The General Reader. A HAPPY REJOINDER. Menai Straits. From profits made at that time she was enabled to erect additional buildings, until by degrees the little wayside inn could claim rank with first-class hotels;—in point of comfort at all events, if not in point of size. AT Oxford, some twenty years ago, a tutor of one of the Colleges limped in his walk. Stopping one day last summer at a railway station he was accosted by a well known politician, who recognized him, and asked if he was not the chaplain of the college at such a time, naming the year. The doctor replied that he was. "I was there," said his interrogator," and I knew you by your limp." Well," ," said the doctor, "it seems my limping made a deeper impression on you than my preaching." "Ah, doctor," was the reply with ready wit, "it is the highest compliment we can pay to a minister, to say he is known by his walk rather than by his conversa-sonal inspection, and whose consistent tion."-The Freeman. THE WELSH HOTEL KEEPER. SOME friends of the writer, in spending a Sunday at Bangor last autumn, were struck with the air of mourning which seemed to pervade the neighbourhood. The sermon in the Cathedral, and another in a principal church, spoke of a serious loss which society had sustained, by a recent death which had occurred amongst them. Who was it that had so lived as to be thus missed? It was the mistress of the George Hotel, Bangor Ferry, who died on the 4th of October, 1965, at the advanced age of seventy-three. Eleanor Roberts, the daughter of a small farmer at Yspytty, in Denbighshire, became, twenty-three years ago, the proprietress of a small wayside inn, near Bangor, in the highroad to Holyhead. Soon afterwards her house became the resort of engineers engaged in the construction of the tubular bridge over the It became a place of favourite resort. Among other names in the visitors' book we may read an autograph testimonial from the famous old Duke of Wellington, as to the comfort he experienced in taking up his quarters there. The beauty of its site, perhaps, had something to do with its far-spread reputation; but, doubtless, its chief attraction was owing to her whose genius kept every department under her own per Christian character won the respect of all whom she employed. The servants had an air of quiet responsibility, and showed visitors to their rooms with a respectful solicitude, as if they felt themselves answerable for their comfort. At every corner of the staircase and corridors there was some pretty or interesting object to gratify the taste, such as statuettes, pictures, minerals, aquariums-all such things, in fact, as a lady will gather round her in her own house, but which she does not meet with in an hotel without coming to the conclusion that its owner must be no ordinary person. The arrangements in Miss Roberts' hotel bore, however, still more legible traces of her character. On the table of each room there was a Bible and some other book of devotion, and over the mantel-piece, instead of a tariff of prices, were some texts of Scripture. On the Sunday Miss Roberts made a personal request to all guests staying in the house, that they would kindly consent to take breakfast at one and the same hour at the table d'hôte, in order that the servants might have the privilege of attending public worship. The same plan was observed about dinner. This request, proffered with a certain homely dignity, was seldom, if ever, refused, and by this arrangement the servants were enabled to observe the Sabbath in as orderly and regular a manner as they could have done in a private family. After breakfast it was announced that carriages were ready, free of charge, to convey guests to the Cathedral, or any other church which they might wish to attend. The drawing-room was filled with attractions on Sunday for the visitors at the hotel; books carefully selected on the table, in many of which were inscribed expressions of regard from the authors; sacred music, both Welsh and English, was laid on the piano, which was left open as for use. The pretty terraced garden, and a conservatory full of well-tended plants, provided for every innocent and pleasant enjoyment in the intervals of public worship. We do not wonder that the George Hotel prospered, or that, a few months before her death, Miss Roberts refused £50,000. for her business. We have cited her example, as showing that no calling need hinder a personal regard for the Sabbath, and also as a specimen of the delicate tact and pains-taking effort, which gave efficiency to good advice.-Lending a Hand. SORROW THE PURIFIER. If there was nothing worth perfecting, the wise God, the loving Father, would not put His children in the furnace of affliction. It is precious metals that are burnt, and when we are dismayed or distressed, by seeing those dear to us in the fiery furnace, let us remember, whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth." Whom the Lord appoints to high and holy service He tries. Whom the Lord raises and rewards He first casts down and afflicts. "Sanctified trials," says Matthew Henry, "are spiritual promotions." In the lives of the world's wisest teachers, greatest benefactors, and truest heroes, we find sorrow has filled many chapters, and they have had the benefit of fire as well as of the Holy Ghost. Abraham, whom God called His friend, was brought to the mount of sacrifice. Did not the Lord cause the lowly, the pure, the loved Joseph to pass through fiery trials. How Moses, the noble-hearted, self-sacrificing leader of the children of Israel, was afflicted! David, the " man after God's own heart," and the faithful prophet Daniel, the "man greatly beloved," drank deep of the cup of sorrow. Nor did the very "disciple, whom Jesus loved," escape affliction; in that furnace the