The scholar in question persisted intentionally in miscalling words. He was told to sit down, and the next lesson he was allowed to remain sitting without any observation being made. The following Sunday he stood up in his place with open Bible, but was told he need not read, and the lesson was gone through without his taking part in it. Now the turning point was arrived at. On resuming the next lesson, when his turn came to read he commenced to do so, but was checked; there was then such an imploring look-a look that spoke as plainly as language could speak. The victory was achieved, the end accomplished. A fellow-scholar interceded for him, and hoped he might be allowed to read. The reply was to the effect that if he (the offender) intended to conduct himself properly, he would be allowed to do so, but not otherwise. The offence was never repeated by him afterwards.

To be efficient and useful it is desirable that a teacher have the esteem and affection of his class; to secure these he should aim at being intelligent, firm, kind, and attentive. Bringing these qualifications to bear on his endeavours, and praying that God's blessing may rest upon his labour, he may reasonably and confidently hope that that labour shall not be in vain."

But possibly some of the readers of the INSTRUCTOR may say "We want to know something about the lad who had to stand upon the form. Did he, when he became a man, actually thrash' his old teacher?" No; he did not. The writer was well acquainted with both teacher and scholar; in fact, it was owing to the close intimacy existing between him and the quondam scholar that he got to know the secret of the resolve.

On one occasion when these two were together, the old teacher chanced to pass. The former scholar, then a young man, exclaimed, "I once made it up in my mind that if ever I was a man, and could master him, I'd thrash him." To the inquiry, "What for?" the reply was, "Because he once made me stand on a form one afternoon when I went to the Sunday-school." "Shall you ever thrash him?" "Well, no-I think not. I've almost forgiven him." In a year or two afterwards, it is pretty certain, he not only almost but altogether forgave him; and, as we should do in the case of offences against ourselves, but seldom thought of the occurrence. The old teacher was allowed to live over his "fourscore years" before he was "gathered to his fathers," without undergoing the promised thrashing, or even knowing that such a promise had been made by his former pupil !

Are the Sunday scholars of the present day treated in a more rational and intelligent manner than formerly? All must admit that they are; then certainly it is their duty to conduct themselves as rational and intelligent beings. Are you, young reader, a Sunday scholar, and does your teacher treat you with kindness? Show kindness in return. Is he anxious for your happiness? Co-operate with him, and be solicitous for your own welfare. It may be that many

an anxious thought has crossed his mind on your account, that many a prayer has been offered on your behalf, that many a sigh has escaped his bosom as he watched the bud of promise wither and disappear. Shall another be more anxious for your happiness than yourself? Let your resolve be, not one of revenge, but I will be a companion of them that fear God, of them that keep His commandJ. W.

ments.

POOR LITTLE TOM, OR, ONLY A FLOWER. NE day a poor little deformed fellow, named Tom, who could not walk, was seated in his little chair outside the cottage-door. Tom had great pain to endure; often he could not jump and play like his brothers, Willie and George; he knew that he would be helpless and misshapen and full of pain as long as he lived; that he would be nothing at home but poor Tom," causing his mother's heart to ache, and tears to suffuse her eyes, when she looked at his pale, pain-worn face; and his father to heave heavy sighs, and sometimes even to turn away and draw his coat-sleeve hastily across his eyes, as he thought of his afflicted boy.

As he was seated at the door some children came by, and when they saw how deformed he was, and that he could not walk, they began to make some very unkind remarks about him, and even to taunt him because of his misfortune, staring at him and laughing rudely the while. Now Tom had had much of this naughty conduct towards him to bear before, and he had been very brave, but this morning he felt more poorly and full of pain than usual, and the cruel words stung him more keenly; and, putting his thin hands to his face, he burst into tears. He thought it unkind in God to make him such a cripple, and he felt so miserable altogether he wished that he might die.

The naughty children soon ran away; ah! but they couldn't take with them the arrows with which they had pierced the little boy's heart.

But while he was looking so sad a little girl came along, and Tom's heart gave a great bound for fear lest she also would tease him. She had a pretty flower in her hand, and was admiring its beauty very intently; and so she did not raise her soft grey eyes until she was very near Tom; but when she saw him she looked so kindly at him he was delighted, and thought he might venture to smile. Then the little girl smiled too, and walked to his side, and said, giving him the flower, "Little boy, will you have it? It's only a flower, but I'm very sorry for you!"

