was his father: that they had' beaten him so much when ever he spoke of his mamma and of his fine house, that he was almost afraid to think of it. But he said his master, the chimney-sweeper, had' treated him very well.

Lady Montagu rewarded the man handsomely, and from that time she gave a feast to all the chimney-sweepers of the metropolis on the first of May, the birthday of little Edward, who always presided at the table, which was covered with the good old English fare, roast beef, plumpudding, and strong beer. This event happened many, many years ago, and Lady Montagu and Edward are both dead; but the first of May is still celebrated as the chimney-sweepers' holiday, and you may see them on that day in all parts of London, dressed1o in ribbons and all sorts of finery," dancing to music at12 almost every door, and beating time with the implements of their trade.

88. Memory.

When Voltaire resided at the court of Frederic the Great, an English gentleman, it is said,' arrived at Berlin; he had so extraordinary a memory that he could repeat a long composition without missing a word, if once recited to him. The king had the curiosity to try him, and the gentleman exceeded all that3 had been said of his powers.*

At this time Voltaire informed his Majesty that he had just finished a poem, which, with his permission, he would read to him. The king gave his consent, and immediately determined to divert himself at the expense of the poet. He ordered the Englishman to be placed behind a screen, and desired him to pay particular attention to what Voltaire was about to read. The author came and read his poem with great emphasis, in hopes of obtaining the king's warm approbation. But, to his great astonishment, the monarch seemed perfectly indifferent all the time he was reading.

When the poem was finished, Voltaire asked his Majes ty's opinion about it, and received for answer that of late he observed that M. Voltaire fathered the works of others, and gave them to the world as his own; that he knew this was the case in the present circumstance, as he had once already heard the same poem, and that he therefore could" not but1o feel greatly displeased at the deception attempted" to be put upon him. The Frenchman was highly astonished, and complained how grievously he was abused, having just the day before ended the poem. "Well then," said the king, 66 we will put the matter to the proof." On this he called the gentleman forward and desired him to repeat the verses of which M. Voltaire pretended to be the author.

The Englishman, after a little pause and with great composure, went through the whole poem without missing a single word. "Now," said the king, "must you not confess that my accusation is just?"

"Heavens!" exclaimed the poet, "what have I done to deserve this wrong? Here must be sorcery employed to rob me of my reputation and to drive me to despair."

The king laughed heartily on seeing the poet in such a rage, and, having sufficiently sported with his passion, he told him the artifice which had been employed, and liberally rewarded the Englishman for the amusement he had procured him.

89.

Accident at Prince Schwartzenberg's Hotel at

Paris.

On1 the marriage of Napoleon and Marie Louise, Prince Schwartzenberg gave a splendid festival in honor of his master, the Emperor of Austria, father of the royal bride. For this purpose he caused3 a sort of hall to be3 constructed, in the garden of his hotel, in the Chaussée d'Antin. In the midst of the festival the curtains took fire, and in a

moment the whole room was in flames. Napoleon, taking his wife in his arms, retired with Prince Schwartzenberg to a short distance. Marie Louise returned to St. Cloud, and Napoleon remained in the garden until morning.

The building was entirely consumed and Prince Schwartzenberg's sister-in-law, who had effected her escape from the hall, being uneasy about one of her children, had entered again, when, in endeavoring to return by a little door which led to the interior of the hotel, she was suffocated and nearly consumed by the flames. Great concern and uneasiness was manifested during the night about her fate, when in the morning her remains were discovered among the ruins. Prince Kourakin, the Russian ambassador, was also severely burned, and about twenty ladies and gentlemen fell victims to this shocking accident."

All those who in 1771 had witnessed the festivals given by the city of Paris on the occasion of the marriage between Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette, were reminded of1o the catastrophe which took place in the Champs-Elysées and the Place Louis XV., where nearly two thousand persons perished, and saw a melancholy omen in the present occasion.

Although Napoleon is said not to have been superstitious, he was much affected by it, and long after, on the morning before the battle of Dresden, when he was informed that Prince Schwartzenberg had been killed, he said: "He was a brave man, but nevertheless there is something consoling in his death. It was against him, then," that the fatal omen, which occurred at that ball on the wedding-day, was directed. We are clear12 of it."

Two hours afterwards, however, he was informed that Moreau, not Schwartzenberg, had been killed.

90.

Ingratitude and Avarice Punished.

A gentleman, who had acquired a considerable fortune

2

by care and industry in trade, finding himself at an advanced age, became desirous of quitting the bustle of business, and of passing the remainder of his days in tranquillity. He had a son, newly married, whom he had taken into partnership, and he now gave up the whole business and stock to him. The son and his wife expressed their gratitude for his kindness, and assured him that their greatest attention should be to make him happy.

3

During some time the old gentleman found himself very comfortable with his son and daughter-in-law and hoped that his worldly cares were over. At length, however, he began to perceive a little inattention, which grew by degrees into absolute neglect. Stung by such base ingratitude, he communicated his affliction to one of his old friends, who consoled him by assuring him that he should soon receive the usual attention from his children if he would follow his advice. "What would you have me do?" said the old gentleman. "You must lend me £500, and it must be done in presence of "Five hundred pounds! I have not so many shillings at my disposal." "Never mind," replied the friend, "I will furnish you, come with me." He gave him the sum and appointed the next day for the experiment.

son." your

He called on him in the morning about breakfast-time, and told him before his son and daughter that he had an opportunity of making an excellent speculation, but was9 rather short of ready money. "Don't let that be an obstacle," said the old gentleman, “how much do you want?" "About £500," replied he. "Oh, if that is all, it is at your service, and twice the sum if necessary." The old gentle. man went to his desk, counted [out] the money, and told his friend to take his own time for payment. The son and his wife could but ill10 conceal their astonishment. On finding (as they imagined) that their father had reserved 2 considerable sum of money, their conduct changed, and

from that day to his death the old gentleman had no reason to complain of want of12 attention.

He died some years after, having previously made his will, which he deposited in the hands of his old friend. It is the custom in England, on the day of funeral, to read the will of the deceased in presence of the family. It was opened and read; the son and daughter listened with great attention and hopeful anxiety. Judge what was their sur prise on finding15 that the only legacy their father had bequeathed them was a recipe how to13 reward ungrateful children.

DEAR COUSIN:

LETTERS.

91.

Returning Some Books.

Monday Morning.

I send you the books that you were so good [as] to lend me, and thank you very much for the amusement they have afforded me. I hope I have not put you to any inconvenience by keeping them so long, but I assure you that you are at liberty3 to do the same with any of mine, and to give you an opportunity, I send you some which I think will interest you; keep them as long as you please. Adieu, my dear; remember me to my aunt.

92.

Yours ever truly.

From an Uncle to His Nephew.

MY DEAR NEPHEW:

London, May 6th, 1865.

Having heard that you are very attentive to your studies,