tures of the
chair," said he. "But its history becomes very obscure just at this point;
and I must search into some old books and manuscripts, before proceeding
further. Besides, it is now a good time to pause in our narrative; because
the new charter, which Sir William Phips brought over from England, formed
a very important epoch in the history of the province."

"Really, Grandfather," observed Laurence, "this seems to be the most
remarkable chair in the world. Its history cannot be told without
intertwining it with the lives of distinguished men, and the great events
that have befallen the country."

"True, Laurence," replied Grandfather, smiling, "We must write a book,
with some such title as this,--MEMOIRS OF MY OWN TIMES, BY GRANDFATHER'S
CHAIR."

"That would be beautiful!" exclaimed Laurence, clapping his hands.

"But, after all," continued Grandfather, "any other old chair, if it
possessed memory, and a hand to write its recollections, could record
stranger stories than any that I have told you. From generation to
generation, a chair sits familiarly in the midst of human interests, and
is witness to the most secret and confidential intercourse, that mortal
man can hold with his fellow. The human heart may best be read in the
fireside chair. And as to external events, Grief and Joy keep a continual
vicissitude around it and within it. Now we see the glad face and glowing
form of Joy, sitting merrily in the old chair, and throwing a warm
fire-light radiance over all the household. Now, while we thought not of
it, the dark clad mourner, Grief, has stolen into the place of Joy, but
not to retain it long. The imagination can hardly grasp so wide a subject,
as is embraced in the experience of a family chair."

"It makes my breath flutter,--my heart thrill,--to think of it," said
Laurence. "Yes; a family chair must have a deeper history than a Chair of
State."

"O, yes!" cried Clara, expressing a woman's feeling on the point in
question, "The history of a country is not nearly so interesting as that
of a single family would be."

"But the history of a country is more easily told," said Grandfather. "So,
if we proceed with our narrative of the chair, I shall still confine
myself to its connection with public events."

Good old Grandfather now rose and quitted the room, while the children
remained gazing at the chair. Laurence, so vivid was his conception of
past times, would hardly have deemed it strange, if it