spirits, rudely pinched a little girl on the back of her neck. It was neither cruelty nor ill-nature that prompted the deed; but from that hour to this the poor child's head has been on one side, nor is there the least hope of it ever being otherwise. Should that boy be in the habit of meeting the poor girl during their future lives, how painful will be his emotions! for hardly will his conscience fail to accuse him of the heavy burden he has laid on another.

There are, however, buoyant sallies that are not of an objectionable character. During a playful moment, in days gone by, one that was near and dear to me placed before me the sketch of an old horse. The poor old animal, with his thin neck, hanging lower lip, bare ribs, high hips, and lame hind leg, seemed only fit for the "knackers." I put it quickly, with an impatient push, aside, as a subject that I did not care to ponder on. This hasty act of mine being observed, afforded such diversion, that the playful pastime was persisted in. A considerable number of these sketches, the very fac-simile of the one which had at first occasioned my impatience, being made and cut out in paper, were deposited, according to opportunity, in different places, so that afterwards I was every now and then unexpectedly stumbling on one of them. There it was, with its lame leg,

its high hips, and its hanging lip. I found it on my dressing-table, in my shaving-box, on my writing-desk, under my teacup at breakfast, among my manuscripts, pinned to my slippers and my gloves, and I have pulled it out of my pocket with my pocket-handkerchief. Even this very day I found it between the leaves of a book, though the hand that placed it there for years and years has been motionless in the grave. This sketch, that would be nothing to another, is something to me, for it brings one before me with whom I still love to companionize. It is the symbol of a sportive fancy, an affectionate heart, and a spirit of piety; and coming upon me suddenly, as it did to-day, it moved me even to

tears.

Abrupt emotions ofttimes yield relief;

The tear I shed was not the tear of grief.

Are you, reader, by your every-day actions, spreading such an influence around, that when beckoned away from the world, you will be remembered as one with a kind heart and a heavenseeking spirit? If this is not the case, there must be much that requires correction in the trifles that are making up the sum of your life.

Whether young, mature, or aged, this subject is important to us all; for the thread of our

existence may be summarily snapped. What, then, are we thinking, and saying, and doing? What are the influences we are spreading around us? And what will be the character we shall leave behind us? Some have been remembered for their pride, their churlishness, their bitterness, their cruelty, and their scepticism; let it be our desire to be remembered for our humility, cur gentleness, our forbearance, our kindness, and our piety. There is, however, no other mode of truly behaving kindly to others than that of feeling kindly towards them, and the only way to act like a disciple of the Redeemer is in reality to be one.

I will now bring my observations to a close; the amount of them is this, that if we truly desire to fear the Lord, and do good to our fellow-pilgrims on their way to a better world, taking for our motto, "Glory to God in the highest, and org earth peace, good will toward men," we must not be content to act a part on "high days and holidays;" the principle within us must be set forth in every day's occurrences, and in the tone of our thoughts, our temper, our dealings with others, and our commonest actions; in a word, it must mingle with our very being, and pervade the trifles that make up the sum of our lives.

Weak, and changing, and sinful creatures as we are. great will be our privilege if we are permitted and enabled

To love the Lord, whate'er the bonds that bind us.
And leave a name for kindly deeds behind us.

ON MAKING THE BEST OF IT.

ONE of the most valuable possessions in the world is the inclination and ability to turn all things to the best advantage. Some men get more by their losses than others do by their gains, and endure and gratefully thank God for afflictions which would weigh down their fellows to the dust. If this treasure be yours, strive to preserve it; and if it be not, strive to obtain it. Its value is far beyond that of the Indies, and its possessor has what the gold of California cannot buy.

The use we make of our endowments and possessions is the source of the greater part of our joys and sorrows. He that in wise benevolence casts his bread upon the waters, shall have it returned to him after many days, while he who spends his substance in riotous living, will end his career in wretchedness and rags. According to the prudence or imprudence with which they are used, a river will ruin or enrich a soil, and poison will cure or kill a patient. Seeing, then, that such opposite effects may be produced from the