Chapter III: Front Matter (3)

A young person, in reading a newspaper, sees an account of a man who is seized and hurried away to prison for theft, and learns that thieving is forbidden by the law. In another paper the reader finds an account of some pirates being hung, because they robbed a vessel upon the high seas, and this, too, because such robbery is against the law.

Thus the law is seen to be everywhere, upon the land and the sea, in town and country; and the question soon arises, who makes the law? The answer to this is readily given; it is the government? But what is the government? Who is it, what is it, that has spread this net-work of prohibition and requisition over the land, involving every member of society in its meshes? Who administers the government? Who makes the government? By what means or instruments does the government operate? Why do people obey the government? How does it acquire such universal and decisive power?

To some or perhaps all of these questions, which, one after another, arise in the mind, young persons gradually obtain answers; but these are usually imperfect and confused. I propose, therefore, to proceed to describe government, its origin, nature, and necessity; its various forms in different parts of the world, and especially that form adopted in our own country.

In the course of this delineation of government, I shall have occasion to exhibit the origin and sources of laws; the manner of their enactment; and the means by which they are made to regulate the conduct of mankind.

EQUALITY.

As some persons have fancied that society could realize a state of absolute liberty, so some have fancied that a state of _absolute equality_ could be attained. It is said in our Declaration of Independence, that “all mankind are created equal;” and this has often been taken as literally true.

But absolute equality is as impossible as absolute liberty. In the first place, mankind are not born equal in respect to civil condition. Some, as the serfs of Russia, are born slaves; in this country too, in some of the states, certain individuals are born to servitude, while others are born to enjoy freedom.

There are other grounds of inherent and necessary inequality. One person is born with a good constitution; another is sickly from the cradle. One person is endowed with a strong mind, another with a weak one. One person is gifted with beauty, another with deformity. One has natural grace, another awkwardness.

The surface of the earth, thrown into hills and valleys, with mountains whose tops mingle with the clouds, and ravines that never see the sunlight――meadows that bloom with flowers, and deserts that know no living thing――plains and sloping hills, covered with forests――and rocky regions where no tree can root itself――all this diversity of nature presents not more inequality than the conditions in which mankind are born. The whole system of nature and providence, shows it to be the design of the Creator and moral governor, that there shall be diversity in human society, as well as in nature.

Beside, even in those countries where there is the greatest freedom, and the nearest approach to equality in society, even there, mankind are neither born free nor equal, in the view of the law. If we take no account of slaves, still the children of white persons are not born free; they are under the control of their parents till they are twenty-one years old.

Females, who constitute a part of mankind, and whose natural rights are the same as those of men, are never placed on an equality with men before the law. They are never permitted, even in forming the constitution of a country, nor in enacting the laws, nor in choosing rulers, to use the right of voting. They are excluded from all share in the government, by the stronger sex, who proceed to make such laws as they please; and in all countries these laws exclude woman from political power.

It appears, therefore, that mankind are not born free and equal, in a literal sense. In what sense, then, can it be truly said that men are created equal? Only as meaning that all the members of society are born with a just claim to civil liberty――to that freedom which is compatible with the general good, and to an equality of rights. It means to say that those laws which make one man a lord and another a serf――which make one a citizen and debar another, in the same condition, from the right of voting――are violations of the principles of justice and the rights of man.

While, therefore, equality of condition is out of the question, one thing is plain,――that equal rights, equal laws, and an equal administration of these laws――so that the rich and the poor, the high and the lowly, the citizen and the officeholder, shall all stand on the same footing――are the ends and designs of a good government; and every person should so use his power as to establish such ends and designs. Equality does not mean that a woman shall be equal to a man, or a child the same as a man; but that all women, all children, all citizens, shall enjoy the same relative rights, privileges, and immunities.

* * * * *

A BOY LOST. A few years ago, a boy, who was sent upon some errand on a cold winter’s night, was overtaken by a dreadful storm, when the snow fell so thick, and drifted in such a manner, that he missed his way, and continued to wander up and down for several hours, nearly perished with cold. At midnight, a gentleman in the neighborhood thought he heard a sound, but could not imagine what it was, until, opening his window, he distinguished a human voice at a great distance, pronouncing, in a piteous tone, “Lost! lost! lost!” Humanity induced the gentleman to send out in search of the person from whom the voice proceeded, when, after a long search, the poor boy was found nearly benumbed with cold. Happy was it for him that he knew his danger, that he cried for help, and that his cry was heard!

* * * * *

ARITHMETIC. A woman, upon being asked how old her husband was when he died, gave the following arithmetical answer: “I was nineteen years old when my poor mother died; my mother has been dead just twenty-four years last Bradford fair, and my husband was thirteen years older than I am.” Can my young friends tell me how old he was?

Anecdotes of Storks.

There are great numbers of these birds in the south of Russia. Before migrating, which they always do at the approach of winter, they assemble from all parts, and kill the young ones that are not strong enough to accompany them in their long flight. This characteristic is remarkable, and in strong contrast to the affection they generally display towards their young. Of this, the following anecdote, related to me by a merchant of my acquaintance, is an example.

