General News.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5278, 17 December 1885, Page 1

General News.

Among the, many anecdotes of Sir Edwin Landseer contained in a biography, is one about the famous artist's amaziOjjr. mastery of band. At a large party in London, (he conversation turned on dexterity and facility in feats of skill with the hand. A _ lady remarked—" Well, there's one thing nobody has ever done, and that is to draw two things at once." " I can do that," said Landaeer. "Lendme two pencils, and I will do it." The pencils were Riven him, a piece of paper laid on the table, and Sir Edwin drew, simul* taneously and without hesitation, with ooe baud, the profile of a stag's head and all its antlers complete, and with the other hand the perfect profile of a horse's head. Both drawings were said to be full of life and energy, nnd the drawing of the left band not inferior to the one made with the right.

A Chemical Beauty. — A celebrated Parisian belle, who had acquired the habit of white washing herself, so to speak, from the soles of her feet to the roots of her bair with chemically prepared cosmetics, one day took a medicated bath, and, on emerging from it, she was horrified to find herself as black as an Ethiopian. The transformation was complete ; not a vestige of the "supreme Caucasian race" was left. Her physician was sent for in alarm and haste. On his arrival he laughed immoderately, and said " Madam, you are not ill; you are a chemical product. You are no longer a woman, but a' sulphide.' It is not now a question of medicinal treatment, but of chemical reaction. I shall subject you to a bath of sulphuric acid diluted with water. The acid .will have the honor of combining with you; it will take up the sulphur, the metal will produce a 'sulphate, 1 and we shall find as a' precipitate' a very pretty woman." The goodnatured physician went through with his reaction, and the belle was restored to her membership with the white race.

The great exhibition of Indian and British Colonial products that is to be held in London next year has caused a remarkable agitation in the Hindoo mind, especially among the higher classes. Many wealthy members of that religion would much like to pay a visit to London on that occasion, ,but they fear social ostracism on their return should they disregard the commandments that enjoin I them from crossing the Slack Waters and I from partaking of food not prepared in 'accordance with the prescriptions of the Shastras. The question has accordingly been put to several learned Pundits as to whether either an accidental or com" pu'sory offense against the laws of caste could not be expiated by some mild penance. Opinions seem to differ amoag these wise men. Some consider that if the traveller had not transgressed very outrageously, a dip in the Ganges would suffice. Others hold that a fine ought to be paid, the proceeds to go, probably, to the Brahmins who superintended the expiatory washing. In all cases, however, a limit is placed on the number of days when this forbidden food is to be eaten. It will be remembered that the Hindoo loses caste if be touches animal matter not prepared according to their tenets, and one of the chief causes of the Indian mutiny was the issuing to the native soldiery of rifle cartridges that had been dipped in grease. It is now proposed to have a restaurant attached to the exhibition where the cooking would be managed entirely by Hindoos, according to their rites. . .".

Altogether the New Zealand Parliament have passed 2401 Acts. How wonderfully well many had been thought out before being placed on the statute book may be inferred from the fact that 1200 of them have been repealed, so that at the present moment the laws in force only number 1201—of course that is exclusive of provincial enactments.