are green all the winter round, looked so bright in the sun, and the water was so clear: and then remember how proudly the stately swans held up their white heads, and followed us round for the pieces of biscuit that we threw to them on the water. That was the pleasantest part of all, I think; so did you, for I watched you when you were in that solemn temple, surrounded by the ancient statues of heathen gods and heroes, that cost such immense sums of money, and that every one admires so much,-I watched you turn quietly away, and walk by yourself out into the garden, into our true God's clear sun-light and fresh air, where you could see the water, and the white swans, and the waving evergreens again; and I thought yours good taste, little Cassy. Then we went down into a silent grotto, where was the image of a nymph asleep; and the spring of water murmured so softly, as if it was unwilling to disturb her; and the air that came in was so calm, that it only just moved the large dark ivy leaves that hung upon the rock. We seemed to be in the most quiet and pleasant place in the world. Oh! but I forget, those two words would not link together in your vocabulary as they do in mine. Yet that day we found something to

please all tastes, from the gay and stately furniture in some of the lofty rooms, to the kind wild flowers that grew over the graves in the near church-yard, and the shadow of the old yew in the burying-place: but what suited all without exception-for even pleasures weary-was the kind voice and smile that welcomed us home again; and may such be the end of all our toils and all our pleasures at last,-a welcome home. And so my little Cassy, for with no better wish can I conclude my remembrances of the pleasant first day of the year 1834.

August 26, 1834.

92

AN OLD CONVERT.

SOME years ago we were surprised by noticing at the end of the roughest and steepest lane in the parish, and joining to some ruined walls, which had formerly been part of a glass-house, symptoms of building. The persons who alone had any right to build on that ground, we knew were not likely to do so, neither were they to give leave to others; but it has ever been the fashion amongst our wild, gipsy-like set of people, to collect stone and lime, and to build, and wait the chance of the lord of the manor's steward, or any one else to whom the right belonged, to call for the rent, and collect it if he could afterwards. "Build yourself a place, Jack, nobody'll meddle with you," said some one to whom the old collier had told the tale of grievances, which had driven him from his last habitation; -so Jack and his help-mate began to build. The situation was beautiful, but they turned the

back of the house to the view; for the steep banks that rise on either side, quite shut out any in front, the lane itself being in the winter season, at least, but like the bed of a river. The ground on which the house was to stand was so uneven, and of such small dimensions, that we were puzzled to think of what size the mansion was to be. A week or two, however, told us all we could ask. The four narrow walls rose, lit in front by something meant for a window, and entered by a very low door,-yet one that reached to the varied coloured tiling of the roof. There was also a chimney, and that was in fact the chief distinction between the human dwellingplace and the habitation that the owner of it immediately provided for the couple of poor spare asses, which he designed should procure their living among the scanty grass and fern of the broken hill side, and which constituted nearly all his worldly wealth.

Of course we very soon made acquaintance with our new neighbours; but, except as their ingenuity amused and their industry pleased us, it was long before we found any thing else to interest us. They were very often out when we past, so we had little opportunity of reading to

them; and when they were at home, the surliness of Jack's manner-Joyce was always good-tempered-seemed to tell us that our visits were intrusive. It was vain to hope they might meet with instruction at church. If they thought at all on the subject, they fancied they were too poor to appear there, and too ignorant to profit if they did :—but these are vain excuses; He that runs may read;" the wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err in the simple doctrines of our church; but there are thousands who still, Sabbath after Sabbath, refuse to receive instruction. The days of these poor people were drawing to a close still they rose early, and late took rest, and ate the bread of carefulness. Oh! let us praise His mercy, who so often provides the unperishing bread for them that seek it not.

At this time great interest was excited amongst our poor people, to hear the new curate of the parish. It was not that the doctrine he preached differed in any respect from that which, thank God! had all along sounded from our pulpit; or that his manner was more simple or more earnest; but he was young, and had grown up amongst the people. He had never been long together absent from his father's flock, since the