whole multitude were on the little strait, walking, as it were, over a field of snow; knowing that, in itself, the ice could not have borne the smallest of animals, and yet feeling it borne up under them by the Arm of Him in Whom, as yet, they did not believe. Three minutes more, and men, women, and children were all safe in Alsen.

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'My children," said Wittigar, "Odin could never have done this. Henceforth I believe in the One GOD, Who made heaven and earth; and you, my children, must believe in Him as well."

And now on the opposite hill there was the light of scattered torches, and the outcry as of a multitude hurrying forward. The horde did not intend to lose their prey. But who shall tell, when they came down to the brink of the strait, found that its ice sank in beneath their feet, and yet saw Wittigar and his company safe on the island, what wild cries, what yells, what dissonance of barbarous sounds, such as could scarcely have been heard since the tower of Babel, they uttered? Wittigar and his people heard all, could see by torch-light the wild gestures of their enemies, and, in their rude but hearty fashion, returned thanks to GOD for their safety.

About a month after this time, as S. Anschar was returning from the great church in Hamburg, in company with S. Rembert, the Deacon who afterwards wrote his life, "Why," said he, "the only Christian whom I left behind me in Schleswig, is seeking for us now." And Alice and Wittigar approached.

Their story was soon told. The chief had come to ask Baptism for himself, and Missionaries for his people. Anschar found that his labour and his prayers had not been in vain.

"Now is fulfilled," said he to Rembert, "that which is written in Scripture, I will surely go with thee; notwithstanding, the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.'

J. M. N.

223

The Children's Corner.

THE LIGHT OF FLOWERS.

THE magnificent halls of a stately palace were brilliantly lighted, and richly decorated for a festival, and neither art nor wealth had spared their treasures in rendering the proud apartments one scene of enchantment. The walls were tapestried with shining bay leaves, entwined with branches of myrtle and bright orange flowers. Roses of every hue, glowed amid the dark foliage, mingled with every rare and fragrant flower, which nature had planted in that clime, or art could nurture there. Lamps wreathed with delicate garlands, were hung amid the polished leaves of the evergreens, and the spacious halls blazed with light, while large mirrors reflected the bril liant scene on every side, till it seemed interminable. But the beauty of the decorations, and the grandeur of the palace seemed forgotten, when the fairest maidens of the land, and the young gallant knights, thronged there to mingle in the gay dance, while the harp and the viol poured forth their enlivening strains, and notes of rich music filled the air. Bright smiles beamed on every face, and the tones of light laughter and glad converse resounded everywhere. In sylph-like grace, the lovely maidens glided through the mazes of the dance in their varied and costly attire, their soft beauty contrasting well with the warlike frames, and manly countenances of their young and gallant partners.

Amid so many fair and noble damsels, one was acknowledged more lovely, more graceful, and more endowed with lively wit than the others, and shone peerless among them. Rejoicing in her youth and beauty, Gerosia moved in those gay halls, with bright eyes and glowing cheeks, delighted with all around her, and especially with the universal regard of the young knights, whose homage to her almost excited the envy of others less gifted. Suddenly, (and whence she had come none could tell,) a

lady appeared in the hall, amid the eager throng of dancers, and as if by some spell all eyes were soon directed to her. Her beauty was striking; yet the charm lay not so much in her lovely form, as in some indescribable grace expressed in her countenance, and in the light which shone in her eyes, and far exceeded the brightness of all who surrounded her. Her dress was simple, its only ornament being a crown of snow-drops; but these lowly flowers bending beneath their green leaves, partook of the secret charm, which floated round the lady herself. Each snowy bell appeared a lamp, inclosing a brilliant star, whose pure rays streamed through the delicate petals, rendering the wreath more sparkling than the diamonds and jewels which adorned the other damsels. The knights fascinated by her mystic loveliness pressed round her, all the splendours of the scene increased in her presence, and when she touched a harp, its sounds ravished the ear by their sweetness. Yet the light gaiety which had filled all hearts was gradually lessened, and whether from weariness or from an unconscious awe with which the stranger inspired every one, the revels grew still, and the dance ceased to excite and please.

The attention of all who could appreciate majestic beauty, or understand words of deep wisdom in song, was fixed on her, and the knights neglected the lovely partners of their now uncared-for sports, who began to feel indignant amid their wonder.

