start with you for Onogo on the day you mention. Wherever science calls you, in that direction lies the path of

Your affectionate friend,

PHINEAS H. BEETLEMAN.

III.

Our own Correspondent at Onogo to the Editor of the "Ohio
Courant."

Considerable excitement has been caused in the group of islands of which Onogo is the chief, by the arrival of the U.S. steamship Leapfrog bearing as passengers the distinguished naturalists Jos. T. Lensburgh and Phineas H. Beetleman. These gentlemen are known every where as the originators of the Universal Entomological Society; and it is no secret that they are visiting Onogo in prosecution of a scientific mission conducted under Government auspices. Mr. Lensburgh has received the appointment of Consul at Onogo. The functions are nominal; but he will be enabled to pursue his interesting inquiries with facilities which could only be enjoyed by a person holding a high official position. Mr. Beetleman is accredited as Vice-consul, and his vice-consular duties will not be more arduous than the consular ones of his friend. Onogo can boast of no metallic wealth, nor are any of the rich tropical products, such as cotton and coffee, grown here; but no island possesses a greater variety of insects; and yet, to the present moment, its entomological treasures have remained undescribed, indeed, to the majority of the civilised world, unknown. However, we have now a Lensburgh and a Beetleman amongst us. The Governor presents them to Queen Tamaroo this afternoon, and they will commence to-morrow their studies of insect life at Onogo.

When so much jealousy exists among savants generally, it is gratifying to notice the intimate friendship, now of nearly thirty years' standing, which binds together Mr. Lensburgh and Mr. Beetleman. They occupied the same cabin on their voyage out; they have taken a house together; and it is understood that all their entomological researches are to be made in common.

IV.

From Our own Correspondent at Onogo to the Editor of the " Ohio

Courant."

I must now say a few words about our distinguished visitors. The presentation took place last Wednesday. Jos. T. Lensburgh wore a militia uniform. Phineas H. Beetleman was attired in a plain dress suit, black tail-coat, black pantaloons, and black satin vest. The black

satin vest pleased her majesty so much, that Phineas H. Beetleman, by the advice of the Governor, took it off and presented it to her. She now walks about the island in it, wearing it over her left shoulder, in the style of a hussar jacket.

Jos. T. Lensburgh has now removed from the town of Onogo, the capital of the island, to Pahlevu, on the east coast, about ten miles distant. Beetleman would have accompanied his friend; but it was thought advisable he should remain in the vicinity of the palace. It was evident that he has inspired Queen Tam aroo with a violent passion. She has given him a magnificent rifle; and it is said that she wears his black satin vest by night as well as by day. She rushes wildly up and down the terrace in front of her residence, calling out his name, which she pronounces Beadlemahn." “Ki to liuloi! ki to liuloi!" ("How much I love you!") she exclaims. She sobs convulsively, tears her hair, throws herself on the ground, gets up again, and still cries are heard of "Beadlemahn! Beadlemahn!" and "Ki to liuloi !”

Beetleman complains of the noise, and says that it diverts him from his studies. The Governor of our little settlement recommends him to return her majesty's passion, considering that it might be made the means of procuring an advantageous treaty of commerce; but the naturalist is inexorable. He has consented, however, to grant her an interview, and it depends upon him alone whether or not he shall share her throne. He would, it is true, have to share it with three or four native princes, her majesty's actual husbands; but by the laws of the island, the last husband in point of time is politically the first.

I hear that the post has just come in from Pahlevu. Beetleman, who has been out shooting, is just passing the palace with a letter in his hand. The Queen sees him, and is kissing her hand to him.

V.

From Jos. T. Lensburgh to Phineas H. Beetleman.

Congratulate me, old boy. I have found a treasure. I had a presentiment when I arrived at Pahlevu, and it has indeed been realised. I have seen the most lovely creature I ever beheld; one of the most graceful, charming little things in all creation.

Yesterday evening I had wandered into the forest which separates Onogo from Pahlevu, in search of an orange-coloured moth with blue spots. The glow of sunset was still on the horizon, the night butterfly was just beginning to unfold her velvet wings, the air was filled with the sonorous humming of a million gnats, the evening star was burning in the heavens, at my feet lay a glowworm of fiery gold, and with a crest of light over its head such as I have rarely seen. I was glad I was alive, and felt that if I could but find an orange-coloured moth with blue spots I should be perfectly happy. I was murmuring a prayer on the

subject, when suddenly my eye fell on-not a moth, but-a pigeon. A pigeon with a delicate silky plumage of gray, and with a rainbow-coloured neck, which would have puzzled an ornithologist perhaps, but would have thrown an artist into raptures of delight.

"What is a bird to me?" I hear you say, almost contemptuously, I fear. Truly, it is a bird and nothing more. But listen. One moment's patience, Beetleman, and you shall hear !

I was admiring and pitying the poor dead pigeon, and smoothing with my hand the plumage of its lovely glittering neck, when, buried amongst its softest down I perceived the most perfectly formed little insect imaginable. I took it up tenderly; and the more I observed it, the more was I struck with the symmetry of its admirably proportioned frame and the exquisite grace of all its movements. "Beautiful creature," I exclaimed in the heat of my enthusiasm, "thy name shall be 'Formosa!' 'Formosa' thou art, and as 'Formosa' thou shalt be known throughout the realms of science."

