MISCELLANOUS.

Western Star, Issue 2253, 4 November 1898, Page 3

MISCELLANOUS.

A well-known Sydney fortune-teller has thrown new light on Rougemont's romances Some years ago, under the name of Grien he regularly attended her seances and proved himself a strong medium. When under mesmeric influenco he related adventures amongst the blacks, told stories of unlimited treasures and said re knew where to find them, and performed all sorts of peculiar antics. In his normal condition Grien was a rough, coarse talker, but under the influence was quite gentlemanly. He disappeared three years ago and on his return stated that he had spent his time among the aborigines. She recognised photographs published in the papers. A lesson in artistic and commercial honesty comes to us from Japan from one whom we would be ready to term a heathen. An English merchant, inter viewing Oka, the great modern Japanese carver of ivories, said to him : "Why do you waste your time on carving the under part, which is never seen ? You could work much quicker and make money far more rapidly if you were to leave that part plain." And the caryeranswered : —"God, who gave me skill and taste, can see the under part. I dare not leave it un ca r vef!."

We take tho following from ih9 " America Journal of Education : " Every teacher and every school board ought, »t thi* time ot the year, to put forth come well directed efforts to improve the school grounds. Allwerkof this character will bring great benefit to the entire ommunity. Especially is this true in the country districts. St»angers driving through the districts form their opinion of the entire community from the general appearance of the schoolbouse and scboolgrounds. Pleasant surroundings have also much to do with the discipline of the school A good ball ground, swings, turning poles, etc., where the children can freely work off the surplus energy, will subdue many an otherwise unruly pu pil. How about your schools grounds? Arf» they well kept, well fenced, and well set with trees? It pays to im prove the school grounds. The Flemington racecourse is the big institution of Victoria. Thither resort once a-year all the beauty and fashion of Victoria, .and nearly all the horsey men, the betting men, the bookmakers, the gamblers, the rogues, the thieves, the jockeys, the loafers of Australasia. I should think the thing is overdone, but the time of the end is not yet. At a recent race meeting there was more than the u-ual exemplification of the biter being bitten lam told that the book-makers were extensively paid in forged banknotes. The money paid was certainly as valuable as the consideration given fer it, and the engineer was hoist with his own petard. There is a rude system of compensation even in bookmaking. Bussia will be compelled to expend two hundred million roubles for the relief of the peasantry during the present winter. The manufacture of some of the finest French tapestry is so slow that an artist cannot produce more than a quarter of a square yard in a year.