THE GREAT EXHIBITION.

CHAPTER II.

"THE earth is the Lord's, and all that therein is, the compass of the world and they that dwell therein."

Such is the motto which heads the Catalogue of the Great Exhibition, and surely well and wisely have these holy words been chosen, to remind us, while we look on the marvellous works around us, that, though indeed manufactured by the hand of man, yet all come originally from the mighty Hand of God, for though man can manufacture God alone can create, and it is He who gives in abundance the products of the earth, and grants to men the skill and ability to work out from them objects of beauty and usefulness. But to return to the Crystal Palace.

On first entering, one is struck by the Chinese stall, where are many curious things, large figures of mandarins moving their heads when touched, beautiful vases and strange dresses, and large boxes of something you use every day, can you guess what it is ?-why tea, which is all brought from China. Here sits all day long, a little Chinese boy, fanning himself, with an immense fan, Poor little fellow, I hear he has picked up a few words of English, and tells people he is dreadfully tired of the Exhibition. No doubt he wishes himself back in his own country, and among his friends, instead of staying to be stared at like some strange animal. All down the middle of the building, which is more like a great street than anything else you can fancy, are to be seen fountains, organs, pictures, models, and numerous statues, which, perhaps you

know are figures cut in stone or cast in bronze, some of them as large as life and some of them much larger. There is one immense figure of a woman on horseback killing a tiger; another of a young girl weeping over the body of her father who has been killed in battle, while a beautiful horse stands by her, and seems to mourn with her for his master. One of the prettiest of the statues is a little boy putting out his tiny hand to catch a grasshopper, and there is another of a little child intently watching a nest of young birds, the children, birds and all, being cut in the purest white marble. I wish you could see the stuffed animals from Germany, they are so very amusing. There is a group of eight little rabbits sitting up on their hind legs, with little slates and books looking like children at school, and there is a party of weasels walking out on a shooting party, with tiny guns on their shoulders, an hypocritical looking old fox with a large book in his paws, and many other very funny groups. Among the things from Switzerland, are models of churches and houses, and also chairs and tables and many other things, all most beautifully carved in wood, and I have heard the Swiss children amuse themselves during the long winter evenings with this carving, and make many of those pretty toys which are sent to England and brought to amuse children here. You would I am sure, have been much delighted with a pretty piece of jewellery consisting of a little tree made of gold, and very tiny birds hopping about it, flapping their wings and twittering just as if they were alive. This is done by mechanism, much in the same way as a clock is made to go, and comes from France, where the people are very clever in making those sort of things.

Now, you must understand, that I have not attempted to tell you here of what is most extraordinary and curious in the Exhibition, but have chosen those things most likely to amuse and interest children. And I have only mentined today such as come from foreign parts, but hope next time to speak of those belonging to our own country. You must know also, that I have only had time to notice a few of the countries which have sent goods to the Exhibition, for there is hardly a land about which you learn in your geography, or of which you see the name upon the map, which has not sent specimens of its art and industry. And not the least curious part of the Exhibition is to see the foreign merchants who have brought over their goods, and stand in their stalls watching their property. There are Frenchmen, Germans, Russians, Turks, Greeks, &c., and not only Europeans, but Egyptians, Chinese, Moor, and many others, with dark complexions and strange dresses. And now good bye for the present. L. R. P.

THE BIBLE.

A little girl called Mary Hill was very thoughtlessly scratching her Bible with a pin, when her attention was arrested by her mother calling to her in a tone of displeasure, "Oh, Mary, I am shocked to see you so irreverently treating that Holy Book." Sit down beside me, and I will relate to you a scene which I witnessed in the National School, to which I repaired when about your age; the circumstance made a deep and lasting impression on me, Some of the eldest girls were catechised in Church during the afternoon service, after

the second lesson, according to command of the rubric, at the end of the Catechism, where you read that "the Curate of every parish shall diligently upon Sundays and Holydays, after the Second Lesson at Evening Prayer, openly in the Church, instruct and examine so many children of his parish sent unto him, as he shall think convenient, in some part of this Catechism."

The priest of my native village was particular in his observance of the rubrics, or directions in the Prayer Book for conducting the services, and many parents and god-parents were instructed by the public catechising. My place in School was in the first class, but I was not yet admitted to join those who were catechised in the Church. The lady from the hall, who was looked up to as queen of the villiage, kindly taught the first class girls. I had a bad habit of fidgetting for which I had often been chided. One Sunday, regardless of what had been said to me, I would not keep my hands still, but built up the Bibles one on the top of another, and soon after knocked two or three down on the sanded floor. Our lady's eye rested on me with a look of disapprobation, while she told me to bring her the Bibles which had been thrown down, and taking out of her pocket a beautifully clean white cambric pocket handkerchief trimmed with lace, wiped the sand off the precious books, and rubbed off every mark of dust; she then placed then near her and far enough out of my reach. Our lady was never fearful of her dress being soiled with the sand, but her actions showed me how highly she reverenced the the Word of God. From that time I took the greatest care of my Bible, and would never allow dust to rest on one, nor do I like to see any thing placed on that sacred volume, unless

it is the Prayer Book, or a book of devotions. The same kind voice that implanted in me lessons of wisdom, I once heard reproved a very little child for putting her bonnet on a Bible.

What would my beloved teacher have said to you my child? I think you have an idea; consider the Bible as a Holy Book; let the very sight of one produce holy thoughts. The feeling of reverence I would instil into you, will assist you to fix your minds on spiritual truths, when reading the Holy Scriptures, and drive out vain and worldly imaginations.

Mary thanked her mother for the incident she had told her of her school-days, and promised to remember it, determining at the same time to profit by it, and to amend her conduct. YETTA.

St. Basil the Great.

Continued from page 176,-No. 8.

CAPPADOCIA having been divided into two provinces, occasioned an increase of Bishoprics, as well as confusion in the Church. To one of these, Sasima by name, Basil appointed his friend Gregory. But it is painful to add that this act of love on Basil's part, led to anger and estrangement on the part of Gregory. It appears that Anthimus, Bishop of Tyana, who had set himself up as a rival metropolitan, opposed Gregory, and Gregory, more unwilling than unable to maintain his own cause, turned his back upon Sasima, and returned to his native Nazianzum. Basil accused him of inertness and loth, and Gregory in reply, accused Basil of pride. Thus