In this consideration of God Almighty’s omnipresence and omniscience, every uncomfortable thought vanishes.  He cannot but regard everything that has being, especially such of his creatures who fear they are not regarded by Him.  He is privy to all their thoughts, and to that anxiety of heart in particular, which is apt to trouble them on this occasion; for, as it is impossible He should overlook any of his creatures, so we may be confident that He regards, with an eye of mercy, those who endeavour to recommend themselves to his notice, and in unfeigned humility of heart think themselves unworthy that He should be mindful of them.

Spectator.

* * * * *

THE MILL STREAM.

[Illustration]

    Long trails of cistus flowers
      Creep on the rocky hill,
    And beds of strong spearmint
      Grow round about the mill;
    And from a mountain tarn above,
      As peaceful as a dream,
    Like to a child unruly,
    Though school’d and counsell’d truly,
      Roams down the wild mill stream! 
    The wild mill stream it dasheth
      In merriment away,
    And keeps the miller and his son
      So busy all the day.

    Into the mad mill stream
      The mountain roses fall;
    And fern and adder’s-tongue
      Grow on the old mill wall. 
    The tarn is on the upland moor,
      Where not a leaf doth grow;
    And through the mountain gashes,
    The merry mill stream dashes
      Down to the sea below. 
    But in the quiet hollows
      The red trout groweth prime,
    For the miller and the miller’s son
      To angle when they’ve time.

    Then fair befall the stream
      That turns the mountain mill;
    And fair befall the narrow road
      That windeth up the hill! 
    And good luck to the countryman,
      And to his old grey mare,
    That upward toileth steadily,
    With meal sacks laden heavily,
      In storm as well as fair! 
    And good luck to the miller,
      And to the miller’s son;
    And ever may the mill-wheel turn
    While mountain waters run!

    MARY HOWITT.

* * * * *

ENVY.

[Illustration:  Letter E.]

Envy is almost the only vice which is practicable at all times, and in every place—­the only passion which can never lie quiet for want of irritation; its effects, therefore, are everywhere discoverable, and its attempts always to be dreaded.