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energetically against some questionable line of conduct, urging arguments pregnant with convincing facts, what effect can his discourse produce when it is tacitly known he pursues the identical course-though unknown to his congregation, he believes-as that which he now so emphatically condemns? The impressions made under such circumstances are far from conducing to any beneficial results. In some cases the reverse is accomplished. Precept and example go hand in hand. Eliminate the latter, and the former is powerless, except in promoting evil influences. Mischievous and pernicious precepts may take root and flourish where salutary and elevating ones would prove inoperative. This may seem at first sight unreasonable, and perhaps untrue. But we will proceed even still farther, and aver that pernicious and mischievous practices will appear where precept never gave rise to them. This apparently incompatible avowal will at once receive credence, when it is remembered and acknowledged how prone men are to err-errare est humanum. To walk and live degenerately require no tuition; 'tis natural as sleep. We have only to lie inertly and invite pleasure-relinquish the hold over our passions and stifle conscience-then morbid desires will actuate us and prove irresistible, and finally we shall succumb. All this can be accomplished exclusive of evil precept.

If we subject frequently a stubborn youth to chastisement as a punishment for his stupidity and indolence, without producing any material change for the better, each successive castigation will be less likely to effect a reformation in him, as he will get so accustomed to it as to absolutely disregard the shame and pain attached. Suppose a physician orders a peculiar medi

cine for his patient, who swallows dose upon dose without experiencing the slightest benefit, the power of effecting a cure will diminish with each repetition of the medicine. In like manner, if precept upon precept is reiterated without producing any salutary and material effect upon the recipient, each successive reiteration will diminish in cogency, and finally be as likely of taking root within the hard adamantine heart as upon the most flinty rock. The most sympathetic feelings within us lose their fervour and sensitive tone when made inordinately subservient to all our passions. When precept will not actuate a more righteous observance of the laws of morality, then some other remedial course must be adopted.

If we indulge with impunity in morbid tastes and passions, our sense of perceiving sin becomes entirely blunted, and gradually, though surely, we descend step by step to a level below brutes, sometimes hopelessly irretrievable. We become so habituated to these coarser habits, that the shame and ignominy attached are totally ignored, and we plunge headlong into excesses of the most degrading character, wholly unconscious of the moral laws we are violating and the awful example we are setting others.

In addition to those weak and indecisive minds which are ever unresistingly decoyed into all practices and habits, without exerting their volition, there are others, possessing the most lofty and indomitable wills, who cannot submit to the trammels of example, or be governed by its influence, but press boldly and incessantly upwards, unflinchingly and steadily, guided solely by righteous principles. To these, apparently insuperable attainments are prizes of inestimable value. With one goal

in view, they exert their untiring energies to the utmost, overtake and excel all their competitors, never once evading justice, or bringing into requisition baneful practices; but adhering with persistent exactitude to the course they have chosen, which they pursue until brilliant success crowns their efforts. With them, emulation and arduous duties are invited as freely as pleasure by others. A constant and everlasting strain upon their powers is to them the acme of bliss. No hardship too severe, or struggle too protracted for them to undertake. Such men were Columbus and Magalhaens, Newton and Galileo, and a score others of equal rank. Columbus himself, one of the greatest men that ever lived, if it be grand ideas grandly realised that constitutes greatness, while leading the life of a seaman, not only pursued assiduously the studies more particularly relating to his profession, rendering himself the most accomplished geographer and astronomer of his time, but kept up that acquaintance which he had begun at school with the different branches of elegant literature. On August 3rd, 1492, he set sail on his perilous and doubtful voyage. We have all read of the perseverance which he evinced, the attempted mutinies which he quelled, and the hardships he endured, before he caught sight of the long-expected land.

