PRELIMINARY CHAPTER.* [Note-This Preliminary Chapter originally formed the first of the Novel, but* has now been printed in italics on account of its introductory character.]So down thy hill, romantic Ashbourn, glidesThe Derby dilly, carrying six insides.Frere.The times have changed in nothing more (we follow as we werewont the manuscript of Peter Pattieson) than in the rapid conveyanceof intelligence and communication betwixt one part of Scotlandand another. It is not above twenty or thirty years, according tothe evidence of many credible witnesses now alive, since a littlemiserable horse-cart, performing with difficulty a journey of thirty...　

An Old Maidby Honore de BalzacTranslated by Katharine Prescott WormeleyDEDICATIONTo Monsieur Eugene-Auguste-Georges-Louis Midy de la GrenerayeSurville, Royal Engineer of the Ponts at Chausses.As a testimony to the affection of his brother-in-law,De BalzacAN OLD MAIDCHAPTER IONE OF MANY CHEVALIERS DE VALOISMost persons have encountered, in certain provinces in France, anumber of Chevaliers de Valois. One lived in Normandy, another atBourges, a third (with whom we have here to do) flourished in Alencon,and doubtless the South possesses others. The number of the Valesian...　

SHERLOCK HOLMESTHE ADVENTURE OF SHOSCOMBE OLD PLACEby Sir Arthur Conan DoyleSherlock Holmes had been bending for a long time over a low-powermicroscope. Now he straightened himself up and looked round at me intriumph."It is glue, Watson," said he. "Unquestionably it is glue. Have alook at these scattered objects in the field!"I stooped to the eyepiece and focussed for my vision."Those hairs are threads from a tweed coat. The irregular graymasses are dust. There are epithelial scales on the left. Thosebrown blobs in the centre are undoubtedly glue.""Well," I said, laughing, "I am prepared to take your word for it....　

SHERLOCK HOLMESTHE ADVENTURE OF THE BLANCHED SOLDIERby Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThe ideas of my friend Watson, though limited, are exceedinglypertinacious. For a long time he has worried me to write an experienceof my own. Perhaps I have rather invited this persecution, since Ihave often had occasion to point out to him how superficial are hisown accounts and to accuse him of pandering to popular taste insteadof confining himself rigidly to facts and figures. "Try it yourself,Holmes!" he has retorted, and I am compelled to admit that, havingtaken my pen in my hand, I do begin to realize that the matter must be...　

Muratby Alexander Dumas, pereITOULONOn the 18th June, 1815, at the very moment when the destiny of Europewas being decided at Waterloo, a man dressed like a beggar wassilently following the road from Toulon to Marseilles.Arrived at the entrance of the Gorge of Ollioulles, he halted on alittle eminence from which he could see all the surrounding country;then either because he had reached the end of his journey, orbecause, before attempting that forbidding, sombre pass which iscalled the Thermopylae of Provence, he wished to enjoy themagnificent view which spread to the southern horizon a littlelonger, he went and sat down on the edge of the ditch which bordered...　

The Lake Gunby James Fenimore CooperThe Seneca is remarkable for its "Wandering Jew," and the"Lake Gun." The first is a tree so balanced that when itsroots are clear of the bottom it floats with its broken andpointed trunk a few feet above the surface of the water,driving before the winds, or following in the course of thecurrents. At times, the "Wandering Jew" is seen offJefferson, near the head of this beautiful sheet; and next itwill appear anchored, as it might be, in the shallow waternear the outlet.{"Wandering Jew" = The medieval legend of Ahasueras,who mocked Christ on his way to the cross and wascondemned to live until Judgment Day, is widespread...　

FAIRY TALES OF HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSENTHE UGLY DUCKLINGby Hans Christian AndersenIT was lovely summer weather in the country, and the goldencorn, the green oats, and the haystacks piled up in the meadows lookedbeautiful. The stork walking about on his long red legs chattered inthe Egyptian language, which he had learnt from his mother. Thecorn-fields and meadows were surrounded by large forests, in the midstof which were deep pools. It was, indeed, delightful to walk aboutin the country. In a sunny spot stood a pleasant old farm-houseclose by a deep river, and from the house down to the water side...　

Lectures on Evolutionby Thomas Henry HuxleyITHE THREE HYPOTHESES RESPECTING THE HISTORY OF NATUREWe live in and form part of a system of things of immensediversity and perplexity, which we call Nature; and it is amatter of the deepest interest to all of us that we should formjust conceptions of the constitution of that system and of itspast history. With relation to this universe, man is, in extent,little more than a mathematical point; in duration but afleeting shadow; he is a mere reed shaken in the winds of force.But as Pascal long ago remarked, although a mere reed, he is athinking reed; and in virtue of that wonderful capacity of...　

In the Cageby Henry JamesCHAPTER IIt had occurred to her early that in her positionthat of a youngperson spending, in framed and wired confinement, the life of aguinea-pig or a magpieshe should know a great many personswithout their recognising the acquaintance. That made it anemotion the more livelythough singularly rare and always, eventhen, with opportunity still very much smotheredto see any onecome in whom she knew outside, as she called it, any one who couldadd anything to the meanness of her function. Her function was tosit there with two young menthe other telegraphist and thecounter-clerk; to mind the "sounder," which was always going, to...　

Historic Girlsby E. S. BrooksSTORIES OF GIRLS WHO HAVE INFLUENCED THEHISTORY OF THEIR TIMESE. S. BROOKSPREFACE.In these progressive days, when so much energy and discussion aredevoted to what is termed equality and the rights of woman, it iswell to remember that there have been in the distant past women,and girls even, who by their actions and endeavors provedthemselves the equals of the men of their time in valor,shrewdness, and ability.This volume seeks to tell for the girls and boys of to-day thestories of some of their sisters of the long-ago,girls who byeminent position or valiant deeds became historic even before...　

A Cumberland Vendettaby John Fox Jr.TO MINERVA AND ELIZABETHA Cumberland VendettaITHE cave had been their hiding-place as children; it was a secret refuge now against hunger or darkness when they were hunting in the woods. The primitive meal was finished; ashes were raked over the red coals; the slice of bacon and the little bag of meal were hung high against the rock wall; and the two stepped from the cavern into a thicket of rhododendrons.Parting the bushes toward the dim light, they stood on a massive shoulder of the mountain, the river girding it far below, and the afternoon shadows at their feet. Both carried guns-the tall mountaineer, a Winchester; the boy, a squirrel rifle longer th　

ON THE MOTION OF ANIMALSby Aristotletranslated by A. S. L. Farquharson1ELSEWHERE we have investigated in detail the movement of animalsafter their various kinds, the differences between them, and thereasons for their particular characters (for some animals fly, someswim, some walk, others move in various other ways); there remainsan investigation of the common ground of any sort of animal movementwhatsoever.Now we have already determined (when we were discussing whethereternal motion exists or not, and its definition, if it does exist)...