Take your egg and paint it all over with black paint, leaving only a square white space, and a little white spot on the top, as represented in Fig. 2. When your paint is perfectly dry, which will perhaps take two days, place the egg in a vessel containing vinegar in such a way that the two white spots will be covered with the vinegar (the whole of the egg need not be covered). Let it remain in soak for a day; then change the vinegar. In about three days the white part of the shell may be cut away with the sharp point of your knife; but remember that your knife must be very sharp. Now remove all the inside of the egg, and place the shell to one side until the interior is perfectly dry. Having cut a slender stick of pine for the mast, put some little chips of bees-wax into the egg-shell; then put in about as much shot as you think your boat will require for ballast--probably the third of a tea-spoonful will be sufficient. This done, hold the shell in boiling water (end down) till the wax is melted; then put in your mast through the small hole in the top of the shell; remove the shell from the hot water, and hold it upright in cold water till the wax has perfectly hardened. By looking at Fig. 3 you will see clearly what I mean. I must now stop one minute to tell you that there are two patterns of the Manes Life-Boat made--that of which I have given you a picture is one; another, which is thought to be an improvement, is made with a cork fender round it. This is the kind I propose you shall make. [Illustration: Fig. 4. THE TOY LIFE-BOAT.] Get a large, fine cork, and from it cut with your sharp knife two parings, and whittle them neatly into a shape like the pieces forming the band A A, Fig. 4. Now take some white of egg, and stick the pieces of cork round the egg-shell, as represented in the picture of the Toy Life-Boat. You can tie the pieces of cork on, to make them more secure, with thread wrapped round and round them. You will now cut a piece of thick, tough brown paper to make the door of your life-boat, and fasten one side of it to the shell with white of egg; attach a thread to it to hold it in position when you wish to close it, as you will see represented in the picture of the Toy Life-Boat. Now take your black paint and paint the whole thing over, hoist your flag, "Lost," and you will have as pretty a little toy as heart could desire. Put one or two big bugs inside, shut up the trap-door, and set your craft adrift in a tub of water or in a pond, and see how gallantly it will float. CAPTAIN CORN. Captain Corn, in the garden, Straight and strong and tall, No matter how high his neighbors grow, He overtops them all. With silken plume and bright green cloak, He really cuts a dash; But when he marries Lima Bean, He'll lose his rank--I think it's mean-- And be plain Succo Tash. [Illustration: A POSSIBILITY. "Don't say nothink, miss. I'll ketch it for yer."]