THE TROUT.

THE trout is common in all the rivers and lakes of Great Britain. In appearance it varies considerably. It has been thought that several species exist; but it is more probable that the soil and situation of the different rivers which this fish inhabits, cause the varieties in size and colour which have been noticed by British naturalists. The trout sometimes lives to a great age, and attains an enormous weight. Mr. Yarrell, in his "History of British Fishes," tells us of a trout caught at Salisbury, in a little stream branching from the Avon, whose weight, on being taken from the "was found to be twenty-five pounds. water, Mrs. Powell, at the bottom of whose garden the fish was first discovered, placed it in a pond, where it was fed, and lived four months; but had decreased in weight, at the time of its death, to twenty-one pounds and a quarter." Mr. Oliver, in his "Scenes and Recollections of Fly-Fishing," speaks of a trout taken in the neighbourhood of Great-Driffield, in September, 1832, which measured thirty-one inches in length,twentyone in girth, and weighed seventeen pounds. Trout of twelve and fifteen pounds weight have been caught in the Thames, near Kingston and Chertsey; some measuring twenty-eight inches and upwards in length. Izaak Walton says, "It is well known that in the Lake Leman" (the Lake of Geneva) "there are trouts taken of three cubits long, as is affirmed by Gesner, a writer of good credit; and Mercator says the trouts that are taken in the Lake of Geneva are a great part of the merchandise of that famous city. VOL. IX.

And you are further to know, that there be certain waters that breed trouts remarkable both for their numbers and smallness. I know a little brook in Kent that breeds them to a number incredible; and you may take them twenty or forty in an hour, but none greater than about the size of a gudgeon." It has been found difficult to ascertain what the greatest age is that a trout may attain. Mr. Oliver says, that in 1809, "a trout died which had been for twenty-eight years an inhabitant of the well at Dumbarton Castle. It had never increased in size from the time of its being put in, when it weighed about a pound; and had become so tame, that it would receive its food from the hands of the soldiers." Mr. Yarrell informs us, that "in August, 1826, the Westmoreland Advertiser' contained a paragraph, stating that a trout had lived fifty-three years in a well in the orchard of Mr. William Mossop, of Board-Hall, near Broughton, in Furness."

The trout is justly esteemed admirable food: it is considered to be in perfection in the month of May.-Penny Magazine.

THE MONKEYS OF GIBRALTAR.

You would think my account very imperfect indeed, (says Arthur Kenyon, in his

Letters from Spain,") if I did not say something of the monkeys which you have so often asked me about. I was fortunate in seeing them very soon after I arrived; for, except when the wind blows from the east, they do not often show themselves on the same side of the rock as the town is

situated, and are therefore not seen for long intervals. But I happened to be driving with my friends the H.'s, when suddenly a little girl, who was sitting in the carriage, exclaimed, with great glee, "There are the monkeys!" and, on looking, I observed, a good distance off, on the heights above us, some objects which at first I thought were dogs, but I soon perceived, from the agility with which they sprung from rock to rock, that they were indeed the animals I so much wished to see. Gibraltar is, I believe, the only place in Europe where these monkeys are to be found; nor are they very numerous there, but are preserved with great care, nobody being allowed to kill or catch them. They are of the species called the Barbary ape, and are about three or four feet in length, of a greenish-brown colour. The face is not very unlike that of a dog; but they are extremely ugly, and have huge pouches in their cheeks, where they place their food until they want to eat it. They go about in one large troop, and seem to be under the direction of a venerable old chief with a long white beard, who in Gibraltar is known by the name of the "Town Major." Usually they inhabit the highest part of the rock, and feed, I think I was told, on the palmettoplant; but sometimes, when the oranges are ripe, they come down to rob the gardens, and then they are often fierce and mischievous. Two ladies told me that, shortly after they came to Gibraltar, they returned home one day highly indignant at the bad

