heaven;" over the third, "Relics of the Holy Trinity." These strange inscriptions remained where Maestro Sebastiano had so audaciously placed them till the May of 1571. At that date we find a record in the cathedral archives which, after rehearsing the words in question, and describing the position of them, proceeds: "Which words, placed there and written scandalously, and in a certain sort derisive of the veneration for holy relics, and in contempt of the Christian religion, the very reverend canons" (So-and-So--names rehearsed) "ordered to be removed and entirely canceled, so that they should no longer be seen or read." Can it be supposed that this very extraordinary inscription in a choir frequented daily by the canons of the church had entirely escaped notice for more than forty years? Surely this is impossible. Should we not rather see in the fact that the chapter of 1530 noticed the mocking words with probably a shrug and a smile, whereas the chapter of 1571 took care that they were removed, an interesting and curious commentary on the change which the intervening years had brought about in the spirit of the Church, and another unexpected indication of the difference between the Church of the worldly, pagan-minded Clement VII. and that of the energetic, earnest bigot Pius IV. That such a difference existed we know full well, but this passage of the Todi archives is a very curious proof of it. T. ADOLPHUS TROLLOPE. REST. In deepest weariness I lay so still One might have thought it death, For hush of motion and a sleep of will Gave me but soundless breath. And yet I slept not; only knew that Rest Held me all close to her: Softly but firmly fettered to her breast, I had no wish to stir. "Oh, if," I thought, "death would but be like this!-- Neither to sleep nor wake, But have for ages just this _conscious_ bliss, That perfect rest I take." The soul grows often weary, like the flesh: May rest pervade her long, While she shall _feel_ the joy of growing fresh For heavenly work and song! CHARLOTTE F. BATES. LETTERS FROM SOUTH AFRICA. BY LADY BARKER. MARITZBURG, February 10, 1876.