not always require a footman
to carry a parcel, for there were three things which he might always
carry openly in his hand,--a book, a paper of snuff, and a string of
fish.

* * * * *

HEREDITARY TALENT IN ACTORS.

"Families are chequered as in brains, so in bulk."--FULLER.

The children of many obscure performers have become eminent: but there
are very few instances in which the descendant of a considerable actor
or actress has been distinguished. To take instances within recent
recollection, or of the present day, for example--Mr. Elliston has a
son upon the stage: with none of the striking talent of the father.
Mr. Henry Siddons, the son of Mrs. Siddons, was a very bad actor
indeed. Lewis had two sons upon the stage, neither of them of any
value. Mr. Dowton has two sons (or had), in the same situation. And
Mrs. Glover's two daughters will never rise above mediocrity. On the
other hand, Mr. Macready and Mr. Wallack, are both sons of very low
actors; and the late Mr. John Bannister and Mr. Tokely were similarly
descended. Almost the only modern instance of the immediate descendant
of a valuable performer turning out well, was in the case of Mrs.
Jordan's daughter, Mrs. Alsop; who was very nearly as good an actress
as her mother. We doubt, too, if there is an instance on record of a
very young man being a considerable actor.

* * * * *

PRISON TORTURE.

A horrible instance of human vengeance occurred a short time since, at
Minden, in Westphalia. The object was a person who, from conscientious
motives, peculiar to the religious body of which he was a member, had
refused to serve in the militia. He was placed in a cell, the floor and
sides of which were closely studded with projecting spikes, or pieces of
sharpened iron resembling the blades of knives. The individual remained
in this state for twenty-four hours, and the punishment was repeated
at three distinct intervals. It is considered a rare occurrence for a
person to survive the second infliction of this species of cruelty.
In this instance, however, the sufferer did not perish--_From the last
Report of the Prison Discipline Society_.

* * * * *

THE DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE.

As her Grace was one day rambling in the neighbourhood of Chiswick,
she was overtaken by a violent storm, and accordingly took shelter,
in a cottage where she happened to be unkno