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THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES
THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES.
THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES.

(See large Engraving.)

OD bless the Prince and Princess of Wales, their children, together with our most gracious Queen and every member of the Royal Family! May the great and gracious name of the Lord God Almighty for ever be adored, in that He was pleased to hear the prayers of this nation on behalf of the Heir Apparent to these realms, and to raise His Royal Highness from

the sick and seemingly-dying bed. May God's Holy Spirit give the Prince of Wales ever to feel that his rescue from impending death, and his restoration to life, was, not the work of man, but of God! This fact cannot be denied. In spite

of human skill and every earthly appliance, it appeared that, not the Prince's days merely, but

his very moments, were numbered. His recovery, therefore, is little less

than miraculous! It is due

to God, and God alone! May the life thus given back from the very verge of the grave be henceforth devoted to the great and gracious Giver! May the language ofHis Royal Highness be, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" This is our

hearty prayer.
In all proba-
bility, before
another number
of this work is
issued, our beloved Queen, accompanied by the
various members of the Royal Family, will attend
in state at St. Paul's Cathedral publicly to express
her heartfelt thanks to Almighty God for His great
goodness and mercy to her first-born son! The inte-
rest of the nation at large will be deeply awakened
upon that memorable occasion; and, not simply as a
personal, but as a national, acknowledgment of His
superabounding tenderness and compassion, as the
prayer-hearing and prayer-answering God, may it
prove to be a service acceptable in His sight! May
it be a day devoted to His praise, and not to the per-
version or abuse of His gifts!

BUT a few weeks ago, and a whole nation was in a state of feverish excitement-nay, the world at large was roused to the highest pitch of laudable anxiety-because the Heir Apparent to the Throne of England was sick, and likely to die. But prayers were offered up on every hand, and from almost every heart, that the life of H.R.H. might be spared; and, although bulletin after bulletin was issued, showing that life was indeed in the balance, and

that verily there was but a step-and scarcely that in Christ Jesus! Yea, by the absolute and irresistible
between the Prince and death, yet most graciously power of that Spirit, may H.R.H. undergo that mighty
and condescendingly did the Lord God Almighty and indispensable change of which Jesus spake to
hear prayer, and England's future King was given Nicodemus: "Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except
back to us again as one from the dead! May the a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of
King of kings and Lord of lords be praised and God;" or, as the Apostle, speaking upon the same
adored for this!
all-important subject, declares, "If any man be in
Christ Jesus, he is a new creature: old things are.
passed away, and behold all things are become new."

Reader, let us rejoice together in this so great mercy; in this so marked and demonstrative proof that God is the God who heareth and answereth prayer now as in days of old. His promise still stands good (adored be His great and holy name!), "Call upon me in the day of trouble; and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."

And now that we hope our loved Prince may soon be restored to his loved and loving Princess, his dear children, and each member of the Royal Household, we will pray-nay, some of us long have earnestly and ardently prayed-that H.R.H. may come forth from that sick and all-but-dying chamber with a mind deeply imbued with a sense of the Lord God's great mercy and compassion towards him. May he see the gracious Hand that was stretched forth to rescue him; yea, that hath plucked him as a brand from the burning! May he hear the voice of God's Providence as so powerfully spoken to him, "Son, give me thine heart!" May he come forth from that sick-chamber, under the mighty quickening power of the Holy Ghost (who alone can quicken the dead in trespasses and sins) to a newness of life

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retirement, so instructed and so blessed by his afflic. tion, that he may not only say with another once afflicted king, "It is good for me, that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Thy statutes;" but that he may come forth also strengthened and emboldened, and, in a dependence upon grace from above, to declare, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord;" yea, from such an interposition of an Omnipotent arm, and such a manifestation of Divine pity and compassion, may he have grace to "glorify God in his body, and in his spirit, whieh are His!" And then how marvellously will the fruits appear in the wide-spread blessing that shall follow such an example to the nation at large. May, then, the language of ten thousand times ten thousand hearts be

LORD, SAVE THE PRINCE OF WALES,
AND

GIVE HIM THY HOLY SPIRIT.

THOUGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR.

HE close of 1871 has been marked by an event which united in one common bond of sympathy men of the most opposite shades of thought throughout the whole of Great Britain. A large and distinguished party had assembled at Scarborough to do honour to the Royal guests who were there assembled, and the public prints were filled with accounts of the gay doings which took place at the fashionable Yorkshire watering-place. A little later, every one was startled by the intelligence of the sudden and severe indisposition of the Prince of Wales. As the bulletins grew more alarming, the hearts of the people became stirred by one anxiety-one interest. Prayers on behalf of the Royal sufferer were offered up in stately cathedrals, in humble village churches, in Jewish synagogues, and even in India (where the telegraph had flashed the news of his dangerous condition). Meantime the old year was passing away. Its work was done, its mission accomplished, and the life-currents which had flowed so joyously in spring, diffusing warmth and vegetation throughout nature, were chilled by the cold touch of winter. Hoar frost whitened the fields, and skaters moved briskly over the hard surface of ponds and rivers. All growth and progress seemed suddenly arrested, and earth was bound in icy fetters; but men did not regard these things. One topic was on every tongue, one thought within every heart. Groups of people assembled at the corners of the streets, eagerly scanning the daily telegrams, and, as the reports of the Prince's health became more alarming, a general gloom fell upon the nation. It was hard to realize the fact that the Heir Presumptive to a realm, on which the sun never sets, who was so lately full of health and strength, should be cut down in the flower of his youth. Death seemed natural for the aged and the weary, but for him for whom Fortune had her choicest gifts in store, it was, indeed, the king of terrors. Thus men spoke, while life and vigour appeared to be ebbing away within the sick-room where a Queen watched beside the bed of her first-born son. His young wife, in simple childlike faith, had begged that public prayers would be offered up for her husband. For days he had been lying in a state of unconsciousness, struggling with a monarch before whose sceptre prince and peasant must bow. And all that human skill could effect, or that science could invent, had been done; and now, with hearts and eyes lifted towards heaven, thousands of voices blended in united prayer for help from on high. Nor was the prayer unanswered. He, in whose hand are the issues of life and death, sent forth a healing touch. The icy fetters which had bound the earth were relaxed. A warm genial atmosphere succeeded to the intense biting cold; a subtle atmospheric influence stole into the sick-chamber; the laboured breathing of the sufferer was relieved, and the fever was abated. Ten years before, the nation had sorrowed as with one heart for its widowed Queen; and now, when the long suspense was ended, her people were ready to share her joy. And let us hope that many a grateful thanksgiving ascended to God for the mercy He vouchsafed to our Sovereign. Events, such as that to which we have referred, make even the most indifferent thoughtful, and, occurring as it did, at the close of the year, suggests to our minds many reflections.

There is a natural tendency in our hearts to hope that each fresh start in life will be better than the last, until sad experience has dulled the buoyancy of our spirits, and made us less sanguine. At the return of each new year, youth pictures to itself some gifts of fortune to be won, some pleasures to be enjoyed, some position to be secured, that preceding years had not attained. Through the long vista of the future, a far-off but brilliant destiny presents itself to the imagination. Some dream of wealth-others of ambition-many of fame. We fix our eyes upon the goal of our fancy, ever looking onwards, not upwards. Then comes what we call loss-it may be of friends, of means, of position, or of health. We turn our fevered eyes to earth, and find no relief. All is cold, barren, and unprofitable. Earth cannot satisfy the homage of an immortal soul, even in prosperity. It cannot heal the wounds of time; but, if we turn our so-called loss to gain, then, through eyes dim with tears, we

66

SUNDAY LESSONS FOR SCHOOLS AND
FAMILIES.

