78-Letters. C. E. T.-The etiquette of letter-writing, should, as much as possible, be influenced by principles of truth. The superscription and the subscription should alike be in accordance with the tone of the communication, and the domestic or social relation of those between whom it passes. Communications upon professional or business matters, where no acquaintance exists to modify the circumstances, should be written thus: "Mr. Gillot will feel obliged by Mr. Slack's sending by the bearer,' " &c. It is an absurdity for a man who writes a challenge, or an offensive letter, to another, to subscribe himself "Your obedient Servant." We dislike this form of subscription, also, when employed by persons of equal rank. It is perfectly becoming when addressed by a servant to an employer. But in other cases, "Yours truly," "Yours very truly," "Your Friend," "Your sincere Friend," "Your Well-wisher," "Your grateful Friend," "Your affectionate Friend," &c., &c., appear to us to be much more truthful, and to be more in keeping with the legitimate expression of good feeling. It is impossible to lay down a set of rules that shall govern all cases. But as a principle, it may be urged, that no person should address another as "Dear Sir," or "Dear Madam," without feelings and relations that justify the use of the adjective. These compliments are mockeries. No one who entertains a desire to write another as "dear," need feel afraid of giving offence by familiarity; for all mankind prize the esteem even of their humblest fellows too much to be annoyed by it. And in proportion as the integrity of the forms of correspondence increase, so will these expressions of good feeling be more appreciated.

79-Advertising. J. B.-We are fully of opinion, that the investment of capital in advertising any business of fair commercial merit, is a sound policy. If quack doctors, by the sale of questionable cures, realise large incomes, after the outlay of enormous sums for advertising, may not those things which have real merit in themselves find an extensive sale by general publicity? But much discretion is required in the outlay of capital devoted to advertising. The circulation of papers, the localities and classes among which they are distributed, and other matters, require aiways to be taken into account. We think it is a mistake for advertisers to rush into those papers which are greatly over-crowded with advertisements. When there is such a mass of them, nobody reads them; where there are but few, they are forced upon the attention. We know a person who once tried the relative value of papers as advertising mediums by an ingenious experiment, which enabled him to calculate pretty accurately what each paper produced. The dearest papers proved to be by far the best; and the result was, that the papers and periodicals tested proved themselves productive in the following order-1st. The Illustrated London News; 2nd. The Family Friend; 3rd. The Family Herald; 4th. The Christian Penny Churchman; 5th, Punch; 6th. The British Banner, Watchman, Standard of Freedom, Britannia, Gardeners' Chronicle, &c.; 7th. The Ladies' Newspaper; 8th. The Daily News, Morning Advertiser, Times, and the other daily papers. The experiment extended over many weeks, and included repeated insertions in each paper. And the result was invariably the same, that those papers having larger circulation, and a limited number of advertisements, paid the most profit, although their charges was double that of the others. The largest sum we ever knew to be paid for a single advertisement, was £450, by Mr. Bennett, jeweller, of Cheapside, for the outside page of the Exhibition Catalogue, guaranteed number, 250,000. We ourselves paid £69 for the narrow strip, advertising therein the Parlour Magazine of the Literature of all Nations. The advertisement in Punch's Aimanack cost us £50. Provincial papers are valuable for local advertisements principally; but they are also beneficial to interests requiring national propagation. A speculator, however, to deal successfully with them, should understand their relative importance. Good advertising agents, such as Maxwell and Co., 31, Nicholas Lane, Lombard Street, may save advertisers important sums by the advice they can offer, founded upon long experience. Newspapers would, we think, do better in the advertising line, were they to "make up" their papers upon a new plan, arranging a column of news to follow a column of advertisements. Thus, the eye of the reader would necessarily be carried over the advertisements. And, to meet the difficulty of the continuous readings at the top of each advertising column, about a "stickiul " of the news matter might be placed. Papers thus arranged would find increased favour with advertisers.

