REMARKABLE DAYS; OR, DAYS WORTH REMEMBERING. MARRIAGE OF QUEEN VICTORIA, FEB. 10TH, 1840. ANY who read this brief sketch, for which we are much indebted to the "Imperial Dictionary of Universal Biography," may never have seen her Majesty personally, but we venture to say that they have heard so much of her personal character as induces them to cherish for her the most sincere admiration; and we hope all will cordially join in the prayer, "God save the Queen." To enjoy the salvation which Jesus Christ died to purchase for poor sinners, and to live in possession of the graces of the holy Spirit of God (Gal. v. 22, 23), which probably few think of when they sing the national anthem, is to have a galaxy of glory placed upon her head, compared with which the imperial crown of Great Britain becomes dim. The Princess Victoria was born at Kensington Palace on the 24th of May, 1819. She is the only child of the Duke of Kent, the fourth son of George III, and of Mary Louisa Victoria, daughter of the Duke of Saxe-Cobourg-Saalfield, and widow of Enrich Charles, prince of Leiningen. Her father is said to have been the bravest and truest of the sons of George III, and a most honourable, generous,

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and noble-hearted man; and her mother a lady of high moral character, and who, by the exemplary manner in which she discharged her duty in educating the future Queen of England, won the highest enconiums of the statesmen in both Houses of Parliament. On the accession of the Duke of Clarence the Princess Victoria became next heir to the throne, and her mother was appointed her guardian, and regent in case of the decease of the king. In her early days the princess was taught to live simply, to practice self-denial, to cultivate her natural abilities, and to put her trust in God; lessons which cannot be too much inculcated in young people, and particularly needful in these days, when so many ruin themselves by keeping up appearances. Years of quietness and study were passed in the society of her mother and the Duchess of Northumberland, who was appointed superintendent of the education of the princess. Upon Lord Melbourne devolved the duty of instructing her in politics and in the principles of the British Constitution; and the concurrent testimony of all observers, hostile as well as friendly, and the evidence of facts have shown that Lord Melbourne accomplished his difficult task with consummate address and most praiseworthy disregard of party prejudices and interests.

On the 29th of June, 1837, William IV. died, and the princess, having the completed her eighteenth year, and attained her majority, succeeded to the throne. When informed of the death of her uncle, and that she now was queen, with becoming self-possession and characteristic modesty she spoke of the solemn duty that had devolved upon her owing to the loss the nation had sustained by the death of His Majesty. "This awful responsibility is imposed upon me so suddenly, and at so early a period of my life, that I should feel myself utterly oppressed by the burden were I not sustained by the hope that Divine Providence, who has called me to the work, will give me strength for the performance of it, and that I'shall find in the purity of my intentions and in my zeal for the public welfare that support and those resources which usually belong to a more mature age and to long experience." The next day the Queen gratified a natural feeling of her subjects by appearing at a window overlooking the courtyard of St. James' palace. Attired in black silk, with a crape scarf over her white tippet and small black chip bonnet, Her Majesty, with the simplicity of the honest heart of youth, shed tears as she acknowledged the plaudits of the people. On the 21st of June she was proclaimed queen. On the 7th of July, 1837,"Her Majesty went in state to Parliament, and was received with much enthusiasm. Her coronation took place in Westminster Abbey on the 28th of June, 1838. At the opening of Parliament, 16th January, 1840, the speech from the throne commenced with these words:"Since you were last assembled I have declared my intention of allying myself in marriage with the Prince Albert of Saxe-Cobourg and Gotha. I humbly implore that the divine blessing may prosper this union, and render it conducive to the interests of my people as well as to my own domestic happiness, and it will be to me a source of the most lively satisfaction to find the resolution I have taken approved by my Parliament." The marriage thus announced took place on the 10th of February amid great rejoicing throughout the kingdom. The Prince Consort was an able counsellor to the Queen, and by exchanging party politics, cultivating amiable affections, displaying singular ability, and taking an active interest in all that related to the national welfare, he earned for himself the profound respect and unfeigned admiration of the country.

