Those commentators on the Newgate calendar, those bringers-into-fashion of the mysteries of vice, must not be quite acquitted of the evils they have caused: brilliancy of dialogue, and graphic power of delineation, are only weapons in a madman's hand, if the moral be corrupting and profane.

To cheerful, hearty, care-dispelling humour, to such merry faces as Pickwick and Co .-- inimitable Pickwick--hail, all hail! but triumphs of burglary, and escapes of murderers, aroint ye! Why then should I throw this cargo overboard ?--Friend, my ship is too full; _if_ I could only do one thing at a time, and could finish it within the limits of its originating fit, these things all might be less abortive.

But I doubt if my glorification of Greek aphorisms ever reaches any higher apotheosis than the airy castles sketchily built above.
* * * * * Similar in idea with these last tales, but essentially more sacred as to character, would be an illustrative elucidation of the seven last sayings of our Blessed Lord, when dying in the crucifixion.

The Romish Church, in some of her imposing ceremonies, has caused the sayings to be exhibited on seven banners, which are occasionally carried before the holy cross: from this I probably derived the idea of detaching these sentences from the frame-work of their contexts, and regarding them in some sort as aphorisms.

For a name, not to be tautologous, should be proposed a Graeco-Anglicism, THE HEPTALOGIA; OUR SAVIOUR'S SEVEN LAST SAYINGS.
The addition of "hagia" might be rather too Attic for English ears; and I know not whether "the Sacred Heptalogia" would not also be too mystical.