NEW BOOKS. Literary THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF REV. WILLIAM JAY.-This work contains not only the memoir of the distinguished author, but also reminiscences of some distinguished cotemporaries, as John Newton, John Ryland, William Wilberforce, Hannah More, Rowland Hill, Richard Cecil, Robert Hall, John Foster, Lady Maxwell, John Wesley, and fourteen other celebrities. It contains, also, selections from the correspondence of Mr. Jay, and his literary remains. The work has the rare advantage of the joint editorship of George Redford, D. D., LL. D., | and John Angel James. It is full of variety and richness. An excellent sketch of the biography will be found in the preceding papers of this number. New York: Carter and Brothers. 2 vols., 8vo., pp. 413, 336. For sale by Moore, Wilstach & Keys, Cincinnati. HISTORY OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. By George Ticknor Curtis. New York: Harper & Brothers. The first volume of this work is now before us. The second volume will complete it. In his preface, Mr. Curtis states the object of his work: "How the Constitution of the United States came to be formed, from what circumstances it arose, what its relations were to institutions previously existing in the country, what necessities it satisfied, and what was its adaptation to the situation of these states, are all points of the gravest importance to the American people, and all of them require to be distinctly stated for their permanent value." These points he has kept steadily in view. This, we believe, is the first systematic effort to write a history of the Constitution; and it has been so thoroughly done-the sources of information have been so completely exhausted, and the materials put together with such artistic skill and such sound judgment-that there is no danger of the work being soon eclipsed by a successor. The style of Mr. Curtis is well adapted to such a composition-precise, lucid, and yet descriptive and flowing. The portraits of the principal actors among the framers of the Constitution, with which the volume closes, is no insignificant feature of the work. These portraits are drawn with a master hand, and evince a profound study of their originals on the part of their author. We regret that our space will not admit of a more extended review. The student of American history is laid under great obligations to Mr. Curtis for his admirable work. For sale by H. W. Derby, Cincinnati. ARMAGEDDON; or, The Overthrow of Romanism and Monarchy. This is a new exposition of prophecy, by S. D. Baldwin, A. M. In addition to the results indicated above, Mr. Baldwin finds "the existence of the United States foretold in the Bible; its future greatness; invasion by allied Europe; annihilation of monarchy; expansion into the millennial republic; and its dominion over the whole world." He believes the United States to be "Israel restored," and believes that we are to annex peaceably or by force nation after nation, till our republic embraces the entire earth. Whatever we may think of the conclusions of the author-and we confess we give but little credit to them-we can not but admire the earnestness of his spirit and the boldness of his speculations. He spends but little time in combating the theo Notices. ries of other authors, but applies himself to the development of his own. It is a curious work, and we commend it to the attention of the curious. "Young America” ought to "go in" for its wide circulation. It makes a thick 12mo. volume of 480 pages, and is gotten up in fine style by Applegate & Co., of Cincinnati. WOOD'S ILLUSTRATED NATURAL HISTORY. New York: Harper & Brothers. 1854. 12mo. Pp. 5.-This work bears internal evidence that its author Loved his work, and prosecuted it con amore. A work on natural history, of a popular character, with a correct classification and with proper explanations of the meanings and derivations of scientific words for the benefit of the common student, has long been felt. This want is here supplied. Scattered through the work are no less than four hundred and fifty-three illustrations from original designs. We recommend the work to all our young friends who are interested in the study of natural history; and also to parents, as an excellent work for them to put into the hands of their children. For sale by H. W. Derby, Cincinnati. THE want of a work composed of judicious selections from the Bible, and adapted to common school purposes, has long been felt by many practical educators of youth. This want is now supplied, and well supplied, so