house at Pakefield; he had only been there about a fortnight when a wine-ship stranded at the bottom of the garden; all on board perished except the mate, who was saved by a dog; eleven men were drowned. Going through the Lowestoft turnpike gate on the Sunday to his distant church, my father observed a dog which reminded him of Rover. "Where did you get that dog?" he said to the gate-keeper. "He is mine," replied the man, rather surlily. "I do not know that; I lost a young dog two years ago like him." "He is an old dog; his teeth are all decayed," said the man. My father looked into his mouth, and said, "No, they are not decayed, but broken by carrying things; to-morrow I will bring Mrs. Page, and if she claims the dog I must have him.' "You may bring the lady if you please, but the dog is mine," said the man; "he was given to me." On the morrow Mr. Page drove his wife to the toll-gate. "He is not our dog, Page," said my mother, who was very timid with strange dogs. "Look at him attentively, my dear, call him Rover." "His name is Captain," said the man. "Rover, Rover, Rover!" said my mother. The dog stood astounded; he ran round and round the room, he barked, whined, and howled with joy. "It is the lady's dog," said the man, "and I give him up. Now I will tell you his history, sir. He was stolen from a clergyman at Yarmouth by some boys belonging to a collier, who were pleased with his fetching and carrying out of the sea; they hid him on board until their boat sailed for Newcastle. The collier was wrecked near Newcastle; all on board perished excepting the mate, who was saved by the dog, who saved a cat also, which had lost her kittens on board. The two sorrowing animals formed a friendship for each other; they were together nearly two years at Newcastle, and the dog went about the town by the name of the melancholy dog,' keeping with the mate and the cat. The dog watched the ship, and finding they were going to sea without him, took puss in his mouth and swam to the ship. Strange to say, the collier foundered, and all on board perished except the dog, who saved the mate a second time. They were taken on board a wine-ship, which was stranded at the bottom of your garden, sir. The cat was drowned, and the dog goes often to the beach and howls for the cat. The mate gave him to me, but he has claimed his mistress, and I give him up." The story seemed incredible, but my father had the dog.

Rover rode home with his paws on his mistress's shoulders, and her arms round him. On arriving home Mrs. Page opened hor harpsichord, and Rover

jumped on the top and howled as he used tot in

do, neither did he forget the little piece of wood kept in the table-drawer for him to play at "fetch and carry" with his mistress. He never cordially forgave his master for losing him, for he never would follow the horse again, nor yet my father beyond the garden-gate unless my mother was with him. Rover was very gentle with us children, but his heart was decidedly riveted on my mother.

TIGER TASTING BLOOD.

C.

The famous Charles James Fox had a young tiger which followed him about like a dog. He had brought it up from infancy on bread and milk. One day, when reading, the tiger licked his hand, which was hanging over the chair, scraping away the skin. This led him to look at his pet, when he

saw to his horror its eyes glaring, its whole nature changed, and its natural ferocity and cruelty aroused at the first taste of blood. Without taking his hand from the tiger's mouth, notwithstanding the increase of pain and the flowing blood, he led it with gentle. words into the adjoining room, on the mantelpiece of which was a loaded pistol, which he seized, levelled at the tiger's head, and fired. The animal instantly fell dead at his feet, being shot through the brain. It was the only way to save his own life.

YOUNG OTTERS AND THEIR MOTHER.

In

The female otter produces four or five at a birth, in May or June, in a burrow under a hollow bank, which opens near the water's edge, and on a bed of rushes, flags, and leaves, or such other abundant material as the bank affords. Here the young otters are reared, a most careful attention being paid to their daily wants and their education by their most affectionate mother. When first born, the young otters are about the size of a full-grown rat. about a month's time they are able to eat fish, and follow their mother into the water, which they do at first like a dog, with the head above the water. She now takes them daily to the edge of the water, and teaches them to plunge in, giving them lessons in the art of diving, and in about three weeks' time they are able, like their mother, to "take a header" from the shore.

Bishop Heber, in his journal, gives a most interesting description of tame otters which he saw on the banks of the Matta Colly, in India. Most of the fishermen there kept them, being as tame as dogs, and of great use to their masters, sometimes driving the shoals of fish into the nets, and sometimes bringing out larger fish with their teeth. In Scotland, tame otters have often been trained to drive or to catch trout and salmon. Instead of hunting these poor animals for cruel "sport," they might be taught to be useful allies to man, and a fisherman's otter might become as serviceable as a shepherd's colly.("Animals and their Young." Partridge and Co.)

