perpetual remembrance as are certain other days which are associated in the English mind with events of great national importance and benefit.

Rather more than a year elapsed, and a calamity overtook the Grand Duchess of Hesse, which no zeal or watchfulness or solicitude could avert, for on the 29th of June, 1873, her younger son, Prince Frederick William, aged two years and eight months, fell from an open window and was killed, showing, if demonstration were needed, that misfortune and sorrow are confined to no class and no character; but that in spite of all the skill that wealth and rank can procure, and all the attention that the most exemplary and devoted can give, pale Death will not be thwarted in his demands, but enters alike the palace and the cottage, and levies tribute in the one as in the other. Still more strikingly was this exemplified when, after a few years more had passed, occurred the painful and melancholy events which resulted in the termination, at a comparatively early age, of the highly esteemed and beloved Princess herself. It was in 1878 that the terrible disease diphtheria, laid low in sickness, and in two instances in death, the whole of the family of the Grand Duke, though no other member of the household, numbering sixty persons in all, suffered. On the 6th of November Princess Victoria Alberta, aged 15 years, was attacked; in the night from the 11th to the 12th Princess Victoria Alice, aged 6; on the 12th Princess Victoria Mary, aged 4; in the night from the 12th to the 13th Princess Irene Marie, aged 12; in the afternoon of the 13th the Hereditary Grand Duke Ernest Louis, aged 10; and on the 14th the Grand Duke himself. Princess Mary succumbed after about four days' illness, and it was in indirect consequence of this that her mother, already worn out by watching children and husband, became a ready prey to the destroyer. The circumstances cannot be better described than in the words of the Earl of Beaconsfield who thus narrated them in the House of Lords:-"My Lords, there is something wonderfully piteous in the immediate cause of her death. The physicians who permitted her to watch over her suffering family enjoined her under no circumstances whatever to be tempted into an embrace. Her admirable self-restraint guarded her through the crisis of this terrible complaint in safety. She remembered and observed the injunctions of her physicians. But it became her lot to speak to her son, quite a youth, of the death of his youngest sister, to whom he was devotedly attached. The boy was so overcome with misery, that the agitated mother clasped him in her arms, and thus she received the kiss of death. My Lords, I hardly know an incident more pathetic. It is one by which poets might be inspired, and in which the professors of the fine arts, from the highest to the lowest branches, whether in painting, sculpture, or gems, might find a fitting subject of commemoration."

Such are the main incidents in the life and death of Her Royal Highness that are of interest to the English people, though I cannot forbear from expressing a hope that they may eventually be embodied in a fuller biography than has yet appeared, and which in fact shall be not less a standard volume than that of the Prince Consort by Sir Theodore Martin. A memoir by Dr. Bullock has indeed been published, but this seems too scant to do justice to the subject of it. The author, for example, towards the close, remarks that there are thousands of daughters not less affectionate and devoted than the lamented Princess, and that these would be the first to acknowledge her merits Undoubtedly, there are many excellent women in all classes of society who worthily discharge the various duties of their respective positions as daughters, wives, and mothers; but the remarkable instances of the Providence of God displayed in the coincidence of dates at those periods of the career of the Princess which were most prominent and public, place her in a position altogether unique, and are of too great significance and importance to be passed over without comment: especially is this the case when, as now, alike among the most educated and the most ignorant are aggressive efforts made to overthrow the teachings of the revealed Word of God, and to cast ridicule on the doctrines that are the basis of the Christian faith. According to rumour, these teachings had at one time a hold on the mind of the Princess; so much so, indeed, that if it were wellfounded she must have departed a long way from that tone of mind and character which has been already spoken of as distinguishing her in early life; but it would seem also