Ferdinand Magalhaens, commonly but erroneously called Magellan, was a Portuguese navigator. He acquired celebrity by boldly venturing to find a passage through the western continent. He set sail in 1520, determined to succeed. After sailing southward until he reached Monte Video, where he changed his course west, imagining he had discovered a passage, but was disappointed and compelled to retrace his course, finding

the water freshening, -he again sailed southward, and was eventually rewarded by discovering the straits called after his name. Perseverance alone enabled these brave men to succeed. Had they confined themselves to example and precedent, how ignorant we should have been! Of course, some other, equally venturesome, would have discovered what they have done, had they not attempted the voyage; but still, if all men alike lacked this soaring and bold disposition, we should certainly be in. a woeful plight. It was not wealth or ease these noble enthusiasts sought; it was the bondage and degradation of ignorance alone from which they panted to emancipate themselves. They have set us examples well worthy of imitation. If there are no new continents to discover, nor any new law of nature to be revealed, still there are an infinite number of channels, through which we may direct our course, and if pursued vigorously and sedulously, will ultimately conduct us to some pinnacle of renown, where success in its most deep and lasting colours will await us. Let no obstacle discourage us, nor a want of appreciation on the part of others; but let us rather proceed irrespective of applause or congratulation. The subjoined lines are so à propos, that we have inserted them:

'Proceed, illustrious youth, And Virtue guard thee to the throne of Truth; Let all thy soul indulge the generous heat, Till captive Science yield her last retreat; Let Reason guide thee with her brightest ray, And pour on misty Doubt resistless day!''

We have endeavoured in this paper to draw attention to the fact that the pernicious influences arising from evil example are comparatively universally disregarded, which is much to be deplored. When a corrupt action is committed, no thought is given as to its effect upon others; influence it

must exert, as every man, however latent his movements may be, sets some example to those around him. We have also attempted to illustrate and show, that precept without example is frequently if not wholly inoperative; that no individuals must indulge in fallacious notions, and deceive themselves by thinking that if they inculcate sound precepts, they have dis

charged their duty satisfactorily; they must exemplify the life they hold up as a model. Example is incontestably far more efficacious than precept, and when persevered in becomes habitual, and consequently exceedingly more difficult to eradicate than when checked in the bud. Example evolves the idea which frequent practice confirms into an inveterate habit.

ST. MARTIN'S SUMMER.

THE genial sunshine floods the pale blue sky,
The sullen river wakes to glint and flash,

The low winds whisper, tossing merrily

The scarlet tassels of the mountain ash;
The lingering roses, pale and faint and sweet,

Smile, opening to the warmth their fragrant breasts,
And 'mid the dead leaves nestling 'neath the feet
The violets peep to light from sheltered nests.

Each mighty tree October's signet bears,

Gleaming in hues of crimson, gold, and brown,
As some barbaric monarch, dying, wears

His richest robes and dons his brightest crown.
A soft sad loveliness, a perfume rare,

Seems round the Autumn's parting hours to cling;
A strange enchantment fills the brooding air,

As through a dirge triumphant hope may ring.

So, in some lives, we watch with reverent love,
After long trials borne, long sorrows past,

A hushed tranquillity awakes, to prove

Patience has wrought her perfect work at last.
But once, to glad the hot world's restless strife,
Comes childhood's April, youth's impassioned June;

The sweet serenity of waning life,

St. Martin's Summer, is its dearest boon.

LONDON'S HEART.

BY B. L. FARJEON, AUTHOR OF 'GRIF,' 'JOSHUA MARVEL,' AND 'BLADE-O'-GRASS.'

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are beautiful through all the year, in and out of blossom; their leaves have shaded many thousands of lovers, and will do again; and the story that is as old as the hills has been whispered and acted over and over again to the noble branches that break the sunlight and the moonlight fantastically. And what was there to prevent Mr. Sheldrake having an eye for the beautiful ?

It was to all appearance the most natural occurrence in the world, and Lily certainly had no suspicion that the meeting was pre-arranged. If it had been, where was the harm? Alfred saw none, and if he hadWell, if he had, it is difficult to determine how he would have acted. Men are to be found who are at once so selfish and so weak that they bring a moral blindness upon themselves. In the pursuit of their own selfish ends they are incapable of seeing in their actions a possible evil result to those whom they love. Their minds are mirrors reflecting from within, in which they see nothing

VOL. XI.

but themselves and their own troubles and desires.

