"I know of nothing to hinder her," replied the mistress, sullenly. the upper end sat a woman, whose atten- | Miss Sukey sidled up, carefully holding tion seemed riveted on a bonnet to which back her frock from coming into contact she was attaching a ribbon, while half a with Katy's soiled garments, and began dozen children near her were scrawling to mouth out a lesson; but this being no on slates. The rest answered Katy's de- part of the widow's business, she interscription; for no sooner was a visiter de- rupted the performance: "I beg pardon, scried by them than a few fragments of but my visit was to inquire about this little books were hastily produced, the noise of girl: her friends are anxious to have her promiscuous talking ceased, and a monot-taught to read." onous hum commenced, as if they were learning a lesson, though it was easy to see no two books were opened at the same places, and several of them were held upside down. The sudden sound of this simultaneous hum roused the dame's attention, who, seeing a respectably-dressed person at the door, commenced the exercise of her calling. "Now, Betty Smith, has you done your copy yet? Show up that ere sum, Sukey. Keep to your spelling down there, till I'm ready for to hear you. Stand on one side, can't ye, and let the lady come in." The lady, however had no wish to advance farther into such an atmosphere; she begged they might not disturb themselves, and then, singling out Katy, requested to know what progress she had made in her learning. "Let's see, let's see," responded the school-mistress in a bustling way, "Kitty -Kitty Malony, Oh, she's been here a precious while afore ever I comed to the school. I spose she can write and cipher. Come here, Kitty." Several of the children grinned, while poor Katy, with crimson cheeks, shyly approached the seat of authority. "Come, come, none of your sulks !" said the chief, sharply, "here, take this, and read a bit." Katy timidly replied that she could not yet read. "You lazy warmint!" ejaculated the governess, shaking her by the shoulder, "is that all, after the perdigious pains I've bestowed on you? Lauk, ma'am," she continued, addressing the widow, "them factory girls is the most uncorrigible idlers and dunces you ever see. Here is a few decent children, wot comes to me from private families, and though I don't take half the pains with them, they've ten times more learning nor all the factory girls put together. Come Sukey, love, read you." Again the widow looked round on the crowded group: some were laughing, some yawning, others dozing, and not a few engaged in playing off practical jokes on their neighbours, but nothing resembling the work of education was going on, save in the little circle immediately surrounding the teacher. Suddenly, an old clock in the corner struck; and such a rush to the door ensued as well nigh overset her. The factory children disappeared in a moment, leaving the others in possession of the apartment. Having been obliged to step out to make way for the little throng, the widow felt no inclination to re-enter the dwelling. She retraced her steps homeward, and on arriving was surprised to find the rector seated in her arm-chair, James's Bible in his hand, and the boy standing before him answering questions. "I called in, Mrs. Green," he said, "because I like to visit such of my parishioners as I know are glad to see me: and I have been pleased, much pleased and highly gratified, to find your grandson so exceedingly well taught in the most important branch of learning." He spoke with a warmth that touched the poor widow's heart,-she replied, "I humbly trust, sir, he is taught of God." "I believe it, indeed: you have a gracious Master, my boy; go on in the good path, and may He strengthen, stablish, settle you!" Tears stood in the eyes of James, as he turned them on his grandmother, well knowing what a solace she would find in this pastoral visit. The rector resumed, "Sit down, Mrs. Green, if I am not intruding on your time. How is all with you?" The widow replied gratefully; and then, full of the scene she had just quitted, she described it to him, lamenting the case of the poor little creatures who were so grossly cheated out of the education for which the woman was paid. "It certainly is one of our great evils," replied the clergyman; "but how to remedy it we know not. The vast number of children renders many schools necessary: the act enforces the attendance of each, to be attested by a certificate, or the employer is liable to an information. Some of the mill-owners have established schools on their own ground, which are in the main pretty fairly conducted; but where this is not the case, the poorer children are obliged to find them where they can, and I am sorry to say the one you have visited is a specimen of a numerous class, where the chief, nay, the only trouble incurred by the nominal teacher is to give bits of paper, certifying the attendance of the child for two hours per day. A few pupils obtained from the families of small tradesmen around pay well, and get what they bargain for: but with respect to our poor little factory people, standing room, or at best a few benches to sit down on, with the privilege of handling some books of the kind you saw, is all