for he had the audacity to alter the sacred Scriptures, merely because he had departed from Scripture orthography in certain words. This bigoted furioso denounced Webster in no measured terms, and praised Dilworth, as the very acme of wisdom, for retaining what Webster had abandoned.

THE GOOD PRIOR-A TRUE NARRATIVE.

HE island of Majorca, in the Mediter

possesses a beautiful climate, and its inhabitants are a gentle, interesting race, among whom crime is a word almost unknown, and whose honesty is so remark

principal town is Palma, which contains forty-two thousand inhabitants; and though living was and is both cheap and plentiful, it did not prevent the city, some five-andtwenty years ago, from abounding in beggars; while the tumbled-down, ruinous

In the Greek and Latin languages, every letter, with but few exceptions, has its appropriate place and natural sound, so that a foreigner-I am almost tempted to write forenor!-may acquire a knowledge of those languages without the aid of a living teacher, though the latter will greatly facilitate his progress. And the Hebrew, without the aid of the vowel points, is free from these exceptions, every letter being sounded.

As I before said, I do not expect to live to see the reformation above indicated established, for though such a man as Noah Webster feared not to brave public opinion so far as to follow out the clear convictions of his judgment in many words of anomalous spelling, we cannot hope for such a master spirit to rise in our day, as will dare to lop off the many useless branches which encumber and disfigure the tree of knowledge, and render its fruit distasteful to the foreign student who may labor in the field of our literature; but I do hope that Webster will be followed as far as he has led the way, in his laudable efforts to restore a harmony between the spelling and the pronunciation of those words which he has pruned of their cumbersome branches. The tendency of the spoken language recognizes this; and we may depend upon it that, however strenuously it may be resisted, the resistance will eventually be overcome by the process of usage, aided by the good taste of those who see a beautiful harmony between written and spoken words.

who were but ill cared for. Outside the town, and surrounded by a grove of almond, olive, and lemon-trees, and above which towered a few noble palms, whose great height and fine feathery branches made them look like kings of the forest, stood the white dwelling of Antonio Battle, with its pretty balcony, shaded by a striped linen curtain to keep out the sun. He was a highly-respected minister of the gospel, and though much beloved for his benevolence and integrity, it had been a source of wonder to his neighbors, for some years past, what subject of meditation could occupy him so deeply, often making him forget to eat his meals, and frequently causing him to wander as far as twenty miles distance into the country, asking all sorts of questions about the products of the island and the occupations of the people.

At length, in 1815, his old housekeeper died, leaving a young girl, her only child, called Maria, without any protector save the good Prior, in whose house she had hitherto acted as her mother's assistant; and this important event determined her master to put into execution, without further delay, the plans which he had been long forming. Having engaged a mild, courteous, elderly woman to keep house for him, he waited until the funeral of his old domestic had taken place, and then, on the evening of the same day, he sought Maria on the cool balcony, where she had been used to water her flowers, and sing her evening hymn, but where she was now sitting in great affliction, her face buried in her hands, as she wept over her mother's loss. In kind and persuasive language he proceeded to try and con

sole her, by reading and explaining the comforting passages of St. John's Gospel, which relate to the heavenly mansions prepared for those who do the will of God while on earth, and by dwelling on the hopes which she might humbly entertain of being re-united to her deceased parent hereafter. He presently succeeded in quieting her sobs, though she still looked sad and lonely. When she could listen more calmly, Antonio said: "I have two plans, my child, to propose for thy future life-one is, that thou shouldst reside with some respectable family in Palma, where thou mayst learn the art of weaving, by which to maintain thyself; the other is, that thou shouldst remain under my roof, and become the assistant of Bridgettina."

"O, let me stay here, where I have been used to live so happily," said Maria, eagerly interrupting him; "for if I must leave thee, my master, then I should not have a friend left in the world to care about me."

"But, Maria," replied the Prior, very gravely, "I have important schemes in hand which will require much trouble and self-denial to carry out; and as I am not at all rich, thou, as well as Bridgettina, wilt be obliged, if thou remainest with me, not only to work hard day after day, but it will be necessary for thee to give thy whole heart to the work, seeking neither reward nor recreation; for my plans are a labor of love, which cannot be aided except by unflagging industry, and a willing, loving spirit; therefore, think | well before thou decidest, since it is a matter of no light concernment.”

Maria, however, did not hesitate; and in a low, earnest tone of voice, she replied: "Only let me continue under thy roof, and give me a little bread and salad on which I may live, and I will gladly do all thou desirest, and thank God that he has given me work which will enable me to forget my own griefs, and permitted me, who am only a lowly servant, to help thee in caring for the miserable beings whom I have seen wandering in the streets of Palma, and whom thou hast often visited when they were sick. O, I would willingly work day and night to relieve their wretchedness!"

