inquired specially as to the fate of this cockle.  It may still have an existence in the sacred edifice, or it may have given way, as all cockles must do in the end, whether in churches or private houses, to hot-water arrangements.  The pews in St. George’s are of the old, fashioned, patriarchal character.  They are of all sizes an irregularity quite refreshing peculiarises them; there are hardly two alike in the building; and a study of the laws of variety must have been made by those who had the management of their construction.  Private interests and family requirements have probably regulated the size of them.  Some of the pews are narrow and hard to get into—­a struggle has to be made before you can fairly take possession; others are broader and easier to enter:  a few are very capacious and might be legitimately licensed to carry a dozen inside with safety; nearly all or them are lined with green baize, much of which is now getting into the sere and yellow leaf period of life; many of them are well-cushioned—­green being the favourite colour; and in about the same number Brussels carpets may be found.  There is a quiet, secluded coziness about the pews; the sides are high; the fronts come up well; nobody can see much of you if care is taken; and a position favourable to either recumbent ease or horizontal sleep may be assumed in several of them with safety.  The general windows, excepting those in the chancel, are very plain; and if it were not for a rim of amber-coloured glass here and there and a fair average accumulation of dust on several of the squares, there would be nothing at all to relieve their native simplicity.  The pillars supporting the nave are equally plain; the walls and ceiling are almost entirely devoid of ornament:  and primitive white-wash forms the most prominent colouring material.  The gas stands, often very elaborate in places of worship, have been made solely for use here.  Simple upright pipes, surmounted by ordinary burners constitute their sum and substance.  The pulpit lights are simpler.  Gas has not yet reached the place where the law and the prophets are expounded.  The orthodox mould candle reigns paramount on each side of the pulpit; and its light appears to give satisfaction.

There is no Sunday school in connection with St. George’s.  In some respects this may be a disadvantage to the neighbourhood; but it is a source of comfort to the congregation, for all the noise which irrepressible children create during service hours at every place where they are penned up, is obviated.  Neither children nor babes are seen at St. George’s.  It is considered they are best at home, and that they ought to stay there until the second teeth have been fairly cut.  The congregation of St. George’s is specifically fashionable.  A few poor people may be seen on low seats in the centre aisle; but the great majority of worshippers either represent, or are connected with, what are termed “good families.”  Young ladies wearing on just