LESSON CLVI.-Matt. xix. 13.

gaze heavenwards. A soft genial breath is diffused
over our frozen hearts; our weary spirits are
earth is not our home; and, while we still look By the Rev. S. A. WALKER, M.A., Rector of St. Mary-le-port, Bristol.
relieved. We learn from adversity to know that
onwards, we also look above, to the land which is far
off, where we shall one day see
beauty." He has promised to make all things new,
the King in His
to restore all that has been lost by Adam. The new
All will be bright and glorious, as when the first man
creation of His love shall know neither sin nor sorrow.
looked forth upon a world unstained by sin, un-
marred by sorrow, and where "nothing that defiles
can enter," nothing that can soil or fade.

I. Our Lord's feelings towards children were such as we have expected from His affectionate disposition. Observe

Isa. xlix. 15. 2 Tim. i. 5.

1. Little children were brought unto Him.
1. This was the act, doubtless, of mothers.
2. We may suppose they were pious mothers.
3. A mother cannot do better for her child. 1 Sam. i. 27, 28.
2. The object was, that He should put His hands on them.
1. The mothers expected virtue to go out of Him. Luke
viii. 46.

2. Thus He sometimes performed His miracles. Mark viii. 23.
3. It represented the act of blessing. Acts viii. 18.

3. He was asked also to pray for them.

1. The mothers felt that God would hear Him. John xi. 42. 2. Doubtless they wished them to be God's children. Deut. xxxi. 13.

3. That they should grow up in His nurture and admonition.
Eph. vi. 4.

4. That they should not be unclean, but holy. 1 Cor. vii. 14.
1. Children can be dedicated to the Lord. 1 Sam. i. 11.
2. Children may be partakers of ordinances. Gen. xxi. 4.
3. Children may have the Holy Spirit. Luke i. 15.
4. They are partakers of God's promises. Acts ii. 39.

5. It is to be presumed they were found in the households which were baptized. Acts xvi. 15-33; 1 Cor. i. 16.

with hope. The remembrance of wasted hours during
There are some who do not enter on a new year
the past one, of opportunities neglected-it may be
of evil done-weighs down their spirits, as memory
recalls the dreary record of their lives. At one time
they may have formed resolves to enter on a higher,
nobler life; but, beginning in dependence on their
own efforts, they have no strength to resist tempta-
tion. They do not look upwards, and so, year by 4. This is one of the arguments for infant baptism.
year, the chain of habit winds itself more firmly
around them, and they sink into listlessness of self-
indulgence, until a shock awakes their consciences.
Then they remember, with bitter anguish, hours that
have been wasted in sin or pleasure. Often remorse
becomes so terrible that deeper dissipation is entered
upon to drug the memory. To such the new year
comes with a voice of cheer.
wards and upwards, not backwards. Let all the
It says, "Look on.
failures of the past rouse you to greater efforts for
the future. Time fled is gone for ever; but, in the
portion that remains to you in the new year on
which we are entering, something may be done for
others-much for yourself. Do not yield to de-
spondency, or sit down in apathy, mourning over the
past. One lesson may still be learnt from it, which
the noble words of one of our greatest poets has
doubtless taught to many, rousing them from the
numbness of despair to hope and action :—
"Deem not the irrevocable past

H

As wholly wasted, wholly vain,
If, rising from its wrecks, at last
To something nobler we attain."

E. G. M.

REMINISCENCES OF THE LATE

CONTINENTAL WAR.

A HOSPITAL NARRATIVE.

