monk; "thy charity hath brought its own reward."

"But the strangers, good father?" said the perplexed widow.

treachery and revenge in return for some fancied slight, and his dark face grew darker in the midst of the surrounding gaiety.

Three long summer days the tournament had "You are the strangers," answered the monk; lasted. On the fourth an unknown knight en"and what thy pity thought meet to be spared tered the lists. The whispered inquiry went for the unfortunate, Heaven in thy misfortune round, "Who is he?" "Who can he be?" as he hath spared to thee." Then turning to the vanquished, one after another, all his opponents. other widow, he drew the old shawl from be- Then he knelt at Marian's feet, while she threw neath his frock, and gave it to her, saying, "I round his neck the golden chain-the prize of give you joy, dame, that this hath escaped the victory. A few graceful words of thanks, a flames. It is not so good as it has been; but long carnest gaze into her eyes, and he was gone there is warmth in it yet, and it cost a pretty-departing as suddenly as he had arrived. A penny when new." few months only passed, and Baynard Castle was the scene of a very different event.

Full of confusion, the illiberal widow took back her shawl, murmuring, "Lack-a-day! If I had but known it was ourselves the good father meant!"

This time it was no mimic warfare, but a real assault led on by Prince John, in the dead of night; for the king was away in Palestine fightThe monk gave a shrewd smile. ing the infidel, and the Prince took the oppor"Ay, ay, it would have been different, I doubt tunity, assembled a band of ruffians, and led not," said he; "but accept the lesson, my them against the unsuspecting Fitz Walter. daughter, and when next thou art called upon Amid shrieks and flames, the brave knight fell to help the unfortunate, think that it is thine mortally wounded. The greater part of his own needs that would be served; and it may be household died at his side; the rest fled in thou shalt judge better as to what thou canst spare."

As he spoke, a flash of lightning lit up the ground where the monk stood, making a vast aureole about him in the darkness of the night. In the bright light, his countenance appeared stern and awful in its beauty, and when the flash was past, the monk had vanished also.

Furthermore, when the widows sought shelter in the monastery, they found that the brotherhood knew nothing of their strange visitor.

THE LADY MARIAN.

Snrely our readers, whether young or old, know the song of Robin Hood, the wild and lawless, yet brave and generous Earl of Huntingdon, the terror of Sherwood glades, the wonderful archer who never missed his aim. It is not of him, however, but of his lovely, and gentle, and devoted wife, THE LADY MARIAN, that we are going to tell.

dismay; and the Lady Marian, in grief and terror fled for shelter to the neighboring forests. There she passed the rest of that terrible night. Next day, stealing from her hiding-place, she met the unknown knight, whose victory she had so lately rewarded. At once they recognised each other.

"Fear not," he said, "gentle maiden, you are as safe in the forest with Robin Hood and his merry men, as ever damsel was in her father's walls;" and so it proved.

But the times were wild, and for protection and concealment, she changed her dress for the light armour, worn by knights on festive days. Thus accoutered or disguised, she, when quite alone, met with the Prince, her father's Murderer. He called on her to surrender. She refused, daring death itself, rather than fall into his ruthless hands. They fought till John, who was too base and wicked to be truly brave, turned his horse's head, and found 'safety in flight.

Little did he dream that his enemy was but a young girl; but he heard it not long after, and We he knew that others heard it too, and laughed at the Prince who fled from a woman. That, too, was laid up in the dark treasure-house of his revengeful heart.

We know nothing of her childhood. first see her, just as she has attained her seventeenth year, presiding at a tournament given in her honour by her father-a brave and loyal knight, Richard Fitz Walter.

Baynard Castle, that father's residence, was on the borders of Sherwood Forest.

Many months did not pass before Marian became the wife of her protector, sharing all his dangers, and cheering his forest home. Many a deed of violence her gentle presence checked, and many a wound she dressed with her fair hands.

