The Globe. WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1632, 14 May 1879, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1879.

The nows lately received from China would have cheered the heart of the late Mr. Monckton Synnot. That gentleman, it will bo remembered, spent much time and money in endeavoring to introduce Australian woollen yarn into China, but the support ho received from the apathetic squatters was of the most meagre description, and although the commercial community responded somewhat more heartily, Mr Synnot found his exertions so severely handicapped that he practically gave the matter up as a bad job. Now, however, wo learn from recent advices from China that that country is about to turn over a now leaf. She is taking a first stop in the direction of manufacturing woollen goods for herself, a fact moaning not only that she will henceforth become a purchases of the raw material, but that a taste for w T oollon goods will inevitably spring up among the Celestials which must, in the long run, have a great effect on the wool trade. The greatest obstacle that Mr Synnot met with in China was the conservatism of its inhabitants. Neither Mandarins or Chinese of a lower caste could be induced to dross in materials other than those which had been used in the country from the earliest ages. Hampered by a religion which places such stress on ceremony and custom, nothing short of a surgical operation can ordinarily induce a Chinaman to wish for a change, and it was thought that only the lapse of years would ever break down an inveterate repugnance to dress in a material which is, in reality, admirably adapted for use in the Chinese climate. But, strange to say, affairs are now beginning to assume a different complexion. The machinery for a woollen manufactory in the North West has just been despatched from Shanghai, while orders have been sent to England for the necessary machinery for mills to bo erected at Shanghai itself. These latter will cost about £25,000, and will employ 1000 hands. The whole affair is under the distinguished patronage of Li Hang Chang, Governor-General of the province of Chihli, an enterprising official, who is apparently starting on a career of innovation which must astonish his august master. As far as can bo soon, the thin end of the wedge has been introduced and squatters and merchants in these colonies will be worse than foolish if they do not at last awaken to the necessity of turning some part of their energies in the direction of the “ Flowery Land.” They might now easily secure a good foothold in a market where the demand will in time become enormous.

Seventeen Magistrates have sat on Foley, Hickon and their seconds, and the result of the process lias been the discharge of the illustrators of pugilism. The late fight exhibits a curious phase in Australian society, and it does not redound to its credit that so much interest should have been taken in the matter. Prize fighting has become to bo considered a thing of the past, a relic of barbarism. One might expect to see a pugilist stuffed in a museum, but not to find him the common topic of conversation and an object of general interest. Since the days of Heenan and Sayers the prize ring has been pooh-poohed and relegated into that limbo whore have sunk cock-fighting and badger drawing. In England a special Act of Parliament has been passed forbidding the “ promoters” of a prize fight to use a special train in which to bo carried down to the scene of tho encounter; while to start such a train has also been made on the part of the company a misdemeanor punishable with a very considerable fine. But, while pugilism is going tho way of all flesh, tho science of boxing, quite a different affair, is making a now start. As an exercise pure and simple boxing with gloves can hold its own against almost any competition. It is invigorating and promotes not only activity and strength, but such qualities as good humor, forbearance and patience. A good boxer must never loose his temper, must never take an unfair advantage, and must bo content to bide his time. The science, moreover, has progressed, Wore Cribb or Gaunt to try conclusions with a modern export, they would find themselves simply nowhere, The art of boxing, too, has its uses. There are occasions on which an Muglishman may bo forced to- trust to natures weapons ju self defence and for other perfectly legitimate purposes, and the

untrained man, as compared with the trained one, is as a child compared with a full-grown athlete. An association has lately been formed in England with the view of keeping up the science of “lo box,” as distinguished from pugilism. At a meeting hold in St. James’s Hall, London, resolutions wore passed and the various merits of the exorcise were fully discussed. If the movement comes to anything, the useful art of self defence may obtain a new lease of life, not in its old and brutalising form, but as a branch of gymnastics worthy of much kindly consideration. While Now Zealand cricketers are making up their averages, and generally squaring up accounts for the past season, cricketers in England are commencing to con over the prospects of forthcoming matches, to count on likely “ colts,” and to get ready their war paint. A constant reader of sporting prints can thus, during our long winter evenings, enjoy the chances of tho noble game by transferring himself menially to Lords or the Oval, like tho immortal Mr Sponge, who, when in tho country, and not otherwise engaged, would 1100 away in spirit to Regent street or tho Strand through the medium of “ Mogg’s Book of Cab Fares.” English cricketers are, in addition to looking forward to tho season of 1879, moralising on Lord Harris’s tour to Australia. They are contrasting the solemnity of the old tours under Parr, Grace, and Lillywhite, and of that of tho Australians to England, with tho more uninteresting expeditions that will hereafter take their place. The Mother Country and her southern offshoots now know pretty well the measure of their respective strengths, and with that knowledge will probably die away the absorbing interest that made a cablegram about the Australian cloven take precedence of many treating of State affairs. Tho legitimate pride all colonials took in tho Australians’ career may bo maintained by the results of future contests, but the excitement cannot, of course, bo kept up. Tho act of gaining possession is usually held to bo the supremo moment of joy in any undertaking, and now that colonial cricketers have Avon their spurs in the cricketing world, they cannot expect to bo so pleasantly stirred henceforth as they Avoro by tho successes of Spofforth or Baunorman. Cricketing tours Avill become more frequent, but loss exciting; what is Avanting in quality will bo made up in quantity. And, while so moralising, the English cricketing world has time to turn its attention to a question which lias been for a long time, more or loss, of a burning one. It is beginning to bo hoped that, this year, will bo settled once and for all tho question as to Avho are “ gentlemen ” and Avho are “ players.” The habit of combining the two characters has created much scandal. Tho “gentleman” is often no better a cricketer than he should bo; ho is an anomaly and not a necessary being. His existence loads young men of good position and education to become positive nuisances to themselves and all around them. They fritter away tho best years of their life in a pursuit tho very essence of which is that it is a thorough pastime. They make their scores and send in their bills like the butcher or baker, and hold altogether such a hybrid position that no one knoivs how to take them. Tho cricketing world is weary of them and is trying to got rid of them. It is to bo hoped that during this next English season they may receive their coup (le grace and become, as a species, as extinct as tho dodo or the moa. * Our worthy contemporary, tho “Star,” has, with regard to cablegram thieving, “struck oil” in a now direction. Its latest novelty is to take our telegrams and transfer them holus-bolus into its own columns, placing over the head of the intelligence tho Avords “Argus Special.” Last night’s issue had a telegram re the Zulu war Avhich was sliced out of our previous evening’s columns in a most merciless manner. The news never appeared in the “ Argus ” in that form, and avo invito our readers to compare the “ Argus ” Capo nows Avheu the particular issue of that paper arrives in Now Zealand, Avith whatAvas published in last night’s “Star.” Our contemporary lias got into such a habit of telling untruths that it cannot break itself of the bad practice. Apparently if it “ acts on the square ” with regard to telegrams it is quite by mistake or with some particular object in view. Inspector Feast when asked, on an occasion by tho Christchurch Resident Magistrate Avhat ho thought of tho evidence of a notorious liar, answered, “ Ho may bo speaking the truth, sir, but, Lord bless you, there’s no knoAviug Avhat his motiA r os may bo.” Similarly Avhon tho “ Star ” acts on the square Avith regards to its telegrams, a suspicion as to its motives is apt to cross the mind.