[Gleanings from Punch.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 90, 10 June 1846, Page 4

[Gleanings from Punch.]

Agent, is a-gent acting for another gent, and js derived from the Latin word agens, doing, because an agent is often doing his principal.

Aborigines, a term denoting the first inhabitants of a place, who are generally in a wild and savage state, like the first residents at Herne Bay, the Exeter 'Change Arcade, and other outlandish places. The American aborigines are offensive to the eyes of Yankee civilisation, which cannot bear to look on man in a barbarous state, and the natives are being rapidly exteiminated in the land of equality. In a few years the Egptian Hall, Piccadilly, or Greenwich Fair, will be the only spots where the war-whoop of the Native Indian may be heard in all its freshness and purity.

Absentee, one who gets his income in one place, and has his establishment in another. Thus a London tradesman dining in the City, but living a little way out of Town, is liable to a charge of absent-teeism. Some, however, having an income nowhere, and living anywhere they can, become abseentees only when they are asked for money. The two teas who got over the palings of "White Conduit House without paying their score, were absent-teas in the sense alluded to.

Bankruptcy Extraordinary. — The bankrupt, Felix Cool, was opposed by a learned barrister on behalf of several creditors. The debts were very unimportant to every one but the creditors, amounting only to a few thousand pounds; and the assets were of that nature that the time of the assignees would not be wasted in collecting them. Sir C. F. Williams said, this was so far favourable to the bankrupt, for he had evidently set an example of punctuality in receiving all he earned, though, in paying all he owed, the same business-like exactitude, had, unfortunately, not been exhibited. There was one thing, however, that he (Sir C. F. Williams), would take the liberty of asking the bankrupt, namely, how he came to get so much into debt in so short a period ? The bankrupt replied that he had gone on as fair a system as he could. For instance, he wanted goods, and asked for them, and got them. The tradesmen then wanted the money, and asked for it, and did not get it; that was all the difference. (Laugkter, in which the Commissioner joined.) Sir C. F. Williams admitted that there was a good deal of truth in that, but he saw that

tbe bankrupt had been to Margate with a very large sum of money. What had become of that ? ! The Bankrupt. That's exactly what I want to know (a laugh). All I know is, that I went, and the money went. I came back again, and 1 should be very glad to see the money come back again also. (Laughter.)' Sir C. F. Williams. That seems tb me a very fair and straightforward wish on the part of the bankrupt. He would like to see the money back again — probably to divide it amongst his creditors. I really don't see what more h? could do, if he had the ra&ney now in his pocket. My only wish is to see justice done. A Creditor. Yes, that 's all very fine : but we are done as well as justice. (Cries of Hear.) Sir C. F. Williams. Silence ! I sit here as a judge, and if those interruptions are to take place, 1 will have the Court cleared. (To the Bankrupt) : Here are some items I cannot understand. What became of all the money you earned in the last year ? The Bankrupt. That 's what puzzles me. Some of it went this way, and some that way, and some the other. A Creditor. None of it seems to have come this way. (A laugh.) Sir C. F. Williams. That laughter is very indecent, and I will certainly protect the feelings of the Bankrupt as well as my own dignity. (Tb the Bankrupt) : I see an item for keeping a carriage. Fray can you favour us with an explanation of that ? The Bankrupt. In the first place, a carriage is cheaper. It takes you where you like, when you like, and how you like. It puts you down, takes you up, drives you on, carries you off, whisks you round, and brings you home in no time. Sir C. F. Williams. That's very true. But how is it cheaper than a cab or an omnibus ? ahe Bankrupt. Why, clearly, it must be cheaper. If you get into a cab or omnibus, you must dip into your ready money. You exhaust your capital, you cripple your means, and empty your pockets ; so that the pockets of your creditors naturally suffer in the end. But if you have a private carriage, your account, as well as your carriage, will keep running on. (A laugh.) Sir C. F. Williams (smiling.) That is true to a certain extent. But what do you propose to do now ? The Bankrupt. My income has hitherto been so much — say so much in round numbers. Suppose it to be as much again as half. I have no objection to pay over to my creditors that portion of it which I can do without — say the half, and I will keep the as much again, that is to say, it shall be proportioned in two. I will take the as much again as half, and the remainder my creditors are welcome to. Sir C. F. Williams. This seems very fair. (To the Bankrupt :) I don't think you can do more. The Bankrupt. We have been doing all we could for some time, I can assure you. We only want to be set upon our legs again. It is really bad enough to owe the money, and not to have it ; but to be lectured about it into the bargain, is rather too hard. Sir C. F. Williams. But why did you go away from your creditors ? The Bankrupt. What was the use of staying with them 1 We are blamed for going to our creditors at all ; and now we are blamed for not going to them, when we really could do them no good — for we of course could not pay them. So we went to Margate, intending to settle with everybody. Sir C. F. Williams. A very good intention. But pray how was it to be carried out ? The Bankrupt. We had not time to think of that. I told one of my principal creditors, some mouths ago, that I would if I could, but I couldn't. If I could, it is possible now that I should ; and hereafter I will if I can — but that depends on circumstances. I mean, of course, my own circumstances. Sir C. F. Williams hoped it would be so. He (Sir C. F. Williams) would be glad to see the bankrupt begin the world again. A Creditor. Hadn't he better begin at the other end — for if he begins in the old way, there will be little good result from it. (A laugh.) Sir C. F. Williams thought this a very unfair observation ; and, after a few encouraging remarks to the Bankrupt, the inquiry terminated.