apostle John was placed, but we do not read that he or any of the patriarchs, prophets or apostles marvelled that they were afflicted. Nay, the godly are too anxious to be like their Father in Heaven to murmur at the process which will, through God's Spirit, assimilate them to Him. They long too much for Him to complain because some of the "weights" which would keep down must be sacrificed. " 'Behold," says Augustine, "the world troubleth us and is loved. What should we do if it were quiet? How would'st thou cleave to the fair who so embrace the foul? How would'st thou gather the flowers thereof who pluckest not thy hand from the thorns!" So set upon goodness are some that they welcome the fire of affliction, if by any means however they may become Christ-like. I have heard of a noble Greek girl of princely birth, of great beauty, with everything to flatter worldly sense, whose heart was so set upon being good, that with tearful eyes and trembling voice, she said to a dear friend "I must become good, very good. I should not dread a great misfortune, for instance, the loss of my sight, if it would only give me inner light and goodness." She, poor girl, was trying to find her way in the and if it can be only "through much dark, but shall not we to whom light tribulation" shall we shrink back aghast? has been given, with high and holy am--Thoughts for the Inner Life, by Jessie bition, resolve to become good, very good, Coombs. SALE OF MAGAZINES. Correspondence. SIR,-Will you be kind enough to allow me a small space in your columns, in reply to your correspondent C.C., in the March issue. he will have little or no trouble in getting the money; and by applying the same rule to himself the Secretary will have no trouble whatever. But where can the children of our He assumes that the sale of maga- Sunday schools be supplied with good zines and periodicals on the Sabbath day, sound literature, if not in our schools? in our Sunday schools, is a prevalent There the magazines are carefully seevil, as a means of begetting and fos-lected, by teachers who have the intering a habit of Sunday trading amongst terests of the children under their care the young. It may seem to some on first closely at heart, and therefore are very thought to be such, even to adults, but careful what sort of reading they place on looking closer at the subject, they in their hands. will very soon discriminate the very wide difference that does exist; and even children are not so dull as not to be able to know the difference between a book and an orange, or an apple; and between buying it in a shop, and in the Sunday school. And even though the very youngest may not at first understand what your correspondent is pleased to term the "ethics of Christianity," they are not always to remain in that condition, and in time they will come to understand, that it is the object of their teachers, in providing them with these periodicals, to place in their hands good sound literature, that will benefit, and at the same time, amuse them. Doubtless there is a little trouble, and sometimes vexation connected with the management of this business, such as your correspondent hints, but my opinion is, that it is very small in proportion to the good that is effected on the other hand, and might in a great measure be avoided, if a little more care and attention was bestowed upon it. The teacher ought to impress upon the mind of the scholar the importance of keeping out of debt, and when this is properly done But some will say, why not go to the newsvendors, they will get the same periodicals there that they get at the Sunday school. Very true. But there they will also meet with literature of another character, temptingly displayed before their eyes, and instead of investing their money in what they intended to purchase, they will be tempted to buy some rubbish which is quite as cheap, and much larger in appearance, and the pictures more pleasing, and thus acquire a taste for that sort of reading which parents and teachers ought always to be very careful to keep out of the reach of their children. But others say, why not select a week night for the sale of magazines, and let the children come for them on that night, and thus do away with the work on the Sunday. The idea is a good one, but in my opinion, not at all practicable. In the first place, some of the children may live a long distance from the school, and their parents may feel reluctant to allow them to go for their magazines, however willing they may be to do so, on dark and wet nights, and the result is, they go to the nearest book shop. In the second place, the elder scholars will not take the trouble of going for them on a week night, unless it be those who live close at hand. which to my mind is a very important point. Taking all these things into consideration, I consider the sale of magazines in our Sunday schools indispensable, and in no way an infringement of the Divine law, which says, "Remember And even should this plan succeed, it will prevent the teacher from knowing what sort of literature the members of his class are in the habit of reading, the Sabbath day to keep it holy." A.R. GERMANY. Passing Ebents. [Concluded from page 503.] I add a few extracts of letters lately received from Superintendents of Sunday schools. They are almost verbally translated. Stuttgart, October 23, 1866.