Russian doctor Katinsky committed suicide the | to Paris, where the men assure her that she other day, in St. Petersburg, after receiving a will not find any of them so sensitive to her refusal of his hand from the French beauty, has charms. been obliged to leave that city, and is returned Adieu, S. A. LEAVES FOR THE LITTLE ONES. THE MICE. BY ISA BELL. Two mice (one mild, amiable, and elderly, the other young and frisky) met one night outside a large store, close to the city of C—. At first they did not recognize one another, and only saluted in the usual fashion of mice under the circumstances. As my young readers may not know their ways, I may as well explain it to them. On a first introduction, each mouse raises its nose three several times in the air; should they meet again and desire further intercourse, they lay their ears together, but old friends encircle each other with their tails. The two mice in question, after a moment's giance, found their families had lived near each other in the country. "Ah!" said the elder one, addressing his companion, who had only just arrived in town, "allow me the pleasure of entertaining you in my quarters; they are near at hand." The young one gratefully assented, and both speedily found themselves within the store. "Welcome to my home," said the kind host. “Undisturbed I can range all night through this vast building; anxious and careful, only, that I shall do no mischief to the property of its kind owners. Experience has shown me we suffer more from our own failings than from anything inflicted on us by the so-called great enemies of our race. To-night the young mice of this neighbourhood intend to hold a meeting to discuss some means of diminishing the number of cats recently imported into the houses around. In confidence I may tell you it is all got up by a few luxurious young mice, who, disdaining the simple habits of their sensible fellow-townsmice, wish to live daintily and to take no pains to earn their livelihood. However, we shall attend the meeting, and you shall see for yourself. I said to you I might range all night through this large building; but how could I lay up a provision for my family did I do so? It is time for me to introduce you to them. Come in." They entered through a very small opening into a space in the wall seven or eight inches in width and about twenty in length. The visitor was led up to his host's wife, a lovely white mouse, who had been brought over from Genoa, and was much esteemed by all who knew her; her young ones, five in number, were also presented to him. Supper was shortly after proceeded with. It consisted of small pieces of bacon, toasted cheese, nuts, almonds, bread, biscuits, &c. To the country mouse it was a splendid repast. "How do you get all these nice things?" said he to his host; "I have been quite feasted." "Come out, and I will show you. Do you perceive that grating? Over that every day the servant shakes the supper cloth; and do you know I have sometimes seen a sweet little girl peering curiously down, and once when my wife came out here, the little lady gave a scream of delight. Now, I am very careful whom I invite to my home; for, would you believe it, one time I asked a young fellow to stay with me, and early in the morning, when we had all retired to rest, he crept up into the dear child's room, and went into the cage of her canary! She was quite startled; and when her parents heard of it at breakfast, they said they must send a cat into the store! I heard the conversation repeated by the parlour-maid to a friend of hers, as she shook the cloth. I trembled all over; and when I told my wife and little ones they nearly died of terror. You may be sure I rejoiced when my visitor left, which he did the same day; for though a giddy fellow he had quick perceptions, and knew his presence was unwelcome." Midnight having arrived, the two friends went to the meeting, which was held in an out-house of an old mansion, adjoining which was a large pantry. About fifty mice had assembled. Before the cat-question came on, a few stupid speeches were made on the various grievances under which mice suffered; for instance, the hardness of the woods now used in houses, and the toughness and strength of the new sorts of paper, &c. One very smart young fellow complained that nibbling the paper for his nest had injured his teeth, and it was his opinion all should combine to destroy these strong papers, and then their cruel masters would probably get some of a softer kind: he forgot having mentioned the injury done to his teeth. The great question of the night then came on. Each mouse was allowed two minutes to speak. The first who got up, a cross-looking discontented fellow, declared it was pure