points to the square lake in the open yard, are modern appliances of art. Their utility where a strong fellow stands, naked up to is seen in the extensive and everyday his thighs, with a long pole in his hands, increasing demand for them. Messrs. Bevingpointed with a bullock's horn. This wea- ton and Morris claim the merit, if not of inpon he uses to cleanse the skin floating on troducing, yet of bringing under public the water before him. 'Look, what a fine notice, the material called 'aloe fibre.' It is woolly skin it is,' the young manager says; obtained from the leaf of a species of aloe, is 'it will be as white as snow when he has exceedingly strong, and lighter in colour, of washed it.' He does not bestow unmerited a finer thread, and more even, than the praise. The wool, when its greasiness is fibre of the cocoa-nut. But we are at the beguiled out by means of scrubbing with end of our foolscap. the bullock's horn, and soap applications When the myriad hands set to work in the and water, is beautifully white. In the leather manufacture, the value in gross, heated chamber, where the skins are put amounting to twenty millions sterling per when they have been stretched upon square annum, are regarded, together with the frames, he picks out one amongst hundreds complicated and lengthened preparations as quite a prize for dimensions. It is the leather submits to, and the antiquity of the biggest sheep-skin in England; yet it isn't art-for that skins were amongst the first so big as one we had in the Exhibition.' coverlits of mankind, and a process known, Gratifying him by our astonishment as well therefore, to save them from putrefaction, as we are able, he leads us to the men there can be no doubt-and, finally, when scraping the slime off the flesh side, which the end of this terrifically long disquisition is the heat has caused to work up. He is evi- reached, the adventurous reader will certaindently proud of his position over men much ly cry, 'Surely, surely, there is nothing like older than himself, and enters into the leather.' details of manipulations like a master-man. We follow him through his dyeing processes, PRAYER BARRELS.-The Buddhisos, in all self-working, and listen to his gratula- Tartary, have a method of simplifying piltions on his own skill. Speaking of another grimage and devotional rites. In all the manufacturing firm, he evinces his disdain Lamaseries you find at short intervals figures of them for not being 'scientific,' and for in the form of barrels, and turning upon an doing everything in old fashion. His chief axle. The material of these figures is a thick triumph is in the dyeing-house. It has ever board, composed of a vast number of sheets been held impossible to dye a skin black; of paper pasted together, and on which are but he has achieved it, and believes no one written in the Thibetian character, the most has done so besides. reputed prayers throughout the country. We wonder that these wool-mats are not The pilgrim or devotee has therefore only to commoner in England. Our transatlantic see these barrels whirling prayers for him, cousins appreciate more than we their pecu- and may then eat, drink, sleep, or indulge liar richness and beauty. Glancing over himself in any other way he chooses. Somethe stores in the show-room, and examining times two parties arrive at the barrel tothe deep, thick borders with which women-gether and a furious quarrel ensues, until an workers are fringing them, we feel that old Lama terminates the dispute, by turning nothing more silky soft ever touched our the barrel himself for their joint benefit. hand-nothing more magnificently bright| ever met our gaze. PLOUGH MONDAY.-The first Monday after Epiphany, on which day it was usual to ex As if the numberless branches of business amine the ploughs and other agricultural upon which we have expatiated were not implements. Until recently the ploughman sufficient to harass the heads of a large in England were accustomed to gather at establishment, an extensive manufacture of noon, and, with blackened faces and in fancocoa-nut fibre and aloe fibre matting is an- tastie gear beg plough money from door to nexed to the Rouel Tanneries. Both these door. "AT THY PERIL." "Am I my brother's keeper ?" Dost drink the ruby wine, Where wealth and splendour shine. "Art thou thy brother's keeper?" Life's page to thee reads fair, And other tales lie there. How drags thy brother's life? These sordid roofs beneath, Mocked by thy banquet's shine. Say'st thou, "Such ills are nameless, They touch not such as we !" Alas! canst Thou be blameless, That things like this should be? "Art thou thy brother's keeper?" One course the foe doth run, Nor Volga's stream nor Dnieper Bars out this ruthless Hun. Who shall the myriads number, This "Scourge of God" may kill? While sunk in selfish slumber Securely dream ye still? Thou ART thy brother's keeper, This charge thou canst not flee, A reckoning stern and deep. Then first from careless sleep! THE FIRST GRENADIER OF FRANCE. CHAPTER I.