THINGS IN GENERAL.

Thames Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 6783, 17 January 1891, Page 4

THINGS IN GENERAL.

Dogs have so long been the companions of man that many thoughtful people'believe they understand much more of his language than" is ueuilly imagined. I think there is some reason in this—Day, I have watched them closely, and have no doubt upon the question. What lam about to relate is curious, .it may be a coincidence, but I have noticed that very few dogs pass the Borough Oouncil Chambers without lowering their caudal appendageß. Possibly they have heard of the f »te in store for them, which may account for tbe wos* begone look in many canine faces we see in the streets lately. TJpon visiting the yards of the Borough Council yesterday I observed that provision has been made for the confinement of dogs found wandering without collars. I believe that the question of the easiest method of destroying those which are not released within a given time ii being considered, and that the plan of immersing the canine culprits in a well constructed for the purpose will probably be adopted.

A correspondent asks for " a few hints on church etiquette," in response to whioh we give the following :— Fall or slide into the end of the pew nearest the aisle. Stay therei

Do not sit erect, but lop. Best ope elbow on the arm of the pew, and support tbe side of the face with the outspread hand. If the oheek can be pushed up in folds and wrinkles, so as to wholly or partially dose one eye, all intelligent expression will be destroyed' and the attitude of utter and disrespectful laziness will be heightened by tbe obarm of acquired imbecility or natural stupidity.

Do not rise during tbe singing of tbe hymns. The fact that you play tennis or other games all Saturday afternoon, or walked four or five miles around a billiard table on Saturday sight, entitles you to a little rest on Sunday morning. This is a day of rest, and you are no Sabbath-breaker.

Take advantage of the long prayer, when other people should have their eyes dosed and their heada bowed, to adjust yourself into » position of limp and lounging listlessnese that you can endure comfortably through the sermon.

Extend yonr legs as far under the pew in front of you as you can make them reach without sliding off your seat.

Gracefully and politely cover your mouth with your hand while yawning during the sermon. If the minister is looking. at you, cover the mouth with both handr, and at the close of the yawn briDg the jaws together with a cheerful snap. It is a mark of the highest culture and best breeding in refined sooiety to look at your watch frequently during the service. After looking at your watch always turn your head and gaze longingly and earnestly toward the door.

" Sear me J" an old gentleman of this town exclaimed to his sod, " how in the world did you ever manage to gat so deeply into debt?" "To tell the truth, father," was the reply, « I don't exactly know j I think it must have been native financial genius—like Sir Harry Atkinson's."

A wretchedly homely baud can be made attractive by finger nails that show s little attention. The finger nail should be _ filed into shape—never cut, as tbe knife or scissors make the aail brittle. Then «oi& tha nails in wtirm water fo? a few minutes. GHvfc them a good scrubbing with soap and stiff hand brush. Then with a little powder and a pollisher a gloss can be given them. This attention daily will keep the nails in perfe&fc condition, and whisper at all times of an innate refinement.

." If everybody followed my example/ ®nsnouneed an enthusiastic temperance advocate recently in Auckland, " every saloon in the cifcy would close before the end of the month." "How's that i" asked a rubiound-faosd auditor, who had not before spoken. " They would close from lack of patronage, sir. I neves drink!"

" I see. lean go you one better, though. If everybody t'ollowed nay example, every saloon in the city would close before nest Saturday night." '• How's that P" asked the temperance advocate eagerly. " Thejr would run oat of stock." # # *

Interesting traditions aro current among the various nations of the earth concerning the dark spots on Luna's silver shield and the shades into which imagination hao converted them. In the whole of Eastern Asia the geople see in those spots a rabbit or a hare; the Chinese, especially, see a hare pounding rice in a mortar. The Siamese also perceive in part of the moon a hare, in another part a woman tilling the ground. The North American Indians, too, strangely enough, see a gnaw* ing auimal. On the ancient monuments in Central America the moon appears as a jar or shell whence a rabbit-shaped anifflsi is springing. In South America, on the contrary, a human figure is seen. Tradition, from the days of . the Incas, relates that a young girl fell in lore with the moon, sprang into it, and was held captive there. The Samoan Islanders perceive a woman with her'child. Many other southern nations see a human figure, usually an old woman who spins or carries burdens. The Esquimaux have a thoroughly national tradition. One day Aninga, (be moon, pur.ued i his sister, the sun, bub when h* had caught her tbeeua turned and smeared hi* face with soot, traces of which still remain. One of the tribes of BTorttiT?**to?a Jndia, who regard the monthly disappearance of the moon as burning, have connected the spot* wiiii this idea, and beliero them to be the remajins of asheiv Ihe SoandinaTJans had a legend of their own. According to Ejod* the moon once osrried off two children,'at they from the water bearing » jar j they can still be seen with it. Some of the bsiiefs about the waning moon are also very singular. The Dakota Indians, for instance, believe thai ihe moon is gnawed by mic«. The Polynesians tbiak that the spirit} of the detcl are nourished by it. The Hottentots imagine that phe suffers .from headaches; when they grow too serere she covers her head with her hand, and hides it from oar eyes. The superstition of the Esquimaux is very charaoterijtief wben the moon has pursued her course three week* she grows weary and hungry, extremely hungry j so she retires and eats hearlily,_lik& an Esquimau who has an ample supply of food; so for a fortnight she gradually iooreaws in sice until she agaiu sails tound wd beautiful tijjwagh the b&&TCpf<