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"That is good," said May. "And what has the British government done towards educating the people ?" she asked.

"Very much," replied Aunt Mary. "But when we reflect upon the degradation and ignorance into which India has fallen, we cannot, of course, expect its sudden enlightenment. Ignorance, vice, and the false religions of the people are formidable hindrances in the work of educating them. The English government has expended large sums of money-in one year, I remember, four millions of dollars— in establishing schools all over the country. It is quite probable that a system of schools similar to our own public school system will soon be introduced into Iudia, if, indeed, it has not already been. More than twenty colleges and universities have been established, which are taught by thoroughly educated men, some of whom are eminent for their learning. In one year there were over six hundred thousand native pupils in these schools and colleges, which fact shows a very gratifying state of things in regard to education, and leads us to hope that the ignorance and degradation of which we spoke, may, in time, give place to knowledge and virtue.”

"I believe the highest government officer in India is called Viceroy or Governor-General," Emma remarked.

"Yes," said Aunt Mary, "and there are under him governors, lieutenant-governors, and commissioners, and some of the native princes are allowed some little power in their own territories."

"India must be a densely populated country," observed Julia, "for its territory is only about as large as that of Mexico, while it contains as many people as England, Ireland, Scotland, Russia, and the whole continent of America, all put together." "is that pos

66 Why!" exclaimed the other girls, in astonishment; sible ?"

"But then a great portion of America, you know, is uninhabited," said Ella.

"Please tell us how the natives look, Aunt Mary," said Jennie. "The population is composed of many different races, and they differ greatly in size and complexion, as well as in manners and character," replied Aunt Mary. "The mountaineers of the North are large and strong, while the inhabitants of the South are small and slender. Some of them have dark olive skins, while others have the rich light-brown colour of the natives of Northern Italy." "How do they dress and live ?" asked May.

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"I think," said Aunt Mary, looking at her watch, "that our talk has been long enough for to-day. I propose that we now adjourn until to-morrow morning, to meet at any place you may choose, girls, and then we will answer May's question and learn more about India."

"I second the motion," cried Lottie. Whereupon, without the formality of voting, the girls arose to accompany Aunt Mary to the fountain, where some repairs requiring her attention, were being made.-Lutheran Home Monthly.

now.

DREAMS.

In ancient times people paid more attention to dreams than we do Dr. Johnson has said, "Do not believe all dreams; some may be false. Do not disbelieve all dreams; some may be true." Which advice amounts to this-exercise your judgment. In the Bible we read that God was wont, in this way, to make known, sometimes, the future; and facts are published which show that, occasionally, he does so still. These observations are occasioned by the death, after a few days' illness, at Yarmouth, of Ada Priscilla Ford.

One night her mother dreamt that, while standing at the back-yard door, with two women-neighbours-a large fly flew towards them, chased them up the yard, and settled on her fourth finger, and stung it. A short time before this, a brother, older than the deceased, was taken ill of the scarlatina; then a younger brother, and, at last, she herself the youngest but one-on a Sunday sickened with the disease, and, on the following Saturday, died. On the Wednesday afternoon, sitting up in her little bed, she said, "Mamma, I am going to heaven," to which her mother answered, "Yes, some day," little thinking that that day was so near. Then the dear one added, “My Jesus is in heaven." When asked, "Whom did Jesus tell to come to heaven ?" she replied, "Good children." Upon this her mother repeated the passage, "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." On the Thursday, a change for the worse set in. Next day it was evident that death had marked her for its prey. In the afternoon, seeing her mother and sister, Louisa, by her bedside, weeping, she gave her handkerchief to the latter to wipe away her tears, being too ill to speak.

Her mother now saw the meaning of the dream. Her fourth finger

was stung-the youngest child but one will die. The premonition proved, alas! to be but too true.

On the following day, Sept. 12th, 1874, in spite of medical skill and parental affection and care, she passed away-precious lamb-from earth to heaven, aged three years and six months. She had begun to attend the Sabbath-school and the Band of Hope. Though young, she was a quick and thoughtful child.

When at class, with her mother, she would have the leader, in praying for the members, to pray for her: "Ask him to pray for me, mamma," she whispered. But she has gone to where prayer is turned into praise :

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"We would not call thee back, sweet child,

Though nip't in life's fair morn,

For here the beauteous rose-bud smarts
Too oft beneath the thorn;

To thee a happier home is given,

To bloom a fairer flower in heaven."

JOHN FORD.

THE DISHONEST PEASANT.

IN the year 1794, a poor Frenchman was passing a winter in a village in Germany. One cold morning he had occasion to buy a load of wood. He found a peasant who had one to sell, and asked him what the price was. The peasant, who perceived by his broken German that he was a foreigner, and that his ignorance might be taken advantage of, answered that the price was three louis d'ors. The Frenchman endeavoured to beat him down, but in vain, At last he took it and paid the money that was asked.

