amidst wooded uplands, and through its centre there ran a broad stream of erystal waters, in which the ducks and geese Juxuriated. There was scarcely a cottage in the village which was not completely overgrown with climbing plants, so that in the summer season the air of the place was redolent of the perfumes of roses, honeysuckles, and other sweet flowers. The largest building in the village was that denominated "the Hall," in which the Squire dwelt. It stood immediately below an overhanging hill, whose brow was crowned with a cluster of fir-trees, and around whose sides tall elms and broad oaks spread their leafy branches, affording shade to cattle that strayed be neath them, or sheltering wandering lovers from the rays of the unclouded sun. We have already spoken of the long grass

And

charity, prospered abundantly. There were no furious schisms, provoking men to disregard the spirit of the Gospel, while they contended for the letter. although now and then strange doctrines were sought to be introduced by strange men, coming from adjoining towns, who held meetings in the open air, and sought to engage the attention of the poorer people, their speculations found but little encouragement; and after exciting a brief discussion, soon died away, and left the village again at peace, with the same views and prospects of heaven as before. 1911

There was only one man who dissented from everything believed in the village,that was Tompkins, the shoemaker. He was always fishing about for some new theory to disturb the mental repose of the place, and his house was the rendezvous might endeavour to

lawn which fronted the Hall, the tall iron of whatever she scene of their prosely

make the village the "tising labour. Believing nothing himself having in his early youth been influenced by an imperfect examination of the theories of French philosophers he was always rejoiced when he could set believers by the

creed, no matter how eccentric or absurd it might be, for the purpose of trying to break up the religious harmony of the place. At last he was looked upon as an eccentric, to whose words nobody would give ear. Many had attempted his conversion, but all had failed. The very chil dren stood apart and looked timidly at him as he passed by-for all the peculiari ties of his mind were indicated by a decided austerity of countenance.

palings which were arrayed all around it, and the large iron gates swinging upon stone pillars, surmounted by pieces of heraldic sculpture that had fallen into dilapidation. Next to this in importance was the parsonage-house, which stood so near to the church that, at a little dis-ears, and he would countenance any new tance, it looked like a part of the sacred structure. The curate was a young man of delicate health, who had succeeded his father to the living. The son was much respected, on account of his father's long connection with the village, and also on account of his truly amiable disposition and Christian character. It was, however, evident that he could not long continue to fill the duties of the sacred office. All the symptoms of decline had set in, and pon several occasions it had been found necessary to obtain assistance from the clergyman of a neighbouring parish. The leading lady of the village was Mrs. Lukeman, the clergyman's wife. She was an active and benevolent lady, and frequently accompanied Miss Lyndhurst in her missions of charity. Several Quakers resided in the village, and also ministered to the wants of the poor. There were, in addition to the church, Wesleyan and Baptist chapels. But among the leaders of the

The village was constantly the scene e of philanthropic labours. It had its Branch Mission, Bible, and Temperance Societies. And the meetings of these bodies were the occasions of great festivity. The best orators were secured for them. And it might be seen from the reports of the Societies referred to, by the amount of funds sent in from Windmere, that it was a most important auxiliary in the work of reformation, and put to places of larger growth.

many

three congregations considerable harmony were of frequent occurrenings

prevailed; and they worked together for all purposes of common good, forgetting their doctrinal differences. In this way the case of religion, and of Christian

;

and the Sabbath-schools were proportionably attended upon a larger scale than any others in the west of England. **

Educated in this wholesome atmosphers

Is Maggie lying here?" asked Mrs. Lakeman, boot

66

unknown, to the depeptions and wicked-versation, they arrived at the door of a uess of the world the single nursling of thatched cottage, and knocked. It was atender father's heart—it is not to be opened by a little child, who timidly withwondered at that while Ellen Lyndhurst drew, leaving them with no attendant. was a woman in stature, and in all that After a few moments a young woman, relates to the higher duties of life, she was with the features of a country brunette, nevertheless simple as a child in many came in from the orchard. Her long things which more pertained to the world. hair hung in confusion all about her Mrs. Lakeman called upon her one shoulders, and her apron was full of apples morning, and said, "I want you, Ellen, which she had just been gathering. to join me in a mission of benevolence. Poor old Maggie, who used to be down at the turnpike-gate is upon her death bed. Her husband, having embezzled some money belonging to the trust, has gone away and left her, and she has found shelter in a hut about two miles from the village. I thought as you have not been well lately, that, the walk might do you good. Or, if you think it will be too much for you, I will drive you down in our car." "Oh, no!" said Ellen, "I will go most cheerfully. My cousin told me some time ago of this poor old creature, and I have often thought of her, and promised to go and see her." So saying she hastily put on her bonnet and shawl, and was ready to join her companion in the work of love."

As they walked through the village, they called here and there upon the cottagers, dispersing charitable gifts, and giving advice and consolation to those who needed it.

The road over which they walked was exceedingly beautiful. It lay in the deepest part of a sequestered valley, and wound around by the course of a river, upon whose glassy surface small boats displayed their snow-white sails. The hedges were covered with wild roses and honeysuckles, and the delicate blossoms of blackberries, with here and there rich berries in various stages of maturity. The down of thistles was floating about upon the gentle breeze. High in the air the sweet notes of the skylark were heard; and on either side were broad fields of waving corn, from the midst of which red poppies shed forth their crimson glow. Gorgeous butterflies, and insects with humming notes, flew from flower to flower, and earth seemed to reflect the beauties of Paradise.

