MR WEI D S LETTER TO -LORD ALFRED CHURCHILL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 9, Issue 570, 27 December 1865, Page 3

MR WEI D S LETTER TO -LORD ALFRED CHURCHILL.

Whatever good qualities Mr. Weld may possess, he ■cannqt fairly lay claim to prudence and. sound judgment. It is easily conceivable that a colonial secretary may be very enthusiastic in the system-of policy which he has marked out for himself, and very sore when he finds there are opponents who do not so clearly see, as he does, the good that is likely to arise from it ; but it is seldom that one who has held office al-low-s himself to be betrayed into a course so calculated to damage the colony in the eyes of the parent state as that which he has taken. Amongst other items received by the European mail, is a reprint of a letter ■written by him to Lord Alfred Churchill, containing very harsh, and, we believe, very undeserved strictures upon General Cameron; blaming him not only for not bringing the war to an early conclusion, but ascribing the defeat of the Ministry to the political action taken by him. The unwise publication of the correspondence with General Cameron by the Governor is thus bearing the fruit that might natufally have been anticipated. That the • Com-mander-in-Chief should form his own opinions of the measures adopted by the Colonial Ministry, and of th_> Ministers themselves, was but uatural ; and it is not to be supposed that he would refrain from expressing them, when he supposed that by so doing lie would, te saving Sir George Grey from- involving himself in difficulties that must result from acting in opposition to instructions received from home. But Sir George Grey appears to have been incapable of perceiving that General Cameron was acting the part of a friendly adviser. He seems to have looked upon him rather as one that was interfering in matters with which he had no business to meddle. But in whatever light he viewed General Cameron’s -conduct, it is difficult to find amotive for his making public the correspondence, which so exasperated the Ministry of the day as utterly to prevent any cordial co-operation between them and the British commander. It was not necessary for the vindication of his own conduct to the coun try, and it certainly ought not to have been done under any conceivable relations with his Ministry. —Otago Times.

A requisition is in course of signature at Napier, asking Donald M‘Lean, Esq., to allow himself to be nominated to represent that district 1 i.n the General Assembly. Mr. Colenso will be the opposing candidate. Lady Don has been engaged by a theatrical company at Dunedin, and she will appear there shortly.

