tiles arrive. I showed the plan to our Rural Dean, and he says they will look very handsome. I must send the plan to you, Messrs. Maw have got it at present. You may rest assured that it shall be done in a manner worthy of your subscribers to the Churchman's Companion.

You have helped me to carry out an idea which I have wished for the last seven years, and could not possibly have done so without the aid of your columns. -Yours, &c., GEORGE C. CAFFIN.

CHURCHMAN'S COMPANION COT.

Mrs. BEWICKE BEWICKE desires to acknowledge the following gifts for the “Churchman's Companion Free Cot" received since last April: E. K., Windsor, £5; S. H. M., 10s. 6d.; Mrs. Atkinson, 10s. Donations towards this "Free Cot" have so far this year reached £16. 12s. 6d., enabling us to keep the "Cot" always occupied: it is just about to be used now for a poor motherless lad; the father, a sad drunkard, does not behave well to his children; and this one

has already been two months in the Home on subscriber's recommendation, and needs still further residence to effect a cure, so that we trust to the sympathy of the readers of the Churchman's Companion to enable us to keep him in their "Free Cot."-Sea-Side Home, Coatham House, Redcar.

BISHOP WILBERFORCE CONFIRMATION

MEMORIAL WINDOW IN S. MARY'S,

SOUTHAMPTON.

The beautiful East Window which is to be the Confirmation Memorial in S. Mary's, Southampton, is now in preparation by Messrs. Clayton and Bell from designs by Mr. Street, R.A. £344 received, £121 only required. Miss LUCY PHILLIMORE (The Coppice, Henley-onThames) begs to acknowledge with her best thanks, G. E. S. L., 10s.; E. A. L., 2s. 6d.; S. B., 2s.; E. H. B., 2s.; Mildred Morshead, 2s. 6d. ; A Friend, 2s.; A. Worthington, 10s.; Two in Service, 4s. 4d.; Miss E. Jarrett, £2; J. M. C., (2nd donation,) 5s. Further donations gladly received as above.

Notices to Correspondents.

M. F. H. It is undoubtedly incorrect to offer the left hand for the reception of the Blessed Sacrament, and the clergyman was right in drawing your attention to the mistake, although it is to be regretted that he did not do so in a more seemly manner.

M. S. It is not possible to mark definitely the period when Baptism by immersion was discontinued in some parts of the Church. It is still the custom of the whole Eastern Communion. In the West the disuse of the practice was very gradual,—it can hardly be said to have altogether ceased even yet, as some priests prefer this mode of baptism when the friends of the infant permit it. As a rule however the change has been mainly due to the danger of immersion in northern climates.

Helen will find a full account of Michael Angelo and the Sixtine Chapel in a charming book by Mrs. Oliphant, entitled "The Makers of Florence." H. We shall not fail to let you know when your paper is published. Accepted: "No more Sea;" "A Few Words on Conversation;” “Hark the Herald Angels ;" "S. Martin ;" "S. Thomas ;" "Morning Hymn for a School."

3rd January. My curiosity was not subjected to a long trial, I have seen the Prince Royal twice, and he knew me at once. How childish of me to doubt it! Would any dress of his prevent me from knowing him? I had scarcely finished writing in my journal on New Year's Day when the Prince Palatin came into my room. "Françoise," he said, "you have surpassed my expectations, you were perfect in deportment, manner, and everything, you were approved by everybody, even by persons of exalted rank. I have just come from the Court, where, conjointly with the Senators and Ministers, I presented my good wishes for the opening year to his Majesty the King. His Royal Highness the Duke of Courland came up to me himself, and declared he had never seen any one who could be compared with you, and that if it were not that court etiquette obliges him to remain to-day with the king, he should have come to offer you his congratulations in person." I blushed crimson when I heard these flattering words. My uncle kindly appeared not to notice my embarrassment, but went away and left me to my joy and my meditations. So after all I was not mistaken. Not only at balls, but at home I shall meet the Prince. "He has never seen any one who could compare with you." That last sentence remains in my memory as if some one were perpetually whispering it to me. Assuredly flattering words impart a great deal of pleasure. They came to announce dinner, and at table I was unusually lively, so much so that the Princess found fault with me two or three times. After dinner we set off to pay visits, but we only alighted from the carriage twice, for all the persons to whom the Princess went to offer her good wishes for the new year, were gone out VOL. XVIII.

