Do you hear from your son every day? 12. I hear from him every time that your brother comes. 13. Does the sale (vente, f.) take place to-day? 14. It takes place this afternoon. 15. At what time (heure) does it take place? 16. It takes place at half after three. 17. I have a wish to go there, but my brother is sick. 18. What am I to do? 19. You are to write to your brother, who, it is said (dit on), is very sick. 20. Is he to leave for Africa? 21. He is to leave for Algiers. 22. Do you come instead of your father? 23. I am to write instead of him. 24. Does the concert take place this morning? 25. It is to take place this afternoon. 26. Do you know at what hour? 27. At a quarter before five. 28. Is your brother coming? 29. My brother is not coming, he has no time. 30. Are you angry with your brother? 31. I am not angry with him. 32. Is anything new said? (Is there anything new?) 33. There is nothing new. 34. What is said of him? 35. Nothing is said of him. In these verbs, the second pronoun is in fact only the objective pronoun direct or indirect, which, according to Rules 1 and 2, Sect. 26, is placed before the verb. 2. The reflective form of the verb, which is much more frequently used in French than in English, often answers to the passive form so common in the latter language : Cela se voit tous les jours. Cette marchandise se vend facilement. Cela se fait ainsi. { That is seen every day-literally, That sees itself every day. Banquier, m. banker. Cheval, m. horse. call yourself? EXERCISE 69. Magnifique, magnificent. Pied, m. foot. Matin, m morning. Mieux, better. Obligé, e, obliged. Fatigué, e, weary, tired. Part-ir, 2. to set out. Port-er, to carry, wear. Quelquefois, sometimes. Quitt-er, 1. to leave. Voiture, f. carriage. 1. Comment ce monsieur s'appelle-t-il? 2. Je ne sais comment il s'appelle. 3. Cette dame ne s'appelle-t-elle pas L.? 4. Non, Madame, elle s'appelle M. 5. Monsieur votre père se {That merchandise sells itself easily, Fait il beau temps aujourd'hui ? 8. Il fait un temps magporte-il bien ce matin? 6. Il se porte beaucoup mieux. 7. That merchandise is easily sold. That is done thus. That does itself so. 3. The verb se porter, literally to carry one's self, is used idiomatically for to do or to be in speaking of health : Comment vous portez vous? Je me porte très bien. How do you do? I am very well. nifique, n'allez vous pas vous promener? 9. Nous n'avons ni cheval ni voiture. 10. Ne pouvez vous marcher? 11. Je suis trop fatigué pour marcher. 12. N'allez vous pas à cheval tous les matins? 13. Je me promène tous les matins. 14. Comment vous promenez vous? 15. Quelquefois à pied et quelquefois en voiture. 16. A qui vous adressez vous quand 4. S'asseoir [4 ir, see § 62], to sit down, is also a reflective vous avez besoin d'argent? 17. Je m'adresse à mon banquier? 1. Does your sister walk every day? 2. She takes a walk every morning. 3. She likes riding on horseback and in a carriage. 4. What is that little girl called? 5. She is called L. 6. Is not that gentleman called L.? 7. No, Sir, he is called G. and his cousin is called H. 8. How is your brother? 9. My brother is very well, but my sister is not well. 10. How are your two daughters? 11. They are tolerably well to-day. 12. Will you not sit down, gentlemen? 13. We are much obliged to you, Madam, we have not time. 14. Does that book sell well? 15. It sells very well. 16. How is that silk sold an ell (l'aune)? 17. It is sold six francs an ell. 18. Is it fine weather to-day? 19. It is very fine weather, will you not take a walk? 20. I have no time to walk. 21. To whom does your brother apply? 22. He applies to his brother. 23. Is his brother at home? 24. No, Sir, he is at Paris. 25. When does he intend to go to France? 26. He intends to go to France in one month. 27. Is your sister to leave to-mor row morning? 28. She is to leave to-day if (s'il) it is fine weather. 29. What do people say of this? 30. Nothing is said about it [Sect. 34]. 31. Are you too much fatigued to walk? 32. I am not too much fatigued, but I have no wish to walk. 33. Do you like walking or riding? 34. I like riding, when I have a good horse? 35. I do not like walking. • The English a or an before a measure is rendered into French by the article le, or la, &c. LESSONS IN NATURAL HISTORY.