NAMELESS; OR, NOBODY'S DARLING.

BY JENNY WEEN.

for the "Star Supplement.")

CHAPTER IX,

HOW COLIN COMEB HOME,

■A swbet delicious morning; the glory of a ;New Zealand sunrise bathing the lovely . landscape in a thousand rosy, golden tints, .that faded only to produce a more beauteous glow of colouring. In the garden all was and freshness, the lark was high in -the clear atmosphere of morning, carolling hie sweet song of praise to a bountiful Creator. The fragrance of many blossoms of rvaried hues filled the air with magic sweet ness, and the dewdrops glistened like fairy ■crystals upon every shimmering leaf and 'tough. Namie, or Agnes, as we really -ought to call our heroine now she fhas -attained to womanhood, looked out from her open window on the pleasing panorama before her, and smiled; a tender, loving .smile that illuminined the features that .'many may have thought plain ; and a thrill ,«of thankful happiness ran through her heart 41s she looked upon her own dear .home. Instinctively sheturned to the piano, .and presently the clear, sweet voice rang ■oat upon the fresh morning air, as she sang for very happiness the words that found ian echo in her own glad heart:

I love my home, my happy homo, In fair Now Zealand's ißle— Tho glory ol tho South, where all Tho face of Nature smiles; Whero noble forests crown the hills. And Bteamletß throod the vales. And mighty ocean circlos round, ■ And breathes refreshing gales. My happy home, my happy homo, My own Now Zealand home.

Her song finished, she rose from tho in strument, and tripped lightly out into the garden, with the intention of culling some lowers to place on the breakfast table, when she became aware of the presence of a stranger, wha stood beneath a spreading ttree, "attentively regarding her. As ho ;saw that he was perceived, he raised his hat, and said, in tones whose pathos .struck a chord of sympathy in Namie's heart, "I beg pardon, Miss, but you were ■singing of home, and your song attracted me strangely; once I had a happy home, but now I am a stranger in my own land, andSno one calleth me 'friend.' Ah, mo! WOUld that I could find the home of my ■childhood, tho friends of my youth, that I might look on them once more before I die." "Sir," exclaimed Namie, "I perceive that you are ill, and in trouble of some kind. If you will come in, and rest awhile, I will bring you some refreshment j perhaps you have walked a long distance? Tho stranger bowed with a graceful ease that bespoke a knowledge of good society. As he replied, " I have walked from Auckland since daybreak, and intended reaching the settlement yonder by_ breakfast time, but the sweet music of your song attracted my ear, and I lin gered at your gate, hardly being awaro that was I trespassing. May I ask the name of the hospitable lady under whose roof I stand ?" Namie hesitated a moment, then answered slowly, " Our name is Flid gett, but if you wero wishing to make in •quirios for some relative who may have re sided in this neighbourhood some years ago, I have no doubt our friend and guest, Captain Cartwright, might be able to give .you some information; he is a very old resident." For a moment the stranger stood silent on tho threshold; then, with a voice that had almost the tone of entreaty in its earnestness, he turned to Namie and ■exclaimed, "Can it be true that I have found him? that ho lives to welcome, to forgive? Oh ! you whose gentle tones havo lured me to thia house, go to him now, and tell him ' Colin waits without, waits for his father's blessing; that he has hungered for •a sight of bis father's face for many weary years, and waits his forgiveness and wel come home.'" The words were hardly •apoken ere a familiar form stood in the door way, a silvery head was bared in Heavon's sunlight, and a faltering voice cried out in •accents of tenderest love, " My aon, my son "that was lost and is found again. Colin, my boy, welcome home." Namie saw the aged father lay his whito head against that broad chest that was heaving with suppressed emotion, and with mingled feelings of pity and heartfelt joy she slipped quietly out to tell Aunt Rachel that "Colin had come home."