Woodall’s Redoubt. — Outlying guards of the Forest Rangers are still posted at Hewitt’s House, and Peake’s Paddock, every evening. On the night of the 19th an expedition, consisting of 45 Forest Rangers, and five natives to act as guides, started for Pakaraka, Major Von Tempsky having heard it rumoured that Hail- bans had been in that vicinity for supplies. The expedition, however, «after a weary march had to return as they came, having encomtered no foes. The Major commanding this force has since been in town on important business, leaving Captain Pilmer as officer in charge. An early movement is expected, but when and where is yet uncertain. THE MOUTOA MONUMENT. Tliis monument, which now graces the Market-place of Wanganui, was formally uncovered by liis Honor the Superintendent yesterday afternoon. It lias been erected by the Province of Wellingtou, at a cost of between £7OO and £BOO, in commemoration of a victory obtained by several hundred friendly natives over_a band of Hau liaus at Moutoa, after, an engagement in which a number of the former as well as the latter were slain. The monument has already been described in the ‘ Chronicle ; ’ it is therefore sufficient to repeat that although somewhat diminutive in size, it is otherwise a perfectly finished work of art. The base is of polished Victorian stone, closely resembling granite, the pedestal and sculptured figure of Grief surmounting it are of white marble. The work was executed by Huxley.and Parker, Melbourne. A low iron railing, formed by arrows neatly crossed, encloses the whole. On one side of the pedestal is the following inscription : “ Kua Whakaarahia tenei toma e te parawine o Weretana lie'i Whakamaharatang-i mo nga toa tana i Kinga ki Moutoa i te 14 o Nga ra o mei 1864, i te awhinatanga i te nolio-pai e akina ana e nga ritenga kino o namata e te whakapono-porangi.” The opposite side has a free translation of the above. Thus: —“To the memory of those brave men, who 'fell at Moutoa, 14th May, 1864, in defence of lav/ and order, against fanaticism and barbarism, this monument is erected by the Province of Wellington.” The third side contains the name of the friendlies who fell in the fight —“ Kno nga tangata enei 1 kinga ki Moutoa : Hcmi Nape Kereti te Hiwatlii Wiari te Patu Riwai Tawhitorangi Heremia te Pangita- Penetito te Korewa kuku Maniheru Mani Rotohiko Waitold Hakaraia te Riaki Wiremu te Waruiti Pehira te KohuoWarena te Poke ranru Matin te Potalii Hohepa te WhakaHare te Kalio ruku Lay Brother Euloge.” _ ■ The remaining side contains the brief but important statement —“ 4th September, 1865. Isaac Earl Featherston, Superintendent. ” The weather was fine yesterday; the heat of the sun being tempered by a gentle breeze ; and a large concourse of holiday - seekers, including, of course, many of our dusky allies, assembled in the Market-place to witness the proceedings. Before the ceremony took place, the Native Contingent treated the spectators to a war-dance which was at least sufficiently demonstrative. British soldiers too oft cn find their dress and accoutrements a hindrance to them, the natives take care that they shall not be encuniljgfi’ed after a similar fashion, their covering being reduced to the scantiest proportions —certainly scantier, than beseems the modern idea of civilisation. About half-past three o’clock liis Honor came upon the {ground, accompanied by I). S. Durie, Esq., R.M., and W. L. Duller, Esq., Native Magistrate, and having ascended a temporary platform erected beside the monument, he gave a short address, which, we regret to say, was very imperfectly heard even by those near him. We could only catch a stray sentence, but the gist of the subject was obvious. We understood his Honor to say that there were no surer means of promoting,and perpetuating a spirit of nationality and patriotism than by publicly acknowledging the value of great serviwsMi rendered to one’s country, and by handing down to posterity the names of those who had distinguished themselves in the cause of order and liberty. And this course was proper and becoming, not only or so much with the object of paying a tribute of gratitude to heroes and statesmen, although that was most commendable, as of exciting other men to follow their example, and thus to foster a spirit of renerous emulation and national glory. Hence it was that the account of distinguished achievements occupied a prominent place in the historical records of all great* nations, and the memory of them had always been fondly cherished by a grateful people. It was to this twofold desire also that they owed the highest triumphs of genius in the arts of painting and sculpture. Men dissatisfied with the mere historical record of great deeds sought to perpetuate them on the glowing canvas and in the durable marble. It was in accordance with this feeling that the Moutoa monument had been erected. He was convinced it would be an incentive to their native allies to stand fast in the cause of law and order. Everyone understood the feeling that was excited among British soldiers by the presentation of the Victoria Gross. When that distinguished honour was conferred on any one of tlieir number, tliere was not a man in all the ranks but felt fired with the ambition to strive after a similar glorious distinction. In the same way he felt convinced that tlieir native allies, looking upon this monument, before accompanying Gen. Chute on his expedition, would not rest satisfied until the foul murderers of Kereti and others were duly punished. At the conclusion of liis speech, the Superintendent drew aside the covering which had hitherto concealed the sculpture of the monument, and the whole stood revealed to view. Mrs. Colonel Logan then gracefully unfurled the flag. Three cheers were given, and this part of the programme terminated. It is a native .monument to commemorate native prowess, yet curiously enough no native took part in the ceremony, and the Superintendent’s speech could have been no more than dumb show to the Maoris. There was somehow a lack oi: spontaniety and enthusiasm about the affair, which, as it was done, it is a pity could not have been done more heartily. A banquet to the Native Contingent—eating and drinking at least—-not unlike O’Rorke’s noble feast, which will ne’er be forgot By those who were present, and those w'ho were not—closed the proceedings, and the remainder of the evening w-as largely devoted to “ shouting,” in all its varieties. Ornithology.—What New Zealand Bird ■should the Commissariat Department propagate ? The More Pork, of course.

FORGERY OF BANK OF NEW ZEALAND NOTES.

