othy Jordan_ (Vol. ix., p. 351.).--The sentence which
Mr. Leigh Hunt couples with Mrs. Jordan's laugh, as among the best sermons
he ever heard, your correspondent [Greek: Xanthos] will find in the
collection of _Moral and Religious Aphorisms_ of Dr. Whichcote, first
published by Dr. Jeffery in 1703, and which were re-published by Dr. Salter
in 1753. It is to the following effect:

"Aph. 1060. To _lessen_ the number of things _lawful in themselves_;
brings the consciences of men in[to] slavery, multiplies sin in the
world, makes the way {384} narrower than God has made it, occasions
differences among men, discourages comers to religion, rebuilds the
partition wall, is an usurpation upon the family of God, challenges
successive ages backward and forward, assigns new boundaries in the
world, takes away the opportunity of free-will offerings."

It is possible that Mr. Leigh Hunt may have found it in the little _Manual
of Golden Sentences,_ published by the Rev. John Hunter, Bath, 1826, 12mo.,
where it occurs at p. 64., No. xlvi.

With respect to Dorothy Jordan's laugh, to those of your readers who, like
myself, have heard it, and treasure it among their joyous remembrances, no
comment will be wanting.

S. W. SINGER.

"_Paid down upon the Nail_" (Vol. ix., p. 196.).--Your correspondent ABHBA
mentions Limerick, on the authority of O'Keefe the dramatist, as the place
where this saying originated; from the fact of a pillar, with a circular
plate of copper upon it, having stood in a piazza under the Exchange in
this ancient city: which pillar was called "the nail." Permit me to remark,
Bristol also claims the origin of this saying: vide the following paragraph
in No. 1. p. 4. of the _Curiosities of Bristol_, published last September:

"We have heard it stated that this phrase first originated in Bristol,
when it was common for the merchants to buy and sell at the bronze
pillars (four) in front of the Exchange--the pillars being commonly
called _Nails_."

I should infer that, from the fact of Bristol having been at the time of
the erection of these pillars (some centuries ago) by far the most
important place in the British empire (London only excepted), it is more
likely to have originated this commercial saying than Limerick.

BRISTOLIENSIS.

"_Man proposes, but God disposes_" (Vol. ix., pp. 87. 202.).--I regret that
I am unable to afford MR. THOMAS any information respecting