"An ingenious artist has invented a new Coffin, for which he has taken out a Patent. In his advertisements he says, he thinks no family would like to be without one, and that all who have made trial of them, prefer them to anything in that way, and recommend them to their friends."--(_Times, Nov. 2, 1796._) * * * * * "We hope the Corporation of Bath will avoid a similar mistake as happened when the Duke of York was there last year, when the gold box was presented to the Duke, but somehow or other, it was forgotten to put the _freedom into it_."--(_Times, Nov. 28, 1796._) The gushing, and eloquent, George Robins could hardly exceed the following:-- Advt. "RUS in URBE PULCHERRIMAM. To be LET furnished, the FIRST, SECOND and third Floors with a Kitchen, altogether the most convenient and beautiful little Dwelling in Europe. Satisfactory references will be required. Enquire at Messrs &c."--(_Times, Oct. 14, 1796._) * * * * * "Lady E. being lately complimented upon her excellent complexion, assured her friend it was owing to her custom of dipping into cold water every morning. 'But I see,' said she, 'you don't believe me.' 'Pardon me,' said the Gentleman, 'if your Ladyship said you bathed in the Red Sea, I should have believed you.'"--(_Times, Nov. 24, 1796._) * * * * * "Last Sunday, agreeable to his sentence in the Ecclesiastical Court, a Butcher of Newport Market, did penance in St. Ann's Church, for scandalizing a neighbour's character."--(_Times, Dec. 2, 1796._) * * * * * "There is a Club in St. James St. called the _Transalpine_. To be a Member, it is indispensable that you have crossed _Mont Cenis_. One of the advantages of modern travelling is, to be entitled upon your return to waste your time at home, with those who have wasted their's abroad. This is the reward of what is called seeing the world: namely, seeing those who have seen it too."--(_Times, Jan. 25, 1797._) * * * * * "A noble Viscount has instituted a Club, called the _Ubiquarians_--the Club is ambulatory, and held, in turn, at as many chop-houses as there are parishes in the capital. The dinner is at half-a-crown, but it costs as much more to those who are not good walkers to get at it."--(_Times, Jan. 25, 1797._) * * * * * "It is a very curious fact, that the Turkish custom of taking opium is beginning to prevail in what are called the first circles of London. This dissipation is spreading wide amongst female fashion."--(_Times, Feb. 10, 1797._) * * * * *