scovering a
coal-hod that would answer for a helmet; then, as Christopher Columbus
was born in Genoa, he could use the phrases in Italian he had lately
learned of his teacher.

As the day approached the family had their costumes prepared.

Mr. Peterkin decided to be Peter the Great. It seemed to him a happy
thought, for the few words of Russian he had learned would come in
play, and he was quite sure that his own family name made him kin to
that of the great Czar. He studied up the life in the Encyclopaedia,
and decided to take the costume of a ship-builder. He visited the
navy-yard and some of the docks; but none of them gave him the true
idea of dress for ship-building in Holland or St. Petersburg. But he
found a picture of Peter the Great, representing him in a
broad-brimmed hat. So he assumed one that he found at a costumer's,
and with Elizabeth Eliza's black water-proof was satisfied with his
own appearance.

Elizabeth Eliza wondered if she could not go with her father in some
Russian character. She would have to lay aside her large bonnet, but
she had seen pictures of Russian ladies, with fur muffs on their
heads, and she might wear her own muff.

Mrs. Peterkin, as Cleopatra, wore the turban, with a little row of
false curls in front, and a white embroidered muslin shawl crossed
over her black silk dress. The little boys thought she looked much
like the picture of their great-grandmother. But doubtless Cleopatra
resembled this picture, as it was all so long ago, so the rest of the
family decided.

Agamemnon determined to go as Noah. The costume, as represented in one
of the little boys' arks, was simple. His father's red-lined dressing
gown, turned inside out, permitted it easily.

Elizabeth Eliza was now anxious to be Mrs. Shem, and make a long dress
of yellow flannel, and appear with Agamemnon find the little boys.
For the little boys were to represent two doves and a raven. There
were feather-dusters enough in the family for their costumes, which
would be then complete with their india-rubber boots.

Solomon John carried out in detail his idea of Christopher Columbus.
He had a number of eggs boiled hard to take in his pocket, proposing
to repeat, through the evening, the scene of setting the egg on its
end. He gave up the plan of a boat, as it must be difficult to carry
one into town; so he contented himself by practising the motion of
landing by stepping up on a chair.

But what scene could Elizabet