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PASSING THOUGHTS ON MEN AND THINGS.

whole of the Wesleyan body; that independent of you, there is a numerous ardent, generous, and conscientious party in your own community, who are as determined to have reform, as you are to resist it. And that party is daily growing. Independent of this democratic portion, there is a mass of men of other denominations who sympathise with the agitators. And outside all denominations of Christians, there is a still greater heart beating in unison with them. The major portion of the people of England who think and feel at all on those matters, think and feel favourably of the reforming party. And should the aristocratic section by the power lodged in their hands, and the influence at their command, succeed to crush and expel the agitators, public opinion, the mightiest thing in this England of ours, will pass its verdict of condemnation on the oppressors, and thereby take from them an incalculable portion of their strength and influence. It would be as difficult to establish peace within the borders of Wesleyanism, without material modifications of its administration, as it is for the French to re-establish the Pope, and invest him with all the ecclesiastical and political authority that he wielded fifty years since. The past cannot be revived because it is the past.

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without knowing the importance of the thing to be done, and how to do it. It is not to be expected that the government should do a thing that the people did not desire. The government is moved by the people; if the latter be inert, how can the former be active ? Hitherto the people, as a people, have not valued education; and, consequently have not striven for its attainment. They are now opening their eyes to the opportunities at their command, the advantages that may be realized, and the glory that may be gathered. The first and most difficult part of the work is done; public opinion is created in favour of general education. Who created that opinion? not the govern ment, not the church, not any one class or denomination in particular. Of course, in this, as in all similar matters, a few ardent man prepared the way. After a time others get indoctrinated with the idea, and now it is almost grown into a national conviction, that the universal people should be educated. The reception given to Mr. Fox's plan, within and without the House of Commons, is an evidence of this growth. If a thing be talked about out of the House of Commons, it is reasonable to expect that it will be talked about in that House. But the question is, now, that the work has proceeded so far, who shall take the chief part in the great work in future; shall it be done through the government, or directly by the people.

Education. After so much has been said, sung, and done, in favour of education, we think it is quite likely that the good work will now go on apace. We must say we are very The nation is now to a great extent con- suspicious of governments in such a vinced of the necessity of education. work? We would rather decrease This is an important stop gained. A than increase their power. We are inknowledge of the disease is half the tensely jealous of that system of centracure. Conviction must proceed execu- lization which has been making a slow tion. The will must be quickened before progress for some time past. It should the way can be found. The country is by no means whatever he fostered and only just awakening to a conception of increased. If a people does not will to the thing to be done. If a thing is not be educated, a represntative governappreciated and desired, it cannot be ment cannot have the power to interfere expected that it would be struggled for in the matter. If a people does will it, and realised. It is quite easy for a few then the work may be done without to upbraid the state for not educating, governmental interference. We are but how could it be expected that a profoundly convinced that the less any government, churches, or the people government has to do with education could do a thing which was not estimat- the better. Of all the plans which ed or measured by them? No one have been submitted to the consideracould give that which he did not tion of the parliament or the people in possess. No people could educate itself | which government was to take any part,

we think that of Mr. Fox is by far the, duced, and the nation must be saved

best. Whatever may be its fate, the discussion it has excited and will excite, must do incalculable good. But whatever may be done in future in this great work of national education, we sincerely hope that government will have little or no control.

Retrenchment.-A little more than two years since the memorable letter of the Duke of Wellington respecting our national defences was published. As our readers must remember, it created at the time considerable excitement. It was thought by thousands that we should be invaded by the French in a very short time. In the month of January, 1848, we went to pay our subscription to the Whittington Club, when we met a half-pay officer, who came to do the same; but he would only pay for half-a-year, because it was quite likely, he said, that before the year was over, England would be invaded by the French. We laughed at his foolish apprehensions, but that did not unsettle his belief that the French were coming in a short time. Unfortunately this unreasonable anxiety, put in motion by the old duke, was shared by a large number of the people. A little after the commencement of the session of 1848, Lord John Russell had the daring to ask for additional grants to pay additional artillery men, and to meet other increased expenses. This stirred up Cobden and his party, who went to work in earnest. From that time to the present, the agitation for financial reform has been attended with considerable success. The nation has already been the gainer to the extent of millions. And this is the result of a reasonable, legitimate agitation. And Lord John Russell was sufficiently candid to admit, a few nights since in the House, that Mr. Cobden's agitation had influenced the government in an economical direction. The nation knew that quite well, but few, we imagine, would expect the premier to be sufficiently generous to acknowledge the cause of the financial improvements. A great deal has been done, but much more remains to be done in the same direction. Our overgrown, expensive, and unnecessary establishments must be materially re