The good Prior looked much pleased by her decision, and laying his hand on her head he fervently implored a blessing on the orphan, and on the holy work to

which he had dedicated his life, and which he believed would be effectually aided by this young girl, who, he was well aware, had been endowed by her Creator with a large, warm heart, and a resolute, patient disposition, admirably fitted to enter upon the laborious task which had for so many years been maturing in his own mind. This undertaking Maria had, as we have seen already, partly guessed at, from having heard Antonio converse with her mother about rebuilding the poorhouse. His stipend of forty pounds a year constituted all his resources; and his first step toward the fulfillment of his new plans was to tell Bridgettina that she must immediately diminish the expenses of his household, since he could not ask others to contribute to the new workhouse until he had set the example.

As the Prior already lived so frugally, that persons were in the habit of pitying him for his poverty, the worthy housekeeper began to remonstrate upon the impossibility of further reductions; but her master quietly answered: "I have hitherto allowed eight pounds a quarter for household outgoings; this quarter thou must spend only five, or else I must look out for some one else to see after my affairs." And so saying he turned away, without waiting for the old woman's reply, well knowing that her attachment to himself, and the heartiness with which she had entered into his proposed plans, would, by insuring her obedience, prevent his being really obliged to turn her away.

During the intervening months which must elapse before these commencing three pounds could be accumulated, he went to Barcelona, and there, in order to save the outlay of hiring a regular master-builder, he carefully studied machinery, and acquired so complete a knowledge of economical building, and of places where materials could be procured at the cheapest rate, that he was soon able to make his own plans; and he returned to Palma fully qualified to superintend the building himself.

It would take us too long to enter upon the interesting task of detailing the proceedings of the next few years, during which this excellent man, at incredibly small expense, contrived to erect, in a fine airy locality of the town, a wellarranged workhouse of good stone, intended for the reception of all the neglect

ed, homeless, destitute, blind, deaf, and lame persons, besides the orphan children of Palma. Amply, too, had Maria redeemed her promise of faithful coöperation; indeed, without hers and Bridgettina's help, the undertaking could hardly have succeeded. They rose early and late, going out to fish, and digging the garden, that they might not have to buy food, weaving cotton garments for their master, which they afterward made up, so as to spare the necessity of a tailor's bill, and in every possible way saving him the expense of supporting them; while they both resolutely refused any pecuniary compensation for their services. Yet these home duties occupied, as we shall see, only a small portion of their time.

Much of the actual superintendence of the smaller details of the building, during its erection, fell upon Bridgettina, as the gentle-tempered, honest Majorcans are a little disposed to idle their time in that warm and beautiful climate, unless closely seen after; and Maria, with her own active hands, whitewashed each apartment as it was completed, and employed every spare minute in preparing bedding and other necessaries. As soon as a couple of rooms were ready, some of the poorest and most unfortunate persons were admitted; and every one, according to his or her capacity, who became an inmate in the new Industrial Home, was set to work. It was in this stage of the undertaking that Maria's cordial kindness of heart most fully displayed itself. She it was who received the ragged little beggars, whom her master brought in; her sweet voice winning their confidence; and even the wildest allowed her to wash and cleanse them; and then, cheered by her liveliness, and encouraged by her gentleness, they quickly learned to submit to the sensible rules laid down for their conduct; while, happy in regular employment, comfortable in their clean quarters, and delighted to feel themselves under the charge of those truly interested in their welfare, they soon ceased to regret the squalid liberty of the streets, and began to grow up amiable and industrious.

The old people were particularly warm in their praise of the good Prior, whose benignant smile and friendly courtesy to all made them feel themselves truly welcome; and their declining years were soothed by the gratifying conviction that

they need no longer consider themelves paupers, since, by daily performing such work as their stiffened fingers permitted, they, in most cases, nearly maintained themselves. By the regulations of the "Home," its inmates were entitled to half the proceeds of their labor, the other half paying at least in part for their board and lodging; though, whenever their private portion did not suffice to supply them with sufficient clothing, or those small luxuries rightly permitted to the aged, the funds of the house made good the deficiency. The Prior was also greatly loved for the delicacy which he had shown in refusing to establish a workhouse uniform, which badge of poverty he knew was looked upon as a badge of infamy; and this kindly consideration to the feelings of his people brought an important accession to his resources, since it enabled him to make use of the supplies of left-off apparel, which, in compliance with his request, were frequently sent in to the "Home" by the richer inhabitants of Palma. These supplies were made up by tailors, who were inmates, for the rest; and many of the poor being clothed in addition by their friends, the absence of the old customary badge was felt a privilege by all classes.

