that are least visited; they ought to be carefully avoided, for they
not only produce dreadful disorders, but have often proved the death
of the person who has had the misfortune to sleep in them. Especially
in winter, not only examine the beds, to see whether they are quite
dry, but have the bedclothes in your presence put before the fire.
Just before you go to bed, order a pan of hot coals to be run through
it, then place a clean tumbler inverted between the sheets, and let it
remain there for a few minutes;--if on withdrawing it the slightest
cloud is observable on the inner surface, be certain that either the
bed or the sheets are damp: sleeping in the blankets is a
disagreeable, but the safest way of escaping such danger: there are
many persons in the habit of travelling, who make it a constant
practice. A wash leather sheet, about 8 feet by 5, is not an
unpleasant substitute for linen. But the only absolutely safe plan is,
to sleep in a bed which you are sure has been occupied the night
before; and that, must be the best-aired bed which was slept in by the
best-aired person!--Qy. The cook?--_The Traveller's Oracle_.

* * * * *


BURMAN THIEVES.


The Burmans used to approach, on dark nights, on their hands and
knees, and often crawled close up to the sentinels, before they were
discovered; sometimes they carried off knapsacks and arms, and went
away with their booty unperceived.

A laughable instance of their dexterity took place in the Great