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the coolness of the night condenses those exhalations and vapours, which in the morning appear to be mists. But the air which has been cooled in the night, and but little warmed by the morning sun, has then only a small heat; which if it have force enough to raise the fog, then we have either bad weather, or many clouds; but if the morning sun cannot draw it up, the mists fall down again upon the earth by its natural gravity, and is a sign of fair weather.

OF DEW.

DEW is occasioned thus, the cold which is upon the surface of the earth during the winter, covers it on all parts, and concentres the heat in low and subterraneous places; and in the spring, the cold being abated, and the pores of the earth open, it has a sort of sweat or perspiration. From whence it is, that many vapours must then of necessity fly up into the air; and the nights of that season being still cold, condense those vapours and exhalations that are raised by day, and change them to a very small and invisible rain, of a short continuance, that falls early in the morning, and is found in drops of water like pearl, upon the tops of herbs and flowers. But the exhalations which are easily raised with those vapours are more subtile and less corrosive. Whence it is, that they make a very healthful water, upon the tops of tender, and blooming flowers, which is indeed so very healthful, that it is gathered to be made use of on many occasions.

SONG.

Dull Philosophers maintain,
That in life's fatiguing stage,
All our joys are false and vain,
All-from infancy to age.

Dotard's dreams! ye powers above,
While my charming Chloe's true,
In the arms of her I love,

Say am I less blest than you.

Why these needless senses? why
Do we live then? but to die!
To enjoy our being, we

At that rate must cease to be.

CHILDREN.

AN American, now travelling in Europe, says :-"Dutch_babies are the most phlegmatic, contented, independent looking little creatures on the face of the globe. They never cry. In order to test this, I pinched several of them as I passed in the crowd. One of them slightly yawned; the others merely gazed placidly at me, but made no sign." Model babies those.

"MRS.

FASHIONS.

Oh! do look here, dear! How extremely pretty the Autumn fashions are to be sure! What a perfect lovely little cloak!" Mr. (rapidly changing the conversation), "Yes, yes! Beautiful, beautiful; but see, love, what a magnificent brown horse, and how splendidly that fellow sits on him.

THE HEBREW LANGUAGE.

AN eminent scholar remarks-"I have often wished, indeed, that we had some more inviting helps to that study than we have, and such as might more effectually contribute to overcome the aversion, or indifference, which our young clergy seem to have for it. And in order to contribute something more than a bare wish towards it, I had once gone a good way in composing a tragic-comic piece, intituled, David and Michal, in Hebrew verse, wherein I introduced this young princess, acknowledging with a suitable reluctancy and shame to her confident, her new-born affection for the young shepherd, after she had seen him unperceived from behind. a curtain in her father's pavilion, and heard some of these inimitable strains with which he was wont to enliven that desponding monarch in his most melancholy hours. The distress arising from the apprehended rivalship of her eldest sister, who was soon after promised as a reward to that brave youth, for killing the vapouring champion of the Philistines and Morabs, being represented here as having already settled her affections on Adriel the Meholathite, to whom Saul actually gave her soon after, contrary to his promise (1 Sam. xviii. 19). The different fears and emotions of the two sisters, the means by which they came to understand each other's case and inclinations, the singular affection of Jonathan towards David, and the kind offices he did him with Saul, in order to procure him his beloved Michal, instead of her sister; all these, I say, are represented in divers affecting scenes, to which the energy of the Hebrew gives no small beauty and pathos. The episodes, the most considerable of which consist of several interviews and conferences between the prophet Samuel and young David, as when he acquainted him with Saul's utter rejection, and his being chosen by God to succeed him in the Israelitish kingdom; David's surprise, scruples, and fears; his dread of entertaining, even the most distant hope of a crown, which he could not obtain but by the most unnatural and blackest treason against his father-in-law, and his most generous friend Jonathan, and the arguments by which the prophet endeavours to satisfy his scrupulours mind, that he shall enjoy the promised crown, without the least stain to his loyalty, and at length prevails on him to suffer himself to be anointed king; his marrying the kind and beloved Michal, and being justly raised to the command of the Israelitish army."

MAKING GAME.

LEE LEWIS, shooting in a field, the proprietor attacked him violently. "I allow no person," said he," to kill game on my manor, but myself, and I'll shoot you if you come here again." "What?" said the other," I suppose you mean to make game of me!"

MODERN DICTIONARY.

WE subjoin the following as a specimen :-Angel-the name of a woman. Borrowing-a genteel method of stealing. Bargainanything bought at three times its value. Bishop-a person the more eminently fitted for pastoral superintendence of the Church on account of his political opinions being in accordance with those of the party which appoints him. Bucket- -a household utensil, by kicking which people are said to die. Bluntness-civilized rudeness, especially from a great man. Conscience-a nonentity; a thing to swear by. Cat-an animal supposed to have nine lives, and known to have nine tails. Dilemma-in want of change for sixpence, and likewise of the sixpence to get changed. Fun-any thing serious. Folly-a man with a wooden leg getting drunk. Finished Gentleman- one who can smoke, swear, and sing. Fashion-Degrading imitation. Good-hearted Fellow-one who does all the mischief he can. Grief-the sorrow people feel when a rich friend dies without mentioning them in the will. Hunger -a poor man's perquisite. Innocence-ingenuity in concealing defects. Ignorant-unacquainted with fashionable vices. Lords -the only hereditary wise men in the world. Living-a thing many die for. Pleasure-something always hoped for, but seldom enjoyed. Religion-a cloak; a word many have on their tongue'send, and no where else. Repentance-regret at being found out to be a rogue. Satan-the original Tory. Sin-an ill-defined vice, in which every one indulged but ourselves.

