NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9488, 18 April 1894, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

A young man, Mr. Edward A. Wilkie, who arrived at Sydney a few days ago, is at present on a remarkable voyage round the world to win a wager. Mr. Wilkie is a young New York journalist and collegian who, being in bad health a few months ago, took up a challenge that lie would put a girdle round the earth without asking his friends for assistance. Starting from New York on August 14. ho walked and rode to Chicago, and after working as a professor of odd jobs, earned a sum which subsequently enabled him to buy a secondhand flat-bottomed boat and drift down the Mississippi from Burlington (Ohio) to St. Louis, whenoe he made his way to San Francisco. There he induced the steamship agents bo let him work his passage to Australia by theß. M.s. Alameda, and accordingly came along ii the engineroom of that vessel. His next move will be in the direction of England, and thence to New York, so that he will complete his circuit in English-speaking countries. So far, Mr. Wilkie finds himxolf all the better for his trip, for although some of his experiences have been vividly unpleasant, on the whole they have improved his health, and a loss of a handbag in somo remote part of the North American Continent is amply made up for by his increase in weight and strength. He is not bound to any kind of work, but assumes the accommodating position of a man who wishes to get food and lodgings, and has no choice of occupations.

The wager in this case ought to be a rather heavy one to compensate for such a journey to secure it. lb is perhaps unique in its way. It is really wonderful what peculiar and daring things have been undertaken for wagers. An amusing story of this kind is told of the famous painter, Charles Keene. He was once staying with a celebrated painter, whose country house was near Godaltning. Another painter was of the party, and all three were going up to London by an early train. They were discussing over the breakfast table the probability of getting room in the same carriage, when Charles Keene announced that he would promise them a compartment to themselves. No guard was to be bribed, no porter was to be tampered with, no consideration was to move from customer to company; the thing was to be done, and done silently. A bet was readily made for the feat. To those who knew Godalming traffic this seemed an impossibility. The three painters were early at the station, before the customary passengers arrived, and easily secured an apartment. Then Keenegavehisinstructions to his friends. The other artists painted his facß brown and yellow and red, and muffled him in coats, and gave him the corner seat near the window. When the other passengers arrived they avoided that carriage. They were business men, grave, solid, careful of their comfort, men who had sons-in-law with young families— they were not going to travel with a patient in virulent small-pox. That at least was certain, and on the way up a dreadful idea occurred to them ; suppose that very night they were to return in that very compartment without knowing it. The thing was too horrible. The guard was sent for, and instant action in the matter claimed. And so the train was searched for that feverstricken patient, and every door was opened and every passenger scanned, but Charles Keene had won his bet and washed his face."

In connection with the reported arrest of the London anarchist Polti, in whose possession a bomb was discovered, the question may be raised in some minds as to how these men have such a comprehensive knowledge of bomb manufacture and of the properties of the explosive compounds used. It is not, however, very wonderful," says a leading Berlin journal, " that the knowledge of the composition of dangerous explosives is so widespread. This dangerous knowledge has been sown broadcast by pernicious teachers, whose implacable animosity against society inspires them to extend the science of destruction. Of the books serving this purpose, Moat's work is one of the most complete. It is entitled, 'Scientific Revolutionary Warfare,' and is published in New York, where it was first printed in German, English translations having since been made. This noxious handbook—which should be forthwith suppressed, burnt wholesale, its mere possession deemed felony—sets forth explicitly the proper method of using and preparing nitroglycerine, dynamite, guncotfcon, mercury fulminates, and bombs of all descriptions, with further instructions in making carcano poisons."

Temperance people throughout the world will be pleased bo learn that the famous Canon Basil Wilberforce, who recently resigned his position as rector of St. Mary's, Southampton, has been offerer!, and has accepted, the vacant Canonry of Westminster. Canon Wilberforce has been for many years one of the mo3t powerful opponents of the liquor traffic, persisting in his work with all the energy and determination displayed by his uncle in the movement for the emancipation of the negro slave. With the brilliant -Archdeacon F.irrar—also a temperance reformer—and the enthusiaetio Wilberforoe, the historic Abbey of Westminster may bo expected to beoome a prominent centre of temperance work, and its walls will doubtless ring more than ever with denunciations of English drinking customs. The Canon is the youngest son of the great Bishop Wilberforce, and his mother died in the cloister? at Winchester shortly after his birth. He was also a contemporary with the Prince of Wales at Oxford. On one occasion during his connection with St. Mary's, Southampton, a wealthy brewer sent him a cheque for £500 towards defraying the cost for certain enlargements to his ohuroh. The cheque was promptly returned to the donor, and the Canon stated publicly that he would not knowingly accept any money from the liquor interest towards the work of God. The amount he refused was, however, more than subscribed in a few days by persons who approved of his action.

The Budgeb speech delivered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the House of Commons on Monday evening is nob one on which Sir William Vernon Harcourb can be congratulated. The deficit lasb year amounted to over £100,000, while thab estimated for the currenb year exceeds £2,000,000, much of which is accounted for by the largely increased expenditure upon bhe navy and naval defences. To meeb this deficit ib is proposed to increase bhe income tax, the death duties, and bhe duties on beer and spirits. Sir George Grey has been interviewed in London. He dwelt 4 ab length on bhe question of Anglo-Saxon federation, regarding which his views are well-known here. He predicted thab such a federation, with its Councils held alternately in London, Washington, Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland (nob Wellington, be it noted) would ultimately dominate the world. A gigantic strike of miners is threatened in the United States, affecting a

quarter of a million of men. The Pn»rf dent's forge* In Brazil have oaptured rebel cruiser, and the revolt is no* believed to be ab an end. The Cob * Palace, where a large numbs? of royalS bad assembled to take part in fcheappr olc h ing marriage ceremonies of the I) ue " f Hesse and the Princess Victoria Melit which is fixed to take place this week. i. *' fire, bub no details have come bo hand' The Powers forming the Triple Alliance hare agreed to disarm whenever the interests of their respective countries permitted 8 „ c a step. Tlufc may not amount to much but it is a welcome indication of the tread of public opinion in Europe.