S. L. CLEMENS. within a mile around that likes military | And if the child is but the prophecy of the music at three in the morning. And when man, there are mighty few will doubt that he you had been keeping this sort of thing up succeeded. two or three hours, and your little velvethead intimated that nothing suited him like exercise and noise,-"Go on!"-what did you do? You simply went on, till you disappeared in the last ditch. The idea that a baby doesn't amount to anything! Why, one baby is just a house and a front-yard full by itself. One baby can furnish more business than you and your whole interior department can attend to. He is enterprising, irrepressible, brimful of lawless activities. Do what you please, you can't make him stay on the reservation. Sufficient unto the day is one baby;-as long as you are in your mind don't you ever pray for twins. Yes, it was high time for a toast-master to recognize the importance of the babies. Think what is in store for the present crop. Fifty years hence we shall all be dead, I trust, and then this flag, if it still survive,— let us hope it may-will be floating over a republic numbering 200,000,000 souls, according to the settled laws of our increase; our present schooner of state will have grown into a political leviathan-a Great Easternand the cradled babies of to-day will be on deck. Let them be well trained, for we are going to leave a big contract on their hands. Among the three or four million cradles now rocking in the land are some which this nation would preserve for ages as sacred things, if we could know which ones they are. In one of these cradles the unconscious Farragut of the future is at this moment teething-think of it!-and putting in a world of dead-earnest, unarticulated, but perfectly justifiable profanity over it, too; in another the future great historian is lying-and doubtless he will continue to lie until his earthly mission is ended; in another the future President is busying himself with no profounder problem of state than what the mischief has become of his hair so early; and in a mighty array of other cradles there are now some 60,000 future office-seekers getting ready to furnish him occasion to grapple with that same old problem a second time; and in still one more cradle, somewhere under the flag, the future illustrious commander-in-chief of the American armies is so little burdened with his approaching grandeurs and responsibilities as to be giving his whole strategic mind, at this moment, to trying to find out some way to get his own big toe into his mouth,achievement which (meaning no disrespect) the illustrious guest of this evening turned his whole attention to some fifty-six years ago. -an PARAPHRASE FROM SENECA. Let him that will, ascend the tottering seat "BUDGE'S VERSION OF THE FLOOD." A CHAPTER FROM "HELEN'S BABIES." That afternoon I devoted to making a bouquet for Miss Mayton, and a most delightful occupation I found it. It was no florist's bouquet, composed of only a few kinds of flowers, wired upon sticks, and arranged according to geometric pattern. I used many a rare flower, too shy of bloom to recommend itself to florists; I combined tints almost as numerous as the flowers were, and perfumes to which city bouquets are utter strangers. At length it was finished, but my delight suddenly became clouded by the dreadful thought, "What will people say?" Ah! I had it. I had seen in one of the library-drawers a small pasteboard box, shaped like a bandbox; doubtless that would hold it. I found the box; it was of just the size I needed, I dropped my card into the bottom-no danger of a lady not finding the card accompanying a gift of flowers-neatly fitted the bouquet in the center of the box, and went in search of Mike. He winked cheeringly as I explained the nature of his errand, and he whispered: "I'll do it as clane as a whistle, yer honor. Mistress Clarkson's cook and mesilf understhand each other, an' I'm used to goin' up the back way. Niver a man can see but the angels, an' they won't tell." "Very well, Mike; here's a dollar for you; you'll find the box on the hat-rack, in the hall." Toddie disappeared somewhere, after supper, and came back very disconsolate. "Can't find my dolly's k'adle," he whined. "Never mind, old pet," said I soothingly. "Uncle will ride you on his foot." 64 But I want my dolly's k'adle," said he, piteously rolling out his lower lip. "Don't you want me to tell you a story?" For a moment Toddie's face indicated a terrible internal conflict between old Adam and mother Eve; but curiosity finally overpowered natural depravity, and Toddie murmured: "Yesh." "What shall