we see,

"that, from within the enclosure of into the house, silently wondering at the genius that can, within so narrow a compass and absolute a limit, furnish rats' tails and mice tails in any quantity; and regretting that the interesting details of her "plan" are thus suddenly cut short.

that wall, war is waged upon the rest of the world!"

We are tempted to ask how long the enclosed have kept on the offensive; but are haunted by the account of Mademoiselle, whom we expect, every instant, to behold. What can, possibly, be the skill in furnishing materials for the Museum, that so fascinates this extraordinary gentleman? How does she develope her genius?

"Mademoiselle owes her position entirely to her wonderful aptitude in decoying and entrapping rats and mice," continues our friend.

Rats and mice? And for the Museum?" "You will see the use to which those small deer are put, presently."

We enter the first room bare-headed.

"Hats on, messieurs; hats on! We do not uncover ourselves here," says M. Robyns. "And thereby hangs a tale, which, I dare say, he will, presently, revert to," whispers the Doctor.

In the first room, beside an old tattered tapestry, so hidden by book-cases, and disfigured by neglect, that the subject of it is imperceptible-clearly showing that the proprietor's taste and passion do not lie in that direction-there is a group of eleven squirrels While we are ruminating, more and more under a glass cupola, all earnestly engaged in perplexed, Mademoiselle joins us. Our salute performing a particular thema of one of the is profound. The Doctor, as we have said, a great composers. The leader of the band great phrenologist, and the discoverer of a holds the bâton erect, with an authoritative particular organ-but whether this of rat-air and an imperious lift of the head worthy catching I cannot say-observes her with of Costa, when, with his wizard flourish, he is interest. Mademoiselle is buxom, blithe, about to dictate one of the most impressive and appears to possess constant animal spirits passages in the Stabat Mater. Nothing can (a thing imperative to her profession, of exceed the intentness of the orchestra on their course). She informs us that M. Robyns has several part pieces, piping returned, and will be with us immediately. After which, Mademoiselle, with the air of one who has perpetual business on hand, trips away. She does really trip; a thing only possible to a neatly-turned ankle and an elastic heel.

"And now," says the Doctor, observing us to be, like the Homeric hero, vulnerable in the heel, "I will explain to you Mademoiselle's system before Robyns joins us.

"To the spirit ditties of no tone,"

with a zeal that would have done an old band-master's heart good to see. Here, a little fellow with a flageolet, holding it down low, with that quaint pomposity the mellow blowing in the instrument requires; here, a horn and cornet, martial and important; here a trombone insisting on the sound; here, a fife, lively and alert. All, as in their natural state, with their tails cocked up behind them, like a very critical audience indeed. This animal grouping is of the same kind as that which has met with so much attention in the Great Exhibition, only it does not represent any Reinecke Fuchs, or story whatever. Leaving these—to a lover

"In the first place, you must understand, M. Robyns receives no rat or mouse into his collection that has not been caught or killed within the precincts you have just inspected; -on the premises, in short. Why, you will understand when you see the purpose to which he devotes the tails of those worthies. Consequently, the necessity of an expert hand is obvious. Mademoiselle, therefore, in ac- of the woodlands-melancholy little mutes, cordance with that deep genius for expedients we proceed into the next room. M. Robyns which her organs indicate, immediately on has, there is little doubt, the rarest private coming into office bethought herself of the beetle and butterfly collection in the world. following plan-But, here is Robyns!" The butterflies are a wonder to behold. All We are introduced to a tall dark gentle-quarters-America, Australia, the Brazils, man, with a hat very much over his brows, South Europe, the Tyrol, Germany-are who, after saluting, without more ado leads here levied under contribution. Moths, rich

"Unravish'd brides of quietness"

repose at concert pitch. And there will they
repose,
like enchanted princesses, until

"A touch, a kiss, shall snap the charm."

as when from their "dark cocoons ;" the, reverence are strongly blended. There, do swallow-tail species of butterfly in great per- these fection; the great dark-winged, sombre, lurid, mysterious-looking Death's-head (Todtenkopf), with the lines and traceries that give him his name, hideously distinct; the little swift-winged pigeon; the butterfly, with the shimmering blue on either of the wings, looking sideways, called by the Germans, Again, speaking of a recent murder-at Schiller-vogel; and many others, known that time a general topic-the Doctor's phreeither to England, or the European Conti-nological qualifications are remembered, and, nent, and of the rarest description, far too quicker than thought, a file of murderousmultitudinous to enumerate. Nay, the num-looking murderers' heads are ranged before ber of their cases, even, would challenge com- him to manipulate upon. All grim, bloody, putation, as they stand about in rows from and looking as if they had their victims floor to ceiling of the little cabined and con- before their faces. fined room. Nor would it be too confident to assert that the contents of this room would furnish ample materials for a tolerably large house. I must not omit to mention, some extraordinary specimens of cockchafers, from the Brazils, which M. Robyns informed us were not to be found either in the national Thereupon, M. Robyns summons a little Museums of Brussels or Paris. For a pair of book from its secrecy; and we, casting a these lustrous insects, with their smooth, glance at it, read its title, "The Netherlands," bright-burnished backs, he assured us he paid wherein, opening of its own accord at a parfour hundred francs-a sum worthy of the ticular and well-thumbed part, the gossiping passion that impels him to make the collec-author, with no very great regard to good tion. The beetle-cases may fairly challenge faith and the courtesies of civilised society, the butterfly-cases for beauty. Moreover, they stand time better. They glow like creatures of the mine, with a rich gnome-like splendour, more mysterious than, if not so exquisitely lovely as, the "flying flower."

