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Had Erskine, as we have done, spent large part of a year in an asylum for the insane, he never would have laid down his celebrated rule, a rule in pursuance which multitudes of lives have been violently destroyed in due course of law. Will the writer of the letter allow us to ask him if, on this "legal" definition of insanity, he has known many sane men? Is he sure, indeed, that he is not occasionally insane himself; that is, has he not, sometimes, after pursuing with the utmost care a process of reasoning, found himself landed in an embarrassing falsehood, simply because he had not been regardful of his premises?

We are aware that Erskine's rule has been modified, of late years, by the law members of the House of Lords; but as they start with the same unauthorized definition of insanity, they have not materially remedied the difficulty.

But we must hasten to give the Justice what he asks for. If the Superintendent of this Asylum was involved in a law-suit, on a right determination of which was suspended his reputation as a man of intelligence, humanity, and, above all, of righteousness, he would, doubtless, by careful study, become familiar with the principles of law bearing on the question. He would study Justinian, Blackstone, Kent. But, being aware how much general principles become modified by circumstances, he would not be satisfied till he had applied to the practical knowledge of this very Justice, whose pursuits have taught him a thorough knowledge of those circumstantial variations in which the main difficulty lies. So, we say to the Justice, get all the general knowledge you can. Read Beck, Calmeli, Shakepeare's "Hamlet." But do not discharge the man into either world, until you have sent for the Superintendent. His position has given to him a knowledge far more important to you than, in the supposed case, your's could be to him; for in determining the life or death of the accused a far greater number of modifying circumstances -- circumstances so delicate that only a practiced judge can weigh them, -- are to be most carefully and solemnly considered.

Riddling at Tripler Hall -- The mind of New-York has recently been thrown into violent agitation. A tea-pot was offered for the best-riddle, to be awarded at Tripler Hall, in presence of the congregated intellect of the city. Fourteen hundred candidates contended for the prize. Fourteen hundred men and women after a riddle! What agony of guessing! what forcing of things together that never met before! what violence done to common sense, to the regular, proper use of ideas and words! The result of this precious piece of goosey-ganderism is this; -- "Why is the writer of this conundrum like a domestic servaat out of employment?" "Because she wants to get a service, and is willing to carry off the tea-things."

Charles Lamb, that intuitive perceiver of all that is true and right, who had the same feeling about this abuse of the human faculties which has always been entertained by people of sense, said that there is but one rule about puns and riddles and that is, "they are good in proportion to their badness." Instigated by a peculiar, but powerful motive, he ventured on one once, and he insisted it was the best ever made. A silly woman was tormenting his dear, nervous sister Mary, with tales of the rheumatism of her beloved grandmother. Charles, wishing to put an end to the torture his sympathizing sister was enduring, abruptly said, "Pay, Madam, is not your grandmother a very tall woman?" "No, -- but why do you ask?" "Because," replied he, "she teems to be a granny dear" (grenadier). Certainly, on his rule, this cannot be surpassed, unless it be by the following: "Why is the British national anthem of the male sex?" "Because it is a hymn" (him).

Now this is too bad. The juggler, who spins plates and carries poles on his chin and nose, could put his fingers, chin and nose to far better use. What shall we say then to this jugglery with the mind and its thoughts and their noble exponent-language? The only man of genius, we believe, who ever owned a pun or riddle was Burke, and he owned but one: "What is majesty robbed of its externals;" "a jest;" of which the solemnity of the thought conceal, the trifling, just as at a funeral we are not likely to be merry.

Wesley and Methodism, by Isaac Taylor, New-York, Harper and Brothers, 1852. -- Another volume, on a great subject, from this bold and able speculator. We have always read the writings of Isaac Taylor, with interest, and generally with profit. His "Saturday Evening" is, we think, the most eloquent and suggestive religious book which the present age has produced. No work is better filled to inspire vivid conceptions of the powers of Christianity, and none, therefore, has probably done more to animate the Missionary efforts of Christians.

The present work is divided into four parts. The first presents sketches drawn with great vigor and distinctness, of the founder of Methodism. The second states what in the author's view, is the Substance of Methodism. In the third part he describes its form; and in the last, we have his anticipations of "Methodism in the time coming." Those titles are certainly striking and characteristic.