After an agreeable walk, rendered cheerful by pleasant and profitable con

“ Yes, ma'am," replied the girl, dropping a curtsey," she is upstairs and mother is there attending upon her, I believe. She made a curtsey again, and in doing so dropped all the apples from her apron, which mishap set a deep blush over her countenance. "Please to walk up, ladies," said she, while quite confused, and stooping down she began to scramble after the fruit she had dropped.

The ladies ascended a creaking staircase, which led to a low bedroom, crossed by rude beams of wood, and covered only by the rough thatch from which hung long cobwebs, and amidst the loose straw of which the swallows fluttered while attending upon their young

" (Continued at page 301.)

1,1

LOVE OF FLOWERS. In all countries women love flowers; in all countries they form nosegays of them; but it is only in the bosom of plenty that they conceive the idea of embellishing their dwellings with them. The cultivation of flowers among the peasantry indicates a revolution in all their feelings. It is a delicate pleasure, which makes its way through coarse organs; it is a creature whose eyes are opened; it is the sense of the beautiful, a faculty of the soul which is awakened; colours, forms, odours, are perceived for the first time, and these charming objects have at last spectators. Those who have travelled in the country can testify that a rose-tree under the window, a honeysuckle around the door of a cottage, is a good omen to a weary traveller. The hand that cultivates flowers is not closed against the supplications of the poor, nor against the wants of the stranger. Flowers may be called the alphabet of angels, wherewith they write on hills and plains mysterious truths.-Canadian Agriculturist.

EVENINGS AT HOME;
OR, WINTER IN SPITZBERGEN.*

FIFTH EVENING.

It is unpleasant even to grown-up persons, when a story of any interesting event is broken off in a moment in which the curiosity has reached the highest point. Just so was it most naturally with Max, Gustavus, Maria, and Julia. Their expectation had been raised to the highest pitch; they had not thought of sleep, and felt not the least tired; the evening hours had passed away to them like short minutes, and they would gladly have spent the whole night, when the voice of the watchman proclaimed the near approach of midnight.

In the leisure hours of the next morning, they thought of nothing but the conclusion of this story. They spoke of it together, and exhausted themselves in suppositions, what it could have been so extraordinary before the cavern to rouse up the wanderers. Especially did Gustavus and Julia busy themselves in trying to answer this question; sometimes they supposed that a part of the cavern had tumbled in; sometimes they believed that unexpectedly, strangers, possibly friends left behind on the wreck, had appeared; sometimes they feared an earthquake or some other remarkable wonder of Nature, until at the end they saw that with all their imaginations they were not a hair's breadth nearer to the truth. Max and Maria had better employed their time; they had a map of the island before them, and were earnestly engaged in becoming more closely acquainted with the scene of the history.

Finally the hour of evening struck, in which their father was used to relate the story; and when he had seated himself in his wonted place, in the circle of his children waiting full of expectation, he began to take up again the thread of the history, broken off the day before. "We left," he said, our friends

66

MAX. In the newly-found cavern-
JULIA. Sleeping by the fire-

MARIA. When all at once something aroused them.

FATHER. What that was I will now tell you. More calm, and yielding to their fate, than they had been the day before, the good men lay slumbering there, when the pilot lying close to the entrance suddenly sprung up from a dream, and called to both of his friends by a loud cry of horror, that they were attacked from without. They sprung up, seized on their arms, and in a moment were ready to face any danger.

JULIA. Was there any danger then?

FATHER. They had slept some time probably, for the fire burning before the cavern was almost extinguished, and only a few flames flickered over the heap of burning coals. Gregory wished to kindle up the fire anew, and went towards the mouth of the cavern to lay together several sticks of wood.

Suddenly the other two heard him crying loudly for help. They hastened immediately out, and saw to their affright that a huge polar bear had attacked Gregory, who was defending himself against the monster only with his hatchet. He had indeed dealt him with it a mighty blow on the head, but the beast thereby only made the more raging, rushed with redoubled fury on Gregory and struck him with his forepaws so violently in his face, that he sank faint to the ground.

JULIA. But, father, did no one come to his aid?

FATHER. How can you doubt that they did? Ivan was nearest; he sprang forward and fired off his gun. The ball hit the side of the bear, on which he turned with rage at Ivan, who was hardly in a condition to withstand the assault of the beast, until the old pilot hurried forward and struck his sword into the body of the bear, standing on his hind feet, clean up to the hilt. Growling, the beast sank down and then tried to raise himself again, but his wounds from which the blood gushed out in a stream, hindered him. Then the resolute pilot came up nearer, held the muzzle of his gun to the ear of the bear, and with this shot levelled his foe to the ground. Ivan too, brought back to life again his friend Gregory,

* From the German of C. Hildebrandt, by whom the fright and the hard blows with

E. G. Smith.

the paws had left senseless, while the pilot

JULIA. But to eat bear's flesh? No met. Every fissure or opening in the one would have me for a guest.