he fines seemed light enough,
for an extract from the _Times_ in the same year says:--"The expense of
entertainments at the Gaming House of the highest class, in St. James's
Square, during the eight months of last season, has been said to exceed
6,000 guineas! What must be the profits to afford such a profusion?" In
modern times backgammon is not usually associated with very desperate
gambling; but a captain in the guards is said to have lost thirteen
thousand guineas at that game at one sitting in 1796. He revenged
himself, however, by winning forty-five thousand guineas at billiards in
a single night shortly afterwards.--_Saturday Review._

* * * * *

NEVER use water that has stood in a lead pipe over night. Not less than
a wooden bucketful should be allowed to run.

Juvenile Department.

A CHILD'S DAY.

When I was a little child
It was always golden weather.
My days stretched out so long
From rise to set of sun,
I sang and danced and smiled--
My light heart like a feather--
From morn to even-song;
But the child's days are done.

I used to wake with the birds--
The little birds wake early,
For the sunshine leaps and plays
On the mother's head and wing;
And the clouds were white as curds;
The apple trees stood pearly;
I always think of the child's days
As one unending spring.

I knew where all flowers grew.
I used to lie in the meadow
Ere reaping-time and mowing-time
And carting home the hay.
And, oh, the skies were blue!
Oh, drifting light and shadow!
It was another time and clime--
The little child's sweet day.

And in the long days waning
The skies grew rose and amber
And palest green and gold,
With a moon's white flame.
And if came wind and raining,
Gray hours I don't remember;
Nor how the warm year waxed cold,
And deathly autumn came.

Only of that young time
The bright things I remember:
How orchard bows were laden red,
And blackberries so brave
Came ere the frost and rime--
Ere the dreary, dark November,
With dripping black boughs overhead,
And dead leaves on a grave.

The years have come and gone,
And brought me many a pleasure,
And many a gift and gain
From near and from afar,
And dear work gladly done,
And dear l