observes, "many a glad and loving mother will smile when she reads the title; while some, perchance, may weep. The name of Willie is to be found upon many a little grave in the churchyard, and is written in many a bereaved and sorrowing heart. We have heard it echoing through the house like a strain of sweet music; and spoken with pale lips by the lonely hearth. We have watched the fond and busy mother at her labour of love, intent on the manufacture of some little coat or dress, and thinking how beautiful Our Willie' will look in them when finished; and we have seen her, pale and thoughtful, fold up those very garments, scarcely worn, and place them silently in a drawer or box, sad and touching relics of the past, to be looked upon only when alone. We have listened to the proud and touching question, What do you think of our Willie?' and also to the touching lament, If he had but lived!' God help and comfort all such bereaved and sorrowing hearts; and sanctify the removal of those beloved ones, as a means of bringing them nearer to Himself." Mrs. M. A MORNING PORTION is likely to answer its purpose very well, suggesting some holy thoughts for every day in the year, in the shape of a text of Scripture and verse of a hymn.

*

Aug. Here is a capital boy's book, THE START IN LIFE.* No boy could read it without wishing to be a hero; and it might succeed in making him one.

Ed. THE CENSUS AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS† is a very seasonable tract. Statistics are freely given, for the purpose of showing that although much has been done through Sundayschools, the system of Sunday teaching has not been sufficiently comprehensive and effective. Some useful hints are given, and we may cordially join in saying, "Let us who have possession of the field be awake to our duty, let our shortcomings in the past reprove us; let increasing responsibilities now resting upon us quicken our zeal, and let all considerations lead us at once, and with full purpose of heart, to take thought for the future.'

Aug. THE HERALD OF PEACE‡ might almost be more suitably called the Herald of War, for it most industriously selects the most appalling details of the Crimean conflict.

Ed. It is quite right this nation should know what a price it pays for war. Not that there can be anything very new in this kind of knowledge, for war can never be a mild and gentle thing; it must always be a deadly struggle, animated by the instinctive fury of self-preservation.

*London: J. F. Shaw.

+ London: Sunday School Union. London: Peace Society.

of money or of land, and thus arose most of those early structures which St. Augustine consecrated, the erection of which cancelled, it was believed, the multitude of sins committed by the superstitious donors.

History records that Offa, king of the Mercians, adopted this plan, that he might satisfy the accusations of a guilty conscience in reference to the death of Ethelbert. Contrition and penitence exhibited themselves in the splendid glories of a noble shrine, and the wretched king prepared to end his life of earthly glory, sullied with many crimes, by building "a house wherein God might dwell."

Deeply cut in the pavement we read the words—

ST. ALBANUS VERULAMENSIS ANGLORUM PROTO-
MARTYR, XVII. JUNII CCXCVII.

marking the spot were the shrine once stood, jewelled, sculptured, and plated with gold.

And who was this Albanus whose name heads the roll, upon which are emblazoned the names of our noble army of martyrs?

It was A.D. 302, that Amphibalus, a Christian minister, was marked out as an object of punishment, and fled from his persecutors, the emissaries of the pagan Emperor of Rome. Just at this juncture, one Alban attached himself to the preacher as his servant. Alban was an unbeliever, but struck by the example of his godly master, and inspired by his spirit, he became not only a faithful friend, but an avowed Christian. Hunted from one place to another, tracked by spies and soldiers, they were at length discovered. There seemed no escape, but on the instant, the brave young convert secured the retreat of his friend and master, and arraying himself in his garments, threw himself in the way of the pursuers, and was instantly dragged before the tribunal of the Grand Inquisitor. Enraged by this imposition, the judge condemned the voluntary captive, who was bound and delivered over to the priests then employed in sacrificing to the idols.

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Pardon was offered if he would consent to betray his master, and offer incense to the gods; but Alban, nothing daunted, would not agree to purchase his life at such a price, and resolutely prepared for his end. He said, "My name is Alban, I worship the true and living God, the Creator of heaven and earth." Then," said the judge, " if thou wouldst preserve thy life, and enjoy the comforts of this world, immediately sacrifice to these mighty gods." He replied, "Your sacrifices can procure no benefit to you, but, on the contrary, will expose you to the vengeance of the most high God, who will inflict upon you the everlasting punishment of hell fire."

Thus testifying to the truth, he was scourged and put to death; and soon afterwards Amphibalus was found in Wales, brought back to Verulam, and suffered the most dreadful torments human ingenuity could devise.

No wonder, then, that in the days of penance and pilgrimage, crowds of superstitious people came from far to visit a tomb so precious, and no wonder that the very stones are worn into hollows by the knees of penitential devotees who have knelt there. As we stand on the spot we may say with the poet—

"Prostrate on this cold stone, what tears and sighs

Have pour'd from breaking hearts the sacrifice!"

And beyond this, we might add, what scenes of thrilling interest have been witnessed within the rich domain upon which this abbey stands!

Here in 1215, King John, pressed by the sturdy barons, conferred in the Chapter House upon their demands. Here was heard the cry, 66 Give up the Duke of Somerset," and the Yorkist defiant answer which led the way to the bloody battle of St. Albans, in 1455.-Here, in 1481, soon after the invention of types, stood a printing-press, which produced, by the fair hands of Dame Juliana Berners, several treatises. -Here the two Henrys were entertained by the abbotprinces, leaving rich endowments to the church, which

their successor, the last of the name, did not fail in his

turn to appropriate.

And

here the illustrious Bacon,

fallen from his giddy height, "from virtue and from power fallen," retired and died. Humanum est errare. Standing by his tomb, we know not which most to admire, the simple beauty of the sculp

ture, or the classic ele

gance of the inscription.

FRANCIS. BACON. BARO DE VERULAM S. ALBANS VICMES. SEU NOTIORIBUS TITULIS SCIENTIARUM LUMEN. FACUNDIE LEX. SIC SEDEBAT. QUI. POSTQUAM OMNIA NATURALIS SAPIENTIÆ ET CIVILIS ARCANA EVOLVISSET NATURE DECRETUM EXPLEVIT.

Fallen from its glory, too, like Bacon, the Abbey of St. Albans exists only as a thing of the past, and it remains but to say

"Kings and heroes here were guests,
In stately halls and solemn feasts;
But now, nor dais nor halls remain,
Nor fretted window's gorgeous pane
Twilight illuminated throws,

Where once the high-served banquet rose."

F. S. A.