Yes, he hod returned after all these years oi -wandering and hardship ; in perils by land and sea, through scenes of distress and suffering; shipwrecked, imprisoned, es ■caping with his life in his hand ; always pursued by the thought that blood-guilti ness lay on hia soul; always accused by that inward monitor which no heart can •entirely silence, of having taken the lifo of his fellow-man, and broken the heart of his •devoted parents. All tkrough the campaign in Egypt he had txmrteddeath, but even in the midst of the bombardmentof Alexandria he hadremained uninjured, Ithough he had suffered muoh from the effects of the trying climate, and had lain prostrate for many weeks at the hospital in Cairo. He had won himself ■distinction by his singular bravery, and had received honours not a few on his return to England. Then, in his loneliness and -weakness, his heart turned homeward, and he determined to venture to return to Auckland, hardly daring to hope he should find any trace of his home or parents. Having served under an assumed name, they could not have heard any tiding 3of him in his military life. Thoughts of another .heart that had doubtless borne and suffered much for his sake would often steal upon his lonely hours, and as he lay in the hospi talatCairo.sickalmostunto death, the vision of a gentle presence would come to him in happy dreams, only to be ruthlessly dispelled in his waking moments. He had recovered, <( had come to his right mind," had sailed for New Zealand, had landed in Auckland the day previous, and on that bright summer's morning, when all Nature seemed rejoicing, "Colinnadcome home." Tenderly they cared for the "trayel stained prodigal" through the long, severe illness that followed, until the perfect calm, the peaceful happiness of home re stored the weary body and troubled mind to a healthy, genial tone; and Colin would sit in the pleasant shade of the orchard trees, drinking in the sweetness and refreshing beauty of the "scene, or leaning upon the arm of the one who had lovea him so truly, even "afar off," ,would rest his weary spirit in the pure atmosphere of home, never more to go astray. Miss Rachel was sitting by her favourite window one lovely summer evening, thank ing God in her inmost heart for hisgreat mercies, when she observed Archie Camp bell arid Miss Carthrew approaching the house. They cnme in at tne low window, and she saw by the earnest, subdued man ner of the young curate that it was no trivial errand, that brought him to Ecoria Cottage. With a look of loving sympathy

to her friend, Miss Carthrew left the room, and presently a deep, manly voice said earnestly, "Miss Rachel, I have been speaking to Miss Carthrew concerning a matter that lies so near my heart I can scarce find words to utter it. Miss Rachel," he said, taking her hand respect fully, "may I ask Namie to be my wife ?" She turned. on him a look of tender affec-tion as she answered, "Archie, if I had not thought you worthy of her love, I should not have wished to keep you apart when my precious child was only a sweet, stray waif that had drifted into my life when I was so lonely, and longed so much for something to love—when to me she was only little ' Nameless.Nobody's Darling.1 All I can say now is, you have my sincere approval and consent to win her for your own, if her heart answers your tender plea —guard her carefully, love her truly. She is indeed a treasure worthy the winning. God bless you both." ' J With a silent pressure of the hand, the young man left the gentle Rachel, for whom he entertained an almost filial respect, and went out to seek Namie. He found her in the rustic summer-house, and it hardly needed words to explain the tender errand on which he came. Suffice it thatthe ' 'knight of the fountain " sued not in vain for the love of his gentle naiad, and by-and-by they went into the house together, where they found the Captain discussing the social question with Miss Carthrew, in the midst of which, however, he suddenly exclaimed, with an arch look of entire satisfaction at the happy lovers, "Bless my buttons ! why, Archie, you roguo, so you've won our little Namie, and it shall nevermore be said that she is Nobody's Darling." A few months later there was a pretty wedding in the little church at Panmure, and after the delightful breakfast, the pre paration of which had been Peggies and Mrs Green's special pride, and the display of the numerous presente that had been sent to the young Wide, the happy couple started off to the Lakes for their honey moon trip, followed by the heartfelt blessings of their friends at Ecoria Cottage.

CHAPTER X. AFTER MANY DAYS.

The shadows were falling softly over the old home. A calm quietude seemed to breathe its subtle charm over the spirits of those who remained in the deserted parlours after tho departure of the gay young guests. The Captain strolled out into the orchard to enjoy his evening pipe; Rachel sat by the open window, with a peaceful happiness beaming from her gentle face. She had fulfilled her trust. Now her work seemed finished, and she wondered " what would be its glad fruition ; what the gleanings after the harvest}"

A sense of lonelinees crept over her loving heart now Namie was really gone; given away to one who was nobly worthy o? her choice ; and a tear gathered in Rachel's eye as she .thought that she would be no longer needed, however much Bhe might still be loved, by the gentle girl she had trained bo tenderly. As she sat there in the gloam ing, she did not hear tho sound of an ap proaching footstep, or note the presence of another, until a hand was laid lightly on her shoulder, and a voice that thrilled her very soul with memories of the past said gently, " Rachel, life's sunniest days are past; all the sorrow of time cannot recall them, but there still remains the sweet rest ing time between tho shadows, dear, and then tho evening cometh soon. Rachel, will you come to me, and share tho last few years that remain ? will you forgive tho past, and let us live henceforth for each other?"

