Extraordinary Instance of Gambling.

It is well known upon the western waters, that the firemen and other hands employed upon the boats spend much of their idle time in playing cards. Of the passion for gaming, thus excited, an instance has been narrated to us upon the most credible authority, which surpasses the highest wrought fictions of the gambler's fate. A colored fireman, on board a steamboat running between Saint Louis and New Orleans, had lost all his money at poker with his companions. He then staked his clothing, and being still unfortunate, pledged his own freedom for a small amount. Losing this, the bets were doubled, and he finally at one desperate hazard, ventured his full value as a slave, and laid down his free papers to represent the stake. He lost, suffered his certificates to be destroyed, and was actually sold by the winner to a slave dealer, who hesitated not to take him at a small discount upon his assessed value. When last heard of by one who knows him, and informed us of the fact, he was still paying in servitude the penalty of his criminal folly.

Gen. Taylor's Patriotism.

In answer to the complimentary resolutions passed at a meeting in this city some weeks since, Gen. Taylor says, "It is a source of gratulation to me that the meeting refrained from the meditated nomination for the presidency. For the high office in question I have no aspirations. The government has assigned to me an arduous and responsible duty in the prosecution of the existing war: in conducting it with honor to the country lie all my real aspirations."

The Columbian Magazine.

The October number of this splendid work will be found to be equal, if not superior, to anything and everything of the kind in the literary region. It represents three superb embellishments — "A Cure for Love," mezzotint, by Sadd; "View on the St. Lawrence," fine steel engraving, by C. F. Giles, and a plate of fashions; in a new style besides a piece of first rate music. This work is published monthly by Isreal Post, 140 Nassau St. Terms, only $3 per annum.

A Mountain In Labor.

The workmen, says a Paris paper, are still busily engaged in excavating Montmartre in quest of holy vases and other riches said to have been deposited there in early days of the French revolution by the orders of Lady Superior of the Abbey of Montmartre. Two workmen, who were at the time charged with transporting the wealth to the place designated were never seen, and it is supposed that they were sacrificed to the necessity of the secret. The Superior, at her death, bequeathed the secret to a lady friend, who in turn, on her death bed, divulged it to her daughter, then 13 years of age. The child, now a sexagenary, disclosed it to the municipality. Her statements have thus far been found scrupulously correct. The cesarian operation is actively going on, an excavation of fifty feet having been made, and the mountain's speedy deliverance of a mine of wealth is anticipated. May it not prove a mouse!

The Pope's Will.

The late Pope has left a fortune of eleven millions of francs, which, after some religious bequests; is to be divided among his relations! upon the singular condition that they never contest the will, and that they never take up their residence in Rome.

Improved Railroad.

The Harlem Railroad Company have laid down a section of their road with cast iron rails of a new construction, invented by Mr. Imley. These rails are highly approved, and are expected to supersede the common wrought rails to a considerable extent.

It is reported that Mr. Isaac Fisk of Massachusetts, spells his name "Eyzurk Physque." Well, what if he does?