The father rose, and took Limby from his chair, and, with the greatest caution, held his son’s legs astride, so that they might hang on each side of the dish without touching it; “just to satisfy him,” as he said, “that they might dine in quiet,” and was about to withdraw him from it immediately. But Limby was not to be cheated in that way--he wished to feel the saddle under him, and accordingly forced himself down upon it; but feeling it rather warmer than was agreeable, started, lost his balance, and fell down among the dishes, soused in melted butter, cauliflower, and gravy--floundering, and kicking, and screaming, to the detriment of glasses, jugs, dishes, and everything else on the table. “My child! my child!” said his mamma; “oh! save my child!” She snatched him up, and pressed his begreased garments close to the bosom of her best silk gown. Neither father nor mother wanted any more dinner after this. As to Limby, he was as frisky afterwards as if nothing had happened; and, about half an hour from the time of this disaster, _cried for his dinner_.--_Martin’s Holiday Book._ Lime. Lime, in combination with the acids, is applied to a great number of useful purposes. It is employed in making mortar for building; by the farmer as a manure; also by bleachers, tanners, sugar-bakers, and others; it is used also in medicine. _In agriculture_, it is used for its properties of hastening the dissolution and putrefaction of all animal and vegetable matters, and of imparting to the soil the powers of imbibing and retaining moisture necessary for the nourishment and vigorous growth of plants. _In tanning leather_, it is used to dissolve the gelatinous part of the skin, and to facilitate the removal of the hair, for which purpose the hides are immersed in a solution of lime. _In refining sugar_, it is used to destroy a certain acid, which would else prevent the crystallization of the sugar. _In the manufacture of soap_, it is mixed with the alkali, in order to deprive it of its carbonic acid, to render it caustic, and by this means fit it to combine with the oil or tallow, which is thereby converted into soap. _In the manufacture of glue_, lime is used to prevent its becoming flexible by the absorption of moisture, and to add to its strength. The Voyages, Travels, and Experiences of Thomas Trotter. CHAPTER XXII. _Journey to Florence.--Face of the country.--Narni.--A thunder-storm among the Appenines.--Strange method of stilling a tempest.--Crossing the mountains.--Spoleto.--The Clitumnus.--Foligno.--A town shaken by an earthquake.-- Perugia.--The battle of Thrasymenus.--Tuscany.--The Italian Yankees.--Florence.--Beauty of the city.--Manners of the people._