at London Bridge. The Danes possessed both it and the two towns on each side. The Saxon King attacked them by land, and his ally, the Norwegian King Olave, at the same time led on an assault by water. He rowed up the river against the tide, and, attaching his ships to the piers which supported the bridge, made his men pull down the stream. The tide

added to the impetus given by the oars'-men. The ships pulled with fearful force; the bridge was crowded with men, and laden with stones, which they had collected to cast upon the Norwegians: this immense weight added to the strain of the ships, was more than the structure could bear; the piles yielded to the force of the rowers, and the whole mass, with its defenders, was engulfed in the river. From this account, it is sufficiently evident that the bridge was a wooden erection.

History shows that the loss thus caused was soon repaired; for Canute, on invading the country only eight years after, found a bridge standing, and managed to get his ships past. it by sinking a canal on the south side of the river. The next occasion on which London Bridge figures in our annals, is that on which (Nov. 16th, 1091) a furious wind threw down six hundred houses; and the tide rose with such violence as to bear the bridge clean away. We

next read of "the bridge that was nearly all afloat," in the reign of Rufus (1097); but we hold not ourselves bound to interpret for prosperity those words of an ancient scribe. About a century and a half later, London had the sorrow of seeing its bridge completely burnt down. Still adhering to wood, this bridge was replaced by one of the same material; but after a few years the same architect began a stone structure. He was a monk, called Peter, of St. Mary Colechurch. His new bridge consisted of twenty arches, having a roadway of forty feet in width from parapet to parapet. It occupied thirty-three years in building. The worthy Monk had gone to his long rest three years before the completion of the great edifice that has caused his name to come down to our days.

The parapets of the bridge soon became covered with houses, so that it was really a narrow street, with this difference from other streets, that three openings gave the passer-by to see that his journey was not on terra firma, but above the course of a broad and noble stream. Pennant says, "I well remember the street of London Bridge, narrow, darksome, and dangerous to passengers, from the multitude of carriages frequent arches of strong timber crossed the street from the tops of the houses to keep them together, and from falling into the river. Nothing but use could preserve the repose of the inmates, who soon grew deaf to the noise of falling waters, the clamours of watermen, or the shrieks of drowning wretches." The houses overhung the bridge, so as to hide much of the arches, and leave little to be seen but the piers; thus appearing to be in constant danger of falling into the water. On the street-side, the upper stories projected, as we often see in old houses; and not unfrequently two vehicles, attempting to pass, got jammed between the houses, and interrupted the whole stream of communication.

On the centre of the bridge stood a rich Gothic chapel, dedicated to St. Thomas à Becket: nearer the Southwark side was a drawbridge, and by that a tower, whereupon were exposed the heads of those executed for treason.

About the middle of the last century, the houses began to be removed from the bridge, to make way for the increasing demands of traffic. It appears that the inhabitants of the bridge were principally small shopkeepers. "Most of the houses," says Pennant, were tenanted by pin and needle makers; and economical ladies were wont to drive from the St. James's end of the town to make cheap purchases."

66

This edifice, which for nearly six centuries had been the sole bridge across the Thames at London, was, in its latter days, exposed to the rivalry of Westminster and Blackfriars bridges. And, finally, notwithstanding the defensive efforts of the London Corporation, it was

doomed by Parliament to disappear from the post of its long and valuable services. On the 15th of March, 1824, the first pile of a new structure was driven, and more than six years later, William IV. led his loyal citizens of London to rejoice in the opening of that superb bridge, which now casts its five elliptic arches from one shore to another, and stands in sober majesty, while the Thames rolls its tide below, and English life and industry roll their tide above.

That Old London Bridge has echoed the step of many a nimble foot, and resounded to the applause of many a proud Monarch, and witnessed the ghastly figure of many a deathly head. The bravest pageant that ever crossed it is as clean passed away to-day, as the head of Wallace, the Scottish patriot, which was the first that grinned from its tower. Those that fell to be exposed, and those that lived to look, are equally gone from this scene; and that London Bridge we see standing to-day, with all the thousands who are pouring across it from morn to midnight, will one day be like the former bridge and former crowds, laid low among things that are gone.

THE PRIEST AND THE IRISH
MILKMAN.

