I cannot admit the belief, that the _Laurel_ is a protection against thunder, for my gallant friend Sir Sidney Smith once related to me, that his life had been endangered during a thunder storm. ❦ _Written at the age of Eighty by Maucroix._ A. D. 1629. Chaque jour est un bien que du Ciel je reçois: Je jouis aujourdhui de celui qu’il me donne; Il n’appartient pas plus aux jeunes gens qu’à moi; Et celui de demain, n’appartient à personne. ❦ [Sidenote: The Prisoner of St. Helena.] It is well known that to one of our most honoured countrymen, and most distinguished naval commanders was for a short period given the arduous and difficult charge of the prisoner of St. Helena, and that he was designated by Napoleon as “l’homme à la marche droite.” Too often in other instances chafed and irritated by the method of his imprisonment, the ex-emperor did full justice to the gentlemanlike bearing of the officer, who, though equally strict in the faithful discharge of a painful duty, never forgot the courtesy and consideration due to misfortune. ❦ It has been often observed that nothing brings a little child to our recollection in a more affecting manner than the sight of its little shoes. Victor Hugo eloquently represents this fact, in his Notre Dame de Paris. ❦ Brantome dit que du tems de François premier, une jeune personne ayant un amant babillard, lui imposa silence absolu et illimité, qu’il garda si fidelement deux ans entiers qu’on le crut devenu muet par maladie. Un jour en pleine assemblée sa maitresse se vanta de le guérir sur le champ, et le fit avec ce seul mot: Parlez! ❦ [Sidenote: Hopelessness.] I was once _hopeful_, but hope has gone out at last. It is perhaps better that it should be so: the first step towards bearing our fate becomingly, is to know it fully; and my mind must be made up to endure what it cannot prevent: after many a cruel struggle, _mind_ may so far gain the mastery that no outward sign of the wounded heart, no token of the bruised spirit, shall be visible. Many learn at last to conceal the pangs they cannot stifle. ❦ The Coffee Tree was originally introduced from Arabia, brought from the Isle of France, to the Botanical Garden in Paris, a plant was sent from thence to Martinique; and in proof of the great estimation in which the acquisition was held, Mr. Desdieux, who had taken the charge of it, gave up his allowance of water to be employed for the plants, when the passengers in the ship were reduced to a ration, on account of a lengthened voyage. ❦ [Sidenote: A Portrait.] Even now, at three score years, that which forms the basis, or constitutes the soul of all true beauty was but little abated in her countenance; dignified graciousness of aspect, added to a gentle and lovely deportment. ❦ [Sidenote: A Key to the Thoughts.]