at length alighted on the tall pear-tree in our orchard, and hung in a bunch from one of the boughs. A ladder was got, and a man ascending, with gloves on his hands and an apron tied over his head, swept them into a hive, rubbed on the inside with honey and sweet herbs. But, as he was descending, some bees that had got under his gloves, stung him so severely, that he hastily threw down the hive, upon which the greater part of the bees fell out, and began in a rage to fly among the crowd, and sting all upon whom they alighted. Away scampered the people, the women shrieking, the children roaring; and poor Adam, who had held the hive, was assailed so furiously, that he was obliged to throw himself on the ground, and creep under the gooseberry bushes. At length the bees began to return to the hive, in which the queen bee had remained; and after a while, all being quietly settled, a cloth was thrown over it, and the swarm was carried home.

About noon, three pigs broke into the garden, where they were rioting upon the carrots and turnips, and doing a great deal of mischief by trampling the beds, and rooting up the plants with their snouts, when they were spied by old Towzer, the mastiff, who ran among them, and laying hold of their long ears with his teeth, made them squeal most dismally, and get out of the garden as fast as they could.

Roger, the ploughman, when he came for his dinner, brought word that he had discovered a patridge's nest with sixteen eggs in the Home Field. Upon which, the farmer went out and broke them all; saying, that he did not choose to rear birds upon his corn which he was not allowed to catch, but must leave to some qualified sportsman, who would besides break down his fences in the pursuit. [This was a very unjustifiable act on the part of the farmer.]

A sheep-washing was held this day at the millpool, when seven score were well washed, and then penned in the High Meadow, to dry. Many of them

made great resistance at being thrown into the water; and the old ram, being dragged to the brink by a boy at each horn, and a third pushing behind, by a sudden spring threw two of them into the water, to the great diversion of the spectators.

Towards the dusk of the evening, the squire's mongrel greyhound, which had been long suspected of worrying sheep, was caught in the fact. He had killed two lambs, and was making a hearty meal upon one of them, when he was disturbed by the approach of the shepherd's boy, and directly leaped the hedge and made off. The dead bodies were taken to the squire's, with an indictment of wilful murder against the dog. But, when they came to look for the culprit, he was not to be found in any part of the premises, and is supposed to have fled his country, through consciousness of his heinous offence.

Joseph, who sleeps in the garret at the old end of the house, after having been some time in bed, came down stairs in his shirt, as pale as ashes, and frightened the maids, who were going up. It was some time before he could tell what was the matter; at length, he said he had heard some dreadful noises over-head, which he was sure must be made by some ghost or evil spirit; nay, he thought he had seen something moving, though he owned he durst hardly lift up his eyes. He concluded with declaring, that he would rather sit up all night in the kitchen than go to his room again. The maids were almost as much alarmed as he, and did not know what to do; but the master overhearing their talk, came out, and insisted upon their accompanying him to the spot, in order to search into the affair. They all went into the garret, and for a while heard nothing; when the master ordered the candle to be taken away, and every one to keep quite still. Joseph and the maids stuck close to each other, and trembled every limb. At length a kind of groaning or snoring began to be heard, which grew louder and louder, with intervals of a strange sort of hissing.

"That's it!" whispered Joseph, drawing back towards the door-the maids were ready to sink; and even the farmer himself was a little disconcerted. The noise seemed to come from the rafters, near the thatch. In a while, a glimpse of moonlight shining through a hole at the place, plainly discovered the shadow of something stirring; and, on looking intently, something like feathers were perceived. The farmer now began to suspect what the case was; and ordering up a short ladder, bade Joseph climb to the spot, and thrust his hand into the hole. This he did rather unwillingly, and soon drew it back, crying loudly that it was bitten. However, gathering courage, he put it in again, and pulled out a large white owl, another at the same time being heard to fly away. The cause of the alarm was now made clear enough; and poor Joseph, after being heartily jeered by the maids, though they had been as much frightened as he, sneaked into bed again, and the house soon became quiet.

THE PRICE OF PLEASURE.

"I THINK I will take a ride," said the little Lord Linger, after breakfast; "bring me my boots, and let my horse be brought to the door."

The horse was saddled, and his lordship's spurs were putting on.

"No," said he, "I'll have my low chair and the ponies, and take a drive round the park."

The horse was led back, and the ponies were almost harnessed, when his lordship sent his valet to countermand them. He would walk into the corn-field, and see how the new pointer hunted.

"After all," says he, "I think I will stay at home and play a game or two at billiards."

He played half a game, but could not make a stroke to please himself. His tutor, who was present, now thought it a good opportunity to ask his lordship if he would read a little.