inking the _guillotine_ more
merciful, than either their _bagne_ or their solitary cells.--_Monthly
Magazine._

* * * * *

THE SEALS.

Written at the suggestion of a Lover who inferred the decline, of his
mistress's affections from her changing the seals of her letters.

BY THE AUTHOR OF THE HUNCHBACK.

You've changed the seal--you've changed it thrice:
Your first implied you loved:
How welcome was the dear device,
A thousand kisses proved.

Your next was love--it spoke the flame,
Yet scarce so plain methought--
I kiss'd it, wishing it the same
Your first sweet letter brought

The second change, was change indeed--
To friendship--Judge my bliss--
And did I kiss that seal--I did--
But 'twas a farewell kiss.

The third--nor love, nor friendship--There
Indeed love's dream should end--
As coldest stranger better far
Than lover turn'd to friend.

No kiss I gave that seal--no name--
Still dear--of thine it bore--
The signet, whence the impress came,
Perhaps a rival wore.

I smil'd to think 'twas so--'twas strange--
And have such cause to sigh--
How couldst thou--fairest creature--change?
O, wherefore could not I.

_Monthly Mag._

* * * * *

By a Parliamentary return it appears, that Kensington Palace cost the
public in 1828, 2,412_l_. 8_s_. 11_d_.; in 1829, 4,638_l_. 8_s_.; in
1830, 6,203_l_. 5_s_. 11_d_.; and in 183l, 3,921_l_. 15_s_. Hampton
Court in 1828, cost 4,430_l_. 19_s_. 5_d_.; in 1829, 5,964_l_. 13_s_.
1_d_.; in 1830, 4,144_l_. 2_s_. 4_d_.; and in 183l, 3,994_l_. 15_s_.
11_d_.--_Times_.

* * * * *

THE GATHERER.

* * * * *

Dr. Johnson has remarked that the French are fond of Young's _Night
Thoughts_, a fact which is hard to be accounted for, that a nation so
celebrated for their gaiety should have a regard for an author treating
on such serious subjects.

_Wigs_.--In the reign of Queen Anne, enormous full-bottomed wigs often
cost twenty or thirty guineas each.

"_Capillary Attraction_."--When Charles II. was espoused to the Infanta
of Portugal, a fleet was sent over to Lisbon, with proper attendants to
bring her hither, but her majesty being informed that there were some
particular customs in Portugal, with relation to the ladies, which the
king would not easily dispense with, t