petulent young lawyer of family was every now and then interrupting the conversation by asking, "Who had seen the elephant that was then shewing at the king's arms tavern, one of the greatest curiosities in the world." After talking about this for some time at the bottom of the table, he put the same question to the judge. Burnet saw the young man's folly, and very gravely replied, "He had not; but that he was very glad he mentioned the circumstance, as he was puzzled to know how to act, and would be obliged to him for his advice. The point is this:As the showman and I have both entered this town preceded by trumpets, the great question is, who should pay the first visit? Pray, sir, can you inform me?"

Being once applied to by an old farmer in his neighbourhood for his advice in a law suit, he heard his case with great patience, and then asked him, whether he ever put into a lottery? "No, sir," says the farmer, "I hope I have more prudence than to run such risks.' "Why then take my advice, my good friend, and suffer any inconvenience sooner than go to law, as the chances are more against you there than in any lottery."

Drossiana.

JAMES COLONNA, the friend of Petrarch, had nobly distinguished himself in a dispute between the emperor and the pope, and had even exposed his life to the fury of the emperor's troops, which surrounded him, while he was the only man who ventured to read the pope's bull to a thousand persons assembled; and after this he boldly said, " I

"

oppose Lewis of Bavaria; and maintain that pope John XXII. is the catholic and legitimate pope; and that he who calls himself emperor is not so.' No one replied, and this adventurous step proved successful.

Dobson's Life of Petrarch, v. 1, p. 30.

A shoemaker of Dublin had a longing desire to work for dean Swift: he was recommended by Mr James Swift, the banker, and Mr Sican, a merchant. The dean gave him an order for a pair of boots, adding, "When shall I have them?"" On Saturday next," said the shoemaker. "I hate disappointments," said the dean, "nor would have you disappoint others: set your own time, and keep to it." "I thank your reverence," (said Bamerick, for that was his name) "I desire no longer time than Saturday se'nuight, when you will be sure to have them without fail."

They parted, and the boots were finished to the time; but, through the hurry of business, Mr Bamerick forgot to carry them home till Monday evening. When the dean drew the boots on, and found them to his mind, he said, "Mr Bamerick, you have answered the commendation of your friends, but you have disappointed me, for I was to have been at sir Arthur Axheson's, in the county of Armagh, on this day. "Indeed, and indeed, sir, (said Bamerick) the boots were finished to the time, but I forgot to bring them home."

The dean gave him one of his stern looks; and after a pause asked him, whether he understood gardening as well as boot-making? Bamerick, an

swered, "No, sir: but I have seen some very fine gardens in England." "Come (said the dean, in a good humoured tone) I will, shew you improvements I have made in the deanery garden."

They walked through the garden to the further end, when the dean started, as if recollecting something, "I must step in, (said he) stay here till I come back;" then he run out of the garden, locked the door, and put the key in his pocket. Bamerick walked about till it grew dark, and not seeing the dean, he at last ventured to follow him, but found the door locked; he knocked, and called several times to no purpose, he perceived himself confined between high walls, the night dark and cold, in the month of March. However, he had not the least suspicion of his being intentionally confined.

The deanery servants went to bed at the usual hour, and the dean remained in his study till two o'clock in the morning. He then went into the hall, and drew the charge out of a blunderbuss, and other fire arms, then returned and rang his bell. He was immediately attended by one of his servants. "Robert, (said he) I have been much disturbed with noise on the garden side, I fear some robbers have broke in; give me a lanthorn, and call up Saunders. Then the dean took the lanthorn, and staid by the arms until the men came. "Arm yourselves (said he) and follow me." He led them into the garden, where the light soon attracted poor Bamerick, who came running up to them. Upon his approach the dean roared out, "There's the robber, shoot him, shoot him."

Saunders presented, and Bamerick, terrified to death, fell on his knees and begged his life. The dean held the lanthorn up to the man's face, and gravely said, "Mercy on us! Mr Bamerick, how came you here?" "Lord, sir, (said Bamerick) don't you remember you left me here in the evening?" "Ah! friend (said the dean) I forgot it, as you did the boots;" then turning round to Robert (who was butler) he said, "give the man some warm wine and see him safe home." Darby Coleman, one of Bamerick's workmen.

WHEN Ann of Brittany made her entry into Paris, the precautions taken by the Parisians were so great, that troops of ten or twelve females were stationed with chamber utensils, for the dames and demoiselles of the procession. St Foix.

AFTER the news of the destruction of the stamped papers had arrived in England, the ministry sent for Dr Franklin to consult with; and offered this proposal: "That if the Americans would engage to pay for the damage done in the destruction of the stamped paper, &c. the parliament would then repeal the act."

The doctor, having paused upon this question for some time, at last answered it as follows:

"This puts ine in mind of a Frenchman, who, having heated a poker red hot, ran furiously into the street, and addressing the first Englishman he met there, Hah! monsieur, voulez-vous give me de plaisir, de satisfaction, to let me run this poker only one foot into your body? My body!' re

plied the Englishman: what do you mean?'Vel den, only so far,' marking about six inches. Are you mad?' returned the other; ' I tell you, if you don't go about your business, I'll knock you down Vel den,' said the Frenchman, softening his voice and manner; ' vil you, my good sire, only be so obliging as to pay me for the trouble and expense of heating this poker?""

Memoirs of Foote, v. 3, p. 70.

MR SERJEANT COCHILL, like many others, had conceived a great desire to be in the company of Morland to see him paint; and having a picture of his, which by some accident had been injured, Mr Wedd, with much difficulty, prevailed on the artist to go to the serjeant's house, to touch upon it; though not till he had stipulated that he should not be obliged to receive any money, as the serjeant had always behaved in a very friendly manner toward him, and had offered his professional assistance, should he ever stand in need of it. Morland in a few hours finished the picture, highly to the satisfaction of Mr Cochill, who presented him with a purse of guineas. This no persuasion could induce to accept. So much however did he mistrust his resolution, that he whispered his friend not to leave him, lest in his absence he should be overcome by the temptation. Mr Wedd was at last obliged to interfere, and inform serjeant Cochill of the conditions under which alone Morland had consented to come.

On one occasion, about two years after this, during his confinement in the king's bench, while