"Who is that?" says I, whispering to Cousin E. E. "That," says she, "is a gentleman from ----." "No doubt he's a member," says I; "how earnest he seeks for protection!" "Of course he is a member or they wouldn't let him speak," whispers she. "I know that," says I. "The Presbyterians don't allow any but members to speak in their meeting, of course; but it seems to me they do a great deal more talking than praying here, or singing either." "Oh, I don't believe any one but the chaplain ever thinks of praying here, and he cuts it short as pie-crust." "Don't be irreverent," says I. Cousin E. E. got up from her seat; so did Dempster. "Come," he said, "I am tired of hearing about salt." "Especially if the salt has lost its savor," says I, hoping to draw both their thoughts to the Scriptures, and get them in a proper frame of mind for the occasion. "The tax is what I want it to lose," says he, and I saw by his manner that thoughts of humility and prayer were far from him; so, rather than join in this mockery of holy things, I followed him out of that beautiful and sacred edifice, softened, and, I hope, made better by the service in which my soul had joined. "Well," says Cousin Dempster, when we stood once more on the stone carpet of the hall, "how did you like the House?" "What house?" says I. "The House of Representatives, to be sure," says he. "When I have seen it, I can tell you better," says I. "Oh, nonsense! you have seen it," says he, "in full session, too." "Look a-here, cousin," says I; "all this morning you've been talking about old houses and new houses, as if this heap of marble was a green, with buildings all round it. I've seen the place you call a rotunda--halls, with scrumptious stone carpets on them, and as fine a meeting-house as Solomon need have wanted. Now, if you want to show me that house where the Representatives meet, do it, and no more parsonizing about it." "But, cousin, I do assure you, we have just come from it. You have heard the members speaking." "I have seen a meeting-house, and worshipped in it," says I. "Are you really in earnest?" says he. "Would I, the member of a church, trifle on a sacred subject?" says I. "Oh!" says Cousin Dempster, a-leaning his back against the marble wall--"oh! hold me, or I shall laugh myself to death." I wish he had. There! XLVII. EASTER.