Thou art austere: thy studded mantle, gay The hoar-frost is produced by the freezing of mist or dew, and appears to be occasioned by a process similar to that by which snow is formed in the higher regions of the atmosphere. The great point of difference is, that the snow is The appearance of frost-work on our produced from the rain-drops as sus- windows suggests much for notice, and pended in the air, without attachment to those who will, may read a lesson from any solid material, while hoar-frost is even such a seeming trifle as this. Sturm usually elaborated on the blades of grass, says, "Can an object be considered as or other substances with which the particle little when it furnishes matter for useful of moisture come in contact. It is a well- reflection? For my own part, I do not known fact, that water does not really disdain to read, even on the frozen glass, freeze unless in contact with some solid a truth which may have a great influence substance, and hence we always see the on my happiness. Behold the flowers first appearance of ice either along the which the frost has portrayed on the margin of water, or shooting out in long glass; they are beautifully and artifiand beautiful feathers from some random cially varied; nevertheless, one ray of stick or stone projected from its surface. the noon-day sun effaces them. Thus the It is in subjection to the same law that imagination paints everything beautiful the watery particles floating in the air, to us; but everything which it repreafter being exhaled from the surface of sents as attractive in the possession of the the earth, although they are at, or even good of the world, is but a beautiful below, the freezing point, retain their image which shall disappear in the light fluid state when the frost is not very in- of reason. The importance of this lesson tense, till they meet with something solid, of wisdom was worth the trouble of when they instantly become crystallized, stopping for a while at the little phenoand are deposited on the trees, the menon which furnishes it." hedges, and the spreading meadows, in fantastic and elegant form. A dense haze frequently sets in over-night, which, being dissipated the next morning by a bright sun, displays the different objects around clothed in a gay and novel manner, and we see Some there are who feel an aversion to winter, regarding the summer as the only period of enjoyment, when fine days and glorious scenes in nature present themselves. But it was the design which God has always in remembrance, that monotony should be nowhere found in his works, and here is an additional reason "The spreading oak, the beech, and towering pine, for adoring the Divine Being through Glazed over, in the freezing ether shine." The fields are also adorned, the hedges have a snowy foliage, the woods are covered with silent splendour, while the wandering birds, frightened at the rattling branches, scatter the rime around in snowy showers. The thickets have all assumed an aspect of loveliness; the mind is more affected by it from its suddenness of creation, and the consciousness of its speedy departure, for hoarfrosts and gipsies are said never to remain nine days in the same place the former, indeed, seldom continuing three. True were the words of Barton, when he said, in his "Address to Winter, "Thou hast thy beauties: sterner ones I own his works. The orbs of heaven are all glorious, but "one star differeth from another star in glory." The ravines and the valleys, the plains, the mountains and the hills, the woods, the trees, and the leaves are almost as varied as the ever changing waves upon the ocean. The animal world is diversified as the vegetable, and the distinction between the individuals of a class is often as obvious as that between the genera and species themselves. Go where we will, search here, there, and everywhere, and perfect similarity is not found between otherwise, how much happpiness should any of nature's productions. Were it we never have known which we now enjoy. Were there but one colour, and were all the beautiful scenes now presented to us, which charm us by their variety, exchanged for monotony and an exact regularity of appearance, how great would be the alteration, and how much should we regret it. Were every face the same, how should we distinguish | son is regarded and anticipated by many, our friends from strangers, our countrymen from foreigners? Or were the minds of men, in every respect, alike, instead of that diversity of character, taste, and feeling, which now constitutes the mainspring of society and civilisation, how calamitous would be the alteration! But instead of this, we have variety in uniformity, change in regularity, and dissimilarity yet perfect order. Thomson has said, and with him many can sympathize: "O Winter! ruler of the inverted year! Thy scatter'd hair with sleet like ashes fill'd, Thy breath congeal'd upon thy lips, thy cheeks Fringed with a beard made white with other Than those of age, thy forehead wrapp'd in snows clouds, A leafless branch thy sceptre, and thy throne "Can you give no reason," it has been asked, "why the heart of a child is filled with such joyous glee when the first snow-flakes descend? There is no very special beauty in the sight; and there are no very well-defined hopes of slides or rides to awaken such joy. At fifty, the gladness is not expressed so unequivocally; but yet, when the gravest philosopher rides through a wood, whose boughs are loaded with the snow, and