TWO YOUNG NATURALISTS. 303 



Jacob, who when young was of so happy a disposi- 

 tion, has, now that he is older, become an impudent 

 chatterbox and an incorrigible thief. 



Yes, dear readers, I regret to inform you that it is 

 impossible to deny that Jacob has a natural talent for 

 theft. Everything that glitters excites his cupidity, 

 and only yesterday, by chance his storehouse was 

 discovered under the stairs. Here is the inventory of 

 its contents 



Two thimbles. 



A small key. 



A penholder. 



Two or three dozen pins. 



About the same number of needles. 



Some nails and screws. 



Two half-franc pieces. 



The cover of a sardine-box. 



One majr well ask what Jacob intended to do with 

 such an accumulation. 



And your two principal characters, Kene* andLe*on? 



Le"on, a medical student, has passed his first exami- 

 nation with honours ; and his thoughtful turn of mind, 

 and the remarkable grasp of his intelligence, cause it 

 to be prophesied that he will be a worthy successor to 

 his father. 



Kene* is about in a few days to pass his last exami- 

 nation as Bachelor of Arts ; after which he proposes to 

 enter the college of Saint Cyr. With his careless 



