pleased to find that Madame was a strict vegetarian.

Meanwhile the page, from behind his master's chair, read, as usual, the portion selected for the occasion. At length I had the satisfaction of seeing the removal of the offending viands, and, at my request, the casement thrown wide open for the admission of fresh air, of which the Stube, at that moment, stood greatly in need. I now saw a comical expression pass over the usually sad face of the Graffin, who had said something in the garden about the levy of black mail, which I could not at the time comprehend, but which, now that the page had entered with the brass money-box, I could fully realise. The example of the Graffin, who had transferred, from her embroidered purse to its interior, one thaler, was followed by the Baron's guter Freund, while, without a coin in my pocket to meet our host's demand, the box in turn came to me. I could only express the embarrassment of the situation, perceiving which, Haim recalled the page, and, having deposited the thaler expected from me, the box was put into the hand of our host.

Later in the afternoon, Haïm expressed his wish to see the residence which the Baron had secured for our immediate entrance. It was now high time to furnish the few apartments we should require, as also to procure respectable and efficient servants, cook, and housemaid; a matter in which he felt sure that the proprietor of the restaurant would readily give his assistance.

The Baron, who seemed displeased with this allusion to the host of the Werth's-Haus, promptly rejoined, "You are not aware that he is a Romanist, as would be any servants of his recommendation." "As for that," replied his interlocutor, " my mind is

quite at rest, seeing that it is with their moral character, not with their creed, I have to do. When of old the disciples visited a strange place, they were told to ask who was worthy, not to what rabbinical school of thought they belonged, but in what measure they observed the weightier matters of the law." "What, then,

The same evening saw us on our way to the new abode, to which, with no will of ours, we were to be consigned for a time, and which, with no intentional irony on the part of our landlord, he had described as 'suitable;" his supreme desire in the matter having been at once to secure a profitable return for his investment, and to recover the lost reputation of the forsaken mansion, for the last ten years abandoned to utter neglect.

The specialities of the mansionfor such it was-are soon told. In consequence of a horrible tragedy which had been enacted within its walls, the proprietor had left the place, never to return; and hence arose the popular belief that the house was haunted; strange noises, and even sights, having been attributed to the desolate house after dark.

While the Baron and his tenant inspected the interior of the mansion, or rather the first-floor apartments, which, together with the lawn, we had selected as our portion of the residence, I confined my exploratory stroll to the spacious court-yard and appropriate offices, the doors of which were open. In one of these, I saw a very fine specimen of the St. Bernard convent dog, but very dejected and starved-looking. As this relic of the proprietor had been quite a puppy when he left the place, he had given him the name "Sultan," having left him to the care of the couple at the gate, who yearly received a sum for his sustenance, which the condition of the unhappy creature plainly showed was not faithfully administered.

I next directed my steps to the spacious lawn, where all exhibited the effects of neglect. The arbours on either side of the house having been almost hid by overgrowth, and the encroachment of parasitical festoons on the rare trees which over

shadowed them, while the belt of boccage, on either side of them, had, for the last ten years, been the unmolested retreat of the nightingales, flitting about and singing on all sides. A clear brook divided the lawn from a pasture-field, but neither with that or the garden had we anything to do. I could well see the capabilities of the place, and how much it might be transformed by one week's work of an expert gardener.

As soon as Haim emerged from the gloomy house, I introduced SULTAN to his regard. The first care of his new master having been to regale him with a substantial supper from the Werth's-Haus, only separated from the mansion by a high and thick hedge.

That same evening, a paper-hanger, glazier, &c., had been engaged, as also two charwomen, to make the floors look their best, carpets not having, at that season, been required.

It so happened that the helpful host of the Werth's-Haus knew of an exceptional opportunity for securing the service of two very respectable and efficient dienst Mädchens, aunt and niece, who always kept together, the aunt, Lizette, as cook, the niece, Miecah, as housemaid. The latter, he said, had been left to the charge of the faithful Lizette, who had been as a fond mother to the orphan child. They had, for the last two years, been serving in a first-class hotel at Berlin, and were now desirous to obtain a more quiet and less arduous situation.

As

much more forbearing mind and temper was evidently thankful.

The servants had then arrived, together with the furniture (some purchased, some on hire), and, with the aid of the workmen, things were speedily disposed of, and we felt at home. A clever gardener having the while so completely transformed the lawn, that the charming arbours, with their oaken benches (octagon form) and table, seemed only to want visitors who could enjoy their pleasant repose and shade. Indeed, so enjoy. able had the place become, that Haim thought he could not do better, during this lull in his stormy prospective, than to invite his endeared friend, the Rev. Mr. Hay, with his wife and two daughters, to spend, under our roof, his usual month of holiday, knowing, as he did, how greatly they would enjoy the change of air and scene. The few articles of furniture they would require could easily be hired for one month, and there was sufficient room on our first floor, which contained seven large rooms; one a saloon, between forty and fifty feet in length. A letter was forthwith despatched, and a reply as promptly received, accepting the invitation as the greatest possible treat to all of them. The girls, he said, would so delight in some good music, which, they seemed to think, was in the German air. They would leave on the first of July, and so we might look for their arrival in a few days.