The detective police have succeeded in frustrating 3ome preparations made for the issue of a large number of forged bank notes. It appears that Mr. J. Flatow, photographer, some days ago gave information of an application which had been made to him to prepare a large number of cojries of bank nt to s by a photographic process. With a view of bringing the parties to justice, Mr. Flatow was authorised by the police authorities to comply with the application. He accordingly agreed to prepare 500 £5 notes, on the Bank of New South Wales, New Zealand, aud fifty £5 notes and ten £1 notes on the Bank of Victoria, Melbourne. Thursday last was the day fixed for the delivery of the first instalment of the promised copies, and previous to the time when the principals in the matter wore to arrive at Mr. Fiatow’s house, Detectives Hudson and Kelly came to the place, in pursuance of arrangement, and concealed themselves in an adjoining room, from W'hich a hole had been bored to communicate with, the room where the little business had been transacted. From this room they heard the two men (named John Goldrick and Louis Reynard) converse with Mr. Flatow respecting the notes, and the manner in which they proposed to circulate them. Goldrick said that In?had in former years been a police constable, and knew how to manage from what lie further said, it appeared that he had a theory on the subject, something to the effect that the law only provided for the offence of forgery and uttering, and, consequently, that, it one of them took charge of the preparation of the notes, and the other undertook to pass them, they would, by this arrangement, have split tile offence into two halves, so that neither of them would be liable to the charge. They wished to get the Melbourne notes ready so as to pass them the day before leaving for New'Zealand, where they intended to visit the principal towns, not remaining more than a couple of days at a place. Tlieir conversation terminated, they left, taking with them the finished notes, and were on their departure followed by the detectives, and arrested a short distance from the house of Mr. Flatow, in Bouveriestreet, North Melbourne. They then had fifteen of the prepared £5 New Zealand notes in their possession. They were brought before the City Court yesterday, and, on the application of Detective Hudson, were remanded till Tuesday. Some of the forged notes were produced in court, when it was seen that the imitation of the original was, so far as the patterns and the signatures were concerned, quite perfect. The paper on which they were printed was somewhat inferior quality, and it seems, that, whatever may be the colour of the ink in which the originals are printed, the copy taken by this process will always be in a sort of Indian ink colour. In the printing, the paper assumes a faint neutral tint, which very well produces the effect of age and wear ; and altogether, the imitation was so good, and the general appearance was so genuine, that there is no doubt that the notes would have found ready circulation, and would have caused great loss and uneasiness to the banks and to the public. —‘Argus,’ Dec. 2.

THE CATTLE DISEASE IN ENGLAND*

The ‘ Times’ of the 14 :h September says : -—“ A long memoir of the treatment of the cattle disease has been prepared by order of the Privy Council, and published with the authority of that department. It does not speak much for the resources of veterinary science, for it recommends that an animal attacked by the disease should be incontinently knocked on the head with a poleaxe, and buried as it lies. That is the “best and safest” treatment. Just so it was held by ancient physicians that in a certain class of maladies there was nothing like taking the patient at once and smothering him between two feather beds. However, tlie meaning of the directions before us is probably this —that it will, in the long run, prove safer to kill the first animal infected and so reduce the risk of contagion, than to attempt a difficult and doubtful cure at tlie cost of keeping the poison among tlie herd. That the cattle disease now life in our pastures is not absolutely incurable lias been 'established beyond doubt ; in some places even a fair proportion of cases lias been successfully treated ; but a cow under treatment may infect other cows, whereas a cow five feet underground can do no such mischief. It is assumed, in short, as a leading maxim, that all our care should be given to prevention, and not to cure. We must keep animals from catching tlie plague, and one preservative is to kill those winch have cauglit it. For the rest, a more eiaoorate digest of the “principles and practice of disinfection” than we yesterday published was never seen. A Hindoo does not protect hi 3 caste with more minute precautions than are recommended to farmers and herdsmen. . A powder-mill could be visited with less trouble than a dairy-farm. If this is the right course, and very possibly it may be, our agriculturists will not loose their reckoning for want of sailing directions. The theory seems to be that this typhus fever now prevailing among horned beasts is not epidemic, but is most horribly contagious." Contagion, indeed, appeal’s to be the characteristic of the disorder. Tlie French style it tlie “ contagious typhus of cattle,” and that designation conveys the real type of the disease. It is not merely tyhus ; in fact, for any tiling that we know our cows may be subject to typlius at any time ; but this is a typhus which spreads like wildfire, and is communicable by an infinity of means. It is not in the air, like cholera or smallpox, though perhaps, the air may carry the infection within certain distances; but there is hardly a relic or trace of an infected beast, or. of anything animate or inanimate with which that beast has been in contact, which may not give the disorder to other beasts. That seems to be the idea now accepted of the existing cattle plague, and from it the instructions published follow as a matter of course. Ik ill the i east first infected and bury it entire. “Hi: infect” the shed, the stall, the manger, the paddock, and the very grass of the field, by fire, water, or more composite agencies. Let no cow touch, smell, or taste any thing touched, smelt, or tasted by the dead animal. Bury, burn, or destroy, every particle of possibly infected matter, and so “ stamp the plague out.” We leave these directions without further comment, nor do we deny that in the confessed helplessness of veterinary authorities they may be thebest available. To be sure, they are precisely such as were given by Virgil about 2000 years ago, but if science has made no progress since then it is best to own it at once. Let us “ stamp out” _ this cattle plague by all means, and as quickly as we can.

