The Parent's Assistant; Or, Stories for Children

under the instructions of his master and friend, Signor Camillo; his friend, we say, for the fair and open character of Francisco won, or rather earned, the friendship of this benevolent arti

n of his master's as his own, and was particularly please

ning, after he had been shut up all day at his work. And the old carpenter, delighted with the gratitude of his pupil, frequently repeated-

he goes into palaces now, to say nothing of that place underground, where he has lea

enter. "And I like his way; he does more than he say

Francisco happier than Piedro cou

water at this well-were held at bay by the enraged female. Not one dared to be the first to advance; whilst she grasped with one hand the handle of the windlass, and, with the other tanned muscular arm extended, governed the populace, bidding them remember that she was padrona, or mistress of the well. They retired, in hopes of finding a more gentle padrona at some other well in the neighbourhood; and the fury, when they were out of sight, divided the long black hair which hung over her face, and, turning to one of the spectators, appealed to them in a sober

was standing by; and he mentioned several in which the water had lately sudden

asants and workmen, to whom he mentioned his fears, laughed, and said, "That as the burning mountain had been favourable to them for so many years, they would trust to it and St. Januarius one day longer," yet Francisco immediately gave up all thoughts of spending this day amidst the ruins of Herculaneum. After having inquired sufficiently, after having seen sever

and his son, who had been at work the preceding day in a vineyard, a little above the village, related that they had seen a sudden puff

spot they lived upon, or such the security in their own good fortune, that few of them would believe that there could

f their neighbours, went to the house of a relation, at some mile

t. Januarius, was sufficiently alarmed by Francisco's representations. He ran to his master's apartment, and communicated all that he had just heard. The Count de Flora and his lady, who were at this time in the house, ridiculed the fears of Arthur, and could not be prevailed upon to remove even as far as Naples. The lady was intent upon preparations for her birthday, which was to be celebrated in a few

habitants of Torre del Greco saw their town utterly destroyed by the streams of burning lava which poured from the mountain. The villa of Count de Flora, with some others, which were at a little distance from the town, escaped; but they

ingly hot. Numbers of those who had been forced from their houses now returned to the ruins to try to save whatever they could. But these unfortunate persons fre

aid the old carpenter to Francisco, who was at his house giving him an account of their flight. Francisco immediately went to the count's house in warn h

as there been a fresh eruption

to heaven as he crossed himself repeatedly. "There," said Arthur, "is a man who has left a parcel of his cursed rockets and fireworks, with I don't

th a bucket of water in his hand, crossed the beds of lava with which the house was encompassed; when, reaching the hall where the ro

Francisco return from this dangerous expedition! He could scarcely

properly saved not only his villa, but the whole village of Resina, from destruction. These fireworks had been prepared for the cel

e that there is danger of my villa being pillaged by robbers. It is from this moment your interest, as well as mine,

he countenance of this man, who exclaimed with so much enthusiasm. He remembered to have seen him before, but when, or where, he could not recollect. As soon as the cou

but few misfortunes in my life." The stranger answered him by two extempore Italian line

ir suffering

d alike

g for anot

ling for

u are the Improvisatore who, one fine moonlight night

ra's fall from his horse attracted attention. The count patronizes me. I am here now to learn the fate of an ode I have just composed for his lady's birthday. My ode was to have been set to music, and to have been performed at his villa near Torre del Greco, if these troubles had not intervened. Now that the mountain is quiet again, people will return to thei

e public squares. Amongst the crowd were several to whom the name of Francisco was well known, and by whom he was well beloved. These were his young compan

his way through the crowd. A lad who held by his arm stopped suddenly on hearing

y. "You are the young man who, last summer, had liked to have tricked me out of my new hat. Promise me you won't touch it now," said he, throwing down the hat at his feet, "or