far as we can judge, by THE BIBLE READING-BOOK, prepared by Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, and published by Lippencott, Grambo & Co., Philadelphia. It contains portions of the history, biography, poetry, prophecy, precepts, and parables of the Old and New Testaments, such as form a connected narrative, in the exact words of Scripture, and in the order of the sacred books. It is not a mere skeleton of the Scriptures, but rather the heart of the holy book, and is, therefore, more likely to interest the heart of childhood. We believe all the miracles and all the prophecies relating to our Savior are here selected. The arrangement of the book is excellent; and we have no hesitation in saying that, for school purposes, it is preferable to the Bible in full. It may be had at the bookstores generally. THE "ancient philosophers," taken as a whole, were a queer set of men; and their manners and habits, their whims and oddities, and their wit, wisdom, and folly furnish a few unique pages in the world's history. From these fields of inquiry Rev. Joseph Banvard has filled a 12mo. volume of 408 pages: WISDOM, WIT, AND WHIMS OF DISTINGUISHED ANCIENT PHILOSOPHERS. Published by Sheldon, Lamport & Blakeman, of New York. The work also contains many incidents in their personal history, and anecdotes of their intercourse among men, as well as their apothegms, proverbs, and pithy replies to different and curious questions. The work contains a great amount of curious and instructive information, not hitherto accessible to the general reader. For sale by Applegate & Co., Cincinnati. TENDER GRASS FOR LITTLE LAMBS, is a charming book for children, by Rev. Cornelius Winter Bolton, a grandson of Rev. William Jay. Parents will do their children a good service by placing this book in their hands. Published by the Carters, and for sale by Moore, Wilstach & Keys, Cincinnati. PALEY'S EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY, with Notes and Additions, by Charles Murray Nairne, A. M., is a very fine edition of this standard work. It is by the same publishers, and also for sale by Moore, Wilstach & Keys, Cincinnati. JEANNIE MORRISON; or, the Discipline of Life. The above form a valuable addition to the series of works for the young, that are being issued from the press of the Carters. They are attractive in their character and healthful in their influence. For sale by Moore, Wilstach & Keys, Cincinnati. THE CITY SIDE; or, Passages from a Pastor's Portfolio. Gathered by Cara Belmont. Boston: Phillips, Sumpson & Co-This is said to be an interesting work of the Sunny Side and Shady Side series; but we have not found time to read it. For sale by Applegate & Co., Cincinnati. LIFE IN THE CLEARINGS VERSUS THE BUSH. By Mrs. Moodie. New York: Dewitt & Davenport.-This is a sort of companion or sequel to a former work by the same author: "Roughing it in the Bush." It abounds in gossip and anecdote, and has some amusing descriptions of scenes and characters. Moore, Wilstach & Keys, Cincin nati. MERTON MERRIVALLE, by Paul Creyton, is now completed. Published by Phillips, Sampson & Co., Boston, and for sale by the booksellers generally. PEARSON ON INFIDELITY.-This work, the octavo edition of which we noticed some time since, has been issued by the Messrs. Carter in a neat 16mo. volume. We reiterate our former high estimate of the work, and trust that, in the west as well as the east, it may have an extensive circulation. Moore, Wilstach & Keys, Cincinnati. CHRISTIANITY DEMONSTRATED BY FACTS, by William P. Strickland, D. D., is a neat duodecimo volume of over 400 pages, which religious readers will find exceedingly useful in enlarging their views and strengthening their belief in regard to the validity and profuseness of the arguments and facts in favor of our holy Christianity. PERIODICALS AND PAMPHLETS. MESSES. LEONARD SCOTT & Co. have laid on our table, three of the FOUR QUARTERLIES for October.. THE EDINBURGH contains, 1. Vestries and Church Rates; 2. Memoirs of King Joseph; 3. The Arab Tribes of the Great Desert; 4. Railway Morals and Railway Policy; 5. Burton's History of Scotland, from 1689 to 1748; 6. Macaulay's Speeches; 7. Reform of the War Department; 8. The Management and Disposal of our Criminal Population. THE LONDON Contains, 1. The London Commissariat; 2. Church Bells; 3. The Present State of Architecture; 4. Siluria; 5. Goldsmith; 6. The Eclipse of Faith; 7. The House of Commons and Law Amendment; 8. Samuel Foote. THE WESTMINSTER Contains, 1. The Odin Religion; 2. The Character, Condition, and