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The steward and his servant serve in the meat, in messes, through the whole hall, except to the masters of the bench table and their associates, who are served by the second butler and his assistant; and to the masters of the bar, consisting of such as have been readers of New Inn, who are served by the second butler and the pannier-man.

The chief butler keeps a buttery-book for entering such orders as are made by the bench at table. He provides bread and beer, and green earthen drinking pots. He provides cheese at his own expense, and assigns to each his portion after dinner.

It is the butler's province to call any student guilty of a misdemeanour to the bench-table, there to be reprimanded. He likewise provides torches for the solemn revels, together with a white rod and staff for the readers-elect, which are the two next ancient in commons then present in the hall. The first, who is denominated master of the revels, is at all solemn revels to carry the white staff, and leads the several dances, or ancient measures, conducting the whole society (all under benchers) round the hall at those times: the other is to carry the white rod or verge, and is called "the master of the ceremonies," who, standing at the cupboard, with a loud voice, doth thrice summon the master of the revels to come forth and perform that duty. He was to notice such as were absent on these occasions, and present them to the bench; to give information of such as wore hats, boots, or long hair, ("for the which," says our author, "he is commonly out of the young gentlemen's favour,") and the like, and to appoint such as in term are to recite pleadings or to moot.

The other butlers were to see the tables covered in the hall, and cleared again at the end of every meal. The oldest was to attend the bar-table and the tables on that side of the hall. The puisne or fifth butler those on the other side, and to serve the different tables there with bread and beer. This latter was to say grace both before and after meat, with a distinct and audible voice; standing in termtime with his face towards the bench-table, and in vacation towards that of the bar. By an entry in the buttery-book, made in the 18th year of Elizabeth, the three butlers were to have from every gentleman a salary of twelve pence, but this sum was afterwards raised. The collection thus made was by an order made in the same reign to be divided into four parts, of which three-fourths belonged to the three ancient butlers, and the remaining fourth to the two younger, whose business it was to wash pots, fill beer, chip bread, and generally to assist the others. The yearly wages of the head butler were three pounds, six shillings, and eight pence, and of the other four twenty shillings each.

The chief cook had various perquisites, as the dripping and scummings, the rumps and kidneys of loins of mutton, (which was the ancient supper fare). He also gave every Easter Term a calves' head breakfast to the whole society, for which every gentleman paid a shilling, or more if he pleased. But in the reign of James the First, this breakfast was discontinued, and a dinner substituted, to be given on the first and second Monday in Easter Term. "And, whereas, heretofore the benefit of these breakfasts was wholly conferred upon the cooks; now all other inferior officers of the house, viz., scullions, turnspits, washpots, under-butlers, the pannier-man, porter, and such like, do (by usurpation) partake of the gentlemen's bounty, and, theretofore, stood in ranks at the hall-door, ready (as the gentlemen passed out of the hall after dinner) to receive their benevolence. But this custom of standing, being disliked by the society, hath been laid aside, and in lieu thereof there is a roll, called the calves'-head roll, instituted, whereby every bencher is taxed yearly at two shillings, every barrister at one shilling and sixpence, and every gentleman under the bar at one shilling, which is a greater advantage to the said officers and servants."

The chief cook's wages were the same as the chief butler's. The under cook received forty shillings, the turnbroach twenty six shillings and eightpence. The scullions were paid by the casual benevolence of the gentlemen.

The second cook was bound to provide special achates* for the bench-table, and likewise for the ancient mess of the bar-table, as also of the ancients' table, such as are past their reading and never read.

The pannier-man, by the winding of his horn, summons the gentlemen to dinner and supper. He provides mustard, pepper, and vinegar; and hath for his wages yearly three pounds, six shillings, and eightpence, and the frag

Cates or achates are purchased provisions, from the French acheter, to buy or purchase.

ments of certain tables, which he serves and is to attend unto.

Students could be admitted generally or specially. If generally the fee was five marks; but if specially, five pounds.

The habit of the student was a gown, and in term time a round cap, which was worn both in the hall and in church. On admittance the student was entitled to make purchase of a chamber, which, under certain conditions, belonged to him for life; and he was entitled to sell his interest in it.

After performance of the regular exercises of the house, the student was admitted to the degree of utter barrister, anciently by the call of the reader, but afterwards by the benchers. The ceremony of calling to the bar, consisted merely in the notification of election to the other barristers, the entry of the name by the under-treasurer, and taking the oath of supremacy at the cupboard. They were not allowed to wear a bar-gown openly, or to practise, till they had continued their exercise of mooting for some time afterwards in the inns of chancery.

