ox."

made a mistake; it was your bull that killed my "Ah! that alters the question: I must inquire into the matter. Come back another day."

What day of the

25. IT IS AN ILL WIND THAT BLOWS NOBODY GOOD.

A merchant was returning home on horseback, having behind him a portmanteau which contained a considerable sum of money. It began to rain heavily after he had set out on his journey. He was wet to the skin (peau) and did not cease to curse the weather. All at once, as he passed through some woods, a highwayman on foot appeared before him with a gun in his hand; he aimed at him and pulled the trigger. But the powder was damp, and the gun missed fire. The merchant then spurred his horse and escaped the danger, thanks (a) to the rain which he had been cursing so much. "What a fool I was," said he to himself, "to complain of the weather! But for (b) this good rain, what would have become of me? Men do not always know what is good for them."

26. LOUIS XIV. CONDEMNED WITHOUT A TRIAL. Louis XIV. (the Fourteenth)(c) was playing (a) Thanks (remercîments) n'a pas de singulier. Voir note (e),

p. 66.

(b) But for (mais pour).

(c) L'ordre des souverains du même nom se marque en anglais par le nombre ordinal, et en français par le nombre cardinal, excepté le premier.

mande pardon, j'ai fait une méprise: c'est votre taureau qui a tué mon bœuf." "Ah! cela change la question: il faut que je m'enquière de cette affaire. Revenez un autre jour."

Princil al parts. 25. À QUELQUE CHOSE MALHEUR EST BON.

Un marchand retournait chez lui à cheval, ayant en croupe une valise qui contenait une somme d'argent considérable. Une forte pluie commença à tomber après qu'il se fut mis en route. Il était trempé jusqu'aux os et ne cessait de maudire le temps. Tout à coup, comme il traversait un bois, un bandit à pied parut devant lui, un fusil à la main, l'ajusta et pressa là détente. Mais la poudre était humide et le fusil rata. Le marchand éperonna alors son cheval et échappa au danger, grâce à la pluie qu'il avait tant maudite. "Quel sot j'étais," se dit-il, "de me plaindre du temps. Sans cette bonne pluie, que serais-je devenu? Les hommes ne savent pas toujours ce qui est bon pour eux.”

26. LOUIS XIV CONDAMNÉ SANS JUGEMENT. Louis XIV (Quatorze) (a) jouait un jour au tric(a) The order of sovereigns of the same name is marked in French by the cardinal number, except the first.

backgainmon one day with a nobleman of his court. There was a doubtful move, and the courtiers who surrounded him were discussing the matter, when (a) the Count de Grammont entered. "Be our judge, count," said the king to him. "Your majesty has lost," said the count without hesitating. "How can you decide against me without knowing the case?" "Do you not see, sire, that, if there had been the least doubt, all these gentlemen would have decided in your favor?"

(Historical.)

27. A COAL-CONTRACTOR FOR HELL.

A curate of Newcastle, in England, teaching catechism to a group of children, gave them a very vivid picture of hell, which he said was nothing but a large fiery furnace eternally burning. One of these children, the daughter of a rich coal-merchant, had listened very attentively, and was trying to get nearer to him. The curate noticed it, and, pleased with the zeal of the child, said to her: "Come nearer, my child. Did you understand well? Perhaps you wish me to explain something; speak.” "Ah! sir," answered the young girl, "could you recommend my papa as coal-contractor for hell?”

(a) When (quand, lorsque) s'emploie dans le sens de où après les noms de temps.

trac avec un seigneur de sa cour; il y eut un coup douteux; et les courtisans qui l'entouraient débattaient cette question au moment où (a) le comte de Grammont entra. "Soyez notre juge, comte," lui dit le roi. "C'est Votre Majesté qui a perdu," dit le comte sans hésiter. "Comment pouvez-vous décider contre moi avant de savoir de quoi il s'agit?" "Ne voyez-vous pas, sire, que, s'il y eût eu le moindre doute, tous ces messieurs vous auraient donné raison?" (Historique.)

27. LE FOURNISSEUR DE CHARBON DE L'ENFER.

Un curé de Newcastle en Angleterre, faisant le catéchisme à un groupe d'enfants, leur fit une trèsvive peinture de l'enfer, qu'il disait n'être qu'une vaste fournaise ardente brûlant éternellement. Une de ces enfants, fille d'un riche marchand de charbon de terre, avait écouté très-attentivement et cherchait à se rapprocher de lui. Le curé s'en aperçut, et, content du zèle de cette enfant, il lui dit: "Approchez-vous, ma fille; avez-vous bien compris? Peutêtre désirez-vous que je vous explique quelque chose? Parlez." "Ah! monsieur le curé," répondit la jeune fille, "pourriez-vous, par vos recommandations, faire nommer mon papa fournisseur de charbon de l'enfer."

(a) Où is used for when after nouns expressive of time.

28. FILIAL PIETY REWARDED.

Atys, the son of Croesus, King of Lydia, had reached boyhood without being able to utter a single word. His father had neglected nothing to correct this natural defect; but all the science of physicians had failed. At the taking of Sardis, the capital of Lydia, which was carried by storm by the Persians, this young prince saw a soldier rush sword in hand on his father, and, trembling for his life, he forgets his infirmity, opens his mouth, and collects all his strength to cry out. O prodigy of tenderness! the ties which kept his tongue captive are suddenly broken, and he loudly articulates these words: "Soldier, spare my father! it is Croesus, it is the king!" Thus, young Atys saved the life of his father. He was well repaid for his filial love; he acquired, for the remainder of his life, the precious faculty of expressing his thoughts. (Historical.)

29. TIT FOR TAT.

One day a person requiring some information contained in a book, which he knew was in the library of a learned gentleman who occupied the apartment next to his, sent to borrow it. The latter, being very careful of his books, said: "I never lend my books outside. If the gentleman wishes to come and read (a) here, I will lend him with (a) Voir note (a), p. 88.