they are, in respect of the construction of their houses, much behind other islanders of the South Pacific. The natives have of late years made great progress in civilization.-Imperial Gazetteer.

A LETTER FROM REV. CHARLES KINGSLEY TO HIS SON AT SCHOOL ON BETTING.

1. My dearest Boy,-There is a matter which gave me much uneasiness when you mentioned it. You said you had put into some lottery for the Derby, and had hedged to make safe.

2. Now all this is bad, bad, nothing but bad. Of all habits gambling is the one I hate most and have avoided

most. Of all habits it grows most on eager minds. Success and loss alike make it grow. Of all habits, however much civilized men may give way to it, it is one of the most intrinsically savage. Historically it has been the peace excitement of the lowest brutes in human form for ages past. Morally it is unchivalrous and unchristian.

(a) It gains money by the lowest and most unjust means, for it takes money out of your neighbour's pocket without giving him anything in return.

(b) It tempts you to use what you fancy your superior knowledge of a horse's merits or anything else—to your neighbour's harm.

3. If you know better than your neighbour you are bound to give him your advice. Instead, you conceal your knowledge to win from his ignorance; hence come all sorts of concealments, dodges, deceits-I say the devil is the only father of it. I am sure, moreover, that your master would object seriously to anything like a lottery, betting, or gambling.

4. I hope you have not won. I should not be sorry for you to lose. If you have won I should not congratulate you. If you wish to please me, you will give back to its lawful owners the money you have won. If you are a loser in gross thereby, I will gladly reimburse your losses this time. As you had put in you could not in honour draw back till after the event. Now you can give back your money, saying you understand that Mr. B. and your father disapprove of such things, and so gain a very great moral influence.

5. Recollect always that the stock argument is worthless. It is this: "My friend would win from me if he could, therefore I have an equal right to win from him.” Nonsense. The same argument would prove that I have a right to maim or kill a man if only I give him leave to maim or kill me if he can and will.

6. I have spoken my mind once and for all on a matter on which I have held the same views for more than twenty years, and trust in God you will not forget my

words in after-life. I have seen many a good fellow ruined by finding himself one day short of money, and trying to get a little by play or betting-and then the Lord have mercy on his simple soul, for simple it will not remain long. Your loving PATER.

The above letter is here inserted as a memorial of a truly excellent and high-minded man, a faithful and devoted clergyman, and as a specimen of the firm and kindly way in which such a man dealt with his children. It is hoped it may serve as a warning against a dangerous practice, into which the young are ever too apt to fall.

Charles Kingsley, born 1819; Rector of Eversley in Hampshire, 1844; Canon of Chester, 1870; Canon of Westminster, 1873; died at Eversley Rectory, Jan. 23, 1875.

A LETTER FROM THE

RIGHT HON. T. B. MACAULAY, M.P.,

DECLINING TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE EDINBURGH RACES.

The following letter was written in reply to an application from his constituents for the subscription of fifty guineas, which the members for that city had been in the habit of giving to the Edinburgh races.

LONDON, July 14, 1841.

1. My dear Mr. Black,—I am much gratified by what you say about the race-cup. I had already written to Craig to say that I should not subscribe, and I am glad that my determination meets your approbation. In the first place, I am not clear that the object is a good one. In the next place, I am clear that by giving money for such an object in obedience to such a summons, I should completely change the whole character of my connection with Edinburgh.

2. It has been usual enough for rich families to keep a hold on corrupt boroughs by defraying the expense of public amusements. Sometimes it is a ball; sometimes a regatta. The Derby family used to support the Preston races. The members for Beverley, I believe, find a bull for their constituents to bait. But these were not the conditions on which I undertook to represent Edinburgh.

In return for your generous confidence, I offer parliamentary service, and nothing else. I am indeed most willing to contribute the little that I can spare to your most useful public charities. But even this I do not consider as matter of contract. Nor should I think it proper that the town council should call on me to contribute even to an hospital or a school. But the call that is now made is one so objectionable that, I must plainly say, I would rather take the Chiltern Hundreds1 than comply with it.

3. I should feel this if I were a rich man. But I am not rich. I have the means of living very comfortably according to my notions, and I shall still be able to spare something for the common objects of our party, and something for the distressed. But I have nothing to waste on gaieties which can at best only be considered harmless. If our friends want a member who will find them in public diversions, they can be at no loss. I know twenty people who, if you will elect them to parliament, will gladly treat you to a race and a race-ball once a month. But I shall not be very easily induced to believe that Edinburgh is disposed to select her representatives on such a principle.-Ever yours truly,

T. B. MACAULAY.

LAMENT OVER THE DEATH OF HECTOR. 1. Townward they urged the steed, and, as they went, Sorrowed and wailed: the mules conveyed the dead, And they were seen by none of all the men And graceful dames of Troy save one alone. Cassandra, beautiful as Venus, stood On Pergamus, and from its height discerned Her father, standing on the chariot-seat, And knew the herald, him whose voice so oft Summoned the citizens, and knew the dead

1 Chiltern Hundreds. A member of parliament who wishes to resign his seat applies for the stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds, to which a nominal salary is attached, and thus by that act, vacates his seat.

Stretched on a litter drawn by mules. She raised
Her voice, and called to all the city thus:-

2. "O Trojan men and women, hasten forth
To look on Hector, if ye e'er rejoiced
To see him coming from the field alive,
The pride of Troy, and all who dwell in her."
She spake, and suddenly was neither man
Nor woman left within the city bounds;

Deep grief was on them all; they went to meet,
Near to the gates, the monarch, bringing home
The dead.

3. And first the wife whom Hector loved

Rushed with his reverend mother to the car
As it rolled on, and, plucking out their hair,
Touched with their hands the forehead of the dead,
While round it pressed the multitude, and wept;
And would have wept before the gates all day,
Even to the set of sun, in bitter grief
For Hector's loss, had not the aged man
Addressed the people from his chariot seat:-

4. "Give place to me, and let the mules pass on,
And ye may weep your fill when once the dead
Is laid within the palace." As he spake,
The throng gave way and let the chariot pass;
And having brought it to the royal halls,
On a fair couch they laid the corse, and placed
Singers beside it, leaders of the dirge,
Who sang a sorrowful, lamenting strain,
And all the women answered it with sobs.
White-armed Andromache in both her hands
Took warlike Hector's head, and over it
Began the lamentation midst them all:—

5. "Thou hast died young, my husband, leaving me
In this thy home a widow, and one son,
An infant yet. To an unhappy pair
He owes h's birth, and never will, I fear,