the period when the French, which had hitherto been spoken almost exclusively at court, was giving place to the English language; it is entitled the "Book for Travellers." It contains the corresponding terms in both languages, for those things most commonly talked of at court, especially such as relate to dress.

This worthy and valuable man died in 1491.

Of the value of such an invention as printing I need scarcely speak. It has done more to civilize and enlighten mankind than any other single art. Without it you would not now be able to read this little book, and I should have no power to tell you of the wonders of nature and the discoveries of science.

TO A BUTTERFLY.

I've watched you now a full half hour,
Self-poised upon that yellow flower;
And, little Butterfly! indeed

I know not if you sleep, or feed.
How motionless! not frozen seas
More motionless! and then

What joy awaits you when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,
And calls you forth again!

This plot of Orchard ground is ours;
My trees they are, my sister's flowers;
Stop here whenever you are weary,
And rest as in a sanctuary!

Come often to us, fear no wrong;

Sit near us on the bough!

We'll talk of sunshine and of song;

And summer days, when we were young

Sweet childish days, that were as long

As twenty days are now!

THE BUFFALO.

OULD you imagine the picture, which represents an American buffalo, to be an animal of the cow kind? Yet so it is, though very different in appearance. The buffaloes frequent the uncultivated wastes, or prairies, of America in immense herds. They are hunted by the Indians and colonists, who find the buffalo a very useful animal, as they take his skin for clothing, and his flesh for food; and sometimes, when taken young, they are tamed and used for ordinary domestic purposes.

The buffalo is inferior in point of size only to the elephant and rhinoceros. It is a native of the warm climates of India and the islands of the torrid zone. The animal which is called the American buffalo is, however, more nearly allied to the Bison of Asia and Africa; of wild and capricious nature, easily excited, and is a formidable enemy when opposed singly, though easily conquered when in herds. The bison tribe may be readily

distinguished by the hump between the shoulders; long, shaggy mane and lion-like aspect; fiercelooking eyes; and strong, spare, but well-built frame. In general they are inoffensive animals when undisturbed, (as indeed are all the grass-eating kind,) but when they are wounded nothing can exceed their fury; and they tear up the ground with their fore-feet, and make at the object of their resentment with ungovernable rage. It is remarkable, however, that although the horns of some of them are very large and formidable, they are seldom used in combat, the buffalo seeming rather to rely on the strength of his feet, with which he tramples his enemy to death, than on the length of his horns. There is a story told by Mr. Featherstonhaugh, the American traveller, which will show you to what danger the hunters of the "far west " are sometimes exposed.

Mr. Percival, a gentleman who had followed the chase from his youth, was out on a trapping excursion, on the Washita river. He had two companions, who left him to hunt buffaloes, bears, and the larger game, while he remained to trap the stream for beavers. He had not been very successful, and had remained without meat for several hours, when turning a small bend of the river, he espied a noble-looking old male buffalo lying on the beach. Having secured his canoe, he crept softly through the cornbrake (a name given to the dense masses of underwood found in these parts, which are the favourite resort of wild animals,) and fired. The shot was an indifferent one, and only slightly wounded the animal, which, partially roused, crossed the shallow river and laid down again. Percival also crossed the river in his canoe and got into the woods, which were there very wide and open, like many spots in western America, where forest and