ward and forward over the poor dead face; and as the "keen" rises and falls with its wailing cadences, we reverently uncover in the presence of the dead, and recognize the common tie of humanity, in the grief that comes to all alike.
Next morning (Good Friday) there was a native service in the little church. One buxom lass, in garments of rainbow hue, accosts us, wanting "change for a shilling."
"What for?" we asked.
"Put sikeepence in plate," she said; "shillin' too much."
Artless maid! Another one, more mercenary still, unblushingly begged for the sixpence itself for the same sacred purpose. No doubt she had heard of "spoiling the Egyptians."
I am reminded by this, of a famous old Calcutta merchant who was no less noted for his great wealth, than for his niggardliness. Coming out of church one day, a merry wag, seeing the rupee for the plate, ostentatiously held between the finger and thumb of the merchant, and wishing to test him, tapped him on the shoulder and whispered,—
"I say, S—, can ye lend me a rupee for the plate?"
"Ou aye," readily responded S—.
Then second thoughts having seemingly intervened, he muttered,—
"It's a' richt, I'll pit it in for ye," which he did, but my friend narrowly watched him, and saw that he only put in one rupee for the two. Old S— doubtless thought the rupee would be credited in the celestial treasury as his own offering, yet
