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no doubt in the end they would find it an economical arrangement. In towns where the women work in factories, infants are necessarily neglected, drugged, crippled, starved, and ill-treated in various ways: it would be a great gain to the little ones if they could be placed in day-nurseries easily accessible to the mothers at a short distance from the place of work, in order that the infants might be suckled at intervals during the day; thus a boon would be conferred upon both mother and child. Such a plan has been adopted by some of the wealthy and benevolent manufacturing firms in France; the beneficial effects upon the poor families who are so cared for are remarkable, and it is an example which ought to be extensively followed in this country."Yours, &c., M. A. B.

N. OR M.

SIR,-The ingenious_device of your correspondent J. T. in explanation of the N. or M. in the Catechism will I think hardly hold good, for by turning to the Marriage Service he will there see that N. is used of the woman and M. of the man. I am not aware of any other explanation, but it seems to me the one given by your correspondent cannot be the true one.-I am, &c., G. C. DE RENZI.

[H. draws attention in a similar manner to the use of the initials in the Marriage Service as refuting the idea that they represent the names Nicholas and Mary.-ED. C. C.]

SIR,-Your correspondent H. B. brings a sweeping charge of ignorance and presumption against the printers of the Prayer Book: but the instance he alleges is at best only an imaginary assumption of his own. He is not perhaps aware that while the "M. and N." of our Marriage Service is a later

and seemingly unadvised alteration from the "N. and N." of the Sealed Book, probably by direction of some bishop or crown officer neither ignorant nor presumptuous, the "N. or M." of the Catechism dates back to times when printers were more familiar with their Latin than they may be as a rule at the present day, and were not at all likely to substitute intentionally one M. for two Ns.

But what is the meaning of N. or NN.? It could only mean that the child might give, as it ought, its Christian name; or, as it ought not, its Christian and its Surname: for no compounding of sponsal nomenclature forms more than one Christian name; as is clear from the terms of the Baptismal Service, which otherwise would read "N. or NN., I baptize thee," and the rubric instead of "demand the name" would have name or names."

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I do not think the Nicholas and Mary theory is tenable. It was certainly unknown when the M. was adopted in the Marriage Service, for it would make Nicholas the wife and Mary the husband: nor does there seem reason why boys and girls should be supposed to bear names referring only to boy. hood and girlhood, yet given at the font and carried to the grave. Besides, is not S. Nicholas the patron of children of both sexes? do not girls as well as boys expect his Christmas gifts?

I will conclude with a suggestion, which I think is as good as that of the two Ns. Is it possible that the or is by some accident or other an interpolationthat it was originally N. M., for nomen meum, my name "given me in my baptism?" - Yours, &c., G.

PRAYERS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

SIR,-In answer to your cor respondent MARY, I would say that

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would be? Will you answer this as soon as possible?-Yours, &c., M. D. T.

GLEES AND PART-SONGS.

SIR,I have a quantity of Glees and Part-songs all in good preservation, which I shall be glad to dispose of for a small amount. They would be suitable for an average choir and include some of the most popular music of the day.

I enclose my address, and shall be happy to send a list to any of your correspondents who may think it worth while to apply.— Yours, &c., R.

P.S. Any amount realised by the disposal of the above will be devoted to the Services of the Church.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF OLD BOOKS
TO A SCHOOL.

A Clergyman's daughter, just establishing herself in a small school, feels greatly the want of a library, and would be grateful to any one who would kindly send her any contributions however old: books of a certain tone for Sunday reading likely to influence young minds for good would be invaluable, also works of general literature and instruction; any old numbers of the Churchman's Companion would be gratefully received. The ages of her pupils vary from ten to eighteen, and it is her great wish to train them and influence them for good.

Address M. H. B., to be left till called for at Mr. Masters', 33, Aldersgate Street, E.C.

Notices to Correspondents.

C. H. In reply to the question as to the position of "the Seventy," we must remind our correspondent that during the sojourn of our LORD upon earth the three orders were represented by-Himself, first, as the highest; the Apostles, as priests; the seventy, as deacons,-at His departure, all moved a step higher, the Apostles became bishops, the seventy priests, and deacons were newly appointed. The Church of Rome holds that there are seven orders which do not include bishops,-they are the Ostiary, Lector, Exorcist, Acolyth, Subdeacon, Deacon, and Priest.

Mrs. B. We are obliged by the extract, but think it better not to give greater prominence to the subject than has been already given to it by the newspapers of the day.

F. S. and A. C. B. S. Letters cannot be published unless the address of the writer is sent.

W. D. S. We regret that we have not room for the account of the memorial window.

Accepted: "The Land that is very far off;" "Rievaulx Abbey" "Not dead, but sleepeth;" "Lo, I am with you alway.

Declined with thanks: "S. Peter and S. Paul."

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"ANGELO, I hardly like to ask you the question, but have you well weighed what you have done ?"

The friends were alone in the priest's study, Halifax leaning against the sill of the window, Angelo Stewart seated by the table upon which some papers and a pen yet wet with ink showed the late employment of the Incumbent of S. Michael's. He looked up as Halifax spoke, and no one could glance only for a moment into those steadfast grey eyes and suppose that Angelo Stewart would act upon impulse. "I have well weighed it," he said, in his quiet gentle manner," and I know all that might be against me; and what is that all? the voice of the world-not of those who know me well."

"Do you think they will not misjudge you ?"

"And if they did, Darrell? is life eternity, that we should walk by the verdict of men? what if ill-nature does lift its voice? it will die even among my enemies, and should I hold back my foot from one step that is right, because of idle or mischievous tongues ? It was not by fearing the world that the world was conquered."

"Such men as you, Angelo, can brave public opinion, but you are too well known for any scandal to be more than a passing breath, and God knows how glad I am that you have found a child who can make this a home." "Hush!" said the priest, rising quickly, "do not speak of that, God knows indeed, it may be otherwise." "Angelo, what do you mean? Is she delicate ?" VOL. VI. (N. S.)

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Angelo Stewart paused a moment, but before he could answer, a carriage drove up to the door and stopped. "You are answered," said the priest, calmly, "I sent for him yesterday."

Halifax said nothing, but silently watched the tall greyhaired man who stepped out of the carriage and knocked at the door.

"Picciola is in the drawing-room, will you come up, too?" said Angelo, laying his hand on the handle of the study door.

"I should like to see the child you have adopted, Angelo."

Stewart passed out, and met the physician in the passage.

"I am sorry, Mr. Stewart," said the old man bowing, "that I should be sent for; I sincerely hope it is not to see you."

"I would far rather it had been, Dr. Everett; it is a little child for whom I have sent for you."

Dr. Everett glanced at the speaker and then at Halifax; he knew Stewart had never been married, but it might be some relative, so he merely bowed and followed the priest up to the drawing-room. There was abundance of flowers on the mantlepiece, on the centre table and in stands in the windows. But in one of these windows, seated on the floor, was an object lovelier than the fairest flowers of earth, a little white-robed, goldenhaired child who was busily engaged in fastening a gorgeous collar of scarlet leather, adorned with filagree work, round the neck of an ugly rough cur, who seated bolt upright before her, submitted with puritanic gravity to the operation, only occasionally making efforts to lick the face or hands of his little mistress. But the moment the door opened, the child sprang to her feet and advanced quickly, then paused as she saw strangers, but the priest I went to her and took her hand.

"These gentlemen are come to see you, Picciola; this one," touching Halifax, who stood by, looking down in wondering admiration at the child of whom he had bought flowers in Regent Street, "is my friend, and the other gentleman is a physician.'

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