Grey Highlands Public Library Digital Collections

Flesherton Advance, 3 Jul 1890, p. 2

The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Th* Novel Olrl Gradual*. 8ns | bat wrntloJ will, ih < of tb* dim nu tort* agM. in* I.** si .i lied dtelataatlui H .rke . r a 'id bai. _A l> ui- v. glggl* In all iau .- (juagm liom English duwu to Turk. Bh can argus In tb* tstuv knows tl.t butorv o scbismt. and will K'J \vay back lo Adam* to lurinale lier vi. t . in brmi; in. ill . r* tain . rs nations in n.i- so p l us o! tu Christians ai. th* Jews. From . i - i,-r'.s to Spencer she has read ai r*ad inid lisucc l adorn Inrl.t. r- Ii W. UiliT t.i U- i In tnt s,u(iei . rroraad r: she uiake i - knuws tl.v Lueuial vlu .-an. bbs can show tbat old n.s/. I'llny was in tow Isati.uuy - . i.ssuMir,d ; i* .<to task . bb s revised the laws of h .In:, knows tb value of a C'ji u i Vl Cn c;- l.s,'. of tbe DutcLn.au > famous cask. bb* has studied up on diction, has mplor* u. - reaiuis of nctioii, kuows tUe views o II Ii:-- .. 1 |.jun anl of 1'aity aud '.i.-i crsws , bbe c*.i ju -ti l:ry und know and h* fa', -i.iakiptare ;. i road burton uu the tluus. Tnere .- nut a nransli of knowledge that u.i. Ijirl - if familiar wllb : I'lato .Ju to Bat i. . ... t for hrr Itarui'ju that sh* All* us uieu wun ,tr ....-. . woman 1*1. : mat's just ' .1 i . X- By m i KlUiY 01 TWO COUMIKii.:) CHAPTEK \XI. Ui|,:in-hier again with its quiit, undis luroel streets aud its busy tongues . tut cathedral with us daily services and its thin congregations ; the deanery, with all its luxurious discomfort, and tbe weary distasteful life once more. Strive as Ksperance would lo be thankful and coa tented, U was of no use each day eeemed more burdensome, each petty tnal more ui.b-arable. It was an luloleraol effort lo be even ordinarily polite to every one, and when Bella was provoking she was uorely tempted lo box her ears. Cornelia told ber openly lhat her visit to Oaspard had npsel r,-r, thai she was ungrat lul for the kindness shown her, aud that she ought to be ashamed of herself Mrs. Mortlake put everything down to tbe long holiday at Bournemouth, and was always oa the lookout for fresh employment for her. llella's nurse, a kind hearted, sensible person, suggested tbat mademoiselle felt tbe spring weather, and should take i tunic. April pasted ml May, and tb* aller nations of cold east wind aud hot sunshine did not improve matters. Esporance grew more and more languid and dcprtttei , she oould nol sloep, she could nol eat. she oould not even think clearly. 1 he one idea impressed on her mind wa* thst Uaspard wa* alone and starving, and this thought never left her . b> da) , ihe dwelt on it with bitter tears in her brief intervals of rest- less sleep il haunted her dreams. Things went on in this way lor about a month. Cornelia was beginning ' alarmed, and to watch her with real though can fully disguised anxiety . One day when the lessons had gon* worae than usual, and Esperanc. frit lhat the really deserved a scolding, the was sur- prised by the sudden <iuestion, You do ri'jl feel well. Ksperance 1 am lure. What i* the mailer with . " I do nol know, ' she aniweted, latu;m IK 11 Hut you must know what you feel like ; tell me at ' I don't (eel anything particular." " Would you like to see a doctor ' i in, no, thank )ou , I have nothing, to ay." Cornelia win nol at all satisfied with Ihe spiritless lone of her answer. She had lost ail her brightness and energy, and whereas she had before been eager and responsive, he was now silent and apathetic. " You need not prepare your lesions for to inurro*. we will read together instead," said Corne.ia, after a minute'* thought, watching to see what effect this would have. '1 lii-re wa* tome slight shade of relief in Eeperanoe'* " Thank you," but il seemed as if nothing oould make very much dittar- cnoe lo her now. Just then the gong sounded (or luncheon, and the two went down-stair* together. i irmlia (ling uriea*y and pu/vled. In Ihe dining r m tin \ found the dean and tin ir cousin, (ieorge 1'algrave, who had jusl arrived on a vim. Esperanoe looked at him rather curiously, remembering with a pang the scene o( their last meeting. He wa* not Ihe least changed in appearance, but he seamed less awkward, a fact \>lo h she naughti!) explained as owing to her increased a< j'lainian with I. irishmen. He won her heart, however, by inquiring after (iaspard. (or though the <|iie*tion wan hard to answer, ami brought th* ready tears to her eyes, it showed that lie was not forgotten. ' imelia watched l.