FACTS AND SCRAPS.

Southland Times, Issue 1623, 23 August 1872, Page 4

FACTS AND SCRAPS.

Emebson says, and says well : — " If you Lave a cold, or have had a fever, or a sun■stroke, or a thunder stroke, never speak of it." Totr never know a- man until you have got into a scrape with him, and can see whether he is willing to take his fair share of the blame. "Why is dressing a fatiguing process ? Because it's a-tiring (attiring) yourself. Strange that this thought so seldom occurs to the ladies. Preferred creditors. — Those who don't dun. Any fool can make a woman talk, but it's rather hard to make one listen. If a man has got eight thousand dollars at interest, and owns the house he lives in, it am't much trouble to be a philosopher. — J. Billings. The matrons of a certain town have erected an illuminated clock, in order that their husbands may have no excuse for " not thinking it was so late." "Wateb A3TD Trees. — The South Australian Begister publishes an interesting letter of Dr M'Henry, which was written by him in Egypt on his voyage to England, which letter contains proofs of the correctness of views which we have tried to impress on our readers for many years. He describes the Suez Canal, and speaks highly of some of the results of its existence which have as yet been too little noticed. The Doctor says, among other things: — " The Sweet Water Canal is about 30 feet wide, full of fish, and all round it appears vegetation where before nothing was visible but stones and sand. M. Lesseps during twenty years has planted here more than a million of trees, including date palms, olives, and mulberries. Already hundreds of square miles appear as green as English meadows are in June, interlined with fruit trees of different kinds, where, twenty-five years ago, 20 francs were paid for a vessel with fresh water for house uses. The whole country of ' Goachen ' is being resuscitated from its sandy desert bed. Formerly it scarcely ever rained at Cairo. Since the construction of the Suez Canal and other watercourses far irrigation purposes, the atmosphere has become cooler. Since my arrival, we have had every night a shower. Last night a heavy rain fell. Hence it becomes plain that the construction of canals, &c, and the planting of trees, will change a dry climate. During the day the heat is great, the nights are cool and refreshing — almost too cold. The Viceroy of Egypt spends millions on the improvements, and especially on the planting of trees. The roads in all directions are planted on both sides with large umbrageous trees, and Australia should learn from Egypt and California to plant and cultivate trees, specially along their roads and highways.