whose tops bend over with the burden, and looks upon the footsteps of the rabbit, who has leaped along over the ground, he feels the same pleasure, though he indicates it by riding on in silent musing, instead of uttering exclamations of delight. Can you explain this pleasure? Is there any describable pleasure in a great expanse of white? Is the form of the trees, or the beauty of their foliage, improved by their snowy mantle? No! The explanation is, that God, who formed the laws of nature, formed also the human heart; and has so adapted the one to the other, as to promote, in every variety of mode, the enjoyment of the beings he has made. There is no end to the kinds of enjoyment which God has thus opened to us everywhere. They are too numerous to be named; and no intellectual philosopher has undertaken the hopeless task of arranging them." Delightful as is the aspect of nature under the warmth, splendour, and genial influence of a summer sun, it is with a thousand pleasing emotions that this sea which specially re-unites the members of the family circle, and ushers in that social and intellectual intercourse which constitutes the dearest charm, and, next to religion, the highest privilege of human existence. When all without is wrapped in darkness, and the freezing blast howls eager for entrance round the dwelling, with what enjoyment do its cheerful inmates crowd around the hearth! How delightful is it here to enjoy the social hours with an united family, when the parents occupy their appropriate armchairs, and the younger members form a group around-their fingers, perhaps, engaged in some light employmentlistening with interest to the instruction of some useful book, or hearing, with the fond affection of brothers or sisters, the tale of one who has come from a distance to join the family circle! And as the happy hours wing their rapid flight away, occasionally listening to the loud howling of the wind as the casements rattle, we congratulate ourselves and one another on the comfort and security with which we are favoured by "the Father of mercies." Or, if we draw back the curtains to see what is the state of the weather, we find, perhaps, a 'driving snow-storm" rages. It is winter, indeed, reigning tremendous o'er the conquered year," and reminding us that there are those who are suffering at the moment when we are enjoying ourselves. We perhaps draw nearer the fire, and shudder when we recollect how many must be exposed to all the bleakness and fury of the storm-how many experience severe privation and distress, and are unable to face its terrors-and what are the dangers and trials of those who approach or navigate our coasts, on a tempest-troubled deep," with icy cordage, and a hurricane of sleet. It is here that the power of contrast is experienced in all its force; not only in reference to the exposure, fatigues, and hazards, which may have been actually incurred ere the daylight closed; but imagination is at work to paint the lot of those less favoured than ourselves, and who, it may be, feel the bitterness of their destiny augmented by intrusive recollections of domestic ease and fireside enjoyments. The poets seem to have exerted themselves to portray winter in all its varied appearances. Cowper, whose muse appears especially to have loved winter scenery, has dwelt upon it with peculiar felicity of expression. After describing, in glowing terms, the comforts of his fireside, painting the severity of the frost, and the roughness of the wind, as endearing to him the security and warmth he enjoys within, he most happily vindicates the propriety and moral utility of indulging the imagination in the construction of such contrasts, illustrating his observations by a picture valuable for its truth and distinctness of delineation : "In such a world, so thorny, and where none To the clogg'd wheels; and in its sluggish pace, | fully! He closes his window curtains, stirs his cheerful fire, lights his lamp, and, bringing from his shelf some favourite classic of the "olden time," or some equally interesting production of modern datebut whether it be a tome of philosophy, classics, or poetry, he is speedily absorbed, and insensible to all around. The hours thus move quickly by, and, if he has spent his day with profit, he may retire to rest with a peaceful and thankful mind to prepare himself for the duties of the morrow. If spring, summer, and autumn excite in us hope, joy, and gratitude, to the thoughtful and feeling mind winter comes not without a blessing on its wings. It teaches us to trust with confidence in the wisdom and goodness of God; and some of the noblest lessons of religion are to be learned amidst its clouds. When we contemplate the declining sun, and hear the winds of winter, we should remember that this reign of gloom and desolation will pass away, that spring will resume its reign of beauty, and the voice of joy again be heard in the promises of another season. In each one of the multitude of years that have gone before, this resur Surely such thoughts as these should bring to our minds additional thankful-rection-the work of Omnipotence-has ness to Him who has cast our lot in comfort, though altogether unworthy of his bounty. The enjoyment of social intercourse is not restricted to the upper and middle classes of society. Under the roofs of thousands of our poorer countrymen they have their joys of the fireside, and the merry peal of laughter may be heard by the passer-by, over the rustic but wholesome