The Transit of Venus.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 269, 5 January 1875, Page 7

The Transit of Venus.

At the dinner given at Queenstown to i 'the members, of the American Scientific Partv, an «vn using was reported by "the Zdke WaMiip Mail as follows .• — Mr H. .Finn (in a very humorous sneeclv, I 'which elicited much laughter) said that a I 'very pleasing task had fallen to his lot- it, I "was to propose the health of " Tire Ladies" —.but he felt unable to do "justice to such a 'noble subject. He was a bashful man:; 'but, casting that. Fault aside, he felt himself "to be, 'like the generality of mankind—an ' admirer of the fair sex. He regretted the] :absence of the ladies, for our distinguished | wisitors had ceme thousands of miles to see j "not one Venus, but many.—(Laughter.) j lie felt proud of the honour done Queens-] town by the guests of the evening, but he i must confess he considered them very mi-! 'gallant—"in fact, very rude—for the disgraceful way they treated Venus, He (Kir Finn) did no'tknow Venus, but "from information received," as the policeman says, ; he believed her to be a charming creature, under age, and with a very large dowry. He was informed that during his absence ill Invercargill lately, she honoured this locality with a visit. Professor Peters comes here to attend her levee —staves at: mer "through a very large telescope—per-j naps winked for all ho knew—while his| ■gallant friend Lieutenant Bass remained a •short distance off, ready for the combat if! Mr Mars should attempt to interfere with the Professor's little '• game." He believed I the learned Professor was in love with ! Venus, and there were several circnmStances which led to that conclusion'. But,! gentlemen (continued the speaker), what: haa become of Venus'? .There is the clear- f est evidence to show .she- .visited the 6b'-1 aprvatory over which so proudly hangs thsj

stars and stripes—us if to seek its pvoticc-, tion—not condescending to** smile on our Union Jack. She wrfs seen to enter there, J but riot one of thousands of observers saw! her coming'out. ""She"remained there, [for there was evidence to show that another; of the Professor's abettors, Mr Phillipi, took over two hundred portraits of her. > It is our duty to inquire into these,little matters, j and see if the learned Professor, with his aiders and abettors, lias not infringed the laws of this our adopted country ; for the law is that no one shall take or carry away a young lady under age, whether she be willing or not, without the consent of her parents or guardians is first had and obtained. . (xentlamen, I am anxious to be I retained for the prosecution ; ; the Professor does not require any assistance, for li« has jno defence. (The speaker then reverted to I our local Venuses; the hits were received I with rounds of applause. He concluded I the most 'humorous speech of the. evening iby asking all to drink to K The Ladies.")