body would steer you to the contrary, to flee the counsel in any wise, for ye shall find it naught and evil.

Furthermore, as far as father may and can, I charge you in any wise to flee the company and counsel of proud men, of covetous men, and of flattering men, the more especially and mightily to withstand them, and not to draw nor to meddle with them, with all your might and power; and to draw to you and to your company good and virtuous men, and such as be of good conversation, and of truth, and by them shall ye never be deceived nor repent you of.

Moreover, never follow your own wit in nowise, but in all your works, of such folks as I write of above, ask your advice and counsel, and doing thus, with the mercy of God, ye shall do right well, and live in right much worship, and great heart's rest and ease.

And I will be to you as good lord and father as my heart can think.

And last of all, as heartily and as lovingly as ever father blessed his child in earth, I give you the blessing of Our Lord and of me, which of his infinite mercy increase you in all virtue and good living; and that your blood may by his grace from kindred to kindred multiply in this earth to his service, in such wise as after the departing from this wretched world here, ye and they may glorify him eternally amongst his angels in heaven.

Written of mine hand,

The day of my departing fro this land.
Your true and loving father,

APRIL, 1450, 28 H. VI.

SUFFOLK.

THOMAS À KEMPIS

(A. D. 1380-1471.)

THOMAS HAMERKEN, known to fame as Thomas à Kempis, the reputed author of the "Imitation of Christ,' was born at Kempen near Cologne, in 1380, entered the Augustinian monastery of Mt. St. Agnes, near Zwolle, in 1400, was ordained a priest in 1413, and was elected sub-prior in 1425. He died in 1471. He wrote a number of books; but his name is immortally associated with the "Imitation of Christ, which is believed to have had more readers than any other book in Christian literature except the Bible. That Thomas à Kempis was the author is not certain; but opinion among those who have investigated the question inclines in his favor.

The "Imitation of Christ" is so purely religious that its teachings do not come within the scope of this collection. The subjoined precepts are selected from an English translation of other writings, published a few years ago under the title of "The Little Garden of Roses."

SELECTIONS FROM "THE LITTLE GARDEN OF ROSES."

Every virtue has its particular sweetness to refresh him that worketh well; but he that clings to vice begets an evil end, makes shipwreck of his honour, destroys repose, lays up for himself a store of infirmities, increases sorrow, and deprives himself of the relish of what is good and virtuous; but he that denies himself lawful pleasures, increases the surety of resisting such as are unlawful.

He that muzzles the mouth of the hound need not fear his bark; so he that keeps strict silence shall not offend with his lips.

He that lives retired and in silence is far removed from

falsehood and bickering; from cursing and detraction; from anger and murmuring.

He that hearkens not to evil discourse, and shuts his eyes on the vanities of this world, more easily avoids its snares, and turns away his thoughts from its vain imaginations; for a watch over the senses is the foundation of purity, the discipline of peace, the mirror of devotion.

When wrath takes possession of the breast wisdom takes to flight even from the wise. He that speaks hastily is like a snarling hound; but a meek answer breaks the violence of wrath, and gives to the afflicted roses in the stead of thorns.

Blessed is the prudent tongue, for it heals the wounds of the hasty.

He that resisteth his evil inclinations in their birth, when they show themselves but young and limber, shall more easily destroy them than when their roots are deep.

He that preserves purity in soul and body is like God's angels; but he that yields to his evil inclinations, and takes pleasure in the depravity of his thoughts, is the bond-slave of Satan.

Publish not scandal, for it is well to be silent; proclaim the truth, for it is salutary; be modest, for it is reasonable; hurt no one, for it is just; be useful to all, for such is piety; and edify thy neighbour by word and deed, for such is religion.

The prudent man thinks before he acts; changes not unreasonably; speaks with reserve of what he is ignorant of; and affirms not lightly what is doubtful.

Look carefully into your own faults, and you will find little leisure or inclination to weigh in the balance the actions of others.

Be faithful in little things, and your talent shall be vastly increased in the kingdom of heaven.

Be neither idle in solitude, nor a babbler in public, and

the evil one, overcome by your diligence and silence, shall depart from you.

Trample pride under foot, and you shall find much.

HUGH RHODES'S "BOKE OF NURTURE"

(A. D. 1577.)

A CURIOUS Collection of medieval writings, which illustrate the ideas of nurture and training for children that prevailed in England during the latter part of the Middle Ages, was made for the Early English Text Society by Mr. Frederick J. Furnivall, the eminent student of early English literature, and published in 1868. The injunctions, rules and precepts of the collection relate mainly to manners, and more to tablemanners than to behavior in other circumstances and places,

so much so that "Manners and Meals in Olden Time" is a general title given to the volume by Mr. Furnivall. Its principal contents are "The Babees Book, or How young people should behave, " from a MS. of about 1475; "Stans Puer ad Mensam " (already referred to); Hugh Rhodes's "Boke of Nurture; John Russell's "Boke of Nurture; Wynkyn de Worde's "Boke of Seruyce and Keruynge [Carving] and Sewynge," and several other "bokes of curtasye and "bokes of demeanor." The injunctions most distinctly moral are in the following series, entitled "The Rule of Honest Living," found in the fifth edition of Rhodes's "Boke of Nurture," published in 1577, the first edition having been printed in 1554. Of the first edition of this "boke Mr. Furnivall knew of but one copy existing when he wrote of it; of the fifth edition he mentions two, in the British Museum and the Bodleian Library. Of Hugh Rhodes it is known, only, that he was "of the king's chapel" and that he was born and bred in Devonshire.