The next step to which the barrister ascended was to the cupboard. Four of these cupboard men, in the reading times, argued cases by turns, and were usually the four senior barristers. No man was to become a cupboard man unless he resolved to read in his turn, in which case he gave an expensive treat. Within two years from the time of being made cupboard man he usually became bencher, and then a reader.

The reader-elect, on being called to the bench-table where he was thenceforth to take his commons, was to give a garnish of wine for his first welcome; and when his readings were finished, and he removed from the bar-table to the "ancients' table," was to give likewise a second garnish of wine for his welcome there. After which he was freed from all the exercises of the house, and also from the ceremony of "walking the old measures about the hall at the times accustomed."

The following curious ceremonies were observed by the new readers. At the ensuing feast-day of All Saints, when such dignitaries as were educated at the inn were "highly feasted," and came in their scarlet robes, the readers were to meet and conduct them to the upper end of the hall. "For distinction and order's sake, the one of them, viz., the ancient, hath a white staff in his hand; the other a white rod, with which they usher in the meat, following next after the musick. When the meat is brought to the table (which at such solemn feasts is always performed by young gentlemen of the house under the bar), the one of the two new readers-elect receives every dish of the gentleman who carried it, and placeth it on the table in decent order; the other standing by to wait on the judges. And during the feast they both, with solemn curtesies, welcome both the judges and serjeants.

"Besides this, the puisne reader-elect serves every mess throughout the hall, receiving it from the steward and placing it on the table. Dinner being ended they wait on the judges and serjeants; ushering them either into the garden or some other retiring place until the hall be cleansed and prepared, and then they usher them again into the hall, and place them in their rooms one after another. This being done, the ancient of the two, that hath the staff in his hand, stands at the upper end of the bar-table; and the other, with the white rod, placeth himself at the cupboard, in the middle of the hall, opposite to the judges; where the musick being begun he calleth twice the master of the revels. And, at the second call, the ancient, with his white staff, advanceth forward, and begins to lead the measures; followed, first by the barristers, and then the gentlemen under the bar, all according to their several antiquities; and when one measure is ended, the reader at the cupboard calls for another, and so in order.

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"All such as are in .commons, under the degree of bencher (except only them of the ancients' table who are past their readings) ought not to be absent from solemn revells: and whoever they be that do absent themselves, do forfeit or are finable iiis. iiiid. And whosoever of the bar that are made choice of to carry up wafers (on grand days) to the judges, and do refuse, do forfeit xs. And whosoever of the young gentlemen under the bar that refuse, do forfeit vs. And whosoever, on days of solemn revells, do refuse to carry up bread and beer to the masters of the bench do forfeit-barristers vis. viiid. and others iiis. iiiid.

"When the last measure is dancing, the reader at the cupboard calls to one of the gentlemen of the bar, as he is walking or dancing with the rest, to give the judges a

song; who forthwith begins the first line of any psalm as he thinks fittest, after which all the rest of the company follow and sing with him. Whilst they are thus walking and singing, the reader with the white rod, departs from the cupboard, and makes his choice of a competent number of utter barristers and as many under the bar, whom he takes into the buttery, where there is delivered unto every barrister a towel with wafers in it, and to every gentleman under the bar a wooden bowl filled with ipocras, with which they march in order into the hall, the reader with his white rod going foremost. And when they come near to the half pace, opposite to the judges, the company divide themselves, and half (as well barristers as those under the bar) standing on the one side of the reader, the other on the other side; and then after a low solemn congee made, the gentlemen of the bar first carry the wafers; the rest, with the new reader, standing in their places. At their return they all make another solemn low congee, and then the gentlemen under the bar carry their bowls of ipocras to the judges; and returning when the judges have drank, they make the like solemn congee, and so all depart, saving the new readers-elect, who wait upon the judges till their departure, and then usher them down the hall unto the court gate, where they take their leaves of them.

"Besides these solemn revels, or measures, aforesaid, they had wont to be entertained with post revels, performed by the better sort of the young gentlemen of the society with galliards, corrantoes, and other dances; or else with stage plays; the first of these feasts being at the beginning and the other at the latter end of Christmas."