"And unto God, Colin," replied Rachel softly, " for not unto himself alone can any creature exist. So let it be, dear love. After many days my heart has found repose; wo will walk together thanking Him daily that Colin has come home." A little later Miss Carthrow found her friend weeping softly over the content* of little cedar-wood box that had occupied a place on the toilette table all thoso years. Only a faded flower, an old letter, and a simple engagement ring set with pearls ami turquoise, that was now far too large for tho slender finger. "lam so glad for you, darling," cried Mies Carthrow, caressing her with tondor affection, Jand the thought that found no utterance shed a hallowed peace upon her noble brow.

"She will not miss mo now, this was my trouble, and He has graciously removed it, and provided tho gentle soul with ' another comforter.'"

"Weeping, Rachel?" exclaimed Miss Oarthrew,^" do"you regret having givon our Namie away?" " No, no, Esther, not that; but I am foolish to-night. Too much happiness is making me weak. God has given me so many mercies, and among thorn all this is not the least—that Colin has come homo."

A tender light beamed from the gentle faco that now hid itself on Esther's shoulder, 'md then Eathor knew that the tired, tried heart had found its resting place, evon after many days. Very quietly they were married, and they with the Captain remained at Rosy Retreat, while Ecoria Cottage was being prepared for the return of the Rovorond Archie Campbell and his fair young bride. Shortly after this double marriage, Miss Cnrthrew bade farewoll to those who were so dear to her loving heartj and embarked for England, intent onfthe carrying out of her settled plans for the benefit of her tenantry. Very happy, very peaceful,'were the days that followed, and ever as the old man leaned on the now strong arm of his beloved son, or noted the calm sweet content of Rachel's daily life, he w'ouldlook back upon the past years of weary watching and wait ing, hoping, and fearing, and trace through them all the leadings of a Benign Father, who never yet has sent the sable cloud without a silver lining.

THE AUTHOR'S FOSTCB.IPT.

CHAPTER LAST.

Five years have passed away since Miss Carthrew arrived at Brantley Manor, and set herself diligently to the work so dear to her heart. The noble, barronial mansion has been converted into the Institute, Hospital, Library, Lecture-room, and General Indus trial Depot of the Brantley Equitable Asso ciation. A large building hasbeen erected for a-depßt, where every necessary for the re quirements of the people has been laid in store for their consumption. Beautiful schools hare been built, the old church has been replaced by a new and elegant struc ture, where no sect or denomination is re presented but where Christ's Gospel is Cached purely and freely. Farms have n drained and highly cultivated, in dustry of. all kinds has been promoted. A model BChool for the training of girls in all domestio matters, under the special super vision of Miss Carthrew, with its kitchens, its laundries, its dairy, its workrooms, its library, and beautiful gardens. All this, and much more, including a large industrial" school for boys, where various trades and avocations are gratuitously taught, haa been done by the founder of the Association. And how ? Whereby has this been accom plished? By the revenue of the estate.

the rents raised from the several farms, and the self-producing, self-supporting, system of equitable exchange. Miss Carthrew lias no personal, private income laying idle in the bank ; no useless gold to burden and fetter her soul, and per chance hinder her from "entering in" to that kingdom that is not of this world. She is a_ shareholder; she is the governing, controlling power; the financier, the centre, the very heart and soul of the people who gather round her in grateful affection. There is no poverty in Brantley. No hungering, ill-clad children, applying for clothing - club tickets ; no soup kitchens, no charity (mii»s - named) to wound the God - given spirit of inde pendence that poverty so often crushes out of the hearts of its victims. And there is no drink. The demon god, Bacchus, has no welcome there, no flaring signboard flaunts its gaudy welcome to the working man, or lures the hard-earned bread-money from his threadbare pocket. And there is very littlo crime in Brantley. Freedom from poverty and its attendant evils ensures content, and content brings happiness, pure, unselfish social joys, pro moted (by religion's^brightest ornaments— brotherly love and social advancement. Morality sheds its purifying influence over the homes of the people. No mothers' hearts are breaking over the scattered hopeß of years of patient toil; no father's brow is clouded by the bittershamo of his children's sinful folly. Education has raised its en nobling standard in those halls where noble lords and languid ladies wore wont to idle the precious hours away in weary ennui or frivolous enjoyment of the fleeting moment. Science, art, and literature havo aided in the work ot raising the moi-al standard of the people's mind. The old library, with its rich treasures of ancient and modern literature ; the picture gallery,with its fine old paintings by the best masters, to which have been added not a few of Miss Carthrow's own productions, including her last work, "The Land for the People,"nave been dedicated to the interests of the Asso ciation.

