ception, convinced that "whatever is worth doing is worth doing well." He places great importance in correct drawing, for he considers it the "true alphabet" of the engineer, without a knowledge of which he believes no complete idea of construction can be realised. Constant, persevering practice he deems essential to the attainment of any art, and for the inspiration of genius he entertains but little respect.

When he returned home the French Revolution was at its height, and as he entertained Royalist opinions, his life was endangered; and for safety, he, with many others, fled to the United States, where necessity-that stern master-compelled him fortunately to follow the bent of his own mind, and to adopt the profession of civil engineer. He was employed in building the Bowery Theatre, and furnished plans for canals, and machines connected with a cannon foundry.

Finding that the United States did not give sufficient scope for his active, inventive mind, he came to England, where, after great opposition, as at that time there was a strong prejudice against Frenchmen, he succeeded in securing an appointment under Government in making blocks by machinery at the Portsmouth dockyard. The saving in the first year amounted to no less a sum than 24,000l. Government afterwards employed him to erect saw-mills upon a new principle at Chatham and Woolwich. Several important inventions are the offspring of his singularly fertile mind-the circular saw-machines for winding cotton thread into balls-a machine for making shoes for the army-the introduction of the principle of the double engine in steamboats, and many minor inventions of great public utility.

The Thames Tunnel is his master achievement, which had twice before been attempted without success, and which will be regarded as a masterpiece of professional ability, energy, and perseverance by the engineers of all countries.

In losing Brunel, France lost the services of one of her most able, indefatigable, and industrious sons.

CHAPTER IX.

THE SURPRISE.-THE HAPPY HOME.-DEATH OF POOR

RICHARD.

AVING obtained all the necessary information for my "TOURISTS' GUIDE," I bade farewell to my Hibernian friend, with whom I had spent many days in pleasant rambles, and evenings in lively and edifying conversation; left for London, and in little more than twenty-four hours I was quietly seated by my own fireside, ruminating over the events of my trip up the Rhine, and I was pleased to find that reflections recalled only pleasing recollections.

In the evening I went to Lyon's Inn, ascended the various flights of stairs, and knocked at the door of my young friend. "Entrez. Come in."

I did so, and found my youthful aspirant busily working at the plates of the "Practical Drawings of the Thames Tunnel." · "Hard at work, Master Rudolphe?"

"Ah," said my young friend, jumping up and shaking me heartily by the hand. "How glad I am that you have returned, and that you are safe and well."

"All right, Rudolphe."

As an

"Many thanks for your sketch of Mr. Brunel. acknowledgment of my gratitude, see, I have done that which I think will please you. I have translated your sketch, made additions, and have completed his biography in French."

"Bravo! That is praiseworthy, Rudolphe. But how get you on with the Thames Tunnel? Wonderful undertaking of Mr. Brunel !"

"Working every leisure hour, for I am anxious to have the Drawings published as soon as possible."

"Precipitancy is dangerous, Rudolphe. Take time, so that the result may be satisfactory. In such a case as this, a week sooner or later matters little-not that I would have you to procrastinate-a little every day, for each day, then, is a march

to perfection. I shall call upon my friend Mr. C. He will publish the Drawings, and, by using his influence, I doubt not but the result will prove profitable."

"If so," said Rudolphe, his bright eye beaming with hope, “that will enable me to give a present-a SURPRISE to my good dear mother!"

The Drawings were published, and Rudolphe's desire was gratified; the "surprise" was given to his beloved parent.

Time rolled on, and the patient perseverance of Rudolphe did not escape the keen eye of Mr. Brunel, who was a kind, good-hearted man; and, like all good and great men, took a delight in encouraging the assiduous and the deserving, and helping youth in their upward struggles.

