Outcast alike of earth and sky,
Useless to live, unknown to die."

It chanced to fall into the sea,
And there an open shell received it;
And, after years, how rich was he,
Who from its prison-house relieved it:
The drop of rain has formed a gem,
To deck a monarch's diadem.

_Amulet_.

* * * * *

THE GATHERER.

"I am but a _Gatherer_ and disposer of other men's
stuff."--_Wotton_.

* * * * *

NEW READING.

A witty wight, on seeing the following line in our last,

_Necessitas non habet_ leg_em_,

supplied this new reading,

Necessity without a _leg_ to stand upon.

* * * * *

O. P. RIOTS.

"What is doing to-night?" asked Kemble, of one of the ballet-masters;
"Oh pis (O P) toujours, Monsieur," was the reply.

* * * * *

A CURIOUS FACT.

An absent man, whose heart can seldom resist the importunities of
beggars, was, a few mornings since, followed by a hungry half-starved
dog, when he inadvertently took from his pocket a penny, which he was
just about to give to the four-footed wanderer, when he perceived his
mistake. It should be mentioned that the above individual had, on nearly
the precise spot, on the previous night, assisted one of his fellow
creatures in the same manner as that in which he was about to relieve
the quadruped. The EDITOR of the MIRROR will be happy to substantiate
this fact to such as may be disposed to doubt its authenticity:--"if it
be madness, there's method in it."

* * * * *

SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Seventeen hundred individuals a year, for the last seven years, have
been committed for poaching.--_Report Prison Discip. Society_.

Crime is a curse only to the period in which it is successful; but
virtue, whether fortunate or otherwise, blesses not only its own age,
but remotest posterity, and is as beneficial by its example, as by its
immediate effects.

At the late Doncaster races, there were 30,000 persons well clothed, and
apparently well fed and happy. 2000l. were taken at the grand stand for
admission.

Mr. Kean is to receive, during the present season, _fifty pounds_ for
each night's performance--the yearly income of a curate!

Singing _Non Nobis Domine_ after dinner is a very foolish custom. People
in England pay 10,000l. a year for _non nobis_. Rather sing