And to-night, as Miss Carthrew sits alone in the old oak-panelled room sho has h&d fitted up specially as a study, a retiring room, where she may lay down her burden (for her task has been no light one) at her Father's feet, and listen to tho still smaQ voiceof His counsel, that has never failed to strengthen her hands and support her soul; as she sits there in silent contem plation, listening for the glad sound of tho village chimes that shall welcome in another year, fraught with now cares, sorrows, joys, and triumphs, sho feels the sweet assurance in her own heart " that God has prospered the work of her hands—yea, and will make it to prosper." News has come from over tho sea of Arehio's'promotion to an Auckland Church, of old Captain Cartwright's peaceful death, of Jamie's happy motherhood, of Rachel's calm, tranquil life, spent in loving devotion to Colin, Namio, and her littlo ones.

Of great improvements and advance in that beautiful land of tho Southern Seas, and with an unspoakablo yearning in her great, generous, earnest soul, Miss Car threw longs for the introduction of thosystom that should freo tho pooplo of that fertilo country from tho bondage of concentrated wealth, that should give to tho producer tho product of his labour, even this glorious horitago, tho titlo deeds of which aro written in Heaven, and sealod with tho blood of poverty's wealth-slain martyrs, "The Land for tho People."

Tho wish forms itself into a prayer, tho prayer into a thanksgiving for the dawn of a glorious day, lor tho first faint streaks in tho horizon of the world's history, of " tho truth that shall make men free."

Sho rises from her knoos, a deep, earnest, loving joy beaming from her s.till handsome countenance, and with a step that is not quite so firm as of old, she passes out into the great library. Horo hangs her last work, her favourite picture, and sitting down before it, she gazes into its every de tail with the fondness of a creative mind, till sho hears the old hall clock strike twelve. Directly tho chimes ring out through the clear frosty nil1, and to the soul of that, faithful steward of earth's treasures they seem to carry a fresh assurance of His lovo who hath said, "In that tlion hast beon faithful in a few things, 1 will nmko theo ruler over many things," In'o oho of all her faithful friends and household attendants knew just when it was, or how it happened : but when in tho groy dawn of that New Year's morning tho Htoward entered tho grout library to opon the windows and arrange the tables for that day's expected festivities, he Found theioved formof her whom the pooplc called "blessed," the noble head, where many .1 silver thread continued among tho dark tresses, rested upon her desk, where lay her open Bible, but the spirit of Esther Onrthruw had passed boyond ttio " outer court " of life's work or weariness, and entered into the palaeo of eternal blessodnoss, oven into " the pro soneeof tho King." (Concluded.)

Interesting Study for Scientists.

A French scientist has boen investigating the comparative strength of insects, Ho has discovered tli.'it in proportion to its sizo a bee can pull just thirty times as much as a horse. Thi3 scientist seotnis to bo over cautious in hifi experiments. He has con fined himself to a claws of harmless insocts, and has found out how much work an ant could do if he were an big as Jumbo, and how many cords of wood n beetle could draw if ho wore as big as a donkey. Now lot him turn his scientific eye on the ordinary wasp. Let him live in the same room with a nest full of these littlo beauties for a fortnight, and if tlio wasps poem t» be in offensive, peace-loving, and domestic creatures, let. him puft' a volume of cigar smoke into the onfico which serves thorn for a trout door, and then he will thank tho Lord that ho didn't nrnko tho WBSp any bigger. It is barely possible that ho may wish that the Lord hadn't mudo him at all. Think of a humorous wasp, a jocoso and fun-loving wasp, with a sting as long a a darning needle. \Ve like to have these in teresting subjects investigated, because they add to tho practical knowledge of tho world, but as for ourselves we confess that we haven't tho slightest scientific leaning in that direction. It anyone has this curiosity let him indulgo it by all means. It is a rich field, and the toil of the explorer will be re paid by the ample accumulation of facts. There is one warning, however, to bo care fully observed. The wasp has just as much curiosity as tho scientist, and while it is delightful to investigate him, it is not so agreeable when ho takes his turn and in vestigates you. He has a habit of penetrat ing a subject, and never leaves until ho has satisfied himself. Tho investigator is also satisfied —nay, more than satisfied—and is apt to express his satisfaction in palysyllabic words which indicate great mental Excite ment.

