usekeeping, compared with London. House-rent is dearer
in proportion with other articles of living, and the taxes are daily
augmenting. The horse-tax is more than double that of England; and the
king of the Netherlands can boast that he is the only sovereign in
Europe who has a tax on female labour. William Pitt attempted a similar
measure, but was mobbed by the housemaids, and abandoned it.--_New
Monthly Magazine_.

* * * * *

The Gatherer.

A snapper up of unconsidered trifles.
SHAKSPEARE.

* * * * *

CURIOUS DISCOVERY OF A ROBBERY.

Lysons in his "Environs of London," says, "In a room adjoining to the
south-side of the saloon, in the manor-house, at Charlton, in Kent, is
a chimney-piece, with a slab of black marble so finely polished, that
Lord Downe is said to have seen in it a robbery committed on Blackheath;
the tradition adds, that he sent out his servants, who apprehended the
thieves." Dr. Plot makes the story more marvellous, by laying the scene
of the robbery at Shooter's Hill; he also says, "Thus in a chimney-piece
at Beauvoir Castle, might be seen the city and cathedral of Lincoln, and
in another at Wilton, the city and cathedral of Sarum."

P.T.W.

* * * * *

"VERY BAD."

A tyro interrogating a classical wag on the labours and sufferings of
Homer, was shown the Iliad, and told that it was composed under great
deprivation. Pointing to the edition, he inquired, if that was all the
Iliad; to which he received as answer, that that was not all the _ill
he had_, as Homer was obliged to _sing it_, to procure a little
bread.

* * * * *

EPIGRAM.

Young Sloeleaves vaunting he could trace
His line to Julius Caesar,
Was _gall'd_ to hear a wag exclaim,
"The _Celtae_, if you please, Sir!"

Q IN THE CORNER.

* * * * *

_Inscription over the Hive public-house, in Snargate Street, Dovor._

Within this Hive
We're all alive,
Good liquors make us funny,
If you are dry,
Step in and try
The flavour of our honey.

* * * * *

SOVEREIGNS AND GUINEAS,

_And the reigns in which they have been coined_.

First Sovereigns ... Henry VII ... 1485
Ditto, and half ... Hen