He was on his way to Kharkoff, when he observed, one evening, several peasants assembled around something in a field near a village. Ordering the driver to stop, he alighted from his carriage, and went up to them to see what was going on. Arriving at the spot, he found that they were looking at two dead storks which were lying on the grass, and upon his inquiring the reason of their taking such an interest in these birds, one of the bystanders gave him the following singular account.

The storks had a nest in the field they were then lying in. The hen bird had been sitting that morning; and the male left her as usual in search of food. During his absence, the female, either with the same intention, or to have a bit of gossip with some of the other storks in the neighborhood, also took her departure. No sooner had she left her nest, than a species of hawk, very common in the steppes, seeing the eggs unprotected, pounced upon them and sucked them. A short time after this, the male bird returned, and finding the eggs destroyed, he threw himself down upon the shells, and gave way to every demonstration of grief. The female also returned, but as soon as he observed her, he ran up, attacked her with his beak, and seizing her between his claws, soared up with her to a great height. He then compressed his own wings, and both falling to the ground together, were instantly killed!――_Capt. Jesse’s Travels._

Conundrums.

1. What is often on the table, often cut, but never eaten?

2. Why is a pair of skates like an apple?

3. Why do we look over a stone wall?

4. In what place did the cock crow when everybody in the world heard him?

5. Why is sin like a picture-frame?

6. What wine is mock agony?

7. Why is a peach-stone like a regiment?

8. Why is a bat like a king?

9. Why is a dancing-master like a tree?

10. Why is death like the letter E?

11. Why is the letter P like uncle’s fat wife going up a hill?

12. Why is the letter G like the sun?

13. Why are a fisherman and a shepherd like beggars?

14. Why is a woman churning like a caterpillar?

15. Why is a madman like two men?

16. Why is a drop of blood like one of Scott’s novels?

17. Why is a baker like a beggar?

18. If I kiss you and you kiss me, what kind of riddle do we make?

19. Whose best works are the most trampled on?

20. Why is a button-hole like a cloudy sky?

21. If you throw up a ripe pumpkin, what will it become?

22. Why do white sheep produce more wool than black ones?

23. What is handsomer when the head is off?

Artificial Ice for Skating.

One of the most interesting places of amusement in London is the Colosseum. This is an immense edifice, which looks, as you approach it, like a Grecian temple covered with a vast dome.

The purpose of this building is to exhibit spectacles and scenes of various kinds, such as views of famous cities and interesting places, in all parts of the world. The effect is produced partly by painting, and partly by machinery, and the management of the light that is let in through the dome. It is scarcely possible for any person not to be completely deceived by these exhibitions; they are so natural, so truthful and life-like, that the spectator is irresistibly made to feel that he looks upon a reality and not a picture.

The spectators――such as desire it――are taken into a small circular room, which is prepared with seats; this is so contrived as to rise slowly, and imperceptibly to those who are in it, which makes the scene itself appear to change. By this contrivance, the effect of sunrise and evening, upon the landscape, are produced to admiration.

Sometimes amusing scenes occur at the place, on account of the circular room. Not long since a young fellow, from the country, came with his sweetheart, to London, and of course they must go to the Colosseum. In they went, and the girl, desirous to see the best of it, pressed forward into the circular room; John, being left a little behind. Just at that moment, the circular room began to rise, but neither the youth nor the girl noticed it till it had ascended to the height of ten feet――they were so absorbed with the spectacle before them.

At last the girl perceived the ascending motion――and, looking down, beheld her lover, far beneath. Filled with the awful idea of the tricks upon travellers that she had heard of as practised by the Londoners, she immediately fancied that it was a case of kidnapping or abduction, equal to any in the tales of the Arabian Nights. Therefore, spreading forth her beseeching arms, and bending over toward her lover, in a mingled tone of tenderness and terror, she exclaimed――“John! John! John! John!”

The faithful heart of the swain felt that these sounds could come from no one but Hannah――his Hannah! He looked around in amazement; but saw her not. Yet, as he thought very _highly_ of her, and deemed her almost an angel, it was not difficult for him, as the sounds plainly came from _above_, to seek her in that direction. He turned his eyes upward, and there she was, sure enough, going it――“John! John! John!”

It is singular how differently terror affects women from what it does men. The former are usually rendered more eloquent by its influence――while the latter are often reduced to silence. So it was with our hero now. Deeply impressed with the wonderful event,――his fair friend ascending to the skies, while he stood still upon the earth,――his mind agonized at the idea of separation, and a thousand creeping fears rushing through his heart at the recollection that they were in that wild wilderness――London――so dangerous to wandering love-lorn lasses; thinking and feeling all this, still John said not a word. Insensible to the shout of laughter that burst from the two audiences, the one above and the one below――he gazed and gazed, and said nothing. At last, some one who was standing near, explained the matter to him, and the ladies above, pacified Hannah. So this part of the exhibition was closed.

Among the spectacles of the Colosseum, there was a very interesting one representing the scenery of the Alps in Switzerland. This exhibited the snow-covered mountains; the craggy cliffs topped with the cottages of the Swiss villagers; the dark and deep ravines, shadowed with evergreen trees; and the sparkling rivulets, leaping down the rocky precipices. By means of machinery, the figures of men and women were seen to move, and the ruffling action of the water, with even its flashing in the sunlight, was admirably represented.

