Facts and Fancies.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 18 September 1912, Page 7

Facts and Fancies.

The First Air Baloons.

Air balloons were invented by a Jesuit in 1729; revived in France by M. Montgolfier, 1783, an ascent was made in Paris that year. In 1784 they were introduced into England, when a Mr. Lunardi ascended from Moorfields. Mr, Blanchard and Dr. Jeffries went in one from Dover to Calais in two hours, January 7th, 1785.

A Unique War Chest.

In Spandau Citadel—precisely speak, ing, in the dark red, looming,mediaeval crenellated "Julius Tower"—is guarded the famous "Reichkriegsschatz," or "Imperial War Treasure," which is the only hoard of its kind^in the world. The imagination of Europe has been somehow- captured by this £6,----000,000 treasure. A common delusion about the Imperial War Treasure is, that it embodies a brilliant idea of the new German Empire, and became possible only because of the French war indemnity. The truth is that the treasure originated in the reign of Friedi;ich Wilhelm I. of Prussia. Just because she was a poor country Prussia had by 1866 a ready War Treasure of 30,000,000 thalers, or about £4,500,000. By starting in 1871 the Imperial War Treasure the new Empire was only per" petuating what already existed, and it increased the amount only very slightly.

Fathers of Great Men.

The father of Samueil Pepya was a tailor. The father of James Mill was a, cobbler. The father of Jules Verne was a day labourer. Oliver Cromwell's father was a brewer. Epictetus was the son of a day labourer. Socrates was the son of a day labourer. Giotto, the artist, was a peasant's son. The father of Pius V. was a shepherd. The father of Schumann was a bookkeeper. The father of Pius IV. was a peasant. The father of Cowley was a grocer. The father of Charles Lamb was a servant. Mozart's father was a bookbinder. Milton was the son of a copyist. Pope's father was a merchant.

Legend of the North Pole.

There is a pretty Russian legend about the North PoTe which is current in the eastern parts of Russia. The peasants . say that in . the . days of Christ's Passion Russia was a warm otuntry anl orso vast garden. The Aposttle St. John, after his Master's death, went to Russia to preach the Gospel "Love thy neighbour as thy self." But the people would have nothing to do with him, and drove him from their doors. As he cast the dust of each village from his weary feet, tha village and the adjacent country became an icy, arid steppe, and c%rentually the whole country was covered with ice and snow. When he got to the coast, he entered ; a boat and sailed northwards and pursuit was impossible, for behind his vessel the sea froze into solid ice. In due time he arrived at the North Pole, situated on a lovely island basking in an atmosphere always soft and equable and where the surroundings are all that human heart can wish. In this enchanted spot the beloved disciple still lives and moves and has his being—according to the legend.

A Stranger to Avarice.

Artists are often very shrewd men of business j it is not every painter who is swindled by the picture dealers. But a charming story in Mr. Frederic Harrison's book, entitled "Autobiographic Memoirs," shows that Millet cared little what was paid for his pictures, because he did not work for money, but for the joy of creating beauty. Millet had a standing agreement with a firm of art dealers, who took all his work in exchange for regular payments, of £40 a month. Somebody pointed out to Millet that they could sell a single picture of his for as much as £2000. "That is their affair," he said, simply. ''As long as I have all I need, and can paint what I like, and as I like it, I do not mind what they get for my pictures."

Storms of Dragon Flies.

Among the extraordinary phenomena served on the plains of Patagonia are storms of large dragon-flies. They come before the south-west wind, which blows from the interior. Moving ahead of such a gale are the dragon-flies, apparently flying in dread. Most of them are blue in color, with here and there an individual so brilliantly scarlet as to be conspicuous among the others. They come without warning, the air to a height of ten or twelve feet above the ground being all at ones seen to be full of them ,rushing past with astounding velocity in a north-easterly direction. Men and horses in their path are quickly covered with clinging masses of them. They are rather larger than the dragon-flies that are known elsewhere, being three or four inches in length. ~

The Laziest People.

There is no doubt, that the Malays are among the laziest people in the world. Except in' rare cases they will not take the trouble to learn when they' are young, and afterwards, if 'they have ilearnt, they will not exert themselves to apply their knowledge to any object which requires a sustained effort. That'they possess effort is 'known to anyone - who has seen' Malays engaged in any enterprise which savours of sport. They do not mind the trouble if there is only some risk and excitement in the work.

A really good man is nearly always » little better than he thinks people think he is. ~