MISCELLANEOUS.

Grey River Argus, Issue 128, 6 November 1866, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

The following story is related by the "Ararat Advertiser" (Victoria): — "A short tini3 ago two miners left one of the gold fields, not a hundred miles from Ballaarat, for Melbourne, whence they intended shipping for Ireland, and settling down on a small farm which has been in possession of their family for a very long period. These two arrived on the gold fields eight or ten years ago, and by constant industry, frugal habits, together with rather more good luck than usually falls to the lot of diggers now-a-duys, they managed to amass a small independence, or sufficient to purchase the farm which their family has occupied for generations, This was the object for which they emigrated, and the untiring perseverance and energy which they evinced have met with their .reward. They were known amongst their fellow-miners as ' Franlc ' and ' Jack/ but their surname was kept secret, suuVis now unknown to all but one friend, who accidentally discovered them, and to whom their position and family affairs were known, The most singular part of the story is that ' Frank,' as one of the miners was called, was a woman, and the sister of the man whose mining operations she assisted. These two have always lived in the same tent, "bat situated apart from other dwellings, for obvious reasons. The lady digger, or diggeress, our informant states, had become so accustomed to man's apparel that she looked forward with regret to the time when she would be compelled to doff her disguise for more fitting attire, and relinquish the comparative freedom of her life for the more restricted habits imposed upon her sex. Her aversion to this change was the principal reason for the brother and sister remaining on the diggings so long, and it was not till the strange couple found that shallow alluvial mining had ceased to be profitable that the lady could be prevailed upou to leave the colony and enter onco more upon the life best suited to her. The two miners are yet remembered by many as most quiet and unobtrusive in their mode of life, and, although intimately known to none, they. were esteemed and respected by those whom chance made them acquainted. But that both have sailed some months ago for Groat Britain wo Avcmkl not have bee:i in possession of the secret which up to this period has been so well preserved. Frank changed parts in Melbourne, and took her passage home as the sister. When she first put on proper attire it required all the persuasion of which her brother was capable to get her to adhere to her resolution of remaining in the ranks of the fair sex, as more than once she expressed- 1 a desire to cast away hoops and skirts, and return to her old dress and occupation. She has taken her digger's clothes and a pick and shovel home with her. as mementos of her sojourn in the gold fields of Australia," In the cholera wards of the London Hospital, a scene of suffering and death sufficient to try the stoutest heart, a lady volunteer nurse has, says the "Lancet," passed her time since the beginning of the epidemic, moving from bed to bed in ceaseless efforts to comfort and relieve. So very youthful and so very fair is this devoted girl that it is difficult to control a feeling of pain at her presence under such circumstances. But she offered her help at a time when, from the sudden inroad of cases, such assistance was urgently required, and nobly has she followed her self- sought duty. Wherever the need is greatest and the work hardest, there, she is to be seen toiling until her limbs almost refuse to sustain her. And the effect of the fair young creature's presence has been that the nurses have been encouraged by her never-failing energy and cheeriness, so that dread of disease has been lost in efforts to combat it. This is an instance of devotion which it would be an insult to praise — it need only be recorded. The lady here referred to is said to be the daughter of a Quaker gentleman resident at Tottenham. Some serious riots have taken place in Tipperary during the month. The popular anger was aroused by an attempt to bring tlio town under the Towns' Improvement (Ireland) Act, 1854, and first manifested itself in stone throwing -at the house of a Mr Englands. The mob smashed the windows, and then attempted to set fire to the place by putting a lighted tar barrel against the door. Fortunately the I arrel was removed in time. The constabulary were called out and charged the people with fixed bayonets, but it was a considerable time before the rioters were dispersed. On the following night the disorders were resumed, and the • police were attacked with volleys of atones, bricks, broken bottles, &c. Some officers were wounded, but ultimately the streets were cleared. On one of the men captured by the police, a formidable hand grenade was found. •; It was a piece of gas pipe, closed at one end and filled with gunpowder, a fuse being attached to a small spring in the other end. On the third day the disturbances recommenced on a signal being given by the discharge of rockets. Several houses were attacked and the windows broken, and the police, as on the previous day, were met with volleys of missiles, notwithstanding their fixed bayonets and rifles loaded in the presence of the populace. They, however, managed to keep the mob moving* Qn thenight of July 27, for the fourth time, the mob again turned out and continued the proceedings of the previous nights. The police were very severely handled, and it was evident that the mob had increased in audacity and deter-, mination. The throwing at the policenot only took place in the streets, but from the windows, doors, and housetops. Several police constables were disabled, and at length matters became so serious that the Riot Act was read. A singular occurrence for Ireland then took place. Two local Roman Catholic priests went amongst the people to endeavor to pacify them, and not only failed, in doing np % but.

