A TUNISIAN SCANDAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6261, 10 December 1881, Page 7

A TUNISIAN SCANDAL.

Tunis has recently been enlivened by a scandal which, for a wonder, is not French in its origin. A Maltese judge there seems to atone for his ignorance of Mohammedan law by a profound and practical acquaintance with the language of flowers. An Italian baron is said to have been indiscreet enough to present the Judge's lady with a bouquet containing an undue preponderance ot pansies, which, according to the mysterious tenets of floral jurisprudence as interpreted by the Maltese Judge, appears to convey some hidden and insidious meaning. The Judge accordingly felt compelled to grossly insult the baron, and having done so ordered him out of a railway-carriaue. The baron immediately sent two Italian naval officers to demand satisfaction. A very undignified scene ensued. The Judge threw away their cards, and they threw their hats at the Judge. Although the Judge declined to give any explanation to the unfortunate presenter of pansies or to meet him in single combat, he complained officially of the two officers who brought the cartel, and they were formally punished for delivering a challenge. The affair is still sub judicc, but meanwhile public opinion at Tunis has pronounced its verdict very strongly and very unanimously as to the merits of the case.