Oh, how pleased Tom was! and tell me was it only with the flower, think you? No, not with that only, but also with the kind words and sympathising looks he so rarely saw in a child's face.

Little children, it is in your power to comfort and bless a sad heart, even though it only be a little simple flower you give, a kind look, or a word; and Jesus, who watches the actions of little children, said

"Forasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these, my little ones, ye did it unto Me." Oh, how sweet to do something for Jesus!

THE SWALLOW.

THE swallow is a migratory bird. It does not stay with us all the year round, but comes at spring time, when the sun begins to shine more warmly, and the winds blow more softly and pleasantly, but as winter shows signs of approaching again it disappears.

Where does it go to when it leaves us? This naturalists find hard to say. The question has excited amongst them much controversy and speculation. It was once a popular notion that they sank to the bottom of lakes and ponds, and, buried in the mud, slept the winter through. This seems a very unlikely, if not an impossible, thing. But many naturalists have believed it, and to this day the belief is prevalent in some parts of England. Mr. Jesse was assured, upon credible authority, that a person in the neighbourhood of Grasmere Lake had seen swallows emerging from it. What is meant by credible authority I can scarcely say, for the idea of their submersion seems to be too extravagant to need refutation; while of their migration the proofs are such as will scarcely admit of a doubt. flocks of them have been seen at sea, far away from land. Few birds pass over so great an extent of surface in the same time as they do. They fly in the usual way at the rate of a mile in a minute, and can do this without apparent fatigue during ten or twelve hours every day.

Vast

The following impressive lines have been written on the migration of swallows :

"Ye gentle birds that perch aloof,

And smooth your pinions on my roof,
Preparing for departure hence:

Ere winter's angry threats commence,
Like you, my soul would smooth her plume
For longer flights beyond the tomb.

May God, by whom are seen and heard
Departing man and wand'ring bird,
In mercy mark me for His own,

And guide me to the land unknown!"

While the swallow is with us she is a most instructive pattern of

unwearied industry and affection. First of all she works hard to build her nest, which has first a crust or shell composed of dirt or mud, mixed with short pieces of straw, to render it tough and permanent; and then it is lined with fine grasses and feathers, which are

often collected as the bird floats in the air. While there is a family to be supported from morning to night she spends the whole day in skimming close to the ground, and exerting the most sudden turns and quick evolutions. Avenues and long walks, under hedges, and

pasture fields, and mown meadows, where cattle graze, are her delight, especially if there are trees interspersed, because in such spots insects most abound. The swallow also feeds much on insects of the beetle kind, as well as on gnats and flies, and often settles on dug ground or paths, for gravel to grind and digest its food.

The swallow is a delicate songster, and in soft sunny weather sings both perching and flying; on trees in a kind of concert, and on chimney-tops; is also a bold flier, ranging to distant downs and commons even in windy weather; nay, even frequenting exposed seaport towns, and making little excursions over the salt water.

Some writers assert that it is endowed with a higher intelligence than most animals, has indeed a sense of humour, and can enjoy the making of fun.

Before swallows depart, for some weeks, to a bird they forsake houses and chimneys, and roost in trees, and usually withdraw about the beginning of October.

LETTERS FROM AMERICA.
No. V.

IFE among the rich is seemingly as brimful of luxury and pleasure as heart can desire. They have stately city residences and elegant country homes; they have rich dresses, costly jewels, and costly furniture, and surround themselves with the beautiful; they also keep a staff of trained servants, with fine horses, and the easy, light, luxurious carriage peculiar to the country; but no liveried servants decked in the trappings of wealth. Their indoor and outdoor male attendants are attired in ordinary citizens' dress.

The young ladies are generally very lovely, slender and graceful in figure, with clean-cut, delicately-moulded features, the blue veins clearly traceable through the remarkably fine white skin. In manners they are free and vivacious, entering society very early, at an age, indeed, when in England they would not have left the schoolroom. But here, not having left school does not prevent a young lady partaking of every pleasure that may present itself within the circle of her acquaintance, and many pass through a scholastic training, and graduate at the ladies' colleges, after forming matrimonial engagements, laying aside the white robes of examination-day to don the richer apparel of a bride. And it is rich apparel; for all American women love dress dearly, and if they have the means of adorning their persons with jewels and costly raiment they are sure to avail themselves of every freak of fashion.

In carrying out this desire of always being dressed in the latest style, they forget that it gives them an extraordinary sameness of