sharp hand at marbles, but you would sometimes discover him cheating, if you watched closely, and on one or two occasions, his mother found him out in thieving from her. I do not so much wonder, that he was clever and bad, because he was very badly brought up. Tresham, his father, was a man of habits painfully common. He attended church very irregularly; and every now and then he would take the round of the meeting-houses. He generally went to church at the evening service in October and November, when it was too dark for a pleasanter walk, or a game at skittles; but in the depth of winter, he staid at home smoking his pipe, or else, which was his more general practice, he got drunk at the public-house. When the Socialists opened a room in this neighbourhood, he joined, heart and hand, in their foolish devices; nor were his eyes opened until the secretary of the concern absconded, one fine morning, with the money of the silly and misguided people, who had trusted their hard-earned cash into such hands. So much for Tresham, the father. He evidently did not REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY TO KEEP IT HOLY.

Now I always thought I should like to see how these two lads grew up, and which of them would turn out the better Christian and the wiser man,-which would prosper the more in his worldly concerns, and which become the more creditable and praise-worthy. They were now both about seventeen years of age. The contrast between them became gradually more marked and striking. Willie during the week was hard at task-work in a neighbouring manufactory, never losing a moment of time, nor an opportunity of improvement-watching to become acquainted, not only with his own little department of industry, but with the general machinery of the establishment,-practising himself in writing and accounts,— getting a word with the engineer of the steam-engine, and learning something about its valves and pistons. He was modest and respectful to his superiors, ready to aid his fellow-workmen, whenever he could, but steadily refusing to help in strikes for wages; always doing his business rather better than was required of him, that there might be no complaint; paying his mother handsomely for his board, washing, and lodging; always cheerful, happy, and kind-while on the Sunday, you might see him at church with a truly handsome bible and prayer-book, almost lavishly handsome-but William, for he is too big to be called

Willie now, may be forgiven this. He was a regular communicant -the serious and devotional champion of correct principles in the manufactory where he worked, and a most industrious monitor in the Sunday school. He remembered ever the advice of Solomon to the young: "Get wisdom, and with all thy getting, get understanding," while he rightly deemed that the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ was the first "wisdom" to be gotten, because it makes men "wise unto salvation." I cannot speak for certain, because it is matter between William and God, who "seeth in secret ;" but I believe that he made a practice of retiring once a day into a private spot, like his Lord and Saviour, “apart to pray." Thus he was kept, day after day, from the evil that is in the world; and, as one almost infallible sign of lowly, real religion, ever REMEMBERED THE SABBATH, TO KEEP IT HOLY.

Tom Tresham got work like William Jones; but his employers soon degraded him, on account of the slovenly and careless manner in which it was executed. He knew that he was clever, and therefore grew conceited; he despised rebuke, and resented the remonstrances of his masters so much, that they would endure his ill-behaviour no longer, and dismissed him from their establishment. Tom did not want resources on this emergency. He speedily obtained work elsewhere, though not of so good or so permanent a kind; and for a while promised well; but again he became involved in trouble. Near the manufactory at which he worked was a large beer-shop. It was the resort of bad characters. The police, disguised in plain clothes, were often sent there to watch the movements of those who frequented the amusements it furnished. The beer-shop being convenient for Tom, he used to take his meals in its red-curtained parlour, between hours, and got acquainted with a gang of thieves. These were the dread and curse of the country. Shoplifting, burglary, coining, and other crimes were laid to their charge; but could never be brought home to the ringleaders. It afterwards came out at the trial of one, that they had shipped jars, apparently of preserves, for exportation, when, in point of fact, they contained stolen jewellery. Several of the hangers on belonging to this awful band of evil doers frequented the beer-shop on the Lord's day, and they speedily persuaded Tom to join them in their unhallowed recreations.

It was one Sunday night, in the depth of winter, when one of

the men hinted to Tom that he had a glorious opportunity of becoming a gentleman by to-morrow morning.

"How so?" asked the astonished youth. "Can you keep a secret?" was the reply of the other, in slang language, suitable to one who clipt the mother English of his country, just like the coin of his sovereign. In due time it came out that the manufactory was to be robbed that night, and one special case of fancy articles was to be carried off. Tom was not required to take any share in the actual robbery, but only to signify the spot where the case was placed. For this piece of service the gang promised him a handsome proportion of the booty.

Tresham was startled. He had still in him the feeble sparks of some good principles. It seemed as though his conscience was not entirely seared, or had retired in desperate and sullen silence. His master had been kind to him, and he might have asked, " How can I do this great evil, and sin against God?" But one mischief leads to another. Satan never tempts men by halves. And as one great reason why we might expect that Tom would not withstand the temptation before him, we may state that he had forgotten the Bible command:-REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY TO KEEP IT

HOLY.

