Accordingly, we learn that, in the year 1647, the Cromwell party ordered throughout the principal towns and cities of the country, by the mouth of the common crier, that Christmas Day should no longer be observed--it being a superstitious and hurtful custom; and that in place thereof, and the more effectually to work a change, markets should be held on the 25th day of December. This was attacking the people, especially the country folks, in their most sensitive part. It was hardly to be expected that they would quietly submit to such a bereavement; nor did they, as the still-existing "News-letters" of those days amply testify. THE MANNER OF WATCHMEN INTIMATING THE CLOCK AT HERRENHUTH IN GERMANY. VIII. Past eight o'clock! O, Herrenhuth, do thou ponder; Eight souls in Noah's ark were living yonder. IX. 'Tis nine o'clock! ye brethren, hear it striking; Keep hearts and houses clean, to our Saviour's liking. X. Now, brethren, hear, the clock is ten and passing; None rest but such as wait for Christ embracing. XI. Eleven is past! still at this hour eleven, The Lord is calling us from earth to heaven. XII. Ye brethren, hear, the midnight clock is humming; At midnight, our great Bridegroom will be coming. I. Past one o'clock; the day breaks out of darkness: Great Morning-star appear, and break our hardness! II. 'Tis two! on Jesus wait this silent season, Ye two so near related, will and reason. III. The clock is three! the blessed Three doth merit The best of praise, from body, soul, and spirit. IV. 'Tis four o'clock, when three make supplication, The Lord will be the fourth on that occasion. V. Five is the clock! five virgins were discarded, When five with wedding garments were rewarded. VI. The clock is six, and I go off my station; Now, brethren, _watch yourselves for your salvation_. A DOG EXTINGUISHING A FIRE. On the evening of the 21st February, 1822, the shop of Mr. Coxon, chandler, at the Folly, Sandgate, in Newcastle, was left in charge of his daughter, about nine years of age, and a large mastiff, which is generally kept there as a safeguard since an attempt was made to rob the shop. The child had on a straw bonnet lined with silk, which took fire from coming too near the candle. She endeavoured to pull it off, but being tied, she could not effect her purpose, and in her terror shrieked out, on which the mastiff instantly sprang to her assistance, and with mouth and paws completely smothered out the flame by pressing the bonnet together. The lining of the bonnet and the child's hair only were burnt. CAMBRIDGE CLODS.