The reader entered on his reading with much state and ceremony. He first absented himself from commons for a time and kept his chamber, that his reappearance might be with more splendour. On the Sunday afternoon preceding his entry on his office he went to church, accompanied by such benchers as were in town, two of whom, generally the the next precedent readers, were appointed for his assistants. He was besides accompanied by at least twelve or fourteen servants in rich liveries, and the same night at supper took his place in the hall, in a chair prepared for him at the upper end of the bencher's table.

The following morning he chose his sub-lecturer, to whom delivering his bag of books and papers, he repaired to the parliament chamber to breakfast; after which he went into the hall, where the whole society awaited his coming, and, resting at the cupboard, there took the oaths of supremacy and allegiance. He then seated himself at the lower end of the bench-table, where the sub lecturer first read over the statute, or that part of it which he intended to discuss. The reader himself then began with a grave speech, excusing his own weakness, with desire of their favourable censures; and concluded with the reasons wherefore he made choice of that statute.

These readings were frequently honoured with the attendance of such judges and serjeants as had been brought up in the house, who came always in their purple robes and scarlet hoods, and were placed on a form opposite to the benches with their backs to the reader. The debate finished with a grand feast, in which the principals of the company were entertained by the reader at his own table, and every other mess throughout the hall was honoured with an extraordinary dish.

Other arguings succeeded the removal of the dinnercloth, and this agreeable method of study was adopted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; the other days being spent in feasting and entertaining strangers, "who are commonly great lords and other eminent persons. But to the guests of never so high a degree, the reader, within the precincts of the house, hath precedence of them; and at the table keeps his chair at the upper end. His expenses, during this time of reading, are very great; insomuch as some have spent above six hundred pounds in two days less than a fortnight, which now is the usual time of reading."

The expense of these entertainments had during a long period gradually increased. By an order of the bench made in the reign of Philip and Mary, every summer reader was enjoined to spend fifteen bucks in the hall during his time of reading: few summer readers, however, had less than three score bucks, besides red deer; some provided four score, and even a hundred. A brace of bucks was commonly bestowed on New Inn to feast the students there; and the neighbouring parishes of the Temple also partook of the reader's bounty. The house contributed a small im towards this expense, allowing each reader one hogs

head of wine, or 57. in money; and a special admittance of any gentleman into the house, or 57. in lieu thereof. In the last week of his reading, a costly feast was provided for the entertainment of foreign ambassadors, and men of quality: this was called the "reader's feast." It was not however at his expense, but at that of four gentlemen of the house, who were called "stewards of the feast." Two of them were outer barristers, and the other two under the bar, whose expense was at least 107. each.

The readings were originally held during the space of a month, but were afterwards reduced to a fortnight. When they were completed the students usually accompanied the reader with great state and solemnity to his residence, and treated him with a supper.

By such means the reader became a bencher. He was invited by the benchers to the first parliament of the suc ceeding term, in which modestly taking the lowest seat, one of his assistants, in a formal oration, declared the reader's great learning, and the expense he had been at ; after which the reader himself in another grave oration, spoke of the the important assistance he had derived in the fulfilment of his office, from the gentlemen of the society: after this, having receiving the thanks of the bench, "they all sit down to supper; at what time (and not before), the reader is an absolute and confirmed bencher, and hath voice with the rest in all succeeding parliaments."

In ancient times it was customary for the preceding reader to officiate as steward of the house at Christmas; but this office being thought to be beneath his dignity, was commuted by a fine of money, and afterwards by a brawn and muscadine.

On the Tuesday and Thursday evenings there were usually moots after supper, before the benchers who assembled for that purpose in the bay window at the upper end of the hall, and ranked according to seniority.

A reader was also obliged to read in his turn a second time, and was then called a "double reader;" but his expenses were more moderate, and he had a more liberal allowance from the house.

The benchers of this inn of court enjoy great privileges. They may come within the bar at the chapel of the rolls, among the serjeants-at-law and the king's council, and are heard by the master of the rolls in preference to other members.

Any member of this society made recorder of London takes precedence as a reader, though otherwise not in his turn. Serjeants-at-law have always been chosen from among the readers, and in this event are placed at the upper end of the bench table as elected to that office, though the newly-made serjeant is still accounted a bencher, and in commons, till he receives the coif, when he takes leave of the house with the following ceremony. In the morning all the members of the society meet in the hall, where likewise comes the serjeant-elect. The treasurer makes a grave and learned speech, and then presents him as the gift of the whole society, with a purse of ten pounds raised by a collection of 3s. 4d. each number.

