Many theories have been propounded as to the cause of the earthquakes which have visited this district. The late Mr Patrick M‘Farlane of Comrie, who took a great interest in them, erected a seismometer in the steeple of the parish church of Comrie, which was visited by many of the members of the British Association and others; but so far as we are aware, it never registered any markings. It was a very simple apparatus. The pendulum was of considerable length, and all but rested on a table overlaid with magnesia, which, being light, offered no resistance to the oscillation of the pendulum. A few slight shocks occurred between 1847 and 1877, but these attracted little notice. I may remark that no earthquake had, till recently, been felt here for some years, consequently, there had been no registering. But on Sunday morning 18th April last, at one o’clock, and again on Thursday the 22d of the same month, about half-past five A.M., a slight earthquake occurred. I visited the earthquake-house on both occasions; but there were no markings, none of the pins having fallen. WHICH? If thou art false as thou art fair, And false the fairest fair may be, Again the wondrous power to snare, Again the siren’s self we see. There’s danger in those dimpling smiles, It glances from that witching e’e, And he who would escape thy wiles, Must quickly from the tempter flee. For better far, as sages tell, From fickle fair to bid adieu, Than fall beneath the magic spell Of charms the heart may ever rue. Beware, if false, of beauty bright, Beware that luring beacon’s ray, For, oh! the love that trusts its light, May drift a wreck ere dawn of day. But if thou’rt true as thou art fair, Art leal in heart, though seeming gay, Wouldst ever constant prove, and ne’er With faithful heart all faithless play, Then thou’rt a gem worth more than gold, More precious than the ruby rare, More to be prized than wealth untold, True heart enshrined in form so fair. JOHN NAPIER. * * * * * The Conductor of CHAMBERS’S JOURNAL begs to direct the attention of CONTRIBUTORS to the following notice: _1st._ All communications should be addressed to the ‘Editor, 339 High Street, Edinburgh.’ _2d._ For its return in case of ineligibility, postage-stamps should accompany every manuscript. _3d._ To secure their safe return if ineligible, ALL MANUSCRIPTS, whether accompanied by a letter of advice or otherwise, _should have the writer’s Name and Address written upon them_ IN FULL. _4th._ Offerings of Verse should invariably be accompanied by a stamped and directed envelope. _If the above rules are complied with, the Editor will do his best to insure the safe return of ineligible papers._ * * * * *