NEWSPAPERS. 347 



that comfortable negligence com- 1 that he feared if he carried such a 



mon both to French and Italians, 

 which allows them without repug- 

 nance to do everything in every 

 place that is at the moment most 

 convenient, in the professor's labo- 

 ratory, near an electrical machine, 

 it being probably the intention of 

 the lady to cook them there. 

 While the machine was in action, 

 an attendant happened to touch 

 with the point of the scalpel the 

 crural nerve of one of the frogs, 

 that was not far from the prime 

 conductor, when the limbs were 

 thrown into strong convulsions. 

 This experiment was performed in 

 the absence of the professor, but it 

 was noticed by the lady, who was 

 much struck by the appearance, 

 and communicated it to her hus- 

 band. He repeated the experi- 

 ment, varied it in different ways, 

 and perceived that the convulsions 

 only took place when a spark was 

 drawn from the prime conductor, 

 'while the nerve was at the same 

 time touched with a substance 

 which was a conductor of electri- 

 city. (Eloge de Galvani.) 



BOOK COLLECTORS. 



A library well chosen cannot be 

 too extensive, but some there are 

 who amass a great quantity of 

 books, which they keep for show, 

 and not for service. Of such per- 

 sons, Louis XI. of France, aptly 

 enough observed, that "they re- 

 sembled hunch-backed people, who 

 carried a great burden, which t/tey 

 never saw. 



SIR THOMAS MORE. 



Henry the Eighth, and Francis 

 the First of France, were both 

 princes of a very warm temper, 

 and the former having a design of 

 sending an angry message to the 

 on Sir Thomas 



latter, 



More, his chancellor, for the mes- 

 senger. Sir Thomas having re- 

 ceived his instructions, told Henry, 



message to so violent a man as 

 Francis, it might cost him his 

 head. "Never fear, man," said 

 the king, " if Francis were to cut 

 off your head, I would make every 

 Frenchman now in my power a 

 head shorter." " I am much obliged 

 to your majesty," replied the face- 

 tious chancellor ; " but I much 

 doubt whether any of their heads 

 would fit my shoulders." 



NEWTON'S ABSENCE OF MIND. 



Doctor Stukely one day by ap- 

 pointment paid a visit to Sir Isaac 

 Newton. The servant said he was 

 in his study, and no one was per- 

 mitted to disturb him there; but 

 as it was near his dinner-time, the 

 visitor sat down to wait for him. 

 In a short time a boiled chicken 

 under cover was brought in for 

 dinner; an hour passed, and Sir 

 Isaac did not appear. The doctor 

 then ate the fowl, and covered up 

 the empty dish, and desired the 

 servant to get another dressed for 

 his master. Before that was ready 

 the great man came down ; he apo- 

 logized for his delay; and added, 

 " Give me but leave to take my 

 short dinner, and I shall be at your 

 service ; I am fatigued and fciiut."' 

 Saying this, he lifted up the cover, 

 and without any emotion turned 

 about to Stukely with a smile, 

 " See," he said, " what we studioua 

 people are; I forgot that I Lad 

 dined." 



NEWSPAPERS. 



Periodical papers were first used 

 by the English during tho vivil 

 wars of Oliver Cromwell, to dis- 

 seminate among the people the 

 sentiments of loyalty or rcln-llion, 

 according as their authors were 

 disposed. 



Wo seem to have been obliged 



to the Italians fur tln> idea; and 



jK-rliaps it \v:is tlirir jdzettaa from 



. a magpie or chatterer, 



