to 955; Edwy, fifteen years of age, 955 to 958; Edgar, fifteen years
of age, 958 to 975; Edward, thirteen years of age, 975 to 979;
Ethelred, ten years of age, 979 to 1016.

So the boy kings reigned in all seventy-six years, and governed
England in their youth for nearly fifty years.

"I like your story, Master Toby," said Master Lewis; "as a story, I
mean. The historic facts are mainly as you have given them, but I
think St. Dunstan's intentions may have been good, after all. He lived
in an age of superstition, when it was believed that any political act
was right that would increase the power of the church. Christianity
then was not what it had been in the early church nor what it is
to-day. Men must be somewhat regarded in the light of the times in
which they lived."

The literary exercises for the evening were thus closed.

CHAPTER IV.

GERMAN STORIES.

THE STORY OF THE EMPEROR WILLIAM.--THE STORY OF "SNEEZE WITH
DELIGHT."--POEM-STORIES.

At the first meeting of the Club to study the history and to relate
stories of the Rhine and the North, Master Lewis was present, and,
after the preliminary business had been transacted, said that he had
some suggestions in mind which he wished to make.

"I notice," he said, "that many of you have been obtaining from the
Boston Public Library English translations of the works of Hauff,
Hoffman, Baron de La Motte Fouque, Grimm, Schiller, and Tieck, and I
think that there is danger that story-reading and story-telling may
occupy too much of your time and thought. Let me propose that a brief
history of each author be given with the story at the meetings of the
Club, so that you may at least obtain some knowledge of German
literature."

The suggestion met with the approval of all, and it was voted that at
future meetings the biographies of authors should be given with the
stories, and that only the stories of the best authors should be
selected, except in the case of legends of places.

"I have another proposal to make," said Master Lewis. "You are not
very familiar with German politics. Suppose you let me give you from
time to time some short talks about the German Government and its
ministers,--King William, Count Bismarck, and Count Von Moltke."

This kind offer was received with cheers and placed upon record with
thanks.

"Perhaps you may be willing to open our exercises to-night with one of
the talks you have planned," said the President. "It