Petroleum wells supply the whole Burman empire with oil for lamps, and also for smearing timber, to protect it against insects, and particularly the white ant. Its consumption for burning is stated to be universal, until its price reaches that of sesamum oil, the only other kind used for lamps. The wells, which occupy a space of about sixteen square miles, vary in depth from two hundred to two hundred and fifty feet; the shaft is square, not more than four feet each side, and is formed by sinking a frame of wood. The oil, on coming up, is about the temperature of ninety degrees of Fahrenheit. It is thrown into a large cistern, in the bottom of which are small apertures for the aqueous part to drain off, when the oil is left for some time to thicken. It is then put into large earthen jars, placed in rude carts drawn by oxen, and carried to the banks of the river, from whence it is sent by water-carriage to every part of the empire. By the number and burden of the boats employed in this trade, and the number of voyages they are supposed to make in the course of a year, the exportation from the wells is estimated to amount to 17,568,000 _vis_, of twenty-six pounds and a half each. Thirty _vis_ a-year is reckoned to be the average consumption of a family of five persons and a half; and about two-thirds of the oil are supposed to be employed for burning.--_Crawfurd's Embassy to Ava._ * * * * * SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Think how the dog, fond and faithful creature as he is, from being the most docile and obedient of all animals, is made the most dangerous, if he become mad; so men acquire a frightful and not less monstrous power when they are in a state of moral insanity, and break loose from their social and religious obligations. Remember too how rapidly the plague of diseased opinions is communicated, and that if it once gain head, it is as difficult to be stopt as a conflagration or a flood.--_Southey._ * * * * * SOFT MUSIC. The effect of soft music is to produce pleasure or pain, according to the state of the hearer. Thus, while a musician has been known to be _cured_ by a concert in his chamber, the celebrated sentimental air of the "_Ranz des Vaches_" has also been known to have the opposite effect of _killing_ a Swiss. Indeed, the extraordinary effect produced by it upon Swiss troops has caused it to be forbidden, under _pain of death_, to be played to them. * * * * * THE GATHERER. A snapper up of unconsidered trifles. SHAKSPEARE. * * * * * BEETLES Are unsightly insects--yet how many of them have been spared by the recollection of Shakspeare's beautiful lines-- --The poor beetle, that we tread upon. In corporal suffering finds a pang as great As when a giant dies. * * * * * SNAILS.