now confident assurance of being able to find something or other. I had latterly been boarding at an hotel, and here boarded also a young man of inventive talents, who had an improved window-fastening of his own contrivance on exhibition. Procuring from him some samples, I set forth, one fine morning towards autumn, to canvass the country along the route between Galt and Guelph. My success was greater than I had expected; my window-fastenings stood me in the stead of currency. taverns. My course was that of a tourist rather than of a pedler; the natural beauties of the northern counties of Ontario were all visited by me in turn. Sometimes travelling by rail, sometimes by boat, I penetrated the pine-clad and rocky fastnesses of Muskoka, gleaning information from the settlers themselves with regard to the capacities of the soil and prospects of success for the settler. Falling in at one period with a gentleman travelling for a firm in Montreal, I shared his carriage for many hundreds of miles, selling my wares at wholesale prices. Delays in procuring materials, with some pecuniary losses, dashed to the earth my hopes of making a fortune, and terribly sunburnt, but hale and with sound appetite, I returned to Guelph, not, fortunately, without some reserve funds. Arriving at Guelph, after a week's canvassing, I was worth more than 1 had earned for the past six months, so that I approached the town magnates with much complacency. I took several good orders for my window-fastenings, which I usually attached myself. Many of the palatial residences, as well as some score smaller houses, yet boast specimens of I now procured fitful employment in a law-office, my handicraft, and will for the next half-century, my copying "deeds and general law matter. Much fastenings never wearing out. I should say that I confidential correspondence was also entrusted to me, subsequently made my own models, subject to cer- but not much salary. A member of the firm, howtain alterations and improvements; for, even had I ever, chairman also of the School Board, exerted his desired to continue procuring them from their first interest to secure me an engagement as teacher of adapter, he was not to be found. Bent upon my German and French in the high and public schools professional advancement, I one day entered the of the county. My certificate was taken at very sanctum of the oldest weekly newspaper in Guelph. short notice, and without any serious preparation, Unloading my Spartan coinage, I eulogised my wares my time being much occupied, I was engaged at the to the skies; nor was my eloquence ineffectual. I salary of one hundred pounds per annum. fastened the windows for both the proprietors and many of the printers. My good fortune had but commenced; the enthusiasm which I brought to bear secured me an engagement as sub-editor upon the "Daily Advertiser," constituted a "daily" during my term of service, but not owing to my literary exertions. The terms not suiting me, I exchanged this genial occupation for manual labour in a sewing-machine factory, this time as skilled mechanic, working by the piece. The wages which I was able to make were very high-at the outset, about six pounds per week; but my employers cut down the prices every now and then, until I was unable to exceed two pounds. This would have answered very well, but slackness came on again with the winter, and I had to lie idle two or three weeks for every one week of labour. The work was clean and pleasant. I always liked mechanical work when accompanied by the hum of machinery, for I can then think much better than under quieter conditions. Some of the most agreeable days of my life have been spent in the workshop, especially at this particular factory, but it is another question to be tied to manual toil for life, since eminence cannot be attained, and one sinks into a subordinate grade of being. I had now been three years in Guelph, altogether five and a half years in the country, yet, beyond supporting myself decently, was not very much richer than when I first landed. I had gained much, however, in experience, and knew how to turn my hand to anything, an essential accomplishment to the Canadian settler. I felt no mauvaise honte, under circumstances the most unusual, nor doubted my ability to gain my subsistence. Armed with a batch of improved window-fasteners I gaily sauntered out of town and took the rail northwards. I did not intend leaving the friendly town of Guelph, where I had made many friends, if some enemies. My tour was of an extended nature, covering the entire districts north of Guelph and ultimately of Toronto. I travelled in an immense circle, taking every hamlet upon my way sleeping in farmhouses or waysid The school system of the town was about undergoing a radical change-new buildings to be erected, new principal and staff to be employed; so it was not my fault that I did not keep the place more than the six months for which I had engaged. Nobody was engaged in my place; the office I had held, together with many others, was temporarily abolished. I paid some back debts, and surveyed the situation afresh. My hopes of being at some future time re-engaged were not immodest. I would not resign them and my hardly-acquired prestige, to begin life anew, away from all my acquaintances. My fasteners once more stood me in stead, but my route lay in another direction. I had been kept hanging round the town so long, in the vain hope of employment, that