A FEW THOUGHTS ON CURRENT TOPICS.

Evening Star, Issue 3740, 17 February 1875, Page 2

A FEW THOUGHTS ON CURRENT TOPICS.

Ko. V. Eminent examples are contagious. When the Duke died, Mr Disraeli made an eloquent speech. It is true it was afterwards by some Paul Pry discovered to be taken almost word for word from Alison or some other historian. But it had suited the occasion. Other illusexamples have been known of such appropriation by emirlent men of the words of others. It has even happened to an eloquent and admired preacher to use another man’s sermon—perhaps solely on account of its fitness for the occasion. I look upon such things as a high honor to the filched. Therefore, sir, when an eminent journalist, such as the editor of the ‘bouth Canterbury Times,’ takes to his columns, word for word, your article on a patticular subject, you ought to feel exalted to have your ideas fathered by so illustrious a foster parent. You remonstrate; some would retaliate and fill his columns with his plagiarist's writings; but it may be that you think the exchange would hardly be an equivalent. My sister sews; she is a milliner. We are humble people. Yot being possessed of the genius or tact to enable us or our relatives to be magistrates or ministers of justice, or bankers, or sheep people, or even school-mis-tresses, we are content in our meek way to plod on and make fine dresses for grandees to wear. She cuts out, sir, on the most studious, geometrical principles, taking advantage of every curve of the female form and adding to its beauties; but carefully padding, and stuffing, and improving, and patmiering all defects, turning out those ladies with whom nature has hardly dealt, with an elegance of appearance almost to themselves unrecognisable. 7’° such an extent has she done this, that some even have been heard to soliloquise, “ Can I be the dowdy that _ arrived in Otago a few years ago, habited in an ungraceful brown dress and poke bonnet?” And whilst so industriously employed beside our modest oil lamp, nature for a moment or two sought repose in perusing your evening budget, and out came an ejaculation of pain : “ Read this!” ‘ What is it?” “Read it. Read it. Here it i s ’ A disreputable house,” and particulars follow. Then His Worship: “How do they get their living?” Witness; “I cannot say d’ Uis Worship: “Do they sew? Milliners?” Witness : u I don’t go into theh^se; I simply pass up and down the street as you do.” Henry Clark, the chimney-sweep, perhaps has a wife or daughter who “ sews,” and, in his own way, showed his appreciation of the question. How delicate and refined and sensitive an organisation must a man have who is so chary of giving offence, and how overflowing must be his imagination that be could find no other employment likely to be suitable for the keeper of a brothel—a prostitute—than “Do they sew ? Milliners ?” Could it be possible that any of those unfortunate, or wicked, or whatever other opprobious name they may be called by, by any stretch of the imagination prompt the idea that they would follow the occupation of teaching, and suggest the question, “Do they teach ? Schoolmistresses ?” To some that would be offensive.

The Scotch Judge, in Sir Walter’s “ Tales of a Grandfather,” says : “ He was disgusted at impartiality. 1 Devil thank them for their impartiality—a pack of kinless loons. For my part I can never see a cousin or a friend in the wrong. ’ ” Mr Beckham, R. M., of Auckland, is a very old occupant of the Bench, and Mr Beckham apparently righteously disagrees with the dogma laid down by Scott’s' hero. At least j? conclude on reading that, upon an individual of a certain social position being brought before him and committed for trial for embezzlement, bis Worship added “ that very likely he would be sentenced to fourteen years’ imprisonment.” Apparently, therefore, the magistrate, without reference to a cousin or a friend, looks with sternness even upon an erring^townsman, and does not hesitate to let his opinion be known. One would have thought his thirty or forty years' experience would have prevented Mr B. from indulging in some of the ridiculous notions that later occupants of the Bench revel in. The Press is rightly muzzled on all topics concerning a coming trial; but does it nor, look like a farce to tie up the newspapers and allow an individual, whose special business it is to show no fear, favor, or partiality, to exnress an opinion such as the above ? It is impossible that the future jury can avoid seeing the expression. As to his Honor the Judge, I have faith sufficient to believe that no Judge of the Supreme Court would be prejudiced by anything of the sort. Taking it altogetner, I take it for another good argument whilst the Government is rightly going to shift the Judges, it might with ..advantage shift the magistrates. Jt is simply impossible that, in small communities like outs, officials can be mixed up with the population for years and not have their likes and dislikes, and, as the R.M. of the principal city presumes on his office, so even the policeman of the Waikato takes upon himself to decide matters of etiquette ; for don’t we read that upon the Coroner entering the inquest room, and not taking off his hat, the “ Robert ” knocked it off. “He is evidently in training for promotion, and will he fully able to dictate to stupid R.M.S the line of conduct they should pursue. For gentlemanly polish and a dignified manner of bringing an opponent to book, commend me to Mr Calcutt, as exhibited in his missive to the Land Board. Some people say Hi at such a document should be treated with contempt, and not be allowed to. contaminate the pages of a newspaper. Such people have a singular judgment. I, on the contrary, tliink that such a valuable memento of the talent good feeling, and refined thoughts of a.local magnate should bo embalmed in the annafi of Ihe times. It is a model for any “Young Man’s Letter Writer”; and would Mr C. only quarrel with a few other people, and find vent for his feelings in other efforts of the the Education Board could not do better tbah to collect and publish them. But perhaps Mr C. seldom quarrels or indulges in letter writing aud thus the world misses what might bo invaluable to a rising generation j and all his un-

doubted genius, like single speech Hamilton’s, will have been concentrated in one immortal epistle. Don’t you think, sir, there would be room fo - a little —just a wee bit—more inquiry on the subject of the tunnel accident ? Mr Brogden’a agent says, “ One or two slips had occurred before”—but no one killed. Mr Paterson, the “bos-,” say:;, “After the slip I examined the roof and observed a different formation, kc. It was a soft mullock” “It is possible to slab overhead at once, but that would be twice as laborious”—but, I presume, safe. Henry Barnwell says, “The safest precaution would be to adopt top heading.” William Green, another “boss,” says he “ considered top heading the safest to work.” Here are unanimous ©pinions from overseers and bosses on the subject of safe working, and this very precaution, that everybody knew, was dispensed with.” “It would be twice as laborious” —laborious ! That tunnel won’t be put through without laborious work, and in the meantime two unfortunates are rushed to eternity and two very nearly so, or maimed for life. Perhaps now that it has been decidedly proved that the method of working is unsafe, top heading will be adopted, though it should prove to the eminent firm twice as laborious. “For watt of a nail the shoe was lost, for want of a shoe the horse was lost, and for want of a horse the man was lost.” The sxn(y)th found putting in so many nails laborious. When people discuss tcetotalisra they will persist in going to the sacred writings for precepts, and to ministers for quotations. They might once in a while go to mother earth for an illustration. How does this go? It is an extract from the writings of that absurd man, Trollope, who wrote such a ridiculous book about Victoria and Victorians and others. What sense on Colonial subjects could be expected to emanate from a man who could write thus :—“Have a bit of buttered toast and a cup of tea, governor,” suggested the son. “ I’m if I do,” replied Mr Mollett, “You’re becomin’ fond of tea of late—that is for other people. I don’t see ydb take much of it yourself.” “ A cup of tay is the thing to warm one afther such a journey as you’ve had; that’s certain, Mr Mollett,” said Fanny. “ Them’s your ideas about warming, are they, my dear ?” said the eMerly gentleman. “Do you come and sit down on my knee for a few minutes or so, and that’d warm me better than all the * tay’ in the world.” I like to add my mite to an interesting dis-ons-ion. Will all concerned accept this as my Valentine? Humility.