-THE POOR BLIND MAN. On the morning of the 15th of May, in the year 1756, the sun rose in all its splendour over the fertile plains of Brittany; upon the roof of every house in the little village of Charhaix were reflected the brilliant rays. It was Sunday, on which sacred day all the schools were closed, and the numerous children, belonging to the better class of families in the neighbourhood, taking advantage of the beauty of the morning, had assembled together, and like a flight of birds liberated from their cages, had hastened to the green fields to engage in a sham battle. It was a pretty and interesting sight to behold the juvenile band, in all the buoyancy and joyousness of youth, and enthusiasm of the moment, marching off à la militaire, some in the strict order of a well-disciplined regiment of infantry, and others bestriding pasteboard horses, like the sham steeds at Astley's, prancing about as cavalry, all being clad in paper uniforms, and carrying wooden sabres and assuming the fierce moustache provided on the occasion by the aid of burnt cork. The " scene of action" having been reached, the parties took up their respective positions. The attack commenced, and amid the general din a stout battle was fought. Shrill were the pigmy words of command, to advance to the charge, or retreat, given by the youthful leaders, who endeavoured in vain to deepen their voices as though to impart solemnity to the mimic scene, and occasionally might be heard the rallying cry after a partial reverse; so that the battle was energetically persevered in, until at length the contending forces, finding themselves exhausted by the severity of the engagement, came to a truce, and sat down upon the cool refreshing grass (the field of battle) for momentary repose. After a slight cessation of hostilities, one of the most spirited of the army of "young France," who had scarcely recovered his breath (and whose chubby face was besmeared with paint which the heat had caused to run further than was anticipated), evinced a seeming inclination to resume the combat ere the rays of the declining sun Refusal was out of the question, and the had disappeared beyond the horizon. The mischievous youngster was obliged to dehours of sweet freedom and recreation liver up the contents of his purse to his bold caused the day to appear short to him, and companion, who, after allowing the former at length he broke silence, exclaiming, -burning with shame and anger—to rise from his vanquished position, advanced to What shall we play at now?" "It's tedions," said another, "to be al- wards the blind man, adjusted the cord round ways playing at the same game. the dog's neck, and drawing from his own pocket double the pieces of money he had forced from his thoughtless playmate, said, in good-natured tone. "Hold!" observed a third, "look yonder at the old blind man approaching towards us; look at his spaniel!" Is he not ugly!" cried the children. Here, my good man this will purchase At this moment the old man, who was you bread for some time to come. My within a few paces of them, approached close friend is willing through this means to atone to the juvenile camp, and adressing the for his fault by doing you good.” youngsters in a supplicating tone, said,- The venerable recipient of this unexpected Charity, if you please, my little gentle- donation had not retired many paces, when men, charity;" and his dog, with the intelli- the children surrounded their gence natural to its species, seemed to comrade. assume a sorrowful and resigned counte nance. generous 'But," said they, "Maurice did not give half the money that you offered the old man Meanwhile the mischievous idea entered in his name." into the head of one of the children to cut "Well, what does that matter," replied the the string attached to the dog's collar and noble boy disdainfully; "I could not handrelease the animal from its blind owner, for somely accuse my companion of both which purpose the boy raised himself from cowardice and avarice at the same moment.” the grass and drew a knife from his pocket. Some pieces which had dropped from the Most of his companions, without reflection, pocket of Maurice during the scuffle proved responded to the proposal with loud huzzas, he was unwilling to give up all, and hence when, on instant, one of the party started general enthusiasm was felt for the young up, with pale anger and indignation. hero of the day. "You shall not do it," cried he, "you shall not commit so unworthy an action." "Who dares prevent me ?" said the other, at the same moment suiting the action to the word by severing the cord. a "La Tour d'Auvergne !" exclaimed all in one loud chorus, "you're a brave fellow; we appoint you our general, and you shall command us!" 66 I prefer to remain a private soldier !” CHAPTER II.