RAMBLES ROUND DUNEDIN.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2454, 28 December 1870, Page 2

RAMBLES ROUND DUNEDIN.

“ Anywhere and nowhere in particular,” After laying in an extra supply of tobacco, with a few matches and a. sandwich or two, and having partaken of a substantial break* fast, I started off early the other morning determined to make a day of it, and view the scenery around Dunedin and the many changes and improvements that had of late been made all around it. After q, few hours p trolling aboqt apd ad; miring the beauties of nature—for what can be prettier than our native bush —the dark foliage of the Pauax, the beautiful green of the broad leaf (Griselinia lucida), the pretty sliadcs of the Pittispomm eugenioides and Tennisfolium, combined with the known tinge of Myrsipe Urvillje? but more of that at some otljer time- After a few hopr§ strolling about I found myself looking down upon mm of our institutions—namely, the Lunatic Asylum; and thinking it not impossible that I might some day require the care of the manager of that institution, I made up my mind to visit the interior, and go with as little delay as possible I got hold of the handle and gave it a pull, when the door was opened by a middle-aged, mild, pleasant-looking individual, to whom I addressed myself and submitted my request. I was informed that the place was open to my inspection, and at the same time ho informed me that he was the manager, at which I was much pleased, as he looked so amiable. I was very much satisfied with the cleanliness, the order, and the air of comfort which pre*

railed throughout the entire establisnment, and with the apparent regard and attachment by all the patients to the manager. He spoke of the various ijneana adopted under the modern style, also of the amusements in the shape of music and dancing introduced, and then took me into their large and beautiful Hall. Remembering that a lecture on acoustics had been lately delivered by Mr Thomson, M.P.f!., and some of the other M.P.C.’s, I thought I won hi also look a little known on that point, and try my voice in the made such a tremendous sound, a combination of the the scvccch-owl and the caw of tWeqld fftTOn, that it rather startled the > but the pleasant smile again came*' over his face, and I have no doubt he thought I was scarcely safe at large. 1 then questioned him on the causes that led to the many patients being with him. He stated that vanity and ambition were leading features ; many thought themselves kings, princes, great statesmen, and great politicians ; and before leaving he advised me, if 1 did not wish to be an inmate of his establi' hment, to eschew politics and especially that kind of vanity of believing in a man’s ability to address large public meetings upon subjects of which be ought to be aware that he knew nothing, and for which his education and ability never fitted him. I shook him warmly by the hand, thanked him for his kindness and advise, and walked off a sadder if not a wiser man. After walking a little way and feeling somewhat low in spirits, 1 pulled out my old meerchauni, and having refilled I drew up towards some paities quarrying, and. thinking to relieve my mind from the last scene, I entered into conversation about wages and work, the chances of our railways being formed in our time, and sundry other matt ;rs of that simple kind, and having nearly emptied my pipe I rose to depart ; but before doing so I asked them if the stones being carried were for sonic public building, as I thought they were on the Town Balt, when they replied in the affirmative, that they were for the Provincial 'treasurer’s now residence ; and I again asked if that was a large building going up where the prisoners had so long worked removing clay, when they again answered in the affirmative. I gave a long draw at my old pipe, and as the smoke vanished into thin air, I shook the dust of my feet and left another sad scene. Pakaha, Ju>"b.