giving her the paper which he had received from Dunmore. She took it mechanically and opened it, then grew extremely pale, and lifting her eyes upon him, asked in a voice full of pain: "How did you get this?" "He gave it me of his free will," Edmund answered, "to be given to you." She read it, and when she had done so folded it together and stood silent. At last she said: "Did you suppose I did not know this?" Edmund had no reply. She crossed deliberately to the fire (it was winter time now) and laid the paper on it. Then, as it flamed up, she turned to Edmund and said: "But oh, I am glad he wrote it!" Edmund witnessed this action with dismay. For a moment neither spoke, and the crackling paper burned merrily in the chimney. "Is this to be the end, then?" Edmund broke out, unable to restrain himself. "Will you let this fancy, this imaginary disgrace, which we both know to be an honor, stand between us? It is my whole life that you are throwing away. I don't speak of you, though it breaks my heart Caroline looked down at the scar. Her lips trembled a little. "And you looked at me with so much tenderness. I was happy that day because it seemed possible that you might love me." Her hand advanced, was suspended for a moment, and sank lightly with a caressing touch upon the scar. But her speech lingered; she hesitated. "You know," she said at last. "You know me as I am. If that is enough for you, it is enough for me." 66 Enough!" cried Edmund. "To have truth and trust and love between us! Enough! Why, what else is there in the world?" And Caroline's smile- a smile full and serene, which he beheld for the first time-replied: "Nothing." CLEMENTINA BLACK. RURAL ENGLAND THEN AND Now. We | their size! Certainly not; for the churches know well that London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bath, Portsmouth, Plymouth, and all Lancashire and Yorkshire, and some other counties, have got a vast increase of miserable beings huddled together. But look at Devonshire, Somersetshire, Dorsetshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, and other counties. You will see there hundreds of thousands of acres of land, where the old marks of the plough are visible, but which have not been cultivated for perhaps half a century. You will there see places that were once considerable towns and villages, now having within their ancient limits nothing but a few cottages, the parsonage, and a single farmhouse. It is a curious and a melancholy sight, where an ancient church, with its lofty spire or tower, the church sufficient to contain a thousand or two or three thousand of people conveniently, now stands surrounded by a score or half a score of miserable mud houses, with floors of earth, and covered with thatch; and this sight strikes your eye in all parts of the five western counties of England. Surely these churches were not built without the existence of a population somewhat proportionate to are of various sizes, and we sometimes see them very small indeed. Let any man look at the sides of the hills in these counties, and also in Hampshire, where downs, or open lands, prevail. He will there see not only that those hills were formerly cultivated; but that banks, from distance to distance, were made by the spade, in order to form little flats for the plough to go, without tumbling the earth down the hill; so that the side of a hill looks, in some sort, like the steps of a stairs. Was this done without hands, and without mouths to consume the grain raised on the sides of these hills? The funding and manufacturing and commercial and taxing system has, by drawing wealth into great masses, drawn men also into great masses. London, the manufacturing places, Bath and other places of dissipation, have, indeed, wonderfully increased in population. Country-seats, parks, pleasure-gardens have, in like manner and degree, increased in number and extent. And in just the same proportion has been the increase of poor-houses, madhouses, and jails. But the people of England have been swept away. WILLIAM COBBETT. LITTELL'S LIVING AGE. IN IN 1886 THE LIVING AGE enters upon its forty-third year. It has met with the constant commendation of the leading men and journals of the country, and with uninterrupted success. A WEEKLY MAGAZINE, it gives fifty-two numbers of sixty-four pages each, or more than Three and a Quarter Thousand doublecolumn octavo pages of reading-matter yearly. It presents in an inexpensive form, considering its great amount of matter, with freshness, owing to its weekly issue, and with a completeness nowhere else attempted, The