he Mermaid in Cornhill, Red Lion in the Strand,
Three Tuns, Newgate Market; Old Fish Street, at the Swan."

The first drinking song that appeared in the English tongue is connected
with _Gammer Gurton's Needle_, and was published in 1551.

P.T.W.

* * * * *

_Governesses_.--A lady wrote to her son, requesting him to look out for a
lady, such as she described, and such as is ordinarily expected in a
governess, that is to say, all accomplished, with the disposition of an
angel. The gentleman wrote back that he had long been looking out for such
a person, and that when he found her, he should not recommend her for a
governess, but take her for a wife.--_New Monthly Mag_.

_Counterfeit Kings_.--In the infancy of the Roman Empire, we find a
counterfeit Agrippa, after him a counterfeit Nero; and before them two
counterfeit Alexanders, in Syria. But never was a nation so troubled with
these mock kings as England; a counterfeit Richard II. being made in the
time of Henry IV.; a counterfeit Mortimer in the time of Henry VI.; a
counterfeit Duke of York; a counterfeit Earl of Warwick under Henry VII.;
and a counterfeit Edward VI. under the reign of Queen Mary; and a
counterfeit Protector, in Oliver Cromwell.

G.K.

* * * * *

_Reading at Meals, &c._--Lectores, among the Romans, were servants in
great men's houses, who were employed in reading while their masters were
at supper. They were called by the Greeks, Anagnostae. Acroama, was a name
given by the Romans to amusing tales, which they recited at their repasts.
The Emperor Severus read himself at table. Atticus never supped without
reading. Charlemagne had the histories and acts of ancient kings read to
him at table. This was a relic of the ancient Greeks, who had the praises
of great men and heroes sung to them while at table. Celsus tells us,
reading is bad, especially after supper, for those whose heads are weak;
but he recommends reading with an audible voice, for such as have weak
stomachs.

P.T.W.

* * * * *

_Epigrams from the French._

"On peut, en vous voyant, devenir infidele
Mais c'est pour la derniere fois."

_Chaulieu_.

"At sight of thee--each lover false might prove,
But having seen--no other e'er could love."

"Ce monde est plein de fous--et qui n'en veut pas voir
Doit se renfermer seul, et casser son miroir."

"With fools th