THE SPECTRE OF THREE CHIM- NEY BLUFF..
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, MAY 19, 1900.
"I can shake the steam up soon enough but ma laddies are all ushore. There's a ball ""the nicht, ye,ken. Pin-thinkin' 'sine of the officers 1 be on leave to, ferry likely," was the A TALE OF THE CHINESE CUSTOMS SERVICE old highlander's reply.TA
Doubtless, but we'll soon have them on BY JULIAN DALZIEL
|;board,” said the Cominander, making, nothing of the old Scot's last remark, the rules that hedge the discipline of the Service being modelled strictly on navy lines, and of course precluding the idea of all the officers being on shore leave at once.xcited
¿Specially Written for the “ Hongkong
Telegraph.")"
“You are faithfully and diligently to can duct yourself, and you shall not do or suffer te be done, abes, or contral any thing or det pre judicial to the Revenue, or contrary vio ike Regulations of The Service Provisional In. structions, Imperial Maritime Cusioma.
The Chinese Const; to the passenger who patronises the P. and O. or Cerman mail-boat, appears but as a distant amudge of buff-coloured rocks, a mere dividing line between neutral tinted sea and sky. The ten-thousand horse power of the liner enables her to laugh at the strength of the monsoon, and lay her track up the centre of the China Sen, ten miles outside of everything. But He who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb has not overlooked the for mation of this ungodly coast-line; but, by throwing a chain of islands off the mainland, has formed thereby an inner passage, so that the little coasters and the nine knot 'tramps
"I'll send the gunner in the launch to hunt them up, and we'll leave this evening if possible. I'm beastly sorry to go" ho concluded, unben ding from his official manner, “but I get no
i option. The orders are imperative."
So
1
The forenoon of the next day saw them at anchor outside Swatow. The Commander bad the launch lowered and steamed in to inter view the Commissioner.
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Defore sundown the Hal Kwan was at anchor in Challum Bay, sheltered on every side by round-backed barren treeless-hills, dry water courses scarring their sides, and round their base a fringe of gloomy boulders and rugged sea-carved steeps, against which the almost invisible swell that crept in through the narrow entrance from the sea surged and broke into silver foam, filling the air with a ceasless muttering and sulky roar.
INSURANCE SWINDLES.
SOME NOTORIOUS CASES
christening combinations is an Ezekiel Methuen | being the individual who would lean on the new waltz at his regular concents; but while Macdonald Baden-Powell Williams. Even shoulder of another player, and remark that all other pieces by himself or his brothers poor little baby girls have to suffer, for there is she had placed her curse on his stake, which Eduard and Josef were warmly applauded, the Jeaney Ladysmith Jones and a Violet was enough to damp the spirit of the most "Blue Danube" seemed to give the audience Ladysmith Phillips.
hardened gambler, Inveterate gamblers have the blues. Strauss himself finally accepted their charina-coins, coral, and even, old the situation, remarking to his brother, "The gloves. A bunchback is supposed to bring devil may take it, for I care-1 am only infallible luck. A couple of hunchbacks were sorry for the 'coida1: for its sake 1 had hoped hanging about the gardens of the Casino that that walz would have been a genuine soine seasons ago, and a superstitious old success." gambler invited them for a certain sum Now the Viennese public has been known to to come in and sit on each side of him. They make mistakes in its judgment of symphonies did so. Besides having a five-franc piece with and operas, favouring the mediocre and slight a hole in it on the table in front of him, the old ing the good, ut in regard in dance music its gambler believed in a piece of cord which had taste is instinctive and infallible. During a served the hangman's purpose. He woul), sojourn in Vienna of nearly a year, I was often stroke the humps of each man is turn, and amazed at the instantaneousness with which then place a hundred francs on the number 33. the public recognised originality and merit in He lost again and again, and at length rose this kind of music. It's condemnation of the and left the building. Once outside, the bunchBlue Danube"Waltz was therefore absolutely backs quarrelled over the money they received, decisive as to its lack of merit. It is true that and proceeded to fight it out. After a few rolls Brahms once wrote the first bars of it on Mrs. on the ground the humps became displaced Strauss's fan, with the words "unfortunately. and fell out of their coals. The rage of de not by Brabnis:" but Strauss himself, as we tricked gambler knew no bounds, and rent have just seen, agreed with the public, being backbones very quickly felt the strength of a "sorry only for the tail piece or "coila "of the stick, accompanied with many doses of boot- wallz. flow then, I ask once more, did the
Blue Danube" become the most One old Stravas waltes, in Vicana as elsewular of
That night, beyond keeping the usual patrol The annals of insurance contain many as round the ship, nothing was attempted. The tounding cases of fraud. The investigations next day was spent in what the irreverent made by the different companies are, as a rule, Third officer termed the noble game of bluff's of such close character that he is an unusually in looking up the known shady characters in clever scoundrel who succeeds in his little the vicinity. The First Officer, not being re-
game
of deception with a view to pecuniary quired for this duty, spent his day is overhaul benefit.
