26-Herbarium. B. The paper between which the plants are placed should be frequently dried and changed. 27-Roman Banners. L.-The letters "S. P. Q. R." upon the banners of the Romans, signified, Senatus Populus Que Romanus-The Roman Senate and People.

28-Preserves. J. W. W.-Fruit preserves are always superior in colour, if gently boiled for half an hour before adding the sugar. Twenty minutes will be found sufficient to boil the sugar.-Preserves are very useful in any household.

29-Crochet. "Allow me to point out a mistake in your answer to a correspondent on Crochet,' in which you say the name of the hook is derived from that of the work. It would be more correct to say that the work has its name from the hook (French, crochet) with which it is done.CONSTANS."

30-Raffles.-D. W. says, "A raffle is held-an album the first prize, and a book the second. Two persons throw 39, and one 38; the two who each threw 39 cast again; one 32, the other 24; the 32 takes the first prize, and the 24 the second. Is this correct?"-Yes; this is the just and usual mode of settlement.

31-Language." Sir-I, being a beginner in the Italian language, wish you inform me, which you consider to be the best Italian dictionary, through your good and wellconducted journal."-W. Our correspondent's English composition is so defective, that we advise him to improve himself therein, before proceeding to the study of any other language.

32-Employment. E. F. G. E.-It is very difficult to advise persons how to obtain employment, therefore we usually avoid replying to such queries as are submitted by our correspondent. We may remark, however, that E. F. G. E. writes a legible and sensible letter, giving evidence of literary talent, which we think after a time might be pleasurably and profitably employed.

38-The Sea Anemone. "We have kept the sea anemone alive for more than twelve months, and have had them of various colours and shapes; they are red, with beautiful yellow spots; plain red, sea-green, light red, &c. They vary in colour and form, raising themselves as if they were flowers, and if the least shadow passed over them, they immediately become like a mass of jelly. Living in Exeter, we had not the advantage that parties would have at a sea-port town. Although we had to get the salt water twelve miles distant, we kept three of them alive for nearly sixteen months by having it fresh twice a week. We used to feed them on raw flesh, of which they preferred beef to mutton; and, after a few hours, they voided the residue from the mouth. They are very interesting creatures, well worthy of observation.-J. H., Exeter."

39-Galvanism." I think your correspondent A. B. M. M. (No. 46, App. page 20, par. 80, vol. iv.) in error, when he asserts that the double-coil shock machine is utterly useless as a remedial agent. I should like to know his reasons for the assertion. I have found it of the greatest use in many cases, but especially in those of gouty and rheumatic paralysis. The current, both in the machine described by A. B. M. M., and the ordinary double-coil machine, is a to-and-fro current, i. e. it is alternately a positive and a negative current; and it matters little whether the current be an initial or an induced one, their effect is the same. In many cases it is necessary to employ a current passing continuously in one direction - for a description of a machine to effect which, I would refer A. B. M. M. to Dr. Goldingbird's excellent little work, Lectures on Galvanism and Electricity, in which he will find the ordinary machine recommended, and many cases given of its utility.-A COUNTRY SURGEON."

of other hues.

34-Shower-Baths. K. R.-To those who would begin to use the shower-bath as a permanent practice, we would recommend the summer as the best season for such beginning. In winter the shock being much greater, and the patient probably unaccustomed to exposure to cold, the effect might be too strong, especially upon sickly temperaments, which require great caution in the medical treatment applied to them. If, however, the case were pressing, the temperature of the water might first be raised by adding hot water, and then gradually diminished. 35-Silkworms' Eggs.-We inserted an intimation (App. par. 6, vol. v.) that Mr. Young of Sheerness had offered to supply silkworms' eggs to parties wishing to study the nature of this interesting insect. Unfortunately, the paragraph remained in type for several weeks at our office, and as the operations of nature could not be delayed to meet the circumstances, the germs of insect life became matured, and thousands of grubs, emerging from their cells, walked off, in contempt of the postman. The consequence is, that Mr. Young has now no eggs for the persons who may apply for them.

36-Courtship. J. H. Y.-Some giddy girls are always seeking attachments, or fancying that they exist where, in fact, they are unintended. Ladies that exhibit this propensity, are seldom successful in courtship, or happy in marriage. They disgust the sensible among men, and become at least attached to the brainless or the worthless. People should never court by rules. The wisest Editor can offer little advice in affairs of the heart. All that we can suggest to our anxious correspondent is, that virtuous conduct, exhibited by discreet but cheerful amiability, will assist her most under any circumstances, whether the pretensions of her suitor are acceptable or otherwise. 37-Recipe for French Polish. J. P.-One quart of rectified spirits of wine, two ounces of seed-lac, one ounce of shell-lac, one ounce of gum sandarach, one ounce of gum copal, and one ounce of camphor. Pound the gums, and put the whole into a stone bottle; cork it securely, and place the bottle in hot water, shaking it often till all be dissolved. A very small quantity must be used at a time, and only a small surface of the piece of furniture covered with the liquid, which must be rubbed off immediately; then apply a little more, which must also be rubbed off, and repeated till the desired polish is attained. Another part of the table, &c., must then be treated in the same manner, till the whole surface is polished.

