es at a stretch."--_Woman's Home Companion._

THE UGLIEST FAMILY IN ENGLAND.

It is not unusual in life to see an awkward fellow making a false step. He
attempts to recover himself and makes another; the second is followed by a
third, and down he comes. Here is an illustration of what we mean:

A gentleman once said to Lord North, "Pray, my lord, who is that extremely
ugly woman sitting over there?"

"That's my youngest sister," said his lordship.

"Good gracious!" said the gentleman, "I don't mean her, I mean the next."

"That is my eldest sister," replied the nobleman.

"I protest," cried the unhappy gentleman, "I don't mean her, but the
third."

"That is my wife," said Lord North.

"The devil!" ejaculated the poor fellow.

"You may well say that," said Lord North, "for she is as ugly as one. But
console yourself, my dear sir, we are the ugliest family in
England."--_Golden Penny._

THE MAN WHO STRUCK THE KING.

The Earl of Wemyss, who, though an octogenarian, is one of the most fiery
members of the Upper House, may boast of being the only man who has ever
struck the King in public. It occurred when his majesty was Prince of
Wales, and in the House of Lords during a debate.

The prince, as Duke of Cornwall, attended, and sat immediately before Lord
Wemyss. The noble lord made a speech, during which he, as usual, became
heated, and, in the course of a gesture, brought his fist down bang on His
Royal Highness's hat.

The prince, appreciating the force of the earl's argument, retired to a
place farther from him. Lord Wemyss was well known, before succeeding to
the earldom, as Lord Elcho, an enthusiast of volunteering and
rifle-shooting.--_Pearson's Weekly._

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

A TYPICAL AMERICAN CITIZEN.

Bicentenary of the Famous Man Whom Joseph H. Choate Has
Styled "The Greatest of American Diplomats"--Contrasts of a
Successful Career--Franklin's Own Practical Rules of
Conduct, and the Epitaph He Wrote for Himself.

_An original article written for_ THE SCRAP BOOK.

It is two hundred years since Benjamin Franklin was born. The anniversary,
important though it is, has led to reflections concerning the man rather
than enthusiasm over him. We are struck by the great variety of his
activities and accomplishments, and by the sanity of his conduct.

Benjamin Franklin is not named as the greatest American. Washington and
Lincoln always will be ranked before him, because