Upon my soul me kill myself very soon, if
you no love me for this grand amour. Me be, madam, your great slave, votre
tres humble serviteur, PRES A. BOIRE."
W.G.C.
* * * * *
OLD LONDON BRIDGE.
It is well known that Peter of Colechurch, the founder of _Old_ London
Bridge, did not live to witness the completion of the structure, but died
in 1205, and was buried in a crypt within the centre pier of the bridge,
over which a chapel was erected, dedicated to St. Thomas-a-Becket. Mr.
Brayley, in his _Londiniana_, wrote about five years since that "if due
care be taken when the old bridge is pulled down, the bones and ashes of
its venerable architect may still be found;"--and, true enough, _the bones
of old Peter were found on removing the pier about a fortnight since_.
* * * * *
TAME LIONS.
Hanno, a Carthaginian, was the first who tamed a lion. He was condemned to
death, for what his fellow-citizens considered so great a crime. They
asserted that the republic had to fear the worst consequences from a man
who had been able to subdue so much ferocity. A little more experience,
however, convinced them of the fallacy of that ridiculous judgment. The
triumvir Antony, accompanied by an actress, was publicly drawn by lions in
a chariot.
SAD-USING.
* * * * *
CITY OF LYONS.
Lyons is situated on a sort of peninsula, formed by the confluence of two
great rivers--the Rhone and the Laone. All the bridges, with the exception
of one of stone, are of wood; and although in general more useful than
ornamental, they are justly admired for the boldness of their construction.
They form numerous and convenient communications between the city and the
faubourgs.
Lyons is walled round, and strongly fortified. In 1791 it contained
121,000 inhabitants; but, in consequence of the siege of 1793, and the
cruelties practised at that memorable period of French history, the
numbers were reduced to less than 80,000. In 1802, the numbers were 88,662;
and in 1827, the fixed population had increased to 97,439;--but there was
a floating population, estimated at 43,684, which, with the inmates of the
barracks and hospitals, stated at 8,600, made the total population at that
period 149,723; and by adding the population of the suburbs, reckoned at
36,000, the whole amount of the inhabitants at the period of the census,
in 1827, was 185,
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