hundred marks more, for his own use. The names of the squires who thus distinguished themselves, and experienced such liberality at the hands of their leader, were Delves of Doddington, Dutton of Dutton, Fowlishurst of Crewe, and Howkestone of Wreynehill, all Cheshire families. This memorable instance may suffice to show the extent of gratitude which the knights of old entertained for the faithful services of their squires. 403. Mercies Remembered.Bishop Hutton was once travelling between Wensleydale and Ingleton, when he suddenly dismounted, delivered his horse to the care of one of his servants, and retired to a particular spot, at some distance from the highway, where he knelt down, and continued for some time in prayer. On his return, one of his attendants took the liberty of inquiring his reason for this singular act; when the Bishop informed him, that when he was a poor boy, he travelled over that cold and bleak mountain without shoes or stockings, and that he remembered disturbing a cow on the identical spot where he prayed, that he might warm his feet and legs on the place where she had lain. His feelings of gratitude would not allow him to pass the place without presenting his thanksgivings to God for His later mercies to him. dence, in giving them food to eat and raiment to put on, and in supplying them with everything which contributed to their real comfort. He was struck with astonishment, and said to himself, "Does this poor man, who has nothing but the meanest fare, and that obtained by hard labour, give thanks to God for His goodness to himself and family; and I, who enjoy ease and honour, and everything that is pleasant and desirable, have hardly ever bent my knee, or made any acknowledgment to my Maker and Preserver!" This providential occurrence was happily the means of bringing the gentleman under the influence of true religion. SO 405. Reciprocal Kindness.-One of the Earls Spencer, when a boy, called at an inn at St. Albans, where he had frequently stopped; and observing that the landlord looked unusually dejected, inquired the cause. The landlord, after some hesitation, stated that his affairs had become embarrassed, and that his creditors were severe that he would be compelled to shut up his house. Why," said the young gentleman, "how much money will relieve you from all difficulties ?" The landlord said not less than a thousand pounds; and if he could borrow that sum, he did not doubt of his being able in a short time to repay it. Young Spencer said nothing, but ordering his horses, posted off 404. Poor Man's Thankfulness. to London, and, going instantly -A gentleman of considerable for- to his guardian, told him he wanted tune, but a stranger to personal £1,000. The guardian naturally religion, took one evening a solitary walk through part of his grounds. He happened to approach a mean hut, where a poor man resided with a numerous family. Hearing a voice pretty loud and long continued, curiosity prompted him to listen. It was the poor man at prayer with his family; and as soon as the gentleman could distinguish his words, he found him giving thanks with great earnestness to God for the goodness of His provi inquired to what purpose so large a sum was to be applied, and was answered that it was for no purpose of extravagance, but on the contrary, to serve a deserving man. The guardian refused to advance the money; when the youth hastened to one of his relations; a consultation was held, and it was agreed to advance the money, and trust to his discretion. He immediately carried it to the distressed landlord, whose business was now conducted with fresh vigour; and in a very few years, when his lordship returned from his travels, and stopped at the same inn, he found his host in a more flourishing condition, and knowing of his expected arrival, had the £1,000 ready to return him, with gratitude for having not only saved him from ruin, but raised him to prosperity. The noble lord very generously begged him to keep it as a marriage portion for his daughter. 407. Sailor's Good Feeling.When Prince Blücher visited this country in the year 1814, and was giving audience at his apartments at St. James's, three females made their way into his presence, apparently much affected. They were the mother and two sisters of a seaman belonging to an English brig of war, who, with others, had been cast on shore on the coast of Pomerania during the short war between England and Prussia; and who, being obliged to surrender themselves, fell into the hands of 406. Reward of Constancy.The founder of the family of Fitz- treated them with all possible the Field Marshal, who not only william was Alderman of Bread kindness, but maintained them at Street in the year 1506. Before his own expense for several weeks, his death he forgave all his debtors, clothed and supplied them with and wrote upon the erased accounts money, and finally sent them home of each, "Amore Dei remitto." to their own country. This grateCardinal Wolsey was the chief ful seaman was with his ship at means of this worthy citizen's ac- Portsmouth, and not being at quiring his large fortune. After liberty to come to town to thank the disgrace of the Cardinal, Mr. the gallant veteran himself, had Fitzwilliam very hospitably enter-charged his mother and sisters to tained him at Milton, North- wait upon him for that purpose. amptonshire, one of the fine seats of the present Earl. Henry VIII. was so enraged at this, that he sent for Mr. Fitzwilliam to court, and said, How, ha! how comes it, ha! that you dare entertain a traitor ?" Fitzwilliam modestly replied, "Please your Highness, I did it not from disloyalty, but gratitude." The angry monarch here interrupted him by, "How, ha!" (the usual exclamation of his rage). Mr. Fitzwilliam, with the tear of gratitude in his eye, and the burst of loyalty in his bosom, continued, "From gratitude, as he was my old master, and the means of my greatest fortunes." Im petuous Harry was so much pleased with the answer, that