that they soon changed their tone and admired the fine young American.

Poor Joe could not speak a word of French. He sat in a corner, not knowing where to put his feet or his hands, where to look, or what to do. There could hardly have been a better specimen of a raw Yankee, and so thought Johnny Crapeau.*

Poor Madame La Tourette did not know what to do with him. She was glad when dinner was announced, and she asked him to sit by her at table. There his awkwardness and vulgarity were still more apparent. He carried all his food to his mouth with his knife; he stuck out his elbows like a grasshopper; used his pockethandkerchief instead of a napkin, and ate so fast as to alarm his lady hostess lest he should actually choke himself.

Frank, if he had had time to observe Joe, would have been much mortified, but fortunately he was engaged in conversation with a distinguished gentleman who was making inquiries about the United States. In a prompt and clear manner he gave the information that was desired, and surprised the gentleman as much by, his

*The English nickname for a Frenchman.

intelligence as he did the ladies by his easy politeness.

Madame La Tourette and Louise were very happy to see their young friend the object of such general attention and admiration. Beau Brandon was stung with jealousy and envy.

What could there be in that sailor-boy so attractive?

He was a gentleman-like, well-bred boy; and if a gentleman at home, of course he was so everywhere.

There are different customs and various usages among different nations; quickness of perception will enable a well-bred person to adopt at once those customs which are new to him, without awkwardness. He would use his fingers with the Turks, chop-sticks with the Chinese, and silver forks with the French, with equal grace and propriety. He would know his place everywhere, and maintain his self-respect.

Thus it was with Frank Wood, though only a boy of sixteen, among entire strangers, in a foreign land; and, though in the dress of a common sailor, it was impossible not to perceive that he had the manners and the sentiments of a gentleman, and was therefore a fit associate for the refined and the noble of every land.

Having no hereditary titles in the United States, there can be no higher distinction than that which belongs to moral worth, intellectual superiority, and refined politeness. A republican gentleman, therefore, need acknowledge no superior; he is a companion for nobles and kings, or, what is better, for the polite, the talented, the good. .

Since such are an American's only claims to distinction, it becomes the more important for him to cultivate all those graces which elevate and dignify humanity. No high ancestral claims can he urge for his position in society. Wealth he may possess, and there are those who will acknowledge that claim; but if the possessor have not intelligence and taste to teach him how to use his wealth, it will only make him a more conspicuous mark for ridicule. Those glorious institutions of New England, common schools, afford to every boy the opportunity to acquire that intelligence and taste, and his associates there are from every class of society. There is no insurmountable obstacle in any boy's way; his position in society must depend mainly upon himself.

CHAPTER XI.

THE PARTING.

MADAME LA TOURETTE took great pleasure in showing the young sailors every thing worthy of notice in the Old Town and the New Town, into which Marseilles is divided.

Her own elegant mansion was in the beautiful street, Beauvau. From this they sallied forth to see the Exchange, the fine old Cathedral,- one of the most ancient in France, the hospitals, and the Museum. In all these objects, Frank Wood took an intelligent interest, and was highly pleased to be able to communicate so much to his father

that would be interesting to him. At the hospitals, in particular, he made so many judicious, well-directed inquiries, as to astonish the physician in attendance, and give great pleasure to Madame La Tourette. She was much amused

when the physician said to her, aside, "A very remarkable sailor-boy, Madame; by his accent he must be English; I never saw any one of that class so intelligent and so polite."

"He is an American," was the reply.

The result of his observations Frank was able to communicate in a letter to his father, which he sent by a vessel just ready to sail for New York.

Joseph Brandon wrote to his mother at the same time, and expatiated largely upon the flattering reception he had met with in France. He failed not to describe the table equipage and the dress of the ladies at the dinner party; his own dress, too, was very particularly mentioned. Nothing, however, worthy of a traveller's notice was described. Yet his mother's heart would be gladdened, and his sisters would rejoice; for he assured them that he was sorry that he had been only a burden to them, and concluded with a hope that he might henceforth be to them a better son and brother.

Madame La Tourette bade adieu to her young friend, Frank, with sincere regret, begging him to visit them again. This he earnestly hoped he should be able to do.