wickedness on the part of the house-owners to introduce so many cats into the neighbourhood. Another said he was sure it was the rats who had done E the mischief, though the mice had to bear the forgotten, except by a few. They played about blame; this speaker, however, was quickly for some time, picking up various morsels; but, silenced, for all feared the rats. Several other at length, the night wearing away, they despeeches were made by wild young fellows; and termined to depart. They ran to the spot where then a serious, dark-haired, bright-eyed, intelli- they had entered-no opening could they find! gent elderly mouse-my readers will easily Some of them, alas, too late! recollected having guess who he was-got up. He said it might heard several short, sharp sounds a little time give offence to the meeting if he were to say all he before. On examination it was found that a felt- When he had got thus far, all the mice trap-door had been fitted to the aperture. They closed their eyes to signify they would listen to endeavoured in vain to open it, and then rushed anything he wished to say, for he was looked frantically from side to side to find another openupon as quite a grand proprietor. He then ing-they could not. Despair seized on them, said he should no longer hesitate to tell them it and loudly they deplored the misfortune; when was to the increase of luxury the increase in the just then, a mouse who had strayed away from number of cats was to be attributed. Formerly the rest came back to say he had smelled good mice were contented to get enough to eat, and they things in the farthest corner of the pantry. used to work hard to do so; but they were Great excitement ensued, and all except the few healthy and happy, and there was little inter- who had been hurried into the affair, and the ference with their pursuits. But now they little thing who had seen the dead mouse in the must have creams and blanc-manges! must cupboard, darted off in search of the dainties, lie softly and eat luxuriously, and it was not to laughing disdainfully at those who remained to be expected their masters could allow their pro- search for some means of exit. The giddy creaperty to be destroyed. Thus far had he gone, tures found a large tray evidently laid by for when various loud signs of disapproval were supper, and covered with a beautiful cloth. To heard, and, great disorder ensuing, all the sensible nibble holes in it was the work of a few minutes, part of the community, after trying in vain to and meanwhile various witty remarks were stop it, went away. About forty young mice made on the anger of its owner when the mornremained, full of folly and excitement, say-ing came. Just as they caught sight of delicacies ing they might as well visit the neighbouring pantry. A few advised against it, but they were hurried off through an opening in the wall, which had unfortunately been discovered. The smell within was truly appetising. They rushed hither and thither, hoping every moment to find the good things from whence it proceeded; but in vain! One, more daring than the rest, declared his intention of entering a large cupboard placed high on a shelf. Several tried to dissuade him; but up he went. With wonderful difficulty he gnawed his way through, and a scream of delight was heard by all his companions. Several tried to follow him, but could not, he being one of the cleverest among them. They had to stay outside, their mouths watering, and their minds full of desire for the delicious dainties they supposed their companion was now devouring. Suddenly a strange sound was heard. Some said he called for them to come in; but others were full sure something dreadful had happened-perfect silence followed. Two or three proposed to work together at the opening, but as that would have made it visible to any one entering the pantry, it was negatived. At length one smart young creature was entreated to try her chance; she did so, but her horror may be imagined, when she beheld at a little distance the object of their anxious inquiry stretched lifeless on the floor! It was evident to all that the house-owners had known of their being in the neighbourhood, and that a novel mode had been tried to entrap them. In a few minutes she came out trembling all over, her eyes pale with terror; but when the others heard it they commenced blaming the folly of the victim, and in a few minutes his fate was to which the greater number were utter strangers, a frightful noise was heard, and into the pantry were let down from a window two enormous cats! Alas! for the poor, foolish little mice! one after another they were seized by their terrible enemies, who teased and tormented them, trampling on some, and devouring others. In