Here and There.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue XXIV, 13 June 1903, Page 1636

Here and There.

There will shortly be celebrated the 250th anniversary of the municipal birth of New York. Here are some interesting facts from the “Tribune,” which show the growth of the city:—Population in 1053, 1120; population 150 years later (1800), 011,000; population ill 1903, 3,1300,000. In 1053 there were paths, trails, and a few poor roads on the island; now there are 430 miles of •streets, of which 305 miles arc paved. The buildings in early New York were low, small structures; to-day there are on Manhattan Island scores of buildings more than ten storeys high, some more than 300 ft high. In place of the little school near where the new Custom House will stand there are hundred; of educational insitutions, and the city . Government has voted for public <■’ ’,i for the year more than Li Idols. (£4,000*,000).

Professor Lohnberg, of Vienna, publishes an essay on eold in the head. He states that the “ordinary cold is no individual complaint, but only a collective name for a large number of different complaints.” He says: “The attempt to discover a universal remedy against a ‘cold’ is just as absurd ns to search for a generally efficacious remedy for headache.” The particular complaint of which the “eold” is the symptom can only be ascertained by “careful examination of the nasal cavities and neighbouring parts.” Hence sufferers should be circumspect in the use of remedies.

The professor says only that which is true, but of which the mass of mankind is ignorant. Colds are of innumerable varieties, but the most common one is that which is persistently misunderstood. It is attributed to anything but the right cause, which is a microbe. All its symptoms are those of a highly infectious fever, and the public, instead of blaming the microbe of infection and striving to. kill it, will persist in denouncing draughts, wet feet, low temperature, etc. They exclude air, the enemy of the microbe, from their rooms; they supply a temperature in which it can multiply, and, having become thoroughly inoculated by breathing the germ-laden atmosphere,- they find that a eold current of air causes them to shiver. The shivering of the ordinary mind decides the question of causation. It is significant of every fever that it begins with shivering, and a “cold” is no

exception. Cold, wet feet, draughts, etc., are at most only accessories. By putting a greater strain on the animal economy they decrease its resistance to microbial infection. “Colds” arc not known in the Arctic regions.

Apropos of the visit of the Parliamentary party, the “Fiji Times” puts in a plea for Fiji as a regular holiday resort, pointing out that for some years past tha influx of visitors into Fiji from Australia and New Zealand on pleasure and leisure bent has been perceptibly on the increase, and to this extent the fame of Fiji as a desirable resort to escape the rigour of the winter months of more uncharitable climes has been heralded. Notwithstanding that such has been the case, the mere fact of a large number of prominnent citizens dwelling in the various provinces of New Zealand visiting the islands in companionship cannot do other than assist to establish Ari a permanent basis the annual institution of flitting to more genial climes. In the South Seas there are many inviting spots where a party of excursionists may sojourn lor a few days or weeks as the case may be and thoroughly enjoy the novelty attaching. j

The clever advertiser is not a creature of to-day imported from America, as so many people imagine. lie flourished in full vigour in England a century ago. Witness this paragraph publi-ied in the “Tinies” of April 28, 1803: Those who wish to know that our great Creator is merciful ns Tie is omnipotent, and that He never intended' to

torture mankind with disorders of extreme pain, without putting it in their power to relieve themselves, are requested to attend at Copenhagen House on Monday next, at 2 o’eloek, where a games at lives will be played by 10 men. all of whom have been cured by the Guestonian Medicines, after they had been returned from the London Hospitals as being incurable. The Attendance of any Medical Gentlemen belonging to these said Hospitals will be esteemed a favour conferred cn their most obedient servant, B. Guest, Xo. 9, Great Surrey street. Love of scientific research, combined with a desire to see a real savage in his lair, induced a young mechanic named Thomas Alfred Potts to separate himself from a penny and enter a side-show in Bolingbroke Market, Battersea, one day last month. When Potts stepped inside, the showman pointed to a black man, who was crouching in the corner of an iron cage, dressed in about half a ton of ship’s chains. “There he is, sir,” said he, “look at him carefully. Koff-KolT, the last of the wild Ojigajag Indians from South. Africa”- —or words to that effect. ■ The savage then shook his chains, glared wildly at Potts, and bared his white teeth. By this time several more people had entered the place, and the showman felt that it was about time to do something strenuous. Accordingly he entered the cage and went through a sham struggle with the wild man, who hurled him speedily on to the sawdust floor. All this time Potts never took his eyes off the savage. The latter seemed to appreciate the interest he had aroused in the bosom of the young mechanic, and gave him in return what is technically termed at Clapton the “steadfast gaze.” Suddenly, it is alleged, Koff-Koff, the wild man, jumped out of the cage and ran amok among the Startled audience. When he reached Potts he seized him round the neck, after the playful manner of the Ojigajag trike. Being, unaware of the customs of wild men, Potts expressed vigorous surprise. • 'fisc showman made them break away, and then, .according to the unhappy Potts, the wild man hit him over the head with his chains and he fell senseless on the floor. When brought before the magistrate at the, South-western Police Court the “savage,’.’-who gave his name as John Brown, in perfect English, admitted that he had been a performing “wild man” for several years, and denied having left his cage or striking Potts. In this he was corroborated by the showman, Jesse William Pont ing. After listening to the evidence of the constable as to complainant’s injuries the magistrate suggested that Potts should be compensated, and the case was adjourned for this purpose.

