The Art of Poisoning.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 16, 19 April 1884, Page 4

The Art of Poisoning.

As if the surroundings of life at the Gold Coast were not sufficiently deadly, the native priests have developed an elaborate system of poisoning. Sometimes they stop short of taking life ; all depends upon the wish of the person on whose behalf the deed is done. If he desires to kill his enemy outright, the priestly intermediary must be paid accordingly. But a much lower tariff is quoted for more limited vengeance. If, for instance, it is desired to produce blindness or troublesome skin complaints, the medicine man has powders of warranted efficacy, which he will administer at a moderate price. According to the " Gold Coast Times," which enters at length into the subject, the latest method of compassing death shows considerable ingenuity. Before paying the destined victim a visit, the priest inserts some deadly poison under his finger-nails. Thus provided, he obtains an interview, and induces the victim to have a drink with him. The poisoned nails are then surreptitiously inserted into the latter's tipple, and that finishes the business. It is said that such occurrences are becoming quite common, even Europeans and halfcastes being sometimes made the subjects of experiment. The poisoners manufacture their own drugs out of jungle herbs, and they are believed to know exactly what sorts and what quantities will produce th& desired effects. This, of course, renders detection all the more difficult, and at present the black Borgias are masters cf the situation.—"Globe."

A practical Yankee being told that in the days of the Millennium the lion and the lamb will lie down together, said "he expected the lamb would lay down inside the lion." Speaking of the house of a lady who does not intend to spoil her children by sparing the rod, somebody remarked how neat and clean ©very tiling was. "Yes," said Fogg, " everything is like whacks works." " Pomade, sir ?" politely said a barber to a cranky customer in his chair. " ' * No, " h& growled, " I don't want any oleomargine on my head." " All right, sir," replied the cranium manipulator, "I never put batter on cabbage."