Wonderful escapes

Mr. Stephens was only too successful in eluding the vigilance of the police; for finding that he was an exception to the rest of their leaders, whose chief characteristic appeared to be to utterly fail in everything they undertook, the Fenians began to suspect that their head-centre had betrayed them to the Government, who had let him off as the price of his treachery; and this in spite of the declarations of the warder Byrne, who, after his acquittal from want of proof, went to America, and told the story of the escape; how Col. Kelly and friends were outside, and received the prisoner after he had let him out. There were so many believers in the “treachery” view of the question, that Stephens was deposed from office, and has never since been held of the least importance in connection with the movement. It is only fair to state, however, that of late years there has been a growing belief, as expressed in the columns of the so-called “National” press, among the Fenians, that Mr. Stephens was most unjustly accused. After his escape he spent a few months in Ireland, and then visited New York, from whence, disgusted with his reception, he departed for Paris, where he lived for several years in great poverty. A story is told of his meeting with an English detective at the Paris Exhibition, which, if true, would appear to show that he was at least innocent of the “betrayal of his companions for gold,” as was alleged against him by his American accusers. The detective officer in question was enjoying a few weeks’ holiday in Paris, and being unable to speak French at the bar of one of the refreshment rooms in the exhibition, got in dispute with a waiter. After some time, he was helped out of the difficulty by a shabbily-dressed but good-looking gentleman with a bald head.

“Why, you are Mr. Stephens, I believe!” said the policeman, in some amazement, when he had time to take a good look at his new friend.

“Yes, I am indeed,” said the proprietor of the bald head, with a good natured laugh; “and as one good turn deserves another, you shall stand a dinner for old acquaintance sake; for to tell you the truth, I have not been able to dine yet.”

“Why, Mr. Stephens, they say you are doing remarkably well here,” said the other with a knowing wink.

“Ah! they do say so, but they are wrong. I was doing pretty well when I was on here as interpreter, but your good friends in Scotland Yard have got me out of that berth by their kind intercession on my behalf with the French Government here; so make no more fuss about it, but stand treat like a man;” which the correspondent of the respectable English journal who related the story at the time was happy to inform his readers the detective did.

Mr. Stephens is said to be at the present time in Russia.

THE END.

Charles Scribner & Co.,

654 Broadway, New York,

HAVE JUST COMMENCED THE PUBLICATION OF

The Illustrated Library of Wonders.

This Library is based upon a similar series of works now in course of issue in France, the popularity of which may be inferred from the fact that

OVER ONE MILLION COPIES

have been sold. The volumes to be comprised in the series are all written in a popular style, and, where scientific subjects are treated of, with careful accuracy, and with the purpose of embodying the latest discoveries and inventions, and the results of the most recent developments in every department of investigation. Familiar explanations are given of the most striking phenomena in nature, and of the various operations and processes in science and the arts. Occasionally notable passages in history and remarkable adventures are described. The different volumes are profusely illustrated with engravings, designed by the most skilful artists, and executed in the most careful manner, and every possible care will be taken to render them complete and reliable expositions of the subjects upon which they respectively treat. For THE FAMILY LIBRARY, for use as PRIZES in SCHOOLS, as an inexhaustible fund of ANECDOTE and ILLUSTRATION for TEACHERS, and as works of instruction and amusement for readers of all ages, the volumes comprising THE ILLUSTRATED LIBRARY OF WONDERS will be found unexcelled.

The following volumes of the series have been published:—

Optical Wonders.

THE WONDERS OF OPTICS.—By F. Marion. Illustrated with over seventy engravings on wood, many of them full-page, and a colored frontispiece. One volume, 12mo. Price

$1 50

For specimen illustration see page 13.

In the Wonders of Optics, the phenomena of Vision, including the structure of the eye, optical illusions, the illusions caused by light itself, and the influence of the imagination, are explained. These explanations are not at all abstract or scientific. Numerous striking facts and events, many of which were once attributed to supernatural causes, are narrated, and from them the laws in accordance with which they were developed are derived. The closing section of the book is devoted to Natural Magic, and the properties of Mirrors, the Stereoscope, the Spectroscope, &c., &c., are fully described, together with the methods by which “Chinese Shadows,” Spectres, and numerous other illusions are produced. The book is one which furnishes an almost illimitable fund of amusement and instruction, and it is illustrated with no less than 73 finely executed engravings, many of them full-page.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

“The work has the merit of conveying much useful scientific information in a popular manner."—Phila. North American.

