became him, that she should think some time of mortality, being then sixty-three years of age, he took his text fit for that purpose out of the Psalms xc. 12.So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom;' which text he handled most learnedly. But when he spoke of some sacred mystical numbers, as three for the Trinity, three times three for the heavenly hierarchy, seven for the Sabbath, and seven times seven for a jubilee, and, lastly, nine times seven for the grand climacterical year (her age), she, perceiving whereto it tended, began to be troubled with it. The Bishop discovering all was not well, for the pulpit stood opposite her Majesty, he fell to treat of some plausible numbers, as of the number 666, making Latinus, with which he said he could prove the Pope to be Antichrist, &c. He still, however, interlarded his sermon with Scripture passages touching the infirmities of age, as that in Ecclesiasticus, when the grinders shall be few in number, and they wax dark that look out of the windows, &c., and the daughters of singing shall be abased; and more to that purpose. The Queen was so far from giving him thanks or good countenance, that she afterwards said plainly, 'He might have kept his arithmetic for himself; but I see the greatest clerks are not the wisest men;' and so she went away discontented." only thought a character fit to find frivolous amusements for his patron. A common jester or buffoon (a noted personage in those days) eclipsed the character of the bard, and neither the variety of his learning nor the sublimity of his genius was so popular as the buffoonery of the jester. The Prince perceived that Dante was hurt by it, and, instead of altering his mode of treatment, very ungenerously exasperated his resentment by observing one day, in public company, that it was very extraordinary, the jester whom every one knew to be a worthless fellow should be so much admired by him and all his Court, while Dante, a man unparalleled in learning, genius, and integrity, was generally neglected. You will cease to wonder," says Dante, "when you consider that similarity of manners is the strongest bond of attachment." It does not appear whether the Prince resented this answer, which he must have felt, but Dante soon found it necessary to seek his fortune elsewhere, and quitted Verona. 1438. Shooting at Jupiter.-A Roman Cæsar prepared a great feast for his nobles and friends, and it so fell out that the day appointed could be done to the honour of the was so extremely foul that nothing meeting; whereupon he was so displeased and enraged that he com manded all them that had bows to shoot up their arrows at Jupiter, their chief god, as in defiance of him for that rainy weather, which short of heaven, and fell upon their when they did, their arrows fell own heads, so that many of them were very sorely wounded. 1437. Severe Rebuke.-Dante first found a patron in the great Cane de la Scala, Prince of Verona, whom he has celebrated in the first canto of the "Inferno," but his high spirit was ill suited to 1439. Vanity of Earthly Desires. courtly dependence, and it is very-Philip, King of Macedon, as he probable he lost the favour of the was wrestling at the Olympic games, Prince by the frankness of his be- fell down in the sand, and when he haviour. The disposition of the rose again, observing the print of poet in the latter part of his life his body in the sand, cried out, "O had acquired a strong tincture of how little a parcel of earth will melancholy, which made him less hold us when we are dead, who are acceptable in the gay Court of ambitiously seeking after the whole Verona, where probably a poet was world whilst we are living!" 1440. Worldly Man's Confession. have been behind the scenes. I -The celebrated Earl of Chester- have seen all the coarse pulleys field was a nobleman for whom and dirty ropes which exhibit and nature had done much and birth move the gaudy machines, and I and education more. He was in have seen and smelt the tallow his day universally allowed to be candles which illuminated the whole the most elegant and accomplished decoration, to the astonishment of man in Europe, and he was no the ignorant audience. When I less conspicuous in the political reflect on what I have seen, what I than in the fashionable world. No have heard, and what I have done, man ever possessed greater advan- I can hardly persuade myself that tages for the attainment and the all that frivolous hurry of bustle enjoyment of worldly pleasures, and pleasure of the world had any and no man ever drank deeper of reality; but I look upon all that is the sweet but poisonous draught. past as one of those romantic Let us hear him at a time when dreams which opium commonly disease and age hung heavy upon occasions, and I do by no means him, and rendered him incapable desire to repeat the nauseous dose of further enjoyment. "I have for the sake of the fugitive dream. seen," says he, "the silly rounds Shall I tell you that I bear this of business and of pleasure, and 'melancholy situation with that have done with them all. I have meritorious constancy and resigenjoyed all the pleasures of the world, and consequently know their futility, and do not regret their loss. I appraise them at their real value, which is, in truth, very low; whereas those that have not experienced, always overrate them. They only see the gay outside, and are dazzled at the glare. But I nation which most people boast of? No, for I really cannot help it. I bear it because I must bear it, whether I will or no. I think of nothing but killing time the best way I can, now that he has become my enemy. It is my resolution to sleep in the carriage during the remainder of my journey." WISDOM. Psalm cxi. 10; Prov. i. 5, 7, iii. 13-24, 35; Eccles. x. 2, 10; John xvii. 3, 7, 8, 25; 1 Cor. ii. 2, 6, 7, 15, 16. and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool! this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?' (Luke