and say on many occasions very illnatured things of others.

These and habits of a like kind, Esther's parents were constantly practising, to all which their children were of course frequent witnesses, and by degrees had learnt to think that these practices were not wrong: 'tis true they were taught differently both at church and at school; at church by the clergyman Mr. Clare, and at school by Mr. and Mrs. Short; but then they heard their parents often ridicule both the one and the other, so thought they need not pay much attention to them. Thus they grew up, and at the time of this story, were but little acquainted with the true principles of religion, and least of all with one of its most important duties, submission to authority, in other words, obedience.

About an hour had elapsed since Esther had been sent to her corner of the school-room, where she had been sulking with her book, and brooding over the reprimand and punishment which had come upon her, when Mrs. Short was called out of the room by a person wishing to speak to her. No sooner was Mrs. Short's back turned than Esther determined within herself, that she would make her escape, and go home, when she doubted not, but that her mother would fully enter into her feelings and consider her very ill-used in what had taken place. Her first act therefore was to walk across the room from the place where she had been told to remain, take down her bonnet and shawl, put them on, and march out of school.

Mary Goodchild, the eldest monitor, who had been left in care of the school during Mrs. Short's absence, suspecting what she was about to do, had gone up to her on her first movement from the corner, and requested her to remain where she was, as Mrs. Short, she said, would be very angry with her unless she did so. this Esther made no reply but pouting her lips and shaking her shoulders, and as I said, walked away from the school. Mrs. Short soon returned, and was told by the head girl what had occurred, at which she was very

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sorry. She was grieved that Esther had acted as she had done, but expected that her parents would soon bring her back again, and insist on her submitting to the punishment which had been awarded her.

We must now return to the interview between Esther and her mother, with which we started. Mrs. Simmonds having heard the reason why her daughter had left school, as also Esther's full version of the whole affair, determined in her own mind, without any further enquiry, that her daughter had been very much ill-used, and resolved at once that she would go to the school, give Elizabeth Smith a sound beating, Mrs. Short a good scolding, and take her daughter away.

With these intents she immediately set off, and had not proceeded far in her way when she met poor little Elizabeth Smith returning from school to her dinner. "Come

66

here, you mischievous little hussey!" exclaimed Mrs. Simmonds, in a great passion, come here, and I'll teach Poor Elizabeth would

you to tear my girl's frock." gladly have made her escape had it been possible, for she saw at once that Mrs. Simmonds was very angry; but Mrs. Simmonds had tight hold of her, therefore her only plan was to tell her tale in a straightforward way and abide the event. This with tears she did, explaining all the circumstances of the case exactly as they had happened. Mrs. Simmonds could but restrain herself until the child had finished, which, as soon as she had done, she called her a little liar, a good-for-nothing girl, and such other hard names, and forthwith gave her some severe blows, a sound shaking, and told her to go about her business, and take good care for the future not to meddle nor make with hers.

(To be continued)

DID you ever read St. Antholins ?* If not, take the advice of one who has, and as soon as you are able, read it. It will give you a most amusing although sad account of the way in which the fine old churches of our forefathers are suffered to fall into ruin by the negligence and stinginess of their degenerate children, the way in which modern churches are built, and the way in which they ought to be built. Now, the reason why I have particularly called your attention to this little book, is, that you may compare the glorious cathedral of Ely, which stands at the head of this article, with the miserable barn-like edifice, of which Mr. Paget gives us a picture, built by Mr. Compo. Dont make a mistake and think that I mean the frontispiece, which gives us the picture of the old

* St. Antholins, or Old Churches and New, a Tale by Francis E. Paget, M. A.

church at St. Antholins. No; this is just what it ought to be; and, when understood to represent a parish church, may be compared, without suffering loss, to our rich plate, which represents a cathedral; but I mean that Roman-cement-looking thing, which you will find in the middle of the book. Now, after having examined all three; the cathedral, the parish church as it was, and Mr. Compo's building; and having satisfied yourself— which I feel sure you will do—that the two former are those in which the public services of the Church of England ought to be administered, in preference to the latter; then enquire within yourselves, whether such a building as this before you, could have been raised by the means adopted by Mr. Compo's patrons, for building their church? Do you think, my friends, that charity sermons, bazaars, and such like popular modes of collecting funds, would ever have sufficed to raise such an edifice as this? I trow not. If such buildings as these are ever to be erected again, it must be on a different plan. We must have some such persons among us as that good old lady described by Mr. Paget, who, in spite of the author's silence on the subject, we feel convinced built up again St. Antholins church at her own expence. We may feel thankful that there are still some such pious persons in the world; for, without mentioning names, we could tell you of a lady not a hundred miles from the town in which our Magazine is published, who has lately given £10,000 to build and endow a church,-but we fear such examples are rare. In this way, however, churches ought to be built; and where, from circumstances over which there is no control, this mode cannot be adopted, other ways may be found better than charity sermons, bazaars, &c., either by small weekly contributions, or by the Church at large sending a general contribution to a particular district, or by some other means which wiser heads than mine may devise.

I dont like to bring too many charges against the rich manufacturers in our neighbourhood, for in many things I know they are blamed more than they ought to be;

but I must say that it often strikes me that they have very much neglected their duty in this matter of building and endowing churches.* I look in our manufacturing towns, and see a vast demoralized population without clergy to instruct them, or churches to receive them. I look in the environs of these towns, and see fine spacious mansions, with furniture of the most costly description; I see the roads constantly trodden over by horses and carriages, and no sign apparently of want of funds, for all the comforts and luxuries of life, Now I would ask some of these rich gentlemen, with their fine houses and carriages, how it comes to pass that there are so few churches in the towns in which they live? I know that they will answer, generally, that they are too poor to build them. Of course they are, if they spend all they can spare upon themselves; but this is what they ought not to do, and it is for this that I blame them, and would venture to tell them that if their forefathers had lived up to their incomes, and put by fortunes as they do, we should never have had erected such noble buildings as the cathedrals and old parish churches which adorn our land. I could tell these gentlemen a great deal more while I am upon this subject, viz., that the present distress in trade, the insubordination of their workmen, and many other evils which they as masters deplore, arise from a higher cause than in their common conversation on this subject they are accustomed to admit; but I shall refrain at present, and just request those who may read this article, to reflect that "righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people."

For my own part, I should like to see a church, or, at all events, a clergyman for every thousand souls among our population;-a good old-fashioned church, built on the principles of church architecture, with nice old oak

*We would, however, record the praiseworthy exception of Manchester, which, during the past year, has raised a sum of more than £46,000 to build and endow churches. We hope that this is

but the first fruits of what will be done.--ED.