gives him a more dignified look. The same may be said of our judges. It does not look quite in keeping with the solemnity of a court-room to see its presiding officer dressed in some outlandish coat or flashy neckcloth. The judges of the Supreme Court of the United States wear black gowns. But the change of dress in the Episcopal and Roman services seems too much like the change of dresses in a theatre. However, chacun a son gout.'

That all-essential article to the proper delivery of the church-service, an organ, is wanting here, and there is no chanting. The two hymns are sung though, and when either of the leading singers are present, are very well sung. But sometimes they are absent, and then some one who has been used to follow tries to raise the tune. First he gets too high and then too low, and finally he pushes on with a perfect desperation, regardless of time, and with fifteen or twenty voices vainly striving to keep pace with his.

On one occasion they say that the clergyman, observing that this worthy had some trouble in catching the tune, and not being himself gifted with a voice, leaned over the desk and whistled a note loud enough to be heard at the seat of the singer, who instantly gave the right h-u-u-m.

We had a good sermon, first explaining the connection of the text and its meaning, and then the points to be considered, which were well reasoned out, and wound up with an exhortation partaking of the pathos and sentiment for which the sons of the 'Green Isle,' to which the minister belongs, are distinguished. It was but twentyfive minutes long, which with the long services of this church is long enough. They are already beginning to talk about the preacher for a larger church in some of the cities; but he is one of your modest, yet frank, plain-spoken men, who will not push himself into promi

nence.

How few there are in the pulpit who understand the distinction between a discourse and a sermon! And yet there is an obvious and important distinction between the two, which our theological schools should inculcate. The one is something to be read and printed, the other something to be spoken; for a thing which will read well will not always preach well, and vice versa. Much of course depends on the delivery, but he who writes as he would speak, will write very differently from him who writes for the press. He will present a few prominent points in bold relief which the hearer can readily treasure in his mind, instead of condensing every thing that can be said in one discourse, requiring a constant effort of attention on the part of the hearer to keep up the thread of the argument. For a study in the closet the last would be preferable.

The sermon is over and Leonardus goes round with the plate, on which we deposit, every man at least, a penny. The children are now relieved from the half dimes which they have been playing with and constantly dropping during sermon time.

Benediction being pronounced, there's a general shaking of hands between pastor and people, and mutual enquiries after health among the ladies, A late-comer communicates a piece of information which

spreads a gloom on every countenance. The little girl is dead. The third child in a few weeks; what can it mean? Have 'we contagion among us? And the minds of all are occupied with mingled sensations of sympathy for the afflicted parents, and apprehensions lest the unknown fever should enter their own households.

The minister comes and dines with us, and then goes over to the Maryland mines for afternoon service.

In the afternoon some stroll to the woods, and perhaps find in GOD'S first temples those incentives to devotion which the voice of nature often incites, though it would be too high an estimate of poor human nature to suppose that the majority have their minds bent on sacred things, or do not rather seek amusement and exercise, so welcome to those who have been confined all the week and whose minds are now relaxed from worldly cares.

There is much visiting done too, and those who cannot, from lack of education or habits of reading, find enjoyment in books, seek social intercourse and interchange of the offices of friendship as a proper enough way of improving the day. Not a few are seen climbing the hill to visit the house of mourning.

At Bruce Hill you may see us in all parts of the house and on the piazza, mostly with books in our hands, though not all intent thereon. Some have a volume of 'Sunday reading;' sermons, a doctrinal treatise on the Bible, while the religious paper is passed from hand to hand, its secular side most read I fear. Sunday is generally a sleepy day, in consequence of the unusual stillness and the absence of active occupations, and now and then the best-intentioned find it hard work to keep their eyes open on this long summer afternoon.

Aside from its religious associations, it is a delightful day to a reflective mind, and, after napping it for a moment, one seems to enter anew into the charms of the day, especially where, as here, you are surrounded on every side by the fields, the mountains and the woods.