best Essays, Reviews, Criticisms, Serial and Short Stories, Sketches of Travel and Discovery, Poetry, Scientific, Biographical, Historical, and Political Information, from the entire body of Foreign Periodical Literature, and from the pens of The Foremost Living Writers. The ablest and most cultivated intellects, in every department of Literature, Science, Politics, and Art, find expression in the Periodical Literature of Europe, and especially of Great Britain. The Living Age, forming four large volumes a year, furnishes from the great and generally inaccessible mass of this literature, the only compilation that, while within the reach of all, is satisfactory in the COMPLETENESS with which it embraces whatever is of immediate interest, or of solid, permanent value. It is therefore indispensable to every one who wishes to keep pace with the events or intellectual progress of the time, or to cultivate in himself or his family general intelligence and literary taste. OPINIONS. "Hardly elsewhere in the English language, and certainly in no other written speech, are such treasures of literature to be found as in THE LIVING AGE. The aim of the conductors is to give the best and freshest thought of the time; and in this they are succeeding now, as for so many years, to the great satisfaction and profit of a multitude of at once exacting and satisfed readers."- New-York Evangelist. "Covering as it does every department of literature, presenting the matured thought of the best writers on all the current topics of the time, it gives in a single volume what would otherwise have to be sought for through the pages of many."- Christian at Work, New York. Nearly the whole world of authors and writers appear in it in their best moods.. Art, science, and literature find fresh and eloquent expression In its pages from the pens of the best writers of the day; and the reader is kept well abreast of the current thought of the age."- Boston Daily Journal. "It is not too much to say that with it one commands the whole field of current literary activity; and it has never been so bright, so comprehensive, so diversified in interest as it is to-day."-Daily Even ing Traveller, Boston. "It has now for many years held the first place of all our serial publications.. The only possible objection that could be urged to it is the immense amount of reading it gives.. There is nothing noteworthy in sclence, art, literature, biography, philosophy, or religion, that cannot be found in it.. It contains nearly all the good literature of the time.. It gives in accessible form the best thought of the age."The Churchman. New York. "It may be truthfully and cordially said that it never offers a dry or valueless page."-New-York Daily Tribune. "It enables its readers to keep fully abreast of the best thought and literature of civilization."-Christian Advocate. Pittsburg. "No person who desires to keep pace with the development of modern thought can afford to dispense with it." Am. Christian Review, Cincinnati. "Both solid and light reading are here included,novels and short stories, grave and lively essays, poems, reviews; in short, a general résumé of periodical literature.. Through its pages alone. It is possible to be as well Informed in current literature as by the perusal of a long list of monthlies."- Philadelphia Daily Inquirer. "A grand repository of the literature of the age.. It has become indispensable." -New-York Observer. poetry, travels, whatever men are interested in, all "Blography, fiction, science, criticism, history, are found here." The Watchman, Boston. "Foremost of the eclectic periodicals."-New-York Daily World. "In fact, a reader needs no more than this one pnblication to keep him well abreast of English períodical literature."-Sunday-School Times, Philadelphia. "In subscribing for it. our readers will secure more for their investment than in any other way of which we are cognizant."- Iowa Churchman, Davenport. "Every one of its fifty-two numbers brings something which one must read, to know what is being thought of and talked of."- Hartford Daily Courant. "It is Indispensable to every one who desires to possess an intelligent idea of the currents of contemporary thought."- Canada Presbyterian, Toronto. "Coming once a week, it gives, while yet fresh, the productions of the foremost writers of the day.". Montreal Daily Gazette. 1 "One cannot read every thing.. No man will be behind the literature of the times who reads THE LIVING AGE."- Zion's Herald, Boston. "It saves not only time, but money." - Pacific Churchman, San Francisco. "It furnishes a complete compilation of an indispensable literature."