Dotes and Events.

Manawatu Herald, 26 March 1892, Page 3

Dotes and Events.

An English paper quote 3 the following parable, which is applicable to all epidemics : — Once upon a time a certain priest met the Cholera V Whore art thou going ?" asked the chui-chman. "To Xilples," said the Pest, "to kill #,ouo people." Some months later they met again. The Cholera was going back to Asia. *• Thou saidsfc 5,000 were to die but 20,000 have fallen." " Kot by my hand," said the Cholera, " I only slew 5,000 the rest died of fear." The story is apropos of the prevailing epidemic. Many persons are frightening themselves into a condition of mind and body that invites disease, and when the influenza leaves us and returns to Russia if it should meet some inquiring priest by the way it will be able to speak of the multitude of deaths that have occurred through fright.

Relief works of ah extensive scale have at length been started in the famine stricken provinces of Kussia. A large forest is to be cleared and new high roads are to be constructed the question of erecting grain elevators at various railway junctions being under consideration.

Tn Westminister Hall, the steps on which Charles I. stood during his famous trial are at last indicated by a brass tablet, and the bar that originally divided the old King's Bench from the Court of Chancery, which until within the last dozen years were the scenes of so many famous trials, is so similarly indicated.

One of the most striking passages in all the writings of Dickens is to be found in his will, " I emphatically direct," he said, " that I be buried h\ an inexpensive, unostentatious, und strictly private manner ; that no public announcement be made of the time or place of my burial ; that, at the utmost, not more than three plain mourning coaches be employed, and that those who attend my funeral wear no scarf, black bow, long hatband, or other such revolting absurdity."

Mr G. W. Hastings Ex M.P. was privately examined on Tuesday at Hollowny Gaol, by the Birmingham Official Receiver, in reference to the position of his affairs. The debtor stated that his father died in 1886, leaving him property worth £15,000 in addition to which he received an income of nearly £3,000 a year under his wife's marriage settlement He was called to the Bar in 1850, but retired from practice in 1870, when he qualified as magistrate for Worces* tershire. He had been associated with several companies, from which he derived a fair income as a director. He held several trust estates, besides the one in reference to which he was committed for trial. In another trust the beneficiaires allowed £20,---000 to remain in his hands at 5 per cent., which he had regularly paid. This money was invested, but was not at present realisable, though if the debtor's expectations are realised v by an improvement in the value of Bhares, there will be sufficient not only to discharge this claim, but also that upon which criminal proceedings have been taken. The official receiver found no indication of private extravagance, except, perhaps, in regard to the six or seven horses which the debtor kept. Mv Hastings declared that he had no idea of criminal proceedings being instituted, and he returned from Spain solely to preside at the Cheshire Alkali Company's meeting. Still, he did not deny that he wished to avoid the service of an order of court, so as to gain time for the sale of an important patent — The receiver did not press for an immediate adjudication, because the debtor hopes to be able to satisfy his creditors. — Mr Hastings is under medical treatment at the gaol.

Mr Joseph Hattan recalls the two following stories : — Do you remember Planches story of Knowles ? It is one of the most characterestic of the genial and eccentric playwright. There was an actor at Drury Lane named Binge, who played lungs and princes both in the regular as well as in the lyric drama. On the occasion in question he was a young count who loved a gipsy girl, but deserted her for a great lady. Something in the story went to suggest that after all the gipsy was not going to be altogether out of the running. Well, Knowlea had been in front until the end of the act, but had to go away, and he was anxious, or professed to

be, as to the end of the story, so he

went behind the scenes, and getting near to Binge as he could at the Knngs, without of course being seen r by the audience, he called to him in a low whisper, "Binge!" The actor looked over his shoulder, and in an aside whisper asked " What is it?" "Tell me," replied Knowles, •' do you marry the poor gipsy % after all ?" " Yes " answered Binge a good deal worried at the question, and making signs with his hand be-

hind his back for Knowles to stand further away. " God bless you !' said Knowles, seizing the warning hand, "you were always a good fellow." It was Sheridan Knowles who, meeting the Post-Master General out

at dinner", made to him a complaint of the delays and miscarriages of the Post Office. Knowles had sent his wife £200, and she had never received it. The Postmaster-gen 1 eral promised td !dok into the case, and did. He found £200 in an envelope among the letters which the Post Office could not deliver, because it was unaddressed, and there was no clue even inside that could lead Jo the discovery of tile owner Knowles had hurriedly thrust the notes into an envelope and posted them, forgetting to add an address Here is another instance of his absent-mind-edness. " I am sorry » sir ; it entirely slipped my ineinol'yV' he said to a gentleman, who, meeting him in the street, upbraided him for breaking a dinner engagement. " Name another day, and I will join you with the greatest delight." The day was named and the host Went on his Way. Presently Knowles turned to a frier d with whom he was walking when the disappointed host accosted him. • • Did you catch his name ?" "No," said the friend ; " he did not mention it." " That's a pity,'" said Knowles ; " It's quite slipped my memory, and I forget where he lives."