A GLANCE AT WINDSOR CASTLE.

THIS noble castle, which has long been a favourite abode of royalty, is built on the summit of a projecting hill, and as the country around for many miles is low, it may be seen from a great distance in all directions.

William the Conqueror, as he is called, was its first royal occupier. Henry I. enlarged it. Edward III., who was born in it, rebuilt it. Great additions were made by Edward IV., Henry VII., Henry VIII., and Elizabeth. Charles II. also enlarged and furnished it richly with paintings and other ornaments. The first Georges' made many splendid improvements, but it was under George IV. that it assumed its present magnificent appearance. Further improvements were made by William IV., and by her majesty Queen Victoria. Long may she live to inhabit it in safety and peace!

But this place has not only been the abode of living royalty. Here, too, they rest in the silence of the tomb. Within the precincts of the castle is St. George's Chapel, one of the most magnificent places of worship in England.

Within its vaults sleep the remains of Henry VI., Edward IV., Henry VIII., Queen Jane Seymour, Charles I., the Princess Amelia, the Princess Charlotte, Queen Charlotte, George III., the Duke of York, the Duke of Kent, George IV., and William IV.

We visited this renowned seat of royalty a few years ago, but we could not now describe all we saw of its grandeur and magnificence. We can only mention a few other facts of its position and appearance.

You may ascend to it by steep steps on the north, or walk up a gradual ascent from the town on the west. The great round tower stands in the centre, from which there is a most extensive view; so extensive that as many as twelve counties may be seen with the naked eye.

The terrace of the castle, faced with a rampart of freestone, 1870 feet long, is one of the grandest promenades in Europe, the prospects from which are delightful. The little park, which extends round the north and east sides of the castle, and forms a lovely lawn, is four miles in circumference; and on the south is the great park, which embraces a circumference of fourteen miles. The river Thames winds round beneath the castle, and its silvery waters may be seen shining here and there from the green meadows to a great distance; whilst over the whole region may be discerned, villas and hamlets, towns and villages, forming a picturesque view of surpassing beauty, especially when summer has arrayed the trees in their richest dresses.

Such is the favourite inland dwelling-place of our Queen, the Prince, and the royal family. Again we say,

long may they dwell there in safety and peace; and then, when called to go the way of all the earth, may they find a far better mansion prepared for them in heaven, from whence they will go no more out for ever!

STOPPING OUT TOO LONG.

"How is this, master George, that you are so far away from school this morning? I fear you have been trespassing-have you not?"

Master gave me leave to go out, sir."

“I expect he did. But how is it you have come so Master did not send you on an

far without your cap?

errand, did he, without your cap?”

“No, sir, but he gave me leave to come out." "You told me so before, George.

truth; have you not been running to

off ?"

“Yes, sir.”

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Now tell me the

see the packet go

There is a good boy. You should always tell the truth. And how long have you been away?"

"Half an hour, sir."

"Perhaps more, George; for time goes very fast when you are looking at any thing that pleases you. And so you have been running until you are out of breath to make up, have you not?”

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Yes, sir, I have. And I am almost afraid to go in again."

Ah, my boy! So it is. When we do wrong we always feel unhappy. Dont you wish now that you had not gone?"

"I am sure I do, sir."

"Well then, as you have told me the truth, and as you seem to be sorry for what you have done, I will go with you to school, and tell the master all about it. Perhaps I can persuade him not to punish you this time." “Thank you, sir; that will be very kind in you."

"I shall only expect you, George, to make one promise both to your master and me, and that is, that you will never run away again in this way without his permission."

“I am sure I will not, sir. I am afraid master will keep me for this.”

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'Come, we will go together this time, and see what can be done. But I dare not promise to help you another time, if I were to find you doing the like again."

So taking George by the hand, Mr. Lovechild, the minister, conducted George to his school, who felt very queer when the boys, who had missed him, turned round and saw the old gentleman leading him in by the hand; and he scarcely dare lift up his eyes to look at the master, who, he felt sure, must have been asking for him. But the kind-hearted old gentleman managed the matter so well that the master, though generally severe in punishing those who played truant or stopped out too long, agreed to forgive George on condition that he repeated an extra lesson next morning.

George was an open-hearted lad, and he was so glad that Mr. Lovechild, the good old minister of the place of worship that his father and mother attended, had acted so kindly to him, that he could not help telling his mother about it that evening. He had been getting his extra lesson, and having done, he shut the book, and lifting up his eyes and looking full in his mother's face as she sat at her needle, said in a trembling tone

"Mother, I want to tell you something."

"What is it, George ?" said his mother, looking at him from her work, and seeing that he looked as if something was the matter.

George told his mother all about it.