Our Miscellany.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 28, 14 October 1893, Page 7

Our Miscellany.

The virtues of eucalyptus oil, which came into such favor in this country during the influenza epidemic, were found'out in a singular way. A General Stratton planted fifty-five acres near Haywoodss, in California, in ’69, chiefly for timbei purposes. In ’B3 it was discovered that a decoction of the leaves would remove the encrusted scales from boilers. _ While the engineers were preparing the liquid, they imagined the odour cured one of bronchitis and the other of asthma, and they started a factory to extract the oil at San Lorenzo. Considerably over 20,000 pounds of the oil were sent to England from California to England last year. A well-known animal painter in Boston was struck with the matronly and majestic proportions of a lady who visited his studio recently, and suggested that she should have her portrait painted. “ I don’t paint portraits myself,'’ he added, “ so I speak disinterestedly; though if it were within my talents, I would like to paint you.” The lady acted on the suggestion, and called on a portrait painter. In the course of the conversation she repeated the animal-painter’s wish that he might paint her. ‘‘ I should think he would!” cried the portrait-painter, who apprecicted his brother artist’s distaste for the monotony his small range of subjects afforded ; “ I should think he would ; he’s always painting elephants.” It is needless to add that he got no commission from her. A representative of the Million has been interviewing a manicure who, asked “ Is there any fashion in finger nails ?’ replied : —“ certainly. In Erance and United States the women seem to prefer pointed nails, while in England I find my customers like the oval nail best. But, if elegance is not sacrificed to fashion, it is safest to trim the nail to correspond with the curve of the finger tip.”