SALE OF MR. GRIG(/S FLOCK AT OTAHURU.

The sale of Mr Grigg’s sheep, cattle, agricultural implements, Ac., took place at the farm, Otahnhu, yesterday. It is almost needless for us to state here that Mr. Grigg sold off his float, which it is well known he has devoted groat attention to, in consequence of his removing to the province of Canterbury.; and the estimation in which he-is held as a breeder, not only in this province, but throughout New Zealand, was shown by the large attendance at the sale, comprising the majority of the sheep-owners in tiie province, and. a number from other provinces. Amongst those who purchased, or on whose account purchases were made, were the well-known sheep-farmers, Mr. Alexander,’of Wanganui ; Judge Gressen, of Canterbury; Mr. lien all, M.G.A., of Canterbury; Mr. Weston, ofAkaroa, Canterbury ; and Messrs. Driver, Maeloan, and Co., of Otago ; and in a good many instances purchases made by gentlemen of this neighbourhood wore intended for sheepowners in other provinces, whose mimes we could not ascertain. But notwithstanding that part of this Auckland ffock has been bought to export, many of the most valuable animals will be retained here in the hands of men anxious to improve their sheep. There wore in .all about 2,400 sheep, which were penned oil'in lots in the paddock adjoining Mr. Grigg’s house, and the separating of the different classes kept that gentleman, and a Large staff of assistants, busy up till nearly the hour of sale. The animals were narrowly inspected by the iulonding buyers, aiid wore commended by all for their splendid appearance. It will be scon from the prices quoted below that the sale was a satisfactory one. Mr. Bnckiand begaii the sale with the farm implements. The sale of sheep began with the ewe hoggets. Lot 25 was a pen of five ew r e hoggets, in tine condition, and on their being put up, Mr. Grigg offered 16s. a fleece for the wool on the first hundred sheep sold. After a brisk competition, the lot was knocked down for £lO 2s. Gd. each sheep. Lots from 2G to 30 were also pens of five ewe hoggets, and sold at from £6 15s. to £7 10s. ; tlie greater number of these being purchased l by Mr. Atkin, of the Tamaki. Lot 31 brought £lO 2s. Gd. each, the purchaser being Mr. Turnbull. Lots 32 to 44, of the same class of sheep, sold at from £7 10s. to £l, to Mr. Atkin, the greater number of them we understand, being purchased for gentlemen out of the province. Lots 45 to 54 were pens of ten ewe hoggets, and brought from £4 ss. to £G, the purchasers being Mr. Alexander, of Wangan'ui, Mr. W, Kerr, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Mossman.

Lots 55 to 94 were ewes in pens of five. They brought from £4 15s. to £B, the purchasers being Mr. D. Graham, Mr. George Howard, Mr. Atkin, and Mr. Turnbull. In lots 95 to 114 the ewes were in pens of .ten, and the prices ranged from £2 10s, to £3 17s. Gd. ; purchasers, Mr. Mr. Basset, Mr. Proud, of Razorback, and Mr. Wilson, of the Wairoa. Lots 115 to 118 were pens of 25 ewes, which brought £2 17s Cd.

