There is blessing or disaster for ns in
these trying times, according as we use
them. Let us watch against the evils
they threaten, and enrich our experience
with all the spiritual benefits they are
capable of yielding.
Sixty Year Ago.
One of the most annoying hoaxes ever
recorded was that which, about sixty
years ago, was known in London as the
Berners street hoax. It drew the atten
tion of the newspapers at the time ; then
of the magazines and the annual Regis
ter ; many years afterward (in connec
tion with a biographical notice of the
hoaxer), of the Quarterly licvicw; and
more recently, if we remember rightly,
of the "Ingoldsby Legends."
Berners street is a quiet street of
hotels and shops, with private-looking
windows ; in 1810, it was still more
quiet inhabited by well-to-do families
living in a genteel way. One morning,
soon after breakfast, a wagon-load of
coals drew up before the door of a
widow lady in that street, and soon
afterward a van-load of furniture ; then
came a hearse with a coffin, and a train
of mourning-coaches. Presently ar
rived two fashionable physicians,a den
tist, and an accoucheur, driving up as
near as they could to the door, and
wondering why so many lumbering
vehicles were so near at hand. Six men
brought a great chamber-organ ; a coach
maker, a clock-maker, a carpet-manufacturer,
and a wine-merchant sent
specimens of their goods ; a brewer
brought several barrels of ale ; curiosity-dealers
brought sundry knick
kcacks. A piano-forte, linen, jewelry.
