"CHIN:"   THE   STORY   OF   A TAME   CHINCHILLA.

"For Exchange.—A set of Chinchilla, nearly as good as new, and very handsome ; cost twenty-five pounds. Wanted. —A Spaniel with very long ears, thorough-bred and affectionate. Also, jewellery to the value of eight pounds; Indian ornaments in gold filigree preferred."

*            *            *            *            *           *

An elderly lady sat, capped and spectacled, in her armchair, conning over the distracting contents of an exchange-paper ! She has passed over with a languid interest, bargains which twenty years ago would have roused her into a fervour of excitement, curiosity, and acquisitiveness —gowns "never put on," to be had for less than half-price ; rare bits of old jewellery, to be exchanged for a "gipsy-ring " or anything else; a baby's caul, value five pounds, for half the amount in Brussels lace; a tame squirrel, which it was earnestly hoped might be turned into a Wedgwood teapot; violins, old china, skulls, bicycles. But none of these things interested her, or awoke even a passing wish