“I very well know to what you allude,” replied Mr. Seymour. “Many singular deceptions are certainly practised by removing the centre of gravity from its natural into an artificial situation, or by disguising its place; thus, a cylinder placed upon an inclined surface may be made to run _up_, instead of _down_ hill. I can even appear to balance a pailful of water on the slender stem of a tobacco-pipe: but I shall be enabled to explain the nature of these deceptions by some toys which I have provided for your amusement, and which I must say you are fully entitled to possess, as a reward for the clear and satisfactory manner in which you have this day answered my questions. But see! here comes Mr. Twaddleton: he would really seem to possess an instinct that always brings him to the Lodge whenever I am preparing some amusement for you.” The vicar smiled as he entered the room, but, unwilling to interrupt the lesson, he placed his fore finger on his lip, and, with a significant nod, silently took a seat at the table. The children laughed aloud at this cautious demeanour; and Tom exclaimed, “Why, Mr. Twaddleton, our lesson is over, and we are going to receive some new toys as a reward.” “I have here,” said Mr. Seymour, as he opened a large wooden box, “a collection of figures, which will always raise themselves upright, and preserve the erect position; or regain it, whenever it may have been disturbed.” He then arranged these figures in battalion on the table, and striking them flat by drawing a rod over them, they immediately started up again, as soon as it was removed. “These figures,” continued he, “were bought at Paris some years ago, under the title of _Prussians_.” “I declare,” exclaimed the vicar, “they remind me of the rebellious spirits whom Milton represents as saying that ascent is their natural, and descent their unnatural, motion.”[10] “I have seen skreens similarly constructed,” said Mrs. Seymour, “which always rose up, of themselves, upon the removal of the force that had pressed them down.” “I will explain their principle,” said Mr. Seymour. “Suppose we first examine the construction of the figure,” observed the vicar. “Bless me! why it is like Philotus the poet, who was so thin and light, that lead was fastened to his shoes to prevent his being blown away.” [Illustration: Toy soldier mounted on the flat part of a hemisphere.]