MISCELLANEOUS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1889, 27 April 1892, Page 6

MISCELLANEOUS.

In Austria it has been found that the slanting of lettens in writing causes ourvative of the spine, due to the position maintained at the table or deßk ; and a supreme council have recommended that upright letters be cultivated in schooling. "You say you don't drink, George?" "No." "Nor smoke?" "No." "Nor gamble?" "No." "Nor stay out at night?" " Never." " Well, we never could be happy as man and wife, George. I have been brought up in New York, not heaven."

Lady (anxious to engage cook) : " But why don't you think the situation will suit you ?" Cook : " Well, mum, I had no idea you lived in such a quiet village. Why there's only one p'liceman in the place, and he's a married man with a large family." A young lady of good family of St. Petersburg was driven to insanity by Tolstoi's 1 Ereutzer Sonata. ' Having read the book she threw her windows open, and crying " Dissipation, dishonor everywhere !" she attempted to jump out. Her maid-in-waiting prevented her.

Great excitement was caused in Sackville street, Dublin, on February 12, by a foolhardy feat performed at the top of Nelson's Pillar by a watch manufacturer from Cork. The man and a friend mounted to the top of the pillar, and then the former climbed over the railings at the summit and commenced waltzing round the parapet. A false step and he would have been dashed to pieces. A large crowd assembled, and two constables ascended and arrested the men. They were taken before the magistrates, who discharged them on their asserting that their conduct Was nothing but a freak. Despite the number of deaths amongst the possessors of titles in 1891, the longevity of the upper and middle classes in England was really remarkable, for out of the 6,527 deaths recorded in the • Morning Post ' no less than 1,086 had attained tbe age of eighty and upwards. A ridiculous fashionable craze threatens to manifest itself in London next spring — viz., the holding of dogs' garden parties. Ladiea are to bring their pet dogs to a canine conversazione, and amuse the poor things with romps and dainties.

A very singular trial is going on at Frankfort. A professional nurse allowed a piece of flesh to be severed from her arm by a surgeon and transplanted into an open woand on the body of a wealthy patient. She now claims that the surgeon cut too much away, and is suing him for damages on the ground of unnecessary injury to herself.

A singular action was decided in the Blackburn County Court. The plaintiff, in consequence of a remark made by the curate, resolved never to attend his ministrations again, and was never present when the curate was to preach. One Sunday the curate unexpectedly entered the pulpit, and the plaintiff made for the door to leave the church. The door was locked and he was kept in during the sermon. He sued the churchwardens for his detention, and the judge gave a verdict for the amount claimed.

" How do you sell piano music ?" asked a customer, as he entered a music shop. " By the chord, sir," replied the intelligent clerk.

Quarrel not rashly with adversities not yet understood, and overlook not the mercies often bound up in them ; for we consider not sufficiently the good of evils, nor fairly compute the mercies of Providence in things afflictive at first hand. — Thomas Browne.

The application of electricity to actuating motors on tramcars and locomotives is becoming very general. Electric motors for propelling ships are also becoming more known, and the launch of the Electric, which is the first electrically-driven vessel built for the British Government, marks an era in the applications of the science of electricity.

Military examiner : " What must a man be to be buried with military honors ? " Recruit: "Dead."

The little village of France Lynch, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, has been the scene of one of those burial scandals which bring so much discredit on the Church of England. A Roman Catholic resident wished, very naturally, to bury her son with the usual ceremony of the church to which he belonged. The English vicar did everything to prevent this "profanation of the churchyard." He even warned his congregation to keep away from the funeral on pain of being denounced as schismatics. This had a contrary effect to what was intended, for a large crowd gathered at the grave. But there was still one weapon in reserve, and it was remorsely put into force. The burial parly was refused the use of the ordinary trestles on which to rest the coffin during the service ! This shabby act, however, was of no avail. A friendly neighbor furnished a pair of chairs, and the boy was buried in peace.

A Mrs Siddals leaped from a rapidly moving train near Tamworth (Eng.) on January 11, presumably to escape the advances of Rev. Dr Goodall. She was badly hurt, but later despatches report her improving. Her story is that the minister engaged her in conversation, and after a tims attempted liberties, which she repulsed. He then forced her down on the seat, and' attempted to outrage her. She struggled so desperately that finally the clergyman pushed her out of the compartment. Fortunately she caught upon the footboard, and regained her equipoise. She was so excited, however, according to her own statement, that she did not realise her danger, and, filled with the idea of escaping, leaped from the carriage. Goodall was arrested, and held to bail.

"You have forgotten something, sir^" said the waiter, as the diner was leaving. "Keep it for your honeßty," replied the generous man. The sum of L 132 has now been subscribed towards the erection of a memorial over the grave of the late Mr Charles Bradlaugh at Woking.

A cave dwelling was discovered near Chatham ; also skeletons which belonged to pre-Roman times. One was that of a man fully 7ft in height.

Edwin: "And you'll always be true to me, Angelina ?" Angelina : " Why do you doubt me, Edwin ?" Edwin : " Oh, you're too good to be true."

There appear to be plenty of " political " railways in Victoria. At Scarsdale Junction station (Victoria) the whole revenue for 1891 was la 3d. Myers Flat yielded LI 6s ll^d ; Picnic station, L 2 3a 3d j Barwon Downs, L 2 13s 3d ; Arlett'a Corner, L 3 Is 3^-d ; Woodfield, L 3 4s 6d ; Albion, L 3 7s 9d ; Bradford, L 3 8s 4Jd ; Donnewortb, L 2 15s 9d ; Warra Yaden, L 2 19a ll£d ; and about forty others failed to reach L2O for the twelve months. The cost of stopping a train and starting it again is 4s, and the stoppage of one train per day for a year costs L 62.

A woman was ill in France and sent for her father confessor. The hußband, wishing to know what was on her mind, concealed himself in the room and heard the wife acknowledge her transgressions to the priest. After the priest had departed the husband emerged from his hiding place, and after angry words went and shot at the man who had led to the unhappiness, inflicting seriouß injuries.