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unharmed in his writing-case. On the first day of the month Nibra jokes are allowable, though one is not always so lucky as to find butterflies while practising them,' exclaimed Maudi to his vexed comrade, who was now slinking down ashamed; then hastened to his schoolmaster to show him what he had found.

“Maudi, thou art a lucky child,' cried the latter, clasping his hand in admiration. "The royal collector of butterflies has made known that this one is wanting, and promises a reward of a hundred pieces of gold to any one fortunate enough to procure it. Many have doubted if there were such an insect in existence, but the description given_agrees most accurately with the one you have found. Come, I will go with you to the collector.'

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They accordingly went together, and the boy received the hundred pieces of gold in a beautiful little casket. This piece of good fortune, which occurred just ten years before the death of the king, was, as you may perhaps remember, at the time much talked of, and for this reason; that, according to an old popular tradition, a remarkable omen was to take place at that time.

"With joyful speed Maudi hastened to his parents in the country, carried them the gold, delighted that he could assist them in their poverty, and kept only the casket for himself. Many people have since offered him a good deal of money for it, but his answer has always been, 'I retain it as a worthy memento of a very fortunate day, and no money will tempt me to part with it. Accordingly he has it still, and will, by my direction, bring it with him as an attestation of what I have told you.

"On the evening of that very day an extraordinary circumstance took place. Maudi had risen early, had not rested a moment since the morning, and it was already late when he arrived at his parents' dwelling. He had no sooner partaken of a slight refreshment, than, completely weary, he laid himself down and was soon sound asleep. How eagerly his father and mother, who had never before seen so much money at once, examined their treasure, may be easily imagined. They talked of their prize, and of the use to which they would turn it, as well as of their good luck in having such a child, and were just about to make preparations for a more abundant meal than they were in the habit of enjoying, when suddenly a soft rustling was heard, a fragrance like that of roses and orange-flowers filled the apartment, and a ruddy light shone all around them. The fairy who had once already addressed them at the time of the boy's birth, glided in with an enchantingly beautiful and kindly look; and, as on the former occasion, she was arrayed in a robe of dazzling lustre, like a bright cloud at the rising of the sun. 'Rejoice in your child, attend to him more than to yourselves, confide in

him more than in yourselves,' were the words she uttered; while she placed upon the table a small fabric, like a piece of clockwork, touched a little wheel of the same with a golden pin, and disappeared. The wheel began immediately to turn round, the silvery sound of a small bell was heard, and a troop of lovely sylphs fluttered about the room, spreading the table, and covering it with savoury provisions and the finest wine.

"While the little wheel goes round,
And the merry bell doth sound,
You shall change your humble fare
For costly wines and viands rare.

"Thus sang the sylphs while they placed upon the table a variety of dishes, each more alluring than the rest. At length the wheel had run its course, the bell had ceased to ring, and the sylphs vanished.

"With the oft-repeated exclamation that no emperor could feast as they had done, who lived in a country that was governed by the fairies, Maudi's parents had no sooner satisfied their appetite, than curiosity, and in its company indiscretion, awoke within them. They examined the elegant piece of clock-work on all sides. It has, indeed, an astonishing effect when the wheel is put in motion,' began the wife, if we could but set it going again, who knows what fine things might be in store for us? We can, we will, we must try it!' The husband allowed

himself to be persuaded, and, as the fairy had done, pressed the wheel. The wheel turned round, and the bell rang, but with a duller sound than before; and behold! a swarm of dark and grizzled gnomes crowded into the room. All had rods in their hands, which they waved high in the air, and then applied sharply to the backs of the terrified couple.

"While the little wheel goes round,
And the bell doth mournful sound,
We our rods must exercise,

And thus your greediness chastise."

"So singing the gnomes drove the man and his wife from one corner to another. Amidst the noise and tumult Maudi awoke, regarded without any feeling of fear all that was going on around him, listened to the singing of the gnomes, pondered on the words which he heard, and with quick determination sprang from his couch, ran to the table, examined the clock-work, took the golden pin and stuck it between the teeth of the wheel. The wheel stood still, the bell left off ringing, the gnomes regarded the boy with astonishment and respect, bowed themselves before

him, lifted the piece of clockwork from the table, and hastened away." Solda was silent for a few moments.

"Here indeed was displayed the power of deciding quickly, and that too while Maudi was yet but a boy; and then his good fortune!" exclaimed his hearers: "if the rest of his history will compare with what we have already heard, we might well hope that, in choosing Maudi, we should make choice of the right person."

THE MIDNIGHT SACRAMENT.*

"Well our Christian sires of old

Loved when the year its course had rolled,
And brought blithe Christmas back again,
With all his hospitable train.

Domestic and religious rite

Gave honour to the holy night;

On Christmas- Eve the bells were rung;

On Christmas-Eve high service sung;

That only night, in all the year,

Saw the stoled Priest the chalice rear."

WALTER SCOTT's "Marmion," Introd. Canto vi.

What words can recall the impressive grandeur of the Ter Sanctus, the thrilling, simple sublimity of the Gloria in Excelsis, unearthly beautiful! not like strains of this world's wild music lingering on the ear, but like the voices of angels changing the heart's fear into a glow of rapturous joy and elevated hope, and assurance in the strength of our salvation, and the majesty of the Most High.

WORKS OF DR. ANTHONY HORNECK.

