seventy feet in height, and almost perpendicular, standing in basins of water; which, as well as the columns, the Doctor observes, surpass, in splendor and beauty, every similar work of art he had ever seen.

Returning by a beautiful pool of water, the Doctor came to the second hoppers, where he had found the mummy before alluded to. It had been removed from another cave, for preservation, and was presented to him by his friend Mr. Wilkins, together with the apparel, jewels, music, &c. with which it was accompanied. It has since been placed in the Washington museum, the proprietor of which thinks it probable that this mummy is as ancient as the immense mounds of the western country, which have so much astonished the world.

The Machines used by the Eastern Nations for ploughing, are constructed upon the same general prinpcile, though with considerable variation. The whole power of these instruments, however, seems only adapt, ed for what our farmers would call scratching rather

than ploughing the earth. It is evident from the above sketch of the eastern plough while at work, that it can only operate upon the surface of the ground; and is not like our machine, intended to turn up fresh earth, and subject it to the influences of the atmosphere. The plough-share of the latter is a mass of iron of great strength. and magnitude; our swords also are of a length and form so ill adapted to be converted into plough-shares, and applied to peaceful purposes, that we do not feel the full force of the delightful idea conveyed in the prophet's prediction, "they shall beat their swords into plough-shares," until we observe that the plough-share employed by the oriental nations, is a broad but not a large piece of iron, which tips the end of the shaft; and are also informed that the swords of the ancient warriors were short and thick, so that a very little trouble indeed would convert them into plough-shares.

The oxen at plough will naturally remind the reader of several passages of scripture, wherein this labor is referred to as performed by oxen: so we read in the 1 Kings xix. ver. 19, that Elisha "was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth." This great number of oxen suggests the idea of great riches in their owner; and as they appear to have been the property of Elisha himself, or at least of his family, they lead us to suppose that he would not have quitted so much wealth, nor have offered his oxen as a farewell feast to his people, as related in the two last verses of the chapter above quoted. previously to his departure to follow after Elijah, had he not been conscious of a divine power influencing his mind and directing his actions.

Ploughing in the East was not always performed at once going over the land; the first time it was done chiefly for the purpose of preparing it: after this the seed was sown, and a second ploughing answered the purpose of our harrowing, by covering the seeds previously committed to the ground. It was in short harrowing and ploughing combined in one operation. That the first ploughing was a work requiring atten

tion, seems to be implied in the form of the phrase in Isaiah xxviii. 24. "Doth the ploughman plough all day to sow?" literally does he all day plough plough?

In addition to the ploughman at his labor, our sketch presents a view of part of a cultivated field, the corn of which is nearly ripe: near this corn is a kind of stage, of more than one story in height, whereon sits a man to guard the corn from depredators of every kind, and especially from those birds which are the enemies of the farmer all over the globe.

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL HISTORY.

THE LOCUST.

The Locust is a winged insect, which at first sight appears like the largest kind of grasshopper, but on a more minute examination is found to differ from it very materially. Its head bears some resemblance to that of a common sheep, and is crowned with two tapering substances. It has a large mouth, and in its jaws are four teeth which pass each other like the blades of scissors; attached to its muzzle is a pair of feelers, which assist it in gathering up the herbage; in eating, it makes a champing noise, and the sound of a host of locusts feeding has been compared to the rattling of hailstones. It has four wings, (the hinder two of which are transparent,) and six legs; and each foot has two claws. It is stout made about the neck and breast, and the hinder part of its body is forked, and armed with a hard bony substance. The largest African Locust is about four inches long, and one inch in diameter.

Locusts go forth in bands or flights, and when they take the field, they have a leader at their head which directs all their motions. They appear at a distance like a black cloud, and are sometimes so numerous, as to darken the air at noon day. Wretched is the district upon which they fix; they ravage the meadow and the corn land, strip the trees of their leaves, and the gardens of their beauty; the visitation of a few minutes destroys the expectations of a year, and a famine too frequently follows.

sect as his scourge to punish guilty nations! When he wills to work he never wants means; nor will the weakness of the instrument he employs ever defeat his purpose.

RETROSPECTION.

