Under all circumstances, Mr. Punch strongly advises holders to be neither rash nor fearful, while sellers should abstain alike from temerity and timidity. All parties had better be guided by circumstances, and not attempt to lay down Medo-Persian rules for themselves. Let Prudence be their beacon, and Wisdom their chart. They will do well to watch the course of events, but not to surmise that they understand them, while at the same time taking care not to shut their eyes to contingencies. A thing may happen, or it may not, but the wise man will discern the signs of the times. By following this advice, which Mr. Punch has carefully framed upon the model of what is given by all the recognised financial authorities, he has no doubt that through the shoals of the present crisis the Bark of Public Confidence may be steered into the haven of prosperity.
THE IMPERTINENCE OF SCIENCE.
Somebody has invented an instrument which he calls a Lunarium, and which is calculated to look so very closely into the Moon's face, that the Moon's age—exact to a quarter of an hour—may be discovered. Really this seems hardly fair towards the Moon, for it ought to be remembered that
"Luna, Luna, Luna's a lady."
and no lady—at least none of our acquaintance—could stand against the force of an instrument so powerful as to detect every furrow, wrinkle, or even crease in her countenance. It is all very well for the sons of science to be continually staring Luna in the face, through the medium of powerful telescopes; but having satisfied themselves of the "Moon's Age," they might surely be satisfied without continually publishing the fact for the gratification of an impertinent curiosity.
MODERN MYTHOLOGY.
One of our serious contemporaries, in recording a fashionable marriage, describes the bride as "led to the hymenæal altar." The nuptial rites were celebrated at St. George's, Hanover Square; and we are further informed that the Rev. Berry M. Huntingdon officiated. We did not know that the priests of Hymen were styled Reverend, nor were we aware that the divinity in question had any altar in St. George's church.