When perfectly ripe, remove the husks, and dry the nuts, by rubbing with a coarse cloth; sprinkle the bottom of a stone jar with a very little salt; then place a layer of filberts, adding a small quantity of salt between each layer. The jar must be perfectly dry and clean. Secure the top from air, and keep them in a dry place; and, at the end of six months, they will peel.—Ibid.

Extinction of Fires.

When a chimney or flue is on fire, throw into the fire-place one handful after another of flower of sulphur. This, by its combustion, effects the decomposition of the atmospheric air, which is, in consequence, paralysed, or, in effect, annihilated.

Oysters.

After the month of May, it is felony to carry away the caltch (the spawn adhering to stones, old oyster-shells, &c.) and punishable to take any oysters, except those of the size of a half-crown piece, or such as, when the two shells are shut, will admit of a shilling rattling between them.

The liquor of the oyster contains incredible multitudes of small embryo oysters, covered with little shells, perfectly transparent, swimming nimbly about. One hundred and twenty of these in a row would extend one inch. Besides these young oysters, the liquor contains a great variety of animalcules, five hundred times less in size, which emit a phosphoric light. The list of inhabitants, however, does not conclude here, for besides these last mentioned, there are three distinct species of worms (called the oyster-worm,) half an inch long, found in oysters, which shine in the dark like glow-worms. The sea-star, cockles, and muscles, are the great enemies of the oyster. The first gets within the shell when they gape, and sucks them out.

While the tide is flowing, oysters lie with the hollow side downwards, but when it ebbs they turn on the other side. 6

Swarming of Bees.

An interesting communication was read, at a recent sitting of the Royal Society, from T.A. Knight, Esq. describing the precaution taken by a swarm of bees, in reconnoitering the situation where they intend to establish their new colony, or swarm from the parent hive. The bees do not go out in a considerable body, but they succeed each other in going and returning, until the whole of the swarm have apparently made good the survey, after which the whole body take their departure in a mass. If by any chance a large portion of a swarm take their departure without the queen bee, they never proceed to take up the ulterior quarters without her majesty's presence. The result of Mr. Knight's observations tends to prove, that all the operations of a swarm of bees are dictated by previous concert, and the most systematic arrangement.

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS

LADDER OF LOVE

Men and women,—more or less,— Have minds o' the self-same metal, mould, and form!— Doth not the infant love to sport and laugh, And tie a kettle to a puppy's tail?— Doth not the dimpled girl her 'kerchief don (Mocking her elder) mantilla wise—then speed To mass and noontide visits; where are bandied Smooth gossip-words of sugared compliment? But when at budding womanhood arrived, She casts aside all childish games, nor thinks Of aught save some gay paranymph—who, caught In love's stout meshes, flutters round the door, And fondly beckons her away from home,— The whilst, her lady mother fain would cage The foolish bird within its narrow cell!— And then, the grandame idly wastes her breath, In venting saws 'bout maiden modesty— And strict decorum,—from some musty volume: But the clipp'd wings will quickly sprout again; And whilst the doating father thinks his child A paragon of worth and bashfulness,— Her thoughts are hovering round the precious form Of her sweet furnace-breathing Don Diego!— And he, all proof 'gainst dews and nightly blasts, In breathless expectation waits to see His panting Rosa at the postern door;— While she sighs forth "My gentle cavalier!"— And then they straightway fall to kissing hands, And antic-gestures—such as lovers use,— Expressive of their wish quickly to tie The gordian knot of marriage;—Pretty creatures!— But why not earlier to have thought of this?— When he, the innocent youth, was wont to play At coscogilla; and the prattling girl, Amid her nursery companions, toiled In sempstress labours for her wooden dolls.— Ah! wherefore, did I ask?—Because forsooth, Their ways are changed with their increasing years!— For when for gallantry the time be come— And when the stagnant blood begins to boil Within the veins, my master—then the lads Cast longing looks on damosels—for nature Defies restraint—and kin-birds flock together!— And think not, Master, Chance disposes thus; Or were it so, then chance directs us all— Whene'er we have attain'd the important age! I, –, am a living instance!— Was I not once a lively laughing boy? And, in my stripling age, did I not love The pastimes suited to those madcap days?— Oh! would to heaven those times were present still! But wherefore fret myself with hopes so vain?— The silly thought doth find no shelter here,— That any beauty, with dark roguish eyes, With sparkling blood, and rising warmth of youth, Would e'er affect this wrinkled face of mine:— The very thought doth smack of foolishness!— And, though the truth may be a bitter pill, Yet,— It is most fitting that we know ourselves.

Spanish Comedy—Foreign Review.

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The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 12, No. 331, September 13, 1828

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SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS

LADDER OF LOVE

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