-that is we must not go on in this way much longer, or Caractacus, or Max, or Ewol Tenneb, or Lucinda B. will be taking us—that is, taking me--to task severely! And so I will pull up-short. But before I go-there's another omnibus passingallow me to say a word. I really do feel greatly flattered; no, flattered is not the word; greatly honoured and gratified by the very cordial manner in which Ewol Tenneb's handsome proposal has been responded to. Every subscriber to the "Family Friend" seems suddenly to have discovered that her or his Photographic Album would be incomplete without my portrait. I cannot but believe that you are all in earnest-in fact, my vanity won't allow me to believe anything else; therefore, I really will go to Brighton soon, and "sit " to our friend. I am not afraid of seeing my own face in a photograph. Don't fancy that; and, seriously, if I were certain that the possession of my carte de visite (the phrase is quite naturalised now, so I may use it without offence to our mother tongue) would gratify my friends and fellow councillors, it would be a great pleasure to me-who can say how great a pleasure? For without egotism I-but there's my vehicle.-Hie, cabbie! Brompton. Goodbye! good-bye!

THE LANCASHIRE DISTRESS.
ADDRESS,

BY THE EDITOR,

Delivered at an Entertainment given at a Literary Institution in aid of the Distress in the Manufacturing Districts.

OLD Æsop, in fable, a story has told us,
Which well may assist our good purpose to-night:
Of how the sun's rays once a traveller-bold as
A traveller should be made gay with delight.
The wind on the wayfarer pitiless raged,

And whistled and moaned in demoniac croak-
For 'tis said that old Eolus with Phoebus engaged,
Just in jest, to deprive the poor man of his cloak.
But the more the wind blew, why, the tighter he
held it;

The more the wind roared, its folds closer he
pressed;

And, stooping his head to the boaster, compelled it
To give up the contest and leave him at rest.
But on the wind's failure the sun tried his hand,
And poured out his warm and beneficent ray;
And the traveller, cheered, quickly came to a stand,
And paused in delight, ere he bent on his way.
As Phoebus more brightly shone over his path,

And through the storm's fury in gaiety broke,
The traveller smiled, and, forgetting his wrath,
Unbuttoned, breathed freely, and threw off his
cloak !

Now from this little fable a moral we'll draw,

That may help us in reading old Æsop aright'Tis Kindness, not Force, that gives power to law'Tis the sweet Sun of Charity makes the world light.

The winds of Misfortune and Sorrow may find us

Closely muffled in Selfishness, Error, and Pride, But the Sun of Benevolence comes to unbind us, Till the Cloak of Distrust we throw gladly aside. 'Tis Sympathy prompts us to Wisdom and Duty, 'Tis Love that unites us as brother to brotherAnd Charity lifts up our lives into beauty:

For, strive as we may, we must live for each
other.

The Christianly act and the Christianly feeling,
Bind men of all nations as one kith and kin;
And the hand-clasp of Friendship, mutely appeal-
ing,

Never fails our best feelings to touch and to win.
Then, while you applaud us, remember our mission
Is to help and to comfort a suffering brother-
For our humble endeavours we crave recognition;
The best of all help is to help one another.

We regret to say that the only contributions received during the month are the following-though several sums are promised:-Spectator, 6d.; Jane C., ls.; Employés at the Printing Office of the "Family Friend," Messrs. Adams and Gee, 5s. 6d.

JANE C. is very sorry and somewhat mortified to see so cold and poor a response made to the Editor's kind and charitable suggestion for the relief of the distress in Lancashire. She had hoped each F.F.C. at least would have contributed his or her mite, which, in the aggregate, would have amounted to a goodly sum. She once more begs to enclose a trifle, and will be pleased in the March number to see a longer list of contributors.

