he sewer-searcher is as exclusive in his way as
the leader of fashion at Almacks. "Keep him out!" is, in short, the
watchword of all classes, of all ranks, of all callings, of all crafts, of
all interests. We used to "keep out" the foreign corn-grower, but though
he may now come in, there is exclusiveness and monopoly in ten thousand
other forms, which no legislation can ever touch.

STORY OF REMBRANDT.

At a short distance from Leyden may still be seen a flour-mill with a
quaint old dwelling-house attached, which bears, on a brick in a corner of
the wide chimney, the date of 1550. Here, in 1606, was born Paul
Rembrandt. At an early age, he manifested a stubborn, independent will,
which his father tried in vain to subdue. He caused his son to work in the
mill, intending that he should succeed him in its management; but the boy
showed so decided a distaste for the employment, that his father resolved
to make him a priest, and sent him to study at Leyden. Every one knows,
however, that few lads of fifteen, endowed with great muscular vigor and
abundance of animal spirits, will take naturally and without compulsion to
the study of Latin grammar. Rembrandt certainly did not; and his obstinacy
proving an overmatch for his teacher's patience, he was sent back to the
mill, when his father beat him so severely, that next morning he ran off
to Leyden, without in the least knowing how he should live there.
Fortunately he sought refuge in the house of an honest artist, Van
Zwaanenberg, who was acquainted with his father.

"Tell me, Paul," asked his friend, "what do you mean to do with yourself,
if you will not be either a priest or a miller? They are both honorable
professions: one gives food to the soul, the other prepares it for the
body."

"Very likely," replied the boy; "but I don't fancy either; for in order to
be a priest, one must learn Latin; and to be a miller, one must bear to be
beaten. How do _you_ earn your bread?"

"You know very well I am a painter."

"Then I will be one, too, Herr Zwaanenberg; and if you will go to-morrow
and tell my father so, you will do me a great service."

The good-natured artist willingly undertook the mission, and acquainted
the old miller with his son's resolution.

"I want to know one thing," said Master Rembrandt, "will he be able to
gain a livelihood by painting?"

"Certainly, and perhaps make a fortune."

"Then if you will teach him, I consent."

Thus Paul became