Some of the most painful cases have been ing the boat equipment; and seeing everything in perfect order for the arduous duty which those in which the directors of the concerns was to follow. Nor were the engineers idle. have themselves been the guilty parties. The MacAllister, took the launch engines to pieces; of everybody. A few years ago, there was The juniors, under the observant eye of Mr. | famous Liberator case is still fresh in the minds and, after taking a little of this forward bear another one which created a great sensation in ing, and taking a little of that crank-pin the North of England, and which resulted in brass, and generally touching up the delicate the disgrace and social ruin of men who had works all round, turned cut a machine been considered to be of the highest character, that to the untrained sense worked with ab- and who had been trusted with the manage solutely miraculous smoothness. Then, not ment of property valued at a million pounds. content to leave anything to chance, the old A certain firm, which had the business man- Chief took the launch for a spin himself, reagement of a large marking to the Second on return to the ship,
NUMBER OF STEAMERS
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insured them for repairs in a society which existed especially for the purpose. Whenever any of the vessels required anything done to the society, according to agreement, duly paid over to the firm the amount which the repairs had cost, and it so happened that the members of the firm were also directors of the society,
leather.
In
THE COMPOSER OF "ANNIE
LAURIE."
EMPEROR BY DIVINE RIGHT,
in crimson glory behind Lantas, bathed the came about, that while the sun, setting. waters of the Ly-ce-moon Pass in ruddy gold, between a yacht and a man-of-war, left the dainty white cruiser, something purple shadow of her anchorage and steamed swiftly away to the East. And the Commander, having seen her clear of the land and the course set, sent for the First Officer and rated him for allowing all the officers to leave the ship at once; whereon the First made unkind remarks in the Second about the way
Back to superstitions once more. the charts were kept and the Second and
player will never enter the room until he has The answer is that the "Blue Danube" waltz Third shortly after had an unpleasantness
seen five consecutive women come out; another became a fad in Paris, and that in this respect, about the winding of the chronometers" - The. Aye, she's no sae bad. That valve gear
waits until he has an opportunity of entering as in so many others, the French capital set can find their way--gingerly it may be and Third, not to be outdone, went for the Gun micht be improved on. Tell the gomeril that
with two other men. It you web to test the the fashion for the rest of the world, including with much rock-dodging, and perhaps even aner; and the Gunner visited his wrath on the drives her to give the valves plenty of oil the
affection of your best fiend, ask him to lend Vienna..
The Blue Danube" waltz night or two at anchor waiting for a slant Chinese crew of the forward six-pounder, giving nicht. Wait a minute: That's the ferry thing
your sume money while he is playing He will has become a sort of national tune second in to the Treaty Posts, heedless of the angry them polishing drill to an accompaniment of funny I never thocht of it before. Get me a ten.
not win another piece! Men will keep a cer- sacredness only in Haydn's "Gaft erhalte tinde-wind that piles in foamy-flecked rollers the fluent curses, till the spray coming over the gallon oil-drum. Aye, that's the thing, laddie.
