in his tiny bedroom, and worked at every moment not employed at his bookstall. "After an interval of fifty years," writes Dr. Chambers, "I recollect the delight I experienced in working off my first impression; the pleasure since of seeing hundreds of thousands of sheets pouring from machines in which I claim an interest being nothing to it! If the young and thoughtless could only be made to know this-the happiness, the dignity of honest labour conducted in a spirit of self-reliance—the insignificance and probably temporary character of untoward circumstances while there is youth, along with a willing heart-the proud satisfaction of acquiring by persevering industry instead of by compassionate donation-how differently would they act!" He Robert Chambers was gifted with some literary ability, and the amount of education he had been able to gain served him well in this career. wrote several little poems, and the brothers between them even wrote and printed and published a little fortnightly journal. Robert became known to *Sir Walter Scott, who was most kind to him at this time, and with whom he afterwards was very intimate. His ability as a writer became apparent, and he sold what he wrote well to publishers both in London and Edinburgh. was the exponent of many of the legends and traditions of his native country. He collected the "Popular Rhymes of Scotland," and wrote verses himself, and he was regularly engaged to contribute He to various periodicals. To the last, Sir Walter Scott, who remembered him in his early struggles, was his friend and helper. The brothers were in the habit of calling the time of their greatest poverty and suffering the "Dark Ages," and long after they had achieved success and left care and penury behind them, they used to recall these "Dark Ages" with thankfulness for their deliverance. Both brothers were able writers, and much of their literary work, though it brought them but little return in the shape of money, was serviceable as a training for the part which they were destined to take in promoting the sale of cheap literature throughout the country. The commencement of the enterprise with which the name of Chambers is known wherever books are read is described fully in the volume written by Dr. William Chambers. It was started in January 1832, called Chambers' Edinburgh Journal, and sold as a weekly sheet, costing three halfpence. This was one of the first attempts to bring cheap, good, and amusing reading into the poorest as well as the richest homes. Its price put it within the reach of all classes, and its contents were chosen so as to be acceptable to all. Within a few days of its first appearance fifty thousand copies were sold. It has ever since continued its popularity, and is now one of the finest literary properties in existence. It is seldom that two brothers of similar tastes yet various powers combine together to achieve such a success as did these remarkable men. To write, edit, and print a journal is a combination of labour not often seen. Such a success as was now rapidly attained by the brothers could not have been achieved without unflagging energy and, as the one now surviving expresses it, persistent earnestness of purpose and self-denial. In quick succession after this one great success came a series of works, called respectively, "Chambers' Information for the People," "Chambers' Educational Course," and many others. Robert executed many literary productions of his own, which made him a welcome addition to the best society both in Edinburgh and London. He was in 1840 elected a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and was on intimate terms with the most distinguished men of his time. A taste for the study of geology introduced him to men of science, and he wrote some of the most remarkable papers of the day on this subject. A volume, which gave rise to much speculation as to its author, on disputed geological facts, was said to have been written by him. He had married before all his struggles were over, whilst yet a hard-working and anxious man; his wife sympathising in all his endeavours and aspirations. During 1861 and 1862 he was living in London in good style with his family. His house was the pleasant resort of thinking people, and he was a genial and kind host, as the writer of these pages can testify. All honours and rewards that are coveted by literary men were bestowed freely upon him; he " received the degree of LL.D. of St. Andrews, and the shadows of his life seemed to be past. Domestic bereavement, however, visited him, and his strength failed under a task of *Herculean magnitude which he undertook. Chambers' "Book of Days" is a monument of industry and research which will carry the author's name to posterity. He was heard to say, That book was my deathblow," and so it really was. The "Doctor," as he was now called, gave up all literary labour after this and accustomed himself to a life full of interest, but of a less arduous nature than before. His means were ample to justify this, and his cheerfulness, love of music, and geniality never forsook him. Still using his pen for amusement and not in any manner as a task, he continued to produce pleasing little papers in prose and in verse. He died, surrounded by his family, in March 1871, and was buried in the * Cathedral buryingground in Edinburgh, at the age of sixty-nine. The life of this remarkable man, as well as that of his elder brother, Dr. Wm. Chambers, who still lives, and takes an active part in the great publishing business begun under such difficulties, is a striking example to all youths who are dismayed by their early disadvantages. "Excelsior" was the motto of these brothers, and it is one to remember. From first to last the maxim which actuated their lives was "Trust to yourself." They believed and proved that the true way to success was to go on in a dogged, persevering pursuit of one good object; asking no favours, courting no patronage, nor relying on worthless counsels. To the young and friendless their experience is alike instructive and inspiriting. IF YOU WOULD HAVE A FAITHFUL SERVANT, SERVE YOURSELF. A MECHANICAL GENIUS. romance, imagination, fancy. penchant, a French word meaning a "liking for. superstition, a delusion, a belief that is not true. enthusiasm, great passion for anything. auspices, protection, influence. IN the year 1778, the wife of a poor barber, carrying on his humble business in the ancient capital of *Padua, presented her husband with a fourteenth child-a son, who received the name of Giovanni Battista-who was afterwards known to the world as the enterprising traveller Belzoni, and whose wonderful career, unassisted by any regular training |