R

with the same object. There was a continual meeting in the streets, carriages passing one another blocking up the way, or stopping when amidst all the confusion there was a chance of recognition, upon which an interchange of cards would ensue and a great deal of noise, laughter, and animation. The excitement increased as with the approach of night the Cossacks lighted the lanterns, and the running footmen preceded the carriages with torches. All these lights, equipages, liveries, and horses made quite a pretty picture, though unfortunately there were some accidents, but thank God nothing happened to us. It was late when we returned home. I was very tired and soon fell asleep, but my dreams were a series of the most fantastic pictures. The next morning at twelve o'clock precisely, when dressed for the day, I was with the Princess in the large state drawing-room, the windows of which overlook the garden; just as I was beginning a new piece of tapestry, a chamberlain hastened into the room calling out, "His Royal Highness my Lord Duke of Courland." The Princess precipitately rose and went to meet him in the antechamber; I felt inclined to rush away, but curiosity predominated over fear and I remained. He entered, and immediately approaching my work-frame inquired after my health. In spite of my agitation I answered him quite distinctly, and when after sitting down by my side he began calmly to talk about my work, I was sufficiently mistress of myself, notwithstanding the trembling of my hands, to thread coarse silk into several fine needles. The Duke praised my skill, and though his conversation was chiefly addressed to the Princess, he found the opportunity of introducing many polite sentences for my benefit, which convinced me that my dress had not changed me in his eyes. On taking leave he said he hoped to see us at the ball that night, and then I learnt that the Ambassador of France, the Marquis d'Argenson, was giving a ball to which I was invited. The entertainments at Barbe's wedding were nothing compared with those I see now; there was the same luxury and magnificence at the former, but they were lacking in the polish and refinement one finds here. As every one in Warsaw is highly educated, they all have the same courteous agreeable manner, and no one opens his mouth without saying something complimentary, but the Prince Royal surpasses them all in graceful and delicate attentions. At the Marquis d'Argenson's ball he spoke to me less than he had done at the previous one, but I was no longer the "daughter of the sun," and etiquette is more strictly observed at a full dress ball than it is at a masked one; and besides, the

ladies who were near us tried to listen to what he said to me, which caused me extreme annoyance; such curiosity is revolting in persons of high breeding. The Princess Palatine is in very good humour, she was the only elderly lady with whom the Prince danced. Her husband

is kinder to me than ever, but he never asks me any questions nor gives me any advice. I am expecting with the utmost impatience the arrival of my dearest sister, how much I shall have to tell her! It is a week to-day since I left school, and it seems a month to me, so varied are the emotions and impressions which I have experienced during those few days. I feel quite another person, and certainly reality has far surpassed my powers of imagination! It seems incredible that all day yesterday the Prince Royal, balls, and gaieties were completely effaced from my memory, and all my thoughts were entirely occupied with my sister. She arrived yesterday morning sooner than was expected, but scarcely had she reached her own residence before she was taken ill. They hastened here to acquaint the Princess, who at once set off to my sister's house, where I was bent upon accompanying her, but I was not permitted to do so, and I was left a prey to terrible uneasiness until midnight. I sent to have prayers offered up in three churches, and at last at one o'clock in the morning the Princess returned with the consoling news that Barbe was better, and had a little girl. To-day I implored almost on my knees to be allowed to go and see my sister, but they answered that it was too soon, and that it was not suitable for a young person to pay a visit to the sick chamber. M. le Staroste came here for a moment in a state of the highest felicity at having become a father; the baby must be charming, they say she is pink and plump, and is to be called Angélique after our dear mother. If they would only let me see her! what is the good of my being an aunt if I cannot even make the acquaintance of my niece? This morning the Prince sent his congratulations upon the birth of the baby, and at the same time made inquiries about our health. I cannot express the trial it is to me to be prevented from seeing my sister, I have for so long a time been anxiously expecting her, and now what do I gain by her arrival?

8th January. My sister is daily improving, but does not yet leave her bed. I have only seen the Prince once this week when he was accompanying the king out hunting, but yesterday he made me ample compensation by paying us a visit of an hour at the least. How kind he seems to be, how tenderly he loves his father, and when he spoke of his dead mother tears were in his eyes. He appears to be well disposed

towards the Poles, and he is full of energy and noble-mindedness. Ah! all that I ever heard of him and all that I have put down in my journal is nothing more than the exact truth. He is far beyond all the praises that are bestowed upon him. Who could ever adequately describe the charm there is in the sound of his voice and the sweetness of his smile and expression! I do not wonder that the Empress took a fancy to him or that he gained the hearts of all Courland, and it would never surprise me if at the death of his father the Poles proclaimed him king. And I pleased him! Sometimes I imagine that cannot really be the case, but certain words confirmed the eloquence of his eyes, and then did not the Prince Palatin add his testimony to it! The Princess caused me a little vexation yesterday by remarking at table in a most unconcerned manner that many women had already attracted the Prince Royal and that the last was always the loveliest in his eyes. How foolish I am to torment myself as I do as if I were the only pretty woman in the world. The Starostine Wessel, Madame Potocka, and the Princess Sapieha are all much prettier than I am, and moreover they know how to enhance their beauty, while I am quite ignorant of that art. The Prince declares that my simplicity is my greatest charm, yet it seems to me that my cheeks look pale when I am near those brilliant ladies, and their colour is always bright, while mine varies with my feelings; Madame Potocka especially was charming at the French Ambassador's ball and the Prince Royal danced with her twice. But in truth what can I wish for more? First, my sole ambition was to see him, then I wanted to be seen by him and to bow to him, and after the accomplishment of these desires I now want and even dare to expect something more. With what truth has some one said "that the desires of man

know no limits!”

12th January. I ought now to be perfectly happy, for last Thursday at the ball of Prince Czartoryski the Prince Royal danced with no one but me; Friday he paid us a visit, and yesterday he sent us an invitation by his aide-de-camp to be present at the Italian Opera of Semiramide which was to be represented at the Court Theatre. During the whole performance the Prince was occupied with no one but me. I was presented to the king who showed me much kindness and asked me news of their Excellencies and especially of my mother. M. le Staroste came an hour ago to say that the Prince Royal insists upon holding the little Angelica at the baptismal font and declares he will share the honour of sponsorship with no one but me. I shall actually be on an