* * * * *

Speaking of the Catholics in the hall of the Four Courts, Keller seemed to insinuate that Norcott was favourable to their emancipation.  “What!” said Norcott, with a great show of pomposity—­“what!  Pray, Keller, do you see anything that smacks of the Pope about me?” “I don’t know,” replied Keller; “but at all events there is a great deal of the Pretender, and I always understood them to travel in company.”

National Gallery and Record Office, on the site of the King’s Mews, Charing Cross.—­The estimated expense of erecting the above building is 50,000_l_.; the amount proposed to be taken for the present year is 15,000_l_.; leaving to be granted in future years 35,000_l_.  The proposed building will be 461 feet in length and 56 feet in width in its extreme dimensions, and will consist of a centre and two wings.  The western wing will contain, on the ground floor, rooms for the reception of records, and an entrance into the barrack-yard such as now exists.  Above them will be the picture-gallery, divided into four rooms; one 50 feet by 50 feet; two 50 feet by 38 feet; and one room 50 feet by 32 feet; together with four cabinets for the reception of small pictures, or for the use of the keeper.  The floors will be made fire-proof.  The eastern wing, of similar extent, will contain, on the ground floor, a hall for casts, the library and council-room of the Royal Academy, and a dwelling for the keeper.  There will be likewise a gateway or entrance corresponding to that leading into the barrack-yard in the other wing.  In the basement below this wing there will be offices for the use of the Royal Academy, and a separate set attached to the dwelling-house of the keeper.  The centre building will consist of halls, vestibules, staircases, &c. for both establishments; they will be distinct and separated; but so brought together as to form one grand feature of interior decoration.  The building is proposed to be executed in stone.  The central portico is to be constructed with the columns and other members of that which formerly decorated the palace at Carlton House.  The materials of the present building are to be used in the construction of the new building, so far as they can be employed with propriety.  The whole cost of the building will be 50,000_l_., exclusive of the old materials above mentioned, which have been valued at 4,000_/l_.  It is impossible to state with any degree of accuracy the cost of the grates, air-stoves, and fittings of the buildings, which will mainly depend upon the mode to be adopted in warming them; but it may be confidently stated that it will not exceed 600_l_.—­Parliamentary Paper, No. 611.

Home Truth.—­“Give me my liar,” was the phrase in which Charles the Fifth was used to call for a volume of history; and certainly no man can attentively examine any important period of our annals without remarking, that almost every incident admits of two handles, almost every character of two interpretations; and that, by a judicious packing of facts, the historian may make his picture assume nearly what form he pleases, without any direct violation of truth.—­Quarterly Rev.