It is a common proverb, in allusion to the superior fertility of the Roman soil over the Tuscan--that the Pope has the flesh of Italy, and the Grand Duke the bones. The Tuscans are industrious; and the Romans are lazy. I prefer the bones to the flesh! QUERE.--A writer on school discipline says that it is impossible to make boys _smart_ without the use of the rod. What do you think of _that, my young friends_? Similes. “Pray, mother, what are _similes_?” “They are resemblances, my child; the word simile means a thing that is like another. We often use them to give clearness and energy to our ideas. I will tell you some similes in common use, and put into rhyme so that you may remember them. “As proud as a peacock--as round as a pea; As blithe as a lark--as brisk as a bee. As light as a feather--as sure as a gun; As green as the grass--as brown as a bun. As rich as a Jew--as warm as toast; As cross as two sticks--as deaf as a post. As sharp as a needle--as strong as an ox; As grave as a judge--as sly as a fox. As old as the hills--as straight as a dart; As still as the grave--as swift as a hart. As solid as marble--as firm as a rock; As soft as a plum--as dull as a block. As pale as a lily--as blind as a bat; As white as a sheet--as black as my hat. As yellow as gold--as red as a cherry; As wet as water--as brown as a berry. As plain as a pikestaff--as big as a house; As flat as the table--as sleek as a mouse. As tall as the steeple--as round as a cheese; As broad as ’tis long--as long as you please.” Proverbs and Sayings of the Chinese. What is told in the ear is often heard a hundred miles. Riches come better after poverty, than poverty after riches. Who aims at excellence will be above mediocrity; who aims at mediocrity will fall short of it. Old age and faded flowers, no remedies can revive. One lash to a good horse; one word to a wise man. A truly great man never puts away the simplicity of a child. He who toils with pain, will eat with pleasure. A wise man forgets old grudges. [Illustration: _Pocahontas rescuing Captain Smith._] Sketches of the Manners, Customs, &c., of the Indians of America. CHAPTER XIX. _The Indians in the United States--of Virginia.--Powhattan.-- Arrival of Captain Smith--taken by the Indians--saved by Pocahontas.--Some account of her.--War of the colonists.-- Indians.--Fate of the latter._