ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 249, 18 December 1847, Page 3

ENGLISH EXTRACTS.

The great comet of 1264 and 1556 is expected by astronomers to re-appear at the latter end of this or the commencement of the following year. March 10th, 1848, is considered the most probable period. The nodes of the comet's orbit lie tery close to the earth's path.

Statistics of Newspapers. —At this time there are 555 journals — 230 Liberal, 187 Conservatives, 138 neutral. A table shows the number of newspapers started in each year since 1600. In that year there was owe only; and the numbers vary from 1 to 4, but never exceeding the latter till 1800. Then there is a visible increase. In 1807 there were 5 ; 1808, 9 ; then they declined again till 1820, when 10 were started ; in 1828, 12; in 1832 16 : in 1836, 24; in 1837, 25 ; in 1845, 29; in 1844, 22; in 1845, 32 ; in 1846, 37; and to April in the present year, 16. We are not informed how many of these have survived ; but we understand that, upon the average, not one newspaper of ten that are started sncceeds so as to pay its expenses, and that more money is annually sunk in this species of enterprise than in almost any other business; for the loss is enormous when unsuccessful, being daily incurred, and without possibility of curtailment. The fact is, the unitiated imagine that with a newspaper there is little a ore to do than to sit down and write a clever article. But, in truth, that is the least part of the labour. With all the talent the age could furnish it would fail, if the business arrangements, the trading portion of the work, be not judiciously and energetically conducted.

Intercourse with South America. — The Royal Mail Steam-packet Company has completed its arrangements for forwarding passengers and ' goods across the Isthmus from Chagres to Panama. Passengers nowr embark at Southampton as secure of being, comfortably and punctually conveyed to Panama in 34 days as if their destination . were Suez. The distance from Panama to Sydney is 7900 miles. ' In the course of this passage light baffling winds are often found to prevail off the coast of South America, but the south-east trade wind prevails for the greater part of the run. Schooners adapted to the navigation of these latitudes have been found; to perform the at the average speedof 7 knots an hour ; and were such vessels to be fitted up with steam engines and screwj propellers, this average rate could be ensured throughout every voyage. A.t this rate a propeller'from Panama would reach ' the Marquesas in '22 days, thence to Tahiti in 4', to Auckland or Cook's Strait in 13, and to Sydney in 7. Making allowances for stoppages of 19 days at Sydney, of 3 days on the outward voyage at Chagres, and 4 on the homeward at Panama, with fractions of 'days con-