The newly-made serjeant is allowed to retain his chamber until he is assigned one in one of the serjeants' inns. If he is suspended from his degree, or accepts another office, as attorney or solicitor-general, he returns again into commons without any new admittance.

When a serjeant of this society is made a judge he is accompanied to Westminster Hall by all the fellows of the house; and they are afterwards at liberty to request his advice and assistance in all matters relating to the welfare of the society.

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Besides benchers there are other members called "asso- ! ciates," who sit at the bench table, but have no voice in the government of the house. They are persons who hold eminent offices, and receive this favour by courtesy.

There was also formerly an officer, called the "hailiff of the moots," who was elected after dinner on the Saturday preceding every reading. It was his duty to receive the moot cases, and to assign to all moot-men “to go out in their turns, and to direct to what inns, and upon what cases they are to go out upon." Among his other duties he had to "direct the cook to dress a made dish for every couple of mootes-men that go out together; which they are to have at the next meal following, besides Mr. Reader's exceedings."

JOHN W. PARKER, PUBLISHER, WEST STRAND, LONDON.

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REMBRANDT AND HIS WORKS.

I.

REMBRANDT is emphatically styled by Fuseli a METEOR in art; a term which at once conveys to the mind the idea of a genius of that order whose orbit and brilliancy belong not to the common course of natural events. "He was," says this severe critic, "a genius of the first class in whatever relates not to form. In spite of the most portentous deformity, and without considering the spell of his chiaroscuro, such were his powers of nature, such the grandeur, pathos, or simplicity of his composition, from the most elevated or extensive arrangement to the meanest and most homely, that the best cultivated eye, the purest sensibility, and the most refined taste dwell on them equally enthralled. He possessed the full empire of light and shade, and of all the tints that float between them. None ever like Rembrandt knew how to improve an accident into a beauty, or to give importance to a trifle." Rembrandt van Rhyn was born on the 15th of December, 1606*, at his father's mill, situated in the vicinity of the Rhine between the villages of Leydendorp and Koukergen, not far distant from Leyden. His father's name was Herman Gerritze van Rhyn, and his mother's Willems van Zuitbroek. The postfix van Rhyn refers to the father's occupation as a miller.

That Rembrandt was "born an artist seems evident from the utter dislike with which he is said to have regarded all pursuits except sketching. His uncommon talents, which began to be understood from an early age, encouraged his father in the hope of being able to make him a learned man; but his tastes and associations being all connected with the sphere of life in which his parents moved, he never seems to have desired better society, or the acquirements to fit him for it: even in after-life his habits were vulgar, and his companions the frequenters of the lowest public houses. But the enormous quantity of pictures, etchings, and drawings, now scattered over Europe prove that his greatest delight was in the exercise of his art.

In his youth Rembrandt was sent to a classical establishment at Leyden; but the attempt to acquire the rudiments of Latin was so intolerable that his father consented to his return home. We may suppose that some further persuasion was necessary to obtain his parent's consent to adopt painting as a profession. It was, however, obtained, and young Rembrandt was placed with Jacob van Zwaanenburg, (whose chief reputation is that of having been the first instructor of Rembrandt,) with whom the young artist passed three years, acquiring the first rudiments of art. His rapid progress astonished his master, but the pupil discovered long before the end of his term that a continued advance in his art must be sought elsewhere. Accordingly he sought the instructions of Peter Lastman, at Amsterdam, but after six months quitted him for the instructions of Jacob Pinas, with whom he did not continue long. Other accounts state that Pinas was his first master, and he is also said to have received instructions from Peter van Schooten. It must of course be a matter of opinion as to which of the abovenamed painters Rembrandt was most indebted for information and style; but from a comparison of their several works, Mr. Smith+ is disposed to name Lastman and Schooten as his most efficient instructors, there being in the works of both these masters sufficient to trace the origin of those peculiar characteristics which distinguish the school of Rembrandt. Thus although he was unquestionably a pupil of several, he was in

This date is given on the authority of Houbraken, who is generally regarded as the most accurate of Rembrandt's biographers. Other writers name the 15th of June, 1606, as the date of his birth.

