or long range of upper win- Dean, he mentally, yet almost aloud, repeated ght buttresses, and crowned the mysterious words "Three and Sixpence.” Currets, forms a favourite e eye, as it raises itself eam of the Salmon Row, elow the terrace on which The grey stone stands in o the delicate blue of the seems to direct all men's heaven towards which it Anon, he met the Reverend Wittigift Grypnell, Canon of Noughtenborough, also out for his morning's walk, and looking quite as respectable, black, and sleek, as the Dean. Again polite salutations were exchanged, and again the Mayor muttered the words “THREE AND SIXPENCE." What could there be in the presence of the Dean and Canon of Noughtenborough so painfully suggestive of "THREE AND SIXPENCE?" Was the poor Mayor degenerating into monomania, and were clergymen the especial irritants that developed it? No; the solution of this enigma lay deep in the volumes of church history, over which our worthy Mayor had been poring; and it is from those volumes only that we can draw an explanation of his deep and solemn musings on this important financial subject. calm summer's day as is e men thankful for what grumbling about what e Mayor might be seen e terrace aforesaid. It o see the Mayor walking Mrs. Cracknell was rather Idom left home for any ly had a pretty daughter, ed, as the case might be, , or else some old friend arochial or civil combats. occasion, the Mayor was sorry to say, had no comomfortable words "THREE seen s but to blessin foes t Perha return and w to his her te in he was made they n deling of St. Centuries ago, when scarcely a street-full of wooden houses formed a village where now stands the city of Noughtenborough, when the river used to flood the country ad libitum, and when monasteries were in their flourishing state, there lived a certain widow, who had long since lost her husband in one battle somewhere, and all her sons in other battles elsewhere. Bowed down with grief, her only solace was the society of her daughter, the fairest flower of the whole neighbourhood for miles around, but whose youthful countenance bore sad marks of early sorrow. Many had wooed her, but she clung to her mother; and daughter and mother lived on their life of mourning till age and grief began to make them more alike. They might have been thought sisters in years, as well as in sadness. , no doubt; and too little nd of our steady-going been an over-charge for ld have settled it easily not paying it, or by "comioner. Had it been for a ottle of bouquet de la rose, he ssed the extravagant little nked Heaven that he had purchase many more such the "whole lot," as he s family. But this "THREE -e heavily on his soul. It f other men's evils; it was no from dinners eaten by Att of lin to the was to more Wealth, abundant wealth, was theirs, and charity, the truest, the noblest, and the most unlimited. proclaimed the fact. Religion seen speed forth in full steel, never to return, year was an important ever but to breathe out a last longing for a mother's appeared in his full canonicals blessing, while the horses of their retreating theirs, the boys conjugated foes trod their corses on the battle-field. all was "perfectly satisfacto Perhaps the daughter bethought her of the were still only the same num return of her last remaining brother, pale the foundation, and "twelv and wounded; how she had held the water alone received the benefit o to his lips, bathed his parched forehead with provided by the pious ladie her tears, and how he had laid his heavy head Mount. The master was per in her arms, and slept for ever. Perhaps it other boys, as day scholars at was such sad, such holy recollections, that and, as the original salary made both the friends of every blooming boy pounds a year, and he got m they met, that wiped the tears of weeping and day scholars, he neglected the delinquent urchins, and that founded the school portion. In fact, the day schol of St. Laura in Noughtenborough. the foundation scholars as a of "charity boys." Attached to the monastery, the school was of limited extent and endowment, but suited to the wants of the times. When ploughing was more fashionable than reading, and fighting more popular than either, no one would have expected a London University or King's College in a place like Noughtenborough. But, as the magnificent cathedral rose out of the humble monastery, as fighting gave place to human pursuits, and as refinement proporionately increased, the number of the "to be educated” had increased in a correspondingly extensive ratio. Such was, briefly, the history of the school how attached to the cathedral church of St. Laura, Noughtenborough. The Dean and Canons, who had stepped into the enjoyment of plenty of the old property of the monastery, vere quiet, inoffensive people, dropped into good berths out of close fellowships, lucky cutorships to "nobs," or the happy chance of being related to a Bishop. They lived well, lied highly respected, and their places were ladly taken by new comers like themselves. n fact, they were all alike. No one ever missed one of them, for if prosperity and but took him suddenly away tha Often had our kind-hearted the unimproved and neglect the school, and sadly had he present state with the intention by its pious and kindly founde he calculate how great ought t means of education now at