ear what you have to tell of him," added he. "Your hat is very saf

Improvisatore, "for he is likely to become rich enough to comman

have probably before this time discovered to be Piedro. "Ho

is villa at Torre del Greco. Francisco is gone down hither now with some of the count's domestics to protect the valuable g

f," cried the man whose arm Piedro hel

extravagantly upon the money he gained by the sale of the stolen diamond cross. That robbery was not discovered; and his success, as he called it, hardened him in guilt. He was

cing. No sooner did Piedro's companion hear of the rich furniture, plate, etc., which the imprudent orator

t the count has sent Francisco, w

sco of whom you seem to

sturdily honest. The servants we might corrupt; but even the old pro

ate villain; "but if we offer him rather more than the count has already promised for

know him from a child, and we had better think

th. "My mind is determined upon this, and you must obey your

crime suggested by their leader. No tyranny is so dreadful as that which is exercised by villains over their young accomplices, who bec

s gang of thieves. It was agreed that about midnight the robbers should be let into the house; that Francisco should be tied hand and foot, whilst they carried off their booty. "He is a stubborn chap, though so young

being his pretended friend during his wealthy days, had of late become his tyrant, cast a stern look at Piedro, and bid him

ancisco! Yes, I recollect your look when you held the bunch of grapes to my lips, as I sat by the sea-shore deserted by all the world; and now, what friends have I. Robbers and-" The word murderers he could not utter. He again recollected what had been sa

His wretched father died some weeks before this time, in a fit of intoxication. Piedro walked up

nd when it grew dusk, after hesitating in great agony of mind for some time, his fear of the robbers' v

ought himself so lucky to have stolen, and to have disposed of undetected, was, in fact, the cause of his being in his present drea

set apart for the reception of guests who desired to have their business kept secret. These rooms were separated by a dark passage from the rest of the house, and numbers of people came to the shop in the front of the house, which looke

; and the Jew's boy, whose office it was to attend to these signals, let Piedro in,

uarius tied round his neck, which, in the midst of his wickedness, he superstitiously preserved as

, the attendant upon an evil conscience, he flung open the door of his cell, and groped his way through the passage which he knew led to the public shop. He l

nd eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the people of Naples will not relish fireworks. My poor little rockets, and even my Catherine-wheels, will have no effect. I am glad to part with

rse to me?" said Piedro, who imagined that the man fixed his

works," said the poor man, simply. "But now that I do look at you and he

ere?" sai

ur recollection. You were in the street with me the night I let off that unlucky rocket, which fright

barrassment; and he looked suspiciously at this man, in doubt whether he was

h made, after the overturn, for a fine diamond cross, belonging to the lady in the c

man's attention back to his rockets and his gunpowder-agreed to take the gunpowder-paid for it in haste, and was, though apparently unconcerned, eager to get rid of him. But this was not so easily done. The man's curiosity was excited, and his suspicions of Piedro were increa

g-that you could let me have cheap for artificial flowers," said the firework-ma

umstance affected his terrified and superstitious mind more than all the rest. He imagined that at this moment his fate was decided; that Saint Januarius deserted

" said the ma

dark passage: "what I have to say must not be overhea

countess about some artificial flowers; but Piedro thou

n condition that he pardons me. His villa is to be attacked this night by four well armed men. They will set out five hours hence. I am compelled, unde

me of the count's servants, on whom he could most depend, were at a distant part of the city attending their mistress, but the English gentleman offered the services of his man Arthur. Arthur no sooner heard the bus

four miles to Torre del Greco; the sbirri (officers of justi

e robbers were there. This pistol was snapped by their captain at poor Francisco, who had bravely asserted that he would, as long as he had life, defend the property committed to his care. The pistol missed fire, for it wa

justice. At the sudden appearance of so many armed men, the robbers stood dismayed. Arthur eagerly shook Francisco's hand, congratulating him upon his

n my guard; but the sight of a face that I little expected to see in such company took from me all prese

ry of life-I am a wretch not fit to live!" cried P

a child. "Ay," said they, as he went by, "his father encouraged him in cheating when he was but a child; and see what he is come to, now he is a man!" He

healed. Arthur was no bad surgeon, for he let his patient get well as fast as he pleased; and Carlo and

