Such is part of the early history of a man, who, for so many years, filled the office of rector of the high-school of Edinburgh, with such credit to himself; and what an encouraging prospect does it present, when we take into consideration the high literary merit he attained, and the distinguishing honours paid him at the last.

The Progress of Genius

FROM OBSCURE AND LOW SITUATIONS, TO EMINENCE AND CELEBRITY.

MICHAEL ANGELO DA CARAVAGGIO, The celebrated Italian painter, was at first no other than a day-labourer; but having seen some painters at work upon a brick-wall which he had helped to raise, he was so charmed with their art, that he immediately applied himself to the study of it, and in a few years made such considerable progress, that in Venice, Rome, and other parts of Italy, he was cried up and admired as the author of a new style in painting, and his pieces are now to be met with in most of the cabinets in Europe.

SIR RICHARD ARKWRIGHT,

The ingenious inventor of the Spinning Jenny,' was at one time of his life literally a penny burber at Manchester, and yet, by uncommon genius and persevering industry, he invented and perfected a system of machinery for spinning cotton, that had in vain been attempted by many of the first mechanics of the 17th and 18th centuries; and which, by giving employment to many thousand families, increase the population, and was productive of great commercial advantage to his country.

An Exhortation to Parents.

FROM THE FAMILY MAGAZINE.

THERE is hardly any thing of greater importance than the bringing up of children in the way they should go. This is a duty which cannot be undertaken too early, nor too strictly performed. The minds of children must be engaged. As soon as reason begins to dawn, the mind begins to expand, and cannot remain unemployed. If good things are not carefully instilled, it will occupy itself in trifles. And when a child is permitted to furnish its mind with things of little moment, or, what is worse, with evil habits, it will be no easy task to root them out. Whatsoever takes first possession of the unfurnished and unjudging mind, is most commonly the foundation of its future conduct. Therefore, when the seeds of piety and virtue are early sown, when the infant mind is seasonably and properly cultivated, there is good reason to hope it will produce plenty of good fruit. Good impressions, when early made, most commonly prove lasting, increase as children grow in years, and the effects are both pleasing and useful. They promote the present welfare of the children themselves, render them real blessings to their fond parents, and make them respected as worthy members of society. But what is above every other consideration, by leading a life of piety and virtue, they gain the favour and approbation of their heavenly Father, and prepare themselves for the enjoyment of a happy eternity. For godliness is profitable to all things, having a promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

The Cottager's Advice to his Daughter,

UPON HER GOING TO SERVICE.

WELL, MARY, you have seen the good lady Mrs. If she approves of you, I hope you will like to serve her. Come, sit you down; I have much to say to you, ᎥᏝ my heart is not too full.

Your dear mother is gone before me, and left me to act for her; and happy it is for you that I am alive; for young women, particularly of your condition in life, when left parentless, are so much at their own disposal, that they often dispose of themselves very badly.

Methinks, my dear Mary, a separation, after seventeen years tender acquaintance with thee, even from thy birth, is like parting with the blood that streams through my heart, especially as thou art going into a world thou art ot so well acquainted with as I am. Believe me it is a world full of danger; yet, if thou hast the wisdom, whenever possible, to avoid, and the fortitude, when unavoidable, to withstand the assaults of temptation, then will thy virtue be confirmed, thou wilt enjoy the heartfelt tranquillity of an approving conscience, and wilt feel the force of that beautiful sentiment of the Psalmist, 'Great is the peace that they have who love the law of God.'

Remember, Mary, thou hast a Father besides me, a far greater and better, to whose care I recommend thee; and if thou couldst but always bear in mind that his eye is ever upon thee, that with him 'the night is as clear as the day,' and hence learn to act always as in his holy presence, then would my heart re assured that thou wouldst

escape

escape the evil that is in the world; for those who walk in his fear, he hath graciously promised never to forsake.

The gracious and awful presence of God, and the continuance of his blessing towards you, is not only necessary to your success, but also to your very being. When I go into the fields, Mary, I look up with joy towards the hea vens; when I rise to my work, and behold the glorious appearance of the sun, and see its effects shewn by day, I rejoice; when I consider it is the means whereby my blood circulates in my veins, and gives motion to my pulse and heart, I fall down in gratitude to its glorious Maker. As the day declares the glory and power of God, so at night, when you retire to refresh your wearied limbs, consider star hung out as a lamp to shew every his you vellous works. All these wonders in the heavens remain in no less astonishing order, ' and never faint in their watches.' Learn, then, not by belief only, but by practice, and a habit of thinking, that God is all in all.

mar

To be continued.

USEFUL INFORMATION.

PRECAUTIONS TO BE USED, AND METHODS TO

BE TAKEN, IN CASE OF THE ICE GIVING WAY
BENEATH A PERSON.

WHERE deep ponds or rivers that are frozen over in winter, are much resorted to for the purpose of skating, &c. long ropes, fir planks, and several poles furnished in the manner described below*, should be lodged in some house near the place,

These poles to be 10 or 12 feet in length, with instruments fited on them of the form and size of a muck-drag, but with the tines or prongs rather more bent down; and to prevent the body receiving

any

place, so that they may be speedily got at when wanted. When the ice gives way under a person, even though he do not sink beneath it, it is scarcely possible that he should get out unassisted, unless the water happens to be very shallow. A plank should therefore be placed close to the edge of the opening in the ice, and upon this one or two persons may generally stand pretty securely to help the But if the ice be so weak as to render this method hazardous, a plank or pole ought to be shoved to the person to support himself upon. In the mean time, the end of a long rope should be carried round the place by a light boy on skates, so that the person may become enclosed in its bight or doubling, and by shifting it under bis arms, or between his legs, give a secure hold whereby he can be drawn out.

other out.

When the person has unfortunately got away from the place where he fell in, and it becomes necessary to search after him with the hook mentioned below, or to break the ice in order to recover the body, several long planks or a large door should be laid down for those to stand upon who are employed in this; for even thin ice will support a very considerable weight, provided it be made to bear upon. a large surface.

Work to be done in the Cottager's Garden in January. IF the weather is mild in this month, sow early peas and beans, likewise radishes, cresses, mustard, and lettuces, in warm borders-prune gooseberry and currant bushes, if not done formerly-turn up strong soil, also such flowerbeds as are empty, and forward ditching and trenching.

any injury from them, each tine or prong should be guarded by a small plate of iron, shaped like the segment of a circle, and welded on about half an inch from the point, in the same way that is now done with the drags On an emergency, an instrument like what we have described may be easily made, by heating the prongs of a common pitching fork, then bending them down at the place where they divide, to about a right angle with the shaft.