In spite of proof to the contrary, the witty parson seems to be a type teat is not altogether extinct. Two well-known clergymen lately missed their train, upon which one of them took oat his watch, and finding it to blame for the mishap, said he would no longer have any faith in it. "But," said the other, "isn't it a question not of faith, but of good works!" The Duke of Buckingham used to tell a -very amusing story against himself once in the House of Lords apropos to railway matters. Wiien lie joined the Xiondon and North-Western Board, on the day of the first meeting after his election he went to Euston Square to attend it. He was too early, and on asking a porter who was hanging about where the directors' room was, he 'was told that he had. come too soon, and went away. On returning some little time later he again found the same man, who gave him the same information. After a longer interval the Duke again came across his friend, whom he ques tioned as to whether the Directors were not sitting. The man very much irritated at being so often accosted, looked at him and said: "There's no use you coming about a place here, you ar*nt big enough. The Duke enjoyed the joke thoroughly, ana often spoke of the incident with greet glee. There are eight cats on the staff of the Midland Railway. The expenses con nected with them are regularly shown in the accounts of the Company. These lucky felines have under their charge, according to the season of the year, from one to three or four hundred thousand empty cornsacks. The holes in the sacks which are eaten by the rats which are not eaten by the cats are darned by twelve women, who are kept constantly em ployed. The numerous booksellers who suffered from Piaott's acquisitive tendencies are obtaining some little posthumous recom pense by the sale of his autograph letters. Five shillings appears to be the market price for his •• A. L. 5.," but of course fancy prices are asked for letters of special interest.