- Chicago Evening Journal. "The queen of all the eclectics." - Southern Churchman, Richmond. "The best publication we know in the world." Daily Morning Star, Wilmington, N.C. Published Weekly, at $8.00 a year, free of postage. ["Possessed of LITTELL'S LIVING AGE,' and of one or other of our vivacious American monthlies, a subscriber will find himself in command of the whole situation.-Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.] For $10.50, THE LIVING AGE and any one of the four-dollar monthly magazines (or LITTELL & CO., 31 Bedford St., Boston. LITTELL'S LIVING AGE. Extracts from Notices. The Presbyterian Banner, Pittsburgh, says: "Its immense proportions-four large volumes every year-do not constitute its chief merit: for were these volumes trash, the more there were the worse it would be. But the contents of THE LIVING AGE are culled with rare taste and excellent judgment from the vast and rich field of European periodical literature. It is thus, for readers of limited leisure or purse, the most convenient and available means of possessing themselves of the very best results of current criticism, philosophy, science, and literature. Nor is the selection of its articles onesided, but with impartial justice the various phases of modern thought are presented as set forth by their most distinguished exponents. The foremost writers of the time in every department are represented on its pages." The Episcopal Register, Philadelphia, says: — "It invariably preserves, in handy, readable, and permanent shape, the best of the current literature of the day. History, criticism, art, science, travel, poetry, and fiction, all are represented here at their best. The most noted English authors, the most reputable magazines. reviews, and newspapers abroad, all practically are contributors to THE LIVING AGE, The wisdom that has distinguished its editorial conduct from its commencement is as apparent now as in all its long past. Every cultivated taste can find very much In It to Its liking. Those who regularly read it would not be without it, and those who do not ought to familiarize themselves with its great merit.' The New-York Observer says: — "It would be difficult to select a choicer library than that which is found in the volumes of THE LIVING AGE." The Christian Intelligencer, New York, says: — It is indispensable to busy men and women who wish to know the course and achievements of the literature of Great Britain." Zion's Herald, Boston, says:— "It becomes more and more necessary, as well as valuable, as the field of periodical literature broadens.. It has no peer." The American Christian Review. Cincinnati, says: The New-York Tribune says: — "Its pages teem with the choicest literature of the day, selected with wide knowledge and admirable tact, and furnishing a complete introduction to the best thoughts of the best writers whose impress is deeply stamped upon the characteristics of the age.. No reader who makes himself familiar with its contents can lack the means of a sound literary culture." The Times, Philadelphia, says: — "In no other form can so much thoroughly good reading be got for so little money: in no other form can so much instruction and entertainment be got in so small a space." The Philadelphia Inquirer says: magazine out of the brilliant array which the de "When one is confined to the choice of but one mands of the time have called into existence, it is indeed an injustice to one's self not to make selection of Littell's LIVING AGE, wherein is condensed what is most valuable of the best of them." The North American, Philadelphia, says: "It affords the best, the cheapest, and most convenient means of keeping abreast with the progress of thought in all its phases." Every Evening, Wilmington, Del., says: — truly the thought of the age finds its keenest expres"Each number of THE LIVING AGE proves how keep up with them is to be outside the intellectual sion and latest development in periodicals. Not to world." The Courier, Lowell, Mass., says: — "If one wishes to keep abreast of the intellectual march of mankind, he not only should, but must, read regularly THE LIVING AGE." The Richmond Whig says: "If a man were to read THE LIVING AGE regularly, and read nothing else, he would be well Informed on all prominent subjects in the general field of human knowledge." The Albany Argus says: "It is edited with great skill and care, and its weekly appearance gives it certain advantages over its monthly rivals.' The Cincinnati Gazette says it is as at its