I'll perch here;' and the great fowl took his accustomed
attitude just in front of the fire, looking so very splendid that I
couldn't keep my eyes off of him.

'Ah! you often do that. Never mind; I rather like it,' said the eagle,
graciously, as he turned his brilliant eye upon me. I was rather
abashed; but being very curious, I ventured to ask a few questions, as
he seemed in a friendly mood.

'Being a woman, sir, I'm naturally of an inquiring turn; and I must
confess that I have a strong desire to know how it happens that you
take your walks abroad, when you are supposed to be permanently engaged
at home?'

He shrugged his shoulders, and actually winked at me, as he replied,
'That's all people know of what goes on under, or rather over, their
noses. Bless you, ma'am! I leave my roost every night, and enjoy myself
in all sorts of larks. Excuse the expression; but, being ornithological,
it is more proper for me than for some people who use it.'

'What a gay old bird!' thought I, feeling quite at home after that.
'Please tell me what you do, when the shades of evening prevail, and you
go out for a frolic?'

'I am a gentleman; therefore I behave myself,' returned the eagle; with
a stately air. 'I must confess, I smoke a great deal: but that's not my
fault, it's the fault of the chimneys. They keep it up all day, and I
have to take it; just as you poor ladies have to take cigar smoke,
whether you like it or not. My amusements are of a wholesome kind. I
usually begin by taking a long flight down the harbour, for a look at
the lighthouses, the islands, the shipping, and the sea. My friends, the
gulls, bring their reports to me; for they are the harbour-police, and I
take notes of their doings. The school-ship is an object of interest to
me, and I often perch on the mast-head, to see how the lads are getting
on. Then I take a turn over the city, gossip with the weathercocks, pay
my compliments to the bells, inspect the fire-alarm, and pick up
information by listening at the telegraph wires. People often talk about
"a little bird" who spreads news; but they don't know how that figure of
speech originated. It is the sparrows sitting on the wires, who receive
the electric shock, and, being hollow-boned, the news go straight to
their heads; they then fly about, chirping it on the housetops, and the
air carries it everywhere. That's the way rumours rise and news spread.'

'If you'll allow, I'll make a note of that interesti