_Thread the Needle_ (Vol. iv., p. 39.).--The following is an extract
from a review in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ of Dec. 1849, of the Life
of Shirley; it may be interesting as explaining some part of the verse
in the game of "Thread the Needle:"
"Lord Nugent, when at Hebron, was directed _to go out by the
needle's eye_, that is, by the small gate of the city; and in many
parts of England, the old game of thread the needle is played to
the following words:
"'How many miles to Hebron?
Three score and ten.
Shall I be there by midnight?
Yes, and back again.
Then thread the needle,' &c.
"Now this explains and modifies one of the strongest and most
startling passages of Scripture, on the subject of _riches_; for
the camel can go through the needle's eye but with difficulty, and
hardly with a full load, nor without stooping."
The above was copied out from the magazine on account of its explaining
the camel and the needle's eye: it does not tell much upon the Query
concerning the game of "Thread the Needle;" but it may be interesting,
and so is sent with pleasure by