M.T.

Signs.—­To trace the origin of signs would be an amusing relaxation for the Society of Antiquaries.  Who could have imagined that “bag o’ nails,” was a corruption of the Bacchanals, which it evidently is from the rude epigraph still subjoined to the fractured classicism of the title?  In the same manner the more modern “Goat and compasses” may be identified with the text of “God encompasseth us,” which was a favourite motto amongst the ale-house Puritans.—­Blackwood’s Magazine.

Half-honesty.—­A few nights since a friend gave a hackney-coachman two sovereigns instead of two shillings for his fare; when the coachman turned sharply and said, “Sir, you have given me a sovereign,” keeping back the other; for which supposed honesty he was rewarded.

C.D.

Proxy.—­In 1436, we find the Bishop of Hola, in Iceland, whimsically enough hiring the master of a London merchant ship to sail to Iceland as his proxy, and to perform the necessary visitation of his see; the good prelate dreading in person to encounter the boisterous northern ocean.

T. GILL.

Swelled Ankles at a Discount.—­In the year 1699, when King William returned from Holland in a state of severe indisposition, he sent for Dr. Radcliffe, and showing him his swollen ankles, while the rest of his body was emaciated, said, “What think you of these?” “Why truly,” replied the doctor, “I would not have your majesty’s two legs for your three kingdoms.”  This freedom was never forgiven by the king, and no intercession could ever recover his favour towards Radcliffe.

P.T.W.

Judge Rumsey was so excellent a lawyer that he was called the Picklock of the Law.

Commerce and Theft in every age and country have gone regularly together.  Commerce accumulates riches, supplies the commodities to be stolen, supplies therefore the temptation, and puts the temptation in the way.  Mercury was the God at once of Peace, of Merchants, and of Thieves; and it is not very long since an African king said he designed to send his son to Europe, “to read book and be rogue like white man.”

T. GILL.

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With many Engravings, price 5s.

ARCANA OF SCIENCE

And Annual Register of the Useful Arts for 1832.

Fifth Year.

“This work is exceedingly valuable, and may be considered as an Encyclopaedia, to which the most eminent of their time are constantly contributing.”—­New Monthly Magazine, March.

Printed for JOHN LIMBIRD, 143, Strand.

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