THIS ROOM WAS PREPARED,

FOR THE COMFORT OF THE LITTLE ONES,

IN MEMORY OF

THEIR BELOVED FRIEND,

A. P.

As soon as the walls are dry enough, we hope to hang up some very pretty texts and pictures around the room; I have been saving some up for the purpose. Besides the other toys, I hope to have a large wooden-box in one corner, to hold odds and ends of wood, ribbon-blocks, empty reels, &c., which will be famous toys for the little ones who have any fancy for building. The nursery will be the Home of the little ones, when we expect they will be very happy indeed.

I said the family had grown large, so it had; but when we had made the alterations we found that we could, with some contrivance, make room for eight more beds. We were led to think of this because a lady, who was

very anxious that more children should be taken, had died, and left in the bank 81. for new beds. It certainly was not easy to get room for these; but when we heard of the money, it seemed like God's voice telling us that we should take eight more children; and so we tried, and found it possible. And as the new beds are all in the boys' end of the house, we had to choose out of the children waiting eight boys.

There are now forty-eight in the Boys' School, the tallest of them about four feet six. They have a master of whom they are very fond; he walks with them, and plays with them, besides teaching them. One of them cleans up his room and waits on him. Some months ago a gentleman in the south of England offered to give a prize of a silver pencil-case to the boy who should improve most in his writing in six months; he was to be the judge.

So I gave each little boy a piece of paper, and told him to write on it a

M

text, and sign his name. These papers went to the gentleman. That was in April. In December they again wrote texts on papers, which were sent as before, and these were compared with the first. Some of the best writers had not made much improvement, others had made more; but the little boy who gained the prize was Robert I was so glad he gained it, for he had taken great pains to improve himself, not only in writing but in every way. When he first came, about two years ago, he did not know how to put on his clothes, or use a spoon, or knife, or fork, now he is a very gentle, well-mannered little boy; and, I believe, tries to do right, because it is pleasing to God. The master is keeping the beautiful pencil-case for him; and sometimes he shows it to the boys to encourage them to persevere, be

cause their kind friend has promised an annual prize. A prize of a work-box is also promised to the girl who improves most in needlework. The first of these will be given next Christ

mas.

I think I had better tell you about Christmas before I go on to other things.

In the week before Christmas we have a Sale of Work. The large Schoolroom is beautifully decorated for it, and at one end is a Christmastree, which is covered with toys, dolls, &c., for sale. The sale this year brought in 1157., which was more than one month's expenses. When the sale is over the decorations remain, and on Christmas-day a nice dinner of beef, pudding, and oranges is laid out in the beautiful room, and Mr. and Mrs. Hone, the kind friends who provide the feast, with many other friends, come and help to carve and serve out.

On this occasion white plates and mugs are used instead of the usual tins; and you may be sure the knives and forks get an extra polish, as well as the faces of the children.

Last Christmas-day was on a Wednesday. On the following Monday the Christmas-tree was placed in the centre of the room, and on it were hung two hundred red and yellow bags of sweets; under the tree was a basket of oranges, another of toys, another of balls, and another of hymnbooks. Then we arranged around the tree a square of forms covered with white calico, and behind them low forms, on which forty wee children could sit. Behind these was a higher row, and behind higher still, until we had room for all the children to sit. On the tables mugs were arranged, one for each; and in baskets were cakes, one made especially for each