why may not the descendants of another kind of thieves glory equally in
their origin at some distant day, and proudly trace themselves to a Soames
and a Filch, and dwell with romantic glow, on their larcenous deeds? A
descendant of Soames may have as much pride in recalling the deeds of that
distinguished felon in the Strand, as a descendant of a border chief has in
recounting his ancestors levies of blackmail."--Pope might well say--

"What can ennoble sots, or fools, or cowards,
Alas! not all the blood of all the Howards"

* * * * *


SEEING IS BELIEVING.


In South America, the whole population is equestrian. No man goes to visit
his next door neighbour on foot; and even the beggars in the street ask
alms on horseback. A French traveller being solicited for charity by one of
these mounted petitioners, at Buenos Ayres, makes the following entry in
his note-book.--"16th November. Saw a beggar this morning, who asked alms
of me, mounted on a tall grey horse. The English have a proverb, that
says--'Set a beggar on horseback, and he'll ride to the devil!' I had often
heard this mentioned, but never saw one upon his way before."

_Monthly Mag._

We remember to have seen in Paris a man in a sort of chaise, grinding an
organ, drawn by two ponies, and followed by a boy--begging from house to
house. From the faded _livery_ worn by the boy, we set the whole down as a