manners of the little boys of the town, who, they said, had been throwing stones at them from behind the trees in the Alameda. Some one suggested they must be mistaken: but no, they were quite positive of it; for they had distinctly heard the naughty little urchins laughing and whispering, although they could not see them. The next day the same thing happened, and they determined, if possible, to discover the delinquents. They ran in among the trees, and then, to their astonishment, saw several of the monkeys sitting on the branches, jabbering away, and making the most hideous grimaces: so the ladies thought it best to retire at once, which they did, followed by a fresh shower of stones. The female monkeys carry their young ones in their arms as women do their children and Mrs. H. told me she once saw one of them performing the morning toilet of her offspring, which she described as being painfully like a similar operation among human beings; for the mother, while she smoothed down the hair of her bantling, kissed and caressed it as long as it was good, but when the thing became restless, boxed its ears soundly. It is a curious fact that the lifeless bodies or skeletons of the monkeys are never found, and it is not known what they do with their dead; some saying they throw them into the sea, and others that they carry them across to Barbary, through the subterranean passage that is supposed to exist under the straits.

AN EXEMPLARY MOTHER. We will request our friends to picture to themselves a merry-looking, round-faced maiden, little of stature, with brown hair, blue eyes, and dimpled cheeks and chin, of about twenty years of age, and her whole appearance bespeaking good humour and affection.

Such was our simple-hearted Maria, when she resided in a Wesleyan family, in the capacity of servant; and such was she on the morning that a village swain conducted her to the parish church, (a church in which the venerable Wesley had several times proclaimed the Gospel of Christ,) to join hand and heart with her in the sacred bond of marriage. We have not said that Maria was a serious girl. She loved to wait on the Ministers of Christ, and was often deeply affected when they affectionately addressed her on spiritual things. She united herself to the children of God; but now we must leave her, and pass over ten years of her history, and introduce her to

our readers in a recent conversation held with a member of the family from which she married.

"Well, Maria, and is it ten years since you left us?"

"Yes, Miss; will be in a month or two." "It does not appear so long. Do you remember the morning that we helped you to dress for church, in that drab dress and mantle alike?"

"O, yes, Miss, bless you; as if it was but yesterday!"

"And how have you been all the time? and where are you living?"

"O! I've seen many ups and downs since that day, and have lived in several places. Now we are at D, and my husband works at the needle-factory: he gets fifteen shillings per week; so we manage pretty well."

"Well, Maria, I am glad to hear it; and is this your little one?"

"Yes, Miss; and I've got four more at home: the eldest is near nine years old."

"Then you have enough to do; and I am sure you must need wisdom from God, to know how to train them aright."

"I do, indeed; but God is ever ready to give it."

66 Well, I hope you and your husband are getting on in spiritual things as well as in temporal matters."

"I hope so, Miss."
"Are you in class now?"

"Yes, Miss, both of us; and they have put Don the Plan, as an Exhorter." "Indeed! I'm surprised, but very glad to hear it. You must both use all your talents to the glory of God. This is our opportunity for usefulness, you know; and it will soon be gone."

"Yes; we can't be too earnest in trying to do good."

"But, Maria, you must be very much confined with all those little ones. I should think you can seldom get out."

"I have plenty to do, Miss, I assure you; but I never let my children keep me at home much. I always get out to the Sunday morning prayer-meeting." "You never do, Maria!"

"I know I do always."

“Why, how ever do you manage?" "I'm obliged to stir about, I can tell you; (as I have four needle-girls to cook and manage for ;) but on a Saturday get all my work done up as early as possible, and get the children washed and put to bed. Then I look out all their clean clothes, (and it takes a pretty sight, too; but I'm very thankful that I'm able to get them,) and I have a string across the room to hang them on: so I look out a thing of a sort for each child, and hang the five lots on the line in five different places; then, you know, Miss, there's no danger of getting them mixed in the morning."

"Well, very good, Maria; and how then?"" "Why, Miss, then we get up early ourselves; and I have only just to get the young uns up, and give their faces and hands a good swill, and slip their clean clothes on, and start to the chapel."

"At what time, Maria?"

307

"Seven o'clock, Miss, always." "You astonish me; but you don't take that babe ?"

"I know I do; every one of them. It's a practice that I began at first; for I knew that if I didn't, I should always have to stay at home with them."

"But can you keep them good?"

"Yes, Miss; they be always used to it, and they always look for it: they have never disturbed the folks yet."

"Well, I am surprised; but I'm sure mothers have often told me that there is one age when children cannot be taken to a place of worship."

"That time has never come yet with any of my five, and I take them all day long."

