_St. Christopher_ (Vol. v., p. 265.).--I know not whether Mr. Drake's explanation (referred to by E. A. H. L.) be the same as that given in _Sacred and Legendary Art_, but the latter seems sufficiently satisfactory.
"It was believed that in consequence of his prayer, those who beheld the figure of St. Christopher were exempt during that day from all perils of earthquake, fire, and flood. The mere sight of his image, that type of strength, was deemed sufficient to inspire with courage those who had to struggle with the evils and casualties of life, and to reinvigorate those who were exhausted by the labours of husbandry.... Hence it became a custom to place his image in conspicuous places, to paint it of colossal size on the walls of churches and houses, where it is sometimes seen occupying the whole height of the building, and is visible from a great distance, being considered as a good omen for all those who look upon it. A mountain in Granada, which is first seen by ships arriving from the African coast, is called San Cristobal, in allusion to this poetical superstition."--_S. and L. Art_, p. 262.
_White Livers_ (Vol. v., p. 127.).--The superstition, that a man or woman who survives several wives or husbands has a white liver, is common among the lower orders in Lancashire.
_Torshel's Design to harmonise the Bible_ (Vol. v., p. 199.).--This rare and valuable tract is reprinted in _The Phenix_, 1707, vol. i. pp. 96-113.
The success which has attended the endeavour to supply, by means of the London Library in St. James's Square, the want so long felt by scholars and reading men, of a library of circulation of works of a higher class than those to be met with in ordinary subscription libraries, has just been rendered evident by the publication of the second volume of its _Catalogue_.
From this it appears that there are now in this admirable collection--for it is an admirable one--fifteen thousand distinct works (upwards, we believe, of forty-five thousand volumes), comprising the best and most expensive works in every department of learning, which scholars and men of learning may have the use of in their own studies for the small subscription of two pounds a year. There is little wonder that the plan has succeeded, for it has been well carried out,--thanks to the zeal of the Managing Committee, and to the care and attention of Mr. Cochrane, its able and most efficient Librarian.