Our friend and particular acquaintance, Joseph Miller, Esq. (who, by the way, signs his name, we think, Joseph A. Miller, or Joseph B. Miller, or at least Joseph C. Miller) paid us a visit a few days ago. His behavior was excessively odd. Walking into our _sanctum_ without saying a word, he seated himself with a dogged air in our own exclusive arm-chair, and surveyed us, for some minutes, in silence, and in a very suspicious manner, over the rim of his spectacles. There was evidently something in the wind. "What _can_ the man want?" thought we, without saying so. "I will tell you," said Joseph Miller, Esq.--that is to say, Joseph D. Miller, Joseph E. Miller, or possibly Joseph F. Miller, Esq. "I will tell you," said he. Now, it is a positive fact that we had not so much as attempted to open any of our mouths. "I will tell you," said he, reading our thoughts. "Ah, thank you!" we replied, slightly smiling, and feeling excessively uncomfortable--"thank you!--we should like to know." "I believe," resumed he--resumed Joseph G. Miller--"I believe you are not altogether unacquainted with our family." "Why, _not_ altogether, certainly--pray, sir, proceed." "It is one of the oldest families in ---- in ----" "In Great Britain," we interposed, seeing him at a loss. "In the United States," said Mr. Miller--that is, Joseph H. Miller, Esq. "In the United States!--why, sir, you are joking surely: we thought the Miller family were particularly British--The Jest-Book you know ----" "You are in error," interrupted he--interrupted Joseph I. Miller--"we are British, but not particularly British. You should know that the Miller family are indigenous every where, and have little connection with either time or place. This is a riddle which you may be able to read hereafter. At present let it pass, and listen to me. You know I have many peculiar notions and opinions--many particularly bright fancies which, by the way, the rabble have thought proper to call whims, oddities, and eccentricities. But, sir, they are not. You have heard of my passion for autographs?" "We have." "Well, sir, to be brief. Have you, or have you not, seen a certain rascally piece of business in the London Athenæum?" "Very possible," we replied. "And, pray sir, what do you think of it?" "Think of what?" "No, sir, not of _what_," said he--said Joseph K. Miller, Esq. getting very angry, "not of _what_ at all; but of that absurd, nefarious, and superfluous piece of autographical rascality therein--that is to say in the London Athenæum--deliberately, falsely, and maliciously fathered upon me, and laid to my charge--to the charge of _me_, I say, Joseph L. Miller." Here, Mr. M. arose, and, unbuttoning his coat in a great rage, took from his breast pocket a bundle of MSS. and laid them emphatically upon the table.