Prospects of the Greek People; 3. Rajah Brooke; 4. History; its Use and Meaning: 5. Women in France: Madame de Sable; 6. The Sphere and Duties of Government; 7. The Rise and Progress of Diplomacy; 8. The Crystal Palace; and Cotemporary Literature. THE AMERICAN RAILWAY GUIDE for the United States, published monthly by Dinsmore & Co., No. 9 Sprucestreet, New York, is the only reliable work of the kind, and is an indispensable vademecum to every traveler. BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE, for November, is a sterling number. We give the list of articles, and recommend the work cordially to all in pursuit of a first-class foreign monthly magazine: Turkey and its Population; Civilization-The Census; The Secret Agent; Color in Nature and Art; Latin Versification; The Influence of Gold upon the Commercial and Social Condition of the WorldPart I; Peace and War; The War and the Ministry. York. Terms, $3 a year. Leonard Scott & Co., republishers, 79 Fulton-street, New MINUTES OF THE CINCINNATI ANNUAL CONFERENCE, for the year 1854, show a total membership in the bounds of the conference of 32,266. This is an increase of about 100 for the year. MINUTES OF THE SOUTH-EASTERN Indiana Conference, for the year 1854, exhibit a Church membership of 22,500, an increase of about 1,800 for the year. MICHIGAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE.-The Minutes of the nineteenth session of the Michigan annual conference for 1854, show a membership of 19,200, Church property to the amount of $246,000, and parsonages of $47,000. The sum of $3,449 was raised for missions, $119 for the Sunday School Union, $511 for the Tract Society, and $457 for the American Bible Society. THE TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL CATALOGUE OF THE WESLEYAN ACADEMY, Wilbraham, Mass., Rev. Minor Raymond, D. D., Principal, exhibits a list of 342 gentlemen pupils and of ladies 291-total, 263. The aggregate, by terms, shows for the year 900 names. Dr. Raymond manages the institution with great prudence and skill. THE NEWBURY SEMINARY AND COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, Newbury, Vt., Rev. Henry S. Noyes, A. M., Principal, has had an average attendance for the year of 500 pupils. The total attendance for the year was 804. THE FORT WAYNE FEMALE COLLEGE AND FORT WAYNE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, Rev. Samuel Brenton, A. M., President, has had an attendance, for the year 1854, of ladies 159, and of gentlemen 97-total, 256. The Institute, now in the seventh year of its existence, is enjoying a fine state of health and prosperity. DISCOURSE ON THE OCCASION OF THE DEATH OF MISS EMILY P. WILKINSON, of Bloomington, Ill., from the pen of Rev. Professor Goodfellow, portrays the character of one who, though young in years, was ripe in the Christian graces. MOORE'S RURAL NEW YORKER, a quarto, weekly, agricultural, literary, and family newspaper, is one of the best weekly journals in the country. Each number is embellished with engravings, illustrative of some agricultural or other topic under discussion. Terms, $2 a year. Published at Rochester, New York. THE HOME JOURNAL, edited and published by George P. Morris and N. P. Willis, has maintained undiminished, during the year, its charactor for variety, life, and attractiveness. Its bill of fare for the ensuing year promises well. Published at New York, at $2 a year. THE METHODIST ALMANAC, for 1855, maintains its former high character for fullness of Church statistics and general religious information. Its embellishments are numerous and tasteful. Notes and Queries. IS SALT GOOD FOR ANY THING?-Some of our agricultural exchanges have been discussing this question to a very decided extent. One of them, editorially and by correspondent, has struggled hard to make the impression that salt is always and invariably injurious to men and animals, taken with or without their food. "At the creation," runs a specimen of their logic, "there were no salt-troughs placed before cows or horses, or before animals of any sort." May be not; but is it positively certain that there were no salt springs near? "We believe that no animal would ever touch salt unless trained to it." Ah! indeed. Did no body ever hear of the "deer licks" of the west, or spots where salt water oozes out of the earth, and to which deer, buffalo, etc., are in the habit of resorting to lick the ground for hours? Certainly they were not trained to it! In Big-Bone Lick, Kentucky, the bones of innumerable species of living and extinct animals have been found. These certainly