OUR COUNTRY NEIGHBORS. 8/ 



spectacles ; and though he always felt remarkably slimy 

 when we touched him, yet, as he would sit still, and allow 

 us to stroke his head and pat his back, we concluded his 

 social feelings might be warm, notwithstanding a cold ex- 

 terior. Who knew, after all, but he might be a beautiful 

 young prince, enchanted there till the princess should come 

 to drop the golden ball into the fountain, and so give him 

 a chance to marry her, and turn into a man again ? Such 

 things, we are credibly informed, are matters of frequent 

 occurrence in Germany. Why not here ? 



By and by there came to our fountain another visitor, 

 a frisky, green young frog of the identical kind spoken of 

 by the poet : 



" There was a frog lived in a well, 

 Rig dum pully metakimo." 



This thoughtless, dapper individual, with his bright green 

 coat, his faultless white vest, and sea-green tights, became 

 rather the popular favorite. He seemed just rakish and 

 gallant enough to fulfil the conditions of the song : 



" The frog he would a courting ride, 

 With sword and pistol by his side." 



This lively young fellow, whom we shall Cri-Cri, like other 

 frisky and gay young people, carried the day quite over 

 the head of the solemn old philosopher under the calla- 

 leaves. At night, when all was still, he would trill a joy- 



