IMPALE, v. t. In popular usage to pierce with any weapon which remains fixed in the wound. This, however, is inaccurate; to impale is, properly, to put to death by thrusting an upright sharp stake into the body, the victim being left in a sitting position. This was a common mode of punishment among many of the nations of antiquity, and is still in high favor in China and other parts of Asia. Down to the beginning of the Fifteenth Century it was widely employed in churching heretics and schismatics. Wolecraft calls it the "stoole of repentynge," and among the common people it was jocularly known as "riding the one legged horse." Ludwig Salzmann informs us that in Thibet impalement is considered the most appropriate punishment for crimes against religion; and although in China it is sometimes awarded to secular offences, it is most frequently adjudged in cases of sacrilege. To the person in actual experience of impalement it must be a matter of minor importance by what kind of civil or religious dissent he was made acquainted with its discomforts; but doubtless he would feel a certain satisfaction if able to contemplate himself in the character of a weather-cock on the spire of the True Church. IMPARTIAL, adj. Unable to perceive any promise of personal advantage from espousing either side of a controversy or adopting either of two conflicting opinions. IMPENITENCE, n. A state of mind intermediate in point of time between sin and punishment. IMPIETY, n. Your irreverence toward my deity. IMPOSITION, n. The act of blessing or consecrating by the laying on of hands--a ceremony common to many ecclesiastical systems, but performed with the frankest sincerity by the sect known as Thieves. "Lo! by the laying on of hands," Say parson, priest, and dervise, "We consecrate your cash and lands To ecclesiastic service. No doubt you 'll swear till all is blue At such an imposition. Do." Polio Doncas, IMPOSTOR, n. A rival aspirant to public honors. IMPROBABILITY, n. His tale he told with a solemn face And a tender, melancholy grace. Improbable't was, no doubt, When you came to think it out, But the fascinated crowd Their deep surprise avowed And all with a single voice averred 'T was the most amazing thing they 'd heard-- All save one who spake never a word, But sat as mum As if deaf and dumb, Serene, indifferent, and unstirred. Then all the others turned to him And scrutinized him limb from limb-- Scanned him alive, But he seemed to thrive And tranquiler grow each minute, As if there were nothing in it. "What! what!" cried one, "are you not amazed At what our friend has told?" He raised Soberly then his eyes and gazed In a natural way And proceeded to say, As he crossed his feet on the mantel-shelf: "O no--not at all; I'ma liar myself."