Mention the. telephone, and instantly, the name of Edison comes before the mind's eye: speak of wireless telegraphy, and one immediately thinks of Marconi, Yet there are dozens of things, big and little, which are a part of our daily life, of the origin of which we never think. When our grandmothers were young, pin money was a necessity, not a mere figure of speech. Pins were sold at four a penny. It is to the forgotten Samuel Slocum that we ewe, the cheap pin. of today. In 1830 the idea came to huh that pins, which were then made by winding a fine wire on the head and fastening it to the post of the pin, might be made at a single operation. But, strive as he would, he could not perfect the idea. At last he shut himself up In a room in his house in the Isle of Wight, and remained there eight days, seeing no one, and having his meals passed into him. At the end of that time he had every detail perfectly worked out, and in 1831 the manufacture of the modern pin commene.ed.

A few years ago. comparatively speaking, everyone laboriously laced his boots from the lowest hole to the top. There was none of that lightning crossing of the laces into the neat little hooks with

which the modern lace boot is provided. Tlie inventor of the boot hook, Mr H. A. Ship, who was born in London more titan 70 years ago, is at present ending his days in an almshouse. He sold his patent outright for the sum of £5O, and the purchasers are said to have made £250,000 out of the idea. It is less than a century ago that almost all the world's cooking was done over the open fire. The small compact range or cooking stove seen to-day in every kitchen was unknown. There is probably not one person in ten thousand who could say, if asked, who invented the cooking-range. His name was Josiah Reed, and he died only four or five years ago at the age of 92. His great invention, which revolutionised domestic life, brought him neither fame nor fortune. Thomas Kilpatrick died about a year ago. Possibly very few people have even so much as heard his name before. Yet he worked a reform in modern city life second to none among the inventions of the past half century. He was the builder of the first of modern fiats. We who are town-dwellers ride in trams every day of our lives, and if we are asked what is the origin of the word we usually attribute it to Benjamin Out ram, the Derbyshire man, who first invented the flange for keeping the wheel on the rail. This is quite a mistaken idea. “Tram” is the old Swedish word for wooden sledge, and we owe the successful modern tram almost entirely to John Warren, a Manchester (nan. He made a fortune out of his enterprise, and so did another almost unknown inventor. Mr Robert Scrope. To the latter we owe the invention of the brown boot, or, at any rate, its first practical adoption. Within twelve months of commencing the manufacture Mr Scrope had 20 branches at work, employing some thousands of men. In all the world’s history there is no more startling instance of ingratitude and forgetfulness than the history of Mr Henry Cort. He expended the whole of his private fortune of £ 20,000 in perfecting his invention for- puddling iron, and rolling it into bars and plates. Then he. was robbed of the fruits of his toil by the villainy of certain Government officials, and in the end left to starve. This was in 1784. Since that date Cort’s inventions have conferred upon this country (England) an amount of wealth equivalent to seven hundred millions of pounds, and given constant employment to about 600,000 workmen for the past four generations. ‘ The name of Macintosh is commemorated for ever in the waterproof garments which have, in the eouptry at least, almost superseded the umbrella. Yet an article in the “Annals of Philosophy,” dated 1818, proves that it is another man we ought to thank, instead of Macintosh, for the blessing of the waterproof. In the article referred to Professor Syme announces his discovery, of the powers of benzine to dissolve indiarubber, and tells how he rendered a silk cloak and other garments perfectly waterproof by brushing them over with a thin solution. ..

