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>. .. . I .Ik. Never talk baek: such thing it reprehensible; A fellow only cork* blue f that jwi a man atoat'*bo*| hi a q, turret, *f you'll ke*|> your loouUj ab*i and be Mnalble. Ta ui.n tht <k Ui Ulkin' '11 git wonted every thot! New talk back to a feller that's nbusiu' yon - Jmt let him carry on. and rlu and CUM and HBsYI And hu tie find* hi* lyin' and liii daiuimn > )eat aiiiuaiu' you, Yeo'vegotbim clean kerflummixed, aad you want to bold him Uiere ! Never talk back, and wake up the whole com- munity, And call a man a liar, bowsomever tbat't bin wM Too c.i, lift and lai. l him furder and with grace- ful impunity Witt one good jolt of silence than balf a .loren kick.. -Jamet Wtnlombt Itil'y. PHYLLIS. BT TBB DCCBBM. etlot of "Molly Bawn,'. "The Baby," "Airy Fairy Lilian." etc., etc. " My dear fellow, you grow bearish," expostulate* Sir Mark, with raised brown aad amused glance. ' We wither beneath your word*. Abuse yourtelf a* much a* TOO pleaee, bat da spare the reet of us. W* hke to thiuk oureelvee perfection ; it is very rude of you to undeceive u* *c brutque- ly. And how oau you givs atteranoe to each sweeping assertion* in taoh company ? Hare yon forgotten your wife if protect ?" " No" with a f oroed smile " 1 have not. Bat I fear even Mra. Cerrington oannot be eoomdered altogether harmless." lie point* ibie remark with a curiously unloving expression cant in my direction. " Never mind, Mrs. Oarrington," ezolaimi TboratOD, with his usual vivaoity. " At ail event* yon may count opoo oru devoted admirer, aa 1, for my part, do uot believe yon have a fault in the world." " Thank you," I answer gayly, though eeeretly I am enraged at Marmadoke'i look and tone. Tnank you vary much. Mr. Thornton. I ooniider myself fortunate in having eeoured your good opinion. Bat, Marmaduke addressing him with the ntmoet coolneas " bow uncivil you can be ! I My nothing of my own feeling* 1 know I an hopelessly wicked ; bat your gaest*. what must they thiuk? Take Lady Blanche, for instance . is the not looking the picture of innocence, though no doubt Beeehlese with indignation '.' Surely you will exonerate fc*T '" " No, not even Blanche," repliee Marma- duke ; bat even ac he condemns her be sods upon her one of hii very sweeteet " I am the more pleaeed that you do not," aayi her ladyahip. in her low, aoft toae*. returning hie glaooe fourfold. " Even if it were possible, I would not be altogether good. Perfection in any shape le the one thing of which we aooneet tire.'' " The day 11 clearing , the rain has almoel oeaeed," announces Lord Chandos, solemnly, at tbii moment. I spiiog to my feet. " No 1" ory I, you don't uan it ?" 1 am atmoet aure I do," repliee he, Sen- tenuously. And there indeed amid the oloudi, as I run to look at them, ehinee out a daxzliog piece of blue sky that grow* and widen* an Iff, " It itill wante a quarter to one," I lay, rapidly. " We will have lurch at once- no matter whether we eat it or not-acd then we shall itart for Werminater, and I hall aee my rink after all. 15 ut first I mait go to the garden*. Sir Mark" in a coquet- lishly appealing tone, casting at him a very friendly glance from my gray-blue eyee " will you come with me and take care of me as far ax the gate* ? I have something iry particular to aay to Cummin*. " 1 make a little pause maliciously, and raice my long laebee just ao much a* per- mite me to obtain a glimpse of Marmaduke. He i* talking pleasantly to Lady Blanche, and evidently mean* me te nndentand that be i* ignorant of my conduct. Bat I can *ee a frown on hie forehead and cer- tain line* about bis month that tell me plainly he has both *een and heard and condemned, and I am Ratified. I chall be delighted," eay* Sir Mark, with prudent ooldneee, and together we leave the room. An boar later ; lunch il over, and I am rnMhiug up the Main to don my walking- attire. On the topmost landing itaud* Hebe, already dreeeed and about to de seend. A* I meet her gaze it arrest* me. Surely norne expression that olo*ely resemble* woe oharaoterizes her face. Her eyebrows are slightly elevated, ber lipe at the corners carving downwards ; ber cheeks are inno- oent of nature'* rouge a suspicions pink- nee* rests upon her lids. Dear dee* dtar I is there nothing but trouble in this world ? I, of coarse, km wretched that goes without telling