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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 78, 2 April 1877, Page 4

If you do not bring any strain to bear upon timber, one kind is as good as another. A splinter of a brooth is as good as the best ash it you lay. }t down on the carpet and do not do anything with it. The only thing 'which shows the relative excellence of the different sorts is a pressure brought to bear upon them. Lead is as good aa iron, or iroh as good as steel so long as they are nofc subject •to any triaUlof their strength. And it is when men are tired in life that what they are is made to appear. The New Bbitish Hangman. — ; Standing on the platforai at Leicester the other morning I espied our common executioner, Marwood. He was fresh from another of his ghastly jobs, a man having a few hours before paid the' penally of murder within the County Jail. A friend who was with me unfolded b little tale concerning this maa which he vouched for of his own knowledge. "Marwood," (hen, it seems, is only au assumed name. His real name is Fisher, and he is the son of a farmer or an agricultural agent -somewhere down iu tbe North. J/Vhen ,he iajQOt "Mr Marwood" this successor jto jCalcraft is much iu the company I - jbelieye, .of the canine fancy. Whatever induced the man to undertake such a repulsive post, I know not; but of my own actual knowledge, obtained as an eye-witness, I must do him the credit of saying ihat I do not think tbat tbey couid find a better fellow for the horrible work. He seems to be a' man ot strong nerve, an essential requisite, and he never tortures his "subjects" by trivial delays — everything ig uojaa smartly and dexterously. His . assisants on such occasions arc very oite.n gentleman who are ready to pay a "fiver" for the privilege of pullingthe bolt, and for the sake qf say iug that .tbey have hanged a fellow creature. I would rather take Sheridan's view of the matter, "Why do you want to go down a coal pit, my son ? " said he* *• Oniy just to say I have been down," replied bis hopeful. ** Well, can't you say that without going down," was tbe retort. I think I would prefer to tell the lie than actually to help Marwood. --London Correspondent*

Bringing in the New Year in Scotland. — New Year's Day takes the place of Christmas Day in Scotland. To understand how it so happens that this is the case it is necessary to go as far back ae the Reformation. That ecclesiastical revolution was carried to a more extreme result in Scotland than io. the. south., , The . episcopacy, wns. abolished, 'and altaraj -with reiics, ;.&c," were swept away. Churches in Scotland then ceased" fcr he consecrated, marriage ceased to be a church ceremony; and has ever since that timeibee'n performed in houses. A church, not being consecrated and having no altar, is not more sacred than auy other building; and, as marriage at that-time became merely a civil contract among Presbyterains, it only required to be witnessed, like any other ' bargain; hence, although a clergyman is according to custom always present _fc u such ceremonies, still ha is not. necessary; aind the blacksmith at Grrethagreen had bo privilege^-ariybheelflOV could bave performed., the part of witness to the transaction. -Ail- saints' day were abolished at the same; and this, of Course, :! incl_ded "Christmas Day; and hence New Year's Day took its, place, and has remained so ever since. The last day. of the year is colled "Hogmanay," and it is hot common for people to go io bed that night; tu*,y sit up to "see the new year in." As soon as twelve o'clock strikes every one shakes hands with those around, wishing in each cese " A happy new year, and many o' '(hem." Each one drinks some whisky and eats some bun. They then go into the houses of near neighbours to "firstfoot," as it is called, when all this is again performed. The younger aud more active go off to visit friends, carrying a bottle and some bun. — Illustrated London News.