T. GILL.

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KNAVE

Formerly signified valet or servant as appears from Wickliffe’s New Testament, kept in Westminster Library, and where we read—­“Paul the knave of Jesus Christ.”  Hence the introduction of the knave in the pack of cards.

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STEEL THREE HUNDRED TIMES DEARER THAN GOLD.

Steel may be made three hundred times dearer than standard gold, weight for weight; six steel wire pendulums, weight one grain, to the artists 7s. 6d. each, 2l. 5s.; one grain of gold only 2d.

T. GILL.

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SCRAPS.

Omai, the South Sea Islander, was once at a dinner in London, where stewed Morello cherries were offered to him.  He instantly jumped up, and quitted the room.  Several followed him; but he told them that he was no more accustomed to partake of human blood than they were.  He continued rather sulky for some time, and it was only by the rest of the company partaking of them, that he would be convinced of his error, and induced to return to the table.

At White Hall Mill, in Derbyshire, a sheet of paper was manufactured last year, which measured 13,800 feet in length, four feet in width, and would cover an acre and a half of ground.

Among the ancient Saxons at Magdeburgh, the greatest beauties were at stated times deposited in charge of the magistrates, with a sum of money as the portion of each, to be publicly fought for; and fell to the lot of those who were famous at tilting.

W.G.C.

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AN OLD APPLE-WOMAN’S STORY ABOUT APSLEY HOUSE.

When London did not extend so far as Knightsbridge, George II. as he was one morning riding, met an old soldier who had served under him at the battle of Dettingen; the king accosted him, and found that he made his living by selling apples in a small hut.  “What can I do for you?” said the king.—­“Please your majesty to give me a grant of the bit of ground my hut stands on, and I shall be happy.”—­“Be happy,” said the king, and ordered him his request.  Years rolled on, the appleman died, and left a son, who from dint of industry became a respectable attorney.  The then chancellor gave lease of the ground to a nobleman, as the apple-stall had fallen to the ground, where the old apple man and woman laid also.  It being conceived the ground had fallen to the crown, a stately mansion was soon raised, when the young attorney put in claims; a small sum was offered as a compromise and refused; finally, the sum of four hundred and fifty pounds per annum, ground rent, was settled upon.

J.G.B.

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