xii. 19, 20.) Now, sir, I think you must see yourself in this picture. Here is a farmer, very rich, living to himself in health, ease and pleasure, 1441. Application of a Parable. -The Rev. John Cooke, of Maidenhead, once, when travelling, fell in with a rich farmer who was very unwilling to listen to any serious remarks which he was disposed to make, and at length said with a sneer, “I don't like religion, and I told you so." "You are not a singular farmer, sir," replied Mr.without God in the world.' No Cooke. "I have read of one whom doubt his neighbours envied and you greatly resemble. The farmer flattered him, but no one dared to to whom I allude, finding his reprove so rich a man. And if no ground very productive and his one reproved his sins, and many barns too small, resolved on build- flattered them as virtues, he never ing larger barns and filling them, heard the truth. This accounts for and said to his soul, Soul, thou our Lord's words, How hardly hast much goods laid up for many shall they that have riches enter years; take thine ease, eat, drink, into the kingdom of God!' But although he thought himself wise, is extracted from Howell's "Faand others wished to be like him, miliar Letters:"-Be wondrous wary God addresses him differently- of your first comportments; get a "Thou fool!' Why, sir, do you good name, and be very tender of suppose the only wise God called it afterwards; for it is like the him a fool ?" He was silent. "But, Venice glass, quickly cracked, never candidly, do not you think he was to be mended, though patched it a fool ?" "I shall not say, sir." may be. To this purpose, take "Well, sir, if you will allow me to along with you this fable. It haphazard an opinion, he appears a pened that Fire, Water, and Fame fool-1. Because he preferred his went to travel together; they conbody to his soul. 2. Because he sulted that if they lost one another preferred the world to God: Eat, how they might be retrieved and drink, and be merry,' was the ex- meet again. Fire said, "Where tent of his aim. 3. Because he you see smoke, there you shall find preferred time to eternity: Thou me." Water said, Where you hast goods laid up for many years.' see marsh and moorish low ground, 4. Because he lived as if he should there you shall find me." But never die, and, whilst presuming Fame said, "Take heed how you on many years, exposed his soul to lose me, for if you do, you will run all the horrors of sudden death, a great hazard never to meet me without repentance, without for- again; there is no retrieving of giveness, without holiness, and me." without hope." 66 1442. Book with Two Leaves.The following anecdote recently appeared in the pages of a religious periodical:-"What are you doing here by yourself?" asked a man of his neighbour one day. "I am reading a book that has only two leaves," was the reply. "Then it won't take you long to read it," said the other. Months passed away, and they met again. Well, what are you doing now ?" "I am still reading my little book." "What! and only two leaves in it ?" Yes, a white leaf and a red "I don't understand you.' one." "Well, the white leaf is the holiness of God, and the red leaf is the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son. When I study the white leaf, and see my sin in the light of God's holiness, I am glad to turn to the red leaf and rest my eye on the blood of Jesus. And when I realise the preciousness and efficacy of the Saviour's blood, I feel a longing for holiness, and turn again to the 66 1444. Compass Lights.-The writer:-It was night, and a heavy following is from a contemporary storm was brewing. A ship under close-reefed topsails ran before the gale. The evening had been very cloudy, and signs of a coming temPest were visible in the sky, but blow over, and had retired in the the captain thought that it would evening to rest, after giving the usual orders to the man at the It was helm. When the fierce wind began to whistle through the shrouds, he sprang out of bed and was speedily on deck. Safety now depended on a steady helm and lighted binnacle (the box which holds the compass), in which the needle of hoped that all would be well if that the compass trembled. monitor, the needle, was clearly suddenly a strong wave put out the seen and instantly obeyed. But binnacle light, and enveloped the compass in darkness. The steersman did his utmost to keep the ship's head to the wind. At this moment a second wave swept over the ship, carrying with it everything that was on the deck. Why were not the compass lights re1443. Character.-The following lighted? The fact was, the captain white leaf. The little book will occupy me all my life, and I expect it will be my joyful meditation through eternity." had failed to watch the warnings of the coming storm, and was unprepared. Extra lamps had not been kept in readiness; it was too late to trim them in the hour of danger, and it was impossible at such a time to relight the one that had been put out. The captain did all that human skill and courage could do in that wild and dark and starless night; but the vessel reeled under a very heavy sea; nothing could avert the crisis that impended but a sight of the compass, and that was now impossible. The ship, after a few hours, struck on a rock and became a total wreck, and almost all on board perished. Had the captain exercised proper watchfulness, and kept the compass lights trimmed and burning, she might have weathered the storm. There was had shown a watchful forecast. dawn of the morning the storm had passed away, and in a few days the ship was safely moored in its destined port. 