play'd in the last verse of the preceding chapter, where Facob says to Joseph, Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren, which I took out of the hand of the Amorite with my sword, and with my bow. Q. What is the best modern way of longitude? A. Since there is no circle from North to South to determine longitude, as the equator determines latitude, longitude must of consequence be an arbitrary thing; nor is it of importance where you fix your first meridian, since, tho' different geographers use different meridians, you may reconcile them all by addition or subftraction. Q. Who were the first inhabitants of America? Ā. The Americans for want of records can't discover their own original. But tbo’ it be not as yet known, yet bereafter it may come to light; as a tatute dug up in Spain the last age gives a great confirmation to a remarkable point in ecclesiastical history. Q. Gentlemen, I beg the favour of troubling you with this following question. What is the reason why a Lady, I was in company with, fell into a fwoon at the sight of a Spider crawling upon her sleeve ? A. Doubtless this kind of affection does proceed from antipathy, or occult enmities of the sensitive foul, which, when the animal spirits by the meeting of some object have been once driven into confusion, for the future abhors the approach of the same, or its contact by effluvias. Q. How does mercury operate so as to cause a salivation? A. Mercury (according to authors) performs its operation by an intimate mixture of its sharp saline and volatile fulphureous particles with the blood, which being actuated by beat acquire as it were a vehicle in tbe serum or lympha, which they excite to motion, render fluxile, and by a kind of sublimation cause that plentiful discharge thro' the excretory glands of the mouth, I Q. 'Tis my misfortune thro' ill advice to be book'd into an engagement with a pretty Lady, who, tho' reputed a is considerable fortune, is really worth but little, as I have Since discovered. Now if I marry her, I shall not only fo I difoblige my friends that they will certainly disinherit me, and then I Mall have nothing but a reversionary estate after two lives to depend on, (indeed i am entring on an honourable profesion, but that I can't live by a great while yet) but likewise it will tend to the decay of a very honourable family which I have a great inclination to support, &c. desire your advice with candour and sincerity, for 'tis of the highest consequence. A. Tho' you were hook'd into the engagement, if it was confirm'd with obligations in their own nature binding, your imprudence in being impos'd upon will not discharge you of them, but you ought to marry her; this we urge, in case the friends youmention are not your parents: if they be, they have only a negative power, and cannot force you to marry another without first making fatisfaction to the Lady. Q. The publick news acquaint us with an ifand sprung up in the Archipelago by a subterraneous Vulcano. Pray how can such an effect be solv’d, since how can fire and water agree? A. It seems somewhat Arange that you should first call the Vulcano a fubterraneous one, and then say, can fire and water agrec, when subterraneous signifies under the earth: and pray what can be at the bottom of the sea but earth, whence the violence of sudden fires may force such a quantity of solid matter as may be sufficient to compose an island. Q. Why does foram preserve ice, and ripen apples? À. Straw is very fitly used to cover ice-houses, bea cause it doth not only keep out the sun, as well as any other covering could do ; but besides it is not fo apt to grow hot, and continue so for a time, as other more compact and solid bodies are. As to its fur. thering the ripening of apples, 'tis what may be call'd in question. It rather seems to be used likewise for: 3 their up at TOD their better preservation, because that fruit being laid upon it is not so liable to be bruised, or to receive any damage from wet as when laid upon a naked floor. Q. Pray. Gentlemen, is it good to take snuff? and if it is, tell me in what the goodness confifteth, and you will very much oblige your most humble subscriber Silvia. A. Madam, snuff is beneficial against many indifpo.. fitions of the head, when aptiy prepared for such uses, and not injurious to almost any, if not immoderately taken; in which case the mott falutiferous preparations may be noxious. Q. Apollo, you are a damn'd sly dog, for when you have questions you cannot answer, you put it off with a jeer upon the querift: now with what face can you answer this? A. If the Queritt were arriv'd to years of discretion, which perhaps he may not attain, should he live these fifty years, he would discern that such questions are only worthy of such solutions: this we may an{wer with a very modeft face; but had we occasion to insert such ridiculous positions as he offers, we would ask the favour of him to lend us his. Q. Be pleas'd to infert in your next Apollo, from whence the word (NEWS) is derived ? A. Some will tell you that NEWS coming from all parts, and the letters N. E. W. S. ftanding for North, East, West, and South, the word was thence compounded of them, but to avoid quibbles, it is derived from New, The old Gentlewoman who was so lately enamour'd with your son, that me cou’dn't refrain publishing her affections, was so seizd by a mixture of joy and amazement, at your ingenuous as well as ingenious answer, that in dying raptures the made the following confus'd will, wherein the forgot to nominate who should be her executors; for her thoughts were so fix'd upon the contemplation of your son, that thrice invoking, and thrice fighing at his name, se chus begun, : Q. Imprimis, I give him, when I'm dead and cold, My rings and my jewels, my plate and my gold, Item, after I'm dead I give him that house, Which i hold by good lease froin Christopher Dowse; To have and to hold unto him for as long As the lease by the law shall be deem'd to be strong: Were I likely to live, I would name the wish'd day, When Hymen should teach me to love and obey; But if death proves triumphant, I must him desire To think in what agonies I did expire : How that love was the cause, too much joy made me die, And the warmth of his lines fent my soul to the sky : When dead, let me bave a true epitaph made, If it be but, Here lies a good natur’d old jade. And unless he do this, my will is he mall Lose rings, plate and jewels; nay, gold, house and all, For I order executors, that they san't him pay, Till the will of the dead he fulfills every way; Therefore (dying) i beg he'd consider the cajé, And if love can't prevail , let interest take place. She said, and immediately died; and I being heir at lave to the deceas'd will take out letters of administration 10 the will annexed; merely because that if you will perform the desire of the deceas'd, you may the better enforce me to pay you your legacies. Now whether or no you think it worth while ? Is the question that's ask'd by your friend Robert Gryle. A. Mr. Gryle, (or to call you more properly Guile) Since executors often do merit that style: My fad offspring's extreamly concern'd at the change, And surpriz’d at the news of a rapture strange; But to any thing doubts your legitimate claim, As suspecting you've alter'd the will of your Dame; Since for him so great signs of affection me made, 'Tis presum'd she might give to him all that she had; Howe'er since this will doth an Epitaph crave, Pray let this inscription be fix'd to her grave. The E PITA P H.. wealthy ; Who refunding her clog of mortality's gone To the sphere of bright Phoebus, to marry his son. Q. O mighty Apollo, who make such pretences head. thing?) 4. Mr. Qucrist, Apollo takes leave to declare That your message doth uncouth and sordid appear; And 'uis favour uncommon, that his Godship, who knows a'l, Q. re question-mongers tell nae why A. Their too much care's the reason why Q. SINCE |