DEAD WITH THIRST.

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 77, 4 March 1882, Page 393

DEAD WITH THIRST.

[All Australia has been ringing with the account of the heroic death of Mrs Watson. In the history of this continent there is no more pathetic record. The wonderful escape from the savages who strove to outrage and murder her and her babe, the drifting from island to island in an old copra tank, the devotion of the Chinaman, Ah Sam, who at last " went away to die," crawling into the boat that his ashes might not offend his mistress, the mother's solicitude for her child, the fortitude exhibited in every line of the diary — no grumbling, no whimpering, cheerful almost in the records — "Baby very much better ; baby more cheerful," with the last sad line — " Dead with thirst !" If the tears do not well up from every man's heart as he reads this, if the first fruits of his soul, brain, and pen, are not poured forth in honour of this noble woman, for whose sake one would fain believe in a heaven where she would have the highest reward — he is a callous brute indeed. There is a culminating horror in the suspicion that the mother died before the infant. —Sfar, Feb. 9.] The suraraer sun beat down with fiery glow, The salt waves laved the barren, rockbouud shore ; The sea-birds wheeled aud fluttered to and fro, Moist breeze 3 from afar their perfumes bore. Across the sea she strained her aching eyes, To where, beyond the waves, in other lands, She saw the feathery palm and coco rise, And streams that rolled upon the shining sands : Aud on the far-off wooded slopes, the spray Of waterfalls, and qaiv'ring purple lights And shadows, aud the silv'ry streams that stray Through winding valleys from the snow-clad heights : Aud on the sunlit meadows down below, Blue curling smoke ascending to the skies From villages, where lurked a savage foe— A demon in that earthly Paradise. Aud over all the lovely canopy Of summer clouds that drifted in the wind, And azure depths of calm, ethereal ski', With sheen of glowing gold, and silver-lined. Bright contrast to this isle so desolate ! Whose arid sands and famine mock the eye, And trees that droop their heads, compassionate, O'er these lone creatures, fleeing here to die. Far out upon the distant horizon A white- winged ship loomed like a welcome guest, But passed away, and, sailing on and on, Sank slowly downward in the ro3y we st. The sun went down upon the silent sea, The moonbeams glittered on the moving main : Uprose the sun, and woke the melody Of plumaged songsters in a joyous strain. She saw a little rain-cloud in the west,' That promised moisture from the kindly skies : Aud smiled upon the infant at her breast With sad, wan face aud slowly glazing eyes. The rain-cloud passed away — the hove had fled — A tear fell on the infant's dying face : The scorching sun that beat upon her head, Drank up the falling, tear and left no trace. And he, a Chinaman, of alien race, " Whom Christians in their pride despise and hate, Dragged his weak, fainting limbs a little space, To meet, with calm, heroic soul, his fate. Lest she might see the agony of death To vex lier soul, be died and made no moan, While she sat watching the fast-failing breath Of one whose life was dearer than her own. She died without a mourner or a grave, A dearer thing than life she might defend : She sacrificed the life she could not save, But kept her soul unsullied to the end. Brave one ! such noble fortitude as thine Beyond all eulogy, above all price, Surrounds true Womankind with rays divine, And shows the nobleness of sacrifice ! AUTOMATHES.

. The Auckland Horticultural Society will hold their autumn exhibition of flowers, fruits, and vegetables in the Choral Hall, Synionds-street, on Thursday and Friday, March 9th and 10th. Entries will be received by Mr T. IT. Cheeseman, hon. secretary, at the Museum, up to 5 o'clock next Monday afternoon.

We shall be glad to receive applications from ladies willing to contribute social and fashion notes from Eemuera, Onehunga, and other districts. The strictest confidence will be observed, and the names of our contributors in no case divulged.

The engagement is announced of Miss Nellie Lewis, of Ponsonby, to Mr Joseph Tole, M.H.E.

The engagement is announced of Miss Ethel Reynolds to Mr Edward Keals, architect.

G-oldcn hair is no longer the great desideratum for elegant women. The decree has gone forth for dyeing dresses mahogany colour.

Mr and Mrs J. B. Eassell and family, and Mr Tom Brassey, &c, &c., went for a moonlight water excursion on Sunday night last.

Close fitting jackets both long and short -will be worn for walking in the mid season between summer- and -winter, which is now fast approaching.

Evening dresses are made very prettily of nun's veiling, and also of China silk. These materials, hi combination with lace, are more elegant and suitable for ball attire than richer ones.

Riding habits are partaking of the reigning emancipation . of ideas, and their sombre and severe simplicity may be enlivened with a dash of colour without exposing the fair equestrienne to a too severe criticism. A thick, soft material in pale grey, relieved by a delicate zagzag pattern in blue diffused over the surface may form the skirt of the habit.

Very broad strings will be worn with the new bonnets, and in most cases they will be tied under the chin in a large bow — a protection from the cold which, for years past, has been denied to all but ladies of advanced years, and has been the fruitful source of that prevailing neuralgia which poisons the happiness of so many womens' lives. Strings tied at- the side are much less efficacious.

