In or about 1796, was instituted the semaphore telegraph--which, until the introduction of the Electric Telegraph, was the best system out. "The most important services which can be rendered to the public by the Telegraph, is in cases similar to that which occurred last week, in forwarding the news from Deal to London, of the sailing of the Dutch Fleet, within the space of five minutes. This prompt conveyance of the intelligence enabled the Admiralty Board to take such speedy measures for sending a fleet out after the enemy. When the Telegraph is established between London and other ports as well as Deal, the advantage will be very great indeed."--(_Times, Mar. 2, 1796._) * * * * * "The English are remarkable for improving upon the inventions of their Gallic neighbours. It is well known, that while these aerial wanderers were tumbling down like so many Phaetons from Heaven, we were driving about securely in balloon-coaches, and eating balloon-cakes, and balloon-oysters. The same advantage has resulted from the telegraph, which, beside christening a coach, and a newspaper, is now transferred to the heads of our ladies, and has given us telegraphic hats and telegraphic caps. By this invention a female will travel to Edinburgh, through the observatory at York, Doncaster, Grantham and Huntingdon, from the principal machine in Bond Street, in the time of three Operas, or twenty-four Routs."--(_Times, Oct. 15, 1796._) * * * * * "Since the invention of the _Coiffure télégraphique_ it is scarcely possible to follow the rapidity of the fashions. The morning dress and the evening dress mean literally the dress of the day they are worn in. It was observed, with concern, at Drury Lane the other evening, that the Lady P's were more than _half an hour_ out of fashion."--(_Times, Oct. 21, 1796._) Among the various tyrannies of fashion, none, perhaps was more curious than that of powdering the hair. Taxation, and the French _mode_ of "Cropping" killed it, but it died hard.--The Tax was treated both jocularly, and _au grand serieux_. EPIGRAM. "On the Hair Powder Licence Tax, at a time when general Expectation looked for a tax on Dogs:-- "Full many a chance, or dire mishap, Oft'times between the lip, and cup, is; The Tax, that should have _hung_ our Dogs, Excuses them, and falls on Puppies." --(_Times, Mar. 11, 1795._) * * * * *