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feeble arguments with denunciatory texts. We first surrounded her with the persecutions of the worldly minded, that her virtues might shine glaringly in the gloom, and disquisitions on duty be never out of place. Daisy, in "Melbourne House," is an example of a perniciously good child who has the conversion of her family on her hands, and is well aware of the dignity of her position. Her trials and triumphs, her tears and prayers, her sufferings and rewards fill two portly volumes, and have doubtless inspired many a young reader to set immediately about the correction of her parents' faults. The same lesson is taught with even greater emphasis by a more recent writer, whose works, I am told, are so exceedingly popular that she is not permitted to lay down her pen. Hundreds of letters reach her every year, begging for a new "Elsie" book; and the amiability with which she responds to the demand has resulted in a fair-sized library-twice as many volumes probably as Sir Walter Scott ever read in the whole course of his childish life.

fice-successor to him over whom the Doctor had triumphed gloriously-and amid an immense variety of rural information, mentioned that he was arranging a sale of household effects at Drumtochty Manse. Jock was never known to be so dilatory with an advertisement before, and ere he got it out Lord Kilspindie had come to terms with the liquidator and settled the Doctor's belongings on him for life.

The insurrection in the manse oozed out, and encouraged a conspiracy of rebellion in which even the meekest people were concerned. Jean Baxter of Burnbrae, who had grasped greedily at the dairy contract of the manse, when the glebe was let to Netherton, declined to render any account to Rebecca, and the Doctor had to take the matter in hand.

"There's a little business, Mrs. Baxter, I would like to settle with you, as I happen to be here." The Doctor had dropped in on his way back from Whinny Knowe, where Marget and he had been talking of George for two

From McClure's Magazine. DRUMTOCHTY AND DR. DAVIDSON.

The Doctor's determination-after the calamity of the bank failure-to reduce himself to the depths of poverty was wonderful, but Drumtochty was cunning and full of tact. He might surrender his invested means and reserve only one hundred pounds a year out of his living, but when he sent for the Kildrummie auctioneer and instructed him to sell every stick of furniture, except a bare minimum for one sitting-room and a bedroom, Jock accepted the commission at once, and proceeded at eleven miles an hourhaving just bought a new horse-to take counsel with Drumsheugh. Next Friday he dropped into the factor's of

eh-careful now, and I-you will let me pay what we owe for that delicious butter you are good enough to supply."

"Ye 'ill surely tak a look roond the fields first, Doctor, an' tell's what ye think o' the crops;" and after that it was necessary for him to take tea. Again and again he was foiled, but took a firm stand by the hydrangea in the garden, and John Baxter stood aside that the affair might be decided in single combat.

"Now, Mrs. Baxter, before leaving I must insist," began the Doctor with authority, and his stick was in his hand; but Jean saw a geographical advantage, and seized it instantly.

"Div ye mind, sir, comin' tae this gairden five year syne this month, and stannin' on that verra spot aside the hydrangy?"

The Doctor scented danger, but he could not retreat.

"Weel, at ony rate, John an' me dinna forget that day, an' never wull,

ers is to commence with the upper strata. Providing for the best and most prosperous leaves just so much more room for those underneath. Beginning at the top relieves the pressure and prompts an upward movement all along the line. Accordingly, the mechanics and better paid wage earners will be encouraged by this company to undertake the purchase of small homes built for them on suburban sites and sold on the instalment plan with life insurance attached, while the future tenants of its city homes will be in the main taken from the classes below. The city homes of this company will cater to that class of people who desire two, three or four room apartments. The four-room apartments of these buildings, as regards rentable space and conveniences, will be equal in all salient respects to the ordinary five-room apartments in the more modern tenement houses. It is safe to say that the locations selected will be in neighborhoods where there is a demand for these apartments; neighborhoods perhaps not the most densely populated, but at all events where a positive need exists. The first building erected will cover space two hundred by four dred feet. Very probably, in the future, smaller sites will be selected in different parts of the city, so that the standard of housing in the neighborhoods will be raised by force of competition and example. While more than the resources of the largest conceivable corporation would be needed to provide model city homes for New York's wage earning population, indirectly a great deal may be done by planting improved tenements in different neighborhoods. They exercise a powerful influence in raising the standard of accommodations furnished by owners of other tenement property.

