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Waikato Times, Volume II, Issue 96, 10 December 1872, Page 2

Swimming. -A correspondent gives an account of an interesting occurrence, being in a position to vouch for his accuracy. On the 21st inst. two ladies were finhing in a, deep p-irt of.the river Tyne called the Trtrmvheel, about half a mile below the town of Alston, Cumberland. Mrs. A. took the right bank, Mrs. B. t!:o left. The right bank is precipitous and over hanging with limestone rock near the water which is slippery. Mrs. A.,inendeavouring to pass from one rock to another, fell into the water about 12 feet deep. Sb,e. struck out for the one side, which was better for landing than the other, and from which Mrs. B. was striving to reach her with her fishing-rod ; but weighed down .with .a heavy serf dress,, she failed to get within reach, and turned back. Becoming exhausted, she found it necssary to float until assistance arrived. Mrs. ,8., seeing it -was. impossible to swim with a heavy dress on, ran to a shallow, part of the river, waded across rapidly running water, and with the assistance of an old man who Jiad been fishing, succeeded in reaching her friend. Both ladies got safely to the bank, not haviug suffered much from the immersion. But for their courage and presence of mind, the consequences nipst have been to one or both of them. Tn'e knowledge that they could swim doubtless gave them much .confidence. "If." adds our correspondent, "any lady is induced by seeing,this to learn the art of swimming, she may some day be able to save her own or a fellinv-orcatrires' life, :in4 the story will nob have been made public in vain."— Times. The Sin of Curiosity.—The rabbit certainly differs from the hare in.that iic can scarceJy be said to have "many friends." His voracity and übiquity are apt, especially just now, to be brought up against him, and sometimes his actual j extermination is mooted. The sporting correspondent of the Temps ha 3 however a good w,ord for him, and notices tho dictum of Louis XIV.:—" Considering the. damage dene to your land by rabbits, v/e advise you to kill them, jnore especially as excellent sauces can be. made of their flesh." In this guise, according to his friend of the Temps he triumphed over "the asceticism of a prior of the Chartreuse. This dignitary, being invited to dinner by the vice-lfigate.of Avignon, had accepted, on condition that nothing unsuitable to a lastday 6houkl appear at table.. After, the soup came a magnificent trout, the sauce of which, .was most agreeable to tho seppes of srppU, &3.cl sight.. Tjys prior was about to begin upon it with visible satisfaction, when a small monk.in his train whispered t0..!*im,.."-.Do npt touch it, faliier; I saw that sauce being made.. Two rabbits and-a large piece of ham were put into it. I shudder at, the. recollection !" "My brother," replied the prior, " will you always fall into your besetting siu ; I have told you a hundred times, yon arc too . curious. The kitchen was not your place. Besides, you aro short-sigh ted'and. took, onions for. rabbits and a carrot for harn." The young monk .thought he really must liavo been, mistaken, and the good prior resolutely disposed of the trout eaucc and all.— Pall Hall Gazette-.