Perhaps the most interesting and wonderful exhibition was that which was got up last summer, consisting of a field of artificial ice, made of crystal salts, principally soda; and having not only the glassy look, but the slippery effect of real ice. The Skating Club of London were invited to try it, and they pronounced it excellent. Accordingly, the exhibition was opened in mid-summer, and the spectators, sitting in an atmosphere of eighty degrees, could be amused with seeing a party of skaters before them, gliding about with all the activity and ease attending such a display in winter. In order to render the illusion more perfect, and the scene more picturesque, the surrounding scenery consisted of snow-capped hills and mountains, bearing all the wild and savage aspect of the Alps in winter. The effect was admirable――the deception complete. The spectator, in July or August, coming from a view of Regent’s Park, decked in all the gorgeous livery of summer, in the space of thirty seconds found himself transported to an Alpine scene in the season of the sternest winter. Before him was an icy lake, and skaters were gliding over its surface; while the distance displayed all the chill and ghastly features of Switzerland, in January.

Such a transition was almost a realizing of the tricks which fancy sometimes plays us in dreams, and shows us the admirable power of human art. It shows us that in a great city, where the people are cut off from the pleasures of country life――of pleasant scenery, and fine walks among the fields――that they still contrive by their ingenuity, to rival, if not surpass, the combinations of nature herself.

True Stories.

THE DUKE OF LUXEMBURG. This illustrious man, on his death-bed, declared that he would then much rather have had it to reflect upon “that he had administered a cup of cold water to a poor worthy creature in distress, than upon all the battles in which he had conquered.” All the sentiments of worldly grandeur vanish in that unavoidable moment, which decides the eternal state of man.

* * * * *

SABBATH-BREAKING. A man by the name of Moore, who was executed for burglary some years ago, in England, addressed the spectators in the following words:――“My friends, you have come to see me die. I would advise you to take warning by my fate. The first beginning of my ruin was Sabbath-breaking; it led me into bad company, and from bad company to robbing gardens and orchards, and finally to house-breaking, which has brought me to this place. Many of you are young, and in an especial manner I warn you to beware of Sabbath-breaking.”

* * * * *

PRIDE MUST FALL. When Bonaparte was about to invade Russia, a person who had endeavored to dissuade him from his purpose, finding he could not prevail, quoted to him the proverb, “L’homme propose, mais Dieu dispose;”――man proposes, but God disposes; to which he indignantly replied, “I dispose as well as propose.” A Christian lady, hearing the impious boast, remarked, “I set that down as the turning point of Bonaparte’s fortunes. God will not suffer a creature, thus with impunity, to usurp his prerogative.” It happened just as the lady had predicted. Bonaparte’s invasion of Russia was the commencement of his fall.

* * * * *

PROFANITY. The famous Dr. Johnson never suffered an oath to go unrebuked, in his presence. When a libertine, but a man of some note, was once talking before him, and interlarding his stories with oaths,――Johnson said, “Sir, all this swearing will do nothing for our story; I beg you will not swear.” The narrator went on swearing; Johnson said, “I must again entreat you not to swear.” The gentleman swore again, and Johnson indignantly quitted the room.

* * * * *

TRUST IN PROVIDENCE. An honest, industrious countryman, in England, had often been brought, by want of employment, into very straitened circumstances; but still he experienced, as he thought, many interpositions of Providence in his favor. In conversing once on the subject of God’s taking care of his people, the man observed, “It is very easy to talk of trusting in God with plenty of provision in the house and money in the pocket; but I do not call that _trust_! I call it _ready money_.”

* * * * *

A WORD IN SEASON. A pious physician once told a very troublesome patient that it was absolutely necessary he should be bled, to which, however, the man had the strongest objection. Upon hearing this, he sprang up in his bed, and exclaimed impatiently, “God bless my soul.” The doctor said solemnly――“Amen.” The patient was exceedingly struck by the word, thus uttered: he became quiet and said, “Doctor, you have turned into a prayer, what I meant only as an exclamation; you may do with me what you like.” What a striking illustration of the text, “A word spoken in due season, how good is it!”

* * * * *

A DELICATE REBUKE. As the Reverend Mr. H. was travelling in company with some gentlemen who had accidentally joined him on the road, one of them who was very much given to ridiculing ministers of the gospel, after he had proposed several insulting questions, addressed him thus: “I suppose you are a preacher, sir.” “I am, sir,” was the reply. “And pray, sir,” said the scoffer, in a swelling manner, “what do you preach to the people?” “Why, sir,” replied Mr. H., “I sometimes admonish my hearers to avoid foolish and impertinent questions.” The company could not refrain from laughing; they commended the preacher for his seasonable reply, and Mr. H. was no more troubled by his unpleasant companion.

* * * * *

POWER OF KINDNESS. A Grecian, named Arcadius, was constantly railing against Philip, of Macedon. Venturing once into the dominions of Philip, the courtiers suggested to their prince that he had now an opportunity to punish Arcadius for his past insults, and to put it out of his power to repeat them. The king took their advice, but in a different way. Instead of seizing the hostile stranger and putting him to death, he dismissed him, loaded with courtesies and kindness.