my money was running low. What little I had left I kept at Guelph, relying upon my little friend, the window-fastener, to carry me through. Disappointed at several delays at the foundry whence I was supplied, and the weather growing too cold for windows to require opening, I canvassed for a firm of photographers, whose speciality it was to enlarge copies of pictures. I managed to live, indeed, but very little more; and, at a time when I had thought to have surmounted all my difficulties, suffered greater hardships than I had, perhaps, ever experienced in a life singularly free, from its commencement, of surroundings which contribute to render life desirable. My slender means swallowed up in the maw of exigencies not to be ignored-clothing and food-my photographic scheme being of no use for want of a little reserve upon which tranquilly to await the collection of my dues, I was at one time forced to dig upon the roads, in spite of an acute inflammatory attack. Walking, ultimately, fifty miles nearly barefooted, and with lacerated feet, to a certain city, I engaged once more as ostler, only too glad to tide over the winter in any calling whatever. My strength recruited with the gentle advent of spring, a little money again in my pocket, I made my way to Guelph, still my proper place of abode. I was immediately re-engaged in my old law-office, | handy man can always command a living. The best where I remained a year and a half. Some of my time now began to be bestowed upon the neighbouring Registry Office, where, finally, I was exclusively retained. I could breathe once more in freedom, yet my salary was none too high. They have an ingenious faculty in Canada for extracting as much work from a man as possible, for as little as will support animal life. Unfortunately it is not merely the native Canadians who are to blame in this matter of indifference to the wants of a stranger; the old country settlers are worse-more selfish, more callous. They have all struggled themselves, and do not view their fellow-strugglers kindly. My remarks, indeed, chiefly apply to the unfriended stranger of the nonworking classes, and I would warn 'gentlemen in reduced circumstances" that they will be regarded with distrust, and probably be treated with contumely. It is possible the reception of such might be no better at home. Certainly, my further acquaintance with the native Canadians left upon my mind a very high sense of their worth and friendly qualities. Having formed a Roman Catholic connection, I was introduced to the Superior of the Society of Jesus, which has a station at Guelph. The experiment was being tried of founding a college, and I was offered the post of assistant teacher. The fathers being all French or French Canadians, my knowledge of English, my native language, was likely to be of service. I taught German and elementary Latin as well, living in the establishment and gradually forming the habits of a hermit. Although my salary was not high, I was amongst men whose own acts of instruction were given for nothing at a'l, and I was as comfortable as I could desire to be. Had my opinions been the same as theirs, and had I been resolved to lead a single life, here I would have liked to remain, but my irresolution on this point, together with an ardent desire to revisit England, forbade this. Having been a year and four months under the friendly roof of a body of men whom I shall ever esteem, I left the college and the town of Guelph towards the end of August last year. My desire is, at some time or other, to return to Canada, for, spite of my harsh experiences, I like the country and people. Travelling by water to Montreal, down Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence, I reached Quebec once more, after an absence of nearly ten years. Embarking on board the Allan line's good steamship Moravian, I landed at Liverpool in due course, thence travelling to London. My experiences, kind reader, end here, but I have not by any means exhausted the subjects of the shifts which I, an English emigrant, was put to in Canada. No matter how closely one may write, it is always possible to read between the lines, nor have I done more than sketch the leading features of my varied life. Some closing remarks may be expected of me; these I will give as briefly as possible. Let nobody emigrate to Canada who can do well at home, unless, in the interests of his growing family, he is content to undergo some trials at the outset. Labourers are on the whole better at home. Small capitalists may in Canada invest to advantage in land and house property, or loan money upon mortgage security. Good mechanics, except bricklayers, carpenters, and blacksmiths, are not needed, but a thing anybody with a little capital can do is to take up land, which may be bought for a trifle either in Ontario or Manitoba, the North-Western Province. This is chiefly a prairie region, entirely free from timber, and may be cultivated at the cost of merely scratching the surface of the soil. Let a man establish himself in Canada, however, and he will not regret it. Schools are good, education free. Canadians grow up divested of all feelings of servility such as gall a large portion of the populace in older countries-feelings which all classes must regret, but which are so difficult to modify in crowded lands. Canada is a land of vast if undeveloped resources, loyal to the British Crown, and the home of a handsome and virtuous