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any line of figures, as 823417554. Make examples by taking the first two figures for the lesser, and the next for the units of the greater; then the second and third, and the fourth, and so on. The process then is to make out, as rapidly as possible, eighty-two and one are eighty-three, twenty-three and one are twenfour, thirty-four and seven are forty-one, forty-one and six are forty-seven, seventeen and eight are twenty-five, and so on.

cult to make the results come as readily as those of the simple multipiication-table. Thus, taking 62987401328, the object is to arrive rapidly at 21, 26, 79, 60, or 6x2+9, 2×9+8, 9x8+7, 8x7+4; also at 72, 88, 119, etc., or (6+2)×9, (2+9) ×8, (9+8)×7, etc.

5. The next process is to catch the result of the preeeding process, and to add to it another figure, naming the first result only, and none of its constituents. Taking again a row of figures - 725836294759 - the object is to arrive at 19 and 27, 18 and 21, 43 and 49; or, taking the sum of the two first numbers, multiplying the third and adding the fourth. and so on-thus, 45 and 53, 56 and 59, 39 and

45, etc.

3. The multiplication-table is now to be learned, up to nine times nine at least, but not in the common way. Of all the drawbacks, upon the rapidity of computation, none is so great as the common habit of reproducing in regular form the assertion, eight times seven are fifty-six, every time that eight and seven are seen and multiplication is known to be coming. The exercise we now speak of, consists in stating instantly the product of two digits as soon as they are seen. Take a line of figures, as before, and learn to repeat rapidly the product of every pair, without naming either of the pair. 72698593376598. The following products are to be caught instantly: 14, 12, 54, 72, 40, 45, 27, 9, 21, 42, 30, 45, 72, etc. One advantage of this process will be, that the learner will become equally habituat-namely:

6. The next of these exercises resembles that in (2), only that the smaller number is found as in (4). A product increased by a digit is to be taken from a number, of which the unit's place is before the operator, while the ten's is to be supplied,as wanted, to make the defect not exceed nine. Thus, out of 7861, is to be instantly supplied 62 and 9 are 71, or 7x8+6 is to be made up to the next number that ends with one.

7. The last proceess is the inversion of (5), finding the quotient and remainder

ed to the products, whether the greater fac- of tens and units divided by a single digit; tor be seen first or the lesser.

but this should be practiced without repeating, as in eight in fifty-nine, seven times and three over. It should be, at most, eight in fifty-nine, seven and three. A row of figures may be used for practice, as in the preceding cases.

4. The next thing to be acquired is the formation of a product increased by a given digit, or a given digit by a product, instantly, without repetition of the factors or addend. Instead of four times eight are thirty-two, and three are thirty-five, we ought to require only the words 32, 35; that is, only the results. If rows of figures be again taken, and if the exercise be repeated on each three figures consecutively slowly at first, if necessary, but keeping strictly to the rule of allowing no additional words to be either articulated or thought of it will not be found very diffi-panion to the British Almanac.

As soon as these seven rules become as familiar as counting, so soon and no sooner is the drudgery of computation annihilated. These are the steps by which the calcularor walks; and, let his journey be in what direction it may, no single pace can be any thing. but one or another of the preceding.-Com

My 23, 56, 80, 41, 3, 31, expresses one of the properties of this tree.

FIRESIDE DEPARTMENT.

Answers

To "Miscellaneous Enigma," in April number, have been received from D. R. A., Cen

My 75, 69, 30, 83, is a mineral used for money in East Africa.

My 66, 40, 79, 33, 37, 9, 29, is a high hill,

treville; Marie S. B. and Myra D. G., Bris-rising from the middle of a lake in East Afritol; Lizzie, Phenix; Manfred, Raymond, M., ca. A., R., A., Roscoe, E. B. C., Providence.

ANSWER.

Palace of Forty Pillars, Ispahan, Gerba, Saint Denis, Bonibe, Rhodes, Gibraltar, Solaro, Anacapri, Cherbourg, Gingee, Trent, Torghattan, Tours, Helder, Hillah, Duffus.

Whole-The burning of the frigate Philadelphia, in the harbor of Tripoli, by Lieutenant Stephen Decatur.

There were several mistakes in the "Miscellaneous Enigma" of last month, the occurrence of which we regret. Contrary to our usual custom, it was inserted without a careful revision, hence the appearance of the errors, which are palpable. We hope to avoid a repetition.

For the Schoolmaster.

Enigma.

I AM COMPOSED OF NINETY-FOUR LETTERS.

My 50, 91, 27, 84, 6, 58, 17, 53, 8, 38, 73, 48, 69, 14, 2, 6, is a recent missionary martyr.

My 52, 1, 10, 30, 63, 90, 65, 11, 52, 36, 82, 58, is a curious phenomenon seen in swamps and battle-fields.

My 5, 87, 81, 59, 33, 77, 46, 4, 70, 31, 25, is the native name of a waterfall in Central Africa.

