MISCELLANEOUS.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 24, 17 November 1883, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

The following 1 particulars as to Hie extent of some of the inteiests vested in pigeon shooting are sent to a London pap;-r by a wollinforincd eonespondent: — " In London alone an enormous busine bs is done in powder and shot for pigeon shooting 1 . One firm of gumnakcrs keep about iifty men employed upon pigeon guns alone, and four others are constantly engaged in cartridge loading. They send out over 2000 cartridge! a week. In each 1000 cartridges there are on an average 801b of shot, 121b of powder, and 4000 wada. In the districts in which blue rocks nro reared one thousand men are employed in the breeding and packing, and the purveyors of pigeons pay annually upwards of £8000 to breeders. At pigeon matches shooters pay 2s to 2s 6d for every bird they shoot at, and' the dead ones are hold to costerroongers and poor people for about 3s a dossfaii, though in warm weather the price ia sometimes as as low as a penny apiece." National Characteristics. —At a recent dinner party, some one quoted the witty paradox, that van Englishman is never luppy except when he is miserable, a Scotsman never at home except when

abroad, and an Irishman never at peace except when at war." The lute SirlJemy Holland, who was pioscnt, followed with a story of an Englishman, an Irishman, end a Scotsman, who were represented as looking through a confectioner's window at a beautiful young" girl sowing in the shop. "Oh !" exclaims Patrick, "do let us bo spending a half-crown with the dear crayturo, that wo may look at her more conveniently, and have a bit of. a chat with her." " You extravagant dog," said John, " I am sure one-half the money will do as well ; but let us go iti by all moans, si.c is a ehaimiuggii]." " Ah, wait a wee," interposed the canny Soot ; " dinna ye ken it'll serve our purpo.so equally wool just to .isle the bonnie lassio to give us (wa saxpencos Cor a shilling', an' to inquire whore's Mr Sampson's boose, an' bio ltUo? Wp'ie no hungry, an' may as well save the siller.' 1 This anecdote wa* told by the distinguished plnsieian to illustrate the difference among- thu populaoo of the tin eo kingdoms with respect to tempar.iment — the Irish lrdent and impetuous, the Scotch comparatively cool and cautious, Avhile the English are perhaps a fair average between the two. We may recall another illustration, given by a celebrated poet. When George IV, ,vent to Ireland, one of the " pibintry," delighted with his affability to the crowd on landing-, said to tho toll-keoper, as the king passed through, " Ooli, now, and His Afa-jesty— God bless him ! — never paid." " We Jet him go free," was the answer. u Then there's the dirty money ioi ye," said Pat. "It shall never bo said that the king- came and found nobody to pay the turnpike for him." Thomas Moore, on his visit to Abbolbford, told the &toiy to iSir W alter, when they were comparing notes as to the loyal visits. "No>v, Mi .Moore," taid bcott, '" there you have the adwnLdgo of us. There was no lack of enthusiasm here ; the Scotch folk would have done anything in the world for the king- but — pay the turnpike !"