THE BENEVOLENT HEART.

of its power in one great effort, and then retire within itself, unable longer to relieve, but by There is the BENEVOLENT heart. Its emo- systematic and judicious discrimination applies tions are cheerful, and have a right tendency, and the means where and when the most good under the guidance of true principles it aids will be accomplished. It knows that while others, and derives benefit to itself; it yields the sudden shower may give a temporary renoa due deference to the prejudices of education or vation and floridness to the earth, it is the situation; it avoids contentious disputations, but gentle and continued rain which refreshes and maintains the right with a courteous firmness; fertilises. The ancients affirmed that the river it suppresses low desires of rivalry, but cher- Alpheus, taking its rise in Elis, passed under ishes honorable emulation; it does not allow the sea from Peloponnesus, and rose again at envy to spread its withering blight around, a considerable distance in Ortygia, and joined but delights in the view and acknowledge- the stream of Arethusa. If anything was ment of the virtues of others; it checks sus- thrown into the Alpheus at Elis, it would repicion when tampering with reputation, and appear after some time floating on the waters slander when breathing its poisoned whisper- of Arethusa. The benevolent heart casts ings upon fair fame, by bearing testimony to some trifle on the stream of life, and in amiability, and by a defence of the assailed. after years, neither expecting nor seeking a reIn its intercourse with society, it has a modest ward, is surprised to discover the little unrereserve, free from the affectation of softness, membered act of kindness reappearing, probut by no means degenerating into insipidity; ducing joy. As was just remarked, it neither its demeanor is natural and unconstrained, seeks nor expects reward, but it finds it in the which being the exposition of genuine feeling, consciousness of duty performed. There is and governed by discernment, always exhibits much of truth in the oriental apologue, as verthat which is proper and becoming. It gains sified by one of England's poets. friends, for it is careful to abstain from everything which might pain the sensitive; it is cheerful without levity, modest without affectation, and reserved without haughtiness. It commands respect and constrains esteem by its excellence. It cheers the toiling wayfarer by the roadside, and in the crowded thoroughfare prompts civility by its courtesy. Under the impulse of injured or exasperated feeling it may be urged to a passionate expression, but it cannot continue its ill-will even towards an enemy. One of the kings of old had been persecuting men for opinion's sake, dragging them to prison and the stake: a good man at a distance, whose peaceable vocation did not allow him to take up the weapons of warfare, but whose indignant feelings must find relief in expression, petitioned the Deity in this wise: "Good Lord, take him, the cruel king, by the neck, and hold him over the bottomless pit." This was a dangerous position for royalty, and in view of the frightful suspension and dreadful result, the better and benevolent feelings of his nature intervened to effect a compromise with his sense of vindictive justice-" Hold him over the bottomless pit-and shake him well—but do not let him fall in!" Its charitable feelings and purposes are manifested in its beneficence. It does not expend the energies

"Abou Ben Adhem, (may his tribe increase !)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold.
Exceeding peace' had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
'What writest thou?' The vision rais'd his head,
And with a look made all of sweet accord,
Answer'd, 'The names of those who love the Lord.'
And is mine one?' said Abou. Nay, not so !'
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still, and said, 'I pray thee then,
Write me, as one who loves his fellow-men !'
The angel wrote and vanished The next night
He came again with a wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!"

CONCLUSION.

Although your time and patience have been trespassed upon to so great an extent, allow me the privilege of a few remarks in conclusion. In this age, when the mental and physical energies are fully tasked to plan and accomplish vast designs; when commercial enterprise, in search of traffic and gain, ventures upon new oceans, and discovers new resources for the increase of its extended and extending sway; when active and speedy communication takes place between points far remote, by means of the applied power of steam and the electric principle, shall it be considered a great offence to bespeak for the heart a little consideration and regard, that its feelings may not be overpowered by the engrossing character of the employ

A DUTCH FAMILY PICTURE.

ments to which the body and mind are directed? Is it unreasonable to request that they may develope themselves in philanthropic acts which THERE is a class of our fellow-subjects in may serve to lessen the difficulty of the jour- the East which appears to have been someney through life? It cannot be expected that what unfairly dealt with by writers of Indian roses of the most exquisite fragrance are to books and Colonial historians, inasmuch as no blow in profusion along its borders; their ap-notice has been taken of them, save in some pearances are not only like angel visits, but the of the official returns of the population issued very places of their blooming, by the Colonial Office, in which, by the way, they figure rather prominently as regards number. I allude to the burgher inhabitants of our large colonial towns within the tropics.

"Like spots of earth where angel feet have stept, Are holy."

And when memory, recalling bygone days, lights upon evidences of kindness received or conferred, the recollection will be

"Sweet as when winter storms have ceased to chide, And all the new leaved woods resounding wide, Send out wild hymns upon the scented air."

THE LINNET-HAWKER.