It was of course only when the institution was in full operation that these latter arrangements were put into practice; and the present state of this excellent Industrial Home, which is, however, not yet quite finished, owing to the scarcity of funds, will be best conveyed by the following letter, with which we shall conclude our account of one of the excellent ones of the earth, who has not only known the will of his heavenly Father, but has performed it so earnestly, so unselfishly, and so modestly, that we should all do well to imitate so bright an example. The whole history of the institution is a striking proof of what may be accomplished by a single individual possessing an undaunted, piously-directed will, when aided by very small pecuniary resources; and truly does the good Prior deserve the affectionate admiration and respectful devotion with which he is universally regarded by his fellow-countrymen.

"MAJORCA, PALMA, 1850. "MY DEAR FRIEND,-It is with great pleasure that I comply with your wish to

hear how Don Antonio Battle is proceeding with his Industrial Home; I have just returned from inspecting it, and shall never forget the scene I have witnessed. There are a thousand persons of every age, from six years old and upward, within its walls; and this includes a company of old worn-out soldiers, who must have died of starvation had they not been generously received into the 'Home.' Two of the most suitable inmates for the purpose, exercise over the rest a careful superintendence, which they do with uniform kindness and consideration, and for which they receive a very small salary; these major-domos, as they are called, in their turn receive constant directions and advice from the Prior, who rules with almost unlimited sway over the institution, since the committee, which meets monthly, have such full confidence in him, that they do little but confirm and approve his

acts.

"Not a single beggar is now to be met with in the streets of Palma; indeed, there is hardly one to be seen throughout the island; and you cannot imagine a more delightful sight than the different apartments exhibited, filled with decentlydressed, happy crowds of the lame, halt, blind, and destitute, all busily employed. Some of the very old must have numbered fully ninety years; and I was much struck with the peaceful, gentle expression of their countenances, as, plying their knitting and netting, they told stories or repeated verses to the little ones who sat at their feet. Weaving and shoemaking for the colonial market is carried on by the men; and the carpenters, tilers, and smiths received into the house, have hitherto been employed in building it; and it is delightful to relate that, so far, not a single instance of incorrect conduct in the house has ever been brought to the knowledge of the superior. Health is carefully attended to, and illness is consequently rare, and mortality among the children singularly low.

"I had been very anxious to see the two servants of Don Antonio, who he told me had helped him so efficiently throughout the undertaking; and when standing in the school-room I was gratified by hearing a murmur of Here comes our good Maria.' Then entered a very pleasing-looking young woman, of five or six-and-twenty, on whose face a sunny smile seemed to play almost

habitually; and I perceived all the little ones striving to catch her eye, as she took her seat among them, while a very tiny boy, who had got the toothache, seemed quite comforted when he managed to hide himself under her apron. In a cheerful, playful manner, I then heard her give an entertaining lesson on objects, which was nearly concluded when I saw one of the children push its neighbor somewhat roughly, on which, stopping the lesson, Maria began to sing a hymn resembling Watts's lines,

4

But, children, you should never let
Such angry passions rise;
Your little hands were never made

To tear each other's eyes.'

Many voices immediately joined the soft, sweet strain, and in a few seconds the young offender began to weep audibly, on which the one whom he had pushed flung its small arms round his neck and kissed him.

"A bell sounded at this moment, which Maria told me was to call every one to evening prayers in the chapel belonging to the Home;' and marshaling the young ones, she took them down stairs, while I lingered a moment to watch a pretty scene afforded by the procession of the old people. It was headed by an aged, tottering woman, who walked with great difficulty, though supported by the comparatively strong arm of a venerable soldier, with a long white beard, who held up the old woman's gown, that it might not be in her way, and took the greatest care of her; and these two were followed by all the other aged persons, each accompanied by a child or companion, who had evidently joined them for the purpose of guiding their faltering steps, and who appeared to take a pride in performing this duty. In the chapel I was introduced to Bridgettina, who was assisting the old men to sit down, and who went away several times to bring little things which she saw would add to their comfort. In the reading-desk was the good Prior, who opened the service by reading and commenting on a passage of Scripture, which he did in very plain language, but, at the same time, so learnedly, that I was at once surprised and pleased to see how attentively he was listened to by young and old, none of whom looked weary. It was indeed a deeply-interesting sight to look upon that large, mixed congregation, and think what