I tell you about?" "Bout Nawndeark." "About what??" "He means Noah an' the ark," exclaimed Budge. "Datsh what I shay-Nawndeark," declared Toddie. "Well," said I, hastily refreshing my memory by picking up the Bible-for Helen, like most people, is pretty sure to forget to pack her Bible when she runs away from home for a few days-" well, once it rained forty days and nights, and everybody was drowned from the face of the earth excepting Noah, a righteous man, who was saved with all his family, in an ark which the Lord commanded him to build." "Uncle Harry," said Budge, after contemplating me with open eyes and mouth for at least two minutes after I had finished, "do you think that's Noah?" Certainly, Budge; here's the whole story in the Bible.' 66 'Well, I don't think it's Noah one single bit," said he, with increasing emphasis. "I'm beginning to think we read different Bibles, Budge; but let's hear your version." "Huh?" "Tell me about Noah, if you know so much about him." "I will, if you want me to. Once the Lord felt so uncomfortable cos folks was bad that he was sorry he ever made anybody, or any world or anything, But Noah wasn't bad; the Lord liked him first-rate, so he told Noah to build a big ark, and then the Lord would make it rain so everybody should be drownded but Noah an' his little boys an' An' girls, an' doggies an' pussies an' mammacows an' little-boy-cows an' little-girl-cows an' hosses an' everything; they'd go in the ark an' wouldn't get wetted a bit when it rained. An' Noah took lots of things to eat in the ark-cookies an' milk an' oatmeal an' strawberries an' porgies an'-oh, yes, plumpuddings an' pumpkin-pies. But Noah didn't want everybody to get drownded so he talked to the folks' and said, "It's goin' to rain awful pretty soon; you'd better be good, an' then the Lord'll let you come into my ark.' they jus' said, 'Oh! if it rains we'll go in the house till it stops;' an' other folks said, We ain't afraid of rain; we've got an umbrella.' An' some more said they wasn't goin' to be afraid of just a rain. But it did rain though, an' folks went in their houses, an' the water came in, an' they went upstairs, an' the water came up there, an' they got on the tops of the houses, an' up in big trees, an' up in mountains, an' the water went after 'em everywhere an' drownded everybody, only just except Noah an' the people in the ark. An' it rained forty days and nights, an' then it stopped, an' Noah got out of the ark, an' he an' his little boys and girls went wherever they wanted to, an' everything in the world was all theirs; there wasn't anybody to tell 'em to go home, nor no kindergarten schools to go to, nor no bad boys to fight 'em, nor nothin'. Now tell us 'nother story." "An' I want my dolly's k'adle. Ocken Hawwy, I wants my dolly's k'adle, tause my dolly's in it, an' I want to shee her," interrupted Toddie. Just then came a knock at the door. "Come in!" I shouted. In stepped Mike, with an air of the greatest secrecy, handed me a letter and the identical box in which I had sent the flowers to Miss Mayton. What could it mean? I hastily opened the envelope, and at the same time Toddie shrieked : "Oh, darsh my dolly's k'adle-dare tizh !" snatched and opened the box, and displayedhis doll! My heart sickened, and did not regain its strength during the perusal of the following note: Miss Mayton herewith returns to Mr. Burton the package which just arrived, with his card. She recognizes the contents as a portion of the apparent property of one of Mr. Burton's nephews, but is unable to understand why it should have been sent to her. "JUNE 20, 1875." "Toddie," I roared, as my younger nephew caressed his loathsome doll, and murmured endearing words to it, "where did you get that box?" There lives no thought in marble like to thee! Is but a marble dream, and dreams are all Ay, Adam and his offspring, in the toils The awful energies, and plant their fangs To cure the world's great woe were all the powers That they had found the topmost fact of life, The vengeance of his God, and summoned forth That listened and applauded, knowing not That high above the small significance They apprehended, rose the grand intent That mourned their doom and breathed a world's despair! Be sure it was no fable that inspired So grand an utterance. Perchance some leaf Springing from one beginning. Nay, perchance That to his lot was linked through countless time J. G. HOLLAND. THE TREACHERY OF METTIUS AND ITS PUNISHMENT. The peace after the combat between the Horatii and the Curiatii which resulted in a treaty of peace between the Romans and the Albans, was not of long continuance. The