On A Drop Of Water.

God directing us . Then let us ever remember that our life is in His hand that wherever we are and whatever we do , His all-seeing eye beholds us ; and , while we continue our adherence to the principles of virtue , morality , and true godliness in zeal and fervency , we shall be blessed with a lively consciousness that our allegiance is true , and our souls are lightened from whatever their burdenswith the comforting and blessed assurances of approval

, from a self-convincing conscience . Let this fast-diminishing drop of water remind us of the evanescent nature of human existence , and admonish us of the instability ancl uncertainty of life ancl of all things mundane ; for , as it so rapidl y is vanishing from our enraptured gaze , so through each moment of time are well-loved souls vanishing from the sight of tear-bedimned eyes to that bourne whence no

traveller returns ; passing within the veil to appear in presence of the allglorious Shekina in that holy of holies beyond all human ken . 'Tis the Eureka the eye of human reason cannot penetrate , or the eye of the human mind attempt to conceive or imagine . There , through a life consecrated from the first dawn of its existence ancl hallowed by acts of virtue ancl beneficence , ancl constant though humble endeavours towards the

attainment of the prize of that " high calling , " and having dedicated the " ' earthly house of this our tabernacle " a living temple to the glory of the Most High , there may , we hope , " when all life ' s lessons have been learnt , ancl sun and stars for evermore have set , " on closing our eyes for ever to this world , ancl our spirit wings its way to those immortal mansions whence all goodness emanates ; there may our name be found engraved upon the pure white stone . Ancl , when further admitted into that holy of holies of the after life , the way towards which our feet are all tending , may we'find acceptance , with Him in whom there is no variableness or shadow of turning-.

What voluminous , startling , ancl romantic life episodes and adventures might be recounted from the memories of this simple drop of water ! But where is it ? It has , alas ! entirely vanished , and with it has vanished also the shadowy host of its fancies , with all the beautiful imagery it might have called forth . IN ACTE VIRTUTE . Fiji Islands , October 25 , 1880 .

A Blind Road-Maker.

A BLIND ROAD-MAKER .

BY WILLIAM ANDREWS , E . R . H . S . A MONGST celebrated characters the name of John Metcalf , commonly - £ * - called " Blind Jack of Knaresborough , " is well known . He was born on the 15 th August , 1717 , at the delightfully situated and historically noted town of Knaresborough , Yorkshire . At the early age of six years he lost his

si ght by small-pox , and six months after his recovery he was able to go from his house to the end of the street ancl return without the aid of company . At about the age of nine years he joined other boys in their bird-nesting exploits , be seeking nests and climbing trees to share the plunder . When he had reached thirteen summers he was taught music , and soon became a proficient performer ; he also learned to ride , swim , ancl was passionately fond of field 2 B