His Boxing Experiences.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 29, 6 May 1890, Page 3

His Boxing Experiences.

In his “ Autobiography,” which is appearing in the Century, Mr Joseph Jefferson tells an amusing story of his boxing experiences:-—! had been fc some time suffering with an attack of dyspepsia, and conceived the idea that gentle exercise in the way of boxing would relieve me. I engaged a professor, in the shape of an old retired “champion of light weights,” to give me lessons in the manly art of selfdefence for the sum of two dollars per lesson, in consideration of which he was to allow me to pommel him over the head with soft gloves ad libitum. In our contract* it was understood that I W'B the party of the first part, and the party of the second part agreed, never under any consideration, to counter on the party of the first part. These lessons had bem going on in ray draw-ing-room—my teacher coming to the house—for several weeks, and T fancied that I was improving ; certainly I was, so .far as hitting out went, for, as I observed before, according to the contract 1 had it all my own way. On the occasion I am now about to describe I had been perhaps taking unwarrantable liberties with the “ champion,” who must have got a little excited,-/for before I knew where I was, I found myself stretched full length under the piano. I expostulated with him, informing him solemnly that this was the second breach of contract I had suffered from him during the last two days, and begged him in the future to subdue the old war-horse within him. In fact, I said that I would prefer to pay a little extra if he would conform to the contract more rigidly. We shook hands and began work again. My feelings were hurt,' to say the least of it, and 1 was determined to get even with him. I now began to dance around my adversary in the conventional style, and had just given him “ one for his nob,” when, looking over his shoulders, I discovered the amazed faces of Dion Boucicaultand William Stuart Against the dark background of the room the two heads of these gentlemen loomed up like another pair of boxing gloves. They stood aghast at the scene ; and I fancy it must have naturally entered their minds that I had invited them up to settle our difficulties (Mr Jefferson was just then aux prises with his manager) by an appeal to science, and had secured the services of a professional bruiser to assist me.

The Pall Mall Gaz tte notices the large exports from New Zealand as set forth in the last address of the President of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, and speaks encouragingly of the prospects of the colony. A complaint is being raised of the insufficiency of recruits for the English army. During J 889, it appears, only 29,301 were enlisted. This is about

4400 less.-than the'establishment. The

number < f recruits has shown a sh ady decline since 1885. when 39,400 Were enlisted. During the present year some 34,500 men, or 5100 more than those enlisted in 1889, will bo required for (he regular army, and (he authorities despair of obtaining these under the present conditions. According to the Inspector-General of Recruiting-, the prosperous state of the country, the open winter, and the increasing rate of wages have all been adverse to recruiting interests.

Sigror Sued completed hie forty days’ fast last Saturday, This is his thirty-third experiment of going without food. He first discovered his capacity for abstinence when on the African coast in 1877, and ill with fever. He thus describes his discovery . —“ I had fasted for several days, and instead of losing strength I suddenly felt a new force awake , within me which the sustained exertion of my will seemed to increase. It is a power like hypnotism, a pow«r which I have gradually learned to create and to control. Solely by my will I am able to refrain from all foods ; it is power of will which keeps my brain clear and sustains • me during these long fasts. My will is stronger than my body ; there you have the whole secret, I intend to fast in public for forty consecutive days, and during (bat period 1 shall fence, swim, hays a bout at single stick, and on the fortieth I mean to ride, on horseback through the streets of London.

| Some sensation has now been caused at San Francisco by a tragedy which has taken place in the domestic circle of Judge Clark, of Tehama, California. His two sons had a bitter quarrel on family matters, and during the altercation one lifted a chair to attack his brother. The latter instantly drew his revolver and shot his brother dead on the spot. At the inquest the coroner’s jury held f iiat the shooting was Jusiifiable, and directed that the survivor of the fray should be released from custody.