form of a parallelogram, and the walls, all round are of hewn stones. The steps that lead down into it at the eastern end are no doubt the same which have been there for ages. The water covered the bottom to the depth of one or two feet. At the western end, climbing a little way into a cave hewn out of a rock, we descended a few steps into the place from which the water flows into the pool. It is connected by a long subterraneous passage, running quite through the hill to the fountain of the Virgin, or more properly the fountain (as distinguished from the pool) of Siloam, the entrance to which is a considerable way farther up the valley of Jehoshaphat. (Although this aqueduct has many windings, it is supposed by Dr. Robinson, who computes its length at 1750 feet, to be a work of art.) Through this passage the water flows softly* from the fountain, till it finds its way into the pool, not as generally represented in pictures, by pouring over the mouth of the cave, but secretly from beneath.

"It has been suggested, with great probability, that this fountain may have had an artificial connexion with another fountain, said to be under the mosque of Omar, in the heart of Moriah, for the flow of the water seems too large and too calm to be the commencement of a spring in a limestone rock."

The conjecture here hazarded may now be regarded as a certainty, since we are credibly informed, that by means of this communication, the summit of Moriah has been reached from below, the passage being high enough for a man to pass through it in a stooping position.

Mr. Wilde, a recent traveller to these parts, says, that the water of this spring is brackish, containing much salt, some carbonate and sulphate of lime, and a trace of

* See our vol. for 1844, p. 10.

muriate of magnesia, together with a quantity of sulphuretted hydrogen gas; though most persons who have visited the spot extol its purity and sweetness, and state farther, that it is much prized as a beverage by the neighbouring population, who must certainly be much better judges of the fact than a comparative stranger.

References to the Pool of Siloam occur in Nehemiah iii. 15, Isaiah viii. 6, and John ix. 7, &c. which our young readers may consult with advantage in connexion with the work first referred to.

OUR LIVING LETTERS.

CHAP. V.-THE NURSERY MISSIONARY.

"IF you will allow me, my friends," said one of our party, who promised to be a second Paternus, "I shall be happy to relate to you a little circumstance that occurred some time since, and which appears to me so fraught with interest that I can only be content to be silent, while others have similar narratives to relate.

"You must know first, that my wife, some twenty years ago, was quite taken with the merry little cherub face of a young girl who probably had not then seen more than her fourth or fifth birth-day. Indeed, I believe the child must have been younger, for she was considered too young to be a scholar in either the weekly or Sunday schools, and probably from her extreme youthfulness she might have been wholly passed over if the delight of wearing a somewhat bright colored pinafore or frock, for the first time, had not fallen out at the very hour that my good lady paid a visit to her mother's cottage, on some little matter of business.

"Little Jane's smiles and curtseys attracted the attention they merited, and from that eventful morning the little one became quite a pet of my wife's, and was invited constantly to the rectory, sometimes to play with our children, but oftener to receive instructions for which she will have to bless her Almighty Father not only in this world, but in that which is to come. "But years had passed since then, and Jane Somers had

turned out a comely damsel, with what would be termed a most pleasant expression of countenance, and a manner particularly agreeable for her station in life. My good lady had, on one occasion, lent this young girl a book, in which were narrated many interesting particulars of certain missionaries and their families in the East, and there was one tale of a young servant girl of the age of Jane Somers, who had been made instrumental in the conversion of more than one of the native servants amongst whom she resided. Jane was much struck with this account, and for some time after, she was constantly talking about it to my wife, and saying how much she desired to be of some benefit to any one who knew not the Saviour.

“ ́ My dear Jane,' replied my wife, often heard me tell you that it is not in

have you not often and the power of any indivi

dual, unaided by divine grace, to convert another ?'

““I mean ma'am,' replied Jane, that, though I know I cannot persuade any one to believe in Christ, yet I long, earnestly long, to be made the means of teaching this truth to some person or persons. I know that this hand could not lift this book from the table, unless my mind had the will to do so; and yet, after all, the hand is employed for the purpose, and so it is with us as you once told me; and if I may say so, I should like to be the hand that is employed; but I cannot see anything for me to do.'

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You understand the doctrine correctly, Jane,' answered my wife, but there is nothing at present that seems to call for action; only have patience, and you will not wait in vain. Pray to be employed, and if you really desire it, opportunities for your exertions will not be wanted.'