I MET, in a close City square,
A linnet-hawker, hawking loud;
And, though small melody was there

To draw a member from the crowd,
A mournful thought went with his song,
That secretly attracted me:

So, fixed I stood, and brooded long,

While thus he chimed in rudest key:-
"Linnets, linnets, full-song linnets, O!"

The fledgling bliss, the wavy flight,

The feathery ecstacies that flow
From freedom in the airy light,

The little captives may not know.
Of their own birthright robb'd, alas!
What voice of anguish might they lift
In music for the time that was-
Betrayed by so divine a gift!
Linnets, linnets, full-song linnets, O!

Far from their woodland joys are they!
Far, far from the forsaken nest,
And from their parents far away!
Who sit and brood with vacant breast
Amid the sunlight on the leaves,
Where now a fitful song they sing
Of sorrow that more inly grieves,
And will not hope in anything:
Linnets, linnets, full-song linnets, O!

But now-since evil has its good

A latent truth the soul knows well;
What mission have the stolen brood
In this great City's depths to dwell?
It is to cheer the sick at heart

With Eden songs of country days;
Of grass, and balm for every smart;
Of freshness, flowers, and woodland ways.
Linnets, linnets, full-song Tinnets, O!
And, through their little throats, a stream
Of sweet impulsive song will flow;
To some-a yearning and a dream;
To all-a sweet relief from woe.

In Europe, the term "Burgher" was applied in olden days, to all citizens, or dwellers in principal towns, carrying on trades or professions therein. In the East, or, rather, within the tropics, it is used to designate the descendants of old Portuguese and Dutch colonists-a class at once numerous and respectable. At the Cape colony they form the majority of settlers; but, in the tropical settlements of Ceylon, Singapore, &c., they are greatly outnumbered by other races. When the former island was taken possession of by the British forces, many of the Dutch civil servants returned to Holland or went on to Java; but very many were too poor to travel, or preferred remaining where they had been born. Their descendants have continued to fill many leading posts in the colonial establishments, and nearly all the minor appointments in the Judicial and Revenue Departments are bestowed upon these and the Portuguese burghers. The Dutch have been, and are to this day, very careful not to intermarry with any Cingalese; thus their habits and their characters have undergone but little change. The Portuguese, on the other hand, have been far less scrupulous on this point; and their descendants of the present day are to be seen of every shade and gradefrom the well-clad medical student, to the half-starved, half-naked street-sweeper, or the bazaar-keeper.

Until very recently, there was little, if any, social intercourse between the European and burgher classes: a line of demarcation had been drawn between the two races, which very few dared to pass. This extended to such of the proscribed colonists as held important posts under Government, who, while their abilities and characters were owned and [Household Words. respected by their European fellow-civilians,

Heard, spirit-like, the tide to stem

Of toiling men, who muse and moan To breathe the woods again!- for them, Old Linnet-hawker still sing on: Linnets, linnets, full-song linnets, O!

found no admittance within the threshold of prim-looking streets of the native town. The their homes. weather was fine; that is to say, parchingly

If, however, the English colonists contrive | hot; the sky was undimmed by a single cloud. to monopolise the best berths in the service, The bland sea-breeze played coyly with the the burghers have managed to secure to feathery foliage of the tall palms and arckas, themselves the most comfortable dwellings, and waved against the azure sky many a with the best gardens. The same jealous top of broad-leaved bright green bananas. exclusiveness which has so completely sepa- The native bazaar, at the corner of the town, rated these two classes, impels the Euro- with one end jutting out upon the sea, was, pean to take up his residence in a quarter for once, clean and gay. The dealers in fish, as far removed as possible from the suburbs fruit, and curry-stuffs, appeared to have put usually occupied by the burghers. The on new clothes with the New Year. The English merchants and civil servants will be huge white turbans, and gilt-edged muslin found located along the edge of some high scarfs, glistened in the noonday sun; and road, within a very small patch of burnt-up gorgeous, many-coloured vests and wrappers paddock, once green. Their tenements are vied, in the brilliancy of their tints, with the of no particular order, being mostly long many-hued piles of fruits and balmy flowers. rambling white-washed places, very like huge The very fish and vegetables appeared cleaner rabbit-hutches. A few palms occasionally than usual; while spices, condiments, and make an attempt at shading the dusty hot sweetmeats looked down from many a loaded verandah in front; while small tufts of shelf to tempt the passer-by. cinnamon-bushes are to be seen withering away in the parched sand, evidently disgusted with their circumstances. How different the dwellings of the burghers! Some of these, it is true, are in the midst of the pettah, or native town, but most of them will be found scattered about in quiet shady lanes. Many are quite hidden from the passer-by, amidst a dense little forest of fruit-trees, rose-bushes, and evergreens-concealed amidst leaves and flowers as snugly as though they were so many huge red-bricked birds' nests.

