They are very large.  They are jet black.  They are very intelligent, and after you have had them for some time, you can make them perform many tricks for the amusement of your little friends.  The St. Bernard Dog is a native of the Alps.  He is named after a convent on Mount St. Bernard in Switzerland.  The convent is 8,038 feet above the foot of the mountain.  It is a Benedictine monastery and hospital, and is the highest inhabited spot in Europe.  Travellers passing the Alps into Italy have to pass over the mountains.  They are covered with snow and very dangerous.  The good monks go out with their dogs and if they find any traveller benighted or frozen in the snow, they lend him succour and take him to the monastery.  The dogs are very strong and can carry a man.  They are all good water dogs, and if you were to fall in the water, one of them could hold you up until rescued by your friends.  Growler is waiting for his breakfast.  He is Eva’s pet.  After she has eaten her breakfast, she will give him his.  See how quiet and submissive he looks.  He is a good dog.

[Illustration:  Rescue of Eva.]

Rescue of Eva.

Eva’s parents live in the South.  Her father was a Planter.  Their house was but a short distance from the river.  Eva and her pet dog Growler used to romp up and down on the sandy shore of the river.  One day Eva and Growler went to the water as usual.  Eva saw a boat there and thought she would get in, but not untie the rope.  She had not been in the boat very long, when she felt it moving off—­she was frightened and did not know what to do.  Growler rushed into the water, and continued to bark very loud.  As Eva saw the boat getting away out into the river, she jumped out and with an oar commenced to swim for the shore.  Growler took hold of her dress, and was taking her ashore, when an old slave named Sam, rushed into the water and taking her from the faithful dog, bore her in safety to the land.  She lay sick for some time and she had a horrid fever for many days.  Growler was always by her bed side, and would only leave it to get something to eat.  Eva’s father gave Sam his freedom and a purse of gold.  Sam would not leave his master—­“No—­no, Sambo no leave Massa and Eva—­Sambo lub Massa,” said the good old man.

Growler still continues in the family, and he is beloved by all—­for had it not been for him Eva would have been drowned.  You see him in the water; poor fellow he was tired—­but he struggled on and was successful.

[Illustration:  The Girl’s Party.]

The girls party.

This is a girls party.  All the young ladies and gentlemen are assembled to celebrate the birth day of Kate.  They are playing one of the games of Forfeits.  Kate is on her knees.  I will explain the game to you.  It is a nice game; so when you get a party of boys and girls together, you can play it.  There are various kinds of games of Forfeits; they are almost as various as the forfeits themselves.  The manner of conducting them is the same for all.  Some play is settled on, such as the “Arbor of love;” “Spinning the plate,” or any other.  When all the ladies and gentlemen have had to give various forfeits, the work of redeeming them commences.