One of the most forcible illustrations of the ruling passion strong in death was related to us by Sir H. W- and came under his notice whilst

serving the office of sheriff.

A clergyman attending a culprit on the scaffold, after the usual prayers, asked, as a matter of

course,

"And now, ere I bid you farewell, is there anything I can do for you, my poor soul?"

"Yes, sir," answered the pinioned one eagerly, "you can be of the greatest comfort to me; just put your hand in my waistcoat pocket, you will find a paper of snuff; do open it, and give me a pinch. I can't help myself. I'd do as much for you if you was in my situation, and I shall feel obliged to you as long as I live."

The good divine vexed not a parting soul by saying anything about the sin and folly of such request at such a moment, nor the unfitness of the office proposed for one of his cloth, He administered this last consolation, and, as he retired, heard the condemned sinner exclaim,

"Now I'm happy!"

A moment more, and as the newspapers say, he was "launched into eternity."

A tobacconist, in the west of England, was in

the habit of supplying with an occasional "bit of snuff," a poor fellow, who had seen better days. One night, as his humble box was being filled, an exquisite, lounging in the shop, said gaily,

"So, gaffer, even you indulge in this expensive, unnecessary, idle custom, eh?"

"I've little time for idleness, Sir," replied the old man; "and I've tried to look on it as not among the necessaries of life, but I can't; as to the expense, a little lasts me long; and my friend here I don't mind his winks nor frowns-he will never let me pay!"

"Ha! on your recommendation, I'll deal no where else in future; only he must condescend to let me pay. But, brother of the box, your snuff is lumpy; what's your plan for velvetizing it, umph?"

"I rub it up in parchment, Sir; one of my uncle's old commissions."

way

"Well enough, but takes time and space; best to put either your gold or your silver into the box. Then, as you walk, the grains are separated by friction; besides, those metals, especially the best of 'em, improve the flavour: try!"

"When I can," returned the other simply.

The shopkeeper's eye happened, for a moment, to be off the pair, or seemed so.

"Pooh," cried the dandy, taking the plain box, and concealing a coin in the snuff. "Put it in your waistcoat, jog home, and see if things are not smoother!"

He bounded into his cabriolet, and drove off ere the creature he had advised could evince his honest pride.

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"To be sure,” he sighed to the tobacconist, a shabby fellow, like me, must not be airified; every shilling I earn is welcome, but I wish the gentleman had not thrust one on me, for nothing, from mere pity, delicately as he did it.”

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Why," said his friend slyly, "your box would not hold a crown, nor even a half crown, so just see whether that joker has given you a bad sixpence, or a farthing."

The specimen of our realm's currency was brought to light; it proved a guinea! Happy and grateful was the poor snuffer, almost as delighted was the snuff-giver; as for the fop, he went to a party, and thought no more about such a trifle then-but may he remember it on his death-bed!

On the stage, when snuff is to be upset, coffee is used as its substitute, that the sneezing may be