"I must tell you a story of Mr. William Pitt, who, being Warden of the Cinque Ports, has lately raised two regiments in this district, consisting of a thousand men each. He has often ridden over to General Moore's camp at Shorncliffe, and the two have talked together, General Moore telling his plans to Mr. Pitt. And one day Mr. Pitt said to General Moore, 'Well, Moore, but on the very first alarm of the enemy's coming, I shall march to aid you with my Cinque Port regiments, and you have not told me where you will place us.' Whereupon General Moore answered, 'Do you see that hill? You and yours shall be drawn up upon it, where you will make a most formidable appearance to the enemy, while I, with the soldiers, shall be fighting on the beach.' Mr. Pitt was excessively entertained with this reply, and laughed heartily. "And that reminds me of another little tale which Jack told to me--not as to Mr. Pitt, but as to Mr. Fox. He was playing a game of cards one day, no long time agone, and on overhearing some story that was told, he threw his cards down, and cried out, 'Tell that again! I hear a good deal of General Moore, and everything good. Tell me that again.' But Jack could not say what it was that had been told, only he liked to know that Mr. Fox could so speak of one who is Mr. Pitt's friend. And though Mr. Pitt and General Moore be so intimate, yet General Moore will have it that he cares little which side shall be in power, so long only as the country is well governed. But some say that 'tis like to be no long time before we see Mr. Pitt once more at the head of the Government." To this letter Molly sent a reply in her childish round handwriting, letting a little of her loneliness slip out, despite herself; and Mrs. Fairbank, much disturbed in mind on Polly's behalf, wrote also, suggesting arrangements for the greater safety of the people concerned. (_To be continued._) VARIETIES. RECIPES FOR MENTAL AILMENTS. _Against fits of fury._--Go at once into the open air, far away from your neighbours, and shout to the wind, and tell it how foolish you are. _Against attacks of discontent._--Set out for the homes of the poor. Look at their narrow rooms, their hard beds, their poor clothes and shoes. Observe what is put on their breakfast, dinner and supper table. Ask what their earnings are, and calculate how you would fare with the same amount. When you get home again you will be no longer discontented. _Against despair._--Look at the good things God has given you in this world and remember the better things He has promised for the next. She who looks for cobwebs in the garden will find not only them but spiders as well. But she who goes to find flowers will return with perfumed roses.--_From the German._ THOUGHT AND ACTION. The ancestor of every action is a thought. Our dreams are the sequel of our waking knowledge.--_Emerson._ A LESSON FOR A CHOIR-SINGER.