si^med, in, stoppages at the Marquesas, Tahiti, and New, Zealand, the voyage from London to Sydney might be made by this route in 84 days ; the return of post would be 193 , days. The passage to Sydney by this route would only occupy three days more than the passage by Singapore ; the passage 1 to New Zealand would be performed in 14 days less time. The transit across the Isthmus of Panama is in the hands of an English company ; the transit across the Isthmus, of Suez, in the hands, of the Egyptian rulers for the time being. On the eastern route the passengers and mails must be at least twice transshipped — at Suez and Signapore. On the western route,, only one transshipment is necessary. The western passage between Panama and Sydney can be effected by the economical means of propellers ; to encounter the heavy currents off Cape Leuwin, or the three months' monsoon in Torres Straits, powerful steamers would be indispensable. The western route carries mails and passengers to the most wealthy and centrical, the metropolitan part of Australia, in only three days more than the eastern, and this additional time is far more than compensated for by the quicker, more regular, and easier communication it will be the means of establishing with the Pacific. The Panama line will be employed by the French authorities, to carry passengers and communications, between France, the Marquesas, and Tahiti. It will ensure to this country early and regular intelligence respecting the movements of our squadron on that station, arid (;what is scarcely of less importance) the movements of the French and Americans in these, waters. There is a large and increasing amount of Br.itish capital vested in our home and colonial whalers cruising in the South Pacific, aud in the vessels trading from New South Wales and Australia with the islands of Oceania. The whaling establishments about to be made on the Auckland Islands, under the auspices of Mr. Enderby, and the settlement ou the New Hebrides, contemplated by a trading company in the course of formation in the city, will occasion a rapid .extension both of our fishing and trading operations, and of the progress of settlement in Australia and New Zealand. Were a regular monthly communication once established from Southampton to Sydney via Panama, the Marquesas, Tahiti, and New Zealand, the three .insular groups we have named would at once become the central points of traffic and intercommunication in the South Pacific, and their wealth and importance would increase proportionally. Privileges of the Prussian Ladies. — During the month of November last there came to live at Konigsberg, Mdme. Louise Lehmann, a young and beautiful widow of a captain of the Prussian Lancers. Shortly alter the lady adopted all the manners of a man ; she dressed, mounted her horse, visited the cafes and other public places of resort, played billiards, frequenteJ the shooting galleries — in short, conducted herself as a regular lion. Madame Lehmann had visited several times the " Cafe de la Couronne," where she coramouly mingled with the professors of the university. One of them, M. T — , dean of the theological faculty, feeling rather scandalized at this, requested the proprietor of the establishment not to receive M. Lehmann again. This person accordingly addressed a note to the lady, supplicating her not to renew her visits to the cafe, or she would frighten away these grave frequenters of his establishment. The lady, offended at this, made every exertion to learn who the person was who had' provoked her. exclusion from the cafe ; and it was not long before she ascertained that it was the Professor M. T — . Determining to be revenged on him, she was not long in carrying her project into execution. One night when the professor, who was an old man of some sixty years, was sitting alone at a table in the cafe, quietly drinking from his glass, Madame Lehmann entered, dressed as a man, and bearing a whip in her hand. She took her place at the same table .with the old professor, and after resting quietly for a few minutes, suddenly she rose, and' raising her whip, proceeded to give the venerable .professor a most unmerciful lashing. Madame.Lehmann was immediately arrested, and conducted to prison. Three days after the tribunal, of the .First, Instance,, by a summary judgment, condemned her to, six months' imprisonment, and ., the payment of a fine of 800 thalers. ,Im- , mediately after, the Director of the Police at ..Konigsberg signified "to Madame Lehmann his prohibition against her ever appearing in the costume of (l a man. From this prohibition thejady appealed to the Minister of Police,, who, after haying examined into the affair, decided that there were no laws, ordinances, or interdictions, which prevented females from assuming the masculine habiliments, for every woman in Prussia bad the right to dress herself as a man, but in cases where the so wearing ■ caused a scandal, as in the instance of Madame Lehmann, and then the authori-

lies bad .right tojnterfere and prohibit:, it. Thus have the women of Prussia ,had, o,fficially announced to them— what, without dsubt, they were before the most. of. them entirely ignorant oft— that it is lawful tor themtqwe^r the breeches. — Globe. . „ „ Cure for Slugs. — The gardens , this spring are infested to an incredible extent (considering the severity of the .winter) with snails and slugs, which have already commenced their destructive havoc, on ,tbe, tender foliage and vegetable plants. Mr. Geprge Toms, of this place, among various, jexperi/ments, spread in the evening in ,his gardjen some grains (the remains of malt after brewing) about one inch in thickness. About midnight he went ( to the spot and found tjba grains literally covered with snails and slugs, and by sifting slaked lime over them he, destroyed the whoie. The experiment has .become in general use, and so successfu ly,tbat gardens are cleansed of these insects in a few nights. — 2 aunton Courier. » „ v

Novel Project. — A prospectus-has been issued of a new Joint Stock -Company;, tp.be called "The Silurian Chemical Works," and to be established at Newport and Cardiff",, w,ish a branch at each of those places, the object of which is to purchase and work up, refuse .and other, small coal, to the extent of 2000 tons per day, or 600,000 tons per annum, u j.npo coke, tar, ammoniacai preparations, an^gasj and to carry the latter product from Cardiffjlo London, on a route via Gloucester, &c. ; and also to enable the directors of the Great "Western and other railway companies, to ligfyt the whole of their roads and branches with gas, ,so as to prevent as far as possible, a!l 4 the accidents that may arise from want of light in f\\e dark and the dreary seasons of winter. It is proposed that the gas lamps on railways .shquld be fixed at intervals not exceeding |qrty-^v_e yards, which w6uld be about forty lamps pef mile. The cost of supplying the gas isolated at 30s. per lamp, or £60 per mile. » ,; ;

