THE CASTLE GATEWAY.

Do you see that big horn hanging by the side of the gateway in the picture? That was what they used instead of a knocker in old times. When a bold knight arrived at a castle gate, he did not ring a bell or knock at a door, as visitors do now, but he sounded a loud shrill note on the horn, and then some one looked out from the castle turret ; and if the knight was found to be a friend, they drew up the heavy iron portcullis, that was usually let down to the ground in order to prevent enemies from entering by force, and admitted him inside the castle, where he was very kindly entertained by the lord who lived there; but if they thought he was a foe, they would not draw up the portcullis; and sometimes they poured hot sand or boiling pitch down upon him. That is the portcullis that you see inside the archway, with heavy crossway iron bars. It is drawn up now.

THE SNOW AUNT SALLY.

Look what Harry and Arthur and Alfred and Tom have been doing! They have set up a figure of an old Aunt Sally in the garden, and have covered her with snow; and the snow has frozen upon her, so that she is now quite stiff and hard. How funny she looks! "Just like a ghost," little May says, though I don't know why she should say so, for I'm sure she has never seen a ghost. Harry is about to throw a snow-ball at poor Aunt Sally, taking aim very carefully at her left eye. Do you think he will hit it? Alice and May are cousins to Harry and Arthur, and sisters to Alfred and Tom. The boys have just fetched them to see the fun, but Alice thinks herself too old to play at snow-balls, and pretends to be very indignant if either of the boys throws one at her. May, however, enjoys it thoroughly. She has no dignity to support, and so does not mind a few snow-balls.