GLEANINGS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 896, 3 May 1889, Page 5

GLEANINGS.

Mrs Humphry Ward has attained the distinction of having disputes about the country of her origin. The Tasmanians claim her as one of them by birth, and her father, Mr Thomas Arnold, holds an educational appointment there. His wife was Governor Sorrel’s daughter. A brother of Mrs Ward inherits some of the gifts of teaching of his grandfather, Dr Arnold, of Rugby, and is a schoolmaster in New Zepland. Indian newspapers are certainly conducted on original principles. The Deoca Gazette recently announced that * We are so fatigued by the incessant labours during the whole of the last year, that the publication of the next issue has been postponed for a month.’ The whole Btaff then took a holiday. The essence of all fine breeding i 3 the gift of conciliation. A man who possesses every other title to PVjr respect except that of

courtesy is in danger of forfeiting them all. A rude manner renders its owner liable to affront. He is never without dignity who avoids wounding the dignity of others.— Lord Gratton. A REMARKABLE INSTRUMENT. It is said that no profit was made in New York on the Bale of the grand piano which has recently changed hands at the price of £6BOO. The lid of this remarkable instrument was painted by Mr Alma-Tadema and the panels by M. Meissonier. THE DREAM OF JUBAL. Dr A. C. Mackenzie’s Jubilee ode, * The Dream of Jubal,’ was performed for the first' time in Londonunder the composer’s direction by Novello’s choir at St. James’ Hall on Tuesday. The work was favourably received by a large audience, including many of the leading musicians now in town. SNEEZING EXTRAORDINARY. A case of strange illness is reported from Ojhely, in Hungary. A young girl has a fit of sneezing, which seems to be continuous. After sneezing for twenty-four hours almost without interruption the unfortunate girl was so exhausted that it was decided to take her to Budapesth, as the local doctors were unable to afford relief. Here is a nice puzzle for boys :—Take a ruler, or any other piece of wood, and ask whether,-if you laid it on the ground, any of the company could jump over it. Of course one or two will express their readiness to jump over so small an obstruction ; then lay the ruler on the ground, close against the wall, and tell them to try. They will find it difficult. Theatrical manager (breathlessly)—‘Are you busy ?' Dramatist— ‘ Not very.' ‘Well everybody is talking about a book called “Robert Elsm6re ” and I want a dramatisation of it right away. Can you do it?’ * Dramatise “ Robert Elsmere ?” ’ ‘ Yes, that’s it. Work in a few elopements and murders and that sort of thing, you know, and a prairie fire, and a cyclone—got the machinery allready—and putin a low comedy part for Jinks ; he’s the best stage Irishman in the country, you know, and last week I got two of the funniest trick mules you ever saw. Big bargain, too. Work them in somehow. Well, ta ta ! I’m in a hurry. See you later.’ LIFE’S MOTTO. Wouldst thou fashion ior thyself a seemly life ? Then fret not over what is past and gone; And spite of all thou mayst have lost behind, Yet act as if thy life were just begun ; What each day wills, the day itself will tell ; Do thy own ask, and be therewith content ; What others do, that shalt thou fairly judge; Be sure that thou no brother mortal hate, Then all besides leave to the Master Power. —Goethe.