over the past, but his brain had been too long muddled to be able to think of anything long together. Little Kate, who missed Annie without quite understanding what she had lost, had been crying; her father had smeared off some of the dirt that was habitually on her face with the same rag that had served as a towel for his own, and giving her the remnants of seed-cake, bread and bacon, and the crushed and faded flowers in her ragged frock, had taken her up in his arms to comfort her.

This was so new to Kate, that it did more to divert her grief than anything he had given her; and when Mary came in she found the child's eyes gazing with a vacant stare on his face, while he fixed his heavy eyes on the flickering yellow flame that came up, thin and ghost-like, between the pieces of coal he had put in the small grate.

Mary was struck with the appearance of things, but instead of being touched with pity and remorse, and hailing what she saw as the beginning of better things, she grumbled about "people sitting by the fire at home while she went out to work;" and, looking for her best clothes in the box, dressed herself up, and throwing a pinch of tea in a piece of newspaper to John, said, as he had nothing else to do, he might make his tea; she was going where she hoped to find a little comfort after her labour. That night she hopped and jumped about, and drank bad spirits, and talked and laughed, and did all she could to be happy; but in the noisiest very moments, and with the liquor at her lips, the picture of her miserable husband, looking strickenperhaps penitent-perhaps longing to reform, to become a good husband, a good father-with the little idiot-like skeleton on his knee, would come before her, and she could not get rid of it.

In her hurry to go out that night, she had left the key in the clothes-box, where she had locked up all that she cared for, and where Jack's best things were secured. She had not been gone long before he came in. He stared to see his father and Kate sitting as has been described, but went straight to the box and took out his clothes.

"I shan't stop here any longer," he said to his father.

"Where are you going?" asked John in a mild voice.

So

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"Where I can live better, and not be kept in. you can tell her so," he answered, meaning by her" his mother.

John had nothing to say; his brain was all in a whirl. He had spent all the sense he could find in the efforts he had made to receive Mary comfortably on her return from the van. He sat silent; but it would have taken a wiser tongue than his, unless he could have used it with the authority of a father's love, to convince Master Jack that he had no right to leave home, and that it was his duty to remain there. He, too, was going to a party-a grand show of riders in the circus, and there were thimble-rig men, and all sorts of diversions shown off by thieves and vagabonds of the lowest kind, all of them highly entertaining to clever Master Jack, who was like his mother in more respects than one, and most especially in his love of what he and she called pleasure.

Mary stormed and almost screamed with rage when, on coming home, she found his clothes gone, and abused John as she would not have ventured to do if she had been sober, for letting him take them. John groaned in himself; he was tempted to strike her; but he brushed by her, threw himself by little Kate on the children's bed, and left her to scold herself sober.

THE SATURDAY HALF-HOLIDAY. HAMPTON COURT PALACE.

Saturday half-holiday affords an opporTHE tunity for healthy recreation to numbers of working-men and their families. To help them

IN

OLD HAMPTON COURT PALACE.

make good use of the few hours at their disposal, we propose giving some short papers, describing various places in and near London. We begin by giving an account of a celebrated edifice, beautifully situated, which is open free to the public on every day of the week, except Friday, from ten o'clock in the morning till six in the evening.

VIII.

Half-an-hour's ride by the South-Western Railway will take us to Hampton Court, which stands on the northern side of the Thames. It was founded by Cardinal Wolsey, who rose from humble life to the high rank of Archbishop of York, and Prime Minister of Henry At this time the palace consisted of five courts, and was much more extensive than it is now. Wolsey had studied architecture, and is supposed to have furnished the designs for the building. When finished it excited great envy at Court. He was asked by the king what was his purpose. Wolsey understood his master well, and was not slow in taking a hint. He begged the king to accept the palace, as one he had tried to form, worthy of so great a monarch. The king did graciously accept it, and gave Wolsey the manor of Richmond. He had as many as eight hundred servants of all grades, some of whom were knights, and children of the noblemen.

THE GARDENS IN THE OLDEN TIME.

Even the master cook appeared daily in velvet or satin, and wore a gold chain.

Hampton Court was used as a royal residence down to the reign of George II.; here, in 1604, the Synod assembled, which decided on the translation of our present English Bible. The part facing the gardens was built by order of William III., and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The gardens must have had a very amusing appearance; for, as the Dutch plan of training was then introduced into England, the hollies and yews were cut into the shapes of peacocks and other birds, and animals.

