WAYSIDE MUSINGS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 747, 11 August 1876, Page 3

WAYSIDE MUSINGS.

Whence is the fatal shadow that seems to environ and clog the footsteps of the Town Clerks of Roxburgh, upon whose several heads—each and all—the crown of office has heretofore sat uneasily ; from first to last, disaster has followed the acceptance of the position ? Such were my musings on seeing the following peculiarly worded notice, signed by the Mayor of that Municipality—“ The Corporation desires to secure the services of an individual as Tow n Clerk. Apply &c. ” Is there not something touching in this woefully pathetic appeal, awakening a flood of melancholy reminisences in reference to all those unhappy ones who have gone before, their dream of plenty and happiness being so brief that the Corporation finds it incumbent upon itself now to “secure” the services of a mere “individual.” Following this train of thought the question naturally arises, how are they going to “ secure,” that the successful aspirant to the office will not fade out like all his unfortunate predecessors ? But the subject is too painful to be pursued further, and yet it can be recorded that no less than ten reckless individuals are found daring enough to throw themselves into the breach, struggling in their desire to “secure” this appointment. It will be the prayer of every true Christian that the courageous “individual” who may “secure” this vacancy, will have a happier and more lengthened tenure of office than any of his predecessors.

A curious incident occurred the other day to a party of skater* at Alexandra. There had been several occasional strong gusts of wind, and many availed themselves of the power thus affbrdedlby spreading out their coats sail-like, by wh : ch an impetus to their speed was gained. They had not been verylong in the enjoyment of this improvised ice-boat business when a blast of terrific violence suddenly swooped down, scattering them in all directions like an alarmed covey of partridges, and driving them with uncontrollable velocity at such a speed that many were hurled to the end of the dam on which they were skating, and yards beyond its edge, some being rolled over and over on their hands and feet. One gentleman especially, ploughing right through, head foremost, the muddy bank that fringed the reservoir, and whenhe emerged subsequently from his enforced mud hath his own mother, had she the misfortune to be present, would not have recognised her darling, as he was encased—mummy like—in as well-fitting a suit of drab-colored mud as I ever beheld. If he gained his suit, however, he had to pay costs in the shape of several contusions, which, though not serious are by no means pleasant. It is, indeed, difficult to imagine, considering the violence of the gale and the critical position of the party, that no worse an accident than the one recorded marked the incident.

The threatening attitude being assumed by Grom well is creating a vast amount of uneasiness in the minds of the people here ; and following the example of the European Powers, a diplomatic note should be forwarded to ascertain the cause and motive for this sudden arming, the Volunteer movement having suddenly taken root there with a frantic enthusiasm that appears to us unaccountable ; and our Secretary of War should at once see to our defences, as there is no knowing in what direction this military outburst may find vent. It would not be a bad idea to convert “ Donald’s ” old punt into a “Ram,” or “Monitor,” os she is now laid up in ordinary, her occupation being gone ; while Donald himsalf—who is somewhat in alike condition—would make an able commander, from his sea-faring experience and long acquaintance with the ship. It behoves us to lose no time about this matter, as the only warlike weapon possessed by us at present is one big gun, a certain “Armstrong but I question if it would be of much use if employed as an offensive weapon ; indeed, it must be said, that when it does roar and thunder itcreatcs rather merriment than fear, and serves more to restore mankind— especially the toothless ones—than to destroy them.

We have been favored with a phrenological sceancc, at which people were found willing to attend, for to ray mind it seems

simply marvellous how any person in their sober senses can seriously submit his head for public examination, to be pawed and plastered about, while his supposed faults and virtues, tastes and habits are sot forth and glibly dilated upon in a lot of technical bunkum, to serve for the amusement ot a grinning audience, is certainly a mystery. What pleasure the victim, or rather dupe, can derive from this sort of thing is, of course, his affair, not mine ; still, it would be curious to ascertain his feelings on the point.

While standing talking to an old friend the other day, 1 happened to draw his attention to a Chinamen then passing, with whoso appearance I was somewhat struck. He had a round fat face, sleepy looking eyes, and a general air of contentment, as if all the world was going well and smoothly with him. “Yes,” my fri°nd observed, “ he is a very fair specimen of the unsophisticated 1 Heathen Chinee. ’ He entered a Bank, notlong since, and bending over the counter whispered, in dulcet accents, to the Agent. ‘ How muchee for fifteen pounds V The Agent, presuming naturally that he wanted to make n deposit, replied (on reference to the scale) ‘three shillings.’ John at once put his hand in his pocket, and on withdrawing it tendered the aura named, saying, ‘ very well, mo wantee fifteen pounds.”’ The disgust of the Bank Agent, and the indignant disappointment of John can well be left to the fertile imagination of the reader. This is a fact for which I can truly vouch. Motors.