ALGEBRA.


Algebra I was charmed with, and found so much pleasure in resolving its
questions, that I have often sat till morning at the engaging work,
without a notion of its being day till I opened the shutters of my
closet. I recommend this study in particular to young gentlemen, and am
satisfied, if they would but take some pains at first to understand it,
they would have so great a relish for its operations, as to prefer them
many an evening to clamorous pleasures; or, at least, not be uneasy for
being alone now and then, since their algebra was with them.--_Life of
John Buncle._

* * * * *


A LUCKY MATCH.


The late Mr. Locke, of Norbury Park, commissioned one Jenkins, a dealer
in pictures, residing at Rome, to send him any piece of sculpture which
might not exceed fifty guineas. Jenkins sent a head of Minerva, which Mr.
Locke, not liking, returned, paying the carriage, and all other expenses.
Nollekens, who was then also at Rome, having purchased a trunk of
Minerva for fifty pounds, upon the return of this head, found that its
proportion and character accorded with his torso. This discovery induced
him to accept an offer made by Jenkins of the head itself; and 220
guineas to share the profits. After Nollekens had joined the head and