MISCELLANEA.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 70, 31 March 1843, Page 3

MISCELLANEA.

Cottage Life. Beneath the humblest thatch, where riotous excess would scorn to set its foot, and where distempered wealth would tremble at the shaking of the chinky walls, are born and bred the robust sons of health, the daughters of comeliness —the active and toilenduring men, whose independent hearts never swelled with envy at the inheritance of a neighbour—the careful and toil-beguiling women, whose economic expenditure spreads to its utmost length and breadth the little earnings of the household —whose frugal fingers turn with, magic touch each hard-earned penny to a shilling’s worth. Nor of less value to society have been the “clever hizzies,” who, all unskiled infashionrble accomplishments, contrive to make their toilsomelife endurable, and feel contentment and,pleasure ,in it. It; is •to these women that laborious man owes his most grateful thanks—to the woman who can bake oatmeal cakes as well as eat them, wlio can not only make a shirt but dress it—who make their household tremble at the terrors of a washing day, and set off with an early breakfast to the bleaching green to give their coarser linen a healthy hue—who are not ashamed to he seen with their feet in the washing tub,’their petticoats dangling daintily by the knee, while they tread the foaming water through their clothes —standing like a rustic VenuS in her shell> and displaying a strong and shapely limb which silk-clad dames might envy—who return at evening with their load, and display their snowy linen—nay, whose vanity goes so far that they wish for Sunday to see their husband in well-bleached lirien, and hear him praise them for their labour.

! Properties of Coffee. —Coffee is the seed; not the berry, as it is erroneously called, of the plant Coffea Arabica . When coffee is roasted, it undergoes a remarkable change of composition, attended by the formation of a tan, and of a fragrant aroma. The refreshing propertiesof coffee are referred to a peculiar chemical principle called caffeine, which is found to be exhilarating in doses of four or five’ grains. The proportion of nitrogen in coffee is very large for a vegetable product; # and nitrogen will be recollected as the base of the celebrated nitrous oxide, or laughing-gas. The late Duke of Orleans called at the Times office to see the printing machine in the morning on which the French express was received, containing the ordinance of Charles X., which occasioned the revolution, and seated the present King of the French on the throne.— Times. Depth of the Sea. —The tneah depth of the sea is according to La Place, from four to five miles. If the existing waters were increased only by one fourth, it would drown the earth, with the exception of some high mountains. If the volume of the ocean were augmented only by one-eight, considerable portions of the present continents would be submerged, and the seasons would be changed all over the globe. Evaporation would be so much extended, that rains would fall continually, destroy the harvest, and fruits, and flowers, and subvert the whole economy of nature. Injury. —A little wrong done to another is a great injury done to ourselves. The severest punishment of an injury is the consciousness of having done it: and no man suffers more than he that is turnedover to the pain of repentance. Phrenology. —As a phrenologist and his friend were conversing, the latter said to the former, “ did it never occur to you, to rap on the head those who come to submit their skulls to your examination, by way of trying if they were empty ?” “ No,” said the other,' “it was not necessary, as if they had anything in their heads they would never have come to me!” The Royal Mint. —Since the royal proclamation of the 3rd of June on the light gold currency, the bank has received between 4,000,000/., and 5,000,000/. sterling of light sovereigns and half-sovereigns (of the reigns of George 111. and IV., and William IV.), all of which were placed in the Bullion Office as condemned. The following is the amount of new coinage that has been issued from the Ist of July up to Saturday last, the 30th ult.: —Sovereigns, 695,350; half-sovereigns, 880,000; half-crowns, 125,000; and 750,000 shillings, besides 40,000 sixpences. Exportations of the precious metals —Calcutta, 280 ounces of gold; 270,720 ounces of silver coinage, and 177,000 ounces in bars. Bombay 45,000 ounces silver coinage, and >2,700 in bars. Mauritius 1,280 ounces in gold, 40,000 ounces silver, and 23,632 ounces in bars. Ceylon, 900 ounces in silver. Hong-kong, 145,000 ounces in silver. Launceston, Van Diemen’s Land, 400 ounces. Hamburgh, 3,000 ounces silver, and 6,000 ounces in bars. From the 21st of July to the 28th, there was exported as follows: —Hamburgh, 1,500 ounces of silver in bars ; Rotterdam, 28,000 ounces; Calais, 60,000 ounces ;. Hong-kong, 137,054 ounces ;• Mauritius, 23,632 ounces; in gold, 1,150 ounces; Calcutta, 144,400 ounces in bars, and 136,920 in bullion ; Cape of Good Hope and Wellington, New Zealand, 32 ounces. There is still a great scarcity of silver on the Continent, in consequence of France and Prussia having a new coinage about to be struck ; but gold is cheaper than in this country, although they chiefly receive their precious metals from the bankers and bullion dealers in the City. In consequence of the request for the gold and silver new coinage, the half-farthings, it is expected, will not he issued to the public from the Mint before Christmas, All the old silver coinage of George 111. and George IV. paid into the bank, is not reissued for circulation, but will be recoined, being so very deficient in Weight, and so much defaced by wear and tear.