they can expect. However, as I remarked, this is only one class, frequented by the most neglected of the children; we have very respectable schools in various parts of the town." "But, sir, it is to the most neglected children, to those whose natural friends take no thought for them, and who are exposed to the worst examples at home, that good teaching is of the greatest importance." The Rector made no reply, and she resumed; "I have lately heard that the mills are visited by Inspectors and Superintendents, employed by the government, are they aware, sir, of this state of things?" "Yes; it has been discovered, reported, and much pressed upon the notice of the Legislature, by some benevolent men who are labouring hard to improve matters among us." "And can any Christian man possibly refuse to help in so good a work, sir ?" "Why, you see, Mrs. Green, all these things were still worse a few years ago; and the alterations made in the laws have been rather unpalateable to the majority of the mill-owners. They consider it very hard on them to have the number of hours limited, and more so to be compelled to send their infant labourers to school. We cannot expect them all at once heartily to co-operate with the plans of those whom they consider innovators; and of course a great weight of wealth and influence is brought to bear upon the Parliamentary question as to a yet farther amelioration of the condition of the poor in their employment. But," he added, suddenly checking himself, "I am talking politics-a thing wholly at variance with my sacred calling." The widow thought otherwise; she thought that any subject in which the glory of God and the welfare of the poor in the, land were concerned, was perfectly and especially suited to the interest of a minister of the gospel: but it was clear the rector had a great dread of committing himself on this point, and that he reined-in many a kind and generous impulse rather than appear to do so. After a pause, he enquired for the other members of the family, particularizing Helen. James moved up to his grandmother, and in an anxious whisper said, "Do tell him." The widow hesitated, but after a moment acknowledged that Helen had been hurt in the mill. "By the machinery ?-not dangerously, I hope." "No, sir, not dangerously, nor by the machinery." "It was by the overlooker, sir," said James, deeply reddening; "he struck Helen a cruel blow, and bruised her shoulder." "That is sad, very sad indeed," remarked the Rector, knitting his brow. "I should hope she did not provoke such rough usage by any misconduct ?" "Oh, sir," replied the boy, "Helen never did in all her life provoke any body to say a cross word to her; he beat her for crying when they taxed her with bad conduct. Oh, if you could only see Helen" -tears stopped his speech. "It is not resentment, granny," answered the weeping boy, "at least not entirely. The gentleman was very kind: and I thought if ever it happened again he would be ready to stand up for us, where we have no friend at all-except God." "Well, my love, I am glad it was not from an angry motive you did it. Had the clergyman been long here when I came home ?" air of a man whose best feelings are [ clothes, with easy, but distinct tasks asroused; but presently resuming a more signed, and suitable rewards for such as cautious manner, added, "Nevertheless, it excelled-all under the personal direction is far better to avoid the recurrence of of the employer's family: oh, what a resuch an act than to come into collision with freshment to body and mind would this superiors. Some who have hastily ap- have secured to the poor little toil-worn pealed to the law, have soon wished they creatures! by what a tie of respectful afhad rather taken a wrong patiently." fection, and consequent diligence and inAfter a few more kind words, he took his tegrity in his service, would it have bound leave; and the widow gently remonstrated them to their master! But all seemed perwith James for indulging such strong feel-verted by the demon of avarice, to aggraings of resentment, where Helen had vated evil. Could it be for a moment forcibly represented the duty of perfect credited that those who accumulated their forgiveness. wealth by this species of labour were men professing a system of belief, one of the first and most vital articles of which was the certainty that they must each and all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account of the deeds done in the body, to Him whose whole volume of in spiration is one continued prohibition of injustice and wrong? Did they really number themselves among His followers who emphatically reproved those who would have hindered the approach of little children to him, and who perpetually enforced on his disciples a tender concern for their welfare? Was it not enough to make their poverty a reason for defrauding them of all that childhood demands for its expansion into active, healthful youth; to im prison them during the sunshiny hours within cheerless walls; to bid them exchange the refreshing breeze of heaven for Notwithstanding the cautious wording exhalations calculated to destroy, not to of the Rector's remarks, she saw a depth nourish, their delicate frames, to cramp the of evil till then undiscovered, through