FEBRUARY 15, 1862.] 213, "


GREECE: ITS HUMOUROUS HISTORY. --
 BY M'ASSA HOYLE.
Ilhlstrated with Sketches taken on the Spot.
 CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH.
 A COUPLE of kings were now reigning in
Sparta, AGIS THE FOURTH and LEONIDAS.
The first was a very forward young man,
and the latter was greatly advanced. AGIS
had a great objection to luxury of every
kind, and LEONIDAS, 0on the contrary, who
had spent much of his time at the courts
of the kings of Syria, went through a course
of pleasures seria-tim. The latter had once -
admired a handsome dark woman; the
former only cared for a plain fare. AGIS
attempted to re-introduce the dress and
customs of the ancients, but as the costumes
were of the most meagre description, it is
needless to state that the revival was a
decided failure. In his admiration of the \
very early ages, there is no knowing at
what simple point his mode of attire might
have left off, indeed he might have left off
attire altogether, which would not have been
a step in the right direction, but altogether
a cool proceeding, especially in winter. The
present AGIS was so enamoured of the bygone \
ages, that, like an unsuccessful vocalist, he
was always "trying back," forgetting that -
the fashions of LYCURGus had altogether
gone out, being very much worn by time,
but nobody else.
 Three individuals of considerable impor-
 tance in the state-LYSANDER, M3ANDRO-
 CLEIDAS, and AGESILAUS-joined him in his
 views; and as these three had nothing to
 lose, their partisanship may be considered,
 to say the least, unselfish. As the first
 object of AGIS's schemes was to do away
 with luxury, it is needless to say that it was
 considerably relished by the poor, and very
 much objected to by the rich, who called
 upon LEONIDAS to say something, and put a
 spoke in his colleague's wheel. As the first -
 step towards carrying out AGIS's designs,
 LYSANDER, who was already A one, was
 made an E-phor. He immediately proposed
 a law in senate, which his enemies declared L -
 proved his in-seni-ty, and in which they
 found a draught as bitter as they would
 have done in senna tea. The first proposi-
 tion was, that all debts should be abolished.
 This was received with deafening acclama-
 tions from all debtors, and counter-cheers
 from the creditors. The other proposition
 was, that every one was to have a piece of
 land, and live after the ancient fashion.
 AGIS proved his sincerity by at once offer-
 ing his wealth and that of his friends to the
 public, and, to do the public justice, they
 received his offer in the most friendly man- A Rt
 ner. But LEONIDAS, who did not seem to
 see things in the same light, and who did
 not much care for his Spartans and his partner, objected, and, being
 out-voted, secured his own safety by a retirement which was too
 sudden to be spoken of as dignified. His son-in-law claimed the
 throne, which was left, which was not right. AGESILAUs, who was
 now made an Ephor, made a knee for AGIs, who rested upon him
 morally and physically, and as he also depended upon popular admira-
 tion, between the two stools, to quote the dull old saw, he came
 to something which he found to be ground sharp. He at once carried
 out the law for the abolition of debts, and those who could not carry
 out their liabilities, carried out their bills and burnt them in the
 market. The flames took up all the promissary notes, which was
 more comforting to the debtor than the creditor.

 WHY are tombstones unlike cherry-stones ?-Because they are not
 cheery-stones.


THUS' EXPEDITION VERY NEARLY GOES TO THE DOGS.


 NASCI ua NON FIT.-It is a pity that any difference should havo
 occurred between SIr EDWIN LANDSEER and his tailor, for there was
 no difference between the great artist and his frock-coat, inasmuch
 as if the one was a sir, the other was decidedly a sir-too (sirtoit.)
 EAsILy SATISFIED.-A great fuss is being made about constructing
 a fine thoroughfare to the Great Exhibition. That we shall have to
 pay handsomely for the accommodation we expect; but as for the road,
 we shall be quite satisfied if it's passable.
 A FELLOW FEELING.-MR. GRIIIS has called up in the American
 Congress a bill providing the release of fiigitivo slaves fr it
 Columbian prisons. It is only natural that GUIMES should sympa-
 thize with Blacks.
 VESTIGES OF CREATION.-Tho animal and the vegetable kingdoms
 are more curiously allied than many suppose. An insolvent coal-
 mcrchant is but a brokc-coaley, and a tee-totallcr a pot-hater.


VOL. I.