Confidence is not always the growth of time; there are minds that meet each other with ft species of affinity, and with a promptitude and faith that only belongs to the pure essence of which they are composed. Caution to Captains of Vessels.—' The following occurrence shows that masters of ships cannot be too careful in the stowages of'* cargo:—Five cases prints by the brig Alert, from Liverpool, were found to be damaged upon landing, and one was opened on; Saturday to see to what extent, and to ascertain, from what cause the injury had occurred: Upon taking off the cover, the inside was comjpletely scorched, and the prints were nearly all-.iu a calcined state. This was occasioned by a case of vitrolic acid which had been stowed over it, and in which one bottle had bgen broken, which contained about a pint. The prints felt quite warm when first opened, and the case containing the vitro! was almost in a state of ignition. It is the opinion of gentlemen in Sydney, that had the least current of air reached it, it would have burst into flames. This providentially did not occur, as there were sixty barrels of

gunpowder within a few feet of it. The eases, were consigned to Messrs. Rowfciul, Macnab, and Co. New Law of Copyright extending to the Colonies. —By the act of Parliament, 5 and 6‘ Victoria, cap. 45, passed to amend the law of copyright, and which expressly extends to all the British colonies, it is enacted (section 15), “ That if any person shall, in any part of the British dominions, after the passing of this act, print, or cause to be printed, either for sale or exportation, any book in w T hich there shall be subsisting copyright, without the consent in writing of the proprietor thereof, or shall import for sale or hire any such book, so having been unlawfully printed or imported, shall sell, publish, or expose to sale or hire, or cause to be sold, published, or exposed to sale or hire, or shall have in his possession for sale or hire, any such book so unlawfully printed or imported, without such consent a 3 aforesaid, such offender shall be liable to a special action on these cases, at the suit of the proprietor of such copyright, to be brought in any court of record in that part of the British dominions in which the offence shall be committed.” By section 17, it is further enacted, that after the passing of the act, it shall not be lawful for any person, not being the proprietor of the copyright, or some person authorised by him, to import into any part of the United Kingdom, wherein there shall be copyright, and reprinted in any country or place whatsoever out of the British dominions; and if any person, not being such proprietor or person authorised as aforesaid, shall import or bring, or cause to be imported or brought, for sale or hire, any such printed book, then every such, book shall be forfeited, and shall be seized by any officer of customs or excise, and the same shall be destroyed by such officer ; and every person so offending, being duly convicted thereof, before two justices of the peace for the county or place in which such book shall be found, shall also, for every such offence, forfeit the sum of 10/., and double the value of every copy of such book which he shall so import, or cause to be imported into any part of the British dominions, or shall knowingly sell, publish, or expose to sale, or let to hire, or shall have in his possession for sale or hire, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this act, 51. to the use of such officer of customs or excise, and the remainder of the penalty to the use of the proprietor of the copyright in such book.” Miss Martineau and the Civil List. — We learn, from a correspondence between Mr. Buller and Miss Martineau, which has now been published, that Lord Melbourne, previous (o going out of office, was desirous to place this lady’s name on the civil list, with a pension of 150/. a-year, as a proof of his respect for her writings and her character ; and accordingly made such offer to her through Mr. Buller. Miss Martineau, in reply, declines the offer, and does so in a manner highly creditable to her head and heart. Among her reasons for declining, the following stands prominently forward. Speaking of the working classes she pavs ; —«* Such services as I may have rendered them are unconsciously received by them; but I cannot accept reward at any expense, to them. If this provision be not designed as recompense, but as aid, as a pure gift, I cannot take it; for they who provide the means have rio voice in the appropriation of it to me personally. Whenever we obtain a just system of taxation, the time may perhaps follow when, among other considerations, some plan may be discovered by which the people’s representatives may exercise the power of encouraging and rewarding merit ancl services working through the Press ; and even then the most scrupulous, with no better views of their own claims than I have, may be happy to receive, in their time of need, aid from the public purse. Meanwhile, I seriously and truly feel tliat I had rather, if need were (to put an extreme case), receive aid from the parish, and in the workhouse, where I could clearly read my claim, than in the very agreeable manner proposed, where I can see no excuse fdr my own indulgence. If it be true that, in the case of gifts, we do not nicely measure the grounds of claim, surely there is an exception in the one case of gifts from the public purse.”