his limbs that should then know perfect freeadmissions respecting the schools. Com- dom, to overstrain the sinews that should pelled by a legal enactment to allow their be nursed into bulk and substance, to parch poor little labourers a scanty portion of the up the juices of which a more abundant day for the purposes of education, what a supply was required; and while thus efnoble field was opened to the mill-owners fectually poisoning the springs of bodily for supplying an antidote to the worst evils health and vigour, to leave the mind of their system! She thought of Amelia wholly exposed to the very worst actings Z. and imagined her, with others like her, of corrupt nature surrounded by every eledevoting two hours of their vacant morn- ment of matured depravity-was not this ing to the sweet and sacred task of super- enough, without begrudging them a poor intending the instruction of their young two hours of such ordinary culture as servants in religious and useful knowledge; might tend to raise them somewhat above shaming vice, overawing insolence, en- the level of the beasts that perish-somecouraging modesty, industry and cleanli- what above the insensible machinery ness, by the mere force of their frequent against which their feeble limbs must toil presence and occasional admonitions. A in an agonizing race? Alas! while the clean, airy room, regular arrangements, a beasts that perish, do indeed perish for few minutes allowed for thoroughly cleans-ever-while the worn-out machinery falls ing their soiled skin and brushing their to pieces and exists no more-those little James dried his eyes, and gave her an account of the conversation between them, which made a very favourable impression on her mind. The Rector evidently felt more than he wished to express, and she was soothed by that conviction. How prone we are to catch at any visible straw in the hour of distress, and feel more secure in grasping it than when the unseen arm of Omnipotence alone sustains us! own. despised slaves have the seal of immor- competition, and marks the hedge-row our tality impressed upon them: they are destined to an eternity of being; and Satan joyfully uses the instrumentality of man's heartless lust of gold to rivet the links of his infernal fetters on their souls, to secure them for his present prey, and with the help of a community of CHRISTIAN ENGLISH GENTLEMEN, to plunge them finally into the gulf" where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched." CHAPTER XIV. RURAL SCENES. THE broad shadow of a venerable oak was gradually lengthening as it lay across a field of pale stubble, beaten down to the smoothness of a grass-plat by the pressure of many feet on its rough but brittle points. The field was large, and its outline traced on three sides by lofty hedge-rows, the land-marks of untold generations, whence at intervals shot up, here the hollow stump of a patriarchal tree, with its few green shoots, the poor remains of pristine vigour, that had once flung many a branch on high, and overshadowed its native soil; there a vegetable monarch of later date, towering in the majesty of his leafy prime; and again, mantled in more tender green, the fairy aspirant to future greatness. At their base the hawthorn, the wild brier, the woodbine, and the sloe, spread their berries to the ripening ray, while that ambitious rustic vine, the bramble, forced its dark masses over all opposers, and gave promise of a plentiful crop to the children, who scanned its mellowing treasures, and then peered into the well-beaten nut-trees that formed a back ground to the picturesque hedge. Beautiful picture! Other lands may outvie us in many things; but the rich variety of an old English hedgerow, down from the topmost bough of its tall trees to the tiny flowers that laugh in the long grass below, and the cress that sucks the moisture from a coy rivulet in the scarcely perceptible channel across which a babe may stride-this variety of form and of tint, of foliage and fruit, defies I have said that three sides of the field were thus bounded in. The fourth descended with an abrupt slope, its hedge lay too low to intercept the view, and whether by design or not, it was nearly destitute of trees, leaving a prospect open that terminated in the mighty main, which now heaved an unbroken surface of the purest, deepest blue against the horizon. It was on the opposite and higher portion of the field that the oak first mentioned stood; and the hillock, formed by an accumulation of grass-grown earth upon its enormous roots, afforded to those who reclined on it a full view of this magnificent distance. But no pensive recluse had on that evening sought the spot for meditation: a large, and to say truth, a noisy party had made it their gathering-place. There might be seen the sun-burnt peasant, bareheaded, or with handkerchief knotted round his brow, in the sweat of which he had tilled the soil, and gathered in the harvest; there was the sober matron, with clean white cap and ample border, surrounded by a broad ribbon, her handkerchief neatly pinned over her gown, and confined by the fastenings of a check apron. There was the stout boy, exulting in his promotion to the stronger class of labourers, and the sprightly girl, comparing