The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-10-30

The mark which persons who are unable
to write are required to make instead of their
signature, is in the form OF a eros % aud
this practice having formerly been followed
by kings and mobiles, is constantly referred 10
as an instance Of the deplorable ignorance
OF ancient times. This signature 10 not,
however, invariably proof Of such igno-
rauce ancientlv, the use Of this mark Was
not confined to lliterate persons; for amongst
the Saxons, the mark Of the cross as an at
testation OF the good faith OF persons sign
ing, was required to be attached to the sig
nature Of those who could write, rs well as
to stand in the place Of the signature Of those
who could not write in those times il u man
could write, or even read, his knowledge was
considered proof presumptive that he was in
holy orders. The word ciericus or clerk,
was Synonymous with penman and the laity
or the people who were not clerks, did not
feel the urgent necessity for thu use Of let
ters The ancient use OF the cross was,
therefore, universal, alike by those who
could not write; it was, indeed, the symbol
of an oath, from its holy associations, and
generally the mark. On this account the
editor Of the Pictorial Shakespeare explains
the expression of 'God save the mark" as
a form Vt ejaculation approaching to the
character OF an oath.
GEN PROM JoHSsoN.--The following pas
sage from DR.. Johnson's " Journey to the
Hetrides,' is beautiful rendering of n
truth which cannot be too often rehearsed in
the public ear:
Life consists not OF series of illustrous
actions or elegant enjoyments; the greater
part of our time passes in compliance with
necessities, in the performance Of daily du-
ties, in the removal Of small inconveni ences,
in the procurement of petty pleasures; and
we are well or i'll ut ease, rs the main stream
Of life glides on smoothly, or is rufiled by q
small obstacle and frequent interruption
The true state of common life. The man
mrs of people are not to be found in the
schools of learning or the palaces of great
ness, where the nations character is obseured
or obliterated by travel or instruction, by
philosophy or vanity; nor is public happi-1
ness TO be estimated by the assemblies of the
gay or the banquets Of the rich. The great
mass of nations is neither rich nor gay !;
they whose aggregate constitutes tho people,
are found in the streets and villages, in the
ships and the farms; and from them, col
lectiyely considered, must the measure Of
general prosperity be taken. As they mp
proach to delicacy, nation is refined, as
their conyenienoes are multiplied, nation,
at least, commercial nation, must be de-
nominated wealthy.
MARRIED vs.. UNMARRIED. "You'ye no
wife, believe" said Mr.. Blank to his neigh
Dor.
:" No, sir,o was the reply, 81 never was
married.
"Ah," said Mr.. Blank, g vou are a happy
dog
Ashort time after, Sir. Blank, in address
ing married man, said
''iou have wife, sir?
Yes, sir, a wife and three children.o
Indeed" said Mr.. Blank, ssyou are
Why, Mr.. Blank, }" said one Of the CON-
pany, "your remarks to the unmarried and
the married seem to conGic. somewhat ~
Not at all--not ut all, sir. There is o
difference in my statement. Please be more
observing, sir. ] SAID the man who had no
wife was happy dog;;' and the man who
had wife was a happy man; nothing con-
hicting, sir, nothing at all. know what
say, sirW
/ WoMAN's TEgfEg.--Aboye all things let
women cultivate Il sweet aud amiable temper,
II IS this that makes home happy. The sweet
temper OF the wife makes the flowers that
gem mans pathway. Man, prrplcxcd and
+ annoyed with the cares and tolls of busy
day, goes home and is soothed to rest BY the
/ music OF kindly coined words. Ii is like sun
shine glin,ing the dark and stony places In
the heart. Let it be cultivated for husband
nnd ctliiaren are thousand fold the happier
Tor IL. Women should strive To possess a
calm, sweet temper I; and il il should 80 hap
pen that any mans eyes fall upon this, We
would say that ne should pray with all fer
/ vency for better temper than he has. How
some women can live with cross, Grabbed.
uglg men all their lives, and still be SO much
IKE angels, is to Us one Of the s.hidden mys-
spir!. u :!as .1ys.
PICTURE sruJgcrs. Hartley Coleridge
SAYS THE life Of Ben Jonson presents at
ieast one striking situation, which would
make hne picture, either on the stage or on
canvas. ! aiiude to that iuncture, when,
AMID company Of friends assembled to con-
gfaiaia.e ham on his discharge from prison,
his mother produced the packet Of poison,
IA "a AEn