cluster of trees; and on which I discovered an inscription, nearly obliterated. I approached and read the following Immediately I remembered the words of our great Redeemer when on earth," Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." My whole attention was rivetted upon this humble monument, for perhaps, methought, here rested the bones of some loved and forsaken one, whose name, though never handed down to posterity, might perchance have been the topic of conversation for many years among the honest hearts in whose society he was wont to shine; or, perhaps, had the poor a voice to proclaim it, they would speak of him as their secret benefactor and friend. A thousand thoughts like these flow rapidly, reader, when called upon by such a spectator as I felt myself then; and none need wonder that every sensation of my bosom was absorbed on meeting with that lone memorial, overgrown with moss as it was, and seemingly forgotten by all. I at length prepared to return home, for the sun had thrown its last glowing tinge upon the tree-tops, when a peasant accosted me. "You have read that stone, Sir?" said he, inquiringly. I answered in the affirmative. "Ah! it was a sad day when young Orington died, but the Lord doeth all things well!" This sentence, couched as it was in such frank terms, yet with great warmth, considerably heightened the speaker in my estimation; and, seeing he was journeying onwards, I accompanied him. "Who was Orington ?" I asked, "I have certainly read yonder monument with interest-Is it of the dead you speak?” "Yes," said my companion, "The Scriptures say the grave is where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest,' and though not so many clouds had shaded my brow then as I could number now, yet I felt as deeply for his case, when Major K's decision was known, as any friend Albert could have had; for, you must know, we were boys together; yet, the Almighty be praised, for, as yon stone tells, he died in peace." There was in my conductor's language that smoothness of manner that is often met with among English peasantry; added to which, he possessed a becoming demeanour, that the force of habit only could bestow. His stature was about the middle size, and although humbly attired, his free open countenance possessed an unusully mild expression, yet was indicative of penetration and firmness, which, kindling with the brightness of his quick eye, bore marks of his intellectual superiority. It was therefore, with a heart full of sympathy that I inquired the cause, if he could explain it, of Orington's decease. 66 "Difficulties by the way," replied the stranger, “but come, Sir," added he, with friendly emotion, my cottage is close at hand, and by the threatening of the sky, I see you will soon want a shelter, which-pardon my proposal-which if you please, my humble thatch shall afford." There was, indeed, appearance in the heavens that indicated the coming tempest, and prompted partly by my curiosity to know something respecting Orington, I quickened my pace; and, being guided by Andrews, (for that was his name) we shortly reached his habitation together; during which time my thoughts were wholly engaged with the solemn import my host's words had conveyed to me, nor could I help thinking of " Difficulties by the way!" To be continued. REVIEWS, &c. Gleanings in Natural History; by Edward Jesse, Esq. F.L.S. A new edition, 2 vols. London, Murray. To those who delight to wander through the green fields and shady lanes of merry England, we would recommend this "right pleasaunt booke." The first volume may be put in one pocket and the second in another by way of equipoise, and whatever object in Natural History may attract their notice, on that some information will be found in one or other of the two. Mr. Jesse is a warm admirer of nature, and almost entirely confines himself to the narration of facts ascertained by his own observation, or such as, recorded by others, he has himself verified. If we wanted any written evidence of the " Power, Wisdom, and Goodness of God, as manifested in the creation," we should prefer these Gleanings to any elaborate treatise now in existence, though written with that express design. The following extract will shew how far they may be viewed as such: Animals which prowl, or move about much in the dark, are furnished with projecting hairs or whiskers from the upper lips, which guide them in their passage through runs in hedges, or holes. These hairs serve as feelers, and are exactly of such a length, that the body of the animal will pass through any opening which these projecting hairs do not touch on either side. They are very sensitive, and if they are ever so slightly touched while the animal sleeps, it is instantly aware of it. Hares very often make their runs or mews between two strong upright sticks in a hedge, which will just allow them to pass through, without being sufficiently large to admit the passage of a dog, should it be in pursuit. This is a very extraordinary instinct, and shows a great foresight of danger. In passing through this passage at night, these feelers must be of great service to the animal, who without them would probably