[2] The art of embalming was known, and even practised by “servants,” translated or called physicians, or sometimes apothecaries (or “by his arts”), four thousand years ago. Jacob, Joseph, Asa, and others were embalmed. The Egyptians were early versed in this art, which now is almost, or entirely, lost.
[3] Dover’s Powder.
[4] See [Frontispiece].
[5] This illustrates our “Origin of Ghosts.”
[6] An Irishman, who was once asked why the parents of Christ were obliged to lodge in a stable on the night of the Saviour’s birth, replied, “And weren’t the inns full of the crowd, who had gone up before to celebrate Christmas?”
[7] The writer was fortunately born on Christmas (Sabbath) day. He hopes the publishers will present his picture in this book to prove his “fairness,” and let the wisdom of these pages prove the remainder.
[8] The medical man in quest of a curiosity will be gratified by looking on page 228 of Hastings’ Surgery, where he will find the head and face of a female engraved on the nude body of a male. I discovered it accidentally, but how such an error (?) could have occurred I cannot say.
[9] Casa Wappy, a self-conferred, pet name of the little boy.
[10] Esquimaux Hospitality.—Dr. Kane relates that one day, worn out by fatigue, he turned into an Esquimaux hut to get a little sleep. His good-natured hostess covered him up with some of her own habiliments, and gave him her baby for a pillow; which, Dr. Spooner says, was a living illustration of the kindness of woman.