E lay upon a couch of pain, from whence he ne'er might
rise,
Until the signal to ascend was given from the skies,
Wounded and worn in mortal strife upon the blood-
Exhaustion held him prisoner, and who could freedom yield?
stained field,

The noise and din of outer war-the wail of mourners near—
The absence from the sufferer's side of lov'd ones held most
dear-

Were powerless all his thoughts to chain to earth, or break
the charm

Which lulled him, as a sleeping child, upon his Father's arm.
Fainter and yet more faint the pulse of life's strange ebb and
Silent, as though he slept the sleep of death, we scarce could
flow;
know
It seemed as though unconsciously he'd entered into rest.
Whether or not the vital breath still lingered in his breast;

But suddenly, with wondrous force and joyous accents, "Here!"
He cried, as in response; in haste, the watchful surgeon near
For glories hid from mortal ken 'twas evident he saw!
Bent o'er his prostrate patient with a strange and holy awe,

"What will you, friend?" was gently asked. "Nothing !"
"I only answered to my name, the roll-call from the sky!”
the quick reply;
Illumed his upward glance: 'twas clear he'd met his Captain's
A smile of joy unspeakable, of glorious ecstacy,
eye!

A moment more, and he had flown beyond the reach of pain,
No tears for him above it all-the war, the groan, the grief!
To realize those wondrous words, "For me to die is gain!"
But, sympathizing Saviour! send the left-behind relief.
And hasten, in Thine own good time, the day when wars
And love and holiness expand beneath Thy reign of peace;
shall cease,
The blessed day when Thine own prayer, that we may
be one,'
all
Shall be fulfilled, and, as in heaven, on earth God's will be
done!
J. E. J.

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6. Children of believing parents called holy. 1 Cor. vii. 14.
7. Children are addressed as believers. Eph. vi. 1; Col.
iii. 20.

8. If children may be saved by the blood of Jesus, why not bap-
tize them into His death and resurrection? Rom. vi. 3-5.
II. There were objectors, to whom Christ replied.
1. The disciples rebuked the mothers of the children.
1. As some rebuked the blind man. Mark x. 48.
2. As the act of the pious Mary was rebuked. Matt. xxvi. 8, 9.
3. As the earnestness of the Syrophenician woman was. Matt.
xv. 23.

4. As the acclamations of the multitude were. Luke xix. 39.
5. As Christ eating and drinking with sinners was.
XV. 2.
Luke

2. But Jesus commanded the children to be brought to Him.
1. The Israelites were taught to instruct their children. Exod.
xii. 26, 27.

2. They should know the Scripture from their childhood.
2 Tim. iii. 15.

3. How fearful of parents to forbid them coming to Christ. Ezek. xvi. 20, 21.

3. Children a type of the inheritors of God's kingdom.

1. Except we become like them, we shall not enter. Matt. xviii. 3-5.

2.

Naaman's flesh, after dipping in Jordan, came unto him like theirs. 2 Kings v. 14.

3. God's children, after conversion, are compared to new-born babes. 1 Pet. ii. 1, 2.

4. Jesus did what He was asked, and will do it now. John vi. 37.

LESSON CLVII.-Matt. xix. 16.

I. The case of the rich inquirer shows what erroneous notions we may have about salvation.

1. Concerning the inquirer mentioned here.

1. He was a person of rank-a ruler. Luke xviii. 18.

2. He was a young man, yet thinking of serious things. Ver. 20. 3. He was very rich, and not driven to God by poverty. Ver. 22.

4. He was very anxious, for he came running. Ver. 17.

5. He was a humble believer, for he knelt to Christ. Ver. 17.

2. Concerning his inquiry about salvation.

1. It was evidently that of a legalist. Rom. x. 5.

2. He had an idea that he must do some one good thing.

3. The same inquiry as that of the converted jailer. Acts xvi. 30.

4. It showed he was seeking to be righteous by works. Rom. ix. 32.

II. We must see that the form in which this young man put his inquiry was incorrect.

Gen. iii.

1. Man has no power to do anything for eternal life.
1. He could not of himself resist Satan in Paradise.
2. It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Jer. x. 23.
3. His nature is sinful and he cannot change it. Jer. xiii. 23.
4. No man can bring a clean thing out of an unclean. Job
xiv. 4.