The death of Mrs. Madison is announced in all the papers, and in that connection I read over the account given in Ingersoll's Sketch of the Last War with Great Britain of the trials she underwent, and the heroism she manifested at the time of the capture of Washington. It is very interesting, being decidedly the best part of Mr. Ingersoll's book, and valuable for the many little incidents which are there preserved, though of the book, as a whole, I must say that it is one of the most carelessly written collection of scraps that ever went forth from any man of the author's reputation as a scholar and a statesman.

As the long twilight comes on we sit upon the porch and talk of this and kindred topics. Each has some reminiscence of the past to call up, and one cannot but feel that the reflections thus started in every mind are not without that calming and composing effect which comport with the day and form a rational enjoyment.

But the minister has returned from the mines, and our neighbor at the foot of the hill has come in, so we'll go to tea, and afterward have some sacred music.

A FUNERAL.

In the country a funeral is fraught with much more solemnity than in the city, where the constant occurrence of such scenes makes one more or less familiar with them. They buried the little girl to-day, and there was a large attendance at the house, although it could only be approached by a very steep hill and over a very bad road, almost impassable for vehicles. None but those who have lost a friend can appreciate the gratification which relatives experience in the tribute of respect to the deceased and the family, which is manifested by a large attendance on such an occasion.

There were no services at the house; an omission that is unusual in the country, where some remarks and a prayer are usually made before starting for the place of interment. In this case the distance was so great to the grave-yard, that it was thought more advisable to defer all exercises until the procession reached the church.

The coffin, painted black, was placed in the hall, and after the last look had been taken at all that remained of a daughter and a sister, the lid was screwed down by some of the neighbors who officiated in place of an undertaker. A light spring-cart, the only vehicle which could be drawn up the hill, was made to serve as a hearse; into this the coffin was placed, protected from jar by several armfuls of newly-mown hay, and then the procession moved down the hill.

As the clergyman entered the gate, before us, repeating the words 'I am the resurrection and the life,' one could not but be impressed with the beauty of that funeral service, the effect of which was greatly heightened by a cloud which just then obscured the sun, comporting with the solemnity of the scene.

There are but few graves in the yard, and prominent were the two fresh mounds and the open pit around which we all arranged ourselves while the coffin was lowered to its last resting-place. They threw in some armfuls of hay to break the sound of the clods as the words' earth to earth, ashes to ashes,' came from the minister's lips, and for a while, after the services were concluded, nothing could be heard but the sound of the shovels as the grave was filled up and rounded off at the top.

The mother, worn down by watching and grief, was not present; but the father and surviving daughter stood by, the latter bathed in tears, the former, a man past the prime of life, preserving a stoical composure, though, as one watched his expression while gazing on the three mounds, you could see that there was a struggle within, a feeling perhaps of that silent despair,

"THE most corroding form of grief, For tears to the mourner bring some sad relief.'

Perhaps he checked the outbreak of his feelings, as did David of old, by the reflection that it could do no good: 'I shall go to him,

but he cannot come to me.'

In truth the last month had been to him one scene of sorrow;

grief had exhausted itself, and he could no longer find comfort in giving vent to his emotions. A deep sigh escaped him as he turned to leave the spot, and those who accompanied him too well understood his feelings to attempt the vain task of consolation.

Though the loss of a child cannot, in view of its comparative innocence and its prospects in the future life, but carry with it the idea that our loss is its gain, yet none but those who have been parents can realize the pang which is produced when one whom we have had constantly before our eyes, watched and played with, and formed high hopes concerning, is thus suddenly snatched away. It is like plucking out the heart-strings.

Truthfully has some one remarked: 'We never value the sunbeam so much as in the dark of a moonless night; we never value a friend's advice until he is beyond our reach; we never prize the husband's love or the mother's care until the grave is closed over them; and when we seek them there, the grass that we weep over is green, the mallow and the dock have covered the cross or the head-stone, and the red earth-worms we disturb bring us no tidings.'