that the shock and grief she experienced at the sudden death of her son Frederick
William, had the effect of demonstrating the hollowness and uselessness of so-called
rationalistic speculations to bind up a broken heart or to comfort the afflicted; and that
after this sad event countenance was no longer given in the Palace to writings of that
stamp, though hitherto they had been freely admitted. The pursuits, too, on which Her
Royal Highness bestowed both time and money indicate that it was her constant
endeavour to live for the good of her fellow creatures, and to shape her career on the
pattern laid down by her Divine Master. A writer in the Rock remarked of her that
"of hospitals, dispensaries, reformatories, industrial schools, charitable institutions of all
kinds, &c., &c., she could never see enough. Only the other day she accepted the
patronage of the Albion Hill Home at Brighton. More than once when the Princess
was bent on these beneficent errands, it fell to the lot of the writer of this article to be
her official conductor, and greatly was he struck by her quick intelligence and the deep
interest with which she regarded the objects to which her attention was directed.
Neither can he ever forget the simple, unassuming demeanour of Her Royal Highness.
There was a wondrous charm about it all. The easy, unaffected kindliness of her manner,
while free from every trace of condescension, was combined with the most perfect grace
and dignity. Often she was accompanied by one or more of her dear children. How
sad to think they have lost such a mother!" It was on the occasion of one such visit,
in that case to a Home for rescued women, that a lady connected with the Institution
inquired of the Princess if she was at liberty to announce to the inmates that a daughter
of the Queen was coming to see them, to which inquiry Her Royal Highness returned
the noble and sympathetic answer, "Yes, but say I am coming as a woman to women."
She was staying in this country when the terrible calamity occurred in the river Thames
by the steamship bearing her name, the Princess Alice, returning from a pleasure trip, being
run into by the Bywell Castle, and immediately sunk, occasioning the loss of upwards
of six hundred lives. The event was very significant to those who believe in an overruling
Providence guiding the affairs of men, and who are accustomed to observe how often a
great woe is preceded by some lesser, or some specially striking, one, as if to act as a
warning voice to those concerned to prepare for that which is to follow. Thus it is in
the same way remarkable and significant that on the 14th day of December, which has
been called "the fatal 14th," but which I think it would be far more seemly to call “ the
Providential 14th," the Earl of Aberdeen died late at night in the year 1860, one year
before the Prince Consort; and on the same day as the Prince, Sir Edward Bowater,
appointed only in the month previous, Governor to Prince Leopold. On the other hand
the day is to be noted as one of joy as well as of sorrow, inasmuch as it is that which in
the year 1714 gave to the world George Whitefield, one of the brightest lights in the
Christian Church, and more recently, in 1836, Frances Ridley Havergal. The latter
died in 1879 at the same age as the Prince Consort had done, namely forty-two, having
however, like him, lived long enough to leave behind her an unfading name; and having a
few months before her death penned the following verses, which, though short and unas-
suming, are perhaps the best and most effective of the many that have appeared in com-
memoration of his like-minded, and universally regretted daughter, the subject of this brief
sketch. They were surrounded by a floral design by the Baroness Helga von Cramm.
"Two nations mourn! The same great grief is known,
By human hearts on either side the sea,
Mourning with those who yet must mourn alone
Upon the silent heights where only He
Can come and whisper comfort, Who hath worn
The lonely diadem of cruel thorn.

Mourning for her whose royal love had shown
Secrets of comfort in the darkest days,
Who, like her Master, stooping from a throne,
The suffering or the lost to heal or raise,
Leaves an example shining far and bright,
For court or cottage home a starry light.

"Two nations mourn: a hand from each would lay
Fair flowers and simple verse upon her tomb to-day."

NOTE J. Page 66.

"THE LOYAL SUBJECT." It can scarcely be necessary to state here that the verses under this heading are in memory of Miss Havergal, to whom reference is also made in

1

the preceding note. Her life and writings are so well known that anything more than
a brief allusion to them would be superfluous. With unusual talents, especially of a
musical character, but a life consecrated in all its parts to the service of her Divine King,
she lived pre-eminently "as seeing Him Who is invisible" and serving Him day and
night. In the lines imperfectly penned in remembrance of one whose best "In Memoriam
is to be found in her own works, the names of the chief of these are introduced, one or two
being, for metrical reasons, subjected to an unimportant alteration. Miss Havergal died
on the 3rd June, 1879, at Caswell Bay, Swansea, and on the 9th of the same month was
interred at Ashley in Worcestershire, of which place her father had in former years been
the rector.

NOTE K. Page 67.

"THE FAITHFUL AMBASSADOR." The late Rev. Canon Miller, D.D., entered, in the month of May, 1866, on his last pastorate as Vicar of Greenwich. His first sermon in that locality was preached from the words, "We are ambassadors for Christ." Not having heard the discourse, nor known any one who did so, I am not now aware how I became acquainted with the subject of it, nor that it was divided into three heads, which I believe to have been, "From Whom we come," ""To whom we are sent," and "Our message-'Be ye reconciled to God.'"