Come and see her without delay; I have put her in a little paper box, at the bottom of which I have made her a bed out of the pigeon's feathers, plucked from the neck just where the dear little thing was in the habit of living. She seems to appreciate my attention, and I have no doubt that we shall understand one another. She is playing with the feathers. Beautiful Formosa! Pardon the tautology, Josiah, she is indeed doubly fair.

How is Queen Tamaroo?

VI.

Beetleman to Lensburgh.

I can stand a joke as well as any man, but let there be no misunderstanding between us. You found your Formosa on a pigeon, you say— a pigeon with a rainbow neck? I shot that bird with the rifle given to me by Queen Tamaroo (who is quite well), and that bird belongs to me. If the pigeon belongs to me, gracious heavens! don't you understand that Formosa also must be mine? Your Formosa, indeed! We have long been friends, Lensburgh, and let us remain so; but whatever happens, I will not give up Formosa. Your manner of describing her irritates, nay maddens me. What right have you to talk to me about her symmetry of form, her grace, her admirable proportions, I think you even ventured to say? I shall call for Formosa this afternoon; Queen Tamaroo will lend me a carriage to bring her home in. In the mean while you will be good enough to treat her with respect, and not to stare at her through your confounded microscope.

VII.

Lensburgh to Beetleman.

Formosa yours! Why, who discovered her, who has provided for her, who furnished her exquisite little house for her? Je viens de la mettre dans ses meubles. Seriously, Beetleman, you must be cracked to think I shall hand her over to you. Console yourself with Queen Tamaroo, and do not write absurdities to your affectionate but astonished friend,

JOSIAH T. LENSBURGH.

VIII.

Beetleman to Lensburgh.

Queen Tamaroo be hanged! I expect Formosa to be ready for me at four o'clock; if not, I shall look to you for satisfaction. The bearer waits for an answer.

IX.

Lensburgh to Beetleman.

You could not appreciate my charming Formosa. If you could, you should not have her. She is mine, and shall never be another's. At four o'clock I shall be at the door of my house in the market-place of Pahlevu. Formosa will be inside reposing on her voluptuous couch; I shall just have left her, and shall be ready to tell you how delighted she is to be under my protection. As for you, if you wish to see her, you will have to pass over my dead body; but I laugh at your rifle quite as much as at the bonne fortune you have met with at the court of Onogo. A real queen! Quelle chance! In the mean while Formosa remains, and shall remain-manet atque manebit-beneath the roof of your obedient humble servant,

JOSIAH T. LENSBURGH.

P.S. I should like to know whether I am really to expect you. My pistols are ready.

X.

Beetleman to Lensburgh.

I ask you but one favour, which, in consideration of our old friendship, I know you will grant. Let Formosa witness the combat which is to decide her fate quite as much ours.

Yours bitterly,

PHINEAS BEETLEMAN.

XI.

From Our own Correspondent at Onogo to the Editor of the "Ohio

Courant."

The whole island has been thrown into a terrible state of consternation by an awful and doubly fatal duel which has just been fought between Messrs. Lensburgh and Beetleman, the distinguished naturalists.

A misunderstanding, a rapid interchange of letters, a challenge, as promptly accepted as it was given, a meeting without seconds, and death -death to both the combatants; such, in a few words, is a history of the sad affair which has just occurred at Onogo, and which, I may say, without exaggeration, has frightened the isle from its propriety. One of the mates of the Leapfrog, who carried the letters that passed between the intending combatants, suspected something wrong from the angry manner in which Beetleman, on the receipt of Lensburgh's last communication, took up his rifle, and started in the direction of Pahlevu. He followed the unfortunate man, but at a considerable distance, so as not to be perceived. Unfortunately, as he emerged from the wood which separates Pahlevu from Onogo, he stopped to light his pipe, and by this delay lost sight of Beetleman altogether. He continued, however, to advance towards Pahlevu, and had reached the outskirts of the village, when suddenly he heard the sound of fire-arms. One explosion followed another rapidly; then all was still. The mate now began to run, feeling convinced that a duel had taken place. But once more his pipe went out -he paused, though only for a minute, to light it, and when he got to the market-place was horror-stricken to find Messrs. Lensburgh and Beetleman (to use his own expression) "entirely dead." Mr. Phineas H. Beetleman had fired with the rifle presented to him by her majesty Queen Tamaroo. Mr. Josiah T. Lensburgh had used an ordinary fiveshooter. The combatants were separated by an interval of ten paces. Between them was a paper box, richly ornamented, on the cover of which was written in a fine Italian hand the word "Formosa." Inside the box was an insect, which I would rather not describe, and which your readers will excuse me for not even naming. It was surrounded by a quantity of pigeon's feathers, and I have since found out from the mate that the insect and the pigeon which bore it were the original causes of the quarrel that has just terminated so unhappily. Lensburgh had found "Formosa" on the pigeon; but Beetleman had shot the pigeon on which Formosa was found. Hence each claimed the little animal which, it appears, was called Formosa on account of its supposed beauty.

The Governor of our little colony is much moved by the grief of Queen Tamaroo, who loved Phineas T. Beetleman with no ordinary love. He has sent her some dried haddocks and a bottle of rum; but I fancy her present composure (which by many would be taken for intoxication) is only temporary.

The mate has handed over Formosa and her box to the captain of the Leapfrog, who is now consulting with the Governor as to what shall be done with her.

P.S. I open my despatch to add, that the captain, by the advice of the Governor, has ordered Formosa to be thrown into the sea. The ceremony takes place to-morrow at noon.