-" Next Sunday we shall celebrate at our Teachers' Meeting the first anniversary of our Sunday school, We intend to unite with other Christian friends present in asking God's blessing for our Sunday school work. Could you give me some news of the progress of other Sunday schools, to animate the teachers and to incite them to attend the Teachers' Meeting regularly. None of them are sorry for having enlisted as teachers. We continue to have from four to five hundred children in our Sunday school. With the Rev. G.'s two Sunday schools in this town we remain on friendly terms, and we have printed for our joint account a little hymn book to give the children at Christmas." our Sunday school. However, we will not praise ourselves, and only quote the first verse of Psalm 115. Mr. J. is employed in collecting the funds requisite for us to continue our subscription to the Berlin Sunday school paper in 1867; but little has come in so far." Freiburg in Baden, December 3rd."Notwithstanding the numerous difficulties that we have to encounter, the number of our children has increased to 141. They are aged from three to fifteen years; 89 can read, 52 cannot. I have fourteen teachers, two of whom entered lately and are a great help. One of these two has been a Sunday school teacher in England. Some of the teachers are rather young, but besides the real Teachers' Meeting, I take them for an hour extra to go through the lesson with them, to make them recite what they are going to teach the younger ones entrusted to their care, and to pray with them for our work. I have spent 65 florins for forms and have no means left Schaffhausen, November 27.-"During for books and Sunday school papers. In my absence in the summer, the number 1866, our kind friend Mr. M. made us of the Sunday school children dwindled a present of 35 copies of the Berlin down to 25-35, but last Sunday we had Sunday school papers. May it please again 105 children in 13 classes, and God to give us a room for our Sunday we are convinced that the number will school, which I have not been able to increase to 150 next month. I go out find as yet. My advertisements in the week after week in search of teachers local papers produced no offers. My to help us. The Teachers' Meeting is repeated demands with the authorities now held at 8 o'clock, p.m., and is well of our town, with the Committees who attended. The Sunday school takes have halls at their disposal, and even root and flourishes; the Lord, we are with our own Protestant church consissure, will give good fruits in time. We tory and school authorities were all should be very glad to see you again at refused. To enable us to assemble at POMPEII. all, we have for the present moment [eight teachers and eighty-two children. accepted a room kindly allowed us by After New-Year we are to have a larger Mr. M. in his Evangelical hospital. room and shall, no doubt, increase our Some parents have blamed us for taking Sunday school. One of our teachers the children there. The first signs of being removed to Augsburg, has begun a contagious illness in the house would a small Sunday school there." certainly oblige us to give up this room entirely. We fifteen lady teachers continue in prayer to the Lord that He may provide us with a room, and I know that He will not forsake the work which He has so wonderfully begun amongst us." Pforzheim, December 4th." Our Sunday school is going on very satisfactorily with the help of the Lord. Many of the children come with great pleasure and listen to us very attentively. During the summer the parents kept them from the Sunday school and took them out walking, but now we have once more 36 girls and 24 boys. Please to send us some little books for them at Christmas." St. Gallen, December 10th.-" We have now 170 children, of whom 30 cannot read yet. Besides myself, we LATELY while excavations were being made at Pompeii the workmen discovered a bronze vase, hermetically sealed, and enveloped in a thick crystallized crust. The interior of the vessel was found to contain a considerable quantity of water. Some persons present ventured to drink some of the liquid, and all agreed in pronouncing it clear, fresh, and of remarkable softness. The water in question must have been preserved for nearly 1,800 years. ST. THOMAS'S NATIONAL SCHOOLS, THE ceremony of opening the St. Thomas's National Schools, Hemingford Road, was performed on Friday evening, April 12, by the Right Hon. the Earl Granville, K.G., in the presence of a large assembly of ladies and gentlemen connected with the district. The noble Earl, who wore the star and ribbon of the Garter, was supported by the Rev. G. Allen and other ministers and gentlemen. The noble Earl, having been escorted through the building, which contains three large, airy, and admirably fitted school-rooms, returned to the platform, when have fourteen female and seven male teachers. Two or three ladies come and listen or replace absent teachers until new classes will be formed. A good many children love the Sunday school, are regular, attentive, and respect the Bible. One little girl lately addressed her teacher who is a little irregular, and finished by saying to him: Dear teacher, are you coming again next Sunday, or would you like me to fetch you?' The seven teachers love the Sunday school, are regular and take real interest in it. The fourteen ladies give me great pleasure. With them there is progress, real progress, energy, de- The Rev. G. Allen gave a narravotion, and unceasing love to their tive of the establishment of the schools, children. Do you know that we have stating that the first educational movelost Miss C. W., the pearl among our ment in the district was begun ten years teachers. She died in deep and child- ago, in a small building, totally unfitted like faith. It was triumph! For my for the purpose. The scholars had inown part I consider it one of the greatest creased, and after various difficulties to blessings granted me by God, to have meet the demand, the site of the present been made Superintendent of this Sun- schools was purchased, and on the 31st day school." October last Sir Roundell Palmer, M.P., Canstatt, December 14th.-" We have laid the foundation stone. The schools |