were struck by rockets, and a cry was raised for throwing one of them on to a blazing tar barrel. Late at night the people dispersed of their own accord. Several persons received bayonet Avounds in the charges of the police. Radicals in America are organising "a strong opposition to President Johnson. The " Times " says :— They have half destroyed him already by an epithet. The opprobrium which clung to the byword " Copperhead " during the war remains as intense as in more exciting times, and with that the Radicals have branded the President. It is impossible to doubt that the stroke ha 3 been successful beyond calculation. The President is in the position of a man whose name is tainted, and whose friends are afraid to be seen with him. One by one they have dropped off, and although he might have drawn them to his side again by patronage and place, ha has withheld his hand, and trusted to the common sense and justice of the people at large. But this is an appeal to a verdict which is seldom given without much delay. In the meanwhile,' Mr Johnson loses ground. His opponents are spread all over the country, and have a thousand public writers and orators in their service. He is one man living in a city which is deserted for six months in the year, and with few left bold enough to espouse his cause, because, in his own words, the cry of "Mad dog" has- been raised against him. •" Support the President and you have lost the war," the Steveus party tell the people and the statement is* believed. The Radicals, though by no means consummate tacticians, have shown more tact than the President. He has brought out the obstinate side of his character a little too strongly, and if he will do the good which wo believe him to be capable of he must conciliate as well as oppose. He, too, must be prepared to compromise. In a few weeks the general election, on which so many momentous issues rest, will have begun. For months past the Radical party has boon bringing its immonse and well-disciplined organisation to bear upon the people, while the Conservatives and Democrats, with a weaker machinery, have done little but stand aside and hope that things would take a favorable turn. If Mr Sumncr and his followers win the day to such an extent as to place the next Congress under their control, the Southern States must prepare to remain taxed and unrepresented for ten years to come — for that, be it remembered, was the distinct plan laid before the House last session, They must enduro all the misfortunes of a paralised trade, the- threats of confiscation, and such treatment generally as only men could administer who are still smarting under- the sense of bitter party and personal injuries. The Democrats cannot win, as they well know ; the number of moderate men may, however, be increased, and in this prospect lies the hope of every true friend of America. The days for extreme measui'os are past. We believe it • will be a misfortune to the country if Mr Johnson is sacrificed, and a still greater one if the Radicals ore able to dictate the choice for the next Presidential election. Fortunately, the President has a Cabinet which is little likely to lead him into excess, and the adroitness of the veteran politician who is always at his right hand may save him from any serious mistake, even if his own excellent judgment fail him. A Paris correspondent states that the medical faculty 'of the city lias made an agreeable discovery. It appears that the brewers of London send to Paris every year foi a fabulous quantity of striebnine; which wholesome material gives the exact amount of bitter which is considered to inirart to beer a pleasant flavor. The society proposes, says the writer, to draw up a report on this subject, which will bo duly transmitted to the Medical Union of London. The serious consideration is that the people drink an immense amount of English pale ale, stout, double X, &c, and that evidently the consumers are in eminent danger "of attaining immortality by the unpleasant process of slow poison. The Argus gi.ves the following iteirs of theatrical news, vhich will have some interest for our readers: — "Madame Anna Bishop, who it will be remembered had entered into an engagement with Mr Coppin to appear again in Melbourne, has suffered shipwreck, and after remaining some time, in company with numerous companions in misfortune, on an uuinhabitud island, travelled 1400 miles in an open boat, and ultimately arrived at Manilla,, where she is now giving concerts. A second boat, which started from the island .it the same time, has not since been heard of. Madame Bishop lias lost all her wardrobe, jewellery, &.-. Madame Celeste appeared in California on the '24bh September, aud was engaged to play for 40 nights. Upon the termination of her Californian engagement she comes ou to Australia. Mr Edwin Forrest, the American tragedian, is expected shortly to pay a visit to this part of the world. The Howson family are now in San Francisoo, where they have appeared with a. great amount of success.

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