The peasant, delighted to have made so good a bargain, drove with his empty cart to the village inn, which was not far distant, and ordered breakfast. While it was getting ready he entertained the landlord with an account of the way in which he had cheated the Frenchman, and made him pay three louis d'ors for a load of wood which, at the utmost, was not worth more than seven shillings and sixpencetalking as if he had done a very clever thing.

The landlord was a good man, and told him that he ought to be ashamed of himself thus to have taken advantage of the ignorance of a poor foreigner.

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Well,' said the peasant, with a scornful laugh, 'the wood was mine; I had a right to ask just what I pleased for it.'

The Dishonest Peasant.

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The landlord made no reply. When breakfast was over, the peasant asked how much was to pay. The landlord replied, Three louis d'ors.'

'What!' said the peasant, 'three louis d'ors for a cup of coffee and a few slices of bread and butter!'

'Yes,' said the landlord, with the utmost composure; 'the coffee and bread and butter were mine; I have a right to ask just what I please for them. My bill is three louis d'ors; and I shall keep your horse and cart until you pay me. If you think I am charging yo too much, you can go before the Judge.'

The peasant, without saying anything more went to the judge's office and made his complaint. The judge was surprised and indignant at the landlord's extortion, especially as he had always borne an excellent character.

He ordered him to be brought before him, and his reception of him was somewhat stern. But the landlord told him the whole story-how the peasant had taken advantage of the poor emigrant's ignorance to cheat him, what their conversation was, and how his own conduct was simply visiting upon the head of a dishonest man the wrong he had done to another.

Under such circumstances the judge decided that the landlord had doue right, and that the peasant should pay the three louis d'org. The peasant, with very ill grace, drew out his purse and laid the money on the table.

'I do not want this money,' said the landlord to the judge, 'as your honour may well suppose. Will you have the goodness to change one of these louis d'ors, and give the peasant seven shillings and sixpence out of it-for that as he confessed to me, is all that his wood is worth-and return the remainder to the poor Frenchman! the breakfast I want nothing.'

For

The judge counted out the seven shillings and sixpence to the peasant, and dismissed him with a severe rebuke. The rest was returned to the Frenchman, who on hearing the story, went to thank the kind innkeeper, and with great difficulty persuaded him to accept a small sum for the peasant's breakfast.

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Cunning people are They boast of their Yes, yes,' continued the

'It served the fellow right,' says Mr. Short. apt to over-reach themselves in this very way. knavery, and so let the cat out of the bag.

little man, 'the tongue is an unruly member; it often gets its owner into trouble.'-Methodist.

[WE are requested to re-publish the following, as a means of stirring up a feeling of great interest in Primitive Methodist Missionary labours.]

A LETTER TO OUR JUVENILE MISSIONARY
COLLECTORS; OR, PRAYER ANSWERED.
MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,—I have many times been requested to
send you the particulars of the following case, but, for several reasons,
I have felt reluctant to comply. I feel, however, after reading our
editor's remarks in the monthly summary of the "Large Magazine,"
respecting our missionary operations having to be more circumscribed
if more unwonted liberality be not put forth, and finding that our
missionary treasurer is now in debt to the amount of several hundred
pounds, that I can no longer refuse without making myself the sub-
ject of very uncomfortable feelings. My object is purely to encourage
those who are now engaged in this noble work, and to try to stimu-
late them to greater diligence, and may I hope that some who have
not entered upon this labour of love through a fear lest they should
not get as much as they wish, will take courage, and at once begin?
About twenty-two years ago, I was in the same position as you-
namely, a scholar in a Primitive Methodist Sabbath-school, and at
the age of twelve years and ten months, through the instrumentality
of my teachers, I experienced a change of heart and joined society.
In my first love I sang—

"O that the world might taste and see
The riches of his grace."

Young as I was, I really felt as if I should like to do something towards the conversion of the world; my heart's language was, Lord what wilt Thou have me to do? While I was the subject of these feelings, I attended a missionary meeting, and, with great emotion, I listened to the telling speeches that were delivered. I felt a yearning pity for those dear children that had never heard of Jesus, and wished I could tell them about the dear Saviour I had found, but this was impossible; so I resolved to do something towards sending others; I thought at the close of the meeting, I will ask the minister, the Rev. S. Morris, if he will favour me by allowing me to have a missionary box. I was so much in earnest about it, I pushed my way up to the platform, lest others should go before me, and all the boxes should be gone. I, however, succeeded in getting one, and as soon as I received it, I offered up a prayer that God would bless me

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