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We saw thee not return on high;

And now, our longing sight to bless,
No ray of glory from the sky

Shines down upon our wilderness :
Yet we believe that thou art there,
And seek the Lord in praise and prayer.

TO THE CHYSANTHEMUM SINENSE.
(For the Church of England Magazine).

SHEDDING Sweet fragrance in a cottage home
I first beheld thy graceful blossoms bloom:
That lowly spot was brightened by thy spell,
As from its stem,

Most beautiful, each star-like flow'ret fell,
A peerless gem.

With warm deep dye the parting sun's last ray
Amid thy fragrant beauties seemed to play,
New charms unfolding; while a richer hue
In that soft light

Made thy gay blossoms to our view

More fair, more bright.

famed for these amorous ditties, which are often so loud, monotonous, and deafening in warm countries during the meridian heat, as to be productive of any thing but pleasure. These sounds, however, proceed only from the males; the females, fortunately, not being provided with the necessary apparatus for producing them.-Sharpe's London Magazine.

THE BOOMERING.-The most curious missile is the boomering, which may unquestionably be considered the most extraordinary offensive weapon ever found in the possession of savages. It is a thin curved piece of wood, varying from two to three feet in length, and about two inches broad; one side is slightly rounded, the other is perfectly flat. When thrown, it must be held by that end which brings the flat side on the right hand, or outside; and the convex edge of the weapon must be nearest to the thrower, to whom, therefore, when he is in the act of dismissing it from the hand, the edge alone is visible. It is used in warfare, for killing game, and also for amusement; and the shape consequently varies a little with its intended application: a war boomering is the largest, and, being merely constructed to fly in a

She, who long cherished thee, and nursed thee there, straight direction, has less curve than the other kinds, Was a lone pilgrim in this world of care,

And fast declining in the vale of years,

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M. C. L.

INSECT PASSIONS. Insects exhibit various passions; and these are not only manifested in their actions, but expressed by gestures and noises, no doubt well understood by themselves. Thus numerous beetles, when alarmed, utter a shrill cry, which has been compared to the feeble chirp of birds. The humble-bee, if attacked, will give vent to the harsh tones of anger; and the hive-bee, under the same circumstances, emits a shrill and peevish sound, which becomes doubly sharp when it flies at an enemy or intruder. A number of these insects being once smoked out of their hive, the queen, with many of her followers, flew away; upon this, the bees which remained behind immediately sent forth a most plaintive cry, which was succeeded by cheerful humming when their sovereign was again restored to them. The passion of love, too as well as fear, anger, and rejoicing, seems in insects, as in birds, to be displayed The grasshopper tribes are particularly

in song.

This lovely flower is a cherished one among the peasants in the mountains of Glamorganshire.

and but little difference between its two sides. This is the most formidable weapon the blacks possess, as well from its power of inflicting a serious wound at a considerable distance, as from its extraordinary evolutions, which render it difficult to be avoided. But it is only when thrown for amusement that the wonders of the boomering are fully developed. Whenever there was a camp of blacks near our station, it used to be our great delight to assemble a few of the most promising of its inmates, and offer a prize, some tobacco or flour, to the one who acquitted himself the best with his boomering: thus pitted against each other in friendly strife, they would go to work in earnest, and fairly astonish the white men. Doubtful as it may seem to those who have never witnessed the feat, an Australian black can throw this whimsical weapon so as to cause it to describe a complete circle in the air; or, to give the reader a better idea of what is meant, he would stand in front of a tolerably large house, on the grass plot before the door, and send his boomering completely round the building, from left to right; that is to say, it would, upon leaving his hand, vanish round the right corner, and re-appearing at the left, eventually fall at his feet. The whole circumference of the circle thus described is frequently not less than 250 yards and upwards, when hurled by a strong arm; but the wonder lies wholly in its encircling properties, and not in the distance to which it may be sent.-Murray's Home and Colonial Library.

London: Published for the Proprietors, by EDWARDS and HUGHES, 12, Ave-Maria Lane, St. Paul's; and to be procured, by order, of all Booksellers in Town and Country.

PRINTED BY JOSEPH ROGERSON,
24, NORFOLK-STREET, STRAND, LONDON.

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JOSEPH.

No. III.

raoh, king of Egypt, had in the same night two remarkable dreams. None of the wise men of his court was able to give any satisfactory interpreBy God's good providence it occurred that Pha- tation; and the monarch, apprehending, it would

VOL. XXV.

Z

seem, some disastrous event to himself or his people, was grievously perplexed. The chief butler, whose restoration to favour Joseph had two years ago foretold, remembered, in his master's difficulty, the fault he had committed. He frankly acknowledged his neglect, and intreated that Joseph might be sent for. The delay, painful as it had been, was made to subserve Joseph's advantage. Had the chief butler at once reported his case to Pharaoh, he might, very probably, have been sooner liberated and restored to his native land; but he would not, in that case, have become the ruler of Egypt, and able to sustain his father and brethren in the famine which followed. God's time, we see, is the best time; and he makes all things work together for good to his beloved people.

