a to Scandinavia in the
northwest; and everywhere she is the "Mater Dolorosa." And who is it,
reader, that in the Christian world struggles for life and power under
the name of the Holy Virgin, and through the sad features of the
Madonna?

[3] _Iliad_, I. 63.

[4] Euripides.

[5] Archilochus.

[6] This function of Mercury, as Psycho-Pompos, or conductor of
departed souls to Hades, is often misunderstood. He was a Pompos not so
much for the safety of the dead (though that was an important
consideration) as for the peace of the living. The Greeks had an
overwhelming fear of the dead, as is evident from the propitiatory rites
to their shades; hence the necessity of putting them under strict
charge,--even against their will. (Horace, I. Ode xxiv. 15.) All
Mercury's qualifications point to this office, by which he defends the
living against the invasions of the dead. Hence his craft and
agility;--for who so fleet and subtle as a ghost?

[7] Plato's _Republic_, at the close.

THE MINISTER'S WOOING.

[Continued.]

CHAPTER XXII.

Mary returned to the house with her basket of warm, fresh eggs, which
she set down mournfully upon the table. In her heart there was one
conscious want and yearning, and that was to go to the friends of him
she had lost,--to go to his mother. The first impulse of bereavement is
to stretch out the hands towards what was nearest and dearest to the
departed.

Her dove came fluttering down out of the tree, and settled on her hand,
and began asking in his dumb way to be noticed. Mary stroked his white
feathers, and bent her head down over them till they were wet with
tears. "Oh, birdie, you live, but he is gone!" she said. Then suddenly
putting it gently from her, and going near and throwing her arms around
her mother's neck,--"Mother," she said, "I want to go up to Cousin
Ellen's." (This was the familiar name by which she always called Mrs.
Marvyn.) "Can't you go with me, mother?"

"My daughter, I have thought of it. I hurried about my baking this
morning, and sent word to Mr. Jenkyns that he needn't come to see about
the chimney, because I expected to go as soon as breakfast should be out
of the way. So, hurry, now, boil some eggs, and get on the cold beef and
potatoes; for I see Solomon and Amaziah coming in with the milk. They'll
want their breakfast immediately."

The breakfast for the hired men was soon arranged on the table, and Mary
sat down to preside while her mother was