did not go there for the pleasure of killing themselves in the mire, but to obey an instinct of their nature. The Indians, who do not show many signs of intelligence above supplying their animal wants, knew the use of salt, even before they had any communication with white men, and would go to almost any length to obtain it; assuredly they were not trained! Salt, in our opinion, is good, and ought to be used. An incident is just now fresh in our memory. Several years ago an experiment was made in a penal establishment in Europe, where several convicts were kept on food without a particle of salt, till some of them died of worms, and the rest were only saved by giving it to them. WHAT IS "LIE TEA?"-A vast amount of stuff which the knowing ones among the Chinese call lie tea, and a vast quantity of which is used, both in Europe and America, is made thus, according to an account furnished by John Lindley, F. R. S., Professor of Botany in University College, London: "The Chinese take a tub, into which they put a quantity of sand and similar substances, pounded leaves, vegetable dust, or any thing containing vegetable matter, with apparently some gypsum; this they sprinkle with rice-water. The rice-water, being of a glutinous nature, collects the composition into small balls, which hold together, and by degrees, by dexterous manipulations, the tubfull of this fraudulent material acquires the form of myriads of globules. In the next place these globules are faced and blacked with black lead, and then tinctured green with a mixture of Prussian blue and chromate of lead. As to tea, there is not a particle in the whole mixture." This information may be of special interest to some of the lady tea-drinkers of the United States of North America. SLEEPING AFTER DINNER.-Quite a variety of opinion prevails in regard to the safety and healthfulness of taking a nap immediately after dinner or a full meal. Dr. John C. Warren, Emeritus Professor of Anatomy and Surgery in Harvard University, in discussing the point, takes the ground that apoplexy has sometimes followed as a consequence of napping after dinner, and thinks, especially after a heavy dinner, the practice is very dangerous. Going to sleep on the back, or in an easy chair, the full stomach compresses the diaphragm and heart and prevents the free reception of blood, and causes an accumulation and compression of blood on the brain. By sleeping on the side little or no apprehension, as to the result, need be felt; for the lateral posture takes off the pressure of the loaded stomach from the heart and great blood vessels, and leaves their circulation free. DR. EDWARD YOUNG.-The North American Review, for October, has an article on Young, the poet, which runs over with a curious mixture of blame and praise. It concedes, in winding up, however, that the Doctor was considerable of a wit, besides being a solemn man and pious; and in illustration of this gives numerous examples, one of which is these two lines: "Like cats in air-pumps, to subsist, we strive of the similes of Young the Review thinks the following very beautiful, picturesque, and scientifically accurate, wherein pleasure is compared with quicksilver: "Pleasures are few, and fewer we enjoy; Pleasure, like quicksilver, is bright and coy; If seized at last, compute your mighty gains; What is it, but rank poison in your veins?" WHAT IS SUNSHINE MADE OF?-In a paper published by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, on the "Mechanical Energies of the Solar System," Professor W. Thomas takes up certain views which have already been put forward, and, arguing them out, finds reason to believe the source of solar heat to be "undoubtedly material." This material consists in the countless meteors wheeling round continually in space-a tornado of shooting-stars, stragglers from which occasionally appear in our own atmosphere, but of which we see the main body in the zodiacal light. These, says the learned Professor, are gradually caught by the sun's attraction: "each meteor thus goes on moving faster and faster, and gathering nearer and nearer the center, till at some time, very suddenly, it gets so much entangled in the solar atmosphere as to begin to lose velocity. In a few seconds more it is at rest on the sun's surface, and the energy given up is vibrated in a minute or two across the district where it was gathered during so many ages, ultimately to penetrate as light the remotest regions of space." The objection, that we should see an augmentation in the bulk of the sun, is answered by the fact, that although the sun might grow a mile in diameter in eighty-eight years, yet forty thousand years would elapse before the apparent diameter to us would be increased by one second: and with what instruments shall we measure such a rate of progress? The sun may have gone on increasing in dimensions ever since the creation of man, quite undetected by us. For it to grow in reality as much as it appears to grow from winter to summer, would take 2,000,000 years. COUNTRY CHURCH-YARDS.