tain suit of clothes to play m; women believe Franz den Kaiser; but in does not deserve open sea. And that man, who, leaving the bow as the little vessel met the monsoon inade Now, the funnel's six inches in diameter, so
that a particular pair of gloves is responsable that honour, which it owes to the accident of beaten track, takes passage on one of these it advisable to ship the tarpaulin cover. The cut a six inch hole in the end of the drum
for luck, and no woman will dare to mend its title and Parisian whim that helped to same constcis, will find in the fantastic gorges gun's crew, released from their workup' drúd- that is the thing. Now, get a cross-cut In their former capacity they entered into a pair which have brought her good luck, as she turn upon it the full tide of patriotic feeling. of the. Haitao Strait, and the sombre precipices gery, turned on the sailor's cook, and he, har chisel and fill the sides of the drum full of secret agreement with a repairing estabhsh-fancies, even though the tinger tips are disclosed" Lippincott's Magazine"). that fence the Blackwall Channel, scenery that
ing no në to take it out of, wept bitterly into holes. Now, some seizing wire from the Deck- ment, the conditions of which were that all the
to vien will be to him a vivid memory, when the vaunted the rice-boiler. The sound of a long continued Department, and there you are, a gee-en-u-ine
work possible should be sent to this one place, beauties of Japan have faded to a misty picture altercation rising through the engine-room sky American spark arrester. He'll have gude een
and that, as a return, a receipt should be given of one painfully obtrusive volcano set over a light, denoted that, as on deck, so down below that twigs the flame from this boatie's funnel." to the firm for an amount very much in excess rable of tea-house roofs.
things were not running with their wonted Shortly after sundown all was bustle on of what was paid. For instance, if £670 was
During a stay of Emperor William I, of Ger- Immediately North of Swatow fies the smoothness; in fact there was trouble on board board the little cruiser. The launch and two paid, a receipt was given for £1,000, and this
muy at the fashionable watering place of Ems, Istand of Namon and on its Peak the the Imperial Maritime Customs Cruiser Farhouts were fitted out and manned, the Chinese being shown to the insurance society, the latter the following notes from M. f. P. concerning asylum and school that was under Government Lovers of Scottish song will be interested in that ionan pall visit to a large orphan rain-cloud tests perpetually. Its gloomy and Awan
crew working with a smartness, and showing a handed over a cheque for that amount to the the late Lady John Scott-Spottiswood, who patronage The presence of so distinguished (nebilding front is in good accord with its un.
knowledge of their business that would have fimi, who enviable reputation, that of being the haunt of
died recently at her seat in Berwickshire at the 'a personage createt quite a sensation in the been a credit to the discipline of any navy.
THUS CLEARED £330, the most desperate smugglers and pirates on
great age of go years" She was best known establishment, The men were armed with Martini carbines A clerk employed by one of the parties dia as the composer of the popular air, "Annie all that unruly coast Rising to a height of two
and cutlasses, and the officers took their revalcovered what was going on, and exposed the Laurie," and wrote the modern version of it, ciations of several of the classes, his Majesty After listening with much interest to the re- thousand feel in the centre it falls off gradually
"Glad to see you, Captain," said that worthy vers; for, although the Rules of the Service whole swindle. towards its Eastern end, which juts out into gentleman. I thought they'd send either you strictly forbid bloodshed, the reputation of the
caswer to an inquirer, Lady John said, called to him a bright, flaxenhaired little girl- A most extraordinary case was heard at the China Sea. On the extremity of this barren ar the Lon-Chon; tnd I was in hopes it would be
"As to Annie Laurie, 1 composed the tune of live or six years of age, and lifting her into Namon islanders made it advisable to be pre- Bristol, some time ago, which ended in long long age to other words, but, happening one his lap, said to her. headland, about two hundred feet above high you, so that we could settle that little argumentpared for any emergency, The Second and imprisonment for two guilty parties. One of day at Marchmont when on a visit to my water mark, stand three columns of carefully of ours, don't you know! Here's your chanceThird Officers each look charge of a boat; the
these was agent for a well known insurance sister. Lady Hume Campbell--to meet with well you have been taught. To what kingdom "Now, my little Frankin, let me see how finished stonework, about twelve feet high, then. The smugglers of North Kwangtungsteam launch, having merely the sea-board to society, and the other, through the medium of a the words of Annie Laurie,' I thought the une does this betong " three feet in diameter, and twenty feet apartare at it again, uning both arms and opium, watch, was a post of smaller importance, and woman, who was afterwards severely repri- would suit them. I did not think the second These columns wein raised, some three hun-
and in ne snall quantities either. Now, from fell to the Gunner. In ten minutes the bustlemanded, submittedio bim proposals of insurance
And taking out of his pocket an orange, he dred years ago, to the memory of the pirate information received I still hold to it that
verse was adapted for singing. I therefore held it up to her. Chen a-Pou and his two sons. They had been their headquarters is on the mainland some
was over, the boats, in tow of the powerful in respect to persons who had no existence altered it and added the third. The song son little steamer, laid plunged into the darkness of According to the society's rules, the agent bin became the rage all over Scotland. Always an captured by the Chinese authorities, and that where near Challam Bay
the night, leaving the Commander and his self received and kept all the premiums, which assiduous antiquarian, she made it a point to they might the more appreciate the honour
First to pace the deck in kindly conversation were paid dating the first six months, and not which was being done them, the magistrale
under the staring Orient stars.