Minister, who meets one of his parishoners who has had a good dram : ' Dear me, John, lam very sorry to see you the worse for drink ! I thought you were n tee totaller!' John : 'An' — hie—so I am, minister, but—hie—l'm no a bigoted y in.' i

A HIDE FOR LIFE.

Bill Burton, the landlord of a certain ale lioubo near Wapping, drained the glass before him, called for a fresh weed, and Bet tied himself back in a chair. Presently he took up the thread of his narrative where he had dropped it half -an hour ago, and told his listening customers of a wild chase one dark and terrible night over the green prairies of Southern Texas.

Bill is known for miles round Wapping as an old hunter, and his audience included men who had been in the Far West them selves, and had heard him spoken of as a daring fellow. "Ah .'"said be, as the lines about his serious mouth relaxed a trifle, " that was the liveliest bit of a ride I ever took in all my life. The howling, yelling paok of cut throats who called themselves ' Vigilantes,' 'defenders of the peace'—who murdereJ women, and tried to hang men for defend ing what was dearest and noblest, a wife's honour with those screeching assassins in the distance contesting every inch of ground, as if it was only a little race for their own amusement, I tell you what, gentlemen, it was a lively rush, and no mistake.

"As for me, I was completely dazed. The tragic and untimely death of tho gal I loved better nor myself had left mo little better nor a lunatic. And I s'pose I should have rushed my horse on over tho country till he fell dead in his tracks, and then fought over his body till I too handed in my chips. I say I s'poso that would have been tho case if it hadn't been for Cast Iron Dick. Through the whole troublo ho had been as cool as an icicle, and now at tho most trying moment, when his own life was worth no more than mine (for they'd have strung him up alongside o' me if we'd been caught), he was as calm as a summer morn ing, and as smilin' as a child. " Ho pinted the nose of his mustang duo south, and struck olfat a sharp run. I fol lered, not so much because I saw what he was figgerin' for, as on account of his having taken tho lead. Wo went on for half an hour or more in silence, and the yells of tho Vigilantes dropped away in tho distance. Fin'ly I shook off tho impression that had hung over me like a big black sheet, and axed Dick what he proposed to do. Ho smiled, and said, ' Jest hang close to me, pardner, and I'll sec you through. I struck off from the regular track, because if those chaps try to follow us over tho prairiro they will havo to trail us very carefully, or they arc likuly to get oil'the scent entirely. And in order to trail us, they've got to bo slow until they innko up their minds) where wo are trying to go. That gives us a good clear start, and if old Bill Grant is at homo whon wo get thoro, we'll manago to lead the Vigilantes a lively danco boforo wo got through.' "Wo kept along right lively fora good full twenty miles, and finally, at four o'clock in tho morning, wo pulled up nforo old Bill (■rant's door. Grant was an Englishman, and his farm was stocked with somo of the finost cattle and horses in tho world. Among thorn woro two big thoroughbred' stallions, of which their owner was especially proud. i>ick had made up his mind that wo must hnvo those two animals, como what would. So ho dismounted in front of tho houso, and knocked at tho door. Grant wasn't at home, but his head man camo to answer tho summons, rubbing his oyes in sloopy wonder. Dick very soon walked him up, though, by saying wo wanted to borrow ' Lightning ' and ' Lord Grey.' " ' What!' oxclaimed tho man, in astonish ment at tho request. ' Why, you might as woll ax mo for my life. You can't havu ' om !'

" ' That's just what I will ask you for in about a minute,' replied Dick, coolly, 1 unless you trot out tho horses mighty quick. ' I ain't got any time to fool away, either.'