Leaving this motley scene, where the song of the Hindoo dancers blended in wild harmony with the Cingalese tom-tom, or drum, I passed on to the heart of the dwelling-place of the middle-class of Burghers.

Before every house was an ample verandah, partly veiled by an open bamboo curtain. In these lofty cool retreats, were seated the many families of the place, receiving or paying the good wishes of the season. Once upon a time, the streets were graced by rows, on either side, of shady spreading souriya trees, bending over the footways, and peeping in at the verandahs, to see how the inmates were getting on; winking the large eyes of their yellow tulip flowers at the daughters, and enticing pretty birds to come and sing amongst the leafy branches. But this was in the good old days of sleepy Holland. Now, all are gone-green boughs, winking flowers, and singing-birds. More 's the pity!

It is seldom, indeed, that anything occurs to break the dull monotony of life in the East. With no public amusements, no public promenades, colonists seldom meet each other save at the churches. There are, however, a few days in the year when a little change in this clock-work existence takes place amongst the burgher population; when grim-looking Dutchmen relax the stern rigidity of their bronzed features, and assume some gay suit of As I passed along, I met many groups many colours. When portly sleepy dames of old, young, and middle-aged, evidently rouse up for the emergency, startle the quiet families, in full burgher holiday costume. family halls with their busy tongues, and They were, in each case, followed by two or scare the old watch-dog with the vivid bril-more turbaned fierce-looking domestics, bearliancy of new ribands and clean lace. One of ing enormous trays, piled up with something these very few and much-prized occasions is hidden from vulgar gaze by flowing veils of New Year's Day. muslin. I could not help calling to mind the

In the afternoon of the first day in Janu-procession of slaves, in the Arabian Nights, ary, 1850, I strolled out from the old, ram-which we are informed followed the steps of bling, crumbling fort of Colombo, over a very caliphs and sorcerers, bearing with them shaky wooden drawbridge, through the broad huge presents of precious things from sub

terranean worlds. I watched some of these bourhood, I reached the outskirts of the town, domestic embassies, and perceived that they where are to be seen some of the prettiest and entered the houses of some of the neigh- most retired of the burghers' dwellings. bours; there was a great fluster and bustle, These are mostly fine old mansions of red and no end to the talking and laughing in brick, with solid, grim-looking gable-ends the great verandahs. I entered the dwell- frowning down upon the old rusty gates, and ing of a Dutchman to whom I was known, the great round well by the forest of plantainand found one of these family groups within. trees. I found myself standing before one A rare merry scene it was. The deputa- of these, in a sweet green lane lined with tion had just arrived; friends were shaking lofty palms, spreading gorekas, and huge hands; the great black slave of the " Arabian India-rubber trees. The heavy wall in front Nights" uncovered the hidden treasures on hid the sturdy mansion from my view; but, the tray, and, lo! there were discovered-not the gates being open, I obtained a peep of viles of glittering sequins, and emeralds, the Oriental paradise within. Rare old fruitand rubies, as I had expected, but a few trees on the grass-plot were well laden unches of yellow plantains, some green with clustering, many-coloured fruit! They oranges, a handful of limes, half-a-dozen pine- must have been in bearing when the old genapples, and a homely-looking cake frosted tleman in the easy chair, and the pink cotton with sugar. These were the universal New trousers, and the black skull-cap, was a mere Year offerings amongst that simple com- child. How cool the place looked amidst all munity, given as tokens of good-fellowship that dense green foliage! One might almost and neighbourly feeling; and, as such, have caught a cold in the head by merely welcomed and cheerfully responded to. Little looking in at the gate. The sun evidently corpulent glasses of cordials, or schiedam, never troubled the little children playing on were handed round amongst all arrivals, rich the grass under the thick clusters of mangoes, or poor; good wishes were exchanged; a few sour-sops and plantains; except, perhaps, for stale jokes were cracked; inquiries were made a few minutes at noon. What a jolly old for the grandmother who was too infirm to house it was, to be sure, with verandahs as join the party; and away went the neighbours large as the Burlington Arcade in London; with another slave and another heap of hidden and such windows! They looked like so gifts, to the next acquaintance. These pre- many roofs of hot-houses let sideways into the sents are not confined among equals; the walls; and, as to the doors, one might have most humble menial scrapes a few challies fancied, from their size, that the family were together for the occasion, and lays at his in the habit of keeping their carriage in the master's feet an oblation of fruits and flowers. back parlour, or setting out the dinner-table The very 66 grass-cutter," the miserable in the doorway: there would have been anger-on of stables, contrives, somehow, abundance of room in either case, and a little get a few pines and plantains on a blueand-white dish; and, poverty-stricken though she be, pours out her simple gifts before her master with gentle dignity.

to spare, too!

