fectual in frightening away
burglars as a blunderbuss, or, rather, as an air-gun, to which, from its
effect on the breathing, the instrument may be aptly compared.

* * * * *

THE FAST MEN OF EDINBURGH.

LORD PALMERSTON--through his secretary--has administered a very
wholesome rebuke to certain of the Presbytery of Edinburgh yearning,
hungering for a fast, to stay the scourge of the Cholera. His Lordship
suggests instead of fasting, washing. Eat your daily bread, says his
Lordship, only take plenty of soap with it. Attend to your own
dinner-table, as usual, only see that those places--

"Which are inhabited by the poorest classes, and which, from the
nature of things, must most need purification and improvement, may
be freed from those causes and sources of contagion which, if
allowed to remain, will infallibly breed pestilence, and be fruitful
in death, in spite of all the prayers and fastings of a united but
inactive nation. When man has done his utmost for his own safety,
then is the time to invoke the blessing of Heaven to give effect to
his exertions."

Surely, this is very true. Prayers, however, earnest, will not sweeten a
common sewer. Folks who fast for a long day will hardly do as much to
remove the causes of Cholera, as even folks with brooms. An empty belly
is scarcely so efficacious for the removal of disease as a clean Wynd.
Whitewashed walls are surely quite as good, if not better, than lank
jaws, pale with mortification. All Edinburgh wants a sweet clean shirt
next a clean skin--not a shirt of penitential bristles, clothing (with
hairy piety) a dirty hide. First do your best--says PALMERSTON--and then
ask a blessing on it. For the days of miracles are over. The deadly reek
of sewers is not to be turned into airs from Heaven, though the most
pious MALACHI MALAGROWTHER shall, for a long day and night, go without
his porridge for it!

When you have worked, then it is good to ask a blessing on the labour.
But hands first--and then, knees.

* * * * *

A LOST LETTER.

An advertisement has appeared in the _Times_, headed "Wanted, Left off
Clothing!" and directing the possessors of such articles to apply to
"MR. 'AKED." Looking to the character of the want expressed, one would
imagine that by some typographical error the initial letter of the
gentleman's name had been omitted.

* * *