under the door. However, when some repairs necessitated taking up some boards in the shop no less than thirty-one letters, six post-cards, and three newspapers were found, carried thither by rats, who had nibbled away the stamped corners, leaving the rest untouched, thus proving that the gum was the temptation. Some of the letters contained money-orders and cheques.

One of the most laughable items is the singular batch of letters addressed to the Postmaster-General, exhibiting the oddest conception of his duties and capabilities.

Thus a worthy bucolic in search of a customer for his pig writes:

"Dec. 31, 1877.

"Honerad Sir,-My Grandfather Mr. John made a will on or about 22 Oct. 18- dated at leaving to his son, my Father, £1000, the interest to be paid to him half yearly, the prinsaple to be divided among his children at his death. My father died on the

"Dear Sir,-I want you to do me a kines to hand this to some good watch maker and tell him to see if I can by a instrument to tell where gold or silver is in the ground or if there is a instrument maid to find mettel-gold or silver-that are in the ground. If it will attrack it-A instrument for that perpos-I understand there are sutch a thing made. If so, be pleas tell me where I can by one and what it will cost me-It can be sent to New York to where I can get it-I want to get a instru ment to hunt gold & silver-You will pleas write to me as I think if there are sutch a thing maid I could get one in your country-I send you a stamp.'

An amusing individual, wishing to obtain a correspondent on general matters, sex and condition almost immaterial, though the little hint, "lady preferred," would almost seem to infer matrimonial proclivities, writes:

"Indiana U.S. Nov. 29 1877.

"Dear Sir,-Enclosed you will please find a letter which I would like for you to give some young lady or gent—lady preferred-who you think would like a correspondent in this country. Will correspond on topics of general interest-For further particulars glance at enclosed letter as it is not sealed."

are also dealers in

A second appeals:

"London, Nov. 5-1877. "Sir,-i right to you and request of you sinsearly for to help me to find out my husband. i ham quite a stranger in London, only two months left Irelan-i can find know trace of my husband-Your the only gentleman that I know that can help me to find him. thears is letters goes to him to in his name and thears is letters comes to him to the Post Office for him-Sir you may be sure that I ham low in spirit in a strange contry without a friend. I hope you will be so kind as not to forget me. Sir, I would never find for I would go astray, besides i have no money."

"To the person in whose hands this message may fall, I would like a correspondent in your city which I think would be of interest to each of us in the way of information. "My home is in the central part of the United States-my We age is 18-I am a partner in the manufacturing of work. I have travelled all over the I can give you any information you may desire in reference to this country-this must necessarily be brief. Would like to discuss the habits & nature of our people-Today is Thanksgiving Day set apart by our President as a day of thanksgiving for our prosperity &c.; it is observed annually all over the U.S. It is principally observed by giving receptions, dinners &c. It is snowing today; it is the first day of winter we have had-The thermometer is ten above zero. All business is suspended today-Please state what day you receive this, as I would like to know how long a letter is on the roadif you do not wish to answer this please give to some of your friends who will-my address you will find on the enclosed card."

A Swiss teacher, who says, "I am old of twentytwo years," writes a letter, which is a curiosity of cacography for an intending "tutor in a good family."

"Switzerland, 3 Oct 1877. Sir,-You will excuse me of the liberty which I take to write to you, but as I know nobody in your town, I have not found an other way for find relations with some body honourable.

"I will ask you if you can procure me a place in the English. Colonies or plantations as teacher in an institution or tutor in a good family. I am old of 22 years. I have gone a good course of study in the college and the gymnasium in ——, and I have held during a 1 year in the pensionnat an place as teacher of French language and Mathematics. I can give you some good Certificates; I speak French, German and a little English. I should wish for be entirely defrayed of the charges of lodging, nourishment &c., to have a good salary and the voyage paid. These are my conditions; perhaps will you found something for satisfy them-I will give you a commission proportionably to the importance of the place. I hope Sir a favorible answer, and it is in this expectation that I am &c."