Oh, 'tis pleasant, when we have returned from a long, long absence, to re-visit the scenes of our childhood, and view in sweet retrospection, the hallowed spot rendered dear to us by the recollection of our hap pier days. It brings back to our minds the time when, surrounded by our friends and kindred, we gaily sported amid the smiles of those dear objects who are now slumbering in the tomb! We were happy then—we knew not the troubles of life; we were strangers to sorrow, nor had the heavy hand of affliction bowed our proud spirits to the earth! Had we then known the numerous trials that awaited us, we should have recoiled with horror at the thought. Driven from our home by cruel destiny, we have met the world's cold frown with fortitude-we have buffeted the raging billows of misfortune-the storm of affliction has laid us low-we have languished in despair, and even cursed the hour that gave us birth!-We have met the world's cold frown with fortitude-like a stately oak we have withstood the peltings of the pitiless storm-yet now— when we are recalled to recollection by the scenes of the past, our hearts sicken within our bosoms-we weep even at our own misery-but there is pleasure in our tears, it awakens feelings of the holiest nature, and raises our souls in holy devotion to Heaven!

There is something in the place of our nativity that renders it dear to us-no matter how humble-no matter how miserable. The lonely thatched cottage is dearer far to its inhabitants, than the pomp and splendor of a palace-show and grandeur can never purchase happiness to a heart laden with sorrow and misfortune. Gold may indeed satisfy our bodily wants but can never afford consolation to a troubled mind-It deludes us for a moment, leads our delighted imagination like an ignis-fatuus to the brink of destruction, when it suddenly vanishes, and

"Like the traceless fabric of a vision,
Leaves not a wreck behind."

POETRY & MUSIC.

THE BAPTISM.

The following beautiful lines by Mrs. Sigourney, are taken from the Christian
Offering, a religious annual.

'Twas near the close of that blest day, when with melodious swell,
To crowded mart and lonely shade had spoken the Sabbath-bell;
And on a broad, unruffled stream, with bordering verdure bright,
The westering sunbeam richly shed a tinge of crimson light,-
When, lo! a solemn train appeared, by their loved pastor led,
And sweetly rose that holy hymn as toward that stream they sped,
And he its cleaving, crystal breast, with graceful movements trod,
His steadfast eye upraised, to seek communion with his God.
Then, bending o'er his staff, approached the willow fringed shore,
A man of many weary years, with furrowed temples hoar;
And faintly breathed his trembling lip, “Behold! I fain would be
Buried in baptism with my Lord, ere death shall summon me."
With brow benign, like Him whose hand did wavering Peter guide,
The pastor bore his tottering frame through that translucent tide,
And plunged him 'neath the shrouding wave, and spake the triune
name,

And joy upon that withered face in wondering radiance came.
And then advanced a lordly form in manhood's towering pride,
Who from the gilded snares of earth had wisely turned aside,
And following in His steps who bowed to Jordan's startled wave,
In deep humility of soul, this faithful witness gave.

Who next? A fair and fragile form in snowy robe doth move,
That tender beauty in her eye that wakes the vow of love;
Yea come, thou gentle one, and clothe thyself with strength divine:
This stern world hath a thousand darts to vex a breast like thine.

Beneath its smile a traitor's kiss is oft in darkness bound:
Cling to that Comforter who holds a balm for every wound;
Propitiate that Protector's care who never will forsake,

And thou shalt strike the harp of praise even "when thy heart strings break."

Then, with a firm, unshrinking step, the watery path she trod
And gave, with woman's deathless trust, her being to her God;
And when, all drooping from the flood, she rose like lily's stem,
Methought that spotless brow might wear an angel's diadem.
Yet! more Yet more! How meek they bow to their Redeemer's rite,
Then pass with music on their way, like joyous sons of light!
But, lingering on those shores, I staid till every sound was hushed;
For hallowed musings o'er my soul like spring swoln rivers rushed.
""Tis better," said the voice within, "to bear a Christian's cross,
Than sell this fleeting life for gold, which death shall prove but dross.
Far better, when yon shrivelled skies are like a banner furled,
To share in Christ's reproach, than gain the glory of the world."