MISCELLANEOUS

Dunstan Times, Issue 372, 11 June 1869, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS

The break-down of the Panama line of mail steamers has given birth to much criticism. Many persons, in spite of the explanations of the Melbourne Press, cannot understand its failure, and attribute it to unfair and capricious treatment on the part of the colonies. This, however, is obviously a mistake. All eyes are now turned in eager anticipation to the establishment of the new monthly mail, vi&fhe Cape, and from the favor with which the project seems to he regarded by the Colonial Press, there is every prospect of its proving a Success.

Shocks of earthquake were felt in Lancashire on the evening of March 16.- They were sufficiently severe to cause considerable alarm, though no actual damage is reported. Philosopher* say that England lies directly over a vast fissure in the crust of the earth, and the prospect of ah “earthquake season” is by no means re-as-soring. On March 9 shocks were felt at Lochaber in Scotland. It is stated that the sea, qnite calm at the tine, was greatly agitated) and the store vibrated considerably.

The Colonial press rightly complain of { the ignorance preValent’in England of the geography of Australia and New Zealand. It is, <ndeed, true that many otherwise well informed Englishmen have very haty noi nns as to where, tor instance, Sydney, Adelaide, and Melbourne are situate, or of what colonies they ire the respective capita's. There is an anecdote related, that when an Austra' : au politician applied to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, relative ■to a project for developing the resources of Queensland, the Minister referred him, to his jun'or secretary, one of whose startling remarks to him was, “ Before we go any farther, where the d lis Queensland!” Perhaps the (Pseussions of the Colonial Society may remedy th ! s kind of ignores e.

It is naturally with the very warmest interest that Eugfishmcp regard the extension of the field for the employment of c: pital in the Coloires. The new industries recently started in Victoria, such as glass works, an iron safe manufactory, and tanneries, are sources of great gratification to old colonists. With regard to the culture of the vine, the red and white wines of Australia are already obtaining a considerable demand in the home market, and I have heard them spoken of most favorably by connoisseurs. Seeds of the New Zealand flax (Phor-mium-Tenax) are being sold in considerable quantities in London. Amongst thefavorite va-ieties are the Brown-edged, Red-edged, Variegated-leaved, Black-edgd, and the superb Scarlet-edged. The latest new thing in Paris is “readymade dog warehouses.” “ Every description o; clothing requisite for the kennel in five nvautos.” These shops have always on hand a stock of “costumes de chien.” “The finest are of velvet, the next of fine cloth (any hue) with straps, crests, monograms an I initials. Some are of green c'ath, embroidered palm • leaves, and, fina"y, there are bathing dresses of white flannel edged with red. M. Ju'lien, a merchant of Paris, has petitioned the French Senate to impose a special tax upon bachelors of thirty years and upwards. Two professors, looking much like each other, and got up to look more so, are --aid to he acting the part of the Siamese twins in the west of England, where the people, we presume, are a little slow at reading the papers, or can be gnlled into the belief that London is being fooled, not they. The india-rubber flesh that hinds them is filled with warm water, an that the curious, on touching, have the truth averred by the demonstration thathoth arriving. Curious, if true. An extraordinary case of suicide occurred at Carodem Town. A newsvendor named Wi'h'ams, who was described as of a weak intellect, appeared to have taken a cask of paraffin oil into his bedroom, and after pouring it over h'mself, set fire to thefluid. ) t was some time before the fire could he extinguished, the neighbors being afraid to approach the destructive element. The jury returned a verd'et that the “ Deceased performed the act in a state of temporary insanity.