sectire every curious thing found in the dis- until six months had passed was the society triets of her various estates. Her collection of had them walled up, each in his own monu
For more nights than the crew of the ailiable to pay out any insurance if the party died. antiquities is one of the best in Scotland. No. ment, alive Such was--and is Chinese humour,
Awan care to remember, the same performance The proposals were duly passed and the thing about the estates which in any way served The simple fisherman shuns the waters by that lonely grave crowned cape; the junk
was gone through; the boats leaving at sunset agent received the premiugas, and no sentier to keep alive the memory of the past was ever and placed it on the orange. and returning to the ship just as dawn began to was it possible to draw any insurance monty allowed to be interfered with. Old place. becalmed in its shadow indulges in such beat.
lighten the East above the shadowy sea. The than the man who had brought the imaginary names were strictly adhered to. A farmer who ing of gongs and burning of joss-sticks. If
unremitting toil, exposure, and want of sleep, cases forward, declared the parties to have justented her farm of "Ilouler's Ra" desired in the calni is prolonged, a member of the crew
had worked the junior officers into a state of died and produced will be sent ashore to burn a stick before
alter the name to another having an English. noisy discontent and even the long-suffering each monument, and so propitiate the spirit of the mighty pirate, lest he drag them downward, "Thoroughly exclaimed the Commander. order," Number one and two boat's crews and to the Yellow Springs. Often at night, so sayThat is not the name for it. Why, my dear the shermen, lights are seen dancing about sir, there was not a house or a cave we did not
the launch for patrol duty," rang through the the summit of the cape, and more especially is sleep in, or a ruck we did not sound for thirty
ship night after night. Not a sign had been this the case during the time of the Dragon miles round. And all the time we were there contained anything of a nature worth confisca
seen of the smugglers; not a junk boarded had Feast, the Grave Worshiping, and the Feast of the contraband was run as regularly as ever. tion. The only entries at all out of the common Lanterns. Then they hold that the spirit of No, I pin my faith to Namoa Island. I've'an Chen A l'ou is freed for a time to visit the old gig-man whose opinion is worth all your was, that on the nights of the sixteenth, and that the log contained regarding the boat duty scene of his carthly exploits; and great would information received, and he is dead nuts on Be the inducement required to make the bold- Namoa. tell you, when I get permission to
twenty-first of the month the launch had obser- ved a bright steady light on the East promon est of the boat-people visit then the neighbour beat up that island, there's going to be times tory of Napwa, in the vicinity of Three hood of these haunted cairns. Even the parly for the crew of the Hai-kwan. I would not Chimney Bluff; which had been extinguished Europeanised crews of the coasting steamers, aver their fears to their officers when passing, seizure."
ake five thousand tacts for my share of the when the launch arrived within half a mile of
the shore! The Commander was getting solemnly saving, "Have got deblo that side." And indeed it is an cerie place enough, But
uneasy, and the letters he received every other day from the Commissioner telling him that the Admiralty charts, taking no note of Chinese
the contraband was still being run with legend, call the promentory Three Chimney
astonishing regularity, did not tend to increase his clicerfulness. His last communication was especially exasperating.
