136 WORK AND PLAY.

cularly fond of lively ways, “would you not enliven
studies by anecdote, and illustration, and experiment?”

“Yes, to be sure I would. For example, it is very
hard to fix in young people’s minds any notion of the
planetary system.”

“T have observed it,” said Cole. “They learn the
names and recite the figures, but have no conceptions
of the relative size of the bodies, or the dimensions of
the orbits.” .

“This is the very thing I mean,” said the doctor;
“and this is a fair case for illustration. Now, do me
the favour to call up the group of fellows whom I see
yonder at the swing; they look as if they were ata
pause for amusement.”

Barry walked towards the swing; which was a great
grape-vine, suspended from an oak; but the boys came
leaping towards him before he came near. Presently
the whole cluster was gathered at the green place under
the bow-window. There were Bob Bolton and Merri-
man, glowing with exercise; there were Burnham
and Mack, ready for mischief; and there was our blue-
eyed Carl, with fair curly hair, looking sad at one
moment, and indescribably merry at another. |

“ Boys,” said Dr. Newman, “how many of you can
tell me the number of the planets?”

All answered pretty well except Burnham, who
seemed to have been asleep ever since there were seven
planets only.