hun

An important part of the work of the City and Suburban Homes Compan; will be to facilitate means of proprietorship among the better paid element of New York's wage earning population. This step is along the line of

true social progress, for popular proprietorship is probably the most powerful contributory element in social stability. The method by which these homes may be attained is somewhat as follows:

In the first place, the company expects to purchase several areas conveniently situated, if possible, within the limits of the "Greater New York," at points where good transit facilities are afforded. The company will operate conservatively, purchasing only enough land at one place to develop a colony. The land will be laid out as attractively as possible, and the estates carefully protected against anything which might injure the value of the property. This is very important to wage earners, because it will assure them of a permanent value for their homes when they become the full owners. By controlling a suburb, protection is afforded to future values in a way not possible where an individual lot is purchased and a house built by the owner, no matter on what scheme.

Having selected and laid out the site, plans for small homes, costing probably from $1,000 to $2,000, will be offered to prospective purchasers, so that each one may select the particular type of house which he thinks he wants. Whenever a sufficient number have chosen plans, let us say twentyfive at a time, the houses will be built for them. Building in this way reduces the cost considerably, and the purchaser reaps the advantage. A free choice as regards plans will naturally result in sufficient variety of architecture so that a suburb will not present the appearance of dull uniformity. The buyer will not be limited to the ordinary city lot, twenty-five by one hundred feet, but he may purchase more land so as to make a little garden for himself if he so desires. The land. however, must be for his own use and not for speculation.

Each client, upon making his contract, will be called upon to pay down ten per cent. of the purchase price of the house and lot, with the option of either a ten, fifteen or twenty years'

period in which to repay the remainder in monthly instalments. These monthly payments will cover also the cost of a life insurance policy. By this means a necessary protection is afforded to the family, which is often in a sad plight where the head has died during the period of acquiring a home. The risks will be assumed by a thoroughly responsible life insurance company, so that there can be no question of adequate protection. This life insurance feature is meant to constitute an essential part in the operation. The City and Suburban Homes Company will insist that all of its clients for suburban homes, if insurable subjects, shall become insured; and where the head of the family is not an insurable subject his wife or some other member of the family may be taken. The company keeps the policy in force, pays the premiums, etc., so that all the client has to do is to submit himself to a physical examination in the first instance. The plan of the City and Suburban Homes Company, as regards this phase of its work, offers probably more advantages both as regards cheapness, convenience and excellence of accommodations provided, than existing agencies. This fact is unquestionably being appreciated, for at the present time the company has more than three hundred and sixty bona fide candidates for the purchase of suburban homes on its books. For pleasing architecture and durability of construction the company expects to go beyond anything yet accomplished within the limits of Greater New York.

The City and Suburban Homes Company begins with a capital stock of $1,000,000. While certain well known gentlemen of means and public spirit are large subscribers, it is hoped that the public will largely interest itself in the enterprise. Indeed, the officers and directors of the company hope to have a large number of stockholders with moderate and small sized holdings. With this end in view, the shares have been made $10 each, entitled to a cumulative dividend of five per cent. per annum. The security

of the investment is unquestionable, and it is hoped that the five per cent. cumulative dividend which is anticipated will attract a large number of persons of small means who cannot at present secure an equally safe investment at these rates. There is no reason why wage earners themselves should not thus invest their savings. The company would like to number among its future stockholders many of its own tenants. In that way they would become part owners of the enterprise which is rendering them social service. If the company should succeed in making a solid financial record, as there is every assurance that it will, there ought to be no reason why the public should not evince that deep, practical interest which will enable the corporation to grow to twenty times its existing capitalization and thus extend twenty fold its humanitarian service.