fare. Their wants are fewer and more easily satisfied than those of wealthier neighbours, but, if contentment is experienced, they have abundant reason for rejoicing. Kirke White has said: "Go with the cotter to his wintry fire, Where o'er the moors the loud blast whistles shrill, And the hoarse ban-dog bays the icy moon; Mark with what awe he listens the wild uproar, Silent, and big with thought; and hear him bless The God that rides on the tempestuous clouds, For his snug hearth, and all his little joys." Soon may the peasantry of our country universally prove that " godliness with contentment is great gain!" The enjoyment of social intercourse or innocent recreation, however, is not the only charm of a winter evening. It may be regarded as one of the chief seasons of literary pleasure. How happy does the student feel as the snow falls about his dwelling, and the night wind howls fear been accomplished, and the beneficence of heaven has been annually renewed. F. S. W. TIME. TIME is measured duration; the material of our being, and the index of our progression to eternity. There was, before time begun its course; there will be, when time shall be no longer. Time has been a favourite theme with philosophers, moralists, and sages. Some have extolled it much, but none ever knew its intrinsic worth. The light of eternity must reveal it, the day of doom declare it, and all eternity re-echo it. Time past, how transient; time present, how evanescent; time to come, with many how uncertain. How different in the lessons it teaches, and the impressions it makes. The child wastes it in play, and knoweth not its worth; the anxious youth would hasten its course, and the aged put a drag upon its wheels. Deferred hope, and endured pain biddeth it fly; enjoyment would arrest its flight, and the condemned malefactor is overwhelmed at its velocity. So intrinsically excellent, it is dealt out in moments, and two contemporary ones never existed at the same period. Its travel is regular, silent but sure. It never wearies, nor halts, nor turns aside; on, on, is its motto,-and on, on, it has sped for nearly six thousand years. A thousand years were given to the antediluvians; one hundred and twenty to the patriarchs; but thirty are the measure of the modern generations of mankind. Time is the space of man's existence, the bounds of his probation, and his seedtime for eternity. In possession, it may be improved and enjoyed; gone, it is irrecoverably lost. Used, it blesses; neglected, it condemns; abused, it leaves its curse behind. Time should be redeemed from vain conversation, frivolous pursuits, foolishness of life. Time should be anticipated by prudent forethought, improved by holy diligence, and laid up for serious reflection. The records of time will furnish the subjects for judgment, and influence the destinies of eternity. Reader! what thinkest thou of time? how hast thou spent time past? how art thou using time present? and how purposing for time to come? Know its intrinsic value; be taught its immense importance; and so number thy days as to apply thy heart unto wisdom. -Christian Philosophy. OLD HUMPHREY ON RISING AND I AM not quite certain whether my present subject is not fitter for the end than for the beginning of the year; but as it is too late now to take that question into consideration, I must do my best to adapt it to my purpose. Cases have occurred in which publishers, when pressed for time, have altered old illustrations to suit new works; thus, a print of Mount Etna, with a touch or two of the engraver, and a new name, furnishes a tolerable resemblance of Vesuvius; and a woodcut of a corporal in the hussars, with the addition of a little more fur and moustache, makes a capital marshal Blucher. Surely, then, with the exercise of a moderate portion of ingenuity, I can make my rising and setting suns, which require no change, as suitable for one part of the year as for another. It is quite as much as I can do, not to envy those who reside in rural situations, or among mountainous scenery; for there is so much that excites me to joy and thankfulness in such positions, that, when in the country, I live in a state of mind something akin to that of a schoolboy, enjoying half-a-day's holiday. It may be that the schoolboy's pleasure and mine are both heightened by the same conviction-the shortness of the tenure on which we hold them. Certain it is that, among exciting scenery, I am no little of an enthusiast. Some time ago, I was abroad as early as two or three hours after midnight; but the immediate object of my shadowy ramble needs not now be told. I had kept, "ever and anon," my eye on the east, from the gloom of night to the grey of approaching dawn. By-and-by came a pale, silvery light, that faintly spread itself in the shadowy vault, succeeded by a somewhat rosy tint. It seemed as though angels were busy in unbarring the windows of heaven! And now, wider and wider, shot upwards a glowing beam, while clouds of yellow hue, azure, purple, and crimson adorned the skies: but even these were but the heralds of greater glory; for at last came, in unendurable splendour, the source of light—the fountain of effulgency. I felt excited and solemnized by the presence of the ambassador of the Eternal, as he flung from his resplendent car light and life, and proclaimed to earth and heaven the power, the wisdom, and the goodness of his Almighty Maker! Our It is well for man that he has duties to perform, as well as pleasures to enjoy, otherwise he might