and in town, great things are being done-enough to bid us take courage and go forwards, and endeavour midst whatever discouragements, to imitate such noble examples. I do not care to mix subjects sacred and profane, and so will reserve my visit to the Crystal Palace, at Sydenham, for a corner by itself.

I am, my dear friend,
Faithfully yours,

W. B. F.

The Editor's Desk.

OUR LIBRARY TABLE.

The Prayer Book, and how to use it, is another part of the Churchman's Library. We give it a welcome reception. Its very brevity may, perhaps, be no little advantage, as a line of thought is hinted at which the reader can work out still more fully. The following statement is certainly well and clearly put, and will, we trust create an anxiety to consult the book itself:

"Why then, it may be asked, should any new service book have been published at all? The answer to this question will be found in the statement made by the compilers, and prefixed by them to the book itself. Great attention should be given to what is there said 'concerning the Service of the Church,' as it is the most authoritative exposition anywhere to be found of the principles of the English Church, and of the relation in which she desires to stand towards other branches of the Church Catholic.

"The inconveniences of which they complain as then existing in the Church were these :

:

"1. Too frequent changes and interruptions, rendering the service difficult for the unlearned to follow.

"2. The too scanty and interrupted reading of Holy Scripture. "3. The reading, along with Holy Scripture, of biographical narratives, some of which were uncertain, and others, there was reason to believe, untrue.

"4. The use of a language not understanded by the people. "5. The existence of various Uses, i.e., orders of prayer, in different dioceses and churches throughout the kingdom.

"It was ordered then henceforward-1. That there should be but one Use of compulsory obligation upon all congregations throughout the kingdom (and all, we repeat, were found willing to conform to it and adopt it.) 2. That it should be in the English tongue. 3. That

instead of seven hours of prayer, which were observed probably only by some of the Clergy and the Monastic Societies, there should be Public Morning and Evening Prayer daily in every parish. [The question of the frequency of celebrating the Holy Sacrament of the Altar was left apparently to the discretion of the parish Priest, whereas before each Priest was required to celebrate daily.] And 4. That in this way the Psalms should be gone through once in each month; the New Testament (with some exceptions) three times, and the Old Testament once in the year.

"No change was ordered in the way of singing or saying' the service, which, therefore, was to continue as before (save that Archbishop Cranmer had the music revised, and brought back to a simpler form than was then in use ;) and chancels,' (it was subsequently ordered) 'shall remain as they had done in times past.' Of the whole book they say, 'Here you have an order for prayer, and for the reading of the Holy Scripture, much agreeable to the mind and purpose of the old Fathers, and a great deal more profitable and commodious, than that which of late was used. It is more profitable, because here are left out many things, whereof some are untrue, some uncertain, some vain and superstitious: and nothing is ordained to be read, but the very pure word of GOD, the Holy Scriptures, or that which is agreeable to the same; and that in such a language and order as is most easy and plain for the understanding both of the readers and hearers. It is also more commodious, both for the shortness thereof, and for the plainness of the order, and for that the rules be few and easy.'" -Pp. 3-7.

Stories on Proverbs-in which rats, cats, dogs, and ducks talk very reasonably and nicely for the benefit of young readers, is a book of so charming a character that elderly readers who begin its perusal will not, we venture to say, easily lay the book down again. A better child's book there cannot be. It is full of fun, and full of sense at the same time.

Under the fanciful title of A Poet's Children, Mr. P. SCOTT sends forth a number of pleasing little poems, full of good taste, and of more than average merit.

Another volume has been added to the Juvenile Englishman's Library in the shape of a History of Scotland, by the Rev. W. B. FLOWER.

A volume of Readings, prepared by Mr. NEALE, for the Lesser Saints' Days, and published as a second series of Readings for the Aged, will be one of the most popular and useful works of this prolific writer. In many respects Mr. Neale's Sermons are models of addresses to the poor and the aged. Their language is not bare and

jejune; the imagery is ever good, and a full use is made of illustrations drawn from the incidents of every-day life, or from common and apparently trivial things within the knowledge of all. Here is an example "The oldest preacher in the world is the sky; David tells us so. The heavens preach the glory of GoD.' And yet at the same time he says, 'there is no voice nor language, the heavens declare God's glory by their works, not their words; by the order with which the stars know their appointed time, and keep it; by the beautiful manner in which all, great as well as little, obey the law that GoD has laid down for them." Here is a passage of no ordinary beauty, from the Reading for the "Name of JESUS."