-THE HERO. But Tour d'Auvergne declined to accept The old blind man, feeling himself no longer the proffered honour, and laughing he reguided by his faithful dog, uttered lament- plied able cries, and the poor animal, regretting| the liberty that had been given him in spite of himself, licked mournfully the hand of his afflicted master. No life had ever been turned to better "You are a coward thus to attack and in- account than that of Tour d'Auvergne, the sult the blind," cried the boy who had child-destined in maturer years to figure as refused to listen to the proposal, and rushing a distinguished soldier; no soul could be upon his comrade and throwing him down more generous, no heart more courageous upon his knees, in which position he held and disinterested. The hero of modern days him, he exclaimed,— plainness, the warriors of Like schylus-at once a Now, repair your fault, and give this ancient times. old man the money you have in your purse; writer and a soldier-Tour d'Auvergne I hear some crowns chinking in your knew how to handle the pen as well as the pocket." sword; and the same hand that in the up his morning had grasped the sabre was in the presented himself. It was Tour d'Auvergne. evening devoted to writing works of erudition "We desire," said he, addressing the and talent. enemy, "to evacuate our quarters with all In the year 1781, Tour d'Auvergne was the honours of war; with arms and baggage, admitted as a volunteer into the army of drums beating, and colours flying." Spain that besieged Mahon, then in the power These conditions were acceded to by the of the British. He refused to accept of either Austrian chief, who accordingly drew rank or recompense, although he contributed men in two lines to receive the devoted garmaterially towards the success of the enter-rison of the windmill. Tour d'Auvergne prise. He signalized himself by acts of then slowly descended the steps of the mill, great bravery; nevertheless, he only sought with musket shouldered, and passing bean inward satisfaction, rather than the praise tween the double ranks of the enemy's of his superiors or the applause of the crowd. bayonets, presented himself before the On another occasion, being surprised and Austrian officer. taken prisoner by the English the officer "Well!" observed the commander, wanted to deprive him of his cockade; but "where, then, is the garrison?" Tour d'Auvergne, indignantly snatching it from his cap, attached it to the point of his sword, exclaiming, "There it is! tell him to come and take it !" "Here it is!" replied Tour d' Auvergne, raising his hand, à la militaire, to his cap. "But where is it, then?" again asked the officer. Here" repeated Tour d'Auvergne. "What! you alone?" observed the Aus At the period of the French revolution, Tour d'Auvergne was made a captain, his modesty and simplicity dictating the re-trian. fusal of a coloneley which was offered him; "I alone was in the windmill," rejoined and it was at the head of his company, after- the veteran; I was the only garrison!" wards distinguished as "The Infernal CoIt was then that Napoleon, admiring the lumn," that he led the assault, and on several courage of the soldier and not knowing how occasions routed the battalions of the ene- to recompense him worthily for his gallant my. At length, old and fatigued, he had deeds, conferred on Tour d'Auvergne the quitted the army and returned to Paris, title of "First Grenadier of France;" sendwhere he learnt that the son of his friend ing him at the same time a sabre of honour was about to depart for the war as a conscript. in compliment of his services. The brave Tour d'Auvergne, however, without a mo- grenadier, desiring still further to shew his ment's hesitation, engaged himself as a sub-appreciation of the honours thus conferred stitute, and enrolling himself once more as a on him, persisted-in spite of his age and volunteer, hastened, with knapsack on his suffering-in remaining with the army of back, to rejoin as a private that army in operations. which he had fought as a superior officer. "I ought not to die in my bed," he said to France was at that time at war with his friends; I ought rather perish on the Austria, and Tour d'Auvergne, now fifty field of battle in the midst of my brave years of age, found the opportunity of again comrades!" displaying his energy and boldness. A These heroic words of Tour d'Auvergne party of Hungarian grenadiers were de- were fulfilled on the 25th of June, 1800. He sirous of seizing upon a windmill, in which fell, mortally wounded, having been pierced had been placed