Francisco's father to him, "you must com

w house,

ear it-all at a safe distance, too, from Mount Vesuvius; and can yo

rks and the gunpowder out of this dangerous place, went in a body to the duke, and requested that he would mention your name and these facts to the king, who, amongst the grants he has made to the

ven to him; and this money he divided between his own family and that of the good carpenter who first put a pencil into his hands.

e I was going to buy that bruised melon from you; you showed me your honest nature then, though you were but a boy; and I have found you the same ever since. A g

s pretty plain that Piedro the Cunning has not

RL

! to rear the t

young idea

sh instruction

enlivening sp

urpose in the

om

ed or ashamed when idle, mischievous or dishonest boys attempted to plague or ridicule him. His friend Loveit, on the contrary, wished to be universally liked, and his highest ambition was to be thought the best natured boy in the school-and so he was. He usually went by the name of Poor Loveit, and everyb

was a trial of skill between them. When they had got it up to three hundred and twenty, the game became very interesting. The arms of the combatants tired that they could scarcely wield the battledores. The shuttlecock began to waver in the air; now it almost touched the ground, and now, to the astonishment of the spectators, mou

exclaimed, "Poor Loveit! he's the best natured fellow in the wor

tossed the shuttlecock up with all his force-with so much force that it went over the hedge and dro

nd it was upon their promise not to break this command,

Tarlton; "I wish somebody would get it. One could get over the gate at the bottom of the field, and be back again in half a minute," added he, l

Loveit, drumming upon

a lower voice, said "he didn't know." But upon Tarlton's repeating, in a more insolent tone, "I ask you, man, what you

re," said Hardy

eit; "of what, p

oing

king him, so that he made everybody laugh. "Now,

somewhat subsided, "I am as little afraid of b

and your meanings; nobody thought of asking you to stir a step for

ould not ask him, because, you k

piqued, "there you're mistaken,

nced most curiously upon his forefinger. "Look at him!-now do look at him!" cried Tarlton; "did you ever in your life see anybody look so silly?-Hardy has him quite

s me under his thumb! and what Hardy said was only for fe

n usual spirit, for both his he

and he was just going, when Tarlton called after him, "Ay, go along with its be

Panado?" said Loveit, turn

id Hardy, "what

besides," added he, after going a few steps farther, "they'll all think it so ill-natured. I had bette

I can't go back; an

ait for me," added Loveit; and he slunk back

he was obliged to yield to the entreaties of his companions, and to show his spirit, le

te out of breath, "I've got the shuttlecock; and I'll

ed everybod

of the corner, at the e

rlton, impatien

st take br

r mind you

garden, on the opposite side of the way, a boy, about as big as Tarlton, sitting in a great tree, shaking the branches: so I called to the boy, to beg one; but he said he could not give me one, for that they were his grandfathe

for nothing; I'm determined we'll have some of hi

t Loveit, who looked down, apprehensive that he should be drawn on much farther than he inte

ay any more, I hope we have no spies amongst us. If there is any

the courage to move first. He waited to see what everyb

ur word and honour that you won't betray me; but stand by me, and I'll stand by you." E

he boy's coat who screened him, when Tarlton came up, holding out his hand

"I do wish you'd give up this scheme; I daresay all the apples are

rd it yet; you may as well know you

efuse to smile, though in his heart he fe

lad in the world, and would do anything one asked you; but you're quite altered of late, as we were saying just now, whe

