acting in this capacity he acquired the block in question by fraud. They now seek to have his title declared void, and the land re- vested in its original owners. The Awahuri block is situated near Palmerston, and is said to be worth some £2.3,000. The case will probably be set down for the October civil sittings, and its hearing will revive .some historical incidents relative to the didiculties between the natives and Europeans in the inland portions of the Wellington provincial district, amongst others the shooting of the horse of a mail-coach by the defendant in the action in 1574. — I'ust.

Our Waipawa correspondent writes as follows under Saturday's date: — An informal meeting of the fire brigade was held last night to consider the best steps to be taken in procuring an engine. No business of any importance was transacted. Two members wore appointed a sub-committee to consider what description of engine would be most suitable, and report on the subject at a meeting to be held next week. — The weather continues very severe, anil will play havoc with the lambs. 1 believe lambing has already begun on some of the stations. A heavy fall of snow occurred last night, and the ground remained covered until nearly noon to-day. Thesnowhasbeenfalling on and oil' all day to-day, accompanied with hard showers and rain. — A football match was played to-day between the Talcapau and Waipawa clubs, resulting in a victoiy for Waipawa l>y nine psiuts to nil. The ground was very wet and .sloppy, hut the visitors played a good uphill game.

The members of the Wairoa team now on a visit to Napier were entertained at a smoke concert at the Masonic Hotel on Saturday evening, llo.it Smith provided a splendid spread, and did everything possible to make the ail'air an enjoyable one, those who braved the elements to do honor to the guest*, and I he occasion being amply rewarded. Mr Trotter, the popular Napier Club forward, presided, anil proposed the toast of the evening, " The Wairoa football team," Mr Wolfe, in responding, regretted that they had been unable to bring their full team, as they were compelled to steam away leaving live of their men standing on the beach. The toasts of the " Napier teams," " Kindred sports," " The Laidies," " The Press," and the "Host and Hostess' 1 Mere also honored, and songs wcie contributed by Messrs Dell, Wolfe, Trotter, Speucc, Cottrell, Storkey, and Hughes. The native visitors performed a haka/

In soaping over electors who wish to support the Ministry, but who will not vote for a stranger who knows nothing of the district, it is freely said by the " Liberal leaders" (hat it was impossible to get a local caiuliilale. "Mr Williams," it is said, "could not stand with any hope of .success, and 11 r Van tier would not, so that a iocal candidate could not be obtained, and we bad to get one up from the South." This is untrue, for supposing that Mr M'Aneny's alleged claims upon "Liberals" are not admitted by them, Mr Lascelles was willing to come forward and contest the seat. I'rohably to keep him from doing so, because the " leaders had newspaper reasons for desiring another man, Mr Laseelles was assured that he should have the support of the party if lu> came out for AVnipawa, Jle is stand-

ing for Waipawa, but the " parly '' wlio led him astray are opposing him. Doubledealing seeni* to characterise all their doings.

We commend to the serious attention of our readers the utterances of a Ministerial candidate for a South Wand eonf-titueiipy, Mr .losoph Petrie, reported in our telegraphic columns. No Opposition candidate, no Opposition journal, has said anything so damaging in attacking the Government, and yet this Mr Joseph Petrie announces that lie will support the Government while condemning their actions. How the country is to get good government while this sort of thing can exist is di/liciilL lo «u\ It will be noticed that the district railways purchase fraud, against which Mr Ormond and Captain Kussell fought so persistently, and for which Mr Ivess voted and canvassed, is described as the " most rascally swindle ever perpetrated in the colony." We believe Mr Petrie is right, and 'that any man who voted for the transaction ought to be ashamed to shew himself to the electors, but Mr Petrie stamps himself a humbug by stating that he will support the people' who worked what he can only call a "rascally swindle."

For some time past Mr S. (Jarnell has had in progress a series of the most extensive alterations and additions to his photographic studio. These are now completed, and 1 lie result is one of the mott convenient establishments of the kind in New Zealand. The whole of the front portion of the premises has been converted into a handsome and commodious showroom, lined with ornamental exhibition cases, and although these will not all be filled for a day or two, the display of line samples of the photographic art is well worth careful inspection, The comfort of bis patron*, has not been overlooked by Mr Caniell, an additional and well-furnished waiting room having been added, and for the convenience of ladies a dressing and retiring room is provided as an adjunct to the studio. Mr Carnell is to be congratulated upon tberesultof his enterprise, nothing that would add to the comfort and convenience of visitors having been forgotten.

