Speak as we may against the pains of death, this is worse, not only physically but morally; for it degrades humanity far lower than is conceiveable. The French have an idea that they can imitate the American mode of punishment by solitary confinement. This again will be still worse than the galleys; since religious consolation can alone redeem or ameliorate man in this state of durance; and as this makes no part of the French system, I cannot help thinking the _guillotine_ more merciful, than either their _bagne_ or their solitary cells.--_Monthly Magazine._ * * * * * THE SEALS. Written at the suggestion of a Lover who inferred the decline, of his mistress's affections from her changing the seals of her letters. BY THE AUTHOR OF THE HUNCHBACK. You've changed the seal--you've changed it thrice: Your first implied you loved: How welcome was the dear device, A thousand kisses proved. Your next was love--it spoke the flame, Yet scarce so plain methought-- I kiss'd it, wishing it the same Your first sweet letter brought The second change, was change indeed-- To friendship--Judge my bliss-- And did I kiss that seal--I did-- But 'twas a farewell kiss. The third--nor love, nor friendship--There Indeed love's dream should end-- As coldest stranger better far Than lover turn'd to friend. No kiss I gave that seal--no name-- Still dear--of thine it bore-- The signet, whence the impress came, Perhaps a rival wore. I smil'd to think 'twas so--'twas strange-- And have such cause to sigh-- How couldst thou--fairest creature--change? O, wherefore could not I. _Monthly Mag._ * * * * * By a Parliamentary return it appears, that Kensington Palace cost the public in 1828, 2,412_l_. 8_s_. 11_d_.; in 1829, 4,638_l_. 8_s_.; in 1830, 6,203_l_. 5_s_. 11_d_.; and in 183l, 3,921_l_. 15_s_. Hampton Court in 1828, cost 4,430_l_. 19_s_. 5_d_.; in 1829, 5,964_l_. 13_s_. 1_d_.; in 1830, 4,144_l_. 2_s_. 4_d_.; and in 183l, 3,994_l_. 15_s_. 11_d_.--_Times_. * * * * * THE GATHERER. * * * * * Dr. Johnson has remarked that the French are fond of Young's _Night Thoughts_, a fact which is hard to be accounted for, that a nation so celebrated for their gaiety should have a regard for an author treating on such serious subjects. _Wigs_.--In the reign of Queen Anne, enormous full-bottomed wigs often cost twenty or thirty guineas each. "_Capillary Attraction_."--When Charles II. was espoused to the Infanta of Portugal, a fleet was sent over to Lisbon, with proper attendants to bring her hither, but her majesty being informed that there were some particular customs in Portugal, with relation to the ladies, which the king would not easily dispense with, the fleet was detained six or seven weeks, at a great expense, till _her majesty's hair grew_.