Choice Extracts.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 227, 5 November 1887, Page 3

Choice Extracts.

Vfky Criaors. — The New Yoik coi respondent or the Jhiiti/ JVih-s bays : - A cuiious &toiy comes from Indianapolis respecting the effect of the weather. During the past tluee weeks a consignment of eggs has been stored in a warehouse. Having 1 occasion to open the ca=e the other day, the people in the warehouse were astonished to hear the faint sound of young chicken". One entire layer of the eggs was found to be hatching out. A few minutes after brought to light fifteen well-developed chick*, ■v\ Inch picked their way through the shell?. Another layer of eggs began to hatch out about noon, and it is thought that the entire consignment "will follow suit.

ANTirATHiL-!. — What strange antipathies people have ! Sydney Smith could scared} bear the sight of a dog ; one of our best known political writeis cannot sit in a room ■with a hatmless cat. M Woith, the Parisian dressmaker, has an intense dislike to periumes ot all kinds, and if any laces vith the faintest odour cUnging to them are sent to him for arrangement upon gowns, he lias them thoioughly airei before touching Them. His workmen are foi bidden to wear {lowers or use scent, and, although the perfumed ribbons have been very fashionable, he has abstained fiom using any as trimming, ft is said that the entrance of a scented customer causes him the trreate-t discomfort.

The Qcki n'sTrun Stopped bv: a Swatoi of Bkes. — The Wc^tiiordand Gazette states that a singular incident occurred early one morning lately as Her Majesty making the joi-rney from Balmoral to Windsor. The signalman at Hincaster Junction, about five miies south of Kendal, had hK lamps lit, and all appealed light until a lew minutes before the appio.th of the Royal train. As the train got near the junction the down distant signal, which was to guide the driver of the Royal train, was in darkness, and for the purpose of ensuring safety the tiain was brought io a standstill. On making an inspection oi the signal lamp it was found to contain a grand swarm of bees, the great number having had the effect of putting out the lamp, which the signalman was unable to light again. The bees had evidently been attracted by the light. Dewhurst (the signalman) rcgreti that time would not allow of the swarm being secured in a box and sent forward with tha Royal train.

Home Millifl:r\. — If reports be true, the Piinccscs of Wales is an eminently clever milliner, and gives finishing touches to all her ov,n bonnets and hat?, and judging from the individuaMty of her tasto in thi<. direction, it is quite likely rumour may be eafely credited. Now, if ladies of rank can make millinery an amusement or profe^-ion, how easily the art may become moi c genei al among women whose means arc nanow. Besides which, at present uniformity of design and style is carried to such excess that the majoiity of women look as if they were members of one family. Even now there is considerable similaiity in diess and mantels. Dress is improving ; greater variety of design is being introduced, and women are beginning to impress individuality upon their garments ; yet millineiy io almost at a standstill. VVomen who can ill-affovd heavy millinery accounts invariably buy unbecoming bonnets at a high price, instead of which they should, where pos-ible, learn the art as a pleasant economy. With regard to home-made millinery, all women are not gifted with the delicacy of touch necessary, -while tastein arrangement, harmony or contrast of colour are adjuncts inseparable from the art. But possessing an average share of the above talents, any woman may make a fair display of her pern ers with satisfactory effect. Let it be torn in mind that the writer does not wish in the lea^t to disparage professional milHners who should be liberally paid for their skill and labour ; still the saving of a few shillings in a bonnet is a boon to uomon of limited means. Influence or Pn vyer on tiii: Character. — It we pray for caithly blessing we mv.st pray for it solely ''If it be God's will, if ib be for our highest good !'' but for all the be?t things we may pray without misgiving, without reservation, certain that if we aslc, God will grant them, for what wo desire w e ask, and what wo ask we aim at, and what we aim at we shall attain. No man ever yet a^ked to be, as the days pass by, more more and more noble, sweet, and pure, and heavenly-minded ; no man ever yet prayed that the evil spirits of hatred, and pride, and passion and worldlmess might be cast out of his soul, without his petition being granted and granted to the letter. — F. W. Farrar. Women's Drk.ss and Pocket*. —If men would but endeavour to realise what life would bo to them with only one pocket, and that one mysteriously hidden away beneath inscrutable folds of drapery, they would make more allowance than they do for the occasional slight sharpness of repartee of which the pocketless sex is guilty. A man simply bristles with pockets. The facility with which he dives into one after the c^her of these receptacles is watched

with envious interest by the bereaved pex. Women usod to have pockets, and convenient ones, too. One of this kind was patronised by our grandmothers : it was tied firmly round the waist, and was large enough to hold the keys of the still-room, wine-cellar, store-room and sideboard, in addition to various odds and ends.

Playing at Visiting.- " Let's p ] ay a* being grown-up folks," said little Mabel. "All ii"ht, !" responded Mary and Susie. "What shall mo do fn-bt?" "We'll play afc calling on each other. But one of us wiil have to bo the little girl. I'll be Mrs Brown and, Mary, you'll be my little girl. Then, Susie you'll be Mrs Jones, and you'll call on me." After Mary had objected very strongly to being the little girl, and had been satisiied with a promise that the next timo she .should be the lady and Susie should bo tho little girl, Susie inquired : "But what shall wo do when I call?" " Why, we'll act just like grown-up ladies do," said Mabel. "When you come in Susie, we'll lie awfully glad to see each other, and we'll kis«, and then wo'll sit down. Then you'll look at -Mary, and say, ' Little pitchers have big ears.' And then I'll fay, * Mary dear, run down to the kitchen and see if there isn't, something you can do to help Jane.' "