dissatisfaction of the multitude, on account of the power and fortune of the state having been hazarded on three champions, perverted the unsteady mind of the dictator; and as his designs, though honourable, had not been crowned with success, he endeavoured, by others of a different kind, to recover the esteem of his countrymen. With this view, therefore, as formerly, in time of war, he had sought peace, so now, when peace was established, he as ardently wished for war: but, perceiving that his own state possessed more courage than strength, he persuaded other nations to make war, openly, by order of their governments, reserving to his own people the part of effecting their purposes, by the dismay of the other wing. Neither could they withstand his attack, and the river intercepting them behind, prevented a this, in their retreat, some, shamefully throwing away their arms, plunged desperately into the water, and the rest, hesitating on the bank, irresolute whether to fight or fly, were overpowered and cut off. Never before had the Romans been engaged in so desperate an action. When all was over, the Alban troops, who had been spectators of the engagement, marched down into the plain, and Mettius congratulated Tullus on his victory over the enemy. Tullus answered him, without shewing any sign of displeasure, and gave orders that the Albans should, with the favour of fortune, join their camp with that of "the Romans, and appointed a sacrifice of purification to be performed next day. As soon as it was light, all things being prepared in the usual manner, he commanded both armies to be summoned to an assembly. The heralds, beginning at the outside, summoned the Albans first; and they, struck with the novelty of the affair, and wishing to hear the Roman king delivering a speech, took their places nearest to him: the Roman troops, under arms, pursuant to directions previously given, formed a circle round them, and a charge was given to the centurions to execute without delay such orders as they should receive. Then Tullus began in this manner; .. If ever, Romans, there has hitherto occurred, at any time, or in any war, an occasion that called on you to return thanks, first, to the immortal gods, and, next, to your own valour, it was the battle of yesterday: for ye had to struggle not only with your enemies, but, what is a more difficult and dangerous struggle, with the treachery and perfidy of your allies for I will now undeceive you; it was not by my order that the Albans withdrew to the mountains, nor was what ye heard me say, the issuing of orders, but a stratagem, and a pretext of having given orders, to the end that while ye were kept in ignorance of your being deserted, your attention might not by treachery, under the mask of allies. The Fidenatians, a Roman colony, being assured of the concurrence of the Veientians, and receiving from the Albans a positive engage-precipitate flight. As soon as they reached ment to desert to their side, were prevailed on to take arms and declare war. Fidena having thus openly revolted, Tullus, after summoning Mettius and his army from Alba, | marched against the enemy, and passing the Anio, pitched his camp at the conflux of the rivers. Between that place, and Fidenæ, the Veientians had crossed the Tiber, and, in the line of battle, they composed the right wing near the river, the Fidenatians being posted on the left towards the mountains. Tullus drew up his own men facing the Veientians, and posted the Albans opposite to the troops of the Fidenatians. The Alban had not more resolution than fidelity, so that, not daring either to keep his ground, or openly to desert, he filed off slowly towards the mountains. When he thought he had proceeded to a sufficient distance, he ordered the whole line to halt, and being still irresolute, in order to waste time, he employed himself in forming the ranks: his scheme was to join his forces to whichever of the parties fortune should favour with victory. At first, the Romans who stood nearest were astonished at finding their flank left uncovered, by the departure of their allies, and, in a short time, a horseman at full speed brought an account to the King that the Albans were retreating. Tullus, in this perilous juncture, vowed to institute twelve new Salian priests, and also to build temples to Paleness and Terror; then, rebuking the horseman with a loud voice, that the enemy might hear, he ordered him to return to the fight, telling him, that "there was no occasion for any uneasiness; that it was by his order the Alban army was wheeling round, in order to fall upon the unprotected rear of the