formed that it first came into use at that period. The cant and hypocrisy of the day became so disgusting that two-thirds of the nation began to wish in their hearts, however cautious they were with their tongues, for the restoration of the royal family. Being restrained from speaking their sentiments openly, they strung together many ambiguous terms; among others was, wishing for a return of the "good old times," which really meant a return to the monarchical system, and the demolition of Cromwell's government; although, if required, a less objectionable (to the governors) explanation might have been given.

BY HOOK OR BY CROOK!

The proverb of getting anything by Hook or by Crook, is said to have arisen in the time of Charles I., when there were two learned judges named Hooke and Crooke; and a difficult cause was to have been gotten either by Hooke or by Crooke. Spenser, however, mentions these words twice in his Faëry Queene, which is a proof that this proverb is much older than that time; and that the phrase was not then used as a proverb but applied as a pun.—Warton.

HOBSON'S CHOICE!

This saying is derived from Thomas Hobson, of Cambridge, the celebrated University carrier. He

was born in or about 1544, and used to pass for many years monthly with his team, between Cambridge and the Bull Inn, Bishopsgate, and back again. He is said to have been the first person in the kingdom who let horses for hire, and whoever wished for one, was obliged to take the horse next the stable-door-hence the origin of the phrase. During the plague in London, in 1630, the authorities compelled him to stop his business, and it was during this time he died. Milton wrote two humorous epitaphs to his memory. The following lines form part of the second of these effusions:

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Rest, that gives all men life, gave him his death,
And too much breathing put him out of breath;
Nor were it contradiction to affirm

Too long vacation hastened on his term.
Merely to drive away the time he sickened,

Fainted, and died, nor would with all be quickened,
Ease was his chief disease; and, to judge right,
He died for weariness that his cart went light;
His leisure told him that his time was come,
And lack of load made his life burdensome;
Obedient to the Moon, he spent his date
In course reciprocal, and had his fate
Linked to the mutual flowing of the seas;
Yet, strange to think, his wain was his increase.
His letters are delivered all and gone,
Only remains this superscription."

Hobson's saddle and bridle were preserved in the Town Hall, Cambridge, during the present century. A portrait of him, which was preserved for many years at the Bull Inn, Bishopsgate Street, is now in the possession of Messrs. Swann and Sons, carriers, Hobson Street, Cambridge.

GOOD WINE NEEDS NO BUSH.

Bushes of evergreen, such as ivy, cypress, &c., were anciently signs where wine was sold; hence the proverb, or saying, "Good wine needs no bush!"

Commentators have been sadly puzzled to find out the meaning of this proverb, which a residence in France during the autumn would easily have solved. In the departments where the vine is cultivated, the peasant sells its vintage, and as a sign, a green bush is stuck in the wall over the door; this is a regulation of the police; and as long as the peasant has any wine to sell, so long must the bush remain. If one has made better wine than another, the news is soon spread abroad among the topers, and hence the proverb, "good wine needs no bush."

THEY ARE SWORN BROTHERS!

The term "sworn brothers" arose from a custom in Morlachia, and other places, where friendships be

tween the same sex are, like marriages, ratified at the altar. Others say, from persons covenanting formerly to share each other's fortune in an expedition to to invade a country, as were Robert de Qily and Robert de Ivery in William the First's expedition. into England, or the three Pizarros to Peru. Hence, also, the term of "brethren in iniquity," because of their dividing plunder.

GOD BLESS YOU! TO THE SNEEZER.

The custom of saying "God bless you to any one who sneezes, seems to have begun about the year of our Lord 750. According to mythology, the first sign of life Prometheus's artificial man gave, was by sneezing, which Prometheus observing, offers up a fervent prayer for the preservation of so singular a being. His automaton observed him, and remembering his ejaculation, was very careful, on the like. occasions, to offer these wishes in behalf of his descendants, who perpetuated it from father to son in all their colonies. This custom is practised among the Jews and among the Abyssinians. When the king of Monomotapa sneezes, those who are near him loudly wish him happiness; this is caught by those farther off, and is echoed through the whole city.

DINING WITH DUKE HUMPHREY!

Dining with Duke Humphrey" is said of those who walked in St. Paul's Church during dinner-time, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, being a man of great hospitality, and supposed to have been buried in Saint Paul's. But (saith Doctor Fuller) that saying is as far from truth as they from dinner, even twenty miles off, seeing this duke was buried in the Church of St. Albans, to which he was a great benefactor.

AS STUPID AS A GOOSE!

"As stupid as a goose!" is a very common saying indeed, and is used to denote the extreme of stupidity. It may be truly said, as regards geese in general, that it carries with it its origin; and is introduced here merely to show that all geese are not stupid alike. History informs us, that the cackling of geese saved the capitol of Rome; and the Glasgow Courier gave us the following instance of the above position :—“A haughty dunghill cock, at a farm at the head of this county, took a particular antipathy to a fine goose, the guardian of a numerous brood; and accordingly, wheresoever and whenever they met, the cock immediately set upon his antagonist. The goose, who had little chance with the nimble and sharp heels of his opponent, and who had accordingly suffered