ng to any terms whatever,
imploring only that he would spare the city. They also sent the chief
of the prisoners they had taken in the war in order to appease the
fierce anger of the general. "Take back your captives, ye gentlemen of
Venice," was the too confident reply of the haughty Doria; "we will
release them and their companions. On God's faith, ye shall have no
peace till we put a curb into the mouths of those wild horses of St.
Mark's. Place but the reins once in our hands, and we shall know how to
bridle them for the future."

Armed with the courage and energy which despair alone can give, the
Venetians rallied for the defence of their city. Women and children
joined in the preparations. All private feuds, jealousies and
animosities were forgotten in the common danger. All were animated by
the one feeling of implacable hatred of the Genoese. Pisani, an old
commander, who had been unjustly imprisoned through the envy of his
fellow-citizens, was released and put in command of the fleet. On
coming out of his cell, he was surrounded by those who had injured him,
who implored him to forget the injustice with which he had been
treated. He partook of the sacrament with them in token of complete
forgetfulness and forgiveness, and then proceeded against the enemy.
The confidence of the republic had not been misplaced. His bravery,
skill and foresight, together with the aid of another brave captain,
Carl Zeno, saved the city, retook Chiozza, and completely humiliated
the Genoese, who were now willing to sue for peace. So that, after all,
Doria's angry menace was the means of saving the independence of the
city, and the proud possession of the bronze horses of St. Mark's.

CHRISTMAS CARD.

(SEE "LETTER-BOX.")

[Illustration: A greeting by my page I send
To thee on Christmas Day, my friend.]

THE PETERKINS' CHARADES.

BY LUCRETIA P. HALE.

Ever since they had come home from the great Centennial at
Philadelphia, the Peterkins had felt anxious to have "something." The
little boys wanted to get up a "great Exposition," to show to the
people of the place who had not been able to go to Philadelphia. But
Mr. Peterkin thought it too great an effort, and it was given up.

There was, however, a new water-trough needed on the town-common, and
the ladies of the place thought it ought to be something
handsome,--something more than a common trough,--and they ought to work
for it.

Elizabeth Eliza had heard a