I learned grammar when I was a private soldier on the pay of sixpence a day. The edge of my berth, or that of my guard-bed, was my seat to study in; my knapsack was my bookcase, and a bit of board lying in my lap was my writing-table. I had no money to purchase candle or oil; in winter, it was rarely that I could get any light but that of the fire, and only my turn even of that. To buy a pen or piece of paper, I was compelled to forego some portion of food, though in a state of half-starvation. I had not a moment of time that I could call my own; and I had to read and write amid the talking, laughing, singing, whistling, and bawling of at least half a score of the most thoughtless of men—and that, too, in the hours of their freedom from all control. And I say, if I, under these circumstances, could encounter and overcome the task, is there—can there be, in the whole world, a youth who can find an excuse for the non-performance?—William Cobbett.

PAPER-MILLS

A return has been made of the number of paper-mills at present at work in England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland; also of the number of 'beating-engines' in each mill. From this it appears that there are in England 304 paper-mills at present in activity, having 1267 beating-engines at work, and 107 silent. In Scotland, there are 48 mills, having 278 beating-engines at work, and 8 silent. In Ireland, there are 28 mills, having 71 beating-engines at work, and 15 silent. In Wales, there are no paper-mills. The total is, 880 mills, having 1616 beating-engines at work, and 130 silent.

LINES TO –

O could I love thee, love as thou art worthy to be loved, Thy deep, thy constant tenderness my purpose might have moved. I know, might I accept thy heart, a blissful lot were mine; Would we had earlier met—but no! I never could be thine. I love thee as a sister loves a brother kind and dear, And feel a sister's thrilling pride whene'er thy praise I hear; And I have breathed a sister's prayer for thee at Mercy's throne, And ne'er a truer, purer love might sister's bosom own. I knew this trial was in store; I felt it day by day; And oft in ag1 ony I prayed this cup might pass away; And yet I lacked the power to tell, what thou too late must hear, To tell thee that another claims this heart to thee so dear. Alas! that I must cause thee pain—I know that thou wilt grieve— For oh! thou art all truthfulness; thou never couldst deceive; And I have wept when anxious care sat heavy on thy brow, Have wept when others wounded thee, and I must wound thee now. It may be that in after-years we yet shall meet again, When time has cancelled every trace of this dark hour of pain: O may I see thee happy, blest, whate'er my lot may be, And, as a sister and a friend, I shall rejoice with thee.

Harriet.

PROCESS FOR PRODUCING TAPERED IRON

In No. 430 of this Journal, page 207, there is some mention of the patented rolling process for tapering bar-iron by machinery. This important invention is not of American origin, as persons unacquainted with the facts might imagine: it was first practised at the Mersey Steel and Iron Company's works at Liverpool, and then patented by Mr William Clay in the United States. The Company mentioned were awarded for the manufacture the prize-medal of the Great Exhibition, and the silver medals of the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia, and the American Institute of New York.

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1

Associates Royal Academy, and Royal Academicians.

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2

Climate of Italy in Relation to Pulmonary Consumption: with Remarks on the Influence of Foreign Climates upon Invalids. By T. H. Burgess, M. D., &c. London: Longman, Brown, Green, & Longmans. 1852.

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3

We print the above as we received it from a respectable contributor, but without giving any opinion ourselves upon a subject of which we are not qualified to judge.—Ed. C. J.

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