delight of the innocent girl, which she presumed would be displayed in ordinary childish fashion, by clapping of hands, and joyful, wondering exclamations. But all turned out very dif ferently from what she had ex-pected. The little one sat a moment quite still and solemn. Then she cast her eyes over the glit-tering scene before her. But no cry of astonishment followed this survey. On the contrary, the child looked quietly down upon the table, folded her tiny hands, and, in tones sweet and childish, but loud enough to be heard throughout the whole dining-hall, repeated the following little prayer:— "Christ's dear blood and righteous ness Be to me as jewels given,, Crowning me when I shall press Onward through the gates of heaven." Surely the good old custom of asking a blessing at table must still have been practised in the pious gardener's house, and this little verse have been the daily prayer of the good little girl. As the food was already placed u pon the royal upon her, the child naturally thought they wished her to say the blessing, and devoutly repeated her touching prayer. When she had finished, no one spoke for some time. All present were greatly surprised. It really seemed as if God Himself, through her sweet lips, had spoken to this brilliant assemblage of high-born lords and ladies. One very old lady was the first to break the silence, saying, "O, the happy child! How much may we learn from her!" The whole company then began to talk about the little girl, and all felt kindly drawn toward her, especially the good, noble-hearted Queen. From that day she was richly provided for. The ladies and gentlemen present sent her, from time to time, valuable gifts; and the Queen herself took pains to see that she received such an education, that the good seed sown by her excellent parents should not be lost. THE COTTAGE VISITER. HIS is a very pretty picture; and we wish all our young readers to keep table, and eyes were turned it in their mind's eye, and re solve that, when they grow up, they will follow the example of that pleasant-looking young lady. She is not less a lady because she is standing at the door of a cottage, and has on her arm that tempting-looking basket of dainties for someone that is poor and sick. and gracious Queen, because she trains up her royal daughters to be Princesses in heart as well as in name. "Tis only noble to be good." We often hear of the visits of the royal Lady herself, and of her charming daughters, to the We are proud of our beloved cottage homes of the poor; ministering to their wants, and reading to them the words of God. We like that old Scotchwoman very much who would never allow anyone to sit in a certain chair, "because Royalty had sat in it." She knew well that the Queen was more Who loves me best?-My father dear, Who loveth to have me always near; He whom I fly each eve to meet, heat; Who from the bank where the sunbeam lies, berries: queenly for doing the work that Brings me the wild wood strawthe Great King has called so blessed, 'visiting the fatherless and widows," and " considering the poor." People will not think less of you, dear children, but more, if you follow so noble an example; and if, like the young lady in the picture, you go forth with willing feet and ready hands on errands of love and mercy, and with a cheerful countenance that makes glad drooping hearts. WHO LOVES ME BEST? HO loves me best?-My mother sweet, O! he is dear as my mother to me! Whose every look with Something, surely, must love me love is replete ; Who held me an infant on her more! knee; Who loves me best?-My sister fair, Who hath ever watch'd me ten- With her laughing eyes and clusderly. And yet I have heard my mother Who flowers around my head doth say, That she some time must pass away. Who then shall shield me from earthly ill? Someone must love me better still! tering hair; twine; Yet, when I ask'd, that sister confess'd Of all she did not love me the best. He who form'd those frail, dear things, To which thy young heart fondly clings: Who loves me best ?-My brother Though each and all should forsake young, With his healthy cheek and his lisping tongue ; Who delighteth to lead me in merry play Far down the greenwood's bushy way; thee, still Who showeth me where the hazel--Mary Ann Brown. "Near to the House there is a large cabstand; for, when the men leave the House, they want to get home quick, so they are glad the cabs should stand there to be at hand to take them home. A man stands near the door of the House, and when he sees the men come out, he calls out, "Cab round the corner! cab round the corner!' and up comes a cab to take the man to his home. "In a house close by there was a parrot; and, as he had heard the words, he one day took it into his head that he would try if he could not call a cab as well as the man. So when he was put out to sit in the air, he called out as loud as he could, "Cab round the corner! cab round the corner!' "Up came a cab, but there was no one to get in: no one was there to use the cab. So the cabman had to drive poor back to the rank; and, what was worse, he had to lose his place, for the next cab to him was in front now. So you may be sure the man was in a great rage. "By and by came the cry once more, "Cab round the corner! cab round the corner!' "Off drove a cab once more; but, as there was no one to want a cab, there was no one to get in and go home. "Back came the man in a rage. "Who is it that makes fun of us like this ?' said first this man, and then that. I should like to know who it is that dares call out Cab! and there is no one wants a cab at all. If I could but catch the man who calls out Cab! I would beat him so hard, I would soon teach him he must not play such tricks as this.' 666 Wait, we will see,' said one of the cabmen. We will wait till we hear the call once more, and then two or three of us will go at the same time, and I dare say we shall catch the man; and then we will beat him so hard, he will not want to make fun of us any more.' "Well, they did wait, and by and by came the cry, "Cab round the corner! cab round the corner!' "Off went two or three of the men. They did not take their cabs with them this time, but they took their whips; for they said, |