4 JANUARY 1957, Page 31

tie 'pectator JANUARY 7, - 1832 HIDDEN TALENTs.--A gentleman once intro- duced his

son to Rowland Hill, las/letter, as a youth of great promise, and as likely to do honour to the university of which he was a member. 'But he is slq.' added the father, 'and idle, and 1 fear buries his' talents in a napkin.' A short time afterwards the parent, anxious for the Reverend gentleman's opinion, inquired what he thought of his son. 'I have shaken the napkin.' said Rowland Hill, 'at all corners, and there is nothing in it.'