affected by danger, it makes a less impression upon them, and does not flutter their spirits so much. This is owing to the difference of their bodily constitution; and from the same cause, some men and some women are more courageous than others. But the other kind of courage may in some measure be acquired by every one. Reason teaches us to face smaller dangers in order to avoid greater, and even to undergo the greatest when our duties require it. Habit makes us less affected by particular dangers which have often come in our way. A sailor does not feel the danger of a storm so much as a landsman; but if he was mounted on a spirited horse in a fox-chase, he would probably be the most timorous man in the company. The courage of women is chiefly tried in domestic dangers. They are attendants on the sick and dying; and must qualify themselves to go through many scenes of terror in these situations, which would alarm the stoutesthearted man who was not accustomed to them.

E. I have heard that women generally bear pain and illness better than men.

MRS. F. They do so, because they are more used to them, both in themselves and others.

E. I think I should not be afraid again to see any body bled.

MRS. F. I hope not. It was for that purpose I made you stand by me. And I would have you always force yourself to look on and give assistance in cases of this kind, however painful it may at first be to you, that you may as soon as possible gain that presence of mind which arises from habit.

E. But would that make me like to be bled myself? MRS. F. Not to like it, but to lose all foolish fear about it, and submit calmly to it when good for you. But I hope you have sense enough to do that already. Evenings at Home.

THE WORM.

TURN, turn thy hasty foot aside,

Nor crush that helpless worm:
The frame thy wayward looks deride
None but a God could form.

The common Lord of all that move,
From whom thy being flowed,
A portion of his boundless love,

On that poor worm bestowed.

The sun, the moon, the stars he made,
To all his creatures free;

And spreads o'er earth the grassy blade
For worms as well as thee.

Let them enjoy their little day,

Their lowly bliss receive:

O! do not lightly take away

The life thou canst not give.-Gisborne.

THE ORPHAN.

WHERE shall the child of sorrow find
A place for calm repose?
Thou Father of the fatherless,

Pity the orphan's woes!

What friend have I in heaven or earth,
What friend to trust but thee?
My father's dead-my mother's dead;
My God remember me!

Thy gracious promise now fulfil,
And bid my trouble cease;
For thee, the fatherless shall find
Pure mercy, grace, and peace.
No secret care have I or pain,
But he that secret knows;

Thou Father of the fatherless,

Pity the orphan's woes!-Anon.

HOW IT STRIKES A STRANGER.

IN a remote period of antiquity, when the marvellous obtained a readier credence than now, it was fabled that a stranger of extraordinary appearance was observed pacing the streets of one of the magnificent cities of the East, remarking with an eye of intelligent curiosity, every surrounding object. Several individuals gathering round him, questioned him concerning his country and his business; but they presently perceived that he was unacquainted with their language, and he soon discovered

himself to be equally ignorant of the most common usages of society, At the same time the dignity and intelligence of his air and demeanour forbade the idea of his being either a barbarian or a lunatic. When at length he understood by their signs that they wished to be informed whence he came, he pointed with great significance to the sky; upon which the crowd, concluding him to be one of their deities, were proceeding to pay him divine honour; but he no sooner comprehended their design, than he rejected it with horror; and bending his knees in the attitude of prayer, gave them to understand that he also was a worshipper of the powers above.

After a time, it is said, that the mysterious stranger accepted the hospitalities of one of the nobles of the city; under whose roof he applied himself with great diligence to the acquirement of the language, in which he made such surprising proficiency, that in a few days he was able to hold intelligent intercourse with those around him. The noble host now resolved to take an early opportunity of satisfying his curiosity respecting the country and quality of his guest; and, upon his expressing this desire, the stranger assured him that he would answer his inquiries that evening after sunset. Accordingly, as night approached, he led him forth upon the balconies of the palace which overlooked the wealthy and populous city. Innumerable lights from its busy streets and splendid palaces were now reflected in the dark bosom of its noble river, where stately vessels laden with rich merchandise from all parts of the known world, lay anchored in the port. This was a city in which the voice of the harp and of the viol, and the sound of the millstone, were continually heard; and craftsmen of all kinds of craft were there; and the light of a candle was seen in every dwelling; and the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, were heard there. The stranger mused a while upon the glittering scene, and listened to the confused murmur of mingling sounds. Then suddenly raising his eyes to the starry firmament, he fixed them with an expressive gaze upon the beautiful evening star. "Marvel not," said he to his host, "that I gaze with fond affection on yonder silvery star. That was my home; yes, I was lately an