(A bonnet was presented for the infant girl.) "Maria, do your children wear ribbon in their borders?"

"Not a bit, Miss. They'll learn pride fast enough, without their own mother teaching it them."

Vine-House, Welford.

BOTHERING MA.

E. A. G.

"EDWARD," said a sweet little fellow between four and five years of age, "I've got a pocket in my coat now!" "Have you, Master M"Yes; I bothered ma till she put it in." "O! Master M-!" "Well, that's what we always do: we bother, and bother, and bother ma till she gives us anything." "Then your mamma is not like mine," replied his little companion; "for my ma won't give us anything that we tease her for." How many little ones could thus speak of points gained through "bothering ma!" Now, though importunity is commendable on many occasions, we think it highly objectionable in children, whose requests should at once be granted or refused. "Bothering" should on no occasion be provoked or tolerated.

E. A. G.

FROM ROSA TO FRANCESCO MADIAI.

[FROM a small volume, "Letters of the Madiai, and Visits to their Prisons, by the Misses Senhouse." (Nisbet.) This book is a monument of Christian simplicity and love, triumphant over persecution, and is remarkable for two very characteristic portraits of those prisoners for Christ's sake.]

Ergastolo, Lucca, Cell 36, August 16th, 1852.

MY DEAR MADIAI,

Ar length I have this morning received the ratification of our sentence! My beloved, we bear always in mind those sacred words of Christ, "He who leaves not father, mother, wife, husband, &c., for Me,

is not worthy of Me;" and, "He who confesses Me not before men, him will not I confess before my Father who is in heaven." These two things we have accomplished, by the help of that God who is the support of the afflicted. But the third is still required of us : "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." My good Madiai, let us bear with adoration and thanksgiving the cross which Divine Wisdom has been pleased to impose on us; and, when we feel weak, let us cling to the hem of Christ's garment, for all who touched it were healed, and thus shall we be strengthened by faith in Him.

Let us remember His sacred words to His disciples: "In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world."

My beloved, what words of consolation are these for the Lord's afflicted ones!

The knowledge of His having conquered will give us also strength to conquer in Him and by Him. The flesh will certainly suffer; but how many insults did not our innocent Saviour endure? He, innocent; and we, miserable sinners! Let us remember, that through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom of heaven; and recollect the words of St. Paul: "That the sufferings of this world are not worthy to be compared with the glory that God has prepared for us in heaven." It remains for us to pray for

our enemies: they are more to be pitied than we. They rejoice; but a miserable enjoyment it is, to do evil to a fellowcreature. The time will come when all things will be discovered before the Supreme Judge; and then it will be seen who was wrong, and who was right. The testimony of a good conscience is a great comfort. So, my dear Madiai, answer me quickly; and let me know how thou art, and tell me truly if thou art in good health. Arrange so, that I may have a letter every week; which will be a great consolation to me. If thy hand shake, do not mind: thou seest I can scarcely write; and if I can but decipher the letters, I shall be content.

In a few days I will write to my sister. I know it will be a sad shock to her; but I will say as little as possible. I am tolerably well, considering the many blows I have received. But what do I say? how very many more did the sacred hands alone of my Saviour receive from the nails and hammers, to say nothing of the other parts of His sacred body! My dear Madiai, thou wilt need the wisdom of Solomon to understand this letter. Let us put ourselves under the protection of God, through the merits of Jesus, our only Saviour. I embrace thee with all my heart.

Thy affectionate wife,
ROSA MADIAI.

AT Little Madeley, in the Newcastle-underLyne Circuit, on the 16th of November, 1852, died SAMUEL BATEMAN FERNYOUGH. He was born April 13th, 1834. When only thirteen years of age he was taken by his mother to a class-meeting, where he became seriously impressed, and sought and found mercy. He gave evidence of true conversion by endeavouring to promote the salvation of others; and by his suggestion and effort a Tract-Society was established, that continues to flourish in that village and neighbourhood. He gave great promise of usefulness in the church of God on earth; but it pleased his heavenly Father to take him early to Himself,

"To behold His face,

And His power adore,

And sing the wonders of His grace For evermore."