he shook him heartily by the hand, and said, "Such gratitude, ha! shall never want a master. Come into my service, worthy man, and teach my other servants gratitude, for few of them have any." He then knighted him on the spot, and Mr. Fitzwilliam was immediately sworn in a privy councillor. Blücher was highly pleased with this instance of a British sailor's gratitude, and declared that it more than compensated him for every act of humanity in his whole life. 408. Self-Sacrifice. - Marshal d'Armont having taken Crodon in Bretagne, during the League, gave orders to put every Spaniard to the sword who was found in the garrison. Although it was announced death to disobey the orders of the General, yet an English soldier ventured to save the life of a Spaniard. He was tried for the offence before a court-martial, where he confessed the fact, and declared himself ready to suffer death, provided they would spare the life of the Spaniard. The Marshal, being much surprised at such conduct, asked the soldier how he came to be so much interested in the preservation of the Spaniard. "Because, sir," replied he, "when I was in a similar situation he saved my life." The Marshal, highly pleased with the goodness of the soldier's heart, granted him a pardon; and, what was to him an object still dearer, for which he had risked so much, saved the Spaniard's life. 409. Thankful for Small Mercies. -A touching story is told of a poor woman with two children, who had not a bed on which they could lie, and scarcely any clothes to cover them. It was the depth of winter; they were nearly frozen, and the mother took a cellar-door off the hinges, and set it up before the corner where they crouched down to sleep, partially screened from the cutting wind. One of the children whispered to her mother, when she complained of their hard lot, "Mother, what do those dear children do who have no cellar-door to put in front of them ?" 66 410. Tribute of Gratitude.An Illinois farmer was discovered kneeling at the head of a soldier's grave at Nashville. Being asked, "Is that your boy?" he replied, "No, he lived in our town, and I have come to find his grave." The observer said, "Perhaps you represent his father, who could not come ?" Yes, my neighbour was glad to have me come, but I came for myself. You see, I have seven children, all of them small, and my wife is sickly. I was drafted. There was nobody to carry on the farm, and I could not hire a substitute. My thirteen dollars a month would not feed the family. It seemed as though I must go, and they must suffer. When we were in our greatest trouble about it, just the morning I was to report at camp,-my neighbour's son came over to the house, and offered to go to the war for me. He said he had nobody depending on him, and could go better than I. He went, and was wounded at Chickamauga, was brought to a Nashville hospital, and this is his grave." The farmer had come a long distance, at heavy cost, to write upon the head-board of his soldier-friend, "Died for me." 411. Ungrateful King. One of the most upright and able Ministers that ever lived was Ximenes, Regent of Spain during part of the minority of Charles I. He was one of the few Ministers of whom it could single member of his family to any haved with much kindness towards post of honour or dignity. He behis relatives, but left them in the peaceful enjoyment of their humble stations. Having on one occasion paid a visit to his native village, a female relative, being ashamed of appearing before him in her homely dress, was hastily retiring, but was stopped by Ximenes, who bade her continue her employment-baking bread. "This dress," said he, "and this employment, suit you well; attend to your household affairs, and be sure you do not allow your bread to burn." The disinterestedness of the man was the more remarkable that his authority as Regent was almost unlimited. Wealth, honours, and power were all at his command; but in no instance had his private interests the smallest influence in their distribution. His large revenues were all expended in public acts of munificence, or in relieving the suffering poor. As a statesman he was penetrating, profound, and decisive; like Richelieu, vast and magnificent in all his plans, but possessed of what Richelieu could never boast, magnanimity and integrity. During the twenty months of his Regency, he neither founded nor elevated a family, but he raised the Spanish monarchy to a degree of power and splendour which it had never known before. How melancholy is it to reflect on the reward which awaited such invaluable services ! On the arrival of Charles in Spain from his Flemish dominions, where he had been constantly resident from his infancy, the enemies of Ximenes used every possible effort to prevent a meeting between them. Ximenes, when on his way to join the King, fell sick at Bos Equillos; but wrote to Charles, earnestly be said that he did not advance a soliciting an interview. Under the plea of multiplicity of business, Charles delayed from time to time complying with his request. Ximenes, whose high spirit had during a long life of eighty years been proof against all the attacks of fortune, sank under this unexpected neglect. The receipt of a letter from Charles, coldly expressing his approbation of his fidelity, and containing a formal dismissal from the important office he had so ably filled, under the pretence that it was time he should now think of retiring from the fatigues of a public station, was more than the great soul of Ximenes could bear. He perused the cruel epistle, and in the short period of a few hours expired. How apt the words, "Put not your trust in princes." HAPPINESS. ters in the theory and practice of music. They were all observed to be exceedingly amiable and happy. A friend inquired if there was any secret in his mode of education. He replied, "When anything disturbs their temper I say to them 'Sing,' and if I hear them speaking against any person, I call them to sing to me; and so they have sung away all causes of discontent and every disposition to scandal." Psalm cxlvi. 