MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 356, 21 September 1868, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS.

French Country Seat of John Stuart Mill.—lt is not generally known that John Stuart Mill passes a considerable portion of the year in the old town of Avignon, in France. A correspondent of the Chiga Tribune has recently visited the place, and thus speaks of what he saw and heard. On his way to the houss of Mr. Mill, lie was attracted by the picturesque beauty of the cemetery, and he turned aside for a short stroll. Sheltered by a grove of evergreens was a square space, bordered by beds of flowers. In the centre of it, enclosed by a low iron railing, rose a large sarcoohagi s of pure white marble, resting on a base of the same beautiful material. At the head of the monument stood a single camelia with exquisite white flowers. Between the flower-beds and the railing a small walk extended around. In one ot the corners of the lot rose a simple stone bench, serving as a resting-place to the mourners. On the flat top of the sarcophagus were the following words :—" To the beloved memory of Harriet Hill, the dearly loved and deeply regretted wife of Joan Stuart Mill. Her great and loving heart, her noble soul, her clear, powerful, original, and comprehensive intellect, made her the guide and support, the instructor iu wisdom and the example in goodness, as she was the sole earthly delight of those who had the happiness to belong to her. As earnest for all public »ood as s'le was generous and devoted to all who surrounded her, her influence has been found in many of the gr>a improvements of the age, and will he in those still to come. Were there even a fewhearts and intellects like hers", "this earth would already become the hopedfor Heaven. She died, to the irreparable loss of those who survive her, at Avignon —3rd November, 1858." The moving words of this epitaph, so full of tender eloquence, tell no*- only what the noble woman whose ashes repose here has been to John Stuart Mill and to the cause of human progress and reform but also the motive of the frequent and protracted sojourns at Avignon of the companion of her life. Thai he oJidit be as near as possible to her grave, he purchased years ago, a country house within a few hundred yards of the cemetery, where he devotes himself, not to fru tle.-s lamentations over his great, irreparable loss, butthosenobleandelevated principles for the growth of which in his mind he is so mnch indebted to her genius. His devoted attachment to the beloved dead and faithful prosecution of the work in which she was his constant helpmate and inspiration, is certainly one of the noblest illus j trations of his character.

Rumoured New Ministerial Ar rangements.—The Advertiser, a few days ago, gave the names of the gentlemen who would form the next Ministry in the event of Mr. Fox defeating the present (tovernment, and the office of Treasurer was a-signed to our Superintendent, Mr. Curtis. As the Advertiser is the organ of Mr Stafford's Government, it is not likely to be in the confidence of Mr. Fox, so that value is to be attached to its statement on such a subject. Should the Government be defeated. Ministers will dissolveand not resign, so that a change of Gov. eminent will not take place "until Mrl Stafford's policy is condemned by a new Parliament. Should Mr. Fox come into power, and the office of Treasurer be offered Mr. Curtis, it is most unlikely the office would be accepted. Colonist.

The following dialogue j s stated to have taken place between a visiting magistrate at one of the city gaola and a juvenile offender serving out his three months :—" How old are you ? Please, sir.l 'ni 13.—How often have you been in goal ? Please, sir,eight times.—Have youeverbeen in Reading gaol ? Please, sir, once.—Have you ever been in Westminster gaol ? Please, sir, once.—How often have you been here ? Please, sir, six times. —Why do you come here so often ? Please, sir, becos at Westminister the turnkeys knocks yer about with their keys.—How do you contrive to get sent here ? Please, sir, I alius pricr 8 in Holborn now.

The Post office authorities of South Australia have recently commenced the issue of a new kind of twopenny stamp, struck off from electrotype instead of steel plate, of which the following additional particulars are furnished by the Express :—« The new stamp is more distinct and ornate than the old, and is more secure from imitation, lhemk is fugitive, so that the postal

marks cannot be removed without removing the color of the stamp itself ; and another safeguard against fraud is provided in the water mark, consisting of a crown, with S. A. underneath, at the back of the stamp."