Sonnets of the Sacred year.

BY THE REV. S. J. STONE, M. A.

NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."-Eph. iv. 30. Cf. "Quench not the Spirit."-1 Thess. v. 19.

MY covenant lamp was lit with heavenly fire,

And through the night of trial and of time, Against the dark of trouble or of crime, It streams with cheering or convicting ray, And evermore shall shine until the Day Whereof it is mine earnest. Till that prime, Through this the shadowy to the auroral clime, So lightened, warned, I keep my constant way. In vain about it blow in varying mood The winds of guile or passion, or descend The rains of evil will, to make an end, Distilled in subtle dews or poured in flood. Yet watch, my soul, for if it cease to shine, Thine the neglect, the fatal folly thine!

HOME AFTER A PLEASANT TOUR.-I fancy how delightful it would be to bring one's family and live here (on the Lake of Como), but how little such enjoyment would repay for abandoning the line of usefulness and activity which I have in England, and how the living merely to look about me, and training up my children in the same way, would soon make all this beauty pall, and even appear wearisome. But to see it as we do in our moments of recreation, to strengthen us for work to come, and to gild with beautiful recollections our daily life of home duties, this, indeed, is delightful, and a pleasure which we may enjoy without restraint. England has other destinies than these countries; her people have more required of them, with her full intelligence, her restless activity, her enormous means, and enormous difficulties; her pure religion and unchecked freedom, her form of society, with so much of evil yet so much of good in it, and such immense power conferred by it ;-her citizens, least of all men, should think of their own rest or enjoyment, but should cherish every faculty and improve every opportunity to the uttermost to do good to themselves and to the world. Our country, so entirely subdued as it is to man's uses, with its gentle hills and valleys, its innumerable canals and coaches, is best suited as an instrument of usefulness.-Dr. Arnold, 1830.

PARIS IN SIEGE.-In the course of my life Paris has been twice occupied by foreign troops, and still oftener has it been in a state of anarchy. I regret to see that La Place's house at Arcœuil has been broken into, and his manuscripts thrown into the river, from which some one has fortunately rescued that of the "Mécanique Céleste," which is in his own handwriting. It is greatly to the honour of French men of science, that during the siege they met as usual in the hall of the Institute, and read their papers as in the time of peace. The celebrated astronomer Janssen even escaped in a balloon, that he might arrive in time to observe the eclipse of the 22nd November, 1870.-Autobiography of Mary Somerville.

MAJENDIE AND SIR C. BELL.-Majendie had the coarsest manners; his conversation was horridly professional; many things were said and subjects discussed not fit for women to hear. What a contrast the refined and amiable Sir Charles Bell formed with Majendie! Majendie and the French school of anatomy made themselves odious by their cruelty, and failed to prove the true anatomy of the brain and nerves, while Sir Charles Bell did succeed, and thus made one of the greatest physiological discoveries of the age without torturing animals, which his gentle and kindly nature abhorred.--Mary Somerville. LAST REGRETS.-Though far advanced in years, I take as lively an interest as ever in passing events. I regret that I shall not live to know the result of the expedition to determine the currents of the ocean, the distance of the earth from the sun determined by the transit of Venus, and the source of the most renowned of rivers, the discovery of which will immortalise the name of Dr. Livingstone. But I regret most of all that I shall not see the suppression of the most atrocious system of slavery that ever disgraced humanity-that made known to the world by Dr. Livingstone and by Mr. Stanley, and which Sir Bartle Frere has gone to suppress by order of the British Government.-Mary Somerville at the age of 92.

DIFFICULTIES OF A FRENCH PROVINCIAL MAYOR.-How shall M. Piedplat give the President an enthusiastic reception worthy of a zealous mayor and of a well-thinking city? He is in pitiful anguish on the subject. M. Piedplat hurriedly dictates a circular convoking the town councillors to meet him at three o'clock, and then shirks up to one of the lumber rooms of the town hall, and overhauls the works of art and decorative emblems there amassed. It is a notable room, full of busts, statuettes, and paintings. There is a stone head of Louis Philippe, and a picture showing his Majesty in the uniform of a National Guardsman, with white pantaloons, swearing fidelity to the charter of 1830. Hard by is a plaster bust of Charles X, with a painting of the coronation of this good king at Rheims; then comes a dusty statuette of the Republic, with seven portrait-prints of the members of the Provisional Government of 1848; then marble busts of Napoleon III and the Empress Eugénie, the former with a head laurel-girt and eyes staring blankly at a bust of M. Thiers; a photograph of M. Gambetta, a bundle of égalitérian triangles in brass, a sheaf of red flags,