The domestic happiness of the Queen, which had extended over twenty-two years, was suddenly and distressingly interrupted by a solemn visitation of Divine Providence. On the 14th December, 1861, her royal partner was snatched away from her side, and the previously happy Queen became a disconsolate widow. Although exceedingly popular with her subjects, two attempts were made upon the life of Her Majesty in the year 1842 by young men suffering under some maniacal hallucination. During her wedded life the Queen has made several trips to the Continent, and has often appeared in public to the great satisfaction of her subjects. One of the most memorable occasions of this kind was her visit to Manchester, when eighty thousand Sunday-scholars, raised on a grand stand in Peel Park, sung the national anthem as the Queen passed in the midst of them with admirable precision and gusto until their enthusiasm burst out into uncontrollable cheering and Her Majesty herself found relief in tears. In company with the Prince Consort the Queen was wont to pay periodical visits to Scotland, and since his decease Balmoral continues to be her favourite retreat. The Queen is mother of a large family, and one of her daughters, the Princess Louise, is shortly to be married to the Marquis of Lorne, eldest son of the Duke of Argyll, the representative of the most historical Scottish house. During the reign of Her Majesty the nation has made great progress in many things contributing to its prosperity. We most sincerely pray that our heavenly Father may long spare our gracious Sovereign to reign over Great Britain and all its dependencies in peace and prosperity.

GATHERINGS FROM MEMORY. NO. VII.

HABITS AND GAMES OF MY BOYHOOD.

AMONGST other habits which used to distinguish the youths of my early days, especially in winter, was that of practical joking—a custom which I cannot too much reprehend, and which, I fear, is not yet abandoned by boys.

It was not uncommon for a group of boys, standing in the glare of a gaslamp, and wondering what next to do, to agree to act the part of beggars, which was done sometimes by turning our jackets inside out, and at others by slipping home and throwing that garment in the house. Thus assuming the garb of poverty, we would disperse into various localities, and try our hand at begging. Some of us were poor hands, but I have heard my brother say that he once-but only once-succeeded in tearing a piece of bread from a kind woman, who pitied him as being "some poor body's bairn."

At other times we would knock at persons' doors, especially those of illtempered or unamiable people, and run away; but sometimes only to such a distance as—while sufficiently out of the way to be safe from being caughtto be able to see and enjoy the anger of the annoyed person.

Occasionally we would go into a cellar where apples and sweetmeats were sold, ask for a half-penny worth of this or that, and when the old lady's hands were filled with the fruit or the spice we had ordered, throw down a heap of broken pots, with which we had provided ourselves, but in hands hid behind our backs. Of course we were a hundred yards off before our victim was able to recover from her surprise.

When the tide was out, so as to allow people to cross from one side of the town to the other by the beach, some of us were in the habit of making deep holes in the causeway, and covering them with pieces of stick and straw, sprinkled over with sand, would take our stand or sit at a little distance, eagerly watching for results, and should any heedless passenger happen to step on one of these treacherous traps, and drop down into it, the event was greeted with a loud and mocking fit of laughter; of course we had to make ourselves scarce as quickly as possible.

So much did my brother addict himself to this foolish and wicked habit, that after he had become somewhat sobered, and when meditating a new and better line of conduct, I have heard him say that one Sunday, when coming down the hill from the chapel, a poor dog came spanking past him with a tin tied to its tail, and rushed impetuously into its home. Out came the woman, its owner, who, on seeing my brother at a little distance, instantly saddled him with the act, and, shaking her fist menacingly at him, threatened to tell his father. This, he said, almost chased away all his good resolves, "For," said he, "what is the use of being good when nobody will give me credit for aught but evil?" You see, my boys, that wrong-doers must live down the bad impressions which their wickedness creates.

I name these things simply because my narrative would not be complete without them; but I hope you are better employed than we were at a time when books were scarce and dear, and when wholesome attractions were few and not easily enjoyed. I do not wish you to be dull and demure, nor to deprive you of hilarity or fun, for I believe we may be merry and wise, and hilarious and pious. But any amusement which gives pain or annoyance to our fellow creatures is unbecoming and sinful.