“Thoroughly admirable, and as an introduction to this science for the general reader, leaves hardly anything to be desired."—N. Y. Evening Post.

“Treats in a charming, but scientific and exhaustive manner, the wonderful subject of optics."—Cleveland Leader.

“All the marvels of light and of optical illusions are made clear."—N. Y. Observer.

Thunder and Lightning.

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING. By W. De Fonvielle. Illustrated with 39 Engravings on wood, nearly all full-page. One volume. 12mo

$1 50

For specimen illustrations see page 14.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

“In the book before us the dryness of detail is avoided. The author has given us all the scientific information necessary, and yet so happily united interest with instruction that no person who has the smallest particle of curiosity to investigate the subject treated of can fail to be interested in it."—N. Y. Herald.

“Any boy or girl who wants to read strange stories and see curious pictures of the doings of electricity, had better get these books."—Our Young Folks.

“A volume which cannot fail to attract attention and awaken interest in persons who have not been accustomed to give the subject any thought."—Daily Register (New Haven).

HEAT.

THE WONDERS OF HEAT. By Achille Cazin. With 90 illustrations, many of them full-page, and a colored frontispiece. One volume, 12mo

$1 50

For specimen illustration see page 15.

In the Wonders of Heat the principal phenomena are presented as viewed from the standpoint afforded by recent discoveries. Burning-glasses, and the remarkable effects produced by them, are described; the relations between heat and electricity, between heat and cold, and the comparative effects of each, are discussed; and incidentally, interesting accounts are given of the mode of formation of glaciers, of Montgolfier’s balloon, of Davy’s safety-lamp, of the methods of glass-blowing, and of numerous other facts in nature and processes in art dependent upon the influence of heat. Like the other volumes of the Library of Wonders, this is illustrated wherever the text gives an opportunity for explanation by this method.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

“From the first to the very last page the interest is all-absorbing."—Albany Evening Times.

“The book deserves, as it will doubtless attain, a wide circulation."—Pittsburg Chronicle.

“This book is instructive and clear."—Independent.

“It describes and explains the wonders of heat in a manner to be clearly understood by non-scientific readers."—Phila. Inquirer.

Animal Intelligence.

THE INTELLIGENCE OF ANIMALS, with Illustrative Anecdotes.—From the French of Ernest Menault. With 54 illustrations. One volume, 12mo.

$1 50

For specimen illustration see page 16.

In this very interesting volume there are grouped together a great number of facts and anecdotes collected from original sources, and from the writings of the most eminent naturalists of all countries, designed to illustrate the manifestations of intelligence in the animal creation. Very many novel and curious facts regarding the habits of Reptiles, Birds, and Beasts are narrated in the most charming style, and in a way which is sure to excite the desire of every reader for wider knowledge of one of the most fascinating subjects in the whole range of natural history. The grace and skill displayed in the illustrations, which are very numerous, make the volume singularly attractive.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

“May be recommended as very entertaining."—London Athenæum.

“The stories are of real value to those who take any interest in the curious habits of animals."—Rochester Democrat.

EGYPT.

EGYPT 3,300 YEARS AGO; or, Rameses the Great. By F. De Lanoye. With 40 illustrations. One volume, 12mo.

$1 50

For specimen illustration see Page 17.

This volume is devoted to the wonders of Ancient Egypt during the time of the Pharaohs and under Sesostris, the period of its greatest splendor and magnificence. Her monuments, her palaces, her pyramids, and her works of art are not only accurately described in the text, but reproduced in a series of very attractive illustrations as they have been restored by French explorers, aided by students of Egyptology. While the volume has the attraction of being devoted to a subject which possesses all the charms of novelty to the great number of readers, it has the substantial merit of discussing, with intelligence and careful accuracy, one of the greatest epochs in the world’s history.