le George!" shouted back Edwin.

"Any insurance on her?" inquired a boy waving his hat.

"What do you mean by insurance?" asked Edwin.

"Go and look in your dictionary," said the boy with his hat off.

Then the tall boy repeated these lines:--

"A land-breeze shook her shrouds, and she was overset;
Down went 'The Royal George' with all her crew complete."

[Illustration: PERILS OF THE SEA.]

Edwin was half disposed to cry; but then he thought that crying was no
way to get out of trouble. He took a survey of the Atlantic Ocean, and
wondered how deep it was where his ship wend down.

Then taking off his shoes and stockings, and rolling up his pantaloons,
he waded in, and succeeded, with the aid of a long stick, in saving "The
Uncle George."

"Hurrah! Well done, little one!" shouted a boy on the other side. The
tall boy again launched into poetry, and cried out,--

"Weigh the vessel up, once dreaded by our foes!
Her timbers yet are sound; and she may float again,
Full charged with England's thunder, and plough the distant main."

ALFRED SELWYN.

IN HONOR OF ROSA'S BIRTHDAY

[Illustration]

_Charles._--Am I right madam? is not this Miss Rosa's birthday?

_Mary._--Yes, sir. My little girl is two years old to-day.

_Charles._--So I understood; and I have brought her a birthday present.
Here it is,--the largest rose I could find in all the land. Do me the
honor to accept it.

_Mary._--With pleasure, sir, I accept it for Rosa; but, if I may trust
my eyes, this is a sunflower, not a rose.

_Charles._--Excuse me madam, in Doll-land they told me it was a rose.

_Mary._--Ah! they sometimes forget names in Doll-land. I am obliged to
you, sir, all the same. You are very polite.

_Charles._--I ought to be polite, madam; for my sister Helen goes to
dancing-school. I will bid you good-morning, madam.

_Mary._--Good-morning, sir. Call again some fine day.

_Charles._--I shall call without waiting for a fine day, madam. It is
always a fine day when I am with you.

[Illustration]

OUR ONE-YEAR-OLD.

ALL the people love her,
For she is our darling;
Good and sweet and bright is she,
Never cross nor snarling.

Bob, the savage bull-dog,
Lamb-like waits upon her;
Hens and geese and turtle-doves
Come to do her honor.

"Bles