Various applicants write for employment:

"Springfield Illinois U.S. 1 Jan. 1878. "Mr. Postmaster if you would be so kind as to seek for us work as we are two coloured young men of Illinois, and

would like to come to England and get work as Coachmen or race horse trainers, as we have been experance for twelve years practicesing training-if any further information about it we can be reckemend to any one that wish to hire us, pleas to advertise it in the papers for us."

Hops

said to be practised on a considerable scale in that city. which have already been used for making extracts, or for brewing in the ordinary way, are damped with tincture of absinthe, or wormwood, freed from spirit by distillation, re-dried, and then placed upon the market as a genuine article, with or without the addition of a little fresh bloom. Owing to their

"June 20 1877.

'My Lords and Gentlemen,-I humbly beg your consideration if there is no law to stop persons from calling all manner of bad names day after day as it is annoying me very much in my calling as a Gardener and Seedsman; as I have applied to the office at for a summons for a little protection and they tell not, so i think it rather too hard for me as i have done all the good I have had the means to do with to the Hospitals and Institutions and all charityable purposes both in and elsewhere if needed, but i suffer from lameness with a ulcerated leg not being able for laborious hard work although i wish to do as i would be done by. Pleas to answer this at your leisure."

The following droll instance of schoolboy ire may end the amusing series:

(" School, Nov. 8, 1877. 'Sir,-Not having received the live bullfinch mentioned by you as having arrived at the Returned Letter Office two days ago, having been posted as a letter contrary to the regulations of the Postal System, I now write to ask you to have the bird fed and forwarded at once to -, and to apply for all fines and expenses to If this is not done and I do not receive the bird before the end of the week, I shall write to the PostmasterGeneral, who is a very intimate friend of my father's, and ask him to see that measures are taken against you for neglect. This is not an idle threat, so you will oblige by following the above instructions."

If Lord John Manners could satisfy all the above and similar applicants, he would merit the title of a "very well-informed man" indeed.

The Telegraph Department continues to increase its labours, and very few complaints of error arise, although when a message dispatched as "We have arrived all right" was transmitted "We have arrived all tight," some mental irritation might not unnaturally arise; however, such slips (of the telegraph)

are very rare.

The Government Postal Savings Banks show a moderate rate of increase; but many careless depositors lose their pass-books; others dislike to be asked if their address is "permanent." One writes in reply: " "No, D.V., for the place is very damp and unhealthy."

The advent of Christmas brings additional hard work and long hours to the busy Post Office officials. About 4,500,000 of extra letters passed through the inland branch of the General Post Office at the Christmas and New Year's season of 1877, much of which increase reached the chief office on Christmas morning, requiring the use of 1,000 additional bags. The average weight of the daily mail arrival at St. Martin's-le-Grand is 23 tons, and of dispatch, 43 tons; heavy days bring these up to 28 and 53 tons respectively.

Verily the Post Office Department "crescit eundo."

Varieties.

ADULTERATION OF HOPS.-We have long heard of old tealeaves being re-rolled and re-sold, but it seems that hops are liable to the same fraud. The "Medical Examiner" says that the "Transactions" of the Medical Society of Upsala contains an account of an ingenious piece of rascality in the hop trade,

unadulterated hops.—Medical Examiner.

66

KEBLE COLLEGE-A member of one of the colleges, whom the Keble boat lately bumped, said of it, "Of course, they will; with the life which these men lead, they are in a constant course of training." They do it for a corruptible crown," St. Paul says, "but we for an incorruptible." I never was anxious for scholarships to attract young men to Keble College. I looked on without dismay to the prospect that talented young men of Keble College might be attracted elsewhere. If Keble College was true to its principles, those who have to seek support by the endowment of other colleges would but leaven them for good, as another college did formerly for evil. Not talent merely, not learning, not clearness of intellect, not scientific acuteness, will win the world, or ever won it. Plato and Aristotle formed schools. God-given energy and faith and simplicity, victory over self, and endurance, converted the world, which hated, mocked, trampled on the truth, but was won to it. Let the members of Keble College put forth the same concentrated energy which they did in their boat, and they will be a power which people will wonder at, but which they will feel.- Dr. Pusey.