an escutcheon emblazoned "Vive la République !" and an allegorical painting of "La Marseillaise"-to wit, a brawny and heated woman trampling fetters, Bourbon lilies, Orleanist cocks, Imperial eagles, and Prussian helmets under her feet. M. Piedplat rummages among all these treasures, but groans to perceive that there is nothing likely to fit in with the views of the Marshal. It should be stated that the municipal councillors, after voting funds for the marble bust of M. Thiers, refused with unexampled parsimony to vote a bust for the Marshal on the ground that there was no knowing how long this champion of moral order might hold his place. Yet it is absolutely necessary that some presentment of the Marshal should figure in the state room of the Mairie when his Excellency steps in there; so M. Piedplat, with thumping heart and agitated brow, scrambles down the staircase two steps at a time, and takes counsel of Madame Piedplat :- 'My dear, we must ransack the town for a painting or bust of the Marshal—a mere engraving would be mean-we must find something striking, my red riband depends upon it." But Madame Piedplat, a shrewd lady, has a luminous inspiration:-"We have three days before us-we must telegraph to a picture dealer in Paris for a full-length equestrian portrait of the Marshal, and a painting of the battle of Magenta. He will be sure to have some in stock, or he can borrow the pictures, and we will take them on hire, which is cheaper than buying."-Daily News.

-

POSSIBILITY OF MIRACLE.-From the preceding reviews of the value of our scientific knowledge, I draw one distinct conclusion, that we cannot disprove the possibility of divine interference in the course of nature. Such interference might arise, so far as our knowledge extends, in two ways. It might consist in the disclosure of the existence of some agent or spring of energy previously unknown, but which effects a given purpose at a given moment. Like the pre-arranged change of law in Babbage's imaginary calculating machine, there may exist prearranged surprises in the order of nature as it presents itself to Secondly, the same Power which created material nature, might, so far as I can see, create additions to it, or annihilate portions which do exist. Such events are doubtless inconceivable to us in a certain sense, yet they are no more inconceivable than the existence of the world as it is.-Jerons's "Principles of Science."

us.

JESUIT FATHERS AT PLAY.-A singular discovery was recently made at the Sainte Geneviève Library, at Paris. In a portfolio, containing several manuscripts, has been found the original copy of the opera "Jonathas," which Charpentier, the author of the music of Molière's "Malade Imaginaire," had composed for the establishment of the Jesuits, then situated on the spot where the Collége Louis-le-Grand now stands. This piece, of but little value as a composition, serves to distinctly mark the period when profane music was introduced into churches in France in conjunction with sacred. The reverend fathers caused "Jonathas" to be played in their theatre (for they had one), and their actors, those of the Académie Royale de Musique, had only to doff their stage costume and traverse a passage to go and

execute motetts in the church.

"BE COURTEOUS."-Not long since, wnile crossing the river to Jersey City, I noticed an old lady, neatly but humbly dressed, who was attended by a young gentlewoman. That she was, though her dress indicated one who could scarcely be in comfortable circumstances in life. The younger woman carried a basket of considerable size, while the elder had a bundle and a cane. She was quite lame and walked slowly. The thought crossed my mind as I glanced at them, "That woman is blessed with a kind and loving daughter or niece." I passed from the boat in advance of them, and took my seat in a horse-car. Presently the couple came to the same car, and after seating comfortably the elder lady and disposing of her basket, the younger bade her a kind good-by and went away. The old lady's eyes were full, and her heart too. Turning to me she said, "That's what I call Christian courtesy. That girl is an entire stranger to me, yet has come all the way from the Eighth Avenue cars with me to carry my basket, and would not even let me pay her fare." I then recalled her quiet, happy expres sion. I believe I should know her again, here or hereafter, and I most strongly believe that if she lives to old age she will not be comfortless or cheerless.-Christian Weekly.

Miss King seemed undecided whether to go or to stay, but Anthony, who was not in the least degree ruffled, rose to extend his hand.

"I have surprised you, aunt; you imagined that I had left England. I should have done so, but the repeated impediments that have delayed our going, have kept me in a state of much perplexity; that perplexity is now at an end; my employer has changed his plans; he does not go at all."

