The only time I ever witnessed the rite of confirmation was when the hands of the good bishop rested upon her head, and no wonder if I have half taken up arms in defense of this "laying-on of hands," out of the abundance of my heart if not from the wisdom of my head.

Several of these were full-lengths; and she waswith the help of her maid, both in long aprons, amid sponges and basins, soft handkerchiefs and varnish-pots and brushesbusy in removing the dust and smoke-stains, and in laying-on the varnish, which brought out the colouring, and made the transparent shadows yield up their long-buried treasures of finished detail.

The Laying-on of Hands in Healing; and what is back of it.