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SUDDEN DEATH OF A COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER. - MR. G. SAMMELL, wholesale shoe
manufacturer, of London, was found dead in the Pembrokeshire mail last
Tuesday night, at Begelly, near Tenby.  Two ladies were in the coach, but
they were not aware of his death till they arrived at the place where the
horses were changed.

THE POLKA. - Two or three couples, who have been talking big about it for
the preceding three weeks, trot with faces of solemn self-satisfaction round
the small circle into which they are hemmed by the gaping crowd, holding
each other at arm's length, and rolling their heads most religiously from
right to left, according to instructions;  this they vary with an occasional
attempt at a "toe and heel" step, which consists in stamping their own heels
upon other people's toes, and then they march away in triumph to receive the
congratulations of their friends, leaving the poor deluded spectators under
the impression that they have seen the Polka. - 'Punch'.

A COSTLY GLASS OF WINE. - On the day appointed by QUEEN ELIZABETH for the
opening of the Royal Exchange, in 1570 (Jan. 23), SIR T. GRESHAM purchased a
most costly pearl, which on account of its exceeding great value, had been
refused by several persons of distinction.  SIR THOMAS at once agreed to
give £1,500 for the pearl.  SIR THOMAS then ordered a wine goblet to be
brought, and grinding the pearl into the finest powder, he placed it in the
glass, and filling it with wine, drank it off at a draught, declaring that
the building and the Queen's Majesty were worthy of such a beverage.

The above story has been handed down by STOWE and other writers as a 'fact',
but we beg leave to doubt the veracity of the old chroniclers, as we do not
believe that a London merchant would make such a fool of himself.

THE VITAL ADVANTAGE OF A DEFECT. - MOS. PERROT, being an eye-witness of an
Indian battle, caught the general spirit of the affray, and as he afterwards
said of himself, "fought like a famished lion ! " when, unluckily, his
pistol snapped in the face of a Sioux warrior, who struck him a blow that
felled him to the earth.  Stepping lightly over the form of his prostrate
foe, the savage grasped a knife in his right hand, and, seizing the luckless
Frenchman's hair with his left, was about to scalp him, when the knife
dropped from his hand, and he stood for a moment petrified with astonishment
and horror.

The whole head of hair was in his left hand, and the white man sat grinning
before him with a smooth and shaven crown !  Letting fall what he believed
to be the scalp of some spirit in human shape, the afrrighted Sioux fled
from the spot, while PERROT, replacing his wig, muttered half aloud, "Brave
ma bonne perruque !  ye te dois mille remercimens." - 'Prairie Bird'.

A ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE. -  The 'Bremen Gazette' gives the following curious
history of a man who died lately in Swedish Lithuania, highly esteemed, and
having a large fortune:  -  In his youth he was a chimney-sweeper, but
driven by distress into bad company, he committed a murder and a robbery.
He was taken, tried, convicted and condemned to death.  The sentence, with
all the circumstances of the case, was submitted to KING FREDERICK WILLIAM,
who wrote upon it - "Let the convict be taken to the place of execution,
when there, let a priest exhort him to repentence:  if this appears to be
done with all contrition, let him be told that I have spared his life.

Let thirty stripes with a cane be immediately inflicted on his back, and
then let him be carried back to prison, and kept to hard labour for five
years, receiving on each anniversary of the day fixed for his execution
thirty stripes as before.

At the expiration of the five years let a report be made to me of his
conduct during this period."

The convict listened to the priest with such true signs of remorse, that he
was deemed worthy of the Royal clemency.  The stripes were administered, and
repeated annually, in the prison to which he was consigned.

The report to the King at the end of the term being very favourable, his
Majesty ordered him to be removed to a milder place of confinement, and
there detained for five years more, but without any stripes.

The man preserved his good conduct throughout this second period, and at the
end of it a report was accordingly made to the King, who not only set him at
liberty, but gave him a sum of money to begin life anew.

With this he went into Prussian Lituania, and set up a business, which he
conducted with such probity, industry, and economy, that he became
independent, and ultimately amassed a large fortune, which he used nobly,
and dying, has been followed to the grave by the regret of all who knew him.

A CHARACTER. - An old man, residing within six miles of this town, made a
curious bargain the other day for the disposal of some land of which he was
the owner.

