The terror of his beak, the lightning of his eye.

gal, and sprightly as the peasant maidens enable the lacerated heart secretly and who pull the flax at their feet-even my sincerely to breathe those words. I say beautiful Jess, sits with ruffled plumage secretly, because, without any conscious and depressed head, a miniature personifi- insincerity, the lip will often utter such cation of the king of birds, as described by language, when the spirit is internally Gray, when slumber has quenched writhing with resisted, but not subdued rebellion. I know not whether perfect and unvarying resignation to the stripes of our Who would not pity a poor scribbler Father's rod is the experience of any under such circumstances, reminded by a of his children. It is not mine: rebelhint from the region of types-I mean a typo- lion is written on me, in legible characgraphical not a typical hint—that it was full ters; but sometimes, when the tide of time to supply the cravings of the press awakened emotion sets in with a rush of with another Chapter. With loitering step recollections the most overwhelming, a and woful countenance, and head as misty voice mightier than the noise of many as the weather, I entered my study this waters, says, "Peace, be still!" and immorning, trying to conjure up the phan-mediately there is a great calm: so great, toms of some appropriate reminiscences, so sweet, so wonderful, that it can be no when behold! just placed on my table by other than the work of Him, who, touched the hand of affectionate indulgence,-un- with a feeling of our infirmities, has the conscious how timely was the boon-ap- sympathy of man to comprehend the sorpeared two flower-pots, the one containing row, and the omnipotence of God to suba most beautiful heath, the other a plant due it. of fragrant mignonette. Both of these are Now looking again upon the flowers befull to overflowing with recollections pre- fore me, I am struck with the vast privilege cious to my heart. The language of of mind: its prerogatives so far above the flowers, addressed to me as I walk along, nearest approach that animal instinct in is ever, "Don't you remember?" and oh, its highest development can attain to. in what touching unison the heath and My dumb companions are all remarkably mignonette appeal to my spirit now! The sagacious, and have been brought to such seed of the latter was the first that my an amicable understanding, that the little fond father gave me to sow in the little dog frequently shares his basket with the garden portioned out, in his own most cat,-and the latter has many a game of noble and spacious one, and divided be- play with the squirrel, through his bars,tween me and my lovely brother, with the and I have seen the falcon between the scrupulous impartiality that tends above dog's paws, without either exhibiting any all other things to keep unbroken the bond alarm or anger, although the whole party of fraternal love: the former, the flowering combine in testifying the hottest displeaheath, was the last gift bestowed by that sure if a strange animal enters their presbeloved hand, on his delighted girl, before ence. So companionable they are, that a sudden instantaneous blow, laid it sometimes I can hardly trace the separapowerless in death. I know not how, but ting line between their fine instinct and hereafter I shall know, why two out of the the reasonable principle in man; but here three precious ties which bound my heart it stands out in striking inferiority. There from infancy were snapped with such fear-is in them no perception of what is so ful abruptness-why my midnight sleep thrillingly felt by me; they all look at the was broken by a frantic summons to come and see my father die; and why, after many a long year, my waking eye must fall upon a letter exciting no alarm, but holding out the hope of pleasant news from the distant object of my fondest affection---and telling me that he was drowned.

"Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight." There is not in man, nor in any created intelligence, that which will

beauteous plants, because their vigilance is alive to the introduction of any new object among them; the squirrel is fearful, the cat suspicious, the falcon curious, and the dog jealous: but the whole world of flowers may bloom in all their splendid tints, and breathe their united sweets, without affording aught that can counteract the atmospherical influence. In short, matter remains buried in the fog, while

mind soars far above it to regions of sun-old apartment overlooking the garden, and beheld-a timber-yard!

shine and joy.

to assure those who feel with me that their approval is dear to my heart; and protesting to those who do not, that they cannot think more contemptuously of me and my work than, by God's grace, I am myself enabled to do.