run against objects which might injure it. Horses have these strong hairs both on the upper and lower lips, but they are probably designed for another use--that of keeping flies and insects from annoying them by getting into their nostrils while they are grazing. They are sufficiently close together for that purpose, and, moving as they do, while the horse is feeding, serve to brush away anything offensive. Some animals are not furnished in this way, but then they are provided with something which protects them equally well from a similar annoyance. The elephant, for instance, has a sort of valve placed at the extremity of his proboscis, which he carefully closes when he is not using it, to prevent anything getting up his trunk which might injure him. His eyes are small: but if they were in proportion to his size, he could not, with his peculiar formation, protect them so readily from injury in countries where insects are very formidable. He is, however, furnished with long pendent ears, which serve him as Aappers in protecting his head from flies. Indeed, there are few, if any animals, which are not provided with sufficient means to guard themselves from injuries from those creatures who may annoy, but do not prey upon them. They have also some instinctive or actual properties, which enable them in some degree to secure themselves against the attacks of stronger animals, who, however, must have food, and generally obtain it only by great exertion or watchfulness. We see this in every gradation in the animal world, and it is a striking instance of that order in nature which serves to keep up a due proportion of each created thing, without suffering any one species to be exterminated. This would be the case if too much facility were afforded to predatory animals of securing the weaker ones whenever they pleased. A lion or a tiger has to wait long in ambush, and to exert much patience and watchfulness before it can find an opportunity of springing upon its prey. This is the case with the cat, fox, and some other animals, and occurs also among amphibia, and even insects. What is wanting in swiftness is made up in cunning; so that, in some cases, even a semblance of death is put on for the purpose of securing food more readily. I have entered into these remarks, because I have always considered the subject worthy of attention. How much would our actual enjoyment and comforts in this world be diminished if any one of the various species of quadrupeds, birds, or insects, which we see about us, were suffered to increase in too great a proportion! We can hardly form a calculation of the greatness of the evil either to ourselves or to the different created objects. At present, however, everything is most beautifully ordered and arranged, and no one species predominates too much over another. Those which are most useful to man multiply in a much greater proportion than others which are noxious. The latter, however, have their appointed use, and are made instruments in the hands of a superintending Deity for good. То а contemplative mind it is often a fearful consideration to reflect on the various modes of existence, and the different bodies wherein it has pleased God to cause life to dwell: many of which are subjected to great sufferings, and especially from one part of the creation preying upon another. What, however, many have brought forward as an argument of the want of mercy and justice in Almighty God, is, on the contrary, a proof of his goodness and benevolence. * It has been justly remarked that there is nothing done by men worthy of commendation, but God has imprinted some imitation of it even in brutes and insects: we see this in various instances. Beavers are not only an example of great industry, but the manner in which they perform their operations in making their dams or embankments according to existing circumstances, in a way which one would have thought mere instinct could not have taught them, proves them to be possessed of a faculty which might be considered as only belonging to man. If we want instances of fidelity, attachment, and sagacity, we have them in the dog; and all that we know of the elephant proves him to be capable of imitating some of the best faculties which are found in rational beings. His trunk serves him instead of a hand, and with that member, added to the great share of sense and docility with which he is endowed, he is capable of performing various actions, which man, in a state of ignorance and barbarism, would not have attempted. If we want to see beautiful architecture, we should watch the operations of the bee and other insects; and the weaver might take a lesson from the web of a spider. The persevering industry of the ant has been held up to us for imitation, not only by Solomon, but by the ancient poets. 'Magni formica laboris, Ore trahit quodcunque potest, atque addit acervo Pope has beautifully expressed these thoughts in his Essay on Man, 'Thus, then, to man the voice of Nature spake- Spread the thin oar, and catch the driving gale.' Here for the present we must leave these delightful volumes, we shall however take an early opportunity of giving them a further notice. |