GLEANINGS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 879, 4 January 1889, Page 5

GLEANINGS.

Names in Cuba.—ln Cuba a woman never loses jier maiden name. When married her husband's name js added to her own, but she is always called by her Christian and maiden names. Children take the name of both parents, bat place the mother’s name after the father’s.

A Chinese orchestra recently played one of Haydn’s symphonies at the Shanghai College, nnder the direction of a native priest, and accomplished Jheir task mpat creditably.

A public slave market is in full aofcivifcy in Gabul every three months, dealers bringing their hijman wares by hundreds from Kafriptan. Girls fetch the highest prioe, and are jBoJd by measurement of the hand, the .cost being from about £1 18s to £2 17s per jiand.

Marriages between uncles and nieces seem pretty frequent among Continental Catholios. The Vatican annually grants some 400 dispensations for the union, bo that the marriage of the Duke of Aosta and Princess Letitia Bonaparte is no great innovation.

Not a Hasty Opinion.—Miss Elizabeth Stuart Phelps (who beoame Mrs Herbert D. Ward two or three weeks ago) was asked for her views on the question raised by Mrs Mona Caird, and over her signature the following judicious words recently appeared : ‘The present discussion of the question, “ Is marriage a failure 1 ” is offensive to good taste and harmful to a large class in every comniunityl 1 ’ People do not stop to think of the immioral bearings of this matter, and, for one, I do hot wish to take any part in the discussion of it.’

What our grandfathers would have called a ‘towering rage’ we designate a ‘nervestorm ; ’ and symptoms for which our grandmothers would have considered a sound

whipping a proper measure, some of their descendants treat by a mild course of bromide of potassium* The martinet of stern temperament and limited culture is sure our forefathers were right j the better instructed and milder-mannered Galen of to day inclines to the gentler discipline of his own times,

A candidate for the chair of Archaeology at University College is Mies J. E. Harrison. She is the most distinguished authority on the art of of Greek vases, and is disputing the place with some of the most eminent archaeological experts in England.

The young woman who resolutely stays with father and mother in the old home, while brothers and sisters go forth to happy homes of their own—who cheerfully lays on the altar of filial duty that costliest of human sacrifices, the joy of loving and being loved — she is a heroine.

An Artie Belle.—A red silk handkerohief was tied around her forehead and ribbons fluttered from the knot of hair which stood up on the crown of her head. Her boots were as red as her handkerchief, and quite as spotless. Her trousers were of the choicest and most shining sealskin, neatly ornamented with needle-work and beads. Her jacket was also of sealskin, met with trousers at the hips, where it was fringed with a broad band of eider-down. —William Bradford.

Striking an Average— ‘ Well, Bessie,’ said her mother, * have you been a good girl today ?’ ‘Nomamma.’ ‘ Why, Bessie, I hope you’ve not been a bad girl ? ’ ‘No, mamma, said the little thing ; ‘ not weddy bad, not weddy good—just a comferable little girl.’

Fleshy women (says a writer on health) should not forget hot foot-baths to draw the blood from the engorged vessels of the head, nor to spray the feet and legs with cool water to relieve the swelling whioh follows. Portly persons should wear very snug abdominal bandages of duck or firm crash, not only for support, but because pressure keeps the flesh down. Electricity is found a valuable aid in reducing obesity.