and fifty pounds, and measure nine foot eight inches from
the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, which the colonel (though a
bear-hunter in the Rockys for many a year) acknowledges to be the "boss"
of the mountains.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"E PLURIBUS UNUM."

A correspondent of the Philadelphia _Press_ tells the history of the
Latin motto, _E Pluribus Unum_ (from many, one). "The origin of the
motto is ascribed to Col. Reed, of Uxbridge, Mass. It first appeared on
a copper coin, struck at Newburg, New York State, where there was a
private mint. The pieces struck are dated 1786.

"In 1787 the motto appeared on several types of the New Jersey coppers,
also on a very curious gold doubloon, or sixteen-dollar piece, coined by
a goldsmith named Brasher. It was there put _'Unum E Pluribus.'_ Only
four of these pieces are known to be extant, and they are very valuable.
One of them, in possession of the mint, is supposed to be worth over a
thousand dollars.

"When Kentucky was admitted, in 1791, it is said copper coins were
struck with _'E Pluribus Unum.'_ They were made in England. The act of
Congress of 1792, authorizing the establishment of a mint, and the
coinage of gold, silver and copper, did not prescribe this motto, nor
was it over legalized.

"It was placed on gold coins in 1796, and on silver coins in 1798. It
was constantly used thereafter until 1831, when it was withdrawn from
the quarter-dollar of new device. In 1834 it was dropped from gold coins
to mark the change in the standard fineness of the coin.

"In 1837 it was dropped from the silver coins, marking the era of the
revised mint code. It has been thought proper to restore it recently to
our new silver dollar without any special sanction of law, although the
expression is one very proper for our coins."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

WHAT "B. C." MEANT.

A smart boy, who carried his point, forms the topic for a paragraph in
the Boston _Transcript._ A distinguished Bostonian, whom his city and
State have delighted to honor, bethought him lately to buy a new
vehicle.

A bargain offered in the shape of a buggy, which a friend was ready to
dispose of at a fair price. It was "second hand," to be sure, but it was
a good buggy, had been made "'pon honor," had seen but little service,
and bore upon its panels the initials of the original owner, "B. C."

The trade was made, and th