one of the finest young men that could be seen, and on account of his beauty was surnamed Phœbus ; but he possessed much virtue and piety, for, instead of murmuring that he was about to die so young, he said to those who were weeping near his bed, "do not mourn for me, I go to my Father, my kingdom is not of this world."

7. One day when the dauphin, father of Louis XVI. was hunting with the king near Champigny, his coachman wished to cross a field of corn. The prince, on seeing this, desired him to return to the road. The coachman observed to him that he would not be in time for the meeting.

it be so," replied the prince, "I would rather want ten meetings than do any injury to the field of a poor peasant."

8. A Turk, who was a slave at Leghorn, having gained by his labour a thousand piastres, carried them to the treasury to purchase the freedom of his younger brother who was a slave as well as himself. The governor, surprised, asked him why he did not rather pay for his own ransom? "because," replied he, "my brother not, having any money would remain all his life in slavery; and because when I shall have laboured some years longer, I shall redeem myself in my turn. This magnanimous action having come to the knowledge of Cosmo III. grand duke of Tuscany, he was so affected by it, that he granted their liberty to both the brothers without ransom.

Hope.

The radiant sun had gaily set

Into the deep blue sea;

And the blushing daylight lingered yet,
In dying brilliancy.

14

Yet still the moon with its lucid light,
Rose up to life again;

And a streak of beauty fair and bright
Lay smiling on the main.

And it laughed and played as a rolling wave
Passed 'neath its glowing breast;

And the swelling seas that love to rave
Sank silently to rest.

But still a frequent gust would sweep

Over the ocean's brow,

And the beam that rested on the deep,
Would still more deeply glow.

The sea is like a troubled breast,
O'erwhelmed with care and grief;
Or the weary mind that knows no rest
From pangs that spurn relief.

But, like the beam of the moonlight ray,
Hope glows upon the mind,

And sheds a dream of a brighter day,

And leaves new joys behind.

National Omnibus.

5. The Ocean.

Surges; waves. August'; stately, majestic. Spec'tacle; sight. Magnificence; grandeur. Ama'zes; astonishes. Adhere'; stick to, cleave. Em'inent; distinguished. Computes'; reckons. Bar'rier; protection. Contin'ually; constantly. Ed'dy; whirling current. Cement'ed; united. Pen'etrate; enter. Conform'ity; fitness, adaptation. Buoy'ant; elastic. Superflu'ity; excess. Solid; compact. Facility;

ease.

THE ocean, rolling its surges from clime to

clime, is the most august object under the whole heaven. It is a spectacle of magnificence and terror, which fills the mind, and amazes the imagination. Let us examine a drop of water, only so much as will adhere to the point of a needle. In this speck an eminent philosopher computes no less than thirteen thousand globules; and if so many thousands are in so small a speck, how many must there be in the unmeasured extent of the ocean!

It is remarkable that sand is a more effectual barrier against the sea than rocks: accordingly, the sea is continually gaining upon a rocky shore, and losing upon a sandy one, except where it sets in with an eddy. Thus it has been gaining from age to age upon the isle of Portland, and the Land's End in Cornwall, undermining, throwing down, and swallowing up one huge rock after another. Meanwhile the sandy shores, both on our southern and western coasts, gain continually upon the sea.

Beneath the boundary of rocks frequently lies a smooth level sand, almost as firm as a well cemented causeway; insomuch that the tread of a horse scarcely impresses it, and the waters never penetrate it. Without this wise contrivance, the searching waves would insinuate into the heart of the earth; and the earth itself would in some places be hollow as a honey-comb, in others bibulous as a sponge.

Nor are the regions of the ocean without their proper inhabitants, clothed in exact conformity to the climate; not in swelling wool, or buoyant feathers, but with as much compactness, and as little superfluity as possible. They are clad, or rather sheathed in scales which adhere close, and are laid in a kind of natural oil; than which

nothing can be more light, and at the same time more solid. It hinders the fluid from penetrating their flesh; it prevents the cold from chilling their blood: and enables them to make their way through the waters with the utmost facility. And they have each an air-bladder, a curious instrument, by expanding or compressing which, they rise to what height, or sink to what depth they please.

It is impossible to enumerate the various species of the scaly herds. Among them are animals of amazing qualities. The upper jaw of the swordfish is lengthened into a strong and sharp sword, with which, though he is not above sixteen feet long, he scruples not to engage the whale himself. The sun-fish is one round mass of flesh; only it has two fins which act the part of oars. The polypus, with its numerous feet and claws, seems fitted only to crawl; yet an excrescence rising on the back, enables it to steer a steady course through the waves. The shell of the nautilus forms a kind of boat, and he unfurls a kind of membrane to the wind for a sail. He extends also two arms, with which, as with oars, he rows himself along. When he is disposed to dive, he strikes sail, and at once sinks to the bottom. When the weather is calm, he mounts again, and performs his voyage without either chart or compass.

Some, lodged in their shells, seem to have no higher employment than to imbibe nutriment, and are almost rooted to the rocks on which they lie; while others shoot along the yielding flood and range the spacious regions of the deep. How various is their figure! The shells of some seem to be the rude productions of chance, rather than of skill and design; yet even in these we find the

nicest arrangements. Uncouth as they appear, they are exactly suited to the exigencies of their respective tenants. The structure of others is all symmetry and elegance, and no enamel can be compared to their polish.

The mackerel, herring, and various other kinds throng our creeks and bays, while those of enormous size and appearance, which would frighten the valuable fish from our coasts, are kept in the abysses of the ocean; as wild beasts, compelled by the same overruling power, hide themselves in the recesses of the forest.-Anonymous.

The Treasures of the Deep.

What hid'st thou in thy treasure-caves and cells,
Thou hollow-sounding and mysterious Main?
Pale glistening pearls, and rainbow-colour'd shells,
Bright things which gleam unreck'd of, and in vain.
Keep, keep thy riches, melancholy sea!

We ask not such from thee.

Yet more, the depths have more !-what wealth untold
Far down, and shining through their stillness lies!
Thou hast the starry gems, the burning gold,
Won from ten thousand royal argosies.

Sweep o'er thy spoils, thou wild and wrathful Main;
Earth claims not these again!

Yet more, the depths have more!-thy waves have roll'd
Above the cities of a world gone by!

Sand hath fill'd up the palaces of old,
Sea-weed o'ergrown the halls of revelry!

Dash o'er them, Ocean, in thy scornful play,
Man yields them to decay!

Yet more! the billows and the depths have more !
High hearts and brave are gathered to thy breast!