Some time after Arcadius’s departure from Macedon, word was brought that the king’s old enemy had become one of his warmest friends, and did nothing but diffuse his praises, wherever he went. On hearing which, Philip turned to his courtiers, and asked, with a smile, “Am not I a better physician than you?”

* * * * *

GOOD FOR EVIL. Euclid, a disciple of Socrates, having offended his brother, the latter cried out in a rage, “Let me die, if I am not revenged on you some time or other.” Euclid replied, “And let me die if I do not soften you by my kindness, and make you love me as well as ever.”

* * * * *

FORGIVENESS. In a school in a town in Ireland, an instance occurred some time since, in the master’s accidental absence, of one boy being provoked to strike another, which was, of course, considered a serious ground of complaint. On hearing the accusation stated, the master came to the determination of punishing the culprit; when, to his great surprise, the injured boy came forward and earnestly begged for the pardon of the offender. The inquiry was made, why he should interfere, or wish to prevent so just an example. To which he replied, “I was reading in the New Testament lately, that Jesus Christ said we must forgive our enemies; and I forgive him, and beg he may not be punished for my sake.” Such a plea, under such circumstances, and urged too by a child who manifested a conscientious regard to the commands of Christ, was too powerful to be resisted. The offender was, therefore, pardoned, and it is almost needless to add, the parents of the boy, and indeed many others, were highly delighted at hearing of the interesting circumstance.

* * * * *

PUNCTUALITY IS BUT HONESTY. A committee of eight ladies, in the neighborhood of London, was appointed to meet on a certain day at twelve o’clock. Seven of them were punctual, but the eighth came hurrying in with many apologies for being a quarter of an hour behind the time. It had passed away without her being aware of its being so late, &c. A Quaker lady present said, “Friend, I am not so clear that we should admit thy apology. It were matter of regret that thou shouldst have wasted thine own quarter of an hour; but here are seven beside thyself, whose time thou hast also consumed, amounting in the whole to two hours, and seven eighths of it was not thine own property.”

* * * * *

CALMNESS. Socrates having received a blow upon the head, observed, that “it would be well if people knew when it was necessary to put on a helmet.” On another occasion, being attacked with opprobrious language, he calmly observed that “that man has not been taught to speak respectfully.” How much might Christians learn from this heathen.

* * * * *

“A SOFT ANSWER TURNETH AWAY WRATH.” A Christian man, who was hated by one of his neighbors for his religion, was once attacked by him with abusive words, at his own door. He bore for a time the violence of the other’s language, who called him all the ill names he could think of. When, at length, he ceased, being exhausted with passion; the other meekly, but kindly and sincerely replied to him, “Will you come into my house and take some refreshment?” This was too much. The enemy was softened――he was overcome with this Christian conduct, and burst into tears. This was indeed a triumph.

* * * * *

LINNÆUS. The celebrated Linnæus always testified in his conversations, writings, and actions the greatest sense of God’s omniscience. He was, indeed, so strongly impressed with this idea that he wrote over the door of his library――“Live innocently; God is present.”

* * * * *

“TRUTH HATH A QUIET BREAST.” When Swift was one day coolly and calmly arguing with a gentleman who had become exceedingly warm in dispute; one of the company asked him how he could keep his temper so well――“The the reason,” replied the dean, “is this――I have truth on my side.”

The Love of Nature.

Let me talk with pretty flowers,
O’er the earth growing,
Through the lovely meads and bowers,
Everywhere blowing.

Let me talk with pretty birds,
Joyfully winging;
Listen to their merry words
While they are singing.

Let me talk with gentle lambs,
Frisking and prancing
Round and round their happy dams,
Skipping and dancing.

Let me talk with summer clouds,
Hear their gay story,
Creeping to the west in crowds,
Sparkling with glory.

Let me talk with mid-day’s light,
Now proudly gleaming;
Whisper to the stars at night,
When softly beaming.

Let me talk with streams and floods,
Winds o’er them flying;
Let me talk with hills and woods,
Echoes replying.

Let me kneel to HIM, who lives
Throughout all Nature――
Life and joy, and beauty gives,
To every creature.

True Stories of the Young.

HONESTY THE BEST POLICY. A little girl was once passing a garden, in which were some pretty flowers. She wished much to have some of them; she could have put her hand between the rails, and picked some, and perhaps nobody would have seen her. But she knew this would be very wicked; it would be stealing. So, after thinking a little while, she resolved what she would do. She went to the mistress of the garden, and asked her very prettily to give her some of those nice flowers. The lady told her she had done right not to take them, and then showed her another garden full of plants and flowers, and gathered her a fine large nosegay.