"Ah!" sighs the Doctor, leaving the impression of five philosophical fingers on the dust Time has scattered on their heads like infant hair; "ah! Robyns, I see that, with all your faith in phrenology, you are just as much opposed as ever to be operated upon."

informs us, that, "having visited M. Robyns' private Museum, the author is astonished," &c., &c.; " and there is no doubt whatever that, so great is M. Robyns' passion for collecting all articles within or without his reach, had he While we are inspecting the several classes, not been a millionnaire, and a man of property, ascertaining, and forgetting as rapidly, the he would undoubtedly have been a robber names of the various birds and species, and, and a bandit. So strongly in him is developed " as the conversation warms, the magic capa- (Phrenology, at the date of the publication of cities of the rooms begin to develope them-"The Netherlands," was in its youth, and the selves. Nothing is mentioned casually, of any rage) "the organ of appropriation." I give kind, but instantly from some unexpected the context, if not the exact words. height, hole, or corner, it is exhibited to us. So this is the explanation of the undoffing Where it is possible to stow the things away, of hats, and the suspicion of English visitors! neither of us perceives; but they come as With reason. Let me here state, M. Robyns' prompt as genii, when named. As for in- natural urbanity is such that, I am constance, the Doctor, in the innocence of his vinced, he would, on proper application from heart, is boasting of a splendid "Cremona" those of our countrymen who may feel an he has lately purchased At the word, about interest in his Museum, give a cordial perhalf-a-dozen violin cass present themselves, mission to inspect it. I say this, firmly which reveal precious instruments of the believing that he will not receive insult colour of the stuffed squirrels, and likely to in return, but gratitude. English people remain as mute. Ne.ertheless, they are the travelling, should be conscious of the debt work of first-rate makers, and our friend they owe to their foreign hosts, and their regards them with a look in which love and duty to their own country. Money is not

་

everything, they will learn, when all but the hotel doors are shut against them.

"Her heel?"

66

66

Beheaded?"

"The process is plain enough; a back step, distance calculated-and there is an end of him." And that is the elastic heel that can really

"To which," continues our philosopher, It would take days thoroughly to investi- gravely, was attached a piece of toasted gate M. Robyns' collection; so, having but cheese of an intoxicating fragrance. She took a few hours more to spare before quitting her position in a room, alone. Nothing could Brussels, we proceeded at once to the most resist this; besides, they have held revel so eccentric division, contained in the two out-long, they fear nothing. One fellow peeps houses; for to the latter of these Made-cautiously out, steals slowly along, opens his moiselle's labours have contributed largely. white teeth for a nibble, when,-' clack!' and In the first, we are greeted by an odor, by the adventurer is beheaded!" no means genial, and start aghast on beholding several hundred rooks and daws and crows, all nailed up with spread wings and feet against a whitewashed wall, in all manner of figures, rounds, crosses, and devices. The Doctor informs us, no bird is admitted here that has not been shot from the garden. So that, to anything on wings, to pass over this particular spot must be as terrible and deadly as to pass over the pestiferous volcanic lakes that never take the shadow of a flying creature without presently receiving its body. Our observations here are quickly accomplished. On our way to the second "Observe," he adds, as we enter the second out-house, the Doctor, at our earnest solicita-out-house, "here is the tail of one of them." tion, lingers behind, and continues his recital of Mademoiselle's "plan," previous to our beholding the results.

trip! Seeing our astonishment and dismay, the Doctor takes care to add, "But, remember, they are killed for a sacred purpose."

"And what? in the name of the lady, who illustrates the force of habit in the fable.” "To offer up their tails to the Virgin." "They will be petitioning Jove, soon, to be born without tails, if those treasures endanger decapitation."

M. Robyns, seeing us absorbed in the contemplation of this translated tail, produces a quantity, all undergoing the necessary stages of drying, straightening, polishing, and gilding, before being offered up.

"But how-how do these tails?" We break down, utterly unable to express. what we want to know; amazed, stupefied, topsyturvy, with astonishment.

the Virgin's head. The rats' tails, being the largest, are to be hung nearest; the mice tails taper off at the extreme end of the circle."

