servation, and the same opportunity of information, it has never yielded supremacy to man. We have something of evidence of this in all orders of society. The influence which she exerts is powerful, though as silent as the feathered footsteps of time. Where ever man goes, whether he climbs the summits of the Andes, whether he scours the sandy desert, or seeks a home on the restless wave, he feels the charm and yields a silent obedience to the supremacy of its power. Woman was not created to be as a hireling or a slave. Nature has thrown around her attractions and qualifications that fit her for a different sphere. Her path through life, though perhaps it may in some measure lead through flowery meads and verdant dales," yet it requires all the boasted powers ascribed to men to enable her to " preserve the even tenor of her way." In the discharge of her duties, whatever they may be, they are thronged with the same difficulties, and require the same energy to perform, that attend the pathway of men.

If knowledge has unrolled its ample page to her view-if education has regenerated and enlightened her mind, how "happy would she go on rejoicing in her way." Interest and gratitude speaks to man in a voice which cannot be misunderstood, to the great means of acquiring this knowledge which will yield him so abundant a harvest of profit and pleasure.Their relative dependence, the one upon the other, call for it. The first for her protection and support, the latter for that sweet peace which is only in her power to give. It is from her that all man's joys and pleasures emanate. His fireside is the throne of his happiness, and if ignorance, accompanied with the grosser feelings of our nature, spreads its mantle there, how gloomy is the scene. The cultivation of the female intellect cannot detract from the power, influence, or pleasure of man. It will bring no "rival in his kingdom"-it will not render her conversation less agreeable-it will not render her judgment less sure and certain in the management of the domestic affairs of a family-it will not render her less capable to discharge

the duties of a mother in rearing and implanting correct sentiments on those over whom nature has ordered her to be the natural guardian and tutor. When man finds his little all swept from him by repeated misfortune, it will not render her less capable to "sooth his melancholy mind." When he finds himself stretched upon a bed of sickness, certainly knowledge and information, added to the tender feelings of her nature, will not incapacitate her to administer the "balm of Gilead" to his fevered mind.

CABINET OF NATURE.

GENERAL FEATURES OF THE EARTH'S SURface.

IN taking a general survey of the external features of the earth, the most prominent objects that strike the eye, are those huge elevations which rise above the level of its general surface, termed HILLS and MOUNTAINS. These are distributed in various forms and sizes, through every portion of the continents and islands; and, running into immense chains, form a sort of connecting band to the other portions of the earth's surface. The largest mountains are generally formed into immense chains, which extend, in nearly the same direction, for several hundreds, and even thousands of miles. It has been observed, by some philosophers, that the most lofty mountains form two immense ridges, or belts, which, with some interruptions, extend around the whole globe, in nearly the same direction. One of these ridges lies between the 45th and 55th degrees of North Latitude. Beginning on the western shores of France and Spain, it extends eastward, including the Alps and the Pyrenees, in Europe, the Uralian and Altaic mountains, in Asiaextending from thence to the shores of Kamtschatka, and, after a short interruption from the sea, they rise again on the western coast of America, and terminate at Canada, near the eastern shore. It is supposed that the chain is continued completely round the globe, through the space that is covered by the Atlantic ocean,

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General Features of the Earth's Surface.

and that the Azores, and other islands in that direction, are the only summits that are visible, till we come to the British isles. The other ridge runs along the Southern hemisphere, between the 20th and 30th degrees of South latitude, of which detached portions are found in the mountains of Tucuman and of Paraguay, in South America,-of Monomotapa and Caffraria, in Africa; in New Holland, New Caledonia, the New Hebrides, the Friendly, the Society, and other islands in the Pacific ocean. From these ridges flows a variety of ramifications, in both hemispheres, towards the Equator, and the Poles, which altogether present a magnificent scenery, which diversifies and enlivens the surface of our globe.

The highest mountains in the world, according to some late accounts published in the " Transactions of the Asiatic Society," are the Himalaya chain, north of Bengal, on the borders of Tibet. The highest mountain in this range is stated to be about 27,000 feet, or a little more than five miles in perpendicular height, and is visible at the distance of 230 miles. Nineteen different mountains in this chain are stated to be above four miles in perpendicular elevation. Next to the Himalayas, are the Andes, in South America, which extend more than 4000 miles in length, from the province of Quito to the straits of Magellan. The highest summit of the Andes, is Chimboracco, which is said to be 20,600 feet, or nearly four miles, above the level of the sea. The highest mountains in Europe, are the Alps, which run through Switzerland and the north of Italy, the Pyrenees, which separate France from Spain, and the Dofrafeld, which divide Norway from Sweden. The most elevated ridges in Asia, are Mount Taurus, Imaus, Caucausus, Ararat, the Uralian, the Altaian, and the mountains of Japan, -in Africa, Mount Atlas, and the Mountains of the Moon. Some of the mountains in these ranges, are found to contain immense caverns or perforations, of more than two miles in circumference, reaching from their summits to an immeasurable depth into the bowels of the earth. From these dreadful openings,

and the distant volcano sending forth its bellowings, with its top enveloped in fire and smoke. Those who have studied nature on a grand scale, have always been struck with admiration and astonishment, at the sublime and awful exhibition of wonders which mountainous regions exhibit; and perhaps, there is no terrestrial scene which presents, at one view, so many objects of overpowering magnitude and grandeur, and which inspires the mind with so impressive an idea of the power of that Almighty Being, who "weigheth the mountains in scales, and taketh up the isles as a very little thing."

POPULAR AND INSTRUCTIVE TALES.

THE LILY OF THE MOUNTAIN.

A SUPERFICIAL observer of the inequalities of life might suppose that there is a greater variety of human happiness than corresponds with facts. The parade of power, the pride of birth, and the magnificence of wealth, seem to indicate an enjoyment far greater than can subsist with the plain attire, the frugal repast, and the humble seclusion of the cottage. This would be a correct inference if the mind could be rendered happy by the parade of external circumstances. But a contented mind is the only source of happiness, and consequently, if " one flutters in brocade," and moves amid the refinements of society, and another is clad in homely attire and occupies the sequestered valley, or the recesses of the forest, it is not certain that this variety of external circumstances furnishes an equal variety of happiness. If God has given to one the luxuries and the honors of life, he has given to another the ornaments of a meek and quiet spirit. Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath prepared for them that love him? And is not that peace which flows from a little to the heavenly inheritance superior to all the pageantry of an ungodly world? So I thought when, in