t the townspeople, had the mo purpose, increased in the sam incomes of the Bishop, the Chapter. But, with all his c tion of documents, his anxiou history, nothing satisfactory labours. History appeared to deficient just where a conn most wanting; abuses seemed up and vegetated in hearty 1 kind of tacit consent, and c any visible opposition. One disappeared, and the incomes suddenly became larger; bu moved, and private residence nor canonries subsided into pa and, in a word, the histor seemed to be like that of the fish were continuall or Canon who did not hold at least one other | perfectly independent of the Church, he could living, while the chaplains got nothing but not be robbed of any emoluments. He accordwhat had been first refused by the whole ingly held an assembly of the corporation and chapter. The statutes were either unsatis-other chief citizens; and sent in a quiet, but factory, or not forthcoming. But among all firm and strictly legal, remonstrance touching the black index of perjury, misappropriation, the present state of the School of St. Laura, and inconsistency, to which this melancholy Noughtenborough. study of a noble subject gave rise, one little, but distinct fact, was destined to make more impression on the mind of the Mayor, and, subsequently, of all England, than even a sanguine imagination would have ventured to prognosticate. The Dean and Chapter, who had been very uncomfortable about certain similar disclosures which appeared to be going the round of all the similar institutions in the country, felt that their turn was come. If there had been the smallest opportunity for escape, they would have fought lustily. But they, like some of their predecessors in innovation, had the wrong sort of man to deal with. The character of the Mayor, and his influence upon the citizens generally, were so well In the ancient statutes of the School, which had fortunately been so mixed up with other interests, that it would have been impolitic to have lost them, it was ordered that the sum of "THREE POUNDS SIXTEEN SHILLINGS" should be paid to each of the twelve poor boys afore-known, that the Dean and Chapter wisely gave said, upon their leaving the school, always up all hopes of bringing intimidation, flattery, providing that due report were made of their or sophistry to bear on the present occasion. good conduct. Accordingly, they sent a polite, but distant reply, avowing their intention of "considering" the subject; and at the very next examination three of the boys were dismissed with the sum of Three Pounds Sixteen Shillings. Now it did so happen, that, of late years, the Three Pounds Sixteen Shillings, instead of, like the other monies similarly bequeathed, augmenting and fructifying three-hundred-fold or more, had unaccountably dwindled away to the magnificently insignificant sum of "THREE AND SIXPENCE." O most worthy Dean and Canons! Well might our Mayor pronounce these emphatic words as you passed in all your pride of black silk and respectability! Was there some curse upon the funds left to these poor boys, that made them grow less, instead of growing greater? Was there some destroying angel that smote the fields that gave forth the corn whence these funds were raised? They had, however, relied too much on one act of honesty, and had calculated too fondly on its value in wiping out a multitude of old grievances. The memorial sent by the Mayor and Corporation was more general in its demands. Not only was the dilapidated state of the school-house pointed out in strong terms, but the inefficiency of the master, the growing educational wants of the population of Noughtenborough, the want of a corresponding increase of educational resources, and other similar evils, were dwelt upon in a tone and manner that showed a determination to go on with the work already begun. In fact, the tacit admission that they had done wrong, implied in the immediate restoration of the Three Pounds Sixteen Shillings in lieu of the "THREE AND SIXPENCE,” which had dwelt Or did they think that it was a good thing that boys should go forth into the wide world with a little learning, and with three and sixpence to assist them to get more? Had they made a minute calculation of their own college expenses from personal experience, and so painfully on the Mayor's mind, was a fine arrived at the belief that "THREE AND SIX-start for the opposing party, and the public PENCE" was the magical sum which should set press and the public thought so, and acted a youth on his career, whether in the scholastic accordingly. or the commercial world? Even supposing so, what had become of the remainder of the money? The Mayor was a quiet, but a determined, man. Not being in holy orders, he had not the slightest fear of being called an "atheist" for declaiming against imposition; and being The Mayor proposes to establish twelve scholarships of thirty pounds a year each, to be of three or four years' duration, and to be furnished out of the misappropriated funds of the last two or three hundred years, eked out by voluntary subscriptions, in which he will 66 bear no inconsiderable share; albeit he believes, | of three passengers picked up by the brig that, were anything like the original will of the Marsden, on the morning after the burning of foundress fully carried out, still larger pro- the Amazon, has