80-Joanna Southcott.-In your Appendix (20), there is a note to a correspondent, who appears to have made some inquiry about the late Joanna Southcott; that note

contains two serious errors, which I am sure you would not propagate intentionally. In the first place, the followers of Joanna never exceeded 25,000 at any time; and in the second place, she never sold a single seal. I happened to be thrown amongst her friends and supporters early in life, some of whom were men of unimpeachable character and considerable ability; and during forty years no man has had a better opportunity than myself of knowing the truth; and whatever we may think about the faith of her followers, I feel assured that you will agree with me, that it is not necessary to depart from the strict line of truth and justice, when speaking of a party who stand so low, and are as universally despised as the followers of Joanna Southcott.-W. B. H.-Another correspondent writes as follows:-In answer to a correspondent, you state, that Joanna Southcott's writings are blasphemous, and also that she made a great deal of money by selling her seals, &c. &c. I judge by the answer that you are not acquainted with her writings; and had you gone by the Scripture rule of trying and proving all things, you would have done well. Your answer is by no means new; such assertions have been made years ago. For your informa tion, and that of your readers I will give you Joanna's own answer to those who said she sold her seals, and this I find in her 16th Book, page 63:-"As some say I have one guinea for a seal, and others say that I have five guineas for it-and the same report they have spread about my friends that they have taken money also; and several have declared that they wished to have signed for Satan's destruction, and for the coming of Christ's glorious and peaceable kingdom to be established, but could not afford so much money-I now answer all. I never took one penny for sealing the people in my life, neither have any of my friends; such an idea never entered my thoughts, heart, or mind, or the thoughts, heart, or mind of any who are joined with me, all I desire of any is to show their love, and desire for Christ's kingdom to appear, and Satan's power to be destroyed, by putting their hands what they say in their hearts they wish for; but those who do not wish it, are not to sign, for the Lord judgeth from the heart, and the hand and the heart must go together. Were I not assured it was the command of the Lord, that all who wished for Christ's kingdom, and the powers of darkness to be destroyed, should join their hands with their hearts by signing their names, I would not suffer it myself for the world to seal the people in the name of the Lord, as knowing it to be a sin of the deepest dye, if He had not commanded it. But all who sign for Christ's kingdom to be established, and Satan's to be destroyed, shall be sealed to the day of redemption to inherit the tree of life; and this seal is given without money and without price." Now, Sir, this book was published in August, 1803, called the Second Book of Visions, and entered at Stationers' Hall; and, after this, thousands were sealed; and any person must be insane to purchase when this public declaration is made, that they are to be given. I know many of the sealed people; but I never heard one of them say their seal cost them anything. I have a seal myself; and I solemnly declare, in the presence of God, it never cost me one farthing. With respect to your saying her writings are blasphemous, this I do not wonder at; for there is now the same spirit in man as there was in men when our Saviour was upon the earth. But the Spirit that visited Joanna Southcott dictated to her the way and man. ner in which she should publish her writings; and it was that spirit that indited the whole; and I believe it to be the Spirit of the true and living Lord. In speaking t Joanna Southcott, he says, "My visitation to thee is to bring men to a knowledge of the Bible." And, in her 19th Book, 58th page, he says, "I have foiled the prophecies of men, and made it more plain to the woman, that you may begin to lift up your heads, and know your redemption draweth near, and my words near to be ful filled, that Satan's curse, which was pronounced (Gen. i. 14) shall fall upon his head, and my kingdom of peace near to be established. But all these mysteries you must dig deep to find, for this is the pearl of great price:

"For deeply you must weigh the fall,
And deeply weigh the woman's call,
That 'tis to have the serpent cast,
That she the Prophetess is plac'd-
To tell you all the end is come,

That Satan must receive his doom." We have been obliged to greatly abridge our correspondent's defence of Joanna. But we think that her cause loses nothing by our so doing. We do not, however, profess to discuss doctrinal subjects, though this can scarce! be considered such. Joanna was evidently an "ignorat female fanatic," as the foregoing quotation from "h book" will show.

