* * * * *

Shaving is said to have come into use during the reigns of Louis XIII. and XIV. of France, both of whom ascended the throne without a beard.  Courtiers and citizens then began to shave, in order to look like the king, and, as France soon took the lead in all matters of fashion on the continent, shaving became general.  It is at best a tedious operation.  Seume, a German author, says, in his journal, “To-day I threw my powder apparatus out of the window, when will come the blessed day that I shall send the shaving apparatus after it.”

* * * * *

Book Morality.—­Dr. Beddoes wrote a history of Isaac Jenkins, which was intended to impress useful moral lessons on the labouring classes in an attractive manner.  Above 40,000 copies of this work were sold in a short time.

* * * * *

The Bedford Missal throws even the costly scrap-books of these times into the shade.  It was made for the celebrated John, Duke of Bedford, (one of the younger sons of Henry IV.) and contains 59 large, and more than 1,000 small miniature paintings.

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The Bedford Level was drained at an expense of L400,000. by the noble family of Russell, Earls and Dukes of Bedford, and others; by which means 100,000 acres of good land have been brought into use.

* * * * *

POPULAR SCIENCE.

With many Engravings, price 5s.

ARCANA OF SCIENCE

And Annual Register of the Useful Arts for 1832.  Abridged from the
Transactions of Public Societies, and Scientific Journals, British and
Foreign, for the past year.  This volume will contain all the Important
Facts in the year 1831—­in the Mechanic Arts, Chemical Science, Zoology,
Botany, Mineralogy, Geology, Meteorology, Rural Economy, Gardening,
Domestic Economy, Useful and Elegant Arts, Miscellaneous Scientific
Information.

“It is with great pleasure that we find the success of the former volumes of this valuable record of whatever is new in science or interesting in art, such as to encourage its publisher to make fresh exertions for public favour, in the compilation of the year passed.  Such a work is exceedingly valuable, and may be considered in the light of a Cyclopaedia, to which the most eminent of their time for talent and attainments are constantly contributing.”—­New Monthly Magazine.  March, 1832.

“As heretofore, a very useful record of the improvements and novelties of the year.”—­Literary Gazette.

“The Arcana of Science and Art contains a vast deal of information of an useful kind.”—­Athenaeum.

Printed for JOHN LIMBIRD, 143, Strand; of whom may be had volumes (upon the same plan) for 1828, price 4s. 6d, 1829—­30—­31, price 5s. each.