+ Mr. Smith has published a valuable Catalogue Raisonné of the pictures, etchings, and drawings of Rembrandt, to which are prefixed a carefully-written life, and a critical notice of the artist, forming altogether a complete guide to the works of Rembrandt. We have to acknowledge our obligations to it, as also to Descamps, Fiorello, and other writers on

art.

truth an imitator of no one; for, in common with all great artists, Rembrandt had a secret presentiment that nature was a safer and surer guide than the professors of the art. Having therefore acquired a knowledge of the rules of art, he retired to the sombre interior of his father's mill, where he is supposed to have acquired his peculiar taste for a brilliant concentration of light from an appearance that he had been familiar with from his infancy, namely, a strong beam of light coming from a small and lofty aperture casting on the surrounding objects that peculiar tone which pervades most of his pictures. He was accustomed to manage the light in his own painting room in a similar manner, and while taking a portrait he generally attached a drapery behind the sitter of the same colour as the intended ground of the picture.

Thus removed, as it were, from the world, the young artist continued for some time in the endeavour to embody those principles which as yet were but dimly seen, or imperfectly appreciated. While thus multiplying pictures around him he was ignorant of his own merits, while his friends regarded him as a prodigy, and by one of them he was persuaded to take a newly finished production to a picture-dealer at the Hague. He did so, and to his surprise received hearty wel come and one hundred florins, (about eight guineas,) for his picture. This sum nearly turned the head of the young artist. He had proceeded to the Hague on foot, but eager to acquaint his parents of his good fortune, he took his place in the diligence to return home. When the coach stopped on the road for the passengers to dine, Rembrandt was so much absorbed in his good fortune, that he did not get out; and the horses being neglected set out at a full gallop, arrived safely at Leyden, and entered the inn yard where they were accustomed to stop. The solitary traveller now hastily alighted, and without waiting to answer the ques tions with which he was assailed as to the fate of the coachman and the other passengers, hurried home to communicate his good fortune to his parents. This event occurred, according to Houbraken, about the year 1627 or 1628.

Thus encouraged, he laboured with redoubled assiduity. He undertook several portraits, which caused him often to visit Amsterdam. The success of these efforts induced him to establish himself in that city, which he did about the year 1628, (or, as some writers state, 1630.)

At this time the fine arts were well encouraged in Holland. The cities of that country could boast of numerous private collections, formed by wealthy mer chants and amateurs, who were always seeking oppor tunities to increase the number of their pictures, by which means they most effectually encouraged talent. One of the earliest and most substantial patrons of Rembrandt was the distinguished Burgomaster Six, under whose patronage he soon found abundant employ ment, as is proved by the dates of numerous portraits of individuals, many of whose names are now interesting only because Rembrandt delineated their features.

His first important work at this time is a picture of the Presentation in the Temple, "a work replete with expression, as well as delicacy of finishing and effect." It is dated 1630. Mr. Smith supposes this to be the picture for which, with another referred to in the fol lowing letter, he charged 2000 florins to the Prince of Orange.

SIR,-At length I send you, by Lievensz, the two pieces [pictures], which I trust will be found of a quality, that his Highness will not award me less than 1000 florins each, but this I leave to the pleasure of his Highness; and if they do not merit those sums, he will give me less, according as he may think proper. Relying on the judgment and discretion of his Highness, I shall feel grateful and contented; and remain with respect and compliments, his and your affectionate servant, REMBRAND

These pictures and sundry etchings mark the opening | it, only part of which is seen, and behind them is a woman of our artist's career in Amsterdam. During the fol- descending the road, leading a child by the hand. This lowing year he was chiefly occupied in painting a pic-simple scene is rendered singularly grand and imposing by ture for the Surgeons' Hall, representing the Professor the solemn twilight which pervades the landscape, the solid forms of which are opposed to the refulgent light of the Tulp, father-in-law of the Burgomaster Jan Six, giving departed sun, whose warm tints still glow on the western a lecture on a dead body to a company of eight memhemisphere, and are reflected on the surface of the limpid bers of the profession. It is finished throughout with stream. the most elaborate care, and is dated 1632. A further notice of this picture will be found in Saturday Maga zine, Vol. XXII., p. 120. This very beautiful production must have made a deep impression on the amateurs of art in his favour. During the progress of this work he appears to have made several etchings.

Rembrandt was now overwhelmed with commissions; pupils, eager for his instruction, were also numerous. To accommodate them, Rembrandt hired a large house in the Blomgracht, and gave to each pupil a separate room; he so arranged their studies as to make them most profitable to himself; he frequently retouched the copies which they made from his own works, and sold them as originals.

