thing a man's companion knows of his shortcoming is from his apology. It is presumptuous on your part to suppose your small failures of so much consequence that you must make a talk about them.

Good dressing, quiet ways, low tones of voice, lips that can wait, and eyes that do not wander-shyness of personalities, except in certain intimate communions-to be light in hand in conversation, to have ideas, but to be able to make talk, if necessary, without them-to belong to the company you are in, and not to yourself-to have nothing in your dress or furniture so fine that you cannot afford to spoil it and get another like it, yet to preserve the harmonies throughout your person and dwelling: I should say that this was a fair capital of manners to begin with.

where the parties bind themselves to "take each other for better or for worse," and give their mutual pledge to stand by and aid each other amid all the storms and privations and perils of life. Those parents who are chiefly anxious to have their daughters to marry a fortune, who value money more than character, integrity, enterprise, and correct habits, will, in most cases, lament their short-sightedness, infatuation, and folly. There is happiness in a cottage where virtue, intelligence, and kindness dwell. A palace will not yield it in the absence of these. It is not those families where there is the greatest profusion of wealth, who are most envied. In many a splendid mansion there are aching hearts, disappointed hopes, corroding cares, and scalding tears. Let us not be misunderstood. We are not depreciating or decrying wealth. It confers and secures many advantages. It gives to its possessor influence, position and power. "Cæteris paribus," as we were taught in our schoolboy days to say; other things being equal, it is desirable, highly beneficial, and eminently comfortable. But it is not worth sacrificing domestic peace to possess it-it is not worth enduring the strife of tongues-it is not worth the life-long reproach, "You married me for my money."

PRACTICAL GOOD SENSE. IT is related that an Athenian, who was hesitating whether to give his daughter in marriage to a man of worth with a small fortune, or to a rich man, who had no other recommendation, went to consult Themistocles on the subject. The philosopher, in the spirit of true wisdom, said, "I would bestow my daughter upon a man without money, rather than upon money without a man." Marriage for money seldom conduces to social comfort and happiness, and often results in the utter destruction of domestic peace, in crimination, coldness and estrangement. And yet the love of money is seldom manifest in greater strength than in the formation of those life-long alliances,

THE POWER OF PENCE. A MANCHESTER calico-printer was, on his wedding-day, persuaded by his wife to allow her two half-pints of ale a-day as her share. He rather winced under the bargain; for,

though a drinker himself, he would have preferred a perfectly sober wife.

They both worked hard; and he, poor man, was seldom out of the public-house while the factory was closed.

The wife and husband saw little of each other except at breakfast; but, as she kept things tidy about her, and made her stinted and even selfish allowance for housekeeping meet the demands, he never complained.

She had her daily pint, and he, perhaps, had his two or three quarts. At odd times, she succeeded by dint of one little genuine artifice or another, to win him home an hour or two earlier at night, and now and then to spend an entire evening in his own house. But these were rare occasions.

tear, to hear him speak kindly as in old times. "If thee'd like to go, John, I'll stand treat."

"Thou stand treat!" said he, with half a sneer, "hast got a fortun', wench ?"

"Nay," said she, "but I'n gotten the pint o' ale."

"Gotten what?" said he, quite astonished.

"The pint o' ale," was the reply. John still didn't understand her, till the faithful creature reached down an old stocking from under a loose brick up the chimney, and, counting out her daily pint of ale in the shape of 365 threepences (i.e. £4 11s. 3d.) put it into his hand, exclaiming,

"Thee shall have the holiday, John!"

John was ashamed, astonished, conscience-smitten, charmed. He wouldn't touch it.

"Hasn't thee had thy share? then I'll ha' no more," he said.

On the 22nd November, 1860, died at Hendon, Middlesex, Mrs. Deborah Robbins, in the eighty-fourth year of her age.

A brief record of some leading events in the life of this "Mother in Israel" may prove interesting and instructive. Though not, like her ancient namesake, a prophetess, nor called to occupy so conspicuous a position among the people of God as that extraordinary woman, yet, from her childhood to a protracted old age, she was found seeking companionship with "them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name," using well her gifts in His service, and employing her energies and influence to promote His cause.

Deborah, daughter of Mr. Thomas Lampard, was born at Salisbury, Feb. 25, 1777. Her father, for many years a member of the Independent Church at Scott's Lane, in that city, was, along with others, sent forth to preach the Gospel in the numerous villages several miles around Salisbury, where, at that period, there was no other Gospel preaching. While yet a girl, Deborah used regularly to accompany her father in these engagements. Gifted with a fine musical voice, she materially assisted him in his work, by raising the tune, and taking the lead in the singing.

Village preaching in those days was a far less easy work than it is now; and, not unfrequently, while she thus stood at her father's side,

acting as his clerk, and leading the song of praise, she shared with him the annoyance and persecution to which he was subjected. Addled eggs and other missiles were often thrown at them, while engaged in these gratuitous efforts to diffuse the knowledge of Christ among a notoriously ignorant and neglected population. All honour to those faithful labourers, who, in the face of opposition such as this, persevered in their work, in obedience to the Divine command, "Preach the Gospel to every creature." They

laboured not in vain; the fruit of their labours, in many instances, is seen at this day, and will be made fully manifest in the great day of the Lord.