Amongst other conditions, the vender stipulated that the purchaser should
supply him daily with milk during the remainder of his life, and straw for
his fires, that he should cart all his coals for him, that he should brew on
his own premises, and send the beer to the vender's residence, and that the
vender should have the liberty of walking over the land as usual, and the
'pleasure' of warning off strangers. - 'Cambridge Chronicle'.
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A RADICAL'S CONCLUSIONS. -  In the highly interesting life of SAMUEL
BAMFORD, recently published, will be found much to amuse, and much to
instruct those who are prone to believe that great political changes are
best affected by 'the people'.  BAMFORD took a conspicious part in all the
Radical movements of 1816 and 1820,  and was as active and strenuous a
supporter of "the majesty of the mob", as any of his co-adjutors, and he
suffered imprisonment for the share he took in the Middleton drillings and
trainings under banners inscribed, "universal suffrage or death".  He has
lived long enough, however, to see the error of his ways, and now records
his conviction.  "That the industrious and poor man best serves his country
by doing his duty to his family at home.  That he best amends his country by
giving it good children;  and if he have not any, by setting a good example
himself.  That he best governs by obeying the laws;  and by ruling in love
and mercy his own little kingdom at home.  That his best reform is that
which corrects irregularities on his own hearth.  That his best meetings are
those with his own family, by his own fireside.  That his best resolutions
are those which he carries into effect for his own amendment, and that of
his household.  That his best speeches are those which promote "Peace on
earth, and good-will towards mankind."

That his best petitions are those of a contrite heart, addressed to The King
of Heaven, by whom "they will not be despised;"  and those to the governors
of the earth, for the peaceable obtainment of ameliorations for his brother
man.  And, that his best means for such obtainment is the cultivation of
good feelings in the hearts, and of good sense in the heads of those around
him.  That his best riches is contentment.  That his best love is that which
comforts his family.  That his best instrucion is that which humanizes and
ennobles their hearts.  And, that his best religion is that which leads to
"Do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with his God."  Would he
triumph ?  let him learn to endure.  Would he be a hero  ?  let him subdue
himself.  Would he govern  ?  let him first obey." - Vol. i. p. 112.

THE SUMBUHULPORE DIAMOND MINES. - These mines, which were a few years since
in brisk operation, are now wholly neglected, and as the place in question
is far removed from any European station, it is scarcely known.  The town
stands upon the river 'Mahah-nuddee', signifying "mighty stream", which
takes its rise amid the unexplored hills of Golcondah, up to their apexes
"in forest mantles clad", and during the rainy moonson its waters bring down
with them an abundance of gems and ores of different varieties.

When the hot weather prevails, the bed of the river, which in many parts is
left perfectly dry, is traversed by the natives, and large quantities of
topazes, hyacinths, garnets, cornelians, and other precious gems and stones
are collected, which afterwards find their way into the various bazaars of
India.  Diamonds are not unfrequently discovered on the sands of the
nullahs.  A 'sipahee', whilst passing the fort, perceived one morning, just
after sunrise, a speculiar object upon the sands, which particularly
attracted his attention.  Curiosity induced him to approach, and he was
joyously surprised at finding it to be a diamond of unusual size and
quality.

The adamantine specimens found in the mines at this locality are discovered
in a matrix of red ochreous earth, much resembling brick-dust, sometimes
intermixed with coarse gravel.  The climate of Sumbuhulpore is so extremely
unfavourable to the constitutions of Europeans that shortly after its
reduction by our troops, almost every British officer attached to the
regiment that was stationed there, died within a very few weeks, and it was
found expedient to abandon the spot.

This was done more than twenty years ago.  A gentleman named BABBINGTON, the
only European factor now residing in the locality, and who has been there
for some years, a perfect eremite, observes that the climate is the only one
thing that can be advance against it.  Its resources as to wealth and value
are considerable, he says, and the district is extremely fertile.  There is
a superabundance of shell lac in the neighbourhood, whilst the valley
sustains good crops of indigo and sugar cane.  MR. BABBINGTON, however,
complains that he is infested with troops of bears, which make their descent
during the nights from the hills in such numbers as to carry terror with
them.  They make sad havoc in the cane plantations, and maintain a boldness
in their character which puts all attempts to scare them at defiance. -
'East Indian Correspondent'.