-No. VI. THE SPANIELS. THE spaniels are remarkable for docility and an affectionate disposition, and these good qualities, combined with their beauty, render them general favourites. The fur is long and silky, sometimes crisped or curled, the ears are large and pendent, and the expression of the countenance sagacious and pleasing. This race of dogs was known to the Romans, for it appears clearly figured on some of their later monuments. Of it, there are many varieties; black, brown, pied, livercoloured and white, and black and white. The following is an interesting instance of the attachment of one of these creatures. It was reared by the gamekeeper of a gentleman, and constantly attended its master by night and day. Wherever the gamekeeper appeared, Dash was never far distant; and in his nightly excur retriever, bringing the birds which have been shot on the water to its master. The rough water-dog is a most valuable and intelligent animal. It is robustly made, and covered throughout with deep curly hair. It exceeds the water-spaniel in size and strength, but has the same aquatic habits and docility. It is much used as a retriever by the shooters of water-fowl. A remarkable instance of this is given by Dr. William Hamilton. In riding from Portrush to the Giant's Causeway, with some company, they had occasion to ford the river Bush, near the sea; and as the fishermen were going to haul their net, they stopped to see their success. As soon as the dog perceived the men to move, he ran down the river of his own accord, and took post in the middle of it, on some shallows, where he could occasionally run or swim, and in this position he placed himself with all the eagerness and attention so strongly observable in a pointer dog which sets his game. The party were for some time at a loss to apprehend his scheme, but the event soon satisfied them, and amply justified the prudence of the animal; for the fish, when they feel the net, always endeavour to make directly out to sea. BLENHEIMS AND COCKERS. sions to detect poachers, his dog was of especial service. At such times, Dash entirely neglected the game, and many a depredator was caught through his sagacity. During the last stage of a consumption, that carried his master to his grave, Dash unweariedly watched at the foot of the bed; and, when death came, the dog would not quit the body, but lay by its side on the bed. With great difficulty he was induced to eat any food; and although after the funeral, he was taken to the mansion of his master's employer, and caressed with the tenderness naturally excited by so fond an attachment, he took every opportunity to steal back to the room in the cottage where the gamekeeper expired, and there he would remain for hours. From thence, for fourteen days, he constantly visited the grave, and at the end of that time died. The smallest of the land spaniels is the cocker, which is chiefly used in flushing woodcocks and pheasants in thickets and copses into which the setter and the springer can scarcely enter. The Blenheim spaniel is a breed cultivated by one of the Accordingly one of the salmon, escaping from the net, rushed down the stream with great velocity, towards the ford, where the dog stood to receive him at an advantage. A chase now commenced, in which, from the shallowness of the water, the lookerson could see the whole track of the fish, with all its rapid turnings and windings. After a smart pursuit, the dog found himself left considerably behind, in consequence of the water deepening, by which he had been reduced to the necessity of swimming. But, instead of following his desperate game any longer he readily gave it over, and ran with all his speed directly down the river, till he was sure of being again seaward of the salmon, where he took post as before in his pointer's attitude. Here the fish a second time met him, and a fresh pursuit ensued, in which, after various attempts, the salmon at last made his way out to the sea, notwithstanding all the ingenious and vigorous exertions of his pursuer. THE WATER-SPANIEL. dukes of Marlborough. From its beauty and occasional gaiety, it is more frequently an inhabitant of the drawingroom than the field, but it occasionally breaks out, and shows what it is prepared to do. The water-spaniel belongs to this group; its utility to persons engaged in the pursuit of water-fowl is extremely great; it swims well, does readily what is required, and is an excellent Though the dog did not succeed at this time, Dr. Hamilton was informed that it was no unusual thing for him to run down his game, and the fishermen assured him he was of great advantage to them, by turning the salmon towards the net. During the whole of the chase, this sagacious animal seemed vey the sufferer to their hospitable shelter, and restore, if possible, suspended animation. The number of monks connected with the Hospice varies from time to time, but usually consists of twenty or twentyfive, all natives of the countries north of the Alps. They are enjoined to board and lodge all travellers at all seasons, and assist them with guides, in traversing the mountains. In winter their rules require them to send every day, whatever may be the weather, two able men called Maroniers, who are accustomed to the mountains, one towards the Italian side, the other towards Valais. These persons traverse the path during the whole day, attended by one of the great dogs, keeping a path open in the snow, and watching for passengers. If the Maronier meets with any person bewildered or exhausted, or his sagacious companion indicates by his movements that any unfortunate person is