ANGLO-COLONIAL JOTTINGS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9391, 2 April 1892, Page 5 (Supplement)

ANGLO-COLONIAL JOTTINGS.

Mr Mortimer Menpes is abeut to publish a large '' dry-point" portrait of the late Cardinal Manning. This portrait will be of special interest, not only because it is, so far as is known, the last portrait executed before the Cardinal's death, but also from the fact that its illustrious subject was induced by the artist to affix his signature to the plate. For this purpose Mr Menpes provided the venerable prelate with a diamond "point," with which he laboriously scratched his autograph at the place indicated, though not without some good-humoured raillery on the subject of the artist's extreme anxiety to have the signature placed at one particular spot. No sooner had the words "Henry Edward, Card. Archbishop,' been carefully completed than the Cardinal looked up with a rueful face and remarked that in the prints the autograph must necessarily appear reversed. He was pacilied, however, by the adroit reminder that it would have been too much to ask him to write his name backwards. Mr Menpes, who speaks in the warmest terms of the extreme kindness and patience displayed by his venerable sitter, is printing 200 proofs of

the picture, which will be sold at lOgs. The portrait, which gave great satisfaction to its subject, will also be procurable later on in less luxurious form.

Monsieur Pasteur, and all the other competitors for the New South Wales rabbit exterminator prize, will now have to sink into the background. Dynamite is the one and only pesb remover—at least according to Mr Cavarqua. This gentleman, who was arrested the other day at AVest Bromwich for having bombs in his possession, stated at his trial—with a coolness and solemnity worthy of the judge himsolf—that the bombs were intended for blowing up rabbit warrens in New Zealand. It was not disclosed

as to whether he was commissioned by the Government for this thing. However, it is an ill wind that blows no one any good, and if it had not been for the rabbit pest where would Mr Cavarqua's defence, have been ?

Mr H. B. Marriott Watson is preparinganew book, which is expected to bo out in May. It will consist or a collection of articles which have been published from time to time in the Na-

tional Observer, to which will be added a few others which have never yet seen the light. Messrs Methven and Co. will be the probable publishers.