<| -ranee carefully, noiioed her reply lo Ueorge 1'algrave'i <|ti<isli >ns. the smlden blush which ro*e lo her cheek quickly succeeded by diadly ) aleim.K, tin almost impatient gesture with whu-h the rejected Ihe dlshe* handid to her, and her languid attempts lo eat a few mouthfuls of what was before her. All brought to her mind that sharp, d. "pairing sentence, which had so startled her, " Should I take care of myiaK, whun he is niariini, ;" h must then be this trouble which was weighing down Esp-jranoe , she should know as soon as possible lhat help was at hand. ml letters had pasntd between Mr. H. MM .NT anl the dean, and Cnruelia knew lhat Mr. BMOMU intended to have a per- sonal interview with (latpard, and that if pleased with him, il wax highly probable that hit would irti emp!o\ Matter* were arranged even more quickly than she had expected Unit M ry afternoon llo- dimi T.,',.|\iil I'll rs both from the planter and .'- ' -V par.1. Ir h")inoiir really take* him '.'" asked > > isly. " Vae, he Kneiiis ninvh pleased ith him , MM tier, ami the yonng man iiimmilf writes very properly. 1 nui glad om.'lhlng is H-llli.l . u ban I , -n R most i rmililsoi ii<> < orrespondeno* " ^ HI Mill 1 il I. -p. ran "ill ..!, not, father ? " " Ob, well, ye*, it you think but , but sead her her* quickly, for I am very busy, and have been sadly hindered this morning by Oorge." ahall oome at once. You remem ber. father, ihe has no idta of this : il will be a kireat surprise to ber." " Yes, ye*, I understand, my dear ; only let us waste no more time." Cornelia hastened away n search ol Esperanoe, not feeling quite satish rt After all, would this help which she bad taken so much pains to secure be very acceptable lo her little consin '.' She wished Ceylon were not so far oft, or that ihe bad persaa iec ber father to try (or some English appoint ruent for Gaspard and then wishei heartily tbat she bad more tact and sym patby, or could fancy in the least what hei feeiinis would be on bearing that her im aginary brother was to bo shipped off to th other side of the world. Poor Cornelia ' in spite of all her wishes her voice was as oold and peremptory a ver when at last she found Eiperance. My father wants lo speak to yon in tbe library ; no, pray don t hdgel about you hair, il is quite tidj . and he is in a hurry.' Eeperanoe went without a word. A (ew month* ago she would have been excited b; such an unusual request, now she only raised her eyebrows slightly. Cornelia would almost nave been thankfal for one c those objectionable French expletive*, this ilnnce seemed so unnatural, and with man) misgivings. *he watched ber as she wen slowly down the dark staircase, ber band passing laLiUtiicly over the balnsiraile rail The dean was pacing up aud down the library when Esperance entered. Cornelia said yuo wished to speak to me, nude," she said, approaching him. ' Yes. my dear, just (or a (ew minutes upon a little matter of business . take this chair. Cornelia told me tbat your brother could meet with no employment, and tbat he was in fact in very poor circumstances, and I have bean trying for some weeks to find some suitable situation (or him." 1 1 oar uncle, bow very good yon are," cried Esperanoe, springing up with all her old energy, " and you havn really found something for hi n ' Yes ; Mr Seymour, a (riend of mine, ha* offered him a situation on hi* estate in Ceylon, and yoar brother seems very much pleestd wilh il." K>peranc* tn 'd to believe that she did nol hear rightly il had never entered her Dead to think of work (or Gaspard out o( Knglaud , she turned giddy at the thought, and tinkuig back into the chair from whicn tbe had startled in snah an ecstasy of hope, atked faintly, " Ceylon, did you say, utcle ? " " Ves. Ceylon, my dear, on a coffee plantation , \< ry interesting work, no ioubl, aud a most fortunate opening (or rour brother. I am very happy to have '>en the means of introducing mm to Mr. ieymour, I am sure." You are very kind." sam p or Eiper ance, feeling rather as if she were thanking ler executioner, snd