Aware that our Mädchens were anxious to learn English, Haïm had procured for each a German and English New Testament, in the hope that they might thus be induced to profit by our evening reading. He explained to Lizette that, as I was as desirous to learn the German as they to learn the English, it would be instructive for us all to read in the New Testament what is therein written concerning our duty to our Heavenly Father, and to one another. "Is it a new publication?" asked cautious Lizette. "No, indeed; very old it may be called, having been written and published eighteen centuries ago by the holy men you have often heard of,-Johannes, Petrus, and Paulus, and other apostles."

This being quite satisfactory to the mind of Lizette, we read each a verse, first in German translated into English, and rice versa; and it was surprising to hear the intelligent remarks and inquiries thus called forth, those of Miecah having been made through Lizette, her second mother.

As the Lord's prayer was, on this occasion, read in full, Lizette, who had been accustomed to hear it only in its abbreviated form. seemed rather startled, asking if it was Protestantisch, in which case they darf es nicht sagen," dare not say it. Haïm said that, as our Lord and Teacher gave it in full, it was our duty to take it as He gave it. He then showed her that in one evangelist it is fully given, while in another it is abbreviated. Again was the conscience of honest Lizette set at rest, and, from that time, there were no misgivings on her part, all having gone on smoothly, and with a will.

The host of the Werth's-Haus, who had been so useful in many ways, took an early opportunity of informing us that the Mädchens were perfectly satisfied with their situation, at the same time indicating that it would be a great relief to their mind to feel certain that they would never be required to enter any of the ground-floor rooms; as nothing wrong had happened in the kitchen, they could feel easy about being there before dark.

Satisfied with the assurance that they should never be required to enter any of the ground-floor apartments, he proceeded to state that both Madchens had a rare natural gift,-Lizette a splendid contralto, and Miecah a charming soprano,— and that, during their two years' residence in the hotel, they had carefully cultivated their gift, the Verein having met every Sunday evening, in the great salle, for sacred music, chiefly that of Handel and Haydn.

It may seem strange to our English notions that ladies of rank there met, not only burghers' daughters, but such gifted dienst Mädchens as Lizette and Miecah, all ideas foreign to the high rank of musical talent having, for the time, been held in abeyance.

The neighbourly host of the Werth'sHaus added that he felt sure we would have great pleasure in listening occasionally to morceaux from the Messiah of Handel, and the Creation of Haydn, sung in parts, while at their afternoon's needlework, or knitting in one or other of the empty rooms of our premier étage.

To me, who had doubted and feared the possibility of obtaining respectable servants, even of the lowest order, this marvellous sweetening of our cup was accompanied by a feeling of self-reproach. How astounded, too, would the daughters of our friend be to have some "good music" from a quarter so totally unexpected!

In the daily expectation of their arrival, how happy HAÏM was! To welcome the endeared friend associated with the great event of his regenerate life, in and through the Son of God! Having been pledged to the narration of facts, I feel bound to state one of these in the order of time.

The day after the arrival of our guests, Mr. Hay and his host went to the post-town, where letters post restant were expected by the former. While making the inquiry, HAïm was surprised at sight of a letter, in the dead post-office window, in my hand writing! The facts were simply these:-A lady had sent, in her own name, the sum of £60 from Edinburgh in behalf of the Baron's scheme, and, having had some experience of his dilatory habits, almost immediately on our arrival, I had requested HAÏM to inquire if he had duy acknowledged the donation of Miss M—. In reply, the Baron said he had not; his apology for the delay having been his inability to write in English. "The lady understands German," was the prompt reply. "You need not delay relieving her anxiety another hour on that account. When your letter is ready, one of us will put on it her address in English." The next day, this duty was performed by me, and the Baron sent his letter to the post-office, but, strange to say, without having complied with the postal claim of prepaid inland postage,-a claim so

plainly printed and publicly exhibited in the glass window of the dead-letter office, that he could not have to plead ignorance as the cause of this miserable neglect.

The Baron's tenant having performed this neglected duty, the letter went by that night's mail, thus at length relieving the anxiety of the Edinburgh ladies' committee. This manifestation of characteristic parsimony seemed to me quite in keeping with the many other evidences of the same moral distemper which had come under our observation; but, although Mr. Hay was, and continued to be, unconscious of these, he had, by that single incident, lost any respect due to the mere title of our landlord, and certainly did not regain it on a personal acquaintance.

The Baron soon came to pay his respects to our guests, calling the special attention of the young ladies to his forthcoming lottery, among the many prizes of which, he assured them, there would be some very valuable jewels, presenting them the while with a list, from which they were to select their favourite numbers, which, he hoped, would be those of the chief prizes, some of these being rare antiques, others of the most beautiful modern designs in setting.

(To be continued.)

SOME QUASI MASTERS IN ISRAEL SEARCHING TO KNOW "THESE THINGS."