inhabitant of that tranquil planet; from whence a vain curiosity has tempted me to wander; often had I beheld with admiration this brilliant world of yours, ever one of the brightest gems of our firmament; and the ardent desire I had long felt to know something of its condition was at length unexpectedly gratified. I received permission and power from above to traverse the mighty void, and to direct my course to this distant sphere. To that permission, however, one condition was annexed, to which my eagerness for the enterprise induced me hastily to consent; namely, that I must thenceforth remain an inhabitant of this strange earth, and undergo all the vicissitudes to which its natives are subject. Tell me, therefore, I pray you, what is the lot of man; and explain to me more fully than I yet understand, all that I hear and see around me."

"Truly, sir," replied the astonished noble, "although I am altogether unacquainted with the manners and customs, products and privileges of your country, yet, methinks, I cannot but congratulate you on your arrival in our world, especially since it has been your good fortune to alight on a part of it affording such various sources of enjoyment as this our opulent and luxurious city; and be assured, it will be my pride and pleasure to introduce you to all that is most worthy the attention of such a distinguished foreigner."

Our adventurer, accordingly, was presently initiated in those arts of luxury and pleasure which were there well understood. He was introduced, by his obliging host, to their public games and festivals, to their theatrical diversions, and convivial assemblies; and he was just beginning to be, in some measure, reconciled to the manners and customs of our planet, strangely as they differed from those of his own, when an incident occurred which gave an entirely new direction to his energies.

It was but a few weeks after his arrival on our earth, when walking in the cool of the day with his friend in the outskirts of the city, his attention was arrested by the appearance of a spacious enclosure near which they passed. He inquired the use to which it was appropriated.

"It is," replied the nobleman, "a place of public inter

ment."

"I do not understand you," said the stranger.

"It is the place," repeated his friend, "where we bury our dead."

"Excuse me, sir," replied his companion, with some embarrassment, "I must trouble you to explain yourself yet further."

The nobleman repeated the information in still plainer terms.

"I am still at a loss to comprehend you perfectly," said the stranger, turning deadly pale. "This must relate to something of which I was not only totally ignorant in my own world, but of which I have as yet had no intimation in yours. I pray you, therefore, to satisfy my curiosity; for, if I have any clue to your meaning, this surely is a matter of more mighty concernment than any to which you have hitherto directed me.”

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'My good friend," replied the nobleman, "you must be indeed a novice amongst us, if you have yet to learn, that we must all, sooner or later, submit to take our place in these dismal abodes; nor will I deny that it is one of the least desirable of the circumstances which appertain to our condition; for which reason it is a matter rarely referred to in polished society; and this accounts for your being hitherto uninformed on the subject. But truly, sir, if the inhabitants of the place whence you came are not liable to any similar misfortune, I advise you to betake yourself back again with all speed; for be assured there is no escape here; nor could I guarantee your safety for a single hour." Alas!” replied the adventurer, “I must submit to the conditions of my enterprise, of which, till now, I little understood the import. But explain to me, I beseech you, something of the nature and consequences of this wondrous metamorphosis, and tell me at what period it most commonly happens to man." While he thus spoke his voice faltered, and his whole frame shook violently; his countenance was pale as death, and a cold dew stood in large drops upon his forehead.

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His companion finding the discourse becoming more serious than was agreeable, declared that he must refer him to the priests for further information, this subject being very much out of his province.