"Eh, Bell, and it's just as what I likes. Governess says my work is to be shewn up at the next examination."

Bella sighed, for she thought of a hem which she had to unpick that afternoon. "Lizzy," said she, at last, "do you remember what Mr. Vyvian said in his sermon-last Sunday was a fortnight."

"I cannot say as I do, it is so long since."

"Oh, Lizzy, I remember things which Mr. Vyvian said in his sermon far longer back nor that: when there's something I feel like I never forgets."

"Well, what was it? mebbe I shall remember."

"About the talents, Lizzy: he said that some people have more powers given them, like, and I think you are one, Lizzy. I thought so when he spoke about the ten talents, and I thought, too, that though I had only one, I hoped that I mightn't go for to put it in the ground."

:

"Yes I remember, Bell; but I think the ten talents mean rich people, and one talent means poor people, and so it can't mean us."

"Oh, Lizzy, Mr. Vyvian said it might mean anybody who was clever—and that's what everybody says you are, Lizzy. So I sometimes thinks I am glad God did not give me so many talents or I might have wasted some, which would have been very dreadful to think of. I don't know what I should do at the judgment-day if the Lord Jesus was to look angry, and ask me what I had done with the talents He had given me!"

"Ye are always talking in that queer way about things, Bell. If we try to do all we can He's sure never to look angry."

"But then if we don't do all we canand Lizzy, when I was thinking about Emma Grange yesterday, and how bad she behaves at church, I did my hem all wrong so I didn't do all I can; and somehow, Lzzy, I never do-every day it's just the same thing."

"Eh, Bell, but that was such a little thing! He'd never go for to be angered with that."

"Nay, Lizzy, but it's all the worse for that; it's just such little things which hinder me from doing all I can to please Him. O Lizzy, how I wish I could love Him and serve Him better!"

None but God knew how truly this was Bella's whole wish. He knew, and He did not forget. Bella's whole desire was to be always His child, just as she had been made at her baptism, and nothing made her unhappy but what seemed to keep her back from that. Constantly she lifted up her heart to Him in a prayer like this"Oh, heavenly Father, let me never do my thing to displease Thee-keep me always thy dear child, for Christ's sake." So the sisters arrived at school, Lizzy giving a last look at her lesson, and Bella with that little prayer upon her lips.

When prayers were concluded, Mr. Vyvian ordered silence. The whole school rose to listen to what he had to say, for they were taught obedience and reverence, and they loved their clergyman and liked him to speak to them.

"Children," he said, "there are two things I am going to give you notice of. The one you will hear of next Sunday at church, the other you are perhaps expecting. The examination of the school will take place and the prizes will be given on the 9th of June, and the Bishop has appointed a confirmation to be held on the 11th, which you know is the Festival of St. Barnabas. I am sorry the two come so close upon one another, but I have not been able to avoid it. Those who wish to be confirmed must give in their names in order that they may be further instructed and prepared, and I wish them to do it very soon, that there may be plenty of time for preparation. All girls who have reached the age of fourteen ought to think seriously about it, but it is not absolutely necessary they should be that age; if any one younger wishes especially to be included, I shall be ready to talk with her about it and advise her what to do. Now you may sit down and begin your tasks."

So saying Mr. Vyvian left the room.

W

names.

E stated last month our intention to recur to the tunes given in our previous Numbers, in order to settle (if possible) the uncertainty with regard to the

With reference to the tune printed with the name of "Stillorgan," A. F. H. ex. presses his surprise at its appearance under that name, and argues "that the compilers of that excellent collection, Hymns, Ancient and Modern,' must surely have authority for the name under which they have printed the tune. It appears in that collection as 'Hursley,' and coupled with the words of Keble's Hymn."

Other correspondents recognize the tune and call it by that name, among others; C. W. says that "Stillorgan" is always called in Yorkshire and in many other parts, as well as in "Hymns, Ancient and Modern," by the name of "Hursley."

In the same work the tune is stated to be of German origin, confirming our opinion expressed in the Number for January. And that it is not exactly a new tune, E. H. writes "that the tune has been in use in this country over fifty years, having been brought by the late Dean Buckland from Vienna, where it is called the German Te Deum ;" and J. Y. is the owner of a tune-book in which the melody is ascribed to Luther; again, J. D. says it is to be found in a slightly different form in "Chants Chrétiens," used by French Protestants at Paris. It is there attributed to Luther. He remarks that in its present state it is evidently not Luther's, but it may be a debasement of some Germam chorale extant in Luther's time.

The third tune, under the name "Newmarket," is also well known under the name of "S. Luke's." Our informant (A. F. H.) mentions the collection in which appears under the latter name.

We have received several tunes, and various suggestions as to the tune most suitable to the hymn in question. Many correspondents write in praise of the tunes we have given, especially "Hursley, alias Stillorgan," while others condemn the unfortunate tune with the uncertain name, and think it one of the most detestable tunes known, "and almost identical with an air in 'Don Giovanni,' else founded on Braham's celebrated duet "All's Well."

or

From J. C. F. we have received several tunes which he wishes us to print. We have printed music in one or two of our

recent Numbers only with reference to one subject; and the only tune which has reference to our present article is the one called "Baltonsborough," "the only one" our correspondent says, "that will suit the words." It is evidently the same as "Sol Animæ," but more carefully arranged and intime.