Says the Auckland Herald :— Many of our readers are not aware that a large number of men are employed at gumdigging within easy distance of the city, travelling every morning and evening to and from their work. The ground dug over is all about Birkenhentl, the .Sugar Work-?, and up towards Kauri Point. The men go over from town by the Birkenhead boat in the morning and return in the evening. They are composed in some proportion of laboring men and of the class thatusually take to gum-digging, but a good many are tho.se who have been thrown out of other employment by the depression in business. Latterly, as many as 130 men have gone over every day. They make from 2s to Gs per day, and perhaps sometimes a little over the latter slim. It k said that over the whole province there must be 10,000 men engaged in digging for gum and making a livelihood at it. The gum merchants are paying away about £1000' a day. There can be no doubt that this is a great assistance to Auckland at the present time, and it is rather extraordinary that the land so close to the city as Birkenhead should now for the first time be thoroughly dug over. This veracious yarn is clipped from the columns of the Sydney Bulletin: — The church in which a recent jST.Z. wedding took place, was wooden and aged and lickety, and when the lovely bride accompanied by her consummate ma entered the building it shook beneath them. Tilings went on smoothly enough, however, until the clergyman inquired, "Do you take this man — ? "' and then before he could lini.sh the sentence the floor opened and the whole happy squad went down together into the cellars. The bride led the way head foremost, with the baptismal font ; the altar, and a spectator's baby close behind, and after them came the bridegroom witli the bulk of the wedding party on top of him, his collar burst, his hat flying loose, and a black eye. The parson, however, remained above, clinging to the pulpit rail, and tho last thing he heard was the voice of the bride calling out " I will," as she was half way down. She was under the impression that the bridegroom was beneath and as he was a wealthy man she had resolved with great presence of mind to get through the service and get a claim on his assets before she fell on him and squashed him flat.

A new wonder is now introduced to the people of Napier in the shape of " Thaunia," an illusion that has puzzled thousands. Tt is not an optical illusion, but a marvellous piece of mechanical legerdemain quite equal in its power of mystilication to the celebrated "vanishing lady." The A wkhmd Star says :— " The ' Th.'iuma ' illusion is one of tho best things of the kind we have ever seen. Entering the room, the spectator sees before him the upper portion of a woman's body on a swing. ' It's done by mirror,' says a smart one. Wrong, again, sonny, for the showman passes a sword immediately under the swing, and then invites the young lady to further demonstrate her apparent nether Umble.ssness. This she does by passing a fan immediately beneath the swing and showing that she has no legs where her legs ought to be. Next she seizes tho ropes of the swing, raises herself, and the showman removes the board, and the spectacle is presented of the legless woman suspended by her arms, distant not throe feet from you. As an illusion it is perfect, and' will cause an immense amount of speculation as to ' how it is done.' " This latest wonder is exhibited in Hastingsstreet, in the shop next to the Horse Bazaar.

Professor Woodward, of Washington, declares that in about 2200 years the rock over which the falls flow at Niagara will lie all worn away. The area of the rock worn away at the Horseshoe Kails between the years 1542 and 1575 was 18,500 square feet, equal to 0425 acres; between 1575 and ISSG, 00,000 square feet, or T37 acres. The main length of the contour of the falls is 2300 feet. The time required to recede one mile, if the rate is 24 feet per year, is 2200 years.

The Feildiiuj filar is responsible for this : — " The friendships of animals are singular. In b'eilding there lives a wellbred terrior, who, from age and infirmity, U unable to pursue the pleasing occupation of rat-catching, which it followed in the days of its youth with considerable success. Tlis chief friend and companion now is a cat, which, from her youth upward, developed considerable skill as a huntress of ' rats and such small deer.' She, knowing the proclivities of her friend, 'goes a -hunting,' and brings her prey to him alive, which he slaughters with many demonstrations of delight and satisfaction, she standing by watching the proceedings with much interest.