81-Black Book. H. R.-The term is applied to a work devoted to an exposition of the misappropriation of the revenues of the state. It is said to have been originated in 1175, by Gervais, of Tilbury. But, since his time, many books and pamphlets of a similar character, and bearing the same title, have been published. 82-Clothing for Invalids. H. D.-Persons of delicate and irritable constitutions, whose powers are weak, and circulation languid and unsteady, are apt to have the perspirations checked by very slight causes; this also hapFens to invalids, whose complaints are thereby much exasperated. Until the constitution, therefore, has been strengthened, and as it were hardened by being gradually Habituated to air and exercise, they ought rather to exceed than be deficient in the quantity of clothing.

83-Bachelor. C. T.-The term implies, in its primitive sense, an unmarried person. It indicates youth, except when used with the prefix "old." There was an ancient denomination of knighthood called bachelors. They were the lowest rank of knights, whose title was not hereditary. Bachelor, in Universities, is one who has attained certain degrees in the liberal arts and sciences. At Oxford and Cambridge, to attain the degree of Bachelor of Arts, a person must have studied there four years; after three more he may become Master of Arts; and, at the end of another seven, Bachelor of Divinity. 84-Wardian Cases. S. E.-We consider that we have already said all that is necessary-generally speakingrespecting these miniature greenhouses. (See vol. iii. pp. 294, 295.) We shall still be happy, however, to answer any special questions regarding their management. We take the opportunity to observe, that glass shades with basins are now manufactured for growing ferns in, on the Wardian principle. They are much less clumsy in appearance and reality than the cases; are more ornamental in a room, and considerably cheaper. They may be obtained from six inches in diameter, price half-a-crown, up to twelve inches, price seven shillings and sixpence.

85-Colouring and Scenting Pomatums. E. C. D.-Pomatums are seldom coloured of any other tint than red or pink; this is given by alkanet root, which has the peculiar property of imparting its colour to oils and melted fats, but not to water. Half a drachm of it may be coarsely powdered, and steeped in oil or melted fat intil the colour is extracted; this quantity will be sufficient to tint a pound of pomatum. The ingredients used in scenting pomatums vary with every scent required. It is impossible to answer definitely so general a query as E. C. D.'s; but we hope before long to lay before our readers a complete series of articles on all matters connected with the toilet. 86-Scarlet Dy for Ivory, Hair, &c. R. E. D.-Ivory is dyed of a scarlet colour by first steeping it in a tin mordant, and then plunging it into a solution of Brazil wood, cochineal, or a mixture of the two; or lac dye may be used. The tin mordant used for fixing these otherwise soluble and fugitive colours, is made in various modes by different dyers; it consists essentially of a solution of tin, and may be made as follows:-Mix one pound of nitric acid with one of water, and add an ounce and a half of sal ammoniac; when dissolved, add by degrees two ounces of grain tin in fine division. Grain tin is the pure metal, and must not be confounded with tin plate, which is merely sheet iron with a covering of tin.

87-Storm Glasses. T. M. and many others.-The recipe in the Friend (App. vol. ii., par. 188) for making storm glasses directed the use of proof spirit. T. M. has employed rectified spirits of wine, and without success, the reason being that nitrate of potash (one of the materials used) is absolutely insoluble in it. Rectified spirit should be 56 deg. above proof, and every five parts of it requires the addition of three of water to produce proof spirit, which contains rather less than one-half absolute alcohol, the remainder being water. Let T. M. try with spirit properly diluted, and we have no doubt he will succeed; the alcohol will dissolve the camphor, and the water of the spirit the saline ingredients.