"It was whilst the repetition of this conversation was fresh in my mind, that I went to call upon an old friend who resided about ten miles from our home, in a spacious mansion situated in a park of some magnitude. Mr. Leslie was a gentleman of large fortune, residing on his own estate; he had married late in life; and of a numerous family, one only, the youngest daughter, had survived. Little Rosa Leslie was young enough to have been grandchild, instead of child to her father, and having lost her mother at her birth, she became so fondled and indulged, that it is only a wonder that she was not a torment to herself, as

well as to those around her. But there was one thing that saved this little girl from being detested by every one but her over-fond father, and that was, that she occasionally manifested some naturally warm and quick feelings of sympathy with persons in pain or grief; and when these were excited, she was always ready to weep with those that wept, unless she could comfort them. At all other times, woe be to those who had to humour her fits of caprice or restlessness, for the child knew not what it was to be happily contented. It was when Miss Rosa was about seven years of age that I paid this visit to her papa, and certainly a more naughty, troublesome child, I never beheld. I could hardly have believed unless I had witnessed it, that any child could have exercised so tormenting an influence in a family, especially when I saw that the only person who had power to control her was her father, who, with the exception of her maid, was the greatest sufferer by her. I cannot help smiling, even now, at the circumstances under which the spoiled child was first introduced to my particular notice. Mr. Leslie had proposed a walk, and we were just stepping out on the lawn, when a servant maid came after us, all breathless, and in evident alarm, and calling after my companion, 'Sir!' she said, 'Sir, if you please, you must come; there is no such a thing as managing Miss Rosa, and if any harm comes, I cannot help it; I am only glad that I gave warning before it came to this.'

"Came to what?' asked Mr. Leslie, in some alarm.

"Be pleased, Sir, to hasten to the kitchen-yard, and then you will see,' she replied, with a pert toss of her head, 'and if you wonder how she came there, please to remember, Sir, that I have had no power given me to contradict the young lady.'

"These words were, in a manner, thrown after the old gentleman, as he was trotting away back, through the wide hall towards sundry long passages which led to the offices. I followed his steps, thinking that I might perchance be of some use, if the wild little heiress had put herself into any situation of peril. We saw no servant either in the passages, halls, or kitchen; but a group of them so blocked up the back entry, that we had to displace them before we could get into the yard; and as we did so, by making these functionaries sensible of our presence, we silenced many voices, mingled with shrieks and half-frightened laughter.

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Having made our way through this small crowd, we saw at once that we were not come too soon. A poor travelling woman had, it seems come into the yard with a donkey, and nothing would satisfy Miss Rosa but a ride upon this animal. Not being over gentle in her management of the creature, he had become so restive as to peril her very life itself, whilst the servants, unable to dislodge her by their entreaties, and unwilling to share the danger of doing so by force, contented themselves by venting their alarm in the manner described. But Mr. Leslie, with my assistance, soon rescued the child and restored order.

"The attendant of this child was going to leave her; and as I had heard before, and Mr. Leslie told me also, when he returned from the yard, there was much difficulty in getting a person to take the place. I thought of Jane Somers, and when I proposed her, telling what pains my wife had taken with her, he received my proposition with great satisfaction.

"On my return home, I lost no time in informing my wife of the prospect of a situation for Jane, and I also gave her to understand how little Miss Leslie had hitherto been brought up, and that the same system of indulgence was likely to be carried on, and that no check would be put to it, at least under the paternal roof. 'So let your protégé, my dear,' I added, 'know at once what she is to expect, and caution her by all means not to undertake the place unless she is willing to bear with what she may chance to meet with, aye and acquiesce in a proper christian spirit, not gaining her point by flattery and adulation. Jane has wished to be of use, I remember,' I concluded, with saying' and what more glorious opportunity can be offered her than to direct this young and headstrong girl to be a blessing in the station which she is called upon to fill ?'

"My wife, upon this, had a long conversation with the young woman, in which she clearly pointed out to her that the situation of attendant upon young, or even old persons, is one of vital importance, but alas! how seldom is it used for the only true end, the leading of the wanderer to his God!

"The result of the matter was, that Jane undertook the situation, and she soon became so necessary to her little lady, that she was scarcely allowed to pay an annual visit to her home, these being the only times when we had an opportunity of seeing her. Thus passed three or four years, I cannot say exactly as to the time;