't all hate me!" and he mechanically stretched out his hand w

numbers; and though he had the wish, he never had the power, to do right. "Poor Loveit! I knew he would not refuse us," cried his companions; a

tack upon the poor old man's apple-tree. It was the only one he had the world. We shall not dwell upon their consultati

panied by Loveit and another boy, crept out. It was a moonlight night, and after crossing the field, and climbing the gate, dir

thing was silent. Yet now and then, at every rustling of the leaves, they started, and their hearts beat violently. Once, as Loveit was climbing the apple-tree, he thought he heard a door in the cottage open, and earnestly begged his companions to de

d out of Loveit's pockets, and lodged with Tarlton till the morning, for fear the smell should betray the secret to Hardy. The room door was apt

next night, in spite of all his fears, and all his penitence, and all his resolutions, by a little fresh ridicule and persuasion he was induced to accompany the same party on a similar expedition. We must observe, that the necessity fo

d strictly kept his promise of secrecy; but he was by no means an artful boy; and in talking to his friend, conscious that he had something to conceal, he was perpetually on the point of betraying himself; then recollect

to speak on the subject, and he always returned a peremptory refusal, accompanied with some such taunting expression as

l, and called a sneaking fellow for my pains; that's rat

half ripe, happened to fall to his share; though, to be sure, when they had all eaten their apples, he had the sati

sed to examine his only tree very frequently, and missing numbers of rosy apples, which he had watched ripening, he, though not prone to suspicion, be

e he had been very industrious in his youth; and he was always very ready to part with the little he had. Nor was he a cross old man. If anything would have made him angry, it would have been the seeing his favourite tree robbed, as

t they must not be let to go on stealing; that would be worse still, for it would surely bring them to the gallows in th

e sure to chain him well, for he was the fiercest mastiff in England. The old man

their foot in the garden, the dog started up; and, shaking the chain as he sprang forward, barked with unremitting fury. They stood still as if fixed to the spot. There was just moo

, in a lamentable tone, whilst the dog growled hideously, and sprang forward to the extremity of his chain. "I can't get out! Oh, for God's sake, stay for me one minute, dear Tarlton!" He called in vain; he was left to struggle through his difficulties by himself; and of all his dear

the party with their conduct. "Why could not you,

ear you call,

nother, "I would not have tur

ou, Ta

do to take care of myself, you blockhe

said Lovei

there anything

es; I thought yo

so we do; but we lo

was alarmed. "Pugh!" said he; "what nonsense have you taken into your brain! Think no more a

coldly. "I forgive it with all my heart,"

certainly could not bear malice. "Well, then, come; you know at the bottom we all love you, and would do anything in the world for you." Poor Loveit,

ue upon the love of those I despise! When I'm once out of th

for all this time Hardy had treated him with uniform kindness, avoided to pry int

ing a sheet of paper for him, Tarlton, in his brutal manner, came up, and seizing

" said Loveit, dra

said Tarlton, in a

ll come p

ood fellow, come now, because I

you'd let me alone," said Loveit; yet at the

even though he was not very apt to part with his playthings, went so far as to sa

the thought of possessing this top. "But

presently; not yet-whe

near us," s

owever," said Tarlton, l

now,

g that frightene

es

ver frighte

it? h

wing something from his pocket

d it. "Raw meat!" exclaimed

om got it for me; and I'

it for t

nged on him, and after th

ean? Is it poison?" exclaimed Lo

confused; "you could not look more shoc

ton," said he at last, in a changed tone and altered manner

on, catching hold of his ar

rm-you were

knew there was any harm. If

said L

ow; for Tom told me it's a thi

e know better what's right

sk him, to hear

will die in agonies-in agonies! There was a dog poisoned at my father's-I

n, in a hypocritical tone. But though he thought fit to disse

was in such agitation, that he neither talked nor moved like himself; and tw

he stopped short, for the bell for evening prayer rang, and they all took their places, and knelt down. After prayers,

