CELEBRATION OF THE FOURTH OF JULY IN NEW YORK.--On this day, the anniversary of American independence, all creation appeared to be independent; some of the horses particularly so, for they would not troop “in no line not nohow.” Some preferred going sideways, like crabs; others went backwards, some would not go at all, others went a great deal too fast, and not a few parted company with their riders, whom they kicked off just to show their independence. And the women were in the same predicament: they might dance right or dance left; it was only out of the frying-pan into the fire, for it was pop, pop; bang, bang; fiz, pop, bang; so that you literally trod upon gunpowder. The troops did not march in very good order, because, independently of their not knowing how, there was a good deal of independence to contend with. At one time an omnibus and four would drive in and cut off the general and his staff from his division; at another, a cart would roll in and insist upon following close upon the band of music; so that it was a mixed procession--generals, omnibus and four, music, cart-loads of bricks, troops, omnibus and pair, artillery, hackney-coach, &c. “Roast pig” is the favourite “independent” dish, and in New York on the above day are “six miles of roast pig.” viz. three miles of booths on each side of Broadway, and roast pig in each booth! Rockets are fired in the streets, some running horizontally up the pavement, and sticking into the back of a passenger; and others mounting slanting-dicularly, and Paul-Prying into the bedroom windows on the third floor or attics, just to see how things are going on there. On this day, too, all America gets tipsy.--_Captain Marryatt’s Diary in America._ * * * * * IRISH DRAMATIC TALENT.--Difference of taste makes it difficult, if not impossible, to say which is the best comedy in the English language. Many, however, are of opinion that there are three which more particularly dispute the palm--namely, “She Stoops to Conquer,” “The School for Scandal,” and “The Heiress;” and it is remarkable that the authors of these three beautiful productions were all Irishmen--Goldsmith, Sheridan, and Murphy.--_Literary World._ * * * * * THE MORNING.--The _sweetness_ of the morning is perhaps its least charm. It is the renewed vigour it implants in all around that affects us--man, animals, birds, plants, vegetation, flowers. Refreshed and soothed with sleep, man opens his heart; he is alive to Nature, and Nature’s God, and his mind is more intelligent, because more fresh. He seems to drink of the dew like the flowers, and feels the same reviving effect.--_Illustrations of Human Life._