_N.B._ I mean to give the good-natured reader a whole
chapter on _the art of_ STORY-TELLING.

Well, as I was saying, the Virginian being obliged to
stoop--the _stooping_ caused his head to be bowed down; and
looking down, he saw a _book_ lying upon the starboard
locker.--Well, says he, and what the d----l--but I think it
expedient to omit the _Virginian_ oath; for this man, not
being a moral man, swore consumedly, and did not know a
_bible_ by sight, but only by _hearsay_.--And Captain, cried
the _Virginian_, will you sell this bible of yours: I hear
it's a mighty clever book for children.--And why not for
grown people? cried the Captain, taking up the _book_. Why,
quoth the _Virginian_, because I mean my three boys, who are
from 11 to 14 years old, shall be good _scholards at their
larning_--they can all say their letters already, and the
youngest can spell.--The Boston sea Captain opening the
bible found these words: "_Search the scriptures_;" and
without saying any thing himself, pointed out the passage to
the _Virginian_.--Pugh! said the _Virginian_, and walked
upon deck.--Now, to explain this mystery, you must know the
Yankee sea Captain shewed him the passage to denote that he
would sooner sell his soul to the d----l, than his bible to
a _Virginian_;--and the _Virginian_ said pugh! and walked
upon deck, because he could not read.

* * * * *

LONGEVITY. Since we published the examples of longevity,
collected by the editor of the Medical Adviser, we have seen