start forty years ago." "As much in the forefront of eclectic publications The Montreal Gazette says it is reading furnished." "Remarkably cheap for the quality and amount of The Indianapolis Journal says it "Grows better as the years roll on." The Boston Journal says: one's self to a perpetual temptation to pause and read "To turn over these richly laden pages 1 to expose some suggestive or striking essay, sketch, noem. Excellent discrimination is shown in the selections, -for in this, as in all editing, the crucial test is the knowing what not to print, and the result is that the reader of THE LIVING AGE has the best of the foreign literature wisely sifted and brought before bim in a very convenient shape." The Commonwealth, Boston, says:— "Whatever is not known and published by the editors of THE LIVING AGE is not worth knowing." The Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, says: — "This magazine is by all odds the finest literary production of the times. When it arrives we lay aside all other literary matter until we have feasted our mind on its rich and racy fare. It is indispensable to our weekly repast of reading. We always expect to find in its teeming pages something fresh and original, and of more than ordinary worth, which we find nowhere else in all the domain of literature.' " The Southern Churchman, Richmond, says: "If we could get but one magazine, we would get say a word in praise of THE LIVING AGE; but it is this." The Christian Advocate, New York, says: read, this should certainly be the choice." "It absolutely seems a work of supererogation to really so good a thing in its way that we cannot withhold our word of commendation. We have been fathough its earlier contents were variegated and most excellent, better is the end of this thing than the "It deserves its age, and the affection which it has miliar with its pages for nearly fifty years; and earned." The Observer, St. Louis, Mo., says: — "It is certainly the most valuable weekly pub- beginning"" lished." The Living Church, Chicago, suys: it is simply invaluable, bringing to us as it does, week by week, the very cream of all the current literature of the day." ADDRESS The Commercial Advertiser, Detroit, says it is The cheapest magazine for the amount of matter published in the United States." The Courier-Journal, Louisville, says it us "The oldest and the best." Published Weekly at $8.00 a year, free of postage. LITTELL & CO., 31 Bedford Street, Boston. 71 THE CENTURY FOR APRIL CONTAINS GLIMPSES OF LONGFELLOW IN SOCIAL LIFE, By MRS. JAMES T. FIELDS. A personal sketch of much interest, containing anecdotes and extracts from correspondence, and accompanied by a fine frontispiece portrait from an early ambrotype. STRIKES, LOCKOUTS, AND ARBITRATION, A timely and important paper strongly advocating arbitration in labor difficulties, by GEORGE Its design. Who shall make it? What kind of a structure? Its style, etc. THE "KEARSARGE” AND THE “ALABAMA,” Their famous sea fight described by participants, in three articles, richly illustrated by upwards of thirty views of the conflict, scenes on the vessels, portraits of commanders, etc. LIFE ON THE "ALABAMA," by one of her crew, and THE CRUISE AND COMBATS OF THE “ALABAMA,” Telling most interestingly of life on the Confederate cruiser, her two years' adventures, prizetaking, meeting the "Kearsarge," and the fight and final sinking of the "Alabama." THE DUEL BETWEEN THE "KEARSARGE" AND THE "ALABAMA,” by the surgeon of the "Kearsarge" The third paper of the series. The action as seen from the victor's deck. How Captain Winslow fought his ship. The destruction of the Confederate. THE MINISTER'S CHARGE. Additional chapters of MR. HOWELLS's novel, in which new characters are introduced, and the hero learns more about Boston's public benevolence. TOY DOGS. Brief chapters on Terriers, Spaniels, Pugs, etc., by JAMES WATSON, with seven pictures. CREOLE SLAVE SONGS. A valuable contribution to southern folk-lore, by G. W. CABLE, with ten illustrations by Kemble, and the music of characteristic songs. ITALY, FROM A TRICYCLE. A captivating account of a curious excursion. By ELIZABETH R. PENNELL Illustrated in twenty-eight sketches by JOSEPH PENNELL SHORT STORIES BY DR. EDWARD EGGLESTON and ARLO BATES. CHRISTIANITY AND POPULAR EDUCATION. A plea for more thorough moral training in our Public Schools, by Washington Gladden, FURTHER CONTENTS include short essays by DR. C. S. ROBINSON, CORTLANDT PALMER, BISHOP T. W. DUDLEY, and others; Poems; Bric-à-Brac, etc. Sold by all dealers. 35 cents per copy. THE CENTURY COMPANY. |