Masonic! —Last evening, pursuant to public advertisement, an extraordinary meeting of the Master Masons was held at their lodge room, to take into consideration the conduct of Brother William Kerr, who, 'at the complaint of John Stephen, was brought forward to, answer, a charge'of “ scandalously, maliciously, and ihdefaming; tlie conditct of the Said Jbhh in the Ptitrlot 'of wM; h'e is the editor. The 'examination lasted four and ended in the suspension of Brother Wflikm Kerr till the pleasure ofr the Grand Lodffe/td; Hdtite should be made known. Forty : dhe Master Masons attended the meeting, and tlie teSiiTt was as follows : " Brother Kerr 32 For Brother Kerr 1 Total 41 The Wife. —It needs no guilt to break a husband’s heart; the absence of content, the muttering of spleen, the untidy dress and cheerless home, the forbidding scowl, and deserted hearth; these and nameless neglects, without

a crime among them, have harrowed to the heart’s core of many a man, and planted ithere, beyond the reach of cure, the germ of dark despair. Oh! may woman, before that sad sight arrives, dwell on the recollections of youth, and cherishing the dear idea of that tuneful time, awake and keep alive, the promise she then so kindly gave ; and though she'may be the injured, not the injuring one, th,e forgotten, not the forgetful wife ; a happy allusion to that hour of peace and love; a kindly welcome to a comfortable home; a smile of love to banish hostile words; a kiss of peace to pardon all the past; and the hardest heart that ever locked itself within the breast of man will soften to her charms, and bid her live, as ••he bad hoped, her years in matchless bliss; loved, loving, and content; the source of comfort, and the spring of joy.— Chambers’ London Journal. A curious case, connected with the will of a wealthy Catholic lady, named Whellan, is likely to be made the subject of judicial inquiry during the term. It appeals that this lady, after leaving various sums to Catholic charities, directed that, in case of failure of issue on the part of her son, a sum of 10,000/., to, which he was entitled, should go to the “ Archbishop of Dublin,” meaning Dr. Murray, the Catholic Bishop, whose name was mentioned in another part of the will), to be disposed of in charity as lie might think proper. The son has died, and the money is claimed by the Commissioners of Charitable Bequests, on the part of the Protestant Archbishop, inasmuch as the law does not recognize any other. —Dublin Morning Register >