EGYPTIAN KNOWLEDGE.-Egyptians were in advance of all nations in knowledge. Macrobius says that Egypt was "the mother of all arts,' and in another place, that the Egyptians were the parents of the philosophical sciences, omnium philosophiæ disciplinarum parentes.' This learning is spoken of honourably in Sacred Writ, as, where Solomon's wisdom is said to have exceeded the wisdom of all the children of the East country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. Whatever they may have brought from Chaldea and the East, there was every cause to produce unusual observation and skill among themselves in their own country. The overflow of the Nile overturned all marks of property, and it was necessary, on the abatement of the flood, to survey the lands. Hence there was a very direct and obvious requirement for geometry, the invention of which is, by Herodotus, Strabo, and others, ascribed to the Egyptians. The measuring of the waters each season, the estimate of produce, the extension of irrigation artificially to parts less benefited by the natural cause of fertility, and many applications of Egyptian priests were freed from ordinary avocations and devoted art attended the peculiar conditions of the Nile valley. The themselves to learning. Royal personages were not superior to the priestly caste, so there was nothing extraordinary in Pharaoh's daughter being married to Moses as one of the priests at Heliopolis, as Josephus says he was. According to the Septuagint, a thousand years separated the flood and dispersion from the appearance of Abraham in Egypt, when there was certainly proof of high civilisation. Surely one thousand years would suffice for this development of life and learning under the conditions of Egyptian settlement.-Stillingfleet's Origines Sacræ.

AN ITALIAN EDITOR.-A correspondent of the "Times" lately gave an interesting account of Italian journalism, and, dealing especially with the "Fanfulla," a leading representative paper, thus describes the editor. The present chief is, he says, Signor Avanzini, a man between thirty and forty, whose very large and very bald head is a conspicuous object as you see him seated at a large table opposite the door through which you come in. At the same table, or at the desks in the corners, sit his chief coadjutors, Signor Pesci, a stout young man, not above thirty, and now one now another of the amiable set, whose articles come out under a variety of noms de guerre-"Don Peppino," 66 Esel,' ," "Jack la Bolina," etc.-better known to the world than those by which the writers were christened. Here and there, sitting on sofas cr arm-chairs round the by no means large room, or standing up in the middle in animated groups, are a crowd of visitors, many of whom have probably as little to do with the work now going on as either you or the man in the moon. The work of "Fanfulla," as of all other Italian journals, is done in the daytime-say, between ten in the morn. ing and four or five in the evening; for these people, wisely enough, dedicate the night to sleep or social pleasures. From ten to four or five the "Fanfulla" office is a talking as well as a working room-more of the former than of the latter. fulla" writes and all the time holds a levée. Business or no business, everybody has a free entrance. You go in, you come out; you sit down, you get up; you talk, you laugh, you read

"Fan

aloud, you spout poetry; you enjoy all the privileges of a thorough Liberty Hall. For the first three or four visits you feel shy and abashed and uncomfortable, you attempt some apology, you stammer out something about intrusion, you shrink in a corner, you hazard your remarks with bated breath, you lower your voice to a whisper, and move about on tiptoe. But the ice is soon broken, and you readily accommodate your self to the humour of the place. Signor Avanzini, the chief editor, the io Fanfulla of the paper, sets you at once at your ease. No one comes in, no one goes out without catching his watchful eye, without being greeted by name as he enters, without being followed by a good-bye when he leaves. Of a stranger no questions are asked, or an introduction, if needed, is the shortest and most compendious, though by no means an uncourteous ceremony. Signor Avar zini is at work, but he sees every one; hears everything. Letters are brought in, and telegrams, and proof-slips; he attends to everything; reads a few lines aloud, or draws his pen rapidly over them; holds hurried consultation with his fat contributor, gives sharp direc tions to his nimble printer's devil; but all is done off-hand, without thinking, apparently, and, as it were, parenthetically. The work of the journal, one would say, is mere drudgery; the real business is the talk; and the talk is generally well worth attending to. The Fanfulla" office is a news-mart of importance; it is a debating-room of no mean pretensions. Among the men who lounge in from the neighbouring House of Deputies, or from the "other place," you have ex-ministers and notabilities, with a sprinkling of poets or critics, playwrights and distinguished actors, to say nothing of "Fanfulla's" own correspondents in Italy or abroad-all witty gentlemen who ramble about the world, but all have pied à terre in the low entresol of Montecitorio, whence they all took their start.

