1835.] LETTER FROM A YOUNG WOMAN.

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king, Harfager, he slew. He then immediately set about raising a sufficient army to oppose the Normans, and he marched to meet them, halting near Battle. The Norman army was divided into three bodies, one of which was commanded by the duke in person, the archers being distributed in the lines and on each flank. The English placed their Kentish men in front, with their shields so placed, that the base of one touched the head of the other, by which means the arrows glided off as from a slated roof. The main body was composed of Londoners, who guarded the standard; and the Danes formed the wings. The royal standard of England was planted on the site of Battle abbey, the king and his brothers taking their station by it. After a most severe battle, the king of England received an arrow through the eye, which entered his brain, and killed him on the spot. The English, at that time, were unused to bows and arrows, though they were afterwards famed for being the best archers in the world. The death of Harold put a stop to all the energy and spirit of his soldiers. William became conqueror, though his loss was great. It is said that the mother of Harold offered its weight in gold for the body of her son. When it was found, the conqueror gave it to her. William returned to Hastings the next day, where he fortified himself, in case of fresh attacks from the English, and to enable him to land fresh troops from Normandy.

V.

LETTER FROM A YOUNG WOMAN TO HER FRIEND.

MR. EDITOR,

THE following is a copy of a letter addressed by a young. woman to her young friend, and is sent for insertion in your Cottager's Monthly Visitor," should you deem it worthy of your notice, by

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Your humble and constant reader,
J. E. H.

October 12, 1834.

MY DEAR FRIEND, I have long been intending to write to you, but have until now been prevented. I have thought much of you, and I am ever anxious for your temporal, as well as spiritual welfare. Let me entreat you to continue as, thank God, you now are, a steady, modest, and reflecting young

woman. I am truly rejoiced to see you, at an age when too many young women are gay, trifling, and thoughtless, quite the reverse in every thing, and, I trust, walking in that narrow, but happy, path which leads unto heaven. O continue thus to walk, and grow in grace, that you may be a blessing to your own family, and a pattern to all who know you. Ever remember how much good you may do by setting a good example; for, alas! my friend, there are so few young women who do what is right, and who are quiet and modest, that when one is met with who does do so, she is remarked by most people for her conduct. You cannot be too modest, too steady, too serious, or too particular in all you do or say. You cannot be too guarded or particular as to your conduct and conversation with young men; never (as I am sure you are at present far from doing) suffer them to say foolish things to you, without plainly showing to them, by your manner, that you will not allow it. Avoid even every appearance of evil, on all occasions; I know you are anxious, and, I do think, try, as far as possible, to do so. Oh continue thus to act as you have begun. You have in your youth sought the Lord; forsake him not, and he will never forsake you. Ever remember that "evil communications corrupt good manners.' You have good manners; you are modest, gentle, and quiet in your behaviour at all times; you aretender-hearted, and anxious and careful to do all you know to be right and correct in your conduct towards all; take heed, therefore, my friend, that "evil communications" do not corrupt you: the habits and ideas of others are more easily caught by one than we are aware of: therefore beware of being thus corrupted. Do not be easily persuaded by others; never act against conscience; if you once turn a deaf ear to that useful inward monitor, you will soon forsake the path of righteousness, and follow the multitude to do evil. Remember that you are in that station in life in which you may do much good; a station in which there are, I fear, so few young women who do set a good example. The generality of them are foolishly gay, both in their dress and manners; they love to go to parties of pleasure, to balls, and to wakes; they are frequently out after it is dark, without there being any occasion for it; and they are

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LETTER FROM A YOUNG WOMAN.

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not guarded at all in their conduct and conversation with young men. Now all these things are not right, and you both know it and avoid them; and therefore, in so doing, you set a good example; and earnestly do I pray that you may continue to do so through life. Pray that the "evil communications" of such people may not corrupt you; you are obliged to associate with many, but do not ever be persuaded by them; but remember that such people are always anxious, if they see a young woman modest, quiet, and serious, to laugh her out of what they call her foolish ways, and make her like themselves. But let them not do so with you: pray fervently, my friend, for grace and strength, from above, to resist all evil, and ever to avoid even the appearance of it. Then you will continue to be beloved by all who know you; you will be at peace with your own conscience, and you will daily advance in your Christian course. "Pray without ceasing;" carry, my friend, all your hopes and your fears, and your griefs and vexations, whatever they may be; carry them all before a throne of grace and mercy, and there fervently, and with faith, ask your heavenly Father to teach you to submit cheerfully and willingly to those trials, that he, to answer some wise end you know not of, may at present not see fit to remove or lessen. Pray daily for more grace, to continue to walk in that narrow path, in which, thank God, you have so early begun to tread: pray for a cheerful spirit likewise, and that you may be enabled to see the hand of God in the smallest thing that happens to you or your family; for I am sure you know, oh try to feel it more, that God orders all things for the good of those who faithfully trust in him. He, my friend, knows far better what is best for us than we do ourselves; leave all in his hands" who careth for you," and be of a cheerful spirit: rejoice and faint not, but continue to walk humbly with your God. Then will you continue to set a good example to all who know you, as well as to

