She rejoiced over the account which

her rich relative. Ruth modestly gave.

Modestly gave-yes, "she shewed her mother-in-law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to-day is Boaz." She mentioned none of his commendations, and none of his attentions- -save his kind desire that she should not go into any other field to glean. Again is the story in strict keeping. Ruth acts as we expect her to do. Her humility is beautiful.

What would you have said, dear reader? Possibly -we don't say we are sure of it—you would have answered

'Oh, Naomi, what dost thou think of my good fortune! I went to glean, and I had been there a long time working so hard, when the husbandman. came into the field. I found he was the wealthy Boaz. I watched him while he spoke to his servant that is over_the_reapers-and I could tell by their looks at me that I was the subject of their conversation. Then this rich man came close to me and spoke so kindly. He was evidently struck with my appearance; and he said such flattering things. I really cannot venture to repeat them, dear Naomi; but they were about my leaving my own friends in Moab to accompany you here. And that was not all. He invited me so politely-he saw I had not been a person of low estate always-to the harvest supper; and there his attentions-reaching me parched corn, and such like-were quite marked. I heard one reaper whispering to another, 'Seest thou how this damsel has favour in the eyes of Boaz?' Of course, anybody could perAnd I almost feel sure that he told his young men to drop handfuls of corn on purpose in my way; for I saw them look at me and smile, as I picked up much corn that seemed not to resemble the scanty gleanings. Oh, Naomi, I am so happy! Who can tell what may happen now?"

ceive it.

And so, possibly, you would have rattled on. And we can tell you what would have happened in your case -supposing Boaz to be, what he proves to be, a man of wit-your castles in the air would have all tumbled down. "Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord"-if she does, we are sure she is humble-" she shall be praised."

Dear reader, where have you gleaned to-day? With whom have you wrought? Have you done some humble work in the Lord's vineyard? Have you enriched your soul by the diligent study of his Word; gathering here a little, and there a little; binding promises together in a rich harvest sheaf; and beating out your corn by the threshing of meditation; and separating it from worldly associations by the winnowings of a bright and holy faith?

Do you tell me you have no leisure for sacred investigations? Perhaps not much. But you surely can pick up a single ear of corn. And then you can do as the disciples once did; you can rub it in your hands as you walk along the busy road of life. That little one may become a thousand, multiplied by the power of His grace who can turn the smallest seed into a widely branching tree. Do not despise the day of small things.

Christian parent, do you habitually examine your children, saying to each of them, "Where hast thou gleaned to-day ?" We do not mean, do you put them into the confessional, or upon the rack; but do you manifest a friendly interest in their pursuits; asking them after their employments, their pleasures, and their companions; not because you ought to know, or because you think it probable they have erred, but simply because you wish them to regard you as their friend? This habit of kind inquiry into their little affairs and experiences, will establish thorough and pleasant sympathy between them and you; and convince them that you exemplify an ancient maxim, and

consider nothing which relates to them uninteresting to your own heart.

Most

Ruth went on during both the barley and the wheat harvest with her humble gleaning; keeping her own mind in a healthful and happy state, and contributing to her mother-in-law's comfort and support. probably Boaz carefully watched her throughout this period, and felt his good opinion of her more and more strengthened. His regard for her at last became so fixed and strong, that, we believe, he only waited for a suitable opportunity to declare it.

out

And when the gleaning was finished, did Ruth then say, "Now I may enjoy myself; I have worked very hard, and so I will have a little holiday. I will go and see the daughters of the land"? We know very well that she neither said nor did anything of the kind. We could not anticipate such a discrepancy in her character. Whatever charms society may have for her, we shall be exceedingly surprised if she selfishly yield to their attractions. And it is therefore just as we might suppose it to be, when the narrative informs us (according to the literal rendering of the Hebrew) that "she sat at home with her mother-in-law." She did not complain of being moped to death with an old woman- -did not perpetually lament over her want of companions of her own age-was not always sighing and looking gloomy, and declaring it got more and more dull. No, she sat at home of her own accord; and by her cheerful and gentle company helped, we doubt not, largely to cheer the widow's desolate heart. Dear reader, let us learn from this cheerful selfsacrifice, willingly to forego our own pleasures-and without trumpeting our martyrdom-when we have it in our power thus to make some lonely, widowed heart to sing for joy.