WE have an extensive acquaintance with our more respectable and better informed brethren of the synagogue. We have some friends even amongst those whose calling it is to teach, and preach to, Jewish Congregations and Schools. We are in frequent correspondence with not a few. Sometimes the correspondence is initiated by them, sometimes by us. Some of the letters which we receive are truly interesting and instructive; but as the writers often remain, for years, like reeds shaken by the wind, we do not think it right to allude even to their respective communications.

More than two years ago a certain Master in Israel to whom we have often spoken about the things which belong to his eternal peace, (and who more than once was on the point of pub

licly avowing his faith in Christ, but is to this day lacking courage to take the final step,) informed us that he had often spoken to a young, clever, high principled Master in Israel, in a provincial town, on the subject of our frequent conversation. He informed us moreover, that the young man was profoundly affected by the sublime truths made so clear in the Gospels and Epistles. Our Jewish informant expressed a wish that we would write to his protégé. We did so. The following is an extract from the first letter which we have received from the young Rabbi in answer to our first :

"Thanking you earnestly for the honour you have done me by your letter, I will proceed to explain my present mind to you concerning Christianity. This, I feel at the outset, is a most solemn and responsible undertaking by one who has only since very recently been permitted to slightly pierce the thick veil which covers the sublime and holy fact of the TRUE FAITH. I find, as I compare the two distinct principles that have existed since the incarnation, that they differ as light from darkness. Having discovered that the profession I have been trained to is one which totally and persistently excludes the rays of its rival's light, I came to conclude that the longer I deny myself the advantage of sharing the blessing and consolation of this Light, I commit a wanton breach of His will who is the great and merciful Source of this cheering and sure Light.

Having so far ventured to enter the sacred subject, I hope you will accept my endeavour to satisfy you as to my earnest wish of profiting by the desirable privilege of your correspondence," &c.

Though the letter, from which the above extract is given, was dated "Jan. 26th, 1871," the writer had not made a public confession of his faith in Christ until very recently; and that he made in the presence of a large Church of England congregation. We need only add that this young quondam "Master in Israel" is an English born Israelite, very respectably connected.

On learning of the public return of the young Jewish teacher to the fold of Israel's Shepherd, we wrote to that other quasi "Master in Israel," to whom we alluded in the first instance, informing him of the auspicious event. The following is an extract from our correspondent's reply:

:

"I am obliged to you for the infor

mation you have given me. You know it is I who gave him the impulse to read the New Testament. I pointed out to him the transcendent morality it contains, and the remarkable harmony subsisting between the Old and New Testaments; as well as the nobleness and grandeur of Christianity as realised in history. These ideas took hold at once on his mind like a strong and living power from which he could never alienate himself. I own that I am, in my heart, proud of the influence I had in this instance on him. I confess it to you, although," &c. &c. This letter was dated, " Feb. 11, 1873." This is from the pen of a gentleman and a first-rate Hebrew scholar. In a competitive examination for the chief rabbi's seat, he would stand a better chance than all the Jewish Adlers in England. The above gives some idea of his private sentiments, and of the direction towards which the sympathies of his soul are attracted. He is not the only "Master of Israel" after this sort. But as we have often said to him, we say to all such as are like unto him, "You remind us of the cock which roused Peter to a sense of his cowardly denial, whilst himself had no soul for anything, and was only kept till the coming day of atonement, to take the place of the sham CAPPARAH, or chicken atonement, cunningly devised by the Rabbis." We solemnly conjure all such wavering Masters in Israel to follow the example of their young brother.

"Hasten, sinner, to be wise,

Stay not for the morrow's sun;
Wisdom, if you still despise,

Harder is she to be won.
"Hasten, mercy to implore,

Stay not for to-morrow's sun!
Lest thy season should be o'er,
Ere this evening stage is run!"

JEPHTHAH. A SOLILOQUY.

BY ARTHUR HENRY FINN.

"Sic itur ad astra." FAREWELL, my child, farewell, and may the GOD

To whom thou'rt vowed, preserve and keep thee safe

From every harm or danger, even till He in His perfect wisdom see it good To take thee from the griefs of this ill earth

To where all woe for evermore shall

cease.

Alone should tell me she is gone indeed. See now, she traverses the vale beneath, And now again ascends the fronting hill,

And so is gone indeed, for' twixt us lies The vale so wide; and yet not half as wide,

Nor yet one tenth, as that so huge a gulf

That must hereafter sever us for aye, Till in the fulness of all time we meet Where none may part us, in a heaven of love.

Look, now the last rays of the setting sun (As down the vale the golden glory

Wafts its sweet incense to the æther high,

While the arbutus nods its crimson crest And gleaming berries 'mid the darkening pine

Above its tender blossoms, and the rich brown soil

Can seldom peep through such unending wealth

Of leafy beauties; and, above, the arch Of boundless blue, unvaried and unflecked,

Save where the sun, all brightest at his death,

Bids half the vast expanse flame out with gold.

I have not seen so bright a picture since

With Miriam by my side, at Tob, I

watched