we can see all the wonderful parts of its formation, and are astonished to find that it has a coat of armour much more complete than ever a warrior wore, and composed of strong polished plates fitting over each other; each plate coloured like tortoiseshell, and, where they meet, hundreds of strong quills project like those on the back of the porcupine or hedge-hog. There is the arched neck, the bright eyes, and transparent ears; piercers to punctuate the skin, a sucker to draw away the blood, six long-jointed legs-four of which are folded on the breast, ready at any moment to be thrown out with immense force for that jump which bothers one when we wish to catch him-and at the end of each leg hooked claws, to enable him to cling tight to whatever he lights upon. A flea can leap a hundred times his own length, which is the same as if a man could jump to a height of 700 feet; and he can draw a load 200 times his own weight, which is the same as if a man could carry from 20,000 to 30,000 pounds.

13. READING-The amusement of reading is among the greatest consolations of life; it is the nurse of virtue, the upholder in adversity, the prop of independence, the support of a just pride, the strengthener of elevated opinions; it is the repeller of the scoff and the knave's poison.-Sir Egerton Brydges.

14. To WRITE ON GLASS BY MEANS OF THE SUN'S RAYS.-Dissolve chalk in aquafortis to the consistency of milk, and add to it a strong solution of silver. Keep this liquor in a glass decanter well stopped, then cut out from a paper the letters you would have appear; paste it on the decanter, and lay it in the sun's rays in such a manner that the rays may pass through the spaces cut out in the paper, and fall on the surface of the liquor; then that part of the glass through which the rays pass will be turned black, while that under the paper will remain white. Particular care must be taken that the bottle be not moved during the

operation.

15. PEACOCKS.-Peacocks are great favourites in Persia, and are more common than in this country, as an ornament in grounds and gardens. The King of Persia has a throne, which is called "the throne of the peacock," on account of two artificial peacocks, which are placed on square pillows on each side of the seat. The birds are studded with precious stones, and each of them holds a large ruby in his beak.

16. THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.-A quaint writer takes the following view of the trades, arts, callings, and avocations of the animal kingdom :-" Bees are geometricians. The cells are so constructed as, with the least quantity of materials, to have the largest sized spaces and the least possible loss of interstice. The mole is a meteorologist. The bird called a nine killer is an arithmetician; and also the crow, the wild turkey, and some other birds. The torpedo, the ray, and the electric eel are electricians. The nautilus is a navigator; he rises his sails, cast and weighs anchor, and performs other nautical acts. Whole tribes of birds are musicians. The beaver is an architect, builder, and wood-cutter: he cuts down trees, and erects houses and dams."

17. THE ROBIN.-A little robin came in the depth of winter to a cottage window, looking wistfully, as if it wanted to come in. So the peasant opened the window, and admitted the trustful little being. It

picked up crumbs from off the floor, and soon became familiar with the children of the house, who grew very fond of it. But on the approach of spring, when the trees burst into leaf the peasant opened his window and let his little guest escape; so the robin flew into the neighbouring copse, and there sang his joyous songs. Summer soon passed away, and on the return of winter, the robin appeared again at the window, bringing his little mate with him. Then the peasant called together his children, who rejoiced as they saw the two birds looking trustfully around; and the children said, "The little birds look at us, as if they wished to say something to us!" The father answered, "If they could speak, they would surely say, 'Trustfulness begets trust, and love ever awakens love!'"

18. AGES OF ANIMALS.-A bear rarely lives 20 years; a dog lives 20 years; a wolf, 20; a fox, 14 or 16; lions are long-lived-Pompey lived to the age of 20. The average of cats is 14 years; a squirrel 7 or 8; rabbits, 7. Elephants have been known to live to the great age of 400 years. When Alexander the Great had conquered one Porus, king of India, he took a great elephant which had fought very valiantly for the king, named him "Ajax," and dedicated him to the sun, and let him go with this inscription-"Alexander the son of Jupiter has dedicated Ajax to the sun." This elephant was found 365 years after. Pigs have been known to live to the age of 30 years; the rhinocerus to 20. A horse has been known to live to the age of 62, but averages 20 to 30 Camels sometimes live to the age of 100. Stags are louglived. Sheep seldom exceed 10. Cows live about 15 years. Cuvier considers it probable that whales sometimes live to the age of 1,000. The dolphin and porpoise attain the age of 30. An eagle died at Vienna at the age of 104 years. Ravens have frequently reached the age of 100. Swans have been known to live 360 years; Mr. Mallerton has the skeleton of a swan that attained the age of 290 years. Pelicans are long-lived. A tortoise has been known to live to the age of 107.