a short time not one of the poor wilful victims was alive. During the process of destruction the two cats cast various glances towards the spot where a cluster of trembling little creatures were awaiting the result of an expedition undertaken by the one among them who had previously got into the cupboard, and who was now endeavouring to force her way through a slit so small that her sides were severely squeezed. It was hoped she would be able to find their kind friend, and that he would endeavour to discover some means of escape. Just as they had given up all idea of ever again beholding their homes or relatives, a grating sound was heard, and on looking up they observed a piece of the wall near the trapdoor crumbling away. Some bits of mortar fell, and presently a mouse's paw was seen, and just before the domestic tigers had concluded their repast, and were contemplating a further bon bouche, the entire number were able safely to escape. They were joyfully received outside, and their pleasure was none the less on hearing the scream of rage given by the disappointed grimalkins. They thanked again and again their kind preserver, and bumbly asked his pardon for their behaviour towards him. He willingly forgave them. From that time forth they led a pleasant, good, industrious life, and never again attempted to nibble the private apartments of their entertainers. around them. On fine summer evenings they might be seen | valuable articles they saw frisking about the yards and gardens, carefully Thus they lived and died in peace. Contented warning their young ones not to disturb the l with little, they enjoyed much. THE NEW-YEAR'S DAY-DREAM OF YOUR BOHEMIAN, 1866. matic, Being considered well versed, then in bed, sirin bed, sir, Where the harm, if at times some nonsensical rhymes Will (plague take them!) come into his head, sir-his head, sir? Since the trees at this time should be covered with rime, We believe it no crime that we dream here-we dream here, And put into some verse lines sufficiently terse All the way from the world of BohemiaBohemia. With our head in a whirl, be it pork, punch, or purl, Pictures, pantomimes, plays, it don't matterdon't matter; Though we cannot now pause to consider the cause, The effect is quite clear in such patter-such patter. There is so much to see now-a-days, one should be Cut at least into three or four pieces-four pieces! And fall drive the whole day, then at night to the play, Tis no wonder the fever increases-increases, twirling : Our unfortunate head, when we get into bed, Without ceasing continues its whirling-its whirling. Like a horse in the mill, we are hard at it still. Though our business to some may be pleasure -be pleasure, We have had quantum suff of Theatrical stuff, And in dreaming devote all our leisure-our leisure. Having nothing to do for the first hour or two, We thought we might well earn our salarysalary, By enjoying a stroll, whilst devouring our ro 1, Just as far as the National Gallery-Gallery; Where, said Mr. Millais, to Sir Edwin, R.A., "In the fire you have so many irons-many irons, That the town, much distressed by the sad Rinderpest, Must still feed for some time on your lions !— your lions !" The "Star's Butcher Poet" then said to us "Go, it! We don't care for sense or for metre-for metre. If you'll only by me take a pattern, d'ye see, Your ideas, if not Bright, will be neater-be neater." We met Rip Van Winkle, who said, with a twinkle, "Come, what do you think of my Dutchmanmy Dutchman ? I have done very well, and so here's your good hel'; May you live long, and prosper as much, man -as much, man.' Mr. Henry Dunbar exclaimed, "Galway-gobragh!" L'Africaine ate a surfeit of mangoes-of mangoes. "My husband's ghost," sobbing, cried, "Who Kill'd Cock Robin ?" Which was followed by " Fans and Fandangoes -Fandangoes!" We observed "Brother Sain," who exclaimed, "Here I am!" And to whom we replied, "This is folly-is folly!" You've had more than your fling, and all that sort of thing' Makes old playgoers feel far from jolly-from jolly. It is owing to you that the drama's a 'do,' And you give all the grumblers a handle-a handle. I've heard some of them say, and good judges are they, They still cling to the old "School for Scandal -for Scandal'!" Next we welcomed again, from the great Planché's pen, A travestie well polished and pointed-and pointed. We've wished him often back (!) We too often, alack! Have heard nothing but doggerel disjointeddisjointed. And the Countess d'Anois appeared pleased that Rouge Croix Had resumed, now, his former vocation-voca tion; Although he has ceased, for the present at least, To make fun of a fairy narration-narration, Seid that tiresome young cub Aladdin, "There's the rub," For which