12. The two robbers successively mark the house of Ali Baba with chalk; but his female slave baffles them by putting a similar mark on the other houses, in consequence of which they are put to death instead of her master. 13. Ali Baba, saved from the robber captain's designs by the course and ingenuity of Morgiana, his female slave, gives her freedom, and marries her to his son. Here, then, are above a dozen striking coincidences in this one example; and they are given with but slight dislocation or transposition. Other examples might be adduced, but I must reserve them for another communication. J. W. THOMAS. Dewsbury. * * * * * LA ROCHEFOUCAULD. Meeting occasionally, in reading new French works and journals, with sentiments and criticisms by eminent living writers on the characteristic peculiarities of some of the most distinguished French authors of the age of Louis XIV. and subsequently, perhaps you will allow me to send you, from time to time, "notes" or extracts from the criticisms alluded to, in case you should be of opinion that they may be agreeable to some of your readers, who may not be aware of the healthier and more Christian tone that now pervades one, at least, of the most influential organs of public opinion in France. Let us begin with _La Rochefoucauld_, as recently reviewed in the _Journal des Debats_. J. MACRAY. Oxford. _"La Rochefoucauld._ "Pourquoi La Rochefoucauld m'inspire-t-il une repugnance invincible? Pourquoi cette souffrance en le lisant? Ah! le voici, je crois. La morale de La Rochefoucauld c'est la morale Chretienne, moins, si je puis m'exprimer ainsi, le Christianisme lui-meme; c'est tout ce qui peut humilier et abattre le coeur dans la severe doctrine de l'Evangile, moins ce qui le releve; c'est toutes les illusions detruites sans les esperances qui remplacent les illusions. En un mot, dans le Christianisme La Rochefoucauld n'a pris que le dogme de la chute; il a laisse le dogme de la redemption. En faisant briller un cote du flambeau, celui qui desenchante l'homme de lui-meme, il eclipse l'autre, celui qui montre a l'homme dans le ciel sa force, son appui, et l'espoir d'une regeneration. La Rochefoucauld ne croit pas plus a la saintete qu'a la sagesse, pas plus a Dieu qu'a l'homme. Le penitent n'est pas moins vain a ses yeux que le philosophe. Partout l'orgueil, partout le _moi_, sous la haire du Trappiste, comme sous le manteau du cynique.