Bluff
*
*
On the morning of the last day of the year 830, the Imperial Maritime Customs Cruiser Hai-Kwan kay at anchor in Junk Bay, at the
convenient distance of half-an-hour's run in her steam launch from the British Colony of Hongkong. The report that struggling in the neighbourhood of Kowloon was on the increase hal induced the energetic commander to call in there on his way to Swatow. Hongkong is more or less en file at the Christmas and New Year season. Far be it from me to insinante. that this bad anything to with the presence of the smart little vessel in these waters; but anyway, there she was and her officers were having their share of the festivities incidental to that time of year; and all went well on the Imperial Maritime Customs Cruiser Hai Kwan
The winter sunlight, clear as that of Italy, shane through the square stern windows into the, Commander's cabin, deluging the bright appartment with golden light." "It was reflected from the polished mahogany and teak of the handsome fittings, it made the burnished brass mountings glitter anew, but chiefy it glorified the tawny well-trimmed beard and pleasant face of the Commander. The Commander smiled. Ilis mind was made up. At the dance to be given in the City Half by the Scotch community that evening, a certain young lady would answera certain momentous question and make him either the happiest or most miserable of beings. I do not think the Commander was ever really in doubt as to what the answer. would, be, or he would scarcely have smiled so pleasantly. And surely he was to be envied At an age when in any other service he would have been a junior lieutenant, he was in com mand of a smart and comfortable little vessel, with the salary of a rear-admiral.
The cabin door opened softly, and his 'boy' entered and laid a bundle of letters on the desk before him. Exclaiming, "Hullo! What's this?" he pounced on an envelope in the official yellow of the service, and tore if open. A look of consternation spread over his face. He sat, undecided for a moment; and then, as if having made up his mind to face an unpleasant situa tion, he rung for his boy and said.
"Tell the Chief Officer to come hera!
mander.
answer.
4
And I'd stake my month's pay on Namoa Island, and that for your if information receive ed" broke in the Commander,
"Exactly so I know you have the courage of your opinions," said the Commisioner, "bit in this case you see I have particular reasons for believing that my information is correct, and that their hide is in the hills to the North of Challum Bay. Of course, I know you lay three weeks off there last spring, and beat up the neighbourhood thoroughly
FOREIGN DEATH CERTIFICATES.
looking timidly up in the Emperor's face, The little girl hesitated for a moment, and replied:
To the vegetable kingdain." to what kingdom does this belong?"
"Very good, my little Fraulein; and now, And he drew out of his packet a gold pieca Again the little girl hesitated, but she soon replied:
To the mineral kingdom." Better and better," said the Emperor. "Now
Chinese crew spluttered and growled when the to,prave it. The insurance money was handed spelling, which he put on, the sign cards of look at me, and say to me wht kingdom 1 be.
માં
Commander's assurance, and said
The old official smiled indulgently at the "I am glad to find you so enthusiastic, Cap- tain; and happy to wish you every success, for here's your permission."
"Not for Namoa, surely cried the Captain. Why that's great news for the boys on the You will be happy to know," the sarcastic Haiwan. It is almost good enough to com. old man wrote, "that an unusually large con. pensate for the loss of our New Year in Hong-signment of arms, valued at forty thousand taels, kong."
was landed near Challum village early on the moming of the seventeenth. Again, on the morning of the twenty-second, ten chests of opium were landed near Chauan Bay, being part of a shipment of twelve, the remaining two of which were captured by the I.M.C. junk Afatsu. The LG. (Inspector General) writes to know.if anything has been done with regard to Namoa island; so I expect to have details of a search by return."
"Yes, I thought it would suit you. Not that I've altered my opinion, or think that you have any chance of a haul. Only I like to humour you youngsters a bit when I get a chance. Bye-the-bye" he went on slyly, how is that little affair of yours in Hongkong progressing? Oh, you need not look conscious, my boy. "You know what a coast this is for 'gup. Well, allow me to wish you success there also. I knew her father in the sixties—as big- hearted a fellow as ever held the Queen's com mission, and from what I hear his daughter is a credit to him. Off you go now! Good day 1" and the old man waved him out of the office,
Deep in his plans for outwitting the most famous community of smugglers on the coast, the Commander entered the launch and was quickly on board his vessel. Short as the gun had been, the time had sufficed for him t
to think out the outline of a scheme that seemed to have a fair chance of success. To arrange the details he called a. meeting of bis officers, and great was their jubilation when they found that at last they were to measure their cuncing against that of the Namoa laland gang.