A more suitable way of filling up our time, and getting recreation, was by hurling a hoop, tossing a ball, firing marbles, flying kites, or playing at frogleap, or bull-jump. It has often puzzled me to find out how it is that, at a certain season, and almost on a given day, one game or amusement will give place to another; for we would be absorbed one day with our tops, and next day have our marbles or our kites. One thing is certain-whoever takes the lead, or gives the signal, the law which regulates these affairs, whether written or traditional, is cheerfully adopted; and in no affair of life is half the spirit and zeal shewn as in carrying out the games or amusements of boyhood. Look at those boys as they wheel and follow their hoops, how earnest and attentive they are, and what skill some of them shew in the management of this plaything. As we look at them we could think they had got something to amuse them for ever; but all at once, to our astonishment, the hoops are gone, and the same boys are busy with their balls, which, now and for a while, in all variety of uses, gain their earnest attention. Here are a group of bare-headed boys. We look down, and against the wall are ranged their caps, into one of which a boy pitches a ball, when the owner, dashing forward, lays hold of the ball and tries to hit therewith one of the now scampering boys, who, if hit, takes a degraded place. It would be tedious to tell you all the ways in which we found fun with the ball; but while engrossed therewith, all at once, by some sudden "Jack Robinson" move the ball disappears, and the top is all the rage. But before I go from balls to tops I will relate a circumstance-for the sake of variety-which put me at the time in an unpleasant position, and left, I

hope, a salutary impression on my mind. I was a very young and a very small boy at the time, and the part I took in the transaction was therefore soon forgiven. Next door to the house we lived in there resided an old woman and her daughter who, being poor, got a little help by making balls in the ball season. A girl much older than myself used to come at times to our house to play with me, and happening once to look through the window of our poor neighbour saw a lot of newly-made balls. The temptation at once arose in her heart to possess herself of one; but, wishing to save herself from punishment, she induced me to get it for her. This she did by getting the key from off our wall, where the old lady always put it when she went out, and, opening the door, pushed me in, and said, "Take one!" I knew I was doing wrong, but somehow I had not Courage to resist. She took the ball, and ran away. Seeing that I was grieved at this, and judging from my manner that I might tell of her, she actually restored the ball to its owner, and laid all the blame on me. A council of women was called; I was adjudged guilty, and sentenced to be hung by the neck. A cord was fastened to a hook in the ceiling and other preparations made for the solemn catastrophe. I cried lustily, you may be sure; my brother John-almost a baby-cried also. Then some of the women began to plead for my life,-which at length was granted, and this improper farce was brought to an end. My simple version of the affair was then told, which, of course, turned the scale in my favour, and Ann Saul became the object of blame and condemnation, whilst the old lady gave me, as a small make-up for the torture I had endured, the unlucky ball.

Now for top-playing. This was a sport of which I was very fond, and at an early age could spin one with much dexterity. And how pleased we used to be when some unfortunate boy's top, because it could not "reel" out of the ring, was put into the centre for all the others to aim at, and got split in the end. This was not a bad school in which to learn to bear the ills of life without much ado, for it was deemed very weak if a boy, when his top was split, shewed emotion thereat. A top that was steady, and "fell asleep" when spinning, and would "reel" out of the ring when its spinning was over, was regarded with much esteem; but one which "bothered" or danced was felt to be a bore, and was soon thrown aside. We may herein see an illustration of the kind of men and women who are esteemed and preferred. Let a man be steady and even in his ways, and any body will prefer him either for business or friendship to one who is erratic and changeable.

"Hallo, tops gone!" This is uttered as, coming home on a fine evening, our attention is attracted by an object floating in the air, and which is seen at once to be a kite. Kite-flying is a nice amusement, and, lasting nearly all the summer, it forms a most healthy and beneficial pastime, for there is not only the flying but there is also the making of the kite. A nice willow was sure to be coveted, and, when proper, taken to make the "bender," or bow, whilst a good straight back-stick was a godsend. Paper was not so comeatable then as now; hence we were often put to straits for a sheet big enough. However, we managed to get along, somehow; but a good ball of string was often sought for a long time before we got it. Weaving shops were visited, and a place where a lot of "thrums" or linen waste were sometimes thrown out often saw a lot of lads near it. String being so precious, a large ball thereof often excited the envy and covetousness of the unfortunate, who often watched an oppor