geant-Major Frazer was entitled to share it with him, on account of the great service he had rendered him on that occasion. The money was divided between the general and the sergeant-major, and the generosity of the Duke of Wellington and Sir James Macdonnel will not soon be forgotten.

REWARD OF FIRMNESS AND CAUTION.

As George II. was one day riding on horseback in Hydepark, he met an old soldier who had fought with him in the battle of Dettingen. With this soldier he entered into free discourse. After talking together for some time, the King asked the old veteran what he could do for him? "Why, please your Majesty," said the soldier, "my wife keeps an apple-stall on the bit of waste ground as you enter the park, and if your Majesty would be pleased to make us a grant of it, we might build a little shed and improve our trade."

The request was a very moderate one, and was at once granted. In a little time the old apple-woman prospered greatly, for the shed was built, and her business surprisingly increased. The situation was a good one for the purpose, and she carried on a very profitable trade.

In the course of years the old soldier died, and the lordchancellor, who was looking around him at the time for a suitable piece of ground whereon he might build himself a mansion, fixed his mind on this very spot. The old woman was sadly alarmed when she saw her poor shed pulled down, and preparations made for building up a great house where it stood, so away she went to her son, an attorney's clerk, to consult with him as to what course should be pursued. The son was shrewd enough to see at once the advantage that might be gained by remaining quiet in the matter, so he advised his mother to say nothing until the great mansion should be completed.

No

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sooner was the house finished, than the son waited on the lord-chancellor to complain of the trespass committed on his mother's property, and to claim a recompense for the injury that had been sustained.

When the chancellor saw that the claim was undeniable, he directly offered a few hundred pounds, by way of compensation; but this was altogether refused; the old woman, advised by her son, would by no means settle the affair on such easy terms. After some deliberation, a ground-rent of four hundred pounds a year was demanded, and his lordship at last agreed to the terms. To this very day, Apsley House, the mansion of the Duke of Wellington, yields a ground-rent of four hundred pounds per year, to the descendants of the old apple-woman.

COURAGE OF CRILLON.

It is not always in the heat of action that presence of mind, and true courage is most conspicuous. In cases of sudden alarm and emergency a man is tried to the utmost. It is said that the Duke of Guise, having a mind to try the courage of Lewis de Crillon, or Grillon, a gentleman of Avignon, agreed with some gentlemen to give a sudden alarm before Crillon's quarters, as if the enemy had been masters of the town; at the same time he ordered two horses to the door, and rushing into Crillon's room, cried out that all was lost; that the enemy were masters of the port and town, and had put to flight all that opposed them; that two horses were at the door, and that he must haste and fly. Crillon was asleep when the alarm. was given, and hardly awake whilst the Duke of Guise was speaking. However, without being at all disconcerted by so hot an alarm, he called for his clothes and his arms, saying, they ought not, on too slight grounds, to give credit to all

that was said of the enemy; and even if the account was correct, it was more becoming men of honour to die with their arms in their hands than to survive with the loss of the place. The Duke of Guise, being unable to prevail on him to change his resolution, followed him out of the room; but when they were got half-way down stairs, not being able to contain himself any longer, he burst out a laughing, by which Crillon discovered the trick that had been played him. He assumed a look much sterner than when he only thought of going to fight, and squeezing the Duke of Guise's hand, said, "Young man, never make it a jest to try the courage of a man of honour, for hadst thou made me betray any weakness, I would have plunged my dagger in thy heart," and then left him, without saying a word more. Such coolness is worthy of imitation; but not such vindictive feelings.

THE ABBE DE L'EPEE.

HARLES MICHEL DE L'EPEE was born at Versailles, on the 25th of November, 1712. His father,

who was the king's architect, en

joyed a comfortable independence. A man of simple manners, and severe probity, he early

accustomed his children to self-restraint, and the practice of goodness. The young De l'Epée betrayed, while still a child, the mildness of disposition, and simplicity of tastes, the humility and desire to befriend all around him, for which he was so remarkable in after life. His father destined him to a scientific career, in which he already had made rapid advances; but at the age of seventeen he felt himself called to the ministry, and after having, with some difficulty, obtained the consent of his parents, he began the study of theology.