40-Postage. J. E. O.-It is true that the Family Friend, the Family Tutor, or the Parlour Magazine, may be posted to America by affixing one penny stamp to each Yet these works cannot be posted inland at less than the letter rate, which amounts to four-pence on each number. This is an anomaly only in the present post-office and stamp arrangements. A newspaper bearing the official stamp may be posted and re-posted several times, and will pass free. If we were to obtain the newspaper stamp for either of our magazines, it would then enjoy the same privileges. But to do so would involve the giving of legal securities, which, as we are not in the newspaper line of publication, is really altogether unnecessary. How much better would it be for the inland postage of periodicals to be placed upon the same footing with the American rule. We shall be glad if our readers will address the postmaster-general upon the subject, for we believe the anomaly is so great, that it would be readily put an end to.

41-Axioms for the Deaf. G. T.-We copy the following from Yearsley's Contributions to Aural Surgery. It will answer all your interrogations, and prove valuable to many of our aged friends:-Never syringe your ears, nor allow it to be done by others, unless for the removal of an accumulation of wax. 2. Be sure that such accumulation. forms an obstacle to the transmission of sound, otherwise it had better remain where it is; for it should always be borne in mind, that the wax is a natural secretion, placed in the passage of the ear for a specific purpose. Its presence, in moderate quantity, indicates a healthy condition of the outer passages of the ear. Its absence is the effect, and not, as is generally supposed, the cause of the disease which produces the deafness. Like deafness, the want of wax is only a symptom of ear disease; hence the absurdity of attempting its restoration by stimulating drops and ointments. 3. Never pick the ears. 4. Never wet the hair, nor wash the head with cold water-a most pernicious practice. 5. Never bathe, or use a shower-bath, without carefully protecting the head and ears; even then I question its propriety. 6. Never attempt to stop a discharge from the ears, but under proper advice; for it may be, that the drum of your ear is open, and then the employment of a stimulating or astringent injection will risk some fatal consequence. 7. Never apply, nor suffer to be applied, anything to the outer passages of the ears, which causes heat or pain. Such applications may prove of temporary benefit, but when the stimulus has subsided you will be left worse than before. 8. Be strict in diet. Stomachic derangements are a most prolific cause of deafness. 9. Never expose yourself to wet or wintry weather. 10. Never consult an aurist, who is not an educated and diplomatised surgeon, and who does not admit that deafness is an infirmity, often difficult of removal, and, very often, incurable.

42-Accidents-Bathing. B. T.-At this season of the year when bathing or water excursions are common, the following hints will be found useful to those who cannot swim:-Rules to govern persons who have fallen into deep water. 1. As soon as you find yourself at the surface,

whither you are raised by your buoyancy, let your body quickly take its level, when the water will reach a little above your chin. 2. Place one lez a little forward, and the other a little backward, and stretch out your armis on either side under the water. By a slight paddling motion, you may regulate the position of your head, and keep the inouth and nose above the surface of the surrounding fluid. Make no efforts, buterait tranquilly until succour arrives. You cannot sink. 3. Do not lay hold of your companion or assistant, or you will infallibly sink him without benefiting yourself. The best swimmer has no more natural buoyancy than you, and would be sunk by the exertion of very little force. 4. Remain perfectly passive till your helper seize you by the hair. Upon this, endeavour to second his efforts by throwing yourself on your back. Hold your neck stiff, and let your hind head sink into the water. Try to propel yourself at this stage by regularly and slowly kicking against the water. 5. Be careful to keep every part of your body except your face under the water. 6. If two or more persons are immersed together, let them keep near to each other. By this means one boat may save the whole party at once; but if they are dispersed, one at a time can only be picked up.-Rules to govern persons who attempt to rescue the drowning.-1. In removing a body from the water, whether into a boat or drawing it along by your own efforts, always keep the face upwards. 2. Recollect that you have no more buoyancy than the person you are attempting to rescue. Therefore do not attempt to raise him out of the water, or you will sink. By a gentle traction, you may draw him towards the boat or landing-place without fatigue or danger. 3. Always aim at seizing the bind hair of the head, and keep the nape of the neck and your own arm under the water. Thus you will insure his face and your own being above the surface. 4. Keep your most powerful arm disengaged for swimming, and maintain the other projected forward, having hold, as directed, by the hair of the hind head. In this way you may advance side by side, he floating on his back, and you on your breast. 5. As you approach the person distressed, let him know by your voice; the prospect of his speedy succour will add to his confidence and strength. 6. Let all your movements be deliberate, firm, and gentle. 7. Hold the hat reversed in both hands, the arms and hands of course under water. If a person has presence of mind to accomplish this, the hat will by its buoyancy afford him great assistance, until it becomes saturated and admits the