-"I went out," writes a correspondent, "one Sabbath, last November, along with a clerical friend, to fill an appointment at a Methodist chapel not one hundred miles from the city. The day was fine, the air bland and bracing, and I felt a good flow of exuberance and joyful satisfaction. By the time we reached the church, however, my spirits, like the mercury in a barometer at the approach of foul weather, suddenly fell. Why? There was the show of a fence around the church and the church graveyard, but the hogs were busy. The gate had long since gone to destruction, the lower boards of the fence were missing in more places than one, and there was an appearance of distress everywhere showing itself. The porcine quadrupeds aforesaid were unceasing in their efforts to root up the green sod of the graves, and, alas! they were altogether too successful in their work of destruction. How did I preach? Words came, but my heart was chilled by my view of the way in which the Lord's children keep the Lord's house and property. Is there no remedy, Mr. Editor, for such slovenliness? can not religion be made to help the habits of such Christians? and is not neatness, as Mr. Wesley has told us, 'next to godliness?" " Ize versus Ise.—“ Mr. Editor,—I see you are going to give a little space to Queries and Notes. Well, sir, I intend to ply you with a few 'queries,' and leave you to supply the 'notes.' I have a lot of queries in relation to the orthography of the English language. One I will ask now. Why do certain words terminate with ize, as Christianize, civilize, brutalize, while others terminate with ise, as compromise, advertise, enterprise? and by what rule shall we determine whether the termination shall be ize or ise in any given word?" | ation, ise should be used, as demise, comprise, surmise, advise, enterprise, etc. We apprehend, however, that these rules are liable to many "exceptions." Among them may be noted criticise, advertise, etc., from which, if the suffix ise be taken, complete words would remain; also recognize, dogmatize, alkalize, syllogize, deputize, etc., from which, if the suffix ise be taken, incomplete words would remain. Our friend may find himself engaged in "The Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties," but we hope he will persevere. ENGLISH ORTHOGRAPHY.-" Query.-To what may the diversities in the orthography of the English language be attributed?" Note. These diversities, for the most part, reach back into the Anglo-Saxon. The following are probably the leading causes to which they may be attributed: 1. The original dialectic differences among the ancient Saxons, Angles, and Jutes. 2. The different local dialects that would inevitably spring up in an age where there was no printing, and among a people who were distributed into petty and distinct kingdoms, having comparatively little intercourse with, and little affinity for each other. 3. The introduction of Scandinavian terms from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. 4. The influence of the Norman conquest, and the consequent fusion or commingling of Saxon or Norman words. 5. The carelessness of early writers who attached but little consequence to orthogra. phy. In the Anglo-Saxon a single word was often spelled in as many as fifteen or twenty different ways. It is a curious fact that the name of Shakspeare is spelled in at least two different ways in his will. 6. Local and incidental causes, which will always exert more or less influence over a living language, whether written or spoken. These diversities in orthography Johnson termed "spots of barbarity;" and for a time it was claimed that he had removed them, and in his Dictionary had settled "the external form of the English language." But, alas! for the pride of human learning, these "spots" bid fair to Rule IL When a word be incomplete without the termin- outlive even the work of the great English lexicographer. To assign a reason and to give a rule are two very different things. We should be very reluctant to commit ourself to the task of assigning a reason for all the peculiarities