under the snow, he immediately gives his aid, or hurries to the Hospice to gain assistance. Cold water, with ice immersed in it, is prepared there as the most efficacious remedy, and the body is placed in it. If this fails in restoring animation, all hope is at an end. procure customers for himself. The officer, being much struck with the dog's sagacity, purchased him at a high price, and brought him to London, where he was tied up for a time and then released. After a day or two, the dog made his escape; and in about a fortnight he was found with his former master, pursuing his old trade on the bridge. Another dog, sometimes called the Alpine spaniel, but more commonly known as the dog of St. Bernard, is a very remarkable creature. Some years ago, Mr. Edwin Landseer painted a picture of two of these animals which excited, as it must still do, in the mind of all its spectators, great interest. One of these sagacious dogs is Barry saved a great number of lives. Another, called Jupiter, was also very successful. In the year 1827, it appears, he knew some person had passed the Hospice, and he set out alone immediately to follow them. After some time his absence was remarked; and one of the Maroniers, by pursuing his track, found him posted over a drift of snow, where a poor woman and her child were about to perish; both of whom he was thus the instrument of rescuing from death. In confirmation of the sagacity of the water-dog, we may here state what we ourselves know to be a fact. A water-dog, or water-spaniel, which belonged to a gentleman who lived at Gartness, on the small river called the "water of Endrick," near Killearn, in the parish of Strathblane, in Scotland, was accustomed to watch under a waterfall upon that river, of the height of about twenty feet, at the place just mentioned, for the "leaping of the salmon" which takes place at certain seasons of the year. For the salmon are known to ascend rivers and to leap waterfalls in the ascent, THE ALPINE SPANIEL. represented clearing away the snow from an unfortunate traveller, who has been overtaken by one of those sudden avalanches so common in the Alps; the other, with his loud voice appears giving the alarm to the monks at the Hospice of St. Bernard, who are hastening onwards to con in order to deposit their spawn, or to follow some other remarkable arrangement of nature. Accordingly, when the salmon, in leaping, failed to ascend the fall, this dog was accustomed to seize the exhausted fish in his teeth, and carry it to his master; thus, supplying him for many a day, with fresh fish for dinner without the trouble of going to catch it. LESSONS IN ARITHMETIC.-No. XIII. To apply the process just described to the purpose of proving the accuracy of the results obtained in the rule of simple addition, it will be necessary to observe that the sum of the quotients arising from dividing the parts of any number by 9, is equal to the quotient arising from dividing the number itself by 9; and that the remainder resulting from the two divisions must be the same, as we have seen in the rules of division, that the remainder, under a particular view, is an essential part of the quotient. So in finding the sum of any set of numbers in addition, we are finding the number of which the parts are given; consequently, the remainder arising from the division of the sum of any set of numbers by 9, is the same as the remainder arising from the division of the numbers themselves by 9. This principle suggests the following rule for the proof of simple addition by casting out the numbers which have been added together, casting out the nines as nines: add together, in succession, all the figures or digits of the same way all the figures or digits of the sum of these numbers, this remainder be the same as the former, the operation, in genecasting out the nines as you proceed, and note the remainder; if ral, may be presumed to be right. We say, in general, because if there should happen to be a balance of errors by putting down a figure too little by so many units, and another too much by the same number of units, of course this process will not detect the are right in themselves; neither will it detect the omission of nines errors; neither will it detect the misplacement of figures which or ciphers, or the misplacement of either; and yet, in the hands of an honest performer of addition, it is a most useful check upon his operations. THE method of proving the four common rules "by casting out the nines," has been delayed till the present lesson, in consequence of a wish to explain the principle of the operation, and this expla-yon proceed, and note the remainder; then, add together in the nation could not have been given in intelligible terms to a learner until he had made himself acquainted with the very rules to which they are to be applied; that is, with all the four operations which can be performed with numbers. As numbers are composed of