General News.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4465, 27 April 1883, Page 2

General News.

Mr Pyne, the new headmaster of the Church of England Grammar School in Victoria, described the Australian • boy "as of a curious and interesting, type— naturally quick and shrewd,- though too apt to succumb to difficulties, -*o immense talker, precocious—a harsh critic, tie might say brusque—in his manners, and wanting in due respect ' for his elders; manly, patriotic, and passionately derated to sport, bu<i withal warm-hearted, and able to appreciate the efforts of those who worked for bis interests, whether in or out of school." : We take the following from the Titnaru Herald:—There is an oldjßtory about a tenant who asked his landlord if he-would give him timber enough to build a house P " No." To build a barn then ? " No." To build a gate then ? " Yes."' "That's all I wanted, and more than I expected." This is said to have occurred in England. Things go by contraries in the Antipodes. A school committee aaked the Board of Education a few months ago for a few pounds to raise the chimney of the school to prevent its smoking. This could not be granteds—the Board could not afford it.,' Next month they repeated their request, adding* another for something to be done to the floor —it was very open and draughty—and received the same reply.. Next month they asked for more, a verandabT ahdU fence, and the next month for a master's house also, This thing was growing seri* ou9, and if it was not stopped they would be asking for a new school next. . ,The architect was therefore "sent' but to see what was wanted, and on his report, [the Board granted a verandah, a new floor, a fire grate, and coalhousej The moral committees may read in this is : Ask "for enough, and if you don't get what you want, don't be disheartened, ask for more. The Jewish World, the organ of the Reformed Jews in England, pronounces in most unmistakeable language against all projects for a restoration to Palestine, or for setting up a Jewish state there. 'It maintains that the project is impracticable, the Jews being separated in language, in ideas, and in habits; and undesirable inasmuch as the Jews have a mission ." that of propagating a sensible view 1 of life and its duties," which can be best peformed by their remaining a cosmopolitan people, with seven millions ofpeople dispersed all over the world: " The Jyearning for a restoration of the Kingdom of Israel is no portion of the ideal of the Jewish religion. It is only an abnormal growth of the delirious hopes of ages of persecution."^ v Confectionary which will intoxicate is, according to the Ballarat Star, being im« ported into Victoria front Amerioa,'--fr The two very powerful guv boafa now being constructed at- the works of Sir William Armstrong and Co., at Elswick, the one for the shallow waters of Port Phillip, and the other for duty outside the Victoria Heads, are both little more than moving gun carriages or platforms, ""but they will carry big'guns. :-" '-••"'.- -,-

The Startling discovery has been mada by M. Fastner that the saliva of a person fasting is venomous, as -it contains parasites which will inoculate. Breaking the fast deprives the saliva of the poisonous quality, as the parasites are then taken into the stomach wi h food. The'eminent biologist gives, for the : present only the fact, and makes no attempt at explanation.

Ballarat is attempting the development of American humor. Have is * specimen of the style:—A well-known fUllarat cabman is the owner of what is commonly termed,a "sleeping hors'\" If the Jehu drives the animal to a trough to drink it immediately falls asleep: if he draws up at a street corner, and cries- out " the lake, the lake," the horse hangs its head and closes its eyes ; if the cabby leaves his seat to deliver a parcel, when he returns to bis cab he finds the steed on its knees with its head resting on the ground. Recently Jehu was " taking round" a commercial traveller, together: with his boxes. A visit was paid to the shop of a Bridge street. draper. Shortly after drawing up in front of the doolie horse fell asleep, and then dropped to the ground. The cases in the vehicle rolled forward, making a loud noise, and had the somnolent quadruped not been quickly brought to his feet by a constable the cargo would have been deposited; in a street chanel.

ZlThe present Victorian Government con* tains three gentlemen who have at one time or another occupied the position of Premier. i

Victorian boys appear to think wrecking trains a legitimate form of amusement. There hare been three narrow escapes from serious accidents during the past week. : . .

Oue of the teachers in a " deestrict" school in the northern part of the country was somewhat amused when he received the following, as a written excuse for the dismissal of a pupil at a - certain hour each day :—"I, the stepdaddy of W.E.N. do hereby order you, his teacher (if he has no lessons to learn after the afternoon recess), to send him home at that time, soul, body, and breeches, and everything thereunto belonging or other* wise appertaining. This order may not be right, as I am only a oountry plug, and not used to the manners and customs of modern school-teaching." But dura it all send him home anyhow. J. 3. M." A fign of the times: The price of the Melbourne " Argus " is to be reduced tp 2dt