Several Queens have affected “special vanities” as regards colours in dress. Queen Margherita of Italy has always shown a preference for white. The story goes that out of a' pretty conceit, by reason of-her name meaning. Daisy, her husband. King Humbert, liked best to see her dressed in white and gold, and he presented her with several splendid gowiis so composed. The present Queen of. Italy prefers bright colours, and is not daunted by even vivid blue and scarlet, knowing that they suit her dark' beauty. Queen Alexandra more often than not wears various shades of mauve, from deep heliotrope to lavender) The Princess of Wales is very faithful to true blue, both light and navy. Marguerite of Yalois, Queen of Navarre, was called “The White Queen,” not only from her fairness, but because she wore white robes, Queen Mary of England, perhaps from religious motives, or maybe to accord with her sad embittered life, appears in almost all hex portraits dressed in black. As for good Queen Bess, she could give points to Solomon, and beat him.

Reading aloud well is an accomplishment ranking next to music as a means of entertainment at home and in the family circle. In a past generation the long winter evenings were looked forward to with pleasing anticipations which

were realised when they were chiefly spent at home, and going to parties was the exception. The father, mother and children all gathered in the common living room, and one read aloud while others busied themselves with some handiwork, and all, save very small ones, who had an early bedtime, listened with attention and interest.

There is much talk just now about the study of child nature. It would astonish some of these students could they know how mueh of good literature intended for mature minds was comprehended and appreciated by- children when they were given a chance to become acquainted with it. Scott’s novels, ' Paradise Lost,” Seott’s poems, and. other similar reading have been a strong factor in forming a good taste in literature, when heard by children from seven to ten years of age. Such children have of their own volition learned large parts of “The Lady of the Lake,” ‘'The Lay of the Last Minstrel,” and many small poems of great merit. One lady took pleasure, when long past her eightieth year, in repeating gems of poetry learned in her early girlhood. There is too much light and trashy reading for children. They are left too much to themselves in choice of books. Parents are too apt to be engrossed in their own pursuits to give their children the proper training in reading aloud at home. Too mueh dependence is placed on their being taught at’school. At school there is not sufficient time to give each child all the exercise in this that is needed. Reading aloud should be a home habit. One principal of a school has recognised this, and is making an effort to encourage children in the habit. He gives a credit to children for home reading aloud, and asks a report from the parents, and also gives the pupil an opportunity to _tell to his class the things he has read.

The responsibility of a child’s education is not wholly the teacher’s. The teacher is simply to supplement the efforts of the parent, to supply what it is inconvenient or impossible for the parent to give. Schools are not intended to take a parent’s place.

Sensational bidding was evoked at Christie’s (London) last month, when £38,171 5/ worth of the late Lady Henry Gordon-Lennox’s jewellery (some of the finest in London) fell under the hammer in eighty minutes. The sensation of those eighty minutes was the bidding for the magnificent pearl necklace, which included 287 large round pearls, and which, starting at £5OOO, was sold eventually for £22,500. The diamond tiara, tipped with enormous pearshaped pearls, the centre forming an aigrette, for the sum of £5700, became the property of a determined bidder, who carried it away at once wapped up in cotton wool and tissue paper.

The smallest articles were offered first. For a plain gold necklet, the price went up from one guinea to £5 in shillings, and the bidding gradually increased to a thousand at a time. Twenty-six pounds Was given for a gold chain chatelaine, and £37 for a lovely pair of diamond wings, while a brilliant cadueeus brooch with pearl top fetched £42. A scarf pin formed of one perfect pear-shaped pearl went for £l3 10/, and a square emerald set plainly in gold fell for £6O. A ring composed of a wonderfully fine sapphire, with two brilliants on each rule (worn regularly by the late owner), was sold for £185; and a pair of ruby and diamond combs, also frequently worn, went for ten guineas. A half hoop ruby ring fetched £lB5, while £BO was offered and rejected for a magnificent brilliant band bracelet of eight circles, for which the bidding was restarted at £l2O, and ran up to £660. For a brilliant tiara composed of nineteen large diamonds, £l4OO was given and £l6OO was accepted for a bracelet composed of an unusually fine ruby, oval-shaped, surrounded by ten fine brilliants.

