not provide food and lodging for himself and his family. "I do not work this late for myself," said the blacksmith, "but for a neighbour of mine who is unable to work. I rise two hours before the usual time every morning, and continue two hours longer at night; and this I do, that I may help him in his destitute condition. If I had saved anything myself, I would divide it with him; but I have nothing except this shop, and some small stock of metals, which I cannot sell, for they are necessary for me to carry on my occupation. Thus I work every day four hours extra, which amounts to two days in the course of the week; and the earnings of those two days I give to him. Thank heaven, at this time of the year there is work enough, and while I have strength it is my duty to assist the unhappy." "This is very generous on your part, my good friend," said the gentleman, " as I suppose your neighbour will never be able to repay your kindness?" "Truly, sir, I fear he will not," returned the blacksmith; "but I fear it on his account only, not mine. However, I am sure he would be glad to do as much for me, were I in his condition." At these words, the gentleman not wishing to hinder the blacksmith any longer, wished him a good night, and went away. The next day having put into his purse a cheque for twenty pounds, which he could afford to give away, he went and offered it to the blacksmith, as a means by which he could buy his metal in the cheapest market; undertake more business; and be able to lay by a little from his labour to support him in his old age. But what was his surprise when the blacksmith refused to accept his gift! "I cannot take it," he said, "because I have not earned it. I can well afford to pay for all the iron that I use; and if ever I should be in want of more, the manufacturer would supply me with it on credit. It would be very ungrateful in me to take from him that profit which he usually makes on his goods, when he has always supplied me with as much as I have asked, even when I had no other coat than that upon my back. You may make a better use of this money, sir, by lending it, free of interest, to my unhappy neighbour. He might then recover his affairs, and I have my usual quantity of sleep." The gentleman, with all his arguments, not being able to prevail upon the blacksmith to take the money, followed the advice that he gave him, and was pleased to think that by his generosity he had made two people happy, when he had only originally wished to serve one. THE LAND ABOVE. My soul, there is a country, There, above noise and danger, Sweet peace sits crowned with smiles, And One born in a manger, Commands the beauteous files. He is thy gracious friend: If thou canst but get thither, There grows The rose that cannot wither, Leave then thy foolish ranges, Henry Vaughan. THE END. John Heywood, Excelsior Printing Works, Hulme Hall Road, Manchester. John Heywood's Educational Works. Arithmetic. THE METRIC SYSTEM. Hand-book to the Metric System. By A. COIGNOU. Being an Exposition of the Decimal System of Weights, Measures, and Money: with numerous Questions, Examples, and Comparative Tables to test the Proficiency of the Learner. Foolscap 8vo price 2d, Key to Questions in Coignou's Hand-book to the Metric System. On Card, price One Penny. Pocket Card of the Metric System. By GEORGE HOGG. Containing an Exposition of the System, and Tables of Length, Surface, Land Surface, Solidity, Solidity for Wood, Capacity, Weight, and Money; with Abbreviations of Terms and Equivalents in British Value (with approximate Vulgar and exact Decimal Fractions). The whole forming the most complete Card of the Metric System published. Size, 6in. by 3in. Printed on both sides._ Price One Halfpenny. Library Card of the Metric System. By GEORGE HOGG. Embracing the contents of the Pocket Card, with an extended explanation of the proposed British Coinage. Size, 9 in. by 8 in. Printed on one side. Price One Penny. The Metric System. See also Grant's Arithmetical Tables, John Heywood's New Standard Arithmetic, and Horn's Arithmetical Exercises. CIPHERING BOOKS. John Heywood's Standard Ciphering Books. Exercises in Compound Atlases and Maps. John Heywood's Threepenny Atlas. 32 Maps. Crown 4to. Contents: Western Hemisphere Fastern Hemisphere EUROPE Germany (Eastern) Austria Spain and Portugal Italy North Italy, Switzer- John Heywood's National Atlas. India South Africa 32 Maps. Crown 4to, Waters Coloured, 6d.; Full Coloured, 1s.; Full Germany (Western) Germany (Eastern) Austria Spain and Portugal Italy North Italy, Switzer- India China Palestine AFRICA South Africa NORTH AMERICA Vancouver's Island Outlines of the above with Lines of Latitude and Longitude, 1s. |