h bordered the horizon were reflected with extreme precision; and
the delusion of its being a sheet of water was thus rendered perfect.
He had often seen the mirage in Syria and Egypt: there he always found
it of a whitish color, like morning mist, seldom lying steadily on the
plain, almost continually vibrating; but in the case above described
the appearance was very different, and bore the most complete
resemblance to water. This exact similitude the traveler attributes to
the great dryness of the air and earth in the desert where he beheld
it. There, too the appearance of water approached much nearer than in
Syria and Egypt, being often not more than two hundred paces from the
beholders, whereas he had never seen it before at a distance of less
than half-a-mile.--_Fraser, June._

* * * * *

Letter from the Duke Of Wellington.--A short time since, (says
the _Court Journal_,) the rector of a parish in one of the midland
counties, having obtained subscriptions toward the restoration of his
church, still found himself unable to meet all the claims which the
outlay had occasioned. To supply the deficiency, he wrote to many
persons of wealth and eminence, politely soliciting their aid. The
following is a copy of the reply which he received to the application
made to his Grace:

"F.M. the Duke of Wellington presents his compliments to Mr. ----. As
Mr. ---- feels that his letter needs apology, the Duke will say no
more on that subject; but he must add, that as there is not a church,
chapel, glebe-house, school, or even a pagoda, built from the north to
the south pole or within the utmost limits of the earth, to which he
(the Duke of Wellington) is not called upon to contribute, the Duke
is surprised that Mr. ----, having already raised L7,500 toward the
restoration of his church, should make application to the Duke, who
has nothing to say either to ---- or to ----shire."

Immediately upon the receipt of this, the reverend gentleman was
offered five guineas for the autograph, which he readily accepted,
entering the amount in his subscription-list as the Duke of
Wellington's contribution to the fund.

* * * * *

RECENT DEATHS.

Mr. Richard J. Wyatt, an eminent English sculptor, died at Rome on
the 29th of May, after a few days' illness, and was buried in the
Protestant burial-ground. The hearse was followed by the British
Consul, the American Charge d'Affai