88-Blood. H. K. The blood takes its origin from the chyle, which is produced by the digestion of food in the stomach. It may take from three to seven hours to convert elementary substances into blood. As the blood circulates, it deposits nourishing particles in its course, and thus repairs the tissues to which it is supplied. It also removes those matters resulting from decomposition consequent upon vital action. Every particle of the body nas a life and death independent of the life and death of the general system. And the body of man really lives and dies many times in the course of what is termed a life. Such is the rapidity of the circulation, that if the blood flowed at an equal rate in a straight line, it would run through one hundred and fifty feet in one minute..

89--Gas. T. T.-Gas was first evolved from coal by Dr. Clayton, in 1739. Its application to purposes of illumination was first tried by Mr. Murdoch, in Cornwall, in 1792. Sir Humphrey Davy, also a Cornishman, stated his opinion before a committee of the House of Commons, that it would be impracticable to light London with gas. We see his error. The first display of gas-lights was made at Boulton and Watt's foundry, in Birmingham, on the occasion of the rejoicings for peace, in 1802. In 1805, gas was permanently used, to the exclusion of lamps and candles, at the cotton mills of Phillips and Lee, Manchester, where 1000 burners were lighted, 1805. Gas lights were first introduced into London, at Golden Lane, August 16 1807; Pall Mall, 1809; and were general throughout London in 1814. The gas pipes in and around London extended to 1,100 miles. See the Enigma, p. 151.

90-Mode of obtaining Magnesia from Bittern. J. G.Bittern may be regarded as a solution of muriate of magnesia. Various plans are adopted to obtain the magnesia from it. If carbonate of soda (the common washing soda) is added to it, the two salts mutually decompose each other, and yield carbonate of magnesia, and muriate of soda; the former, however, falls but slowly, and is not readily collected. The cheapest mode in which magnesia can be formed is, to calcine magnesian limestone (which is a most abundant building stone), and boil for some time in bittern, when the lime is dissolved by the acid of the bittern, and the two portions of magnesia, that from the liquid and that from the magnesian limestone, are left unacted upon. Another plan is, to boil the bittern with sulphuric acid, or sulphate of iron (green vitriol), whereby it is converted into sulphate of magnesia (or Epsom saits), which is readily purified by crystallization, and may be made to yield carbonate of magnesia by decomposing it by carbonate of soda. Bittern contains, also, a portion of sulphate of magnesia (Epsom salts), and, if concentrated by boiling, this is deposited in crystals on cooling-this is the process followed at the salt works at Lymington, Hants." No other useful products are obtained from bittern, nor is there any book which gives anything more, than the above general details of the manufacture.

91-Bouts-rimes. W.-This is a species of amusement generally known in France. It is pronounced "boo-rema." A number of words that rhyme are given to a composer, who is to fill up the verse, producing good sense, and keeping the words in their stated order. Thus:

Now, it would require considerable skill for any one to take the above and present them, in their present order, in a perfect composition. Yet it may be done:

'Tis night; the mourning vest of nature-dark
And gloomy is the starless sky; around
A melancholy stillness reigns; but hark!
'Tis but the hooting owl. A sound
Again breaks on the silence; 'tis a shrill

Cry from some churchyard;-all again is still.
Where now the grandeur of creation! Where
The crowds that mingle in the busy strife?
All's now a dismal chaos, lone and drear,
Rayless and black. And thus it is with life-
Awhile the scene is beautiful and bright;

Then comes one deep, and dark, and cheerless

night.

92-Killing Insects for Cabinets.-T. S., and W. R. P.The mode adopted for killing insects for preservation in cabinets, varies with the different tribes. Dark coloured beetles may be plunged as captured into a bottle containing spirits of wine, and on reaching home, they may be dipped for an instant into scalding water, dried on blotting-paper, and are ready for the cabinet. Those of delicate colours may be fixed in a tight tin box, which may be plunged for a few moments in boiling water. Butterflies, moths, and dragon-flies, may be killed by sharply pressing the thorax, without injuring the wings, and then pinned; or the pin may be dipped in a strong solution of oxalic acid before being used. Large moths and dragonflies, which are exceedingly tenacious of life, may be instantly killed by holding the wings above the back, and dipping merely the under surface of the body for an instant into scalding water; or they may be fixed to a cork, tightly wedged into the bottom of a gallipot, which is to be then inverted, and plunged mouth downwards into boiling

water. By far the greater number of insects are killed immediately, if a few bruised laurel leaves, which exhale prussic acid, are kept in the collecting box. The fumes of burning sulphur should not be employed, as they injure the colours of insects considerably. Parasites, which infest birds, and others of small size, may be conveniently put into a quill, which after corking, may be dipped into boiling water.