be wasting his energies in unprofitable enjoyment, or dreaming away his days in listless ease. daily duties narrow the fountain of our delight, and make it play the higher. I had active duties to perform through the day, and in their discharge I forgot the pleasure that the rising sun had given me. When filled with occupation, time flies quickly. Hour after hour passed away, and I set off on my return home. The day was well nigh spent, though the west was still flooded with light. Above the round, red sun, which might just be looked on without the eyes being blinded; the sky was almost as bright as the sun itself; while below, the dark, purple clouds afforded a fine relief to the golden orb that rested on and glittered above them. More remote, the attendant clouds were faint and scattered, as though overawed by the glory that beamed upon them, or fearful to intrude on retiring majesty. By degrees, the king of day sank down in his chariot of gathered clouds, and, hiding his face with his purple robe, withdrew himself from the world. Nature was sensible of his absence; heaven and earth put on sackcloth, and creation mourned the monarch of the skies. I have now given you a rising and a setting sun, such as you may have seen more frequently than myself, and, perhaps, you may not be strangers to that delightful excitement which an ardent love of nature, combined with a deep and solemn reverence for its Almighty Creator, is calculated to inspire. But it may be otherwise, for all are not moved in the same manner, nor by the same things. Indeed, among the numberless paradoxes that puzzle the head of Old Humphrey, this is not the least-that so many who highly value God's book of revelation, should lowly estimate his book of creation ;-that thousands who ponder a text of Holy Scripture with delight, should regard with apathy the rising and setting suns of the Eternal! But is there no other sun than that which shineth in the heavens? The royal psalmist says, "The Lord God is a sun," Psalm lxxxiv. 11; and, indeed, he is a sun, compared with which the glittering luminary of the skies is as clouds and darkness! But I am disposed, just now, to regard lesser things, from which we derive especial advantage, and of which we may be suddenly deprived, by their being taken from us, or by our being removed from them, I am disposed, I say, for a passing moment, to regard such things as rising and setting suns. The thought may be fanciful, but it may possibly be made both pleasurable and practically useful. portant. Estimate it highly, receive it gratefully, and improve it gladly, so that God's gifts may set forth God's glory. Books and periodicals may, in a sense, be regarded as rising and setting suns. Some of these fling a radiance around them, and shine with a steady light, while others, sadly beclouded, begin to set almost as soon as they have risen. A talented and well-conducted periodical is an influential thing, giving new life and energy to the circle in which it moves. Do you profit by periodicals? Do they inform your head, correct your heart, and help you on your way to heaven? In my younger days, a publication appeared under the name of "The Comet,' and, being pleased with the first number, I sent a contribution to the work. Soon after this, I was surprised to see placarded on the public walls`an announcement of "The Comet's" second appearance, in which the title of my contribution figured away in large letters as the most attractive part of the placard. Writers are not apt to set too low a value on their productions, nor do I think it likely that I fell into this error. The editor of the periodical, however, went beyond me in the estimation of the paper of his unknown correspondent. My vanity being excited, I again set to work, and wrote a sparkling piece, well calculated, in my own opinion, to add to the lustre of "The Comet." With some impatience, I awaited the day of publication; but, alas! alas! ere that day arrived, "The Comet"- office was closed! The blazing star had disappeared! The sun had set! and my sparkling, meteor-contribution was never made visible to the public eye. More important publications than "The Comet" have been suddenly withdrawn from their sphere. Are you turning to account, then, those that you are accustomed to read? But while I make these remarks, rising and setting suns seem to multiply around me. What suns are well-managed, benevolent institutions, whether they seek the welfare of the soul or of the body!whether they mature the seeds of piety, humanity, and virtue, or destroy those of The new year is a rising sun now, it will be a setting sun by-and-by. Regard it as his gift who, in the beginning, created heaven and earth, called light into being, and rolled the stars along the firmament above. Receive it as the gift of God to you, and turn it to account. Look at its seasons, its sunshines, and its sab-infidelity, cruelty, and crime! There is in baths! its green leaves, its flowers, and its fruits! its facilities for glorifying your heavenly Father, and its opportunities for doing good. Regard its moments, its minutes, and its months as a part of time, nay, rather as a part of eternity, and that part which, to you, may be the most im them a reviving principle. They call forth a renewed energy of thought, word, and deed. They drive away the dark shadows of despondency, and doubt, and difficulty, and spread around the beams of hope, determination, and success. there be aught in the heart of man planted If |