reek: oude legei, Zeu soson, ean
ptarei], show that it was proper to exclaim "God bless you!" when any one
sneezed.

Aristotle, in the Problems (xxxiii. 7.), inquires why sneezing is reckoned
a God ([Greek: dia ti ton men ptarmon, theon hegoumetha einai]); to which
he suggests, that it may be because it comes from the head, the most divine
part about us ([Greek: theiotatou ton peri hemas]). Persons having the
inclination, but not the power to sneeze, should look at the sun, for
reasons he assigns in Problems (xxxiii. 4.).

Plutarch, on the Daemon of Socrates (s. 11.), states the opinion which some
persons had formed, that Socrates' daemon was nothing else than the sneezing
either of himself or others. Thus, if any one sneezed at his right hand,
either before or behind him, he pursued any step he had begun; but sneezing
at his left hand caused him to desist from his formed purpose. He adds
something as to different kinds of sneezing. To sneeze twice was usual in
Aristotle's time; but once, or more than twice, was uncommon (Prob. xxxiii.
3.).

Petronius (_Satyr_. c. 98.) notices the "blessing" in the following
passage:

"Giton collectione spiritus plenus, _ter_ continuo ita sternutavit, ut
grabatum concuteret. Ad quem motum Eumolpus conversus, _salvere_ Gitona
_jubet_."

T. J. BUCKTON.

Birmingham.

[Footnote 5: The practice of snuff-taking has made the _sneezing_ at
anything a mark of contempt, in these degenerate days.]

* * * * *

ABUSES OF HACKNEY COACHES.

[The following proclamation on this subject is of interest at the
present moment.]

By the King.

A Proclamation to restrain the Abuses of Hackney Coaches in the Cities of
London and Westminster, and the Suburbs thereof.

Charles R.

Whereas the excessive number of Hackney Coaches, and Coach Horses, in and
about the Cities of London and Westminster, and the Suburbs thereof, are
found to be a common nuisance to the Publique Damage of Our People by
reason of their rude and disorderly standing and passing to and fro, in and
about our said Cities and Suburbs, the Streets and Highways being thereby
pestred and made impassable, the Pavements broken up, and the Common
Passages obstructed and become dangerous, Our Peace violated, and sundry
other mischiefs and evils occasioned:

We, taking into Our Princely consideration these apparent Inconveniences,
and resolving that a speedy remedy be applied to