its joy and gladness, seemed to bring no comfort to their sad hearts. I admired the decorations in the male ward, and accepted a bouquet of roses from my young leper friend, whose face beamed with pleasure as he handed them to me. The flowers had been most carefully arranged by the child, who is a real artist, with a keen eye for the beautiful, and I felt sorry as I threw away his offering afterwards, when out of sight of the Leper Hospital; for I could not take home anything from that infected place. Daisy had commissioned Mrs. Smith, the matron of the Almshouse, to purchase for me a small workbox, while Bella ordered a blotting-pad, both of which Mrs. Smith was to get and present to me in their presence on Christmas morning. I never remember in my life receiving any presents that I was so pleased to get. Mrs. Smith, Daisy, Bella and myself were all in tears during their presentation, so there was no speech-making or eloquence displayed. I could not even utter a word of thanks, but stood like a fool crying silently, and trying to hide my tears by busying myself in taking the things I had brought out of the basket. Brother John, who had been a spectator of the scene, was shedding tears, too, I think; for he had turned his face away, and was using his handkerchief as if he had suddenly contracted a bad cold in his head. I cannot in any way describe this scene in all its sadness. Poor Bella and Daisy were such very bad lepers that they could not have handed the presents to me, even if they had tried, and it seemed inexpressibly kind of them to get for me their thoughtfully-selected and useful gifts. I tried to say a few cheerful things about Christmas, and to interest them in the gay crackers, cards, and various things I took out of the basket; but my words seemed to fall flat, and a great sadness settled on all of us. Daisy and Bella were sitting together in silence while I deposited my things on their little table; so, as I could think of nothing cheerful to say, nor was able to trust myself to speak it, even if I had, I dried my eyes and went to Bridget’s room. She had a great deal to tell me, and rattled along in joyful glee at seeing all the pretty crackers and cards and the bright colours that she loved so well. The Jewess, too, was very pleased with what we took her, and “wondered who would be so kind to her when I had gone.” I found the men sad and depressed. Ramey, who was not feeling so well as usual, seemed to be much troubled in his mind about my departure, and began speculating where we should all be by next Christmas. He had a favour to ask: it was that I would give him a photograph of myself and husband before leaving, and thanked me very much for my kindness to him. Then tears filled his eyes and he broke down utterly. Little Underwood, the boy who gave me the flowers, on seeing Ramey, began to cry too, so instead of having a “merry” Christmas, ours was an extremely sad one. When I went a short time after that to the asylum