HERE AND THERE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17159, 1 October 1923, Page 6

HERE AND THERE.

AN EYE FOR EVERYTHING. SEW'.“'SPA ” FOR ESSEX Extensive plans are in preparation for the erection of a new hydro «t« Yange, in Essex. where medicinal springs were recently discovered. Many semi-miraculous cures are attributed to the Yange springs, vrhicli have attracted pilgrims from all over England. A Westcliff firm, of architects, it is stated, have been appointed to design the buildings. upon which a sum of £75.000 is to he spent. The scheme a 3 outlined in'"the preliminary stages, provides for a fully equpped hydro incorporating the best English and Continental features, with facilities for concerts, golf, tennis, and other recreations. THE REGULAR ATTENDEE A minister in a small Scottish town noted the regularity of one particular member of his flock in his attendance, at. the kirk. Meeting him one day, he thought it his duty to commend him for his good example, and express his appreciation. 44 lam delighted. he said, “to see one of my parishioners take such an interest in the kirk, and I wish to thank you personally for being so regular in your pew. I trust you are enjoying spiritual comfort from my ministrations.'’ “ It’s no’ that, man,” replied the supposed devotee. “ I’m the faithcr o’ a big faim’ly, an’ there’s aye sic a steer on the Sawbath mornin’s that I'm gled to get oot o' the hoose. When I get into ma pew I jist like to fauld ma airms, shut ma eyes, an’ think about—paething! ’* THE PRIN, gf ER’S DEVIL. A printer's devil was the name formerly given to the boy who took the printed sheets from the tympan of the press. They got themselves so dedaubed with black that the workmen jokingly called them devils. Printing used to be called the Black Art. and the boys who assisted the pressmen I were railed imps. According to a legend. Aldus Manutius, a printer of Venice. had a little Negro boy, who was left behind by a merchant vessel, to assist him in his business. It soon got about that Aldus had a black imp to I assist him. and to dispel the rumour he showed the boy to the assembled, crowd, and said, “ Be it known in Venice that I .Aldus Manutius. printer to the Holy Church and the doges, have this day made a public exposure of the printer’s devil.’ All who think •he is not flesh and blood may come and pinch him. ’ The people were satisfied and no longer molested the Negro V TAKE ’EM ALL! Sir Harry Johnson, the famous explorer, tells how a certain African monarch. having Liken a great fancy to a missionary in his dominions and wishing to do him a service, caused to be paraded in front of his bungalow cm© hundred dusky beauties. *'Theso are the loveliest flowers of my land. 14 proudly announced the monarch, 4 ‘pick : on© from among them for your wife.” The missionary already had a wife at home, and was naturally embarrassed,. hut not wishing to hurt the feelings or hi s host, much less offend him. replied' diplomatically» •* You honour me. but 1 I dare not choose one lost the other ninety-nine grow jealous” “ That’s easily settled,’* replied th© other, ‘‘take them alii” THE CHANNEL SWIM. *• 1 . was desperate, and meant -to hang it out if it meant a week in the water,” said Henry Sullivan, the American, who accomplished the feat of swimming the Channel in 27 J hours i ' The weather was getting bad.” he added. ** and l have never swum so hard in my life as during the last lialf-milc. The waves hit mo in th© back, and I was not certain I had won until my feet touched the sand*. Hundreds greeted me. and I am proud I have accomplished the job I set out to do.” The *' Petit Parisien ” says that after the swim Sullivan rested on a couch and had soup and a glass of wine. After this he was seized with an irresistible desire to sleep. CANON PLAY WRIGHT. Canon Hannay. who is better known ao George A. Birmingham, the author cf many amusing novels, is also responsible For the farce. “ Send for Dr O’Grady,” in which Sir Charles Hawtrey appeared at the Criterion Theatre. The following story is attributed to the Canon. A disconsolate-looking farmer stood on the steps of the town hail during a political meeting. *• J>» you know who’s talking 111 them new-” demanded a stranger, briskly, pausing for moment beside the farmer. ’Or are you just going in?” ••No.” sir: I’ve just tome out,” said the farmer, decidedly. • Smiffkins is talking in there.” *• What about.?’* ask«*d the stranger. ” Well,” continued the farmer, passing a hand across his forehead, - he didn’t say.” THE PEAKED CAP. The Duke of Connaught will always be remembered by the old Regular British Army for his introduction of the present peaked undress head-dress, which replaced the jaunty field-service cap. as that had the “ i>ork-pie ” and the Glengarry. His Royal Highness was the first- to wear it. and on the first occasion of doing so lunched with the officers <»f an infantry regiment at Aldershot, leaving the brand-uew cap in the anteroom. On coming out of the mess-nxmi he found an irreverent subaltern coolly trying it on himself. The Duke asked liim how he liked it. • Very comfortable, sir.” replied the unabashed subaltern, hut don’t you think, sir. it's rather a pity Liie Salvation Army got hold of the idea first?” ORIGIN OF FAMILIAR PHRASES./ The expresson. a pig in a poke.I*' 1 *' originated in Northampton Market J •when some wags put a rat in a bag or 1 poke, ami sold it at a pig to a- coDn J trynian. W hen the buyer opened the bag. out jumped the cat. This also* gave rise to the expression. letting the cat out of the bag.” ’ Kicking thr* bucket” is a phrase that owes lt«: conception to the days of the great*' gold rush to California and Australia, in Io4D-51. Many unfortunate seeker* after gold. losing their all in an availing effort to find the precious •‘dust.” committed suicide. The suicide tied a rope to a beam in his fuit. Then, standing on an upturned bucket, h© woukl adjust the other end of the rope round iiis neck When all wt* ready he simply kicked the bucket from under his feet. Worth a Jew'seye*’ probably came from the fact that King John extorted large sum* of money from Jews under threats ofmutilation. All tie teeth of one Jew in Bristol were extracted to satisfy the King’s rapacity. From a cornrp* ( tion of the Anglo-Saxon we get tha phrase *= miH as a hatter” v* has nothing to do with a baiter-*4* really. The word ‘ mad” in Anglo * Saxon in 2 ant furious, angry, or even venomous. and 4 ‘atter” meant an •adder or viper.” Thus the whole expression reallv means " aS;V(yigypai as-an adder.’*