The Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1885.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3412, 3 September 1885, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1885.

If there is a special weakness about the inhabitants of the Australasian colonies, we are afraid it is a capacity for being " gulled." Like the Athenians of old they are always running after some new thing, and the consequence is that quacks and charlatans of every degree flourish and wax fat. Religion and medicine are apparently tbe two departments m which the desire for novelty is most keen. Let the apostle of some new faith make his appearance, and if be be gifted with a certain amount of self-assertion the churches will immediately be balf-eraptied m order tbat tbe people may bear wbat be lias to say. Let a soi-disaitt professor of healing come on tbe scene, witb pretensions making tbe largest possible demands on tbe credulity of tbe public, and crowds of silly men and women witb real or imaginary illnesses will be found rushing to pour tbeir mouey at bis feet. All through tbe colonies tbis eort of disposition is rampant, but it is m Melbourne tbat pretenders of all kinds reap the greatest harvest. Tbe papers teem witb advertisements of persons wbo profess to tell fortunes from inspecting handwriting or a lock of bair. No religious absurdity is too ridiculous to secure hosts of believers. "Psychopa* thists," medical "clairvoyants," " faithhealers," and quack medical praotitioners of every kind do a roaring trade. Whether tbe clairvoyants will do so well m future is open to question. Tbe credulity of tbe human race, we know, is practically inexhaustible, but we imagine tbe clairvoyant business will receive at any rate a slight check after tbe disclosures on tbo subject which have lately been published by Thc Argus. A special reporter of tbe paper recently visited representatives of tbe clairvoyant gentry and put their pretensions to a searching test. His object was, as be expresses it, to ascertain whether be could see through tbe clairvoyants, or tbo clairvoyants could see througb bim. He paid tbe fees — 10s m one case and £1 m another — and certainly seems to have bad some fun for bis money. Tbe reporter armed himself at starting witb a lock of bair, obligingly placed at bis disposal by a lady, of good constitution, iv blooming health, who had not beon under modioal treatment since infancy. The clairvoyant would press thie to his forehead, go off iuto a " trance," and describe, according to his own showing, tbe condition of tbe internal organs of tbe owner of tbe bair. The results were certainly surprising. Tbe reporter first went to a professor m East Melbourne, wbo> seemed to bo doing a good trade as there were- three persons waiting to be diagnosed wben tbe journalist arrived. The professor witb a few " passes " was soon off into a trance, and then dreamily repeated a formula which seems to be pretty much tbe same for all female patientß for whom be iB consulted. Thero wbb some " mucus " round tbe , lungß. Tbo heart was not very strong, ,

nnd at times there were pains round it. There was "obstruction round the kidneys," a. pain m the back, and the patient suffered occasionally from " a throbbing m the head and a ringing m tbe left ear." When asked the lady's age, he said " about 39 or 40." As a matter of fact, her real age was 26, and she enjoyed splendid health. An allopathic doctor of eminence, to whom the reporter showed the diagnosis, very truly remarked tbat tbis description might fairly be given of nine women out of ten m average health without danger of making any noticeable mistake, and that ringing m the ears, pains m the back, and feeling of weakness round the heart, etc., were everyday symptoms. After two days the reporter again went to the same clairvoyant with the same lock of hair, but cut down to onehalf, and tied with a different piece of eilk. The professor recognised him again, and remarked that there seemed to be " much the same kind of influence" about this lock as about the other one. The journalist unblusbingly replied that tbis belonged to tbe sister of the other lady, and the clairvoyance of the professor did not enable him to detect the deceit. This time the aircells were free from mucus, but there was a hoarseness m thc lower part of the throat causing a " dryness and hoarseness m the voice." There were also, of course, the weakness of the heart, tbe pains m the head and back, etc. It may be mentioned tbat the lady had been singularly free from hoarseness for a long time, but it was winter wben the reporter made his tour, aud colds and hoarseness, it need hardly be said, are very common at that time of the year. The clairvoyant this time, however, managed to bit upon the correct age of the lady. After a