ride was got so much into
the foot, that it was proclaimed that no man should wear shoes above
_six inches broad at the toes_; and other garments were so short,
that it was enacted, under Edward IV., that no person under the
condition of a lord wear any mantle or gown, unless of such length.

P.T.W.

* * * * *

MARRIAGE CUSTOM.

The following singular, though highly _useful_ custom, formerly
existed in England: viz.--"There was usually carried before the mayde,
when she shoulde be married, and came to dwell in hir husbande's house,
_a distaffe, charged with flaxe, and a spyndle hanging at it_, to the
intente shee might bee myndeful to lyve by hir labour." The foregoing
is extracted from "A Treatise wherein dicing dauncing, vaine plays, or
enterludes; with other idle pastimes, commonly used on the Sabbath-day,
are proved by the authoritie of the word of God, and ancient writers;
by John Northbrook, minister and preacher of the word of God."

JUVENIS.

* * * * *

NATIONAL CAPRICES.

The Persian, it is said, will endure suffocation before he will blow the
fire with his breath; the Indian places supreme perfection in besmearing
himself with cow-dung; the Mussulman believes himself purified from all
his sins by the ablution of his head and arms: the only question with
him is, "whether the ceremony ought to begin at the elbow or at the
points of his fingers;" but so great is the difference of opinion on
this head, that if two Mahometans meet on a journey, and accost each
other with brotherly affection, by the one beginning his ablution
at his fingers' ends, and the other at his elbow, they instantly
separate and become mortal enemies.

WALTER E.C.

* * * * *

RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS.

* * * * *

THE POST OFFICE.

In the year 1635, Charles I. directed his postmaster to open a
communication between London and Edinburgh, &c. &c. In 1653-4, the
revenues of the Post-office were farmed by the Council of State and
Protector, at 10,000_l._ per annum. Some idea of their progressive
increase may be gained by the perusal of the following:--

1664 L21,000
1674 43,000
1685 65,000
1688 76,318
1697 90,505
1710 111,467
1715 145,227
1744 235,492
1775 345,321
1785 463,753
1793 607,268
1814 2,005,987

Si