CLIPPINGS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3356, 10 January 1879, Page 3

CLIPPINGS.

Kffon Sung Tao, the Chinese Ambassador to England and France, has written a book of travels, which has been suppressed by his Government a6 giving too glowing a picture of civilisation outside the Flowery Kingdom. Eather. a good story is told of General Grant, who was in Paris. The general attended a Ministerial reception, and on his arrival a portentous-looking major-domo, gorgeous in silver braid, announced in a stentorian voice, "Monsieur le General Grant, former President of the United States of America." The general was so taken aback at hearing himself thus pompously announced that, instead of mounting the stairs, he slipped into the smoking room on the ground floor, where he was subsequently round tranquilly enjoying his cigar and brandy and water. Meanwhile the Ministers and "big people" up- stairs were warmly shaking hands with a bearded gentleman who had entered immediately after the announcement of General Grant, and who bears a striking resemblance to the ex-President, but who, unfortunately, turned out to be the manager of the refreshment department— the foreman, in fact, of the firm of confectioners with whom the contract for the evening had been made. The worthy tradesman was astounded at his cordial reception and at the empressement with which the galaxy of dignitaries were welcoming him back to France.

A short time ago Mr Earl Walker, of Batley, wrote to Osman Pasha, the hero of Plevna, expressing admiration of his conduct, and furnishing him with a copy of a newspaper containing flattering remarks upon the general's conduct. In reply, he has received the following letter from" the Pasha. We preserve the spelling and composition : — " Very charmed by your lettre. I can but thank you for your good opinion from me. I have only done vaj duty, and every loyal Engliahman would accomplish the same. I am over and over recompensed by the affection of ))iy generous sovereign, to "which the Almighty may give a long live without sorrows. Excuse if your address is faulty, you did not write explicitly. Many thanks. Dirdis Rochp (Constantinople,) this 27th August, 1878. Yours (signed), Oswan. Mister Earl Walker, at Batley, Yorks., England." — The letter bears the impress of the general's signet, on which is a verae from the Koran.

The modern mass meeting for political purposes (says " JEglea ") is an invention of the Evil One. Whatever its results may indicate its behaviour is a bitter satire on our boasted civilisation and asserted modem enlightenment. I thought so, sadly, on Tuesday last. For an hour 1 sat on the Town Hall platform a few seats behind the speakers. During that period I could not hear amidst tho din of disturbance one coherent sentence. I saw the arms of orators wildly whirling like those of a windmill in a gale, and the contortions of back muscles, but never an idea could I compass. A thunderous monotone of mixed sounds surged through the vast hall and drowned all individual effort to overtop it. As this was continuous no one side can claim freedom from this frightful nightmare of the demon " Boohoo." The child's argument may be pleaded, " I do it because you do it ;" but that is a poor excuse. It in not even a palliation. From a post of special vantage whicli I occupied upon the show of hats — not hands — there were four who emphatically desired the Premier to stay with tie against each one who voted for his voluntary expatriation.