dacious tone, as if he meant to s

u mean to d

," replied Tarlton, turning away abru

is mind!" said Loveit to himsel

rdy suddenly recollected that he had left his new kite out upon t

a minute." They both went to the top of the stairs to call To

Loveit saw the corner of the blue handkerchief hanging out of his pocket. This excited fresh suspicions in Loveit's mind; but, without saying one word, he im

to bed?" Loveit returned no answer, but continued standing at the window. Nor did he watch long

ed Loveit aloud, with an emot

o what?" cried Ha

w wicked!" con

nds feel themselves entitled to assume towards weak ones. Loveit instantly, though in an incoherent manner, explained the affai

at anxiety. "They'll never forgive me! don't betray me! they'll

re the fate of the poor dog was decided, ran with all possible speed across the meadow, then down the lane. He came up with Tom just as he was climbing the bank into

it you? what's the mat

ed meat that you h

ch thing?" said Tom, clapping h

ietly, and I'l

you mean," said Tom, trembling, though he was by far the

at indignation: and a violent

ief fell within reach of the dog, who instantly snapped at it; luckily it did not come untied. Hardy saw a pitchfork on a dunghill close beside him, and, seizing upon it, stuck it into the handkerchief. The dog pulled, tore, growled, grappled, yelled; it was impossible

ful benevolence, Hardy tripped joyfully home, and vaulted over the window sill, when the first objec

astonishment; "is it you, Mr. Hardy?" repeated he, holding the light to his face. "Why, sir," said he, in a sneering tone, "I'm sure if Mr. Trueman was here he wouldn't believe his own eyes; but for my part I saw t

Hardy, emptying his

aid Mr. Power, t

eagerly, "let that meat b

lder impatiently. Still Hardy was silent. "Down upon your knees this minute and confess all: tell me where you've been, what you've been doing, and who are your accomplices, for I know there is a gang of you; so," added he,

n to ask, I have nothing to confess; I am innocent; but if I were n

it, I advise you, and we shall see. And how will you look to-

sir," said H

ardy, "ever since I have been at school, I never told a lie, and therefore, sir, I ho

better! what, when I caug

g," said Hardy, recollectin

hing. Come along with me, young gent

ght," said he, pushing him in; "to-morrow I'll know more, or I'll know why," added he, double locking the door, with a tremendous noise, upon his prisoner, and locking also the door at the end of the passage, so

at the head of the stairs had been anxiously listened to; but

d: Tarlton for himself, Loveit for his friend, for himself, for everybody. Every one of the party, and Tarlton at their head, surrounded him with reproaches; and considered him as the author of the evils which

poor Loveit, with a sig

walked up to his place at the head of the room. They knelt down to prayers, and the moment they rose, Mr. William Power, laying his hand upon the table, cried, "Stand still, gentlemen, if you please." Everybody stood stock still; he walked out o

he has told of all o

has told of none of us," an

a fool, when he can get h

every eye was fixed upon him. His eye fell upon no one, not even upon Loveit,

n's elbow-chair, and placing the prisoner opposite to h

a decided, yet modest manner; "no

ing m

ng mor

room door opened, and Mr. Trueman appeared, followed by an old man whom Loveit immediately knew. He leaned upon his stick as he walked, and in his other hand carried a basket of apples. When they came within the circle

ow, sir, give me leave," said the usher,

I have been deceived in you; it is but three hours ago that I told your uncle I never had a boy in my school in whom I placed so much confidence; but, after all this show of

rdy, no longer able to

. Trueman, looking round the room with a

William Power, "get that ou

s truth nor his honour to the trial; truth and

r had anything to do with thie

you know the taste of these apples?" said

never touched one of t

u have done worse, you have had the barbarity, the baseness, to attempt

pocket, sir; but I never intended t

him!" said

Power. "I hope you won't le

ittle prepared for," said Mr. Trueman, producing the

e; Hardy's counten

ow this handk

o, s

not y

, s

it is?" cried Mr. Po

it, you know, it is always in earnest. I will begin with the eldest of you; I wil

one but Hardy, Loveit and Tarlton knew the secret. "My cane," said Mr. Trueman, and Mr. Power handed him the cane. Loveit groaned fro

ay find out the owner of this handkerchief another way," examining the corners

have thought of stealing the apples if Loveit had not first told me of them; and it was Tom who first put the poisoning the dog into my head. It was he that carried the meat, wasn't it?" said he, appealing to Hardy, whose word he knew must be believed.

