NEVER

EVER shall I forget the sinking of heart with which I heard the first tinkle of the kirk bell. I was able to assume an appearance of composure as I accompanied the minister to the kirk, but every limb was trembling. As usual in country places, the kirkyard wall, being low, was crowded with male sitters, who, while taking off their hats respectfully to the minister, examined me curiously as we passed in front of them. Country folks are very apt to judge of a man's gifts by the size of his bones and sinews, and look with far more respect on a preacher of a powerful frame of body, and lungs corresponding, than on one of a diminutive and feeble build like myself. The minister was a tall, portly man, and I was conscious of appearing to great disadvantage beside him. And as if purposely to add to my distress, he thoughtlessly informed me that the congregation was more numerous than usual, owing to the people having heard that a new hand was to preach.

I followed the minister into the vestry, and was there arrayed for the first time in the official gown. Mr. Balbirnie helped me on with it, and made me drink a glass of wine, a bottle of which he kept in a press. The wine gave me some heart, and as the bell had now ceased, and the betheral had taken the books to the pulpit, I prepared to follow him therethe minister coming hindmost. The passage from the vestry door to the pulpit was, fortunately, not a long one, and while proceeding along it I kept my eyes steadily fixed on the man's back, that the sight of the congregation might not unnerve me at the beginning. But there was an unchancy half-witted old wife, who always sat on the pulpit stairs, and about whom the betheral ought to have given me notice. She had already taken her place-from which there was no dislodging her without using unbecoming violence-and though there was room enough for us to pass her, over her I must needs stumble, owing to the gown, which was too long for me, getting twisted about my legs. The minister, providentially, got a grip of me before I had either hurt her or much affronted myself; but she was of a cankered nature, and though it was in the kirk and I was to preach, she did not scruple audibly to say "Sorra's in the lad!" "Whisht, Jenny, my woman!" I heard the minister whisper in answer, clapping her on the shoulder to quiet her. It made my face burn like the fire; but as Mr. Balbirnie on entering the pulpit stood up immediately at the book-board to give out the psalm, his broad figure tolerably screened me from observation and gave me time to recover myself.

I ventured at length to raise my eyes and glance round the kirk. It was little different from the usual country kirks of that period, except in being somewhat more antique in its aspect; the crumbling, worm-eaten woodwork was of oak, almost black with age, and the pulpit and mouldings of the doors were quaintly carved. There was a small gallery in front of the pulpit, and one on either hand, with an aisle under each, for the building was in form of a cross. These aisles were lighted with narrow small-paned

windows of coarse glass, in which the men had piled their hats, and it was a grey day. I was glad to see that the kirk was so gloomy. In the table seat were several old pauper wives in duffle cloaks and white mutches, with a black ribbon pinned across them; and a few old men. One of the heritors' (proprietors) lofts was empty, but to my sorrow the front and most conspicuous one was filled to the door with gentry, among whom were seated several spoiled and restless bairns. The minister's seat-a square seat with a table in the middle-was on one side of the pulpit; and seated there, with their faces to the preacher, were the three misses, each prepared with paper and pencil to take notes of the sermon.

The minister in his prayer must needs allude, forsooth, to his "dear young friend, who was to be privileged that day for the first time to preach the gospel." I did not thank him for it, but I believe he meant kindly by me. What kind of exposition he gave I know not, but when he closed the Bible it seemed to me the briefest that had ever been delivered in a kirk. My time I found was now come, and with a species of quiet desperation I prepared to face the congregation.

It was truly a trying moment of my life when Mr. Balbirnie, after giving me an encouraging clap on my knee, retired from the pulpit to his family seat, and I rose, and with a voice which I vainly endeavoured to steady, gave out a psalm to be sung. At my request a stool had been placed in the pulpit, which I had been told was a deep one, to raise me to a convenient height above the book-board; but as Mr. Balbirnie needed no extra elevation, it had been pushed under the seat by the betheral, who told me I should find it there and could draw it forward when necessary. There was no time, however, for doing so between the minister's leaving and the giving out of the second psalm, so that my head and shoulders only were visible to the congregation at the first, which must have looked awkward and singular. While they were singing, I succeeded in pulling the stool forward; but it was a broad, ponderous thing, and made a weary creaking and straining during the process, which must have been audible to the people near the pulpit, notwithstanding the bawling of the precentor, who was one of the most uncultivated singers that have so often disgraced our Scotch kirks. I got it properly placed at last, and when the singing was over I stood up on it to pray.

I never once opened my eyes till I had concluded. I got through the duty with tolerable composure, and I trust with some devotional feeling also. I was addressing my God, and this solemnised and elevated my spirit, delivering me for a season from my slavish fear of man. But when the noise of the people resuming their seats, and of the usual coughing and blowing of noses, was succeeded by the deep expectant silence preparatory to turning over the leaves of the Bibles in search of the text, I felt as if all my former apprehensions were returning with double force upon me. Groping in my pocket to be sure that my manuscript was at hand in case of

sermon and become a popular preacher afterwards. Think no more on't, you'll do better the next time!" I shook my head in utter despondency; I was grievously cast down.

now.

