a few moments everything was covered more than an inch deep with the finest dust, which had filtered through the numerous folds of the canvas.

It was impossible to read or work, the candles gave only a little gleam of light through the thick atmosphere, and all we touched was gritty. For four long hours our imprisonment lasted, and it was not until sunset that we were released.

As soon as the tent flaps were lifted up we all burst out laughing at one another-such objects you never saw! No one had an eyebrow or an eyelash to be seen; the bronzed and red complexions which outdoor life had produced were all hidden under a thick coating of dust; and we needed only a few streaks of paint to have looked like a clown in the pantomime, for our faces were quite as white as his.

We could see the dense cloud moving on to the south-west, but all was beautifully clear behind it; only a slight haze between us and it showed that the atmosphere was not quite free from dust a little beyond us.

I looked at the horses-they were all as white as if they had been powdered with flour; so were their attendants; and the water-carriers were very busy filling the large goatskins which serve them as water-jugs, to give every live thing which had been outside a good drink, and to wash the dust out of their eyes and ears.

The camels had buried their noses in the sand, and did not appear to have suffered at all.

I went that afternoon to the elephants' camp to see how they had fared, and found them not at all the worse for the storm. The dense grove of trees had been a great protection to them, and their attendants had taken shelter in the little tents which the great creature carries for his servants. The huge beasts were taking a bath, or rather giving it to themselves by filling their trunks with water and dashing it over their heads, trumpeting and enjoying themselves immensely.-Lady Barker.

LEARN:

In-co-her'-ent, loose, uncon- Pan'-to-mime, an imitation of

nected.

Weath'-er quar'-ter, towards

the wind.

Ayah, an Indian female ser-
vant.

Whisk'-ed, rapidly swept away.
Grit'-ty, sandy.
At'-mo-sphere, the expanse of
air we breathe.

Lee'-side, the side sheltered
from the wind.

Tent-pegs, pegs used to fasten a tent to the ground.

actions and characters by mute action.

Ve-ran'-da, an extra roof standing out from the side of a building to form a covering and shade to a walk.

Tur'-ban, the covering for the head worn by the people of the East. It consists of a quilted cap, round which a sash or scarf is twisted.

If you stand in some lonely place amongst the hills after a shower of rain, you will hear the water tinkle, tinkle, in little rivulets among the blades of grass. You cannot always see it, but the sound tells you that little rills are gathering everywhere, and racing down the slopes.

THE COUNTRY MOUSE AND THE CITY MOUSE.

AN honest, plain, sensible country mouse is said to have entertained at his hole one day a fine mouse of the town. Having formerly been playfellows together, they were old acquaintances, which served as an apology for the visit.

As master of the house, he thought himself obliged to do the honours of it in all respects, and to make as great a stranger of his guest as he possibly could.

In order to this, he set before him a reserve of delicate grey peas and bacon, a dish of fine oatmeal, some parings of new cheese, and, to crown all with a dessert, the remnant of a charming mellow apple.

H

In good manners, he forbore to eat any himself, lest the stranger should not have enough; but, that he might seem to bear the other company, sat and nibbled a piece of a wheaten straw very busily.

At last says the spark of the town, "Old crony, give me leave to be a little free with you how can you bear to live in this nasty, dirty, melancholy hole here, with nothing but woods, and meadows, and mountains, and rivulets about you?

"Do you not prefer the conversation of the world to the chirping of birds, and the splendour of a court to the rude aspect of rough fields?

"Come, take my word for it, you will find it a change for the better. Never stand considering, but away this moment! Remember we are not immortal, and therefore have no time to lose. Make sure of to-day, and spend it as agreeably as you can; you know not what may happen tomorrow."

In short, these and such-like arguments prevailed, and his country acquaintance was resolved to go to town that night.

So they both set out upon their journey together, proposing to sneak in after the close of the evening.

They did so, and about midnight made their entry into a certain great house, where there had been a grand entertainment the day before; and several tit-bits, which some of the servants had purloined, were hidden under the seat of a window.

The country guest was immediately placed in

the midst of a rich Persian carpet; and now it was the courtier's turn to entertain, who, indeed, acquitted himself in that capacity with the utmost readiness and address, changing the courses as elegantly, and tasting everything first as judiciously, as any clerk of a kitchen.

The other sat and enjoyed himself, delighted to the last degree with this new turn of affairs, when, on a sudden, a noise of somebody opening the door made them start from their seats and scuttle in confusion about the dining-room.

Our country friend, in particular, was ready to die with fear at the barking of a huge mastiff or two, which opened their throats just about the same time, and made the whole house echo.

At last recovering himself, "Well," says he, "if this be your town life, much good may you do with it give me my poor quiet hole again, with my homely but comfortable grey peas."

A humble life with peace and quietness is better than a splendid one with danger and risk.