dience appeared stronger and stronger every act, and
ended in a clamour of applause."

* * * * *

THE TWO SHERIDANS.

Sheridan made his appearance one day in a pair of new boots; these
attracting the notice of some of his friends: "Now guess," said he, "how
I came by these boots?" Many probable guesses were then ventured, but in
vain. "No," said Sheridan, "no, you have not hit it, nor ever will. I
bought them, and paid for them!" Sheridan was very desirous that his
son Tom should marry a young lady of large fortune, but knew that Miss
Callander had won his son's heart. Sheridan, expatiating once on the
folly of his son, at length broke out: "Tom, if you marry Caroline
Callander, I'll cut you off with a shilling!" Tom, looking maliciously
at his father, said, "Then, sir, you must borrow it." In a large party
one evening, the conversation turned upon young men's allowances at
college. Tom deplored the ill-judging parsimony of many parents in that
respect. "I am sure, Tom," said his father, "you have no reason to
complain; I always allowed you L800 a-year." "Yes, father, I confess you
allowed it; but then--it was never paid!"

* * * * *

KILLING NO MURDER.

In a journey which Mademoiselle Scudery, the Sappho of the French, made
along with her no less celebrated brother, a curious incident befell
them at an inn at a great distance from Paris. Their conversation
happened one evening to turn upon a romance which they were then jointly
composing, to the hero of which they had given the name of Prince Mazare.
"What shall we do with Prince Mazare?" said Mademoiselle Scudery to her
brother. "Is it not better that he should fall by poison, than by the
poignard?" "It is not time yet," replied the brother, "for that business;
when it is necessary we can despatch him as we please; but at present
we have not quite done with him." Two merchants in the next chamber,
overhearing this conversation, concluded that they had formed a conspiracy
for the murder of some prince whose real name they disguised under
that of Mazare. Full of this important discovery, they imparted their
suspicions to the host and hostess; and it was resolved to inform the
police of what had happened. The police officers, eager to show their
diligence and activity, put the travellers immediately under arrest,
and conducted them under a strong escort to Paris. It was not without
difficulty and ex