From this it appears-1. That one-seventh part of the females who marry in England are married between the ages of 15 and 20, or one-seventh part of a woman's chances of marriage lies between those years. 2. That fully onehalf of all the women who marry are married between 20 and 25, or one-half of a woman's chances are comprised within these five years. 3. That between 15 and 23, precisely two-thirds of a woman's chances of marriage are exhausted, and only one-third remains for the rest of her life up to 70. 4. That at 30 no less than 85 chances out of the 100 are gone, and 15, or about one-seventh only remain. She has strong reason now for improving her time. 5. At 35, a fraction, a tenth, is all that remains to her, which is reduced to a twentieth at 40. 6. At 45, her chances of marriage have sunk to one-fortieth; and at 50, to one-hundredth. At 60, there is still a glimmering of hope, for it appears that among females about one marriage in 1,000 takes place at and beyond this age. The number of women married between 15 and 20 is six times greater than the number of men. The number of men and women married between 20 and 25 is very nearly equal; but the number of men married at all higher ages is greater than the number of women. 44-Our Office, We had scarcely opened our Office in

Fleet Street, (69,) when a hump-backed gentleman, with an enormously long nose, was seen prying into the window, to the imminent danger of the panes, and the et ceteras that were displayed behind them. This was Mister Punch, of joke-making notoriety, whom we at once recognised as an old friend, and a public benefactor. We little thought, at the time, that our window and its contents were to be made instrumental in embellishing a sing of Punch's weekly show. Let us, however, perform the part of a scene shifter, and transpose from Punch's comic stage to our own theatre of arts, literature, and science, the picture which the facetious limner has drawn from our new establishment. Here it is:-" Literary Samples. We notice a great improvement in the shop-windows of some of our literary contemporaries. One of them, in Fleet Street, has displayed a most miscellaneous stock of toys, haberdashery, and perfumery. It consists of Anti-Macassars, bottles of Eau-deCologne, children's 'tiddity-iddity' boots and shoes, ladies' handkerchiefs, gentlemen's braces, relieved here and there with bunches of peaches and grapes made in the most tempting wax. The effect is very good, and attracts many a passer-by to look in at the window, where after stopping for half-an-hour over a chess-board, wondering however it is possible for White to win in three moves,' he rushes into the shop in despair, to buy the number that contains the solution. We think the idea is so excellent, that it should be imitated by all the newspapers and periodicals of the day. We throw out, at random, the following suggestions, which any of our contemporaries are welcome to, if they think them worth adopting. They may pull in a customer or two, besides being looked upon by the pubic as fair average samples of the usual contents of the paper.” Punch then proceeds to suggest the objects which might be exhibited by a "Protectionist Newspaper," a "Sporting Journal," a "Gardening Paper," &c.-" The Provincial Papers," he says, "should have a stock of wonders perpetually on view, which might be remitted to London as their attraction began to fade in the eyes of country subscribers, in order to feast those of metropolitan readers. Thus we should have an opportunity of witnessing for ourselves those wonderful phenomena which are so often read of in the country papers, but never, by any accident, met with in our rambles through Nature. Each separate wonder should be labelled, and the identical paragraph that eulogised its incredible proportions or attributes, should be conspicuously displayed underneath. In this manner we should see exhibited, "This Extraordinary Shower ti Frogs,' from the Tipperary Moderator, lying by the side of A Wonderful Take of Salmon,' that had been sent up by the Manx Cat. Country papers would compete with each other, in contributing the most startling phenomenon; and, after a time, a paper like the Morning Herald (or rather like what it used to be in its palmy days of gobemoucherie) would be able to collect a Museum which would make Barnum leap over the Falls of Niagara (in his own exhibition) from sheer despair. But the great advantage of these shop-window exhibitions, after all, would be to convince incredulous readers that the vegetable and other wonders which they read of from week to week, did not sprout out of a Penny-a-liner's prolific imagination, but had really grown and flourished in some less fabulous soil. If we read of a Sheep with ten legs and two tails,' we should all of us be too inclined to doubt it; but where is the man who could refuse to swallow the sheep if he saw it in a shop-window, and was enabled to count the legs and tails for himself?" But the moral of the article is designed to be expressed in the concluding paragraph:"And what great phenomenon should Punch exhibit? Why, nothing but his weekly number. Admiring millions see it every week, and are happy and content, knowing too well that it would be impossible for Punch to show them any greater Wonder!" If we are not mistaken, the fair logical deduction from this "summing up" is, that the admiring millions who see Punch exhibited in his shopwindow, are content with its exhibition there, "knowing too well," &c.-we need not repeat the unfortunate confession. We pity Punch for having written so unwittingly. We can testify to the public that our Friend is Punch's constant travelling companion, and that although the former is eagerly caught up by the fairest of the fair, and the wisest of the wise, and is borne from the side of his companion to the firesides of his admirers, Punch finds goodly association in all the club-like institutions, where drowsy influences are required to be counteracted by sparkling wit, and where humorous pictures offer a happy relief to querulous politics. He is not therefore confined to that pane-ful quarantine which his own words unwittingly intimate, For ourselves, we cannot spare our numbers to lie in the window we have therefore adopted the new idea to which Punch has called attention.