5; Prov. x. 28; John xiii. 17; 1 Peter iii. 14; Phil. iv. 4. 412. Archbishop's Joy and Com- | structed his large family of daughfort. When a divine once came to Archbishop Williams for institution to a living, his Grace thus piously expressed himself:-" I have passed through many places of honour and trust both in Church and State" (he had been once Lord Chancellor), "more than of my order in England these several years before. But were I but assured that by my preaching I had converted but one soul unto God, I should take therein more spiritual joy and comfort than in all the honours and offices which have been bestowed on me." any 413. Comfort in Old Age.When Cato was drawing near the close of his life, he declared to his friends that the greatest comfort of his old age, and that which gave him the highest satisfaction, was the pleasing remembrance of the many benefits and friendly offices he had done to others. To see them easy and happy by his means made him truly so. 414. Delights of Doing Good.Marcus Aurelius tells us that he could not relish a happiness which nobody shared in but himself. Marc Antony, when depressed, and at the ebb of fortune, cried out "that he had lost all, except what he had given away." 415. Evil Temper Banished. A gentleman possessing much knowledge of human nature in 416. Love of Jesus." The happiest child I ever saw," says the Rev. J. C. Ryle, "was a little girl whom I once met travelling in a railway carriage. She was eight years old, and she was quite blind. She had never been able to see at all. She had never seen the sun, and the stars, and the sky, and the grass, and the flowers, and the trees, and the birds, and all those pleasant things which we see every day of our lives; but still she was quite happy. She was by herself, poor little thing. She had no friends or relations to take care of her; but she was quite happy and content. into the carriage, Tell me how She said, when she got many people there are in the carriage, for I am quite blind, and can her if she was not afraid. 'No,' see nothing.' A gentleman asked she said, 'I have travelled before, and I trust in God, and people are always very good to me.' But I soon found out the reason why she was so happy. She loved Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ loved her; she had sought Jesus Christ, and she had found Him." mean and contemptible habit in which you have grown old. Assume the garments of a prince; but when you are seated on the throne, continue to preserve the virtue which made you worthy of it. And when 417. Possessing Nothing, and Wanting Nothing.-When Alex-you shall have ascended it, and by ander the Great deposed Strato, that means become the supreme the King of Sidon, he bade his dispenser of life and death over all favourite, Hephaestion, give the your citizens, be sure never to forcrown to any of the Sidonians he get the condition in which, or should deem worthy of so exalted rather for which, you were elected." a station. Hephaestion was at this Abdalonimus looked upon the time living at the house of two whole as a dream, and, unable to brothers, who were young, and de- guess the meaning of it, asked if scended from the best family in the they were not ashamed to ridicule city. To these he offered the him in that manner. But, as he crown, but they declined to accept made a greater resistance than it, telling him that, according to suited their inclinations, they themthe laws of their country, no person selves washed him, and threw over could ascend the throne unless he his shoulders a purple robe, richly were of the blood royal. Hephaes-embroidered with gold; then, after tion, pleased with such disinter-repeated oaths of their being in estedness, requested that they would earnest, they conducted him to the name some person of the royal palace. The news of this was imfamily who might remember when mediately spread over the whole he was king, that it was they who city. Most of the inhabitants were had placed the crown on his head. overjoyed at it, but some murmured, The brothers had observed that especially the rich, who, despising several persons, through ambition, Abdalonimus's former abject state, had aspired to this distinguished could not forbear showing their rank, and to obtain it had paid resentment in the king's court. servile court to Alexander's favour- Alexander commanded the newlyites. Disregarding, however, all elected prince to be sent for; and the advantages which the power of after surveying him attentively a nominating to a throne gave them, long while, spoke thus: " Thy air they declared that they did not and mien do not contradict what is know any person more worthy of related of thy extraction, but I the diadem than one Abdalonimus, should be glad to know with what who was descended, though re-frame of mind thou didst bear thy motely, from the royal line, but poverty ?" "O King," replied he, who at the same time was so poor "these hands have procured me all that he was obliged to get his I desired; and whilst I possessed bread by daily labour in a garden nothing, I wanted nothing." without the city; his honesty and answer gave Alexander a high idea integrity having made him disre- of Abdalonimus's virtue; so that gard many advantageous offers, he presented him not only with all and reduced him to his extreme the rich furniture which had bepoverty. Hephaestion trusting to longed to Strato, and part of the their choice, the two brothers went Persian plunder, but likewise anin search of Abdalonimus with the nexed one of the neighbouring royal garments, and found him provinces to his dominions. weeding his garden. They saluted him king, and one of them, addressing him, said, "You must now change your tatters for the dress I have brought you. Put off the This 418. Precious Salvation.-The Rev. James Hervey died on Christmas-day, December 25, 1758. When dying he thanked the physicians for |