THE MAIL SEX.
THE settlement of the genders of things is whimsically capricioui. The neuter, the law of grammar, is very impatiently borne by the vulgar ; and we may observe that in the range of their technical vocabulary they generally set it aside, and substitute the masculine. Workmen give to their tools, &c. the proriouns he, him, and his. Aquatic vessels have been dubbed feminine by sailors, perhaps causli honoris ; or possibly by the rule of opposites, because they are priva- tive of female society. The sun is a gentleman, and the moon a lady, by classical prescription rather than any consistency with the laws of propriety, considering that she walks by night. But the oddest and newest arrangement of genders is now before us. In a letter published in the newspapers, describing a late storm in Scotland, we perceive that the mail is made feminine :— " On the road from Crieff to Perth, the mail was frequently interrupted by large trees being blown down across the road, which had to be cut asunder and removed before she could proceed."
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