Themistocles, when he was promised to be taught the art of memory, said, “I had rather be taught the art of forgetfulness, for I remember those things I would not, and I cannot forget those things I would.”

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ROYAL PLEASURE.

In the midst of the distresses with which France was harassed in the reign of Charles VII., and whilst the English were in possession of Paris, Charles amused himself and his mistresses with balls and entertainments.  The brave La Hire, coming to Charles one day, to talk to him on some business of importance, whilst the luxurious prince was occupied in arranging one of his parties of pleasure, was interrupted by the monarch, who asked him what he thought of his arrangement.  “I think, sire,” said he, “that it is impossible for any one to lose his kingdom more pleasantly than your majesty.”

J.G.B.

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A Lincolnshire farmer on being told that the low countries had risen, said he “was glad to hear it, for they would not be so often injured by floods.”

A.H.  R—­T.

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DEXTEROUS SHAVING.

Despatch is the order of things, and I think the following cannot be out-done by all the barberizing annals of ancient or modern times, not even by the Patent Steam Shaving Machine, talked so much of a few years ago:—­There are opposite each other, in George-street, St. Giles’s, two barbers’ shops, whose weekly customers average 3,000, and in one of them is a man who has frequently, on a Sunday, mown the chins of the almost incredible number, 500, the majority of these being Irish labourers, with beards of a week’s growth.  In the other, a woman takes no inconsiderable share in the arduous but impolite performance—­pulling men by the nose.

JAC-CO.

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SELF ILLUSTRATION.

In the Jamaica House of Assembly, a motion being made for leave to bring in a bill to prevent the frauds of Wharfingers, Mr. Paul Phipps, member for St. Andrew, rose and said, “Mr. Speaker, I second the motion; the Wharfingers are, to a man, a set of rogues; I know it well; I was one myself for ten years.”

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A little better taste (were it a very little) in the affair of life itself, would mend the manners and secure the happiness of some of our noble countrymen, who come with high advantage and a worthy character into the public.—­Shaftesbury.

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LORD BYRON.

With the present Number, a SUPPLEMENT of
PIQUANT EXTRACTS
FROM
MOORE’S LIFE OF LORD BYRON,
Vol.  II

* * * * *

Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset House) London:  sold by ERNEST FLEISCHER, 626, New Market, Leipsic; and by all Newsmen and Booksellers.