5. By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified. Rom.
iii. 20.

2. We are told how salvation is obtained.

1. The knowledge of Jesus is life eternal. John xvii. 3.
2. The believer in Jesus has everlasting life. John iii. 36.
3. We are justified by faith in Christ Jesus Rom. v. 1.
4. Eternal life is the gift of God in Christ. Rom. vi. 23.

5. Feeding by faith on Jesus ensures eternal life. John vi. 54.
6. God's mercy in the cross is our salvation. Titus iii. 5.

7. The washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Titus iii. 5.

8. Having Jesus is eternal life. 1 John v. 11, 12.
3. Some there are who shall have eternal life.

1. Some shall wake to everlasting life. Dan. xii. 2.
2. Christ's sheep shall have it from Him. John x. 28.
3. It is promised to God's people as certain. Titus i. 2.
4. Every one that hath the Son hath life. John vi. 40.
5. Christ purchased it for us with His blood. Heb. ix. 12.
6. Believers shall enjoy it in the day of Christ. Matt. xxv. 46.

A LITTLE SCIENCE FOR LITTLE PEOPLE.

III. THE HOUSE I LIVE IN.

N building a house, strong pieces of timber are placed upon the walls, where openings are to be made, for the purpose of supporting, or, as the builders

66

say,

carrying," the weight of that which is to be placed above the opening. These pieces are called sills; and they not only form a base upon which the necessary uprights may be placed, but they answer the purpose of holding together both the upper and lower parts of the building in their proper positions. The sills of the House I live in are two large irregular bones, placed at the top of the "pillars" of which we spoke last month, and are called the hip-bones. They are very firm and strong, and are united by a strong cartilage. The hollow in the hip-bone, where the thigh-bone is fastened, is like the inside of an egg-shell with the small end broken off. The round end of the thigh-bone is fastened into this deep cavity by a very strong cord. The shoulder is often dislocated, or detached from its situation; but the hollow is so deep, and the cord so strong, that nothing but very great violence will snap the cord, or slip the thigh-bone out of its place, while the cartilage which joins these hip-bones is very thick, and stretches or yields if treated properly in growth. Frequent, but not violent, exercise, plain living, pure air, and temperance, will preserve the cartilage in a healthy condition even till old age.

Houses consist of one or more stories, according to the taste or design of the builder or tenant; but the

House in which I live has two stories and a dome. The principal post-the main pillar of the buildingis the spine, which runs through both stories, and is of singular construction. It is usually called the back bone, and is composed of twenty-four separate pieces or joints, each of which is called a vertebra. The seven lower joints are very large and strong, and are the supports of the first or lower story. The twelve next above them belong to the second story, and are somewhat smaller, while the seven which form the communication from the upper story to the dome, or the bones of the neck, are smaller still-the size decreasing gradually from the lowest to the highest. The spine is not only curious in shape, but is also of the greatest importance to the usefulness of the House. If it were removed, the limbs, beautifully adapted as they are for the work they have to do, could not act; they would fall powerless at each attempt to use them. Let us be thankful, then, for a straight and strong spine, and may no wrong act of ours cause it to curve from its uprightness!

When the twenty-four vertebræ are placed one above another, in the position they occupy in the living body, they contain a channel throughout their entire length. This hollow is filled with a soft substance very much like the marrow of the other bones, but more important in its offices. It seems like an arm of the brain, for there is a passage from the bottom of the cranium, or skull, into the hollow of the spine. The top piece of all, which is called the atlas, moves upon and around an upward projection of the second piece, very much like a tooth in shape, only much larger in size, and confined in its exact position by a ligament. This is an admirable contrivance for admitting the head to turn from side to side without pressing on the spinal matter, and interfering with its functions.

Large notches at the sides may be observed between each two joints, which are so well matched as to form a hole. Through these holes large branches of the marrow of the spine pass off, like the branches of a tree, to all parts of the body. These branches are called nerves. At first they are pretty large; but they divide and subdivide as they proceed towards the extremities of the frame, till they become very small. Their number in all the soft parts of the body, particularly in the skin, is very great.

