hers, and all that was inharmonious about him vanished before the light of her eloquent eyes, leaving the fine and noble spirit within to rule his being. Sometimes they climbed Scalp Head, and seated themselves on Coral’s favourite resting place, gazing on the silvery lake, its fringing woods and the blue glory of the sky, and talking on many a spirit-stirring theme: but Keefe liked best of all to hoist the Mother Cary’s sail, and with Helen seated opposite, glide far away from the shore, wrapping himself in a wild feeling of bliss, as he thought that they two were alone together, far removed from the sights and sounds of all other life, while love illumined the shining heavens above, the gleaming waters below, with his own glory. At such times all memory of the past, all thought of the future, were absorbed in the happiness of the present, and his heart echoed the words of Thekla's song, though of Thekla he had then never heard:—
“I have enjoyed the happiness of this world;
I have lived and have loved.”
THE FOUNDRY AT MOORFIELDS.
In a preceding number[1] an account was given of the singular accident through which the Royal Gun Foundry at Moorfields was abandoned by the Government and the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich originated. After its abandonment by the Government, it remained in a ruinous and dilapidated condition for some years, until at length it was repaired and fitted up as a chapel for the Rev. John Wesley, M.A. At that time the doors of most of the churches in London and Bristol were closed against him and his brother Charles. To provide accommodation for the religious “societies” under their care they had to seek separate buildings.
In 1739, the erection of a chapel in Bristol was commenced, and during the same year a lease was taken of the old Ordnance Foundry, at the suggestion of two gentlemen (Messrs. Ball and Watkins), who advanced a portion of the requisite funds for the lease and alterations.
These gentlemen were unknown to Mr. Wesley, and it was owing to their generosity that the first Methodist chapel was opened in London, in a portion of the foundry buildings. The remainder of the buildings were arranged as dwellings for the Rev. J. Wesley and a porter, a “book-room,” day-school, and dispensary.
Although the purpose of the building was changed so materially, the original designation was retained, and when, in 1777, the chapel in City Road was erected, it bore the name of the “New Foundery” for many years. The “Foundery” continued to be the head-quarters of Methodism for nearly forty years. It was there that Wesley lived, and that his mother died. It was there, too, that Thomas Maxfield, the first of Wesley’s “lay helpers,” commenced his labours. In the precincts of the old foundry Charles Wesley composed some of his noblest hymns, while from its “book-room” were issued the almost countless pamphlets, sermons, hymns, and serials of John and Charles Wesley and their helpers. So numerous were the associations connected with it, that it has been deemed one of the starting points of Methodism, and when the Wesleyan body celebrated their centenary the period was calculated from the opening of the foundry in 1739. An account of the history of the “Foundery” Chapel would comprise much of the early history of Methodism itself. Few places are remembered with deeper interest by the Methodist, as being associated with the formation and early growth of that system of ecclesiastical organisation which, weak and despised in its beginning, is now so extensive and so flourishing. And at the same time it furnishes a connecting link between a distinguishing movement of the last century and the history of London, adding one to the thousand links which unite our world-city with everything that is noblest and most precious in our civil and religious liberties.
REPRESENTATIVE MEN.
The Soldier.
the maccabees : wallenstein : the napiers.
There are some qualities which must be common to soldiers of every age and nation: but in no class is there a more marked modification of character under the changing phases of civilisation. This will appear very plainly, if we contemplate the career of such eminent soldiers of different social periods as may be accepted as a type of the military quality of their time.
The first appearance in history of the Soldier,—the man of distinct military value,—is in that early period of national life when conquest is the same thing as greatness, and when chronicles are made up of records of attack, and, consequently, of defence. Great soldiers stand out from the multitude in the early history of every considerable nation, because the greatness of that time consisted in an overwhelming influence over other peoples; and that influence was then obtainable only by arms, and the prestige they conferred. From our advanced post we may sometimes find it difficult to enter into the merits, and appreciate the career of the great conquerors of former ages; but we can sympathise with the military quality of ancient society when it takes the form of defence. A period of ambitious attack was, of course, a period of valorous defence. The philosophical historian ought to be able to regard both with interest and complacency, as true and natural manifestations of human character in their own place: but it is only persons who are very philosophical indeed who can now care as much for conquerors who aggrandized their country as for patriots who defended it.
In that early period, the great soldier came out of any social order or class; or rather, he added his military quality to his hereditary dignity or occupation. Now and then, but rarely, a man of the servile or ignorant classes rose to be a general, by dint of valour, or inborn military genius: but usually one of the privileged orders,—the King, the Priest, the Counsellor,—came out great in the field, and was henceforth known as an eminent Soldier. The Priests, to be sure, engrossed all the nobler occupations where they could. Kings