Such is a sketch of a scene which is said to have taken place in England about 150 years ago. It is not intended for you to believe that the sketch is word for word true, 'just as it happened, but it was done in that way. And so now you see that those who are rich and noble, and who live in great houses are not always happy. There is always something happening in a world like this to disturb everybody-whether they be poor or rich, young or old. None are exempt: even kings and queens, with all their honours, cannot keep off sickness, and death visits them all at last, as he does every one else.

But Lady Lucy was a good girl to love her father so much-was not she? Did you not wish as you went on reading that she might succeed-and was you not glad when she did? Well when we are doing what is good and right, we may feel as little Lady Lucy did—we need not be afraid-for as the Bible says, "Who is he that shall harm you if ye be followers of that which is good."

And yet after all Jesus Christ did more for us than Lady Lucy did for her father. We had all rebelled against God, and committed High Treason against his Majesty and we were all under condemnation, waiting execution. Then Jesus Christ, the Son of God came, and was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities-he died for us, the just for the unjust, to bring us unto God. Never was love like his love. We may admire Lady Lucy who pleaded for her father, but we must admire Jesus Christ more, for he died for his enemies, and prayed as he died, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." None can come up to Jesus Christ for love and goodness. He is the chiefest among ten thousand, and altogether lovely!

THE SECRETARY FALCON.

THIS curious bird resembles the common falcon in its head, bill, and claws; but its legs are so long that, when it stands upright, it is not much unlike the crane. When standing erect, it measures about three feet from the top of the head to the ground. It is a native of the interior of Africa, Asia, and the Philippine Islands. The general colour of the plumage is a bluish ash; the tips of the wings, and the thighs, inclining to black. On the back of the head are several long dark coloured feathers, hanging down behind, and capable of being erected at pleasure. This crest induced the Dutch colonists at the Cape to give it the name of the Secretary; the Hottentots, however, style it the Serpent-eater, from the avidity with which it catches and devours those noxious reptiles. The manner in which

it seizes them displays great intelligence. On approaching them it carries forward the point of one of its wings, in order to parry their venomous bites, and waits till it finds an opportunity of treading on its adversary, or taking him on his pinions and throwing him into the air. When he has at last thus wearied him out, he kills and devours him at his leisure.

M. le Vaillant witnessed one of these combats. Finding itself inferior in strength, the serpent endeavoured to regain his hole, but the falcon by a single leap got before him, and cut off his retreat. On whatever side the reptile strove to escape, the enemy still faced him. The serpent then erected himself to intimidate the bird, and, hissing dreadfully, displayed his menacing throat, inflamed eyes, and a head swoln with rage and venom. Sometimes this produced a momentary suspension of hostilities; but the bird soon returned to the charge, and, covering her body with one of her wings as a buckler, struck her enemy with the bony part of the other. The serpent at last dropped, and the bird laid open his skull with one stroke of her beak.

This singular bird may be easily tamed, and it becomes very domestic and familiar. Though, if severely. pinched with hunger, it will then devour ducklings and chickens; yet, if well fed, it will live with the poultry on amicable terms, and when it sees any of them quarreling, will run to part the combatants. Unlike all the rest of the feathered race, these birds always strike forward with their legs when they fight.

ON THE HUMAN TONGUE.

"Our tongues were made to bless the Lord."

In whatever way we consider that delicate structure, the human tongue, we cannot but admire the wisdom and goodness which furnished it to man. We are unable to picture to ourselves any method, or

ON THE HUMAN TONGUE.

contrivance, more exquisitely adapted for its peculiar purpose than this organ. The ingenuity of man has been for ages exerted in endeavouring to discover some method by which to imitate the human voicebut we know that as yet this is as far as ever from being accomplished. Ingenious figures called automatons have indeed been made to utter sounds to a certain extent similar to those uttered by the human tongue, but still they fall far short of the powers of that incomparable organ. Then look at its varied usessee the long lost wanderer returning from some far off clime to his own well-loved home, and imagine him seated at the winter fireside, relating to the happy group assembled there, the tales of his adventures and sufferings-imagine the once savage heathen now singing hallelujahs to the Heavenly King-hear the suppliant at that tyrant's throne entreating for mercy

-or yon orator pouring forth his strains of eloquent declamation-listen to the stern voice of justice condemning the guilty criminal-give ear to the rustic worshippers as their simple strains resound through the humble sanctuary-and now hear the gracious accents of the minister of Christ as he calls on sinners, in his Master's name, to repent and live. Oh, what a wonderful, what a blessed gift is this! Who in all the world would dispense with this inestimable treasure. Ought we not, then, to value it better than we do? Ought we not to be more thankful to the Giver of this and every other good and perfect gift, for its kind bestowment? We ought, but alas! such is human nature, that thoughts like these seldom occupy the mind. On the contrary we know that the kindest gifts of Providence are too often abused. Yes! and sad experience shows that whilst the utility of the tongue admits of no dispute, so likewise there can be no doubt of its shameful abuse to the vilest and worst of purposes; uttering lies and lewdness, corrupting all within its reach, and proving that it is often

"set on fire of hell"—"an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." Of all things, then, the tongue requires the most careful use; and as the good of which it is the instrument is immense, so also is the evil. Let us, therefore, take heed to our ways, that we offend not with our tongues, and let us keep them as it were with a bridle. S. B. C.

THE HALF-CROWN.

FROM A SOMERSETSHIRE CURATE.

I HAVE a little boy, about seven years old, who has for some time past taken in the "Children's Magazine." He is at present sick, and has been so for some days. His name is Bernard D—. He is a confiding and obedient child, with extreme simplicity of character. It has been our recent practice to give him a penny for every dose of physic taken. It is also usual with us to ask the Divine blessing on giving medicine. Last night the number of pence, received by Bernard, amounted to thirty, and he exchanged them for a half-crown piece. The possession of this sum of money was a subject of much joy; and the first thing Bernard said to me on my going into the nursery this morning to give him another dose of medicine was: "Father, I have a half-crown, and I shall have a penny more this morning." I simply replied: "Yes, dear Bernard." I then offered him the dose of rhubarb, which he took at once. Afterwards, I said to him, "Bernard, dear boy, I want you to give me something which you value much. I should like to have your half-crown, and the purse also." He looked up in my face for a moment; and then, with apparently but little regret, he took out his purse and gave it to me. I said: “Bernard, do you mean this to be for my very own." "Yes, father," was the reply, with an expressive look of confiding