93-Testimony from a Friend.-We have received the following from a literary gentleman, and cannot help giving so encouraging a testimony a place in our pages:Dear Sir,-As a sincere admirer of the Family Friend, and as one who has lost no opportunity in recommending it, both publicly and privately, I may, perhaps, without impropriety, claim the privilege of transmitting to you a line of direct communication. I have long felt, that well-conducted publications, such as the one under your guidance, are a desideratum in the walks of literature. We want a bond of union amongst families. Our purest, strongest, sweetest social relations are family relations. The Bible has no more delightful term whereby to represent the close relationship of God's intelligent creatures, "in heaven and earth," than that of a family. We have books for fathers, mothers, children, masters, servants, in their separate capacities; but what is wanted above all, is something to blend in one harmonious and affectionate whole these, distinct, and too often conflicting elements. There can be no more patriotic or sacred work, than that which aims to realize the true idea of family relationships. Were all the families of England true to themselves, no government could possibly be false to them-or rather, no government would ever wish to be. Disorder in the family, multiplied by thousands, is disorder in the state. Whatever, therefore, tends to unite in one common bond of good feeling the various members of a household, and thus to render all households, what they ever ought to be, but too often are not-namely, families-is deserving of the warmest commendation of every lover of his country and of mankind.

But

94-Enigmas, Conundrums, &c. The same friend writes as follows:-"At Appendix 63, I read with much satisfaction a few sentences on conundrums. Your scheme is really a magnificent one, and will doubtless create quite a sensation. I trust that the enigmas and the replies may alike be worthy of the conception-nor do I doubt it. Suffer me to remark on the "Sound" conundrum at App. 63. I think that, upon close examination, you will admit that it is not quite legitimate. The Plymouth Sound is not the only sound that we can see, for there are the Baltic Sounds, and many other sounds, as of course a very slender knowledge of marine geography will teach us; so that, in a marine sense, the proposition is untrue. still further-a fish's air-bladder is called a "sound," and this is a sound that we can see. If you go to Billingsgate market, you will see" Prime cod sounds," written up in many a shop, and on inquiry you may see these piscatorial dainties themselves.-Yours truly, J. H. B." [It is quite true that the conundrum on the Plymouth "Sound" is defective in the particular pointed out by our esteemed correspondent; but the error is a slight oversight that may be remedied thus:-Why is the port of Plymouth like a very wonderful phenomenon in acoustics? Because, although we cannot see "sound" it exhibits a sound that we can see." There is also a surgical instrument called a "sound."]

95-The new Freezing Preparation. W. J. C., R. Y., W. C., &c.-We have received several letters on the subject of the new Freezing Preparation, and some of our correspondents seem to require further specific directions as to its employment, the term parts having been misunderstood. To mention, therefore, actual quantities one pound of muriate of ammonia, or sal ammoniac, finely powdered, is to be intimately mixed with two pounds of nitrate of potash or saltpetre, also in powder; this mixture we may call No. 1. No. 2 is formed by crushing three pounds of the best Scotch soda. In use, an equal bulk of both No. 1 and No. 2 is to be taken, stirred together, placed in the ice-pail surrounding the ice-pot, and rather less cold water poured on than will dissolve the whole; if one quart of No. 1, and the same bulk of No. 2 are taken, it will require about one quart of water to dissolve them, and the temperature will fall, if the materials used are cool, to nearly 30 degrees below freezing. Those of our correspondents who have failed may trace their want of success to one or other of the following points-the use of too small a quantity of the preparation; thus one correspondent employed a few ounces; whereas, in freezing ices, the ice-pot must be entirely surrounded with the freezing materials: no one would attempt to freeze with four ounces of ice and salt, yet these quan

