The phenomenon called by sailors _Sea-fire_, is one of the most beautiful and interesting which is witnessed in the Hebrides. At times the ocean appears entirely illuminated around the vessel, and a long train of lambent corruscations are perpetually breaking upon her sides, or pursuing her wake through the darkness. These phosphoric appearances, concerning the origin of which naturalists are not agreed in opinion, seem to be called into action by the rapid motion of the ship, through the water being saturated with _fish_ and _spawn_, and other animal substance. ❦ “_Lisez et Croyez._” A Device on a Lady’s Seal. Quelques censeurs peu délicats, Oubliant ce qu’on doit aux femmes, Ont dit, en parlant de ces dames, “Lisez-les, ne les croyez pas.” Ces messieurs ont fait leur histoire: Jugeons-les par ce qu’ils ont dit. Pour vous, Iris, quand on vous lit, On admire autant votre esprit Qu’on a de plaisir à vous croire. ❦ _A la même, en lui annoncant mon départ._ De mon bonheur le sort jaloux A ne vous plus revoir me condamne peut-être. Ah! je devais ne jamais vous connaître, Ou rester toujours près de vous. ❦ [Sidenote: Troubadours.] The Troubadours were the ancient wandering poets, supposed to originate in Provence, and who composed and sung their own verses. The Trombe, or Trompe, was an instrument of the trumpet kind, from which it is believed the word “Trombadour,” or “Troubadour,” is derived; it being to this instrument they sung their poems. Several princes and nobles were among the number of these bards: Richard I. of England was of the former. The Italian poets are said to have borrowed their best pieces from the Troubadours; they flourished in Europe about two hundred and fifty years, from 1120 till the year 1382. ❦ S’occuper, c’est savoir jouir; L’oisiveté pèse et tourmente; L’âme est un feu qu’il faut nourir, Et qui s’éteint, s’il ne s’augmente. ❦ Je ne vous parle point d’amis, car je sais combien cette denrée là est rare: mais je vous parle des connaissances agréables. Avec un bon soupé on a qui on veut: et si on le juge àpropos, on se moque encore après de ses convives. ❦ Etre avec les gens qu’on aime, cela suffit. Rêver, leur parler, ne leur parler point, penser à eux, penser à des choses indifférentes; mais auprès d’eux, tout est égal. ❦ [Sidenote: Pride and Humility.] On the marriage of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, with Mary the sister of King Henry VIII. and widow of Louis XII. of France, he appeared at the tournament given in honour of his bride, with an ingenious device, delicately alluding to the event which had brought him within the pale of royalty. To the trappings of his horse, which were one half of cloth of gold, and the other of cloth of freize, was appended the following motto.