units, tens, hundreds, &c., let us inquire first what remainders will arise by dividing the digits in each of these ranks by 9. As to units, it is plain that no number less than 9 itself can be divided by 9, hence the remainder in dividing any number as 1, 2, 3, &c. less than 9, by 9, will always be that number itself, for the quotient is in each case 0; that is, the remainders will be 1, 2, 3, &c. As to tens, it is plain that 10 divided by 9 gives the remainder 1, 2 times 10 or 20 divided by 9 gives the remainder 2, 3 times 10 or 30 divided by 9 gives the remainder 3, 4 times 10 or 40 divided by 9 gives the remainder 4, and so on; so that any number of tens divided by 9 always gives for a remainder that number itself. As to hundreds, it is equally plain that 100 divided by 9 gives the remainder 1, 2 times 100 or 200 divided by 9 gives the remainder 2, 3 times 100 or 300 divided by 9 gives the remainder 3, 4 times 100 or 400 divided by 9 gives the remainder 4, and so on; so that any number of hundreds divided by 9 always gives for a remainder that number itself. In the same way it may be shown that in Here, casting out the nines of the numbers added the remainder is dividing the digits of every rank of numbers in the decimal scale 4; and casting out the nines of the sum, the remainder is 4; there of notation by 9, the remainders will always be those digits them-fore the sum is correct, according to what has been said. selves. So that, for instance, if we take any number, say 7654, which is composed of 7 thousands, 6 hundreds, 5 tens, and 4 units, the remainders which arise from dividing each of these numbers successively by 9 are no other than the digits 7, 6, 5, and 4 themselves. From these considerations it is evident that the sum of the digits or figures in any number will be the sum of the remainders which arise from dividing the parts of which the number is composed by 9, and if the sum of the digits be exactly divisible by 9, the sum of these remainders will be exactly divisible by 9, and consequently the number itself will be exactly divisible by 9. Moreover, the sum of these remainders, when not exactly divisible by 9, will give, when divided by 9, the same remainder as the number itself gives, when divided by 9; and for this reason that in the division of the number itself by 9, the remainders are successively added in the operation, and divided by 9 till the last remainder is obtained; whereas in the division of the sum of the remainders by 9, the operation is performed at once, and the last remainder obtained as before. To exemplify this observation, take the same number 7654; here the sum of the digits, or 7+6+6+4, is 22; which divided by 9 gives 4 for a remainder. But 7654 divided by 9 gives 4 also for a remainder; and in the operation we see the same remainders successively accumulating; thus, the first part 76 divided by 9 gives remainder 4; carrying 4 to the next figure 5, makes 45, which divided by 9 gives remainder 0; carrying 0 to 4, makes 4, which divided by 9 gives remainder 4. Now this is obtained by merely adding the digits and dividing their sum successively by 9; thus, 7+6 gives 13, which divided by 9, gives remainder 4; next, 4+5 gives 9, which divided by 9, gives remainder 0; lastly, 0+4 gives 4, which divided by 9, gives remainder 4, the same as above. To find the remainder, then, of the division of any number by 9, add the figures or digits of which the number is composed successively together, dividing by 9, whenever the sum of the figures exceeds 9; in other words, taki: g 9 away from this sum, and adding the remainder to the next figure in succession, and so on, repeating this operation until the last remainder is obtained; this remainder is the remainder arising from the division of the number by 9; and this process is called casting out the nines. EXAMPLE.-Prove the following sum in simple addition by casting out the nines. 4682 3496 numbers added 4327 5634 Sum 18139 MODE OF OPERATION. In this operation, we may begin "casting out the nines," either at the top or the bottom of the numbers added, and either at the right hand or the left. Beginning at the left of the top line, the operation proceeds thus: 4 and 6 make 10, casting out 9, 1 remains; 1 and 8 make 9, casting out 9, nothing remains; 2 and 3 make 5, and 5 and 4 make 9, casting out 9, nothing remains; the next figure being 9, nothing remains; 6 and 4 make 10, casting out 9, 1 remains; 1 and 3 make 4; 4 and 2 make 6; 6 and 7 make 13, casting out 9, 4 remains; 4 and 5 make 9, nothing remains; 6 and 3 make 9, and nothing remains; the last digit being 4, we find that 4 is the last remainder of the numbers added. Next, in "casting out the nines" in the sum, we begin at the left hand, thus: 1 and 8 make 9, and nothing remains ; next, 1 and 3 make 4; to this, it is unnecessary to add 9, and then take it away; therefore, the remainder of the sum is 4, the same as that of the numbers added; therefore the sum is right. A