THE following amusing instance of Irish wit, on the part of a Roman Catholic milkman, in foiling the attempts of a Priest to make him give up reading the Bible, was related by Dr. Dowling of this city, in an address during the anniversary week.New York Recorder.

On reaching the milkman's humble cabin, in the county of Kerry, the Priest thus addressed him:-" Why, my good follow, I am informed that you are in the habit of reading the Bible is my information correct?"

Sure it is true, plase your Riverance; and a fine book it is, too."

"But you know," said the Priest, "that it is very wrong for an ignorant man like you to read the Scriptures." "Ah!" replied Pat, "but you must be after provin' that same before I consint to lave it off."

"That I will do from the book it

self. Now turn to 1 Peter ii. 2, 'As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.' Now you are only a babe, and therefore wrong to read the Scriptures yourself. You are here told to 'desire the sincere milk of the word;' and one who understands what the 'sincere milk is,' must give it you and tend you."

Pat listened attentively to the Priest's authoritative address, but no way at a loss, replied, "But be aisy, your Riverence, while I tell you. A little time ago, when I was took ill, I got a man to milk my cows; and what do you think he did? why, astead of giving me the rale milk, he chated me by putting wather into it: and if you get my Bible, perhaps you may be afther serving me the same. No, no. I'll kape my cow and milk it myself, and then I shall get the sincere milk, and not, as I might from you, mixed with wather.'

The Priest thus finding himself defeated, and desirous that the mischief should spread no further, said, in a conciliatory tone, "Well, Pat, I see you are a little wiser than I thought you, and as you are not quite a babe, you may keep your Bible; but don't lend it or read it to your neighbours."

Pat, eyeing his admonitor very cunningly, but seriously, replied: "Sure enough, your Riverance, while I have a cow, and can give a little milk to my neighbours who have none, it is my duty to do so as a Christian; and, saving your Riverance, I will."

The Priest, concluding that the honest milkman was rather a tough customer, gave up the argument and walked off abashed.

LUTHER ON DEATH.

ABOUT ten days before his death, Luther wrote the following passage in a Bible, belonging to one of his friends:"Never to see death.' (John viii.) What an incredible saying is this, if it be compared with manifest and common experience! Yet He which is the truth itself hath so spoken it. Truly when any one seriously remembers this sentence,

steadfastly believes it, and departs hence in that belief, he must pleasantly pass away, and not feel the hard pangs of death. And undoubtedly blessed is that man in that faithful word, which he thus remembers in death itself. MARTIN LUTHER, Feb. 7th, 1546."

Phenomena of the Months.

OCTOBER.

THE sun rises on the 1st at two minutes after six, and sets at twentytwo minutes before six ; on the 15th it rises at twenty-five minutes after six and sets at six minutes after five; and on the 31st it rises at seven minutes before seven, and sets at twenty-six minutes before five. The length of the day is thus diminished during the month fifty-one minutes in the morning, and sixty-four minutes in the evening: together, one hour and fifty-five minutes.

The moon is full on the 14th at fourteen minutes after eleven at night, and new on the 29th at thirteen minutes after five in the morning. On the first Sunday it sets about an hour after the sun; on the second Sunday it rises at five minutes after four in the afternoon, or nearly an hour and

a quarter before sunset; on the third Sunday it rises at six minutes before six, or fifty-two minutes after sunset; on the fourth Sunday it does not rise till after midnight; and on the fifth Sunday it sets at five in the after

noon.

The moon is near to and between Mercury and Jupiter on the 1st, near to Mars on the 7th, to Saturn on the 9th, to Mercury and Jupiter a second time on the 29th, and to Venus on the 30th.

Mercury is an evening star, but it is so near to the sun that it can be observed with difficulty. On the 29th it sets at the same time as the sun, and from that day until the end of the year sets in daylight.

Venus sets very shortly after the sun also, but will be a little later every night, though at the end of the month it will disappear in less than half-an-hour after sunset.

Mars is an evening star, setting soon after ten o'clock each evening.

Jupiter is still an evening star, and near to the sun, setting little more than a quarter of an hour after it on the last day.

Saturn sets after midnight until the 24th, and about half-an-hour before midnight on the 31st, on the evening of which day it is due south at nine minutes before seven.

