d there
were a great many signets and other gems engraved in the most delicate
and exquisite manner. These things were all arranged in glass cases, so
that they could be seen to great advantage, but they could not be
touched. There were a great many other curious things in this room; and
there were also a great many other very curious rooms, all of which Mrs.
Gray and the children walked through, though there were so many things
to be seen in them, that, in the end, they became quite bewildered. In
the mean time the hours passed away, and at length Mrs. Gray, looking at
her watch, said it was nearly four o'clock, which was the hour for the
museum to be closed. So they did not go into any more rooms, but
concluded to go home. They went down the great staircase, towards the
entrance door, and then, after stopping to get Mrs. Gray's parasol, they
took a carriage and drove home. Mrs. Gray said that she had seen the
museum, but not the things that were in it.

"We have scarcely seen one in a thousand of them," said she.

CHAPTER X.

THE STREETS.

Mr. George continued for many days wholly engrossed with his studies in
the museum, so that Rollo saw very little of him, and had no help from
him in respect to finding occupation and amusement.

"Indeed," said Rollo to Rosie one evening, "I have lost the use of him
altogether."

Rollo was, however, not at all at a loss for the means of spending his
time. It was an endless amusement for him and Josie to ramble about the
streets, and observe the countless variety of scenes and incidents which
were going on there. It is the custom at Naples, among all the lower
classes of the people, to do every thing in the street, and all the
sidewalks and open spaces, especially along the quays, were occupied by
hundreds of families, engaged in every species of trade and manufacture,
and in all sorts of domestic occupations. Here, in a wide place by the
side of the street, cabinet makers would be at work, polishing tables,
or making veneers, or putting together the frames of bureaus. A little
farther on, a large space would be occupied with the manufacture of iron
bedsteads, with all the operations of forging, filing, polishing, and
gilding going on in the open air. Next, a turner would be seen, either
out upon the sidewalk, or close to his door, turning with a bow lathe;
and next a range of families all along the street, the women knitting or
sewing, or spinning yarn, and the childr