going to

d Tarlton, getting up

Take your handkerchief-go out of this room-o

y hopes of him, I would have punished him;-but I have none. Punishment is meant only to ma

ty party, stepped out of the ranks, confessed their fault, and declar

hed enough," said the old

tents, "though I should be glad to oblige you-it wouldn't be just; but there," pointing to Hardy, "t

ith pleasure, whilst everybody pr

veit, "this is a lesson

dog. If you please, I'll plant on that mount, opposite the window, a young apple-tree, from my old one. I will water it, and take care of it with my own hands for you

ASKET

t de se complaire et d

et Vi

o died, and left these orphans perishing with hunger. They thought themselves very happy when the good old woman first took them into her hut and bid them warm themselves at her small fire, and gave them a crust of mouldy bread to eat. She had not much to give, but what she had she gave with good-will. She was very kind to these poor children, and worked

At these times she taught them something, which, she said, she hoped they would remember all their lives. She explained to them what

ld call her-"grandmother, how often you are forced to get up from your spinning-wheel, and to follow the chaises and coaches up that steep hill, to put sto

, ch

ll that time. Now if we might go up the hill, and put the stones behind the wheels, you could sit still at your work, and would not the p

ut I must go up the hill along with you for the first two

the boy how to prevent the wheels from rolling back, by putting stones behind them; and she said, "This is called scotching the w

rl received a great many halfpence. She carried them all in her brother's hat to her grandmother in the evening; and the old woman smiled, and thanked the children. She said that they had

thought of a good thing for to-morrow. I shall never be hurt again, if you will only be so good as to give me the old handle of the broken c

woman; "and you'll find the handle

because I shall always scotch the wheels with it. I shall never pinch my fingers again; my hands, you see, will be safe at the end of this long stick; and, sister Anne, you need not be at the trouble of carrying any more s

w as there did to-day, and that we may bring you as

elves, or some of those ripe plums that you saw at the fruit-stall the other day, which is just going into Dunstable. I told you then that I could not afford to buy such

they might be sure to be ready for early travellers. Paul kept his scotcher poised upon his shoulder, and watched eagerly at his station at the bottom of the hill. He did not wait long before a carr

nd Paul and Anne received a great

I don't think any more carriages will come by to-day. Let us

the hole where I have put them. I daresay more carriages will come

that she would wait till her brother liked to count them; and Paul said-"If you will stay and watch here, I will go and gather some blackberries for you in the h

d she saw no carriage; so she went sorrowfully into the field, and to the hedge where her brother was gathering blackberries, and she said, "Paul, I'm sadly tired, sadly tired!" said she, "and my

you had better wait a little bit longer. Perhaps a carriag

haises coming towards them. Paul, as soon as they went up the hill, followed with his scotcher; first he scotched the wheels of one carriage, then of another; and Anne was so much delighted with observing how well the scotcher stopped the wheels, and how much better it was than stones

d when they had all gotten safely to the top of the hill, she and her brother sat down upon a large stone by the ro