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ADVANTAGE OF SAVINGS. - A calculation has lately been made by an actuary of
a saving's bank, by which, if the labourer could be prevailed on to save two
shillings a week from the age of twenty to thirty, he would be enabled, with
a trifling assistance, to purchase an annuity of ten shillings a week after
he arrived at the age of sixty.
                                                          'Savings' Bank
Circular'.

THE HOUSE SPARROW. - MR. KIDD, of Hammersmith, in a letter to the
'Gardener's Chronicle', makes the following singular statement: - "some will
doubtless smile when I tell them that sparrows are, when properly taught,
admirable song-birds  !  Taken when callow (this is indispensable), from the
nest, and brought up under a canary in fine voice, they have been known not
only to equal, but even to surpass their masters in brilliancy of execution.
I am well versed in these matters, having made them the subject of deep
study for many years.  In conclusion I would add, that I number the sparrows
among my good friends."

TEA DRINKING IN RUSSIA. - Tea is the principal luxury, besides brandy, in
which the moujik indulges, when in his power.  It is common to see him on
these occasions call for a samovar, or tea-urn full of water;  this he
continues pouring through a small tea-pot containing a pinch of tea, until
the water is all consumed.  He will actually thus imbibe eight, twelve, or
fifteen pints of hot liquid at a sitting.  Like the Russians of all classes,
he drinks it from a tumbler, and he will, when able to afford it, take with
it two or three small lumps of sugar.  When in company - for he is convivial
even over his thin beverage - a piece of sugar is passed round, and each
guest bites from it a piece, which he keeps within his teeth whilst a glass
or two is swallowed. - 'Revelations of Russia'.

SCOGGAN, QUEEN ELIZABETH'S JESTER.- SCOGGAN having once borrowed £500 of the
Queen, and not being able to return it, contrived to find out the time when
the Queen went out, as she was obliged to pass by his house.  He had a
coffin made, and having let his family into the secret, he hid himself in
it, and had all his friends invited to his funeral.  The Queen happening to
pass at the moment they were carrying the corpse with ceremony, inquired who
was dead.

"Madam" they replied, "it is your devoted servant, SCOGGAN."
"What !" she exclaimed, "he is dead, and I was not even informed of his
being ill !  The poor man owed me £500, but I forgive him the debt with all
my heart."

SCROGGON instantly rose up in his coffin, and cried out, "I thank your
Majesty.  The favour she bestows on me is so agreeable that it has brought
me to life again." - 'Fraser's Mag.'

COMFORT FOR PAUPERS. - DR. HANDYSIDE who designates himself Secretary to the
Association for obtaining an Official Inquiry  into Pauperism in Scotland,
in his examination before the poor law commissioners, stated that he would
say, from observation, with regard to a father and mother, with four
children under ten, at the working period of life, that 3s 3d or 3s., might
make them comfortable.  The doctor adds, that one shilling a week might do
for a single man, of which six pence is allotted weekly for nourishment.  He
considers 2s 6d, the lowest sum on which a man with a family of four
children might be supported, exclusive of house and clothing.  DR
HANDYSIDE'S idea of comfort and support for paupers seems to be based on
homoeopathic principles.  We would advise the doctor to try the system for a
week personally, and then give his opinion.  In all probability the sum he
so generously allots to support six individuals for seven days, would not
prove sufficient to pay for a dinner for himself alone. - 'Medical Times'.

