silly children have been by this tale, because I am clear, you know, ma'am, there's not any truth in these stories.".

"Yes, so I think," said Mary, looking and speaking so composedly, that the lady could not help smiling at her

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quiet decision," as she called it, and added, "One would imagine she knew a great deal about vampyre bats. What do you know about them, my dear?"

"I only know - I -I know only what Frank told me;- what you read to me, Frank, in this book," said Mary, taking up one of the little volumes which lay upon the table, "Here it is I know the placeI have it. Frank, will you read it?" said she, putting the book into his hand, and pointing to the passage. Frank looked as if he waited to know whether the lady wished to hear or not.

"Oh yes, pray do read it Master Frank," said the lady; "I am sure I shall like to hear it of all things."

Frank began with the description of this bat, and then read as follows:

"In the autumn of 1810, I had for a short time a living vampyre bat, of a large size, from the East Indies; and, contrary to what has been asserted, found it a most inoffensive, harmless, entertaining creature ; it refused animal food, but fed plentifully on succulent' (or nourishing) fruits, preferring figs and pears; it licked the hand that presented them, seeming delighted with the caresses of the persons who fed it, playing with them in the manner of a young kitten it was fond of white wine, of which it took half a glass at a time, lapping it like a cat. This

had an evident effect on its spirits; it then became extremely frolicsome and diverting, but never once attempted to bite. It slept suspended, with its head downwards, wrapping its satin-like wings round its body, in the form of a mantle. I several times permitted it to enclose the end of my finger in its mouth, for the purpose of observing if it would attempt to draw blood, but not the slightest indication' (or sign) ' of such intention appeared; and I have strong reason to doubt the stories related so greatly to its disadvantage.""

"Thank you, sir," said the lady, when Frank finished reading. "A charming anecdote, and charmingly read."

Mary looked delighted as the lady said these words, but Frank looked

down and seemed ashamed: perhaps he had some recollection of the flattering lady, who, when he was a very little boy, had first praised him for his reading, and laughed at him afterwards.

"

"I am sure," continued the lady, "I wish my Tom, there, could read half a quarter as well; and he is, I dare say, a year older than master Frank. Tom stumbles at every word of four syllables, even in the common newspaper. Really, ma'am, English reading, and writing, and spelling, altogether, are shamefully neglected at his school here in the country: I must speak about it."

"If you speak ever so much, mother,” cried Tom, suddenly bursting out with a loud voice, "the masters cannot do it now, because of getting

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D

me on with Latin. English, and them things, should be taught at home, they say, before one goes to school, for there's no time after, when one's getting from form to form, and fitting for Westminster or Eton; and then we must get on to Oxford or Cambridge,” added he, nodding his head and slashing his whip.

Frank and Mary held their breath from astonishment at this speech, and at the manner in which it was spoken. Tom's mother seemed a little ashamed of the manner, and perhaps to turn off attention from her son, she addressed herself to Mary. "Pray, my dear little lady," said she, "what is that entertaining book, in which you found that charming vampyre bat?"

Mary said she believed it was an account of the curiosities in a museum.