The Mason-bees 



is open at the top. There, I can feel the 

 hole." 



And Bastlen, to confirm his mendacious 

 statement, keeps wriggling his forefinger at 

 the top of the tube, while his fellow-conspira- 

 tors suppress their enjoyment as best they 

 can, 



'That will do," says the unconscious abbe. 

 "You can get down, Bastien. Take a note 

 of it, boys : the longer leg of the barometer is 

 open; take a note of it. It's a thing you 

 might forget; I had forgotten it myself." 



Thus was physics taught. Things im- 

 proved, however: a master came and came to 

 stay, one who knew that the long leg of the 

 barometer is closed. I myself secured tables 

 on which my pupils were able to write instead 

 of scribbling on their knees; and, as my class 

 was daily increasing in numbers, it ended by 

 being divided into two. As soon as I had an 

 assistant to look after the younger boys, 

 things assumed a different aspect. 



Among the subjects taught, one in particu- 

 lar appealed to both master and pupils. This 

 was open-air geometry, practical surveying. 

 The college had none of the necessary outfit; 

 but, with my fat pay — seven hundred francs 

 5 