From The Century.

MEISSONIER'S "LE RENSEIGNEMENT." In 1880 Mr. William H. Vanderbilt was sitting to Meissonier for his portrait, and Mr. Avery and Mr. Lucas were invited by the artist to come to his studio during the sittings, as Mr. French. Vanderbilt did not speak

One day Mr. Vanderbilt asked, "What picture does M. Meissonier think is the Meissonier, best he ever painted?" replying through Mr. Lucas, spoke of two, the celebrated "1814" and "Le Renseignement." The latter picture, he said, with a sigh and a deeply felt "hélas!" was in Germany, in the hands of the enemies of France.

It had been painted for the Exposition of 1867, and was bought by M. Petit who asked fifty thousand francs for it. Mr. Walters had offered fortyfive thousand francs, but a German banker in Paris, M. Mayer, paid the price and got the picture. He was a well-known collector, and his family home was in Dresden. When the war of 1870 broke out, M. Mayer left Paris, Mr. and took the picture with him.

Avery had seen his gallery every time he went to Dresden, and knew the picture. The conversation in the studio continued, and Avery and Lucas agreed that "Le Renseignement" was, indeed, a wonderful canvas. Petit had tried to buy it back, but could not get it. It was thought it would be impossible to get Mayer to sell it, but Avery, authorized by Mr. Vanderbilt, resolved to try. He did not wish to make a trip to Dresden at the time, so he wrote to Mayer that a friend of his wanted the picture, but not as a matter of business. It was not to buy to sell again. The banker replied that he had often been importuned to sell the picture, but had invariably refused; yet, now that he felt himself growing old (he had then reached the age of eighty), and that as after his death his family might not care to keep it, he would take a certain price for it. He added that he might change his mind over night, for he found it hard to decide to sell. Avery lost no time in telegraphing, and the next day received the canvas by parcels post; the marvellous picture was actually in his room in the hotel! A draft on London was sent to Dresden at once, and the deed was done.

Mr. Vanderbilt and his two fellowconspirators now set about arranging a surprise for Meissonier. The next day was to be the last sitting for the portrait, and when they arrived at the studio one of them carried a parcel, which was placed in a safe corner. The sitting proceeded, and at last Meissonier said the portrait was finished; there was not another touch to be added. "Now you may see me sign," he announced, and the act was accomplished with a due observance on the part of the company of the importance of the moment. The artist then went into another room to put the little portrait in a frame he had ready for it. "Le Renseignement," was quickly taken from the corner, set in a frame on the easel, and the three men stood by to see what Meissonier would do. "When he came in and suddenly saw the picture," says Mr.

MR. BARRIE AND HIS MOTHER. In the introduction to the "Auld Licht Idylls" in the new Thistle Edition of his works (Scribner's), Mr. Barrie says that "they were written mainly to please one woman, now dead." In the beautiful biography of his mother, "Margaret Ogilvy," just published, he speaks of "the mute blue eyes in which I have read all I know and would ever care to write; for when you looked into my mother's eyes you knew as if he had told you why God sent her into the world-it was to open the eyes of all who looked to beautiful thoughts, and that is the beginning and end of literature." How much, how very much, Mr. Barrie owes to his mother and to his home life may be gathered from this little volume. It is a book to lay beside "A Window in Thrums," not only because of the beauty of the work, but because it flashes a light upon those chapters which illumines them, and, if possible, makes them more noble and enduring in their revelation. He tells us how one day as a boy he conceived a glorious idea, "or it was put into my head by my mother, then desirous of making progress with her new clouty hearth-rug." He was suffering from a moment of suspense in the interval between the last and forthcoming numbers of a magazine called Sunshine, which contained a serial story. "The notion was nothing short of this why should I not write the tales myself? I did write them-in the garret-but that by no means helped her to get on with her work, for when I finished a