short interval, the artful literary man sent the same precious tress to the same professor, this time by the hand of a trusty friend. On this occasion there was an alarming return of the " mucus round the air cells " causing " tightness m thc chest and an irritable cougb." The heart, however, had become quite sound, but there were the old pains m tbe back. The age of the lady was this time given as -5, and sbe was incorrectly stated to be married. Finally, tbe lock of hair was carried oif to a second clairvoyant, who guessed the lady was about 30 yeavs of age, and prudently asked if she were confined to her bed before commencing operations. Receiving an answer m the negative, he proceeded with the " diagnosis," which consisted of tbe usual generalities about pain m the back and so forth, but mixed up tbis time with some positive absurdities. For instance, the circulation was said to be " not good m thc cavity of the chest," as if it could be weak there and strong anywhere else. The professor further talked learnedly about " want of tone m the middle part of the stomach," which is also pure bosh. Witb tbe hardihood common to his profession, the reporter had himself examined. The result was quite as amusing as m the case of the lock of bair. He looked pale, like most city men, and so the clairvoyant with great sagacity said tbe blood was deficient m red corpuscles. In most points he was outrageously out, however. He attributed to tbe literary man all sorts of pains from which the latter had been singularly free, and administered " the most nnkindest cut of all" by informing him that he was suffering from " erosion m the large hepatic vein and outlets." The alarmed reporter rushed off to a leading medioal man of his acquaintance, and was relieved to find that this was a complaint known only to clairvoyants. Some of the other tests were even more convincing. After the usual tomfoolery with the lock of bair, a single girl, 23 years of age, suffering from pleuritic adhesion, the usual result of a severe attack of pleurisy, was pronounced to be about 34, married, nnd with all tbe organs strong and healthy except the digestive organs. A man about 46 years of age, seriously ill with diabetes, was pronounced to be fairly healthy, no allusion being made to his complaint, while his age was vaguely guessed at from 26 to 33. A girl of 16, of perfectly sound health, was stated to be between 23 and 30 years of age, with the left lung so seriously diseased that the clairvoyant was doubtful whether she would ever recover or not ! There is no need to comment on these revelations. The story of human credulity unfortunately extends back to a time whereof the memory of man runneth not to the contrary. In spite of the advance of education we suppose it will Btill exist, and impostures will continue to flourish. It will simply become necessary for them to change their forms. It will be generally admitted, however, that our contemporary has done good service by Bhowing up the modus operandi as it has done m this case, so that if the Melbourne people like to go on being beguiled m the aame fashion they may at any rate do ao with their eyes to some extent open.

C Battery.— Members of the C Battery of Artillery oro reminded thot a parado iii review order tako place this evening ol 7.30. To-morrow evening a parade m marching order takes plnco. Boabd of Education.— Tho usuul monthly meeting of tho South Canterbury Board o"f Education is to bo held at 11.15 n.m. to-day. Tna Cltjd Hotel. —To suit tho convenience of tho public, from to-day tho ls luncheons nt tho abovo Hotel will bo from 12 noon sharp to 2.30 p.m. — [Advt.] Glovb Contest.— This evening tho "return " glove contest between O'Donovan and Lea comes off at the hitter's saloon, Beswick street. Tho stakes are £10, and O'Donovan undertakes to knock his opponent out ill four rounds. Resident Magistrate's Couut, Timaiiu. —At this Court yesterday, His Worship the Mayor fined Henry Davis 10s for drunkenness. Honora Sullivan, o girl of 16, brought up on a ohargo of lunacy, wus on tlio recommendation of Dr Drow remanded to the Hospital for treatment. Waimate Borough Council.— Messrs J. Cameron, T. Dugdalo, aud Jas. Harrison wero yesterday duly nominated os candidates for vacancies caused by tho retirement of Messrs Cameron, Jones, and O'Connor. Thero being no otlier candidates proposed, tho first named threo gontlemcn wore declared elected by Mr Baxter, Roturning Ofilcor. A«m:sr. — A man named James Molloy, was arrested m Timaru yesterday by Constable Slicolian for stealing o pair of opera glosses from Mr M. Radovo, m April last, whon ho was m possession of Mistake Station, Mackenzie Couutry. Molloy will bo brought up at the Court this morning, and o remand of a weok will moat likoly be askod for by the Police.