The Gordon-Lennox family are celebrated for their superb jewellery. The Duke of Richmond, the head of the family. possesses a most precious collection of Oriental jewels. One splendid diamond belonged to the founder of the Mogul dynasty in India; twelve solitaire diamonds formed the vest buttons of a Brazilian Emperor; and a wonderful black diamond did duty for centuries as the eve of an Indian idol.

David Kaphokohoakimohokeweonah is the postmaster of Koekoa, in the Hawaiian Islands. Mr. Kaphokohoakimohokeweonah—they call him "Kap” for short —is a lineal descendant of the famous King Kalitapokamikokiwealoho, “who was very fond of missionaries.” This recommendation was somewhat ambiguous, but secured him the office. He may rise to be Postmaster-General.

This frolicsome matrimonial advertisement appears in the “Kobe Chronicle”:

“California: Well, boys, here I am, a sweet little maid of seventeen summers; can sing ragtime and dance jagtime; can cook, and am an all-round girl. I have bright blue eyes, light hair, inclined to be early, height sft 4in, weight 120, and have light complexion. Would like to correspond with some nice young man of good habits who intends to marry.

The L.C.C. have adopted stringent, but very necessary, rules against the dangers of expectorating in publie conveyances. Last April the following bylaws came into force: “No person shall spit in or upon any carriage used on any tramway worked by the London County Council. Any person offending aganst or committing a breach ot the foregoing by-law or regulation shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding forty shillings.”

How much more thrilling the big football matches of the season would be if each of the rival factions had its distinctive war song or war whoop. Here is a model for football poets to work upon. It is the war song of the best lacrosse team in British Columbia* “Allevepore, Altevopore, Allevepore viper vmn. Vum caught a soc-eye Bigger than a Cohoe Bigger than a Cohoe Hump-back, Hump-back, Slz-Boom-Bah. Ooiachans, oolachans, Bah-rah-rah.”

King Edward does not intend, unless under very exceptional circumstances, to attend the weddings of his subjects in future. As Prince of Wales he was constantly on view at these smart society functions, but the tax of late years has become very great, added to his innumerable other social engagements. Queen Alexandra and her daughters have never been so readily available for weddings, except of those few favoured people in whom they have taken a real personal interest as intimate friends or members of their entourage. Since his accession King Edward has naturally not felt obliged to honour the nuptials of unimportant people by his presence, and to prevent the risk of making invidious distinctions, he has wisely intimated that in future all wedding invitations will be refused.

The most frantic appeal for a servant ever put into type has just appeared in a Chicago newspaper. It took 500 words and £4 to express the- wemldbe employer’s feelings. After describing the favourable location of his home, and his “small family,” he appeals for “a medium sized girl,” because “a small girl might not have strength to draw the salary we are willing to pay,” and adds:

“If you don’t want to wash your own clothes we will send them with my laundry and pay for them. If you don’t like to wait at table we will turn the kitchen into a cafe, and all walk out and wait on ourselves.

“The nurse and you have separata rooms on the third floor. She is very lady-like, but if she is objectionable to you in any way we will let her go. “My wife will try very hard to pieasc you, but if you don’t like her, I wHI let her—well, anyway,’come to our reSeue.”

The Rev. Erie M. Farrdr, St. Jahn’s Vicarage, Iloxton, the son of tlio late Dean of Canterbury, has collected' the reasons given to him by many workingmen for non-attendance at chureh: 1. Because of their love of home, Sunday being the only day when many of them see their children awake. 2. Because they often have no Sunday clothes. (Mem. —I have often consider*

ed the fashion of Sunday clothes a device of the devil.) 3. Because there is so little welcome extended to the stranger entering the church. 4. Because sermons so seldom toueh on the subjects men are most interested in. 5. Because Sunday is the only day for recreation and social intercourse. 6. Because they are teased if they go by their comrades. 7. Because they have to stay at home to mind house and children if the wife goes. 8. Because they had too much of it as children.

9. Because they love -the things temporal more than the things eternal. This last reason was given by four of the men themselves.