"Ay, ay, ay! you think it's all up with you just But I nearly stuck myself, man, the first time I preached. Go your ways up to the manse, and rest yourself for half an hour. The session and I have to meet here; but I'll join you at the end of that time-you'll be a different man after dinner."

manse.

I accordingly left him in the vestry waiting for the elders. They were standing in the passage outside, and the foremost of them was the grim old carle who had worked me so much ill. I slunk past them with downcast head. The kirkyard was clear by this time, and I hurried through it and up to the I stole like a guilty thing in at the door, which happened to be open, and ascended the stairs to my room. I had taken my resolution. I could not face the minister's daughters after what had occurred; and I had a yearning desire to return to my mother, who would sympathise with and console me. Hastily cramming my things into my pocket, I hastened away, for fear I might meet the minister, who I knew would frustrate my purpose. Fortunately, I met a servant-girl in the lobby down-stairs, and I asked her to tell Mr. Balbirnie that as I did not feel well, which was truth, I was returning to Edinburgh. I was glad when I got beyond the bounds of the manse and kirk, and then, stealing through the village like a criminal who fears detection, I made the best of my way towards home.

It was a dreigh walk that. I was weak and faint in body; and oh, but my heart was heavy! If I had been a woman, I should have willingly given way to it, and sat down by the roadside and wept. I was bringing disappointment and sorrow to my poor mother. She would comfort me, I knew, but she would feel my failure keenly; and it was a total failure, I feared. I was not fitted to preach-I had not courage for it. I felt certain it would be the same as to-day every time I entered a pulpit. I had mistaken a mere natural inclination for an inward call. Eight years of study were thrown away; for the honour of being one of God's labourers in his pleasant vineyard of Scotland was assuredly not intended for me.

Much of my despondency arose, no doubt, from an empty stomach and an exhausted frame, for I had scarcely broken bread that day.

When I reached the town I stole through byways to our house. I was afraid of meeting acquaintances; above all, I dreaded seeing the Carrutherses, lest my looks should betray my misfortune. But I met no one on our stair when I crept wearily up it. I could not look Nelly in the face when she opened the door, and when she said, "Eh, sirs! Mr. Matthew, can this really be you the nicht, and lookin' sae like a ghost?" I made no answer, but went straight into the parlour. My mother was in her own room, as usual on Sabbath evenings. She came immediately on Nelly informing her of my arrival, and found me seated in the big chair with my elbows on my knees and my face concealed in my hands.

Matthew, my dear, what ails you?" she said, in a trembling voice, as she laid her hand upon my shoulder.

"Mother, I fear I have mistaken my trade," I answered, thinking it best to speak plainly.

"No, no, Matthew-do not say that!" said my poor mother, who guessed what had happened; "it's just been want of nerve, and time will mend that."

"I do not think it will mend it, mother," I said, looking sorrowfully up in her face; and then I saw how pale she had got, and what a cruel disappointment I had brought to her, not merely now, but for her whole future life.

"How was it, Matthew? tell me all about it?" she asked, drawing a chair close beside me, and taking one of my hands in hers. And I told her everything that I have set down here.

She made no comments on what she had heard, but clapping me kindly on the back, she rose and went to the cupboard, and poured a little whisky (which she always kept in the house as medicine) into a glass, which she brought me, along with a biscuit. She made me take it, and watched me as I did so.

"How do you feel now, Matthew?" she then asked.

"Better," I answered; and I certainly did feel better than I was.

"Matthew," she said, confidently, "if those three cutties had not been there, and if you had taken your breakfast-which no man can preach wanting it's my belief you would have got on as well as your neighbours."

"Do you really think so, mother?" I said, with somewhat lightened spirits. A minister's wife has great experience in these things, and my mother had more than most.

"I am sure of it, my dear. And now I'll get you your tea, with a rasher of the Culdees loch bacon, for there's nothing else in the house."

How tender and loving is a mother! My mother's soothing words and kind ministrations were like a healing balm to my depressed and wounded spirit. She would not even express disappointment lest it should pain me, but persisted that the morbid state ofy feelings had made me exaggerate my failure. With the paper before me I was sure to succeed next time, and I began to admit a hope that she might be right.

Nelly brought in the tea-things with the tear in her eye, and she tried in her own way to encourage me too. She had heard in our own country side of various ministers who had almost "stuck" when preaching their first sermon, and yet had become powerful preachers afterwards.

"There was ould Mr. Router," she said, "for ane. The first time he preached not a soul in the kirk kent what he said except the precentor beside him. And yet, during the coorse o' his ministry, they say he dang the leaves out o' four Bibles, and broke the sides o' twa pulpits wi' perfect birr. Live and learn, Mr. Matthew-we maun a' live and learn! A bairn hasna the pith o' a grown-up man, and ye're but a bairn at the preaching yet."

