The strings sleep ’neath too weak a touch,
Or break, ’neath one too strong;
Or we forget the master-chord
That should rule all our song.

When shall our spirit learn again
The lay once to it given? 
When shall we rise, like thee, sweet bird! 
And, singing, soar to heaven?

FANNY FARMER.

DOG-SELLING EXTRAORDINARY.

Two ladies, friends of a near relative of my own, from whom I received an account of the circumstance, were walking in Regent Street, and were accosted by a man who requested them to buy a beautiful little dog, covered with long, white hair, which he carried in his arms.  Such things are not uncommon in that part of London, and the ladies passed on without heeding him.  He followed, and repeated his entreaties, stating, that as it was the last he had to sell, they should have it at a reasonable price.  They looked at the animal; it was really an exquisite little creature, and they were at last persuaded.  The man took it home for them, received his money, and left the dog in the arms of one of the ladies.  A short time elapsed, and the dog, which had been very quiet, in spite of a restless, bright eye, began to shew symptoms of uneasiness, and as he ran about the room, exhibited some unusual movements, which rather alarmed the fair purchasers.  At last, to their great dismay, the new dog ran squeaking up one of the window curtains, so that when the gentleman returned home a few minutes after, he found the ladies in consternation, and right glad to have his assistance.  He vigorously seized the animal, took out his penknife, cut off its covering, and displayed a large rat to their astonished eyes, and of course to its own destruction.—­Mrs Lee’s Anecdotes of Animals.

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