"Well, as I said, Mademoiselle, on coming into office, bethought herself of the following plan. She paid a visit to every corner of the house and the adjoining out-houses, and like a fisherman the day before throwing the line, baited them with common cheese. You may be sure the hereditary tribes of rats, of "The tails," says M. Robyns, "when in mice, soon got notice of this extraordinary this state," holding up a radiant one, full of gratuitous feast. Rats and mice do not flickering golden curves, like a natural flame, know that a gratuitous feast is the most ex-"are intended to form a Glory—a halo round pensive one can be invited to. Well, these poor devils, who, no doubt, have a tradition among them of some day when the heavens will rain cheeses, and the moon herself fulfil the popular notion as to her nature and origin, and come down for their benefit, began to think their legendary prophecy at hand, and thronged the house from all quarters. Meantime, Mademoiselle disturbed not their feeling of security. But, at length, These bodies are all stretched out, like those the day arrived when she thought she might of rooks and daws, forming the most grotesque begin to do execution upon them; armed, I and extraordinary sight imaginable. may correctly say, cap à pié; that is to say, Passing from these, we observe an old owl, with her usual cap on her head, and a long pro-staring with his usual astonished air, which jecting, sharp, heel-shaped instrument affixed is considerably heightened in intensity, by the

to her heel."

Looking round us, we perceive the bodies belonging to the tails, once their happy owners, and wielding them at will, in the days when,

"Alas! unconscious of their fate,
The little victims played."

strange position in which he is placed; his

"Condamné à mort pour avoir mangé
la tête d'un moineau."

wings and feet compulsorily spread out in | never dreamed they could be born to, (such such strange company. Then, several rows of are the uses and terrible lessons of this world, sparrows, under one of which the head of a when the tail to our confusion and disgrace cat, ticketed with the following inscription- will frequently be found of more value than the top, although ignominy is written upon one, and sublimity on the other,) catching a reeling glance at the whole of the quaint Arabesques on the walls, an immortal picture and illustration of the compulsorily Happy Family!-departed. What were the Doctor's cannot say. My own were too much haunted thoughts on our journey back to my hotel I by commiseration for the household I had just visited; quite convinced that Mademoiselle will on some unexpected day, be carried away in the heat of the chase, and return to her original state of feline sleekness. Should this ever

M. Robyns inculcates the virtues among his domestic animals. Those who attend to the laws, have a happy life of it; those who disobey, never escape justice, and are thus executed and exposed, as a terrible warning to the rest. On our way, we found there had been several offenders, all bearing the dreaded words of condemnation

"Condamné à mort pour avoir mangé

la tête d'un moineau."

Sparrows seem to have been the chief attrac-be the case, the crown of retributive disaster tions that lured these miserable Grimalkins to their fate. M. Robyns is of opinion that, by this time, his household animals are well aware of the penalty any transgressions of the kind, within the sacred limits, would bring upon them; and asserts that it is a long while since an execution has taken place. It is, without doubt, a rigorous school for a cat. Having in my mind some distant allusion to Mademoiselle, I asked M. Robyns whether cats could not be trained to catch rats and mice, and deliver them up whole? But he did not at all entertain the idea. "Mademoiselle was too excellent a 'mouser' to

is imaged in the presumption that, not being educated, like every present pussy in the laws of the ménage, she will sin against them, and be condemned to the inevitable placard. If so, there is, at once, an end to all farther progress in the collection. The rats and mice will keep their lives, and their tails will lose their glory.

render that necessary." On the Doctor's
hinting one of those meagre suspicions, society
declares its right to nourish, with reference
to Mademoiselle's personal attractions, he
reiterated her qualification of being an excel-
lent"
99
mouser with such profound signifi-
cance, that the veriest prude would have
taken heart without hesitation. It was quite
enough for us.
So bowing our thanks to M.
Robyns for his extreme courtliness and kind-
ness, and determining, at the same time, never
to make him the victim of any moral reflec-
tions as to the usefulness of much that his
passion for collecting has added to his natural
museum, we—with a flying glimpse at the for-
ever-astounded owls, decapitated cats, count-
less sparrows, the cause of their disaster,
rooks, daws, crows, moles, bats, bodies of rats
and mice, burnished tails, by this time, doubt-
less resplendent in a glory their possessors

* Condemned to death for having eaten the head of a

sparrow.

I beg to add, in all possible seriousness, that this collection actually exists, and that I have described it with strict fidelity, as I actullya saw it. The whole story is truly told.

[Household Words.

ROLL ON!

THE ancient sage, in philosophic dreams,
Beheld our planet from its orbit started;
The type of powers with which man's nature teems,
For moral marvels mightier far imparted.

To move the world with levers of the mind,
To wield the forces of resistless reason-
This is to raise and regulate mankind,
To shape their year, and frame their every season.

The fruits of industry which once were reap'd
With awkward toil, since thoughtfully amended,
At first were scanty; yet, in garners heap'd,
Growing in wealth, new stores to old appended.

There they lie treasured from the birth of Time,
Bequeath'd by nations that have lived and perish'd;
Unharm'd and scathless through the hand of crime,
By keen custodians sharply watched and cherish'd.

Meanwhile, the soil more skilfully prepared,
Is lever-moved to catch the sun's full glory;
Which, with due mixture of soft humours shared,
Will rear fresh crops, when Time is old and hoary.

And none can estimate their future worth,

Piercing the veil that covers distant ages;
When we and ours shall slumber in the earth,
Wiped and erased from Memory's faithless pages.
[Household Words.