trying bard lo grasp this new idea, though well aware that ihe ruali/alian would bring pain. ' Don l mention U. my dear," laid the dean, absently. " Three o'clock, U it ? Jear me, there was something at three, urely .' Ah ! that tiresome missionary meeting ! I mast go al once. Tbe arch- deacon might have taken the chair, instead, am *ure what's in a name?" Then half rousing bimsrlf. " Here are the letters : on may r > Espiranoe . by the bye there was one mclo.ed to yon from our brother." and the dean ha-uly delivered the whole packet of litters to his nece and harried off mattering grumblings about a" dull deputation," and "mission ary twaddle." I. -Iterance took the letter* eagerly and >ogau lo read Mr. Seymour 1 * marveling at ler own composure. He spoke very kindly >f Gaspard, and agreed to take 'him lo y Ion wilh him, off-Ting him a salary of 1 100 a year to begin with, and a prospect >t speedy advancement. Then came l.ts anl's letter of thanks lo th* dean, written n English, and this failed to awaken Eeper- anoe's feeling*, for th* oould not r * hat it wa* hi- writing ai all. Lastly, wa* tbe little inclosed envelope urccled to her 4f, whi;h she opened agerly.and read through fast (ailing tears. Mi i ; r >n .. --I have been offered a 'fry good pjst on a coffee plantation in -ylon, by a (riend of l)een Collinson. I bought long before accepting it, for I can- not endure ihe thought of leaving you alone n l.ngland but al last I have made up my mind to do it. It seems wrong to refuse neb an ofler, and yon see, max t".i , the ooner I begin to earn something, the looter our e\il* will end. 1'erhap* m three or our years you will be able to join me to i, snd we shall be independent once nore. This is worth all sarr.li -e and all >ret"nl pain lo my mind. Am I wrong iu ninkiiii' that you will agree with me 7 low I wish we could have talked it over ogeiher ' These letters are terribly until- -fa -lory things. Tbe whole afiair i* snob a mixture of pain and relief thai I har.llt know how lo support il. I shall, indeed, only be too thankful to be al work but the separation from yoa, oherie, will be well nit'li i.nl . arahlc ." I iibviirable ' Yes, indeed' Kupvrance aid read no further, and throwing aside he letter, she buried her face in ber hands, obbing unrmtraineilly. To be away from Gaapard -thousands of miles away with a 'ague hope held out to her o( seeing him igaio in three or four years ' How wa* il be endured .' Wa* life w.irih liaung when il wax so full of pain In Ihe midst of this outbreak, Cornelia pmied the door, fall of anxiety to know tow Esperanoe liked the new idea. Bhe made a gesture of annoyance when she saw er leaning on the dean's writing table, her aoe hidden, and the open Idler pushed side. Why must Trench people always be aving "tcenei?" Tears were so con- emplible and weak in Cornelia's opinion, be oould nol iyiiipathi/.e with sorrow tbat ound suoh an onllit. " Why are yon crying in this way ? " she sked, coldly. " Come, pray control your ! > oo are gelling | mte hysterical. I -pi-ranne raised her head, and made an It.irt to chock her sobs. If Cornelia would 1 u 1 4\< taken her in her arras, would M her but our i aress, or said one word, the relief would ha\> bun .-.n., an il was, hir ooldiiHS* only tin already nlnuisl intolerable. It bad id, , : , i .be desired, however, ol "lim l.ivranoe to , n,u, I liprselt, hooch, wi, .itmr the nnnalural calmneiilo hiuh lii' schooled herself was really good or her, is doubtful. " How is il that your are so inconsisl ent ? " asked Cornelia. " A month ago you were crying because your brother had no work, and now that h has met with a good appnotment you are crying again." " The separation ' ' said poor Eiperaooe, afraid of breaking down again if *h<. said too much. " Nonsense ! why you are separated DOW practically ; U i* only a 'jueslun of thous- ands of miles instead of hundreds. Besides, how selnsb lo think of that, when it i* lor his good. It was very true, no doubt, bat Esp ance was loo sore hearted to bnd nuch comfort in this; moreover, all Cormlia said, though intended t be salutary, made the wound deeper, and the idea of being left behind in England more terrible. To be left alone I aloue : so utterly alone She could i.ot even cry now . her tears seemed to be scorched up. her