And truly, what with their encouragement and the tea, I was greatly consoled and strengthened. Though when Miss Betty after worship returned her usual thanks for edification, I felt my face redden as I remembered the little cause I had given to the Kirkland folk that day to make me a similar compliment. My mother prudently advised me to keep my own counsel.

"It's an ill bird-you know the byword, Matthew," she said, significantly. And truly I followed her advice.

for it shows most conclusively that idleness is very far from being a national failing. We welcome the picture here presented to us. Life is real, life is earnest," it says to every reader, with no uncertain voice, while in its most minute details it presents a record of which an Englishman may be proud, showing that we are surpassed by no other country in the world in the application of labour to every conceivable end. And then, again, as we look down this long list of the people's occupations, we can scarcely fail to be struck by the bond of union which is here furnished between class and class. Work is the solvent which unites us all in one mass. The form of our daily occupation may differ-here a master, there a servant, on the one hand a brain-worker pure and simple, on the other a labourer from whom little if any thought is required—but in all cases there is the same obedience to the same law, the realization of one at least of the great ends for which we are placed here.

Looked at from this point of view, the figures before us have an interest for all thoughtful men; but it is from a somewhat lower standpoint that we shall at first invite the reader to regard them. And at the outset we have to remember that the population of England and Wales, which in 1871 amounted to 22,712,266, is here separated into six great classes, with numerous orders and subdivisions. First, we have the professional class; secondly, the domestic class; thirdly, the commercial class; fourthly, the agricultural class; fifthly, the industrial class; and lastly, the indefinite and non-productive class. To arrive at the number of actual non-workers we must look to this last division; and after deducting the workers whose branch of labour is undefined, we have the comparatively infinitesimal number of 166,832 persons over twenty years of age not returned under any occupation. In other words, we find that in every thousand persons there are only from seven to eight who are really idle, and many of these are, of course, aged and infirm men and women, who might more truly be described as "past work." Looking at the population under twenty years of age, the number of non-productive individuals is, of course, materially increased, for then we come to the scholars and children, who number upwards of seven millions and a half of the total population.

Turning from non-workers to workers, the first point which strikes us is the vast number of their occupations. In Class 1, for instance, we have a somewhat wide and comprehensive reading of the term "professional." We are accustomed in everyday life to talk of the "learned professions," while we also speak of the naval and military services under the same category, but in the census under this head we find the lawyer classed with the barrister and the lawstationer, the druggist with the physician and surgeon, a still larger class of "authors, literary persons, and students," followed by artists, musicians, actors, teachers, and scientific persons. These, then, are regarded as the professional classes of English society, and numerically they form its smallest division, only

The number of clergymen, ministers, and "others connected with religion" is returned at 44,562, of whom about 5,000 are women being missionaries, deaconesses, and sisters of charity. The number of women classed as "authors and literary persons" is far larger than the number of males, standing in round numbers at seventy-eight as compared with sixty-one thousand. The figures under this head are, however, probably among the least trustworthy in the book, for while a woman who is described as a a "literary person" is very unlikely to be anything else, a very considerable proportion of our male authors and students are nominally engaged in other professions under which they would return themselves to the enumerators. Thus, very many of the novels, the sensational "leaders," and even the sterner articles which fill the pages of our high-class reviews and periodicals, come from the pen of the young physician, the barrister, the clergyman or minister, who often ranges beyond divinity, or the government employé, who appears in the census under his strictly correct designation, although in all probability he gains more by writing than by the exercise of his ordinary vocation. This, however, is one of the accidents against which the compilers of these reports can scarcely contend, unless, indeed—and the result would be most interesting-they were to request professional men engaged as authors or on the press to state the fact, and introduce the figures thus obtained in a note. Under the legal class we find several sub-heads, commencing with the barristers, of whom there are about three thousand five hundred, followed by about twelve thousand solicitors and attorneys, fifteen hundred law-students, nearly nineteen thousand law-clerks, and nearly one thousand law-stationers. In the medical class physicians and surgeons are returned together. While out of the forty-four thousand "doctors" and druggists, using the former word in its restricted sense as applied to medical practitioners, we have no less than three thousand lady followers of Esculapius, a figure at which the heart of Mrs. Garrett Anderson, M.D., and her colleagues, ought to rejoice.

The progress of the "sweet girl graduates" at the Inns of Court, and at the other institutions frequented by those "learned in the law," does not seem so general, for of thirty-seven thousand lawyers and law-stationers, only fifty-one are females, and these are probably engaged in the clerical part of the work. This is nevertheless double the number returned under the same head ten years ago. The work of teaching still continues to attract the greatest proportion of female labour, nearly three-fourths of the hundred and twenty-seven thousand teachers being women, while considerably more than a quarter of these ladies are under twenty years of age, a fact sadly suggestive of the breaking up of happy homes by death or distress, which is the too frequent cause of this form of woman's work. The number of actors and actresses is slowly increasing, but the total number of persons employed on the stage is little more than seven thousand. Looking at the return