THE GATHERER.

A snapper up of unconsidered trifles. 
SHAKSPEARE.

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SEALING WAX AND WAFERS.

Francis Rousseau, a native of Auxerres, who travelled a long time in Persia, Pegu, and other parts of the East Indies, and who, in 1692, resided at St. Domingo, was the inventer of sealing-wax.  A lady, of the name of Longueville, made this wax known at court, and caused Louis XIII. to use it; after which it was purchased and used throughout Paris.  By this article Rousseau, before the expiration of a year, gained 50,000 livres.  The oldest seal with a red wafer ever yet found, is on a letter written by Dr. Krapf, at Spires, in the year 1624, to the government at Bareuth.

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I was in company some time since with George Colman, “the younger,” as the old fellow still styles himself.  It was shortly after the death of Mrs. ——­, the wife of a popular actor, and at that time an unpopular manager.  Some one at table observed that, “Mr. ——­ had suffered a loss in the death of his wife, which he would not soon be able to make up.”—­“I don’t know how that may be,” replied George, drily, “but to tell you the truth, I don’t think he has quarrelled with his loss yet.”—­Monthly Mag.

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SHERIDAN.

Bob Mitchell, one of Sheridan’s intimate friends, and once in great prosperity, became—­like a great many other people, Sheridan’s creditor—­in fact Sheridan owed Bob nearly three thousand pounds—­this circumstance amongst others contributed so very much to reduce Bob’s finances, that he was driven to great straits, and in the course of his uncomfortable wanderings he called upon Sheridan; the conversation turned upon his financial difficulties, but not upon the principal cause of them, which was Sheridan’s debt; but which of course, as an able tactician, he contrived to keep out of the discussion; at last, Bob, in a sort of agony, exclaimed—­“I have not a guinea left, and by heaven I don’t know where to get one.”  Sheridan jumped up, and thrusting a piece of gold into his hand, exclaimed with tears in his eyes—­“It never shall be said that Bob Mitchell wanted a guinea while his friend Sheridan had one to give him.”—­Sharpe’s Magazine.

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LINES

On the window of Thorny Down Inn, about seven miles from Blandford, on the Salisbury road.

Death, reader, pallid death!! with woe or bliss
Will shortly be thy lot.  Think then, my friend,
Ere yet it be too late—­what are thy hopes
And what thy anxious fears—­when the thin veil
That keeps thy soul from seeing Israel’s GOD
Shall drop. (Signed) [Greek:  parepidemos]. 

                                                RURIS.