Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 261, 5 November 1869, Page 2

America is calculated to contain over ten millions of square miles, each mile capable of sustaining three hundred and fifty persons, or four times the present population of the earth. Drinking in Ireland Seventy Years ago. — A well-known character who lived at Bluebell, having met a favorite boon companion, was induced by him to partake of some refreshment al an inn, where he speedily consumed sixteen tumblers of punch. He was rising to leave, when the friend suggested that he should 'make up the twenty." "The parish priest is to dine with me," replied this man of liquor, "and I should not wish him to see the sign of liquor on me." The following neat stroke bf business deserves mention, on account of the grand simplicity of the means set in action. The scene is a druggist's shop in Foggia, in the Neapolitan province of Capkanata: time, night, the druggist having just lighted a handsome silver lamp, the admiration and envy of the neighborhood. A man enters holding a hat in hand. " Mr. Druggist, will you please to give me a hatful of syrup of tamarinds ? " says the stranger. — " A hatful of syrup — what do you mean ? " cried the druggist, opening his eyes every wide. — "Do not refuse me — it is a bet with a friend j so just fill up my hat aud tell me what is to pay." The druggist was a merry fellow, and the conceit pleased him, so he brought a big-bellied flask, full up to the neck with syrup, which was duly transferred to the customer's wide-awake. "There,** said the druggist. Scarcely were the words out of his mouth, when the wideawake was oa his head, in a twinkling the lamp was blown out and carried away, while the poor druggist, helpless and immovable, stood, like the image of some river god, with the clammy ooze trickling from him on every side. 77,

A Veteran of Cortjnna. — " J. Coke Fowler," writing from Merthyr Tydvil, tbe 16th July has sent to The Times the following short but interesting biographical sketch of an old veteran : — In the borough of Merthyr an old soldier, named John Burnet, is now residing, who will attain the age of 91 if he lives till 4 November. He enlisted in the 81st Foot when he was about 28, and soon afterwards sailed for Spain and served in the campaign uuder Sir John Moore. He was present and slightly wounded in the baltie,of Corunna. He returned to England, and was again sent to Spain, thence to Sicily, and back to Spam. He marched into France with Lord Beresford's division, and from Bordeaux was draughted off to America. Qu his return to England his discharge was purchased by his relations, and consequently be has no pension. The gi eater part of last winter be spent in the Merthyr Workhouse, where his contented and cheerful temper made him a general favorite. He is now living with a granddaughter on out-dnor relief, and "minds her child " when she goes out to work. His memory is unimpaired, aud his complexion is still fresh ami smooth.