etei fell hot and dry, and even C irneiia could not have desired anything more controlled than the voice which asked, in an odd, unnatural tone " When does Mr. Beymoor go .' " At tbe end of Jane. I b=heve , that will be just a month from now. Your brother bad better see about his outfit at once." " What ku.d of ontnt do they rnjuire ? " asked Espcrar ?, wondering bow 11 was to be obtained, and turning aimcsl willing!) to this practical difficulty, in the hope ol slitiing tbe pain I have not the least idea, but probably Mr. Seymour will have told him all about that . does be not tell you in bis letter ?' an i Cornelia glanced at th: cljseiy written sheet which lay before her. Esperanoe took u up and read to tbe end. and there, sure enough, was the formidable list of necessaries n>!;BSle,i by Ihe u..:? planter, but wbicb Otspar.i lojkel upon as o iiupcs<ii>'.e to obtain lhat hi meutionen il.-m halt iaugLingly. Kb* was ^n-atl\ perplexed. ' Well ? " asked Cornelia. Yei, he speaks of il," the replied slowly. " But 1 do not much understand such things ; I am still oiily very y "uug " The combination of adverbs o" Cornelia s tar. but she was touched by in- pathos of the confession. There wa* some thing wear) in the tone, as if it were sad '.ul tc have u much of life lo look forward lo. and it struck her that there wa* some- :hing strange and wrong in such a remark being made by a girl of scarce!) seventeen, who should have been rejoicing in Ihe hope of coming life, and prou-l of her age, " 1 would not worry over the outbt if I were yoa," she said, more kindly. ' No doubt your brother will manage ii himself. You have a headache, I am sore, after all tins crying , suppose yon gc out for a walk you will have time before afternoon errioe." Esprrance wa* grateful for the kindness of this speech, and wearily assenting, f jaspard's letttr and carried ii up to bsr room, her mind still fall of ihs difficulties of procuring his outfit. Whether U was 'rom Ihe relief of thinking of anything except her grief, or from tb* anxiety to x-n.g H jtu-ihing for Gaspard whil- it was nil! pusetble. this idea .jaite absorbed her. Tbe nineteen shillings in her puree were nol consolatory bow little they would irooore for him ! Bbe racked her brains or some means of making money, bat for some lime il wa* quite in vain. At length an idea struck her her face lighted up wilh eager hope, and hastily pulling on ber wtlking thing*, she followt i C'jrnehai advice and went ont of -doors. No country walk was to be hers, however. She bent her step* toward tbe town, and walking hurriedly through the more fre jueuted paru. reached a jtiile side mr i ud entered a hair dresser's shop. Hrr lean was beating quickly, and her voice was a little tremulous as she made known ler wihe* lo tbe master of the shop, a round faced, gray headed, cheery old man, who would nol have betrayed his profession )OI for the extreme accuracy of his parting, ,ud the elegant curve of the hair plastered lown on his temples. " For culling only, miss .' will yoa please walk upslsirs 1. <l>erauce obeyed, following her oondoc- or to the shabby little room above. >stenlationsly advertised as a " Hair Cut ing and Shampooing Baloon " There she ook off ber hat. loosened her hair, and uh heightened color drew il oat lo it* fall "iiL'th. aud ulanoed at ber reflection iu tbs ill framed mirror. " Just tipped, I snpiosp, miss ? " said he hair-drtuses, arranging his implements and su-veying Esperanoe s beautiful hair with professional admiration. " No, I want it ;t oft, 1 she said, half arelessK taking the chair he had placed or her. and lousing her hair over it* bark Cut off, miss!" exclaimed the astonished lair dresser " Yes, please," said Esperanoe, quietly. I "ii, miss, you will e\cn*e me, but it s such a pily. 1 have nol seen such hair or many a day -so loin;, so Ihi'k, in suoh ,al condition ' Many ladies, miss, would give any money to have such a b< ad of hair . they would indeed, miss." " Would they ? " asked Esperance, stuil nc. 1 tn u tbat is juil what 1 want. In i, Mr. Jtnkiuson. 1 may at well tell you hat I want to sell my hair. How much would you give for u . 