The Shilling and Guinea. — Sometime ago the Duke of 'Buccleuch, in n one,of .fai's walks, purchased a cow from a person in the neighbourhood of Dalkeith, and left orders to send it to his palace the following morning. According to agreement the cow was sent; and the Duke, who happened to be ,in deshabille, and walking in the avenue, a little fellow ineffectually attempting to, drive the animal to its destination. The boy, , not knowing the Duke, bawled out, to t him, " Fliraun, come here an' gie's a ban' wi' this beast." The Duke saw the mistake, ana 'determined on having a joke with the little fello^. Pretending, therefore, not to understand, him, the Duke walked on slowly, the boy , still craving his assistance. At last he cried in a tone of apparent distress, " Come here, vanp, an' help us, an' as sure as onything I'll, gi'e ye half o' what I get." This last solicitation had the desired effect. The Duke went, and lent a helping hand. " And now," said th,e Duke, as they trudged along, " how, njuch d,o you think you'll get for this job ,?" \ "jOfy, dinna ken," said the boy, "but I'm surefp' something ; for the folk up at the hduse^ar.e good to a' bodies." As they approached-, the house the Duke darted from the boy,^and.entered by a different v/ay. He called a servant, and putting a sovereign into his hand,, .said, " Give that to the boy that has brought ,th> cow. The Duke returned to the avenue^ and was soon rejoined by the boy. ",nel},"Vhow much did you get?" said the Duke." "A shilling," said the boy, " an'thereVthV'fcalf o't t' ye." " But you surely got more 'than a shilling," said the Duke. " No," ''said', the boy, with the utmost earnestness," *• as sure's death that's a' I got ; an' d'yV. no' think itjs a plenty!" "I do not," saU the Duke'; | " there must be some mistake, and as I ana acquainted with the Duke, if you return I think I'll get you more." The boy consented ; back they went. The Duke rarig^the i bell, and ordered all the servants to be assembled. "Now, said the Duke to the' boy, " point me out the person that gave you the shilling." "It was that chap there with the apron," pointing to the butler^' " The "delinquent confessed, fell on his knees', and, attempted an apology; but the Duke interrupted him — indignantly ordered him to, give tfie boy the sovereign, and' quit his service instantly. "You have lost," said "the 'Intake, " your money, your situation, ana your character, by your covetousne'ss ; learn', henceforth, that honesty is the best policy." ,Tfie boy, by this time, recognize 1 his a'ssistarit,,in the person of the Duke ; and the'l^uke was so delighted with the sterling worth',, anil honesty of the boy,, that he ordered him W be sent to school, kept there, and provided 'for at his own expense. — Liverpool Albion? Conformity to Custom. — : But v< the way in which the human body shall be coveredis not "a thing for tfte scientific and the learned only ; ami is allowed on all hands to concern, in no small degree, one half of th^ c^eatibjft.^ It is in such a simple thing as dress tjiai' each of us may .foi m' soW estimate of the 'extentof conformity in the world. A wise natio'n/'unsuhdued by superstition,, J with th&colleci'^i

.experience .of peaceful ages, concludes that fe-male-feet ate to be clothed by crushing them. The 'still wiser 1 nations of the West have adopted a swifter mode of destroying health and creating angularity, by crushing the upper part of the female body. In such matters nearly all people conform. Out brother man is seldom so bitter against us, as when we refuse to adopt his notions of the infinite. But even religious dissent were less dangerous and more' respectable than dissent in dress. If you want to see what men will do in the way of conformity, take a European hat for your subject of meditation. I dare say there are twenty-two millions of people at this minute, each wearing one of these hats in order to please the rest. — Friends in Council.

