"That's the case in all these matters," said the Door Mat consolingly, "only we do it for the good of the commonwealth; that is to say, for the public good of all."

"Where's our redress?" screamed the Bell spitefully.

"Well, ventilation is good for everything," said the Door Mat; "and we have at least made our wrongs public, and have shown we shall not be imposed upon so quietly again."

Yes," said the Knocker sententiously, "I think we have, at last and at least, given our Ministers to understand, that the great law of life is to mind your own business first; and that it is better to clean your own door-steps, before sweeping your neighbour's parlour!"

After this, down came the Rain!

53

LITTLE PITCHERS HAVE LONG EARS.

Or all the gossiping places in the world, Chat Corner was certainly the worst. Whatever mischief, scandal, or misdoing might be going on, was sure to be well known there. Now, Chat Corner was at the extreme angle of the village common, and was, consequently, the resort of all the geese in the parish. A large iron pump, with a huge stone trough beneath, and a mighty convenient handle, was the receiver-general, and, in fact, by general consent, president over everybody else's affairs. Here, on a sunny afternoon, might be seen assembled all the tattlers of the place. The Squire's garden-engine, the Vicar's watering-pot, the pail from Clematis Lodge, the stable bucket of the Blue Swan, and Farmer

Grubb's water-barrel, all met, to compare notes, and talk over their masters' affairs.

Besides all these, who represented the gentility of the place, were a few merely-tolerated hangers-on, vulgar jugs and mugs-some spoutless, and others wanting handles—most of them bearing some sign of wear and tear, and hard usage in the world. These being the rabble, or mob, were only allowed on sufferance, except when they added their mite of news to the rest; then were they well "pumped," and sent off about their business again, because such common scrubs had too much hard work to be able to waste as much time as their betters. The Laundress's tub, and the water-can belonging to the shop, were somewhat distinguished from the rest of the common herd; for they had so much to relate their opportunities of seeing and hearing making them such valuable people.

One fine day they were all collected, as usual, round their common friend, the Pump, deploring the dearth of news, and the general stagnation of everything; so that the remark of even a