correspondent, Mr. J. Carey, of Clapham, appears to be the only one of our numerous correspondents who has taken the same simple view that we have done of this process, or mode of proving simple addition. subtraction requires only this simple consideration that the sum or The application of the same process to the proof of simple the remainder and the subtrahend are equal to the minuend; therefore, if the remainder and the subtrahend be treated like the numbers added in addition and the minuend like the sum, the proof will be obtained. This principle suggests the following rule for the proof of simple subtraction by casting out the nines: add together in succession, all the figures or digits of the remainder and subtrahend, casting out the nines as you proceed, and note the remainder; then add together in the same way, all the figures or digits of the minuend, casting out the nines as you proceed, and note the remainder; if this remainder be the same as the former, the operation, in gene ral, may be presumed to be right. The reasons for saying, in general, in this case, are the same as those assigned above under the rnle for proving simple addition, by the same method. EXAMPLE.-Prove the following operation in simple subtraction by casting out the nines : Minuend 3014716 Remainder 1729069 Here, casting out the nines of the remainder and subtrahend, the remainder is 4; and casting out the nines of the minuend, the remainder is 4; therefore the operation is correct, according to the previous observations. MODE OF OPERATION. attending the shop, running errands, and making himself generally useful. To his father he bears the honourable testimony: "He was fond of having at his table, as often as possible, some friends or well-informed neighbours, capable of rational conversation; and he was always careful to introduce useful or ingenious topics of discourse, which might tend to form the minds of his children. By this means, he early attracted our attention to what was just, prudent, and beneficial in the conduct of life, He never talked of the meats which appeared on the of a good or bad flavour, high seasoned or otherwise, preferable table; never discussed whether they were well or ill dressed, or inferior to this or that dish of a similar kind. Thus accustomed from my infancy, to the utmost inattention to those objects, I have since been perfectly regardless of what kind of food was before me, and I pay so little attention to it even now, that it would be a hard matter for me to recollect a few In this operation, we may begin either with the subtrahend and proceed to the remainder, or vice versa; and we may begin either at the right or the left. Beginning at the left of the subtrahend, the operation proceeds as follows:-1 and 2 make 3; 3 and 8 make 11; casting out 9, 2 remain; 2 and 5 make 7; 7 and 6 make 13, casting out 9, 4 remain ; 4 and 4 make 8; 8 and 7 make 15, casting out 9, 6 remain; 6 and 1 make 7; 7 and 7 make 14, casting out 9, 5 remain; 5 and 2 make 7; 7 and 6 make 13, cast-hours after I had dined of what my dinner consisted." ing out 9. 4 remain; this number is the last remainder; for it was unnecessary to notice either 0 or 9, for reasons before mentioned under addition. Next, in casting the nines out of the minuend, we begin at the left hand; thus, 3 and 1 make 4; 4 and 4 make 8; 8 and 7 make 15, casting out 9, 6 remain; 6 and 1 make 7; 7 and 6 make 13, casting out 9, 4 remain; this remainder being the same as that of the subtrahend and remainder, the operation of subtraction is right. This method is preferable to that proposed by Mr. Webster, p. 64, and is not so obscurely worded as Mr. Maur's method revived by Mr. Currie, p. 96. From the consideration of this method, it is easily seen, that in the addition of the figures or digits of the subtrahend and remainder together, and the successive casting out of the nines, a nine must frequently be cast out, which would arise by the addition of their separate remainders; and this shows the reason why, in the method proposed by Mr. Webster, 9 must sometimes be borrowed. To avoid this inconvenience the preceding rule is to be preferred. (To be continued.) BIOGRAPHY.-No. V. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN-HIS EARLY LIFE. ONE of the highest seats occupied by self-educated men is that of Benjamin Franklin, who has clearly described the methods by which he contrived to surmount the great disadvantages of his original condition, in his "Letter to his Son." In the absence of instructors and of the ordinary helps to the acquisition of knowledge, he not only gained an extensive acquaintance with literature and science, but a distinguished rank among the most eminent men of his age. We proceed, therefore, to trace now the early part of his remarkable, and highly instructive career. Franklin was born at Boston, in North America, on the 17th of January, 1706; the youngest, with the exception of two daughters, of a family