tities of the freezing preparation have been used by some of our correspondents, and, of course, a failure has been the result. Again, too large a quantity of water may have been used to dissolve the preparation, when all the excess of water has to be cooled down instead of the substance it is wished to freeze. All the materials used should be pure, and as cool as can be obtained. The ice-pail in which the mixture is made must be of some non-conducting material, as wood, which will prevent the access of warmth from the air; and the ice-pot, in which the liquo to be frozen is placed, should be of pewter, and sur rounded nearly to its top by the freezing mixture. Ou? correspondents should bear in mind that the making o ice-cream, under any circumstances, is an operation requiring considerable dexterity and practice; and that if they fail with this preparation, it is rather hasty, as one of them has done, to apply the term "total failure," to a preparation which has been used by the ton weight, and which the practical chemist from whom we derived our information has had the honour of demonstrating before the highest scientific authorities in the kingdom.

96-Anecdotes of Animals.-Mr. Editor-My Mamma has given permission for me to write and tell you a little story about our black Pussy, hoping it will please all your Family Friends. Pussy followed our groom home one day, and she would not afterwards go away; and as I had become very fond of her, Mamma said that I might keep her. A few weeks ago we went into the country, and while we were away, Pussy had two little kittens, and a day or two before we returned, cook drowned them both, believing that Mamma would not have more cats kept. Pussy became very sad, and it made me very sorry to see her so. One day she went away, and did not return, and cook used to laugh and say that she had committed suicide, and I used to scold cook for being so very unfeeling. I told the groom to look about for Pussy, and at length he found her in the hay-loft over the stable, with two other kittens, very like those that were drowned. We all wondered where these kittens had come from. Pussy was so fond of them, that she would never leave them, and it was dangerous for any one to go near her. Soon afterwards a strange cat was seen searching about our stable, and when she discovered the kittens she seemed very glad, and tried to carry them away, but our Pussy would not let her. They fought very much, and Pussy covered the kittens over with hay to prevent their being stolen from her. But the strange cat persevered, and would sometimes carry away the kittens, soon after which our Pussy would bring them back again. At length the two cats seemed to have settled their quarrel by each taking one kitten, the strange cat keeping hers in a place in the roof, and Pussy retaining her nest on the floor. With this settlement they appear to agree very well, and will probably be friendly soon. We have since found that the strange cat belonged to a neighbour, and that she had two kittens about the same time as ours, and much like them; and that our Pussy, mistaking them for her own, had taken them away. I think this a pretty story, for although Pussy took away the kittens from their right mamma, she did not know it, or I do not think she would have done so.-My mamma also says, that I may tell you about our Newfoundland puppy, Juno. He was a fine fellow, and when about eight months old was as high as our table; and when he put his paws on it, and stood up, he was almost as high as Papa. We used to put Grandpapa's hat and spectacles upon him, which made him look very droll. He would fetch anything that had been concealed, after he had once seen it; and was getting into the way of taking a letter to the post-office, and putting it into the box. He would ring the kitchen bell at our door, by jerking the chain with his paw, or with his nose. He would sometimes go out, and would ring the bell, upon his return, for the servant to let him in. When we were walking, we would tell Juno to run on and ring the bell, and he would do so, and get the door open for our arrival. Sometimes my brother Robert would tell Juno to ring the bells at strangers' doors, and Juno would do so, and then scamper away; but when he got a good way off, he would look back at the disappointed servants, with his mouth open and his tongue out, as if laughing heartily. This used to look very droll. But one day we heard a strange noise coming from our area, and, upon looking out, we found our poor Juno in fits. It had what Papa called the distemper; and a dreadful temper it was, for a day or two afterwards poor Juno died.-We have a small paroquet, which, if we say to him, "Give me a bit," will bring up small particles of food from its stomach, and place it on one of our fingers.-Mamma tells me to present her kind regards to you, and to express her hope, that you will please me by putting these in your dear Friend.-Believe me truly, AMELIA.

