5. Their shops; how you get your breeches mended, or things done for you, and how (i.e. well or ill done;) whether you see the tailor, converse with him, &c. 6. Get into the inside of a cottage; describe furniture, utensils, what you find actually doing. All the stipulations I make with you for doing your visitation is, that you come over to Wearmouth soon after your return, for you will be very entertaining between truth and lying. I have a notion you will find books, but in great confusion as to catalogues, classing, &c. 7. Describe minutely how you pass one day on ship-board; learn to take and apply lunar, or other observations, and how the midshipmen, &c, do it. 8. What sort of fish you get, and how dressed. I should think your business would be to make yourself master of the middle Greek. My compliments to Bonaparte, if you meet with him, which I think is very likely. Pick up little articles of dress, tools, furniture, especially from low life--as an actual smock, &c. 9. What they talk about; company. 10. Describe your impression upon first seeing things; upon catching the first view of Constantinople; the novelties of the first day you pass there. In all countries and climates, nations and languages, carry with you the best wishes of, dear Carlyle, Your affectionate friend, W. PALEY. _Quarterly Review_. * * * * * SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY. * * * * * _The Tea Plant_. The tea leaf is plucked from the plant by the manufacturers at _three_ periods during the spring, which crops they call, in their technical phrase, the head, or first spring; the second spring; and the third spring. The quality of the tea varies according to the time of the plucking. The young and tender leaves of course make finer tea than tough and old ones.--_Asiatic Register_. _Portsmouth Literary and Philosophical Society_. We have been much interested with the report of this Society for 1827-8, and we are happy to record the prosperity of the establishment. Some of the lectures, especially those on Geology, or Mineralogy, are very attractive; and in the curator's report, we notice that the Museum, previously rich in fossil organic remains, has been enriched by numerous donations in this department, during the past session. The entire number of specimens in the Museum is upwards of 9,000.