PROPHETIC ALMANACS. (Saturday Review.)

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 135, 20 March 1873, Page 3

PROPHETIC ALMANACS. (Saturday Review.)

As onr faith in Muir is only equally by our LuQi in Zadkiel, wo Rhall do no injustice, wo hope, to either by consulting tho rival oracles discriminntety. It is comforting to find the new year described as one of prosperity. In spite of a prevalence of strong southerly win Is, mankind in general will lie sociable and will delight in " husbandry and manuring the earth ." Venus in Taurus will keep things "tolerably peaceful" in Ireland during April; Fenianism is to be scotched for a while | but we await with curiosity the " new arguments " on Home rule now maturing, we presume in the fertile imagination of Mr Butt. One of our largest colonies is to clamour for a separate existence, and its pretensions will be seconded l>y a foieign I'ower of great magnitude." But we read with relief that the time for England's decline is not yet ; indeed our maritime supremacy, which we owe to the influence of Aries, is to continue, despite Mr Reed's gloomy forboMiigs, until the "powers of heaven are shakei." An English nobleman of ancient family is to go over to Rome, and his example will be followed by a distinguished member of the Anglican ministry ; but we look in wuti for the usual announcement that "an eminent divine is likely to be caught in the snares of the little winged boy." There is to be a new substitute, it would seem, for the steam-em;ine3. The difficulty of obtaining coal will leid to the "successful adoption of a principle of locomotion by which the consumption of fuel will be reduced to a minimum." The complete solution of the problem of iioual navigation is to be reset ved for our children's children, who arc to i oam the air in vehicles as manageable as a toy-cart; but we are authorised by Zadkiel to state that in 1873 men will ■' prepare to begin " to navigate the air when Mercury is exalted above the Moon. A " great and perplexing law8HI (; "—may we venture to understand by this the Tichborne trial — will bu as far from solution as ever when the year has expired. The death of one of the principal parties is to load to " endless complications," which will disappoint . the public, but gratify the "be-wigged gentlemen." Furthermore, mother case still more exciting and full of startling revelations is promised us for 1874, Beyond, however, announcing some " salutary laws relating to laud," the stars very properly decline to divulge the secrets •f the Cabinet. Looking abroad, we find mankind sui veeyd from China to Peru. We are so accustomed to hear of things from America tH%t " aatomsH tlie wliof« -world,** that the announcement of more wonders does not occasion much surprise ; it conforms strictly to precedent as sinister prognostics with respect to the sick man. The burning of Chicago does not appear to have been predicted, but then o{ course even an astrologer cannot be responsible for the vagaries of an American cow. As regards the Alabama question, however, the physician is evidently wandering with the planets. 41 The Arbitrators," he says, '•will give their verdict upon the question of the indirect claims, but at the last moment a legal flaw will be discovered in the constitution of the Court, and the whole qnestion will be re-opened." It adds greatly to the merits of astrology that it should be able not enly to create the future but to undo the past. In France the present Government is to continue " in the ascendant ; " there are)to be the same military riots in May, and in July the nation is to be punished in some manner for its conduct towards the " half-naked men of Africa ; " but a judicious retrogression of Jupiter in Leo will stave off serious evils Wars and rumours of wras are to occur in Asia and South Africa, but Russia is to take to painting and literature instead of extending her territory; and, ■what ■with exhibitions and arbitration, we are to arr TJ at a 4 ' cosmopolitan feeling of brotheily affection for all mankind "in December. A disagreeable discovery, however, appears to be m store for us. It will be found that England and France, with several other countries of Europe, have been duped by »n imposter. 4< By the concotion of a bold and plausible (solution of a question which for years has agitated the minds of all civilized men, an arrant knave had succeeded in disarming their suspicions, and had been publicly received and feted in almost every town of import»nce, and looked upon as one of the noblest of his race." When the bubble bursts about July, the chagrin of a deluded people is only to be qualified ay a " deeper and more solemn sadness." There is a tone of self -distrust in the remark that " it may not be the time yet for thr coming millennium," which represents perhaps Dr Cumming's latest opinions on the subject, but we might have expected more assurance from an astrologer Not* is it quite satisfactory to find such utterances as "great uncertainty appears in mundane aftairs "" — 4< there will be many close consultations ; I hope they may be for the best " — " some great projects are talked about, but I rather think they will come to nothing, " but we look for better thing i from i a reader of the stars. Such generalities expose the science to unworthy imitations. Indeed, we imagine that a very tolerable system of prognostics might be constructed on the basis of a few simple principles — that there is nothing new under the sun, and that the progiess of mankind in wisdom is not very perceptible on the general view of things. Thus we might ventnre to predict that several fires will happen in 1873, particularly in London ; and several pockets will be ' picked with more or less success— or, as Moore would say, aome " private contrivances of a mischievous nature -will be asritated ; " that several long debates will take place in Parliament, and that in the subsequent divisions the numbers will be about the same as if there had been no debate at all ; that Mr Whallev will discover a new Jesuit in disguise, and Mr Ayrton will not improve his ir»nne s ; and that fceveral thousand sermons will be preached, many of which have been preached before, and few of them reniembwed after. And it may be added, m the language of the oracle, that may people will precipitate themselves into mischief by luxury and extravagant courses : " that " probably a signal marriage will De concluded," and " one of the femalo sex will suffer from frowns, but whether deservedly or not let time determine." The hieroglyphics before vi are too wouderful to be described in plain prose. Zadkiel contents himself with four woodcuts, representing the operation of ploughing, a hustings— apparently an anachronism for 1873— a number of Chinese fighting with Europeans, and an earthquake. Moore's pennyworth is richer in allegory. Among other objects *ye notice a young lady w ith an enormous chignon contemplating a liou and a cat. The prominence of this figure, it is explained, indicates the position which women are destined to occupy in the immediate future ; but her averted face and her attention to the cat give evidence that; she will still retain her native " unobtrusivenes? and domesticity " Of course no prudent astrologer would give his reasons for predicting anything if there were the faintest chance of their being intelligible, but even star-gazers have apparently a method in their madness. Thu3 an opposition of Saturn and Mars seems to provoke a tendency to gossip, while the transit of the latter through Scorpio instantly produces bankruptcies ra Liverpool. When Jupiter opposes Venus there is " trouble and vexation in store for one of the fair sex, by means of some person in orders ; " but the former, when saluted by the friendly beams of the sun, brings preferment to the truly pious clergy. " |