A CENTURY and a half ago the writings of Dr. Horneck were not, as they now are, known only to persons whose peculiar studies, or abundant leisure, lead them to more than a usual acquaintance with theological works. Horneck's writings were at that time the popular daily manuals, not only of his own parishioners, but of numbers besides. They went through repeated editions. But in the reign of George I. a remarkable and unhappy change came over our religious literature. The sterling practical works of such men as Bishop Taylor, Beveridge, Law, and others, fell into disuse; and they were replaced by frigid statements of natural religion, or by the raptures of enthusiastic Antinomianism. Horneck shared the fate of other writers like himself; for nearly a century his works

*This should have been added to the article published in our last number, but it came too late for insertion.

were all but forgotten. Within the last few years, however, one entire treatise, and portions of others, have been reprinted; and copies of the old editions of his writings may often be purchased at low prices by those who know their value.

His first work was entitled "The Great Law of Consideration." By consideration, he means the employment of the whole understanding about our spiritual concerns. This work is divided into eight chapters. The subjects treated of are the nature and end of our being; the nature of consideration, as consisting of selfexamination, expostulation, and resolution; the necessity of such consideration; its ordinary impediments; the sins which may be traced to a neglect of it; its advantages; reasons for cultivating it; the assistance it derives from retirement and prayer.

The "Happy Ascetick, or the best Exercise," is divided into two parts, which treat respectively of the ordinary and the extraordinary exercises of godliness. In the former he enforces, throughout fifteen chapters, the general daily rules of a holy life, such as to pray always, to form daily resolutions, to meditate daily, to watch over our tongues and our eyes, to do all to God's glory, to keep up self-examination, &c. The second part discusses the extraordinary exercises of godliness, vows, fasting, watching, selfrevenge.

The "Crucified JESUS; or, an Account of the Nature, End, Design, and Benefits of the Sacrament of the LORD's Supper, with necessary Directions and Prayers," &c. This admirable work consists of thirty chapters, being the substance of discourses preached, by way of preparation, before the monthly Sacrament at the Savoy. They constitute a complete treatise on the several parts of the Holy Mystery, and a devout method of preparing for its reception.

"Sermons upon the Fifth Chapter of S. Matthew," published after the decease of their author.

Besides these larger works, there are several smaller tracts written by Dr. Horneck. The same earnest devotional character pervades them all. Amongst these we may mention "Delight and Judgment," a little work designed to influence its readers by a recollection of the proceedings of the Last Day. "The Fire of the Altar," a course of devotions in a highly elevated strain, to be used before and after the Holy Sacrament. An "Answer to the Soldiers' Question, What shall we do?" an admirable tract for soldiers, in which he appeals to them as baptized Christians, charges them with the vices commonly incident to their profession, combats their ordinary excuses, and gives directions for amendment of life.

Such are the principal writings of Dr. Horneck; and we cordially recommend our readers to study any of them which may come in their way. Learned allusions and florid language may be found in some of them; but Horneck's peculiar feature seems to

have been to revive dead branches of the Church, to awaken careless and worldly men, and to lead them to that high standard of practical religion which prevailed in the primitive age of the Church.

Those who are unacquainted with his works may be glad to see a few extracts. We subjoin the following:

In his "Answer to the Soldiers' Question," addressing those who are forgetful of their baptismal obligations, he says

"You have been baptized when you were children, and is it not worth considering what it was for, and to what end and purpose you were baptized? It is true it is a kind of ceremony, and you do not remember it, only have heard it, and it might be so for ought you know. Let me beseech you to inquire a little into the meaning of it. As light as you have made of your baptism, there is certainly some great matter signified and intended by it, and your parents and friends had some reason for bringing you to the sacred font.

"To be baptized is to be washed with water in the name of the FATHER, the SON, and the HOLY GHOST; i. e., to be separated, consecrated, and dedicated to the service of that GOD, Who, when you were fallen into sin and misery, gave His only Son to die for you, and is willing, by the HOLY GHOST, or by His HOLY SPIRIT, to sanctify and to renew you to a life of grace and holiness, that you may live and reign with Him for ever.

"I am afraid you never, or very seldom considered, what that religion is into which you were baptized."

"Those that brought you to be baptized promised and engaged for you, and in your name, that you should renounce all love and affection to sin, and the works of the devil, which is to repent; that you should heartily believe the Articles of the Christian faith, and obey the holy commands of GOD, that you might be partakers of all the wonderful mercies and benefits that come by the death of CHRIST JESUS.

"Thus were you promised and vowed to GOD, and solemnly consecrated to Him very early, soon after you were born; and you are in conscience bound to stand to that promise, and to use all possible means to perform it, not only out of respect to your parents and friends, who brought you to the font, but because they promised no more than was your duty; and because you hope to receive the benefits of your baptism, and of the redemption wrought by the Son of GOD CHRIST JESUS, Who, to purchase a pardon, and the favour of GOD, and eternal glory, and the comforts of the HOLY GHOST for you, spilt His Blood, and laid down His Life for you.

"These benefits you hope to be partakers of: benefits great, and such as the holy angels desire to look into; benefits you would one day give a thousand worlds for, if you had them, when you come to want, or to feel the want of them.

"What a mercy was it in GoD to be willing to be reconciled to you! What a mercy to be willing to give you pardon, and heaven,

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