SCRAPIANA. 383 



One of the consular agents of France in India has written home to his go- 

 vernment, stating, that there has lately been discovered in an Indian pagoda a 

 MS., which details in the most precise manner the arrival of a man from the 

 west, the nature of his studies under the direction of their Indian Brahmins, 

 and his sudden departure. This book contains the physical and moral por- 

 trait of the Saviour, exactly such as it has been transmitted down to us. It 

 dwells upon his benevolence, his love of humanity, and his inestimable piety, 

 which so admirably corresponded with the beauty and mild expression of his 

 countenance. 



Last week a querist at Cowes, where smuggling is sometimes carried on 

 to a considerable extent, asked a by-stander what animals there worked the 

 hardest, and were the most contented with their labour ? " Wby (replied 

 the by-stander), I should say the donkeys for they carry angels by day and 

 spirits by night !" 



There appears plenty of work cut out for the second reformed parliament, 

 there being not less than one hundred and thirty-four notices of motions 

 placed upon the order book for the next session. 



The gas-lamps of London alone consume not less than 38,000 chaldrons of 

 coals in the year. The gas-pipes of the metropolis, were, in 1830, of the 

 total length of upwards of 1000 miles. 



Play-bills were formerly affixed to the numerous posts which formerly en- 

 cumbered the streets of the metropolis ; and hence the phrase " posting- 

 bills," which is still retained. 



; AN IRISH RUFFIAN. He acknowledged that he had been present at a 

 murder that he had been tried and transported ; he thought he could sleep 

 well if his hands were imbrued in innocent blood ; would rather kill twenty, 

 men than take a false oath ; if a man took a false oath he never could repent ; 

 but if he committed murder he might repent. He would not act as a hang- 

 man for 100Z. ; he would not put a rope round a man's neck ; but he would 

 shed the blood or blow the brains out of an innocent man ; had rather do 

 that than put a rope round a man's neck convicted of murder. 



TO THE SAINTS OF " ST. BRIDE'S." 



" Take not a house in that part of the city where the people are 

 ignorant and devout." Persian Proverb. 



THE Saints, usurping sovereign sway, 



Command our city's sinners 



To save their souls on sabbath-day 



And go without their dinners. 



The butchers dare not open shop, 



Nor grocers move a shutter : 



Woe to the wench who twirls a mop, 



Or goes abroad for butter ! 



The publicans unjiallow'd elves ! 



Heap angry imprecations 



Upon the Saints, who feast themselves, 



Though paupers want their rations ! 



With beldames, of each apple-stall, 



The godly heroes grapple, 



And preach to them of Adams fall, 



Effected by an apple I 



L. L. T. 