The Mignonette, as I have remarked, Sometimes I regret having ever undertakes precedence of all other flowers in my taken these Chapters. They lead to much gardening associations. Well do I re- egotism: and no doubt provoke many member the site of my small estate, skirt- smart observations from readers whose ing a gentle grassy ascent in the orchard, minds, unsoftened by adversity, and perdown which it was our especial delight to haps naturally superior to the comparative roll our plump little persons on a warm trifles that always had power to engage dry day. My father whose taste for flori- mine, see little besides puerility, affectaculture was remarkable, had requested tion, and prejudice, in their pages. Yet, his favourite gardener to procure a new occasionally, I meet a tearful look, accomand choice specimen of the flower: and, panied with the remark, "Your chapter on opening the paper, he exclaimed, touched a chord in my bosom, and soothed "Why, Thorne, you promised me a parti-a troubled spirit;" or something similar. cular sort; but this is the common Migno- Therefore, I pursue the theme, desiring nette." "No, no, sir," replied the gardener proudly pointing to the inscription on the wrapper; "this is the Mig-no-net-te." The deep dimple in my father's cheek betrayed the smile that his kind feeling strove to repress; and without farther remark, he served out to us respectively a pinch of Next after the heartsease, I think the the distinguished seed, which we carefully Mignonette is the most perseveringly dedeposited and raked over: though I can-lightful of flowers. As lowly in situation, not suppose that it came to maturity: as less attractive in aspect, but so fragrant, an obstinate propensity for having what is called too many irons in the fire generally induced me to set one plant over another, to the destruction of all. The mignonette became, however, from that day, a prime favourite with me: and such it will remain, "while memory holds her seat;" for it brings to mind, almost to view, that noble orchard with its many trees: in the midst of them a magnificent mulberry, of great age and extraordinary dimensions, from whose topmost height I have often seen the large white owl sally forth on her nocturnal foray, and the bat wheel round and round, then plunge into the impenetrable fortress of twisted boughs and broad luxuriant leaves. On the opposite side of the garden a shrubbery wound, interspersed with many rare and beautiful plants: while our own little grassy knoll stretched down even to the low windows of the principal room in an old-fashioned brick house, covered to the eaves with a vine that seemed coeval with itself. These recollections are the sweeter, because the scene survives in memory only. I was but ten years old when we bade a final adieu to the abode; and eight years after that, having an opportunity of revisiting it, I flew, rather than ran, to the window of my

How

so durable, so willing to take root, and
grow, and gladden all around it, in any
soil, or any spot, under any circumstances,
it seems to typify the active, unassuming
Christian, with singular propriety.
often, on entering a garden, or a room, the
sense is feasted as by the odour of a
thousand flowers, when not a single
bright tint meets the eye, until the faint
blush upon those tiny blossoms, dis-
tinguishing them from the green stem
and leaf, reveals the source of such wel-
come fragrance. That blush especially
becomes the lowly flower and the retiring
Christian, who lives, and grows, and
works, while others live, and grow and
sparkle. There are many such: my
Mignonette, like the ivy, represents a
class; and I will name that class forth-
with, and glory in it, while I name it—
The Irish Scripture Readers.

"What! more of Ireland and the Irish?" Dear friend, yes. You do not know enough of them yet, not even if you be cradled in the very bosom of the Green Isle. Some of you are, I know; and some will read this, who may remember when, amid a cluster of warm hearts, beneath the shade of a noble grove, near a venerable ruin, where a very paradise

of bright flowers and brighter smiles is testant beholds with suspicious dislike one watered by the majestic Slaney, a fair who has forsaken the religion of his twin said to me, "We do love your chap-fathers; and sneeringly denounces "the ters, and cherish all the flowers you turncoat," though the turn that he has name." That day was one of deep en- taken is from darkness to light, from the joyment, and infused new energy into me: power of Satan to God. it taught me that young hearts might be roused, and young hands nerved in the cause of their country, even by such means as these. Let those who refreshed my spirits then, cherish the little, lowly Mignonette, and blend with its character the humble work of men who, unobserved, disregarded, yea, often trampled upon, are breathing through the wilderness the savour of life unto life.

There is not, perhaps, among the hundreds of Irish scripture readers, at this moment, one who cannot set the seal of his individual experience to Paul's declaration-"No man stood by me." The enemy levels his fiery darts at every child of God: how much more anxiously and accurately at one who goes about to assail the strongest foundations of his most elevated throne! I know, and I These men are generally, indeed almost avow, that to attack Popery is to incur exclusively, taken from the humblest the fiercest assaults of hell: to rouse up walks of society, day-labourers, weavers, a host of opposers, calumniators, open and sometimes the keepers of hedge-foes and false brethren, from without; schools. The word of life, by some ap- fears, temptations, and fiery trials within. pointed means, reaches the ear and heart Our solemn convictions are denounced as of the poor native Irishman: he feels its prejudices, our zeal as intemperance, our quickening power, and being himself forethought, fanaticism. Shielded from raised from the death of trespasses and violence, surrounded by encouraging sins, he looks abroad upon his country-helpers, and cheered on our path by their men, still lying under the shadow of approving countenance, still we who, in death, and constrained by the love of Protestant England, dare to act a ProChrist, burns to make known among them testant part, are liable to many an almost the unsearchable riches of his Saviour. disabling wound in the house of our The Irish being his vernacular tongue, he friends. What then must be the lot of speedily learns to read it, by means of the poor, despised peasant, in the very some circulating school of the blessed citadel of popery, taking an unsupported "Irish Society," and, armed with the stand against the united forces of Satan Sword of the Spirit, he goes forth to as- and man, while the great contest that sail the strong holds of Satan, in the forced Paul to cry out, "Oh, wretched heart of the Beast's dominions. This man that I am!" is carried on within, by exposes him to a storm of persecution, the Spirit warring against the flesh, and well understood by such as reside in Ire- the flesh against the Spirit. land, but inconceivable by an English subject. As regards his own neighbourhood and class in society, it may truly be said that every man's hand is against him, though every man's heart is not. The power of priestly intimidation is brought to bear on all who venture to encourage him; for there is not upon earth so terrible an object to a true priest of Rome, as the Holy Bible; unless it be the man who dares to proclaim its sacred truths, in a language understood by the people. Consequently, the vassals of popery must stand arrayed to oppose him; and it is too undeniable a fact that except where the mind has been spiritually enlightened, the nominal Pro

