Until he came of age, was originally a miner in the north of England, where he invented the wonderful lamp, mentioned in the Arabian Nights. Hence each miner, on entering the pit, is required to "take his davy," or he will otherwise be blown up. He was very fond of salmon-fishing, but was never known to catch any. Poverty having depressed his spirits he took to laughing gas, and this, combining with other gases which he was accustomed to swallow in large quantities, produced spontaneous combustion, of which he died, whilst at sea, and was there interred in his own locker. During three days in the week he might be seen in the park, dining with his noble godfather, the Duke Humphrey. Such was the fate of one, of whom we may say, in the words of the poet:— "Take him for all in all, he cannot fail, To point a moral, and adorn a tale." THE ZODIAC—SEPTEMBER. LIBRA—THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. FROM SPENSER'S "FAERIE QUEENE." And next inspectors came, with boics arounde, And porters heavie laden with the spoyle Of "cheapest shoppes," wherein false weights were found, Which did the chapman's reputation soyle, As fylching what poor folk did gain by toyle, Making their little less, by sly transfer Of "jerrie," pennie-piece, or wire coyle, To get a draught against the purchaser, But never 'gainst himself in such way did he erre. THE JURY'S GUIDE TO FALSE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. BAKERS.—"_Down again to 5d.!!_" placarded on the window, expresses a draught of an ounce against the purchaser. If a microscopic "¾" is added in pencil, the loss will be greater. GROCERS.—"_The famous Four Shilling Tea!!_" stuck in a pyramid of that article, means that a quarter of an ounce falls off in every pound. Another quarter may be added for every note of admiration. GENERAL DEALERS.—"_Look!_" in red letters, over the price of anything per pound, intimates that you should do so, and very narrowly, when the aforesaid pound is weighed. CHEESEMONGERS.—"_One trial will prove the fact!_" is an unmistakeable evidence of short weight. At the same time, it can scarcely be called a deception; as, if the affair is ever brought to the trial, one is usually found to be sufficient to prove anything. _Note_—That an armed warrior at Astley's, or Mr. Paul Bedford, as the _Dragon_, at the Adelphi, cannot be taken up for using false scales; but that all Members of Parliament may be called to account for false measures. * * * * *