e now utterly
insignificant, concealed and jostled by a crowd of younger aspirants,
overlooked by mammas, except when needed to execute some troublesome
commission; and without a chance of receiving a single word or glance
from their daughters unmarked by that provoking ease and compassionate
familiarity, which tell them, better than words, that their day of
influence has closed for ever. Let such unhappy men fly from the scenes
of former pleasure and power, of former flirtation and gaiety, to the
quieter and surer triumphs of a country town. Here crowds of young
women, as certainly devoted to celibacy as the inmates of a nunnery,
accustomed from necessity to make beaux out of the most unprecedented
materials, and concoct flirtations in the most discouraging
circumstances, will welcome him with open arms, underrate his age,
overrate his merits, doubt if his hair is gray, deny that he wears false
teeth, accept his proffered arm with an air of triumph, and even hint a
wonder that he has given up dancing. To their innocent cheeks his glance
will have the long-lost power of calling up a blush; eyes as bright as
those which beamed upon his youth will sparkle at his approach; and
tender hearts, excluded by fate from palpitations for a more suitable
object, must per force beat quicker at his address. Here let him revel
in the enjoyment of unbounded influence, preserve it by careful
management to the latest possible moment, and at length gradually slide
from the agreeable old beau into the interesting invalid, and secure for
his days of gout, infirmity, and sickness, a host of attentive nurses,
of that amiable sex which delights and excels in offices of pity and
kindness; who will read him news, recount him gossip, play backgammon or
cribbage, knit him comfortables, make him jellies, and repay by
affectionate solicitude and unselfish attentions the unmeaning,
heartless, worthless admiration which he bestowed upon them in his
better days.--_New Monthly Magazine_.

* * * * *

THE ANECDOTE GALLERY.

* * * * *

OTHELLO.

On the crew of the Flora being treated to see _Othello_ at the
Portsmouth Theatre, Cassio's silly speech proved an exquisite relish to
the audience, where he apostrophizes heaven, "Forgive us our sins," and
endeavours to persuade his companion that he is sober. "Do not think,
gentlemen, I am drunk? this is my Ancient: this is my right han