THE HUMBLE PETITION OF THE LETTER ' H ' TO THE INHABITANTS OF LONDON AND ITS
ENVIRONS. - The memorial of your unfortunate petitioner humbly showeth, that
although conspicuous in 'h'eraldry, and entitled to the first place in
'h'onour, yet he has been; by many of you, most injuriously treated;
spoiled in 'he'alth, driven from 'h'ome, and refused a place, not only in
your 'h'ouses, but in every 'h'ome,'h'ut, or 'h'amlet, within your control.
You refuse your petitioner's 'h'elp, and cut him off also from 'h'ope, the
last resource of the unfortunate.  Your petitioner is one moment scorched in
an 'H'-oven, or the next frozen to death in a 'H'-icehouse;  and is tortured
from one 'H'-extremity to 'H'another.  From the highest 'h'ill you
precipitate him to the vale;  you suspend him in the 'H'-air, and plunge him
in the 'H'-ocean.  You relieve him from 'h'unger, only by the food which the
doctors have forbidden him to approach, such as H'-oysters, 'H'-oranges,
'H'-eels, 'H'-apples, &c., &c., while you refuse that which they esteem
proper, as 'h'ares, 'h'ams, 'h'errings, &c.  Your petitioner deeply feels
these 'H'-outrages, and the 'H'ignominy, and 'H'-irony, to which he is
subject;  pray you will take him from 'H'-exile, and restore him to himself;
discard him from your 'H'-eyes, and restore him to your 'h'earts;  and your
petitioner as in duty bound, will ever feel most grateful.
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INTERESTING PHYSIOLOGICAL FACT. - The style of living is ascertained to have
a powerful effect in modifying the human figure in the course of
generations, and this even in its osseous structure.  About two hundred
years ago a number of people were driven by a  barbarous policy from the
counties of Antrim and Down, in Ireland, towards the sea coast, where they
have ever since been settled, but, in unusually miserable circumstances,
even for Ireland;  and the consequence is, that they exhibit peculiar
features of the most repulsive kind, projecting jaws, with large open
mouths, depressed noses, high cheek bones, with bow legs, together with an
extremely diminutive stature.  These, with an abnormal slenderness of the
limbs, are the outward marks of a low and barbarous condition all over the
world;  it is particularly seen in the Australian aborigines.  On the other
hand, the beauty of the higher ranks in England is very remarkable, being,
in the main, as clearly a result of good external conditions. "Coarse,
unwholesome, and ill-prepared food," says BUFFON, "makes the human race
degenerate. All those people who live miserably are ugly and ill-made.  Even
in France, the country people are not so beautiful as those who live in
towns;  and I have often heard remarked, than in those villages where the
people are richer and better fed than in others, the men are likewise more
handsome and have better countenances."

He might have added, that elegant and commodious dwellings, cleanly habits,
comfortable clothing, and being exposed to the open air only as much as
health requires, co-operate with food in increasing the elegance of a race
of human beings. - 'Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation'.

EXECUTION EXTRAORDINARY. - A letter from Petersburgh, of Sept. 23, in the
'Gazette des Tribunaux' says: -

"The murderers of M. DE KEZMET, one of the deputies of the diet of Hungary,
have just been tried and executed.  One of them was CONRAD TORNYI, the
servant of the deceased, and the other a shoemaker, named KOWAEZ, who not
only aided in the crime, but afterwards robbed his accomplice of all the
articles of value which were in M. DE KEZMET's apartment at Presburgh.
TONYI avowed his guilt, and acknowledged that he had cut up the body in
pieces.  The sentence of the court was, that TORNYI should be quartered, his
body burnt, and the ashes thrown to the wind;  and that KOWAEZ should be
decapitated.  The prisoners appealed, but the king confirmed the sentence of
death, changing TORNYI's punishment into simple beheading.  This sentence
was carried into execution two days back, in the market-place, and a strange
incident added to the terrible interest of the scene.  The judgment ordered
KOWAEZ to be first executed;  but this TORNYI protested against in the
strongest terms, declaring that as he was of noble blood he was entitled to
die first.  His claim being rejected, he fell on KOWAEZ, and endeavoured to
pull him from the block.  KOWAEZ sent him back with a violent blow on the
chest, and TORNYI was on the point of giving blow for blow, when the
executioner's man seized him and bound him so tightly as to prevent his
making any exertion.  They were both executed in a few minutes after.  This
singular ambition of TORNYI to have his claim of birth attended to in such
circumstances, calls to mind an execution at Copenhagen in 1816, where, when
some men were sentenced to death for exciting their fellow-prisoners to
revolt, three of the number had been beheaded, but the fourth refused to
place his head on the block, on the ground that the person before him had
been a Jew, and that he, being a Christian, could object to having his blood
mingled with that of a Jew.  After some parley, the magistrate granted his
objection, and the man having cleaned the block of the blood, as well as he
could, placed his head down tranquilly, and underwent his sentence."

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