Read the book: «The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 17, No. 473, January 29, 1831», page 7
DOUBTING
The mind that never doubts shall learn nothing; the mind that ever doubts shall never profit by learning. Our doubts only stir us up to seek truth; our resolution settles us in the truth we have found. There were no pleasure in resolution, if we had not been formerly troubled with doubts; there were nothing but discomfort and disquietness in doubts, if it were not for the hope of resolution. It is not good to let doubts dwell too long upon the heart; there may be good use of them as passengers, but dangerous as inmates.
HALL.
CURIOUS ANECDOTE OF A PICTURE
In Windsor Castle is the celebrated painting representing "The Interview of Henry the Eighth with Francis the First," between Guisnes and Ardres, near Calais, in the year 1520, on an open plain, since denominated Le Champ de Drap d'or. "After the execution of Charles the First," says Britton, "the parliament appointed commissioners to dispose of his effects, and an agent from France began a treaty with them for this painting. Philip, Earl of Pembroke, an eminent admirer of the arts, who considered the picture as a valuable appendage to an English palace, resolved, if possible, to prevent the bargain being concluded, and went privately to the royal apartments, cut out the head of King Henry from the canvass, placed it in his pocket-book, and retired unnoticed. The agent, finding the picture so materially mutilated, declined to purchase; and it remained in its station till Cromwell, having obtained the supreme command, prevented any further disposal of the collection. On the Restoration, the then Earl of Pembroke delivered the dissevered fragment to Charles the Second, who ordered it to be reinserted in its place. By looking sideways at the picture in a proper light, the reparation becomes visible."
P.T.W.
MEMORY
It is reported of the Emperor Claudius, that he retained in memory all Homer, Sallust, Demosthenes, Avicen, and Aristotle's Metaphysics.
Tully and Seneca never heard any thing material but it was imprinted in their memory.
Scaliger said he learned Homer in twelve days, and all the Greek poets in four months.
Seneca, the philosopher, could repeat two thousand names in the exact order in which they were rehearsed to him.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