H. P. recommends a tune from Spencer's "Treatise on Church Modes," called "Creator Alme Siderum," in the Fourth or Hypo-Phrygian Mode of the Ancients.

A. H. B. thinks the tunes we have given quite unworthy such beautiful words, and sends a tune of his own composition, of a more ecclesiastical character, which our space will not permit us to use.

H. S. calls our attention to the fact that in Part of "Braine's Hymns for the Church or Home Circle," Keble's Hymn is adapted to the Evening Prayer in Costa's "Eli ;" and H. S. thinks it is, without exception, the most suitable for the words.

M. C. (Stanton Drew) thanks us for the hymn tunes contained in the last number. With respect to M. C.'s other wishes, they shall receive due consideration.

To S. C. C. we are indebted for the tune No. 6. Our correspondent omitted to give its name (if it has one), or to mention that of the composer; still, we are inclined to agree with S. C. C. that it is very suitable for Keble's Evening Hymn.

J. G. W. sends us his tune called "Sarum, from the Hymnal Noted," and which has been in use in his parishchurch for years, to Keble's beautiful hymn. He adds, "I quite admire ELIZA's warm recommendation of 'Hursley,' and if we had not already decided to use it instead of 'Sarum,' we should have been disposed to do so on her recommendation." Our correspondent states that they sang the hymn upon one occasion to a tune from "Hymns Ancient and Modern," called Troyte No. 1" (a chant), and beautifully it suited the words.

The tune called "S. Dewi was sent by a choir-master to "supply the wants of our correspondents, better than any he had seen recommended." The tune is a very fair one, and may please some of our subscribers.

We have endeavoured to the best of our ability to answer EMMELINE'S inquiry as to the best tune for Keble's Evening Hymn. By far the greater number of correspondents have recommended "Hurs

some time says: "During my residence in Ceylon, I never heard of the death of a European from the bite of a snake. In a return of 112 coroners' inquests, in cases of death from wild animals, held in Ceylon in five years from 1851 to 1855, inclusive, 68 are ascribed to the bites of serpents, and in almost every instance the assault is set down as having taken place at night, when the animal having been surprised or trodden on, had inflicted the wound in self-defence. For these reasons, the Singhalese, when obliged to leave their houses in the dark, carry a stick with a loose ring, the noise of which, when they strike it on the ground, is sufficient to warn the snakes to leave their path."

Pliny notices that the serpent has the sense of hearing more acute than that of sight; and that it is more frequently put in motion by the sound of footsteps than by the intruder.

They prey upon animals of such bulk as would seem to render their swallowing them a matter of impossibility; according to some writers they can destroy and gorge a buffalo, but specimens capable of such feats of voracity appear to be rarely met with, although there is no doubt that a good-sized Python will make

away with a goat or a calf. After gorging themselves to a degree which causes the skin of the neck to look as if it would burst, they retire to their hiding-places, and there continue in an almost torpid state until the process of digestion has been completed; after this period (which sometimes lasts a month) the snake again issues forth in search of its prey. The Pythons are entirely confined to the Old World.

Another large kind of snake are the Boas. In their habits they exactly te semble the Pythons. In their specific difference (we may add for the sake of our scientific friends) whilst the Pythons are distinguished by the p session of teeth in the intermaxi bones, the Boas have none. These Bas are chiefly confined to South America and the adjacent islands, where some of them attain a length of upwards of 30 feet. The best known of these, perhaps, is the Bou-constrictor, whose name has generally been applied to all the large snakes. The Boas of America seem to have been tamed by the ancient Mexicans, and to have been especially used by the priests as instru ments for impressing the people with ave and reverence for their power.

R. MURRAY has published a very handsome book, consisting of short biographies of those whose memory the country honours, for 600 having by their skill and untiring energy done so much to develope her industry and prosperity; by the labours of these great men, large tracts of land have been won from the sea, the bog, and the fen, and made available for human habitation.

Through their ingenuity, the ountry has been rendered accessible in l directions by means of roads, bridges, anals and railways. They have built two ighthouses, breakwaters, docks and harours, for the protection of our ships, by which the lives of many whose business $ on the stormy deep have been saved.

The study of the lives of these great men is not without interest to most youths, it can scarcely be without advantage to any. At present Mr. Murray's book is, by its price, placed out of the reach of our Parochial Lending Libraries, but as that publisher studies the wants and tastes of all classes, and does not only cater for the

satisfaction of the rich, we have little doubt but that we shall see the volume of lives issued in a cheaper and more portable form. We are more inclined to prophesy this, as a few weeks ago we received a cheap edition of the far-famed Dr. Livingston's account of his travels in Africa, from the same publisher.

It will be impossible in our pages to give any full account of the men mentioned in this book. The chief biographies are those of Sir Hugh Myddelton, James Brindley, John Smeaton, and Thomas Telford, but others are incidentally mentioned.

We are able to extract (by permission) an engraving and some account of one of the most difficult undertakings which the last generation saw brought to a successful close. There is not a school-boy who has not heard of the Eddystone Lighthouse. For this great boon to the traders who were bound for Plymouth Harbour, we are indebted to the courage of John Smeaton.

We have, in the short space at our dis