WAIFS AND STRAYS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 91, 23 January 1875, Page 11

WAIFS AND STRAYS.

A Rekabkable Pedestrian Feat. — A remarkable pedestrian, feat has, according to the " Finanza" of Alexandria, been lately per* formed by an Italian, named Giuseppe Bices, who certainly seems to have taken a constitutional. Having come Borne months ago from Alexandria to Constantinople in search of some employment, but being unsuccessful in his object, Ricca resolved to return to Alexandria. A difficulty, however, arose at the very commencement of the journey, owing to the fact of his having no money — a serious drawback to a bonafide traveller ; for, notwithstanding the "wretched impotence of gold," it is uncommonly difficult to travel without it.' Ricca at first tried to work his passage back in a steamer or ship, but failing also in this endeavor he set his face resolutely southwards, and, determined to work or beg his way to Egypt. He accordingly started off with a light heart and a thin pair of breeches, and after marching for 158 days across the peninsula of Asia Minor, and along the coasts of Syria and Palestine he arrived in safety at Alexandria, where, by latest accounts, he was enjoying the repose he was justly entitled to after his fatiguing walk. It is somewhat remarkable that in these days of muscular Christianity and railway casualties we never hear ofi sportsmen walking from London to the Highlands 'of Scotland, or even of heads of families, accompanied by their offspring, journeying on foot to the sea coast places where they pass their autumn holidays^ Pobably many persons are deterred from the natural mode of travelling by the absence of convenient hotel accommodation ; but this.' difficulty might be overcome by meanß of tents or cinvas, and even %• night's lodging under a hedge or haystack would often be far lew un* wholesome and uncomfortable than the lodgings by the "cruel crawl* ing sea" that are provided for the discomfort of holiday-makers. Scottish Conscience. — Count Medina-Pomar, in his newly*, published work, " The Honeymoon," tells the following story :—" It was at the hotel at Dumbarton. I had just got up, and rung the t«U for some hot water for shaving. A waiter answered my call. ' I want some hot water, if you please,' I said. ' And what for do you want the hot water ?' ' For shaving,' said I. <Ye canna have hot water on the Lord's Day for sic a thing as shaving,' said the waiter, horror-struck at the idea. I insisted again, but with the same effect. ( Na, na,' said he, 'ye canna have it.' Necessity is the mother of invention, 'tis said, and this aroused mine. I thought that if I could arrange the order in such a way that it would not affect his religious scruples, he would bring it directly. I therefore proposed that I should lite some toddy, and told him 'to bring the materials ' for making it, consisting of whisky, sugar, and boiling water. These ha brought without the least demur. I gave him the whisky, which he drank, and I used the water. So conscience was satisfied.