AT sunset the finest hues rest where (only for experience) we should never expect to find them. While those western meadows are dusky, and their woods and hedge-rows often indistinct, a soft clear blue rests on the eastern hills; and how often where the sun of prosperity hovers, is there less real sunshine than in the spots never brightened with its rays.

IT is strange-perhaps the strangest of all the mind's intricacies -the sudden, the instantaneous manner in which memory, by a single signal, casts wide the doors of one of those dark storehouses in which long-passed events have been shut up for years. That signal, be it a look, a tone, an odour, a single sentence, is the cabalistic word of the Arabian tale, at the potent magic of which the door of the cave of the robber Forgetfulness is cast suddenly wide, and all the treasures that he had concealed displayed.

DOMESTIC TYRANNY.

THE domestic oppressor dooms himself to gaze upon those faces which he clouds with terror and with sorrow; and beholds every moment the effects of his own barbarities. He that can bear to give continual pain to those who surround him and can walk with satisfaction in the gloom of his own presence; he that can see submissive misery without relenting, and meet without emotion the eye that implores mercy or demands justice, will scarcely be amended by remonstrance or admonition; he has found means of stopping the avenues of tenderness, and arming his heart against the force of reason. Even though no consideration should be paid to the great law of social beings, by which every individual is commanded to consult the happiness of others, yet the harsh parent is less to be vindicated than any other criminal, because he less provides for the happiness of himself. Every man, however little he loves others, would willingly be loved; every man hopes to live long, and therefore hopes for that time at which he shall sink back to imbecility, and must depend for ease and cheerfulness upon the officiousness of others. But how has he obviated the inconveniences of old age, who alienates from him the assistance of his children, and whose bed must be surrounded in his last hours, in the hours of langour and dejection, of impatience, and of pain, by strangers to whom his life is indifferent, or by enemies to whom his death is desirable?

MY SPIRIT'S HOME.

Where is the home my spirit seeks,
Amid this world of sin and care,
Where even joy of sorrow speaks,

And death is lurking everywhere?

Oh! not amid its fading bowers,

My wearied soul can find supplies,
For serpents lurk beneath its flowers,
And thorns surround its fairest rose.
The home of earth is not for me;
Far off my spirit's dwelling lies;
The eye of faith alone can see

Its pearly gates beyond the skies.
The ear of faith alone can hear

The music of its ceaseless song,
As nearer with each passing year
Its angel chorus rolls along.
There is the home my spirit seeks
Above the fadeless stars on high!
Where not a note of discord breaks
The silver chain of harmony.
Where light without a shadow lies,

And joy can speak without a tear,
And death alone the tyrant-dies:
The home my spirit seeks is there!

TEMPERANCE.

This was

WHEN Æschines commended Philip of Macedon for a jovial inan, that would drink freely, Demosthenes answered, that a good quality in a sponge, but not in a King."

FATHER PETER.

THE celebrated Father Peter was walking through a village, when a number of children ran forward and cried out to the Reverend Father-"The devil's dead, the devil's dead." "Is he," said the holy man. "Alas! ye poor fatherless children."

THE SIEGE.

A TOWN feared a siege, and held consultation which was the best method of fortification. A grave, skilful mason, first gave his opinion, that nothing like stone could secure the dominion. A carpenter said, that, although that was well spoke, yet it was far better to defend it with oak. A currier wiser than both these together, said, try what you please there is nothing like leather. Men generally consult their own interest though a whole nation may suffer for it.

THERE are certain feelings which the human mind cannot undergo and remain unchanged. Violent passions, whether productive of pleasure or pain, always leave behind them an impression which can never be effaced, but remain indelible on the mind, as the scar of wounds, long after the sensation is gone.

He that thinks of many things, thinks of nothing; and he that would go several ways, stands still.

THERE is something deeply and peculiarly affecting in the expression applied to persons in distress-" they have seen better days." No claim upon our sympathy touches us so nearly as this. It at once brings before our minds the possibility of a change in our own circumstances; and no appeal, such is our nature, comes so home to our bosoms as that which suggests the chance of ourselves and those dear to us having one day to ask for such pity as is called for from us. When woman, in particular, gentle, good, and unobtrusive, is the unfortunate object that has "seen better days," the case is still more strongly calculated to move our compassion. Of all objects of pity the woman who has undergone a change in her estate, and bears her fall with uncomplaining mildness and patience, is one of the most truly and profoundly interesting. Shoeless, garmentless, homeless poverty-poverty, that sits by the wayside begging, with its many wants obtruded on every hand-never touches the soul with a pang a hundredth part so acute as does the shrinking carefully-concealed indigence of the decayed gentlewoman.

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