The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 14, No. 387, August 28, 1829

Bread.—In Paris, 830,000 persons consume 227,760,000 pounds in a year.

Printing.—There are in Paris 80 printing establishments; 600 presses going; and 3,000 journeymen printers in constant employ.

Deaths.—The annual mortality is 21,033; average of suicides 200, of whom the greater number are single persons; and on an average, a death occurs every twenty minutes. Upwards of 1,100 children die annually from small-pox.

Lamps.—The city is lit with 4,533 oil lamps, with 12,672 wicks.

The River.—The river Seine where it enters Paris is 510 feet broad; at the Pont Neuf 864 feet, and where it leaves the city 400 feet broad.

Hospitals.—The income of the hospitals is 9,762,154 francs, or about £406,756.; the average cost to government for a day in the hospital, is about 11-1/2d. The maniacs from two prisons average 3,000 a year; and the majority of mad persons are unmarried.

Lottery.—The average annual receipts of the lottery is about a million sterling—of which the treasury receive about £180,000. the remainder being the adventurers'.

Marriages.—The average of marriages is 6,316, or 1 marriage in every 108 persons. Marriages are most frequent in February, and least in December. There is rather more than an average of three children to each marriage.

Births.—The births average 27,000, or 1 birth for every 12 minutes; of the number, 8,760 are illegitimate.

Gaming Houses.—The annual receipt is £360,000.; the whole expenses £60,000. Those who lease them clear in 6 years about £83,000.

Wine Tax.—The annual revenue is a million sterling.

Theatres.—There are 10,000 persons daily at the theatres, Of these, it is estimated, 6,816 pay for admission. The annual average receipts of all the theatres is £209,298.

Tombs.—The price for a tomb in Pere la Chaise, is about £4. without the right to the grave; some have cost £1,400. Those erected to women are fewer by half than those for men.

Travellers.—The average since the peace of 1814, is 17,676 English residents or travellers in Paris.

MOTTO AND TRANSLATION

Presto et Presto.

Double quick time.

DIALOGUE BETWEEN GLUTTON AND ECHO

The following lines, written in the year 1609, are said to have induced Butler to pursue the same idea in his Hudibras;

Dialogue.

Glutton.—My belly I do deify.

Echo.—Fie.

Glutton.—Who curbs his appetite's a fool.

Echo.—Ah! fool!

Glutton.—I do not like this abstinence.

Echo.—Hence!

Glutton.—My joy's a feast, my wish is wine.

Echo.—Swine.

Glutton.—We epicures are happy truly.

Echo.—You lie.

Glutton.—May I not, Echo, eat my fill.

Echo.—Ill.

Glutton.—Will it hurt me if I drink too much?

Echo.—Much.

Glutton.—Thou mock'st me nymph, I'll not believe it.

Echo.—Believe it.

Glutton.—Dost thou condemn then what I do?

Echo.—I do.

Glutton.—Is it that which brings infirmities?

Echo.—It is!

Glutton.—Then sweetest temperance I'll love thee.

Echo. I love thee..

Glutton.—

If all be true which thou
dost tell,
To gluttony I bid farewell.

Echo.—Farewell.

W.A.

EPITAPH ON A GAMESTER

Here lies a gamester, poor but willing,
Who left the room without a shilling.
Losing each stake, till he had thrown
His last, and lost the game to Death;