several millions more, before the agitation for financial reform should decrease in intensity and power. It must continue to increase, till an unwilling ministry be morally compelled to do that justice which the interests of industry and commerce, and the exigences of the times demand. The work is in the hands of the people, and it will be done just as they will it. But we candidly confess that we do not expect any very material alteration for the better, till the House of Commons represent more faithfully the opinions and wishes of the masses of the people. This also, it may very soon be made to do, if the people are enlightened enough, united enough, and determined enough to do their own work.

Lord Palmerston in 1849 said." It is quite true it may be said, what are opinions against armies? Sir, my answer is, opinions are stronger than armies. Opinions, if they are founded in truth and justice, will, in the end, prevail against the bayonets of infantry, the fire of artillery, and the charges of cavalry."

Lord Brougham in 1816.-"His objections went to the whole system of an enormous force in time of peace, and to the principles on which it was defended.

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An Army in time of war could not be constitutionally mischievous, but bring it home, let it be in this island at the direction of the executive, even if it should be under the command of officers as pure and incorruptible as it was possible to conceive, still they were men, mențin a state of subordination and allegiance, not to Parliament, but to another power, and might be employed by that power either against parliament or the people.'

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ALBERT AND ELLEN.

ALBERT AND ELLEN;

A FRAGMENT.

THE storm had ceased; not a cloud stained the ether; the sun, eclipsed for many hours by dense masses of sulphureous vapour, was setting in crimson majesty behind the lofty mountains of, in North Wales; when the venerable Albert, leaning on the arm of his granddaughter, quitted his little cottage to enjoy the beauties of the evening from his favourite seat. It was situated some few paces from his humble dwelling, on the brow of a rock, covered with moss and wild flowers, and terminated a rugged, and somewhat ascending path, near the base of a hill, isolated from its neighbours; and whose sides, covered with a perpetual verdure, strongly contrasted it with them. On the right of it began to swell, in wild and bare magnificence, the romantic chain of mountains which distinguishes that district; and which, though a few short hours before they had trembled to the long and awful peals that seemed to shake the foundations of the globe, now, in softened grandeur, reposed in the parting rays that yet streamed refulgent in the west. Immediately in front was a rich, though not extensive valley, terminated in the distance by the ocean, whose silvery bosom, faintly tinged with purple, extended itself like a summer cloud along the horizon. On the left murmured a little grassy rivulet, whose waters issued from the rock; and which, swelling as they flowed, were heard some hundred paces distant to roar as they hurried through the caverns of Cwdyr.

Hither the young and innocent Ellen had been accustomed to lead the only parent, the only relative she now possessed; and here had the morning and evening sun often witnessed her, with the sacred volume on her knee, pouring into his soul the hallowed consolations it affords to departing virtue; while the smile, triumphant and serene, which shone upon his benignant features, declared the fervent gratitude and heavenly hope that animated his heart.

The raindrops still glistened on the woodbine which encircled his door, when the venerable old man, tottering beneath the weight of years and of misfortunes, quitted it for the last time. The long,

