BRIEF MENTION.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 334, 2 May 1885, Page 11

BRIEF MENTION.

The spirit of tbe press — cider. Straight whiskies make crooked roads. A real case of bray-in and muscle is seen in the mule. Motto for the cremationists— Death is real, and death is urnest. A lynchirg might be called an outburst of riot-ous indignation. Made of awl work— a pair of shoes. When not made by machinery. What's in a name? About the hottest country on the globe is Chili. Man is like a potato — never sure when he will get ".into hot water." The crack invisible to the naked eye. — The crack of a whip. Cannibals never eat a disputatious man, for fear he will not agree with them. "Know thyself" may be an excellent sort of proverb ; but some people wouldn't know much if they observed it implicitly. ,It destroys the thread of life if wild oats are sowed with it. " The silence of the wise is golden," but the utterance of a fool is brass. The plant of happiness cannot thrive •without the air of cheerfulness. One little trouble, like the only son, will soon rule the man who nurses it. It is a long road paved with hope, between what you expect and what you get. Be wise with speed ; A fool at foity is a fool indeed. What is the rate of interest when distance leads enchantment to the view ? Hardly one present. A capital crime — well, kissing is about as good as any of them, if we admit that kissing is a crime. Mrs Dudley, who shot O'Donovan Eossa, is said to be 25 years of age, but not to look more than 18. A Book criticism : " This book is printed on wretched paper. What a pity to waste paper in that way." A Connecticut youth of 22 has just married a widpftv of 73. He evidently wanted a wife who knew how to cook. Princess Louise has donated ten paintings, including a portrait of Queen Victoria, for the Parliament Buildings in Quebec. " Vesta" — We should like to explain why a woman who tells fortunes by means of cups should be called a sauceress. But we can't. One of Woodyear's Japanese balancers being asked to make a pun on the word Japanese, said you couldn't give a Jap-an-eas-ier thing to do. The Hinemoa has just conveyed a party of lunatics to >Westland, for the Seacliffe Asylum. This is not the first time the Government boat has been employed in carrying lunatics. "Is that Hancock's?" asked the man down the lane of his next door neighbour, who was drinking a cup of city water at the tap in his backyard. " No," was the reply ; *' this is Turncock's." Watson, charged with stealing a bag of carrots •*at the Police Court the other day, pleaded that there must be a mistake somewhere. "He was the popular clown at Woodyear's Circus, and never used carrots." Of course not. If it had been sausages now — Prendergast, the Pokeno wife -murderer, has been sent to the asylum ; and yet some people express surprise that the unhappy man should have escaped the death-penalty. What other course could have been adopted with Prendergast in the face of the evidence adduced at his trial ? A noisy party of blue-jackets, filled with rum arid patriotism, caused considerable amusement on Saturday night by singing as they wended their way wharfwards —

Old England was Old England When Russia was a pup — Old England will be Old England When Russia's busted up.

A very enjoyable dance was given at the "Wliareora Hall, on Tuesday, the 21st inst., by the many friends of Mr McDellock, who returns to Auckland to attend to his duties after a short stay in this district. Dancint «ommeiiced about 9 o'clock, and was kep up until nearly 5 a.m. next morning-. The music, supplied by Mr Grinlaw (piano) and Mr Dent (violin), -was all that could be desired by even the most fastidious. Mr Janies McKinnon kindly acted as M.0., and gave satisfaction to all concerned. Amongst the ladies present were several from the neighbouring districts. Where all were so charming, it would be invidious to single anyone out for special mention. The following were some of the most noticeable dresses worn : — Miss Macken, maroon sateen • Miss Dent, cream coloured dress, silverjewellery ; Miss Falls, black silk ; Miss J. McKinnon, white lustre, pale pink sash; Miss Smith, white and maroon ; Miss Lottie Dent, white muslin, pale blue trimmings ; Miss "Wood (Whangarei), white lustre, pale pink sosh; Miss M. Dent, blue pompadour; Miss Eoss (Parau), pale silk satin; Miss Munro (Kaino), white and cardinal; Miss "Williams, white muslin.