At Melton, next, I join'd the hunt, Of bogs and bushes bore the brunt, Nor once my courser held in; But when I saw a yawning steep, I thought of "Look before you leap," And curb'd my eager gelding. While doubtful thus I rein'd my roan, Willing to save a fractured bone, Yet fearful of exposure, A sportsman thus my spirit stirr'd-- "Delays are dangerous;"--I spurr'd My steed, and leap'd th' enclosure. I ogled Jane, who heard me say That "Rome was not built in a day," When lo: Sir Fleet O'Grady Put this, my saw, to sea again, And proved, by running off with Jane, "Faint heart ne'er won fair Lady." Aware "New Brooms sweep clean," I took An untaught tyro for a cook, (The tale I tell a fact is) She spoilt my soup; but, when I chid, She thus once more my work undid, "Perfection comes from Practice." Thus, out of every adage hit, And, finding that ancestral wit As changeful as the clime is: From Proverbs, turning on my heel, I now cull Wisdom from my seal, Who's motto's "Ne quid nimis." _New Monthly Magazine._ * * * * * THE GATHERER. A snapper up of unconsidered trifles. SHAKSPEARE. * * * * * SHIP LAUNCH. In a few months a new ship will be launched, called the _Reform_. Admiral, _William the Fourth_--Chief Mate, _Grey_--Pilot, _Brougham_--Purser, _Russell_--_Crew_, the people of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Bound to Palace Yard, Westminster; freight uncommonly cheap, with good stowage. N.B. For further particulars inquire of Bob _Oldborough_, at the sign of the _Tumble down_ Dick, _Borough_, Southwark. P.T.W. * * * * * Gold coins (ix James I.) were raised by proclamation, 2s. in every 20s. _Groat_.--In the Saxon time, we had no silver money bigger than a penny, nor after the conquest, till Edward III. who about the year 1351, coined grosses (i.e. groats, or great pieces) which went for 4d. a-piece; and so the matter stood till the reign of Henry VII. who in 1504 first coined shillings. G.K. * * * * * TWO THOUSAND POUNDS REFUSED BY A BURGESS FOR HIS VOTE.