CLIPPINGS.

Evening Star, Issue 3418, 4 February 1874, Page 3

CLIPPINGS.

Dr. Vaughan, the new .Roman Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, lately described the Anglican Church as an effete and worn-out institution, from ’which the best minds were gradually detaching themselves, seeking refuge and quietness in the bosom of their great mother. Bishop Barker, in reply, stated that so far from his ecclesiastical corporation being used up, it never was in a more vigorous condition, and that if any attacks were made upon it its enemies would find that it was as ready as ever to hold its own againt all comers.

French duels have of late years been such ludicrously harmless things that quite a sensation has been caused by an encounter having a fatal termination. A Prince Ghica, of whose antecedents we are ashamed to say that we are as ignorant as everybody else is as to the name of bis antagonist, ‘’went out” at Fontainebleau, and at the first exchange of fire was shot dead. The telegrams have still something of the comic element in reference to the affair, for they say in a melancholy manner that the Prince was very much deplored at the Gymnase Theatre, of which he was a noted patron, especially on first nights. An English duel in humble life has been scarcely less marked by absurdity. Two friends in a public-house quarrelled about a matter which has puzzled the brains of more cultivated individuals. The contention was whether the stimulus to generous actions proceeded from the heart or from the head, and the logiciaus waxed so angry over this point that they got from metaphysical to merely physical argument, and one received injuries which have prevented his ever discussing that or any other subject any more. bather a curious trial has arisen out of a “ horse-squabble,” Captain Clayton, of the 9th Lancers, having been sued by a jobmaster named Wolf for violent assault. The soldier wanted a horse for the autumn manoeuvres, and went to Wolf’s yard to look at some animals. A mare was shown him, v. Inch he averred to be twelve years old, whereas the owner assert, d her to be but six. The latter was so enraged with the Captain for “ crabling ” the mare, whatever that operation may be, that he used strong language, and according t> his own account, received much stronger, and some personal punishment. But the jury found for the defendant, and added their opinion that the whole thing was a mere horse quarrel, whereon they were solemnly rebuked by Mr Justice Brett for giving re isons. “It is your great privilege, gentlemen,” the learned judge sarcastically added, “ to be able to decide a case without giving reasons.”