of the master condemned him to serve for a the waiter, in addition, the sum of fifteen certain space in the laboratory, as the kitchen francs six sous as his gratuity, at the rate of of the café-restaurant is called. one sou a-day for ten months, of which four contained each thirty-one days.

In the end, "the man who always ate stale bread triumphed over his tormentors, and generally had the laughter on his own side; he did not, however, exhibit any appearance of triumph; and after one or two additional attempts at mystification, finding him quite immovable, his enemies left him to enjoy in peace his little table at the Café de Foy.

If interest alone had guided the conduct of the head waiter it must be confessed that he had lamentably failed in the result, for in France the contributions to the waiters are all placed in one general cash-box, and at the end of a certain period the proceeds are divided among all the servants of the house, the master first helping himself to the lion's share; at this rate, therefore, Dominic's recompense would probably amount to a solitary sixpence. Dominic knew this, but was satisfied with the reward of his own heart; he thanked the old man graciously for the payment, placed the gratuity in the common receptacle, and transferred the other monies to his own stronghold, for he had previously paid day by day the expense of the breakfast from his own pocket.

One day, towards the close of the year 1817, the old man quitted the café without paying for his breakfast; but as he made no observation in so doing it was supposed that he had forgotten it and would remember the next morning. The coffee-house keeper, however, reckoned without his host in this supposition, for the next day came, and the next, and the next-"the man who always ate stale bread" regularly pocketed his two lumps of sugar, beat his accustomed march, pulled up his Hessian boots, and did all that The little man followed Dominic's movehe had been accustomed to do, with the excep-ments with his eyes, at the same time beating tion of paying his bill. upon the table a march somewhat longer and a little more vehement than was his wont; but by no word or movement did he afford an indication of having understood the liberal conduct of the waiter in his behalf.

This change in his usual practice continued for a week, at the end of which time the proprietor of the coffee-house, ignorant of the name or residence of his debtor, determined upon presenting him with a bill, the more especially as the little man gave no explanation of his conduct, or made any allusion to this remarkable change in his ancient habits.

Dominic, the chief waiter of the establishment, had become attached to the old man in consequence of the little trouble he gave and his quiet and gentle demeanor. Dominic imagined from the circumstance of his not diminishing the expense of his breakfast that the good man was merely laboring under some temporary embarrassment; so that partly from calculation and partly from good feeling Dominic determined to become responsible to the proprietor for the past and future breakfasts, not doubting that the embarrassment would shortly cease, and that the little man would soon settle his arrears, and perhaps accompany the settlement with a gratuity for the accommodation.

But Dominic was deceived in his calculation of time; ten months elapsed without any allusion to the matter or offer of payment. The coffee-house keeper and his waiters began to shrug their shoulders and make long faces at the risk poor Dominic was running. Dominic himself, exposed to these daily doubts, began to think that he had acted too liberally in becoming responsible for a man whose debt seemed destined to go on accruing for ever, when one day the old man, without any explanation, demanded his account, settled it in full, and after a careful calculation handed to

About the close of the same year-that is to say, three or four months after the liquidation of this singular debt, the proprietor of the café, who had realized a fortune, announced his intention of disposing of the establishment and retiring from trade.

Hearing this intention announced in the café, the old gentleman made a sign to Dominic, who was in attendance, to approach, and began a conversation. Dominic was as much surprised at this sudden fit of loquacity as though one of the stucco figures on the ceiling had opened its mouth and asked for a cup of coffee. But Dominic was destined to be even more surprised at the nature of the conversation.

"My friend," said the little old gentleman to the head waiter, "you are a good fellow, and I wish you well.”

Dominic bowed, and elevated his shoulders with that slight movement which may be interpreted ad libitum to mean "I am much obliged," or "It is of little consequence to me.' The old man took the former explanation, and continued

"Dominic, I am sure you have been economical; I know this and much more of which I do not speak, because I am too well acquainted with the value of words to throw them away-I know you have saved money.'

Dominic bounded back a step or two, and the action hardly needed to be interpreted. "He is about to ask me to lend him money," thought the head waiter.

