appear most cheerful in each other's company; in fact, there are few flowers in the garden in better accord with each other, unless you disturb their harmony by some unwelcome intrusion: but just look at that dull bed of green, near the yellow flowers; on the right of which, near the sun-dial, you will see a similar bed, but then it is in conjunction with a cluster of the vivid red Verbena, which lights it up, as it were, with a borrowed splendour, and at once redeems it from the sombre appearance which characterises the former one. You have another good instance of what may be called an ill-matched alliance in yonder beds of Nasturtium and Purple Poppies: instead of the natural lively scarlet, the former assumes a dull orange tint, in consequence of a greenish-orange complement cast upon them; while the latter, oppressed by the greenish-purple complement of the Nasturtium, exhibit a tint almost as dull as wine-lees."

"You have not yet said one word about white flowers," observed Miss Villers.

"True, madam-generally speaking, a clump of white flowers seen apart will produce but little effect; when, however, they are suitably distributed amongst those whose colours have been judiciously contrasted, they will occasion a favourable impression; as, for instance, when dispersed among red and pink flowers, surrounded by verdure, or amongst groups of blue and orange, and of violet and yellow flowers; you will readily perceive that their optical influence will have the effect of extinguishing any excessive or undue reflection of white rays emanating from the neighbouring bright flowers, and would thereby purify and heighten their tone. M. Chevreul also observes that white flowers are the only ones that possess the advantage of heightening the tone of those which have but a light tint of any colour. They have, moreover, the advantage of separating all such flowers as are mutually injured by discordant colours. White exalts all colours by raising their tone,* while black produces the very opposite effect."

Miss Villers here begged to ask a question respecting the influence of predominating green.

Mr Seymour replied "that the green leaves of flowers did not interfere to the extent generally supposed, since, as soon as the eye distinctly and simultaneously sees two colours in a rich flower-bed, the attention is so riveted upon them, that it passes without notice the

* A reviewer in the Quarterly has | White was his prevailing element, and observed that the façade of the Renais- every colour told with a magical intensance Court in the Crystal Palace, owessity against it. In this also consists the its beauty to the preponderance of white, against which the tenderest colouring tells with a brilliancy otherwise unattainable. This was the secret spell of that extraordinary magician, Turner.

secret charm of old-painted glass, in which white light will be found predominant. If an example be required, we can refer to the marvellous windows of King's College Chapel in Cambridge.

contiguous objects which lie in a receding plane, and are of a sombre colour; besides which, it is a fact that green, in juxtaposition with a mass of bright yellow and blue, so nearly loses its colour as to be scarcely recognised, and will certainly not intrude with any optical impertinence."

"After the valuable lesson we have received," said the major, "I think we shall be able to improve greatly the arrangement of my garden. You will be pleased, my dear Sir, to accept my best thanks -and what says Miss Villers?"

"That Madam Flora holds a most punctilious court; and expects her flaunting subjects to adopt their costume in strict accordance with the coloured dresses with which they may be brought into contact," answered the lady.

To whom Mr Seymour replied, "That Flora was not the only sovereign distinguished by such exactions."

"I understand your allusion," said Miss Villers: "you would intimate that the optical principles you have explained might admit of a wider range of application than that which comprehends the domain of Flora: that they might, for instance, suggest to my sex a more harmonious mixture in their coloured ribands and dresses."

"No doubt-Count Rumford long ago made a similar observation; but, strange to say, it has passed unheeded. I fully hope, however, that the exertions of the new 'School of Design,' aided by the admirable instructions of M. Chevreul, will introduce a purer taste as regards the harmony and disposition of colours, not only in dress, but in furniture, and every species of decoration-but what thinks the vicar ?"

"That you have well performed the part of the Sibyl, and safely conducted us through Elysian fields, wherein you have introduced us to phantoms and spectral forms of the highest interest for our instruction, no less than for our amusement; and, as truth alone has been the object we have sought, it only remains for you to dismiss us safely through the appropriate portal.”

"I quite understand your meaning," said Mr Seymour, "though artfully concealed under the shadow of the Muses' wing. You admit the truth of the optical theory I have expounded, but would, at the same time, caution us against the danger of being led by the fascinations of fancy to an exaggerated estimate of the importance of its applications; a caution which I can assure you I very sincerely appreciate."

Tom's holidays were now drawing to a close, and the children were summoned into the library to receive their last lesson in philosophy. "You have lately witnessed an experiment," said Mr Seymour, "which must have convinced you how liable the ear is to be deluded with respect to the nature and direction of sound; I shall now show you that the eye has also its sources of fallacy."

"If you proceed in this manner, you will make us Cartesians!"* exclaimed the vicar.

