world remained insecure, it would gradually suck all the wealth of the
world into its vortex. But it would require supernatural agency to
make it thus absolutely secure.

* * * * *

[Footnote 1: See the will at length in the appendix to Lord
Lauderdale's _Inquiry into the Nature and Origin of Public Wealth_.]




SIR FRANCIS HEAD'S 'FAGGOT.'[2]


'A FAGGOT OF FRENCH STICKS' is the whimsical title of a work just
presented to the public, by the author of _Bubbles from the Brunnen of
Nassau_; the said work being as respectable a specimen of bookmaking
as has ever come under our notice. The object of the writer appears to
have been to fill so much paper, by saying something about all he saw
or heard of in a visit to Paris, no matter how insignificant the
circumstances; and by this ingenious means, he has actually contrived
to make up two goodly-sized volumes for the literary market.

The author of this strange melange, however, is not without a dash of
merit; he possesses a terrier-like power of poking about into holes
and corners, and dragging to light a variety of facts which might
escape the attention of less vigilant tourists. For example, he is not
satisfied with the mere sight or employment of omnibuses,
street-porters, _chiffonniers_, and other agents of the public