but pretty, bright, piquant e Bebe, must she too be miserable ? What untoward thing can have occurred to bring that wistful look into ber eye* ? Turuii K to my maid, who i* following me at a respectful distance, I speak aloud : " Martha, I will dispense with your ser- vice* this afternoon. Miss Beatoun is here, and will giv* me any assistance I may require." Ho saying, I drew my friend into my room and closed my door. Now. Bebe, what is il ?" I ask pushing ber into a lonnging-ohair, and beginning a vigorous search for my seal-skin jacket Martha i* a good girl -the best of girls bat she can never pat anything in the game place twice running. " Ob, it is nothing nothing," answers Bebe, in a tone almost comical in it* die- gnat. " My pride baa had a slight fall my conceit ha* been a little lowered no more. I bate myself" (with a petulant stamp of the foot) " for taking it so muob to heart ; bat I fir>, and that is the fact, and I cannot yet overcome the feeling. If I did not know I must have looked like a foolish oulpril all the while. I think I would not ao greatly mind ; but my <x 1 >r was Doming and going in a maddening fashion ; and then his tone so qjiok so " " Cbandos' lone, I tuppose, you meai Bat you forget, dear ; I know nothing." " True, of o >urse uot. Well, after you lefl the library that time with Mark, the whole party broke up and dmper*ed about the hoiiM to prepare for tbi* drive, all except myself. 1 stayed on -unluckily, as it turned oat to Aniib my novsl, until I ibonld be called to lunoh. It interested me, and I thought myself sore of solitude for a little time, bat in less than three minute* the door wa* re- opened, and Cbandoe earn* in." Well ?" I say, as she makes a long pews*. " Unfortuoatsly, it struck me that his coming back so soon again to where he knew I was alone looked, you know, rather particular as if he wished to say some- thing private to me ; and 1 bad no desire to bear It," "Oh, Bebe!" " Well, believe me or not, as yon will, I really dreaded hi* saying anything on the old topic to such a degree that I rose aad made as though I would instantly quit the room. Oh!" orie* toe. with an irre- ttrainable blu.h and rrovement of the band, " I wish I had died before I did that." 11 Why, darling?" " Ob, need you ask '.' Don't yon Me bow it betray, d my thoughts 1 Why, it looked aa though I nude quit* sore be was going to propose again. Can't you understand bow horrible it wa* .'" says Babe, burying ber face in her hands, with a hysterical laugh. " He understood it BO, at all event*. He stopped right before me, and said, deliberately, with bis eyee fixed on mine, Why do you leave the room .' I oanae for a book and for nothing alee, I aware you.' Thus taken aback, I actually stammered and blushed like a ridiculous school-girl, aud said, weakly, It is almost tin* to think of dressing. W* start so coon. And besides I ' Could anything be mere foolub? -Due would think I bad the plagus or tbs pestilence, the way you rush trom the room the moment I enter it,' say* be, impatiently. ' I iwear I am not going to propose again. I bsve bad enough of it. I have no desire whatever to marry a woman against ber will. I asked you to be my wife tor the eeoond time, a week or two ago, thinking my poverty had been the cause of your former refusal, and wa* justly punished tor my oonoeit. Believe u e. 1 have brains enough to retain a lesson, onoe I have learned it . so you may sit down, Miss Beaaoun, with the certainty that I shall never again offend you in that my.' I oould never tell yon bow I felt Phyllis, doling the utterance of theee wordi. My very blood wa* tingling with shame. My tyee would not be lifted ; and besides they were full of teari. bated both myself and him." I felt I II wa* a very curious speech lor him to make," aay I, feeling both puzzled and indignant witb Gbandos. 