45-Lloyds'. A. B.-Letters of inquiry addressed to "Lloyds', London," would be safely delivered. The firm is universally known.

46-Poetry. B. L.-We know of no book that will instruct you to write poetry. Study the best poets for method; but go to nature for inspiration.

47-Mourning. P. T.-"If a man loses his mother, ought his wife to appear in equally deep mourning as her daughter, and remain in it equally long ?"-Yes.

48-Wedding Cards. H. G.-We can offer no explanation why ladies' cards are larger than gentlemen's. It is a custom, for the origin of which no particular reason can be assigned.

49-Mite. B.-The piece of money spoken of in the Scriptures as a mite, amounted to about seven English farthings. The mite of a later date, and at one time much used in commerce, was equal to about one-third of a farthing.

50-E. B. To Extract Grease-spots from Linen.-The following method is not generally known, and is certainly the most simple, and best we ever met with :-Take magnesia in the lump, wet it and rub the grease-spots well with it in a little time brush it off, when no stain or appearance of grease wili be left.

51-Paint Spots.-E. J.-When paint has dried into woven textures, it is very difficult to remove it. Turpentine, or spirits of wine, should be applied as early as possible. The surface may be broken up by the point of a pen-knife or scissors; but this must be done carefully The spirits should be applied continually, until a fair trial has been obtained.

52-Bees. J. G. C.-The insect observed by J. G. C. was probably the Upholsterer Bee, (Osmia papaveris), which are most commonly found in France. They excavate holes in the earth for the occupancy of their young, and furnish their apartments by curious coatings of flowers and leaves. An interesting account of them is given in Kirby and Spence's Introduction to Entomology.

53-Month. P. B.-The calendar month is a twelfth division of the year. A solar month is the time in which the sun passes through a whole sign of the zodiac-it is 30 days, 10 hours, 29 minutes, and 5 seconds. A lunar month, or the period of one moon, is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 3 seconds. A civil month consists of a certain number of days, according to the laws and customs of different countries. In the year there are twelve solar months, and thirteen lunar months.

54-Eye-Lashes, Hair-Dye, &c. J. P.-The eye-lashes of young persons, being slightly clipped, will grow again, and will usually acquire an increased length. We noticed an instance lately, in which a child cut his lashes, but they grew again, and are now very long. We recommend, however, their being merely clipped at the extreme endsthe effect being observed, they may be treated accordingly subsequently. The best hair-dye is that composed of the nitrate of silver, and the hydro-sulphate of ammonia. (See 22, and refer to Quadruple Index for Hair-Dyes.)

55-Influenza.-W.-This is an epidemic disorder now very generally known, though many other disorders are erroneously called by its name. In 1802 a disorder of this nature excited universal attention. It first appeared on the borders of China, and ultimately traversed the whole of the European continent. No sex, age, or state of health was exempted. It showed itself chiefly as a severe cold, attended with catarrhal fever, of a more or less inflammatory or bilious character. But though it was generally attended with much debility, it did not often terminate fatally.

56-Leeches. H. B.-Leeches may usually be induced to take more readily than otherwise, by rubbing the surface to which they are applied with a little milk. Previous to their application the skin should be carefully cleansed, not with soap, but with plain warm water. A wineglass is the best thing to keep them over the spot where they are to be applied. When they have performed their office, they may be made to disgorge the blood by putting a few grains of salt upon them. They are often killed by the application of too much salt. Probably were they put into salt and water for a little time it would be better.