The young Hebrew was about thirty years of age when he stood before Pharaoh. He interpreted the king's dreams, and showed him that seven years of plenty, and afterwards seven years of famine, were coming upon Egypt. He advised, therefore, that during the years of abundance corn should be laid up in store. And Pharaoh, rightly judging that no other person would be so well able to carry this advice into effect, appointed him his prime minister, and gave him full authority over his people.

Joseph's wise administration need not be here particularly described. His measures prospered: he promoted the welfare of the people, and established the prerogative of the king. And so successful were his plans, that, whereas the neighbouring lands were in extreme distress, there was "corn in Egypt", which became the mart to which other nations were glad to resort. The man who fears God will be the best citizen, the best statesman. Religion does not unfit him for the ordinary duties of life: it supplies him with higher principles for them, and more disinterested zeal. And let it observed that it is a great and fatal error for a man to relinquish, in his public capacity, the religious motives which actuate him as a private person. If he has larger talents and a more extended sphere of influence vouchsafed him, he is bound to use those talents and employ that influence for God.

Among those who desired to purchase coin came Joseph's brethren, and bowed themselves before him, unconsciously fulfilling the dreams of his childhood. He knew them; but they did not know him. And, in order to try their present temper, he charged them with being spies, took Simeon from them, and bound him-perhaps he had been most active in the nefarious sale of Joseph as a slave-and commanded them to bring Benjamin to him, whom Jacob, in his affectionate care, had detained in Canaan.

It was with difficulty that Jacob was persuaded to trust his darling into Egypt. His heart failed him; and his faith almost faltered. "Joseph is not, and Simeon is not," said he in the grief of his spirit; "and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me." But how blind is man! "all these things" were just working for his restoration to that beloved son whom he had believed long ago devoured by an evil beast. So true it is that

"God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform:

He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm."

His people should learn implicitly to trust his power, wisdom, and love. They may safely cast their care upon him: he will show that be cares for them.

Joseph's brethren returned into Egypt with Benjamin, and were kindly received. But he wished, it seemed, to try them yet further, and to discover if they were more kindly affectioned to Benjamin than they had been to himself. He had Benjamin therefore accused, and apparently convicted, of the dishonest purloining of the silver cup, with which, as he said, he was used to divine. We cannot quite justify Joseph in all the steps he here took; he evidenced, as all the fallen children of Adam do, the imperfect nature. There is none good but one, that is God: there was none who set a pattern of stainless life on earth but the incarnate Son of God.

The result was that Joseph's brethren returned back to Canaan with the wondrous news to Jacob that Joseph was yet alive, and that it was he that was the governor of the land of Egypt, and with an invitation from both Joseph and Pharaoh that the aged patriarch should repair with all his family thither. Thus prophecy was accomplished. For God had long before declared to Abraham that his seed should sojourn in Egypt, and be oppressed there, and be brought out thence, severe judgments being inflicted on their oppressors. When men fulfil God's purposes, it is generally on their part unconsciously. His predictions put no force upon their wills; though he uses them as instruments to fulfil his wonderful designs.

When Jacob arrived in Egypt, having been cheered by a vision in the way, he was presented by his son to Pharaoh, whom he blessed, and by whom he had assigned him a residence in the best part of the land. Jacob survived his removal about seventeen years.

Joseph's course was long and honourable. He lived to the age of one hundred and ten, and appears to have retained the administration of affairs in his hands for the rest of his life. But, though he was prime minister of Egypt, his heart was in another country. He remembered the land of his fathers, which his posterity were to inhabit; and, in faith in the promise of God, he commanded that his bones should be carried away by the children of Israel when God should visit them and restore them to Canaan. Thas the humble servant of the Lord, however he may be surrounded with worldly comforts and honour, will remember that this is not his rest: his heart and treasure will be on high: the heavenly Canaan he will regard as his everlasting home.

Let us mark the course of this eminent man, whose history we have briefly considered; and let us, by divine grace, imitate him in his conscientious adherence to God's word. Let us see, too, how, if we seek first God's kingdom and his righte ousness, he will add all other necessary things unto us.

