The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-01-13 00:00:00

ae 31st of January

and January is the

ar is not over
It is also objected t

year began in March, January did not open the year. The
god of Janus was represented with two faces, which were
termed by the Roman jokers " chops for two." The sign
of January is Aquarius, or the Waterman, blowing his nails
on the cab-stand.—Punch's Comic Almanac far Jan., 1843.
LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.—We have heard it whispered
in circles likely to be well informed, thpt Mr. Snooks has at
last been prevailed upon to allow one of his riddles
lished on the snuff paper of a popular t

o be pub-

heard the riddle, but are not at liberty to go into partic
at present. We can, however, venture to say that it
the question—When a certain artich

not a certain ar-

a the popula

tic ! and the reply embodies a well-known
may be objected that the idea is taken f-
' When is a door not a door
far as to assert that there is so much neatness in the notion,
and so much cleverness in the conceit of Mr. Snooks, as to
give him almost the merit of originality. Mr. Snobson has
a ballad in preparation, founded on the delightful song of
" Tell me, my heart." It commences with "Oh ! intorm
me, my bosom ;" and is expected to become exceedingly
popular.--Punch.

enigma—

' But v

FIRES.—The returns made by Mr. Braidwood of the fires
in the metropolis and its suburbs, during the last ten years,
in addition to his annual report, show the total number of
fires, their extent, causes, and trades, and are of the utmost
importance to the insurance companies. In the course of the
last ten years no fewer than 5,794 fires have happened within
the limits of the metropolis. The number of houses totally
burned down has been 269 ; partially consumed, 1,611; and
slightly damaged, 3,894. The number of persons that
perished by houses taking fire during the period are as fol-
lows :-1833, 12; 1834, 3; 1835, 11 ; 1836, 14; 1837, 13;
1838. 24 ; 1839, 25 ; 1840, 25 ; 1811, 11 ; 1842, 20—total.
158. These are the lives lost where the firemen were called ;
but many others have occurred through clothes taking fire,
&c., of which no notice has been received. '1 he chief portion
of the fires broke out in the following trades. Their number
during the ten years are attached. At booksellers, binders,
and stiltioners, 79 fires; bakers, 140 ; brokers, 48 ; cabinet-
makers, 84; carpenters, 245; chandlers. 48; chemists, 40;
drapers, woollen, linen, and mercers, 107; grocers, 59; hat-
makers, 57; brothels, 60; lodging-houses, 440 ; private
dwellings, 1,935; public-houses (chiefly from carelessness,)
318 ; oil and colour shops, 87; inciter match-makers, 63 ;
stable;, 113; and sale shops of different descriptions, 325.
A great numb& have been proved to be wilful, and the of-
fenders escaped punishment on account of the want of a

prosecutor.
DINING WITH A BISHOP.—Mons. Casimir Bonjour re-
lates the following anecdote of Savary, Duke de Rovigo :
" One day, the petit vicaile of a small conmune in one of
ho was the uncle of the Duchesse de Rovigo,
e of the ministers of ni-
ne living of my

the pro

canton is become vacant : a sudden ambition has seized me,
and lam come to Paris to ask you for it.' A living said
the duke. If you think the thing impossible.' replied the
modest ecclesiastic, I abandon my request.' Uncle,' said
the duke, ' I do not say that it is impossible, but it requires
reflection. What diocese do you belong to?' Meaux,' said
the uncle. Good, come and dine with me this evening : I
expect the bishop.' Dine with the bishop exclaimed the
uncle—l, a poor parish priest : I fear I should not have
courage.' It strikes me,' said the duke, ' that au uncle
may venture to dine with his nephew. I shall expect you at
five o'clock.' At the hour appointed the timid ecclesiastic
arrived in the drawing. room of the minister, where he looked
in vain for his superior. In a few moments the duke said,
id we will sit down to table.
During the whole of the

Will you lea
dinner the poo _
nothing, and said not .a
tured to ask whother the duke had any hope that t
would come. ' Monseigneur is come,' rep
Where is he ?' In the room

lis eyes on the

Dr, could eat

t at the dessert he ven-

)w, in the room ?'
Yes, it is yourself. The bishopric bad becorrr vacant, of
which you were not aware, and 1 solicited the Emperor this
morning to bestow it on you, a request which was imme-
diately granted.'"

NG ANECDOTR.—A ye
assumed the command of the Queen's, a soldier, whose ap-
pearance was remarkable, drew my attention. He was a
particularly clean and nice-looking soldier; but he seemed
odd in his manner, and did not appear to associate with or
speak to any one. On inquiring of the adjutant, he informed
me that the man in question had once been a sergeant; and
he had attempted the life of his commanding officer in the
West Indies, for which crime he had been tried, found
guilty, and sentenced to be reduced, and to receive eight
hundred lashes ; that he had been reduced accordingly, but
that, through the clemency of his commanding officer, the
corporal punishment had been remitted. The adjutant
further stated, " that a better or cleaner soldier was not in
the service;" but he was, he said, so sullen, that no person
associated with him, and the officers of the regiment looked
upon him with a sort of horror. I continued to observe this
man for some little time longer, till one day, as he crossed
me in the barrack-square, in my way to my quarters, leaned
to him by name, and desired him to follow me. When I got
to my room, I told him, after he had entered, to shut th
door. I then said to him,

INTERk

short time after I had

He raised his band to his cap, an
said, " I have observed you for
is much in your favour. You

there is in the regiment
You are here looked upon almost il

soldier

It would s

swered

our appearance
I as well set-up