as taller now than two years ago, and he wore--in spite of his
soaking condition at this moment--an air of much dignity. He had on a
Norfolk coat and trousers of obviously English make, though they were
none that I had given him. Moreover, when he spoke to me in English,
though he was by no means proficient in our language, yet he certainly
spoke it much better than when I last saw him.

'Come up here and speak to me,' I said. 'Why are you there?'

Urnkopo laughed. He pointed in a dignified way towards the Matabele
_impi_ in the distance. 'I am here,' he said, 'because these fools are
here. If I was not here you would die.'

(_Continued on page 205._)

THE GLOW-WORM.

It lights its little lamp each night
Upon the leaf or ground,
And sheds abroad its tiny light,
Till day again comes round.
Though it is but a tiny spark,
It makes the darkness seem less dark.

So gentle deeds of kindness done,
By little hands like mine,
And kind words spoken one by one
Like to the glow-worm shine;
They shed abroad a tender light,
And make earth's brightness seem more bright.

THE MUSIC OF THE NATIONS.

VII.--IRISH, SCOTTISH, AND WELSH HARPS.

From very early times the inhabitants of our islands were skilled in the
use of the harp. In Ireland the harp was called Clarsach, and in Wales,
Telyn; in both countries it was the national instrument. Perhaps the
oldest Irish harp known is that said to have been used by King Brian
Boru. The story goes that his son left his native country for Rome,
taking with him his father's harp and crown. These he presented to the
Pope, hoping to induce him to grant his forgiveness for a murder he had
committed. Whether he won forgiveness we do not know; but it is certain
that a very old Irish harp remained at the Vatican until the reign of
our Henry VIII., when the Pope sent it to England. Finally, after
passing through various hands, it attained its rest in the library of
Trinity College, Dublin. The instrument is about three feet high, and
broad and strongly made, which no doubt accounts for its long existence.

One of the oldest and most beautiful of Scotch harps is known as Queen
Mary's harp. The carving is still very fine; in former times it was also
adorned with the portrait of the Queen of Scots, and with the arms of
Scotland set in gold with jewels; but during the rebellion of 1745 the
latter ornaments vanished. The harp is only thirty-on