Italy was formerly producing nearly all the stars of great magnitude, and now Australia, which is, by reason of climatical conditions, naturally musical, is giving to the world many beautiful singers, some of whom have added lustre to the Southern Cross. And note when a squad of our defenders march at night from the barracks--how the pedestrians quicken their steps in response to the inspiring music. Vivacious music is necessary in this climate. It takes the gray colour from our lives and elevates us by filling our ears with beautiful sounds. [Illustration: text decoration] MAN AND HIS DRESS. Man may consider himself unfortunate in having to endure more pain than pleasure during the natural term of his existence on this little planet which mortals call earth. But he cannot get away from the fact that he reigns supreme as the king of animals, and the highest of all things yet created--a beautiful casket of mind and matter, made in the likeness of his Maker. He is endowed with the electric unquenchable spark of immortality which can never die. He is half animal, half spiritual and emotional, with a love for beauty, ever longing for protection with idealistic visions of to what he may attain--one moment plunged into transport of joy and the love of living; the next into a vortex of despair, impotent to combat some unexpected blow of fate, yet withal, possessing the most marvellous courage and capacity of endurance. And amidst the vast empire of the animal world, he stands clothed with reasoning, power, and crowned with the majesty of knowledge, of good and evil. He alone can, of all animals, survey the infinitude of space. We know that a great gulf divides man from the lower animals, and that between civilised man and the savage of New Guinea there is a difference of intelligence due to environment. But, nevertheless, the savage is a noble man in the eyes of his Creator. The intelligence of a man and a lower animal differs to a tremendous extent, although the anatomatical structure may be similar. The brain of a man is heavier than that of an animal. Man’s superiority depends upon his being able to express himself by the glorious gift of speech, by which he may exchange his thoughts and wishes, obtain the comforts necessary to his mode of living, and build his dwelling according to the climatic conditions of the country in which he has chosen to dwell. With this comes another train of thought. Why, in our fair Queensland, will the average man continue to suffer discomforts sooner than effect any radical changes in his attire? On these days of torrid heat men are seen in town and country wearing the conventional heavy dark coat and waistcoat with stiff front and stiffer collar, trying to appear at ease--while they are miserable. They will chide women for wearing clothing which is too diaphanous, but themselves go to the other extreme by wearing the same thickness of clothing all the year round.