66

TESTIMONIALS FOR ARTICLES OF DIET AND DRINK.-Dr. Hinckes Bird, medical officer of health, draws attention to the too common and very reprehensible practice of medical men and analysts helping the broad-casting of testimonials for almost anything, including alcoholic drinks-especially sherry and whisky. Does it at all follow that the public get the identical article of which, naturally, the advertiser would send the best possible specimen to the analyst ?

CAIRO MEDICAL MISSION.-To other useful and beneficent works conducted by Miss Mary Whately at Cairo, is now added a free medical dispensary, managed by a medical man educated at the Beyrout College. English tourists or residents should do something to alleviate the sufferings and poverty of the oppressed natives of Egypt, who get little aid or protection from their own rulers.

WELL WALK, HAMPSTEAD.-The avenue of limes, leading from the heath to the chalybeate well and pump-room, was, a century ago, the fashionable resort and promenade of visitors

to

"the Wells." It is associated with the names of Richardson, Dr. Johnson, John Constable, Leigh Hunt, and John Keats (whose favourite seat was at its eastern extremity), and, indeed, with those of half the men of letters and art during the past century. It may be added that the old chalybeate spring, which first made Hampstead Wells a celebrated wateringplace, has lately been analysed and found to contain more iron than the springs at Tunbridge Wells, though its flow has been slightly diminished by recent draining and building operations. MEDICINE-TAKING MADE EASY.-A physician has written to a contemporary a recommendation of the new method of administering medicines in the form of effervescing lozenges. The operating ingredients are exactly the same in nature and quantity; the doses are equally effective; it is in the vehicle alone that the medicines differ. It were needless to attempt to describe the repugnance to swallow the dose in its old form exhibited by a youthful patient; a flavour of its nauseousness seems still to haunt the palate as one thinks of the frequently recurring administrations of his earlier years. Does not a shudder at the sight of a red-currant jam-pot even now pass through the maturer frame on the recollection of the vain attempts to conceal the disgusting flavour of the plant of Turkey by its admixture with the conserve of the fruit of the beautiful representative of the genus ribes! Thus much for the old, now for the new. Mr. Cooper's preparation presents itself in the form of a lozenge about the size of an ordinary acidulated drop or rather larger, and much resembling that favourite sweetmeat in shape. When placed upon the tongue an effervescence immediately commences, such as would be produced by dry sherbet-and, indeed, the flavour of the lozenge is very similar to that of sherbet itself. By this flavour, aided by the continued effervescence, the obnoxious medicament is concealed so successfully

as not to be apparent to the taste; so that a child willingly takes the whole dose as he would a sweetineat, and, indeed, utterly unconscious that the delicately prepared deception is other than an extremely pleasing bonbon. An amusing instance, in illustration of this, occurred the other day. A lady, whose family I have for years attended, and to whom I had recommended the adoption of these lozenges for her children, sent for me, and when I arrived informed me that her four little ones were ailing. They appeared healthy, but I prescribed and left. On calling the next day, the mother gave me an easy explanation of the matter. The children had obtained access to a bottle of the aperient lozenges. This fact speaks for itself as to their palatableness. There is scarcely a drug which cannot be thus compounded in any determined quality, and be administered with success. The question may be asked, have I found the effect produced as complete as under the old system? I answer, in most cases more so. The mode of consumption, quietly to suck the lozenge, mixes the drug more completely with the saliva and gastric juice (the secretions necessary to digestion), and it is thus introduced more thoroughly into the system than when swallowed as a draught.

