Golding’s; his beer, which he occasionally imbibed at the little pot-house, two miles beyond the school bounds, is exchanged for his wine from Butler’s.—­Books from Talboy’s, the most enterprising of bibliopoles, supply the place of the tattered Dictionary he brought to the University, which, after being stolen when new, and passing, by the same process, through twenty hands, is at last, when fluttering in its last leaves, restolen by the original proprietor, who fancies he has made a very profitable “nibble.”  The trot he used to enjoy by stealth on the butcher’s broken-kneed pony, is succeeded now by a gallop on a steed of Quartermain’s; and he is delighted to find that horse and owner strive which shall be the softest-mouthed and gentlest charger.  The dandy mare, we suppose, has many long years ago made fat the great-grandfathers of the present race of dogs; and old Scroggins, we imagine, has been trod to pieces in boots and shoes, the very memory of which departed long, long before they were paid for.  Of old Scroggins—­as Dr. Johnson says—­and of his virtues, let us indulge ourself in the recollection.  Though not formed in the finest mould, or endowed with the extremity of swiftness, his pace was sure and steady—­equal to Hannibal in endurance of fatigue; and, like that celebrated commander, his aspect was rendered peculiarly fierce and striking by a blemish in his eye; not ignorant of the way to Woodstock was the wall-eyed veteran; not unacquainted with the covers at Ditchley; not unaccustomed to the walls at Hethrop:  but Dandy and Scroggins have padded the hoof from this terrestrial and unstable world—­peace to their manes!—­Blackwood’s Magazine.

* * * * *

SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY.

* * * * *

Friction of Screws and Screw-presses.

An examination of the friction in screws having their threads of various forms, has led M. Poncelet to this very important conclusion, namely, that the friction in screws with square threads is to that of equal screws with triangular threads, as 2.90 to 4.78, proving a very important advantage of the former over the latter, relative to the loss of power incurred in both by friction.—­Brande’s Journal.

Fulminating Powder.

According to M. Landgerbe, a mixture of two parts nitre, two parts neutral carbonate of potash, one part of sulphur, and six parts of common salt, all finely pulverized, makes a very powerful fulminating powder.  M. Landgerbe adopts the extraordinary error of supposing that these preparations act with more force downwards than in any other direction.—­Bull.  Univ.

Aurora Borealis.

An aurora borealis was seen from North End, Hampstead, near London, from about seven o’clock until eleven, on the evening of Dec. 1.  It generally appeared as a light resembling twilight, but shifting about both to the east and the west of north, and occasionally forming streams which continued for several minutes, and extended from 30 to 40 degrees high.  The light on the horizon was not more than 12 or 15 degrees in height.—­Brande’s Journal.