sneezed, arose from the fact that in the great plague of Athens sneezing was an unfailing proof of returning convalescence. Your classical readers will remember the anecdote told in the Anabasis of Xenophon (c. ii. sect. i.-v.). I copy from Mitford, who has besides a note to the purpose:
"At daybreak the troops were assembled, and Chirosophus, Cleanor, and Xenophon successively addressed them. An accident, in itself even ridiculous, assisted not a little, through the importance attributed to it by Grecian superstition, to infuse encouragement. Xenophon was speaking of that favour from the gods which a righteous cause entitled them to hope for against a perjured enemy, when somebody sneezed. Immediately the general voice addressed ejaculations to protecting Jupiter, whose omen it was supposed to be. A sacrifice to the god was then proposed; a universal shout declared approbation; and the whole army, in one chorus, sang the Pæan."—History of Greece, vol. v. p. 185. cap. xxiii. sect. iv.: Lond. 1835, 8vo.
We must not, however, forget that when Elisha restored the Shunamite's son to life—
"The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes."—2 Kings, iv. 35.
Rt.
Rents of Assize (Vol. v., p. 188.).—Has not J. G. misquoted? Is not the line—
"Regis ad exemplar, totus componitur orbis."
J. E.
Rochester.
Fire unknown (Vol. iv., pp. 209. 283. 331.).—In An Account of the Native Africans of Sierra Leone, by T. M. Winterbottom: Lond. 1803, 2 vols., occurs the following note to vol. i. p. 75.:—