.“ Has my sister ever heard the story of Ulysses and his dog 3” inquired Maurice.

“ No, never,” said Clara. Do tell me the history. I saw my cousin Fanny drawing some screens one day from tracing paper, upon which were represented Ulysses, and his dog lying at his feet; but I did not like to ask who Ulysses was, because I was ashamed to own my ignorance." '. .'.

5 In the Iliad, as I have already oba served," said Mr. C., “ the action is limited to the destruction of Troy, which is only to be effected by the conciliation of Achilles to the common cause. In the Odyssey it is the esta blishment of Ulysses in Ithaca, an event which, after innumerable difficulties, he is finally enabled to accomplish. You must read the book in order to become acquainted with the leading facts of the narrative; but I will relate the story of Ulysses and his dog, which is a general favourite, because it so beautifully demonstrates the attachment and gratitude of which the canine race are susceptible.”

“ You will gratify me very much, papa.” :

After an absence of twenty years, Ulysses, who had been engaged half of that time in the siege of Troy, returned to his palace in Ithaca, not in the royal robes he had formerly worn, but in the tattered garb of a poor old beggar, when his dog recognizing his beloved master, notwithstanding his altered appearance, was so overpowered with joy, that he actually expired at his feet. The incident itself was probably the creation of the poet's imagination, but his interesting narratives are undoubtedly founded on fact, or his works would not have afforded such exquisite

delight to so many succeeding generations. Be this as it may, however, you shall hear the story in verse. It is necessary to remember that Eumæus is an old herdsman who lived in a cottage near the palace, and that Ulysses, still in disguise, called upon him on his way to request him to conduct him thither. They converse together as they walk:

He knew his lord; he knew, and strove to meet ;
In vain he strove to crawl and kiss bis feet;
Yet (all he could) his tail, his ears, his eyes
Salute his mastermand confess his joys;
Soft pity touch'd the mighty master's soul,
And down his cheeks a tear unbidden stole,
Stole unperceived; he turn'd his head and dried
The drop humane; theni thus impassion'd cried
What noble beast in this abandon'd state
Lies here all helpless at Ulysses' gate ?
His bulk and beauty speak no vulgar praise ;
If, as he seems, he was in better days,
Some care his age deserves : or was he prized
For worthless beauty? Therefore now despised ?
Such dogs and men there are, mere things of

staté,
And always cherish'd by their friends, the great.
Not Argus so, (Eumæus thus rejoin'd,)
But served a master of a nobler kind,
Who never, never shall behold him more!
Long, long since perish'd on a distant shore !
Oh, had you seen him, vigorous, bold, and young,
Swift as a stag, and as a lion strong;..
Himi no fell savage on the plain withstood,
None 'scaped hiin bosom'd in the gloomy wood;
His eye how piercing; and his scent how true
To wind the vapour in the tainted dew!

Such, when Ulysses left his natal coast;
Now years unnerve him, and his lord is lost !
The women keep the generous creature bare,
A sleek and idle race is all their care :
The master gone, the servants what restrains ?
Or dwells humanity where riot reigns ? :
For it is certain, that whatever day
Makes man a slave takes half his worth away.
This said, the honest herdsman strove before :
The musing inonarch pauses at the door :
The dog whom fate had granted to behold
His lord, when twenty tedious years had rolled,
Takes a last look, and, having seen him, dies; .
So closed for ever faithful Argus' eyes.' ”.

“Ah! ah! now Maurice,” said Clara, “ I know how to account for the name you have given to your favourite little spaniel.–Argus was the name of Ulysses' dog—the most grateful—the most affectionate- the most faithful of all the dogs that ever existed !

“Well, papa, I like epic poetry better than ever I did before !"