• The Llama. — Of the four varieties of the Peruvian sheep, the Llama, the one most familiarly known, is the least valuable on account of its wool. It is chiefly employed as a beast of burden, for which, although it is somewhat larger than any of the other varieties, its diminutive size and strength would seem to disqualify it. It carries a load of little more than a hundred pounds, and cannot travel above three or four leagues in a day. But all this is compensated by the little care and cost required for its management, and maintenance. It picks up an easy subsistence from the moss and stunted herbage that grow j scantily along the withered sides of the steeps of the Cordilleras. The structure of its stomach, like that of the camel, is such as to enable it to dispense with any supply of water for weeks, nay, months together. Its spongy hoof, armed with a claw or pointed talon to enable it to take secure hold on the ice, never requires to be shod ; and the load laid upon its back rests securely in its bed of wool, without the aid of girth or saddle. The Llamas move in troops of five hundred or even a thousand, and thus, though each individual carries but little, the aggregate is considerable. The whole caravan travels on at its regular pace, passing the night in the open air without suffering from the coldest temperature, and marching in perfect order, and in obedience to the voice of the driver. It is only when overloaded that the spirited little animal refuses to stir, and neither blows nor caresses can induce him to rise from the ground. — Prescotfs Conquest of Peru.

Legal Intelligence. — We find in our forensic friend's list of business for the Term, the followiug important items: — 1. Case for opinion. This is an interesting case of excellent champagne, of which his opinion is desired at his earliest convenience. 2. Draft to settle. This is a pipe of admirable draft cyder, which has been left with Mr. Briefless to settle before the long vacation. 3. Bill with instructions to draw. This turns out to be an accommodation bill, which a friend has instructed the learned gentlemen to draw ; but Mr. Briefless, with becoming caution, has declined entering into the transaction. Besides the above list, there is in our learned friend's chambers a case of Doe on the demise of Roe, which turns out to be a preserved mackerel, with bread-stuffing, and, which we believe, he intends leaving over altogether as a rerhanet. We find nothing in the peremptory paper way but a letter from the learned gentleman's tailor, which will take him to Court on the first opportunity. — Punch.

A Moral and Example. — "Listen," said I, " listen, and attend, and you shall have a moral and an example. When the wasp now in the window entered the room, you flew at it with all kind of violence. I wonder it didn't sting every one of you. Now, in future, let a wasp when it comes have its little bout, and make its little noise. Don't stir a muscle — don't move a lip — but be as quiet as ,the statue of Venus or Diana, or anybody of that sort, until the wasp seems inclined — as at this moment — to settle. Then do as Ido now." Whereupon, dipping the feather end of the pen in the cruet of salad oil, I approached the wasp, and in the softest and tenderest raunner possible, just oiled it upon the body — the black and yellow like groom's waistcoats — when down it fell, turned upou its back, and' was dead in a minute. " There girls," said I, " see what kindness ami a little oil does. Now here's my moral and example. When a husband comes home in an ill humour, don't cry out and fly at him ; but try a little oil — in fact, treat your husband like a wasp." — Ib. ,

Picture of Queen Pomare. — Herman Melvjlle.in his new work' "Omro," gives the 'following picture of the ex-Q,ueen of Ta-hiti--^-"Concerning her majesty and her court,' Typee is diffuse and diverting. This is an age of queens, and although her dominions be of the smallest, her people few and feeble', and her prerogative clipped, she of Tahiti has made some noise in the world, and "attracted a fair share of public attention. At 'one, time, indeed, she was almost as much jjtbough,t.©f and talked about as her moje civiJised.'and puissant European sisters. In 'France,, La Rcine Pomarde, was looked upon 'as. a tar mote interesting personage than Spanish Isabel or Portuguese Maria; aud ex-