This is growing serious," murmured the Commander, on reading the above for the twentieth time to see if it left any loophole by which he could escape giving orders for a
search.
“Let me see...what were the dates again? The seventeenth and the twenty-second, both in the early morning, eh! Now I wonder, send me the log, Mr. Sims he called out with a sudden access of energy, as the Gunner's sha- dow fell acros the doorway. "Ah, I thought
50.
What a fool I've been not to see it before, That light on Three Chimney Bluff was a smug gler's signal, or I'm a Dutchman he cried joyously. "Don't you observe from the dates that each time it has been reported, contraband has been run. Of course our dates are a day "Easy, gentlemen, easy 1 exclaimed the
aheall of the Commissioner's; naturally enough, Commander, "Don't mention that name more
as we took the beginning and he the end of the than you can help. It doesn't do to trust even
same night. Now at last we've got hold of our own people too soon, and I saw a fishing something definite-it could never have been boat alongside when I came on board. You coincidence! At anyrate, I'll risk the post- know how miraculously news travels in China, ponement of the search until we've investigated and there's no need to lot these gentry know the mystery of that light. There was an inter- we are going to look them up before it is absolutely necessary. Now my plan is this. the light, and this is the fifth night since it last val of five days between the appearatices of That we get under weigh at once, and steam appeared, so we run a chance of seeing it to ostentatiously through Clipper Roads, past night. Do you think the light would be visible Namoa, to our old anchorage in Challum Bay, from the beach? Ah, you think it would be giving out that we have come to interview our too far over the crown of the hill to be visible, friends of last year. Every evening, as soon as ch? Just so; kindly tell the Second and Third darkness has properly set in, the launch will Officers I want to see them!" he concluded. tow two boats over to the island, and the three
(To be continued.) will patrol round it and return to the ship before daylight. I wish I could have, induced the Commissioner to have sent one of the Customs Junks with us; they are invaluable for this kind work. As a last resource we can of course land openly, and, claiming the help of the local fag-tai (magistrale) search the island; but you know from experience how much ive are likely to find hy that method. The fan-tai of a smuggling community is generally the biggest rogue of the lot; if he doesn't smuggle, he squeezes the others so heavily for the newly-bom generations, many of the that they are forced to smuggle to make a baro existence. No, the quiet way is the best! Just keep your eyes well pecled and I've no fear but wel drop on them till rights
of
WAR NAMES.
over to him, and he pretended to pass it on to the imaginary next-of-kin to the imaginary deceased, subsequently sending to the insur. ance company the former's receipt for it. was an astonishing forgery from beginning to end, and the whole affair was one of the most elaborate insurance swindles on record.
The impersonation of a person of weak health by a perfectly sound one, a la Monson, for the purpose of passing an insurance company's medical test, is no new idea, though one of the most daring to be conceived... At Liverpool, a while back, an insurance agent was sent to penal servitude, and a medical assistan; to im- prisonment for working a little matter of this kind. A woman who was suffering from can- cer was insured in two offices, and when the
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
became necessary, another and perfectly heal- thy woman was secured for the purpose.
The favourite method of swindling the in- surance companies, however, is by wilfully set- ing fire to buildings and goods well covered in a good office, and great is the ingenuity displayed. In one case, all the plaster was carefully picked from the walls beforehand and loose inflammable material laid next to the bare laths, whilst in another it was proved that the incendiary had spent the whole of the two previous days in chopping up wood for the purpose and getting in paraffin oil. This in. dusirious swindler had insured all the furniture in his home for a big figure; but with a view of making the utmost possible out of his enterprise he carefully and secretly removed it to a place of safety before he applied the fight to the sticks and paraffin. He afterwards spent five years at a convict settlement.
