Varieties.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 376, 23 July 1903, Page 2

Varieties.

——♦— . \ < A PERILOUS j £.., W§EJfr BATHER carious performance has Wjjjjtjx - just beea made with, a xnbtor-car SBSSsI at Copenhagen, according to > The Pilgrim.' The- Jrafm poa-" sessea a circular tower 100!t, in height, which >va > formerly used for astronomical purpose's. Its top is only reached by ascending a spiral passage .12ft broad, which winds between the outer wall of the tower and an inner circular wall. A motor-oar of five horse-power, weighing 2001b, and carrying three persons, ascended the tower recently by this passage, taking one minute to do the j mrnsy, and afterwards making the mu:h more dangerous descent with equal success., Jfc is of interest to recall that the Tsar Peter thel Great, on visiting Copenhagen, in 1716, made the same ascent and descent in a carriage driven by four horses. -

ARTIFICIAL BLOOMS. The latest development of the subject is certainly not without its own particular touch of humour, if nothing else. A friend of mine who has ome from Paris has told me that one of the chief artificial flower houses in the • City of Light' is recommending people to buy their fbwers wholesale. It is making its appeal particularly to those who are intending to settle down, and offers a reduction on taking a quantity, thuß appealing to the bargain instinct which is inherent in every woman's nature. Bouquets for the girl who is engaged and is at home to Teceive congratulations, the bridal bouquet of white blossoms, the bouquet for the christening of the first born, are all included in the list offered to be supplied for a lump sum by the firm. As if, however, that was not. looking forward to a sufficient extent into the future, it goes farther still, and .includes a funeral wreath to be used when, ie the fulness of time, ono or other of the parties who are thinking only of life, and happiness shall meet with death, that brings inevitable sorrow to the life partner he or she has left. If that is noi business instinct, I d > not know what i«t.

GRIMILDPS RIVAL. Captain Gronow, the celebrated raconteur, tells the following anecdote in his 'Reminiscences' :—'Colonel commonly called 'Dan,' was an exceedingly well-made man, and remarkable for his physical powers in running, jumping, climbing, and such bodily exercises as demanded agility and muscular strength. He used to amuse his friends by creeping over the furniture of the room like a monkey. It was very common for his companions to make bets nth him; for example, that he would not be able to climb, up the ceiling of a room, or scramble over a certain house-top. Grimaldi, the famous clown, used to say, 'Colonel Mickinnon has only to put on the motley costume and he would totally eclipse me' 'Oh, What a Surprise !'

'Mackinnon was famous for practical jokes; which were, however, always playei in a gentlemanly way. S Before landing at S;. Andero's with some other officers who had been on leave in England, he agreed to personate the JDake of York, and make the Spaniards believe that his Royal Highness was among them. Oj nearing the shore, a Rayal standard wan hoisted at the mast-head, and Mackinnon disembarked, wearing the star of the shako on his left breast, and accompanied by his friends, who agreed to play the part of aides-de-camp to Royalty. The Spanish authorities were soon informed of tbe arrival of the Royal Commander-in-Chief of the firitish Army, so they received Mackinnon with the usual pomp and circumstance attending such occasions. The Mayor of the place, in honour of the arrival, gave a grand banquet, which terminated with the appearance of a huge bowl of punch, Whereupon Daa, thinking the j >ke had gone far enough, suddenly dived his head into the porcelain vase and threw his heels into the air.' The surprise 0? the Spanish dignitaries at such an unusual sight and performance can more easily be imagined than described.