19. RECEIPT TO DYE THE HAIR BLACK.-Take equal parts of litharge and lime, mix well, and form into a paste with water, clean the head with a small-tooth comb, and then well wash the hair with soda and water, to free it from grease; then lay on the paste rather thickly, and cover the head with oilskin; after which go to bed. Next morning the powder should be carefully brushed, and the hair oiled.

20. DIRECTIONS FOR FIXING PENCIL DRAWINGS.-Dissolve a small quantity of isinglass, and dilute it with warm water, till so thin that, when spread upon paper and dry, it shall be free from those sparkling particles which never fail to appear, if too thick. Take a broad camel-hair brush set in tin, fill it plentifully with the solution, and draw it lightly over the work to be fixed, once or twice, or according as the size of the picture may require; it must be very carefully done, to prevent disturbing the sharpness of the pencil work. When dry it will be found to resist the effects of india-rabber. It is advantageous to sponge the back of the paper, or Bristol board, before applying the solution, in order that the paper may dry level, as it is apt to contract when only one side is wet. If there be a margin round the drawing it is not requisite to sponge the back.

"OH DEAR! IS IT LOST?" EXCLAIMED SISTER AND SERVANT AT ONCE.

CHAPTER VI.

BROTHER AND SISTER.

Is giving these infants a common birth, nature had not granted them that similarity of person and mind which causes even parents sometimes to mistake their children. Although sharing equally with respect to external gifts, there was merely a family likeness between them, and their dispositions differed still more.

VOL. III-NEW SERIES.

H

As we have just perceived, the prognostications of Madame Olympe were not altogether realised; the little girl, whom her imagination had transformed into a celestial being, full of submission and sweetness, possessed nothing angelic about her, beyond the name, which she cared little to justify. The extreme kindness of her guardian only served to encourage her idleness, presumption, and self-will. In a word, Angelique had all the caprice of a spoiled child. If everything pleased her no one was more amiable; she gave herself up unreservedly to her gay and witty talk, was even kind and obliging to all, caressed her godmamma, and made her laugh with her humorous sallies: but, at the least contradiction, anger took possession of her heart, impertinence of her lips-she manifested an insupportable pride to her inferiors, and even pouted to her benefactress. Brought up as though she had been the daughter of Madame Olympe, Angelique was often taken for such by strangers, which pleased her infinitely, for I must own that she sympathised but little with the members of her family at a distance. Her self-love had not failed to make her see the difference which increased daily between her habits and theirs, so that she cared little to go and see them at St. Cyr; an indifference which Madame Olympe willingly overlooked, because she attributed it to the exclusive love Angelique professed for her. In this respect the young girl did not merit being harshly judged. since, separated at so early an age from her parents, it was natural her affection should take another direction; but it will be seen that pride also was involved in it. Her intercourse, therefore, with her relatives consisted in short visits at long intervals of time, and in presents of fruit and flowers on one side, and articles of dress on the other, which Angelique purchased, for she was not capable of working a cap for her mother, and had spent an entire year in knitting a pair of socks for her brother Noel.

Solomon showed a better disposition. Pride had no influence over him; by a sort of oversight on nature's part he possessed the qualities in which his sister failed, and wanted those more suited to his sex. He was not, like Anglique, idle, but studied, in compliance with the orders of his patron-though, without intelligence and taste, his docility was unlimited. He knew not what it was to complain or murmur, whatever were the task imposed upon him; but his severe training made him so timid, that in the midst of his studies he scarcely dared to ask the explanation which his slow and limited intellect required. He pretended to understand what he did not, from fear of exhausting the patience of his tutors. It is evident that such a character could not make much progress in learning, and Solomon, having in reality so little love for it, preferred his brother's lot to his own, but it was a secret he never uttered, a single thought of the kind appearing to him like ingratitude towards his benefactor. More respectful than affectionate with regard to M. Philéas, who from principle concealed his attachment from him in order to maintain a cold reserve, Solomon, naturally sensitive, was consequently but the more disposed to cultivate the friendship of his family. His sister occupied the first place amongst them, then his brother Noel, of whom he was particularly fond. His happiest days were those he was allowed to spend at St. Cyr. There, in the fields, in his father's garden, engaged in digging, watering, and weeding, he felt in his element; but these treats were very rare, for M. Philéas, who knew his protégé but imperfectly, intending to make him the being of his dreams, compelled him to study without relaxation.

One day, when Angelique had just allowed her bad temper to show itself in the presence of M. Philéas, he strongly represented to his sister the evil consequences of her system of education. "What will you

"Did I not predict it?" he continued, with an air of triumph. ever do with a little girl who laughs when you scold her, who caresses you when you undertake to punish her, so that it is she who governs you? Her ignorance is deplorable! See how different her brother is! He would spend both night and day at his books, if it were but my wish, so perfect is his obedience."