of English orthography. The reason for those peculiarities is sometimes to be found in the original source from which the word was derived, sometimes in the medium through which it was transmitted, and sometimes in causes incidental and hidden from the search of the keenest philologist. As to the rules in the case, we have heard the following suggested: Rule I. When a complete word would remain after leaving off the termination, ize should be used, as realize, civil-ize, modern-ize, etc. Mirror of Apothegm, Wit, Repartee, and Anecdote. was filled, and at its close was loud in his praises of Mr. Dwight and the sermon, though, to be sure, he said there was no such text in the Bible-the chaplain having coined it to meet the occasion. When shown the passage he exclaimed, "Well, there is every thing in that book, and Dwight knows just where to lay his finger on it." SABLE SERMONIZING.-The black minister was closing | ing during the discourse at the happy hits with which it up his prayer when some white boys in the corner had the ill-manners to laugh, so that the sable suppliant heard them. He had said but a moment before and very earnestly, "Bress all dat is human," when the laugh occurred; and commencing again, just before the "amen," the pious old negro said: "O Lord, we are not in the habit of adding postscripts to our prayer, but if the 'spression, 'Bress all dat is human,' won't take in dese wicked white fellers, den we pray dat de Lord will bress some dat ain't human, also, besides!" DWIGHT AND PUTNAM.-On the surrender of Burgoyne, General Putnam, overjoyed at the news, immediately spread it through the army, and shouts and firing of cannon signalized the glorious event. The Rev. Timothy Dwight, a chaplain in the army, preached a sermon at headquarters the next day, from the text, "I will remove far off from you the northern army." Never was a sermon so listened to before by the officers and troops. Putnam could not refrain from nodding, winking, and smil FOLLOWING THE HOUNDS.-The Bishop of Oxford was rebuking one of his clergy for following the hounds. "My lord," replied the clergyman, "every man must have some relaxation, and I assure your lordship I never go to balls." "Ah," said the Bishop, "I perceive you refer to my having been at the Duchess of Sutherland's party; but I give you my word I never was in the same room with the dancers." "My lord," responded the clergyman, "my mare and I are getting old, and we are never in the same field with the hounds." DR. M'NEILE AND DRUNKENNESS.-Rev. Dr. M'Neile issued a general invitation to the worshipers at St. Paul's, Liverpool, to a lecture on the evils of drunkenness. Some wag, well acquainted with the church-goers who like a glass, got the notice printed as a circular, and then sent it round among them, with the words, "Mr. and friends are affectionately invited to attend." Great was the indignation at the Doctor, and especially in quarters that might seem most in need of the lecture. CANDOR-Marivaux, a celebrated French writer of romances, who flourished in the first half of the last century, having one day met with a sturdy beggar, who asked charity of him, he replied, "My good friend, strong and stout as you are, it is a shame that you do not go to work." "Ah, master," said the beggar, "if you did but know how lazy I am." "Well," replied Marivaux, “I see you are an honest fellow, here is half a crown for you." Seward's Anecdotes. THE OEPHAN'S REPLY.-A little boy, who was poorly clad, was tauntingly asked by a rude young man "if his mother knew he was out?" The little fellow looked at the interrogator a moment, while his bosom heaved and tears gathered in his eyes, and replied, "Sir, my dear mother is dead." A METAPHYSICIAN.-Entering upon an argument with a metaphysician is like getting into an omnibus-you know where you start from, but it is impossible to tell where it will carry you.-Punch. THE MOON.-The Mohammedans believe that the cavities which the telescope reveals in the surface of the moon are made by blows from the wings of angels. Quite the opposite, but hardly less fanciful, is the opinion of the sententious poet, Martin Farquhar Tupper, who locates hell in the moon, because, as astronomers inform us, not a drop of water is to be found on its surface. STANLEY AND BROUGHAM.