That such was the case, however, at any rate as regards the text, I have ascertained by reference to a local newspaper published at the time, and I remember that the preacher, sinking the attraction caused by his own personal reputation, rallied the crowded congregation on the eagerness with which they flocked to hear "an eloquent bishop or a new minister." Dr. Miller, in the early days of his ministry, was located at Chelsea, whence he was removed to the important living of St. Martin's, Birmingham, which he held for about twenty years. He was a man noted for energy of character, and for the thoroughness with which he accomplished whatever he undertook. He was "Evangelical" in tone, and while an advocate for "in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity," was personally an uncompromising opponent to the advanced teachings of the Ritualistic school. His vigorous mental capacity was evidenced by the way in which he went straight to the point in dealing with any question that engaged his attention, thus rendering his discourses striking at the time, and easily remembered, at least in part, afterwards. Having heard him, myself, on various occasions in the course of twenty years, I have rarely listened to an address, whether as sermon or lecture or "speech," without some portion of it being retained in mind, as when, having preached from the words, "Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting," he concluded his address by urging on his hearers consistency of life, lest in the end they should be found to be "short-weight Christians." The suggestion made by him, on hearing that the funds of a certain dispensary were at low ebb, that on a given Sunday a special sermon should be preached on its behalf in all local churches, and by this means a certain amount of popular enthusiasm be kindled, is another instance of his acuteness, and is rendered notable by the large outgrowth in the form of "Hospital Sunday," of which the suggestion was the germ. Holding a prominent position in the Church, being a stern disciplinarian, and being conspicuous from his having voted for Mr. Gladstone as member of Parliament for Greenwich, when that gentleman was proposing to disestablish the Irish Church, it was generally considered that Canon Miller would have been accorded the more extended sphere of usefulness arising from a bishopric; but when the most suitable time for that preferment had arrived, by the see of Rochester becoming vacant, the Earl of Beaconsfield was in office, and according to report was prevented from appointing Canon Miller in consequence of a request to that effect from a member of the Ritualist party. Although the los. of privileges, to which in the ordinary course of events he might not unreasonably have looked forward, may have occasioned a certain measure of disappointment, his known character would seem to suggest that any wishes he may have entertained in that direction would be very subject to a desire to occupy just such a sphere and devote his energies to just such duties as his Master should see fit to appoint. In a

NOTES.

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memoir and eulogistic notice of the deceased doctor, the Kentish Mercury remarks that "during the whole course of a long ministry, extending for forty years, he has borne a name unspotted by a single taint-no imputation has ever rested on him of a single deed or word unworthy, we shall not say of a clergyman, but of a Christian gentleman. He has worthily sustained all the social relations as a citizen, a neighbour, and a friend, which he was called to fill. And those who knew him best and were admitted most fully to his confidence, are the ones who testify most warmly to his generous and kindly nature." The verses enclosed in brackets, which appear on page 68, were written under the impression that the allusion which occurs in Dr. Miller's Lecture on Courtship and Marriage, to the Sabbath and matrimony as being "two flowers from Eden that still bloom in our sin-stricken world," was an original idea, though it was afterwards discovered to have been borrowed from Jeremy Taylor. It is only necessary further to remark here that the Faithful Ambassador completed his embassage and went Home on the 11th day of July, 1880, his bodily remains being laid to rest in the cemetery at Shooter's Hill.

NOTE L. Page 79.

"THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA." I should be remiss if I allowed this book to go forth without acknowledging how dependent I feel on the Divine assistance, for whatever there may be in it of good or in any way calculated to promote the glory of God. Although the words and rhymes have on some occasions come freely enough, on others there has been an absolute incapacity to complete what I was engaged upon until after I had made the matter a subject of special prayer. This was noticeably the case with the last poem. I wrote the first portion of it-the alpha-and beyond this I could not move a step; and having tried ineffectually day after day, I laid it aside. After awhile, however, I required it to complete the book, and I tried once more. Now the restraint seemed removed, the words and the style were given, and I was able to write the latter portion-the omega. It seemed as if He Whose own words are "I am Alpha and Omega" would thereby impress on my mind, in a manner not likely to be forgotten, how vain were any efforts of my own without a becoming sense and due acknowledgment of His assistance and blessing.

