MISCELLANEOUS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2554, 28 May 1881, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

Belgium, with 5,000,000 inhabitants, has a Jewish population of 4000. Among the jews in the public service there are three chief clerks to Ministers, one director of the Eoyal Carpet Manufactory, one Court of Appeals Judge, two Crown Prosecutors, one Judge of Instruction, six barristers, three mayors, nine captains, and four professors of universities. This is a large number of positions of distinction in proportion to their numbers. “ Boycotting” promises to become a weapon of universal adoption. It has just been introduced into France at Saumur. There is a famous cavalry school there, a very aristocratic establishment, which always contains a number of the gilded youth. The Commissioner de Police atSauraur.who seems to be a disagreeable type of an official, excited the animosity of some of these young gentlemen. They applied to the Mayor for his dismissal, which being refused, they boycotted the town. The school consists of 650 members, and for a fortnight not one of them entered a store or made a purchase. Local trade became paralysed, and the Mayor had to give in. Dramatis personas : A good young man, three evil-minded gamblers, a clergyman, with his wife and daughter, travelling for bronchitis. Scene —A Pullman car on the overland trip to California ; gamblers playing poker, young man reading his “Traveller’s Guide,” preacher looking on. First gambler —“Young man, will you join us in a friendly game of cards ?” Young man —"Thank you; I never play cards.” Second Gambler—“ Young man, will you take a nip ?” (passes him the flask). Young Man —“ Thank you ; I never drink.” Third Gambler —“ Young - man, will you have a weed !” (extending his cigar-case). Young Man— Thank you; I never smoke.” Clergyman —“Young man, I have watched your conduct with great pleasure, I have seen yon refuse to gamble, drink, and smoke. I should be glad if you would go into the next car, and allow me to introduce you to my daughter.” Young Man—“ Thank you ; I never marry.”