But the Scripture Reader has taken up his cross, and follows Christ. He goes on often through persecutions, afflictions, stripes and imprisonment. He enters the obscure cabin at dusk, and addressing the poor, doubly benighted inmates, in the loved accents of their native race, he draws from his bosom the proscribed "story of peace," and tells them in the most persuasive of all words that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners

that wine and milk, without money and without price, are freely held forth to those who, up to that hour, had been spending their money for that which is not bread, and their labour for that which satisfieth not. Some whose hearts the

Lord opens receive the word with gladness: and the patient labourer, leaving it to a mightier hand to give the increase, proceeds on his thorny way, to plant in another spot. His life is thus passed, until perhaps the hand of persecuting vio- | lence waylays him, and sends him to his sure reward by the blow of a stone, or the stab of a knife, while his last breath sobs out the dying prayer of Stephen, in hope that the murdering, blaspheming Saul may become like himself the preacher of the faith that now he persecutes. Or, if rescued from the assassin's hand, this lowly Mignonette of the Lord's parterre maintains his inobtrusive station at the foot of loftier shrubs, and breathes the odours of heaven around the heel that tramples upon his unresisting form.

roar, provoked by a contumacious tailor, on a point of Popish doctrine, when Sullivan reached backwards to his treasury, produced the decrees of the council of Trent, and silenced them all.

There was also another point on which I found the most perfect sympathy in Sullivan: his attachment to D, the beloved heartsease, was intense. On the day after D was called to his Father's house, Sullivan walked down some miles to where I was; and it being Sunday, he only arrived after we were in Church. Entering another pew, I did not immediately observe him: but when at last our eyes met, he burst into tears, and sat down. Never did I see a babe weep more unrestrainedly than that stout and resolute man continued to do during the whole service. I afterwards took him to visit some of our poor lost sheep scattered in that neighbourhood; and most touchingly did he address them. At the grave of D-, ten days afterwards, his ardent Irish feelings again defied all controul. I scarcely saw him since; he was seized with fever, and in the London Hospital he yielded his spirit into the hands of the Lord Jesus: poor in this world, rich in faith, and an heir of the kingdom of heaven.

Taking one of the class, I will name an individual well known to me, and to many in England. His name was Dennis Sullivan: his native place was Kerry. Converted to the truth as it is in Jesus, he abjured the soul-destroying errors of Popery, and made himself eminently useful, as a Reader, to the Irish Society of London. When, in 1830, the Lord first blessed our efforts to the establishment of an Irish church in St. Giles,' Sullivan gave his whole soul to the cause: and I well remember that our earliest meeting Dennis Sullivan's soul would have was as fellow-labourers in it. About that magnified the Lord, could he have beheld time the Reformation Society engaged what is now our rejoicing and joy, the rehis services, first as a reader, then as opening of the Irish church, after being clerk in their office; and most faithfully, for two years and a half closed, under the zealously, diligently, did he perform the ministry of one who loves to labour for duties of his station there, until the hour the outcasts of his native land. There is of closing it dismissed him to the post he a work progressing even here: much so dearly loved-a teacher's place in the more in Ireland. Whenever a sifting day adult evening school, where the Irish la- arrives, it will amaze the most sanguine bouring poor assemble to be instructed in to survey the vast quantity of good grain reading the language of their distant now buried amid the chaff. Self-sown as homes. Often have I seen him, his honest it were, that is to say, directed by the countenance all alive with intelligence hand of God without the intervention of and shrewdness, seated in the midst of a presiding men, our Mignonette spreads motley crew, paviors, bricklayers, black- with rapid increase, and the produce of smiths, and such like, now patiently in- an inch covers many a rood of ground. structing his tall pupils in the first rudi- Oh, that there were more universally, ments of literature, now plunged into a among the Lord's people, a heart to cherhot controversy on some disputed point, ish the young plants, to fence them from and maintaining his ground with inimi- the foe, to shelter them from the frost, and table steadiness. Just behind him was a spread them yet more widely by the aid closet, stored with books of reference, of judicious cultivation! What kings and which he used in a masterly manner; and statesmen, ecclesiastics and warriors, have I once witnessed a scene of curious up-failed in attempting, until the numbness