MISCELLANEOUS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 596, 19 September 1873, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

“ What is a bustle?” we were recently asked. We could not tell, and as a young friend of ours recently got married, we propounded to him. Auer blushing quietly, he thus exclaimed, “ It is thingumbob !” —(Now, what, in the world is a thingumbob ?) The library belonging to tbe late Mr. Perkins, of the firm of Barclay and Perkins, was sold by auction lately, and realised the largo sum of 2G,000(. The pursuit for information is sometimes attended with difficulties, even in San Francisco. One inquirer, who applied to the “ Chronicle” for information .as to where Cain obtained his (wife, is cruelly rebuked, the only reply vouchsafed to him being this : —“Upon any subject of a public nature we never refuse to throw the desired light. But this is altogether a different thing. It is a family matter, with which we do not care to meddle. Cain died before many of us were bom, and such idle curiosity icgarding the family of deceased person is reprehensible, and calculated to violate the sanctities of domestic life. For these reasons, and because wo do not wish to injure the feelings of the relatives of the deceased, we decline to answer the question.” A sensational case of “self suspension,” accompanied by unlocked for results, occurred (says the “ Talbot Leader ”) a few days ago, not a hundred miles from M'Cnllam’s Creek. A farmer well known for Ins preference for stimulants and his tenderness (?) to his wife, took it into his head to hang himself. This he effected, and had just commenced to “dangle,” when the partner of his bed and board discovered his position. In the excitement consequent upon the unexpected sight she seized hold of his legs, and pulled him so forcibly that the rope broke’ and down he came before the vital spark had ceased to flicker. Whether the husband or the wife has the most cause for congratulation is a question upon which the neighbors are divided. Science and art.— A striking instance of the immense value a small piece of steel may acquire by the great power of skilled mechanical labor is the balance spring of a watch. From its extreme fineness and delicacy four thousand weigh not more than one ounce, and exceed in value £I,OOO. A most interesting little work, describing the rise and progress of watchmaking, has been published by .1. W. Benson, of 25, Old Bond-street, and the City Steam Factory, 5S and CO. Ludgate hill, London. The hook, which is profusely illustrated, gives a full description of the various kinds of watches and clocks, with their prices. Mr. Benson, who holds the appointment to the Prince of Wales, has also published a pamphlet on Artistic Gold Jewellery, illustrated with beautiful designs of Bracelets, Broaches, Ear-rings, Lockets, &c., suitable for wedding,birthday and other presents. The phamplets are sent post free for two stamps each, and they cannot be too strongly recommended to those contemplating a pm chase, especially to residents in the country or abroad, who are thus enabled to select any article they may require, and have it forwarded with perfect safety.