Thb Military System of Bkrlin aud France—ln commenting on the German official account of the FrancoPrussian war (translated by Mr Clarke), the Z'zotm observes: —" We *re comcious that but a feeble idea can have been given of the magnitudo of the task imposed upon the Chiefs of the German Army, or of the quiet scientific manner in which all difficulties were surmounted. The military student will find his trouble well repaid if ho will study the book itself, O4 far as it has gone, with a map and a determination to master the «übject. General readers maj perhaps have caught lomo mental impression of the difficulties attending the sudden mobilisation of an army from a peace to a war footing; they may see that it is a different and far grander taik than tho provision of food for 30,000 men at autumn manoeuvres, especially as several of the German corps had to be tiansported many hundreds of miles by railway, the whole work being crowded into a period of less than three weeks from the first thought of war. And they may be inclined to question how England would achieve the task of m >bili3tng" her regular army, reserves, militia, and volunteers, under similar circumstance'). Ileaven forbid that we should prophesy evil' We firmly behove that when tho time comes we shall be ready, but only ready became before then the persistent warning of every officer who has been present at or studied modern war in its detail* will ravo sunk into the hearts of their countrymen and brought forth some good fruit in a general determination not to rest satisfied with anything short of real readme3s for war if it bo ever forced upon vi. At prevnt our system approaches more noarly that of the French than of the Germans, tho chief difference being that as vet we have but few reserves to call up and have not even decided upon our transport system, much less provided means for regular supply. Wo have tho same •ystem of centralisation as the French had in 1870. Our regiments are not quartered, nor likly to be, m the midst of those who are to fill up their ranks m ca*e of wnr, and our militia, though composed of excellent materials, is deficient in training and in that sure-it bond of diseiplme, complete conDdence among the men, their officers will know, not only how to die with them, but how to keep thorn nlireund insure euccesi to their arms. Above all, u o havo no such institution as the General Staff at Berlin, which includes officers wboio business it is be intelligent, to know all tho military progress which if passing around them, and to take care that their own country is bohindhand in nothing conducive to the preservation of her snfety, her honour, and the dignity befitting a great natun."

An AnaCRD Idkv.—How exquisitely absurd it is to toll tv girl that beauty is of no value,— dross of no value. Beauty is of value j her whole prospects in lif i may often depend upon n new gow it or a becoming bonnet, and if «he has five grams of cemmon senxo ihe will find th>» out The great thing la to teach her their just value, und there must be something better under tho bonnet than u j>rollv fm> Tor ruil hnppincs . But wrer em r 'lie h nth.

