HERE AND THERE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17881, 24 June 1926, Page 8

HERE AND THERE.

AN EYE FOR EVEYTHING. How Accidents are Caused. The absent-mindedness of people who suddenly step in front of an approaching vehicle, the high-spirited and thoughtless irresponsibility of children who dash wildly into roads from houses, sid,e streets and from behind carts, are responsible for many street accidents. As far as adults are concerned, if responsibility were made penal for negligent walking, as is the case in respect of negligent driving, the correlative saving of human life that might be expected to accrue would supply the justification.—Mr W. Pic ton Phillips, Chief Constable of Carmarthenshire. Fashion and Disease. Some of our disappearing diseases may be due to a change in habits or even the changing fashions of the people. There can be little doubt that the habits and costumes of women at the present day have immeasurably increased the healthiness in that not unimportant section of humanity, the female sex. It has been pertinently said that the minds and the bodies of women arc better ventilated in our generation than they have ever been before, with surprising benefit alike .to the mental and physical health. With regard to the male portion of humanity, the remarkable improvement in habits of temperance both in eating and drinking has practically banished from our midst the important, group of diseases which went by the name of “gout" and “goutiness.” Another general improvement affecting all classes and both sexes which is extremely notable is the postponement of senility.— Dr E. Little. M.P. Cuckoo Lore. In olden days in England it was thought to he extremely unfortunate to hear the cuckoo before April 6, while to hear it first, on either the 21st or the 28th was’ particularly lucky. In Worcestershire it was said that the cuckoo was nGVer heard before Tenbury Fair (April 20) or after Pershore Fair Day (June 26). These dates certainly may be taken as fairly average for the cuckoo’s song. In Shropshire it was the custom to leave work as soon as the first cuckoo was heard, and to devote the rest of the day to merry-mak-ing. The custom was termed “ cuckooale.” A curious country rhyme runs: Cuckoo, cherry-tree. Good bird, tell me. llow many years have I to live? The cuckoo was believed to be a prophet in these matters. Mention of the cherry-tree recalls the old superstition that the cuckoo must regale himself with three good meals of cherries before he ceases to sing. Another rhyme:— The Citizens’ Trumpeter, the cuckoo, he Chants forth his ditty now with meiodie: Of curds and cream then let him have his choice, Lest he grow hoarse, and so do lose hia The lines refer to the custom of setting out curds for the cuckoo's delectation. A curious name for the cuckoo is “ The Welsh Ambassador.” It has been suggested that it alludes to the annual arrival of Welshmen seeking summer employment in the English counties. The Welshmen might be expected when the cuckoo’s note was heard. The cry of the cuckoo is the note of the male bird. That of the female is a " harsh, screaming chatter.” The Identity of Shakespeare. It is interesting to be reminded, in a new biography of the late Stewart Headlam, that the distinguished minister was fond of tracing the historical associations of any place in which he lived, especially it those associations involved Shakespeare, and he often referred to a tradition that Shakespeare read his plays to Queen Elizabeth in her palace at Sheen, remains of which can still be seen bv Richmond Green. Mr F. G. Bettany,' author of the biography. puts on record the circumstance that Headlam liked telling of a tree in the public gardens at St Margaret’s, and asserting, no doubt in joke, that there was a legend to the effect, that under this tree Shakespeare read his play to Bacon or vice versas. Always he would add to this tale the comment, though he was no Baconian, that the easiest way to settle the Question of the authorship of the plays would be for someone to read over their respective graves the text of the dramas commonly used by actor managers and others in modern revivals. The one who turned first in his grave, whether Shakespeare or Bacon, would plainlv be their aiithor. >: « Road Safety. All who are interested in motor-cats know what admirable service is rendered in various ways by the English Automobile Association, which is ever watchi ful of their interests. The latest development of that kind is the issue of a road safety appeal by Major Stenson Cooke, the secretary. It is on a safety first point, and contains the following passage: Frequently, without thought, cars or motor cycles are p-ulled up much too near the bend of a road, and sometimes a foot or two away from the path or kerb. They are thus invisible to other traffic, and are almost inviting a smash which a moment’s thought can avoid.” Here is an extremely valuable suggestion, and motorists in general have reason to be grateful foC its being made. It is typical of the care and thoughtfulness regularly brought into play by the association in behalf of the great army of motorists who use the roads nowadays.