RANDOM NOTES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 90, 16 January 1875, Page 9

RANDOM NOTES.

Hj " A cblcl'a ntnang' yo tnltin' notes, ' Aud fttlth Uo'el pront 'cm." 'It would appear that there are other " Random " notes besides those appearing in those coltunns, a fact -which has been somewhat disagreeably brought under the notice of Mr Robert Stout. That imaginative gentleman is evidently one of those who believe that facts, like physic, should be thrown to the dogs, and that such inconvenient and stubborn commodities should be altogether eschewed when they cast a shade across an otherwise pleasing picture. At a recent gathering of Ms admiring but credulous fellowislanders, Mr Stout, in speaking' of the early history of that portion of her Majesty's dominions, allowed his love of country to take a license with historical facts more creditable to v his patriotism than his propriety. In glowing words and soul- inspiring language were the glories of his countrymen dwelt upon, and his audience were advised of the fact that the Shetland Isles was the cradle of Christianity, and that its natal year was somewhere about 810. Unfortunately, however, for this pleasing picture, " a chiel was there takin' notes " who churlishly took exception to the flights of fancy indulged in, and deeming a stretch of imagination extending over three centuries and a half rather too wide a gap to be bridged without foundation, through the columns of the Press sought to bring the imaginative chronicler from fiction to fact. Prove that his assertions were tenable Mr Stout could not, and own that his assertions were untenable Mr Stout would not, so Mr Stout, following the tactics of another "learned friend," sought the weapons used by the profession under such circumstances, and made up in abuse what he lacked in argument. Strange enough, however, the originality of his assertions was made apparent in his endeavor to defend his new <" stories " by his condemnation of the staleness of those of his opponent. Of ctiuxse, Mr Stout is at perfect liberty to assert that Ireland was a terra incognita at the commencement of the ninth century, and that the life and labors of its Patron Saint are entirely apocryphal ; but it is rather too much to expect those outside his peculiar " circle " to accept such a dictum, even though Mr Stout be the " medium " through which the information is conveyed. Being of an inquiring mind, and influenced by a thirst for knowledge, I am led to ask what has become of the proposed testimonial to the senior member for Dimedin — the Hon. Mr Reynolds. I will not carry my inquisitiveness to the extent of inquiring why such a step should have ever been intended at all, being perfectly convinced that the keen and far-seeing gentleman from whom the idea emanated had good and tangible reasons for such a proposition. " Coming events cast their shadows before," and rumor hath it that the testimonial to the Minister was the shadow which preceded an addition to the stipendiary bench. Such being the case, I am the more surprised atthe subsidence of the movement, the more so as the ' Gazette/ so far, has not chronicled the expected appointment. " The best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft aglee," and it must be confessed the prospects of the testimonial and its concomitant look exceedingly " fishy " at the present time. One meets occasionally -with some " curious " paragraphs, and it must be confessed that the following from the • Hokitika Leader' is a unique specimen of the class :—lt: — It says, " A curious accident happened in the house of the Eesident Magistrate at Wellington hist week. Two servant girls, sleeping in the one room, upset a kerosene lamp, which set fire to their night-dresses and the room." Had the lamp been alight at the time of its upset it would, indeed, be " curious " had not some such mishap been the result ; but, as that fact has not been stated, it is to be presumed that such wbs not the case, and no doubt the " curious " part of the proceeding would be such disastrous consequences under such peculiar circumstances.