Messrs. Ritchie and Houston, two Ohinemuri diggers, wrote from Barberton, South Afiica, on June 26th, to Mends in New Zealand, stating that the field is a failure. Money has been made, one man taking about half a million out of the country, but the panic is now over. AVages are very low, Kallirs being chielly employed at 20s per month anil coarse food. Hundreds are unemployed. Barberton is half canteens and drinking shops. The Dutch are very sour toward the newcomers. The Sheba reef is thirty feet through, but is not very rich. The mine only employs now one white man and thirty Kallirs. The men say it is no place for wa;/es men, and hope soon to be back ; altogether a very lugubrious picture is drawn. The following story is told of the Princess of Wales : — A little while ago she visited the Milhank female prison, and was shown over (he place by the zealous and devoted chaplain, the "Rev. lieorge Merrick. In one of the cells the Princess was shown a woman who was so violent that it bad been found necessary to handcuff her. Her Koyal Highness spoke kindly and tenderly to the woman, remonstrated with her as to her conduct, and completely broke down her .sullenness. The refractory woman burst into tears, and on the Princess asking her to promise thai if the handcull's were removed she Mould not be violent, she faltered out in a voice choked with sobs, " I will really be good, my lady, if they take them things oil"." They were at once taken oft. Professor Lunghlin, of Harvard Univer. sity, in the United States, maintains (says an exchange) that there is an abundance rather than a scarcity of gold in the world. The bank reserves throughout the world .show a great increase in gold. In IS7O--74, a period of high prices, the gold reserves amounted to 2S per cent, of the total note circulation, and constituted 04 per cent, of all the specie reserves. In ISS3, a year of low prices, the total note circulation having increased since 1574, gold bore to it tlie ratio of 11 percent., while it constituted 71 per cent, of .ill the specie reserves. Here we have — high prices and low gold reserves ; low prices and high gold reserves. This is contrary to the leaching that the appreciation of gold owing to scarcity has had the eU'ect of depreciating prices.

Only a few weeks havu elapsed, writes tlie London correspondent of the MunrftcxIvr Guardian, since the world of archii'Ology was highly interested by the news of a most important arcluoological "find "in tlio neighborhood of the ancient Sidon. The discovery was made by Dr. Eddy, an American missionary, who resides' at Saidii. In a garden adjacent to the town he discovered a s?haft, which on being explored was fouml to communicate with a rock-cut temple or tomb, containiu" several sarcophagi of Grieeo-I'lueiiiciau work. One of those, with friezes representing warlike combats and hunting scenes, was said by an avcha>ologi3t who examined it to be one of the most magnificent specimens of art ever discovered. The Turks refused to allow photographs

(o be taken or to admit any Franks to the tomb, and, to the regret of science, news has just reached this country that this priceless work of art, together with several .statues, has been broken to pieces, ami that heads, aims, and other fragments are being offered for sale in the bazaars.

The Hoof and llnrn, published at Present t, Arizona, says :— •' Colonel Charles \V. Jieach, of the Kirkland Valley Stock Farm, is- the owner of a two weeks old colt that is a curiosity unrivalled in the history of the equiue monstrosities. The colt in question was foaled from ,i line brood mare, the sire being an imported Percheron stud. Its peculiar features are three eyes, two of which occupy the usual locality in the head, while the third is placed midway between them. The eyes are all endowed with vision, and the only apparent difference between them is that the middle one is much the largest, while the other two are of normal size. Each eye is in possession of an upper and lower eyelid, delicately [fringed with eyelashes, but while the two in the customary locality diminish gradually toward the outer edges of the head, the lids belonging to the middle eye look when closed like the segements of a circle. In addition to these three eyes the colt sports a double set of nostrils, both of which are perfectly defined, and in Worthing each set appear to work in harmony with the lungs. Aside from these features the colt is well shaped, and appears to be in a very healthy condition, whilo the care and attention it has so far received make it so very gentle and affectionate that it takes every means of courting ' petting ' from the many curious sightseers that visit it. No explanation of a satisfactory nature has yet been advanced to show why or how this curious freak of nature was occasioned."

A writer of theatrical gossip in a Melbonre paper tells tliG following story :— " It once happened at the Princess, in Sandhurst, after a faithful performance of 'Hamlet' to a tipsy stockbroker, four town councillors, and a sprinkling of the most rational inmates from the local asylum, poor Walter Montgomery stepped gaily before the curtain to return thanks for the kindly hearing he had received, ami expressed pleasure at the evident estimation in v hich Shakespeare was held in that town. AVc have seen and admired —who has not?— Montgomery, but until his little speech to tlfat select Sandhurst audience I never knew the resources of our language, never grasped the meaning of irony. He had been, lie averred, wherever the English language was spoken, had heard its terse idioms under the shadow of St. Paul's and in the mists of Niagara, hearkened to its resonance from the Mississippi to the Mnrray ; as Macbeth, Coriolanus, and Komeo lie had strutted his little hour before the fastidious dilettanti of Belgravia, the fur-clad hunters of Canada ; but (here he almost broke clown) for keen appreciation, combined with a nice sense of the true and false in art, he would back the Sandhurst citizens against the world. It was useless to try to deceive them, idle to tempt them with the meretricious or commonplace. Later on in the night I saw the great actor. He was sitting in savage mood on his carpet-bag, waiting for the early morning train, having failed to obtain a special one to remove him anil his belongings from this city of high art."