'I think ht waa quit* right," declare* ah*, veering round to resent what seems like an attack on my part. " It must bave angered and di*gusted him to see me so confident of hi* lasting sfieclion aa to imagin* him ready to make a Iresb oiler every lime people lilt US teU^-ttte. I think any man with apirit would have don* just *o. No on* U to be bUmed but myself." On tb* other hand, why should bs con oluds yon thought anythic g of tbe aort ?" I say, deleoding her stoutly in spite ol her- self. " He only proved the idea to bs quit* as uppermost in bis mind as it was in your*. I would bave said something to that effect had I been you." ' Said, my dear 1 I could not have even /Ml of anything al th* moment, I wa* so confused. It is tbe simplest thing pos- sible to think what would nave been the correct thing to say , and to make up neat little pesobee. half an boor after fie opportu- nity for uttering them is paaaed, but just on tbe instant how lew have presence ol mind I" " It wa* provoking," aay I, ' and" witb an irrepressible little laugh "funny, too. My own impreesion ii h* did oome back to renew bis pleadings, but saw by your man ner il would be useless. Pity you did not insist on knowing th* titls of the book be was so anxious to procure. At all event* it is nothing to be miserable about, dear Bsbs." Oh, I shan't be miserable, either. Now that I bavs told some one I feel better. I have bad a good ory, brought on by thorough veiation, aud will now dismis* both tbe ocoureno* and his lordship from my mind." "Khali jon tind that an easy task? Tb* latter part of it, I mean '.'" " Quite easy nothing more so," replies she, with aaauey uplifting of ber chin as she leaves me. As the bat I with to wear has been looked away in a certain part of a wardrobe where I am certain no bat waa aver slowed before, il tskes me some time to discover it. When al length I do ao, I find I am considerably behind time, and catching up my gloves, run hastily along the gallery, and down tbe western corridor, that will bring me a degree sooner to the hall below. Aa I turn tbe corner I came without any warning upon Marmaduke and Lady Blanobe Ooing, evidently in deep and inter- esting converse. I stop short . and both, looking up, see me. Rsge and indignation fill me at this unexpected encounter. What can this woman have to whisper to my husband that might not be said in public ? blanche, with the utmost oompcsurs, nods ber head, smiles, and vanishes down the staircase, leaving me alone with Mar- maduke , while hs (lands frowning heavily, and apparently muob annoyed by what has just been said. Hi* black looks deepen aa hi* eyes meet mine ; but a*, with raised bead and haughty lipa, I pas* him by, be suddenly moves towards me, and, throwing his arms round me, strains m* passionately to bin., and, turning op my face, kisses me twioe, thrice, upon my mouth. Still smarting under my angry thought*, I tear myself trom hi* embrace and ttand aloof, panting with mortification. " How dare you '.'" I gaap. " Don't attempt to touch mi." " What ; baa your indifference alrm.iy changed to hatred " says he, bittsrly, ss I walk rapidly away. Tbe sun shine* with redoubled power and brilliancy, and, toiling up Carlisle treet, we find ournelvc* before tbe door of tbe principal hotel in WarmiDSter. Such a goodly turnout as ours is seldom seen even in this buy. bustling town, and the waiter* and hostler oome out to admire aud tender tbeir service*. To the enterprising owner of thin grand hold belong* the rink, and thither we bend our tootatepi. To see tbe world on wheels to see tbe latest, newest vainly of the Great Fair is my ambition. Tnrniog a oorni r, we enter a gateway adjoiniijg tbe hotel; we pass toe mystio portal, we pay tbe inevitable shil- ling, throw ourselves upon the mercii* of / the movaable barnor, and find ourselves MM J ust at first tbl outeid* circle of admirer* prevent* oar oatobing sight of the perform ere, and the dull grating noise of the machine* fall* unpleasantly on oar ears. We draw nearer the chattering, gaping crowd and by degree* edge onr way in, until we too nav* a tall view of all that i* to be seen. 11 Sorely there i* a mistake somewhere, and it is wheels, wheels, wheels, ' not love, that " make* the world go round." On they oome, by two* and threes, in ingle tile, in shaking groups, all equally important, all filled with a desire to get- nowhere. A novice eomes running, stag gsriog, b u niring toward us , evidently ber acquaintance with Ihia new mode of loco motion was of the vaguest kalf an hour ago. The crowd passes on, and she most follow it ; so, with a look of fear upon her faee that amounts almost to agocy, she totters onward to bravs a thousand fall*. A sadden rush past her the faintest touch doe* it she reele ; ber heel* (that on ordinary occasion*, to jndg* by their appear- anoe, most be the stanebest of support*) refuse to uphold ber now ; her lips part to emit a dying gasp, already she smells the ground, when a kindly hand from behind seised her, Bieasiss her witb good-natured force, and, with a smile of acknowledgment, that oonfesaes the misery of the foregoing minute*, the one* more wtter*, trip* and oramhles to her fate. I am delighted, entnuoed. I nnd myself presently laughing gayly and witb all my heart, the galling remembrance of the last fsw hours swept completely from my brain. I ory " Oh I" at every casualty, and grasp my companion'* arm ; I admire and imile upon the successful. I begin to wish that I too could skate. Here oome* tbe adept, with eye* fixed questionably opon tbe w.ttobful crowd. Their approving glances fir* him with a mad desire ie prove to them bow superior he is to hi* compeers. He will do mare than >kate with oouaumate grace and ease ; be will do bettor than the " outaide edge ;" he will trail*. " Oh, daring thought ! Now shall be bring down tb* well-deserved plaudit* of the lookers-oil, lie turns one, two, three it is a swing, a hop, not perhaps a ball room performance, but at lea*t a success. Eyes become concentrated. He essaye it again, and again victory crowns bis effort. Yet a third time be make* the attempt alai I that fatal three. I* it that his heel catches hi* toe, or his toe oatohee his heel ? is tb* same ; over be him ; with a crash be Tb* retult at least go** ; disgrace U on and tbe asphalt meet. It la monotonous, I think " breathe* Sir Mark in my ear, in a deprecating ton*, and than look* past me at Bebe. II I* fatiguing," murmurs Harriet, witb a yawn. " James, if you don't get meaobair this instant, I shall faint." It i* delicious," declare I, enthusiasti- cally " it is tbs nioeat thing I ever saw. Oh 1 I wish / oould skate." It make* one giddy," say* Lady Blanch*, affectedly. " Do they never turn in this place '.'" Almost on her words a bell tinkle* somewhere in tbe distance, and M if by magio they all iwerve round and movs tb* contrary way all, that i*, ezospt tbe tyros, who oome besvily, and without a moment's warning, to their knee*. And now the band strike* op, and the la*l fashionable waltz coma* iiugeriuf(ly to onr ears. Insensibly the musical por- tion of tb* community on wheel* fall* into gentle swinging motion and undulate to tbe liquid strains of tbs tender " Maoolo." Tbis is better," says Lady Handoook, tinking into the chair lor which ber faithful James bad dona battle. Hebe aud Thornton, hand in band, *kim past u*. Ob! I most, I r.H learn," I ory, excitedly. " I never saw anything I liked ao much. Sir Mark, da get me a pair of skates and let me try. It looki quite sim- ple. Ob, if Billy were but here !" Sir Mark got* to obey my commands, and I itand by Harriet'* chair, too inter- ested for conversation. How they fly along ! tbe women with more grace in their movements, tbe uieu with more science. Here is tbe fatal corner turn ; the number* ars increasing : whirr, crash, down they oome, four together, oaoiing an indesorib- able soene of confusion. Two from tbe outside circle ru-h in to (uooor their fallen darlings. Il is a panic a mrlee. Yet stay ; after all it is nothing; they ars up again, Mushed but undaunted : it is all tbe fortune of war. t'ogut lugalere. A tall young man, blonde and slight, attricts my ndioe. Half an hour ago he struck me a* being tb* gayest of the gay ; now bit expression, as be slowly wends bis way through tbe skaters, is tad and care- worn in the extreme ; tbe terrors of tbs rink are oppressing him sore anxiety is printed on hi* brow ; be has but one thought from start to finish how to reach uninjured the chair be ha* just left. He never takes but une torn at a time round tbe arena, and never gain* bis haven of safety without a long drawn righ of relist. The fear of ridicule lies heavy upon him. But what will you .' Kinking is tbs faetion, and for what does a yoong man live if not to follow tbs mode ! I see, too, the elderly gentleman, who with bent knees and compressed mouth, essays to rival bis juniors. He u-ill be yoniig, and he will tkate, whether hi* doc- tor " will let hiio or no." I'ivi lajeunene I Lajruntut.in tht form of a diminutive damsel, follows closely in bis waks *hs isof tiny build, and has ber hand clasped by one of tbe tallest young men it has ever been my luok to behold. " I pity that young man," says Harriet. " Tilania has secured him for