fatigued, and upon coming to a part which was very steep and difficult to pass, the first who attempted to proceed, after futile endeavours which quite exhausted him, lost his footing, and being so weakened by his exertions, was unable to recover himself, and rolled downwards till he came to the place from which he had started; and so likewise did the others, one by one, as they assayed to advance. Meanwhile, he who had chosen the ordinary and easier, though somewhat longer way, arrived, without feeling at all distressed, at. the top of the hill.-W. E. H." [We have inserted the first Fable here, as a matter of correspondence, to show our Family Friends the plan proposed. We shall be happy to see it carried out, and will, in our sixth volume, if not earlier, introduce the feature suggested by our correspondent. Meanwhile, our readers may exercise themselves upon the invention of fables, and the deduction of appropriate morals.

114-Diamonds. J. G.-The diamond is found mostly in the East Indies and South America. Its chief feature consists in its excessive hardness, which far exceeds all other bodies, and by which, and its colour and brilliancy, it may be easily known from all other stones; for whilst it possesses the property of scratching or cutting all known substances, there has been none found capable of acting in a similar manner on it. It is rather more than three times and a half as heavy as water; it is neither volatile nor fusible, and will not dissolve in any liquid. It is generally devoid of colour; but sometimes occurs tinted of a bluish, yellow, or rose colour-these colours add to its value according to the beauty of the tint. In its rough state, as when found, it is of a milky or brownish colour, and of an irregular rounded form, and sometimes crystallized. The diamond has been known from the earliest ages, and held in high estimation, not on account of its brilliancy (as the ancients were ignorant of the art of cutting them, and wore them in the rough state), but because so few were met with in nature. The art of cutting and polishing diamonds was not discovered until 1476. Up to this time no substance had been found that would grind them. But, by accident, two diamonds having been rubbed together, it was found that they polished each other-[this is the origin of the saying, "Diamond cut diamond"]-and upon this depends the whole art of cutting them. Two diamonds are secured in handles, and rubbed against each other to grind them to the shape required, and the dust that falls is used, mixed with oil, to polish them. The Romans used to pound small diamonds to powder, to cut and polish other stones; but this does not seem to have suggested to them its use to polish itself. Diamonds are often called "rose diamonds,"""table diamonds," and "brilliants; " but this only refers to the manner in which they are cut, as there is but one kind of real diamond. When two diamonds are rubbed together, the point of contact forms a little flat surface; this is called a "facet." Rose diamonds have all these facets tending to a point on the sides and top of the stone, as in Fig. 1, and the under side perfectly plain. Table-diamonds have a flat, oblong top, with facets, and the under side large facets. The brilliant, which is the most valuable form, is somewhat of the same shape, but has the flat facet on top very much smaller, and nearly round; and the sides and bottom are cut into a greater number of smaller facets, which, also, are made to reflect into each other -it thus emits the greatest light, and the most variegated colours; (see Fig. 2.) The dust that comes from the cutting of diamonds is used for cutting cameos, crests, and letters on cornelians, and other stones, and for polishing the pebbles used for spectacles; without it they could not be worked.

Fig. 1. the sides cut in very large brought to a point, also, with

Fig. 2.

115-Impositions. We have already (par. 10) called attention to a scheme "utterly unworthy the confidence of the public," advertised by "L. L. D., care of E. W. George, Esq., Solicitor, 7, Clement's Inn, Strand, London," holding out the absurd pretension, that, "for the trifling outlay of five shillings, subscribers may make quite certain of realising from 251: to 100 per annum."

