THE FRACAS AT WESTPORT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 3, 4 January 1868, Page 2

THE FRACAS AT WESTPORT.

We find that the letter which appeared in the Westport Times signed 'Bohemian,' having reference to the Oddfellow's Ball, wns not the communication which provoked the ire of Mr Commissioner Kynnersley, but another, under the same signature, which appeared in that journal on the 30th ult. The following is the paragraph alluded to: — It was a lovely day, and I was glad to see both the principal booths well patronized — the rank including Mrs Harris and Mrs Giles, patronising on the previous day Morey _ ; while the fashion — the demi-monde — patronised Corcoran's. I'm afraid I shall offend 'Truth' when I say that it was hardly the place to expect to find our worthy the centre of attraction, placed between the gay .Florence and the equally gay Mrs K. To be sure a man can do as he likes, but when a gentleman occupies a public position, if he does not care about himseli being respected, his position demands something, not to say anything about the slight or insult implicitly conveyed to the ladies in the other bo!>th. What would be said if Sir H. M. Sutton, the Governor of Victoria, seated himself at the opera or race between two of the ladies belonging to Mrs Frazer's establishment, or Sir George Bowen between Mrs Kinder and a protegee of Mrs M'Donald's — and fills a similar position in iWestport. To say the least of it, it was a gratuitous insult to the people there assembled. There was no attempt at mauvaise honte in the matter. There is a clause in the ' Vagrancy Act ' which we recommend to active Constable Rhodes, which empowers him to make inquiries into the mode of life of a certain class of females, it is a* pity he does not pay a little attention to what is an obvious portion of his duty. I have s"en magistrates, Mr Dutton, for instance, send women to gaol under this clause ; I wonder whether could find it in his heait to do so, especially if her husband happen to be in prison ? Scandal was busy enough before relative to certain proceedings, but I hardly thought that would have gone the length he has ; to blazon forth to the world his utter disregard for the morals and usages of civilized society. Ro doubt he may say • society be ; what do I care for society ? I will do as I like j' but he ought to know that any scandal not only grows stronger as it grows older, but eventually overthrows the scandalizer. 4 Koseitur ex sociis' is a good old Latin phrase that may apply in this instance ; and when I consider that next to Mrs 11. sat another lady in the mode with a gentleman very well known in society, I might say ' Par nobile fratrum.' Suffieetb to say that I care hut little about the usages of a great deal ot modern society ; but I think this is carrying contempt a step too far.'

One evening, in a mixed company, Jerrold and some friends were playing a game to test their knowledge of Shakspeare Each person was to name an object, it mattered not what, to the guest next to him, and the latter, under pain of a forfeit, was to give some quotation from the poet to illustrate it- To Jerrold was given the word 4 treadmill, 5 and he hardly hesitated a moment before rephing, in the well-known language of Lear, ' Down, thou climbing sorrow.!' 4 Boy, did you let off that gun ?' exclaimed an enraged schoolmaster. 4 Yes, sir.' ' Well, what do you think 1 ought to do to you ?' ' Why let me off.' Holloway's Pills. — Desirable Possession.-With-out health no amount of wealth, no means of pleasure, are of the slightest value. It is incon-c-eiveable how small a disturbance of the animal functions begets wretchedness, and how readily, it may be rectified by a few doses of this purifying and regulating medicine. These world-renowned Piils have proved the best friend to mankind in every grade, in every land, and under almost every circumstance. Holloway's Pills purity the blood, rectify digestion, stimulate the liver and kidneys, and regulate the bowels. When fevers, influenza, and other ailments are epidemic, these Pills should be taken by everyone, to keep the blood and system free from the seeds of the prevaidng pestilence. 1