STORKS AS GARDEN SCAVENGERS. At Ferrières, the residence of Baron de Rothschild, for the last few years they have had in the kitchen garden a pair of storks, male and female, and also another pair in their enclosed nursery ground, where conifers, roses, strawberries, etc., are grown. These birds have been found most useful, destroying such pests as toads, frogs, adders, slugs, worms, mice, moles, snails, spiders, flies, etc. They walk about in the garden from morning till night, doing their work; they spoil nothing, break nothing whatever, either fruit, vegetable, or flower. It is very interesting to watch them when the men are digging or planting. They remain with them, clearing carefully the soil of worms, and when they see a man taking a spade, they have the instinct of dogs, and follow him. They give them as food ox-hearts and livers.

CHRISTMAS OF 1878 AT HOME AND ABROAD.-At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in Christmas week, the mean tempe rature was 32.7 deg., and 5.4 below the average in the corresponding week of 60 years. The mean was considerably below the average on the first four, while it showed a marked excess on the last three days of the week; on Christmas Eve the mean was only 20.8 deg., and 17.4 below the average, whereas on Saturday it was 42.4 deg., and showed an excess of 4.9. The lowest night temperature was 12.2 on Wednesday, and the highest day temperature in the shade 46.9 on Saturday; the extreme range in the week was therefore 34.7. An Englishman at San Remo writes :-"The day before Christmas Day I spent in the valley of Taggia, about five miles from San Remo. The day was bright, sunny, and as warm as a midsummer day; the valley itself abounded with magnificent groves of orange and lemon trees laden with their now ripe fruit. Many of these trees were as large as the largest apple-trees, and the fruit on them might be counted by hundreds. I have been accustomed to see orange-trees for years, but never before have I seen them in such perfection, growing, too, in the open valley. When standing on the bridge at Taggia, where Ruffieri first conceived the idea of that most touching of his works, Doctor Antonio,' and looking down this fruitful valley, the scene that met the eye was one which could hardly be surpassed and rarely equalled. Before quitting the bridge I sat long basking in the sunshine and enjoying the beauty of the prospect. In London, I see, gas is sometimes burnt all day, and rarely lighted later than three o'clock; here you can see to read till half-past five o'clock, which in itself is no small advantage in mid-winter."

DR. CHALMERS AND DR. STUART.-A correspondent points out that the amusing anecdoto recently quoted from an Australian paper, is told with full detail in the "Life of Chalmers," vol. i., page 370.

ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS CONSUMED IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IN THE UNITED STATES.-Taking the population of the United States at 45,000,000, and the consumption at £93,000,000 sterling, the proportional consumption in the United Kingdom, with a population of 33,000,000, would amount to £68,000,000 sterling, whereas the consumption is actually £142,000,000 sterling, showing an excess of £74,000,000, and that the consumption of alcoholic liquors in the United Kingdom is more than double that of the same population in the United States. Since 1870 the consumption in the United States has diminished, whereas during the same period that of the United Kingdom has grown from £118,000,000 to £142,000,000. These facts have an important bearing upon the severe international competition which is now taking place, and may with advantage be considered in connection with education, pauperism, and crime.

was sitting cosily over the fire with Nita after the midday meal, Mona put on her hat and slipped out. There was one adieu to be made which filial love would not permit to be left undone. It was a fine balmy day towards the end of January when the sun perseveringly tried to shine in spite of the thin clouds that were equally persistent in endeavouring to veil it. Avoiding the village green, which would have been the direct road to the churchyard, because in no mood for the gossip and friendly condolence of the villagers over her departure, she made a détour, taking a bye-road which joined the other near the Rectory.

The windows were closed, the garden much neglected, and its whole appearance was so changed since they left it that it bore little resemblance to her former home. There seemed nothing to regret except that its master did not appear to like the place well enough to make himself comfortable in it. As she glanced towards the study a figure appeared at the window which must be Mr. Sinclair, for he had a book in his hand. How much she would like to wish him "good-bye," but there seemed little chance of it, as notwithstanding the tangible kindness he had shown the family, he not only avoided intimacy, but kept himself altogether aloof. Since the day he had talked to her about his sister she had never seen him to speak to. It was not unnatural that he should feel offended at her mother's caprice, but Mona would have been better pleased had he overlooked it.