FAMILY COUNCIL.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL,-Last month I congratulated you upon the improved tone of your communications. This month I can honestly say that you have outdone your former efforts, and that your contributions are worthy of high praise. In the Definitions, our friend Caractacus has discovered much to praise and something to blame. Speaking generally, I agree with his criticisms, though it would not be difficult to take exception to many of his conclusions. To some extent, the objection I last month made to the Definitions is still observable-namely, that they are not sufficiently full and descriptive. Indeed, I have, in a few instances, taken the liberty of omitting those which were merely complimentary to your President or those not up to publication mark; while, for the future, I shall italicise those which I consider especially meritorious. In accordance with a very generally expressed desire, I gave nouns for definition, and am gratified to find that this change meets your approval.

I must again request you to write on only one side of the MS. intended for publication, and to write plainly. Some of the definitions are absolutely ineligible because they are illegible.

This month I have pleasure in presenting you with an original song, the words and music by a new member of the Council. Several other musical compositions have also been received-one by Lucinda B. possessing considerable merit.

The answers to the Charades, &c., also are very full and complete; and, if it be your wish, I will in future insert the names of those who are successful in solving the several questions proposed.

Let me once more warn you to avoid anything like a spirit of contention and jealousy in your critical remarks, and to conquer feelings of disappointment when you find yourselves less often appearing in print than you expected. The space at our disposal is limited, and many circumstances may render your contributions unsuitable for publication; though I may here say that carelessness in writing and indifferent punctuation are often fatal to success, even in cases where the offerings possess considerable merit. In literature, as in war, we cannot all be generals and admirals. Let high-bred courtesy, indomitable perseverance, and unvarying good temper, be our rule of conduct; and then will our Family Council be to all of us an increasing means of mental improvement, and a continual source of pleasure. I now turn to the interesting subject of the

PRIZE AWARDS FOR 1862.

As I last month announced, they consist of Twenty in the First Class, Twelve in the Second Class, and Ten in the Third Class, in addition to Certificates of Merit. I now have pleasure in stating that the following are the successful candidates :—

FIRST CLASS.

Two Volumes, bearing the names of the recipients in the autograph of the Editor, and a Certificate of Merit, similarly inscribed.

SECOND CLASS.

One Volume, and a Certificate of Merit, each bearing the name of the recipient in the autograph of the Editor.

1. LILY H.

2. NELLIE.

3. JANE C.

4. SPECTATOR.

5. STANTONVILLE.

6. ADELINE A.

THIRD CLASS.

7. KATRINE.

1. MAY BEE.

9. IRENE.

10. G. MATHEWSON.

11. CAROLUS.

12. GILBERT ASHTON.

One Volume, and a Certificate of Merit; the names of the recipients in the autograph

of the Editor.

1. PAULINE S.

2. DAISY H.

3. VIOLET.

4. MARGUERITE.

5. T. C. RYE.

6. ST. CLAIR.

7. C. CROCHET.

8. ILLA.

9. ALFRED BROWN. 10. MIGNONETTE,

To all those Councillors who forwarded their real names and addresses, the Prizes and Certificates have been sent by post. Each Councillor is entitled to a copy of the engraved Certificate, with his or her name in the autograph of the Editor. Where the Prize or Certificate has been received an acknowledgment is requested, separate and independent of the usual monthly packet. On the receipt of the names and addresses, the Certificates now remaining in my hands will be posted. For the satisfaction of "outsiders," I should have been glad to have published the real names and addresses of the prizeholders; but a general disinclination to this plan having been expressed, I content myself with the reflection that I have done my best in fairly awarding the Prizes; and, in conclusion, I trust that my decisions will be received with satisfaction. Believe me, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Council, your faithful Friend,

The Councillors will oblige the President by embodying the Definitions of the three words in one sentence. This plan will be found to afford a capital mental exercise.

OFFERINGS FROM OUR COUNCIL.

A PLAY UPON TITLES.