statement there seemed some foundation-foundation, Since Anak, alias Brice, starting up in a trice, Quite confirmed that Shakesperian quotationquotation, He cried "What will you have? Behold I am your slave For to go, for to fetch, for to carry-to carry," Adding "Ri-fum-ti-fum," likewise "Ka-foozle um !" When up came Howard Paul, with John Parry -John Parry, We called out for a tankard of beerful-of beerful; Mary brought in the tray, when, forgetting the play, We were quickly for getting more cheerful more cheerful. When the "Watch Cry" was heard, and to us it occurred We'd been robbed, which caused us some anxiety-anxiety. But said "la belle Helène, "You can hardly complain, You will go into such low "Society"-" Society." She had seen the " Owl's Roost," and, of course, not being used To such places, a lady of breeding-of breeding, Thought the pipes and the beer and the com too, To a place the least said's soonest mendedsoonest mended. Quit of both quire and ream, then our New Year's day dream And our labours together were ended- -were ended. Scarcely ended either, so far as our prosaic labours are concerned, although it is "holiday time." "Home for the holidays !"-surely that cry has a most gleesome sound. We always think that the boy who wakes up on the first morning of his holidays is infinitely more to be envied than that proverbial, but mythical individual who "wakes up and finds himself famous." Just fancy no horrid school-bell to clang you out of bed at six o'clock of a winter's morning; no cross usher poking an unreasonable mushroom-topped flaring tallow candle into your sleepy eyes; no scrambling for precedence in the matter of basins and towels; no uncomfortable tasks to be performed in a somnolent manner before breakfast! You have just heard the clock strike eight, and still you have not been called! you turn round and luxuriate in your comfortable feather bed, and presently the old servant, who has been in the family before you were born, knocks at the door, and says, "Here's your hot water, sir"-hot water! rapture. Up you get, and are soon conscious of a savoury smell pervading the house, and my! what a breakfast your good mother puts on the table that morning! the eggs, broiled haddocks, fried sausages! to say nothing of pickled pork, and brawn, and hot buttered rolls! It was enough to spoil your digestion for the rest of the holidays. But the digestion of boys is proof against anything. Then, best of all, there was everything to anticipate. You looked forward to Christmas dinners and unlimited gorging; to New Year's Day and New Year's gifts; to Twelfth-night parties, where you fall madly in love several times during the evening; to kisses innumerable under the mistletoe, given and taken with an insouciance only compatible with extreme youth. Then, too, there was all the golden glory of the pantomime to come. Just fancy "The Realms of Refulgent Rapture!" "Harlequin Chalks and the Dissipated Doldrum of the Dolomite Mountains!" In those days we believed in fairy-land and knew nothing about fairies at two shillings a night. We envied the sparkling Harlequin, for ever pursuing the graceful Columbine; we pitied the tottering senility of the Pantaloon, though we heartily applauded the vigorous attacks made upon him by our old friend the Clown. Ah! that was a clown. None of your stilt-walking fiddle-playing modern innovations, but the real thing and no mistake-plenty of butter-slides on the pavement, attacks on the police ad lib., gigantic strings of sausages, and above all the red hot poker! Ah! clowns were clowns in those days, and the pokers were red hot; there was no mistake about them. "Why this wandering and meandering?" we think we hear our readers remark. Why? good friends, the reason is this: It behoveth your Bohemian, in common with all his race, to say something of the joys of Christmas-to be joyous and festive with all the rest of the world"to assume a joviality though he has it not," as is the case with editors of illustrated papers and Christmas annuals, managers of theatres, and writers of pantomimes. Bending thus to the spirit of the age, we beg most respectfully to hope that you have passed a merry Christmas, that your pudding was properly cooked, and your roast beef free from rinderpest, that your turkey was succulent, and your chine well boiled; we further trust that your kisses under the mistletoe have been frequent and satisfactory, that your hampers of game and barrels of oysters have been many and good; that amidst all the eating and drinking and revelling at a season so eminently consecrated to kindliness and charity, you have done your part, according to your means, towards clothing the naked and feeding the hungry; that whilst feasting with |