The ram lambs were next put up in pens of five. For the first lot, 194, tliere were a good deal of competition, and ultimately they were knocked clown to Judge Gresson, of Canterbury, for £lO 15s. The prices- of the iambs in the other lots, up to 213* ranged from £4 ss. to £7. Lots from 214 to 223 were in pens of ten, and brought from £2 10s to £3 os. Lot 226, ten ewe lambs, sold for £7 10s. to Mr. George Howard, and the most of the other lots, up to 245, were also purchased by that gentleman at £3lss. The greatest interest was shown by those present in the sale of the grown rains. Lot 119 was a ram imported by Mr. Grigg, from the celebrated breeder, Mr. Kirkham of Lincolnshire. After a good deal of competition it was secured by Mr. T. Cheeseman, for £53. The next two rams sold were also imported by Mr. Grigg, from Mr. Kirkham. These were sold to Mr. Cheeseman for £25 and £29. Lot 122 a ram imported by Mr. Newman, from Mr. Kirkham, excited more competition than any other lot during the sale, and brought the highest price, being disposed of to Mr. Every Maclean, for £O6. Lot 123, a ram imported by Mr. Hatton, from Mr, Sandys, a pure Leicester, was purchased to go to Taranaki, for £l9. Lot 124, a pure bred Leicester, imported from Mr. J. Tremaine’s flock, by Martin, sold for £25 10s. Next followed several rams imported from tlie flock of Mr. Rndkm, which brought from £3O to £32. Rains bred by Mr. Grigg brought from £8 10a. to to £l6, Mr. Cheeseman being the largest purchaser.— £ Southern Cross,’ Dec. 14.

An occasional correspondent to the 1 Canterbury Standard,’ writing from England by the September mail says, “ that beyond an indistinct impression that it is a place where missionaries are respected according to their production of gravy, New Zealand is a terra incognita, and that the lucubrations of Auckland editors, who rack their fertile brains for transcendent phrases, and magnificent political developments, with w'hich to move society in England to its base, and who lay the flattering unction to their souls that they are creating ’ a sensation with tlieir dreadful denunciations of “ tramplers. Ha !ha !” “ Crushers ! spoliators! Ha !ha ! ha !” Demons, &c.; Ac.,” who are bidden to “ Teremble and and Despair,” are the cause of much mirth ere consigned to the waste paper basket.” We daresay this writer thought himself very funny and exceedingly clever. He forgot that the interests of New Zealand are as much to us as the interests of England are "to her people, and that the colonists are doing an infinitely greater and more important w'ovk in laying the foundations of a free new empire in the Southern Sea than anything the “ mob of gentlemen w-lio write with ease” are doing or likely to do at home. This writer should have kept his wit, —he lias not too much of it, —tor expenditure on objects nearer liis own door. Mr Commissioner Mackay has arrived at Raglan and Kawitia. Like ail Maori alarms that of danger to the settlers of that district turns out to bo a mare’s nest. The truth is, the w-ar in this Province is at an end, the ill-disposed natives, though never more than lialf-thrashed, have been bo thoroughly dispirited by starvation, the consequence of war, that they w 7 ill think twice before committing any overt act likely to bring-down upon them the vengeance of the Europeans. Tlie hanging of tin.-prison-ers found guilty of the murder of Fulloon, Volkner, and others, will, if the Governor allow the supremacy of the law to be vindicated, and tlie sentence of the Courts of justice to be something more than a dead letter, have tlie effect of putting a finishing stroke to the insurrection. —‘ New Zealand Herald.’ •

THE FRENCH LAW OF MARRIAGE

A contract of marriage extraordinary was brought under the consideration of the Paris Court of First Instance, presided over by M. Benoit Cha-npy. Lately, a count, and countess, whose names ai-e not given by the legal journals which report the case, refused their consent to the marriage of their daughter Helen with the man of her heart. She therefore retired to a convent, from which she addressed to her parents those actes retpectueux, which by the French code enable personsJpf full age to many without the consent of parents, which is prima facie necessary. Thereupon the parents instituted a suit to atop the marriage on the ground that their daughter was insane, and the principal evidence produced in support of the allegation was that she had signed a contract of marriage in the following form :

Ottr Makeiagk Contract. Article 1. —Loving each other, and knowing each other well enough to be certain that one cannot be happy without the other, we join ourselves together to live for ever heaeaxter as go-, at married people. She will be I, and I shall be she, he will be I, and I shall be he.