Miss King, extending two fingers to meet his hand, looked more icy than before, and finding nothing to say, coughed.

"I called, however, not to tell you this. I do not wish to trouble you with my affairs," for he could not but feel the subject was unwelcome, "but to tell you the result of some inquiries that have been made respecting the sale of Callowfields, that small property which was my father's by inheritance, but which Mr. Case-"

made good her retreat. "I'll tell you what, Mr. King, it is best to let her alone a bit; she'll come to, she'll come to; and when she's in a good way, she's as pleasant as May morning. Poor thing, we must make allowance for her; she has no taste for reading, unless it's the newspaper-and as to poetry! she knows no more about that than a pagan Turk. Let it be between us, Mr. King, I think there's nothing makes a tender heart like poetry."

"Don't forget our favourite poem, Miss Millet, and the privilege of the Christian to be able to say it from his heart. I wish my aunt could do that; I should have a better prospect of Callowfields, and she would be a richer woman, too," said Anthony, rising to go.

She say it! My dear Mr. King, I don't believe she could say the 'Beggar's Petition' by heart. I assure you I have tried her with an odd piece now and then. There's

666

'The sun upon the lake is low,'

mean to be refused.

"Justice! Mr. Case do any one injustice! You should have heard him speak this morning, then you would have known whether he is the man to do an injustice," said Miss King, with warmth.

"It's a pity no one had the chance of hearing him," said Kezia, significantly.

"Let me lay the case before you, aunt," said Anthony, bluntly, placing a chair for her, for Miss King had not yet seated herself. "My friend, Cordell Firebrace"

"That is sufficient," cried Miss King, "I will not hear a word about that man."

"Cousin, cousin! how can you allow your mind to be poisoned by such prejudices?" cried Kezia. "Isn't he a gentleman, of an old aristocratic episcopolian family? None of your mushrooms, like some people, but as good as any of the Kings!"-she had sufficient discretion not to say better. "And hasn't he been to France, and taken a world of pains to find out all this matter? For why? To save you from an act of spoiliation on your own blood relation."

"Miss Millet!" said Miss King, much chafed, "you'd oblige me by not interfering in my affairs."

"My dear cousin," said Kezia, nothing daunted, "it's for the honour of the family (and let it be remembered we are of the same geneology, so I am interested in it) that your nephew, my cousin by another remove, should have his rights, and it's as plain as the sun at noonday that Callowfields was illegitimately sold, and belongs to him."

66

If my aunt would allow me to lay the facts before her," said Anthony, who saw that Kezia's plan of action was not working happily, and could hardly help laughing, though quite in earnest in his busi

ness.

"I will not listen to any facts," said Miss King, "and I won't give up a single acre of my property, and I won't be troubled, and I won't be talked to, and I won't-I won't. Don't stand in my way, Miss Millet," she cried, as Kezia vigorously endeavoured to keep her in the room as she hurried to the door.

"What a way she's in!" exclaimed Kezia, as she and Anthony were left alone, Miss King having

"Calm was the day, and through the breathing air, Sweet-breathing Zeppyrus did softly play ;'

that's a nice piece, but rather dull for her; but there's that sweet thing beginning

"Lovely, lasting peace of mind,

Sweet delight of human kind!'

Why (let it be between us, Mr. King), but when I say that to her she'll get up and stir the fire or rattle the poker right in the middle of it, and if that doesn't show she's no more poetry in her than her paragon, old Case, has, I know nothing about it!"

"Well, we shall have to try law upon her if poetry won't avail, and she is deaf to reason," said Anthony. "I'm afraid it will have to come to that," said Kezia, as she gave him a cordial farewell; "I'll try my best to ameliorate her, but she's not easy to turn, you may believe me, Mr. King.

"Easy! you may as well try to bend iron, or cut paxy waxy," she continued, as she stood meditating, when alone, on the most effective mode of procedure. "I like that young man, he has religion without fanatickism, which is a great thing. I shall look out that little piece he said and learn the other verses, and try it on my cousin."

Full of her resolve, she spent à good half hour over her little green book, and went to Miss King, primed with the whole poem from beginning to end.

But Miss King probably read poetry in her face as she approached, for she anticipated any address by remarking that she was going out.

"So am I going out, and I'll go with you," said Kezia, with alacrity.

"I am going on particular business," said Miss King.

"I may be able to help you," suggested Kezia, blithely.