Competition is the soul of trade ! The advent of the new threepenny steamer Tongariro has stirred up the North Shore Ferry Company considerably. Four or five more trips are advertised during the day. But the time cannot be far distant when threepenny fares will prevail everywhere, both on steamers and in 'busses. Conceive the payment of one shilling for a journey from Graf ton-road to town and back, or from Ponsonby to town and back ! It is preposterous.

If St. Thomas' were only intended for a school■room why was ifc christened. Saint Thomas, and how was it Mr Hitchcock officiated there for so many months. St. Matthew's was once used as a schoolroom, and indeed a schoolroom has been the beginning of most of our churches. It does seem rather rough on the St. Thomas' people to close the building in this summary fashion, without saying, "By yoxir leave first." Nor do Aye think His Lordship Bishop Cowie "will give his sanction to such an act of, to say the least, discourtesy.

A successful compromise in the way of hats, a kind of half-way station between summer and winter, is reached in the feather toques. They are composed exclusively of variegated plumes ; the breasts and wings of pheasants, peacocks, blue, and other birds, and so can be easily adapted to the dress of the wearer. In shape, too, they are compact and small, and are more universally becoming than the audacious rembrandt, or the pastoral sorcere.

The great aim of the fashonable lady of the present day is to have pretty limbs ; not only arms, but legs, and the great craze is for beautiful stockings ! The finest silk stockings have filing lace let in up the instep and leg. For day wear dark blue, green, and black stockings, with broken checks of red are very fashionable. As to chaussurcs, the shoe with buckles of silver, gold, or paste, is the only admissible one for grandes' toilettes.

Those who know best think that we are on the verge of a great change in printed literature. Lithography will soon be substituted for metal type printing. Then will our books be as various in colour as the world about us. The use of black ink on white paper is detrimental to the eyesight. No harm could come to the eyes when they rest on green, blue, brown, or the neutral tints of water, and very shortly the aid of colour will be invoked for all our printed literature ; then will our libraries bloom and blossom like the rose.

A very charming dress of bronze-coloured surah was recently worn by a lady at an archery meeting. The corsage opened at the side over a vest of dark green velvet, fastened by a row of pearl buttons. The cuffs of the sleeves were also closed wirh pearls. A large drooping straw hat, with a hue green feather falling on the shoulder, completed the toilette. Another dress was mauve surah. Innumerable pleated flounces ascended to the waist in front, and the tunic of a glace silk in fine violet and white stringers, was drawn back, and fastened behind with large bows of satin ribbon. The " sorciere " hat of white manilla straw was trimmed with a wreath of pansies.

The Princess Louise, of Lome, returns to Ottawa only to superintend the packing up of certain art treasures of great value prior to her taking a permanent farewell of Canada. It is Avhispered that since her departure the Marquis has not been so good a toy as he used to be. It is no great secret that at a certain dinner party his Lordship did more than justice to the champagne. There will certainly be no State Ball at Rideau Hall this winter. The Princess was not fortunate in her experience of the last. It afforded her an opportunity of seeing Canadian society at its worst, as upon that occasion several women, who pass for ladies among their own set, got so intoxicated that two of • them actually fell to the ground in a helpless condition. No wonder that the Princess shrinks from contact with Canadian society such, as this.

STBEEI. DRESSES,

Miss Woohiough : Underskirt of pale blue, with polonaise of white flannel ; white straw hat.

Miss Chambers : Dress of fawn-coloured biege, trimmed with maroon ; poke hat of maroon.

Miss Emily Taylor : Dress of pale buff, with black bows down the front ; black lace hat.

Miss K. Edgar : Black silk dress, cardinal scraper ; cream lace hat.

Miss Edgar : Black silk dress, trimmings of black satin and fringe ; cream lace hat.

Mrs Harry G-ilfillan : Blue cambric dress, made with yoke bodice and over skirt j cream lace hat.

Mrs L. S. Grregson : Dress of black silk, velvet body, and trimmings of lace ; black velvet hat.

Mrs Dargaville : Dress of olive : green surah silk, with cuffs, collar, and scraper of pink surah silk ; black lace bonnet with pink roses.

Miss Newby : Pretty dress of green pompadour, trimmed with cream lace ; straw hat, with cream lace and feathers.

Miss Binney : Dress of pale blue marsala, with deep polonaise, trimmed with broad black lace j black lace hat, with spray of coloured leaves.

Miss Sara Niccol : White cambric dress, -with flounced skirt, trimmed with white lace ; blue ombre satin belt ; rush hat trimmed with blue.

Miss Alice O'Neill : Dress of biscuit cloth, trimmed with figured ombre of a darker ■ shade ; black lace hat with pink roses.

Miss Marks : Fawn-coloured cashmere dress, with deep cuffs and basque slashed down the front, with satin of a darker shade ; cream Marie Stuart bonnet with, pale pink roses.

Mrs James Philson : Dress of white and peacock green pompadour, with, narrow peacock green flounces ; white straw poke hat, trimmed with, white.