Let us pause for a moment at the grand entrance gate-a long passage-way or avenue, formed by the gateways of the inner courts. They have a very noble effect; but its present grandeur could be nothing as compared to the palace when it was twice the size. We pass into the great courtyard, and can almost fancy we see Wolsey and his three hundred visitors trooping into this very yard, for whom silken beds were prepared in the chambers. There were to be found ewers, tankards for wine and beer, and candlesticks, every one of silver. Take a glance at the second gateway, the window, and clock. The busts of the Roman emperors are said to have been given to Wolsey by Pope Leo x. Before going into the next court, we must ascend the staircase on the left-hand, leading to Wolsey's Hall; but this was not his banqueting-room-that has disappeared. Henry VIII. used to feast here to his heart's content. The windows are covered with royal courts of arms. The roof is beautifully carved and decorated with the arms and badges of Henry VIII. The walls are hung with rich German or Flemish tapestry; and while we gaze at it, we wonder how many hands were employed, and how many years of toil they must have cost, and how many eyes have looked on them. The subjects are scenes in the life of Abraham. The one near the entrance is of earlier date, and is meant to represent Justice and Mercy pleading before judges. There is a portrait of Wolsey in the painted oriel window, and another in the centre of the carved oak mantel-piece. There are, also, portraits of Henry VIII. and Elizabeth.

The Withdrawing Room (next to the great hall) has a beautiful ceiling. The walls are covered with tapestry, representing allegorical subjects. In the window are portraits of Wol

sey and his master, and the arms of the five bishoprics he had held, and some models.

We will now go back again to the second court, and pass into the third, called the Fountain Court.

So far, we have gone through the older parts of the palace; and now we will just take a turn in the gardens by way of change. The walks are about three miles in extent, and the palace occupies eight acres of ground. At the right-hand corner of the east front is an entrance to the private gardens. The greatest curiosity in it is the vine, which is nearly one hundred and twenty feet long. It bears, some seasons, more than two thousand five hundred bunches of black Hamburg grapes. Then there

is a pleasant walk down to the Thames, from whence we can return by the avenue of lime-trees, where we may see a fountain and basin, with gold and silver fish. Near the old stables is an oak, said to be the largest in England. There are two noble elms, called "The Giants," and two cork-trees, in the park; there is the Maze, too. We promise you, if you once get in, it is no easy matter to find your way out. It was formed during the reign of William. Near to the maze is the magnificent Lion Gate, leading into the road. On the opposite side is Bushy Park, with its fine. avenues of trees, leading to Teddington and Twickenham. It was so called from the number of thorn-bushes growing there. William IV. used to live in this Park one time.

are

looked over all the palace yet, so we shall not have time to take a stroll farther. We will retrace our steps, enter the modern building, and ascend the King's Grand Staircase, noted for Verrio's paintings. The first room we reach is the Grand Chamber. The first thing that attracts attention, is the very curious arrangement of muskets, halberds, pistols, and swords. There enough of them to equip a thousand men. One cannot help wishing that men and nations loved one another, for then they would never quarrel and fight. The day will come when war shall be no more, and peace shall reign triumphant. Let us take a look from this window. Beneath us are the private gardens and Queen Mary's Bower. The River Thames, Mole, and Ember, and the Surrey hills, in the distance. Now follow a long succession of rooms. It is impossible to mention here all that is to be seen in them; it would more than fill our paper. We will leave you, reader, to proceed at your leisure through the apartments, simply advising you to look at each room thoroughly as you pass through, for you are not allowed to come back again the same way.

And we may call the dromedary "the postman of the desert," for it is used to convey letters from one country to another. We read that in the days of Queen Esther the king's letters were sent by the posts that rode on "young dromedaries" (Esther viii. 10, 14); and for this purpose they are still used in Arabia. They will carry a heavy load of letters at the rate of one hundred miles a day, and that over a rough and desert land.

The extraordinary length of journeys, and the short space of time in which they are performed by dromedaries, are almost incredible. The Arabs thus describe the fleetness of this animal:-"When thou shalt meet a heirie (as they call the dromedary), and say to the rider,

THE POSTMAN OF THE DESERT.

Salem alic (Peace be between us), before he shall have answered thee, Alic salem (There is peace between us), he will be far off and nearly out of sight, for his swiftness is like the wind."

This animal is one of the most useful creatures given for the use of man. The Arabs consider it as a gift from heaven, without which they could not live, trade, or travel. They drink its milk, eat its flesh, and make garments and tents of its hair. Its foot is broad and spreading, divided into two parts, with a horny tip at the end of each. On the bottom of the foot is a soft cushion, which enables it to tread over the sandy desert or the hard and rocky plain with equal ease and comfort. The nostrils are like slits, which they can close at pleasure, and appear designed to keep the animal from suf

fering pain or injury when passing over the hot sand-drifts of the desert.

