Sincerely Mourned

An American who visited hdinburgh a few years ago met, on one of his explcrations of the town, an old gentleman whose face greatly attracted him. There was a shrewd humor, a benevolence, a quiet nobility of thought and intent, in the worn, sensitive features and brilliant eye that caused the stranger to follow him through tlie crowd, Fresently he stopped an acquaintance wliom he saw exchanging greetings with him. "Will you teil me who that old man is? I think I would rather claim him fora friend than anymanl have seen iu Europe." "All Scotland would probably share in your opinión," said his friend. " Phat is Dr. John Brown, author of 'Kab and his Friends.' " Most of our readers aro familiar with the narrative of "Rab and his Friends," which is unly a true story of a dog and two old Scotch people, but which is told with such wonderful simphcity, power, and pathos that it has made Di . John Brown the household name of a friend wherever the English lauguage is spoken. He died in Edinburgh during May, and the English papers have been filled with rcminiscences of this most bcloved of Scottish authors since Sir. Walter. It is a singular fact, howeyer, that in all these allusions to him, it is the man, hot the author, that is dwolt upon with tender rcgret, so entirely did his warm noble nature domínate his genius. "His professional practice was of a peculiar kind," saya one biographer. "He could not come into a farnily as a physician only; he must visit it as a friècd, share in all its joys and sorrows." "As ke walked along Prince street daily," said another, "his presencewas feit like a passing sunbeam by old and young. I saw him once enter a room where a conclave of grave directors were met, armed with conceit and obstinacy for a business squabble; but at one rémark frotn ür. Brown, full of good seuse, kindness, and humor, the pugnacity and ill-temper feil ofl', and they went cordially to the work in hand, restored to their better selves." It was this broad, fine sympathy for others, this iniuitive recognition of the best in each nan, that gave John Brown his power, and has made his death a nationa. .oss to Scotland. Such a cloéed record has a meaning to the dullest boys and girls just beginning life. They may not have the ability of this man', but they can cultívate in themselves that sunny temper and brotherly love which made him the idol of his native city and a helper to all who came near him. Queen Victoria does not indulge in the afleotation of pretendlng not to road the newspapers. She takos a morning and an erening dailr and several weeklioi, She is fond of nvels, too.