with me to the end of my journey. Stretching out towards the horizon, you may discern the wide open downs, where I first tried my young strength; and as I looked around me, on the vast expanse of life, I felt my heart beat and my courage rise, and I longed to do some great and noble deed like the heroes in ancient days.

There, on the slope of yon hill side, lies the green wood, where I first met the sweet companion of my journey through rough and smooth, through storm and sunshine, for so many years. I can see now the flowers that crowded around the pathway, and the flicker of the bright young leaves in the sunlight that fell around me at that time. Still can I feel the breath of the soft summer breezes, and again hear the notes of the old nightingales that sang that season. Nearer may be seen many a pleasant glade, which we traversed together, with our children around us; and now, although

"They are all gone into a world of light,
And I alone sit lingering here;

Yet their very memory is fair and bright,
And my sad heart doth cheer."

As the old man said this, a loud clang sounded in my ears, and my first impression was, that the expected summons had at length come for the old man, to cross the river and enter the glorious city. But opening my eyes, I found myself again in my own room, while the bells of the neighbouring church rang out a joyful welcome to the new year. And this, thought I, is an old man's view of his past life, as it appears, lying out before him in the distance. Difficulties and trials, which no doubt appeared great and insurmountable at the time, have now faded from his sight, or have been shown in the future to have been especial blessings-sent like the summer storms, to purify and clear the air, and to inspire everything with renewed life and strength.

"Into each life some rain must fall;"

but clear sky and sunshine is the true weather, the very memory of which is enough to cheer and quicken the heart at fourscore. Then I saw that "light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." And thus began the first month of the new year.

FEBRUARY.

THE MERCHANT

THE STORY OF THE PRINCETHE HERMIT THE SCHOLAR AND THE RED CROSS KNIGHT.

IT fell on a day that Paracelsus, that great master of the sublime science, was journeying, as was his wont, through Germany, in search of knowledge, when towards nightfall he lighted on a certain hostelrie, wherein he was minded to seek entertainment for himself and his beast. Whereupon being come into the common room, he was aware of three other travellers, who sat and discoursed together beside the fire.

Then said the learned man to himself "Surely he that sits upon the right is none other than the mighty Prince Von Keinemgeld, whilome, my patron, and

certes, that other beside him, is the rich Herr Grossetasche, merchant of Pruges; and if mine eyes do not play me false, they have to their companion the holy hermit of the Schwartzwald."

So these three were right glad when they saw the learned Paracelsus, and they greeted him joyfully; "For," said they,

we were even now discoursing of the divine art, and how a man may gain the precious elixir of life, whereby he shall be glad all his days, and know no sorrow.'

But the great master of wisdom opened his mouth, and said-"The battle rages long and hard between the guardians of the divine elixir, and the malignant demons who would fain keep it back from the sons of Adam; yet shall they not prevail, for the day will surely come, when the last stronghold of the green lion shall be the abode of the children of the sun. As saith Kuhnrade, that great master, Thou shalt see the stone of the philosophers (our king) go forth of his