kohl with which the ladies stain their brows and eyelids, alabaster vases for sweet-scented ointments, and trinket boxes shaped like a goose, a fish, or a human dwarf.

Every-where throughout the house is a profusion of flowers hanging in festoons, clustered on stands, and crowning the wine bowl. Not only the guests but the attendants are wreathed, and fresh blossoms are constantly brought in from the garden to replace those which are fading.

And now the ox, kid, geese, and ducks, which, according to custom, have been hurried into the cooking caldrons as soon as killed, are ready to be served. After hand-washing and saying of grace, the guests are seated on stools, chairs, or the floor, one or two at each little, low, round table. The dishes, many of which are vegetables, are served in courses, and the guests, having neither knife nor fork, help themselves with their fingers. Meantime, a special corps of servants keep the wine and water cool by vigorously fanning the porous jars which contain them.

During the repast, when the enjoyment is at its height, the Osiris-an image like a human mummy -is brought in and formally introduced to each visitor with the reminder that life is short, and all must die. This little incident does not in the least disturb the placidity of the happy guests.

There is one, however, to whom the injunction is not given, and who, though anointed and garlanded and duly placed at a table, does not partake of the delicacies set before him. This is a real mummy, a dear deceased member of the family, whom the host is keeping some months before

burial, being loath to part with him. It is in his honor, indeed, that the relatives and friends are assembled, and the presence of a beloved mummy, whose soul is journeying toward the Pools of Peace, is the culminating pleasure of an Egyptian party.

MRS. J. DORMAN STEELE.

Notes. — Thebes, the ancient capital of Upper Egypt, was situated in the broadest part of the Nile valley. Its ruins comprise nine townships. With its 20,000 war chariots, its vast wealth, and its marvelous buildings, it was in ancient times the most powerful and important city in the world. To-day, a few Arab families are located near its site, and gain a scanty living by showing to travelers the ruins of the once proud city.

Lăb'y rìnth, the name of a wonderful structure at Crõe o di lõp'olis, Egypt, consisting of twelve palaces under one roof, supposed to have been inhabited by twelve kings who ruled at the same time. The passages throughout the structure are so mingled together, that a guide is needed to show the way. The age of the building is estimated to be about 3,900 years.

The Shepherd kings, supposed to have been Arabs, obtained control of Lower Egypt about 2000 B. C. They were finally conquered and driven out by the rulers of Upper Egypt.

a separate

Language. Use each of the following words in sentence, and explain the difference in their meaning: pleasure, enjoyment, delight.

76.-VIRGINIUS.

sew'er (su'er), a passage under

ground to carry off water or filth.

reek'ing, steaming.

gloat, gaze; look.

çiv'ie, relating to a city or citizen.

shăm′blèş, a place where butchers' meat is sold.

be reft', robbed.

leech, doctor.

a věrt'ed, turned away.

Straightway Virginius N led the maid a little space aside,

To where the reeking shambles stood, piled up with horn and

hide,

Close to yon low, dark archway, where, in a crimson flood, Leaps down to the great sewer the gurgling stream of blood.

Hard by, a flesher N on a block had laid his whittle N down;
Virginius caught the whittle up, and hid it in his gown.

And then his eyes grew very dim, and his throat began to swell,
And in a hoarse, changed voice he spoke, "Farewell, sweet child,

farewell!

"O how I loved my darling! Though stern I sometimes be,
To thee, thou knowest, I was not so. Who could be so to thee?
And how my darling loved me! How glad she was to hear
My footstep on the threshold when I came back last year!

"And how she danced with pleasure to see my civic crown, And took my sword and hung it up, and brought me forth my gown!

Now all these things are over-yes, all thy pretty ways,

Thy needle-work, thy prattle, thy snatches of old lays;

And none will grieve when I go forth, or smile when I return, Or watch beside the old man's bed, or weep upon his urn.

"The house that was the happiest within the Roman walls,
The house that envied not the wealth of Capua's N marble halls,
Now, for the brightness of thy smile, must have eternal gloom;
And for the music of thy voice, the silence of the tomb.

"The time is come. See how he points his eager hand this way! See how his eyes gloat on thy grief, like a kite's upon the prey! With all his wit, he little deems that, spurned, betrayed, bereft, Thy father hath in his despair one fearful refuge left.

"He little deems that in this hand I clutch what still can save Thy gentle youth from taunts and blows, the portion of the slave;

Yea, and from nameless evil, that passeth taunt and blow— Foul outrage which thou knowest not, which thou shalt never know.

"Then clasp me round the neck once more, and give me one more kiss;

And now, mine own dear little girl, there is no way but this." With that he lifted high the steel, and smote her in the side, And in her blood she sunk to earth, and with one sob she died.