Gerosia, wearied with the dance, and the splendour of the lights, sat gazing also on one, whose charms could so far exceed her own, as to attract from herself the homage so lately all her own; and marvelled at her mystic sweetness, perhaps longing to attain an art which might preserve beauty from the fading influence she perceived exerted by the late hour, over herself and `her companions. No longer finding pleasure in the ball, or the music, whose lively notes fell somewhat discordant on her ear, the youthful queen of the festive evening, rose quickly from her seat, and retired to a distance from the brilliant halls, on a balcony which overlooked the vast palace gardens. Resting her cheek on her snowy hand, she stood watching the moon, which hung like a

circular lamp of gold against the deep blue sky, while the pale stars faintly sparkled round her.

Beneath the long shadows of the trees were cast on the spacious lawns, and beyond, the moonbeams played in lines of light on a small lake. The breeze of night gently waved the boughs, and whispered soft music, and notes of peace, to every folded flower, as it passed on its light wings, amid the rustling leaves.

Gerosia was soothed and refreshed by the sweet scene, and the cool air; but even as she hearkened to the delicious sounds of falling waters and trembling leaves, a voice of surpassing melody breathed her name, and when she turned, the maiden beheld beside her, the wondrous stranger, more lovely than ever; her crown of snowdrops sparkling yet more brightly in the moonlight. Awe and surprise held Gerosia in silence, as she gazed on the calm beautiful features of the lady, lighted by the beaming look of love.

"else

"You are wearied," said the same sweet voice; why have you, so admired, so gay, forsaken the

dance ?"

"Because," replied Gerosia, "all are grown weary of it, and I find no more the same pleasure as at first. The admiration all united to give me is soon transferred, and I feel how quickly all the beauty which won it, may also pass away."

She sighed and looked as though she fain would say more, but her companion rejoined; "You would wish to possess a charm which should ensure perpetual power to beauty, and command a love more lasting than now you know of; one which should triumph over weariness, and exert its power when the splendours of festivals cease. I am come to teach it you; all acknowledge its power, but only a favoured few attain to its possession."

"You have it indeed," exclaimed the maiden, “and I might have said the wondrous spell lies in those sparkling flowers, did not a yet more brilliant light shine in your eyes, and beam over your whole countenance."

"Those flowers," replied her lovely companion, "are indeed gifted with mystic light; but you shall now behold with me, a scene which will fill you with delight and

VOL. XVI.

wonder, by which you also may be taught to shine with enduring splendour."

Gerosia felt herself gently wafted through the air, over the spacious gardens of the Palace, till she with her guide, came to the borders of a lake, clear as crystal. The deep blue of the star-lit sky was reflected in it, and the moonbeams played on its surface, mingling streams of gold with its azure hue.

"I have brought you to this mirror," said the stranger "for here will be made plain to you, what without its aid your eyes are too dim to behold. Look into the lake, and watch well the scene it displays."

Gerosia gazed intently, and gradually its wonders were unfolded to her astonished eye; and she stood silent with delight and admiration. The lake seemed a crystal globe, within which was inclosed a vast garden of varied form, filled with flowers from every part of the world. It might have been a reflection of Eden's garden, so rich, so varied, and so beautiful were its productions, appearing as if conscious of the enjoyment of their growth, and their united beauty. Ere the young maiden could express her surprise and delight, her mind was attracted by the display of new wonders. As her eye became accustomed to the scene, and she could look more deeply into it, she perceived that each flower was a living lamp enshrining a star, whose pure rays shone through its delicate and transparent petals with exquisite brilliancy. No imagination could conceive the exceeding splendour of this garden, as it became visible to the awe-struck Gerosia; she thought the gems of night so lately sparkling over her head, had each chosen a flower as its temple, and left for a time its place in the blue vault of heaven, to shine with yet lovelier radiance on earth. And the flowers, beautiful as they had always appeared to her, and well as she had loved them, whether bright with the early dew, they opened at the gentle call of the summer breeze, to smile up to the returning sun, or meekly bowed their heads beneath the shades of night, now were fraught with such brilliancy, and displayed by the light within such surpassing beauty, as no words could tell.

Gerosia's eye rested now on one flower, now on