her own." And indeed it Heema like it. Where she may choose to lead him for ths next hour there must he certainly go. Were he dying to leave her, to join some other, " nearer and dearer,'' he will not be abls to do so. Can ha act the brute aud ask her to ait down before she show* any inclination so to do ? Can he feign fatigue when she betrays no symptom* of flagging, and regards him with a glanoe tresh aa when they started ? lie must only groan and suffer patiently, even though he knows the demon of jealontiy is working niihohief in tbe heart of hi* beloved a* she nits silently watching him from a di taut corner. "What wonderful vitality that small creature develop* '" *ays Harriet. " Pro- bably, at home, if asked to rise twioe from tbe obair, she would declare hsrself fatigued aud HIIM\.,.- to tbe last degree ; here *be keep* in motion for an hour at a stretch, and is still smiling snd radiant." " Tbe gam* Beams hardly worth the can- | cavalier. die," remark* Sir James, Titania'i very insipid-looking oaval: " My dear, it is worth ten thousand can- dles," return* bit wife. " That i* young Woodleigb, and yon know be earns in for all that money at hi* ancle'* death,. In *uoh a oauae you would not have ber conn teuance fatigns '.'" " Here oome* her contrast," remark! Sir James, a* a alight, dark woman, very pretty, with just a tovpcon of coloring on her pale cheeks, and euongh shading round ber lids to make ber dark eye* darker, ekate* by. " I have been watching ber," say* Bar riet. " She il Mrs. Elton, whose husband died last year muob to ber aatiafaotion, aa people aay. See, Phyllis, bow afae ia sur rounded by admirer* : every tenth minute she accept* a new aspirant to ber band, aa far a* nnking goea. Ab, my dtar I aee what it U to be a bewitching widow far better than being a lovely girl. And Jarnen positively refuse* to give m* a chance of trying whether I would be a success if so circumstanced." Sir Jama* smiles comfortably, and so do I, while watching the gay widow as she beams, and droops, and languishes, accord log to ths mood ol each companion amus ing all in turn, and knowing herself as uni versally adored bv the opposite sex a* she is detested by ber own. " I had great difficulty in getting your skates. I wonder if Iheee are small enough ?" wbu-pers Sir Mark in my ear ; and, turning, I behold him folly (quipped for tbe fray, followed by a subdued little boy, who carries under his arm tbe articles in question. They proved to be the right ize, and soon I find myself standing on four wheels (that apparsntly go every way in the moat impartial manner), grasping frantically my mentor's arm. " Ob, what is tbe matter with my heels ? They won't stay still !" I cry, desperately, a* my body betray* an inclination to lay itself flat upon tbe ground. They can't be right, I am tor*. Are all the skates like these ?" " Ye* Try to walk a little, and you will find it easier. It is wonderful bow soon on* gets used to tbe sensation." I summon all my pluck, and g*t round th* place three times without stopping or tailing, thanks to Sir Mark's strong arm. A* I reach my starting-point ono* more, I pause and sink into a vacant obair. " I will real a little," I breaths hastily. I am dreadfully tared and frightened. I bad no idea il would prove ao di moult. Go away, Sir Mark, and tike a lorn by your- self ; and psrhapa later on, if yon com* back for me. I will try again. Ob. I wonder how on earth il i* all theee people manage to keep upright?" "Don't lose heart," say* Sir Mark, imiling. " One* on a time they all fell just *a you do now. Indeed I think you a very promising beginner. Lie leave us, and Harriet and I tall to criticising tb* performer* again. Alter all, I think the beginner* amuse m* most, more especially nou-, when I can " deeply sympathise" with tbeir terrors. Tb* way they slam bis against each other, their Ire quent fall*, their earnest faces earnest si though il were a matter of lit* and death in which they are engaged all combine to excite my risible (acuities to tbe last degree. I laugh merrily and heartily, my color rise*, I clap my hands with glee as two fat man, coming into collision, tall prostrate almost al my feet. " How you enjoy everything I" say* Har- riet, patting me on the shoulder, aud laugh ing herself through synpalhy. " It is all so new to uie," I return, witb delight; and.glanoing op at