people. For the rest, the already quickly growing national sentiment will remedy the minor evils which I have rather meant to hint at than declaim against. Darieties. BISHOP FRASER ON SMOKING,-Having been invited to attend a meeting on the subject of juvenile smoking, the Bishop of Manchester writes: "Sir, I am unable to attend the meeting which it is proposed to hold for the purpose of endeavouring to diminish the habit of tobacco smoking among young boys. It often observed and deplored. Whatever may be thought of the is an evil, and, it seems to me, a growing one, which I have habit of smoking generally, I believe that medical authorities are universally agreed that it is physically most mischievous to young people under the age of eighteen. The moral effects consequent on the too frequent association of this habit, with others of a pernicious tendency, are not less hurtful to the character. It has often been a matter both of surprise and regret to me that parents seem so indifferent to both these classes of consequences to their sons; and though I have no practical remedy to suggest for what I regard as a great and increasing social evil, I hope the meeting which you are going to hold will help to fix public attention both on its proportions and its effects. It was stated in a leading article in the Times a short time ago that so sensible is the German Government of the mischief wrought by the habit on the constitution of growing lads that in many towns that the offenders against this regulation are punished by fines, the police forbid boys under sixteen to smoke in the streets, and or, in default of payment, even by imprisonment." former times were left for the benefit of poor prisoners have PRISON CHARITIFS.-Many bequests in the City which in more recently been diverted to other charitable purposes, their usefulness in their original form having been superseded by modern regulations. The trustees have just made grants to hospitals and other institutions for the convalescent to the extent of nearly £1,500, the money being voted in all cases institutions to public support.-City Press. only after the strictest inquiries as to the claims of the respective ZULU KRAALS.-The military kraals of the Zulus are, in point of fact, fortified depôts, where the various regiments assemble for their annual training, or mobilise in time of war. The kraal is usually about 500 yards in diameter, and fenced round with a dry stake and wattled fence, about 5ft. in height, difficult to breach and still harder to storm, as it is well surrounded by an abatis of prickly pear, bush thorns, and other formidable obstacles; inside this fence are thrown up the men's huts, and a smaller ring is generally erected in the centre, in which the cattle are kept. The king's kraal is at Ulundi, or Undini, almost in the centre of the country. Six regiments, numbering about 7,000 men, are quartered here permanently. Another important kraal is situated a few miles to the north of Rorke's Drift. This was the headquarters of Sirajo, a brother of Cetewayo's; it was burnt shortly after hostilities opened, and the chief's son killed in the engagement. Most of the other kraals are in the neighbourhood of Undini, so that the king is constantly enabled to inspect his troops. dentally dropped by others, as well as from Edward's own careless observations, it was too evident that the young man was imprudent in the choice of his associates that the things he loved best and enjoyed most, were not only those incompatible with his office and duties, but such as were inconsistent with the position and character of his father's son. In vain Mona expostulated, kindly and gently, as it was in her nature to do, but firmly also. Edward not only turned a deaf ear, but was often offended by her remonstrances. The bright life around him was so pleasant, the sky, the air, the busy stir of active idleness, perpetually going on, was alluring, and his handsome face and gentlemanly manners were an easy passport into the society he found SO fascinating. He did no harm, he said to himself, why should Mona wish to deprive him of recreations so innocent? "According to Mona, everything agreeable is wrong," said the young man, complaining of his sister's strictness to Miss Lestocq one day, as she joined them after another of these rather frequent altercations. "You are lucky to have a sister to look after you," observed Captain Orde, who overheard his complaints. "I have requested her to take me in hand, feeling certain that a few good counsels from her would be of essential service to me, but she has declined." Edward glanced sharply at him. Like Mona, he found it difficult to know when Captain Orde spoke in earnest and when in jest. "I scarcely think you would permit her to interfere with your amusements." "I should not mind being advised," he answered, arching his eyebrows as he emphasised the last word. "That is no expense to either party." "But Mona has such old-fashioned notions; she is not like other girls," said Edward, petulantly. "No, she goes in for the deeper offence of rising above them. The most part are satisfied not to sin against the moralities of the world; and if they succeed, which they rarely do, they are triumphant in their impeccability, and can afford to look down upon the good young ladies like your sister, who are really out of place in this generation. We are too bad for them." Mona looked at him, wondering if he were defending or covertly