THB HEN rEVEE. 167 



ninety-eight was the remainder — clear profit. Eggs — 

 even dark mahogany eggs — went down to a shilling a 

 dozen ! But we will not anticipate. 



" To facilitate the multiplication of the feathered species, 

 Mr. Green imported a French Eccaleobion, or egg-hatching 

 machine, that worked by steam, and was warranted to 

 throw off a thousand chicks a month. ' 



" One day an 'ancient mariner' arrived at the villa, with 

 a small basket on his arm, and inquired for thS "master of 

 the house. Sap was just then engaged in important busi- 

 ness, — teaching a young chicken to crow, — but he left his 

 occupation, and received the stranger. 



" ' Want to buy an egg ? ' asked the mariner. 



" ' One egg ? Why, where did it come from ? ' asked the 

 hen-fancier. 



" ' E Stingies,' replied the mariner. 



" ' Domestic fowl's egg ? ' 



" 'Domestic' 



'"Let 's see it.' 



" The sailor produced an enormous egg, weighing about 

 a pound. Sap ' hefted ' it carefully. 



" 'Did you ever see the birds that lay such eggs?' he 



" ' Lots on 'em,' replied the sailor. ' They 're big as all 

 Dut-doors. They calls 'em the Gigantic Pagoda Hen. 

 I 'm afeared to tell you how big they are ; you won't 



