"We went to see the _New Exchange_, which is not far from the place of the Common Garden, in the great street called the Strand. The building has a facade of stone, built after the Gothic style, which has lost its colour from age, and is becoming blackish. It contains two long and double galleries, one above the other, in which are distributed several rows great numbers of very rich shops, of drapers and mercers, filled with goods of every kind, and with manufactures of the most beautiful description. There are, for the most part, under the care of well-dressed women, who are busily employed in work, although many are served by young men, called apprentices." _The Bedford Coffee House, Covent Garden._--In 1763 appeared a small volume under the title of _Memoirs of the Bedford Coffee House, by Genius, dedicated to the most Impudent Man alive_. EDWARD F. RIMBAULT. * * * * * ORIGINAL LETTER OF PETER LE NEVE. The following was a letter from Le Neve to a Mr. Admall, a herald painter at Wakefield, found in a book of arms belonging to the latter, which came into my possession a few months ago. E. HAILSTONE. "Mr. Admall, "I understand by Mr. Mangay, my deputy at Leeds for the West Riding, that you contemn my lawfull autority of Norroy King of Arms, and have done and will doe as you say, things relating to heraldry, contrary to my prohibition, &c.; these are therefore to acquaint you, that if you continue in the same mind and will usurp on my office, I intend to make you sensible of the wrong you doe me in my office, by taking out process against you, and making you pay for your transgression. I shall give you no hard words, but shal be as good as my word if there is law in England to restrain you; so chose whether you will due to me good or evill; you shall find me according your friend or open enemy. "PETER LA NEVE, Norroy. "College of Arms, in London, "28th May, 1719." * * * * * FOLK LORE. _Superstitions of the Midland Counties._--It is believed a sign of "bad luck" to meet a white horse, unless the person _spits_ at it, which action is said to avert the ill consequences of the recontre. A rainy Friday is believed to be followed as a natural and invariable consequence, by a wet Sunday; but I am not aware that the contrary is believed, viz., that fine Friday produces a fine Sunday. If the fire burns brightly when a person has poked or stirred it up, it is a sign that the _absent_ lover, wife, or husband (as the case may be) is in good spirits, and in good humour. The itching of the right hand palm is said to portend the reception of a gift; which is rendered more certain if the advice in this distich be followed:-- "Rub it 'gainst wood, 'Tis sure to come good."