On the 29th of the same month, at AbbeyShrule, in the Longford Circuit, Ireland, in the sixty-second year of her age, MRS. JANE HIGGINS. In early life she was made acquainted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and found it to be "the power of God unto

salvation." During a period of more than forty years, her house was a home for the Wesleyan Ministers, where the word of God was statedly proclaimed, and the messengers of mercy found hospitable entertainment. She was much afflicted. All her sons were removed by death, just as they afforded promise of being the comfort of her declining years. But as her life was tranquil and devoted, her end was peacefully triumphant. A large concourse of sorrowing friends followed her earthly remains to the house appointed for all living, in " sure and certain hope of a resurrection to eternal life."

On the 2d of December, near Clough, in the county of Antrim, MISS ELLEN MOORE. She was born of Presbyterian parents, in the year 1813, and from early childhood was the subject of religious impressions. In connexion with the Wesleyan Missionary day-school in Newtown-Crommelin, was a Sunday-school, in which she became a Teacher; and, observing the serious deportment of the members of a class led by Mr. Layers, the Missionary Teacher, she felt

desirous to witness their devotions, was invited to be present at a meeting, and there became convinced of her need of a Saviour, and resolved that that people should be her people, and their God her God. For some weeks she laboured under keen convictions of sin, and ceased not to seek the Lord with prayers and tears; and He had mercy on her. One night, while all around were hushed in sleep, she continued to wrestle with God in mighty prayer, and resolved that she would not let Him go until He blessed her fainting soul. She obtained the blessing; and from that memorable night until the day of her death, never wilfully departed from her God. She lived to see the conversion of most of her family; and it may reasonably be supposed that her prayers, precepts, and example were the means of producing this great change.

On the 4th of the month, at Rosnastraw, in the Wicklow Circuit, MR. THOMAS SYMES, aged sixty-six years. About the nineteenth year of his age he was convinced of sin, by means of a dream, attended at public worship, and with earnest penitence of soul, and lively faith in the blood of the atonement, sought reconciliation with God. It was when in prayer with a friend he received the Spirit of adoption; and throughout life he was remarkable for his enjoyment of Christian intercourse. Often would he repeat, with great depth and tenderness of feeling,

"And if our fellowship below

In Jesus be so sweet,

What heights of rapture shall we know,
When round His throne we meet!"

The grace received at the time of his conversion, he retained and improved through subsequent life; and frequently, during his last illness, declared that never for a moment had his heavenly Father forsaken him.

HOLY DYING.

309

Though suffering severe bodily pain, no murmuring word escaped his lips; and after a severe and protracted illness, he calmly fell asleep in Jesus, in sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection.

On the 23d, aged forty-six, died, at Allenheads in the Allendale-Town Circuit, JOHN HEWITSON. In the year 1834 he was awakened to a sense of guilt and danger. For some time he was under deep conviction, and wrestled hard for the blessing of pardon and peace. While in the mines, with two or three others who engaged with him in prayer, he was enabled to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to the salvation of his soul. From that time he became an Israelite indeed, and went on unto perfection. His disposition was one of peace and resignation to the will of God. As a Leader, he was regular and punctual in his attendance at class, ever exhorting his members to "perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord." During a lingering affliction he was comforted and supported by the promises of God's word. He died the death of the righteous, and passed triumphant home.

January 4th, 1853, departed this life, at Great-Bentley, in the Colchester Circuit, Mr. WILLIAM HYEM, aged seventy-one years. He was passing a Wesleyan chapel in the year 1806; and, attracted by the singing, for which he had a fine ear, he entered, and, under a sermon by the late Rev. James Mole, was awakened to a sense of his lost and undone condition. He then joined himself to the people of God, sought and found mercy through the blood of Christ, and for forty-seven years maintained a Christian profession, strongly attached to Wesleyan Methodism, in connexion with which he was a Leader and Local Preacher for forty-four years. After several months of severe affliction he fell asleep, calmly resting in Jesus.

MUSING on Canaan's joys, on Jordan's strand,

In tranquil hope, oft had thy spirit stood, Viewing beyond, by faith, that goodly land,

Nor shrinking from the interposing flood.

Recalling then each tender, earthly tie, The cherish'd loves of an unchanging heart,

The tear-drop, falling from thy pensive

eye,

In grief resign'd, would say, "And must we part ?"