JACK ASHORE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 103, 19 April 1876, Page 4

JACK ASHORE.

(New Zealand Herald.") Of course when the starboard watch of H.M.S. Pearl got leave the day be- : fore yesterday to kick up their heels on shore for a while, and got tbeir pay, it ' was only to be expected that Jack would be as much alive as usual. As in days of yore, Jack woiks like a horse for his money and then spends it like an ass. An enumeration of the doings of the liberty mcD yesterday would only be a recapitulation of the deeds of men-of-war's'men on hundreds of thousands of similar sprees.' But it may be said that there was nothing rowdy about, the proceedings, and that the pranks were merely similar to those indulged in by horses after liberation from the traces. A compliment should,' however, be paid to the authorities aboard, who, knowing the weakness of bur police force, had a sergeant and a party of marines parading the streets all day, for the purpose of checking any too great ebullition of excitement. Tbere was no necessity for the picquet party, however. Amongst the many little incidents that "Jack" indulged in, was horseriding. He evidently determined to form a "flying squadron" on his own account, for every livery stable keeper yesterday was beset by applicants for saddle horses. Marines and Marine Artillery men joined in the pursuit for horses, and before long several mounts were obtained. As a rule, Jack has a dislike for soldiers, but a " horsemarine" he has a great contempt for, which he shewed by his tiea ment of each animal that carried a Marine. After parading the streets in single file, a little racing took place, and Jack generally managed' to beat the soldier, both running before the. wind nnd in a dead beat. One tar, mounted on a bare-backed cart horse, came to grief, when. an order was promptly passed for all hands to heave-to, as there was a man overboard. Another brawny sailor, finding his "Rosinante" unable to carry bim to his satisfaction, shortened sail and held a survey, the result of which caused him to endeavor to get the horse on bis back, but failing this, : he took him in tow and asked a bystander if there was a dry-dock, alleging that the beast would'nt steer handy. A marine on the wharf Complained that after paying ten shillings for a horee, a blue-jacket had borrowed him, and another had boned his pipe, and he had neither horse nor pipe left. By an 1-by, when the men became tired of horse-riding, they dismounted ;and started the animals tb find their way home on their own account, as they themselves did not know where they belonged. The day was finished up with indulgment in harmony at various houses in tbe town.

ing why, she saw tbat the earth was a friend to her ohildren, and therefore gave them to its healing embrace. II the mother be fortunate enough to live in the country," she haa the cure for many of ber children's ills close at hand. Encourage baby to play in fresh earth, preparing it properly for its enjoyment arid cure, with as careful an eye to the comfort of the little thing as you would if it were to take ony other sort of bath. If it has no old dresses, make it a suit of cheap print, tie upon its head a light hat, that will protect its eyes -from discomfort, and give it freedom to delve into the warm, soft earth, where the sunshine can comfort and invigorate it. If it is a c'ty child, and circumstances forbid a trip to the country for the sake of the convalescent, have a sand heap made on the warm side of your yard. Instinct will teach' it to dig, and digging hardens the muscles ond bringß strength to the bones, wbile from the heart of the earth rises a subtle and strong power of healing, that we can neither explain nor understand, though we have both seen and felt its potency.