ng Two-and-a-Half at Par,
And that's the way L _s._ _d._
Depends upon Peace or War.

* * * * *

FLOWERS OF THE TOWZERY PLANT.

In these days of steam we encounter a great deal of puffing, but few
probably have beheld the largest locomotive emit so extensive a puff as
the subjoined:--

"Grand, Fortentous, and Most Auspicious Event. Speedy and Imperative
and Peremptory Sale of the Entire Stock of Shawls, Mantles, and
Robes, of

a firm that we will take the liberty of calling MESSRS. HOKES AND CO.

In the first place, MESSRS. HOKES are to be congratulated on having
introduced a striking novelty into the English language--the word
Fortentous; which, being big and indistinct, looms, as it were, at the
head of their advertisement, with a misty sublimity.

The nature of the impending event, denominated "fortentous" is thus
elucidated:--

"In consequence of the Proprietors being made Sole Agents for
MACINTOSH'S Registered Waterproof Dupallas, for Ladies' Sea-side,
Yachting, or Travelling Wear, they are determined to clear off their
entire Stock--and, doing this, they sink all Personal Interest,
forego every consideration of gain or lucre, renounce every motive
but the one Grand Object--that of a positive and absolute Clearance
of the entire Stock--and this, they are determined, must, will, nay
shall be accomplished, as the Dupalla will be ready for Inspection
in a few days."

This paragraph is a masterly composition--the very perfection of the
insinuating style. Sinking all personal interest, foregoing every
consideration of gain or lucre, renouncing every motive but that of
desiring the positive and absolute clearance of a quantity of
stock--that "one grand object" might obviously be accomplished in a
simple and effectual manner by making a bonfire of the goods; which,
moreover, would probably be the best thing to do with them.

The conclusion of H. AND CO.'S Puff at once invites criticism--and
defies it--

"But words are but words, after all, so H. & CO. will proceed to lay
before the Public something of a more tangible nature. They pass on
to facts, and facts are stubborn things, but they unhesitatingly
affirm that the incontrovertible facts given in the annexed
quotations of prices, only require ocular observation to establish
their identity."

The stubbornness of H. AND CO.'s facts is only exceeded