PAPYRUS.-Pliny is in error in saying that papyrus was not used for paper before the time of Alexander the Great; for papyri of the most remote Pharaonic period are found with the same mode of writing as that of the age of Cheops. A papyrus now in Europe, of the date of Cheops, establishes the early use of written documents, and the antiquity of paper made of the byblus long before the time of Abraham. As papyrus was expensive, few documents of that material are found, and these are generally rituals, sales of estates, and official papers. Papyrus was used until about the seventh century of our era. A soldier's leave of absence has been discovered written upon a broken piece of earthenware. The use of the liber or inner bark of trees among the ancients is well known. In the "Philosophical Transactions" Sir John Clerk says, "The most ancient sort of Charta (or paper) was of the inner bark of trees, called liber in Latin, whence a book had the name of liber; but very little of this sort is now in being." Hence the term leaf was first applied to paper from leaves, especially of palms, formerly used for writing on. INVESTMENT life insurance is attracting a very large share of attention at this time, and we assume because it has been conclusively shown that men may in this way have their lives insured for a long series of years, and at the end of the term receive all they have paid to a Company, together with a moderate rate of interest thereon. This is especially true of the Penn Mutual Life, of Philadelphia. We have seen some of the results of this form of insurance, and they would be surprising if they were not true, but they are fully vouched by the statements of the policy-holders. SUPERSTITIONS ABOUT BABIES.-Among Vosges peasants children born at new moon are supposed to have their tongues better hung than others, while those born at the last quarter are supposed to have less tongue but better reasoning powers. A daughter born during the waxing moon is always precocious. Welsh mothers put a pair of tongs or a knife in the cradle to insure the safety of their children: the knife is also used for the same purpose in some parts of England. Roumanian mothers tie red ribbons around the ankles of their children to preserve them from harm, while Esthonian mothers attach bits of asafetida to the necks of their offspring. In Holland garlic, salt, bread, and steak are put into the cradle of the new-born babe. In Ireland a belt made of woman's hair is placed about a child to keep harm away. Upon the birth of a child in Lower Brittany the neighboring women at once take it in charge, wash it, crack its joints, and rub its head with oil to solder the cranium bones. It is then wrapped up in a tight bundle, and its lips are anointed with brandy to make it a full Breton. In modern Greece the mother, before putting the child in its cradle, turns three times around before the fire while singing her favorite song to ward off evil spirits. In Scotland it is said that to rock the empty cradle will insure the coming of other occupants for it. In London the mother places a book under the head of the new-born infant that it may be quick at reading, and puts money into the first bath to guarantee its possession in the future. In Turkey the child is loaded with amulets as soon as it is born, and a small bit of mud well steeped in hot water, prepared by previous charms, is stuck on its forehead. In Spain the child's face is swept with a pine-tree bough to bring good luck. at all druggists or direct from The ATHLO 25 and 75 cents, PHOROS CO., 112 Wall St., New York. Cures Rheumatism and Neuralgia, ATH-LO-PHO-ROS and all pain. $1.00 per bottle. 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THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION says: "It is doubtful, indeed, if a more important work of reference has ever been prepared," and THE NEW YORK NATION says: "A timely and valuable aid to political education. We can not withhold our warm commendation of the industry and discrimination of the editor, and the enterprise of the publishers." Liberal discounts made on orders for first supply. ANECDOTES NOUVELLES. Lectures faciles et amusantes et Récitations. A new and charming budget of Franco-American Tidbits excellently adapted for reading, memorizing, or class drill of any kind. Paper, 30 cents. NEUE ANEKDOTEN. Leichte und heitere Stücke zum Lesen und Wieder erzählen. Furnishes the best material for drill in conversation and grammar, and an excellent text for questioning and reading. In 12mo, paper, 50 cents; cloth, 75 cents. ELWALL'S DICTIONARY. 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