SUPERINTENDENCE OF GIRLS' SCHOOLS.*. IT is doubtful whether a school ever prospers in all respects without judicious superintendence. That of the clergyman of the parish is of the first importance. He will regulate the religious instruction, and direct the books that are to be used in the school; and his examinations on the holy scriptures, and on the church catechism, will be invaluable. But it may not be amiss to say that the tone and feminine character of a girls' school will be chiefly promoted by efficient female superintendence; not a committee of ladies, where each member may wish to enforce her own plans at the risk of all regularity and uniformity, but one or two, who will really apply their minds to the object. Except when she has a very young family, the clergyman's wife by position is particularly fitted to do much in this way. It is hardly enough to say that she does not understand schools: let her direct her best attention to the subject of parochial education, let her even put aside her favourite pursuits, and let her use her best energies and press all her acquirements into the service. Let her remember that she has not arrived at her present situation by accident, but it is that in which of all others God has seen fit to place her, and that he may require much at her hands. She whose heart is in her work will feel a constant source of interest in every child of her parish: her thoughts will often wander to the school; and she will be regarded by both the mistress and her scholars as their best friend and counsellor. The superintendent should take care that her presence promote cheerfulness in the school, and be a means of encouragement to all engaged in it.

Even where there may be much to correct and amend, she will do it gradually, and, whenever possible, state her wishes to the mistress in private. Most teachers excel in some point, or in teaching one thing above the rest; and, when this is the case, and the result good, it is better not to disarrange their method, even should it not coincide with her own plans. On other subjects, in which the mistress is not so successful, the superintendent should carefully examine her defects, gently point them out, and assist her in rectifying them. Where the mistress is young or inexperienced, there will be many occasions when the discretion and judgment of the clergyman's wife will be found of the greatest use. It is indeed a question whether a young woman of eighteen or nineteen, however qualified, ought to be entrusted with the training of girls of twelve or fourteen, who are much more forward in their ideas than children of a higher station. A young person of that age cannot possess the moral weight, which is alone the result of more advanced years and experience. Probably one reason why the education of the poor has met with many opposers, and why, in some places where efficient schools exist, the young girls have not seldom turned out unsatisfactorily, is, that their training has been left entirely to masters or very young teachers. And we may at least learn a lesson from the assertion, even while we are disposed to deny the fact, that

From "Hints on the Management of Female Parochial Schools." By a clergyman's wife." London: J. Hatchard and Son, 187, Piccadilly.

the old dame of former years, who taught her scholars little, but lectured them much on prudence and morality, produced a better result than is the case in some of our modern national schools. In parishes where the funds are low, or where from other circumstances the patrons of parochial schools are compelled to engage young or inexperienced teachers, the duty of regular superintendence is especially incumbent on those who are permitted to take a part in the management. Above all, the clergyman's wife should use all her influence and talents to raise the moral character of the school. It is also doubtful whether the plan of sending a young person at once from a training institution to the charge of a large school is a good one, and whether anything but practical experience can give her an insight into human nature, or in fact render her capable of governing the little world that is before her. It might be more advantageous to herself and her scholars to be contented for a few years with a lower salary and a smaller number of children, under kind and judicious superintendence. By this means village schools might have the advantage of a trained teacher, many of which are now obliged to put up with persons whose knowledge is lamentably scanty on almost every branch of education.

THE OLD MAN'S CHILD.

No. VI.

As soon after the funeral of her husband as her worldly affairs could be arranged, Mrs. Kyle left Elm End farm, and went to be the solace of an aged sister's declining years. This took her far from all old friends and old scenes; for her sister lived in a distant county; but the childless widow felt that, wherever she might fix her residence, her life could no longer be happy, and she resolved that it should at least be useful. A wise resolve! one full of benefit to others, and of consolation to herself.

"When sorrow all our heart would ask,
We need not shun our daily task,

And hide ourselves, for calm:
The herbs we seek to heal our woe
Familiar by our pathway grow:

Our common air is balm."

Mrs. Kyle was convinced of the truth of this; and she lived long enough to have found, by happy experience, that she was not mistaken. All the accounts which I received of her life and conversation were most satisfactory; and when, towards the close of her pilgrimage, I had the pleasure of passing a long and trying time in her society, she appeared to me the very picture, both in mind and person, of what an aged Christian woman should be. There was no hankering after the joys of earlier years; no cavilling at the will of God, by which she had been deprived of the prop of her old age; but her Saviour seemed to be all in all to her; and, as she knew that

