his life; but his ideas, animated, as they were, by a pure spirit of love, will never perish. Pestalozzi's whole life was devoted to the sacred duty of educating children, and elevating the condition of the people. The foundations of his system, were benevolence and earnest striving after truth. Many of the noble seeds which he sowed-though some may have been lost-took deep root; and, in the course of time, bore fruit a hundred-fold. To this day our schools have to thank him, especially for the method of intuitive instruction. His great object was to engage the interest of his pupils, and thus unfold their powers. He saw that observation was the basis of all knowledge, and thus teaching by the eye became the centre of his system. He was never tedious. He accomplished all by the force of love and the energy of enthusiasm. His writings had a most beneficial effect on both parents and school teachers. Many learned from him how faith in God ought to penetrate, confirm, and sanctify all the relations of men with each other. His books for the people are pearls, whose value will be recognised for centuries hence. And the grand idea that the poor can be benefited by having suitable work given to them, far more than through donations of bread and money, has been fully recognised in our days, and energetically adopted in most countries of Europe.

Happy is the land whose schools, refuges, poorhouses, and orphanages, are animated by a spirit like that of Heinrich Pestalozzi.

On the 12th January 1846, the centenary of his birth, his coffin, covered with wreaths, in the presence of the school authorities, teachers, singers, and children of the Canton Aargau, and numerous deputations from other parts of Switzerland and from abroad, was removed to a more fitting resting-place by the side of the new schoolhouse at Birr. The whole side of the building forms a monument. In the centre is a niche, with Pestalozzi's bust, and beneath it the following inscription in German :

"Here rests Heinrich Pestalozzi, born at Zurich, 12th January 1746; died at Brugg, 17th February 1827.

At Neuhof, the deliverer of the poor.
At Stanz, the father of the orphans.

At Burgdorf and Munchenbuchsee, the founder of schools for the people.

At Yverdun, the educator of mankind.

He was a man, a Christian, a citizen. Everything for others; nothing for himself. Peace to his ashes.

To our Father Pestalozzi, the grateful Aargau."

BARON AUGET DE MONTYON.

Ο

THE FRENCH PHILANTHROPIST.

N a steep crag of rock in the mountainous province of Auvergne, in France, stood at

the beginning of the last century a grand old medieval château with thick walls, turrets, and bastions. This castle, which had in former ages weathered many a storm and stood several sieges, was the property of the ancient family of Montyon, one of the wealthiest and most influential in the whole province, and who owned vast estates in the neighbourhood.

The Montyons had distinguished themselves in the Crusades; they had always been ardent patriots and taken part in the various wars in which France had been engaged; but the family was mostly remarkable for the charity and benevolence which characterised its members. Instead of oppressing and taxing the peasantry on their estates, the Barons de Montyon did all in their power to relieve their wants and make

them as happy as possible. They built churches, schools, and hospitals, and were ever ready to hold out a helping hand to any who were in distress.

No wonder was it, then, that the sacred bond of affection which had so long existed between the Montyons and the people was strengthened as time advanced, and that the latter grieved to perceive how the noble race was gradually dying out; and when they saw the last baron, with his noble young wife, depart for Paris, tears, blessings, and prayers, followed the young couple who had so faithfully walked in the footsteps of their ancestors.

An important post which had been offered to the baron in the capital was the cause of their removal. They had as yet no children. Court life, with its splendour and dissipation, had no attractions for them, and in their large mansion at Paris they led as quiet and happy a family life, as they had done among the mountains of Auvergne.

But the poor in the workmen's quarters of the capital soon began to perceive that some secret hand relieved their wants, as had never been the case before, for the clergy seemed to be provided with an inexhaustible supply of alms.

Baron Montyon would penetrate those streets where the greatest misery reigned; he would enter the wretched garrets of the poor, and thus find out those cases which mostly needed relief-sufferers whose modesty or timidity prevented them from asking for help. His wife often accompanied him on these

errands of mercy, but they were always disguised. None knew who they were, or recognised their high rank.

Happy as they were in this life of active benevolence, yet there was one trouble which weighed heavily on their hearts. The baron was the last of his race. They had been married some years and had no child. Who, then, can describe their unutterable bliss when at last a son was born to them, and the anxiety they had endured lest the race should die out was removed?

Gratitude to God for this mercy made them increase their acts of charity. Not only were they immensely rich, possessing vast estates as well as funded property, but they spent no money in display and luxury like other noble families, and lived so quietly that they had all the more to give away to those who needed.

Their son, who in holy Baptism received the names of Antoine Jean-Baptiste Robert Auget, was born on the 23d December 1733. His parents divided their time between his education, and their works of charity. The boy grew up strong and healthy; he showed, too, that he was well endowed in heart and mind, and soon manifested that he had inherited the benevolent disposition of his parents. As he grew up, the best masters were provided for him, and he made rapid progress in his studies. His father made him his constant companion in his walks and rides. He was a favourite with all his schoolfellows, not