they reached the precious cluster,
Five bold sparrows pertly stood,
Pecking at the grapes beside them,
Chattering in a wanton mood.

"Look! Oh, look!" said cousin Mary,
"Sparrows at your luscious store!"
"Shoo!" said Sophie, "was there ever
Such a piece of work before?"

Pilfering sparrows, you have taught me,
By this loss, a lesson true;
When a bunch of grapes I gather,
Just to keep them safe from you.

"IF I CAN, I WILL."

I knew a boy who was preparing to enter the junior class of the New
York University. He was studying trigonometry, and I gave him three
examples for his next lesson. The following day he came into my room
to demonstrate his problems. Two of them he understood; but the
third--a very difficult one--he had not performed. I said to
him,--"Shall I help you?"

"No, sir! I can and will do it, if you give me time."

I said: "I will give you all the time you wish."

The next day he came into my room to recite another lesson in the same
study.

"Well, Simon, have you worked that example?"

"No, sir," he answered; "but I can and will do it, if you will give me
a little more time."

"Certainly, you shall have all the time you desire."

I always like those boys who are determined to do their own work, for
they make our best scholars, and men too. The third morning you should
have seen Simon enter my room. I knew he had it, for his whole face
told the story of his success. Yes, he had it, notwithstanding it had
cost him many hours of severest mental labor. Not only had he solved
the problem, but, what was of infinitely greater importance to him, he
had begun to develop mathematical powers which, under the inspiration
of "I can and I will," he has continued to cultivate, until to-day he
is professor of mathematics in one of our largest colleges, and one of
the ablest mathematicians of his years in our country.

My young friends, let your motto ever be,--"If I can, I will."

WINDSOR CASTLE.

This ancient and splendid pile is a fitting residence for the
sovereigns of England. It impresses one with the idea of supreme
grandeur and formidable strength, but it has reached its present
magnificence by constant embellishments and additions by successive
sovereigns.

It owes its origin to William the Conqueror, that bold and progressive
Norman, who created here a fortified hunting seat, where he and his
brave barons could enjoy