fusion of the piety which will grow in those lands of the sun. We need habits of feeling, disciplined indeed -not effervescent, not mystic-but, on the other hand, not crushed, not fearful of outflow, not bereaved of speech."

In the spirit of this judicious extract these "Reflections on Canticles" have been written, and the author has produced a devotional, practical, and scholarly treatise.

Hymns in Prose for Children. By Mrs. BARBAULD. Illustrated. London: John Murray. This standard book of a former generation could not possibly be presented in a more attractive form. The illustrations are truly worthy of the text. As a specimen of these, and by the courtesy of the publisher, we have adapted one to a poetical contribution in our present number. (See page 110). Nearly every page contains an equally beautiful artistic embellishment. Of the Hymns themselves, it is needless at this date to say anything, Admirably and winningly expressive of the simple piety of childhood, they have long held a foremost place as helps to Christian training in the home, and we do not think they will ever be excelled.

The Church Sunday School Magazine. 1870. London: Church of England Sunday School Institute.

This Magazine will be found invaluable for Sunday reading in Christian homes. The contents are admirably calculated to interest and instruct the elders, and at the same time will afford them the best material for making Sunday happy and profitable to the younger members of the home circle. The January number of the magazine is a model of editorial management and high-class excellence. Of course Sundayschool teachers well know the worth of this important auxiliary to their work.

The Story of Sir Richard Whittington: Thrice Lord Mayor of London. Written in verse and illustrated by E. CARR. London: Longman & Co.

This is one of those guinea gift books which appear with every Christmas and New Year. But this pictorial history of the "Model Merchant of the Middle Ages," is much above the average of this kind of present. The general "get up" of the book is excellent; cover, paper, black letter printing, and the ornamental letter press; and the verse, in ballad style and metre, is pointed though it is unpretentious, and always simple without being anywhere silly. There is also in the preface a particularly interesting digest of Canon Lyson's elaborate work, which shows Whittington to have been a character about whom, as a man, a gentleman, and a Christian, there ought to be much more general knowledge than there is. But the fascination of the whole work lies in the illustrations. They represent the history of Whittington from his introduction to his master and little Miss Alice, his master's daughter, up to the time of his marriage to the latter, and his position afterwards as Lord

Mayor of London, and the benefactor of his king, Henry V. With all the correctness of the drawing of Flaxman's Homeric illustrations, they have all the tender gracefulness which we are apt to miss there. Here we have the fidelity of the artist and the exactness of the archæologist with the cheery and loving touch which gratify the heart, as the other characteristics please the eye and the mind. A more charming present for persons of almost any age it would be difficult to find.

Pleasant Fruits from the Cottage and the Class. By MARIA V. G. HAVERGAL. London: James Nisbet & Co.

These "simple annals of the poor" will be read with profit and delight by many. They are, as we can testify from personal knowledge, life-portraits faithfully drawn. The autobiography of Elizabeth Sherwood should be studied by those who wish to see the power of Christianity exemplified in sustaining the sufferer under no ordinary trials. The naturalness of these narrative sketches is their special recommendation. The conversations were evidently taken down at the time they occurred, and show the wisdom on the part of the visitor of the poor of being sometimes swift to hear." Often deep teachings will gush out from those who have long been sitting at Jesus' feet, and who are soon going to see Him face to face." We give a few parting words spoken by Elizabeth Sherwood on the removal of her beloved pastor and his family to another sphere of labour,—

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"How I shall miss you all! It has struck me that Christian friends are like shadows. There could be no shadow without the sun-there can be no friend without Jesus. Like a shadow, friends reflect something to me from the Lord Jesus; but they all flit by and pass away. And friends must pass by to leave one clear void for the Lord Jesus alone to fill. He must fill all things; so friends are flitting shadows, -Jesus the never passing Light."

Sunday School Year of Praise, and Special Service Hymnal. Compiled by the Rev. W. N. M'GUINNESS, M.A. London: Butler &

Tanner.

Marvellously cheap, and as excellent as it is cheap. This hymnal contains the best hymns, modern as well as ancient, constructed with reference to the Church seasons and special occasions. One hundred and sixty-one hymns for twopence is a striking proof of the Church's debt to the printing press. Orders should be addressed to the Compiler, All Saints', Plumstead, London, S.E. "No profit is anticipated; but any that may accrue, directly or indirectly, will be devoted towards a permanent church in the compiler's mission district."

The Victor Crowned: A Memorial of the late Rev. W. B. Mackenzie, M.A. London: S. W. Partridge & Co.

A memorial which will be treasured in many hearts and homes. The sermons, by the Rev. W. Pennefather, the Rev. Daniel Wilson, and the

The

Rev. Gordon Calthrop, are unusually striking in character, and must have left a deep impression on the minds of all who heard them. preface, by the Rev W. B. Carpenter, is a touching tribute from "one who, in an acquaintance of but a few months, learned to venerate the departed pastor as a father, and value him as a friend." This memorial would be an admirable gift to ordination candidates.

Eyes and Ears. Thirty-eighth Thousand. London: Rivingtons,

A simple but most interesting narrative, which cannot fail to move the heart's sympathies towards the deaf and the blind. It also teaches deep lessons of Christian truth. "Written for the relief of a poor blind lady, whose mother died suddenly, her father also falling dead by her side when taking her out for a walk, leaving her homeless, parentless, penniless, and in ill health," we hope its circulation will be still more widely extended.

