made by occasionally forcing ourselves from the vortex of he world, and retiring to the calm enjoyments of study and reflection. The habits of retirement and tranquillity can alone enable us to make a just estimate of men and things. We need not, therefore, be surprised at what is related of the gentleman, who, upon his death-bed, laid this one command upon his wild son; "that he should every day of is life be an hour alone :"-and at being told, that havng constantly observed the injunction, he thereby grew. serious, and became a new man, If such then are the advantages of solitude; if it is ound to be a most fit season not only for communing with our own hearts but for holding converse with the Deity; for obtaining a true knowledge of ourselves, and enabling as to form a just estimate of men and things; and if this state is often produced by that confinement which is the necessary attendant on bodily indisposition, it certainly ought not to be accounted so great an evil as some inconiderate minds may be apt to imagine. From these premises it naturally follows, that the afflic-tions and trials of a present life, the disappointments and crosses to which we are continually exposed, the heartrendings and vexations that accompany us in our pilgrimage; the diseases of the body, and still more calamitous disorders of the mind, which mark out and distinguish our path through the world, and proclaim in a language that cannot be misunderstood, the melancholy truth, that Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward; are, notwithstanding, instead of being regarded as deplorable evils, to be considered as capable of producing by improvement the most salutary good." Instead, therefore, of viewing afflictions as the certain marks of the just indignation and hot displeasure of the Most High, it becomes us to cherish them as the kind Pr 3. chastisements chastisements of our Heavenly Father, and to accept of them with gratitude as the most incontrovertible testimonies of his care, and evidences of his paternal love; for, in the words of the Apostle, "What son is he whom the father chasteneth not,"-not forgetting, that although "no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby," let us "Fret not then though his hand parental smite, ever remembering, that the great Captain of our Salvation was himself made perfect through sufferings; that "it is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his Lord;" and that JESUS left it as a part of his dying legacy to his followers, "in the world ye shall have tribulation," although for their comfort, he added: "But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”—Then may we expect, with a well-grounded confidence, that "OUR LIGHT AFFLICTION WHICH IS BUT FOR A MOMENT, WILL" not lose its effect, but "WORK FOR US A FAR MORE EXCEEDING AND AN ETERNAL WEIGHT GLORY." OF August, 1813. O.P. Natural Appearances in October. "Now stormy Winter, with her dusky train, "And, led by nature, seek the southern sky." PLANTS having gone through the progressive stages of springing, flowering, and seeding, have at this season brought to maturity the rudiments of a future progeny, ners. which are now to be committed to the fostering bosoni of the earth. This being done, the parent vegetable if of the herbaceous kind, either totally dies, or perishes as far as it rose above ground: if a tree or shrub, it loses all its tender parts which the spring and summer had put forth. Seeds are scattered by the hand of nature in various manThe winds, which at this time arise, disperse far and wide many seeds which are curiously furnished with feathers or wings for this purpose. Other seeds, by the means of hooks lay hold on passing animals, and are thus carried to distant places. Many are contained in berries, which being eaten by birds, the seeds are discharged again uninjured, and grow where they happen to alight. Thus carefully has nature provided for the distribution and propagation of plants. The common Martin, whose nests, hung under the eaves of our houses, afford so agreeable a spectacle of parental fondness, and assiduity, usually disappears in October. As this, though one of the smallest of the swallow-kind, stays the latest, its emigration to distant climates is less probable than that of the others. In most of the wine countries of Europe, the vintage takes place in October. The grape is one of the latest fruits in ripening. When gathered, they are immediately pressed, and the juice is fermented like that of apples in making cyder. This month is particularly chosen, on account of its mild temperature, for the brewing of malt liquor designed for long keeping, which is therefore commonly called old October. The farmer continues to sow his winter-corn during this month; and wheat is frequently not all sown till the end of it. When the weather is too wet for this business, lie ploughs up the stubble-fields for winter fallows. Acorns are are sown for young plantations at this time; and forest and fruit trees are planted. At the very close of the month, a few flowers still cheer the eye; and there is a second blow of some kinds, particularly of the woodbine. But the scent of all these late flowers is comparatively faint. Migration of the Birds. THIS is the time when numbers of the birds, which dur ing summer had lived and found food in our fields, woods, and gardens, are going to quit our climate for other countries. There are but few of them which pass the winter with us. The rest leave us almost the whole winter. This migration is wonderful in all respects; and if we have not much attended to these creatures while they were with us, let us at least think of them now they are gone. Some birds, without taking their flight very high, and without separating from one another, drawing gradually towards the south, to seek the seeds and the fruit they prefer; but they soon return back. Others, which are called birds of passage, collect together at certain ́seasons, go away in large bodies, and take their flight into other climates. Some kinds of them are content with going from one country to another, where the air and food draw them at certain seasons. Others cross the seas, and undertake voyages of a surprising length. These migrations of the birds cannot be too much admired. Certainly the difference of heat and cold, and the want of food, warns them to change place. But what is the reason, that when the air is so mild that they might remain in it, and that they find enough to eat, they still tever fail to go at the appointed time? How do they know. hat they will find food, and the proper degree of heat in other climates? What is the cause of their going all at the ame time out of our countries, as if they had unanimously ixed beforehand their day of departure? How do they contrive in dark nights, and without knowing the counries, to pursue their direct road constantly? These and other questions on this interesting subject, are embarassing, and have not yet been answered in a satisfactory manner, because we are not enough acquainted with the nature and nstinct of these animals. We may, however, behold in he migrations the wise and beneficent direction of Provilence. What wonderful means are made use of to preserve and give food to certain birds! With what tender care is their subsistence pointed out to them, when it fails, hem in some regions! Let us learn from thence, that every thing throughout the vast empire of nature is planed with Infinite Wisdom. Is not instinct to the birds of passage, what reason is to man? How ought we to blush it our incredulity, our doubts, and our anxieties, when we eflect on the admirable guidance of Providence! This God who points the way to the birds in the air, will be not with equal goodness guide us whom he has vouchsafed to ndow with reason? Shall man, the lord of all, be less the bject of his care? Let us then with joy confide in his. nerciful protection. Let us walk in his ways, and wo cannot fail of happiness.. The Winter Sowing Time. GREAT part of the food destined for us, and for many animals, is at this time deposited in the ground. The far mer |