" This a little out-Heroded Herod, but the belle was not a person to be easily daunted on such a subject.

The belles of this city, he says, are the Lancashire witches of Spain; and by reason of them, rather than the sea-shore or the Sierra Morena, "sweet Cadiz is the first spot in the creation."

And when the crescent moon hangs bright Athwart the soft night sky, Down shady paths we strolling go, Just Dorothy and I. As true of heart as sweet of face, With gay and girlish air, The painted belles of citydom Are not a whit as fair.

Belle, if you keep on at this rate you will be a monomaniac on the temperance question.

The "belle" is Letitia Hardy, and her stratagem was for the sake of winning the love of Doricourt, to whom she had been betrothed.

Sister Belle is not a negress, her hair is not black and in kinks, it is golden, and its curls are three feet in length, moreover, a white rose is her emblem.