Shortly after his first landing in America, Thackeray was invited to dinner by one of the Messrs. Harper, the well-known publishing firm, whose magazine, _Harper's Monthly_, is a deliberate compilation from all the best English periodicals. On his introduction to Mr. Harper, Thackeray had joked with him on the American contempt for copyright; and when he went into the drawing-room he took a little girl, whom he found playing there, on his knee, and gazing at her with feigned wonder, said in solemn tones, "And this is a pirate's daughter!" GENERAL MEADE TO GENERAL LEE.--496. The following lines were found in a Confederate soldier's note-book, on the camping-ground near Breckenridge's head-quarters, before Washington, July 17, 1864:-- Quoth Meade to Lee-- Can you tell me, In the shortest style of writing, When people will Get their fill Of this big job of fighting? Quoth Lee to Meade-- Why, yes, indeed, I'll tell you in a minute: When legislators And speculators Are made to enter in it. ADOPTING THE OTHER COURSE.--497. The following advertisement appears in a California paper:--"Wanted, by a blackguard, employment of any kind, temporary or otherwise. The advertiser having hitherto conducted himself as a gentleman, and signally failed, of which his hopeless state of impecuniosity is the best proof, is induced to adopt the other course, in the hope that he may meet with better success. No objection to up country. Terms moderate." A WHALE AT PEAS.--498. The dinner was a capital one, and Judge Tips played an excellent knife and fork. A dish of peas came round, the last of the marrowfats; the latest peas of summer. I am very fond of peas, and was rejoiced to see my favourites once again; and I anxiously awaited their arrival. Miss Tips, Miss Julia Tips, and Tips _mère_, as the French would say, had each taken a decorous spoonful from the flying dish, and now the black waiter was offering the delicacy to Tips himself, enough being left for five persons, at least. What was my horror to behold the judge deliberately monopolize the whole--sweep, as I live, every pea into his own plate--and then turning to me, with a greasy smile, remark: "I guess, stranger, I'm a whale at peas." A TEARFUL RESPONSE.--499. "Does the razor take hold well?" inquired a barber, who was shaving a gentleman from the country. "Yes," replied the customer, with tears in his eyes, "it takes hold first-rate, but it don't let go very easily." A PRETENDED PELHAM.--500.