HERER.

A snapper up of unconsidered trifles.
SHAKSPEARE.

* * * * *

THE REFORM BILL.

(_For the Mirror_.)

The debate relating to the Reform Bill lasted _seven_ nights. There
are many curious circumstances attached to the number _seven_--viz.
the _seven_ golden candlesticks, the _seven_ wise men of the east,
the _seven_ colours, the _seven_ sounds, the _seven_ stars, the _seven_
wonders of the world. Ancient Rome was built upon _seven_ hills, &c. The
gift of prophecy and the power of healing is attributed to the _seventh_
son of a _seventh_ son. When the several members rose late, or rather
early in the morning on the _seventh_ night's debate on the Reform Bill,
the House caught the idea of Macbeth, and exclaimed, "Another yet! a
_seventh_! I'll see no more'!"--and the _House of Russell dispersed the
House of Commons_.

P.T.W.

* * * * *

EPITAPH.

The following lines were written by my father, on the death of his first
child, who died in infancy:--W.H.H.

Nipt in the bud, the father's hope here sleeps,
And o'er her first-born child the mother weeps.
Why weep! the disencumber'd soul that's flown
Now shines another cherub round the throne!
Ah! who can tell what cares, what hopes, what fears,
Had been the portion of its lengthen'd years?

A better lot proportion'd Heaven design'd,
And bade it leave this sin-fraught world behind!

* * * * *

PATRIOTISM.

When Admiral Sir George Rooke, who took Gibraltar, in the reign of Queen
Anne, came to make his will, it surprised those that were present; but
Sir George exclaimed--"I do not leave much, but what I have was honestly
gotten; it never cost a sailor a tear, or the nation a farthing."

JAC-CO.

* * * * *

SILK MANUFACTURE.

In 1734, Sir Thomas Lambe erected, in an island on the Derwent, near
Derby, a curious mill for the manufacture of silk. He brought the model,
the only one of the kind in the kingdom, from Italy, at the hazard of
his life. This machine was deemed so important, that, at the expiration
of Sir Thomas's patent, parliament voted him 14,000l. for the
risk he had incurred, and the expense attending its completion.

T.S.

* * * * *

INN RHYMES.

The following was written under the sign of the White Horse, on the Old
Bath Road, but which has