our cause, O Lord, help us, &c." Now, consider ing that the cause of both parties cannot be precisely just, it would perhaps be quite as judicious, and certainly more sincere, as well as modest, to adopt the language, or at least the spirit of an old Scotch woman, who was a sutler in the duke of Marlborough's army. It so happened, that this faithful follower of the camp was one evening talking to a venerable sister of the same profession, but not of the same country, on the probable consequences of an engagement expected to be fought between the two armies next morning. 66 Well," said the English sutler, "Well-it will certainly be a most bloody battle; and all I have to say, is, May God stand by the right!"-" De'el pick out your eyne for your wacked wish," replied the Scotch one," God stand by Hamilton's regiment, reight or wrang."

We cannot, however, close this laughable view of the subject, without a serious remark, that the form of prayer, used in our liturgy in time of war, is the only one which can with propriety be addressed to heaven by a christian congregation. We need not quote the words, as we hope they are familiar to most of our readers.

Light Reading at Leisure Hours, p. 344.

WHEN the ambassadors of John V. duke of Braganza, returned from Scotland, whither they had been sent to negociate a match between his son Francis and Isabel, he made inquiry concerning the person of the princess, and they replied: She has beauty sufficient, and is likely enough to

bear children; but her language is neither elevated nor refined. That is just what I want replied John; and I think that woman learned enough, who knows the difference between her husband's waistcoat and his doublet. Gen. Biog.

VANITY is very commonly in proportion to beauty. For instance, a very beautiful woman always wore spectacles, although she had very good sight. "She, did not wear them," said John Ruffo, "that she might see others better for them, but that others might see her better."

Collectanea, p. 36.

As Rabelais ridiculed the superstition of priests, he also was extremely free in his reflections on the monks, and truly he knew them too well to love and esteem them; he is said not to have been able to refrain his satirical temper, even while he was reading public service; and instead of Qui machantur cum illâ, as the vulgate has it, to have said aloud, Qui monachantur cum illâ.

Life of Rabelais, v. 1, p. 15.

THE Hindoos believe not only in a future, but also in a prior state of existence; and the particulars of this doctrine seem to be nearly as follows; viz.

That man is born into this world seven times as man. That according to his conduct in each state of existence, is his birth, fortune, &c. in the succeeding one. That when good men are entirely purified from all imperfection, they no longer are

detained in the sea of mortal existence, but are transferred to different degrees of bliss: and, finally, absorbed into the infinite ocean of eternal life, God:-while bad souls are sent to do further ance on earth, in the bodies of jackalls, crows, pigs, &c. &c. or sometimes of dæmons. Kindersley's Specimens of Hindoo Literature, p. 567.

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"I have learnt from long experience," says Swift, never to apprehend mischief from those understandings I have been able to provoke: for anger and fury, though they add strength to the sinews of the body, yet are found to relax those of the mind, and to render all its efforts feeble and impotent." Swiftiana, v. 1, p. 143.

AN Irish blockhead was once asked what age he was: "I am only twenty-six," he answered; "but I ought to be twenty-seven, for my mother miscarried the year before I was born."

Dutensiana, p. 25,

AT the commencement of a public dinner at Guildhall, on lord mayor's day, Mr chamberlain Wilkes lisped out, "Mr alderman B—ll, shall I help you to a plate of turtle, or a slice of the haunch. I am within reach of both?"

"Neither one nor t'other, I thank you, sir," replied the alderman, “I think I shall dine on the beans and bacon, which are at this end of the table." "Mr alderman A, which would you chuse, sir?" continued the chamberlain. “Sir, I will not trouble you for either, for I believe I

shall follow the example of my brother B-II, and dine on beans and bacon," was the reply. On this second refusal, the old chamberlain rose from his seat, and with every mark of astonishment in his countenance, curled up the corners of his mouth, cast his eyes around the table, and in a voice as loud and articulate as he was able, called "Silence;" which being obtained, he then addressed the prætorian magistrate, who sat in the chair: "My lord mayor, the wicked have accused us of intemperance, and branded us with the imputation of gluttony; that they may be put to open shame, and their profane tongues be from this day utterly silenced, I humbly move that your lordship command the proper officer to record in our annalsthat two aldermen of the city of London prefer beans and bacon to either venison or turtle soup."

B. M.

RELIGIOUS ceremony at Rome.--What to do with my shallow domestic, Abel, I know not-the fellow hath been perverted by an Irish renegado, and is crossing his forehead and beating his breast before every Virgin Mary he passes:—if I take bim to a church there is no getting him away; and if I leave him at home I am obliged, when I return, to go to the churches to find him..

As the holy week is at hand, pilgrims are flocking in from all parts of the globe.

Previous to their partaking of the general pardon, it is required that they shall have paid their adoration to the crucifix at the top of the stair-case that was brought from Jerusalem; and which is said to

be taken from Pontius Pilate's house; being the same that our Saviour frequently ascended to undergo examination.

I have practised myself to look at the catholic ceremonies with temper; but this scene was so infinitely ridiculous, that, without any evil intentions, I threw a whole body of pilgrims into the utmost consternation.

The stair-case consists of eight-and-twenty marble steps; each of which may hold about ten people abreast, and at this season of the year it is constantly crowded.-The pope himself durst not mount it on his feet.-Upwards of two hundred pilgrims were at this instant ascending, to pay homage to the crucifix, on their knees, and in this attitude moving on from step to step towards the tep Figure to yourself this group-They first appeared to me to be afflicted with the hip goutthey moved like horses with the stringhalt-I could still have borne it all, had I not seen Abel grubbing on in the midst of them, which made me burst into such a fit of laughter, that the holy ones were thrown into such a scene of confusion as you have never witnessed. Suddenly recollecting the expence of plush breeches, I commanded Abel to descend.-Enthusiasm had deafened him to every worldly consideration; and, what added to my chagrin was, that the pilgrims had greatly the advantage of him, ten out of eleven being sans culottes so finding all remonstrance ineffectual, I waited to see the conclusion of the ceremony.

The holy receptacle at the top contains a splendid crucifix, surrounded by about a dozen portable