* * * * *
_Sea Coal_.--In the reign of Edward the First, dyers and brewers began to
use sea coal. In consequence of an application from the nobility, &c. he
published a proclamation against it, as a public nuisance. And afterwards,
under a commission of Oyer and Terminer, the commission ordered that all
who had "contumaceously" disobeyed the proclamation, should be punished by
"pecuniary mulcts." P.T.W.
* * * * *
_Witty Optics_.--A Jew went into a coffee-house to offer some spectacles
for sale: one of the company, after trying several pairs, wishing to amuse
himself at the Jew's expense, exclaimed, "Oh, these suit me very well; I
see through them very well, and through you too, friend, and discern that
you are a rogue." The Jew taking them from him and clapping them on his
own nose, very composedly replied, "then our eyes are alike, for I see
that you are the same."
* * * * *
_Cromwell's Fun_.--Before the trial of Charles I., the chiefs of the
Republican party and the general officers met to concert the model of the
intended new government. One day, after the debates on this most
interesting and important subject, Ludlow informs us, that Cromwell, by
way of frolic, threw a cushion at his head, and even in the high court of
justice, in that solemn moment when he took the pen to sign the warrant
for the unhappy monarch's execution, he could not forbear the levity of
daubing the face of his neighbour with the ink. G.M.
* * * * *
The Conclusion of "Brighton in 1743," in our
next.
* * * * *