"His name shall be called JESUS, for He shall save His people. from their sins.' So now let us come to Him this very day, while it is called to-day.' Let us call upon Him by that one Name: so glorious and so dear as it should be. Let us remind Him of all it is, and of all it means. JESUS, That should save His people from their sins. JESUS, the SON of the Living GOD. JESUS, the Father of the poor. JESUS, the Comfort of the afflicted. JESUS, the Lover of souls, JESUS, the one True Pearl. JESUS, the Shepherd of the sheep. JESUS, Eternal Wisdom. JESUS, Infinite Goodness. JESUS, the Joy of the Angels. JESUus, the Master of the Apostles. JESUS, the Teacher of the Evangelists. JESUS, the Strength of the Martyrs. JESUS, the Boldness of the Confessors. JESUS, the Husband of the Virgins. JESUS, the Reward of all Saints. JESUS, That was born for us. JESUS, That suffered His Passion for us. JESUS, That was scourged for us. JESUS, That was crucified for us. JESUS, That died for us. JESUS, That rose again the third day for us. JESUS, That ascended into heaven for us. JESUS, That sitteth on the Right Hand of GOD the FATHER Almighty for us. And, therefore, on us, and on all those that trust in His Name, may JESUS have mercy!"Pp. 79, 80.

On Wednesday, July 26, the Chapel of S. John the Evangelist, attached to the Tailors' Asylum, Haverstock Hill (wherein between eighty and ninety of their aged journeymen are provided with a home and pension by the liberality of the master tailors of London,) was re-opened by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese. The chapel was originally founded by the late Mr. Stulz, and has been materially enlarged and improved at the sole cost of one individual. Instead of altar, pulpit, and desk being all crowded within the communion rail, a chancel has been added, and the chapel itself lengthened by another bay.

The seats in the nave are reserved for the inmates; those in the aisles for inhabitants of the neighbourhood. The alterations have been made from the designs of Mr. Charles Foster Hayward, architect, and comprise not only the additions mentioned above, but a very successful raising of the roof, thereby imparting to it an ornamental character. Stained glass, by Hedgeland, representing S. John on our LORD's bosom, and in the isle of Patmos, with the crucifixion in the centre, fills the east window, which has been erected by the offerings of the congregation and friends of the institution, and it is proposed to place a memorial window to the original founder on the south side. On the day mentioned above, morning prayer was said by the Rev. J. Baines, the chaplain; the psalms and canticles being very effectively and devotionally chanted by an amateur choir, and after a sermon by the Bishop from 1 S. John iii. 14, the alms of the congregation (£23. 5s. 5d.) were collected during the reading of the Offertory sentences. Evening prayer was said at 7 P.M., with a sermon by the Rev. H. W. Burrows, Incumbent of Christ Church, Albany Street. It cannot but be gratifying to all Churchmen to learn how the Church's work is progressing, and her influence brought to bear upon the middle classes, as seen in a work of this description; whilst it is no less satisfactory that the inmates have been provided in their old age with the blessings of daily prayers, and the ministrations of a resident chaplain, and that those who have profited by their labours have not been unmindful of the spiritual as well as the temporal necessities of their workmen.

Notices to Correspondents.

"Thanks be to GOD," has been received, and calls for our grateful acknowledgment.

If "A SUBSCRIBER FROM THE BEGINNING," will write to us privately, with his address, stating the precise objections, we shall be most happy to give attention to them and answer them. "Peace and Rest," must stand over till next month.

"At midnight held they council high,
How best like Christian chiefs to die;
How the great Empire, ending fast,
Most gloriously should fall at last :
For all that night, by torch and lamp,
They labour in the invader's camp.'

The Loosing of the Four Angels.

In the great audience hall of the palace, the nobles of Constantinople and the chiefs of the allies were, for the last time, assembled.

A council it could hardly be called; for all counsel now was evidently too late. No one had aught to propose; no one had aught to suggest but at that last moment the degenerate aristocracy of Constantinople seemed to have caught something of the fire of their Roman ancestors; and, not being able to conquer, were prepared to die. Not one talk of surrender; not one hope of quarter; not one expectation of assistance, except immediately from heaven. They met like men that had done with this world; that had now but the last act of life to perform, and were determined to perform it well; that looked on the sufferings and toils that might yet be their lot, as matters of most trifling importance, when one day more would end them; that had taken their farewell of earthly scenes, and were treading on the confines of another world.

No one bore this appearance more strikingly than the