11 I inter, d, miss, 1 hardly know what I tight to say but u seems thousand uties to out ctf such beautiful hair as that," " Never mind," said Ksperance, flushing rimson. " 1 want money . what will you el me ha\e fjr u Tbe man examined it more critically, (ell Is weight, and again admired ii. It was, lilted wry beautiful -long and thick, yet at Ihe same lime both tine and glossy, tbe color of Ihe darki -t shade of brown, while 1 soft waviness, Anting in tendril like ring els, added not a liltle to Us value He bought (or some minute*, then said, " 1 vonld i;ne live guinea" (or it, miss. If il were h^ht o on-d it Wviuld be worth twice hat, litibl hair being fashionable. If you arc lo part wilh it for live guineas, though, "ill take it Etporanoe did not hestital* a moment. 1 '1 hank yon," be laid, eagerly, " w* will Kettle it then.' And without a shadow f rrgrel she siibimllr.l lo tin- hair drt user's i, ami thought of nil thai Ihe flvi inneas would buy. In ten minutes all was dour, anil 1 i .- lice, feeling rallur >old and nli >rn, was walking back to the cathedral, o'liletiiplar the litllf | ili of i ins in her han.l vuth real tiisfai'iiuii. Ihe HIT vice, over, the nivl In Ihe ,!. amty. and ' ind after oon tea gcMiit! on in the drawing room. Mrs. Morilake hil JUM> relnrmd from Ihe missionary meeting . George I'ul^iave and | H.. MI a were talking together by Ihe window, Cornelia wa* pouring out lea an auaiutl thing holding the tea pot ungrsoe tally high, so that the tea frothed into in cop*. A vi ry doll affair, indeed," Mrs. Mori lake wa* saying. My father actually went to sleep in bis chair, while a younj converted KU:r was speaking through au interpreter such a creature yoa thoalc have seen Why, Kspcrauoe ! " breakioi off suddenly, " what in the world have you done to yourself ? Are yoa trying to imiiat oar Kiffer trimd ? " Euperance laughed and colored, and there wan i general exclamation. "I have had my hair cat, that is all,' she said, quietly. Cut ! Why, it it cropped all round yoa: head I What is the meaning of Ibis extra ordinary freak ? " " 1 thought 1 could do very well witboa my hair, aud I wanted il for something else." " Absurd ' What have jou done with it " 1 have sola it," aaid Lsperance, blash ing, aud wiahiog Mrs). Mortlake would no be to inquisitive. " Sola it ! " Even Bertha joined in th exclamation. Mr-. Morilake, however, wa- more than arprised ; an angry tluah rose to he cnetk as toe continued. You sold il in Kilcneater . How could yoa thick of doing saoh an impruden thing. It will be all over the plaoe now and every one will be gossiping about you.. " 1 do not miLd lhat," said Esperanoe. " Of course cot," said Cornelia, coming lo the recue. ' That is tbe most seusibli thing mat ha- been taid }-!. 1m sure 1 itou t know why yoa make luch a (uss Chrutaoel." It's a disgrace to tbe house ! " said Mrs. Mortlakv angrily. " A most anlady like tbiug ' and m t> smail place like Ibis where every one iuas! know ! Wny, al Kilchesler will talk ' " Wtll, Eperance, the family seem to disagree about the mailer,' *aia Cornelia caiml). far my part 1 have never respected you so muoh before." L.perance looked up gratefully. The onexpecteo kicdntts wa* welcome enough .d she wa* still more thankful when Cor- nelia quietly turned the conversation away fro. n tiie tunj-ct altogeiher, and succeeded in engrostiog Mrs. Mortlake's attention. As seen as possible sht slipped oat of tbe room, and went lo the nursery to discoss wa)aui m>an> with Delia'* nurse, and wa* soon *o deeply engaged in the necessary calculation* (or a set of shirts that she for- got the grievances of the lost hair. A spirited little creature," said George 1'algrsve to Bertha : bat what induced ber lo do such a luint. Probably to help her brother ; hei* going out to Ceylon, yon know." Will no oneeNj help ber ' Ii really it a hard caae ; 1 shall report il lo grannie." Well, that is nol a bad idea, for she i* a favorite with grannie ; but 1 doubt if ibe will thank yoa for begging for her she i* - r\ | road." She mail not know of oar inter ventiau." said George. ' What do you say to a walk to tbe Priory this evening ' ' II would be too late after dinner ; besidei, we hould have to lake Esperanoe a third party , you forget propriety and gossip." Hang propriety ! you and I ooght to be exempted (rom sach a tiresome thing , to-morrow morning, then, by broad day light, "and he looked up. pereuasivtly. llertba colored. " Very well, on