"

the World," not only "Once a Week," but "Every Week""All the Year Round." Hail it as an "Englishwoman's Magazine," a "Boy's Journal,' a "Mother's Friend," a "Young Man's Best Companion' 'Herald of Peace," in short, by the two words which truly designate it that should en

A health to the "Family Friend," the the ever "Welcome Guest;" 66 flome Magazine" of every household, the ever verdant "Companion for Youth;" the "Household Messenger;" the Guide to Literature;" a "Lamp

able all to understand "Home Influence;"
a"Key" to unlock the door of the "Temple
of Fame;" a true "Trap to catch a Sun-
beam." Its contents are varied- from "My
Novel" for a "Leisure Hour," to "Good
Hours" for a "Sunday at Home;" and
as an "Illustrated Budget of Literature,"
it should be circulated from the "Peep o'
Day" till "
Evening Mail," "All Round

Friend."

SELF-DENIAL.

an

Family

ZANONI.

WHAT is self-denial? The denial of personal gratification. But, if we forbear pleasing ourselves in one way, in order that we may be more gratified in anotheris this self-denial? For instance, suppose

you were possessed of a certain sum of money, that you had saved for some particular purpose, and which you had no immediate means of replacing should it be otherwise appropriated, and, just as you were upon the point of satisfying your desire, some one were to tell you of a poor family in great need, and implore your assistance. If, in such a case, you were to sacrifice your long-cherished purpose, and, from a feeling of compassion, and a sense of duty, to bestow your money upon this family, would you perform an act of selfdenial? Do you not thereby gratify yourself in another, and more complete manner? Does not your heart warm and expand? Does not your conscience approve? and is not this consciousness of rectitude, and are not these enlarged sympathies, a greater means of heartfelt pleasure than the mere fulfilling a wish would have proved Where, then, the self-denial? Is there such a thing? Yes. For in our fallen nature we look upon present though transitory gratifications with the greater appreciation. But when renewed by grace, we shall see that our truest and most lasting happiness lies in the path of duty; then, and then only, self-denial will become but a name. RUTH.

SCRAPS FROM EMMA S. P.'s
NOTE-BOOK.

He who can suppress one moment's anger may save many days of sorrow.

Conscience is a tongue in the heart, and speaks to us, and tells us what is right and wrong. It is an inward tongue.

WILSON.

Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider.- BACON.

KINDLINESS.

"The drying up a single tear has more
Of honest fame than shedding seas of gore."
BYROK.
How few in this world are devoid of

kindliness of feeling, yet how often our
manner of acting, from mere thoughtless-
ness, precludes the idea of its existence
within us. 'Tis a pure and holy sentiment,
welling from the depths of the loving
heart in sympathy with the joys and sor-
rows of our fellow creatures, and exalts
us, for the time being, above ourselves.
Mostly, I am afraid, we hide that innate
goodness from the common view, treasur
ing it in its secretion till it becomes, con-
trary to our wish or anticipation, a selfish-
ness which detracts from its original worth.

Our hearts, in their primitive state, are as unfashioned as a piece of marble which a sculptor is about, by incessant and unswerving labour, to shape and make perfect. Seriously, it behoves us to endeavour to "know ourselves," in order to mould those angles, which, otherwise, offensively obtrude on the sight of others. Our chisel, in lieu of a tangible one, should be selfcontrol, and an eye of symmetry re-placed in us by a careful investigation of our inmost thoughts and actions; and our work would be on a sure road to completion.

"That man must daily wiser grow

Whose search is bent himself to know; Impartially he weighs his scope, And on firm reason founds his hope. He tries his strength before the race, And never seeks his own disgrace; He knows the compass, sail, and oar, Or never launches from the shore; Before he builds computes the cost, And in no proud pursuit is lost; He learns the bounds of human sense, And safely walks within the fence. Thus, conscious of his own defect, Are pride and self-importance check'd." Kind acts and kindly spoken words are more pleasing to the recipients than golden Beauty gains little, and homeliness and gifts. The manner in which an act of deformity lose much, by gaudy attire. Ly-charity is performed savours either of good sander knew this was in part true, and refused the rich garments that the tyrant Dionysius proffered to his daughter, saying, "That they were fit only to make unhappy faces more remarkable.'

Some hearts, like primroses, open beautifully in the shadow of life.

If there is any person to whom you feel dislike, that is the person of whom you ought never to speak.

Occupation is a balm for sorrow.

or evil, as I will show you.

