nd in the next
moment a young man, in the garb of a Quaker, with a broad-
brimmed, peaceful-looking, drab-coloured beaver on his
head, surmounted by a furious tri-coloured cockade, was
brought before him. This strange anomalous ' personage
having placed himself very carefully directly in front of
the bench, smiled complacently upon his Worship, and the
following laconic colloquy ensued forthwith:--

Magistrate--Did you bring this letter?

Quaker--Thou hast said it.

Magistrate---What is your object in bringing it?

Quaker--Merely to let thee know what is going on in the
world--and, moreover, being informed that if I came to thy
office, I should be taken into custody, I was desiroiis to
ascertain whether that information was true.

Magistrate--Then I certainly shall not gratify you by
ordering you into custody.

Quaker--Thou wilt do as seemeth right in thy eyes. I assure
thee I have no inclination to occupy thy time longer than is
profitable to us, and therefore I will retire whenever thou
shalt signify that my stay is unpleasant to thee.

Magistrate--Why do you wear your hat?--are you a Quaker?

Quaker--Thou sayest it--but that is not my sole motive for
wearing it. To be plain with thee, I wear it because I chose
to do so. Canst thee tell me of any law which compels me
to take it off?

Magistrate--I'll tell you what, friend, I would seriously
recommend you to retire from this place as speedily as
possible.

Quaker--I take thy advice--farewell.

Thus ended this comical conversation, and the eccentric
friend immediately departed in peace.

The brother of the above person attended at the office on
Saturday, and stated that the Quaker is insane, that he was
proprietor of an extensive farm near Ryegate, in Surrey, for
some years; but that in May last his bodily health being
impaired, he was confined for some time, and on his recovery
it was found that his intellects were affected, and he was
put under restraint, but recovered. Some time since he
absconded from Ryegate, and his friends were unable to
discover him, until they saw the account of his eccen-
tricities in the newspapers. Mr. Squire was desirous, if he
made his appearance again at the office, he should be
detained. The Magistrate, as