Match acuisot Timp-Kioimy Airim in 'Ujv.lmi itOCBS — i lie i match between S Fcrpmon and \V. Jobwu. tho latter undertaking to ride 1,,s U v ]>0,-e liosio, eighth miles in twelve hours, oame off on the" race-'coun* in Bla 'kahaw*pii(Wockoii(l,o ISth ul; T!>c cvmr-o (shvs Gw»l- &«>•» ifrraM) manured one mile ten chums A start was made precibely at h» u n» , Jobson going off at an easy canter, u ..? fc hour t!l ° com ' so »»* completod nine tunes, being at tho rate of rather over ten miles nn hour The rider varied tho monotony bv oecasionallv taking the course tho reverse way At the twenty-first round, after going ne-irly twenty-four miles, he alighted and took a rest of twenty- three minutes, having the liorso rubbed down and offering him a feed of out*, which he refused. At 9 a.m. he again mounted, the horse not appearing so well up to hi* work At 10 20 he made another stop for ei^hfc minutes having completed thirti-Uo miles fifty chains, the horse still refusing to feed At the thirty round he a«ain took a rest lor twelve minutes, trying the horse with gruel, which he declined After washing down and scraping him, Job*on agnin went into the saddle. The horse now appeared very fagged, but the nder was aa fresh as when he started. At "l o'clock another itop was made for 10 minutes, and tho horse'i shoes were knocked off and a drink of oatmeal and water was given to him. Aftei nnotherstarthc continued at the same pace until (135, when he again had a rest for seven minutes, having the horse well washed and attended to. He then went on till 2 41, when he restod for eight xnmntcs, after completing a little over 62 miles. Jobson again mounted and went another four rounds molting a total distance of sixtj-six mile and a hall m nine hours twenty-four minutes, and then resting for SC ren minutes again took the saddle and rode three rounds, then flopped for six ni mutes, hirnng done close up to seventy miler Another three rounds weie thcu got over, the horse making rather! worse time, averaging twelve minutes tq Jh<J. round and looking fagged, but at the s»me time plodding pn -without punishment. At the sixty-mth round another rest waa given of iour minutes, and the horse drenched with ale or porfee and oatmeal, after which the rider tookhisseat and went steadily to work for another three rounds, still keeping up a rate of twelve minutes to the round. At 535 he had his last rest of three minutes, und then started to complete Ins final course of three rouuda and sev en chains. The excitement now was very great as to whether the horse could keep it up to the finish ; but at 333 the matter was set at rest by Jobson landing his horse a winner with seven minutes to spare, ! having done the last half-mile at a hand-gallop On passing the winning-post the winner was greeted with prolonged cheering, and escorted to the booth by a large number, of spectators. During tho latter part of the clay opinions v t riod a» to Tihcther Jobron or time would have" the best of the race ; and nothing but the judicious riding and good generalship of the former carried the horso through his arduous task. Although of course looking tired, which it not to be wondered at after carrying seventeen atone for twelve hours, the horse showed no mark of either whip or spur, and the rider appeared as fresh as when he started. The whole affair was carried through without any dispute, find all appeared satisfied that the race had been fairly won, and that Jobson had well earned his laurels.

The Governing Power of Great Biutun.— Lcs us glance at the present Ministry. Have the members thereof been selected from govern ing'famihes ? The Prime Minister is the son of a mercliant, and is the first ot Ins famib who has held office under the Crow n. The late Lord Chancellor, Lord Hatherley, is the son of a city merchant, and is the first member of his family who bns held ofliee under the Crown. Mr Lowe, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, began life as a tutor at Oxford, ramly tried for a Greek Professorship at Glasgow, went to Australia to seek his fortune, and u the first member of his family who has held office under the frown. The present Lord Chancellor (Sir Roiindell Palmer) is the son of a country rector, and is the first member of his family who has held office under the Crown. Mr Card well, tho Secretary of War, is the drat meruher of his family who has held ofHce under the Cro.wi Mr Goschen, the first Lord of the Admiralty, was a London merchant, and is the first member of Ins family who has held office under the Crown. Mr Clnlders, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, like Mi 1 Lowe, made his name and fortune in Australia, and is the first member of his family who has held office under the Crown. Mi- Stanfold has retned fiom the brewing business, and is the first member of his family who has held office under the Crown. Mr Forster is the eon of a manufacturer, and is himself a manufacturer, and is the first member of his family who has held offiie under the Crown. Sir George Jessel is the son of a merchant, and is the first member of his family who lias held office under the Crow n. Mr Winterbotham is the bon of a country banker, and is the first niembor of his immly who has held office under tbe Crown. Thus the assertion of Mr Bradlaugh is false and an unexcusable falsehood, because it is contradictory of wellknown fact . So fnr from the Government of England being in the hands of a clique, it is a Government exceptionally open to men of ability irrospeotiTe of birth and social influence — The Gentlemen's Magaune for November. .^Tho Dunedin Echo sa^s : — A reverend old gentleman was lately surprised to find an irreverent reporter taking his smoke in the outer room of the first Church while the " elite of Christianity," to wit, the Synod, vcro praying inside. Ilaving rubbed his eyes, and wiped Ins spectacles, to make sure Ins sight did not deceive lain, tho old gentleman drawled out with pious pompousness, " l>o you believe in the Laur-r-d ? " "A little," rejoined tho reporter (laconically. The recording angel proceeded with hi* trnioko ; and the parson collapsed It would take a, good many weeks of special prayer, cren from all the elite of Christianity, to convert that reporter. On Christmas Day the Lord Mayor and Lady Wa^erlow entertained 186 of their immediate relations at the Mansionhouse, llis lordship's father, who is 82 j ear* old, had the gratification of dining at tho same table with his 13 children, 49 grandchildren, and 1 1 great grandchildren. Tho Lord Mayor was supported by his -1 sons and 4 daughters, 4 brothers and 6 sisters, 17 nephews, 22 nieco3, 29 cousins, and 1 grandson ; and Lady Waterlow by her stepmother, 4 brothers, 3 sisters, 12 nephews, 12 nieces, and 41 cousins. , j