ticable, indicated and described; its sufferings, sins, and sorrows are illustrated and sympathized with; the true site of the law-giving is discussed and determined; and the rationale of the law is beautifully explained. Under the guidance of the writer, we behold the fight with Amalek-we witness the despair of the people at the evil report of the spies-we behold the great leader and prophet of Israel ascend the mount to die-and, at the close, are brought with the ardent host to the lofty plains of Moab, from whence glorious glimpses are to be obtained of the Promised Land. Then follows a masterly paper on the 'ORIGIN, EARLY FORMS, AND SERVICES OF THE JEWISH SECTS'-a subject by no means so devoid of interest as might be supposed. Succeeding this, is an account of SOLOMON'S TEMPLE-comprising the style of its architecture, its erection and dedication, and its chief historical vicissitudes down to its destruction by the Assyrians. 'THE CLIMATOLOGY OF SACRED LANDS' is the title of another useful treatise, which throws great light upon numberless allusions in the Scriptures, and is invaluable to Sunday-school teachers and members of Bible-classes. The concluding sketch is devoted to 'ATHENS, AS SEEN BY PAUL THE APOSTLE,' and is the first of a series designed to exhibit correct pictures of the great cities of the New Testament age. After a perusal of this excellent tract, no one could fail to read the account of Paul's celebrated visit to this proud city with tenfold interest."

"You quite excite my curiosity," remarked Emmeline; "I must cultivate an acquaintance with this work at once.'

"Our time is gone," said the Editor; "there are still a few publications unreviewed; but these we must postpone to our next meeting. I would merely, in conclusion, call your attention to the 'HOME COMPANION,' ,'* which maintains its reputation for good and varied matter. The tale by the author of 'Mary Powell' is still continued. This part also, following in the wake of 'Household Words,' contains & Christmas number, devoted to a series of stories, by the host, the student, cousin Tom, the Widow, uncle William, and brother Bob. They are well worth reading. The widow's story, especially, is a gem of exquisite writing."

* Orr & Co., London.

PRIDE AND ITS PUNISHMENT.

"Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

THE sacred records exhibit numerous startling exemplifications of this great law of the divine government. Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and Herod are examples of the gigantic dimensions to which pride and arrogance will sometimes grow, and also of the utter abasement to which God can reduce them in a moment. Perhaps, however, the case of Haman, the chief minister and favourite of the Persian king, known by Bible readers as Ahasuerus, is the most terrible and affecting to be found on the page of history. One day we see him receiving the profound homage of the courtiers of the king's palace and the citizens of Shushan, and the next, despised and anathematized; one hour he is admitted, in company with the monarch, to a private banquet with the queen, and the next he is swinging from the top of the gallows which he had just caused to be erected for the execution of a man whose only offence was his refusal to minister to his pride. The opposite engraving represents the haughty vizier entering the magnificent portal of the royal palace, two attendants holding above him a large silk umbrella, which, in the East, is used as a symbol of dignity and authority. Whilst all the officers of the court are prostrating themselves before him, the reader may see one figure, to the right, standing erect, and refusing to bow before the magnate.

Many explanations have been sought of Mordecai's reasons for withholding from this mighty lord the obeisance which others rendered, and which was doubtless considered by all as due to his high station. That Haman was an Amalekite, however, seems to us a sufficient explanation. That a rigid and somewhat stiff-backed Jew should refuse the marks of ceremonious reverence to one of that doomed and abominable race, is in the highest degree natural and probable. And, on the other hand, the same fact, if it does not adequately account for, relieves from absolute insanity, the determination of Haman to exterminate the whole nation for the affront offered by one individual. Had Mordecai been any other than a Jew, the favourite would doubtless have been content to wreak his vengeance upon the man whose quiet scorn provoked him so greatly; but to

learn that this man belonged to the very nation which had vowed the extermination of Amalek, opened a wider scope to his vengeance. There is something frightful in the vindictive hatred which could thus contemplate with malignant joy the destruction of tens of thousands of innocent beings, as the punishment of a personal affront. But the disrespect of an individual was regarded as the studied insult of a nation, which had ever been ahhorred by his ancestors since the time when they opposed the progress of the Hebrews, while on their route from Egypt to Canaan. The intensity of this hereditary animosity is seen also in the enormous sum-supposed to be equivalent to two millions sterling-which Haman offered to pay in compensation for the loss which the royal revenue would suffer by their destruction. That further calamity, however, was not suffered to fall upon God's people. The wonderful mode in which they were delivered, and the destined day of mourning which was turned into a season of joy and triumph, are well known to all our readers.

THE VICTIM OF TEMPTATION.

CHAPTER I.—THE DRAWING-ROOM AND THE POOR-HOUSE.

THE lights shone brightly in the drawing-room of Mrs. Searle; the damask curtains were drawn, and round the blazing fire gathered a small but select group of friends, who, in social converse and the enjoyment of music, were passing the winter evening. Mrs. Searle had just risen from the harp, to which she had been singing with exquisite taste and feeling, and as she returned to her seat by the fire her guests praised her delightful art, and thanked her for the pleasure which she had given. One, however, the chaplain of a large metropolitan poorhouse, sat silently gazing into the red blaze before him, as if rather occupied with his own thoughts than attentive to what was passing around.

"Are you not fond of music, Mr. Marsden ?" said a lady, addressing herself to him.

"The notes

"I am passionately fond of it," he replied. to which we have just listened thrill to the heart; and I was thinking what a singular power is given to some persons, to unlock the secret treasure-house of hidden thought, and draw