A camel, when full grown, is about seven feet high, and will bear a load of one thousand pounds. When about to receive its burden, it kneels down till it is told to rise, but will sometimes make a loud cry when its load is too heavy. The camel will remember an injury a long time, and revenges it on the first opportunity. When an Arab has offended his camel, he arranges his clothes in a spot which it will pass, so as to resemble himself sleeping under them. Rushing upon them, it seizes them with its teeth, tears them to pieces, and tramples upon them. Its rage is then at an end, and the owner may appear again with safety.

The camel has four stomachs, and is thus enabled to store up a quantity of water before it sets off on a journey. It also bears hunger without appearing to suffer; a little meal, a few dates, or a handful of beans, will at any time satisfy its wants. It is very fond of prickly shrubs, which it plucks with its strong teeth. When we see the sharp thorns of the bushes we may esteem them of little or no use, but if we saw the dromedary eating them with a relish, where nothing else can be found in the wilderness, we should be taught that God has made nothing in vain.

The customs of the East are much the same now as in former times. Ornaments were hung on the necks of camels in the days of Gideon (Judges viii. 21); so are little bells and trinkets at the present time. Cloth is still made out of camel's hair, as in the days of John the Baptist. These animals are sometimes used in war, as in the reign of David

(1 Sam. xxx. 17). And caravans of merchants, with their camels bearing spices, are seen crossing the desert, as when Joseph was sold by his brethren.

Mr. Macfarlane, after describing this animal, says, "I never saw a Turk ill-use this useful gentle creature; but I have often seen him give it a portion of his own dinner when it had nothing else but chopped straw to eat. I have been told that the Arabs will kiss their camels in gratitude and affection, after a journey across the desert."

THE WAY TO HEAVEN.-A man may go to heaven without health, without riches, without honour, without learning; but he can never get there without Christ.

in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?"-Acts ii. 37.

As Whitefield was one day preaching in Plymouth, a shipbuilder, named Henry Tanner, who was working at a distance, heard his voice, and resolved, with some of his companions, to go and drive him from the place where he stood. For this purpose they filled their pockets with stones. When, however, he heard Mr. Whitefield carnestly inviting sinners to Christ, he was filled with astonishment, his resolution failed him, and he went home with his mind deeply impressed. On the following evening he again attended, and heard Mr. Whitefield on the sin of those who crucified the Redeemer. After he had forcibly illustrated their guilt, he appeared to look earnestly at Mr. Tanner, as he exclaimed, with great energy, "Thou art the man!" These words powerfully impressed him, and in the agony of his soul he cried, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" The preacher then proceeded to proclaim the free and abundant grace of the Lord Jesus; a gleam of hope entered the heart of the penitent, and he surrendered himself to Christ. Mr. Tanner afterwards became a minister of the gospel, and laboured with great success for many years at Exeter.

"Surely the wrath of man shalt praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain." - Psalm lxxvi. 10.

AN elderly woman, a Roman Catholic, living near Montreal, in Canada, having obtained a Bible, was visited by her priest. Fearing the use she would make of it, he earnestly endeavoured to get it from her. Finding that he could not do so, he wanted to buy it, offering first

at length agreed that if he would give her twenty-five dollars, she would sell him the obnoxious book. The priest agreed, the money was paid, the volume given up, and he departed in triumph. But the good old woman set off immediately to Montreal, and, with the priest's twenty-five dollars, bought twenty-five new Bibles for her own use and that of her poor neighbours.

"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand."-2 Timothy iv. 6.

"I AM on the bright side of seventy," said an aged man of God; "the bright side, because nearest to everlasting glory." "Nature fails," said another, "but I am happy." "My work is done," said the Countess of Huntingdon, when eighty-four years old; "I have nothing to do but to go to my Father." To a humble Christian it was remarked: "I fear you are near another world." Fear it, sir!" he replied; "I know I am; but blessed be the Lord, I do not fear it, I hope it."

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"Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart." -Psalm cxix. 111.

A LITTLE girl, hearing one day of a very aged woman, who, for the last many years had "done nothing but read her Bible," exclaimed, "How tired she must be of it! Do ask her if she is not very tired of it!" The old woman, being told of the child's inquiry, replied, "Tell her that I love it more and more.'

"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." -Psalm iv. 8.