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but progressive indisposition which fre quently attends the decline of life had recently occasioned a confinement of some days to his bed; and thrice, ere he reached the destined spot, the weakness of age had nearly overpowered him. At length, faint and weary, he gained the rock; and taking off his hat, while the locks of age fell in dazzling whiteness over his shoulders, seemed to inhale new life from the refreshing breath of evening. Ellen, lovely as the morn, seated herself beside him; her dark and glossy ringlets were thrown back from her polished temples, that she might the better contemplate him on whose existence she felt as if her own depended. Her eye, black and penetrating, was steadfastly fixed, though half by stealth, upon his countenance, watching its every turn and variation, save when it cast a look-sweet, but full of sorrow towards the distant ocean. One hand rested upon his knee, and confined the coat that enfolded his aged limbs; the other, almost unconsciously, was entwined around her little Fido, who had placed himself upon her gown, and seemed to look with a sort of thoughtful tenderness up in her face. For some moments they were silent; at length, Albert exclaimed, "How strong is the similitude between the events of my life and the varying atmosphere of to-day! The sun arose in splendour, not a cloud obscured its brilliancy;-yet, ere noon, the black tempest rolled around-the thunders roared,-and earth seemed threatened with destruction; all now again is clear! oh! may the resemblance still continue! may my aged head sink to its last sleep, reposing on the mercy of its God, even as yon cloudly Sun is now reposing on the western wave!"

As he uttered these words, a heavenly rapture beamed upon his countenance; and that moment, so pure, so sublime, was its expression, that it might have been supposed that body and soul, beatified together, had already passed to the land of spirits. After a silence of some minutes, he turned to Ellen, and gazing at her with parental solicitude, said, in an impressive tone, "Often, my daughter, have I urged the necessity of arming thy soul against the hour of suffering with the confidence and the hopes of a Christian; that in that hour thou mightest act his part, and submit without a murmur

ing thought to the dispensations of infinite mercy. May I not have urged in vain! The shaft of death, sooner or later, flies with never failing aim; and surely then the man of years and of sorrows, whose feeble frame already bends towards its native earth, should prepare himself every hour for the blow. But remember, my child, that there is One who hath called Himself the Friend of the Fatherless, One who can, who will protect thee. Oh! but for thus to leave thee, the dear, dear image of my long lost Agnes, in all the inexperience, and all the loveliness of youth, to leave thee thus to stem the boisterous stream of life, oh! it were indeed an agony of the soul."

The violent emotions of grief which had for some time struggled in the bosom of Ellen could no longer be suppressed; sighs of anguish burst from her lips, and clasping the knees of Albert, she hid her face upon his arm.

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My child!" cried the old man, in a voice scarcely audible, and gazing at her with a look of the most compassionating tenderness, "My darling child, be not thus distressed; I may yet be spared; and although," he continued, looking towards the ocean, and endeavouring to revive her drooping spirits, "Divine Providence may have thought fit to deprive us for a time of him who was the chosen son of my heart, and whom I fondly regarded as the virtuous and affectionate companion of thy future life; still, I trust, it is but for a time, and that Edgar, thy faithful Edgar, may yet return -to be unto thee as a father."

"Oh! no," faintly articulated the hapless Ellen; "ten long months have elapsed since we received his last letter; in which he promised to be with us in three weeks. We have heard nothing since; he is gone, gone for ever. wouldst thou-Oh! my father, wouldst thou too desert thy Ellen? What would become of her? She too must die!"

And

Poor hapless maiden! The last word which trembled from her lips penetrated not the dull cold ear of death; the stroke which bereft her of every earthly hope, and cast her destitute upon an unfeeling world! What was the frenzy, the madness of despair, that froze the current of her blood, that laughed in the wild and haggard atures of her lovely countenance, when,

lifting up her eyes from the ground, she beheld her only parent, her only earthly friend, stiffening in death!

The last breath of Albert had passed unconsciously across the cheek of Ellen, as, with her head cast downwards, she hid her face in her handkerchief, and endeavoured to stem the torrent of her grief. So instantaneous, yet so gentle was the stroke, that the semblance of life was still fresh; his eye was turned towards his Ellen, and seemed still to beam upon her with ineffable tenderness; his hand was half stretched out, as if he would have reached hers; and the smile that yet lingered on his countenance, declared the peace and joy with which the parting spirit had sought the bosom of its God. Although, in the first moment, conviction of the dreadful truth flashed upon the soul of Ellen, yet her impatient spirit quickly rejected it, and she grasped at the delusive hope that Albert might still be living; and that the cordial which had so frequently been serviceable in strengthening and reviving his drooping frame might now be efficacious. She started up, and flew with renovated strength to the cottage; the last drop was gone! no assistance was procurable within the distance of three long miles; her limbs could scarcely sustain her; despair seized her soul; she darted from the cottage, and retraced her steps as quickly to the scene of misery. Within ten paces of it, she stopped; the corpse was yet concealed by a turn in the path; she paused, she listened, not a breath disturbed the stillness of the air; the blood ran cold through every vein; her knees shook violently. The night was now fast approaching; huge black clouds were gathering in the east; the moon arose enveloped in mist, and shed a dim light upon the mountains; the air was thick and oppressive, and everything announced another storm; but Ellen regarded it not; "He is dead! -he must be dead!," she cried, in accents of unutterable woe. Then tottering a few paces forwards, her hand held tight against her forehead, she raised herself on tiptoe, dreading more than death that the first glance would confirm all her fears. His lifeless form was just discernable through the gloom; Fido had climbed up to his shoulders, and lay beside him licking his cold cheek; on seeing his mistress, he