"I am willing to agree," said the proprie | two ladies, who received them with marked tor; "but it is necessary that the matter attention. should be arranged by a notary."

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Why so? Is not the sale executed in good form by the three parties present ? "

"But with respect to the interest," murmured Dominic in a smothered tone of voice, seizing the baron's coat, "it is necessary

"Bah!" replied the old man, "I do it to oblige a friend, and am no usurer. Give me your acknowledgement-I desire nothing else. But as I have no intention of making you a present of two hundred thousand francs, I will arrange it in such a manner that you shall not long remain my debtor."

"Madame Dupré," said the baron to one of them, with an appearance of friendly familiarity. "this is the worthy man of whom I have spoken, and in whose welfare I hope to interest you. Dominic," continued he turning towards the coffee-house keeper, " this lady is the widow of a man who has rendered me many important services. She has promised to extend her favors to you, and will permit you to visit her at intervals."

While Monsieur Ragelet was making these introductions in due form, the daughter of Madame Dupré, whose name was Rose, and who, without being exactly beautiful, possessed Dominic fell from his elevation, and " the all the freshness and bloom of the flower man who always ate stale bread" descended whose name she bore, regarded Dominic atto the coffee-room. While the buyer and tentively, and he in return bestowed upon seller were preparing themselves to register her a large share of his attention. The result the transfer of the property he swallowed of this double investigation appeared favoratranquilly his cup of coffee, without forgetting the two pieces of sugar to be transferred to his pocket, beat a superb march on the table, drew up his boots, and departed with his two friends to finish, by a dash of the pen, a transfer of the two hundred thousand francs.

In a few days Dominic was installed in his new dignity. The little old man continued to take his customary breakfast in his usual impassable manner, when one day, as he was leaving the room, he deviated so far from his usual custom as to approach Dominic, who was enthroned in the seat of honor, and address him with the following words :

'Dominic," said he, "I think you have warm affections."

66

Perhaps," said Dominic, fixing his eyes upon the baron, as though he would read his thoughts.

ble to both parties, for Dominic was wellformed, and with good features, and his countenance reflected the goodness and gentleness of his heart. He had also taken care at his first introduction to set off his person to the best advantage, believing the old adage, that, with the ladies, Ce n'est que le premier pas qui coute.

But the meanness of the apartment, and simple and unexpensive dresses of the ladies, somewhat disappointed Dominic. He was anxious at the earliest possible moment to return the baron's loan, and indeed thought, from a hint the baron had dropped, that it was his intention to introduce him to a lady of property, with some sum towards the liquídation of his debt. But observing such obvious signs of want of wealth in the Duprés, he came to the conclusion that the baron was now desirous of marrying him to a girl who had been under his protection, in return for the favors which he had just bestowed. This thought occasioned Dominic great uneasiness; but whatever the appearances might be, the conclusion was a wrong one. The next day, as the interview had been satisfactory between "I have already thought of it, sir," said the young people, the baron_announced to Dominic ; แ a wife would be a great source of Dominic his plans in full. He stated the comfort and economy-it would save the ex-nature of the obligations conferred upon him pense of a dame de comptour."

"I see," said the other, "you have them when the occasion demands it; you are right-I am pleased with the reservation. I find you have not lost your heart-marriage is the most important affair of a man's life. Dominic, you must get married."

66

True," said the baron; "you have need of aid and counsel you shall have them. Be ready at eight o'clock this evening; I will call for you, and we will pay a visit together."

The appointed hour arrived, and with it the baron. Dominic was ready, and accòmpanied Monsieur Ragelet in a hackney coach to that quarter of decayed wealth-the Faubourg St. Germain. Here they stopped at the door of a house of mean appearance, and having ascended several flights of stairs, entered a small apartment, where they found

by the elder Dupré, and his desire, as the family were left in adverse circumstances, to return the obligation without alarming their delicacy; and this, he thought, he could best do by effecting a marriage between Dominic and the daughter of his friend.

Dominic was satisfied with this explanation and arrangement; the young lady appeared truly amiable, and desirable as a partner for life; and before a week had elapsed Dominic made a formal offer of his hand and heart, and was duly accepted by the protégé of "the man who always ate stale bread."