"You must allow, brother, that Nature has highly favoured you, and that she appears to have committed an error with respect to these children, which has proved to my prejudice. Solomon has the sweetness and timidity of a girl-Angelique the daring and pertness of a boy; but I hope, however, that age will work a cure.".

"Be assured, Olympe, that this difference is rather the effect of education than natural disposition. The boy, in your hands, would have become what his sister is, because your extreme indulgence induces advantage to be taken of it.”

"Allowing that I carry it a little too far,” replied the lady, "do not you, in your turn, admit that your severity has rendered your protégé too timid-too fearful— for his sex; and that his excessive diffidence will be disadvantageous for him in after life?"

"No, indeed; I think that youth is predisposed to presumption, and there is no harm in bringing down its pride. It is a viper that should be crushed whenever it raises its head; you have allowed it to grow to such a height in Angelique that it will one day eat her up alive. That child already looks upon herself as superior to her parents."

“Ah, brother, I assure you that, notwithstanding her defects, she has an excellent disposition."

"Yes, yes; that is the excuse for all spoiled children."

"She is as affectionate as she can be at her age."

"Because she caresses you constantly, and employs the fondest expressions, to obtain from you what she wishes. Meanwhile, it is in vain you desire her to study, and, although years are passing away, she learns nothing. What do you expect will become of her?"

"Oh! I quite feel you are right; but what can be done, except waiting patiently until she herself feels the necessity of it?"

"As you want decision, it would be a better plan to confide her to the care of an unbiassed person. Send her to boarding-school."

"Oh, dear! to part with her-I who take such delight in her company!"

"How foolish you are, Olympe! Think, however, that if it be wrong to bring up one's own children carelessly, it is still more so to undertake the charge of those of other people, only to make playthings of them, instead of fitting them for a happy life. Now, it is certain that, living as she does, Angelique will be fit neither for her own station nor that for which you destine her.”

Madame Olympe could not but agree in the importance of this observation. She promised her brother to reflect upon it, and, before long, to adopt some decisive measures with respect to Angelique.

We shall now resume the interrupted course of our story where we left it-that is, at the arrival of Solomon.

"Here you are, at last, sir," exclaimed Angelique, in a tone of mixed anger and sarcasm; you are a very active messenger, and, I must hold, a very exact one, for I do not see anything in your hands. Where are the articles I requested you to get?" "Oh! give me breathing time," replied Solomon, taking a seat, and wiping his face, bathed in perspiration; "I have had other business than yours to transact." "That is to say, you have not executed my commissions," replied the little girl, almost frantic with rage; "and you dare tell me so to my face! And you think I will patiently endure this conduct. Go along, you are a worthless fellow-I will never forgive you!" Her brother tried to excuse himself, and to follow her, for she ran away, but very nearly broke his head against a door, which she shut in his face with extreme violence; and this was repeated at the door of every room through which she passed. Poor Solomon returned to his post with a dejected air.

"This is a scene I ought to have expected," he said to Hersilia; "for nothing is more difficult than to make her listen to reason. Yet, if she had but heard, she would have learned that her orders were partly executed; I even thought to find the dahlia here which I bought for her. Has it not been sent ?"

"We have received nothing," replied the servant; "but, my child, why should that trouble you? You seem to be very hot."

Ah, Hersilia, I am very unhappy, I assure you. Where is Madame Olympe? I have no hope but in her."

"Madame is gone to Vincennes to see a friend, who is ill; we do not expect her before to-morrow. What has happened to you? You really alarm me!”

"Alas! I can tell you; but first inform me whether M. Philéas has altered his plans. He was to join a water-party, dine out, and go afterwards to the theatre. Has he returned in my absence ?"

"No; on the contrary, he desired me not to wait for him, and to give you and your sister dinner. He can hardly be back before midnight. But what is the matter with you?"

"I am so distressed that I do not know which way to turn, nor how to appear again before M. Philéas. Oh dear! oh dear!"

The poor boy began to sob so violently that Angelique, who had retraced her steps, perhaps to heap fresh reproaches upon him, was, in spite of herself, overcome, and suddenly reappeared to learn the cause of this great distress.

At the same moment, Dominique, M. Philéas' servant, entered with the dahlia rose that had just been brought, and which he placed in the drawing-room, to the infinite satisfaction of Angelique, whose discontent was quickly changed to joy. She embraced her brother several times, begging his pardon for her anger.

"I dare say," she continued, "you have also in your pocket the pretty work-bag, which I hope to add to the bouquet of flowers."

"I must tell you the truth, sister, even if you act as you did before. I have not the bag; but when you hear the misfortune which has happened to me, you will forgive this omission."

"What! Is that the case" replied Angelique, maliciously, whilst trying to restrain herself. "Well, we must submit; perhaps to-morrow morning I may find

time

"