n eggs easily enough if we would
take the trouble; but rather than do this we hire them to do it for us, at
an expense of several scores of thousands sterling in the year. They, of
course, are very much obliged to us, though a little amused no doubt at
the eccentricity of John Bull; and with the utmost alacrity supply us
annually with about 90,000,000 eggs. John eats his foreign pudding,
however--he is partial to foreign things--with great gravity, and only
unbends into a smile when he sees his few chickens hopping about the
farm-yard, the amusement of his children, or the little perquisite,
perhaps, of his wife. He occasionally eats a newly-laid egg, the date of
its birth being carefully registered upon the shell; thinks it a very
clever thing in him to provide his own luxuries; and is decidedly of
opinion that an English egg is worth two of the mounseers'. His neglect of
this branch of rural economy, however, does not prevent his wondering
sometimes how these fellows contrive to make the two ends of the year
meet, when he himself finds it so difficult a matter to get plums to his
pudding.

What becomes of the rind? We have shown what becomes of the rind. We have
shown what apparently inconsiderable matters swell up the commerce of a
great country. A plum-pudding is no joke. It assembles within itself the
contributions of the whole world, and gives a fillip to industry among the
most distant tribes and nations. But it is important likewise in other
respects. Morally and socially considered, its influence is immense. At
this season of the year, more especially, it is a bond of family union,
and a symbol of friendly hospitality. We would not give a straw for that
man, woman, or child, in the frank, cordial circles of Old English life,
who does not hail its appearance on the table with a smile and a word of
welcome. Look at its round, brown, honest, unctuous face, dotted with
almonds and fragrant peel, surmounted with a sprig of holly, and radiant
amid the flames of burning brandy! Who is for plum-pudding? We are, to be
sure. What a rich perfume as it breaks on the plate! And this fragrant
peel, so distinguishable amid the exhalations! ha! Delaeioucious!--_that's_
what becomes of the rind!

MAZZINI, THE ITALIAN LIBERAL.

Giuseppe Mazzini is descended from a highly honorable family, and of
talented and respectable parentage; his father was an esteemed physician,
and also professor of anatomy at the University i