The marriage was soon after solemnized; and the same day, after his customary breakfast, the Baron beckoned to Dominic to approach.

"You have done well," said he; "you have married, without interested motives, a woman desirous and capable of rendering you happy. I told you I should find the means to cancel the debt you owe me : it is the dowry of Rose. And here," continued he, tearing the two hundred thousand franc bill in pieces, "I destroy the acknowledgment you gave for the money. Enjoy it, and be happy."

Dominic, full of gratitude, would have thrown himself at the Baron's feet, but he was already out of the door.

"Two or three such reparations," he muttered to himself, as he walked swiftly away, " and I shall die contented and absolved; and

these are what my relations call prodigal dilapidations of my fortune."

May all those who wallow in ill-acquired wealth render the same atonement to society as Baron Ragelet; and may they be as happy in the selection of their objects!

Dominic verified the prediction of the Baron, and became a millionaire. He improved the establishment in the Palais Royal, and, having brought it to its present state of perfection, sold the property for five hundred thousand francs. He is now a retired citizen, residing in a noble hotel in the Rue St. Honoré, and member of the Chamber of Deputies, distinguished chiefly for the simple probity of his character. Neither he nor Rose have ever forgotten or hesitated to acknowledge their obligations to "the man who always ate stale bread.".

took up another; thus he had literally filled his system with the poison, and would have lost his life but for the assistance of his medical adviser.

AUSTRALIAN FORESTS.-In no part of the world did I ever see such absolute midday darkness as occurred in many spots of this forest. Not a ray pierced, nor apparently had pierced the dense shade; and the eye ranged through MESSRS. SOTHEBY AND WILKINSON have sold the melancholy colonnades of tall black stems, the collection of autograph letters formed by the and along the roof of gloomy foliage, until it late Mr. Croker. The amount produced was was lost in the night of the woods-midnight, £1215. There were 2000 letters written by or with an Australian sun at its meridian! We to Nelson. were, perhaps, the more struck with its peculi-pondence (private and official) principally of One portion of these, the corresarity because the reverse. is the character of the naval and military men and statesmen, and NelAustralian bush; for the foliage of the gum tree son's letters in reply, and his sea journals, sold is so thin and so pendulous that, when the sun is for £380. Love-letters to Lady Hamilton prooverhead, one rides almost as though there were duced from £1 to £16 each. no trees. If there be such a thing as a sinumbral tree-a Peter Schlemil of the woods-it is the gum tree. It was a singular and pretty sight to see, as we did this day, during one or two momentary bursts of sunshine, large flocks of parrots dart across our path, like a shower of rubies, emeralds, and sapphires glittering for an instant in the watery beam, and vanishing as quickly in the gloom of the wilderness. Our Antipodes.

ARSENIC IN PIPES.-An American gentleman, living in Paris, had lately been in the habit of consuming largely the cheap white clay pipes, not as a matter of economy, but of fantasy: These pipes, in Paris, are rendered white and smooth by arsenic; and, as arsenic is a very volatile substance, under the influence of heat, the poor, who use these pipes mostly, do not suffer perceptibly, since a day's use drives off all the arsenic, and they are not frequently renewed. But the gentleman renewed his pipes every day, and about the time that he had absorbed all the poisonous material of one pipe he

HARDNESS OF CHARACTER.-Hardness is a want of minute attention to the feelings of others: it does not proceed from malignity or a carelessness of inflicting pain, but from a want of delicate perception of those little things by which pleasure is conferred or pain excited. A hard person thinks he has done enough if he does not speak ill of your relations, your children, or your country; and then, with the greatinattention to your individual state and position, est good-humor and volubility, and with a total gallops over a thousand fine feelings, and leaves heart.-Sidney Smith. in every step the mark of his hoof upon your

PERFUMES. Drop twelve drops of oil of rhodium on a lump of loaf-sugar; grind this well in a glass mortar, and mix thoroughly with three pounds of orris-root. A fine violet perfume will thus be obtained. By increasing the quantity of rhodium, you will obtain a rose perfume.