'And ho shoved tho muzzlo of his Win chester up into tho groom's face.1 "It was an argument tho man couldn't dispute, and so, grumblin' at our demand, he led out tho stallions. In about two minutes more we had shifted the saddles to their backs, and tho big English horses, tingling all over with fire, broke away to tho South at a rattling gait. Wo hadn't gone more'n half a milo, when we heard tho yells of tho Vigilantes back towards Giant's. They had evidently reckoned on our visit ing tho Englishman's place, and had cut straight for there without stopping to trail us carefully, as they had started to do. " Uy rushin' their mustangs at top speed they had gained on us considerably, but we felt perfectly safe, because we knowed wo had a couplo of horses that couldn't be out run by any in the State of Texas : so we just lot 'em out a peg or two, and began to ojk!U the breach again. " After a while, Dick turned round in his saddle, and axed mo if I knowed where wo was p'inting for. I told him I should judge ho was goiu' into tho Gulf of Mexico ; but lie only laughed, and said ' Galveston.' "We had ridden about forty miles al ready, and there was a lectio over sixty more still ahead of us. At the rate we were going, tho horses would never stand it in the world. I told Dick so, but ho only laughed again, and said ho didn't expect 'em to,

"That want a [wrtickally satisfactory answer, but as he had managed the whole thing so well ui> to that time, 3 calculated that ho knowcu what ho was about, and 1 let him whiz. About this timo tho sun came up, and wo began to feel mighty streaked, We had been tackling n hard night of it, without a wink of sleep, a bite of food, or a drop of drink. Tho horses, too, wore beginning to get a littlo bit dry. The country wo were going over was parched, and thero didn't seem to be any water. But all to onco, away in the west - ard wo discovered a long streak of Rhrubs, showin'tho presence of moisture. Calculat ing; that tho start we had gained would allow us to spare tho timo, wo turned our tracks over that way. Soon tho horses were grazing peacefully bosido a little spring, and wo wcro munching on a loaf of bread which Dick had providentially brought along.

"Wo had been sitting there in the bushes for half an hour, or perhaps longer, when all of a sudden thero came a couple of yells, and four or five bullets whistled by. The Vigilantes had crept upon us unawares. You can bet it didn't take us long to get out of there. In a very few minutes we were on our way again, this time in dead earnest. The horses seemed to understand it, too, for the way they slung up tho dust would havo mado your oyes open. Wo only stopped to send a couple of bullets back among our pursuers, and wo were Off. . . „ .

" Never in my life did I see horsos get up and skato the way those animals did. Tnoy ran and ran at a pace that would havo killed a mustang in half an hour—and they never turned a hair. I suppose wo rodo along this way for two hours more, when all at onco we ran right on to a railroad. " Here Dick dismounted and looked at his watch. It was soven o'clock. " 'At about this hour,1 said he, 'the fast express for Galveston is due here. It is only a question of whether we are in time. If it hasgono by, we must trust to the horses. •If not, wo are saved. Hark !'

"In the distance there was a rumbling sound. It was the train. A moment later Dick had fastened a red handkerchief to his rifle, and standing in the centre of the track, began to wave it in the air as a signal. "Presently, far up the track, we saw a puff of steam, then a black speck, and then the glittering mountings of the locomotive. Hurrah ! we were on the verge of safety. " But at that same instant, on the trail we had just come, appeared three or four small bodies, which we knew were our purj suers. It was only a question of a ten minutes.

"The train thundered nearer, and Dick waved his flag madly in the air. The engine was almost upon us, and the pursu ing horsemen were coming nearer. Heavens ! What suspense r

"Ah! we were discovered. Two sharp whistles for 'down breaks,' and the iron horse came to a halt. We Jumped upon the cars, there was a hurried explanation with the conductor, the bellrope was pulled, and the wheels began to revolve. As the cars gathered speed, Dick and I looked back.

"Four horsemen, their faces distorted with impotent rage, stood upon the railway track sliakiwg their fists in the air, and howling for revenge. "It was a close shave, gentlemen, as sure's you're born!"

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL FRAUD.