ALBERT AND ELLEN.

bounded forward, and catching hold of her gown, moaned most piteously. "Poor Fido!" the wretched sufferer half articulated; then, springing forwards, exclaimed-" Merciful God! does he move?" she reeled, and fell upon the cold bosom of Albert. It was but the wind that had agitated his clothes.

The night became terrific; immense clouds, rolling over each other like vast volumes of smoke, hung suspended on the mountain summits; the livid flashes of lightning which burst from them every instant seemed to wrap the world in flames; while the roar of thunder again reverberated among the mountains; and hark! during the intervals of every peal, they re-echo a long and heavy moan. Yon stranger hath heard it, as he winds his weary way along the valley; he pauses, he listens, and now, with hurried and anxious step, proceeds 'till he reaches the cottage of Albert. A white handkerchief lay just within the door; he snatched it up, and darted through each little apartment in breathless precipitation. "Absent on such a night as this!" he exclaimed, as he left the house, and followed the sound which had appalled the soul. "Good God! how my heart misgives me!" As he drew near the fatal spot, the sound ceased, Fido had heard the approaching step, Fido only had heard it; and, as resenting his intrusion upon this dark and solemn scene of death, began to howl and bark most furiously at the stranger. The white figure of a female stretched upon the ground, and conspicuous through the gloom, was the first object that met the eyes of the unfortunate Edgar: chilled with horror, he rushed forward, and, raising her in his instant arms, perceived at the same the lifeless body of Albert. "Father of mercies!" he cried, in the phrenzy of despair, "for what have I been preserved ?" "He is gone!" uttered Ellen, in a faint and wild tone, "he is dead! I must die, too; I am dying. Do not disturb a poor creature in her last moments." The distracted Edgar believed her indeed dying, and, sick with intenseness of misery, exclaimed, "Oh God! is it for this I have escaped the perils of the wreck,-the ravages of the pestilence? But, Ellen, my beloved Ellen!" he continued, pressing her cold lips to his; "we will not be se

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parated in death, no! we will die together! Yet, oh! couldst thou, were it but for a moment, couldst thou recognise thy Edgar, and breathe into his soul thy parting blessing, it were bliss! 'twere ecstacy."

Ellen at that moment raised her head, and, with a bewildered air, gazed upon him. A ray of hope flashed upon the mourner's gloomy soul, and, with a faltering voice he cried, "Speak to me, my love, my Ellen! oh, speak to me again! remember thy faithful, thy long-lost Edgar; he is returned to live for thee, and thee only,-to supply the place of a father,to love thee to clasp thee to his bosom -to shelter thee from every danger;but shouldst thou die, he must die too!" "Edgar!" she exclaimed, "Where am

I? Edgar returned!" then hiding her face in her hand, "Oh God! my heart will burst!"

Edgar gently, raised her up; and, supporting with his arm her weak and trembling frame, led her towards the cottage. Thither, he soon afterwards, bore the remains of the venerable Albert, and, with filial solicitude and tenderness, laid them decently on the little straw pallet which had formerly so often afforded rest to his aged limbs. "Let us offer up our prayers to the throne of mercy;-let us offer up our thanks that we have yet been spared to each other," said Edgar, as he took the hand of Ellen, and led her towards the bedside, on which lay the corpse of Albert. They knelt down to pray, and they rose up with a holy determination to live for each other and for God.

SONNET. ASPIRATION.

A.

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