Hospital Commissionebs. — The ordinary monthly meeting of the Timaru Hospital Commissioners takes place this morning. It will always stop a Bad Cold m the head if taken early. Rubini's Special Tincture of Camphor (MarsheU'e), ls, at all Chemists. — [Advt.] iNTEnnrnioif of Telegbam Communication-. — Up to a late hour last night, the wires on the East Coast of this Island had not been repaired beyond Cheviot, and only one wire, ria the Bealcy, was working. The Waiau river was still m full flood. This will again account for the few telegrams received from the North Island. A telegraph pole near the Hinds was blown down yesterday, but caused little or no interruption. Resident Maoistiiate's Court, Temuka. —J. Beswick, Esq., R.M., presided at this Court yesterday. C. Bishop was fined 5s and costs for allowing his horse to wander at large. The Bame defendant was also charged with allowing his oart to remain on a footpath at Winchester. The defendant pleading that it had been the practice for 17 years past to allow tr.ips to be on that particular footpath and that ho wns unaware of having broken the law, His Worship dismis-cd the case, cautioning defendant against repealing the offence. John Mnlcolnison wns charged by J. Mclnnes on three informations — lor shooting a fowl, for failing to give notice of having shot the same, and for using threatening language. Tliese cases arose out of plaintiff's fowls trespassing on defendant's land. The whole of the clmi-ges were dismissed. Civil case. — Temuka Linseed Company v. AI. O'Connor, claim £12 6s. unpaid calls. Mr Aspinall appeared for the Company. Judgment wus given for the plaintiffs by default. A Hasty Swallow.— Mr Ormond (says the Dunedin Star), whether with malicious intent or not, let the cat out of the bag m the matter of the recantation by Ministers of tlieir fiscal proposals. It may be renienibtred that so soon as tliese were made known there was a universal howl of condemnation from one end of the colony to the other. The Ministerialists m the House were naturally alarmed, and, it. was understood, put gentle pressure on the Oibinet to induce a modification of their policy. The whole story now comes out, and it appears that at a caucus of Government supporters a " Committee of Public Safety " was formed, who, m pursuance of their functions, intimated m decisive terms lo Ministers that tliey must " either swallow their policy or go out." They were given, says Mr Ormond, "till five o'clock to think of it ; but they did not wait till five o'clock. They swallowed the whole thing m half-an-hour !" Enthbtainment at Geraldine. — Tho children attending the public school received an unexpected treat on Tuesday evening last. Mr Wiggins, of Sumner College, who is visiting tlie district, most kindly gore them a free exhibition of his magic- lantern views. The notice was very sliort, but the attendance wns very good, the Inrge schoolroom being well packed. There could not have been less than 200 children and their parents present. The adults were charged o small sum for admission but Mr Wiggins would not receive it, therefore tho amount will go to swell the school prize fund. lhe views, though numerous, were very good, and most clearly 6liown, and were gonerally admired more particularly by the children. Mr Wiggins gave a very interesting description of the views. The entertainment was considerably enlivened by Mr T. Sherratt, ond Masters Wm. Stonehouse and Horace Boughen giving some musical selections which were applauded. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Wiggins for his kindness m amusing the children m the way he bnd. D.A'O.D. — The usual fortnightly meeting of the Ancient Order of Druids was held m the Foresters' Hall, Georgo street, last evening. The ordinary business having been disposed of nnd one candidate initiated, tlio report of the delegates (Bros. Keith and Glasson) to the meeting held m Christchurch with reference to the forming of a District Grand Lodge for the Middle Island was received. It stated that although some two or three lodges were not m favor of a Grand Lodge m the terms proposed the rest, m fact all those represented were. Estimates were gone into minutely, and it was formally proposed and carried unanimously amid loud applause tbat a District Grand Lodge be formed nnd a charter