" exclaimed Anne; "this is not t

aul, "it is no halfpenny; it is

who did not know its value; "and will it do as well as a halfpenny to bu

man, or anybody but me; I can tell you all ab

aul, you forgot. Not so

listen to me quietly, or else you won't understand what I am going to tell you, for I can assure you that I don't think I

ooked very grave, and her brother explained to her, that, with a guinea, she migh

e us a dozen plums for a penny. Now, for this little gu

e will," said Paul, "but I think we should not like to have two hu

ome of them to my gr

uld be an end to all the pleasure. But now I'll tell you what I am thinking of, Anne, that we might buy something f

er? What sor

o ill with the rheumatism-something that she said yesterday, when you wer

; do let us buy a blanket for her; how glad she will be to see it! I will make her bed with the new blan

here blankets can be got. I saw one hanging o

eat many things at

much as I did for the blanket for my grandmother. Do you remember how she used to shiver with t

ll make the bed very neatly, that will be all

countenance changed, and he looked very grave. "It will not be all right, I'm afraid, for there is one thin

Paul

think this guinea

. It was given to us, and grandmother said all

ave it to

Paul. I don't know which of them, but

, she said, 'Here's some halfpence for you.' Now, if she gav

dly at me, and then the gentleman put down his book and put his head out of the window, and looked at your scotcher, brother, and he asked me if that was your own making; and when I said yes, and that I was yo

t be, to be sure, but I wish

, had not we best go and ask my gr

did not like to follow good advice. He went with his sister directly to

take, I warrant; and what I would have you do is, to go to Dunstable, and try if you can, at either of the inns find out the person who gave it to you. It is now so late in the evening that perhaps the travellers will sleep at Dunstable,

much obliged to you for teaching me to read, grandmother.) You told me yesterday, grandmother, that the names written upon chaises are the innkeepers to whom they belong. I read the name of the inn

reets of Dunstable; but Paul, when he came to the shop where he had seen the blanket, stopped for a moment, and said, "It is a great pity, Anne, that the guinea

Anne, "I s

sign-the picture. Come, never mind looking at it now; I want to

ere was a great noise and bustle. The hostlers were carrying in luggage. The post

he was crossing the yard in a great hurry to get some empty bottles from the bottle-rack.

to look amongst these chaises for one dark green chaise with

t a dark green chaise?" s

he vas going to turn Paul out of the yard; but the hostler caught hold of his arm and sa

, who as soon as he saw the guinea and heard the story, shook Paul by the hand, and said, "Stand steady, my honest lad; I'

o drove that chaise, were found; and the postillion told Paul that he was just going into the p

should like to give

stler; "that they

ooking woman, with two huge straw baskets on each side of her. One of the baskets stood a little in the way of the entrance. A man who was pushing his way in, and carried in his hand a string of dead larks

hey will be all spoiled!" exclaime

will let us," cried Paul and Anne; and

had not time to answer before the postillion came out of the parlour, and with him a gentleman's servant, who came to Paul, and clapping him upon the bac

e, "this is not the gen

ame in that chaise. I and my master that was reading, as you say, and it was he that threw the money out to

sket-woman whispered to them as they went o

me company were at supper, "Pray, Mrs. Landlady, please to let me have roasted larks for my supper. You are famous for larks at Duns

o foot. The postillion was still waiting, as if to speak to him; and she observed them afterwards whi

n out of the guinea to pay for the larks and claret; and she thought that

on't you carry in the sweetmeat-puffs and the

bar; the landlady threw open the door of the best parlour, to let him in; and the basket-woman had now

ugh, I warrant, for you in that room, if you had but the luck to be called in. Pray, what would you have

lared she would step in and see if the company in the best parlour had done supper. "When they come to their

"If any of the young gentlemen or ladies would have a cur'osity to see any of our famous Dunstable straw-work, there's a decent b

y their father called in the basket-woman, and desired her to produce her curiosities. The ch

w slippers that would just fit you, I think; but would not str

her father, "but thes

ers, miss," interrup

r hair," continued the gentleman, "that

you buy th

must make amends," said he, laughing, "for my carelessness; and as I

, I wonder that the little girl did not take notice of its being a guinea, and that she did not run after t

een here inquiring for a gentleman who gave them a guinea instead of a halfpenny by mistake; and not five minutes ago I saw the b

