We might extend this painful narrative did our space permit; but we must now close, with a recommendation of the book under notice to those who are interested in the progress of natural or geographical discovery.

FOOTNOTES: 

[3] Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S.  Rattlesnake, commanded by the late Captain Owen Stanley, during the years 1846-50, including Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, &c. &c.  By John Macgillivray, F.R.G.S., Naturalist to the Expedition.  London:  Boone. 2 vols. 8vo.

A CELEBRATED FRENCH CLOCKMAKER.

The superiority of French clocks and watches has been achieved only by the laborious efforts of many ingenious artisans.  Of one of these, to whom France owes no little of its celebrity in this branch of art, we propose to speak.  Breguet was the name of this remarkable individual.  He was a native of Neuchatel, in Switzerland, and thence he was removed, while young, to Versailles, for the purpose of learning his business as a horologist.  His parents being poor, he found it necessary to rely on his own energy for advancement in life.

At Versailles, he served a regular apprenticeship, during which his diligence in improving himself was almost beyond example.  He became greatly attached to his profession; and soon, by studious perseverance, his talents were developed by real knowledge.  At length the term of apprenticeship expired, and as the master was expressing to the pupil the satisfaction which his good conduct and diligence had given him, he was struck with astonishment when he replied:  ’Master, I have a favour to ask of you.  I feel that I have not always as I ought employed my time, which was to have indemnified you for the cares and lessons you have spent on me.  I beg of you, then, to permit me to continue with you three months longer without salary.’  This request confirmed the attachment of the master to his pupil.  But scarcely was the apprenticeship of the latter over, when he lost his mother and his stepfather, and found himself alone in the world with an elder sister—­being thus left to provide, by his own industry, for the maintenance of two persons.  Nevertheless, he ardently desired to complete his necessary studies, for he felt that the knowledge of mathematics was absolutely indispensable to his attaining perfection in his art.  This determined purpose conquered every obstacle.  Not only did he labour perseveringly for his sister and himself, but also found means to attend regularly a course of public lectures which the Abbe Marie was then giving at the College Mazarin.  The professor, having remarked the unwearied assiduity of the young clockmaker, made a friend of him, and delighted in considering him as his beloved pupil.  This friendship, founded on the truest esteem and the most affectionate gratitude, contributed wondrously to the progress of the student.