Hymns and Sacred Poetry. By the Brothers,

the Rev. T. HOLME, vicar of East Cowton, and the Rev. J. HOLME, curate in charge of Bolton, Bradford. London: Christian Book Society. This volume of sacred song has already reached a third thousand; and it will doubtless secure many more readers in its present cheap and attractive form. The hymns are especially suitable for family worship, and are full of evangelical truth. Several of them have found their way into church hymnals. By permission, the volume is dedicated to the Bishop of Ripon; and we heartily recommend it.

Lights and Shadows in the Life of King David.

By CHARLES VINCE. London: Elliot Stock. .These essays are vigorous and striking; the manner is masterly and winning; and the matter is as sound as it is interesting. The volume conclusively shows that "one of the best methods of defending the historical books of the Old Testament, and preserving our belief in them, is to use them diligently for practical religious purposes." We quote two brief extracts:

A PREVAILINg Prayer.

"There is great force in the prayer which, it is said, was frequently used by Queen Elizabeth. 'O Lord, look at the wounds in Thy hands, and then Thou wilt not forsake the work of Thy hands.' The same plea is urged in the Dies Ira':

"Jesus, Lord, my plea let this be,

Mine the woe that brought from bliss Thee;
On that day, Lord, wilt Thou miss me?
Wearily for me Thou soughtest,

On the cross my soul Thou boughtest,
Lose not all for which Thou wroughtest."

AN INHERITANCE TO CHILDREN'S CHILDREN.

"In Sir Thomas More's days there were judges who sold justice; but in his greater wisdom he said to his family: For your sakes I must be an honest man, that I may leave you the rich inheritance of a father's

good name.' The nearer to God we rise, the more like Christ we live, the holier men and women we become, the more certainly we shall secure blessings for those who will bear our names and stand in our places when our bodies sleep in the dust."

Sources of Joy in Seasons of Sorrow: with other Helps on the Heavenward Way. By JAMES GRANT, Author of "Our Heavenly Home," etc. London: William Macintosh.

This is a very valuable and comprehensive treatise. Many books designed to convey comfort are sadly lacking in the experimental and Scriptural teaching which richly abounds in these pages. We should like to quote lengthened extracts, but we must satisfy ourselves by expressing in the strongest terms our high appreciation of Mr. Grant's powerfully-written and exhaustive volume. It will prove a blessing to many tried believers.

Memories of Patmos. By J. R. MACDUFF, D.D., London: James Nisbet & Co.

Few writers less need a word of introduction to Christian readers than Dr. Macduff. His new work will possess special interest. It indicates the practical use which may be made by the devout student of "some of the great words eloquence of many passages in the volume could and visions of the Apocalypse." The force and scarcely be surpassed.

Earthly Stories with Heavenly Meanings. By the Rev. CHARLES BULLOCK, Rector of St. Nicholas', Worcester, author of "The Way Home," etc.

The Preface states, that "The kindly reception of the writer's exposition of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, under the title of The Way Home,' has prompted him to make a further attempt to illustrate and enforce, in the simplest style and manner, some of the more prominent Gospel lessons contained in a few other parables of our Lord." The parables selected are, The Unjust Steward, The Hid Treasure, The Pharisee and the Publican, and The Ten Virgins. The frontispiece is a striking picture; and the book is "got up" with great

taste.

The Garden Oracle for 1871. Edited by SHIRLEY HIBBERD. London: The Gardener's Magazine Office.

The Garden Oracle is nearly double the bulk of any previous issue of the same work, and is largely embellished with engravings. It is characterized by a number of peculiarly attractive features, such as figures and descriptions, and selections of the most valuable garden vegetables and fruits, a series of selections of "pictorial trees" for parks, gardens, public promenades, and town enclosures, and a review in detail of the progress of horticulture in every branch of the art during the past year. It richly deserves its title.

BY THE AUTHOR OF

CHAPTER XII.

LEONARD'S QUESTION.

E are invited to dine at the Hall, on Thursday, Margaret," said Mr. Graham, as he laid down a note he had just received.

Margaret did not reply with her usual readiness. Her acquaintance with the Fothergills, dating from that first Sunday, had been cursory and unsatisfactory. It had been restricted to a few formal calls, on none of which occasions had she been received with any degree of cordiality. Indeed, by slight remarks and covert sarcasms, she had been given to understand that her "strict views," as the Fothergills styled them, were in little esteem at Sunnydale Hall.

As her father was waiting for a reply, she said, in rather a reluctant tone, "Do you ?"

wish me to go, papa

"Wish you! Of course I do. I began to be afraid that the Fothergills were offended at your absurd conduct that Sunday, and intended to drop you altogether."

did not care to dwell on the change of tone. "It was easily explained," he thought, "and not much to be wondered at. But, once admitted within that magic circle, she would improve. This coldness and estrangement would disappear; her mind would get breadth, and these cramped notions bet cast aside. At any rate, he was glad the invitation had come, and that Margaret had made no difficulty about its accept

ance.

He resolved that she should lack nothing of those external adornments so essential in the sphere to which she was about to be introduced. But when he had done this, when the day had arrived, and he had induced her to lay aside her simple. dress, and assume one of a more fashionable style: when her fair hair was enriched with jewels, and no pains had been spared to render the toilette complete,—he had a secret misgiving on the subject. Her sweet face, with its calm, thoughtful beauty, would be, after all, her greatest charm. The white dress and the simple flower would

and habits, than this pretentious costume. But it was too late to retrieve the blunder, and, besides, "the Fothergills will not think so," he mused to himself, as he stood by the fire, waiting for the carriage; "and they are the people most to be considered." "Once, get Margaret linked with the Fothergills, and she will do," was a maxim cherished with much tenacity by Mr. Graham.

In the meantime, the Fothergills were seated in the drawing-room at Sunnydale Hall, waiting for their guests.

K