POLITICS.

As the day for the annual state election approaches we begin to hear the note of preparation. Cumberland is of course the centre of influence for the county, and we are constantly receiving the two county papers, freighted with wholesale endorsements of this and denunciations of that candidate, seasoned with much editorial facetiousness. The practice of stump-speaking does not prevail here as generally as in some of the western states, but occasionally a couple of candidates ride round in a buggy, and stop at every town to stump against each other. It has one good effect; there is no affectation of modesty or pretence that they have not sought the nomination,' such as we hear from candidates at the North, but every man is obliged to come out and show himself, and if need be, 'sound his own trumpet,' in a straightforward way. On the other hand, the best stumpers' are not always the best qualified for the business of the state, and generally the most sensible and able men are those who are not gifted with that peculiar style of oratory which charms the populace, or are unwilling to go through such an ordeal.

One of the most amusing things about an election is the class of men who always seem to emerge from their hiding-places at such a time, ready to do all kinds of work, to canvass districts, fold tickets, write resolutions and get up meetings. They are always well stocked with the statistics of former elections and generally ready to make a bet when they 've any money. They are always sure of success when they talk in public, but when conversing among themselves are particular in pointing out the weak spots in their own ranks. To them an election is a perfect bon-bon in the way of excitement, and no sooner is one over than they are making their calculations for the Of course in such a place as Cumberland they abound. A

next.

man came into the hotel there the other day and announced the nomination of a certain person for a prominent position. Well,' said a person present, I thought that man was a trying to get something, because he came into an eating-house the other night and shook hands with a chap and asked him to drink. Thinks I, Old feller, you are going to want a vote for something, for if you was n't, that chap could n't touch you with a forty-foot pole !''

Well, he 's nominated,' said a third; but when it comes to the 'lection I reckon he 'll hear another kind of music.'

Of course the suspended works at Mount Savage make the tariff no unimportant topic to talk about, and we have had one of the ablest lawyers up here to discourse on the subject, in the rolling-mill, which is a grand place for a mass-meeting. After the speech was over a party was assembled in the store, comparing notes, and one old codger' thus expatiated, keeping time to his words with the heels of his boots thumping against the side of the counter on which he was seated: Well, I should like to see the works a-going, that's the fact; and I think the Dimmicrats has not quite elevated notions enough about the iron business; but I've always voted for the Dimmicratic ticket, and I do n't 'zactly like to go ag'in' it.'

'Well, now, that 's jest my case,' said a long, lank fellow, with his hands in his pockets; but I've come to the conclusion that 'selfpreservation is the law of natur';' and if the tariff supports me and the Dimmicratic party do n't support the tariff, I hain't bound to support the party. How are you going to vote, Pat?'

For the Dimmicrats, to be shure. Do ye think I'd be afther giving up my principles for the sake of the tariff? It's free-trade that I goes in for. Indade, and it's my opinion that when they lave off a-killin' and murtherin' each other in Europe, and make their railroads instead, then they 'll be a-kaping their iron at home, and there'll be plenty of work.'

But will they ever leave off fighting?'

'Sure they can't fight forever.'

Those who are in the habit of dwelling on the evils of party politics do not stop to reflect that they are necessary evils; parties must and will always exist, and every man must vote with one or the other if he would have his vote tell.

They elect the legislature here but once in two years, which they find is quite often enough. Their sessions are limited also, as in New-York. It is very much the fashion in every state to ridicule the legislators and other public officers, and to denounce them as be-. ing generally inferior to those of other communities; but the fact is, the states are much more on an equality in these respects than one would suppose. The small states seem to have the advantage, if

there is any.

But enough about politics, which I only mention to show that we have a little of every thing to make variety during our stay, the ac count of which I will end here, having already made such a hodgepodge in the preceding pages that I almost wonder Old KNICK.' has printed it.