condition lhat you do the ggiuii,' *h< said. Goorge willingly agreed. aud ihe result wa* o sncot-ifnl thai Eeperanoe found a live pound note added to her earnings, and given in each a kind and delicate way thai even ber sensitive nature could not shrink from tbe help. CHAPTER XXII. l'ior Ksperance ! Bo your protege is disposed o(, Katharine,' (aid France* N v illc. handing au open letter to her sister. Lady Wortlnngtoo rtad it in much surprise. Who would have thought of Pean risen coining to ihe resuuv! My opinion of him is raised. Hut iln-y unlit have managed to keep him in England. This child ! wbat a heart broken teller t is " " I suppose it i* rcallv a good thing." saiil r'rauoes, sighing " But il does seem lard to send him lo the ends of Ihe earth ike that." If Henry could only have found some- hing (virtual ; bat he is so very just, he vould nol hear of giving Otneard de Mabillun the chance of a situation till Julius Wright was settled. There was that l ml e .-notaryship the other day, but be ;ot lhat for Mr. Fraukland, you know." " They have been waiting a long lime," said 1 rinoe*. " I suppose it n all ruin " (t| ootirss) ; but alill ," and l.n iy iVorthingtoti * lii-.n! impatiently. bhe woold have liked to help all the world, in ler own way. Jail then Sir Henry came in. nol too iu*y loo listen lo hi* wife's siory . I am *orry we are forestalled." he laid, kindly. " But ii ii a capital appoint- ment lor him, ami Mr. Seymour i* a vtry ileaiant sort of man . I met him al the deanery onoe, nol so very long ago." Ah, yes," said l.viy \\orihnuton. I remember now, it wa* al that dull dinner which they gave lor some colonial bishop, while Mr*. Morilake was al Bournemouth. Mr. Ki'Vinour was the little, dark, talkative man who tried so hard Ic put a little life nto as all." Sir llrnry *imled at this description. " He is a kind hearted man, I ehouM hink, tnd will be a good (riend lo youi.g .>e Mabillon." Ion I do wish we oould have helped um. Henry . we have don* loaroely any rung, and now that he is going oul of England there will not be a chance." ' I will call on Mr. Beymonr. and see i( we cannot be of njme a*e,"saui Sir i: lYrhaps I nn>>ht take his passagi for him, I will be a hiHvier rx|tent* than he can bear, 1 shoald think." To l>* Continued) le Kirjue (whose cpn ioa isn't worth nnu-h anyhow) says that one of Ihs few hings lhat make it .Irnrablelo be a woman h.ra.kii,*!. i,,,l right tc laae a mean ad vantage. new <'.ar* in Wall HOT THK TBINO n.i. CANADA. Commenting upon th* Bill before Con- gress, intended to prevent alien* from acquiring and holding large tracts of lai.d in the United Stales, a Canadian paper laid the other day that BritUh investor* might soon regret that they had neglectad Canada. Surely oar contemiorary doesj nol want to see tbe land of thi* country owned by absentee*, who will be enabled, as population and demand (or land in- crease, to take large sums as rental or telling prioe (rom Canadians who desire to cultivate the lands The experience of early settlers in Western Ontario with the Canada Company should nol *o soon be forgotten. Why not let tbe land value all go to tbe Crown," that is, to the public treasury, to b* used for tbe good of the whole people, instead of steering it avi*,/ to British non- producers? A letter in Kraditrtet'i from New /-aland showi bow that colony has been injured by tbe system which our con- temporary appears to favor for Canada when il invites the British speculator to loik this way. After describing the condi- tion of .general trade, the writer in Brad- itrtft .- sayi: " The gold mining prospect* are better than they have bsen for some time, and excellent yields of the precious metaiB have been obtained from some of the mines during the last few weeks. Other indication* of an improved state of affair* in New Zealand are nol wanting, bat it is becoming more and more apparent that no ttreat aud permanei.1 improvement throughout tbe country can take plaae until the land queetion l* Milled 00 some equitable basis A few word* on this important suoj ct cannot fail to be of interest. The total acreage of New /.-aland is 60 000,000 acre*, of wbicb 'J5.- uoo QUO acres are suitable (or agricultural purposes, and about .