of seventeen children. His family was originally from Ecton in Northamptonshire, where his ancestors possessed a small freehold. His father emigrated to New England, in consequence of the persecutions that raged in this country against the nonconformists, during the reign of Charles II., about twenty-four years before the birth of his youngest son. He followed the business of a soap-boiler and tallow-chandler, to which he had not been brought up, and by which he seems to have had great difficulty to provide for his numerous family. "He could draw prettily, and was skilled a little in music. His voice was sonorous and agreeable, so that when he played on his violin, and sung withal, as he was accustomed to do after the business of the day was over, it was extremely agreeable to hear. He had some knowledge of mechanics, and on some occasions was very handy with other tradesmen's tools. But his great excellence was his sound understanding, his solid judgment in prudential matters, both in private and public affairs." Benjamin, as a child, had learned to read; at eight years of age he was put to the grammar school, but he had not been there quite a year, when he was removed, and placed under a teacher of writing and arithmetic. When he was ten years of age, his father took him home, to assist him in his business, and he pictures himself as employed, at that time, in cutting wicks for candles, filling the moulds of those which were cast, his father feared he would break loose from his fold and Benjamin showed so great a dislike to the business, that go to sea, as one of his brothers had done; and, after a trial of two years, he looked out for an occupation which would be preferable to his son. The next movement, therefore, was had been only a few days on trial, when his father, thinking to bind him apprentice to a cousin, who was a cutler; but he that the apprentice fee required by his relation was too large, took him home again. A strong tendency in the mind of young Franklin began now fondness for reading. All the money he could obtain, was to be regarded. From his infancy he had discovered a great eagerly laid out in the purchase of books. His father's small collection involved little that was interesting, but he went through the greater part of it. he observes, with accounts of voyages. My first acquisition "I was particularly pleased," was Bunyan's collection, in small, separate volumes. These I afterwards sold, in order to buy an historical collection, by R. Burton, which consisted of small, cheap volumes, amounting to forty or fifty." One work excited his special interest; he read it again and again, it was "Plutarch's Lives of the most eminent Greeks and Romans;" in which, among others, he contemplated Numa and Solon the legislators, Demosthenes and Cicero the orators, together with Alexander, Pompey, Julius Cæsar, and others, who have played a conspicious part in the drama of history. The narratives of the ancient biographer produced a great effect on his mind. Another favourite work he mentions was an "Essay on Projects," one of the numerous productions of the far-famed author of " Robinson Crusoe,' which appears to have had a considerable influence upon him. And his early love of books led his parents to decide on their son's future course. His brother James had just returned from England, and set up as a printer at Boston. To him, therefore, Benjamin was bound apprentice, on an agreement that he should continue in that capacity till he was twenty-one. In these circumstances, his love or literature acquired fresh strength. As he became acquainted with some bookseller's apprentices, they frequently lent him in the evening a volume, which he sat up all night to read, that it might be returned in the morning. Such efforts are often exceedingly injurious, an amount of health being lost which is not compensated by what is gained in knowledge; but so they did not prove to young Franklin. He speedily acquired a great proficiency in his business, and daily became more useful to his brother. And, after a time, his means of acquiring information was greatly increased: a liberal-minded merchant. who was accustomed to visit the printing-office, gave him free access to his library, and allowed him to take home what he wished to read. It now occurred to him that he would endeavour to write, and like not only many a genius, but many a one who is no genius, he began by writing verse. His brother induced him to write two ballads, and sent him to sell them through the streets; and, as one of them was on a highly popular subject, he tells us it had a prodigious sale. But his father was a man of vigorous understanding, and accustomed to look below the surface of things; it was not enough for him, therefore, that words should jingle, he could decide as to their being sense or poetry; and satisfied that his son's was neither, he convinced him that his verses were but miserable trash, and adding the |