Prospects of Australia. —It is with much satisfaction we notice the progress of our colonies in Australia, as gathered from the decennial tables from 1831 to 1840, which have been presented to both Houses of Parliament. By a minute analysis of these tables, it is seen how rapid has been the advance of one of the most recent of these markets. In the year 1820, under the head of “ New South Wales and New Zealand,” the extent of our exports to Australia was indicated by an amount little exceeding 100,000/. Ten years subsequently, when Van Diemen’s Land and Swan River were included in the account, it had increased threefold, or to 300,000/. In the following year it was almost 400,000/. In 1535, it was nearly 700,000/. In 183 S, it, exceeded the sum of 1,300,000/.; and in 1840, appears to have attained to upwards of 2,000,000/. London Paper. Pedestiiianism. —An extraordinary match took place at Day’s Cricket-ground, on Monday last, at 6 o’clock in the evening, when a man named R. Cootes, undertook for a wager of 50/. to run one mile, trundle a hoop one mile, walk backwards half a mile, hop 100 yards, leap over 50 hurdles 10 yards [apart, and pick up 40 stones one yard apart, being eight various feats, in one hour; which he accomplished', having one minute thirty seconds to spare, and he was not all distressed. It is said in the sporting circles that he can be backed for 100/. to go on foot six miles against any horse in this country, each to take one hundred leaps.— Salisbury Herald. Blacks. —During the whole of Monday and yesterday, Sydney has been favored with a larger attendance of the sable lords of the soil, than has we believe been seen for some years. Whether they were attracted by the election or not, we cannot tell; but we cannot but regret that these visits should occur, whilst the improper and cruel practice of supplying them with spirits is continued. We witnessed ourselves several most disgusting scenes, in consequence of intoxication on the part of the blacks. A considerable number of half-caste children attended the parties, and we saw many intelligent, nay, beautiful faces amongst them, bright with intelligence. Surely these at least might be secured from a savage state, which, a constant residence in the camps of their mother has entailed upon them.— Australian.

Election of Elders in the Presbyterian Church. On Sunday last, the Rev. Mr. Forbes intimated to his congregation that it had been deemed expedient no longer to defer electing elders for that church. He delivered a brief and eloquent address on the occasion, in the course of which he pointed out such .pol*- . tions of scripture as warranted those of the Presbyterian community in believing, that the. office of ruling elder was one of divide appointment,, and stated that it had existed as. such in ; the primitive church.; arid that at, the reform^.-i tion such an office was considered indispensable ; in every reformed church,.butt ; ’one.. He next: directed the attention of, his hearers to thCsei parts, of, the, IJoiy Bible where, the necessary! qualifications pfdders.are set forth, :a& well, as; the directions,applicable, tb; tlie.’subject tained- m the? .Standards of 1 the. church*. and-, jh. reference to the mode in which. th<?;.election dsi ito be,conducted, .said', that CeneralvAsr: isembly. agreed to. ah. bvfcrtyire, introduced} some titpe, previously, by which .the* right- of suffragewaa cdnferred..on all jouale .communicants belonging to the church.: ; He hoped, therefore, that in such .a momentous work they would all joyfully and freely exercise, their .privileges in strict accordance with the word'.of God and standards of the church. It was necessary to return the, names of eight persons, four of whom would subsequently be elected,