"I shall illustrate my subject by means of a new toy which I have lately invented," said Mr Seymour: "and unless I am much mistaken, it will afford as much amusement to the elder as to the younger members of our party, although the vicar may perhaps regard it as a more hostile instrument than even that of the wooden horse which filled unhappy Troy with an armed enemy. It is a small machine," continued Mr Seymour, "which is well calculated to furnish us with some capital puns and well-pointed epigrams."

"With puns!" exclaimed the horrified vicar, who no sooner heard this appalling declaration, than, like another Laocoon, he deprecated the introduction of the "donum exitiale" within the walls of Overton Lodge. But his hostility was soon disarmed, not by the circumvolutions of a snake around the body of the enraged orator, but by the embraces of little Rosa, who threw her arms around the neck of the vicar with such supplicating grace, that at length he exclaimed, "Well, well; if it be the decree of the Fates, I must submit." During this altercation, Mr Seymour had procured the "wooden engine" from his study.

* The Cartesians maintained that the senses were the great sources of deception; that everything with which they

present us ought to be suspected as false, or at least dubious, until our reason has confirmed the report.

"I will first," said he, “exhibit the toy in its original state, and then show you the improvements which have been effected in it."

"Let us hear the account of its operation," said the major, “which I perceive is enclosed within the box."

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True," replied Mr Seymour; "and I think you will agree that I have given a very plausible explanation of its effects.”

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Plausible," muttered the vicar, "plausible enough, no doubt; oh, the Sinon !"

Mr Seymour then proceeded.

TROPE.

"This toy is termed the THAUMA

"Of Grecian origin!" observed the vicar.

dona ferentes,' as Virgil has it."

"Timeo Danaos et

"What is the meaning of the term?" asked Louisa.

The vicar explained to her that it was compounded of the Greek words favμa and тpéπw; the former of which signified wonder; the latter, to turn.

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Exactly," replied Mr Seymour: “ a Wonder-turner,' or a toy which performs wonders by turning round: but let me proceed in the explanation." He then continued to read as follows:-" This philosophical toy is founded upon the well-known optical principle, that an impression made on the retina of the eye lasts for a short interval after the object which produced it has been withdrawn. During the rapid whirling of the card, the figures on each of its sides are presented with such quick transition, that they both appear at the same instant, and thus occasion a very striking and magical effect. On each of these cards a device is introduced, with an appropriate motto or epigram; the point of which is answered, or explained, by the change which the figure assumes during the rapid whirling of the card."

"It may be very clever," said the vicar, "but I do not understand it."

"But you shortly will; look at one of the cards."

Mr Seymour then displayed a pasteboard circle, on one side of

which was figured a rat, and on the other a cage: two strings were fastened in its axis, by which the card could easily be made to

revolve, by means of the thumb and finger. Fearing that some of our readers may be as dull of comprehension as the vicar, we have introduced a sketch of the apparatus, in which both sides of the card are exhibited, with the strings by which it is whirled round.

No sooner had Mr Seymour put the card in motion, than the vicar, in a tone of the greatest surprise, exclaimed, "Magic! magic! I declare the rat is in the cage !!"

"And what is the motto ?" asked Louisa.

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Why is this rat like an opposition member in the House of Commons who joins the ministry ?" replied Mr Seymour.

"Ha, ha, ha !—excellent!" cried the major, as he read the following answer: "Because, by turning round he gains a snug berth, but ceases to be free."

"The very reverse to what occurred in ancient Rome, where the slave became free by turning round," observed the vicar.

The vicar, no doubt, alluded to the custom of making a freeman, as described by Persius; from which it appears, that the clapping a cap on the head, and giving him a turn on the heel, were necessary circumstances. A slave thus qualified became a citizen of Rome, and was honoured with a name more than belonged to any of his forefathers, which Persius has repeated with a great deal of humour in his fifth satire :

Heu steriles veri, quibus una Quiritem
Vertigo facit !"

"That false enfranchisement with ease is found;
Slaves are made citizens by turning round."

DRYDEN.

"If we may trust the late report of the American Congress, your 'Thaumatrope' has also found a political application on the other side of the Atlantic," observed the major; "for it would appear that the Honourable Member of Ohio told the Honourable Member of Carolina, whom he twitted with sudden tergiversation, that he reminded him of the boy who turned round so fast, that the hinder parts of his dress were on both sides at once." +

Mr Seymour here sarcastically observed that "it was not necessary to travel beyond Palace Yard for an illustration equally, if not still more, appropriate."

"Show us another card," said Tom, eagerly.

“Here, then, is a watch-box; when I turn it round, you will see the watchman comfortably sleeping at his post."

"Very good! It is very surprising," said the vicar.

"Yes," observed the major; “and to carry on your political joke,

* Hence the Cap became the symbol of Liberty. The Athenian slave received a ring on his liberation.

tTimes, March 2, 1852.