as now it is, (1631) for godfathers and god"mothers generally to give plate at the baptism "of children, (as spoons, cups, and such like) "but only to give christening shirts, with little *** hands and cuffs wrought either with silk or -"blue thread; the best of them, for chief persons, 66 were edged with a small lace of blacke silke "and golde; the highest price of which, for

Igreat men's children were seldom above a "noble, and the common sort, two, three, four "and five shillings a piece." It is probable that this custom was in existence during the reign of Henry the Eighth: for we know, that certain pieces of plate, were on some occasions then bestowed. Hall, who has written a minute account of the christening of Queen Elizabeth, informs us that the gifts presented by her sponsors were a standing cup of gold, and six gilt bowles with covers. Chron. Hen. viii. fol. 218.

PRIDE OF CLERICAL AUTHORSHIP.

A poor vicar in a very remote county had, on some popular occasion, preached a sermon so exceedingly acceptable to his parishioners, that they entreated him to print it, which, after due and solemn deliberation, he promised to do. This was the most remarkable incident in his life, and filled his mind with a thousand fancies.

The conclusion however, of all his consultations with himself was, that he should obtain both fame and money, and that a journey to the metropolis to direct and superintend the great concern, was indispensable. After taking a formal leave of his friends and neighbours, he proceeded on his journey. On his arrival in town, by great good fortune, he was recommended to the worthy and excellent Mr. Bowyer, to whom he triumphantly related the object of his journey. The printer agreed to his proposals, and required to know how many copies he would choose to have struck off. 66 Why, Sir, returned the clergyman," I have calculated that there are in the "kingdom so many thousand parishes, and that "each parish will at least take one, and others "more; so that I think we may venture to "print about thirty-five, or thirty-six thousand 'copies." The printer bowed, the matter was settled, and the reverend author departed in high spirits to his home. With much difficulty and great self denial, a period of about two months was suffered to pass, when his golden visions so tormented his imagination, that he could endure it no longer, and accordingly wrote to Mr. Bowyer, desiring him to send the debtor and creditor account, most liberally permitting the remittances to be forwarded at Mr. B's con

venience. Judge of the astonishment, tribulation and anguish, excited by the receipt of the following account, or something very much resembling it.

They who know the character of this most amiable and excellent printer, will not be at all surprised to hear that, in a day or two a letter to the following purport, was forwarded to the clergyman. "Rev. Sir,-I beg pardon for in"nocently amusing myself at your expence, but

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you need not give yourself uneasiness. "knew better than you could do, the extent of "the sale of single sermons, and accordingly "printed but fifty copies, to the expence of "which you are heartily welcome, in return for "the liberty I have taken with you, &c. &c."

PENANCE.

Penance has been voluntary and otherwise. Sir Thomas More had on a hair shirt when he died. The following is a case of self inflicted

penance producing a bad result to Stanislaus, king of Poland. His death, as Lady Mary Churchhill related it to me, took place in February 1766, in the following manner. The old king, who, like the Poles and Germans, was much addicted to smoaking tobacco, usually finished several pipes every day. Being alone, in an undress, while endeavouring to knock up the ashes from his pipe, he set fire to his gown; and his valet de chambre, who alone exercised the privilege of entering his apartment, had unfortunately just gone unto the town of Luneville. His cries were not immediately heard; but when they reached the officer stationed on guard, in the outward room, he flew to the king's assistance; and having contrived to throw him down on the floor, the flames were speedily extinguished. He might even have survived, and recovered the accident if it had not been accompanied with a singular circumstance. Stanislaus, who had become devout during the last year of his life, as a penance for his transgressions, constantly wore under his shirt, next to his flesh, a "reliquaire," or girdle made of silver, having points on the inside, from space to space. These points becoming heated, and being pressed into his body while in the act of extinguishing the fire, caused a number of wounds or sores, the dis