57-Marriage. A correspondent puts the following case, and submits the question annexed:-"A widower has a son whom he takes to a friend's house. The father is in love with one of his friend's daughters, whom he has proposed to, and is accepted. The son, not knowing of this, falls in love with a younger daughter, and is also accepted. The wedding-day is fixed, when he is informed by his father, that it is contrary to law to marry his aunthis father had got married that morning! What is the son to do?"-We believe there is no legal impediment to his

marriage; but our opinion must not be implicitly relied

upon.

58-Medicine Stamps. J.-Pills labelled thus, "Jones's Gout Pills," or "Jones's Pills for the Gout," or in any other way in which the name of Jones is employed to indicate a peculiar medicine or pill of his invention or property, is liable to the medicine stamp. But boxes of pills merely labelled, "Aperient Pills" "Gout Pills," Diuretic Pills," &c., which claim no monopoly of interest or character, are not liable. Many chemists have been fined of late for affixing their names to bottles of compound sarsaparilla. A chemist may affix to the bottle, "Com pound Sarsaparilla, sold by J. Jones;" but he may not say, "Jones's Compound Sarsaparilla," without incurring the duty, or penalty in default.

59-Baron Munchhausen. W. E.-It has been doubted by many that such a personage ever lived, but it is nevertheless well authenticated that he was a German officer in the Russian service, and served in several campaigns against the Turks. He was a passionate lover of horses and hounds, of which, and of his adventures among the Turks, he told the most extravagant stories, till his fancy so completely got the better of his memory, that he really believed his most extravagant fictions, and felt very much offended if any doubt was expressed on the subject. Having become acquainted with Burger at Pyrmont, and related these waking dreams to him, the poet published them in 1787, with his own improvements, under the title of Wunderbare Abentheuer und Reisen des Herrn von Munchhausen. The wit and humour of the work gave it great success, and it was translated into several foreign languages. The baron died in 1797.

60-Woman.-The subject which is introduced at par. 25, has called forth several effusions. We select the following as

A REPLY TO "A VOICE FROM THE KITCHEN.'
Woman can study learned scholars,

And also make shirts, fronts, and collars;
Let her rise early every morn,

In modest garb herself adorn.

The first hour spent in praise or prayer,

Or reading Bible, will prepare

Her mind for each domestic care.
At breakfast she should there preside,
To all around her smiles divide.

The well 'ranged house she then will view,
To see the maid her duties do-
Or lend a hand, as need may be;
And then for dinner she must see
All is prepared; the pies can make,
Gravy, or soup, or jam, or cake.
But this need not take all her time,
From breakfast hour to when they dine.
Perhaps the sick may need her care,
For friendly call she'll then prepare;
And then what lessons she may learn,
From Nature's book! She may discern
Wonders the ignorant never see,
Passing their way all heedlessly!
A man may wish his partner fair
His house to keep with greatest care,
To minor matters to attend,

No buttons lacking, hose to mend;
But happier he will be to find
A rich and cultivated mind,

In her who rules his household well.
The myst'ry then, fair maids, I'll tell-
Economise your time with care,
You'll find some leisure hours to spare
From daily toil or household care.
Method and order keep in view,

And you will find I've spoken true.-ANNA. 61-Interest. W. W. Interest is the money paid for the loan of a sum, denominated the principal, for a given time according to a fixed rate. The notorious bill discounters of London require extortionate interest, and the circular received from W. W. is evidently from one of the party. To pay exorbitant interest for money employed in business is almost certainly ruinous. The man who pays twenty per cent. for cash to carry on a trade which, after paying all expenses and draw-backs, except the interest, yields him only fifteen per cent. must certainly come to ruin. Interest is distinguished as simple, and compound. Simple interest is that which is paid for the principal, or sum lent, at a certain rate or allowance made by law or agreement of parties, whereby so much as £5, £6, or any other sum is paid for £100 lent out for a year; and the same amount of interest per cent. per annum for any longer

time. Compound interest is that which accumulates when the simple interest is added to the principal, and the subsequent interest calculated on the constant accumulation. In this manner the principal nearly doubles every fourteen years. The accumulation of money when placed at compound interest, after a certain number of years, is exceedingly rapid, and in some cases truly astonishing. One penny put out at five per cent. compound interest at the birth of Christ, would, in 1810 have amounted to a sum exceeding in value 357,000,000 of solid globes of standard gold, each in magnitude as large as this earth. (So says "Conversations-Lexicon.")