Encouraged by the example of the energetic Brunel, and by his friendly words, "that persons may be highly gifted, and yet. never become either wise or great; that they may be placed in the most favourable circumstances for learning, and yet remain illiterate; but when there is found a laborious, inquiring spirit, with a determination to make the best of what is put into their possession or placed within their reach, though the talents originally given be small, and the privileges few, yet the result of exertion will be a superiority over those who, having golden advantages in the beginning, forfeit their prerogatives by indolence and neglect."

Encouraged by such sentiments and the innate kindness of Mr. Brunel, Rudolphe mastered the elements of mechanics, and became useful to his kind employer, who soon found means to place his abilities to a good account.

The rage for fresh railways, not only in England, but over the Continent, created a demand for engineering talent, and Mr. Brunel did not lose sight of his young protégé, for before Rudolphe had reached his twentieth year he was appointed engineer upon an important line of railway in Spain, which he carried out to the credit of Mr. Brunel and the entire satisfaction of the company.

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DEATH OF POOR RICHARD.

Rudolphe returned to England, when he devoted his spare time to the instruction of his brother Alfred in mechanics and the Spanish language; and both in mechanics and in the Spanish language Alfred proved himself an apt pupil.

"You must come and see us," said Rudolphe. "Mother wishes to see you, and little Richard is anxious that you should hear him speak French, that he may know the progress he has made; besides, he has translated a tale from the French which he thinks might suit the Mirror.”

"With pleasure, Rudolphe."

I called. The same happy home-the widow's smile and look of joy and contentment—even joy lit up the pale face of the little sufferer Richard. His bright eye sparkled as he addressed me in French, and when I praised his translation of the "Alpine Rose," his bosom heaved with joy.

“This will do,” I said. "You will see it in print next week.” Richard saw his " Alpine Rose" in print; but little did we know then how soon the spirit pent up in his fragile frame would burst its bonds for space and eternity!

Poor Richard! Thy aspirations had no sooner awakened than Death stepped in, and Heaven called the little sufferer for a fitter sphere.

This was a sad blow to the widow; but, like a prudent woman, she lived for the living, and alone and unobserved she mourned the dead. The home soon afterwards resumed its cheerful appearance, and the widow's heart was gladdened by the bright prospects that were now opening up for her three surviving sons. The merry laugh rang again, and the notes of the piano were heard mingling with Janet's soft, sweet voice.

Now and then, but rarely, might be seen in these scenes of joy, the tear rolling down the widow's cheek, and, as a struggling sigh swelled her bosom, she whisperingly articulated—

"POOR RICHARD!"

CHAPTER X.

UP AND AT IT.

THREE GOVERNING POWERS OF THE MIND-FAITH, PROMPTITUDE, AND DUTY.-THE RESULT.

LFRED by his pains and assiduity, soon qualified himself for his first and eventful step in life-the honourable fulfilment of his first situation; and the way he obtained it being exemplary, I will relate it, as he did to me, a few months ago.

"Well, Alfred," I said, not having seen him for many years, "how you are grown. Manly and intelligent, Alfred; two good recommendations."

6

"Me voici, as you used to say. I will never forget it. Poor dear mother, when she saw you coming, always said, Here's Mounseer Me Voici.'"

6

"Days gone by, Alfred; but I often think of your dear mother, and of the strong faith she had in Rudolphe's industry and perseverance. I shall never forget her words. 'As for Rudolphe, I am sure he will succeed in life, and that's the bright star that cheers my heart. His rise will be the uplifting of my little family. My heart tells me; and it will be so.'"

66 I remember it well. O that she had lived to share our welfare and our joys-had but lived to see her fond hopes realised! How happy she would have been!"

"But your mother, Alfred, was always happy."

Aye; she was seen smiling at sour adversity. She deemed it was the wisest course before us; but when she was alone I have observed the silent tear."

"You had a good mother, Alfred, which is youth's greatest boon. How many men there are who owe much of their rise in life to the judicious training and admonitions of an exemplary mother!"

"She was a good mother. How I mourned her death!” "No doubt; but remember, Alfred, the words of the ancient divine:-'There is that within us that whispers

G