IDIOSYNCRASIES.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 386, 4 August 1876, Page 3

IDIOSYNCRASIES.

JJut even/ desperate blockhead, dares to write ; Why not / 'Art of Poetry.' I EATUna feci inclined to agree with Professor Sale about tho Scotch. They are full of strange prejudices, and these nro sometimes of a very objectionable kind, nnd no doubt stnnd in the way of the higher education. As a nation they have prejudices against unthriftiness, idleness, and intemperance of every description, and in favor of thoroughness, perseverance, and caution, besides a variety of others too numerous to mention, as the newspapers say when they have exhausted their stock. I once knew an individual who had a greater disliko to the Scotch than either Dr. Johnson or Prof'usHor and with much more reason. " Sir," he used to say, " I have had fifteen .•good billets in my life, and in every one ■of them I ltave been supplanted by a .Scotchman; d- n them." His wrath prevented him from recognising the compliment he was unconsciously paying the devoted nation, who, amongst their other -prejudices, have a very strong one against incapacity. But, talking of the Scotch and their peculiarities reminds me of Mr. Mi:candrew and Separation. I think I mentioned in my last that I detected danger in his caution and quietness and perseverance. We'll, we have heard nothing ■of our Superintendent since, but I observe that Separation is a good deal more imminent, and looks as if it were going to be carried. lam very sorry for it for my own part. .

I don't clearly understand the principle upon which the Local Option Bill was passed. Apart from the merits or demerits of the measure it was plain enough that it was received with, disfavor by a' majority in the House, and would have been rejected, as we are told, but for the fact that' Members—otherwise hostile—were put on their mettlo by tho bounceable style of the petitioners against the Bill. This, shortly stated, simply means that the judgments of many hon. Members were subservient to their tempers ; that because their constituencies were indiscreet the representatives were unwise, if wo could make sure that a similar spirit would not direct the voting upon other and more important measures, perhaps it does not .matter much about this particular Licensing Bill, which has neither good nor evil in it—that is of a positive kind—and may be safely left to itself to discover that it will soon require amendment. The tjrent advantage supposed to accrue irom it is that, in lieens* jjxg <juestioun, the "personal elemeni"

will be eliminated; yet it is very difficult to see why the Licensing Commissioners should necessarily confine themselves to the consideration of the personal element. And if these latter are liable to have mistaken notions in fvvor.-of free trade in liquors, are the ratepayers likely to have sounder principles or bo better informed ? A Licensing Court is'composed of "irresponsible nominees " no doubt, but so are Courts of justice; and if the functious of a Magistrate can be trusted to a nominee so can those of a Licensing Commissioner. Perhaps I am a little rabid on the point, but the fact is I am fond of my nip, and I don't choose to bo beholden to the ratepayers for it.

I PEEBUME that the [Canterbury Pasto ral Leasing Bill is a measuic, the principle of which will command the sympathy of most people in Otago, who very justly demand that tho runs shall be put np to auction at the expiry of tho lease. But it does seem a little unfortunate that the bill should have been introduced by such incompetent hands. It nothing more can be urged iu favtfr of selling the runs by public auction than was brought forward by Mr. Wason, I think I'll turn Conservative, and vote that they be retained in the hands of present occupants. The lion, member commenced by Baying that he would be brief, because he had observed " that those persons did more good who confined themselves to a sermon of ten minutes than others who rambled round a series of unmeaning-pla-titudes for an hour." True enough; but how about those- and Mr. Wason should know that such a class exists—who must needs ramble round p. series of unmeaning platitudes in a speech of ten minutes ? It is merely a question of degree, and Mr. Wason's ten-minute ramble is hard to bear as the clerical hour.

Good taste can hardly be expected to be a distinguishing peculiarity of bodies of men. It is an individual faculty, and a very delicate one, and is invariably destroyed by aggregation. Thus it is that the matter of " Speakers' Portraits" came to give rise to so curious a discussion in the House the other day. The House had no objection to do itself the honor to receive the portraits of the gentlemen who had held the dignified office of Speaker, but it could not afi'ord to pay for them — that must bo done by the gentlemen themselves. No doubt there is some rude justice in the decision; those who have ceased to perform the functions of their office should also cease to be a source of even trifling expense to the country,—but how about the two years' salary to tho Superintendents? The matter could be very neatly argued thus: Which is likely to bo most amenable to the Ministry—a canvas Speaker or a live Superintendent? The former: very well then, give the latter a sop.

I asked a delicate question of the Mount Ida Pastoral Company the other day, and paused for a reply, but none came. They evidently dont want me, and nnd as wool is down I can't blame them. I once knew a gentleman who had occasion pretty often to buy horses, and who, after demanding youth, soundness, and activity, always wound up by saying very emphatically, " but no breeding." Now, although I know nothing about horses, I certainly thought that breeding was a sine qua non, and said as much to my friend. "Itis an excellent quality," was the reply, " but it is dear, and I can't afford to pay for it." I offered the Company dignity, I think —for a consideration —but I suppose they can't afford to pay for it. I daro say they are wise. Pabthian.