MISCELLANEOUS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 740, 23 June 1876, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

In this simple fact, that we cannot accurately foresee the future, lies a refuge from despair. Little drops of rain brighten the meadows’ and little acts of kindness brighten the world. They who respect themselves will he honored ; but they who do not care about their character will be despised. Of all the acts of cowardice, the meanest is that which leads us to abandon a good cause because it is weak, and join a had one because it is strong. “To Woman 1” A new song has been recently published, dedicated to woman, wherein the poet declares that he loves her still. Our married man says that’s how he prefers her. At a hall recently given to the opera bouffe artists Olienbaok presented a large diamond, worth several thousand dollars, to Hortense Schneider, the original Grand Duchess. She was delighted with her present, and threw herself (she is bv no means small) upon his breast with such energy, kissing him rapturously, that she nearly carried him to the floor. He laughed and said : “ You overwhelm me with your affection, Hortense?” “ I wish you, Jacques, to feel the weight of my gratitude,” she replied ; and he rejoined : “Never was gratitude presented in more liberal or more lovable proportions !” Holloway’s Ointment and Pills.— Systematic treatment —Few statements are more wide of truth than the assertion that for the cure of disease the ailing part alone demands attention, whereas both local and general mischief requires redress. These medicaments boldly face the evils they profess to remedy ; local relief and general purification progress together; the diseased portion is cured, the foul whole is cleansed. Holloway’s Ointment rubbed on the throat exercises the most beneficial influence over sore throats, diptheria, and cough, whether resulting from asthma, catarrh, or bronchitis. This unguent acts miraculously in arresting the extension of sores, healing ulcerations, curing skin diseases, and completely stopping all destructive inflammations.

It has always been a matter of some difficulty to procure a genuine Havana cigar, but according to the statement of a New York paper, it is now an absolute impossibility to obtain one. Not a steamer, it is asserted, leaves that port for Havana that does not take out from 2000 to 5000 reams, or in occasional instances as high as 30,000 reams, of coarse brown straw wrapping paper. What this paper was used for was for a long time a mystery ; but it has recently been revealed that it enters into the manufacture nf “ pure Havana cigars.” It is said that when saturated in the juice of tobacco steams the straw paper makes a “ tilling ” almost equal, if not superior, to the genuine leaf. In fact, it is sometimes impossible to detect the delicate film of paper interlapped with leaves in the finishcigar, or neatly folding the exterior. For this purpose it serves admirably, the paper, under combustion, leaving no residuum other than a pure white ash. An “ improvement ” of this kind certainly ought to bring down the price of that expensive luxury—a “ real ” Havana cigar.

Science and Art.—A striking instance ofthe 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 £IOOO. A most interesting little work, describing the rise and progress of watchmaking, has been published by J. W. Benson, of 25, Old Bond street, and the City Steam Factory, 58 and 60, Ludgato hill, London. The book, 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 tho Prince of Wales, has published a pamphlet on Artistic Gold Jewellery, illustrated with beautiful designs of Bracelets, Brooches, Ear-rings, Lockets, &c., suitable for wedding, birthday, and other presents. Illustrated catalogues sent post free for two stamps each, and they cannot bo too strongly recommended to those contemplating a purchase, especially to residents in tho country or abroad, who are thus enabled to select any article they may require, and have it forwarded with perfect safety.