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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 61, 12 March 1877, Page 4

Tbe home papers record a graceful act on - the part of her Majesty in granting a pension of £50 a year to Thomas Edwards, shoemaker and naturalist, of Banff, Scotland. In com municating the fact to Edwards, tbe Premier said: — "The Queen, has been much interested in reading your Bicigraphy, by Mr Smiles, aqd .is touched by your succeesful pursuit, of natural science under ail the cares and troubles of daily toil," This ! is a; jwell bestowed tribute to a man who has laboured successfully both as a naturalist and shoemaker, not forgetful of his duties as a husband and a father. Edwards was born in 1815, and is now in his 62nd year. Tbe siory of the life of this poor man is one of the most interesting on record, and in the, graphic style of Mr Smiles, it becomes as interesting as a romance. Every hour that Edwards could spare from the seat was devoted to the collection of land animals around Banff, as well as the productions of the neighboring sea, his earnings averaging 12a per .week, on which a wife and five daughters had to ba supported^ By perseverance, and sleeping under trees in the night, he made a collection of nearly 2,000 speciraene. He was at length, -in consequence of necessitous circumstance?, compelled to part with his collection for £20 He has since-been taken in hand by several eminent naturalists, who brought his circumstances and labors under the notice of th& Earl of Beaconsfield, through whose generous influence the: pension on Edwards haa been bestowed, ,: A striking instance of heroism in a mere lad occurred at Sunbury, yictbria, where some 800 children from Williamstown were assembled at a picnic in a paddock adjoiuiog the residence of Mr W. J. Clarke, anil in proximity ip a deep creek (says the Melbourne A*e of J^'h February). The youngsiers were scattered about in all directions, and presently the alarm was gipeo thut a boy named Friday bad ffilleu iuto the creek aud waa drowning. VYiihout a moment's heaitutiop $ lad of fourteen; riamyd J.»raes Wood Clark, of Williamstown, vmi dowu to the creek, Borne 50 yards diataat. ,K<j waa just in time to see the boy rise and sink a<(»iu, when he plunged iuto tbe stream, dived, and in a few seconds rose to the. surfuoe, supporting . the form of young Faday c Life appeared to be extinct, ajsd it was nearly 'an hour before animation restored, so tbatbutfoi'young Clatk'a promptitude tbere.is not "the slightest doubt the accident would have had a fatal terrains-

Jtibn. The father of Friday, a poor man, expressed his heartfelt thanks to 'the lad for the noble act that had saved Jhis sou's life, and insisted upon his acceptance of a small present in token 'of his gratitude; and it is said that the ;Sunday-achool children .will raise a ipenny subscription to purchase a Jsuitable testimonial for him. This, it jmay be added, is the second life saved from drowning by Master Clark during the present year.