Now, if this little girl had taken the flowers without leave, she would have been very unhappy; and if her mother had asked her how she came by them, she would most likely have told a lie to hide her first fault. And how uncomfortable she would have been at night, when she lay down and prayed to that great Being who has said, “Thieves shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

* * * * *

DR. WATTS WHEN A CHILD. When Dr. Watts was very young, and before he could speak plain, he would say to his mother, when any money was given to him, “A book, a book, buy me a book.” He began to learn Latin at four years of age. When about seven or eight years old, his mother desired him to write her some lines, as was the custom with the other boys, after the school hours were over, for which she used to reward them with a farthing. Isaac obeyed, and presented her with the following couplet:

I write not for a farthing, but to try
If I your farthing writers can outvie.

* * * * *

OBEDIENCE. A Polish prince was accustomed to carry the picture of his father always in his bosom; and on particular occasions, he would take it out and say, “Let me do nothing unbecoming so excellent a father.”

* * * * *

THE ART OF LOVE. Dr. Doddridge one day asked his little daughter how it was that everybody loved her. “I do not know,” said she, “unless it be that I love everybody.”

* * * * *

A FINE EXAMPLE. Louis, Duke of Burgundy, was a pattern of filial obedience. It was never necessary to threaten or punish him, in order to make him do his duty. A word, or even a look was sufficient. He was always much grieved when his mother seemed displeased with him, or spoke to him less kindly than usual. On such occasions, he would often weep, and say to her, clasping his little hands, “Dear mamma, pray do not be angry with me; I will do what you please.”

* * * * *

A CHILD’S FIRST PRAYER. A venerable minister in New Hampshire, lodging at the house of a pious friend, observed the mother teaching some short prayers and hymns to her children,――“Madam,” said he, “your instructions may be of far more importance than you are aware. My mother taught me a little hymn when I was a child, and it is of use to me to this day; for, I never close my eyes to rest without first saying,

‘And now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.’”

* * * * *

SOUND ARGUMENT IN A CHILD. A little boy, upon asking his mother how many gods there were, was instantly answered by his younger brother, “Why one to be sure.” “But how do you know that?” replied the other. “Because,” said the little boy, “God fills every place, so that there is no room for any other.”

* * * * *

HEATHEN IDOLS. A mother was once describing to her little son the idols which heathen nations worship as gods. “I suppose, mamma,” said the boy, “that these heathen do not look up to the same sun, moon and stars that we do.” “Yes, my dear, they do.” “Why, then,” said he, “I wonder that they do not think there must be a better God than their idols!”

* * * * *

A CHILD REBUKES A MAN. A little boy belonging to a Sabbath school in London, was taken by his uncle to walk one Sunday, when the school was over. The uncle, who was a thoughtless man, was anxious to buy something for the child; but little William had been often told how improper it was to buy or sell on the Sabbath day. “Come, Billy,” said his uncle, “I’ll buy you something, some apples or gingerbread; Aunt Mary’s not here, and she’ll not know anything about it.” “Oh, but uncle,” said the boy, “if Aunt Mary does not see it, God will, and it’s very wicked.”

* * * * *

WHY SHOULD NOT A NEGRO READ THE BIBLE? A few years ago, in the island of Jamaica, a child, who had been educated in a Sunday school, happened to see a negro mending his net upon the Sabbath day. The child immediately went up to him and said, “Do you not know that it is written in the word of God, ‘Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day?’” “Now, massa,” replied the negro, “if you bring de word of God, and read dat passage, I no mend my net on Sunday any more.”

The child brought the Bible and read it; the negro laid aside his net, and going home to his wife said, “Oh, me nebber see such picaninny as dat; him tell me all about de word of God! I nebber can work upon de Sabbath again.”

* * * * *

A CONSISTENT MOTHER. Some ladies having met at the house of a friend, the child of one of them was guilty of rude, noisy conduct, very improper on all occasions, and particularly so at a friend’s house. The mother kindly reproved her,――“Sarah, you must not do so.”

The child soon forgot the reproof, and became as noisy as ever. The mother said firmly, “Sarah, if you do so again, I will punish you.”

But not long after, Sarah did so again. When the company were about to separate, the mother stepped into a neighbor’s house, intending to return for the child. During her absence, the thought of going home recalled to the mind of Sarah the punishment which her mother told her she might expect. The recollection turned her rudeness and thoughtlessness into sorrow. A young lady present observing it, and learning the cause, said, “Never mind, I will ask your mother not to punish you.” “Oh,” said Sarah, “that will do no good. _My mother never tells falsehoods!_”

* * * * *

PRECEPT AND PRACTICE. There is one thing always to be remembered, by young people as well as old ones. A person must not only have _good intentions_, but _good practice_. A person must not only put his trust in God, but he must do as God directs. A man who has no faith, has no good principle of action; a man who has no good practice, has no faith, no sound belief, no confidence in Him to whom he owes every blessing. Good faith and good works, therefore, always go together; good principles and good practice go together. We never find these two apart. A person never does right from a wrong motive; a person never does wrong from a right motive.

* * * * *

MR. POPE AND HIS LADY――A GAME. Any number of boys and girls may engage in this game. It is played with a small round waiter, or plate, which being placed in the middle of the room, one of the little company twirls the waiter round with her thumb and finger, making it spin as long as she can, saying, as she takes it up, “By the leave of Mr. Pope and his lady.” If the waiter falls down the wrong side upwards, the spinner pays a forfeit; and, sometimes, in the hurry of the moment, she forgets to say the proper words, in which case also she pays a forfeit, which forfeits are afterwards redeemed.