DURING the great plague of London, in 1665, when more than

seventy thousand persons died, all who were able went to live in the country, hoping to escape the infection. Lord Craven was about to desert his post of duty, and fly with the rest. Just as he was about to step into the coach, he heard his negro postilion say to another servant, "I see, my Lord Craven's God does not live in London; he lives at the country estate." It so happened, that his lordship was at the very moment in the hall, close to the door, with his hat on, and putting on his gloves; so he heard what the negro only intended his fellow-servant to hear. Lord Craven was much impressed; he was led to pray: "Lord, pardon my unbelief, and that distrust of thy providence, which made me think of running from

thy hand."

He then ordered the horses to be taken from the coach, and remained in London during the terrible visitation. He was remarkably useful to the sick folks around his mansion, and, though constantly among them, he never caught the infection. Let us, at all times, bear in mind that the Lord "encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."

"There is none righteous; no, not one."-Romans iii. 10.

SAMUEL MARSDEN, the New Zealand missionary, who was as well known for his piety as for his humility, was at one time the subject of much ill-feeling on the part of the authorities of the province. When told one day, by a friend, how basely he was slandered, "Sir," he exclaimed, solemnly, "these men don't know the worst. Why, sir, if I were to walk through the streets with my heart laid bear, the very boys would pelt me."

THE MAZE.

IE members of a party at THE Hampton Court were merrily trying to find their way through

the Maze.

They were in high spirits, and there was much laughter,-first at the mistakes of one, and then at the success of another. But before long, one of them spied a little child, sitting on the ground in an out-of-the-way corner, crying very bitterly. "What is the matter, my little man," said he; "have you lost yourself?"

"Yes," said the child, amidst his tears; "I want to go to father." But here was a difficulty. Whilst the child could not get out of its trouble, the full-grown man was also at a loss; and the little one was tired, and frightened, and sobbing as if its heart would break. Both together, they tried this way and that. This path seemed to be the right one, but no! a dead stop. Another led them into worse difficulties: and they wandered farther and farther away from the point they wished to gain.

At last the guide was thought of. There he stood, on the platform overlooking the scene, marking the right steps of one, and watching the mistakes of another; but always ready to help at once, if needed and asked to do so.

But when the pair called to him to be guided, such a laugh arose from every one! Yet, in spite of their jeering, the man kept asking the way. He was told to turn here, and go on straight there; till, by-and-bye, the right path was found, and the little lad was very soon after put into his father's arms, who had been anxiously looking for his truant child.

Now this little story may teach teach a lesson worth learning. That maze is like our life in this world, in which we are pressed forward towards a desired end.

The young and the thoughtless enter merrily on life. Nothing is easier, they think, than to go on trusting to themselves to make everything come right. But byand-bye a real difficulty arises; then the right road is not so plainly seen; matters which were lightly laughed at before, now become serious anxieties, trifles become troubles.

Like a fly in the spider's web, the cares of life wrap round and entangle the heedless person more and more, and the burdens of it weigh upon him heavier. Escape he cannot! Whichever side he turns, he sees another difficulty before his face. Which is the way for him to take, whither shall he fly? Happy the man who, in such a case, turns to the Guide for help, in spite of the mockery of his fellows.

WRITTEN BY A WORKING MAN.

How sweet is the Sabbath to lighten my lot, There is joy in my heart, there is peace in my cot; Its moments how precious, and sweetly they glide, As I read and I sing at my own fireside.

How sweet is the Sabbath, the labourers cry;

Rich gift unto man from his Maker on high;

'Tis the day we can gather, with children and wife,

Away from the world with its din and its strife.•

How sweet is the Sabbath to all of our kind,

And who is he that does not meet with trials in the intricate paths of life? paths of life? Happy the man that simply looks to Him for guidance who ordereth all things both in heaven and earth. both in heaven and earth. He knows it is vain to choose his path for himself, and therefore he cries Bringing rest for the body, and food for the mind; to the Keeper of Israel, "Lead thou feet." As a me on," "Keep thou my little child is perfectly happy and content when he holds his father's hand, so will the Lord keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him, because he trusteth in him.

Oh! that men would therefore "trust in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength!" Oh! that they would believe that, whatever befals, all

It comes, like the sunshine, to scatter the gloom We meet in our way 'mid the cradle and tomb.

How sweet is the Sabbath to young and to old,
More precious by far than treasures of gold;
It comes, like the morn, with its sweet rays of
light,

Dispersing the darkness and dulness of night.

How sweet is the Sabbath, the Christian will sing,

While his heart swells with joy to his Saviour and
King;

Sweet foretaste on earth of the Sabbath above,
Where all will be peace and ineffable love.

How sweet is the Sabbath, we know by the past,
Then, oh! let us prize it, and hold it more fast;
And may this be our theme, till we join with the

blest,

How sweet is the Sabbath-the Sabbath of rest!