le in which the infant was sleeping, evidently full of
some deep design. The Countess having perfectly assured herself that the
child really slept, took a large stone, which she had concealed under
her shawl, and to the horror of the nurse--who, like all persons of the
lower order in her country, indeed in most countries, was fully
impressed with an idea of the peculiar cunning and malignity of
"dumbies"--raised it with an intent to fling it down vehemently. Before
the nurse could interpose the Countess had flung the stone--not,
however, as the servant had apprehended at the child, but on the floor,
where of course it made a great noise. The child immediately awoke, and
cried. The Countess, who had looked with maternal eagerness to the
result of her experiment, fell on her knees in a transport of joy. She
had discovered that her child possessed the sense which was wanting in
herself.

[Illustration]

EPITAPH.

In St. Modwen's Churchyard at Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, the
following inscription has been copied from the tombstone of a deaf and
dumb man:--

This Stone
Was raised by Subscription
To the Memory of
THOMAS STOKES,
An eccentric and much-respected deaf and dumb man,
Better known by the name of
DUMB TOM,
Who departed this life Feb. 25th, 1837,
Aged 57 years.

"What man can pause, and charge the senseless dust
With fraud, or subtlety, or aught unjust?
How few can conscientiously declare
Their acts have been as honourably fair?
No gilded bait, no heart ensnaring meed,
Could bribe poor Stokes to one dishonest deed:
Firm in attachment, to his friends most true--
Though deaf and dumb he was excell'd by few.
Go ye, by nature formed, without defect,
And copy Tom, and gain as much respect."

A HAPPY DEATH BED.

Not long ago there died in the county Wexford, in Ireland, a deaf and
dumb shoemaker named Henry Plunkett. He had for many years been a true
and sincere christian, and therefore when he came to die he was not
afraid, but rejoiced at the thought of meeting his Saviour. During the
last few hours of his life on earth he suffered much pain; but he was
quite sensible, and made signs that if the house was piled up with gold
he would not take it all and live, for, he said, pointing his hand
upwar