Death before Dishonour.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 6, Issue 46, 11 June 1895, Page 3

Death before Dishonour.

Mr Frederick Yiliiers, the special correspondent of Black and While during the recent war between the Chinese and Japanese, relates the following very painful incident, of which he was an eye-witness Walking with Mr Oreelam, of the New York Herald, early one morning by the old walls of Kinchu, we came across a very piteous sight. In a garden just below the southern wall, adjoining a house evidently belonging to people of considerable means, we saw the dead bodies of seven women and children lying on some mats by the side of a well in a corner of the garden. Around the well were four or five Chinamen, two of whom were dragging its depths with a long pole. A girl and a little boy had just come on to the scene, and were standing a few yards off, the girl sobbing bitterly. Presently we could see the men dragging had discovered another body, and soon it was brought to the surface and laid with the others. Once more the pole probed the depths, and another body, that of a young girl was brought to the surface. Again the depths were dragged, and another miserable was brought up and gently placed beside the others. As the sun broke through the lingering mists of the morning, light fell on the deathly features of the comer. The young girl with the little boy at her side suddenly threw up her arms and gave a loud shriek, and snatching up her little brother ran wildly into the house. These poor women, fearing rouge usage from the Japanese, had committed suicide, preferring death to his honour.”

After Many Years.

The European Mail has the following : —<< It w iU be remembered that a short time ago Louis Bertrand, the man who was convicted many years ago, before the late Sir Alfred Stephen, for the murder, in Sydney, was liberated from prison on condition that he left the colony. It seems that his exile was only to be limited to the life of the late Chief Justice, who, of course, had a great voice in the convict’s liberation. Bertrand came to London, and it is said, had come into completency through the death of some relatives since his incarceration, and it is also sain that he now proposes to return to Sydney. This is hardly likely, however, notwithstanding that he maintains his innocence of the charge for which he suffered 29 years imprisonment, and that a good many people still beleive in his innocence. He is now in Paris living comfortably under an assumed name, and among people who have no idea of his past.”

A Pair of Giant Children.

The quaint little town of St Nicholas in East Flanders boasts the possession of two children of such abnormal growth as to put completely in the shade all similar prodigies of the past or present. The elder of the two, Master Clement Smedt, is fifteen years old, and weighs no less than 4201bs (30). The circumference of his body is Oft 6in, he measures 36 inches round the leg, and 28 inches round the arm. His sister Bertha is eight years old, and turns the scale at 2241bs (16st). In spite of their enormous dimensions, their activity is remarkable, for they trip and skip about with all the agility of other children of a similar age. It is astonishing to see these infant mountains of humanity romping about in the country lanes with other children of the village. One would imagine them to be the offspring of some race of giants, so high do they tower over the heads of their little playmates. Their appearance is decidedly interesting, both having handsome and regular features, Bertha, like other girls of tender years, delights in nursing a doll, which seems ludicrously out of place and proportion in the arms of the young giantess. The couple are attracting the attention of the country around, and on fine days crowds of people flock into the little town in order to catch a glimpse of these colossal children.

Miscellaneous Items,

In regard to the reported refusal by the Premier of the honours of knighthood, the Auckland Herald (a strong Opposition paper) says:—“Whatever may be the opinion held of the policy with which Mr Beddon is identified, no one will deny him the credit of having laboured assiduously in public life ; and if such honours are the recognition of public services, it will be admitted that he has deserved the distinction more than many who have been the recipients of such royal favour.”

The wealthy chocolate Queen of France, Madame Menier, has left behind her a good example to the employers of young people. She liked to be spoken of as the friend of her employees at the factories, and spent most of her time in looking after their wants. Each young person, on reaching the age of first communion (which means in France that he or she has passed childhood), was presented with a neat and durable outfit and a savings bank boob, a nice little instalment having been made in the name of the recipent. Many a young man and maiden dates success in life from this kindly start.'

The Viscountess Sherbrooke has presented to the British Museum the two bound volumes of the Atlas newspaper, of Sydney, for 1844 and 1845, when that journal was under the editorship of the then Mr Robert Lowe. Lord Sherbrooke’s articles are indicated by initials R. L., in his own handwriting, while the other chief contributors are marked in a similar way.

Haulage rates on the Southern Cross, Coolgardie, road are on the rise, teamsters are now demanding £2O a ton.

The Bishop of Goulburn (Mr Chalmers) is opposed to the use of the unfermented juice of the grape at the Communion.

It is stated that Governor Hopetoun once asked what he could do for the family of a man who had been killed. Promptly came the reply—- “ Send a cheque for £50,” and as promptly a cheque for that amount was forwarded.