testines to cause violent purging. This, by the way, was seized upon by the defence as consistent with the theory that the deceased died of cholera morbus. But while the crown contended that the arsenic had been administered in coffee or chocolate, the defence claimed that it was impossible that such a quantity could have been taken unconsciously by the deceased in these or any other liquid media. With reference to this view, Witthaus very properly notes that it presupposes that solution is a requisite to secret administration, but while this may be true of a transparent medium, and where the victim is in the possession of his senses, it must not be forgotten that a much larger quantity than could be dissolved may be stirred into a thick and opaque liquid, and taken without producing any effect upon the senses, except possibly a rough taste or gritty sensation. No case of arsenical poisoning in recent times has attracted so much attention, aroused so much interest, and provoked so much discussion as that of Mrs. Florence Maybrick. The fact that James Maybrick was in the habit of taking arsenic as a tonic in fractional doses, and the insufficiency of such alleged motives as the life insurance, and the attachment to Brierly, were points in favor of the defence. On the other hand, the repeated investigation of the Home Secretary, and his stubborn resistance to appeals for pardon from England and America, strengthened the presumption of guilt. But even those who were unconvinced of the prisoner's innocence of criminal intent gladly acquiesced in the release from long imprisonment which finally came in response to persistent demand. BREVITIES Lines on observing a sunbeam glittering on a mass of snow :' "Mark, in yon beam the world's destructive guile, It melts us into ruin with a smile." When Socrates was asked what a man gains by telling lies, he answered, "not to be believed when he speaks the truth." I do not call the sod under my feet my country. But language, religion, laws, government, blood,-identity in these makes men of one country.-COLERIDGE. The observation of hospitality, even towards an enemy, is inculcated by a Hindu author: The sandal tree imparts its fragrance even to the axe that hews it." An Eastern sage being desired to inscribe on the ring of his Sultan a motto, equally applicable to prosperity or adversity, returned it with these words engraved upon it: "And this, too, shall pass away." Affection, like melancholy, magnifies trifles; but the magnifying of the one is like looking through a telescope at heavenly objects; that of the other, like enlarging monsters with a microscope. It is very piteous to look at blind people; but it is observed that they are generally cheerful because others pay them so much attention; and one would suffer a good deal to be continually treated with love.-LEIGH HUNT. Yet courage, soul! Nor hold thy strength in vain, A tender child of Summers three, "Oh, mother! take my hand," said she, WHITTIER. Books are the legacies that genius leaves to mankind, to be delivered down from generation to generation, as presents to the posterity of those who are yet unborn. ADDISON. Virtue and talents, though allowed their due consideration, yet are not enough to procure a man a welcome wherever he comes. Nobody contents himself with rough diamonds, or wears them so. When polished and set, then they give a lustre.-LOCKE. Pierpont says of the ballot, "A weapon that comes down as still As snowflakes fall upon the sod; But executes a freeman's will, As lightning does the will of God. Reason is the triumph of the intellect, faith of the heart; and whether the one or the other shall best il lumine the dark mysteries of our being, they only are to be despaired of who care not to explore.-SCHOULER. If there be no nobility of descent, all the more indispensable is it that there should be nobility of ascent-a character in them that bear rule so fine and high and pure, that as men come within the circle of its influence they involuntarily pay homage to that which is the one preeminent distinction, the Royalty of Virtue.BISHOP POTTER. "Love gives itself; and, if not given, No genius, beauty, worth, nor wit, ALEXANDER SMITH. Who is there in this world who has not, hidden Be good, my dear, and let who will, be clever; Do right, though pain and anguish be thy lot, The wisest man in a comedy is he that plays the fool, for a man must be no fool to give a diverting representation of folly.-S. Viar, ix. 1. TOASTS AND MOTTOES The Pilgrim Fathers The physical daring and hardihood with which amidst the times of savage warfare, the Pilgrims laid the foundation of mighty States, and subdued the rugged soil, and made the wilderness blossom; the vigilance and firmness with which under all circumstances they held fast their chartered liberties and extorted new rights and privileges from the reluctant home government, justly entitle them to the grateful remembrance of a generation now reaping the fruit of their sacrifices and toils.-JOHN G. WHITTIER. Independence Day It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion, from one end of the continent to the other.-JOHN ADAMS. Our Country A goodly heritage.-Psalm xvi. Upon this land a thousand, thousand blessings. On thy brow Shall set a nobler grace than now, Deep in the brightness of the skies |