A clever American professor was ones asked by a young lady for a cipher that could be easily worked without being too difficult to read, whereupon he penned the following: U 0 a 0, but I 0 U; ; O 0 no 0, but O 0 me; '■ O let not my 0 a 0 go, But give 0 0 I 0 U so. I When the key to this is obtained it lilts like a love-song. The secret of it lies in the facts that a nought is a cipher, and that it is easy to make this word read “sigh for” whenever required. It reads phonetically with perfect ease, but toe written form is, perhaps, more readily intelligible: • >i You “sigh for” a cipher, but I “sigh for” you; O “sigh for” no cipher, but O “sigh for” me; • • *• Xj O let not my “sigh for sigh, for” I “s'gh for” you so. | .

A military correspondent gives a good description of the Somali, who as a fighting man is not first-class, though he is fond of drill and proud of his uniform. But he is by nature decidedly effeminate; his toilet is a constant source of anxiety to himself, and the pains he will take to curl his crisp black hair by the application of various substances to his head is incredible. He is fond of finery, of luxurious and indolent habits, and keeps up an incessant lire of chatter. He is grasping, and in the matter of food is greedy. Timid in the presence of a European, he is easily excited, and quickly loses his head. Dancing is one of his chief pastimes, accompanied by the loud clapping of hands and a continuous and monotonous wail, which no doubt does duty for a song. Somali women never dance, and scarcely even smile; they are completely cowed Ly the men, who treat them in most cases unkindly, if not actually cruelly. The Somali is most punctilious in the performance of his religious rites; but he seems hypocritical to a degree.

Certain <bK<-ors maintain that the best way to prevent indigestion is to whistle without a pause for a quarter of an hour after dinner. 2 In <lays gone by, when nival* were o’er. To guard ourselves from ill. The black, unpleasant draught we’d pour. Or bolt the azure pill. But now we’ve found, it seems to me, A trick that’s better far. We are a happily family. We are, we are, wc are! A whistled tune. M.D.’s have found, All tonics will eclipse. So volumes of the richest sound Stream from our pursed up iips». Each chooses bis own melody, There’s not the slightest par. Wo are a happy family. We are, we arc, we are! My father renders •'Nancy Lee,” My mother “Dolly Grey.’’ My sister. In a different key. Works hard at “Sail A wav!” My brother tries “Abide with Mr” (Six faults to every bar). Wo arc a happy family. We are, wc are. we are! And as the cheery notes arise, And soar towards the roof. Fell indigestion quails and dies. Dyspepsia holds aloof. Our health, as far as 1 can see Continues up to par. We are a happy family. We are, we are, we are! P.G.W., in the “Daily Chronicle.” f ~ J

A certain knight of the quill in n. Government office once upon a lime asked for a week’s leave that he might go to bury his father. This was readily granted. A day or two afterward there arrived a visitor who wished to see Mr. A -, the orphan. Air. A ’s chief explained that, be wasn’t to be seen—in fact, he had gone away to bury his father.” “But,” said the stranger, “I am his father.” “Well,” replied the official, a man of few words. “I don't know anything about Mr. A ’s private affairs; I only knowlie has gone to bury you.” At the end of the week of mourning Mr. A returned, looking very disconsolate. When asked by his chief how he had fared, he pulled a very long face and said he had had “the melancholy satisfaction of seeing the last rites properly performed.” and so on; adding that of course he felt very deeply on the subject, but that no doubt time would lighten the load of his affliction. “Ah,” replied the other, “I can sympathise with you. I lost my father when I was a young man. When you lose your father you lose your best friend. I hadn’t the pleasure of your poor father’s acquaintance during his lifetime, but he called here a few days after his death, and I had a short conversation with him. Now. this was most irregular, and my object in sending for you was this—when next the poor old gentleman dies. do. if you possibly can. arrange to have him buried, and be back here to meet him in ease he calls again. That's all. Good morning.” Exit Mr. A . not. p rhaps, an outwardly sadder, but certainly a much wiser, man.

A. good story is current of a too hasty and generous motorist. Driving at rather uiore than regulation speed, in a country lane, he overtook a man and a dog. The man jumped to one side; the dog was killed. Instantly the motorist stopped, leapt from the car, pressed three sovereigns into the man’s hand, and lied. The man gazed after him, and then at the money. “He is very kind,” he said softly to himself; ‘but I wonder to whom the poor dog belonged.”

An English resident in Shanghai having made a good dinner from a tasty but unrecognised dish, called his cook, Wun Hoo, and congratulated him on the meal. ‘I hope you did not kill one of those dogs to provide the soup,” jestingly remarked his daughter, referring, of course, to the pariahs which haunt Chinese streets. Wun Hoo made a solemn gesture of dissent. “No killee dawg, misee,” he explained; “him alleddy dead when I pickee up.”