'How important," thought a passenger in this latter vessel, on hearing the cause of the loss of the former, "is it to have the lights trimmed and ready for a coming storm!" He from that hour of danger read a lesson of life and its issues, as he learned how neglect and want of foresight on the one hand, and constant watchfulness and preparation on the other, made all the difference between shipwreck and safety. monarch, "The Kings of France, 1445. Considerate King. When Henry IV. of France made excursions into his distant provinces, he used to stop the peasants whom he met and inquire where they were going, what they sold, and what a second ship in that tempest. dants, expressing his surprise at such was the price. One of his attenHow did she escape? The captain familiarity, was answered by the Before the horizon presented the least sign of disturbance, all things were got ready. In case the chains of the helm should part, his "relieving tackles " were hooked. A spare tiller was provided. Every precaution was made to sail before the gale. As the storm approached he watched anxiously lest a wave, travelling faster than the ship, 1446. Earnest Worker.-Duncan should break over the deck. The Matheson, the Scottish evangelist, first strength of the gale seemed when in the Crimea, was not slow spent; the wind lulled, and the in seeking out men of his own captain went below to his chart. spirit in the Army. His first acOut of sight of his men, his eye quaintance was Hector Macpherson, was constantly turned to the com- drum-major 93rd Highlanders, a pass in the ceiling of his cabin. soldier both of his country and of Soon a fresh squall came on, and the cross, of whom the missionary again the captain was quickly by used to tell the following story:the side of the helmsman. In spite "One day, a chaplain, newly arof good seamanship a wave struck rived, called on the sergeant and the ship unfavourably, and break- asked his advice as to the best ing across the binnacle, extin- method of conducting his work. guished the compass lights. ForCome with me,' said Hector, 'to a moment the needle was lost to sight and the vessel was in the utmost peril. But instantly other lights were placed in the compass box, and were burning brightly. The lanterns had been trimmed, and were ready for the crisis. By the the hill-top. Now look around you. See yonder the pickets of Liprandi's army. See yon batteries on the right, and the men at the guns. Mark yon trains of ammunition. Hear the roar of that cannon. Look where you may, it is all earnest here. There is not a man but feels it is a death struggle. If we don't conquer the Russians, the Russians will conquer us. We are all in earnest, sir; we are not playing at soldiers here. If you would do good you must be in earnest too. An earnest man will always win his way.' 1447. Elizabeth and the Spanish Armada. It was a single banker that secured Queen Elizabeth against all the danger with which she was threatened by the socalled invincible Armada. When mind, as he rested in Harwich on the preceding night, which was very stormy, while he reflected on the distracted state of the nation. It happened that a confidential servant slept in an adjacent bed, who, finding that his master could not sleep, at length said, “Pray, sir, will you give me leave to ask you a question?" "Certainly." sir, pray excuse me, but don't you think you may trust Him to govern it quite as well as long as you live?" To this question Whitelock had nothing to reply, but, turning about, soon fell fast asleep till he was summoned to embark. A Pray, sir, don't you think that God governed the world very well before you came into it?" "Undoubtedly." "And pray, sir, don't you think that He will govern it quite as well when you are gone the Queen was apprised of the de-out of it ?" " "Certainly." "Then, signs of Spain, she had no ships capable of being opposed to the Spanish fleet; a part of those which were lying in the ports and docks could only be used after twelve months, and great anxiety prevailed. This banker, however, being well acquainted with the state of the Spanish finances, knew that the Spanish fleet could not set sail but through the medium of bills which were to be drawn upon the Genoese bank. He therefore conceived the idea of buying up all the paper or bills that could be met with in every commercial town in Europe, and to deposit them in the bank of Genoa, that by his large remittances he might have the said bank so in his power as to incapacitate it whenever he chose from giving any aid to the Spaniards. Being well aware that it only required to let those remittances be so long at Genoa until the season should obstruct the sailing of the fleet, he calculated that these exchange operations would cost about £40,000 sterling, and he proposed to the Queen to extricate her at this price from the dilemma. The proposal was accepted and carried into effect with so much secrecy that Philip's hands were tied, and he could not send out the fleet till the following year. 1448. God Governs. 1449. God in the Heart.poor wounded boy was dying in the hospital. He was a soldier, but a mere boy for all that. The lady who watched by his bedside saw that death was coming fast, and placing her hand upon his head, she said to him, "My dear boy, if this should be death that is coming upon you, are you ready to meet your God?" The large dark eyes opened slowly, and a smile passed over the young soldier's face, as he answered, “I am ready, dear lady, for this has long been His kingdom," and as he spoke he placed his hand upon his heart. “Do you mean, "questioned the lady gently, "that God rules and reigns in your heart?" "Yes," he answered; but his voice sounded far off, sweet and low, as if it came from a soul already well on its way through the "dark valley and shadow of death." And still he lay there with his hand above his heart, even after that heart had ceased to beat, and the soldier-boy's soul had gone up to When its God. Bulstrode Whitelock was embarked 1450. Heaven—where is it ?— Plato points to the snowy summits of coid Olympus, and says, It is as Cromwell's envoy to Sweden, in 1653, he was much disturbed in |