The umbrella appears again in ancient time in connection with DANIEL, who, it is said, carried one into the lions' den. The authority for this is a historical painting that has fallen into the hands of an itinerant showman. A curious fact is stated with reference to this picture, namely, that DANIEL so closely resembled the lions in personal appearance that it was necessary for the showman to state that "DANIEL might easily be distinguished from the lions on account of the blue cotton umbrella under his right arm." For what purpose this umbrella may have been carried we can only surmise. The most probable theory is, that it was to be used there to intimidate the lions, as it has since been used toward mad bulls and other ferocious beasts. We have now taken hold pretty firmly of what may be called the handle of the umbrella. We have learned that, as ADAM raised CAIN, NOAH raised the umbrella, and DANIEL carried one. We have learned further that the umbrella carried by DANIEL was a blue cotton umbrella--undoubtedly the most primitive type of the umbrella. It is one of this class that your country friend brings down with him, that darkeneth the heavens as with a canopy and maketh you ashamed of your company. It is such an umbrella as this that is to be found or might have been found, in ancient days, in every old farm-house--one that covered the whole household when it went to church, occupying as much room when closed as would the tent of an Arab. We have heard it said that it was the impossibility of two umbrellas of this nature passing each other on a narrow road which led to the invention of covered wagons. There is nothing lovely about a blue cotton umbrella, though there may have been _under_ it at times and seasons. Skeletons of the species, much faded as to color, much weakened as to whalebone, may still be found here and there in backwoods settlements, where they are known as "umbrells;" there are but few perfect specimens in existence.