GAMBLING AT MONTE CARLO.
THE SUPERSTITIOUS PLAYERS.
bis carts. Her ladyship, hearing of this, at long." once ordered the immediate return of the old name. On gates which she wished to be kept as to what answer she would give. Was the The little girl hesitated long, as if perplexed closed, she caused the direction, Steck the Emperor an animal? Her eyes sought those Gett," to be placed in the vernacular, instead of her teacher and her schoolmates. of the usualShut the Gate." She liked all her houses and cottages to be thatched, instead Eniperot, and with a half-startled, frightened Then she looked up into the eyes of the aged of slated or tiled, and she always burnt peat look, as if she were trying to evade the ques instead of coal. Lady John Spottiswood is tion, replied; succeeded in the Spottiswood estates by a grand nephew who is only lifteen years of age.. He is the son of a daughter of her late brother, Colonel Andrew Spottiswood, of Spottiswond (from whom she inherited the estates), who married Captain Herbert, a scion of the Her- bents of Muckross. Both Captain and Mrs. Herben died some years ago." #
WHAT GIVES A POPULAR SONG ITS VOGUE.
"To the kingdom of Heaven." nimity of the old gentleman.
The unexpected answer quite upset the equa
DID YOU KNOW THAT
Thirst may be more quickly and safely allayed by eating chipped ice than by any cola beverage?
Potatoes, beans, and peas are heating vege tables, consequently should be eaten sparingly during hot weather?
What makes a vulgar song popular, or gives If fans were never in evidence except in a popular song its circulation? Or, to put the public assemblies, where a clute and vitiated how can we account for the surprising, vogue crease rather than lessen one's comfort? question in a still more comprehensive form, atmosphere cannot be avoided, it would, in- of certain songs and pieces that are not a bit Oatmeal-water flavored with lemon juice, better than a thousand others of their class not cold cocon, chocolate cream, or cold bouillon the great masters that are neglected except by more cooling than ices? successful, and vastly inferior to many gems of is not only meat as well as drink, but is even
the chosen few ? :
Over-ripe fruit is a menace to health? There is the Blue Danube" waltz, for in- A dry rub with a bath towel or flesh brush, a stance: why is that so much more popular than generous dusting of bath powder, and fresh called a vulgar or trashy piece, yet it is certainly sultry night? any other Strauss waltzes? It can hardly be sleeping apparel will go far to insure rest on a one of the poorest of the four hundred and fifty or more dance pieces the Waltz King has chanting, inmortal, but the written. Some of the Strauss waltzes are en- Blue Danube" is not one of these. It lacks the inspiration, the smooth, melodic flow, of its companions. The jerky, skipping character of its chief melody mrps my nerves and makes me take light whenever I hear it. Yet of this piece more than A million copies had been sold two decades go more than a hundred copper plates, cach capable of printing 10,000 copies, had been worn smooth; and to-day, if you ask any one "What is Strauss's best waltz?" he will surely reply, "The Blue Danube. Why?
A correspondent at Mentone, writing to one of the London papers on March 13th, reports that "the season is now at its best, Monte Carlo, Nice, and Mentone being particularly full. Inas deed, the manager of the largest and best- known hotel in Monte Carlo has said that the bookings for rooms for April will create a record in the history of the hotel for that month. The gardens of the Casino are in a magnificent condition. In the daytime we have a beautiful hot sunshine, and at eventime there are always the tables and the, opera or classical concert for choice within the Casino.
"And what a sight these gaming rooms pre.. sent! You get your ticket of admission, and, after a careful survey of your dress, the door keepers allow you to enter. This year the authorities are more than particular, and impose the most ridiculous restrictions. You may not enter with your trousers turned up, and if your boots are dusty from the walk up the hill from Monaco or elsewhere, you must have them cleaned. A friend of mine, who is suffering from rheumatism in the shoulders, has been in the habit of donning a soft fronted shirt and scarf, as it pained him somewhat to wear, the ordinary collar. He was refused admittance, and not all the arguing in the world would alter the decisions of the Casino authorities.