in this," said the gentleman. "Are the chil

them wait in the street yonder, for my mind misgave me that the man

knew that he was the very person who smiled upon her, who admired her brother's scotcher, and who threw a handful of halfpence into

it was a light one; the only guinea I had, which I put into my waistcoat pocket this morning." He rang the bell,

the white parlour,

e servant who received a

mbroke, sir," s

nd claret, knew nothing of what was going on; but his knife and fork dropped from his hand, and he overturned a bumper of claret as he started up from the table, in great surprise and terror,

that he really did not know which it was. He pulled his money out, and spread it upon the table with trembling hands

her brother's scotcher, turning to Anne, "and now tell me who you a

d, "The thing we wish for the most in the

knit, and taught us both that we should be honest-so she has; and I wish she had a new blanket before next winter, to keep her from the cold a

gentleman, "I will do something more for you.

id Paul; "but we are forced to be idle sometimes, because gran

" said the gentleman, pointing to one of the Dunstable straw

them," said the basket-woman; "for I'm sure o

rd to teach them her trade for nothing. "I shall come through Dunstable again in a few months," added he; "and I h

k her about it; and I'm afraid-though I'm very happy-that it is

basket-woman; "and is not far. I'll wal

er, till a messenger whom he had dispatched to

" said the gentleman, as he gave it into Paul's opened arms. "It

TNO

ard-hea

st. Decayed labourers, women, and children make it their business to procure and prepare them. As soon as they are cut, they must be flung into water, and kept there; for otherwise they will dry and shrink, and the peel will not run. When these junci are thus far prepared, they must lie out on the grass to be bleached and take the dew for some nights, and afterwards be dried in the su

ir of shoes, such as here de

h appellation of an old woman: but as Collyogh might sound stra

ed moats, are, in England, cal

was in imminent danger of being pulled down by an old woma

is a tru

iven by the Eton lads to th

s at the tops of their caps. Hence their flatte

m beginni

the name of a

at this experiment has never been a

History of Vision," chap

2]

is now happily superseded by

he northern parts of England) during the 17th and 18th centuries, an

ammar School, led, and successfully conducted, "a plan for barring out his master. A disorderly pr

d at length (though without acknowledgment), by Sir Henry Ellis, in Bohn's recent edition of Brand's "Popular Antiquities." This operation took place early in the present century, and is interesting

matches were t

of Literature,

gna di cent' occhi; chi

o esser fortun

sardella per pi

see

dell' acqua calda ha

peut être puls fin qu'un autre, mai

Char

spesso empie

a piu carezza

t'ha, o inga

formerly to count their money, and write their bills of exchange upon benches in the streets; and

e issue from different openings, mouths, or craters, as they are called, but more especially from the summit of the mountain, which is distinguished by the name of the crater. A rumbling, and afterwards a roaring noise is heard within, and prodigious quantities of stones and minerals burnt into masses (scori?), are thrown out of the crater, some

ing underground for some time, they came to the foundations of houses. The peasants, inhabitants of the village, who had probably never heard of Herculaneum, were somewhat surprised at their discovery. [327] About the same time, in a pit in the town of Portici, a similar passage underground was discovered, and, by orders of the King of Naples, workmen were employed to dig away the earth, and clear the passage. They found, at length, the entrance into the town, which, during the reign of Titus, was buried under lava. It was about eighty-eight Neapolitan palms (a palm contains near nine inches) below the top of the pit. The workmen, as they cleared the passages, marked their way with chalk when they came to any turning, lest they should lose themselves. The streets branched out in many directions, and, lying across them, the workmen often found large pieces of timber, beams, and rafte

cal Transactions

volpi si trovan

en balla a chi

i, taci, se vuo

il fine,-e d

n and evening of

consumato l'ingius

ono maschii, le

il. Trans

am Hamilton's account of an eruption of Mount

nia è quella che men

ar col ham

dy was how to please an

bout the close of