and simply expressed, that both rich and poor can benefit equally by them."

Jane. "I have observed how every class of persons, every trouble, danger, or distress one can think of, is mentioned. They must have been very good men who wrote the Prayer-book. Do you know, Mary, who wrote it?"

Mary. "I believe the Prayer-book was written, or compiled, as it is called, about 300 years ago, in the reign of Edward VI., by a council of good and learned men. There have been very few alterations made in it since.

But many of the prayers are of much older date. I have been told that some of the Collects were used in the public service 1200 years ago, and had been written 200 years before."

Bessy. "Who told you this?"

Mary. "Mr. Howard explained many things in the services of our church on Sunday afternoons, when he instructed the children from the Catechism, which he always did in church. He used to say, that, though the sermons were of great importance, as we learned much from them, yet the prayers were first to be considered; and bid us remember, that in the Bible the Temple was called 'the House of Prayer." He also observed, what a comfort it was to those who had friends and relations in distant countries (which many in our village had), to think that on the Sabbath the same prayers are ascending from their lips and hearts and from ours, to our Heavenly 1 Is. lvi. 7; Matt. xxi. 13.

Father; and that these very prayers have been in use amongst those generations which have passed away, and will continue to be used when we are numbered with the dead, by those who come after us. Before a confirmation, Mr. Howard also gave additional instruction, one other day in the week, to those about to be confirmed. In the Sunday-school we learned a great deal from Miss Howard, and the other ladies, who taught in it. You have a Sundayschool here, have you not?"

Jane. "There is one in the village, but we have never attended it. No ladies teach there regularly. Mrs. Barlow has such bad health; she is seldom well

enough. The young ladies' governess goes there sometimes, but not often, for her time is very much occupied. Last Sunday morning, after church, Mr. Barlow heard all who wished to be confirmed say the Catechism, and our tickets are promised to us. But I should like to know something more about Confirmation; and if it would not be troubling you too much, Mary, would you repeat to us what Mr. Howard told you about it?"

Mary. "With pleasure I will. I never knew till after I had left Hazels what advantages I had had there, and how very grateful I ought to be to those who were kind enough to teach me. We all used to attend the Sunday-school, and even when no longer children, we went whenever we could, for the pleasure of hearing the ladies teach. I always heard something that I could profit by; and sometimes

we, who were nearly grown up, used to assist in teaching the little ones."

66

Bessy. How sorry you must have been to leave Hazels!" Mary. "That I was indeed; but I was kept up by hope. I thought we should soon return with dear father, quite well again. You know he was Mr. Howard's gardener; and Mr. Howard's kindness to him I shall never forget. But he was kind to every one. We all looked up to him quite as the father of his parish. All go to him for advice and assistance in every difficulty; and if any joyful event happens to any one, to go and tell it to Mr. Howard is almost the first idea that occurs."

"Is that Mr. Howard of whom you are talking?" asked the farmer, who came in while Mary was speaking. "I remember him quite well, the only time I was at Hazels. How kind he was to your poor father when your dear mother died! It was not very long after he had lost Mrs. Howard. But, girls," continued Mr. Thorpe, after a short pause, "I have learned a bit of news since I have been out. This parish has increased so much lately, that Mr. Barlow finds he requires an assistant. We heard this some time ago; but this afternoon I was told for certain that he has engaged a gentleman to act as curate, and that this same curate is coming to settle here in about ten days. Mr. Barlow is going to take his family to the sea-side for a few weeks, and I understood it was at first his intention to return

every week for a day or two. It will, therefore, be a great advantage to us that there should be a curate residing here during his absence, as well as giving him a complete holiday."

Jane and Bessy had many questions to ask about the expected curate, but the farmer knew nothing more than what he had told them, not even his

name.

CHAPTER II.

"Conversation in its better part

May be esteemed a gift, and not an art;

Yet much depends, as in the tiller's toil,

On culture, and the sowing of the soil."-CowPER.

"As we are all three busy with our needle-work,” said Mary to her cousins, one afternoon, shortly after the preceding conversation, "why should we not talk a little about confirmation, as there are some things respecting it you said you would like to understand more clearly, Jane ?”

“Oh, yes, indeed!" said Jane, "I should like very much to talk about it with you, Mary.

Do you know that I had very serious thoughts of not being confirmed at all, if it had not been that mother seemed to have set her heart upon it?"

Mary looked rather surprised.

"And why not, Jane?" she inquired.

"It seems," replied Jane, "taking so much upon oneself, that I should not be sorry, even now to have