and. each mule communicant .would .be supplied yvith. a blank ; printed; form ; on, retiring JrQrii phu.rch,. which; he requested; might be filled-up find retu.rned by that day three weeks:—Port j Philip Pteraty. . ' Daring,. Feat. —An American seaman, named Michael Smith, aged 2.3, proposed, to leap from the, east side,of. Sunderland-.bridge into the river on Wednesday last. His intention was .announced, by hand-bills on the, previous evening! apd at the ,time fixed (4 .o’clock) hundreds of persons .assembled to witness this daring apd novel exploit. Smith, learning: that tlie officers of police would be on the alert to prevent him accomplishing his object, changed his dress to evade detection, and proceeded across in the ferry-boat to the north side, which caused a little delay. On arriving at the centre of the bridge, he instantly mounted the railing, and was preparing to throw himself off, when he was seized by the police, who dragged him to the station-house, to the great disappointment of, the spectators. Smith, in defence, said, that he was a shipwrecked mariner, and belonged to New York. He was an experienced diver, and had no other intention in performing the feat than to raise a little money, in order that he might be enabled to fit himself out for sea. The Mayor told him that he had no business to obstruct the footpath; if he would jump off the bridge people must go to see him, and that the police had acted perfectly right in taking him into custody. Serjeant Paxton here stated that Smith told the officers he would do it in spite of them and the magistrates. Smith denied this charge, but intimated to the bench that he would yet leap off the bride, providing he could get their sanction. This, however, was refused, and the Mayor told him that, as a foreigner, the bench were inclined to deal leniently, and discharged him on paying costs ; but that the police would keep a strict eye upon him. About 6 o’clock in the evening of the same day, determined not to be diverted from his purpose, Smith went privately on the bridge, and dispatched his companions to apprise certain parties who had befriended him, of his determination to leap. Several were, however, disappointed, Smith having before they arrived, perched himself on the summit of the lamp-frame, from whence, waiving his cap gallantly, he sprang into the river Wear —a height of upwards of 100 feet. On reaching the water he struck out,. and swam “ like a sea bird,” to a keel or barge, from whence he saluted the spectators on the bridge and on the heights in the style of a true Jack Tar, which was immediately returned by a round of hearty cheers from the astonished multitude. It is almost unnecessary to inform our readers (for there are few but must have heard of the far-famed iron bridge at Sunderland), that it is so constructed that large vessels of 400 tons sail underneath it, without striking their masts. Smith has done what no man ever did before, and what, very probably, no other man will dare to attempt again. Smith is an active, jolly-hearted fellow, short made, and about 23 years of age. He has frequently leaped from the highest yards and masts of ships, into the sea; and, in several instances, has been instrumental in saving the lives of his fellow men at great peril. On reaching the shore, after having achieved little less than a miracle, a number of people gathered round him, who cheerfully presented him with trifling sutns of money, when the police immediately interfered and dragged him off to the stationhouse, alleging as a reason that he was " begging money.”— Sunderland (County Durham) Advertiser. Reply. —Tlie great man of a.village being at dinner, allowed a tenant to stand while he conversed with him. " What news, my friend ?” said the squire. “ None that I know of,” replied the farmer, except that' a sow of mine has! had a litter of thirteen pigs, and she has only twelve teats.” “ What will the,thirteenth do,” asked the landlord. “Do as I do,” returned Hodge; “it will stand arid look on while the others eat.”

Extraordinary Voyage.—Some time since; thirteen ; men arrived: from a whaling station at jWiispn’s Promontory., in two. whale, boats, having endured the,.entire of the. dreadful gales which raged during a period , of elqven days, part of which they were, .without -provisions, until relieved by the .Beaglq, at Swan, Island. tfehandship,s_.necessarily; en T , ilureq 4n„,spc)} am, exposed ; situation,; thgy boro. l up 'jktjk -nnfi^^fpg;Jp^fcttde|,.apd...%fp o ijgkplishodi.'' k. voyage of. nearly,; sipsj hqndred j without.- apparently, the; ,A!wfd% .‘HfeATm.-r-A- labousrmg..,uiam w4sately employed ricking hay in h'ia :master’s t ieldmear, Bybridge, tobem a. cirpurisstance took ihchofiaimost lawful; natiire. The atidosphCfe : hkdi heeh. sunny,; becafnev; cloudy, arid' a heavy shofrer tfficrain. the; man. hnweyerf; kobtinjiedi his 'work;, throwing ihh hay fromtbeJ ground to the top of the rick; but m,a moment! oft passion-.he: raised the fqrk . high; in--the air, arid Swore.that ,God :Almighty might come alid ffiake the bay, for. He Iwould nbt. At that - instant, a flash of lightning, attracted by the iron, prongs of the fork, struck him-to the eai th-; and, on being raised, the unhappy.man w&s dead. —Wilts Independent.