The Maréchale de Mirepoix was afflicted with a constant shaking of the head, and it was attributed to her use of tea, of which she took several cups daily; having accustomed herself to it in England, where her husband had been ambassador. At one time Tea and Coffee were considered as poisons, and it is stated, that in one of the northern countries they made trial of them three times a day on two criminals, whose lives were spared on condition of their undergoing this terrible ordeal. The result was, that the culprit who took the Tea lived to be seventy-nine, and the other, eighty. ❦ [Sidenote: Comparative qualities in the characters of the French and English.] The French are beyond all manner of doubt the most good humoured people on the surface of the earth; if we understand at least, by the term _good humour_, those minor courtesies, those considerate kindnesses, those cursory attentions, which, though they cost little to the giver, are not the less valuable to the receiver; which soften the asperities of life, and by their frequent occurrence, and the constant necessity in which we stand of them have an aggregate, if not an individual importance. The English perhaps, as nationally possessing the more solid virtues, may be the best friends and the most generous benefactors; but a friendship in this more exalted acceptation of it is rare, and beneficence almost miraculous; it is a serious question with me, which is the most useful being in society--the light, good-humoured Frenchman, or the slow, meditating Englishman? ❦ [Sidenote: Scandal.] Believe not each aspersing word, As most weak persons do; But still believe that story false Which ought not to be true. ❦ Il faut qu’un Empereur meurt debout. ❦ Haply when age has silver’d o’er my hair, Malice may learn to scorn so mean a spoil; Envy may slight a face no longer fair; And Pity, welcome to a kindlier soil. ❦ [Sidenote: Personal Beauty.] There is no blessing more utterly valueless when its first charm has passed over and faded from the imagination, than mere personal beauty; where there is no intellect, no heart, no sweetness of temper, no cheering gaiety of spirit, no genius, talent, nor precious moral worth to enclose and preserve it from wearying the sense, and palling the affection. ❦ [Sidenote: Daguerrotype.] A woman’s heart is the only true plate for a man’s likeness. An _instant_ gives the impression, and an age of sorrow and change cannot efface it. ❦ It is well if we have _thoughts_ to comfort us, for _facts_ are miserable allies when imagination fights its battle with despair. ❦ There are no people so often in the wrong, as those who will not bear to be thought so. ❦ [Sidenote: Pyramids.]