a store of arms and a with a lance: and thus was his prediction quantity of gunpowder; but so sharp and realised. deadly was the fire kept up from within, that The old soldiers of the army-they of the the Hungarians were compelled to retire, grey moustache and furrowed brow, who had with much loss. At length, after many never shed a tear since the days of their hours of heroic defence, the besieged gar- childhood, wept for their illustrious comrison in the mill demanded permission to panion-in-arms, and went into military capitulate; a window opened, and a soldier mourning for his loss. His sabre of honour was deposited amid pomp in the Hotel des racter, her personal beauty, and her unosInvalides, Paris, and his name was honour- tentatious charities in this city of beggars. ably retained on the regimental roll. His The authorities who took the matter in hand heart, enclosed in a golden case, was en- to investigate, were entirely at a loss for a trusted to the senior sergeant, whose post long time as to what possible motive could was that next to the ensign, bearing the have influenced the perpetrator of the deed. colours of the forty-sixth demi-brigade: and It could not have been robbery, as there was every day at parade, at the call of the name not the least article disturbed; the deed alone of "Théophile-Malo Corret de la Tour d' was the purpose of whoever had entered the Auvergne," the oldest of the grenadier com- girl's room in the night. At least this was pany responded, 'Died upon the field of the conclusion arrived at. honour!" Surette, the girl's name, was the subject How much more affecting than any monu- of much general admiration, and received ment of brass or marble is this strange frequent and decided attentions from many tribute to the memory of a heroic soldier! A SILENT WITNESS. youthful admirers, among whom was Carlo Stozzi, whom the neighbours of Surette accredited as the favoured lover, though this was simply conjecture on their part, inasI was a resident of Rome in the winter of much as she was a truly modest girl, and 1839, pursuing a course of law study that did not talk of these matters to any one. On was pertinent to a purpose at that time influ- the morning after the murder, Carlo Stozzi encing me; and my associations necessarily was found among the lamenting throng, as brought me very often into the petty courts sad and apparently broken-hearted as he of the city, where criminals were most sum- might be supposed to be on such an occamarily tried, often being sentenced to the sion, and yet for some reason which did not death penalty and executed in the same appear to me, the police regarded him, as it hour. But at that time the populace were in a peculiarly fermented condition, and every third person was suspected as a conspirator; the dungeons being thronged the while with innocent and guilty, thrown indiscriminately together. seemed, with searching glances, and at last. arrested him, and he was brought before the court charged with the murder of Surette. His asservations to the contrary were boisterously persisted in, and he boldly demanded the proof, challenging scrutiny with an unNotwithstanding this sad state of affairs, blushing front and apparent indignation. The justice was not unfrequently meted out to fellow seemed to me at this stage of the prothose on trial with great skill, judgment, ceedings to be innocent, but it appeared that and actual knowledge of human nature. It the judges understood these things better. was a fine school for my purpose, and IA few witnesses were examined-the prigained much experience for after service in soner was proved, or at least partially so, to the five months which I passed in the "Eter- have been seen coming from the vicinity of nal City." It was while in attendance at the house at midnight, on the night of the one of these petty courts, as they were desig- murder, but he instantly produced a witness nated, and yet where cases involving the pe- on his own part who swore most straightfornalty of life and death were constantly being wardly, and unhesitatingly, that Carlo Stoztried, that I witnessed a scene that has sug-zi was with him at that hour, before and gested the title with which I have prefaced after it, for a long period, in another part of the city. The witness evidently spoke honA fearful and singular murder had been estly, and the judges for a moment seemed committed by some foul wretch the previous puzzled, and whispered together in consultanight in the outskirts of the city, upon the tion. person of a young and beautiful girl of humble rank in life, but who was yet well known in her neighbourhood for her excellent cha this sketch. An officer was quietly summoned to the seat of the judges, and some directions were whispered to him, after which the prisoner |