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QUACKERY.

A short time since a soi-disant doctor sold water of the pool of Bethesda, which was to cure all complaints, if taken at the time when the angel visited the parent spring, on which occasion the doctor’s bottled water manifested, he said, its sympathy with its fount by its perturbation.  Hundreds purchased the Bethesda-water, and watched for the commotion and the consequence, with the result to be expected.  At last one, less patient than the rest, went to the doctor, and complained that though he had kept his eye constantly on the water for a whole year, he had never yet discovered anything like the signs of an angel in his bottle.

“That’s extremely strange,” exclaimed the doctor.  “What sized bottle did you buy, sir?”

Patient.—­“A half-guinea-one, doctor.”

Doctor.—­“Oh, that accounts for it.  The half-guinea bottles contain so small a quantity of the invaluable Bethesda-water, that the agitation is scarcely perceptible; but if you buy a five-guinea bottle, and watch it well, you will in due season see the commotion quite plain, sympathizing with that of the pool when visited by the angel.”

The patient bought the five guinea bottle as advised, and kept a sharp look out for the angel till the day of his death.

London Magazine.

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HANGING BY DESIRE.

Some few years ago, two fellows were observed by a patrol sitting on a lamp-post in the New Road, and on closely watching them, he discovered that one was tying up the other (who offered no resistance) by the neck.  The patrol interfered, to prevent such a strange kind of murder, and was assailed by both, and pretty considerably beaten for his good offices.  The watchmen, however, poured in, and the parties were secured.  On examination the next morning, it appeared that the men had been gambling; that one had lost all his money to the other, and had at last proposed to stake his clothes.  The winner demurred; observing, that he could not strip his adversary naked, in the event of his losing.  “Oh,” replied the other, “do not give yourself any uneasiness about that.  If I lose, I shall be unable to live, and you shall hang me, and take my clothes after I am dead; as I shall then, you know, have no occasion for them.”  The proposed arrangement was assented to; and the fellow, having lost, was quietly submitting to the terms of the treaty, when he was interrupted by the patrol, whose impertinent interference he so angrily resented.—­Ibid.

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RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS.

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TRIAL OF CHARLES I.