over his head, and he is brought on the deck in a state better imagined than described.

THE FESTIVAL OF ST. IVO AT NAPLES.

The Advocates of Naples are said to have had a custom, at the close of the 17th century, of celebrating their patron saint's anniversary, by a procession, calculated for very different purposes than those of other good Christians who honoured their protectors with real acts of devotion. The wags concerned in this whimsical and satirical ceremony, made choice of one of the most emaciated of their fraternity as Syndic, whom they termed, Interpres Legum sanctissimus; the revered interpreter of the laws had two attendants, habited in the manner of esquires at tournaments: such were the conductors of the cavalcade, composed of advocates, proctors, notaries, solicitors, clerks, servants, boys, &c. Each individual wore a long gown, furred with fox-skin, and the border represented leeches. The place of destination. was the Justice-hall, where they had the honour of hearing an oration delivered by the Syndic, in a style equally grave and impressive, which shall given verbatim from a letter addressed to the editor of the Flying Post "from Naples," detailing the above particulars, and declaring the custom "something like a Terra Filius in one of our Universities."

be

The

The Syndic observed, "that though some would say he cackled like a hen upon a roost, he was sure he spoke better than a cow, though his mouth was not half so big: he recommended it to his brethren, to sell their breath at a good rate to their clients, and told them, grinning, what a deal of money the study of the law cost them; especially if they considered what they had been forced to pay for breaking of windows and rails by night, how much they had lost in gaming-houses, and paid to doctors. He gave them a special injunction to be sure to take money for every consultation; and never to refuse giving advice, whether they knew any thing of the matter or not; telling them, with great assurance, that the main design of their practice was to bring gold from Peru. He concluded with a request to them, to reveal the secret to those that were newly matriculated, that they might understand the sweets, the art and mystery of chicanery, when they come together in the temple of Themis, to worship the goddess of Prevarication, and other divinities of the like sort."

PUBLIC SPIRIT OF THE INHABITANTS OF EXETER,

1699.

Mr. Dawks gives the succeeding article in his publication, intituled “The Protestant Mercury,” of July 21, in the above year. It must be a grate

ful

ful piece of information to the present residents, who were not previously acquainted with the fact:

"The citizens having shewed their zeal for the public good, in making our river navigable, on Monday last an heroic company of near two hundred women (of the parish of Alphington adjoining) appeared all in white, with clean straw hats, armed with mattocks and shovels, with drums beating, and the city musick playing before them; two grave matrons, with shovels in their hands, leading the van; in the centre, upon a pole, was carried a garland of flowers, with a globe thereon; the rear was also brought up by one of the most considerable persons, with a shovel; in which posture they advanced to the works, the engineer going along with them; and having fixed their standard, they fell to their work with courage, and followed the same diligently till evening, when they returned to the mayor's door, and gave three huzzas; after which, they returned to their own parish, about a mile from hence. Yesterday the gardeners and hatters, to the number of three hundred, marched to the works likewise, with laurels in their hats; and this day, three hundred Grecians, of the parish of St. Sidwells, headed by their parson on horseback, as also the best of the parish in front and rear, with eight drums, two trumpets, and other sorts of musick."

COFFEE

COFFEE Versus BEER.

The ladies of Holland were particularly attached to Coffee previous to and in the year 1700; they met in parties at their different houses, and sipped and talked alternately with infinite satisfaction. The half-animated Dutchman who aspired to the character of a beau or polished gentleman, attracted by the vivacity of this description of society, became insensibly attached to the exhilarating liquid, and gradually neglected the pipe and the brown jug: women in an inferior station of life, always on the alert to arrange themselves in the ranks of fashion, honoured Coffee with their approbation; and the boors who paid their court to them in the inviting arbours and rural shades of the publick drinking-gardens, found the necessity imperious, which compelled them to resign the glass for the china cup.

Coffee concerns remained in this prosperous state for a considerable length of time, and the importers and retailers and grocers rejoiced exceedingly; but as it is decreed by fate that the old proverb, "One man's meat is another man's poison," must ever remain founded on the basis of truth, the Brewers and the Farmers of the excise upon beer languished in the midst of their beverage, which remained unsold and forgotten, except by a certain description of determined topers

who

who never proceed out of a regular and systematic track; these worthies, however, were not sufficiently numerous to support a whole trade and the army of excise. The injured party, becoming highly irritated, determined upon actual hostilities with the obtrusive foreign berry, and began their attack by a petition to the States General, in which they represented, that the consumption of beer was so materially lessened, their business barely paid the necessary expences, and that the excise suffered in proportion.

It is said that some of their High Mightinesses observed upon this petition, they thought the country suffered by a culpable indulgence on their parts, and recommended a duty which should prevent the use of coffee by any but the rich; proposing forty florins for a license instead of four then paid; others, dreading domestic dissention, inclined to let things remain as they were, and prevailing, a compromise took place, by which the drinkers were more equally divided between Coffee and Beer.

A PIOUS PAPAL SEIZURE.

The reigning pontiff, in the year 1700, was very aged, very infirm, and, as it happened, very near the termination of his existence; but he was still very keen, as the party concerned with him in this anecdote perceived to his cost. Count Lemberg, embassador from the court of Austria, intended