America is simply buzzing from end to end with the new song, “Mister Dooley.” In places where men and women meet it is hummed, and the boys are whistling it in the streets, the bands are playing it, and the street organs grinding it out. It is in the restaurants, music-halls and theatres. Old men know it, and young men cannot get away from it. It is “Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay,” “Grandfather’s Clock,” “Dolly Gray,” and the “Soldiers of the Queen” over again, only worse. The tempo is di Marcia, of course, in six-eight time. The chorus runs thusly: For Mister Doo—ley. For Mister Doo—ley. The greatest man the country ever knew; Quite diplomatic, And democratic Is Mister Doo-ley-00-ley-00-ley-00. The chorus is the lingering rasb that is at present infesting America. There are ten verses and ten choruses.

The historical and other “facts” given here are taken from schoolboys’ examination papers: — Of whom was it said “He never smiled again?”—William Rufus did this after he was shot by the arrow. My favourite character . in English history is Henry VIII., because he has eight wives and killed them all. Edward 111. would have been King of France if his mother had been a man. The principal products of Kent are Archbishops of Canterbury. The chief clause in Magna Charts was that no free man should be put to death or be imprisoned without his own consent. What were the three most important Feudal dues?—Friendship, courtship, marriage. What do you know of Dryden and Buckingham?—Dryden and Buckingham were at first friends, but soon became contemporaries. What is Milton’s chief work?—Milton wrote a sensible poem called the “Canterbury Tails.” An optimist is a man who looks after your eyes, and a pessimist is a man who looks after your feet. A man who looks on the bright side of things is called an optimist, and the one who looks on the dull side is called a pianist.

The latest joke in Melbourne medical circles turns upon a matter of £2O. It chanced that at one of the hospitals a member of the honorary medical staff succeeded another in a particular ward. The new man's surname was the same as the old one’s Christian mime, so the secretary, in making the alteration on the card which appears above the patient’s bed. simply drew his pen through the surname of the first one, and let it stand at that. Had the new doctor foreseen the effect of this economy he would have had cards printed at his own expense. A patient in that ward had received every attention, but his case was hopeless, and just before his death he called his solicitor to make a will. “I leave £20,” he said, “to my medical attendant,” and the solicitor, glancing at the bed card, did not notice the half-obliterated name, so credited the bequest to the doctrtf who had not attended the patient. The money is not a matter of much importance to either of them—so the doctor who

shouldn’t have got it keeps it,, and the one who should have got it pleads pathetically that the least the other can do is to ask the medical staff to dinner. “I’ll give up the £ 20,” said the fortunate one, “and you provide the dinner.” Each of them feels apparently that the staff would make it a point of honour on the occasion to dispose of an extra ten pounds’ worth in addition to the bequest, so the matter is indefinitely hung up.

This new Bill for Prevention of Cruelty to Wild Animals, being introduced into the House of Commons, was promoted by Mr Corrie Grant and Dr. Shipman, and aims at carrying human kindness a step further. It does not seek to interfere with hunting and shooting in the usual acceptation of the terms, and the wild animal in its natural state may still die the natural death. Its object is to fine or imprison any who take part in the hunting, coursing or shooting of any animal that has been kept in confinement and released for such purpose. The bill will cut across the amusements of many members of the two Houses, but it will abolish certain practices which offend the public conscience. Pigeon shoots will be confined to such places as Monte Carlo. The sparrow shoot, delight and profit of the country publican, must also go. Nor will the Cockney sportsman be able any longer to chase the tame deer which is kept for the purposes of sport, turned out of a cart, rescued at the crucial moment, and kept to be hunted another day. There is one section of the bill which is a concession to the pleasures of the rich. It “shall not apply to the hunting, coursing or shooting of any animal which has been released two months before the day when such hunting, coursing or shooting takes place.” One pictures the keeper, with an eye on the almanac, turning out the pheasants that have been fed with the chickens. For the clause is clearly drawn in order to keep the battue within legality.