W. M. W.

EVENINGS WITH THE EDITOR.

EVENING THE TWENTY-THIRD.

Emm. I AM pleased with it; very much pleased with it.
Aug. With what?

Emm. THE FLOWER OF THE FAMILY.*

Aug. What kind of work is it?

mind

Emm. A tale exceedingly well written; in the same style as the "Wide, Wide World," showing the struggles of a young after holiness and usefulness, sketching with much skill the characters and fortunes of a family, one member of which is the heroine of the story.

Aug. Is there much of a plot?

Emm. Rather deficient there, critics might say, but the story is none the less interesting. It shows how troubles may be comfortable and bear much fruit; how homely discipline may be carried out; what a sensation is made by "baby, number two;" how joy comes in the morning after a sorrowful night; what an uncle does for his niece; how good intentions do not always end in good fruits; what may happen through attending to a prescription; how "Miss Prigott turns out romantic; how clouds may disperse, and yet shadows afterwards dim the sunshine; with other incidents which I have not time to mention.

Aug. Quite a bill of fare. I declare I feel quite hungry. Emm. If many others do so too, the publishers will not be

sorry.

Aug. DATES IN THE REVELATIONS.† What is this?

Ed. A brief tract on a deep subject, but quite inconclusive. Aug. Here's a capital work, THE TRICOLOR ON THE ATLAS,* a History of Algeria and the French Conquest.

Ed. By whom?

Aug. By Francis Pulszky, who has condensed the account of Dr. Moritz Wagner, the Bavarian Naturalist, added a description of later events, from the capture of Constantine to the surrender of Abd-el-Kader, and given a general view of the present state of the French possessions on the North Coast of Africa. The narrative is derived from trustworthy sources, and is extremely well written. We have an account of Algerine

* London: Nelson & Sons.

+ London: Seeleys.

life, and the City of Algiers and its neighbourhood; the eastern coast; the province of Constantine; complete portraitures of the native races, Arabs, Kabyles, Jews, &c.; with an exciting history of the conquests of Algeria-politely styled its "Regency"-by the Turks and French.

Mrs. M. I suppose the conquests of the French in Algeria have been merely an useless expenditure of money and life.

Aug. The author allows that immense sums have been spent by the French government, which have not secured the establishment of large and flourishing colonies. "The colonists did not, as was expected, appear in crowds in the beautiful country which is only at two days' distance from France. The government has made easy grants of large extent to capitalists, under the condition of settling a certain number of families on the estates, and of building houses for them, and providing them with the means of living on their first arrival, In vain has the administration sent over the paupers of France, built villages, bought all the necessary agricultural tools and cattle, and even cleared the ground for them by soldiers; in vain have the veterans got land-warrants for their military services; in vain have religious and socialist communities been planted, and political offenders sent over. Hundreds of millions of francs have been spent, and yet the result, as regards the increase of population, is smaller than any of the new states of America, or in any of the agricultural colonies of England. The reason is palpable, though the French do not seem to understand it-the French government meddles too much in the affairs of the colonists, and does not allow the action of local self-government; the colonists, therefore, rely entirely on the government, and do not exert their own energies."

Mrs. M. Then no good has been done!

'

Aug. Oh, yes, as to the natives they have been greatly benefited by the French conquest."

Ed. Is that irony?

Aug. No, Pulszky is in earnest. "Before 1830 the price of a bull in Algiers was about sixteen shillings, a sheep was sold at two shillings, a hundred of eggs or a hundred of oranges cost sixpence, and a quarter of wheat could be had at twenty-six shillings. To-day the prices are about the same as of those of Europe; the income of the tribes has therefore been considerably increased. Many Kabyles, Biskaris, and Mozabites, have been attracted by the high wages into the cities, and the Arabs throng to the fairs with their agricultural products. They begin to become acquainted, little by little, with the comforts of European life, and they possess the means of buying them. They have not yet given up the habit of hoarding; but as soon