Scotland 1057 to 1567, 20 kings 510 yrs. Average 25-1/2 Spain 1479 to 1833, 14 kings 354 yrs. Average 25. Portugal 1102 to 1826, 27 kings 724 yrs. Average not 21. Denmark 1157 to 1839, 28 kings 672 yrs. Average 25. Russia 1722 to 1825, 9 sover. 103 yrs. Average 11-1/2 yrs. Total: 294 sovereigns, 6085 years; being an average of about 20-2/3, although including the latest times. It is evidently unfair to take recent times only, as Hales, Clinton, &c. do. ALTRON. _Cock and Bull Story._--One of your correspondents, in a late reply (Vol. iv., p. 243.), alludes to "a marvellous or _cock and bull_ story." Query, as to the origin of this saying. From an early number of the _Phonetic Journal_ made the following Note. Dr. Burgess, a Methodist preacher, who often indulged in pointed remarks, perceiving some young men attending his preaching, whose behaviour plainly showed that amusement was their only object, turned his discourse, and addressed himself particularly to them as follows:-- "Young men, I know you are come to hear a story, and I will tell you one. There was once a man, a cock, and a bull, who, being intimate, agreed to travel together. They had not gone far on their journey when they found themselves on the brink of a river, which they had determined to cross, but could discover neither bridge nor ferry. After a consultation it was agreed the cock should first make the attempt of crossing the water, which he did without much difficulty; the bull afterwards plunged into the stream, and by mere strength waded through. The man, not being able to swim, was afraid to follow his companions; and while they were encouraging him from the other side to get over, he was observed to cut some osiers which grew by the water-side. Perhaps you imagine these were intended to form a vehicle for conveying him across the river? No such thing, I assure you. What other purpose could he design them for? I will tell you, young men; it was to lash the backs of those fools who chose to hear a story of a cock and a bull, rather than the word of God." PHILIP S. KING. "_Multa renascentur_," _&c._--To show how stories are made standing dishes with what we may call _current sauce_ (no pun intended), take the following:--If we believe anything to have happened in our own day, that is, in Liverpool or Castlereagh time, it is the anecdote of the borough-monger who would answer nothing to the excuses of the minister, except "There are five of us." This story was told as an old one in the _Telegraph_ in 1798; and a long dialogue was given between Lord Falmouth, who wanted the Captaincy of the Yeomen of the Guard, and Henry Pelham, who had promised it elsewhere. To all the poor minister could say, the peer could only answer, "There are _seven_ of us." I hope that, in an age when coincidences are sought for, Wordsworth will not be suspected of plagiarism.