Two upward projections, which interlock with the bones above and below them, serve as braces to the whole spine.

Between each bone is a tough elastic substance, or gristle, very much like India-rubber. This valuable contrivance prevents the bones from wearing out too soon, and yet allows of their being moved pretty freely. Tumblers astonish us sometimes at the way in which they twist the body, and we wonder whether they have an ordinary spine or not. They sometimes bring their heads back until they almost touch their feet, and the straight pile of bones is changed into a bow. How is this done? It is explained for us here. The gristle or cartilage between the vertebræ is very thick and strong, but, as we have said before, very yielding, and is so constructed and placed as to allow the spine to bend about in the various ways with which tumblers excite the wonder of ordinary mortals. If you stand or walk much during the day, you are really a little shorter at night than you were in the morning. Rest and sleep give the cartilages time and opportunity to spring back again into their places, so that by the next morning you may be as tall as ever. Old people, however, get shortened a little, and are not so tall as they were in middle age. If the soft marrow of the spine, which runs down from the brain, should happen to be bruised or injured, there would be an end to all motion in the lower limbs. If the spine is broken, it cannot be mended. How thankful should we be, then, that so important a part of the House is so firmly put together, and that it cannot easily be

broken or dislocated!

In the upper story of the building, the ribs, or the girders, are the most prominent, though, perhaps, they look more like the hoops of a cask than girders. There are twelve of them on each side. Each of them is connected by one of its ends to the large post, or spine, and by the other to a short post, the breast-bone. Only seven, however, are joined closely to the breast-bone itself. The junction is effected by means of those useful cartilages whose kindly offices in the House have been several times referred to. They allow of greater freedom of motion in the chest, which is so essential to full respiration and the vigorous circulation of the blood. The other five of the ribs only go part of the way across, and then unite with the upper seven. Those ribs which continue round from the spine and join with the breast-bone, are called true ribs; the others, which do not form this attachment, are called false ribs. The length of the rib increases from the first, or upper one, till you come to the seventh, which is the longest. From the seventh to the twelfth they grow shorter again-the twelfth being very short compared with the others. The number of ribs in each House is almost always twelve; sometimes there are only eleven, and sometimes thirteen; but instances where there are more or less than twelve hardly occur in one person in a thousand. A notion prevailed years ago, and even now is believed by some people, that the man has one rib less on one side than on the other. It was the offspring of ignorance, and was founded upon the assumption that, as Eve was formed of a rib taken from Adam's side, he and all his male posterity have one rib the less for it. We need scarcely say that the notion is entirely unfounded.

The breast-bone-called in learned books the sternum-is usually considered one bone. In infancy it consists of three in number, closely united by gristle, but in advanced age the whole becomes one solid bone. The second story is braced together by the collar-bone, which lies between the shoulder and the breast-bone, and nearly resembles a rib, and by the shoulder-blade (scapula), a broad, flat bone, with ridges on it for the attachment of muscles. At the fore-part is the hollow, or socket, in which the round head, or ball, of the humerus, or arm-bone, lies and

moves,

It is time that we said a word or two about the arms, or the appendages to the body. They are not a support, because they can be removed without spoiling the building, although without them it would be very much injured. They answer the purpose of stairs, ladders, or pulleys, and of similar machinery for raising things from the ground, and conveying them to the upper part of the building. The arm and hand constitute a most wonderful apparatus for motion. The bones of the arm are very much like those of the leg. In the upper part there is one long round bone, which is called the humerus. It is fastened above to the shoulderblade; below, at the elbows, it is connected with the

two bones of the lower half of the arm by a joint like a hinge, and by ligaments or straps to weld them together. The largest of the two bones is called the ulna, a Latin word for cubit, because the arm below the elbow is usually considered about a cubit in length. The smaller one is called the radius, or spoke, from the supposed resemblance between it and the spoke of a wheel. It is the bone from the elbow on a line with the thumb. The connexion at the shoulder is so perfect that the arm can be moved in almost every direction, while the elbow joint admits only of a backward and forward movement.