Article 2.—Charles : I promise Helen to devote all ray mind, all my strength, and my whole being to the purpose of maintaining her and the children that she may give me honestly and decently. Article 3.—Helen : I promised Charles to second him in keeping our household from want and difficulty, with that view I shall make economical habits a duty.

Article 4. Charles : I admit that I am sometimes hasty and violent ; I hope to be excused for any sudden burst of anger. Helen : It will perhaps be hard to endure but the condition is aoaeded to.

Article s.—Helen : I must also be pardoned something. My temper is a little uneven, and I am greatly disposed to be jealous. Charles : I will not mind caprices if they are not too frequent. As to the other fault I am disposed to rejoice at it rather than otherwise, fora jealous person i 3 not likely to give cause for jealousy. Article G. —Charles and Helen: We are persuaded that between lovers disputes and coolness almost always arise from petty causes. On this account we mutually promise never to follow our own desires in things of small importance, but always to give way to each other. Helen : In important matters it will be right that Charles should decide, for he lias more knowledge and judgment than I. Charles : Helen is too - modest, I shall never decide anything without consultinghex’, and either converting her to my views or adopting hers if I think them best. Article 7-- —As a consequence of the last preceding article, each of us shall always be dressed according to the taste of the other. Article B.—The words “ I will,” “ I expect,” “ I require,” and other similar expressions, are absolutely erased from our dictionary. Article 9.—Charles will honour his wife that she may be honoured by others. He will always exhibit towards her esteem and confidence, and will be especially careful never in her presence to allow any ad vantage over her to any other woman xxpon any

point whatsoever. Article 10. —We shall ever boar in mind that want of cleanliness and attention to personal appearance, must necessarily produce repugnance and disgust. Neatness is to the body what amiability is to the soul. It is that which pleases. Article 11. —Helen : The majority of women nurse their own children. I hope Charles will approve of my performing my duties as a mother.

Charles : I approve, subject to the doctor’s advice.

Article 12. —Charles : Helen -will take great care not to spoil our children’s intellects in their early years. She must not talk, or suffer others to talk, to them any of that nonsense which gives false ideas and dangerous impressions throughout life. Helen : I will pay great attention to this point. . Article 13.—Although our mutual tenderness is a guarantee that we shall never fail in the engagements here.nbefore set forth, each of us will keep a copy of these presents, and in case of a breach of any article, shall be entitled to lay it before the other party to remind him or her of the covenants entered into. Article 14. Inasmuch as neither will have anything that does not belong to the other, there is no occasion to take any account of the contribution of each to the common stock. Affection and courage, our only fortune, cannot be counted, and each of us will endeavour to bring as much as possible.

Done in duplicate at Paris, in the year of grace 1804. With ail my heart, Charles D . With all my heart and for all my life, Helen, future wife of Charles

The court held that this eccentric contract afforded no evidence of insanity, for which imputation there was moreover no pretence. Judgment was accordingly given against the parents, and the mayor is ordered to proceed at once to perform the marriage ceremony.

