towering to heaven, and vividly reflected from every wall or spire which caught the direct light--then the clouds of smoke were seen rising in rapid succession and sailing northward upon the wind, until they disappeared in the womb of distant darkness. No one can have viewed that appalling scene with indifference, and the impression left by the representation, on those who knew the city, can scarcely have been weaker than that left on those who saw the reality. The mechanism for producing such effects is very simple; but spectators, that they may fully enjoy them, need not particularly inquire about it." Even for the present we cannot omit mention of the delight with which we have read several of the more playful portions of the present work; we allude to such passages as the Influence of Heat on Animated Beings, in which Dr. Arnott has really blended the pencil of the artist with the pen of the philosopher, and thus produced many sketches of extreme picturesque beauty. * * * * * THE GATHERER A snapper up of unconsidered trifles. SHAKSPEARE. * * * * * A German having been shown Mount Edgcumbe, and magnificently entertained with sea-fish, exclaimed--"For my part, I like flat countries, and fresh-water fish." * * * * * POETICAL SCRAP. _Inscription over a chimney-sweeper's door, at the entrance to Hastings, from the London Road_:-- W. Freelove liveth here, Is willing to serve both far and near: He'll sweep your chimneys cheap and clean, And hopes your custom to obtain; And, if your chimney should catch fire, He'll put it out at your desire. * * * * * The following article appeared, some years since, in a Valenciennes journal:--Six merchants crossing the Coast of Guinea, with seventy-five large monkeys, were attacked by upwards of a hundred negroes. Being at a loss how to defend themselves against such odds, one of the merchants proposed arming the prisoners: accordingly, swords, poniards, and pistols, were distributed amongst them, and, by imitating their masters, these grotesque auxiliaries succeeded in putting their aggressors to flight. W.G.C. * * * * * SWIFT'S EPIGRAM, _On the dispute which occurred betwixt Bononcini and Handel_. Bononcini swears that Handel Cannot to him hold a candle; And Handel swears that Bononcini, Compared to him is a mere ninny. 'Tis strange there should such difference be 'Twixt tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee! * * * * * LORD CHESTERFIELD. "At what time does a lady lose all susceptibility of the tender passion?" said his lordship to the Duchess of C----, then close upon a century of years.[4] The reply was brisk and animated--"Your lordship must apply to some one older than me, for I am incapable of answering the question." [4] Ninety. * * * * *