* * * * *
_Olive Oil._--The amount of duties paid on olive oil imported into the
United Kingdom, from January 5, 1831, to April 5, 1832, was £76,962. The
quantity of this oil imported in that period was 2,286,629
gallons--_Med. and Surg. Journal._
_Coffee._--The duty on raw coffee is now 6_d_. per lb. on colonial, and
9_d_. on foreign; the retail price is 2_s_. to 4_s_.
_The Irish Bar._--Mr. Dundas, a keen, sarcastic man, who loved his
bottle nearly as well as Sir Hercules Langreish, invited the baronet to
a grand dinner in London, where the wine circulated freely, and wit kept
pace with it. Mr. Dundas, wishing to procure a laugh at Sir Hercules,
said, "Why, Sir Hercules, is it true that we Scotch formerly
_transported_ all our criminals and felons to Ireland?" "I dare say,"
replied Sir Hercules; "but did you ever hear, Mr. Dundas, of any of your
countrymen _returning to Scotland_ from transportation."
_Lord Byron's opinion of Earl Grey._--"Madame de Stael was forcibly
struck by the factitious tone of the best society in London, and wished
very much to have an opportunity of judging of that of the second class.
She, however, had not this opportunity, which I regret, as I think it
would have justified her expectations. In England, the raw material is
generally good; it is the over-dressing that injures it; and as the
class she wished to study are well educated, and have all the refinement
of civilization without its corruption, she would have carried away a
favourable impression. Lord Grey and his family were the personification
of her _beau ideal_ of perfection, as I must say they are of mine,"
continued Byron, "and might serve as the finest specimens of the pure
English patrician breed, of which so few remain." _His_ uncompromising
and uncompromised dignity, founded on self-respect, and accompanied by
that certain proof of superiority--simplicity of manner and freedom from
affectation, with _her_ mild and matron graces, her whole life offering
a model to wives and mothers--really they are people to be proud of, and
a few such would reconcile one to one's species.--_From Lady
Blessington's Conversations--New Monthly Magazine._
_Cats Horticulturists._--Cat Mint is a species of _Nepeta_. It is
covered with a very soft, hoary, velvet-like down, and has a strong,
pungent, aromatic odour, like penny royal or valerian, that is
peculiarly grateful to cats, whence its specific and English names.
These animals are so fond of it, that it is almost impossible to keep
them from it, _after being transplanted_. Ray and Miller, both assert,
however, that cats will never meddle with such plants as are raised from
seed. Hence the old saying,
"If you set it,
The cats will eat it;
If you sow it
The cats don't know it."