skin--that of absorbing a large portion of the light without any
analysis whatever. This may be called _darkness_.

However, to return to the Query: the term _pale_ is applied to the
yellow-tinted skin; _fair_, to the red or pink; _brown_, to the
mixture of red and yellow, with either blue or such darkness as
above described; _sallow_, to yellow and darkness; and the only close
approach to _whiteness_ that we ever see, is in the sick room of the
long-suffering fair complexion. In death, this changes to a "blackish
grey," a mixture of white and darkness.

The _pale_ complexion indicates a thick, hard, dry skin; the _fair_,
a thin and soft one; and all the shades of dark skin render a large
amount of ablution essential to health, comfort, or agreeableness
to others. If any of your readers should feel curious about the
characters of the wearers of these several skins, they must inquire of
Lavater and his disciples.

D.V.S.

Home, April 1. 1850.

* * * * *


BALLAD OF DICK AND THE DEVIL.

Looking over some of your back numbers, I find (No. 11. p. 172.) an
inquiry concerning a ballad with this title. I have never met with it
in print, but remember some lines picked up in nursery days from an