"In social hours who Christ would see
Must turn all tasks to charity,"

she spent her time in doing good-in ministering

to the sick, and visiting the fatherless and the widow in their affliction. I often regretted that Elford was not ordained to be the sphere of her labours of love; for one who "lays out her time upon God, and her money upon the poor," as Jeremy Taylor describes the "wise merchant" as doing, is a great assistance to any clergyman-a great blessing to any parish. But duty, no doubt, called her to watch over her bed-ridden sister; and, even with regard to the way in which to be useful to our fellow-men, we must not choose, but deliberately and calmly take the course to which the finger of God appears to point. I did not, therefore, wish the widow to do otherwise than she had resolved to do; still, I could hardly bear to pass the once cheerful farm, and to think of the sad events which had scattered those who had loved that, their home, so well. It is sad to see any place neglected: a feeling of melancholy never fails to steal over us, on viewing desolation where care and cultivation have once been be stowed; but, when the place so altered and disfigured has been tended by those in whom we have felt an interest, the sadness assumes a deeper dye, and the melancholy feeling is sometimes overpowering. It is well for us that we should occasionally see such sights: they teach us the lesson which we are so loth to learn-that here the moth and rust do corrupt; that all is changing, all decaying; and that, as we have no abiding city here, neither have we one possession, on which we can set for our seal that it is eternal. Thoughts such as these often crossed my mind on the occasional visits which I paid to the deserted farm. I could never pass the little wicket-gate without stepping into the garden to pick a rose off Kitty's tree, or (if in winter time) to pluck a spray of the holly-bush, which, to please her childish whim, Mr. Morton had, long years since, caused to be removed from the rectory garden. Those who think my attachment to the old place strange, and perhaps affected, know nothing of the tie which binds the pastor to his flock, and more particularly to those members of it who have grown up under his eye, or on whom he has been called to minister when sick or dying.

But I must return to my tale, which has already exceeded the limits within which I had intended to keep it; and the history of the old man's child must be drawn to a close.

The arrival of the single coach which stopped at Elford during the day always caused considerable bustle in the otherwise quiet village, and a group of idlers generally gathered round the door of the "Rose and Crown," to witness the operation of changing horses, and to hear the news. As may be supposed, it was an extremely unusual occurrence for me to be found among this crowd; but it so happened that I was one day passing through the village, when I was expecting a parcel of books, just as the shrill blast of the horn announced the arrival of the "High-flyer," and I went myself up to the guard to claim my property.

"In a minute, sir-in a minute," the man replied, on my making inquiries after the books, "I'll be your honour's servant: but there's a young lady inside, as has fainted." So saying, he opened the coach-door, and lifted out a young woman dressed in the deepest mourning. I did not see her face; but when the good-natured

hostess, Mrs. Barton, took the hand which fell lifelessly before her, saying, "Bless the poor young thing, how cold it is", I heard a deep sigh escape her lips. It sounded to me like a sigh which told that words of kindliness were felt, and it seemed to demand sympathy on my part.

The poor, jaded animals were exchanged for fresh ones: the coach had rattled away; and the idlers, who had watched it out of sight, had nearly all dispersed. But I did not go something within prompted me to linger in the village until I saw that all was quiet; and then I went up to the little inn to make inquiries respecting the invalid. "Well, Mrs. Barton," I said, "how is your charge?"

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Why, thank ye, sir, kindly, she's a trifle better than what she was, I'm obliged to you; but I'm afraid she's in great trouble about something-she takes on so."

"Do you think she would like to see me?"

"Most folks are glad to see you, sir," Mrs. Barton replied with a knowing smile, and a true landlady's insinuating courtesy. But maybe it's best I'd ask her, as a stranger coming in suddenlike might terrify the poor weak thing?"

Am I a stranger to her? I asked myself, as Mrs. Barton bustled out of the room. I thought not. In a few minutes the landlady returned: she led me into the little back parlour, her own peculiar sanctum, where she had placed the traveller, and left me alone with her. When the door was opened, I expected to see Kitty McHale; but could that pale sunken cheek be hers? that wasted form, clad in widow's weeds, could it be hers, who had left us so blooming a bride? Yes, it was. I felt convinced it was; but the startling change which had come over her so took me by surprise, that for a moment I was unable to speak. Suddenly recollecting, however, that she was probably far more agitated than I was, I determined to accost her as a stranger might have done, in order to give her time to collect her thoughts before telling her that I knew her. "I hope you feel better?" I said. "I am a clergyman, and am come to ask if I can be of any service to you?"

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'What," she exclaimed, you don't know me? O, Mr. Relton, have you forgotten Kitty Kyle-Kitty McHale?"

"No, no," I replied, taking her cold hand, "I remember you quite well, Kitty; but I thought you might, perhaps, not wish to be recognized just yet."

"Not wish to be known? O, sir, I hope I shall never, never leave Elford again: I want to see-but, Mr. Relton, after all that has passed, I do not like to go up to the farm. I am longing, O how I have longed for months and months to see them! But now I have not courage: I know I shall find them so altered. Will you go with me, sir?"

I was shocked to hear the poor thing, half choked as she was by her sobs, running on in this way; for I hardly knew whether her mind was deranged, or whether she had not heard of her father's death, and her emotion was caused only by the various feelings which she naturally experienced on returning to her native village, and the longing desire, yet anxious fear, she felt at the prospect of meeting her fond but injured

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