It was a goodly gathering of noble knights and squires, in their bright armour, and of ladies in their most costly array. Prince John was there, the king's brother and heir, royal in Brighter days were at hand; for, on Richard's · nothing but his birth. Even while partaking return, he restored the outlawed earl to his of Fitz Walter's hospitality, he was brooding rank and possessions, and his devoted wife

shone in his lordly halls as kind, as simple, and bearing with him a deep impression of the sad,

as unspoiled as in his days of danger and distress. It was well his heart was not set on riches or honors; for Richard's death gave the throne of England to the most unworthy prince who has ever sat on it-the deadly foe of Marian and her husband.

sweet face, and the dignified and gentle manners of Marian. As he rode through the forest, the desire became stronger and stronger, of seeing her once again; at length it grew irresistible, and, half ashamed of his weakness, he rode back to Dunmow.

The new reign had hardly begun, when they But what had happened? All seemed conwere again outlawed, and forced once more to fly fusion and dismay; gates were open, and he enfor refuge to their home in Sherwood Forest, tered, unchallenged. In the distance, he heard where they passed the years that yet remained solemn voices in chants, broken by sobs; the to Robin Hood. They were not many; for even sound guided him to the chapel. There on a his stalwart frame yielded to the constant ex-bier lay the lovely lady he came to see; her posure to danger, and to the inclemency of the eyes closed in their last, long sleep; the braceweather. No longer able to head his merry men let still clapsed on her arm. He saw it at in their expeditions, as he once did; no longer once what had happened; he had all unwittingly able to shoot his arrow farther than any of been her murderer. He gazed at her in agony them, for the first time in his life he deter- and despair, one long, long gaze, and then he mined to have recourse to medicine. filed, and never more was the good knight seen at court or in camp.

Knowing that his cousin, the Prioress of Kirkley, was reputed wise in the healing art, he ventured there. But he had too often proved the enemy of priests and monks to be welcome to a prioress. Her words were, indeed, smooth and friendly, but hatred was in her heart, and Robin never left the nunnery till he was carried out to his burial, under the trees close by.

Marian was once more without a protector. There was in those days but one safe place for such as she; and she entered the nunnery of Dunmow, and there passed the rest of her life. Her time was occupied in prayer, and in works of charity. Many a sick man she cured with her decoctions of herbs, and many a sorrowful heart she soothed with her kind and gentle words. Safe in this hiding place we might deem her; but where is there safety from hatred and revenge?

The king heard where she was, and the casual mention of her name recalled to his mind his encounter with her in Sherwood long years ago, and he nourished his revenge till he matured his plan-a plan not of open violence, but of secret treachery.

According to the deadly art of the times, he had a beautiful bracelet poisoned, so poisoned that immediate death must ensue on its being clapsed on the arm. He sent it as a present, a token of reconciliation and friendship, with courteous and honeyed words, by the hands of an honorable and noble knight, Robert Medieve -a knight who had rather face death in its most terrible form, than be the bearer of such a message; but quite unsuspecting treachery he set out on his fatal errand.

Arrived at the nunnery, he was at once admitted to the lady's presence, and kneeling at her feet, he clasped the beautiful gift on her wrist, giving his sovereign's message of amity.

A few minutes more he left her presence,

Beneath an ancient oak, near the now ruined nunnery, may still be seen the tomb of her who was long reverenced as a saint. There it still stands, the only one spared by rude time and ruder men.

A recumbent figure she lies, guarded at her head by angels, at her feet by dogs, as if both earthly and heavenly love watched beside her.

Over six hundred years have passed since the sad morning when they laid her there, and her gentle memory yet haunts the place, while many great men who made much noise in their day, are no longer cared for or remembered.

WORK.

Silly people don't like work,
Let us try to love it;
Grave and great ones of the land
They are not above it.

Lazy people all get dull,

Mind and body weary:
Working ones grow strong and bright,
Time is never dreary.

We who have to earn our bread,
We must all endeavor,
Strive against our laziness,

Try to grow more clever.

Elder sisters, you may work,

Work and help your mothers,
Darn the stockings, mend the shirts,
Father's things and brothers'.

Younger sisters, you may help,
Help by minding baby:
Little hands and little feet
Very useful may be.

Younger boys, you too may work,
If you are but willing:
Through the week in many ways
You may earn a shilling.

THREE EGYPTIAN SKETCHES.

"That was a heavy sigh, my poor Charlie! Are you in pain?"

66

Not much, Aunty, but-but-I did so wish to see the Diorama! and (another sigh) Nelly and Bobby, and all of them are gone, and I must always lie here like this!"

