sleeping and unconscious child, the dreadful stone was flung, not at the cradle, however, but upon the ground, and fell with great violence.  The noise awakened the child.  The Countess was overjoyed, and, in the fulness of a mother’s heart, she fell upon her knees to express her thankfulness that her beloved infant possessed a blessing denied to herself—­the sense of hearing.  This lady often gave similar indications of superior intelligence, though we can believe that few of them equalled the present in interest.

Filial Affection.—­A veteran, worn out in the service of France, was left without a pension, although he had a wife and three children to share his wretchedness.  His son was placed at L’Ecole militaire, where he might have enjoyed every comfort, but the strongest persuasion could not induce him to taste anything but coarse bread and water.  The Duke de Choiseul being informed of the circumstance, ordered the boy before him, and enquired the reason of his abstemiousness.  The boy, with a manly fortitude, replied, “Sir, when I had the honour of being admitted to this royal foundation, my father conducted me hither.  We came on foot:  on our journey the demands of nature were relieved by bread and water.  I was received.  My father blessed me, and returned to the protection of a helpless wife and family.  As long as I can remember, bread of the blackest kind, with water, has been their daily subsistence, and even that is earned by every species of labour that honour does not forbid.  To this fare, sir, my father is reduced; and while he, my mother, and my sisters, are compelled to endure such wretchedness, is it possible that I can enjoy the plenty which my sovereign has provided for me?” The duke felt this tale of nature, gave the boy three louis d’ors for pocket-money, and promised to procure the father a pension.  The boy begged the louis d’ors might be sent to his father, which, with the patent of his pension, was immediately done.  The boy was patronised by the duke, and became one of the best officers in the service of France.

Racine.—­The celebrated French poet, Racine, having one day returned from Versailles, where he had been on a visit, was waited upon by a gentleman with an invitation to dine at the Hotel de Conde.  “I cannot possibly do myself that honour,” said the poet; “it is some time since I have been with my family; they are overjoyed to see me again, and have provided a fine carp; so that I must dine with my dear wife and children.”  “But my good sir,” replied the gentleman, “several of the most distinguished characters in the kingdom expect your company, and will be anxious to see you.”  On this, Racine brought out the carp and showed it to his visitor, saying, “Here, sir, is our little meal; then say, having provided such a treat for me, what apology could I make for not dining with my poor children?  Neither they nor my wife could have any pleasure in eating a bit of it without me; then pray be so obliging as to mention my excuse to the Prince of Conde and my other illustrious friends.”  The gentleman did so; and not only His Serene Highness, but all the company present, professed themselves infinitely more charmed with this proof of the poet’s affection as a husband and a father, than they possibly could have been with his delightful conversation.