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Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 164, 25 February 1854, Page 10

Russian Prikstcraft.-—The comet which has lately been visible, has served a priest not far from Warsaw with materials for a very curious sermon. After having summoned his'coiH gregation together, although it was neither Sunday nor festival, and shewn them the comet he informed them that this was the same star that had appeared to the Magi at the birth of our Saviour, and that it was only visible now iv the Russian Empire. Its appearance on this occasion was to intimate to the Russian eagle that the time was now come for it to spread out its wiugs and embrace all mankind in one oitlmiox sou.!-san.tifying church. He shewed them that the star was now standing immeilitliately over Constantinople, and explained that the dull light of the nucleus indicated its sorrow at the delays of the Russian aimy in proceeding to its destination, &c.

The Martyr Sex.—About an hundred years ago, a lady went about with shoes that raised her heels three inches above the floor, and threw her whole person out of its proper balance; occasioning, of course, severe strain upon certain muscles, attended by constant pain. At a later* period a tower of hair, pomatum, flour, pins, and pinners was reared on the head, such as an inquisitor might have considered himself very ingenious in devising. In more recent times, we have seen the entire sex submitting to torturein tlie waist, with an equal degree of .magnanimity. Or, taking the form of a monstrous prolongation of skirts, they perform the duty of scavengers upon every street in which they promenade. In a form of bonnet for summer, the front comes only to about an inch behind the forehead, so as to have the face fully exposed to the attacks of the sun. A great number find it absolutely indispensable to add to this abbreviation of a'bonnet a sort of supplement of silk called " an ugly."' A couple of inches added to the bonnet itself, would serve the end : but such a thing is not to be thought of.— Chambers' Journal.