Winter.

Oh, why are the leaves all scattered and dead?
And why are the blossoms all blasted and fled?
Why――why are the rivers, once sportive and free,
Now silent and sad――and in slavery!
Oh winter! stern monarch――thy sway is begun――
And thou lovest to undo what the summer hath done.
The fairest, most cherished of blossoms and flowers,
The queen of the meadows――the princess of bowers
The lily and rose――these waken thy spite――
And they fly from thy presence, in terror and blight!
The leaves of the forest turn pale in thy blast――
From thy hail and thy frost the birds shrink aghast――
And the bright robe of green that was woven by May,
Is torn from the landscape, for mantles of gray.

Oh winter! stern tyrant――if such be thy reign,
O’er the mountain and meadow――o’er hillock and plain――
If all that is lovely――’tis thine to o’erthrow――
Let us keep from our _hearts_, thy frost and thy snow.

Smiles.

Weep not at what the world can do,
Nor sorrow for its wrong,
But wear a smile upon thy brow――
It cannot harm us long;
The cold contempt, the bitter scorn,
The hatred and the guile,
Will not feel lighter if we mourn;――
Oh! then ’tis well to smile.

Then smile at human vanity,
And smile at human pride,
And smile when men do flatter thee,
And smile when they deride.
When some would do thee wrong, then smile,
And care not to condemn;
When some with fairer looks beguile――
Why, have a smile for them.

Smile with the sunshine in his light,
Smile with the gem and flower;
With all that’s fair, and pure, and bright,
Throughout life’s fitful hour;
And lift, in praise, thy smiling eyes,
And, smiling, breathe a prayer
To HIM who lives beyond the skies,
And _smiles forever there_.

The Water-Spout.

The water-spout is a strange meteor, which has attracted a good deal of attention, but the causes of it are not entirely ascertained. Dr. Franklin’s opinion was that a water-spout and a whirlwind proceed from the same cause; the only difference being that the latter passes over the land and the former over the water. This opinion is generally believed to be correct. It is supposed that opposing winds give a whirling motion to the air, which force up masses of water, and produce the phenomena to which we allude.

The engraving represents the appearance of a water-spout. This usually resembles an enormous speaking-trumpet in shape, the mouth end being near the top of the sea. The wind is commonly blowing first this way and then that, causing the spout to bend and writhe and move from one point to another. Beneath, where it nearly touches the water, the sea is agitated and covered with foam. Wo to the vessel that is assailed by one of these meteors! The usual defence at sea, is to fire a cannon shot into the whirling tube, which usually dispels it, and the water falls in a tremendous shower.

Upon land, a water-spout sometimes commits the most fearful ravages: attended both by a furious wind and torrents of water, it often spreads devastation over the country which it visits. In 1839, a considerable district upon the Seine, in France, experienced the most dreadful calamities from a water-spout. It uprooted and carried away trees of the largest size; walls of stone were overturned; and tiles, roofs and even houses were carried away.

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ECCENTRIC OLD MAID.――Mrs. Sarah Bedwell, spinster, at Woodbridge, died on the 15th ult., aged ninety. She was formerly housekeeper to Mrs. Doughty, and by her penurious habits had accumulated considerable property. In a tin canister were found seventy sovereigns, and memoranda of cash in the bank and mortgages amounting to about 15,000_l._ She had in her possession 75 chemises, 30 bonnets, 25 silk gowns, four dozen damask table-cloths, and a chest of bed-clothes; and yet she expired, covered with merely a piece of old carpet, without a nightcap, and shockingly infested with vermin.――_Ipswich Express._

“Beauty.”

We are not about to write a treatise upon that subtle, yet enticing thing which ladies love to possess, and which men all but worship. No; our business is, just now, to speak of a horse, bearing the name placed at the head of this article, and which, at the present time, is Queen Victoria’s favorite for the saddle. He is a native of Barbary, and is of the finest and most famous Arabian breed. When he was brought to market, the Emperor of Morocco offered as many dollars for him as he could carry――such at least is the story. But he was outbid by an English gentleman, who purchased the animal and sent him to the queen. We give a faithful portrait of this celebrated and fortunate beast.

The Elephant and Fox.

A FABLE.

I am sorry to say, that a great many people listen with more pleasure to a lively tale that is full of cunning, wit, and scandal, than to a wise discourse, which teaches truth and inculcates virtue. This may be illustrated by the fable of the elephant and fox.

These two animals fell into a dispute, as to which had the greatest powers of persuasion; and, as they could not settle the matter themselves, it was agreed to call an assembly of the beasts, and let them decide it. These were accordingly summoned, and when the tiger, porcupine, dog, ox, panther, goat, and the rest of the quadruped family had all taken their places, the elephant began his oration. He discoursed very eloquently, upon the beauty of truth, justice, and mercy, and set forth the enormity of falsehood, cunning, selfishness, and cruelty. A few of the wiser beasts listened with interest and approbation; but the leopard, tiger, porcupine, and a large majority of the audience, yawned, and showed that they thought it a very stupid piece of business.