-.000 000 acres are suitable (or sheep and cattle run*, most of tbe remainder b-ing wasteland*. I'p to Uectmb, r. 1--- 1' .'il 3-t-i acres had been dealt with by tbe croon, but last year the authorities received iS-li.OOO for other hold and leitehuld lands, and it ii suttiaietitly ' accurate to say in round numbers tbat about 20.OuO.000 acre* have been disposed of by the colony. Noff 17,- acres of that land is owned by 1 ! familits, and the greater portion of it il used for tbe gra/iug of iheep. the value of their wool last vear being about 14.000,- 000. Bat 1 140 o( tbe ownen are permanent absriueei (rom tbe colony, drawing large inoomts from il, one owner deriving an annual revenue of i>.5 OUO (rom it, which he spends abroad. Au immense drain thus yearly lakes plaoe, liut that is nol the worst (eature. Only >.!72 (amilien are living on their own free- hold*, from 1 to 10 acres for each family, and 7.507 familial are living ou their free- holds of from 10 to 50 acrts each. The** families, the balk and tbwer of tbe agricultural population of th colony, thus occupy an acreage of about 403 000 acres in round number*, while 1,015 families), lastly absentee*, hold about 13,000.000 acres. The absentee! escape most of the taxation, as well as the labor and expense of developing the colony, whose eye* they nave picked out by securing at mere nomi- nal prices the bulk of its best laud. When tbe small holder*, whose properties are on the margins of tbe large estate*, want lo buy more land, they are atked almost prohibitive price*, and thus the develop- ment of the country is retarded. In ibis colony there are MO private owners, bank* and companies, which own between them l* 71M acrts of unimproved land, valued t>> Government valuer* at x'lj,153.030. Those proierties are freehold, the estate* a\t raging 20,:400 acres. Seventy six person* own between them land valued in Govern- ment returns at t\4:>8,541. How these nit are to be unlocked is at present a mtiiery, but it is fell that such large loldmgs of absentee! will have to be dealt with before New .' -aUnd can progress ai she shoald, considering Ih* climate, re- source* aud ibe people." Lord Huilol|ih Chun-hill Speaking al the opening cf a Wesleyan Ra/tar. Ljrd Kandolpb Churchill recently said, wl'i.r he cool d understand and sym- ,'aihi/e wilh political straggle and strife when partly political questions were at is- sue, what he could not understand or sym- with was anything like parly rivalry in the work of social reform. They 'onnd thai all members of Parliament were ai.tv<d a* to the great evils of intemper- i as to tbe great intemperance which ri \iile>i, as to the provision of temptation o intemperance which to sjme extent tad been, if nol created, at any rate per- mitted by tbe Slate, and although they v r. all agreed a* lo the ravage* which niemperance produced on tbe health of he people and Ibe loss which it occasioned to thi-ir resource*, yel they teemed unable to come together and unite in remedying tr removing theae great evil*. He thought that wa* a ipectacU- which, so far as public men were concerned, did every little credit o their hearts or heads. The >,.'> Art .(..- 1 1 n,-i,.,,, ... 1 I'o you think it would be wrong for me o 1, an: the noble art of self-defence .'" a eligious'.y inclined youth inquired of hi* tstor. iVrtairlynol." answered the minister ; 1 learned u in youth myaelf, and I have ound it of ,-.al value during my life." " Indeed, sir ' Did yon learn the old '.".i:lish system or Sullivan'* .(-.em .'" Neither. I learned Solomon's system. Solomon's system Yra Yon will find it laid down ii the i rsl verse of Ihe nfieenth chapter of Pro- erbi : A soft ansver turneth away rath.' It is the L it system of self- lefeuce of which I know." Um< Cam- The Anchor line steamer IVvonia, which tiled from Glasgow for New York June .'tli, ha* returned to the Clyde. Her high >resture piston became disabled. The lumber oatnps cf \Vtsconsin have xvn Ihe *c*nt of a remarkable work thi* eason. The slate W.C.T.l. has kept an linrrant missionary constantly in Ihe id and the .-amp* have been (applied wuh the best of literature, by the varioo* union,, ilm-u ;hcml Ihe Hlate. Croakers arc informed that men do read with eagernes* nil lhat they receive and are grateful (or tbe interest shown iu their welfare from

Powered by / Alimenté par VITA Toolkit
Privacy Policy