During the late French Revolution, one of the royalist soldiers having his horse shot under him by a pupil of the Polytechnic School, and finding when thus brought down, that he could not regain his feet and resume a posture of defence, but was entirely at the mercy of his ferocious young adversary, he immediately surrendered his sword, exclaiming, "I am your prisoner, and entreat of you mercy and life." To which the _generous_ and _heroic_ youth replied, "No prisoners, no mercy!" and taking from his pocket a pike-head or some similar rough weapon, deliberately drove it into the unfortunate soldier's heart! * * * * * EFFRONTERY. A nobleman being, it is said, some years since, in the shop of a celebrated London shoemaker, saw, pass through it, a very handsome young woman, "Who is that fine girl?" said he. "My daughter," replied the _cord-wainer_, "with sixty thousand pounds at your lordship's service." * * * * * A BLUNDER. Literary topics came under discussion one evening in a small social circle, of which the writer made one, and particularly the autobiographical works, and personal memoirs, now so much in vogue. A gentleman then stated, that having seen much of the world, he thought he must follow the fashion, and one day favour it with his own life and adventures. Numerous ladies were to figure in his book, which was, in fact, as he modestly gave the present company to understand, to be a complete chronicle of the flirtations and conquests of himself, and male allies, with letters, portraits, &c. and _names_ in full. "But," remarked a lady, humouring the jest, "if you _do_ render your book so very personal, are you not afraid of the consequences?" "Not at all," replied the embryo author very gravely, "for though I shall enjoy the remarks of the world, upon my _autobiography_, they cannot affect me, as it will of course be a _posthumous work_." * * * * * COOL COURAGE. During the disastrous fire of the Kent East Indiaman, a lady on board exhibited a very singular instance of _sang froid_ and presence of mind. Being in one of the cabins, with a large, helpless, despairing, and of course, most troublesome party, chiefly of her own sex, "all hands" of the other being "turned up," we presume, to check the advances of the devouring element, she proposed, by way of keeping them quiet, _to make tea for them_, and we believe her proposal was accepted, and had the desired effect. _Great Marlow, Bucks_. M.L.B. * * * * * ABSTRACT STUDIES. (_For the Mirror_.)