But when the fox began to tell his cunning knaveries, they pricked up their ears, and listened with a lively interest. As he went on to relate his various adventures, how he had robbed hen-roosts, and plundered geese and ducks from the poultry-yard, and how by various cunning artifices he had escaped detection, they manifested the greatest delight. So the fox went on sneering at the elephant and all others who loved justice, truth, and mercy, and recommending to his listeners to follow the pleasures of thievery and plunder. As he closed his discourse, there was a loud burst of applause, and on counting noses, the majority was found to be in favor of the fox.

The assembly broke up, and some months passed away, when, as the elephant was quietly browsing in the woods one day, he heard a piteous moan at a little distance. Proceeding to the place from which the sound came, he there found the orator fox, caught in a trap, with both his hinder legs broken, and sadly mangled. “So,” said the fox sharply, though he was nearly exhausted with pain, “you have come to jeer at me, in my hour of trouble.” “Surely not,” said the elephant. “I would relieve your pain if I could, but your legs are broken, and there is no relief for you, but in death.” “True,” said the fox, mournfully, “and I now admit the miserable folly of those principles which I have avowed, and the practice which resulted from them. I have lived a gay life, though even my gayety has been sadly shadowed, by perpetual fear of what has now come upon me. Had I been satisfied with an honest life and innocent pleasures, I had not thus come to a miserable end. Knavery, artifice, and cunning may be very good topics with which to delude those who are inclined to be vicious, but they furnish miserable rules to live and die by.”――_Parley’s Gift._

The Vain Search.

My little reader, did you ever get lost in the woods? Perhaps not; but many children have. I knew a boy and a girl, named James and Fanny, who lived upon the slope of a mountain, more than a mile from a village.

A large part of the space between their house and the village, was covered by forests; but these children were accustomed to go to school and to church through the woods, and their parents never felt any anxiety about them.

One morning, they set out to go to school; it was August, and the weather was warm and beautiful. In descending the mountain, they came to the brow of a hill, from which they could see a small blue lake.

This was surrounded by the forest, and seemed to be at no great distance. James had often seen it before, and wished to go to it, but, on the present occasion, he could not withstand the temptation to pay it a visit. Accordingly, he set out, having persuaded Fanny to accompany him.

They pushed on through the tangled woods for some time, in the direction of the lake, and at length supposed they must be very near to it, but on coming to a little eminence, and catching a glimpse of the blue water between the trees, it still seemed as distant as before.

They were not discouraged, however, but again went forward for some time. At length Fanny said to her brother, that they had better return and go to school. James replied, that it was too late to get to school in season, and he thought the better way was to make a holiday of it. They would return home at the usual time, and their parents would know nothing about it.

“I don’t like that plan,” said little Fanny, “for our parents expect us to go to school, and if we do not go, we disobey them. Beside, if we spend the day in play, and say nothing about it, and let our parents think we have been at school, we deceive them, and that is as bad as telling a lie.”

“Oh, nonsense!” said James; “we’ll tell them we got lost, or something of the kind. Don’t you be afraid. I’ll manage that matter, so come along.”

Little Fanny went forward, but she was sad at heart; and James, too, conscious of disobedience and deception in his heart, felt unhappy; but he put on a brave face, and sang, or whistled as he proceeded.

Again the two children came to such a position that they could see the little lake, and, strange to tell, it seemed about as far off now, as when they first set out to visit it.

The fact was, they had been deceived; for the lake was much farther than it appeared to be. They had already spent two hours in their attempt to reach it; and after some consultation, they concluded to give up their enterprise, and go back.

But now their task commenced. They had pursued no beaten path, and they had nothing to guide them in their return. The sky, which had been so clear in the morning, was now over-shadowed with thick clouds. Uncertain of the course they ought to pursue, they still went forward, with trembling and anxious haste.

Coming at length to the foot of a cliff, they paused, being overcome with fatigue. James sat down and buried his face in his hands.

“What is the matter?” said Fanny. “We have lost our way, and shall never find our home again,” said James. “We have lost our way, no doubt,” said Fanny, “but I hope and trust we shall find our way out of the woods. This is come upon us, James, because of our disobedience.”

“I know it, Fanny,” said James; “but it was my disobedience, and not yours, and I am so unhappy because my wickedness has brought you into trouble; and beside, I intended to deceive our parents. I cannot but wonder, now, that I should have thought of such a thing.”

“Well, James,” said Fanny, “let this be a lesson to us both; and now we must proceed, and try to find our way out of the wood.” Accordingly, they went forward with great diligence; but having rambled about for nearly four hours, supposing all the time they were going toward their home, they came back to the very spot beneath the cliff, where they had sat down and rested themselves before.

They were now quite discouraged, and almost broken-hearted. They had picked some blue-berries in their rambles, so that they were not very hungry; but their fatigue was so great, that, after lying side by side upon the sloping bank, for a while, they both went to sleep.

It was about midnight, when Fanny awoke. She had been dreaming that she and her brother had wandered away, and got lost in the forest; that, overcome with fatigue, they had thrown themselves down on the earth at the foot of a cliff, and fallen asleep, and that they were awakened from their sleep by hearing the call of their father, ringing through the solitude.

