Year: 1861

AN ANCIENT CUsroM.-The mark which
persons who are unable to write are required
to make instead of their signature, is the sigr
of cross, and this practice having formerly
been followed by kings and mobiles, is constant
ly referred to as an instance of the deplorable
ignorance of ancient times This signature is
not, however, invariable proof of such igno
rance; anciently, the use of this mark was moi
confined to illiterate persons, for among the
Saxons the mark of the cross, as an attestatiou
of the good faith of the person signing. was
required to be attached to the signature oI
those who would write, as well as to stand in
the place of the signature of those who could
write, or even read, his knowledge was consid-
cred proof positive presumptive that he was in
holy orders. The word clericus or clerk was
synonymous with penman, and the laity, or
people who were not clerks, did not feel any
urgent necessity for the use of letters. The
ancient use of the cross was therefore universal,
alike by those who could and by those who
could not write; it was, indeed, the symbol of
an oath from its holy associations and gene
rally the mark. On this account, M. Charles
Knight in his notes to the Pictorial Shak-
speare, explains the expression of " God save
the marm,' as form of ejaculation approach
ing to the character of an OATH This phrase
occurs three or more times in the plays Of
Shakespeare but hitherto it has been left by
the commentators in its original obscurity.


How TO DISTINGUISH THE RANK OF OFF
cERs.-By observing the shoulder straps worn
by officers of the army their rank can be readi-
ly ascertained. A Major-General is distin-
guished by two silver stars on his shoulder
straps Brigader-G General has but one; a
Colonel has q silver embroidered spread eagle
Lieutenant Colonel has a silver embroidered
leaf; Captain is known by two gold embroi
dered bars First Lieutenant has but one
gold bar on the strap Second Lieutenant
none at all. The cloth of the strap is as fol.
lows: staff officers dark blue artillery, tight
Tor sky blue; rihemen, medium Tor mohrald)
green, cavalry, orange color.


HARD TO BEAT.-One of the iuveniles
though considerably advanced, presented him
self, not long since, for admission to public
school near Dry Dock. He was shown seat,
md in ha Of tho fbo
resolved to enter into little examination of
the youths capacities and knowledge prior to
assigning him to class Calling to the hoy
to stand up, be asked


Do you know anything about grammar p


a. don't know anything else, replied the
boy"


"Very well now attend In the beginning
God made the world parse world"


All the bhoy knew of grammar was wha,
he had heard that very morning from the clas-
ses reciting around him but then he had been
taught that when fighting in the dark he must
strike out straight from the shoulder, right
and left, and all would be right


Parse world ?" he drawled out, inquiring
Iy, so as to gain time.


Yes In the beginning God made the
world parse world"


oval, woald's the biggest kind of noun,
masculine gender, and all sorts of tense, past,
present and future, and"-slapping his hands
down on the desk with force that shook the
building" it is governed by God Now fotch
on your Sunday school scholars, ole hoss, and
see if they can beat that