Mr Irvine, the Victorian Premier, was born at Newry, County Down, Ireland, one of his townsmen being Hord Russell, of Killowen. Chief Justice of England, and his uncle on the maternal side, John Mitchel, a name well known to Irishmen. His father was engaged in the Irish linen trade, but went down with the historic failure of that great industry, and it was shortly after his death that the present Premier, and the members of his family, came to Victoria. His mother, brother, and four sisters are still resident in Melbourne. Mr Irvine was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he took his arts degree, and on deciding to read for the law in Melbourne—which he did with Mr Justice Hodges—the ordinary four years’ course at the University was in conformity with custom shortened to two. His University course was thorough, and finished with the LL.B. degree and the winning of the Law Scholarship. Prior to that he had been a teacher at the Geelong College, and tutor for a couple of years to the sons of the late Mr Rickerton on Barratta Station, Riverina. The earliest recognition of his abilities was really in his election as prelector of the Trinity College Dialetical Society. He was admitted to the bar on the Gth July. 1884, and went through that trying time of waiting for briefs which is the disciplinary experience of most young barristers. It was during this period of patience and expectancy that lie wrote his “Justices of the Peace.” .which has become a standard

guide in police court procedure, yet so little was the author known that on one occasion at Fcotscray the Justices sought to confound him by quoting against him his own rules of procedure. He commenced the work while he was as an advocate still idle, but briefs were coming to him before he had quite finished it, and the publication of the work his success at the bar began, his first cases being in the Gippsland County Courts. Mr Trvine’s entry into politics in 1894 was sudden as unexpected. Fortyeight hours before nomination he was utterly unknown to the constituency of T.owan, where he opposed Mr Richard Baker, a member of the Patterson Ministry, and with little more than a week’s canvass beat him at the poll—almost as much to his own surprise as that of bis friends. To those who have watched him front the door und galleries of Par-

liament the impressive thing in the Premier’s political career u just that quality which, in a short week, has made him the man of the time—a capacity to rise to great occasions. lie has won the respect of his political opponents, because he is pre-eminently fair in argument, and his political strife is never tinged with personal rancour. Possibly that is, in some measure, a result of his legal training. The things one remembers in that crisis were the absolute calmness shown by Mr Irvine, even under very exciting circumstances; and his plain, simple, unaffected speech. There are few public men who could have resisted the temptations which he resisted when he rose in the Assembly last week to say why the Government had summoned Parliament. Mr Shiels would have delivered an almost unending oration. It is the coolness of Mr Irvine and his being a man of few words which has induced the Victorian public to trust him implicitly in a crisis.—“ Australasian.”

. The following rather smart alliterative story was received by “The New Idea” in a recent competition:— Sweet Sally Stubbs sat sewing. Some scandalmongers said she sewed sleeping. Suddenly she started, stopped sewing, staring steadily southwards. She saw six splendid spirited steeds speeding swiftly seawards. Six swarthy, sunburnt soldiers sat steadily. Soldiers, seeing Sally, stopped, seeming suspicious somehow. She, surprised, sat still. Seeing soldiers speaking softly seared Sally somewhat. Soon some stepped swiftly Sally wards, saying sharply, sternly: “Several smooth-tongued, sneaking spies ’scaped some sixty seconds since. Seen some, sweet Sally?” “Sirs,” stormed Sally, standing, “surely some speak strangely sometimes.” “Shall search spot," said soldiers. “Search, stupids,” said Sally, scornf.tby. Soldiers, separating, soon searched spot, sans success. Said Sally, seoffingly, “Satisfied!” “Some soup,” solicited soldiers. “Soup!” screamed she, shrilly. “Surely,” said soldiers, smiling; “smells sweet.” “Soup, soup,” screeched Sally, “saints save!” Sobbing, she sulkily served soldiers some scup. Soldiers, satisfied, soon sped, some singing, some shouting, Sally standing scoffing. Sandy Simpson, slowly sauntering, saw Sally standing scowling, said, “Surely, sweet Sally Stubbs seems severely struck.” She, seeing Sandy, shrieked, “Sandy—■ soldiers, spies, soup!” Sandy soothed Sally. Sally’s savage spirits slowly sank. She said, sobbing, “Sandy, soldiers stole soup.” Simpson sympathised, still said she should subdue such savage spirits. Sally said she should strive. Sandy (sides shaking) strode slowly, saying, “So-long, sweet Sally.” Sally steadily strives; still she seems scared seeing soldiers. Stupid, stubborn, suspicious, sweet Sally Stubbs