It was at this point of her dream, that Fanny awoke. For a moment she was bewildered, but soon recollected where she was. She cast her eye about, and saw that no shelter was over her, but the starry canopy of heaven.

She looked around, and could see nothing but the ragged outline of the hills against the sky. She listened, and seemed to feel that the voice heard in her dream was a reality, and that she should hear it again. But she now heard only the solitary chirp of a cricket, and the mournful shivering of the forest leaves.

She sat some time, almost afraid to make the slightest noise, yet feeling such a sense of desolation that she thought she must wake up her brother.

She was stretching out her hand for the purpose of waking him, when she seemed to hear the call of her father, as she had heard it in her dream. She listened intently, her little heart beating with the utmost anxiety.

She waited for several minutes, when, full and clear, at no great distance, she heard her father call, “James?” The little girl sprang to her feet, and screamed, with all her might, “Here, here we are, father!” James was soon awakened, and, with some difficulty, the father came down the cliff, and clasped his children in his arms.

I need not say that this painful adventure was remembered by James and Fanny long after they had ceased to be children; and they were both accustomed to say, that it was of importance to them through life, in impressing upon them the necessity of obedience to parents, and the wickedness of all attempts to deceive them.

Let me remark to my youthful readers, that if pleasure ever tempts them to forsake the path of duty, I hope they will remember, that, like the blue lake, which seemed so beautiful and near to the eyes of our little wanderers, and which was yet inaccessible to them, it will probably disappoint their efforts to obtain it.――_Parley’s Gift._

Varieties.

JUNIPER. The ancients consecrated this shrub to their gods. The smoke of its branches was the incense which in preference they chose to offer to their gods, and burnt its berries on funeral occasions to drive away evil spirits. The simple villagers of England superstitiously believe that the perfume of its berries purifies the air, and protects them from the malevolence of evil spirits.

The Chinese delight to decorate their gardens with this plant. It is commonly found growing wild on the outskirts of woods and forests, where it often affords a safe retreat for the hare when pursued by the hounds. The strong odor it exhales is said to defeat the keen scent of the dog. Its branches, bristling with thorns, are covered with thousands of brilliant insects, which seem to imagine this tree is provided as a protection for their weakness.

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THE SICILIAN VESPERS. The word “vespers” in the Romish church means _evening song_, answering to evening prayers. The Sicilian Vespers denote a famous era in French history, 1282, being a general massacre of all the French in the island of Sicily, to which the first toll that called to vespers was the signal. The number destroyed was about 8000.

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A TOURNAMENT is a martial sport or exercise which the ancient cavaliers used to perform, to show their bravery and address. It is derived from the French word _tourner_, to turn round, because, to be expert in these exercises, much agility, both of horse and man, was necessary. Tournaments made the principal exercises of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries; but being at length productive of mischievous consequences, the princes of Europe gradually discouraged and suppressed them.

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THE laurel-leaved Magnolia is a splendid evergreen tree, rising in its native country to sixty feet or more, but with us scarcely exceeding thirty or forty feet. The leaves grow from eight inches to one foot long, in form not unlike those of the common laurel; the flowers are white, of a large size, and emit a pleasant fragrance.

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“OF what use are all your studying and your books,” said an honest farmer to an ingenious artist. “They don’t make the corn grow, nor produce vegetables for market. My Sam does more good with his plough in one month, than you can do with your books and papers in one year.”

“What plough does your son use?” said the artist quietly.

“Why he uses ――――’s plough, to be sure. He can do nothing with any other. By using this plough, we save half the labor, and raise three times as much as we did with the old wooden concern.”

The artist turned over one of his sheets, and showed the farmer the drawing of his much-praised plough, saying with a smile, “I am the inventor of your favorite plough, and my name is ――――.”

The astonished farmer shook the artist heartily by the hand; and invited him to call at the farm-house, and make it his home as long as he liked.

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THE Chevalier Bayard was a distinguished French warrior. He was mortally wounded in a battle at Marignan. He ordered his attendant to place him against a tree, with his face to the enemy. While in this situation, the constable of Bourbon, who was fighting against his country, came up to him and expressed his regret that his wounds were mortal. “Do not pity me,” said the dying Chevalier; “it is not I who am to be pitied, but you, who are bearing arms against your king, your country and your oath.” This brave and good man died in the year 1524, aged fifty years.

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SUPERSTITIONS. In the country villages in England, there are many superstitions. Thousands believe that the howling of a dog denotes death; that pigs can see the wind; to put on your stocking wrong side out, is a sign of good luck; and bubbles in your tea tell that you will be rich; when your cheek burns, some one is supposed to be talking of you; when your ears glow, they are telling falsehoods about you; if your nose itches, you will be vexed; if your right eye itches, you will have good luck; should your left itch, it will be bad. It is unlucky to meet a person who squints; if you meet one magpie, it denotes sorrow; two, brings luck; three, a wedding; and four, death. To spill salt is to bring sorrow upon yourself; and horse shoes are nailed at the thresholds of doors to keep out the witch. To lend a friend a knife or scizzors is to cut friendship.

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