ber, I also oatch Sir James' eyes fixed upon me, filled with pleasant amusement. There are little boys with spindle legs who lock all boote and no body : little boy rinkers and little girl-rinkers, who do their work so beautifully and show saoh unlim- ited go aa puts their elders to shame. Sir Mark coma* back again, and again I aoj persuaded to rise and court fortune. In my turn I scramble and totter and posh and try to believe I am enjoying tb* moment. At length I break into a little klide insensibly, a* it seems and after that matters go more smoothly. " Ab ! now you are getting into tbe way of it," exclaims Sir Mark, almost growing excited over my progress;. " Josl keep on like that, and soon you will master it." Hall an hoar elapse*. The others of oar party, who have been at it longer than I bavs, and to whom il is no novelty, have tired of skating, and stand onoe more together in s group. As I approach them, attended by Sir Mark, I pause to utter a few words. " It i* lovely, deliciour. I am getting on capitally. I shall do it perfectly in no time," I gasp, conceitedly ; and, instantly lipping, I (all forward helplessly into my companion'* arms. I get a severe shock, but think myself lucky in thai I bave esoaped the ground. Sir Mark holds m* a shade longer, and perbape a shade more tenderly, than tbe occasion rnjuires ; and, looking op, I oatch Blanche Ooing'* eye*, and can see that she wear* upon her handsome face a smile, half insolent, wholly suspicions. Tbe others must see il, too. Extreme anger grow* within my breast. Disengaging myself from Sir Mark'* sop- port, I stand alone, though insecure, and feel tb at I am rapidly becoming the color if a rich and full-blown peony. Certainly my bitterest enemy could not accuse me of blushing prettily ; and this knowledge, added to what I am already smarting under, rendera m* Inriou*. I repent m> first move. I regret having no lar given in to popular opinion as to with- draw myself from Sir Mark's sustaining arm. Hastily turning to him again unmindful ol Harriet'* kind little speech-I hold out to him my band, and address him with nuwontsd impreiument. " Thank yon," t say ; " bat for you 1 should have oome to ignominious grief in tbe very midst of my boasting. 1 an, in your debt, remember. Will you add to your goodness by taking my hand yet again lor a round or two ? I want to be a degree more assured. It is not every day, I add, with a gay, ooqnetiish langb, " a lady will make you a generous < It jr ol her baud." Marmaduke. aa well as Blanche, besrs every word. Sir Mark takes my baud very readily, and together we vanish out of sight. A* usual, once my naughtiness is s fait accompli, I suffer fn in remorse. \Vbeu next 1 find myself near 'Duke I am mild and submiisive s* a ringdove. Would be but speak to me now I ieel I oould pardon and be pardoned witb tbe Imoat oheerfuJ DBS*. Ala* 1 h* remains mole and appa- rently unforgiving, being in the dark as to my aolteced mood. A deep curiosity to learn hi* exact humor toward* m* *eize* bold of me, and lor the satisfying of it I determine to open Are and be in* flrat to break down tbe barrier of uenoe that ha* risen between o*. " What a pily w* mn*l leave thi* place so Boon !" I aay, with exceeding geniality. " It open* again at balf -past seven. If we do not itart for home, 'Dake, nntil ten o'clock, why should w* not spend another boar here alter dinner T" At thai nour the place will be thronged witb shopkeepers and tb* townfolk gene- rally," rvpliea h*, in hi* coldest tones, with- out looking at me. I should not mind them in the very leant," eagerly. I dare aay not : there are few thing yon do mind ; bat / should," returns 'Duke, slowly and dscisively, a*)d, walk- ing away, leaves me tett a-uu with Sir Mark Oors. All tbs sweetness within me changes to gall. I am onoe again angered and embit tered ; nay more, I long to revenge myeelf upon him for tbe severity of bii man- ner. At such momenta who baa not found tbe tempter near ? (To be continued i on ft or n.a v. Ibc Leaned fllesi Nlswvch 'l.i. Tkrlr I Far away beyond the plains of Mesopota- mia. on the banks ol tbs river Tigris, lie (be ruins of the ancient oily of Nineveh. Not long sinoe bugs mouLda ot earth (tone marked tbe place where tbe pal* and wall* of tbe proud capital of the great Aaayiian empire stood. Tbe epade, first of tbe Frenchman, tbenol the Englishman, liae