Fidenatians." He commanded him, also, to order the cavalry to raise their spears aloft; and, this being performed, intercepted, from a great part of the infantry, the view of the Alban army retreating; while those who did see them, believing what the King had said, fought with the greater spirit. The fright was now trans-be drawn away from the fight; and that, at ferred to the enemy, for they had heard what the King had spoken aloud, and many of the Fidenatians understood the Latine tongue, as having been intermixed with Romans in the colony. Wherefore, dreading lest the Albans might run down suddenly from the hills, and cut off their retreat to the town, they betook themselves to flight. Tullus pressed them close, and after routing this wing composed of the Fidenatians, turned back with double fury against the Veientians, now disheartened the same time, the enemy, believing themselves to be surrounded on the rear, might be struck with terror and dismay: but the guilt which I am exposing to you, extends not to all the Albans: they followed their leader, as ye would have done, had I chosen that the army should make any movement from the ground which it occupied. Mettius there was the leader of that march, the same Mettius was the schemer of this war. Mettius it was who broke the league between the On Romans and Albans. May others dare to commit like crimes, if I do not now make him a conspicuous example to all mankind." this the centurions in arms gathered round Mettius, and the King proceeded in his discourse: Albans, be the measure prosperous, fortunate, and happy to the Roman people, to me, and to you; it is my intention to remove the entire people of Alba to Rome, to give to the commons the privileges of citizens, and to enroll the principal inhabitants among the fathers, to form of the whole one city, one republic. As the state of Alba, from being one people, was heretofore divided into two, so let these be now re-united." On hearing this, the Alban youth who were unarmed, and surrounded by armed troops, however different their sentiments were, yet, being all restrained by the same apprehensions, kept a profound silence. Tullus then said, "Mettius Fuffetius, if you were capable of learning to preserve faith, and a regard to treaties, I should suffer you to live, and supply you with instructions; but your disposition is incurable: let your punishment, then, teach mankind to consider those things as sacred, which you have dared to violate. As, therefore, you lately kept your mind divided between the interest of the Fidenatians and of the Romans, so shall you now have your body divided and torn in pieces.' Then two chariots being brought, each drawn by four horses, he tied Mettius extended at full length, to the carriages of them, and the horses being driven violently in different directions, bore away on each carriage part of his mangled body, with the limbs which were fastened by the cords. The eyes of all were turned with horror from this shocking spectacle. This was the first, and the last, instance among the Romans, of any punishment inflicted without regard to the laws of humanity. In every other case, we may justly boast, that no nation in the world has shewn greater mildness. THE CLOSING SCENE. THOMAS BUCHANAN READ, LIVY. THOMAS BUCHANAN READ, an American painter and poet, born in Pennsylvania, 1822, died in New York, 1872. Many volumes of his poems have appeared from 1847 to 1867, and he edited in 1848 a collection of the "Female Poets of America." Within the sober realm of leafless trees, The russet year inhaled the dreamy air; The gray barns looking from their hazy hills, All sights were mellowed and all sounds subdued, The embattled forests, erewhile armed with gold, Withdrawn afar in Time's remotest blue. On somber wings the vulture tried his flight; The sentinel cock upon the hillside crew,— His alien horn, and then was heard no more. Where erst the jay, within the elm's tall crest, By every light wind like a censer swung, The busy swallows circling ever near,— Foreboding, as the rustic mind believes, An early harvest and a plenteous year; Where every bird that waked the vernal feast All now was sunless, empty, and forlorn. Alone, from out the stubble, piped the quail; Made echo in the distance to the cottage-loom. There was no bud, no bloom upon the bowers; Amid all this-in this most dreary air, And where the woodbine shed upon the porch Its crimson leaves, as if the year stood there, Firing the floor with its inverted torch,— Amid all this, the center of the scene, The white-haired matron, with monotonous tread, She had known Sorrow. He had walked with her, 1 |