THE TITLE-PAGE AND COVER. In designing these I have endeavoured to introduce as many emblems as possible of our Lord Jesus Christ in His relation to His church. They are taken chiefly from the Song of Solomon and from various passages in the New Testament. Our Lord's eternal character, as the Alpha and the Omega of all existent things or beings, the First and the Last, and the Beginning and the Ending, is expressed by the two letters of the Greek Alphabet, which are surrounded by a circle emblematical of eternity. The shamrock which, according to tradition, St. Patrick plucked in order to illustrate to his Irish hearers the doctrine of the Trinity in Unity, is introduced into the extreme corners at the top on either hand, while these, mathematically drawn, as an ecclesiastical symbol, are placed immediately within the circles also on each side; and in the centre, surrounding the monogram, they are to be found in combination with the triangle, thus presenting another well-known ecclesiastical design. The "I," which is commonly used for "J" in the monogram "I. H. S." is cruciform, and elsewhere there is a representation of the crown of thorns and the nails with which our Lord's hands and feet were pierced. Exception has been taken to the latter that the number four is incorrect, and that three only should appear, but I fail to find any authority for the assertion. Crucifixion was performed in various ways, in some cases ropes being used apparently as a substitute for nails altogether; and although the question whether our Lord was pierced with three or four nails has been warmly contested, there seems to be no definite knowledge on the subject, and artists and sculptors vary their productions according to their individual judgment. I think they would act more wisely and more reverently if they abstained from attempting any such repre

sentations at all, seeing that it is a matter of presumption to suppose that they can produce a correct likeness of our Lord, however devout and worthy may be their intentions; while the result of their efforts may be impiously incorrect, even if not a direct infraction of the Second Commandment. Our Divine Master was laid in the grave, but arose therefrom on the third day, this glorious event becoming thereby the foundation stone on which the whole Christian Church is erected; while apart from the manifestation it affords of His Divine character, it is the precursor of the resurrection of all those who believe in Him, for is He not the FIRST fruits of them that slept? Accordingly, I have introduced into the design, the caterpillar, the chrysalis, and the butterfly as emblematical of the three stages of our Lord's career, the ordinary Body, the dormant Body, and the glorified Body; while in selecting the particular kind of butterfly to represent, the life of sorrow and privation that our blessed Redeemer endured in the first period of His career, seemed painfully suggestive of the Vanessa Urtica or Tortoiseshell butterfly, which in the caterpillar stage of its existence feeds upon stingingnettles! Nevertheless, while our Master's lot upon earth was a hard one, worse even than that of the birds or the foxes, His moral and religious character, His conduct to those with whom He was associated and to His Father in Heaven, were pure as the lily of the valleys, and majestic as the rose of Sharon. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood so is He among the sons of men, and His Church says of Him, "I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste." Corn is the staff of life, and as a remarkable reminder of the curse originally pronounced upon man, that "in the sweat of his brow he should eat bread," it is significant that corn is nowhere known upon the earth's surface to grow without cultivation; the vine is perhaps the most representative of all fruit-bearing trees, combining as it does beauty of form in foliage, with beauty of form and colour in fruit, and in taste, lusciousness without excessive sweetness. Thus it is food in time of health and medicine in time of sickness. Our Lord speaks of Himself as the Bread of life, and also as the Vine; and "in the same night in which He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is My Body which is given for you do this in remembrance of Me. Likewise after supper He took the cup; and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this; for this is My Blood of the New Testament which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins: do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of Me." Strange it seems that the command should be so misunderstood that for centuries men have insisted on laying aside the simple memorial service, and substituting for it an incongruous ceremony, in which the sacrifice of our Lord is supposed to be re-presented instead of typified only, that His followers may thereby remember the need for their spiritual sustenance of "feeding on Him in their hearts by faith with thanksgiving"! The German legend of the pretty flower forget-me-not, that a lady having requested her lover to obtain for her some of these that were growing by the water-side, he, in attempting to gratify her wishes, slipped into the stream and lost his life, but succeeded nevertheless in throwing the flowers to her with the words Vergiss-mein-nicht, Forget-me-not, was introduced in connection with our Lord's command, "This do in remembrance of Me," given just before He, the Divine Bridegroom, laid down His life for His Bride, the Church; while elsewhere will be found a floral emblem of His resurrection from the grave, in the form of primroses, which are never seen to greater advantage than when in the early weeks of the new year they appear in the woods, their lovely pale flowers in striking, contrast to the old brown leaves of the year gone by. It remains only to point out with reference to the design, that the border was made of a rustic pattern, as being in harmony with the natural objects it encloses, while the endeavour was that the form should be as much as possible in keeping with the Gothic style of architecture, which is perhaps the most beautiful of all styles for ecclesiastical purposes.

J.