There were nice beds of flowers on each side of the large grass-plot, and orange-trees; and the passer-by peeping in far enough, as I did, Group after group went through the town. might have caught a glimpse of one or two Gay parties continued to amuse themselves in pairs of small pretty feet, and faces to match, many a dusty verandah. Scores of meer- hidden away cosily among the roses and schaums sent forth circling clouds of fragrant oleanders. Well, those are nice, quiet, enwhite smoke; while many a dreamy Dutch-joyable places, and much better than the hot man nodded in his high-backed, richly-carved dusty dignified rabbit-hutches of the English chair of ebony. The hour of vespers ap- on the other side of the fort! proached. There were heard dozens of little I passed on, as my fancy led me, until I tinkling bells; and forth came scores of dam- came to another stout Dutch residence, which sels clad in pure white. Again the dusty streets pleased me, though not so much as the other were busy and alive, and many of the good one had done. It was altogether another deCatholic verandahs lost their chief charmers. scription of house, though doubtless pleasant Straying onwards from this bustling neigh-enough in its way. It stood close upon the

road, with all the garden behind it, so that | clerks in a government office, and are none the one saw nothing but red bricks and little worse for that. But, when I mention DutchDutch tiles. There was no peeping in, there, men, by the by, do not let any one for a through any open gates; no catching the moment picture to himself the burly, bright daughters quietly among the flowers. visaged, many breeched gentry of friend Knick

The owner of the house chanced to be en-erbocker: that race has died out long since, within the tropics. Nankeen trousers, a white jacket and waistcoat-all fitting pretty closely on a rather slim-built figure-with a modern London beaver, make up the externals of the Dutch burghers of the East.

joying his evening pipe in the capacious doorway; and, seeing me surveying the premises, he at once rose from his quiet seat and bade me welcome. When he learnt my desire to examine his mansion, he gladly conducted me through the great rooms to the garden. The Determined to see all that related to the principal room or hall was of enormous mag-day among the burghers, I had accepted nitude. I believe you might have driven a an invitation from a Dutchman, a worthy stage-coach, with very frisky leaders, round book-keeper grown grey in the service of the dinner-table without fear of touching the army of chairs ranged along the walls. I could almost fancy the builder had made a mistake, and roofed in a good part of the road. I looked up, and thought I should never get a sight of the roofing, and wondered whether the sparrows building their nests so high there, ever felt giddy and fell down upon the dinner-table. The other rooms were smaller, but all spacious enough, and well filled with ebony and calamander furniture. On the whole, the mansion was elegant and refined. There was a degree of polish about the windows, and a sort of rakishness in the couchcovers and ottoman drapery, which struck me, while the very screen in the doorway had a jaunty air which there was no resisting.

one of the leading merchants, to join an evening party at his house. I arrived there between eight and nine o'clock, and found old Samuel Kugper at the door, anxiously awaiting me. I was at once introduced to Mrs. Kugper, a portly dame, whom I found seated in solemn silence, on a huge ottoman, at one end of the long room. In vain I uttered innumerable speeches, full of compliment; equally useless were my inquiries after her family. The lady, I found, understood not one word of English; and this is the case with most of the female members of these families.

The room we were assembled in, was one of the huge warehouse-looking places I have already described. There were acres of glass in the walls. You could see all that was Right and left from the large house, ex- going on in the supper-room, everything in tended backward, two ranges of sleeping the garden, and not a little in the bed-rooms. apartments and stores, with long stone ter- In front of these fields of windows, were long races, filled with flowering shrubs in gigantic rows of seats nearly all occupied by Dutch pots. At the farther end were rows of huge, and Portuguese ladies of every age. They suspiciously-shaped jars, looking as though presented a strange contrast to the merry they belonged to Ali Baba and the Forty parties I had beheld in the day-time. All Thieves. At the termination of this pottery, the fun and jollity were gone. It was not were wide flights of steps leading to a neatly- etiquette to laugh or to speak aloud before laid-out garden, full of the richest flowers, and greenest shrubs, and most tempting fruittrees, the eye ever saw, or fancy pictured. There was a small fountain in the midst, with a seat by the side, and round it lay scattered children's toys.

the dancing began, and so all sat stiff and silent, like so many mummies. Had our assembling been for a funeral, or for reading a will, the solemnity of the company could scarcely have been greater. It was painful. Our host, however, possessed good-humour enough for half the party; he was all smiles, from the heel of his shoe to the tips of his grey hair. More than once, I caught him rushing out into the garden to have a laugh Such houses are mostly the dwelling-places all to himself. The wife was quite another of old Dutch families, the heads of which may sort of person: happy enough, no doubt, if be lawyers, or deputy registrars, or chief she could but have felt quite sure about

On the whole, this was a pretty place, but not so natural and home-like as the other; besides, the stiff terrace and the jars of the Forty Thieves rather marred its beauty.