ridiculing her, a habitual uncertainty as to his meaning making her give more attention to his words than they deserved. But Cecil was not really ill-natured. He could not help seeing the weaknesses of people, young or old, more distinctly than their good qualities. The one amused him and the other he usually passed by without notice. The latter made no impression, the former asked for indulgence, which he was willing to accord-the indulgence of one so familiar with folly that no phase of it surprised him. The point in dispute between brother and sister on this occasion was the public masked ball of the Carnival, which Edward wished to attend and Mona inveighed against, as being inconsistent with his present office and future aspirations. "There is no harm in it," persisted Edward; "and if there were, that concerns myself. It is not surprising that I should wish to see a little of life when I have the opportunity." "And wicked life has, of course, more attractions than any other," observed Captain Orde, with im movable gravity. "I am afraid the trail of the serpent is often found in the wake of curiosity. Our great forefather only wanted to share his wife's wisdom when she had taken the start of him; a very natural wish, and you see what mischief came of it." "I doubt not you have often been to the Veglione yourself, Captain Orde," retorted Edward, his handsome face all the handsomer for the crimson flush that suffused it at being so undisguisedly quizzed. "I have; I have been nearly everywhere where Folly jingles her bells, and have seen a good portion of the evil that is done under the sun, and if I could be a boy again, if I could start afresh in the race of life, I would undo almost everything I have done, and do what I have left undone.' "Are you serious?" asked Miss Lestocq, surprised to hear sentiments betokening such self-disparagement fall from his lips, "or are you endeavouring to support Miss Moreton as the weaker party?" 66 "I am saying what I think to-day; to-morrow I may have altered my opinion. You know I have the peculiarity of changing it easily, as I do my coat or gloves. Don't look at me with such pity, Miss Moreton, it is this facilité, as our neighbours call it, which preserves me from being a bad man." "Everything by turns and nothing long, you mean," said Helen. "Miss Moreton is ready to read you a lecture on instability of character." "And I am prepared to prove that true wisdom is with me. By brooding over our wrongs we learn to resent them; by dwelling upon our misfortunes they master us; the one may bring us to the Old Bailey, and the other to Bedlam; whereas, by often changing the course of the current the channel remains unworn. Besides, where there are many changes there are many chances. My mind may some day produce something that connoisseurs will pronounce good. Meanwhile, nonsense and folly are capital safetyvalves. Vive la bagatelle !" After sauntering slowly to the window and back, he seated himself by Edward, who had been loudly applauding his concluding remark, and said, seriously, but in a low tone, "If I were you I would not vex my sister-except under a very strong temptation," he added. "But were I to listen to Mona she would not let me do anything I like." 66 Very possibly," answered Captain Orde, coolly. "Woman is man's natural enemy; but follow the wisest teaching, and heap coals of fire upon her head." "That means let her have her own way. Not if I know it," said Edward, lapsing into boyish phraseology more emphatic than polite. Mona was not able to prevent her brother from going to the ball. It closed a day of harmless folly by a night of mad revelry among maskers and dominos, where licence outweighs respectability. Nor could she prevent his intimacy with certain families whose habits and modes of thought were especially such as her father would have condemned. A few idle words from companions more idle than himself were sufficient to turn Edward out of the old paths in which he had been taught to walk. He began by degrees to drift from his moorings, to think lightly of the obligations of the Sabbath, to forget the parental instructions, to frequent Sunday receptions, and to indulge in other laxities--small at first, but which had one inevitable result, that of weakening the wholesome "scruples " a man contracts in a religious home. His natural buoyancy of spirit, increased by the exhilarating climate and his vigorous health, made him feel happy in all this, in spite of Mona's forebodings and admonitions, and a few twinges of conscience now and then, but it was the happiness of thoughtlessness. There were many receptions and balls, some even a little compromising, where a good-looking fellow like him found a cordial welcome, besides matinées, thés dansants, and many sorts of amusements. In a place like Nice, where the snare of the fowler is so easily set, how can the unwary escape if they have not the curb of principle? Edward was peculiarly situated, and ready to become an easy prey. Mrs. Buxton and his pupil did not want him in the evening. After eight o'clock, and often before, he was free to spend his time as he pleased, and, unhappily, was strong enough, as he thought, not to miss the hours abstracted from sleep, night after night. Mrs. Buxton often supposed him to be with his sister when he was very differently employed, nor did she generally know when he returned home late, his prepossessing manners and appearance, with a silver