This calumny made its way, found many believers and at last produced its natural fruit. The big honest dog found his company avoided and every body looking upon him with suspicion. At first the depression, and gloom which haunted him disappeared under a hearty run, and the patting of its master, but it preyed so much on him that he came to avoid society, and to be apparently indifferent to any company. This happens in the experiences of life, and that causeless and evil reports are most dangerous in their consequences. Some time afterwards the cur was similarly dealt with by another cur, who like himself had not very high principles. THE CAT AND THE MOUSE. A GAELIC NURSERY RHYME. The Mouse said from her hiding place, “What are you about, Grey Cat?” “Friendship, fellowship and love: You may come out!” “Well I know the hooked claw That is fastened in the sole of your feet You killed my sister yesterday, And with difficulty I myself escaped, You thieving cat, son of the grim grey one, Where were you yesterday when from home?” “I went away on my left hand To hunt for mince-meat in an evil hour; I was noticed by the goodman of the house, My eye being shut and my cheek full; He tightened my throat very hard, And called out to bring him the cheese-knife, He cut off one of my ears And the red root of the ear to the bone.” Thuirt an Luchag, ’s i ’s an fhròig, “’Dé th’ air t’ aire, a Chait Ghlais?” “Càirdeas ’s comunn ’s gaol: Feudaidh tusa tighinn a mach.” “Is eòlach mi air an dubhan chrom ’Tha ’n sàs ann am bonn do chas! Mharbh thu mo phiuthar an dé, ’S ann air éiginn ’fhuair mi-fhéin as. A chaoitein, mhic Ghrìmeich Ghlais, C’ àit an robh thu ’n raoir air chuairt?” “Dh’ fhalbh mi air mo làimh-chlì ’Shealg nan ìsbean ’s an droch uair; Mhothaich fear-an-tighe dhomh, Mo shùìl druidte ’s mo phluic làn; Theannaich e m’ amhach gu cruaidh, ’S ghlaodh e nuas air corc a’ chàis, Thug e dhiom-sa an leth-chluas ’S am faillein ruadh gu ruig an cnàimh.” NOTES: The foregoing rhyme is here given as being a more complete version than that to be found in vol. II. p. 389 (new edition p. 404) of “Popular Tales of the West Highlands” by the late J. F. Campbell, of Islay. GAMES. BOY’S GAMES. In the Highlands of Scotland, as in every other place where there are children, youthful plays and amusements had their sway, and it is worthy of attention how these amusements were eminently calculated to develop and strengthen mind and muscular strength in the young. The various amusements of Riddles, and the many forms of indoor or house games are too numerous to describe, and in many instances not worth while dwelling upon. These games particularly called out the power of close attention and of ready speech, and were as often played out of doors as indoors, according to weather.