62-Chess.-In the recent "tournament" between the chess players of all nations, in the first series of games,

Anderssen defeated Kieseritzky,

Löwenthal,

Anderssen thus proved himself the best player. There being eight prizes, the losers in the second and third series had to play again among themselves. The result of their play was that

Szen defeated Horrwitz and Capt. Kennedy,
Capt. Kennedy defeated Mucklow,
Williams defeated Staunton.

The relative strength of the players, therefore, appears as follows:-1st. Anderssen; 2nd. Wyvill; 3rd. Williams; 4th. Staunton; 5th. Szen; 6th. Capt. Kennedy. At the time of our writing, the 7th and 8th (Horrwitz and Mucklow) are not decided. Mr. Harrwitz, our Chess Editor, did not take part in the tournament; but he is now engaged in a match in which Anderssen, Löwenthal, Horrwitz, Kling, Mayerhofer, Deacon, Szabo, &c., take part. Each player will play a game with all the rest, and the winner of the greatest number of games will receive a splendid silver cup, value one hundred guineas, upon which will be engraved a suitable inscription.

63-Prize Conundrums.-At Professor Anderson's recent entertainments in Plymouth, a prize of a watch and chain was offered for the best conundrum, and the gift was awarded by thirteen jurors to Mr. Braddon, the author of the following:-"Why is the Bishop of Exeter like a mad bull?-Because he first makes Shore (sure) his victim. and then rushes head-long to Gorham (gore him)." Among some 180 conundrums, there were a few others which appeared to me to be superior to the one which, in the opinion of the jurors, merited the prize. I quote two of them. "How does it appear that our sailors are compelled to smoke on board ship?-Because whether they choose (chews) or not, the captain often gives the order to pipe all hands!"" Again-" Why is the port of Plymouth like a very wonderful phenomenon in Acoustics?Because it includes a part of the sea that is called the sound, and that is the only sound that we can see." What is your opinion of the relative merits of these conundrums?-W.-We think the latter one by far the best. The first one is personal, and consists of two rather farfetched perversions of the sounds of proper names. Moreover, its hypothesis is a false one: a bull does not first make sure of his victim, and then proceed to gore him-it is by first proceeding to gore him, that he makes sure of his victim. The con upon the Plymouth Sound is clever and fair in all its bearings. We do not doubt the integrity of the jury-we differ from their judgment. There are cases in which the judgment of thirteen may be inferior to that of one. The latter may be skilled in analysing the subject under judgment; the former inay be quite unskilful, and would be led by first impulses and appearances. That a jury of matrons is inferior to a qualified surgeon, has been proved in several instances of late. In the great competition that will occur in connection with our next Prize Enigma, for which we offer prizes respectively of one

hundred guineas, fifty guineas, and twenty-five guineas, we shall appoint known persons, skilful in the subjects of which the enigmas will treat, to assist in the award, and guarantee the integrity thereof. We shall do this because the prizes offered being of high value, the public will require it, and we will make the fairness of the proceeding unquestionable. Hitherto we have not thought such a course necessary. We could not call upon private gentlemen to wade through thousands of folios of MS. in a matter where the prizes were trifling in amount. The publication of the successful compositions, and the names of the for tunate competitors, has hitherto been a sufficient guarante to the public. The forthcoming competition will be th most exciting of the kind that has ever taken place. The final award, in connection with the late Prize Enigma, is now in progress, and will be announced soon.

64-" Excelsior!" T. B.-This word is derived from the Latin, and is the comparative of the adjective excelsus high, lofty. Its meaning, therefore, is-"still higher;" and in the beautiful poem by Professor Longfellow (p. 20.) it is adopted as the motto of a genius whose world experience is thus illustrated. Upon the first budding of his aspirations he is met by the cold discouragement of the world"The shades of night were falling fast,

As through an Alpine village pass'd

A youth, who bore, mid snow and ice,
A banner with this strange device-EXCELSIOR!
"His brow was sad; his eye beneath
Flash'd like a falchion from its sheath;
And like a silver clarion rung

The accents of that unknown tongue-EXCELSIOR!" The influences of home operate to his discouragement, bui the vision of his ambition urges him on

"In happy homes he saw the light

Of household fires gleam warm and bright;
Above the spectral glaciers shone,

And from his lips escaped a groan-EXCELSIOR!" The predictions of timid Old Age are employed to endeavour to deter him :

"Try not the pass!' the old man said, 'Dark lowers the tempest overhead, The roaring gulf is deep and wide!' But loud that clarion voice replied-EXCELSIOR!"

Next arise the seductive influences of love"Oh, stay,' the maiden said, 'and rest, Thy weary head upon this breast!'

