WITHOUT PREJUDICE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 30, 29 October 1921, Page 6

WITHOUT PREJUDICE

NOTES AT RANDOM

(Hr

T.D.H.)

The burden of President Harding’s address to tho negroes seems to be that two blacks do not make a white. Two motor-cars came to grief-one after the other at the same 'bank on a road near Auckland, and these are not the only motorists who tire finding that banks and motor-cars do pot get on well together these days. ' .• “I am afraid, gentlemen, I Am. an unconscionable time a-dying," said Britain s , last King Charles—but ho did not make half such a job of it as Austria's Karl. Saved by a Straw.—The Hughes Government in Australia remains in office by the one vote of Mr. Hay, of the Country Party; a case of making hay first and getting the sunshine after. "Mr. Russell took his place in the Labour Day procession, and afterwards attended the sports; he donated a prize of two guineas for the baby show. News item. • This enterprise of Mr. Russell » serves to recall memories of. that famous election campaign of Eatanswill, "He has come out," said little Mr. Perker, greatly excited. . . . Another cheer much louder „ “He has shaken hands with the men. cried the little agent. ' , , Another cheer, far more vehement. , "JTe has patted the babes on the head,” said Mr. Perker. trembling with A ro*ar of applause that rent the air. “He has kissed one of ’em ’ exclaimed the delighted little man. A second i-oar. ... , "He has kissed another, gasped tne excited manager. A third roar. ■ ■ . “He’s kissing era all! screamed the enthusiastic little gentleman. And, hailed by the deafening shouts of the multitude, the procession moved on, -w

Which calle to mind a couple of election stories related by Walter Jerrold. Charles James Fox having applied to a Westminster voter, for his interest, the free and independent one said he would be very glad to oblige Fox with a halter. Fox, however, was equal to the occasion, and courteously thanked him > for the kind offer, but -said he would not by any means deprive the man of it, as the thing was obviously an heirloom in his family.

During one of his earlier contests (also for Westminster), Richard Brinsley Sheridan won a vote very ingeniously. He was journeying, to town in a public coach, when he found his two companions were Westminster, electors. In the course of the conversation one asked the other for whom he intended to vote. "For Pauli, certainly," came the quick reply, "for though I think him but a shabby sort of fellow, I would vote for anyone rather than for that rascal Sheridan !”.. “Do you know Sheridan?” asked. The other. “Not I, sir; nor should I wish to know him.” The conversation, dropped here; but when the party alighted for . breakfast Sheridan called the other aside, and asked him the name of his friend. “His name z is Mr. Richard Wilsop; he is an... eminent lawyer, and resides in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.". Break--fast over, the journey was resumed. Sheridan soon turned the talk to law. “It is,” ho said, “a fine profession. Meii' may rise from it to the highest eminence in the State;, and it gives vastscope to the display of talent; many of the most virtuous and noble characters recorded in our history have been lawyers; I am sorry, however, to add that some of the greatest rascals have also been lawyers; but of all the raecale of lawyers I ever heard of, the greatest one is Wilson, who lives in Lincoln’s Inn Fields.” "I am Mr, Wilsph, sir!” said that gentleman, "And lam Mr. Sheridan," was the reply. The jest was instantly seen; they shook hands,, and so Sheridan won for himself a waj-m supporter. • . I.

■ TSe readiness of retort of Mr. Lloyd George.is proverbial. On one occasion he began .a speech .by saying, "I am here and before he could say anymore an interjector shouted, "And so am I!” "Yes,” was tho ready reply, “but you are., not all. there!” On another occasion he was speaking on Home Rule, and saying he wanted to see it not only .for Ireland, -but for Scotland and for Wales. "And for hell, too!” exclaimed an interjector. "Certainly, my friend,” came Mr. Lloyd George’s unexpected retort, "I always like to hear a man stand up for his Country!”

Look through your race book on the way to Trenfhanr to-day and pick out the best namelf horse on breeding on the card. This is really a very fascinating business, for you can not only ad- ( mire the clever choice of tome owners, but you can also amuse yourself improving on the selections of others;

A good, many owners, it will be noted, are quite content to choose a name suggested either by the name of the sire or the olam, Thus we have Bumptious (Killjoy—Conceit), plainly derived from the dam. and Affectation (Kilbroney— Simper) is a similar case. Another common form of nomenclature is to take a syllable from both sire and dam and join them up. Thus we have Hallowvonia (Hallowmas—Merrivonia), Delight (Demosthenes— Sunlight). But what appeals to me most is a clever use of the names of both parents. Danger Zone (Martian—Crimson Rose) is not bad, though a little strained. Mars is the God of War and anything crimson in connection with the War God Suggests a danger zone. Rebuff (Martian-Lady Disdain) distinctly good; and so also is Flight Commander (Martian—Nerve), for a flight commander certainly requires both a warlike spirit and plenty of nerve. Kipling (Demosthenes —Chatterer) is charmingly subtle. It may not be complimentary to class Kipling aa a chatterer, but there was a time when he did chatter a good deal in his writings; and the sting is eliminated if we remember that the name of the sire stands for all that is great ■in oratory and civic spirit In other .words Kipling Stands for a mixture of both the great and tho mediocre, and if anyone feels Kurt I cannot help it, ;

i , Bilt though' I cannot go on filling up this column in this way, there are one or two other names on to-dayje race card, that must not be passed over. v There i» one which will appeal to all: Rugby (All Black—Effort). Could anything.be more appropriate to a New Zealander? All Blacks and Effort should prodnre somethin 0 ' extra special in the form of Rugby, though I do not put this forward as 4 tip If I really did dare to give a Safe tip based on the best-named hm** on the card my choice would certainly be for Epitaph (Absurd-Eulogy). Is not that a delightfully satirical choice? Look through. your card and let me know it you can find & better. , v ... When you read this' paragraph you will see what I have been trying to lead «P to It is sometimes- difficult to get in a good thing without dragging it in by the hair of the head, as it were. Now, the reference ,to Epitaph enables me to sayi "Yes, that reminds me of what is surely tho most tender Epitaph ever written by a husband upon his wife's tombstone, xl follows: Warm summer sun, Shine kindly here, Warm southern wind, Blow softly here, Green sod above, Lie light, lie light, Good night, dear heart, Good night, good night. The lines were written by the humorist, Mark Twain, and are cut in a block of 'marble above the resting-place of his wife in a New York cemetery-