was to be married to King Oswirra. He was to go by land, but to return by water. Before his departure Vtta visited Bishop Aidan, who had the reputation of performing miracles, and besought his prayers for a prosperous journey. The bishop blessed him, and, predicting for his return a great tempest and a contrary wind that should rise suddenly, gave him a pot of oil, saying, "Remember that you cast into the sea this oyle that I give you, and anon, the winds being laied, comfortable fayer weather shall ensue on the sea, which shall send you againe with as pleasaunt a passage as you have wished."
The tempest came as predicted. The sailors essayed to cast anchor, but in vain: the water began to fill the ship, and "no thing but present death was looked for." At the near approach of death came the thought of the bishop and the pot of oil. Taking it in his hand, the priest cast of the oil into the sea, when, as if by magic, it became quiet and calm, and the ship was delivered.
"Bede declares that he had it from 'a very creditable man, a priest of our church, Cymmund by name, who saied that he had hearde it of Vtta, the priest in whom the miracle was wrought.' Modern experiments show that it was no miracle, and the scene no doubt occurred precisely as described. " Pouring oil on the troubled waters" is now a common metaphor, used of all efforts to allay commotion of any kind by smooth words of counsel in the interests of peace.
Horsford's Acid Phosphate in General Nervous Prostration.—Dr. A. G. Bissell, Detroit, Michigan, says, "I have used it in a severe case of general nervous prostration, and am very much pleased with the result. I shall prescribe it hereafter in similar cases with a great deal of confidence."
The series of novels which are announced elsewhere as to appear in Lippincott's Magazine for 1888 will be of great literary value and interest. Miss Amélie Rives has excited universal admiration by the short stories and poems that she has contributed to current magazines, and a novel from her pen will be eagerly welcomed by a wide circle. Edgar Saltus, a brilliant young author, whose "Mr. Incoul's Misadventure" was excellent in itself and gave promise of still more brilliant performance in the future, is another rising name. William H. Bishop and Brander Matthews have an established position among contemporary novelists, and the new novels from their pen will be equal to any of their former work. Mrs. A. L. Wister's translations are known to all readers of American fiction. Miss Julia Magruder, whose "Across the Chasm" and "At Anchor" (in Lippincott's Magazine) were hailed as among the most charming of modern Southern novels, is another writer with an audience already created. Miss M. Eliott Seawell is the author of "Maid Marian," a delightful little extravaganza in the December, 1886, number of Lippincott's, and the novel which she has written for this magazine will add another star to the galaxy of Southern novelists.
Horsford's Acid Phosphate in Weak Stomach and Dyspepsia.—Dr. J. C. Winans, Madison, Ohio, says, "I have used it in atony of the stomach, dyspepsia, and vomiting in pregnancy, and found it an admirable remedy; also in atonic conditions where phosphorus is required."