But the extremity of the arm-the hand-is by far the most curious part of it. Perhaps there is nothing of greater curiosity than the human hand. The whole hand and wrist contain twenty-seven bones, nineteen in the former and eight in the latter. The four largest support the palm, and are joined at one end by the wrist bones, and at the other to the first joint of the fingers. The junction of these bones is effected like the other joints of the body, by means of ligaments. The thumb has one joint less than the fingers. There are fourteen joints in the hand, and, like some of our door hinges, only bend in one direction. The bones of the fingers gradually decrease in length to the tip, and are joined by a succession of hinge joints. They move independently one of another by a series of muscles, acted upon by nerves which are completely under the dominion of the will. We have spoken only of the bones of the hand, and said nothing of the muscles, tendons, nerves, arteries, veins, skin, and nails, which, when added, make the hand one of the most beautiful things in the whole world. Small as this member of the frame is, it is nevertheless of the utmost importance. Without it a great deal of the industry of the country would come to a standstill, and we should become so helpless as to die of starvation. So much, indeed, may be said about it that one of the greatest of physiologists, Sir Charles Bell, has written a large volume which is wholly devoted to a description of it. In this volume he says, "Nothing is more remarkable than the manner in which the delicate and moving apparatus of the palm and fingers is guarded. The power with which the hand grasps, as when a sailor lays hold to raise his body to the rigging, would be too great for the texture of mere tendons, nerves, and vessels; they would be crushed were not every part that bears the pressure defended with a cushion of fat, as elastic as that in the foot of the horse and the camel. To add to this, there is a muscle that runs across the palm of the hand, and supports the cushion on the inner edge." The chief seat of sensibility is the palm, and the palmar sides of the fingers, and the mechanism of the hand is so contrived as to accommodate itself to this sensibility.

When we grasp the hand of a friend, the palms come in contact, and we are conscious of a mutual sensation conveyed through the nervous system. Were it not for the nerves which now overspread the hand and the sides of the fingers, all this pleasurable sensibility would cease. It has been estimated that, in directing the fingers to any object of touch, not less than a hundred muscles are brought into operation, which are excited by thousands of nervous filaments, or threads, each of which is under the absolute control of the will. We have only to watch an expert pianoforte player to see what a wonderful mechanical contrivance this is. The performer of one of the difficult compositions of a modern composer for that instrument produces as many as ten thousand notes by the application of the fingers to the keys. The longest of these pieces is executed in about fifteen minutes, or, we will say, one thousand seconds, so that the notes must be produced at the rate of ten per second! To add to the magnitude of this act, it must be remembered that each note requires a separate dictate of the will, and each dictate of the will a separate act of the mind! We can easily see, then, how largely the hand contributes to the comfort of the body, and how many of the common blessings we daily enjoy are dependent upon its free exercise; and, bearing in mind the important aid we receive from this little member in the expression of our goodwill and regard to one another, let us seek to be as real and hearty in our congratulations as the hand is in the share it takes in promoting the common courtesies of life.

[graphic]

J. P.

THE LORD MAYOR AND SHERIFFS.

N placing before our readers the portraits of the LORD MAYOR of London, and the SHERIFFS of London and Middlesex, we may remind them of the importance attaching to these offices, and the high honour conferred upon those who are elected to them. As the head of the great Corporation of the City of London, the Lord Mayor occupies a most responsible position, and it is needless to say that great care is invariably taken to secure the services of a gentleman of influence and ability for the office. To reach this post is the sum of the citizen's ambition, and great sacrifices, pecuniary and otherwise, are often made to secure its enjoyment, as, before anyone can be elected to it, he must have filled other positions involving considerable demands upon his time and purse, which, however, being for the public benefit, are cheerfully met. The Sheriffs are hardly less im

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THE PARABLE OF THE LITTLE LAMB.