Watch that poor beggar in the street, who is so earnestly craving alms of the passers-by. A lady steps from her carriage daintily equipped, whom he importunes. Regarding him with an air of supreme contempt, she haughtily drops a shilling from her well-filled purse into his open palm. He looks at her, then at the money in his hand, and quietly pockets the gift without thanks, although so poor. The question will arise-why did she give him anything?

Not from true kindness of heart, certainly; | to A. A. takes out his first (the original) but knowing she possessed an abundance, essay, and having written another, sends thought one, two, or three shillings less the six again to B. B. takes out his, writes could not affect her. Again, behold a another, and sends the lot to C., and so on, shabbily-dressed man passes, to whom the unremittantly. The time allowed for readbeggar applies appealingly; the beseecheding, is, of course fixed by the "editors." regards longingly the few pence he carries, but after a short pause puts one of them in the poor man's hand, saying

"I would indeed do more for you if I could; take this, but alas! I am myself very poor."

And the tear in his eye is responded to by the answering one in the eye of the receiver, who thrusts back the mite, with these words, in a whisper

"I have more than enough.'

Under this system each contributor reads all the articles contributed by the others, and furnishes his own share of articles for common information or amusement. I may add that advertisements of a smilar character to the following are frequently to be seen in phonographic journals:"Wanted, three contributors to the 'Athenæum,' a monthly ever-circulating magazine of general literature, science, and art.Address, street, Newcastle."

ZANONI.

The stranger hurries on, with every Of course, it will be plain to all that, charitable feeling awakened in his heart, though mention is necessarily made to phoyet overwhelmed with the sense of how in-nographic shorthand-writing, the plan is adequate his means are to his inclination. practicable in ordinary writing. He does not know how much he has done, and his well-meant gift is more acceptable in the eyes of a wise and beneficent Maker, who, reading so easily our every thought, judges us from the motives that impel our acts. Human beings often wrongly censure us, for to them only the action is visible from which to judge.

Dear reader, may our gifts, however small, be tendered as the poor man's, and with the like accompaniment-gentle words, as I know you will join with me in thinking

"Kind hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood"
MIGNONETTE.

"MANUSCRIPT MAGAZINES."

IN the "Family Friend" for January is the details of a plan for manuscript magazines, in an article by our kind and talented confrere, "Ruthenpharl." I think the plan I shall now sketch will be practically better; and I may state that it has been in practice for many years amongst the writers of phonographic shorthand, and many of these magazines are in circulation amongst phonographers.

Any number can be the "co-editors" and "publishers" of these magazines; but, for convenience, I will take six, A., B., C., D., E., F. A. writes an article-whether it be poem or essay, tale or sketch-and sends it to B. B. reads it, then writes another, and sends the two to C. C. reads the two, writes another, and sends them to D., and 80 on, till they reach F., who, having read the five, and written another, sends the six

CRITICAL NOTES.

"

are very uncouth in their relation to the

THE DEFINITIONS. P.P. 170-3. tions of the adjective and verb, although, THE contributions appearing as definias pronounced by our esteemed President, "generally good in idea, are not so in adaptability. That is to say, the majority word defined. I have made an analysis of the first batch, the result of which shall be briefly stated. About three sixths are examples rather than "definitions * *; about one-sixth have reference to the noun, disinterestedness;† about one-sixth are too vague to be deemed either definitions or examples §; and the remainder more fully agree with the orthodox conditions. The authors of those which may be pronounced the best are C. Crochet, No. 1; Spectator, No. 1; Gorgonia, No. 2; Mignonette, Nos. 2 and 9; Iago; Isabel, No. 5; Jane C No. 1; Isabel, No. 5; Florence, No. 1; Terra Cotta, No. 3; Adeline A; Zanoni, No. 5; and Katrine. To the generality of these it may be objected that they too nearly resemble literal dictionary meanings

a defect adverted by our President. But there is one point especially worthy of notevery few are so PHRASED as to harmonise with the word defined. C. Crochet's No. 1, and