Being thus established, and in the receipt of a good income, Rembrandt chose a wife from among that class of society in which he had passed his early years: he married a handsome peasant girl, named Saskia van Uylenburg, a native of the village of Raarup, or Ransdorp, in Waterland, whose portrait he frequently introduced into his pictures. By this marriage Rembrandt had one son, whom he named Titus van Rhyn: the youth was brought up to his father's profession, but although he had so skilful a master, he never attained any eminence in the art, but contented himself with copying his father's works, and died in obscurity.

The pictures produced about this time are finished with considerable care, "which is frequently the characteristic of the early productions of genius, but in the present instance Rembrandt may have done it in conformity with the prevailing taste of the period, an attention to which was doubtless necessary in order to obtain public approbation; accession of orders, and, consequently, increased practice, enabled him gradually to quit this style for one of a higher order, and also better suited to his taste."

During the years 1635 and 1636 he produced but few historical pictures, so that it is supposed that portraiture or some other pursuit engaged his attention. He was probably occupied in attendance on his pupils. Some writers affirm that he visited Venice about this time; but there appears to be no other authority for the statement than the name of that city inscribed under some of his etchings, with the view, it is supposed, of enhancing their price. The only work of his pencil bearing date 1636 is a picture of Samson and Delilah, together with several etchings. In the year 1637 he reappeared with increased splendour, and produced an exquisitelywrought picture of "The Lord of the Vineyard paying his Labourers;" another of "The Angel departing from the family of Tobit;" and a capital portrait of a Burgomaster, together with several etchings. In 1638 and the year following, he produced no very important works.

This notice of Rembrandt will be continued in another article. The frontispiece to the present one is from a picture known as "Rembrandt's Mill." In the year 1798 it was in the Orleans collection, and valued at five hundred guineas. It was bought by William Smith, Esq., M.P., and exhibited in the British Gallery in 1815. It is now in the collection of the Marquis of Lansdowne, who is said to have paid eight hundred guineas for it.

This admirable picture is chiefly composed of a large hill, with a windmill and cottage on its summit, and a river flowing at its base. A road from the front affords an easy ascent up the hill, one side of which, being perpendicular, is fenced by a wall. The figures consist of a woman washing linen in the river, and a man standing in conversation with her; beyond these persons is a boat with one man in

MORN.

IN IMITATION OF "NIGHT," BY MONTGOMERY. MORN is the time to wake

The eye-lids to unclose

Spring from the arms of sleep, and break
The fetters of repose;

Walk with the dewy dawn abroad,
And hold sweet fellowship with God.
Morn is the time to pray-

How lovely and how meet,
To send our earliest thoughts away,
Up to the mercy-seat!
Ambassadors, for us, to claim
A blessing in our Master's name.
Morn is the time to sing-

How charming 'tis to hear
The mingling notes of nature ring
In the delighted ear!

And with that swelling anthem raise
The soul's fresh matin-song of praise!
Morn is the time to sow

The seeds of heav'nly truth,
While balmy breezes softly blow

Upon the soul of youth;

And look to Thee, nor look in vain,
Our God, for sunshine and for rain.
Morn is the time to shine

When skies are clear and blue-
Reflect the rays of light divine,

As morning dew-drops do;
Like early stars be early bright,
And melt away like them in light.
Morn is the time to think,

While thoughts are fresh and free,
Of life, just balanced on the brink
Of vast eternity!

And ask our souls if they are meet
To stand before the judgment-seat?
Morn is the time to die,

Just at the dawn of day,
When stars are fading in the sky

To fade like them away-
But lost in light more brilliant far,
Than ever merged the morning star.
Morn is the time to rise-

The resurrection morn-
Uprising to the glorious skies,

On new-found pinions borne,

To meet a Saviour's smile divine

Be such ecstatic rising mine!-CLEANTHES.

WHO emboldens the daffodil to venture abroad in February, and to trust her flowering gold, with inclement and treacherous skies? Who informs the various tribes of fruit-bearing blossoms, that vernal suns, and a more genial warmth, are fittest for their delicate texture? Who teaches the clove to stay, till hotter beams are prepared to infuse a spicy richness into her odours, and tincture her complexion with the deepest crimson? Who disposes these beautiful troops into such orderly bodies; retarding some, and accelerating others? Who has instructed them to file off, with such perfect regularity, as soon as the duty of their And when one detachment respective station is over? retires, who gives the signal for another immediately to advance? Who but that unerring Providence, which, from the highest thrones of angels, to the very lowest degrees of existence, orders all things in "number, weight, and measure.”—HERVEY.

WE obtained camel's milk for our tea, and found it richer and better than that of goats.-ROBINSON's Palestine.

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