smiling face seems expecting to receive one. The men read them as they go home from their pit-work, and I do believe what they read is most useful to many.

"I only wish we could get an annual grant of some hundreds, which we could well employ. We received a nice stock from the Society, but they are nearly gone."

THE COMPLAINTS OF THE POOR.
"AND wherefore do the poor complain?"
The rich man ask'd of me;

"Come walk abroad with me," I said,
"And I will answer thee."

'Twas evening, and the frozen street
Were cheerless to behold,

And we were wrapp'd and coated well,
And yet we were a-cold.

We met an old bare-headed man,
His locks were few and white;
I asked him what he did abroad
In that cold winter's night;
"Twas bitter keen indeed, he said,
But at home no fire had he,
And therefore he had come abroad
To ask for charity.

We met a young bare-footed child,
And she begg'd loud and bold;
I ask'd her what she did abroad
When the wind it blew so cold.
She said her father was at home,
And he lay sick a-bed,

And therefore was it she was sent
Abroad to beg for bread.

We saw a woman sitting down
Upon a stone to rest,

She had a baby at her back

And another at her breast;

I asked her why she loiter'd there
When the wind it was so chill;

She turned her head and bade the child
That scream'd behind be still.

She told us that her husband served,
A soldier, far away,

And therefore to her parish she

Was begging back her way.

I turn'd me to the rich man then

For silently stood he

"You ask'd me why the poor complain,

And these have answer'd thee."

THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.