My 60, 49, 78, 43, 47, 34, 41, 29, 12, 25, 13, 26, 42, is the name given the above by the dis

coverer.

My 28, 14, 71, 85, is an ancient tower in Asia Minor.

My 89, 15, 7, 72, 40, 57, 22, 77, is a river which empties into the gulf of Cambay.

My 19, 74, 88, 23, 61, 34, 62, 58, 4, 93, 68, 61, 45, is a place in Switzerland, near which is a single waterfall of 800 feet.

My whole, is a curious circumstance which happens twice during the year on cach side of the mountains alternately, which run parallel with the western shore of the Red Sea.

JERRY.

AN ENIGMA said to have been written by Mr. Canning, which, for a length of time, baffled all England to solve:

"There is a verb of plural number,

A foe to peace and human slumber.
Now any word you chance to take,
By adding 8, you plural make;
But if you add an s to this
How strange the metamorphosis:
Plural is plural then no more,
And sweet what bitter was before."

Dr. Franklin in Paris.

IN the early part of the American war, Franklin went to Paris, in hopes of obtaining pecuniary resources from France. For some time he was unsuccessful, and being invited to a large party, a gentleman observed:

"It must be owned, sir, that America now

My 35, 18, 86, 39, 51, 16, 54, is the river exhibits to us a grand and magnificent spec

on which the above waterfall is found.

My 67, 55, 74, 17, 92, 32, is a tree which

produces Gum-Arabic.

tacle!"

"True," replied the doctor, dryly, but the spectators do not pay."

The Honest Woodcutter.

A NEW VERSION OF AN OLD STORY, IN IRREGULAR RHYME.

A woodman lived by the river side,
And all day long his axe he plied;

A blithe and happy man was he,

And blessed with a wife and children three; Though coarse his garb and scant his fare, His debts he paid by thrifty care; His neighbor's trust he freely won; They styled him "Honest as the sun." One day he stood by the water's edge, Away rolled his axe from the slippery ledge; A woful look had the woodman then, For what shall give him his axe again? He sat him down on an oak-log rude (Albeit unused to the píníng mood,) And gazed on the river's rapid flow; His treasure sunk to its caves below; While visions of want, and care, and woe Floated over his brain,

A maddening train ;

When more rapid than light
To his startled sight,

Forth springs a fairy, lovely and bright.
Of her wondrous beauty none may tell,
As she floated along in a nautilus' shell.
She knew our honest woodman well,
And thus her kindly accents fell-
"What is thy woe?

I fain would know

What grieves a man so just and true." "Ah, me! my axe is in the river, And, much I fear, is lost forever."

Forth to the astonished woodman's view A silver axe the elfin drew. "Is this thy axe ?" the fairy cried;

Not mine, indeed," the man replied. ("I'll try," said she, "each wily art To tempt this honest woodman's heart.") "This, then, perchance ?" and lò, behold! She showed an axe of solid gold. 'Twas vain to change his steadfast will, He gave the self-same answer still. "My axe was steel, its handle oak,

Well worn by many a sturdy stroke."
Again she held an axe to view,

His own the honest woodman knew,
And, claiming his most valued prize,
Joy sparkled in the woodman's eyes.
"The three are thine!" the fairy said,
"The silver, gold, and iron blade;
Use wisely this, your rightful meed,
A guerdon meet for honest deed,"

She spoke; and, sailing from the shore,
The woodman saw her never more.

But far and wide the tidings flew,
And neighbors came in crowds to view
The sudden wealth of one so poor
That Envy's self had shunned his door.
But one there was of "sordid mould,"
Whose only love was love of gold;
Forth by the morning's light he hied,
And hastened to the river's side;
In its still depths his axe is thrown,
Then, seated on a mossy stone,
The woods re-echo with his moan.
Rapid as light

Uprose the sprite,

And said, in accents soft and low, "What is thy woe?

I fain would know

What grief can touch a heart so rude." "Alas! my axe fell in the river, And, much I fear, is gone forever." Forth to the crafty miser's view A golden axe the elfin drew, "Is this the one you lost?" she cried "The self-same axe," the man replied. Down sunk the axe beneath the wave; One stern rebuking look she gave, And, steering swiftly from the shore, Was seen by mortal never more. -Christian Inquirer.

SPINNING AND REELING.-In the streets of Leicester, one day, Dean Swift was accosted by a drunken weaver, who, staggering against his reverence, said, "I have been spinning it out." "O, yes," said the Dean, "I see you. have, and now you are reeling it home."

Honor Among Boys.

IF, as it is said, there is "honor among thieves, why should this noble quality be lacking in so many little boys?

66

upon

select from among his playthings something worth enough to pay for the harm he has done, even if he has to give away a very precious toy. If he is too poor for this and has a little Yankee contrivance, perhaps he can

Boys will be boys," said one in reply to amend the injured article and make it as good as new. If this cannot be done, he can go remark of mine on this subject. This I know, and do not desire to see "old heads to his playmate, and say he is very sorry for young shoulders." What I want is to beg the accident, and that he is not able to repay boys to be governed by honor, and honesty, the damages, and then show his sorrow by in their dealings with one another. improving the first chance to do his injured friend a favor. He will not have to wait long for an opportunity to show kindness, which is better than money.

