humour and stately deportment.  He was understood to be able to maintain a son a student in the theological classics of the University, at the gate of which the father was a mendicant.  The young man was modest and inclined to learning, so that a student of the same age, and whose parents were rather of the lower order, moved by seeing him excluded from the society of other scholars when the secret of his birth was suspected, endeavoured to console him by offering him some occasional civilities.  The old mendicant was grateful for this attention to his son, and one day, as the friendly student passed, he stooped forward more than usual, as if to intercept his passage.  The scholar drew out a halfpenny, which he concluded was the beggar’s object, when he was surprised to receive his thanks for the kindness he had shown to Jemmie, and at the same time a cordial invitation to dine with them next Sunday, ’on a shoulder of mutton and potatoes,’ adding, ‘ye’ll put on your clean sark, as I have company.’  The student was strongly tempted to accept of this hospitable proposal, as many in his place would probably have done; but as the motive might have been capable of misrepresentation, he thought it most prudent, considering the character and circumstances of the old man, to decline the invitation.

“Such are a few traits of Scottish mendicity, designed to throw light on a novel in which a character of that description plays a prominent part.  We conclude, that we have vindicated Edie Ochiltree’s right to the importance assigned him; and have shown, that we have known one beggar take a hand at cards with a person of distinction, and another give dinner parties.”

The curious reader who is anxious to pursue the character still further, will be gratified with “a few particulars with which his biographer appears to be unacquainted,”—­by a Correspondent of the Literary Gazette, No. 664.

* * * * *

UNLUCKY TEXT.

Poor Dr. Sheridan, in an unguarded moment, but in as guiltless a spirit as characterized the Vicar of Wakefield, chose for his text, upon the anniversary of the succession of the House of Hanover, “Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.”  Although the sermon did not contain a single political allusion that could have caused uneasiness, or should have given offence, yet it was recorded in judgment against him, and obstructed his preferment ever after.—­Southey’s Colloquies.

* * * * *

The Naturalist.

* * * * *

THE AMERICAN ALOE.

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