marked Mrs. Maclean, "that we live in better times, when no one dares to make us afraid." "You recollect I told you that it was customary for the early printers to put some device in allusion to their names at the beginning or at the end of their books. The one John Day used was the following:-In the middle of a pretty border is the picture of a man lying down on the ground fast asleep; another man is shaking the sleeper with one hand, trying to awaken him, while with the other he is pointing to the rising sun shining brightly on all around. Across part of the picture are the words, Arise, for it is day,' referring to the day-spring of the reformed religion." He had a large family, one of whom, Richard, succeeded him in his business. He died in 1584, after having followed his profession forty years, and was buried in the parish church of BradleyParva, in the county of Suffolk. On a stone table against the wall of the church, inlaid in brass, are the figures of a man and woman kneeling against a table, before which are two infant children, behind the man six sons, and behind the woman five daughters, all kneeling, under which is the following inscription :— "Here lies the Daye, that darkness could not blind, By death to life. Fox ventured paynes and health Two wyves he had, partakers of his payne, Each wife twelve babes, and each of them one more. Who mourning long for being left alone, Set up this tombe, herself turned to a stone." "What a curious inscription !" said George. like we should talk about, who from that time to the present have practised their art in England, and have been of service to their country. But this subject has engaged our attention a long while, and I think that a night or two more of conversa. tion must close it. We have tried to gather some notion of the ancient method of printing; we have seen with what painstaking and patience Guttenburg and his companions found out how to cut and cast single metal types; we have looked at our countryman Caxton, when an old man, learning this art, that he might contribute to the welfare of England; we have witnessed the struggles of his followers in the trade, in striving to get the Bible for the people, and we have seen their success. Since then newspapers have been brought into use, magazines have become the daily reading of the people, and the steam-engine has been required to produce sufficient for our wants.' When were magazines first brought out, father?" asked Alexander. 'In 1731 a printer named Cave started one, called The Gentleman's.' Its success was great, and its publication was continued for 100 years. This notion was immediately seized on by others, and until now magazines have increased so as to meet the tastes of all classes of readers. For many years past there have been some even for children." "Yes, father," said Lizzy; there's the one I take in and like so much, The Child's Own Book."" "I hope you read it, for I can tell you much trouble is taken to make you like it." 66 'Who are we to talk of next, father?" asked George. 66 Benjamin Franklin, and with him we shall finish." "Thank you, father.” THE LITTLE WANDERING JEW. No Father's name, no worship sweet, O, Christian Gentiles, can you hear Or canst thou view the Eastern Star, Or canst thou hear thy God's address, From the Sacred Harp. THE SEVEN MARTYRS. THE following is an account of seven Christians who were put to death in Holland rather more than three hundred years ago, because of their love to Jesus. Their enemies tried to persuade them to forsake their religion, and promised that if they would, their lives should be spared. This they nobly refused to do; and although one of them was a servant boy, and but fourteen years of age, he was as firm and courageous as the rest. 66 They were seized, and placed in the tower. There they thanked and praised God together, were a comfort to each other, and God supported them by his grace, so that they remained faithful to the truth, and suffered not themselves to be moved by any threatenings or terrors. They were asked if they would renounce their faith? If so, they might return unmolested to their wives and children. The prisoners bowed to their enemies and answered, saying: 'We have resigned our wives and children to God; he can preserve them. Cease therefore from such words, for we are willing and ready to die." "A ring was now made, as is usual at executions by the sword. As the young servant boy was standing in the ring, waiting to be beheaded, a count came riding up to him on horseback, and spake to him, and said: My dear child, if you will give up these errors, I will maintain you and have you always with me.'" "To which the youth replied: 'Were I to love my life, and forsake my God, in order to escape this cross, it would serve me little. Your treasures can profit neither of us; I look for better in heaven.' Thus undauntedly did the youth answer; he said further, I expect the kingdom of my Father. He hath chosen me. He can make all things work together for the best; therefore forbear such entreaties. To him who has at all times cared for and supported me, I desire to show my obedience even in this my last tribulation. To him from our most inmost hearts we will cry as the hour approaches, that we may with comfort leave this world. If we turn not from him, he will give unto us the crown of everlasting glory.' Upon this there arose a great tumult, the clashing of spears and weapons among the people, each speaking of the affair as he understood it. Thus did these pious heroes die by the sword, and as the faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ become a sacrifice to the Lord." |