Your unworthy, but sincere friend,

ON CRUELTY.

"CRUELTY to the brute creation, shows a selfish, covetous, and cowardly disposition."

True courage is

merciful; it delights not in cruelty: a truly brave man is kind and generous. A disposition of cruelty is of such a base quality, that, if not restrained, it will lead to the most frightful consequences; it leads the mind on by degrees, from one crime to another. A great writer says,

he who is cruel to insects, birds, and cattle, will conclude the career of his infamous obduracy by cruelty to mankind."

Now, Domitian, and Caligula, the Roman emperors, were all known for the brutal cruelty of their dispositions, and by their deeds of horrid barbarity. This began in childhood. The child had taken delight in impaling flies, and in spinning beetles; the boy in tormenting dogs, cats, and domestic animals, before the full measure of cruelty became complete in the man. It is therefore an important object in the education of children, to check the natural tendency in them to cruelty; and it should be a leading principle with parents and teachers to encourage tender feelings in children. Young people should be taught to be courageous in bearing their own sufferings, and very tender-hearted towards the sufferings of others. Children often act cruelly towards others, from want of thought they should therefore be taught to know that to put any creature to pain without necessity is a crime, and marks a very wrong state of mind; and that it is a great duty to relieve distress and pain, instead of inflicting them; and that it is highly needful for them to cultivate this merciful disposition. A man who cultivates a kind and merciful disposition is consulting his own happiness; whilst he who deals in cruelty is destroying every source of peace and comfort to himself. The wise king (Solomon) says, "The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh." Those tender feelings which make the happiness of house and home, belong not to the cruel-the cock-fightersand the bull-baiters: and those who encourage fights among men, must have their own dispositions spoiled for the exercise of gentleness and tenderness. It is distressing to think that so many of the outdoor sports in this country are attended with cruelty: but there are some in which the whole is cruelty, and where the plea

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ANSWERS TO HISTORICAL QUESTIONS.

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sure seems to arise entirely out of the sufferings of animals. An account is given of a striking instance, in which what is called a brute animal put to shame the conduct of many who considered themselves to be reasonable beings. A bull which was baited at Cheadle, in Staffordshire, showed more feeling than his tormentors, who wore the form of men. A bull-dog was let loose on the generous animal, who, in the first motion of his rage, tossed the dog, and killed him. No sooner did the bull behold the dead dog, than he moaned pitifully, and licked the dead body with his tongue. Another dog was let loose upon him, but the bull remained perfectly still, and no provocation could urge him to attempt to toss this other dog. Bull-baiting is not so common now in this country as it formerly was, yet it is not altogether given up; it is a disgrace to any country where it exists. (See No. 183 of the Religious Tract Society.)

V.

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS IN ENGLISH HISTORY.

(In our last number, p. 403.)

Answer 1. King Edward VI. died in the year 1553. A. 2. Queen Mary then reigned over England. A. 3. Queen Mary was sister to King Edward VI. A. 4. Mary was a bigotted Roman Catholic, and did all she could to put an end to the Protestant religion. A. 5. Bishop Bonner and Bishop Gardiner were very violent in persecuting the Protestants.

A. 6. Very great numbers of men and women were burned to death in Mary's reign, for their regard to the Protestant religion.

A. 7. Bishops Ridley and Latimer were among those who stood firm to the Protestant religion, and were in consequence burned to death. Archbishop Cranmer gave way for a little time, and signed a paper in favour of the Roman Catholic religion; but he was so disturbed in his conscience by this act, that he afterwards boldly proclaimed himself to be a Protestant, and was burned to death. When brought to the stake, he thrust his right hand into the midst of the fire, exclaiming, "This unworthy hand!" for it had signed the paper of his recanțation, which he since so deeply repented of.