THERE was an Eastern shepherd, and he held a flock innumerable of well-cared-for sheep; he chose for he led them tenderly to quench their thirst. Oh, them the greenest pastures, and by the still waters happy sheep! ye have no need to fear with such a kindly hand for ever near. this happy band, one little lamb there was, impaBut even now, amid tient of restraint. It did not love the shepherd's voice; it would not be controlled; but ever sought, with restless eye, some outlet from the fold. The shepherd saw its aim, and his kind heart was pained to think that all his love was scorned, nor owned with gratitude by this weak erring lamb. One luckless day, this little lamb, rejoicing in its freedom, strayed from nigh its fellows, forgetful that the shepherd's eye still followed it afar, and thinking within itself, "What is there now to hinder me from taking my own way?" And so he wandered on,

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Born 1814; entered Corporation 1860, as Common Councilman for the Ward of Cheap; elected Sheriff, 1871.

portant than the Chief Magistrate. They are charged with the performance of various duties, some of which, as the attendance at executions and the like, are of a singularly unpleasant character.

LORD MAYOR GIBBONS. The present occupant of the civic chair is the Right Honourable SILLS JOHN GIBBONS, whose portrait we here present, a gentleman of considerable ability, who has, by his intelligence and uprightness of conduct, gained the respect and esteem of his fellowcitizens. Born in 1809, he is now in the full vigour of life, and has shown, in the various positions in which he has been placed, great skill and tact in the performance of the various duties falling to him. He has been a member of the Corporation from the year 1858, and the manner in which he has acquitted himself in connexion with that body has led a large number of his friends to wish for the further utilization of his talents in Parliament, in consequence of which he has promised to offer his services to the electors at the first opportunity.

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THE RIGHT HON. SILLS JOHN GIBBONS, LORD MAYOR. elii 100 Born 1809; entered Corporation 1858, as Commonsilion w Councilman for Castle Baynard Ward; elected Alderman, 1862, Sheriff, 1865: J.P. for Middlesex.

promotion of many important movements for the benefit of others, and has won considerable distinction as a lecturer at working men's institutions and the like.

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Born 1824; entered Corporation 1858, as
Common Councilman for Dowgate Ward, and0-4

as since filled several important offices in connection with that body; elected Sheriff, 1871 Alderman, 1871.

until from sight our little lamb was gone. When the good shepherd homeward turned at night his willing flock, one little lamb was not. The shepherd knew it, and his heart was sad; he knew the dangers lurking round the fold, and, apprehensive

HOW TO DO GOOD AT A SMALL COST. for the wanderer's life, he called to him his own

THIS problem has received a practical solution at the hands of an energetic lady of small means in the south of London, who, being anxious to do what she could to benefit her poorer neighbours, holds a weekly meeting of the mothers in her district; and at these gatherings those who attend are able to purchase, at merely nominal prices, second-hand garments, which the conductor obtains from her friends, and which, under her direction, are mended and altered so as to become very serviceable articles of clothing. Nothing is absolutely given away, and the money received for the clothes goes to pay the various little expenses connected with the meetings.

-The Rock.

loved son, and to him said, "Go, seek my lost one!" Instant he rose to obey, and followed on o'er hill and dale; but no poor lamb was there. Onward he further sped, by love and duty led, till, weary, worn, and sad, he found it nigh to death, within the grasp of an all-devouring monster. He heeded not the danger-enough for him it was his father's lamb. He seized the struggling prey, and overcame the monster, now laid resistless at his feet. He gently raised the wearied lamb, and bore it, safely nestling in his arms, to where his father stood, waiting with anxious gaze his son's return. "Father," he cried, "here is thy lost one safe. Oh, take it to thy fold again! This blood thou seest, I shed in his deliverFor my sake, father, pardon and receive him "

ance.

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