thereof are still.  Then are they glad, because they are at rest, and so He bringeth them unto the haven where they would be.  O that men would therefore praise the Lord for His goodness, and declare the wonders that He doeth for the children of men.

The preacher referred feelingly to a great storm or tornado which had visited the South Coast about six years before, when a large number of ships, sheltering in Torbay, were swept out by a sudden change in the wind and over forty of them were sunk.  This happened in the month of January, when drifting snow filled the eyes of the spectators, who were within hearing distance but could render no assistance.  The Brixham sailors acted most bravely and saved many lives, but over one hundred people were drowned.  We could see that some members of the congregation still mourned the loss of friends who had perished on that sad occasion.

We were well pleased with the service, and after a short ramble returned to our lodgings for dinner at one o’clock, afterwards adjourning to the drawing-room, where we were presently joined by our host, who suggested a walk that afternoon to see the beautiful views in the neighbourhood, a proposition to which we readily assented.

[Illustration:  THE OUTER HARBOUR, BRIXHAM.]

But while he was getting ready my brother happened to strike a few chords on the piano, which immediately attracted the attention of the two young ladies, who told us they had seen us at church, where they were in the choir.  They were beginning to learn some pieces to sing at Christmas, and, producing a pianoforte copy, asked my brother to play the accompaniment while they tried them over.  He made some excuses, but they said they knew he could play as soon as they heard him strike the chords; so, as his excuses were not accepted, he had to submit to the inevitable—–­not altogether unwillingly.  They had only just begun when their father came into the room and claimed our company for the promised walk, and, as I was the only member of the party ready to join him, we went out with the understanding that they would follow us.  After walking a short distance I suggested waiting for them, but the gentleman assured me they knew the way he always went on Sundays, and would be sure to find us.  I enjoyed the company of our host, as he seemed to know the history of the whole neighbourhood, and possessed a fund of information ready at command concerning every object of interest we saw.  He pointed out Portland in the far distance, where convicts worked, and where the stones used for sharpening scythes were produced.  He also told me that formerly Torquay consisted merely of a few cottages inhabited by fishermen, but some nobleman bought the place for L13,000, and let the ground in lots on short leases for building purposes.  Now that it was covered with fine houses, he received tens of thousands a year from chief rent, while many of the houses would come to his family in a few years’ time.