The speaker was a pretty fair-haired boy of twelve, whose spine had been injured in a game of football, and who had for many months been confined to a sofa. He was generally very patient, still he could not sometimes help feeling very weary, especially when, as was now the case, his brothers and cousins were enjoying some amusement in which the poor little sufferer could not share.

66

at the other side of the river you see the Pyramids-how small they look! But they are six miles off as the crow flies, and that largest one, the pyramid of Cheops, really rises four hundred and fifty feet above the plain.

"Upon the quay stand ever so many little donkeys, with their odd saddles rising into a sort of hump in front, but not at all uncomfortable when you have become used to them, and boys in blue shirts, most anxious for you to hire them and their active little steeds for an expedition into town or country.

Now look at the shipping-most of the boats are quite different from any you have ever seen

before.

"This large newly-painted one in the foreground is ours. Is she not picturesque? You Well, Charlie," said his aunt, "things must see that across her tallest mast hangs a long be very bad if we can not brighten them a little ! tapering yard, thick at the lower end and very First let me move the sofa nearer to the window. heavily weighted; this yard carries the great Now let me shake up this pillow-oh, yes! and striped triangular sail which has been in use in I will put these sweet flowers close to you so Egypt from the earliest times, and which is that you can smell them. Now is that better? called a lateen sail. Vessels rigged like this Ah! I am glad to see you smile again! Now are to be seen painted in the most ancient what shall we do? Shall I read to you? Or tombs. Her second mast is much smaller, and will you play at draughts or backgammon? is in the stern; it has, you see, only a spritsail, Or shall 1 fetch Twig to keep you company?" and that is not very often used. "No, Aunty, please, you shall not read, and I do not want any games, and dear old Twig is dahabiyehs-her name is the Clotilde. See the too fond of jumping upon the sofa; but, Aunty, long row of windows in her stern; those are the I'll tell you what! Have not you been to all windows of the saloon and cabins; and over those places they are to see in the Diorama? them you see the poop-deck with its awning, so and could you not tell me about them?" that you can sit and enjoy the breezes, and read or sketch, according to your fancy. The saloon occupies the whole width of the boat, and along each side of it are comfortable divans with lockers beneath them for holding stores; a table occupies the centre, and you have mirrors,

"Yes, indeed, Charlie, I have seen them all; and though it was some years ago I remember each scene distinctly, and have it in my mind's like a picture."

eye

This boat of ours is one of the largest

"That is it, Aunty! Capital! Famous! You shall make pictures for me, and I can shut my footstools, and easy-chairs, also a set of bookeyes and fancy they are real! It will be like shelves, on which is placed the traveling library. like those things that Uncle George showed Off this saloon are a bath-room, and a sleeping us last Christmas with his magic lantern! cabin containing two beds-this is quite in the What were they? Oh, I remember, he called stern of the boat; off the other end of the saloon them dissolving views! Only they were pic-are two more cabins, one on each side of the tures of Switzerland, and these will be of passage, and each adapted for one person only. Egypt, Syria and Turkey! Oh, begin, Aunty! Beyond these cabins are pantries, where you I am quite ready! What will the first be?' may behold a goodly supply of glass and china, "Well, I suppose you would wish in the first ay, and silver too, for I assure you nothing was place to see the boat in which we went up the wanting to our comfort that Vincenzo, the exNile: the curtain rises (you know that is always cellent dragoman, could procure. The mainthe beginning of the entertainment)-the curtain deck is mostly occupied by the sailors, but in rises, and you see before you Boulak, the port the centre of it you see a huge earthen jar in a of Cairo. wooden frame; that is a filter, where the deli"The time is evening, and there is a beautiful cious water of the Nile is made to pass through glow upon the broad river; the quaint old a quantity of broken apricot stones, and thus to houses are interspersed with tall palm trees deposit its earthy particles. In the bow is a bearing huge branches of golden and reddish tiny kitchen, whence most excellent dinners are dates; behind them appear the mosques and daily served; and see the coops of turkeys, minarets of Cairo, backed by the citadel stand- pigeons, and fowls, destined before long to appear ing upon the Mohkattam hill. In the distance on the table!

