“When Prince Maurice was Governor of Brazil, he was informed of an old parrot who would converse like a rational creature. His curiosity became so much roused that, though at a great distance from his residence, he directed that it should be sent for.

“When Poll was first introduced into the room where the Prince sat with several Dutch gentlemen, he instantly exclaimed in the Brazilian language,—

“‘What a company of white men are here!’

“Pointing to the prince, one gentleman asked, ‘Who is that man?’

“‘Some gentleman or other,’ Poll instantly replied.

“‘Where did you come from?’ asked the prince.“‘From Marignan.’

“‘To whom do you belong?’

“‘To a Portuguese.’

“‘What do you do for a living?’

“‘I look after chickens.’

“The prince laughingly exclaimed, ‘You look after chickens!’

“‘Yes, I do; and I know well enough how to do it,’ clucking at the same time like a hen calling her brood.

“Prince Maurice, as well as the rest of the gentlemen, were delighted with the intelligence of the bird, and after keeping him at his residence as long as possible, the governor gave him a prize for being the most sagacious parrot in the kingdom.”

When Mr. Lee returned from the city, he found Poll as bright and cheerful as a lark. He brought with him a young man in his employ, called Theodore, to whom Minnie exhibited all her pets, and who staid till after tea, and then Mr. Lee read a few stories to Minnie, with one of which I must close my story of Minnie’s pet parrot.

“A prince, named Leo Maced, was once accused by a monk of forming a plan to murder his father, the emperor. He was, therefore, though protesting his innocence, cast into prison.

“After some months, the emperor had a feast, to which he invited most of the nobles of his court. They were all seated at table, when a tame parrot belonging to the prince, and which was hung up in the room, cried out, mournfully,—

“‘Alas, alas! Poor Prince Leo!’

“This exclamation, which was continually repeated, as if the bird could not help comparing their sumptuous entertainment with the prison fare and confinement of his exiled master, so affected the guests as to deprive them of all appetite. It was in vain that the emperor urged his delicacies upon them. They could not eat, while the faithful bird repeated his plaintive cry,—

“‘Alas, alas! Poor Prince Leo!’

“At last one of the nobles with tears entreated the emperor to pardon his son, whom they all believed to be innocent. The others joining in the request, the father ordered that Prince Leo be brought before him. He was soon restored to favor, and then to his former dignities, through the affection of his faithful parrot.”