The holiday commenced most happily, and Lily's heart's hopes were as bright as the clouds above her. The day was an event in her life of even routine. She was as blithe as a bird. As she walked, she felt as if she would like to dance, and as she could not do that, she hummed her favourite songs, and pressed Alfred's arm to her side, and showed her grateful spirit in a hundred little affectionate ways. Every little incident afforded her pleasure, and strangers looked admiringly at her bright face. When she and Alfred arrived at Hampton Court she was in the gayest of spirits. She chatted merrily on all sorts of subjects, and drank-in the goodness and the beauty of nature with a spirit of exceeding thankfulness. She was girl and woman. in one. It would have done any person good to see her roaming. about the grounds and gardens, admiring this and that as a child might have done. So childlike was she in her womanliness that every now and then she would set Alfred's remarks to favourite airs, and sing them again and again in a dozen different ways. Alfred thought he had never seen her so completely happy as now, and he expressed his thought affectionately.

'I am as happy as a bird,' she said. 'I don't think I ever felt happier in my life; and I have you to thank for it, dear, and that makes me happier still.'

In this way did her affectionate

P

nature pay exorbitant interest for Alfred's small outlay of kindness. As she pressed his arm to her breast, and held it there, Alfred thrilled with amazement at her goodness; he looked into her sparkling eyes, which were dewy with joy.

'Do you know what, Lil?'
'What, dear?'

'I am glad you are my sis

ter.'

Her heart laughed as he said the words.

because Alfred said it was the proper thing to do, but a gloom fell upon Lily when she was in the rooms. They were sad and sombre, and there was something dispiriting in the manner in which the few persons who were at the palace walked about and looked at the pictures. They walked with soft footfalls, and spoke with bated breath, and wore a solemn expression on their countenances, which seemed to say, 'We are walking among the dead.' One might not

'And glad that you love me, Lil,' inaptly have imagined, indeed, that

he added.

'What would life be without love, dear Alf ?'

She did not know (although she might have guessed, as she was aware that he had a heart-secret) what a tender chord her words touched. What would life be without love? Ah! think of it, all, and believe that it is the richest dower woman can bring to man, the richest gift man can give to woman! Love, faith, and charity: all the rest is dross. Out from the branches flew a bird, and after it another. Lily's eyes followed them. Up, up into the clouds, which seemed fit dwelling-place for the graceful things, until they were lost to sight. But Lily did not miss them; for in the clouds she saw her hopes reflected. She was in harmony with. the peacefulness and beauty of everything around and about her. Every blade that sprang from the earth, every leaf that thrilled to the whisper of the wind, every glint of light imprismed in the brown and green lattice-work of the trees, every bright bit of colour that dwelt in cloud and flower, contributed to her happiness. Such times as these are Forget-me-nots.

So they strolled through the gardens, and into courtyards so still and quiet that they appeared scarcely to belong to the busy world. They went into the picture-gallery

at night, when no profane footstep disturbed the silence, the palace was a palace of ghosts and shades that rose from the floor, and started from frame and wainscot, to play their parts in the shadowy world to which they belonged. The excitement and pleasure of the day rendered Lily more than usually susceptible to outward influences. Every nerve in her was quivering with susceptibility, and the contrast between the ghostly rooms and the bright landscape without sensibly affected her. She hurried Alfred through the rooms nervously, but the eyes of a Puritan, that glared at her sternly from the wall, arrested her attention and frightened her.

The face was sunless; even about the lips and eyes there was no trace of gentleness or sweetness. The cruelly hard lines in the face of this man spoke of severity, austerity, absolutism, and declared, 'Life is bitter; it is a battle of brute forces, and he who wins by strength ofcharacter, by dogmatism, by harshness, achieves a moral victory, and proves himself worthy. There is but one course-bend all the forces of your will, all the power of your strength, to crush those whose ways are not your ways, whose belief is not your belief. There is not room for all; some have no business here. To be human is not to be humane.' Lily's heart grew faint as she gazed

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