Timaru finds itself treated by the Superintendent of Canterbury and the magnates ol Christchurch much in the same as Wanganui fares at the hands of Wellington. Referring to the administration of justice, we find the ‘ Timavu Herald’ says We cannot see what reasonable objection can be urged to holding courts at Timaru. With a small additional expenditure, the Court-house accommodation •would be go'cl ; and there are a sufficient number of gentlemen of the bar at Timavu, to conduct important cases. The expense of sending prisoners and witnesses to Christchurch, must be very great, and we cannot doubt that the ends of justice would be much better served by a sitting of the Supreme Court here. We notice the inhabitants of Warganui have been moving in a similar direction, although the Petty Session Act will soon come into operation. Such an Act cannot, however, fulfil the requirements in any huge outlying district, and we think that a step such as that taken by the people of Wanganui, would be productive of great good. The Resident Magistrate’s Court, at Invercargill, was for several days last week engaged in hearing the charge against D. B. hPConuell, for the murder of Catherine Ferrar. When the evidence was conq letecl, the Magistrate, after the usual caution, inquired if be had anything to say, and received from him the answer, that “ he would reserve his defence.” Prisoner was then duly committed to take his trial at the next criminal sittings of the feupreme Court at Invercargill.

.THE DEAD SEA. When we reached the shores of the Dead Sea. we all gazed in silen e on the scene before us. What, were our first impressions ? Patting aside the associations of God’s anger a d riihteous judgment which are irresistibly suggested by all we know of those degraded races who dwelt somewhere ou its borders or on spots where its waters rest, the scene was decidedly pleasing. True, it is not picturesque. The want of life on this part of its waters makes it dull and without, however, giving it the dreary look of many a Highland loch—such, for example, as that darkest and most barren of all I have ever seen, Coruisk in Skye.. Nor is the mountain range of its shores apparently ‘ bleak and blasted,’ like the sides of a volcano, hue, generally speaking, is clothed with what looks like herbage, though it may be but low shrubs ; while several beautiful aud luxuriant wadies'debouch on its shores. And then tin re was a delicious breeze blowing over it, sending fresh-looking tiny waves to the shore ; and the water was so marvellously clear and transparent, and we were so hot and deliquescent, that a bathe w.-.s anticipated'with peculiar pleasure. It is an error to suppose that there is actually no life of plant or animal possible within the influence of its so-calied noxious vapours. Plants do grow on its border ; and further south, birds are seen not only flying over it but swimming or wading in its waters. No fish have as yet been discovered iu it ; and this no oue who touches its waters will be surprised at, assuming that fish have tastes like men ! But one must draw upon fancy more than on what is seen by the eye to make the Dead Sea so very dreadful as it is generally supposed to be. We bathed of course, and the experiences gained thereby are such as its waters alone afford. Everyone knows what a horrid taste it has. No mixture of vinegar, alum, and sulphur, or any similar compound which would fret the skin aud pucker the tongue, can give any idc-a of it. One must taste t l '" deceptive liquid, so clear and beaut fill, yd s vile and nauseous, in order to appreciate ics composition ; and must let his lips, tracked and blistered with, the sun, and his face, punctured v ;tf mosquiloea and other insects, lie touched bj this limpid wash, before he can estimate its euergy. Its buoyancy is also well known, but one must swim through its heavy waters to realise tho novel sensation of being unable to sink. The first attempts to swim never foils to produce shouts of laughter—a dangerous levity, as giving admission to the water by the lips. The moment we breast its waters, v r e are astonished to find our feet fly up to the surface, aud all our old ideas of equilibrium vanish. The most comfortable attitude is either floating on the back, or sitting in the water with a gentle movement of the hands to balance our waterseat ; and then the ease, quiet, and comp'osure with which our object can be accomplished, inaugurates a new idea in aquatics Some travellers tell us that they have dived ov attempted to dive, into these depths. The very idea would have terrified me ! I felt uneasy once when loosing connection with terra firma, and had a -vision of a depth of possibly 1,300 feet, rear if not beneath me. Might not the edge of the precipice be but a few yards off? And the idea of hanging over such a precipice, with who knows what below, was enough to make oue look to the pebbles at his feet for comfort. Besides, I did not see how anybody with only hands for paddles, and without the force of a screw-, could ever force his way through those leaden depths. It may pain some solemn critics to know that we very frequently broke the silence of the Dead Sea by shouts of merriment. But the fact roust nevertheless be confessed—though we are in some quarters given to understand, that whatever coloured garments a clergyman may wear iu Palestine, he is always to write ar one who travels in gown and bands. We enjoyed our bath exceedingly, felt much refreshed by it, and did not find the pungent effect of the water on the skin peculiarly disagreeable.”— Dr. in'Good Words.'