"Have go Hong Kong," was the reply
The Western Mall recently had an amusing "Tell the Second, then said the Com-
article on the giving of war names to babies. It is hard on the babies that they should have "Thus with boots pailshed and garments Have go Hong Kong, was again the,
to bear all their lives the earmarks of a fleeting arranged exactly to the satisfaction of their war-fever, and in many cases the Society for majesties, you enter the salle de jeu. Here is a "Well, the Third, you fat-head!" cried the
the Prevention of Cruelty to Children might crowd gathered from all pans of the world, . irritated skipper.
almost have cause to intervene. Fortunately English, Americans. Russians, Germans, "Have go too," replied the boy utterly un
Japanese press eagerly round tables. Some moved by his master's show of temper.
names of intilefields are unsuitable. No par- stake for the mere fan of the thing, and go Great scissors have they all gone? Is
ent would condemn a child to the name of away contented whether Fortune smile or there nobody on board at all? the Commander
Omdurman or Dargai These are available only frown. The confirmed gambler plays with a asked, in amazement. de la
*All
for villas. But during the Crimean war Almas steady head and upon a system which he knows I go ashore. Have got Europhies. En without the launch; sir. The flame from her
Don't you think it would be better to do and even Balaclavas were plentiful, and some must succeed in the end, but never does. Even song to-nigh #i #
said the boy,"
of them may be living still. There is one case when his all is gone he is still faithful to his gineer no go" he added, as an afterthought funnel will be apt to give us away," said the in record in a provincial town in the West in calculations, could he have gone on a little Ab, 1 might have known old Mac, would First and which a baby was christened Almas Balaclava longer it would all have come as he wished. bo on board. Dancing isn't much in his line." I can't sed how to do without her. It's Inkerman happily for the poor little war-laden Watch again that young couple honeymooning, said the Commander. Tell the Chief I want loo far for the men to pull and arrive creature the fall of Sebastopol was deferred for her face alight with the glamour of the thing, him 1" he added, to the boy.
there in time to be of any use. Let her a time, or that name would bave been added the piles of five-louts pieces and notes before A minute after the Chief knocked.
knocked at his patrol the sea-ward side of the Island by the patriotic parent. Wales just now seems her eyes, and staking what he tells her, both door.
Men there's always fishing craft about, to have caught this kind of fever badly, and the happy and heedless of the feverish bustle round Come in, Mr. MacAllister. Sit down and she will hardly be distinguishable amongst Western Mall gives some amusing results, them. said the Commander. Here's a treat for us, their lights Now then, If you've no other amongst which are a Tugela James, & Modder One well-known Italian player, when staking We're ordered to Swatow at once. Some objections, I think we may say that's settled. River Jones, a Kimberley Clifford, John a five-louis piece, always thrusts, his tongue mare's nest of the Commissioner's wants look Get the anchor up Mr faries, and ring the Redvers Buller Thomas, a Harry While Red into his cheek. An old lady goes so far as to Ing up again, I suppose. So we'll require Stand-by Mr. Ross the Commander con ver Joseph, & William Symone Redvers put her tongue right out. Another places her steam as soon as possible. When can you let cluded, reaching for his white covered uniform Jenkins, and a Zachariah John Redvers stake with such a remark, as "That's for Lord us have it "
cap as a hint that the council was over.
Jones. But one of the most comprehensive | Rosebery.” The same lady is credited with
The history of this waltz is curious and ex- Vienna 1866, and was a complete failure, though! tremely instructive. It was first played in Strauss was already the idol of the public. Usually when he produced a new waltz the audience was frantic with delight and demanded half a dozen repetitions of it; but this waltzi was damned with faint applause and redemand-; ad only once, merely eut of courtesy to the com- poser. All the conditions had been favourable is more, it was the first time that Strauss had too, the performance being excellent, and, what made use of a chorus in one of his scores. This chorus sang about the "Blue Danube," which alone ought to have aroused the public, but it did not. The singers themselves were Dumba, to whom the waltz was dedicated, had so disappointed that, as Eisenberg relates,! to use all his influence to keep it on the pro- gramme, and to prevent the singers from beying their lack of sympathy. After this first performance Strauss repeatedly played the ;
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