What Everybody Says.

Thames Star, Volume VI, Issue 1837, 21 November 1874, Page 2

What Everybody Says.

" In multitude of counsellors there is safety." —Old Proverb.

It is satisfactory to learn that the libel case which exercised cverybo !y's mind for snch a long time is settled—that it now belongs (o the " wretched past." That this is thus is an incontrovertible fact, because the parties to the suit on the one side have snd, and the /party interested on (he other si-lo has not contradicted what his late opponents said, namely, "that the paruVs in the litigation have met in the most frank and friendly way, and that there lias been the most cordial and complete reconciliation."- It may be said that nobody has a right'to try and rake up the embers of discord now that they have been once quenched, neither will thpy care to do so, but there arc some people who naturally (eel a Kttle disappointed at the wry tamo conclusion of an affair which promised atone time to be famous. Everybody on the Thames thought the result for one side was clearthat nothing but conviction could follow on prosecution. Theverdictof the twelve good good men and trueof Aucklandw,!yfcfchefirst event to upset this anticipation-^ which the wish was fniher to the thought. Another disappointment was experienced by everybody ; that arose from the defence—or the absence of the defence. The bounce indulged in at one time—the promise of a defence which was going ,to ring through New Zealand—had prepared everybody for something unprecedented in the history of the colony in the way of defences, and more especially in regard to defences against actions for libel. But the b«unce and the defence ended in smoke. The parties have smoked the calumet of peace ; the lion has lain down with the lamb; and this desirable state'of things has only been brought about at a cost of some hundreds of pounds spent in law. Cuißono?

As everybody does not read long articles in the papers—whether ponderous leaders or select cuttings—perhaps some of the units will pardon the reference to an article which recently appeared on " Etiquette," especially as the point to be indicated affects everybody more or less. _ There be, those of the male sex who imagine that a casual introduction i to a lady warrants them in, renewing j acquaintance from that time for* h for evermore ; and there be ladies who appear so ignorant of etiquette that they wait for recognition from a gentleman who may have been introduced to'them before they condescend to bow. Now the writer on " 3?tiquelte" to whom and to which reference has been 1 made lays down the law as follows.': — "Etiquette commands you to wait till fc, woman bends in recognition before raismg your hat. She has the election. For it is to the interest of society that every gentlewoman be well armed; and this every gentlewoman knows. This rule is strengthened by its apparent exception. When Pylades meetsyouwifch aladyonhis arm you raise your hat to him in honor of her, but pass on and speak not; Here etiquette is shown up by the light of reason." The ladies will say, " Who didn't know that? " And some will say " Many of you didn't know it, or you wouldn't have cut Soandso the other day after the bazaar." So what everybody says is, be careful not to appear rude to anyone whose acquaintance you may wish to cultivate by cutting them; and on the other hand don't encourage those presuming cubs who imagine that they can claim acquaintance with every lady with whom they have been brought into temporary contact at a bazaar, or some other social gathering from which etiquette and cdnyentionalities are relegated for the time being. That rapacious Waiotahi Board are attracting an unenviable kind of notoriety. Their success in one direction has raised the ire of other boards, and there'll be the devil t« pay before long, and no pitch hot. There is one thing the Waiotahi Board do not lack—cheek. They ask —sometimes without any hope of getting what they ask; and sometimes they areagreeably disappointed to find that they get half of what they have asked. The secret of their success —apart from backstair influence—appears to be the possession of sufficient notes t» ask in a proper manner. Gheek, however, is the prominent characteristic of the Board. Individually and collectively they don't lack confidence; they have enough for themselves, and some to spare to the Borough Council and the other local boards.

It appears to be an accepted fact that the Provincial magnates Late abandoned their idea of an immigration crusade to Britain. The pressure of public opinion, to say nothing of the pressure of an empty treasury, has been too much for the would-be immigration apostles. , They have sacrificed their convictions on the altar of expediency, and instead of undertaking a hurried visit to the old country, they have consented to remain and devote their energies to safely steering the Provincial bark into a haven of safety-or the maelstrom of abolition. ■Whichever it maybe, this much Will be conceded, thaf; the Super, has given in, although nearly everybody in the Province will sajitiiat if he were not Superintendent Mr Williamson would make a splendid immigration agent—or rather he would hav6 done some years ago. Everybody is speculating on the promised visit of the peoples' championMr George Stalnes. What he is going to talk about when he comes is a mystery. Everybody thought Staines possessed some cuteness ; but if hie should come to the Thames to try the effect of his oratory he will forfeit the ' small reputation he has earned for discretion. Monster meetings in Auckland are easily got together. Hot so here. The stump men have nearly allleft us. Theyexhausted themselves at Butt's Corner years 1' aigo, and the few agitators who are still left arc too jealous of their position to allow tray

stranger to*step in and rob them of their preserves. If the champion comes—people will be inclined to say what Dickens put into the nieuth of one of his characters, "What a pity it would be to put him under the pump ! " Not that anybody intends to threw cold water on the champion's well meant services by insinuating that ho has been hoaxed by the " influential residents of the Thames:" by no means. But everybody's advice to Mr Staines may be briefly given in the words of Punch to persous about to marry — "Dont." ■..:." >