what is lovely, commend what is commendable, excuse what is excusable, and compassionate what calls for pity; even as we would have it done in our own case. This one rule, properly observed, would fill the world with peace and happiness; even as full as it now is of discord and misery.

It is desirable that real Christians should be of one judgment: but if that cannot be obtained, it is of great importance that they be of one heart.

True religion is but another name for wisdom, honour, and happiness.

We have learned a most important lesson, when we are brought to dread sin more than poverty or suffering.

It is true wisdom to discern and to shun the temptations and inlets to sin, of which none are more dangerous than ungodly companions.

It is the wisdom of Christians to turn away wrath by a soft answer; and their most noble vic tory is the conquest of their own spirits...

To live in credit and quiet, to be peacefully use, ful in our circle, to possess a clear conscience, to enjoy communion with God our Saviour whilst we live, and to die in peace with God and man, form the substance of all that a wise man can desire, as to this world.

Prayer doth not consist merely in using good words, but in opening before the Lord the inmost soul, and, in unreserved confidence, pouring out before him all our fears, sorrows, desires, and purposes, as a child would, before a loving father, from whom alone he had expectations of relief, and who, he was satisfied, was able and disposed to help him.

When we are influenced by faith, and the fear and love of God, and act with integrity, kindness, forgiveness, and a desire of peace, we conduct our affairs with the best wisdom.

There are many distinctions among us, both dur

ing life, and in the disposal of our bodies after death; but in the eternal world no distinction subsists except betwixt those "who have served the Lord, and those who have served him not."

ON SHAVING.

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor. SIR,

MANY people might wonder why you wrote so much about shaving some time ago. I saw, however, plainly enough, that your desire was to get us Villagers out of the bad practice of going to the alehouse to be shaved on a Sunday morning; and so you advised us to shave ourselves. I have taken your advice, and many a penny have I saved, for there was not only the barber's penny, but a pint of beer was to be had, to be sure, at the "Seven Stars." I am bound then to thank you for your instructions, and so I hope are many other people. You were so good, too, as to give us a few hints on the best method of shaving; (see page 559, vol. II.) and I must beg of you once more to advise all shavers to wash their face well in water, and dry it again, before they attempt to put the soap to the face. If this washing is well done, it is wonderful how it softens the beard, and how much more easily it brings it off; and perhaps, Sir, you may may not have thought of it, but, when a man has been thrashing in a barn, there will be a good deal of dust, and such sort of matter in his beard, which is not a very good thing for a sharp razor. Every body's beard should be well washed before the razor comes near it. Pray tell your readers that their razors will keep sharp six times as long, if they attend to this.

I am, Sir, your constant Reader,

A SHAVER.

CHIMNEY SWEEPERS.

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor. SIR,

I am much pleased with the interest you take in the welfare of the poor chimney-sweeping boys. I cannot help thinking that their condition has of late years been improved. The machine, which have mentioned often, answers its you purpose extremely well; it will, however, probably be very difficult to get rid of climbing boys altogether, whilst there are some sort of chimneys which it is difficult to get at by any sort of machine. I was much gratified with your account of the good conduct of the chimney-sweeper, whom you mentioned as being in the habit of having his boys regularly washed and cleaned, and decently clothed every Sunday, and sent to a place of worship. I have since heard, Sir, with great satisfaction, that some sweeping boys regularly attend the National School at Kensington, and that they are as well clothed and washed, and look as decent and comfortable as any of the other boys. I hope that this is the case in many other places, but I do not happen to know of any others just now. Such an opportunity ofinstruction must be a very great advantage to those poor boys, and there is no reason why they should not have it in every place.

I am, Sir, your's, &c.

D. G.

THE VILLAGE FAIR.

The following account is abridged from a little story in "Village Memoirs."-(Rivingtons.)

ELLEN and Mary Moore were the only earthly support and consolation of their aged parents.

3

The Village Fair.

253

The health of Mary was too delicate to admit of her going out to service; but her sister had lived se veral years as nursery-maid in a respectable family a few miles from the village.

One autumn, Ellen asked her mistress to allow her to go to the fair with some friends: Mrs Charlton consented very unwillingly, and only upon condition that she would return early in the evening.

There was one person in the party which Ellen joined, who endeavoured to gain her whole attention; and, unfortunately for her, his efforts were not made in vain.

Harry Barton was a thoughtless young man; his habits of life were unsettled; he always acted from the impulse of the moment; and was without the first requisite for happiness in the married state, namely, a practical sense of religion; and, though he might be a merry companion in the gayer scenes of life, he was ill calculated to soothe the sorrows or lighten the cares of the partner of his lot.

Ellen heard these things with a feeling bordering on impatience; like too many others, she determined to hope for the best, and she could not bring her heart to think so harshly of Harry Barton.

As Harry had been forbidden to visit Ellen at Mrs. Charlton's, and he knew that he was was an unwelcome guest at the cottage of the Moores, he contrived to meet her nearly every day when she walked out with the children. In this way an attachment was strengthened, which could not but end unhappily, since it was begun without regard to parental advice, and carried on in deceit and concealment.

Ellen's state of mind, at this time, was not to be envied; she could not look back upon her conduct with any comfort, nor could she think upon her future prospects with any reasonable hope of happiness. Her visits at home were less pleasant

ther's anxious countenance so often fixed upon her; and when in the evening her father kissed her, and gave her his parting blessing, she felt quite unworthy of his love.

But on the day of the fair there was no time for reflection. The giddy party hurried from one scene of folly to another. Hour after hour glided insensibly away, and it was late in the evening before Ellen thought of returning home. The increasing darkness reminded her of her promise to Mrs. Charlton; she turned to take leave of her. companions, they were gone, and she found herself alone in the fair with Harry Barton.-He perceived her perplexity, and offered to see her safe to the lodge. Ellen's fears and vexation made the way seem unusually long; at length she asked her companion if he was sure they were in the right road? He said that he could scarcely tell, for the night was very cloudy. They then turned into another field, which brought them into the high road, where he persuaded Ellen, who was very tired, to mount the top of a stage coach which was passing, as she hoped to get home more quickly. But her grief and agitation were extreme, when, after travelling some time, she found herself in the streets of London.

Ellen reproached Harry with having deceived. her; and he tried in vain to persuade her that be had really mistaken the way. It was past eleven o'clock, therefore he offered to take her to the house of his sister, who was settled in London, from whence she might return to C by the first coach in the following morning. This proposal she was obliged to agree to, as she had no other

resource.

Mrs. Stent could not refuse to take them in, though she received them very ungraciously. In the silence and stillness of the night, Ellen felt the full danger of the situation into which her impro