A tear stood in his bright blue eye,

But still he answered with a sigh-EXCELSIOR!" Other warnings are given with the view of deterring him from hazardous attempts

"Beware the pine-tree's wither'd branch! Beware the awful avalanche!""

But already he has flown from the trammels sought to be imposed upon him

"This was the peasant's last good night,

A voice replied far up the height-EXCELSIOR!" The influences of bigotry and superstition now surrounds him, but his course is still onward-"still higher!"

"At break of day, as heavenward

The pious monks of Saint Bernard
Utter'd the oft-repeated prayer,

A voice cried through the startled air-EXCELSIOR!" But his trials and privations are great, and, worn out in the pursuit of the lofty and the good, his strength of body

fails him

"A traveller by the faithful hound Half buried in the snow was found, Still grasping in his hand of ice That banner with the strange device-EXCELSIOR! "There, in the twilight cold and grey, Lifeless, but beautiful, he lay;

And from the sky, serene and far,

A voice fell like a falling star-EXCELSIOR!" Though his body had fallen his spirit had gone up "st higher," to meet its reward. The word has been adopted by many (ourselves included) as a motto. The lines have been set to music, and were exquisitely sung by the Hutchinson Family during their travels in England. We do not know where in this country the music may be obtained. The song breathes a holy spirit of aspiration, and should never be profaned by lips whose heart is false to the sacred ties of private and publie duty.

65-Enlisting. W.-No person enlisting can be compelled to be sworn-in before a magistrate in less than twenty-four hours, and then they are at liberty to withdraw upon their returning the enlistment, or bounty money, and 21s. costs.

66-Sewing. S. K.-In sewing on the skirt of a dress or petticoat, it is a mistaken though common idea to use very strong thread; for then the gathers do not give way to any pull-but the material does. It is therefore better to use slight thread.

67-Crests. B. P.-Ancient warriors wore crests to terrify their enemies by an exhibition of some ferocious shapes emblematical of the foes they had conquered. Subsequently, the practice became modified, and crests were adopted as marks of family dignity and distinction.

68-Cucumbers. H. R.--Cucumbers are certainly nutritious; but they are slightly so compared with other vegetables. They are difficult of digestion, especially when full-grown and seedy. They formerly grew in great abundance in Palestine and Egypt, where, it is said, they constituted a great part of the food of the poor and slaves. The plant was brought from the Netherlands about 1538. 69-Tooth-brushes. H.-Tooth-brushes may be made to last as long again, by those who use them much, and yet are obliged to consider frequent expense, by having two in use at one time, and using them alternately, drying them after every time of using; for the rest they each obtain seems to restore their primitive elasticity and stiffness.

70-Deafness. L. W.-Mr. Yearsley is an experienced surgeon in aural matters. His intimation not to bathe the head (41) is addressed to persons who suffer from deafness -not, we presume, to persons who are free from it. We think, therefore, that L. W. may continue the practice of daily washing the head, without danger. We know many others who adopt the same practice.

71-"Churching." E. B.-The usage of "Churching" originated in the Jewish rite of purification. Churching is the act of returning thanks in a place of worship for any great deliverance. It was a Jewish law, that a woman should keep within her house forty days after confinement, if she had a son, and eighty if she had a daughter. At the expiration of the time, she was to go to the Temple and offer a lamb with a young pigeon or turtle, or, in case of poverty, two pigeons or two turtles.

72-Jack Shepherd. T. B.-This notorious thief really existed, and was executed at Tyburn, Nov. 16th, 1724. Eugene Aram was executed at York, Aug. 6th, 1757. A man named Calcraft was executed for forgery at the Old Bailey, 1821: we are not aware of any relationship between himself and the present executioner. Joseph Hunton, a Quaker, was executed for forgery at the Old Bailey, 1828. There is a society for the abolition of capital punishments.

73-Black Eyes." Having read your answer (11) about black eyes, I beg to enclose a receipt which, if used directly the accident has happened, will effectually remove the pain and all signs of blackness. It is as #follows:-A lotion made of equal parts of gin, vinegar, and cold water, mixed together; the eye or eyes should be bathed for ten or fifteen minutes-this operation should be repeated again in about an hour, if the pain and swelling continue. I and my friends have used this with the utmost success.-J. D." [See also 21.]

74-The Dog Days. P. B.-These days commence on the 3rd of July, and end on the 11th of August. Dr. Hutton says, that common opinion has been accustomed to regard the rising and setting of Sirius, or the "dog-star," with the sun, as the cause of excessive heat, and of consequent calamities, instead of its being viewed as the sign > when such effects might be expected. The star not only varies in its risings in every one year as the latitude varies; but is always later every succeeding year in all latitudes; so that in time, the star may, by the same rule, come to be charged with bringing frost and snow.