66

'Why don't you lend your skates and sled to the other boys when you are not using them?" I have asked, and been answered, "Because boys think nothing of breaking one another's things, and sometimes consider it smart, and then laugh at you for being so green as to lend them."

"But don't they pay the damages?" Now was my turn to be laughed at for the absurdity of my question. Pay damages!

66

This is as much a young boy's duty as it will be when he is a few years older, and accidentally injures a borrowed horse and carriage, to repay the owner for his loss. A boy who will break another's knife, lose his ball, drop his new book in the mud, or break his sled, and then laugh at his playmate's dis

A mean unfeeling boy is a sad, hopeless sight. Like a crooked, dwarfed, young tree, nothing grand or noble can be made of it. Age will only make it more ugly and despised.

never!" This grated harshly upon a moth-tress, or even refuse to pay him in some way er's ears, and I'll tell you why. Because, in for his loss, will be very likely to make a forgthe first place, I know how much a boy thinks er, defaulter, burglar, or perhaps something of his first sled, first skates, and first pocket- worse. knife. Many rich men who live in free-stone palaces in New York will confess that they never had a greater prize than their first sled, with its bright paint and well-ironed runners, and that the possession of skates gave them many sleepless hours of delight. Now when boys know so well how much they prize their own things, is it not very much like stealing, to carelessly injure another boy's property

and make no effort to repair the loss?

"But how can a boy pay, when he has got no money?" I hear one of my readers say, perhaps impatiently.

It is too much the fashion among boys to scorn gentle loving manners, or leave their sisters to learn such ways, while they try to be what they call men. A boy who wishes to be

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He can go home and tell his father what he has done, and beg him to give him the means of repairing his loss. If his father sees fit to refuse his request, he can save his pennies till be has enough money of his own; or he can 'pendent.

School Anecdote.

-

People we Meet on the Sidewalk.

JOE DOWNS was a dull boy at school, al

WHAT a great difference there is in the peoways behindhand with his lessons, and always ple we meet on the sidewalk. See that lady at the narrative end of his class. Every Sat-passing, dressed so finely in her silks and saturday we were obliged to commit a large num-ins. She goes flirting along as if she owned ber of words from the dictionary, spell them, the whole sidewalk. Just behind her is an and give the definition. At the end of the old colored woman who has no good clothes recitation any scholar could ask the class a to wear; she goes bent nearly double with word and its meaning, the questioner to an- age. Perhaps she has no home to go to, and swer if none of the rest could, and go above it may be, has to beg for her living. Yonder all who missed. Joe's turn to "pop the ques-is a drunkard, who goes staggering along the tion" came, and he put out the word Aceph, street and says something to every person who It was spelled, but the meaning could not be passes him-before he is aware of it finds himgiven. Around the class it went, from head self locked up in jail. There are some nice to foot, till it came down to Joe, who trium-young men, who stand on the corners making phantly spelled and defined it—“ A-c-e-p-h, fun of the passers-by. I don't think they are a louse without a head!" The roar of laugh- gentlemen. They should have better manners ter did not disconcert him in the least; but than to crowd people off the walk. Those when the smoke cleared away, he appealed to who are in the excellent habit of early rising the dictionary, and pointed to the word and may see that market-man who comes into definition—“ A-ceph-a-lous, without a head." town with his wagon full of articles, such as Joe's name was changed, and he was called eggs, butter, cheese, cabbage, turnips, radishfrom that day onward "Seph," or a "louse es, grapes, peaches, plums, and a great many without a head." other things that I need not mention, but which are all very necessary for our comfort and pleasure. He looks as if he had seen hard times! See that school-boy, as he goes along the street with his satchel of books slung over his shoulder. I wonder if he belongs to the Public School. If he has been good in school he goes home much happier than if he has been a bad boy. A good boy is likely to become a good man, and will be respected all his life. Behind that boy comes a poor blind man, led by his little son. How I pity the blind who cannot see the beautiful world in which we live. How grateful we all ought to be, who have eyes to see with. In the old wagon comes a milk-man, who has pure country milk, "fresh from the cloverfields," which, I am sure, is the best of milk.

The above funny story reminds us of a smart saying of our brother Sam. When we were picaninnies, we knew by heart all the bible stories." "Joseph in Egypt" was

a favorite.

One day Sam had been busily reading in that famous old school-book of fifty years ago, the "American Preceptor," and at length he exclaimed, "Charlie! I've found out what Joseph's last name was!” "Well," said we, what was it?" "Why it was Ab-rig-id," said Sam, triumphantly, "Joseph Ab-ri-ged. We looked at the book; Sam was reading under the caption, "History of Joseph Abridged."-Exchange.

A word once spoken, a coach and four hors- He looks as if he was the richest man in the es cannot overtake and bring back.

state of New Jersey. In a white-covered

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