The church was open when she reached it, and a few notes from the organ were swelling through the aisle. A village lad, supposed to have some musical talent, had been learning to play, and was permitted to practise in his leisure hours, inspired by the hope of one day enjoying the dignity of organist. Mr. Sinclair played it sometimes himself, and often instructed the rural aspirant, but there would have been no mistaking the present hesitating touch on the keys even if she had not seen the rector at his parsonage window. To take a last farewell Mona entered and walked about alone, her eye fondly resting upon every spot with which her father was associated. And longest she lingered before a marble slab set in the wall, "Erected in memory of the Reverend Charles Moreton, by his sorrowing and grateful parishioners." From thence she betook herself to her father's last resting-place, a spot behind the church, where reigned the deepest quiet, not likely to be disturbed by any chance lounger of the churchyard. She came to render an account, or rather to search herself. She had not done what she had promised to do, nor what she had tried to do. She had not been the comfort to her mother she ought to have been, and yet poor Mona did not know where she had been wrong. Circumstances had been against her, nevertheless she did not the less sorrow over the result. She was not so dear to her surviving parent as she deserved to be. In mournful meditation she rested against the cold stone. Her hat had fallen a little backward, and a ray of yellow light passing through the coloured glass of the window fell upon her head like a golden aureole. With her pure profile, thoughtful features, and statuesque attitude she might have sat for one of the medieval saints that artists love to paint. When she stirred it was to cover her face, and fall into a passionate fit of weeping.

"Could I but know could I but know what I ought to do!" she exclaimed, aloud. But no answer could come to her; the grave is for ever silent, giving

back neither counsel nor affection. Yet Mona suddenly felt as if she were not alone; the leaves rustled behind her, and it seemed as if some mysterious presence was breathing near her. Recovering herself after a few seconds, she plucked a poor little stunted daisy that had managed to shelter itself near to the headstone of the grave, and picked her way back over the dew-besprinkled grass till she reached the pathway leading to the church and to the road. At the door of the former stood Mr. Sinclair, looking, as she thought, doubtful whether he should speak to her or not; she decided his apparent hesitation by turning in his direction, glad of the opportunity of saying "good-bye."

"Pardon my indiscretion," he said, coming forward immediately. "I hardly know why I took the liberty of following you, as I guessed where you were going when I saw you go by a short time ago. Will you try and believe that it was from some better motive than idle curiosity? Have I made a mistake in assisting you to leave Hillesden? If so I will at once communicate with my sister, and make it all right with her. You would rather remain with us?"

The last words, put interrogatively, obliged Mona to reply.

"Yes," she would have said, had she consulted her feelings, but judgment pronounced differently. “I think I ought to go," she said.

Mr. Sinclair could not do otherwise than walk home with her, but, unwilling to intrude upon her last evening at home, he left her when they reached the cottage, after conversing upon a multitude of topics equally uninteresting to both.

"When your new schools are built I will come back and be the schoolmistress of Hillesden, if you will have me," said Mona, at parting.

The 11.50 train took her to London on the following day. Mr. Graves and Nita saw her off, and her sweet gentle presence passed out of the widow's household for ever.

After her departure Mr. Sinclair visited Mrs. Moreton from time to time, but never got on with her. The old grievance of having been turned out of the Rectory when she would have condescended to remain there, though occupying an inferior position, returned in its pristine force. Nita was more friendly, but she was in every way a poor substitute for her sister.

He

Mrs. Moreton missed Mona's self-denying ways and thoughtful attentions, and sometimes indulged in a little railing against Mr. Sinclair for his officiousness in procuring her an engagement that involved their separation. And he missed her also. missed the dark-robed figure, often seen at a distance, toiling through all weathers for a paltry pittance that would scarcely keep her in shoe-leather, and he missed her yet more from his Sunday congregation, where her interested countenance often encouraged him by the attention it exhibited. If he could speak to any good purpose, or rivet interest after her father, his labour, he told himself, was not in vain. Though personally they seldom came into contact, he nevertheless felt himself a poorer man after she had left Hillesden. He was not in love with her that was impossible with the other tie constantly in his mind; besides, the sweet repose and tranquil enjoyment her presence conveyed had no affinity with the tumultuous pleasure and passionate admiration Helen Lestocq had inspired.