-Lord Stanley once alluded to Lord Brougham as "the noble lord who had just taken his seat;" but chancing to look round, and seeing the ex middle of my statements, and have several times broken the thread of my discourse." "Brother Bethel," said M'Nally, "why didn't you wax it better?" Bethel's father was a shoemaker, and his son was ashamed of him. GRAY HEAD AND GRAY BEARD-Cardinal Richelieu one day said to M. de Sart, a celebrated physician, "I am gray-headed, yet my beard is black; and your head is black, and your beard gray. Can you account for these appearances, doctor?" "Easily," replied de Start; "they proceed from exercise-from labor of the parts; your eminence's brains have worked hard, and so have my jaws." CHURCH-RATES AND THE QUAKER.-A collector of Churchrates in England called upon a Quaker, who kept a dry goods store, for the usual sum; the latter said, “Friend, is it right that I should pay, when I never attend the Established Church?" "The church is open to all," answered the collector, "and you might have attended if you had a mind to." The Quaker paid the money, and on the next day sent the collector a bill for broadcloth. The man came immediately, and, in great passion, asked the meaning of it, declaring that he never had a single article from his store. "O," said the Quaker, rubbing his hands, "the store was open for thee, and thou mightest have had the cloth if thou hadst a mind." BANGOR GRAVEYARD.-The following inscription is on a tombstone in the church-yard at Bangor, Ireland. On the stone, which appears to be of red marble, there is the family arms with the motto, "Fortis non Ferox." The inscription is in Latin, thus: "Hic atavis, abavis et avo sic patre creatus The above may be freely translated as follows: "Here chancellor jumping about like a cricket, begged pardon, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and remoter anlies one who was himself a Presbyter, and sprung from a and said he meant his noble friend who "never took his seat." A ROSE AND ITS THORNS.-When Milton was blind he married a shrew. The Duke of Buckingham called her a rose. "I am no judge of colors,” replied Milton, "but it may be so, for I feel the thorns daily." Ben Jonson and thE LORD.-Lord Craven was very desirous to see Ben Jonson, which being told to Ben, he went to the lord's house; but being in a very tattered condition, the porter refused him admittance with some saucy language, which the other did not fail to return. My lord happening to come out while they were wrangling, asked the occasion of it. Ben, who stood in need of nobody to speak for him, said he understood his lordship desired to see him. "You, friend!" said my lord, "who are you?" "Ben Johnson," replied the other. "No, no," quoth his lordship, "you can not be Ben Jonwho wrote the 'Silent Woman;' you look as if you could not say boo to a goose." 'Boo," cried Ben. "Very well," said my lord, better pleased at the joke than offended at the affront; "I am now convinced you are Ben Jonson." son, RETORT COURTEOUS.-Bethel, an Irish barrister, was the opposing counsel in a case in which M'Nally, the celebrated witty barrister was employed. Bethel made several rude personal observations on M'Nally, who, on that account, interrupted his opponent in his speech. Bethel, vexed at this, at last exclaimed, "Brother M'Nally, you have taken the liberty of forcing your remarks in the cestors, who also were Presbyters. If you regard his years, he died young; but if either his attainments or bis character, he passed from earth in a good old age." A NATURAL MISTAKE-A boy called a doctor to visit his father, who had the delirium tremens. Not rightly rectrembles-making very poor Latin, but very good English. ollecting the name of the disease, he called it the devil's THE WORTH OF ELDERS.-A minister being asked of what use elders were in a Church, replied that, "It was to give power to ministers; he was a unit, the elders, ciphers-placed upon my right hand, they increase my my elders have got on the wrong side, and reduce me to a fraction." power; but ONE LETTER.-The Glasgow Herald says of a deceased gentleman, "He was not more respected in public than revered in private." A cotemporary, in quoting the paragraph, completely reversed its signification, by dropping a single letter, and writing, "He was no more respected in public than revered in private." One letter does sometimes make a great difference. HUMBUG.-Humbug, which is in universal use, comes unquestionably from Hume of the Bog, a Scotch laird, so called from his estates, who was celebrated in Edinburgh society, during the reign of William and Anne, for the marvelous tone of his stories, in which he indulged so commonly that they became proverbial; and thus a very long shot was always designated "a regular Hume of the Bog." Hence, by simple contraction, humbug. |