Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-01-07
[Scleted for the Alexandria Gazette.

Selected for the Alexandria Gazette.
The ToAD.-The progress of natural philoso-
ply has destroyed haf the beauty Of the cclc-
bratcd simlle of Shakespeare
''Swect are the uses of adversely;
Which like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet precious jewell In his head
Though the toad is still reputcd venomous
yet no one imagincs it to have jewel in its
head. This was, however, believed in Shakes
pears days. Mr. Stevens, the commentator,
tells us that it was the current opinion that in
the head of an old toad was to bc found stone
or pearl, to which great virtues are ascribed.
Thomas Lupton, in his First Booke Of Notable
Things" bears repeated testimony to the vir-
tues OF the ''todc-stone, called Crapaudlna,
and he lnstructS how to procure 1t: y on shall
know whether the tode-stonc be the right and
perfect stone or not Hold the stone before
tode: so tha, be may see it, and it it be right
aud true stone, the tode will leap towards it;
and make as though he would snatch it He en-
vieth so much that man should have that
stone," which, Of course is mere fantastic
invention.
The vconomous nature of the toad is not sus-
tanned, though formerly it was believed. 1t was
claimed that King John of England, was pois-
0ned by drink in which matter from a living
todc had been infused. Boccacio wrote novel,
the tragiciuterest ofwhich depends on the NOR
tai venom ola toad. Two young lovers, Pasquino
and Simona were wandering in u garden, and
happened to find large cluster Of sage plants;
I'aSquino plucks a leaf and begins to rub his
teeth aud gums with it, observing that it was
good to do SO after eating. He continues his
conversation, but in few minutes sudden
change comes over his couutenance, and he ex.
pircs. Simona is Immediately accused by
friend Of the deceased Of having poisoned him
and taken before magistrate This respect
able functionary, desirous Of investigating the
matter thoroughly, proceeds with the parties
to the spot where the body Of Pasquino was
lying, swclled up like toad. Simona, in or
der to show the exact manner OF her lover S
death, pluckcd another sage leaf and used it in
the same manner. and dies suddenly on the
spot. The magistrate, astonshed at the catas
trophc, observes that this sage was poisonous,
ordered the plant to be rooted up, when the
cause of the death of these unfortunate lovers
was discovered Under this plant, says the
Italian writer, there was wonderful large
toad, by whose venomous breath tho sage had
become poisonous.
TIE WEEK OF PRAYER. officers Of the
different branches Of the Evangelical Alliance
have issued their annual programme of topics
for the week of prayer, extending from Jan
,,ary 9Th, to the 18th. The following arc the
subjects selected
Moultu January 6.-Devout acknowledge
mcnt remembrance Of Gods mercy to the
nation, to families and to the churches provi-
dental and spiritual blessings TO ourselves;
confession Of sin.
Tuealuu January 7.-Praycr for Christian
churches their increase 10 love, activity, t.
,lelity to the truth, and the clearer manifesto
ton of the unity in the faith for ministers,
missionaries and eyanpellStS
ll0tucsttun January S.-Prayer for iamlllcs
for sons and daughters of Christian parents
for blessing on home influence and on the
services and ordinances of the Church OF
God :" for schools, colleges and universities,
and for children at sea or III foreign lands Tor
young men in business and profession A; tor SER
wants ; and for all sickness and trlbulatlon.
Thmscluy, January 9.-Prayer for nations;
for kings and all in authority; for maintenance
Tor peace; for increase OF righteousness tor the
spread of religious liberty; for the growth OF
sound knowledge; for contentment, concord ana
GOOD will among all classes; for the discern
mcnt of Gods hand in national judgment; and
for the removal Of intemperance, lmmoralty
and the ''sins which are reproach to the peo-
pie"
Frihon january 10.-Prayer for mankind;
for the circulation ofthe Holy Scriptures, aud
the spread of pure literature; for the overthrow
Of all torus of tyranny and oppression; for the
removal of every form of anti Christ; tor all
prisoners and captives; and for the increase OF
that kingdom which is righteousness peace
and Joy in the Holy Ghost.
Sltwtldn January ll.-Prayer Tor the Sun
day-school; Tor missionary, tract, and other re-
liyious societies; for the rising up and sending
forth of laborers into His harvest, and tor the
removal of hindrances to the spread OF the gos'
pc and the conversion of the world.
Nuutluu, January l2.-Scrmon, Let the
whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen,
and amen.
4 ROMANCE or THE PEERAGE.-The read
rrs Of Samuel Warren's Ten Thousand a.
Year" an amusing law story, terribly spun OUT
and ovcrlaid with religious sentiment have
probably condemned the plot, in which, with n
the assistance of Messrs. Quirk, Cannon y
Snap, firm of rascally thieves attorneys ID
London, Mr.. Charles Aubrey, NJ. r., who @ ma mas
v -