Odds and Ends.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XX, Issue 1385, 10 September 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

Odds and Ends.

A recent trial in Paris has disclosed some of the secrets of the dressmaking ttade, Mdlle Lerask was " first hand " nt Messrs. Randinty's at a salary of 12,000 fr per annum. She was made to sign a document avowing that she had robbed her employers and that she was indebted to their generosity for not having prosecuted her. This document was held over her head to prevent her from joining any rival establishment. Finally she left her situation, and on Messr3. Raudinty hearing; that she was still in Paris, they prosecuted her. . Tbe jury returned a verdict of " not guilty," and condemned Messrs Baudinty to bear all the costs.

The members of tho Swedish royal family arc fond of amateur theatricals, and they recently attempted Hamlet— tho heir to the crown taking tho leading role, while his sis tor (the Princess Alexandra) appeared as Ophelia. But, in deference to her sensibilities, very serious liberties were taken with the play as Shakespeare left it. She only consented to play it on condition that Ophelia's life was spared, and that she and Hamlet were made happy in the orthodox fashion. One of the chamberlains gallantly made tbe requircl emendations, and the piece was acted with great success

Some of the Queen Victoria Jubilee celebrations and suggestions are amusing. At Bradpolc it was determined to raise a fund for a new weathercock to be erected on the church spire ; at Llanwenag, in Cardiganshire it was decided to provide a public hearse for the parish ; the Rev. A. Styleman Herring:, of St. Pauls- Vicarage, Goswell road, suggested that on Tueday, June 21. "a universal levy should be made, say of one shilling on each church person, and sixpence upon each Sunday-school scholar, towards the support of -vthose who minister in holy things."

It appears that the Emperor of Germany has had his fortune told twice. The first time was in 1563. He was strolling incognito in a wood near Baden, accompanied by his faithful Bismarck and other friends. Suddenly they came across an old gypsy, who begged to be allowed to tell their fortunes. Several of the party having tried their luck his Majesty consented to do likewise. The gypsy took his hand, and, after minute study, said, "I see a great crown, bloodshed, wars, laurels, and a life of ninetysix years."

The rage for relics which in old times rondcred it almost impossible to keep "a whole shroud on the coipse of a first-class saint is far from having died out. Nowadays, however, ifc finds vent in a new direction, and the relic-hunter revels in securing authentic memorials, not of saints, but o£ murderers. Recently, for instance, the people of Oldham, England, struggled iv crowds~to buy relics of Mrs. Berry, who was lately hanged for the murder of her daughter, and almost all tbe articles realized" sums above their value.

One of the almost countless instances of the late Mr. Beecher's readiness at repartee occurred a few years ago on April Ist. Some would be wag sent him a letter, containing on a sheet of paper only the words " April Fool." Mr. Beeeher opened it, and then a delighted smile beamed over his face as he exclaimed : " Well 1 I've often heard of a man writing a letter and forgetting to sign it ; but this is the first case ofa man signing his name and forgetting to write the letter 1"

One of the Scotch papers has recently contained several letters on the snbjcct of the birthplace of Pontius Pilate, one writer actually maintaining that he was born at Garth Castle in Perthshire— a legend which it was attempted to support by the statement that his father was Eoman Governor of Perthshire; but this is, manifestly, nonsense, as the Romans did not invade Caledonia till nearly fifty yeaTS after the Crucifixion.

Pope Leo's famous collection of laces has received an important addition. Some wealthy Catholics at Venice have presented to him a set of laws which they have "caused to be executed at the late schools of Burano. The design is copied from the famous Rezzonico set, which was made for Clement XIII. by the Venetian nuns, and which now forms part of the treasure of the House of Savoy, and is occasionally worn by Queen Margaret.

In regard to selling eggs, it is the belief of many poultryracn that they will soon be sold by weight. The range in weight of eggs is greater thau is generally supposed. A dozen large eggs were once tested and found to weigh twenty-four ounces, while a dozen of small ones weighed only fifteen ounces. The average weight of eggs is about twontvone or twenty-two ouncea a dozen.

At the Brussels Exhibition of ISBB it is proposed to erect a singular structure. Passengers will enter a car and be carried up a light bridge, spanning right over the Palais de I'lndustrlc, and will there piss hanging gardens and overlook a wide expanse of country ; they will then be carried under the Palais through a kind of subterranean tunnel and back to their starting point. Electricity is to be the motive power.

A peculiar London preacher recently stopped in the middle of his sermon and said : " I wish to inform you that there are pickpockets present. I have not the- smallest objection to their being present, and I hope what they hear will do them good. Only I may a3 well tell them that the eye of Providence is upon them, and that there are policemen in the gallery."

It appearSi says the Court Journal, from those who have been lately in Abyssinia, that the military discipline there is so strict that 'should a soldier return from an engagement without his gun, he has his feet cut off, because he ha 3 not fought for the gun until he bled to death. They are also forbidden to I smoke on pain o£ having their noses or tongues nut-off.

The Statement, says the Court Journal, that the American Regiment, the New York City Guard, will be present at the review in Paris on the lith of July is confirmed. The regiraeat will leave New York for France by the steamship Pennland on the 18th June.The Chinese government possess the fastest torpedo-boat in the world. This little vessel, which has just been completed for them by Messrs Yarrow & Co., of Poplar, England, has attained the enormous speed of 2-t knots an hour. Ruffler in Vanity "Fair, says : Persons with a taste for arithmetic may derive some amusement in solving this problem. If a hen and a half lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, how many eggs will six hens lay in seven days 1 German papers report the death, at his village in Francouia, of Albrecht Stahl, who drove the sledge in which the Emperor Napoleon returned westward on his retreat from Moscow. Stahl died in bis ninety-fifth year. The ballot-box in a German village being found to contain a vote for a Socialist, the village crier was sent round with an offer of ss. reward to anyone who would name the person who had given it— but in vain. A scientist says that a woman who weighs 100 lbs. here would weigh 2,700 lbs. \t on the surface of the sun. What will some of them wGigh in another locality ? The death of one Joseph Hinder, at the age of one hundred, and seven years, is reported from Inchberg, in the Tyrol. He entered the Austrian army in 1797. Prince Montlearti who died the "other day, has left the whole of his fortune, estimated at three million pounds to the Queen of Italy. A recent order of the Parisian Prefect of Police forbids proprietors of cafes and restaurants employing waitresses to serve in fancy costumes*. A "Jubilee Drink" is being advertised in England. "A Jubilee coffin" had previously made its appearance,