The

Having announced our opinion that the affair was an imposition, we were waited upon by two persons who threatened us with an action, for which we announced ourselves quite prepared, and gave them the name of our solicitor. The parties, however, kindly suggested, that legal proceedings would be certainly ruinous to us, and that, therefore, we had better "treat the matter commercially!" But we declined treating or tampering in any sense; and we are glad we did so for the following reasons. A gentleman, residing at Leicester, has forwarded to us the following communications: "Dear Sir, -You have already noticed the scheme to which these communications refer, and perhaps further information may be acceptable. Some two months ago, I observed the tempting advertisement of L. L. D. in the papers-wrote for the printed circular, and received it by return of post, together with the blan specimen of "scrip" which is numbered (1) among the papers. I read the circular, and thought the proposal it contained, though very suspicious, might possibly be a bona fide thing. I then wrote to Mr. George, and Sir H. W. Barron, two of the parties referred to in the circalar, inquiring whether their names were so used by their authority. From neither of these gentlemen did I receive any reply; and, on referring to the list of London solicitors, I find there is no such name as E. W. George. I further consulted a young legal friend, as to whether subscribers to the proposed scheme would really, as stated in the circular, incur no further liability than the amount of their subscriptions, as I am not unacquainted with the dangers of joint-stock companies. My friend thought the case doubtful; that at least there was no certainty of the scheme not being held by law a joint-stock company. Under these circumstances, I took no further notice of the matter. A few days ago, however, I received by post another circular, with a printed note enclosed (marked No. 2); this circular being an enlarged edition of the former one. object of these editions seemed generally to be, to impress greater confidence upon the minds of the readers-to endeavour to remove suspicions which the projectors evidently found to be common. After perusing this corrected circular, I wrote to the manager of the scheme, Mr. W. Kendall, plainly telling him what a doubtful appearance his plan wore in the eyes of business men; and how I had written to the parties before-mentioned without receiving any reply, and requesting some further assurance of L. L D's bona fide intentions. Mr. Kendall's answer you will find enclosed, (marked No. 3.) Now, as L. L. D.'s advertisement is in all the papers throughout the kingdom, apparently, and, if a swindle, is doubtless deluding bundreds, I think it is really a matter of importance to inves tigate the affair, and ascertain, if possible, whether subscribers are really throwing their money to the winds. The proposal is tempting. I know of others in this townpersons who can ill afford to be robbed-who have been tempted by it.-Yours respectfully, F. T. M."—Mr. Kendall's answer :-" 9, Arthur Street West, London, 21st August, 1851. Sir,-No stronger or more satisfactory assu rance as to subscribers incurring further liability than that already given in the circular could possibly be given. Nothing more will be required nor demanded. The projector of the proposed undertaking has been careful to avoid partnership for his own sake, and all the high legal authorities he has consulted agree with him in opinion that he has effectually done so. You are quite wrong in imagining that the proposed undertaking is a company. L. L. D. simply sells legally a certain description of property. You are the only party I have yet met with (although numerous barristers have subscribed) who has yet expressed doubts on the subject of no liability. Your next objection is answered in the certificates, and in my note on fourth page of circular. You wrote to the parties you allude to-I should judge by your mode of writing to meas a sceptic. Who, therefore, would attempt to satisfy any party who is determined not to be satisfied! I would not, myself, could I not communicate my ideas by deputy. The time of most respectable people is of value, but this never enters into the heads of their numerous correspondents. I am answering your letter as I progress, but as you proceed, it is evident you imagine you would be conferring a favour on subscribers generally by subscribing, but the reverse happens to be the case-no sceptic is therefore wanted as a subscriber.-Yours obediently, W. KEYDALL."-No sceptic is therefore wanted as a subscriber? We have ourselves italicised the passages in Mr. Kendall's letter, which we think sufficient to open the eyes even of the most confiding. The whole thing is decidedly a deception. We may state that we have had three actions commenced against us for the exposure of similar impositions, but the parties have been glad to pay costs and quit the field.