The Sun.
London, England, 1871-01-05 00:00:00

OUR CHRISTMAS CORNER.

Harmless slides for this weather are those belonging. to
magic lanterns. _ _ _ _ _ _

New arrival at the Zoological Gardens.—A real Snap-
dragon. Now on view.
What ancient author is supposed to have written a
treatise on plum-pudding ?—Suet-onins.
What trade did Master Jack Horner, of corner
celebrity, subsequently adopt ?—Probably that of a
plumber.

(Front Fun. )

New improved and anagrammatieal reading—Treaties ;
Tear ties. •

WANTED—A TRANSFORMATION 4SCENE.—" The Dragon
of Wantley" will doubtless amuse some thousands of
West-enders—would that some good fairy might spirit
away from the East-end the—Dragon of Want.
THE GOOD TIME. The other day forty-eight South
London tradesmen were fined for deficient weights and
measures. It is high time the public had a measure—
from the Legislature. When that good time comes the
traders will have to " weight a little longer " instead of
having short weights.
H.M.S. Buunoa.—Admiral Bull :—" Now, my lads,
there are signs of dirty weather, and the storm may break
at any minute. How's the ship ? "—First Tar :—" Not
quite so trim as she might be, yer honour, but she always
has answered her helm, and she'll give a good account of
herself again if called on."

(Front Judy.)

What is the difference between the German nation and
the present Premier of England ?—The one 's the
" William's people," and the other's the " People's

DRUNKENNESS IN LIVERPOOL.—A. noticeable
feature of the Liverpool police sheets on Monday was
the fact that only 66 persons had been booked for being
" drunk and disorderly." This is the smallest number
known for many years on a Monday.

The death is announced, at the advanced age of
97, of Mr. Thomas Dawes, the senior member of the firm
of Messrs. Dawes and Sons, solicitors, London, and said
to be the oldest lawyer on the rolls, having been admitted
in 1795. Although Mr. Dawes had for many years ceased
to take any active part in business, he applied for and
received his certificate up to the time of his death, which
took place at Tunbridge Wells. '
A BABY IN THR HOUSE.—Round the little pivot
resolve the household hours. Rooms change their desti-
nation as if the inmates were playing at old coach. Some-
times the drawing-room (in a moderate household) becomes
a bedroom in the dining-room becomes a salon, the
dinner retreats to the breakfast - room, and the
master sleeps in the library. This is apt to take place
when it is the first baby. Number two and number three
are not born under such refined auspices (that is to say,
the drawing-room curtains), nor on such golden ground
as the Smyrna carpet on which the first baby's winking
eyes rested. There is a Spanish Prince who not long ago
strewed a little earth from his dear native land under the
couch on which his first-born (a boy, as it happened) saw
the light. It was necessary for the little Prince's chance
of succession that he should be " born upon the sod of
Spain " Oh, first-barn son ! what father would not joy-
fully scatter dust of diamonds beneath thy natal couch so
that the act might ensure thee a large inheritance of
this world's successes.—" Everybody's Body," in St. Paul's
Magazine.

BRAWLING IN A CIIIIRCH.—At the Manchester
City Police-court yesterday, Mr. S. P. Andrew,
parishioners' churchwarden of St. John's Baptist's
Church, Hulme, Manchester, appeared to answer a
summons charging him with brawling in the church.
The summons was taken out by the other churchwarden
(Mr. Hutton). The circumstances under which the charge
was brought occurredvon Christmas Day, when the defen-
dant stopped a procession, headed by a large brazen cross.
The proceedings were instituted under 23 and 24 Victoria,
chapter 32, which enacted that any person who should be
guilty of riotous, violent, or indecent behaviour in a place
of worship, should be liable to a fine of £5, or two
months' imprisonment. Mr. Jordan contended that there
was no misdemeanour, and that if the defendant did the
act without any guilty intent he was not liable, although
he might be mistaken. The Bench c"nvicted the de-
fendant in the full amount, remarking that in the event
of a repetition of the offence by either side, they would
not again impose a fine, but send the offender to prison.

THE TRUCK COMMISSION AT BIRMIN MIA M.
The Truck Commission resumed its sittings at Birming-
ham yesterday. Evidence was given in refere,:co to the
truck system in the nail trade. A member of the Anti-
Truck Association described several prosecutions under
the Act ; fines were in each case inflicted. He believed
that men paid much more at the truck shops than at
ordinary places, but he had heard no complaints of late
years. 'Thomas Siviter, nail maker for thirty-one years,
said that if men did not deal on the truck system
they failed to get orders till Wednesday, and
sometimes Thursday, it being the object to
keep men under the thumb. Tale e men could not
get provisions and beer, and pay Saturdays.
Witness had known great distress caused by the system.
Nailers earned 12s. or 14s. weekly, and kept their own
smithies. If a child died subscriptionths hadtruc to be
asmade.
Most of the men were employed by e k mters.
Witness devoted much time to the question, but found
the men apathetic. Ile believed that was caused by their
being so ground down.. Masters generally rose from
workingmen, and it was with great difficulty the latter
could be got to speak their mind in a body, but witness
believed that if the were asked privately the majority
would be opposed ty o the truck system.