To Otterton, Sidmouth, A. D. 1743.— O that our ways were made to direct, that we might keep thy statutes.
To Budleigh.— Make us to go in the paths of thy commandments, for therein is our desire.
A Bogus Dragon.
A curious anecdote of Jacob Bobart, keeper of the physic garden of Oxford, England, occurs in one of Grey's notes to Hudibras: "He made a dead rat resemble the common picture of a dragon, by altering its head and tail, and thrusting in taper sharp sticks, which distended the skin on each side till it resembled wings. He let it dry as hard as possible. The learned immediately pronounced it a dragon, and one of them sent an accurate description of it to Dr. Magliabecchi, librarian to the Grand Duke of Tuscany; several fine copies of verses were written on so rare a subject. At last Mr. Bobart owned the cheat; however, it was looked upon as a master-piece of art, and, as such, was deposited in the museum."
Donation to a Fair.
On one occasion Oliver Wendell Holmes sent a letter to the post-office of a ladies' fair at Pittsfield. On the first page he wrote—
"Fair lady, whoso'er thou art,
Turn this poor leaf with tenderest care,
And hush, Oh hush, thy breathing heart—
The one thou lovest will be there."
On turning the "poor leaf" there was found a one dollar bill with the subjoined verse—
"Fair lady, lift thine eyes and tell
If this is not a truthful letter?
This is the one (1) thou lovest well,
And nought (0) can make thee love it better."