traordinary notions were formed as to the appearance, habits, and attributes of her dusky majesty. Distance favoured delusion and French imagination ran riot in conjecture, until the reports of the valiant Thouars, and his squadron of protection, dissipated the enchantment, and reduced Pomare to her true character, thatofalazy, dirty, licentious Polynesian savage, who walks about barefoot, drinks spirits, and hen-pecks her husband. Her real name is Aimata, but she assumed, on ascending the throne, the royal patronymic by which she is best known. There were Caesars in Rome, there are Poraares in Tahiti. The name was originally assumed by the great Otoo (to be read of in Captain Cook), who united the whole island under one crown. It descended to his son, and then to his grandson, who came to the throne an infant, and dying young, was succeeded by her present majesty, Pomare Vahinee 1., the first female Pomare. This lady has been twice married. Her first husband was a king's son, but the union was ill assorted, a divorce obtained, and she took up with one Tanee, a chief from the neighbouring island of Imeo. She leads him a dog's life, and he consoles himself by getting drunk. In that state he now and then violently breaks out, contemns the royal authority, thrashes his wife, and smashes the crockery. Capt. Bod gave Typee an account of a burst of this sort, which occurred about seven years ago. Stimulated by the seditious advice of his boon companions, and under the influence of an unusually large dose of strong waters, the turbulent king-consort forgot the respect due to his wife and sovereign, mounted his horse, and ran lull tilt at the royal cavalcade, out for their afternoon ride in the park. One maid of honour was floored, the rest fled in terror, save and except Pomare, \ who stood her ground like a man, and apostrophised her insubordinate spouse in the choicest Tahitian Billingsgate. For once her eloquence failed of effect. Dragged from her horse, her personal charms were deteriorated by a severe thumping on the face. This done, Othello-Tanee attempted to strangle her, and was in a fair way to succeed, when her loving subjects came to her rescue. So heinous a crime could not be overlooked, and Tanee was banished to his native island ; but after a short time.he declared his penitence, made amende honorable, and was restored to favour. He does not very often venture to thwart the will of his royal wife, much less to raise his hand against her sacred person, but submits with exemplary patience to her caprices and abuse, and even to the manual admonitions she not unfrequently bestows upon him."

The World turned Upside Down. — The crabs of the Keeling islands, in the Pacific ocean, eat cocoa nuts, boring a hole through the shell with one of their claws ; the fish eat coral, and the dcgs hunt fish in the shallow water on the reef ; the men ride on turtle, and the shells (the gigantic chama) are dangerous man traps ; the greater part of the sea-fowl roost on branches, and many of the rats make their nests at the top of high palm trees. — British Quarterly Review.

A Parisian Adventure. — During the late days of diluvial rain, Mons. X., a celebrated writer of Vaudevilles, went afoot into the streets of Paris. Mons. X., like all the great spirits of these late times, has a most profound horror of that western moveable so much esteemed by our good neighbours across the channel which they call an umbrella. As it rained cats and dogs, however, Mons. X., not seeing any conveyance to call, took shelter under the porch of a dwelling house, and had been there some moments, when, raising his eyes, he saw behind the curtain of one of the windows of the first story a lady, who seemed to regard him attentively. " This lady is very inquisitive," said Mons. X. to himself, " but she must be pretty and young, for an old dowager would not quit the chimney corner ;" and, making this reflection our vaudeVillist rearranged his collar, which had been disordered by the rain. Suddenly the curtain' was drawn aside ; a head of charming youth and vivacity permitted itself to be seen for an instant, like a flash of lightning. " I know this lady," exclaimed Mons. X., " I have certainly seen her at the Italian Opera and other places where our elegantes assemble." A servant, who left the house, came to interrupt this monologue, by offering him an umbrella, on behalf of his mistress, and instantly disappeared, without waiting for the questions which would have been addressed to him. Mons. X. raised his eyes, saluted the lady, who made him a most gracious reverence, and then took his departure, with a satisfied and conquering smile. Next day, Mons. X. rose betimes, perfumed and adorned himself in the best style, donned a black suit, and bought a pair of white gloves; but instead of returning to the lady the modest umbrella sent by her lackey, he thought it would be good taste to buy at Veder's the most elegant and coquettish of his stock, and to present it to- the obliging beauty, as if it were her own. At two o'clock Mons, X. announced himself, entered, and presented his.