To cut short a painful story, the next day it was discovered that the manufactory had been broken open, the goods being scattered about, and much damage done to several of the more delicate articles. But the valuable case had not been found by the robbers, because, by one of those events which thoughtless men call accidents, it had been placed in a very different part of the building from that in which the thieves expected to meet with it. The workmen were more or less examined by the police, who mustered their ablest investigators, and some suspicion fell upon Tresham.

He went, on the Sunday evening following, to his old resort, that he might confer with his bad associates about the failure of their designs. He found that a general impression prevailed against him. The burglars imagined that he had been playing them false. Tom was alarmed. The large bell of the high church tolled midnight, and he thought drearily, "How have I spent this Sabbath?" It was but the thought of a moment, cancelled by the tide of quick-returning folly and licentiousness.

Yet who will say that there is not a moral in bells?

Tom rose up, and being greeted with a hearty curse by his companions, was recommended to abscond. They thus wished to draw attention away from their own evil proceedings, while they believed that the deep cunning of Tresham would aid him in effectually making his escape. The unhappy youth, half stupified by drinking, and the thick fumes of tobacco, found himself in the clear, open, frosty air. His faculties returning quickened his fears. The London road lay before him. There was something inviting in the very mile-stones. He gave a look behind at the home of his youth, and half remorseful, but not penitent, sorry because he had been discovered, not because he had sinned, Thomas Tresham confessed himself a felon and a fugitive.

(To be concluded next month)

A VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL.

SOMETIME since, I was induced, by the favourable appearance of the weather, to visit a dear relative, a physician, in one of the southern counties. As my route was principally by sea, I had an opportunity of beholding the wonders of God in the deep, and especially his power in protecting the lives of his creatures, while tracking the watery element. Every passenger on board, seemed to be employed in making his remarks on the different objects that presented themselves. We remained about an hour in Plymouth Sound, where, amongst other things, I had the pleasure of surveying that surprising work of art, called the Breakwater, the first stone of which was deposited August 12, 1812. The quantity of stone carried thither to May 1, 1841, is three millions, three hundred and sixty-nine thousand, two hundred and sixty-one tons. In length it extends nearly a mile, or upwards of one thousand six hundred yards. A lighthouse is now being erected at the western end: already it has contributed to the safety of many vessels, and the consequent preservation of human life. Almost every stranger who visits Plymouth, gratifies himself by visiting the Breakwater.

After a transient glance at Torquay, I proceeded to the place of my destination, and in the course of my peregrinations, was introduced to a gentleman, who very politely conducted me over the county hospital, where I beheld sights and scenes that failed not to call up all the sympathies of my nature, and induce profitable

reflections. The wards through which I passed, were spacious and airy, and as remarkable for cleanliness, as for order and regularity. A certain degree of calmness and subdued feeling, appeared in the countenances of the various patients, most of whom were engaged in reading books or tracts of a profitable character. Indeed, everything that I saw, appeared to be adapted to the comfort and cure of the afflicted. A Bible, and other books, were placed on a small shelf, above the pillow of each patient, many of whom were engaged in reading that, or some useful and profitable work. It was impossible to survey the whole without being deeply affected. Among the patients, I beheld children of various ages, who, notwithstanding their complaints, appeared with smiling faces. I spoke to several, and asked them several questions, such as, do you ever pray to God? He can make you well, pray to him for his grace to pardon your sins." One dear child appeared to be a great sufferer; I told her to look to Jesus the blessed Saviour. She faintly expressed her desire to do so. I learned afterwards that she expired the next day. The diseases with which the patients were afflicted were various; some of them spinal, others of the hip-joint, and others of the chest. One man arrested my particular attention; I found him reading one of the publications of the Religious Tract Society. He appeared sensible of his approaching end, and with his eyes suffused with tears, expressed to me a desire that he might go home to die. A consultation had been held on his case, and it appeared to the faculty, that even if he should suffer amputation, it was doubtful whether his life could be spared. I took his Bible, and pointed him to 1 Tim. i. 15, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." He promised to read and reflect upon it, and appeared grateful for my conversation.

Some of the patients were convalescent. These were employed in needle-work, and spoke cheerfully and thankfully of the benefit they had experienced, and their gratitude for such an institution. Indeed, every thing appeared to have been arranged for their comfort as well as their recovery. The kind sympathetic attention of the nurses, the suitableness of their diet, the skill and assiduity of the medical practitioners, and the cleanliness that prevailed throughout, could not be regarded without admiration.