'Prince,' explained the page, 'I am desirous that my death should not injure your renown by being undeserved. All nations esteem you as the most just of sovereigns, but you would lose that glorious title were it to become known that you had condemned one of your slaves to die for so trifling a fault as the one which I first committed.'

This answer made such an impression upon the king that, ashamed of his passion, he pardoned the slave, and also tried by his bounty to atone for his contemplated cruelty and injustice.

PUZZLERS FOR WISE HEADS.

12.—Curtailments.

  1. Curtail stiff and strict, and leave a Swiss mountain.
  2. Curtail a large country in Asia, and leave the point of the under jaw.
  3. Curtail a scooping instrument, and leave to push.
  4. Curtail acute and discerning, and leave a kind of mouse.
  5. Curtail a raised floor or platform, and leave a horned animal.
  6. Curtail an island on the Kentish coast, and leave a Saxon nobleman.

C. J. B.

13.—Conical Puzzle.

The middle letters of each word read downwards give the name of a well-known English poet.

  1. A consonant.
  2. A price fixed after all deductions have been made.
  3. To gaze, to look with fixed eyes.
  4. To disperse, to throw loosely about.
  5. Kindnesses, good wishes, benefits, favours.