From Household Words.
EARTHQUAKE EXPERIENCES.

Iracks had been put up. Indeed, wherever I went the same feature was perceptible; the authorities took good care of themselves; and it was obvious that they endeavored to prevent the people from having access to me. I had means of making the inquiry, however; and ascertained that scarcely any thing had been done for them. The government had sent a few blankets, articles of clothing, and deals, but they were insufficient, and had been used principally for the churches and authorities.

So much has been said of the great earthquake which occurred in the kingdom of Naples in the month of December, 1856, that the subject may appear almost to have been exhausted. An unexpected freshness, however, has been communicated to it by the narrative of an English gentleman, who, impelled solely by motives of benevolence, visited the afflicted districts, and lived and labored amongst the poor inhabitants for more than ten weeks. The details which he "On my return in the month of March I gives are of such an interesting and extraor- found that the temporary church in Polla had dinary character, afford so much insight into been covered with zinc. Convinced that I the actual civilization of localities he visited, could do but little for humanity in the as well as into the system of government province of Salerno, where, what had been pursued here, that I shall not make any done was by the road-side for the sake of apology for giving them as I heard them show, in case any of the princes came down, from his own mouth. I hurried on to Basilicata, where I arrived On Mr. Major's applying to Monsieur on the thirty-first of January in Padula. Bianchini, the Minister of the Interior, he The earthquake had not committed so much found him rather put out by the indisposition injury here as in other places, but little which the English had manifested to entrust had been done to repair it, for it was not their contributions to the government for on the high road. There was a fine old mondistribution. Without, however, prohibiting him from visiting the scene of the disaster, the minister would do nothing more than promise that no obstacle should be thrown in his way. General Winspear, who is at the head of gendarmerie, gave him an especial order to be accompanied by gendarmes wherever he went; and, with such guarantees, he left Naples on the thirtieth of January, about six weeks after the earthquake occurred.

From this time I shall conduct the narrative as though Mr. Major were speaking, and as nearly as possible in his own words :

"My first resting-place was Salerno, where I visited the Intendente, Mr. Ajossa, who received me with great kindness and attention, giving me letters of recommendation to the Sottintendente, and a circular letter to all the gendarmes, which enjoined them to assist me; and, moreover, sending one officer to accompany me during the whole time of my journey.

"A lovely and a well-constructed road leads to Auletta, where the ruin occasioned by the earthquake is first apparent. A great quantity of planks had been put together for churches, barracks, and public offices. So also was it in Polla; where a handsome barrack had been erected for the Sottintendente, of expensive deals, and had been lined with blankets. It consisted of a saloon, ante-chamber, sleeping apartments, and all the other conveniences belonging to tranquil life. At Sala, too, he had another temporary house built of Petersburgh timber. The judge and all the principal people were similarly accomnodated; but, for the poor, only a few bar

astery here, which had been broken all to pieces. The Syndic of Padula received me well, and, leaving him with sixty ducats for the relief of poor, I went on the next morning to Saponara.

"There was no road to this place, and my route lay over the mountains, a heavy snow falling all the time. In some parts the earth was cracked with deep fissures. Saponara I found had been nearly destroyed. On the side of the hill had stood a nunnery, which was now in ruins; the very foundations had been thrown up; of a large church not an atom was left; beds for apartments below in another story with men and children in them, had been thrown into the rooms of nuns; two such instances I observed in Saponara. Dr. Mallett explained the phenomenon by saying, that it must have happened in consequence of a change in the position of the upper and lower beams of the two stories; but, I still hold that it was produced by the immediate and violent action of the earthquake, and Humboldt records similar facts as having taken place in Quito. What was to be done? I asked. Barracks for the ppor people were wanted, I was told, and that evening I set to work. The population had fled to a monastery, the walls of which had been thrown down. Some portions, however, remained; and, inside, some huts had been thrown up of board and straw, and covered over with clothes, but the wind and the rain beat fearfully into them. The authorities had had some made expressly for themselves. The government officials, too, had erected some of sticks, lightly covered over with linen; they looked just like umbrellas, but