applied for immediately. D.P. Bro. Keith was elected Disirict Grand Vice-President, and two other Lodges m this (No. 30) disirict aro represented on the Managing Committee, viz., Bro. Wood, of Ashburton , and Bro. Mitchell, of Oamaru. Twenty-eight delegates from InvercargiU, Dunedin, Caversham, Port Chalmers, Oamarn, Tiniaru, Christchurch, Lyttelton, Eainpoi, and Amberley were present at the meeting. After the reading of the report an unanimous vote of thanks was accorded to Bros. Keith and Glisson for the able manner m which they had represented the Timaru Lodge, and was acknowledged by them. Four candidates were proposed for initiation at next Lodge night, ond tlie Lodge was theu closed m due form. ArmoAcniNG Eahthquakes. — The earthquake shocks which were felt last week over a wide area m Yorkshire remind us (says a recent London paper) tbat an authority ou thc subject of those phenomena, M Dclnunny, of Paris, is of opinion that next year will see the recurrence of upheavals of the earth's crust m an intensified form. M. Delnunny is a prophet of evil, but, unfortunately, all his prophecies havo hitherto come true. His speciality is earthquakes, and he predicts theiu only too surely. In 1877 he announced that that year would not conclude without violent disturbances of the earth, anil ns a matter of fnet the frightful catastrophes on the coasts of South America followed. In 1883 M. Delaunny again pointed to approaching earthquakes, and soon alter the volcanic eruptions m the Indian Archipelago occurred, by which thousands of human beings lost their lives, and hundreds of square miles of terra firma wero engulphed by the sea. Towards the cud of last year, M. Delaunay once more raised his warning voice, and the earthquakes m Spain proved how well founded were his warnings. Quite recently ho has prophesied very severe volcanic disturbances for 1886. Having acquired a well-merited notoriety m foretelling earthquakes, some weight ought to be attached to M. Delaunay's utterances. Ue affirms that next year these natural phenomena « ill be of o very intense character, and that tliey will phow themselves cither when tho earth is under thc direct, influence of o planet, of tho first rank, such ns Jupiter, or under that of a group of asteroids, or at a time when sun and moon are nearest lo our planet at tho snmo limo. Scotch Landed Pbopbetv m the London Maiit. — Recently, before a crowded gathering of sportsmen, estate agents, factors, and others, Messrs E. and H. Luuiley, auctioneers, of St. James's street, submitted to public competition ot tlio City Mart, Tokenliouso Yord, 11 vuluable Scotch freehold sporting ond residential estates, situated m six different northern counties, and estimated ns being over the value of half-a-milliou sterling. Tho firsl offered for sale was the baronial domain of Fyvie, m Aberdeenshire, comprising the magnificent ensile and 10,700 acres, wilh a rental of £8372 a yenr, exclusive of tlio shootings, fishing's, &c, bul after a somewhat protracted competition the highest bid made was £260,003, and on behnlf of the owner, £ir Muurico Duff Gordon, the auctioneer said lie should buy tho property mat £275,(;00. Dun Edit, m the same county, with 8800 acres nnd bringing m o net yearly incomo of £5026 15s 2d, was represented as one of tho best sporting estates m thot part of Scotland, containing voluable woods and plantations. Tho owner, Lord Crawford and Ualcurrcs, Imd spent moro tban £100,000 on tho improvement of Dun Echt House Tlio ouctioneer invited nn offer of £190,000 or £170,000 for the proporty, bui no response was made, and it was accordingly bought m for £210,000. The deer forest of Ben Damph, with its snlmon and sea-tvout fishing and gnmo shooting, stated to be tho best m the County of Ross, was bought m for £'19,000, the highost sum offered being £11,000. In recapitulating the attractions of the Inverness-shire sporting estato of Glenloy, which is not very for from Fort Augustus, Mr Lumley said it possessed neither tenants, paupers, nor crofters, but on tlio other bond il wos well stocked with all kinds of game, und would afford constant support to tho lover of tho rod ond llio gun. Tliere wero 4400 acres, yielding a rental of £1200 o year, and there was an excellent residonce ; thc highest offer made, £21,000, did uot reach the reserve.