The " London Times " says :—There are now deposited in the British Museum 15 leather slips, on the 40 folds of which are written portions of the Book of Deutero nomy, in a recension entirely different from that of tho received text. The character employed in the manuscript is similar to that of the famous Moabite stone and of the Siloam inscription, and, therefore, tho moro palrcographical indication should givo the probable date of tho slips as the ninth cen tury 8.C., or 1(J centuries earlier than any other clearly authenticated manuscript of any portion of the Old Testamont. Tho sheepskin slips aro literally black with age, and mo impregnated with a faint odour aa of funeral spices ; the folds aro from C to 7 inches long and about 3 J inches wido, con taining each adout 10 lines, written only on ono side. So far as they have yet been de ciphered, they exhibit two distinct hand writings, though tho sumo archaic character is used throughout. In some cases tho samo passages of Deuteronomy occur in duplicate on distinct slips, as though tho fragments belonged to two contemporary transcriptions niiulo by different scribes from tho samo original text. At first sight, no writing whatever is perceptible ; the sur face seems to bo covered with nn oily or glutinous substance, which so completely obscures tho writing beneath that a photo graph of aomo of tho slips—which wo have had an opportunity of 'examining sido by side with tho slips themselves—exhibits no trace of tho text. But whon tho leather is moistened with spirits of wine, tho letters bo come momentarily visible beneath tho glossy surface. ThcHoextraordinaryfragments wero brought to England by Mr bhnpira, of Jeru salom, a well-known bookseller and dealer in antiquities. Mr Shapiro's namo will bo remembered in connection with cortain archaeological problems which have been solved by some scholars in a manner not al together croditablo to his sagacity. Tho Moabito pottery which reached Europe through Mr Shapira's agency, and is depo sited in tho Museum at Berlin, is now com monly regarded us a modern forgery ; but of this forgery, if it bo ono, it is assorted that Mr Shapiro was tho dupe, and not tho accomplice. Tho leathern fragments now produced by Mr Shapiro, wero, as he alleges, obtained by him from certain Arabs near IMbim,tho neighbourhood whore the Moabito stono was discovered. Tho ngent employed by him in their purchase was an Arab " who would stenl his motber-in-law for a few piastres," and who would probably be even less scrupulous about a few blackened slips of ancient or modern sheepskin. Tho valuo placed by Mr Shapira on the fragments U, however, a cool million sterling, and at this price they aro offered to the British Museum, where they have been temporarily deposited for examination. Dr. Oinsburg, the well known Semitic scholar —whoso receipt cf a grant of £500 from the I'rimo Minister towards the. production of Inn important work on the " Massora " wo announced with much satisfaction—is now busily en gaged in deciphering tho contents of the fragments and examining their genuinenessl. On this latter question wo refrnin from pro nouncing anoplnion. AVhon Dr. Oinsbiirg's report appears wo shall bo ablo to judgo whether these extraordinary fragments aro really 2,500 years old, or have been compiled within the last few years. No complete ac count of the contents of tho fragments can yet bo given. To decipher them is a work of time mid of inlinitu patience and skill, as will readily bo inferred from the account wo have given above of the appearance and condition of the slips. But enough has been deciphered to showthat the text employed in them exhibits discrepancies of the most re markable and important character as com pared with thut of the received version ot tho Mosaic books. In tho first verso of tho ninth chapter of Deuteronomy, whero tho received version reads, "Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself," tho corresponding passage of the fragments substitutes tho plural for tho singular, "Yo" for "Thou," while for "g'dolim," tho word translated "greater," it roads "vubbim." But a far more complete idea of the variations oft oxt and signification may be obtained from a comparison of tho text of tho Decalogue as it appears in tho received version in tho sixth chapter of Deuteronomy with that contained in tho fragments so far as they havo yot been, deciphered. Tho version of tho fraginonts, literally rendered, runs as follows: "I am God, thy God, which liberated theo from tho land of Egypt, from tho house of bond ago. Yo shall havo no other gods. Ye shall not make to yourselves any graven imago, nor any likeness that is in Heaven above or that js in tho earth beneath, or that is in tho waters .indor tho earth. Yo shall not bow down to them nor servo them. lam God, your God. Sanctify ... in gix days I have mndo tho heaven and tho earth, and all that is therein, and rested on the seventh day, therefore rest thou also, thou and thy cattle and all that thou hast : lam God, thy God. Honour thy fathor and thy mother ... I am God, thy God Thou shalt not kill tho person of thy brother: lam God, thy God. Thou shalt not commit adultery with the wifo of thy neighbour: lam God, thy God. Thou shalt not steal tho proporty of thy brothor : lam God, thy God. Thou shalt not swear by my namo falsely, for I visit tho iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto tho third and fourth generation of those who take my namo in vain: lam God, thy God. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy brother : I am God, thy God. Thou shalt not covet the wife ... or his, manservant or his maidsorvant, or anything that is his : lam God, thy God. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: lam God, thy God. Theso. 10 words (or commandments) God spake." Several points may be noted in this version. The singular refrain, "lam God, thy God," which does not appear at

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STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT, OCTOBER 20, 1883.