country as a kind of "attraction" in public-houses of the lowest
class. The animal was kept in a tub or barrel and was attacked by
dogs. Yielding at last to superior numbers, it was dragged or drawn
out. The badger was then set free and permitted to return to its tub
until it recovered from the effects of the struggle, after which it
was again baited. It had to submit to this barbarous treatment
several times a day. The verb "to badger," now often applied to
persons, was originally used in direct reference to this cruel
practice.

A Gallant Rescue.

Not many months since some boys were sitting on the banks of the
River Devon, near Tillicoultry (Scotland), when one of them, aged
ten, waded into the stream in search of an article. He had hardly
entered the water when he walked into a deep pool, in which he was
whirled about quite helplessly, like a cork. Fortunately, a lad named
James Henderson happened to be passing at the time, and observing the
imminent peril of the poor boy, plunged into the river at the risk of
his life, and brought him to the bank, where, after treatment, he
recovered. The painful screams of the boy created great excitement in
the neighbourhood, and there seems no doubt that but for the gallant
rescue here recorded he would have been drowned. It would be a great
advantage if the teaching of boys and girls how to swim were made a
necessary part of their education.

[Illustration: A MODERN WAR ELEPHANT.]

War Elephants.

From time immemorial elephants have been employed in war in the East
and in Africa, though the Indian kind is more familiar to us in this
respect. At first they were equipped with a huge tower, in which
fighting-men were carried--a practice of which we are reminded in the
sign of the "Elephant and Castle" still in vogue in some inns--and
were even trained to use swords with their trunks. In the present
day, however, the creatures are found more useful in assisting the
transport of artillery in hilly or marshy districts. The "castle" has
been replaced by a howdah, from which the soldiers use the modern
weapons of war. Military service may, therefore, be regarded as being
a good deal easier than it once was--so far, at least, as elephants
are concerned.

[Illustration: IN SAFE HANDS. (_See p. 313._)]

POOR PUSSY.

It was early morning, near eight of the clock,
And all might hear the milkman's knock,
When a wandering stranger strolled the street,
Well cla