"Does not that heap of water-melons, bananas, the Pyramids, and inlaid as you see with black pomegranates, rosy tomatoes, cucumbers, and and red marble; the deeply-recessed porch and vegetables, look cool and refreshing? And see the cornice above it are magnificent; indeed the sailors sitting in a circle enjoying their even- the people of Cairo believe that the hand of the ing meal! they are eating bread and cucumbers architect was cut off to prevent his ever again and a few dates, and are quite contented with designing a similar building. Looking up the the fare. That jolly man dressed in blue is the street you see that the finely-carved projecting reis, or captain- he has, you see, a shirt of windows of the houses almost meet across the striped cotton, and over it a long robe with open street: these windows all have lattices of turned sleeves, which is bound at the waist by a red wood-work, generally of very pretty patterns; girdle, and on his head a white turban. The they are called mushrebeeyahs, from the custom handsome fellow beside him is his second in of keeping in them the porous water-bottles, so command, though he looks more like a chief that they shall stand in a current of air, and be himself; his post will by-and-by be at the rud- kept cool by evaporation. Mushrebeeyah means der: the other fourteen men are common sailors, a place of drink.' I was reminded of the and the black boy is the captain's servant. You mother of Sisera, who cried through her lattice. see the sailors have only blue or brown shirts, The lower part of the houses are usually built with cotton drawers beneath, and caps of either of stone, but the upper part of brick, plastered, white cotton or brown felt: what fine muscular- and colored red and white. All the principal looking fellows they are! their brown skins streets of Cairo are bazaars, that is, long lines shining like satin, and their faces generally of shops on each side, each description of goods wearing a broad grin. By-and-by they will take having a street to itself, and called a soock or up their strange musical instruments and beat market: thus there is the market for the sellers their little drums and snap their castanets, and of copper wares, the pipe-makers' street, the sing in chorus far into the night their wild un- bazaar of fresh fruits, that of dried ones, earthly airs. another for the sale of slippers, one for cotton "Will that do, Charlie, for my first picture? goods, one for soap, candles, &c.; the gold and You are evidently considering the matter. Can silversmiths are by themselves; the jewelers you see it all? or shall I add a few touches to make it plainer?"

"Yes, aunty, thank you, I see it all-I see it exactly. It is much nicer than any game; but before you give me another view I want to know what kind of fruit is the banana, and whether you were fond of it."

"I am not very fond of bananas; when they are good they are very good, rich and luscious, and some persons contend that they are the best of all fruits, but too often they resemble mealy pears; they are long shaped fruits, and as many as thirty or will be found in a single bunch." "One question more, aunty-had you any servants in the boat?"

more

have their department; but every street has its coffee-shops, and it is said that every street has also its mosque. Shops of all kinds are open to the street, and consist of a square roof three or four feet wide, and six or seven feet high; the floor is raised even with the mustubah or stone seat in front, upon which the seller and his customers sit; on this seat is placed a mat or carpet, and sometimes cushions. In this one you see a Turk and two Arabs eagerly discussing more a bargain, while a boy presents each with a tiny bean- cup of coffee: these cups are often of delicate porcelain, and are always placed in a second little cup of metal, elegantly worked and shaped like an egg-cup; the coffee is always without milk, but it is sometimes strongly perfumed with the smoke of gum mastic or with ambergris. See how crowded the streets are. It is a work of difficulty to make your way along. If you succeed in avoiding a camel bearing planks or stones, it is but to be nearly drenched by a man watering the road from a leathern bottle or goat-skin, the neck of which he holds and converts into a water spout; or you nearly run over a woman, six children, and a puppy dog in the same moment; and if you pull yourself up, a baker with his tray upon his head (reminding one of Pharaoh's baked meats) all but takes off your head, which you speedily duck to avoid him. If in an evil hour you stop at the shop, the blind, one-eyed, dirty beggars, the curious

"Oh, certainly. The principal one is called a dragoman, and he makes every arrangement for you-hires your boat, buys your provisions, engages other servants, provides guides for excursions; in short, is responsible for your comfort in every way; and our man Vincenzo, a Maltese, was most thoughtful and intelligent, and invaluable in time of illness. We had also a capital cook, and two other men who waited at table, made the beds, and even on occasions did the washing."

"You do not seem to have been badly off, aunty; and now, please, for another picture." "The next then shall be a street in Cairo.

On your right you have the beautiful mosque of Sultan Hassan, built with blocks taken from women who pull your dress, and the unfortunate,