umbrella, murmuring some acknowledgments. The lady — it is, in truth, the same — takes it, turns it round in her pretty slender fingers, and then puts it aside without perceiving the change. " There is no occasion to thank me sir," said she, with a slight sruile ; "my umbrella shall always be at your service." The vaudevillist did the amiable ; the lady replied in the same spirit ; he thought proper to become gallant ; but then the manner of the lady became cold and severe, and she answered in a tone of rebuke. " But after all, madame," replied Mons. X., a little out of countenance, " you did not send me this umbrella for nothing ; it is hardly customary, and unless there be some extraordinary reason" . " And I had one, sir," replied the lady, rising, and curtseying, by way of intimating to her indiscreet visitor that it was time to retire. " I expected a gentleman, who ought to have been here just at the hour you placed yourself under the porch ; as you annoyed me, I sent you my umbrella to get rid of you — and that is all." — V Observateur Francois.

A Blue Stocking. — "After making herself very agreeable, Constance took up a book which was at hand, and said, 'Do you know this?' And Tancred, opening a volume which he had never seen, and then turning to its title-page, found it was 'The Revelations of Chaos,' a startling work just published, aud of which a rumour had reached him. ' No,' he replied, ' I have not seen it.' ' I will lend it you, if you like : it is one of those books one must read. It explains everything, and is written in a very agreeable style. 1 'It explains everything !' said Tancred ; 'it must indeed, be a very remarkable book!' 'I think it will just suit you,' said Lady Constance. 'Do you know, I thought so several times while I was reading it.' To judge from the title, the subject is rather obscure,' said Tancred. 'No longer so/ said Lady Constance. 'It is treated scientifically ; everything is explained by geology and astronomy, and in that way. It shows you exactly how a star is formed ; nothing can be so pretty ! A cluster of vapour — the cream of the milky way — a sort of celestial cheese, turned into light — you must read it, 'tis charming.' ' Nobody ever saw a star formed,' said Tancred. 'Perhaps not. You must lead the 'Revelations;' it is all explained. But what is most interesting, is the way in which man has been developed. You know all is development. The principle is perpetually going on. First, there was nothing, then there was something ; then — I forget the next — 1 think there were shells, then fishes ; then we came — let me see — did we come next 1 Never mind that ; we came at last. And the next change there will be something very superior to vs — something with wings. Ah ! that's it ; we were fishes, and I believe we shall be crows. 'But you must read it.' ( I do not believe I ever was a fish,' said Tancred. 'Oh! but it is all proved : you must not argue ( n my rapid sketch ; read the book. It is impossible to contradict anything in it. You understand, it is all science ;' it is not like those books in which one says one thing and another the contrary, and both may be wrong. Everything is proved — by geology, you know. You see exactly how everything is made ; bow many worlds there have been ; how long they lasted ; what went before, what comes next. We are a link in the chain, as inferior animals were that preceded us : we in turn shall be inferior ; all that will remain of us will be some relics in a new red sandstone. This is development. We had fins — we may have wings.' Tancred grew silent and very thoughtful ; Lady Brancepeth moved, and he rose at the same time. Lady Charmouth looked as if it were by no means necessary for him to depart, but he bowed very low, and then bade farewell to Lady Constance, who said, 'We shall meet to-night.' 'I was a fish, and I shall be a crow,' said Tancred to himself, .when the hall-door closed on him. 'What a spiritual mistress !'" — Tancred. A child was one day reading the inscriptions on the tombs in a churchyard. "Mother," said he, " these are only to remind us of the good people that are dead, but where are all the bad folks buried ?"