notes with her fellow-gleaners as to the handfuls of corn collected; and childhood in all its stages, revelling in the various enjoyments afforded by that annual treat:—it was harvest-home. There are districts in the land still retaining much of the primitive character of English rusticity-places where the blight has not come; where the demoralizing swarm of railway excavators has never alighted, nor the firebrand of political rancour scattered its darkening smoke, nor the hell-born reptile of socialism trailed his venomous slime. Sin there is, and sorrow; folly and remorse; the spirit that is within us, lusting to envy, bears many a bitter fruit, and man is rebellious, and God is provoked every day. Still, as compared with the rest of the population, these villagers retain much of what may be called the virtue and simplicity of their forefathers; and like their own hedge-rows, bear much that is beautiful to the sight, and good for use, while even the thorns and the poisons that lurk there appear in a less repulsive aspect than in the busier haunts of men. Such was the place whose cottages contributed their inhabitants on the present festive occasion; when the husbandman who with long patience had waited for the precious fruits of the earth, saw them safely built into the stack, or deposited in the barn. A light waggon was now seen slowly winding its way from the direction of the great house, accompanied by the domestics of the family, between whom and the villagers many neighbourly greetings took place while the freight was handed out, consisting of good cheer in great variety and abundance, which was soon deposited on the long tables set out in front of the oak, and ample justice rendered to it by the guests. While enjoying themselves they were farther gratified by the approach of one who possessed a full share in their affectionate respect, the village pastor, our old friend Mr. Barlow; for this was L--, and these were the friends, and such the scenes, which the poor widow had been cheated into exchanging for the wretchedness of the factories. "We have, sir, and a beautiful harvest has God sent us: a finer was never gathered in. Do you know, sir, I reckoned the ears upon one stalk, and the grains upon one ear, in different parts of the fields, and you would hardly know how to believe me if I told you the amount." The owner of the field was the principal landed proprietor in this place; and the spot was chosen among many, just because it had, from time immemorial, been the scene of the annual celebration. This year was one of unusual abundance, and not a day of adverse weather had thwarted the harvestmen. The 'Squire was pleased at the diligence with which they had "Well, Richard," said the good man, availed themselves of the favourable sea-laying his hand on the shoulder of a youth son; the men were gratified by his praises, whose sunburnt features beamed with love and no less by his liberality; while the as he looked up to the speaker. 66 Well, women and elder children, who had found Richard, you have had a busy time of it." plentiful employment too upon his extensive lands, had similar causes for gladness. As for the little ones, they were delighted to gambol and exhibit their activity in the presence of the 'Squire's family, whose daughters took no small pains in disciplining the urchins at their infant school, and marshalling them for an orderly march to the church door. Each, both old and young, enjoyed that peculiar feeling, the value of which the poor are seldom aware of until they experience its absence, "My employer knows me; I am not in his sight a mere piece of machinery, regarded only while it works in his service. There's a tie between us that he, though a rich man, would not disown. If he is every thing to me, I and mine are something to him." It was this thought, unconsciously cherished, that lighted up every countenance with smiles as the 'Squire's family approached the happy groups; and the bow and the curtsey that respectfully welcomed them were given with greater alacrity under the sense of that individual recognition on the part of their superiors. And did not God intend that so it should be? The Bible yields an answer in many various ways, but all in the affirmative; and man's heart cries out against a violation of what he feels to be a law of his nature's God. "Yes, Richard, I should believe it, for how great is the sum of his mercies! If we would count them they are more in number than the sand. I am glad, my dear boy, that you take note of them: you seem to get on very well in your work." Yes, sir; I am thankful to say I have given satisfaction, and have got my place bettered, and my wages raised. The under-gardener got a hurt, and I took his place for a few days, and owing to what the head-man said of me, the 'Squire told him to employ me in the gardens to oversee some work in the improvements, and his honour was so good as to tell me he thought he should keep me near the house." "That is well; but don't let it draw you into any expensive habits. Servants have greater temptations in that respect than field-labourers." "It must be a strong temptation," said Richard, rather bluntly, "that would make me throw away my earnings." The clergyman looked at him, and read |