trust to me, dat l'affaire from our major is on de point to end, and to end good. He has made a rapport to de king, and de king has resolved et tout à fait en faveur du major. "Monsieur," m'a dit son Excellence, vous comprenez bien, que tout dépend de la manière dont on fait envisager les choses au roi, et vous me connaissez. C'est un très-joli garçon que ce Tellheim, et ne sais-je pas que vous l'aimez? Les amis de mes amis sont aussi les miens. Il coûte un peu cher au roi ce Tellheim, mais est-ce que l'on sert les rois pour rien? Il faut s'entr'aider dans ce monde; et quand il s'agit de pertes, que ce soit le roi qui en fasse, et non pas un honnête homme de nous autres. Voilà le principe dont je ne me dépars jamais," But what say madame to it? N'est ce pas, dat is a fine fellow! Ah! que son Excellence a le cœur bien placé! He assure me au reste, if de major has not reçu already une lettre de la main-a royal letter, dat to-day infailliblement must he receive one.

Min. Certainly, sir, this news will be most welcome to Major von Tellheim. I should like to be able to name the friend to him who takes such an interest in his welfare.

Ric. Madame, you wish my name? Vous voyez en moi -you see in me, le Chevalier Riccaut de la Marlinière, Seigneur de Prêt-au-Val, de la branche de Prens d'Or. You remain astonished to hear me from so great, great a family, qui est véritablement du sang royal. Il faut le dire: je suis sans doute le cadet le plus aventureux que la maison n'a jamais eu. I serve from my eleven year. Une affaire d'honneur make me flee. Den I serve de holy Pope of Rome, den de Republic St. Marino, den de Poles, den de StatesGeneral, till enfin I am brought here. Ah, mademoiselle, que je voudrais n'avoir jamais vu ce pays-ci! Had one left me in de service of de States-General, should I be now at least colonel. But here always to remain capitaine, and now also a discharged capitaine!

Min. That is bad luck.

Ric. Oui, mademoiselle, me voilà réformé, et par là mis sur le pavé!

Min. I am very sorry for you.

Ric. Vous êtes bien bonne, mademoiselle. No, merit have no reward here. Réformer a man, like me. A man who also have ruin himself in dis service. I have lost in it so much as twenty thousand livres. What have I now? Tranchons le mot: not one sou have I, et me voilà exactement opposite to notting at all in my pocket.

Min. I am exceedingly sorry.

Ric. Vous êtes bien bonne, mademoiselle. But as one say, misfortune never come alone! Qu'un malheur ne vient jamais seul-so it arrive with me. What ressource rests for an honnête homme of my extraction, but cards? Now, I always played with luck, so long I not need her. Now I very much need her, je joue avec un guignon, mademoiselle, qui surpasse toute croyance. For fifteen days, not one is passed dat I always am broke. Yesterday I was broke dree times. Je sais bien, qu'il y avait quelque chose de plus que le jeu. Dere was also dere certaines dames. I will not speak more. One must be very galant to les dames. Dey have invite me again to-day, to give me revanche. Mais-vous m'entendez, mademoiselle-one must first have to live, before one can have to play.

Min. I hope, sir

Ric. Vous êtes bien bonne, mademoiselle.

Min. (takes Franziska aside). Franziska, I really feel for the man. Would he take it ill if I offered him something?

Fran. He does not look to me like a man who would. Min. Very well. Sir, I perceive that-you play, that you keep the bank, doubtless in places where something is to be won. I must also confess that I am very fond of cardsthat

Ric. Tant mieux, mademoiselle, tant mieux! Tous les gens d'esprit aiment le jeu à la fureur.

Min. -that I am very fond of winning; that I like to trust my money to a man who knows how to play. Are you inclined, sir, to let me join you-to let me have a share in your bank?

Ric. Comment, mademoiselle, vous voulez être de moitié avec moi? De tout mon cœur!

Min. At first, only with a trifle.

(Opens her desk and takes out some money.)

Ric. Ah, mademoiselle, que vous êtes charmante!

Min. Here is what I won a short time ago-only ten pistoles. I am ashamed, so little

Ric. Donnez toujours, mademoiselle, donnez. (Takes it.) Min. Without doubt, your bank, sir, is very considerable. Ric. Oh, yes, vary considerable. Ten pistoles! You shall have, madame, an interest in my bank for one-tird, pour le tiers. Yes, one-tird part it shall be something more. With a beautiful lady one must not be too exac. I rejoice myself to make by dat a liaison avec madame, et de ce moment je recommence à bien augurer de ma fortune. Min. But I cannot be present, sir, when you play.

Ric. For why it nécessaire dat you be present? We otter players are honorable people between us.

Min. If we are fortunate, sir, you will, of course, bring me my share. If we are unfortunate

Ric. I come to bring recruits, n'est ce pas, madame?

Min. In time recruits might fail. Manage our money well, sir.

Ric. What does madame tink me-a simpleton, a stupid devil?

Min. I beg your pardon.

Ric. Je suis des bons, mademoiselle. Savez vous ce que

cela veut dire? I am of de quite practised-

Min. But still, sir

Ric. I know one trick or two

Min. (amazed). Could you?

Ric. Je file la carte avec une adresse

Ric. Je fais sauter la coupe avec une dextérité

Min. You surely would not, sir

Ric. What not, madame-what not? Donnez-moi a

pigeon for to be pluck, and

Min. Play false? Cheat?

Ric. Comment, mademoiselle? You call dat to cheat? To correct de fortune, l'enchaîner sous ses doigts, être sûr de son fait-dat you call to cheat? To cheat! Oh, what a poor langage is your langage! What an awkward langage! Min. No, sir, if you think so

Ric. Laissez-moi faire, mademoiselle, and be tranquille! What matter to you how I play? Enough! To-morrow, madame, you see me again or with hundred pistoles, or you see me no more. Votre très-humble, mademoiselle, votre très-humble. -" Minna von Barnhelm."

The Ape and the Fox

"NAME me an animal, though never so skilful, that I cannot imitate!" So bragged the ape to the fox.

But the fox replied:

"And do thou name me an animal so humble as to think of imitating thee!"

Writers of my country, need I explain myself more fully? "Fables."

Zeus and the Horse

"FATHER of beasts and of men "-so spake the horse, approaching the throne of Zeus-" I am said to be one of the most beautiful animals with which thou hast adorned the world; and my self-love leads me to believe it. Nevertheless, might not some things in me still be improved?"

"And what in thee, thinkest thou, admits of improvement? Speak! I am open to instruction," said the indulgent god with a smile.

"

Perhaps," returned the horse, "I should be fleeter if my legs were taller and thinner. A long swan-neck would not disfigure me. A broader breast would add to my strength. And since thou hast once for all destined me to bear thy favorite, man, the saddle which the well-meaning rider puts upon me might be created a part of me."

"Good!" replied Zeus; "wait a moment."

Zeus, with earnest countenance, pronounced the creative word. Then flowed life into the dust; then organized matter combined; and suddenly stood before the throne the ugly camel.