The great English statesman, CANNING, was sent to school at Eton, at twelve years of age, where he originated a mimic House of Commons among his schoolmates. Here they established a boy periodical, called the "Microcosm." It was a weekly publication, and issued from Windsor. It was conducted "after the plan of the 'Spectator,' the design being to treat the characteristics of the boys at Eton as Addison and his friends had done those of general society." In this paper several members of the school figured with credit to themselves, though no one was more earnest to sustain it than young Canning. It became one of the prominent influences that decided his future course, bringing out his talents, and stimulating his mind to labour in this honourable way. It also exerted a decided influence upon the character of another boy, named Frere, who afterwards shone as a writer in the pages of the "Anti-Jacobin." At the present day, in many seminaries and village lyceums, several literary enterprises are sustained, to the no small advantage of the young who become personally interested in it. Every youth who desires to cultivate his mental faculties ought to hail such enterprises with joy, and pledge his noblest efforts to sustain them. It may be that it is discouragingly difficult for him to write at first; but let him persevere, with patience and firm resolve, and he will prove to himself that "practice makes perfect." There is no better exercise for his mind than this, and none better adapted to inspire him with a dauntless resolve to acquire knowledge. [Illustration: The Mysterious Contributor.--See page 123.] CHAPTER XIII. THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG. Benjamin was so highly gratified with the favourable remarks he heard about his articles, and especially that different persons, in guessing who the author might be, usually guessed some writer of distinction, that he could keep the secret no longer. He was eager to make the fact known, that the much talked of essays emanated from his own pen; and soon "the cat was let out of the bag." Having a good opportunity, in reply to some remark of James about "the last article found under the door," he said, "I know who the author is." "You know?" exclaimed James with surprise. "Why have you not disclosed it before?" "Because I thought it was not wise. It is not best to tell all we know always." "But you have heard us discuss this matter over and over, and take measures to discover the author, and yet you have never intimated that you knew anything about it." "Well, the author did not wish to be known, until the right time came, and that is a good reason for keeping the matter secret, I think." "Will you tell me who the author is now?" asked James, impatient to obtain the long-sought information. "Perhaps I will, if you are very anxious to know." "You know that I am. Who is it?" "It is Benjamin Franklin."