A short time before her departure, the aged saint, alluding to these circumstances of her early life, remarked, with satisfaction and thankfulness, that in nearly all these villages where her father laboured, a place of worship and a Sunday school are now found, where Christian truth is regularly dispensed, and Christian ordinances are observed.

In the year 1800, Deborah was admitted to the fellowship of the church of Christ to which her father belonged. About this time, a young man, who was a member of the same church, and looking forward to engagement in the Christian ministry, paid his addresses to her, and became her accepted suitor. During his absence in London, at one of the

colleges, a regular correspondence was kept up between them; and, as the completion of his term at college drew nigh, the time for their marriage was fixed. Influenced, however, it would appear, by an opportunity of forming a connexion that promised a larger amount of worldly advantage, this young man basely withdrew from his engagement. To the subject of this memorial the trial was an exceedingly painful one, and her health was for a time seriously affected by it. Some of her friends advised her to seek legal redress; and one of them even offered to bear the cost of the action. She, however, declined to have recourse to any such measure; and, after the example of her Lord, "committed herself to Him who judgeth righteously."

The events of subsequent years satisfied her that she had taken the right course, and made it clearly manifest that "all things" do "work together for good"-for the best"to them that love God." The individual who had thus grievously wronged her, received that recompence of his error, which was in such a case to be expected: his matrimonial and domestic happiness, in after years, suffered sad interruptions. In this he probably saw the hand of God chastising him for his sin; a sin for which, it is hoped, like David, he sought and obtained forgiveness, yet the bitter consequences of which, like David, he was not permitted wholly to escape.

Let this be a warning to all, especially professors of religion, who may in a similar manner be tempted. Wrong doing, sooner or later, will

inevitably bring its own punishment; and they who estimate wealth or position too highly, will ever find that when, to attain them, they swerve from the path of strict integrity, disappointment and unhappiness will assuredly be the result. The person alluded to long maintained his position as a Christian minister; and that he was in the main a true servant of Christ, there is no wish to call in question. His course was terminated long ago, and nearly sixty years have passed since the occurrence of this transaction; otherwise, this mention of it might not have been advisable.

Deborah, having learned the business of a dressmaker, was engaged, for two or three years after her great trial, in a respectable situation, with a pious family at Colchester. Coming to London on business, towards the close of that period, she met, apparently by accident, a young man whom she had known, though not intimately, at Salisbury, and who had occupied a seat in the same pew at Scott's-lane Chapel. This casual interview led to an acquaintance resulting in marriage. In Mr. William Robbins she found a suitable and affectionate husband. They were blessed with a family of six children, three of whom died young, leaving three daughters surviving, all for many years maintaining an honourable Christian profession, and following in their mother's steps, as she followed Christ.

For many years, Mr. and Mrs. Robbins were members of the church of Christ at New-court, Carey-street, London, then enjoying the ministry of the eminent Dr. Robert Winter,

In the Sunday school connected with this place, a daughter of the respected family at Colchester with whom, years before, Deborah had found a happy home, was at that time a teacher. By the invitation of this kind friend, her children, when very young, were led to the school presided over by the well-known and excellent Mr. W. F. Lloyd, of the Religious Tract Society. On the death of the venerable pastor of that church, in 1833, Mrs. R. became a member of the church at John-street, Bedford-row-the preaching of its pastor, the late Rev. H. J. Evans, having for her a peculiar attraction. In consequence of Mr. Robbins' declining health, in 1841 they went to reside with their daughter at Hendon. Here they took a lively interest in the religious services in connexion with a small chapel then existing, until the present more commodious one was erected, under the auspices of T. Spalding, Esq. In 1847 she was called to part with her beloved companion, with whom she had lived in uninterrupted harmony forty-three years. She bore the trial with the spirit of a Christian. Thenceforth, her thirteen years of widowhood very nearly resembled those of Anna, the prophetess, "who departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day."-Luke ii. 36, 37. She had nearly attained the same age-" fourscore and four years," when the time of her departure came. Her death was sudden, and it was peaceful. She was one of "those who, through fear of death, are all their life-time subject to bondage." -Heb. ii. 15. And yet, when "the

last enemy" actually arrived, he was divested of all his terrors. Her death was but a translation from earth to heaven-from the infirmities and sorrows of frail mortality, to the perfected joys of everlasting life.

Why should sudden death be regarded by the Christian as an event to be so much dreaded? To one who is habitually ready, particularly in a case like the present, it seems a thing rather to be desired. Ripe for glory, she was waiting for the coming of her Lord. He came suddenly, at length, and "absent from the body," she was "present with the Lord."

The testimony of a consistent life is far more conclusive than that of a death-bed. Deborah Robbins was, through her long life, a humble, intelligent, active, cheerful Christian; always ready to visit and to console the sick and sorrowful, and using to good purpose her influence over others. She had a retentive memory, a pleasing address, and good conversational powers. These, being combined with unobtrusive piety, and ever under the guidance of Christian principle, rendered her company attractive, and intercourse with her edifying in a high degree. She retained her mental faculties, and kept them bright by exercise to the last. She was favoured also with the use of her bodily faculties of sight and hearing to the close of life. On the forenoon of her last day on earth, her unimpaired strength of memory was shown in a recapitulation, to one of her daughters, of the principal circumstances of her early history.

The Rev. T. Fison, the respected minister of the Independent church