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roots of hemp, with light purple flowers in a loose spike.

The strawberry tree (Arbutus) is a bushy shrub, with reddish brown bark, elliptical bright, stiff, green leaves, and panicled clustre of greenish white flowers, succeeded by crimson tuberculate berries; it is found principally in Ireland, near the lake of Killarney.

On the sea-shore the sea-tree mallow (Lavatera arbórea) which has been flowering since July, is still to be seen. It has a woody stem from six to ten feet high, erect, large flowers and rose-coloured petals darker at the base; this plant however is somewhat rare: it is named from the two Lavaters.

The flowers peculiar to the autumnal months are, as we observed before, comparatively few, though many of the summer ones still linger with us: we have noticed the principal with the exception of the autumnal crocus described last month, which towards its close and the beginning of the present, is in all its beauty. We cannot, however, fail to be struck with the idea, that those now flourishing, if their numbers be diminished, are singularly beautiful: perchance the fact of their being about to depart from us, till spring shall return, makes us more susceptible of their many charms.

"These few pale Autumn flowers,

How beautiful they are!

I have all that went before,

I have all the summer store,

How lovelier far!

And why they are the last!
The last! the last! the last!

Oh! by that little word,
How many thoughts are stirr'd
The sisters of the past."

E. J. S.

THE FAITHLESS DISCIPLE.

SUGGESTED BY A BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVING OF THE FAITH

LESS DISCIPLE, AFTER ONE OF THE OLD MASTERS.

66

'Blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed."

A SWEET yet mournful picture! Who can gaze
Upon those looks of eager hope and fear
With solemn mystery blended,-and on Him,
Gentle and sympathizing still, though now
The Man of Grief no more-nor feel the scene
Melting through all his spirit at those words
Of tender chiding; yet of heavenly hope ?

It is a cheering tale that picture tells

To wounded, doubting hearts. The troubled soul
May dwell upon its meaning, till once more
That gentle eye and gracious voice shed forth
Upon its waves ineffable repose.

Long ages since from every countenance there,
The shade of grief has pass'd.-Upon His throne
The Mediator sits; and they who shar'd
His toils and sorrows here, much marvelling
And oft incredulous, but faithful still—
Share now his fellowship where Love and Joy
Keep their perpetual Sabbath.

Yet oft still

Across the pilgrim's path a vision steals,
Like to that painter's dream :—and music breaks
Around the lonely steps of him who walks
In fear and sadness, speaking to the heart
In tones of heavenly hope :

Blessed are they

Who have not seen, and yet in cheerful faith
To that bright land beyond the gloom of death
Hold on their stedfast way.

Darkness and doubt and fear

Bow down the heart by many thoughts oppress'd:
Yet cheer thee, traveller !—to soothe thy breast
He whom thou lov'st is near !

His feet have led the way

O'er the rough path thou treadest to the grave; Ev'n in the shades of death, to cheer and save, His love shall be thy stay.

Oh, to have seen Him here

-The Man of sorrows-and have shared His lot!
All thought of toil and suffering forgot
In this that He was near!

But yet more blessed thou

If it is given thee, with unwavering trust
Not seeing to believe. Lift from the dust
Thy sad and anxious brow!

This is the world of faith:

That is the world of certainty and joy :

And bless'd are they whose mute unquestioning eye Looks through the shades of death.

In firm unshaken love ;

Believing, when life's mysteries are past,
Faith shall be turn'd to adoring joy at last,
In the bright world above.

W. S. M.

Review of Books.

NARRATIVE OF A MISSION TO BOKHARA, in the years 1843-1845, to ascertain the fate of Colonel Stoddart and Captain Conolly. By the Rev. Joseph Wolff, D. D., L.L.D. In two volumes. Second Edition, revised.-Parker.

WE looked forward with intense anxiety to the appearance of these volumes; and after an eager perusal we close them with feelings of renewed wonder and thankfulness at the almost miraculous escape of the intrepid narrator, but without having a single doubt dispelled of the many that all along have filled our mind as to the actual fate of our two countrymen. That they have been put to death, or miserably perished in prison, is rendered too probable by the known character of the Ameer of Bokhara ; but not a tittle of what, to our apprehension, can be called evidence, is afforded of the fact.

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