‘Ah-h-h!’ said H., ‘war times, now.  Can’t give anything.’

    ’The soup society is very poor, and would be thankful for the
    smallest sum.’

    ‘Would it?’ said H., cheerfully.  ’Why, then, twice one are two. 
    Good-morning.’

This, we presume, may be called figuring as a benefactor.

* * * * *

Our Arabic-studying friend has supplied us with a fresh batch of oriental proverbs:—­

    ’A monkey solicited hospitality from devils.  “Young gentleman,”
    they replied, “the house is quite empty of provisions."’

    ‘Eat whatever thou likest, but dress as others do.’

    ‘Like a needle, that clothes people, and is itself naked.’

    ‘He who makes chaff of himself the cows will eat.’

    ‘Give me wool to-day, and take sheep to-morrow.’

    ‘He is high-minded but empty-bellied.’

    ‘Easier to be broken than the house of a spider.’

    ’He descends like the foot of a crow, and ascends (like) the hoof
    of a camel.’

But all yield in grim drollery to the last given:—­

    ‘There are no fans in hell.’

Which, as our friend declares, ‘sounds as Western as Eastern.’  Verily, extremes meet.

* * * * *

Many of our exchanges have spoken of the series entitled ’Among the Pines,’ now publishing in this Magazine, as being written by FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED. In justice to Mr. OLMSTED we would state that he is not the author of the articles in question, and regret that the unauthorized statement should have obtained such general credence.

A statement has also appeared in many journals declaring that the literary matter of the CONTINENTAL MONTHLY is the same with that published in the KNICKERBOCKER Magazine.  We need not say that it is entirely false, as any reader may ascertain for himself who will take the pains to compare the two publications.  Not one line has ever appeared in common in the Magazines.  The Knickerbocker is printed and PUBLISHED in New York, at No. 532 Broadway, the CONTINENTAL in Boston, at No. 110 Tremont Street.

* * * * *

The editor of the CONTINENTAL begs leave to repeat that as the principal object of the Magazine is to draw forth such views as may be practically useful in the present crisis, its pages will always be open to contributions even of a widely varying character, the only condition being that they shall be written by friends of the Union.  And we call special attention to the fact that while holding firmly to our own views, as set forth under the Editorial heading, we by no means profess to endorse those of our contributors, but shall leave the reader to make his own comments on these.

* * * * *

Readers will confer a favor by forwarding to us any pamphlets, secession or Union, on the war, which they may be disposed to spare.