The Doctor was one day sketching one of the gables, with a view to enlarge the building, and was leaning against a buttress in the cloisters. Whilst so doing, two of the boys passed by without seeing him, and then stood talking under the next arch. Eagle, the elder of these youths, was paring the end of a great stick into a knob for hockey, and at the same time was trying to persuade the other to go shares in a new bat.

You

"I say, you may just as well, Coll ns. know yours is split at the end, and it is too light in the stock; and the bat I saw is a regular driver."

"Mine will do very well this half, anyhow," replied Collins; "and I think I shall buy a fourbladed knife instead."

"Well, it's very sneakish of you, I think, not to join."

"Do you really want the bat, then?"

"To be sure I do, or I should not ask you." "Well, then ".

Here Eagle slipped his knife and cut his thumb slightly, and with an oath he threw down the stick, and began to tie his handkerchief round the wound. As soon as he had done this, he began again, "Didn't you say you would, just before I slipped that confounded knife?"

"I was going to say so; but I won't buy anything at all with you if you swear so!"

66

Pooh, what business is that of yours?"

"Just as much as my helping you to buy a bat. Don't you remember Wilson's sermon last quarter?"

"No, I was ill at home, you know."

"Well, I heard it, and I hope I shall never swear again after that."

"Why, there's no great harm in it!”

"You wouldn't say that if you had heard him. He said it was one of the most profane and hardening habits one can get into; and that no fellow can go on swearing without growing altogether wicked by degrees."

"I don't see how you make that out."

"Well, I cannot remember all Wilson said, but he observed, that it took away all the fear of God, and when that is gone we are ripe for anything; and that the third Commandment, and our LORD'S condemnation of swearing in the Sermon on the Mount, was all designed to keep people from getting rid of the awe of GOD, and reverence for holy things and he said that in this way, and as a punishment, it comes into our souls like oil and water: that is, I suppose, it slips in without our knowing it, and we are clothed with cursing as a

:

I

garment, and filled with it as with an evil spirit, and so our own curses happen to ourselves."

you what 'None of

"Well, but I could not help it. I always forget, and it comes out unawares when I am in a rage." "I don't suppose being in a rage would be much excuse to Wilson; but I will tell he said about that too. He remarked, you would think of swearing before me and this shows you can help it if choose. Never say, then, any more, that you cannot help it, for this is a lie in addition, one sin on another. You can help it; and if you remembered that GOD is as near to you as I am, or rather far nearer, you would help it." "

you

Another boy came in and the conversation dropped. But Dr. Wilson went back to his house, and thanked GOD on his knees for these first fruits of his labours.

Surely if boys but knew how many prayers were offered up by earnest teachers in their behalf, they could not find it in their hearts to mock and deceive them as they do. Many bitter thoughts and hours they cost those who are entrusted with their souls and minds; and hereafter they will have bitter hours and thoughts themselves, when they come to know and feel this fact.

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CHAPTER VIII.

The Poor.

The generous inclination, the just rule,

Kind wishes and good actions, and pure thoughts,
No mystery is here. There is no boon

For high, yet not for low; for proudly graced,
Yet not for meek of heart. The smoke ascends

To heaven as lightly from the cottage hearth,
As from the haughtiest palace.

EXCURSION, Book ix.

TIME passed rapidly, and the end of the second quarter was approaching; when Godfrey found a knot of the younger boys before the iron rails which separated the south of the play-ground from the green, employed in mocking a deformed old man who came to ask their alms. Godfrey was highly indignant, and had hastily dispersed the offenders by force, when Barrow joined him.

Having asked what the 'row was about, Barrow suggested to Godfrey, that it would have been better if he had explained the reasons of his anger to some of the boys whom he had been abusing. When he had done so, he called out to one of the party, "Allerton, come here!" Allerton came at once, and Barrow asked him to walk with him and Godfrey after school down to Havening Common, a place about three miles off. Allerton, though not a little surprised, gladly accepted the honourable offer.

That afternoon was a half-holiday, and the boys were out till seven on summer evenings. At four the three started together on their walk. Barrow was full of fun that day, and told the most amusing stories of his travels, for he had been abroad. He described the manners of peoples-the happiness of the poorest poor, the independence of the Breton and of the Swiss peasant-the home love of the German, and gradually got into the subject which was the occasion of the walk.

"By the bye, Allerton," said he, “I was sorry to see you amongst those boys to-day. I never thought you were a sort of fellow that could have found pleasure in giving pain to the suffering." Allerton looked down and said nothing. row continued; "You surely can

never

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have