cleared all the earth away and laid tare all that remained of tbe old streets and palace* where the prince* ol Assyria walked and livd. The god* they worshipped and the books they read have ail beau revealed to the algbt of a wonder- ing world. Tb* moel curious things preserved in this wonderful manner are the :lay books of Mmeveh. The chief library jf Ninsvsh was contained in the palace of Konyocjik. Theelay books which ileen- tain* are composed of *et* of tablet* severed witb very small writing. Tb* tab- let* are oblong in shave, and when several ol them are osed lor on* book, tb* first line of tbe tablet following wa* written at the end of tb* one preceding it. Ths writing on the tablet* was, of eooree, don* when ihe clay wa* soft aad then it wa* baked to aardsn it. Then each tablet, or book, was numbered, and assigned to a place in tbe ibrary, with a corresponding cumber, so that the librarian oould easily find it, josla* oar own librarian* of to-day number tbe book* w* read. Among these books are to t>e found collection* of hymns (to the gods), descriptions of animals and birds, atones and vegetables, a* well as history, travel*, etc. Tb* Assyrians and Babylonian* were great (indents of astronomy. Ths method of telling tarn* by tb* *uu, and of marking t by an instrument called a ran dial, wa* n vented by tbe latter nation. None of our modern clocks and watches can be com pared to the inn dial tor accuracy. Indeed, we bave to regulate ear modern inventions by tb* ancient Babylonian system PrinUr'i Circular. I nill-hmiil, . OplDl.. I- H .1 Cl Mr. Howard Vincent, of London, Eng. who ha* been in Toronto for th* past fsw days, said, in aniwer to a reporter : " 1 think this i* a remarkable country and I hope it will never be annexed to the United State*. If annexation ever take* place, il will be a great loss to Great Britain. I believe th* British Empire honld be ooneolidatej. Canada ha* vast resources which the people ol Bogland know very little about. I am particularly struck witb tb* appearance of the city of Toronto. Tbis is my flrat vimt to Canada, but I bave spoken to a number of people about Toronto. Tbe growth of thi* city is marvellous. I visited the Education De- partment. That i* really a beautiful place. I wa* greatly impressed with the Minister of Education, Hon. O. W. Ross, lie is a very practical man." " How do tbe educational institutions of the Province of Ontario compare with those of Kc gland?" " Tbe system of Canada, especially in Ontario, is far ahead ol England in some respect*," replied Mr. Vincent. " I refer, especially, to ths Canadian Public Soboel system. Tbe people ol England will eventually adopt a syitem similar to that in Ontario. There is a certain aversion to ending children to school in England." IMverce I un t*o> it >. It U not very often tbat a butler finds himself in tbe British Divorce Court, and till lea* seldom doe* he blossom into poetry. One ol tbe letters produced in a case recently tried in Edinburgh contained ths following : The flrtt time w* met Cupid shot oO a dart Tbat'* what I said to L sale ; And MDt It right through my suao*ptible heart Tb . t's what I said to Llasle. There s uot Inn lea*t doobt It wai lore at flnt igb For ever since that most eventful night I'm unhappy whenever you're out of my sight Tuat wnat I aald to Llasle. The next time Mr. Crabbe meditate* tb* thankless moss be will do well not to play with the tangles of Newra's hair and keep what he Haid to Lizzie a secret. M. Ferdinand de Lesscpe, a* Chairman of the committee charged by tbe Academy ol Sciences a* to tb* discovery of (team navigation, say* : " If Papin conceived the idea of applying steam as a motive power, th* practical application of th* iJea wa* first realized by the Marquis de Jouffrsy. In 1780 he built a boat 1 in feet long by 14 feet wide, which Bteamed up stream on tbe Haone al tbe rate of two leagues per boar. Tbis wa* the first py rosospb, and il preceded r'ultou'H steamboat by a full quarter of a century. Tb* American inventor tally acknowledged tbe fact in 1809." A tramp (topped at a home on Main street the other uy and aaked for some- thing to eat. " Wbioh do you like tbe best?' acked tbe hired girl-" Bteak or obop ?" The tramp meditated a miuote nd then replied, ' Ohop." " Step right this way," said tbe hired girl ; " here's ths axe and there'* the woodpile."