75-Dr. Faustus and the Devil. T. H.-One of the earliest printers, Faustus, determined upon the policy of concealing his art, and to this we are indebted for the tradition of "The Devil and Dr. Faustus." He was the associate of John Guttemberg; they printed from fixed types, cut upon blocks of wood. (All letters now used in printing are single, except a few that cannot be well combined if they are made separately, such as fl, f, fi, &c.) This rule applies even to the smallest type. Having printed off numbers of copies of the Bible to imitate those which were commonly sold in MS., he undertook the sale of them in Paris, where printing was then unknown. As he sold his copies for sixty crowns, while the scribes demanded five hundred, he created great astonishment; but when he produced copies as fast as they were wanted, and lowered

the price to thirty crowns, Paris was greatly agitated. The uniformity of the copies increased the wonder. The police was set to work against him as a magician; and his lodgings being searched, and a great number of copies being found, they were seized. The red ink with which they were embellished was supposed to be his blood; and it was seriously believed that he was in league with the devil; and if he had not fled, he would have shared the fate of those whom superstitious judges condemned in 1460 for witchcraft.

76-Epigram. T. B.-The following is a type of what is termed the epigrammatic composition. It was written by Dr. Doddridge, and pronounced by Dr. Johnson to be the finest specimen in our language. It is upon the words

DUM VIVIMUS VIVAMUS.

"Live while we live!' the epicure will say, And taste the pleasures of the present day.' 'Live while we live!' the hoary preacher cries, And give to God each moment as it flies.' Lord! in my view, let both united be;

We live in pleasure, when we live in Thee!"

77-Galvanism-In the Appendix (39), a" Country Surgeon questions the truth of my assertion that an induced current is utterly useless as a remedial agent. My assertion is derived from experiment. Our experiments would seem to lead to opposite conclusions; but the contradictory appearance is easily explained. In cases of paralysis, gout, rheumatism, and any nervous disorder, an induced current is often nearly as effective as the voltaic inducing current. The current is the proximate cause; the motion it produces is the remedial agent, which, exciting the nervous fluid, renews vital energy. But when, as in cases of indigestion, consumption, &c., the current is to be substituted for the nervous fluid, an induced current would be applied in vain. There is no alternate dualism, but the current flows continuously along the helix, and becomes polar at its extremities, which is also the case with the double coil machine, but the effect is not the same; for the polarized inductive state of each helix is totally opposite to that of the other, and the currents are relatively for constant quantity. Either, therefore, will form a magnet, ignite wire, or excite spasmodic action, beeause these are the effects of quantity. But as the action of a current on an imperfect conductor, such as the human frame, is directly proportionate to its intensity, and as the magnitude. of that action is directly proportional to the actual quantity which passes, it follows that both quantity and intensity are required. Volta-electric induction is produced by the. projection of a force through an interval, and in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the inducing current. Now, as the quantity of induced electricity, for equal currents, is inversely as its tension, it is obvious that an induced current cannot supply the place of vital fluid.-A. B. M. M., Devizes. -I think your correspondent, the "Country Surgeon," very much in error, when he uses the ordinary electric magnetic machine for medical purposes; at the same time, he must be aware, the electric current is passing, alternately to and fro in the system. It has been proved, by numbers of our learned medical men, to be decidedly injurious. Enough is said in Professor Haler's pamphlet, to convince any man of the futility of practising with the double-shock machine. Dr. Wilson Philip fully illustrates the necessity of sending the current in one direction. Horne, in his work, says: "That to derive the greatest possible amount of benefit, the current must be made to flow in one direction, and that if it flow in a contrary direction, a change of structure, and the foundation of disease must be the inevitable consequence." Dr. Goldingbird states:-"On this account, however useful such apparatus is, (the electric magnet), it is likely to fail in certain forms of paralysis, in consequence of our not being able to transmit, by its aid, the positive current in the directions of the nervous ramifications." Consult also Dr. Apjohn's work. The way to prove if your apparatus is really fit for medical purposes:-Excite the machine to be tried in the ordinary manner; prepare a strong solution of starch, mixed with a small quantity of iodide of potassium, and moisten a piece of white filtering paper with it; attach to the handles ten small points of platina wire, one two-hundredth part of an inch in thickness. By placing the ten points a quarter of an inch apart, the iodine will be separated from the potassium, and unite with the starch, forming a purple stain. If a really useful machine be tried, the stain will only appear under the positive wire; if the contrary, under both; showing at once the difference bewixt the two. At some future period I may, probably, forward a sketch of the one I made.-J. P. [We hope our correspondent will do so.-Ed.]