key, occasionally used, easily securing him admittance at all hours. And all this led to an outlay he found it difficult to meet. He had given up every idea of saving anything out of his salary; it was an utter delusion, he told Mona; and one day he surprised her by asking the loan of a few pounds as soon as she received her first quarter. "I cannot lend it," she answered, decisively. "Mrs. Fraser advanced me ten when I first went to her, part of which she made me spend upon my clothes, and ten more I already owe in Hillesden. With such a salary as she gives me I cannot live in her house in beggary. However little, I must have something in hand for the next quarter. Besides, if I can spare a pound or two it must be for mamma, and I thought you would have done the same, Edward," said Mona, looking somewhat reproachfully into his face. "Most willingly, if I could," he answered, with ready speech but an embarrassed countenance. "When we go back to England, perhaps, I can do something. Of course I wish to help, but here there are so many expenses. In gloves alone I am obliged to spend lots of money." Mona did not see the obligation, and said so, but her words were worse than idle, and only had the effect of rendering her brother's visits fewer and farther between. CHAPTER XXV. LENT had come; the gigantic Carnival had perished in flames as usual; the bells of Folly ceased to tingle, and the wail of the mourner, metaphorically speaking, succeeded, for troops of people hastened to early mass, to cry peccavi, and have their foreheads smeared with ashes, the darker the brand the more contented the penitent. The peasant from the country, the market woman from the stall, the respectable housewife, and the lady of fashion, alike passed through the same valley of humiliation, with this difference that the superstitious would on no account diminish the value of the ceremony by removing the mark before the following morning. Yet Lent brought its amusements after a fashion of its own, in which pleasures and duties were too judiciously arranged to interfere with each other. The other half of the community followed suit. There were morning prayers in the church, and carpet dances in the evening; handsome dinners, and snug, sociable dinners; something for all tastes. The clergy denounced worldly vanities, and exhorted to abstinence in a general way, leaving the point at issue to each one's conscience. Some understood the recommendation in the strict sense, others in degree, so that the forbidden pleasure, like the hurtful morsel of Mohammed's pig, being unspecified, varied according to individual opinion. Mrs. Fraser was for gradations, and gave small dinners and friendly receptions. Edward Moreton was frequently invited but rarely put in an appearance, so that it was quite a surprise to Mona when, on entering the drawing-room dressed for one of these simple dinners at which Mrs. Fraser expected her presence, she encountered her brother. "Oh, Mona!" he began, hurriedly, "I can't stop five minutes, but I wanted particularly to see you. Will you get me to-morrow morning a dozen pair of the best kid gloves, all pale and pretty colours, number six and three-quarters? I want them by twelve o'clock." "Six and three-quarters ?" she repeated, in a tone of wonder and bewilderment, for the size betokened they were not for himself. "Yes, it is a bet, I owe them to one of the Miss Cuthberts." "Oh, Edward?" began Mona. Her brother had only time to raise his hand in deprecation of the impending lecture when the door opened to admit the Lestocqs. Helen smiled her sweetest, expressing pleasure at meeting him there, but he quickly told her he could not stay, that he had only called to give his sister a commission, and must be off directly, as he was expected at home. 66 You should have given it to me; I might have executed it more cheerfully," observed Helen, struck with Mona's seriousness. Indeed, Mona both felt and looked unhappy, an unhappiness so mixed with anxiety that it seemed to add the stamp of years to her pensive countenance. What was Edward doing? Contact with others, his superiors in position, was already exercising the baneful influence of a false-in his case of a mademulation. And where was it to end? She did not like the Miss Cuthberts; they were of a new type to her pretty overdressed dolls, with bright faces, always laughing and joking, and surrounded by young men wherever they went. They might be girls of fortune, and probably they were so, for their parents gave showy entertainments; but in style and appearance, which must be accepted as indications of character, they were not such as ought to attract a steady, hard-working young man, without other expectations than those to be realised by his own toil. And to think of Edward betting and rushing into an intimacy of that kind. What would come of it but evil— expenses which he would be unable to meet? and if so, what was to become of him? A lifetime overcast was the only answer, for a mistake early made has been known to dog the footsteps as the shadow of a crime, even to the end. And who would help him if he got into difficulties? There would be no alternative but to snatch away the bread from his widowed mother, and plunge her into want and distress. Poor Mona thought of Mr. Sinclair's repudiated warning, and heartily wished that Edward had never left England, feeling herself compelled to acknowledge that her faith in him was failing. Nor was this all. Over |