"When he carried a parcel of his printed Bibles from Germany to Paris, and offered them for sale as manuscripts had formerly been sold, the French, considering the number of copies he had made, and finding them all to a letter the same, which was a degree of exactness beyond what any the best copyist could have accomplished, suspected that he was a wicked magician, and, by threatening to pursue him as such, and to burn him, they extorted his secret from him."

66

How cruel!" cried Lucy.

"How unjust!" exclaimed Harry. "I would never have told it to them."

"I would rather have told it than have been burnt alive," said Lucy.

66

It is very happy for us that we do not live in those days of ignorance," said their mother. "Men are honoured for inventions now, not persecuted or burned."

"That is a blessing," said Harry. “But, mother, how much you know about printing, and printers, and printing-presses, and all the history of the invention: how could you remember it all, and have it ready for us the very moment we wanted?"

"Very easily, my dear," said his mother, smiling. "Shall I tell you how and why? When you went with your father this morning to see the printingpress, as I could not go with you, lying on my

sofa here, I read an account of printing; for I was determined to be as wise as you, by the time you came back."

"And a great deal wiser, mamma," said Lucy.

66

A great deal, because you picked out all the things I did not know, and wanted to know," said Harry. "Thank you, mother."

His mother asked Harry if he had found out whether there was in Bristol any printing-press moved by a steam-engine: Harry answered, that he did not know.

66

You do not know! but did not you put your father in mind to inquire?" said his mother.

66

No, I did not," said Harry.

"That is very odd," said Lucy, "you who never forget anything of that sort."

66

It was unlike you, indeed, Harry," said his mother; "you were so intent upon it yesterday. I recollect your surprise and admiration when your father told you of the double printing-press, moved by a steam-engine, which he had seen in London, where, without hands, the types are pressed against the paper, and the ink spread just in the quantity required over the letters; and which can in one hour print 900 sheets on both sides. My dear Harry, is it possible you can have forgotten this?"

"No, mother; I never said I had forgotten it," answered Harry.

"Then why did not you put your father in mind to inquire whether there was any such printingpress in Bristol? When you left me, your head seemed quite full of it."

"Yes, mother-but-"

But what?

pray tell me, for I cannot understand your silence, my dear," said his mother.

66

Only I thought, mother, that Lucy would like better to see the plain common printing-press first; because she said that she should like so very much to see exactly what is described in the Book of Trades.' Therefore I did not ask papa about the steam double printing-press, because I thought that would puzzle and hurry her, and that she would not see the thing just as she wished; and you know I can see what I want another time perhaps."

"How very kind, Harry," said Lucy. "So that was your reason, and you did not forget? But you never told me that you gave it all up for me. If mamma had not by accident asked, I should never have known. Oh! Harry, why did not you tell me ?"

"What signifies telling, or talking about it?" said Harry. "It was nothing but just what you would do for me. I do not forget the fairy you gave up for me, Lucy, the other day, the new Corsican fairy."

115.

STEAM-BOAT.

"A STEAM-BOAT will set off from Bristol to-morrow morning! Oh, father," cried Harry, "can take me to see it ?"

you

"I can, Harry, and will with pleasure," said his father.

"And Lucy?" said Harry, in a tone which showed that his joy, great as it was, could not be complete without her.

"And Lucy," said her father, "if the day be fine; but I cannot take her if it should rain." Next morning, Harry was up by day-break peeping out to see what kind of a day it was likely to be. A cloudy morning it was at five o'clock; threatening rain desperately between six and seven; raining downright between eight and nine; and presently it not only rained, but it poured, so that all hope was over for Lucy. Splish! splash! Harry trudged after his father, through the dirty streets, scarcely hearing, not at all heeding, the rattling of carriages, rumbling of carts, rolling of barrels, jarring and jangling of iron bars dragged upon drays without wheels, over rough pavements, with all the indescribable

clatter, and clangor, and clamor, and stunning din, of this most noisy of noisy cities. Nor did he feel the rain which poured over him. But when the heavy shower ceased, and when dripping umbrellas closed, and the sun, through the clouds, gave promise of a better day, Harry entreated his father to let him run back for Lucy. If his father would but wait for him five minutes, in a shop"this bookseller's shop, papa, I will be back in less than five minutes, and I will bring her very quickly and as safe as possible through the streets; may I, papa?"

66

No," his father said, he could not wait, for the vessel would set off punctually at the appointed hour, and if they delayed five minutes they should be too late. Then Harry thought they could never walk fast enough. On he kept, before his father, the rest of the way, till they came to a great crowd of people. Not only the lower class of idlers, but persons of all ranks assembled to see the departure of the steam-boat. Harry darted quickly after his father, while heads and elbows closed over him. He could not see farther than the backs and legs of the people before him for some time; but he pierced through the darkness of the dense crowd of tall bodies, and emerged, at last, from under the elbow of a six-feet-high sea-captain, into full daylight. He found himself standing on the stone pier of a large dock, at the