addressed a letter, giving visions might be made, even without extraordi- the fullest connected account of the calamity nary funds. He also proposes that a proper yet published, to the London Times. We staff of masters, at proper salaries, be engaged; copy the essential parts of it:— and that the foundation scholarships, instead The wind was right ahead, but she proceedof being looked upon as charity-school" "ed steadily on till about 9 o'clock, when the affairs, and the boys snubbed by the master, bearings of the cranks of the paddle shaft be be made matters of competition to the rest, came so hot that she was stopped, until by and that parents be led to send their children pumping water upon them for an hour, she in the hopes of gaining one of the substantial was enabled to proceed. The operation was prizes so established, instead of being taught repeated during the night and following mornto pride themselves on the nobility of their ing, and on Saturday, at 12 o'clock, our posiparents, which enables them to pay two guineas tion was lat. 49, 12 long. 4. 57. Towards evena quarter to enable their children to laugh at ing the wind increased, still ahead—our course those for whose use the school was originally west and by south half south. Between 8 and properly established. and 9 o'clock I was walking the deck with Mr. Whether these bright prospects and excel- Best, of Barbadoes, speaking of the state of lent ideas will be fully realised, we cannot the engines, on which they were then pumping. tell; but perhaps the fact that the most clever" You appear very anxious about those enboy of St. Laura is just going up to college at gines," said he: "is there any danger?" the expense of the Mayor, and a few other" None," said I," as long as there is plenty of friends of like disposition with himself, will sea-room: but, with our engines stopped, on a paobably shame the "authorities" into study- lee shore, I would not give much for our ing arithmetic a little, and reforming the cor- chance for escape in such a night as we are likerupt and lazy system which clings as firmly ly to have from the appearance of the weather." and unflinchingly to the cathedral of St. Laura, "I hope," said he, "there is no chance of Noughtenborough, as the ivy to the old stone- fire, as we should have two elements to conwall around its meadows. tend with." "I hope not," I replied, "for we should have three, as it is evidently going to blow a gale, and we must then look to the fourth for our refuge." "God forbid!" said he, "three to one are fearful odds. Good night," and he went below. I then proceeded to the engine-room, and found the bearings very hot. I mentioned to one of the engineers my apprehensions for the night, and recommended to slacken speed; while we were yet speaking the bearings became so hot that the contents of the grease cup burst off like so much steam. Mr. Angus, the chief engineer, who had been most constant in his attentions, was immediately on the spot, stopped the en The Mayor is as hearty as ever, and will probably be returned to Parliament next year. If so, we will merely say a few words of caution to Deans and Chapters. A wiser man than any of us once said, "Take care of the shillings, and the pounds will take care of themselves." In like manner we say, If would not provoke too much inquiry, that may end in your destruction, beware of seeking to pay Three Pounds Sixteen with THREE AND SIXPENCE. you [Household Words. DESTRUCTION OF THE AMAZON.gines, slacked the caps, and applied the pumps NARRATIVE OF A SURVIVOR. A FEW weeks since, the British steamer "Amazon" sailed from England for the West Indies, with a large number of passengers. A day or two after their departure, the steamer took fire and burned to the water's edge, nearly all on board perishing either in the fire or the surrounding ocean. Mr. Neilson, one for two hours before he could proceed. I had several times during the day conversed with Mr. Angus on the state of the engines, which, he told me, he did not expect would get settled to their bearings for at least a week. From the necessity of keeping the bearings constantly lubricated, a very large vessel of grease stood at the door of the store-room, which was under the galley. At about 11 om, leaving Mr. Vincent, men of the night-watch, I was the only one hen going at three-quar engineer in attendance, e bearings, told me all tably, and I accordingly after I had left the deck below to set the time, ions, when he perceived ■g up the fore-hatchway He immediately gave r of the watch, and ran ain, who instantly came is whole energies to the ed five minutes when I -bell, and the cries of accompanied by the Ehe female cabin passenny berth I saw the sparks he main hatchway above of the passengers hurryght-clothes. n and put on part of my easing confusion warned reaching the deck. This Mr. Roberts immediately attempted, and young Vincent, who was lowering down the dingy, jumped to the helm and put it hard up, until the ship paid off. In the mean time the aftermost boat on the port side (I think the mail boat) was lowered down, with probably twenty-five people in her; but the moment she touched the water she swamped, and all hands that were in her drifted astern, all clinging together with dreadful shrieks. The next boat forward (the pinnace) was aw on reaching the deck |