price by £4000. Stirkirko. a property containing about 7320 acres, with a large mansion, and yielding from rent, shootings, fishings, etc., £2987 a vcar, did not command a higher offer tlinn £65,000, which was considerably below the reservo price, and it was accordingly not sold. No offers were made for the estates of Strathkyle, Ross-sliirc, comprising 2250 acres, mostly grouse shootings ; the deer forest of Mingorry. m Argylesliire, with its 22,470 acres nnd its valuable adjacent fisheries ; and the sporting estate and residence of Invcr-chaanon-in-the-Craigs, Rosß-Bhire. For Pittodrie, Aberdeenshire (3000 ocres, with residence and on annual rent roll of £2506), the maximum offer wa3 £64,000, but the auctioneer declined to sell the property nt that price. The deer forest of Ben Wyvis, m Argylesliire, which was down for sale, was disposed of by privato bargain. Robes op Office.— Even if it bo true {says the London correspondent of the. irtjtis) that Sir Hardinge Giffard was sworn m m the robes of his predecessor, it will not be for the first time that the Tories have borrowed n costume from the Wliige. In the case of a Lord Chancellor, whose attendance is necessitated by official duty, it seems necessary that be Bhould have robes of his own, but there ure some dignities which a man may reasonably fill without going to the expense of purchasing the necessary clothes ; tlioso of a Privy Councillor, for example, are very costly— so much so that if I remember Tight Mr Cobden refused to buy thorn, and they are often required but once m a lifetime. A judge, by the bye, once told me an anecdote respecting oflicial costumes which is worth recording. Having received his appointment, he communicated the fact to an elder brother of the Bench not remarkable for courtesy and indeed as morose as a bear with a sore head. He took no notice of what had been said for a full minute, and then observed m surly tones, " You will have to pay £150 for your robes, though." J'he Locust Plague m South RussrA. — The Odessa correspondent of the Daily Xeies writes .- — ,: The special deliberations of the assembly of Governors-General of six Russian provinces held m this city some time ngo for the discussion of tho most efficacious means of stamping out the locust plague, appear to have had no practical results. The plague has again made its appearance with unchecked rapacity m the province of Beasanibia, whither the Governor-General of Odessa has just gono m order if possible to organise some means of saving the peasantry from wholesale ruin. In one district of that province a fertile and blooming agricultural estate of 7500 acres has been within a few dnvs entirely swept, scarcely a vestige of its eerenls being left. An eye-witness, describing to mo the frantic bul ineffectual efforts of the peasantry nnd soldiery to drive off the locusts, says that at every step the winged plague rose m legions, swarming here and there iv immense clouds, and realighting wherever tlieir ravagCß were incomplete. This pest, increasing every succeeding year m its widespread devastations, threatens absolute ruin to whole Russian provinces."

A Lovely Chaplet. — A late fashion report says : " Nothing can be prettier thnn a chaplet of hop vines m blossom." A recent medical review says : " Nothing can be a better renovator of the heultli tlian American Hop Bitters. They aid m all the operations of nature ; toning up the stomach, assisting the food to become properly assimilated, and promoto healthy action m all thc organs. The dictates of fashion, as well as the law 6of health, alike favor a riglit application of hops."— [Head.]