author of them, and the prěl'ate' summoned him into his presence, in order to compliment him on his talents. When poor Thomas became aware that the Cardinal had visited his garret, and that he had seen what he called the smudges of his friend Peter, he believed himself lost. 4. "You are no longer one of my scullions," said the Cardinal to him, little thinking that the child had a fellow-lodger. Thomas, mistaking the purport of his words, imagined that his master dismissed him from his kitchen: then the poor little fellow, seeing that his own existence, as well as that of his friend, was much compromised' by this act of severe justice, threw himself at his master's feet, saying: if 5. "Oh, signore! what will become of my poor friend Peter, you send him away?" The Cardinal demanded an explanation of these words, which he could not understand, and thus discovered that the drawings were the work of a little shepherd, whom Thomas had secretly maintained for two years. 6. "When he returns at night, you will bring him to me," said the Cardinal, laughing at the mistake, and generously forgiving Thomas. That evening, the artist did not make his appearance at the palace of the Cardinal; two days, a week, a fortnight, elapsed, and still nothing was heard of Peter of Cortona. 7. At length, the Cardinal, who was greatly in'terested in the fate of the young artist, succeeded in discovering that, for a fortnight, the charitable monks of an isolated' convent had received and detained with them a young draughtsman," from fourteen to fifteen years of age, who had come to ask permission to copy a picture of Raphael's which was in the chapel of the cloister. This child was Peter. He was taken back to the palace of the Cardinal, who, after receiving him with kindness, placed him in the school of one of the best painters in Rome. 8. Fifty years later, there were two old men, living together 'Prel' ate, a clergyman of high rank. A cardinal is a prelate of the highest order in the Roman Church, next in rank to the Pope.-2 Pur'port, meaning.-3 Com' pro mised, put in danger.-- Is' o låt ed, separated from others; lonely.- Draughtsman (dråfts' man), painter, sketcher.- Raphael was a very eminent painter, whose works are the admiration of the world. He lived between the years 1483 and 1520. like brothers, in one of the handsomest private dwellings of Florence. It was said of the one-" He is the greatest painter of our day;". of the other-" He will be the model of friends in all future ages." 1. I 11. THE LAST LEAF. SAW him once before, The pavement stones resound, 2. They say that in his prime, Not a better man was found 3. But now he walks the streets, And he looks at all he meets 'Wan (won), pale and sickly.-Mar' bles, tombstones.-Bloom youth.—' Cårved, sculptured; cut out. That he had a Roman' nose, 6. But now his nose is thin, And a crook is in his back, 7. I know it is a sin For me to sit and grin But the old three-corner'd hat, 8. And if I should live to be The last leaf upon the tree Let them smile as I do now, O. W. HOLMES. A 12. AMUSING ANECDOTE. 4 YOUNG Parisian,3 going to Amsterdam, was attracted by the remarkable beauty of a house situated near the canal. He addressed a Dutchman in French, who stood near him in the vessel, with, "Pray, sir, may I ask who that house belongs to?" The Hollander answered him in his own language, “Ik kan niet verstaan" [I do not understand you]. 2. The Parisian, not doubting that he understood, took the Roman nose, a nose that is slightly curved like the beak of an eagle, and hence sometimes called an aquiline nose.--2 Breeches (brich ez).- Par is' e an, an inhabitant of the city of Paris in France; a Frenchman.Am' ster dam, an important city, the capital of the kingdom and province of Holland. Dutchman's answer for the name of the proprietor.' "Oh, oh," said he, "it belongs to Mr. Kaniferstane. Well, I am sure he must be very agreeably situated; the house is most charming, and the garden appears delicious. I don't know that ever I saw a better. A friend of mine has one much like it, near the river at Chaise; but I certainly give this the preference." He added many other observations of the same kind, to which the Dutchman, not understanding them, made no reply. 3. When he arrived at Amsterdam, he saw a most beautiful woman on the quays,' walking arm in arm with a gentleman. He asked a person that passed him who that charming lady was; but the man, not understanding French, replied "Ik kan niet verstaan." "What, sir," replied our traveler, "is that Mr. Kaniferstane's wife, whose house is near the canal? Indeed, this gentleman's lot is enviable; to possess such a noble house, and so lovely a companion." 4. The next day, when he was walking out, he saw some trumpeters playing at a gentleman's door, who had secured the largest prize in the Dutch lottery. Our Parisian, wishing to be informed of the gentleman's name, he was still answered, “Ik kan niet verstaan." "Oh," said he, "this is too great an accession of good fortune! Mr. Kaniferstane, proprietor of such a fine house, husband of such a beautiful woman, and to get the largest prize in the lottery! It must be allowed that there are some fortunate men in the world." 5. About a week after this, our traveler, walking about, saw a věry superb burying. He asked whose it was. "Ik kan niet verstaan,” replied the person of whom he asked the question. "Ah!" exclaimed he; "poor Mr. Kaniferstane, who had such a noble house, such an angelic wife, and the largest prize in the lottery. He must have quitted this world with great regret; but I thought his happiness was too completes to be of long duration." He then went home, reflecting all the way on the instability' of human affairs. 'Pro pri' e tor, owner.- - Chaise (Sház), a small town in France.'Quays (kéz), wharfs; moles or piers used for the purpose of loading or unloading vessels. Ac ces' sion, addition. Com plète', wanting nothing; full. Du rà' tion, remaining in a particular state; continuance. -In sta bil' i ty, changeableness. 1. THE 13. LIFE. HE days of Infancy are all a dream, 2. The days of Youth advance: ROBERT SOUTHEY 1. 2. 3. 14. THE Two Boys. HERE were two boys, who were bred up together, THERE Shared the same bed, and fed at the same board. To when they followed the fleet hare, and tried They lay beside The silver trout stream, watching as the sun Play'd on the bubbles: shared each in the store Of him, the master of the desert isle, Till a low hut, a gun and a canoe, Or if ever came A thought of future days, 'twas but to say 1Ma tåred', ripened; perfected in growth or years.- En sues', follows.-Languid (lång' gwid), weak; dull; drooping. |