his name identified with her own, will be the ruling thought in all that she plans or performs. The marriageunion thus illustrated in its perfection is one of the noblest triumphs of human reason and virtue. It shows the goodness of God in making the earthly happiness of mankind attainable in household affections within the reach of all. It foreshadows the purity, happiness, and glory of the redeemed in Heaven. "As Christ loved the church, so the husband should love his wife."

Wooings and weddings are seasons, that, in every condition of life, make or mar the happiness of human beings. It is only in loving homes that the real pleasures of Christmas can be enjoyed, as it was by the Queen and Prince the first year of their married life. We find in his "memoirs," page 289,- this pleasant description.

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"Christmas-trees were set up in the Queen's and Prince's rooms, a custom continued in future years, when they were set up in another room for the young princes and princesses, and in the oak-room for the household. It was the favorite festival of the Prince, -a day, he thought, for the interchange of presents, as marks of mutual affection and good-will."

CHRISTMAS-TREES.

We are glad to notice that every year the German custom of making Christmas-trees for children is becoming more common amongst us. Few things give greater de

light to the little ones, or link happier recollections with the season and the home. As an easy manner of constructing them may not be known to all our readers, we insert a sketch of the German mode, written by an American lady.

Before giving the description of this wonderful tree, I would say a few words of warning to those who decorate it with their loving gifts, which make its sweetness and perfect its beauty. Do not load its green boughs with the sugar candies now "made to sell." You can adorn your Christmas-tree with the healthful gifts of Nature apples, pears, grapes, nuts, and other fruits that the little ones love. You can add lumps of real sugar, white and clean as crystal, if sweets are indispensable; and there are sugar candies honestly prepared from good sugar, and made beautiful without coloring. But pray do not allow your children to eat "white earth" colored with carlot!

HOW THE TREE WAS MADE.

"The first winter German servants were in my house, as Christmas drew near, Augusta came to me one day, with her countenance glowing with enthusiasm, and making her usual little curtsey, said, 'Will the mistress please have a Christmas-tree?'

"I cannot give her pretty broken English. 'A Christmas-tree, Augusta? I do not know how to arrange one.' "Mine bruder will do dat.'

"The brother was a carpenter; so I consented to the proposal, and invited a party of children for Christmas Eve. The day before Christmas, the 'bruder,' Gottleib, appeared, looking as though he had come from the wood. of Dunsinane, with a tree upon his back, a beautiful spruce, seven feet high. This was to be set up in the back parlor; but how was it to stand upright?

"The carpenter had brought for that purpose a board or plank, a foot square and an inch and a half thick: a moulding, merely for ornament, was on the edge of the board. In the middle of this square, which was prettily covered with moss, was a round hole, into which the trunk of the tree, cut for the purpose, was tightly fixed. To my surprise, it stood firm and steady, balancing itself, the board not even nailed to the floor.

"Small wax-candles, red, green, yellow, and white, were then fastened to the tree in little rims of tin, that had clasps to attach them to the branches, in such order as not to endanger the boughs above them, and cause a general conflagration. Then, small glass balls, gilt and colored, were hung on by strings, looking like ripe and beautiful fruit. The most valuable fruits, however, the Christmas gifts, were then suspended from the branches, excepting books and boxes too heavy for that purpose: they were deposited on the nursery carpet, at the foot of the tree.”

To children, Christmas is a peculiar delight: they never tire with its repetition. The Christmas-tree is, in their eyes

the perfection of beauty,—the wonderful show they have been looking forward to for weeks, every day of which is counted. What happiness it gives them! The elderly people feel young in witnessing their joy. Yes, Christmas is for children and the childlike.

Perhaps some of the many happy families where this volume as I hope will be welcomed, may like to read a lyric I wrote some years ago for a Christmas celebration where children were the singers.

CHRISTMAS SONG.

Hail, hail, the happy morn
When Christ our Lord was born!
Sound, sound His praise!
The Prince of Right ousness,

He came our world to bless,

The glorious hymn of "Peace"
On earth to raise.

Angels the song began,

And then to ransomed man

The strain was given.

Hark! joining sweet and wild,

The voice of little child,

Blessed by his Saviour mild,

May sing of Heaven.

Peace, peace! What blissful sound!
Let joy and hope abound

This happy day!

We praise Thee, God above;
Our lives Thy blessing prove;
Thanks for Thy light and love,

Our souls would pay.

Sound, sound the loudest strain !
Let earth and sky and main

The anthem raise!

Father, Thy Love we bless,
Saviour, we ask Thy "Peace,"

Spirit, we beg Thy grace,
When God we praise.

IX.- TIME'S LAST VISIT.

I.

THE night was a dark and stormy one,
And the year was running low,
When Time threw his travelling mantle on,
As he were about to go.

He cast on his glass a rucful look:

The sands will be out, he said, Seizing his memorandum-book,

And these visits must be made.

Yet it does little good the fools to warn ;
I nearly lose my labors :

They treat my message with idle scorn,
Or think it meant for their neighbors.

II.

Last year my duty was faithfully done:
I traversed this city through,

Revealing to every devoted one

I had come for a final adieu.

Why, they treated my warnings as Europe treats

The groans of the dying Poles ;

Or thought 'twas to save

how this avarice cheats!

Their money, and not their souls,

That my hint of a speedy departure was given,
Though I bade them farewell like a lover;
And few there were who prepared for Heaven:
I can easily reckon them over