FOR THE THIRD TIME.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 10466, 2 October 1894, Page 4

FOR THE THIRD TIME.

There have been so many cases of diowning in this colony that “ the New Zealand death ” has become a

familiar phrase. Happily, however, the rescues are innumerable, and they include, as the Humane Society’s records show, many acts o£ absolute heroism. But there is a curious thing about rescues from drowning. The rule is—the rare exceptions proving the rule—that nobody is ever snatched from a watery grave until he or she is "just sinking for the third time.” How is it ? Are the paragraphists also romanciets, or is there some psychonhysiological law governing the procedure in ouch cases ? One is disposed to think that this peculiarity about the rescue of the drowning is a part and parcel of that mystic affinity for the number 3 that ia apparently inseparable from human nature, and that has obtained from the remotest times “whereof this world holds record.” The Laplander has implicit faith in his thriceknottod cord as a charm against storms, and the Hindoo has equally childlike faith in his triple-twisted girdle. From the three Fates or Furies one m&y trace the mystic influence of the number down to the three cheers with which Britons give vent to their loyalty or their enthusiasm; and if nowadays we do not quite believe in the three-spider prescription aa a euro for the ague, or in tne efficacy of spitting three times for the charming of other ailments, the folk-lore of to-day is nevertheless full of the triple influence, to say nothing of the formulae of religious belief. Obviously, therefore, it would not be in accordance with “ the eternal fitness of things” for a drowning person to be saved until “just sinking for the third time.”

WHAT DO TVE BREATHE ?

Most people have at one time or another been made \mpleasantly aware of the fact that the air we breathe

ia not always composed purely of nitrogen and oxygen, flavoured with carbonic acid. They have realised that “ vogrant gases ” are capable of producing abominable smells and nausea. But for all that, the copybook faith in the formula for a pure atmosphere has been a common article of faith. The scientists, however, are upsetting everything, and the latest development announced by this noaepoking section of humanity is the discovery of an absolutely new gas, as a part and parcel of the real and only genuine air for breathing. The discoverer is one of the brilliant amateurs in chemical research, Lord Eayleigh, and hia announcement was made at Oxford, to the mcmbeis of the Chemical Section df the British Association. Lord Eayleigh, working in this direction in conjunction with Professor Ramsay, has succeeded in bottling off about the sixth of a pint of the new—and apparently unnamed—element. But is it an element ? Nobody seems at present to have the remotest idea as to th simplicity or complexity of the new gas, but the scientists seem disposed to throw up their hands in admiration, and emulate the utterance of old Kaspar when he was asked about a big battle. Ho knew nothing whatever about the war, but “ ’Twas a famous victory.'’ In like manner we are told that the discovery of this new gas is "of a very important nature,” that it is “a real achievement”; and at the same time the same scientists are wondering what this new something may really prove to be, and whether any specific use will be found for it.

THE JOTS 01’ CYCLING,

Every writer who comments upon cycling pronounces it to be a healthgiving and most pleasurable

exercise, alike for men and for women; and every writer who really investigates the matter unreservedly condemns the abuses that have crept in and grown rampant. One of the English magazines contains a pleasant paper from too pen of Mr Lacon-lFatson, who thinks it no marvel " that a bicyclist is to many an animal hardly less dangerous and deserving little more consideration than a mad dog.” The reason is not far to seek, because so many riders have unfortunately degraded this form of athleticism by “reckless

riding and indifference to the comfort of other users of the rood." Hr Lacon-Wataoa has very little sympathy with the record* breaker, even when he is on the racing track ; bub road - racing he would fain abolish utterly. Of the legitimate pleasures of cycling he cannot speak too enthusiastically. What an exhilarating sensation to roll smoothly along.some country lane on some sunny morning in the early springtime, modestly, at a pace of not more than ten miles to the hour; and how thoroughly delightful and health, giving is a tour conducted on the principle of a forty-mile limit for a day’s journey; for, as Mr Lacon-Watson puts it, the very essence of enjoyment lies in knowing when to stop, and, if in any doubt,'to pitch on the near side of fatigue. Seeing how peculiarly adapted many parts of Now Zealand are for cycle touring, and how peculiarly fortunate the Caaterburj people are in this regard by reason of the long stretches of level, fairly well-kept roads, and how easily holiday journeys maybe extended into Otago and Westland, holi-day-making on wheels ought to become very much more popular than it is already.

THE MAHATMAS AND THE ILLUSIONISTS.

Mahatmas and illusionists ! Some people are perfectly ready to contend that the terms are synonymous: that the manifestations of the one are on all fours with.

the tricks of the other. Be that as it may, the modern conjurer is pressing the mystics very hard, and Mr Maskelyne, one of the wizards of the Egyptian Hall, in London, has boldly invaded the' domain of the ' Mahatmas. After all, that is nothing new fora gentleman who has contended with the Spiritualists in their own peculiar sphere, and knocked them into the proverbial cocked hat. Mr Maakelyne’s new entertainment, entitled "Modern Witchery,” must bo uncommonly well worth seeing. He even takes a leaf from the notebook of the recluses of Lhssaa, about whom there has bean so much speculative inquiry of late, and seemingly separates a human being from his Ego. “ Two chairs are stationed some distance apart, and a plant of wood is placed horizontally upon them, the ends of the plank resting upon tho backs of the chairs. The man climbs on to the plank, lies upon it at full length, and in this position is tied down with a thick cord. Tho little stage is fully lighted, and the audience can see underneath the body and tho legs and rails of. the chairs. Slowly one end of the plank rises, and one of the chairs is taken away. The plank, only one end of which rests upon one of the chair backs, remains suspended. Again the plank moves slowly, this time at the opposite end, and the second chair is removed. There is now nothing, to all appearance, above or below the plank and its burden, which remain poised in midair.” This ie merely a sample. Another man is seen "with a transparent halo round his body.” " Optical illusions!” the incredulous will say, which is precisely what the sceptics exclaim with regard to the “ manifestations ” evoked by the disciples of Madame Blavatuky, a lady whose name, by the way, Mr Maskelyne has used with rude familiarity by transforming it into " Beervatsky.”