ODDS AND ENDS

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2560, 2 May 1871, Page 3

ODDS AND ENDS

According to the New York Nation, the very advanced women of America are striking out some exceedingly bold and startling views on social topics. We learn that the great Mrs. Cady Staunton will now be content with nothing short i f the emancipation of the sex from marriage as it is. The arrangement to be substituted for the vulgar old custom is to be “limited matrimany,” the contract between lady and gentleman expiring in three years from the date of entering into it. It may, however, be renewed for the triennial period by mutual consent. If such a complication as a baby should arise during the interval, the 1. dy on retiring from her engagement is to t ike charge of it, the father paying for its board. In his proclamation Thiers appealed to the patriotism and wisdom of the Parisians. Fa uine, he says, compelled a surrender of th) forts and obliged the Government to open negotiations. It was o dy able to obtain an exteosion of the armistice by consenting to a partial occupation of Paris.

A benefit society, with the curious name of “The Reformed Order of Odd Women,” came before the Wolverhampton County Court, in a case tried a few days ago. According to the rules, the primary objects of the society were “the cultivation of friendship, the pleasures of good company, and the improvement of the morals.” Rule 2of this society runs af follows : “Any sister swearing or singing an indecent song, or giving an indecent toast or sentiment, or disobeying the N.G. or any other officer when called to order, shall be fined 3d.” The sth ride- “ Any sister entering the lodge-room in a state of intoxication shall be fined is, ; and every visiting sister shall pay si\. joy ale, to be drunk by the lodge tlie same night. Any flister refusing tp dfl so shall be fined is. to pur own lodge fund, or be expelled.” Part flf 6 says—“ And any sister divulging the secrets of our own or any other lodge shall be fined for each offence 2s. 6d. ” Any sister refusing to do so shall be lined Is to our own lodge fund, or be expelled. Part of rule (5 says —“ And any sister divulging the secrets of our own or other lodge shall be lined for each offence Is. 6d.

The following is specimen of oratory sometimes indulged in by tbc ciiminal classes. A prisoner tried lately before Mr. Justice Dodson (says a Launceston paper) Jor breaking a window, where the prosecution was principally supported by the evidence of a single witness, His Honor concluded bis address in the following : —lf, gentlemen of the jury, you consign a free man to slavery on the dictum of one witness, you rise the gates of civilisation off’ their hinges, and abandon the wide world to perjury and blackguardism.