OUR VETERANS.

LXXXIII.

LXXXV.

DEAR SIR,-I have received ten shillings, the Christmas gift of Mr. Wild, for which I and my dear old wife are very thankful to you, and to all the committee. It has been a comfort to us this cold season, and we are very thankful to our loving God and Father. His loving care towards us has not left us yet; we hope and trust it never will.

I was converted to God when very young; met in class when seventeen years old. I was a lover of the Sunday

school, and was soon made a teacher. When I got to be a young man, my friends thought I could preach, but I did not think so; so I would not try for some years, but they got me out at last. I tried, first at home, and then went out all over the circuit. I have been a local preacher for fifty-one years; I am worn out so that I only preach now and then, my age being seventy-five.

Dear Mr. Carter, I hope you will excuse pencil, as I cannot write with pen and ink as I am so very shaky, I love the Association and all the committee, and the magazine. God has blessed my humble labours in giving me many souls for my hire, and I have been happy in my work from first to last, and now I am waiting for my Master's call. Believe me yours in Christ, T. M.

answered it before if I had had your address. I am happy to say, with the assistance from the Mutual-Aid, and the little help I get from my old master, S. H. Barrons, Esq., we are. able to live comfortably, thank God. Dear friend, I began to speak in public in 1831, and I am doing a little now. R. A.

GENERAL COMMITTEE. THE monthly meeting was held at the office, 19, Exeter Hall, on Wednesday, Sept. 8th.

Present: the President, Brothers Durley, Plant, Raper, Wade, Pigg, Parker, Wright, Northcroft, and the Honorary and General Secretaries.

Prayer was offered by Brother. Raper.

The minutes were read and confirmed.

The monthly abstract showed receipts from branches since last audit (May 18th), £751 1s. 10d. This sum includes the proceeds of the Annual Meeting in London. Payments to branches for sickness, deaths, and annuities, £574 2s. 1d. New members in the last month, seven; deaths, two. Sick now on the funds, fiftyfive; annuitants, 112.

An order was drawn on the Treasurer for Secretary's quarter's salary, £25; postage and sundries £4 9s.

After a conversation on the proposed augmentation of "Mr. Wild's gift," It was resolved that contributions promised to that object should be advertised monthly in our magazine.

Cases from branches :

An application in favour of a grant being made to the widow of a deceased brother was read; but as necessary particulars were not given, the case. was ordered to stand over till next meeting.

A brother having died shortly after his entrance, and £10 having been paid for his entrance fee, the sum of £6 was voted towards his funeral.

The local preachers of Farnworth having decided to start a new branch there, it was resolved that they be

*We are sorry this good brother does not take in the magazine, or he would have known the Treasurer's address.

allowed to do so at a uniform entrance fee of 10s. each.

Manchester wished for the president as a deputation to preach on Oct. 18th, and attend a public meeting on the next evening. The president kindly consented.

Cardiff wished for the like the following week, which was also acceded to. The honorary secretary was also requested to attend the meeting at Cardiff.

Brother Sims was appointed to be the deputation to High Wycombe.

There being a vacancy on the committee, the names of several brethren were mentioned, and Brother Buffham of London East, was elected.

The next meeting of committee was arranged to be held at the President's house, The Lawn, East Hill, Wandsworth, on Monday, Oct. 11th.

Brother Plant closed the meeting with prayer. C.

DEATHS.

June 18, 1875. Samuel Parkinson, Manchester Branch, aged 72 years. He died in peace. Claim £6.

Aug. 12, 1875. Zechariah Stacy, Swaffham Branch, aged 87 years. His end was eminently peaceful. The benefits of the Association were valued by him, having been on the list of annuitants 293 weeks, and had received about £60. Claim £4.

Aug. 29, 1875. Robert Simpson, Burnley Branch, aged 71 years As he lived, so he died, "in the Lord." Claim £6.

Sept. 5, 1875. Charles Pease, Leeds Branch, aged 50 years. He died happy in God. We hope to give our readers some further account of this good brother shortly. Claim £6.

...

0 18 0

0 18 0

1 4 0

1 11 3

300

0 3 0

...

...

...

0 13 0

0 6 0

...

...

100

1 10 0

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

0

0

020

...

...

2 5

...

...