Shrove Tuesday.

Having made confession on the preceding Sunday, the people were now permitted to indulge themselves with festive amusements, although they were not allowed to partake of any repasts beyond the usual substitutes for flesh; and hence originated the custom of eating pancakes and fritters at Shrove-tide, which has given this day the designation of Pancake Tuesday. The great pancake bell is still rung in many places on this day. Simon Eyre, Lord Mayor of London, in 1446, gave a pancake feast upon Shrove Tuesday, to the apprentices of the city; which hospitable refreshment was continued by some others who succeeded him in office.

Valentine's Day.

According to ancient custom the first person of the opposite sex who is seen, is generally to be esteemed the Valentine for the year, whether consonant to choice or not, at least according to the lottery of love: yet certain young gentlemen and ladies, it would seem, in order to avoid this chance, are brought together blindfold,-a contrivance that can by no means be tolerated in this case. Valentines are still bought, from five shillings to two guineas in price, and purchased by respectable folks, for the purpose of celebrating this anniversary of the patron of “pairing-time."

St. Valentine, of all the saints

Whom legends frame, or fancy paints,
Alone can boast, in every clime,
The homage of unchanging time!

Sterne and Garrick.

Sterne being in company with Garrick, happened to be inveighing against some writers whose works abounded with indelicate allusions s and among other things observed, that such authors, as a terror to others, ought to be hung up before their own houses. To which Garrick replied, "It's well for you that you are in lodgings."

Colonel Le Blanc.

When this gallant officer, who so eminently distinguished himself at Monte Video, had returned to Europe, he used to observe, that the whole navy of Great Britain had sailed between his legs. This seeming improbability was perfectly true, for he had at that time a leg on each side of the Atlantic, his right leg being buried in South America, while his left supported his body in England.

Anecdote.

A celebrated bishop preaching at the French Court, on the Feast of Mary Magdalen, after enlarging on her repentance, said, that her tears had opened to her the way to heaven; and that she had travelled by water to a place where few others had gone by land.

Aristippus.

This philosopher was fond of entertainments, and loved a court life. Dionysius the tyrant once asked him why philosophers were often seen at the gates of princes, but princes never at the doors of philosophers. For the same reason,' he replied,' that physicians are found at the doors of sick men, and not sick men at he doors of physicians.'

POETRY.

The Storm.

See the vivid lightnings flash,

Listen to the thunders roar;
While the foaming billows dash,
lu confusion on the shore.
Where the cot adorn'd the moor,
There a heap of ruins lie;
And its inmates old and poor,
'Neath the fallen rafters die.
Where the garden spread perfume,
Where with balin it fill'd the a.r,
There is uought but fear and gloom,
Nought but miserys i there.
Trees uprooted from their beds,
Lie in sad confusion round;
Flora's daughters hang their heads,
And in anguish kiss the ground.
E'en the stately forest bends,

Falls before the tempests shock;
And the streaming lightning rends,

From the mount the massive rock. Straight it thunders towards the plane, Gath'ring speed in its descent; Desolation marks its train,

Now its mighty force is spent. Swoln the mountain floods appear, Chafing with the occan's rage; Nought can stop the r wild career,

Or their turbulence assuage. Ah! what's that that floats along, Tis-oh! 'tis a human form; Trav'ller didst thou journey on, Reckless of the pelting storm. Wast thou from the mountain swept, By the overwhelming stream, Dost thou fall unknown, unwept?

Has life vanished like a dream? But thy troubles now are o'er,

There thy journeyings must cease, Thou hast gain'd the friendly shore, Where the blest shall rest in peace. Who dare murmur at the stroke,

Mortals bow and kiss the rod; Know the arm his bondage broke, Was the mighty arm of GOD.

PENATICS.

Sonnet IV.

HOPE.

Love was to that young wedded pair a thing So chaste, so pure from passion's stain it seem'd, That when in their fond eyes it gently beam'd, Sweet mirrors of their soul's imagining! 'Twas but as when the summer moonlight wreathes Some peaceful bank where violets are blooming, "Twas but as when the summer south wind breathes, O'er that fair bank to waken its perfuming, All glorious with the light their glad eyes made, They look'd as tho' they felt their souls refined, Ennobled by the love their hearts enshrined; And yet a sadness oft their smiles would shade, Which the meek marvel of their thoughts express'd, "What have we done, oh heav'n! to be so bless'd ?" Liverpool.

The Minstrel.

BY DOCTOR WOLCOT.

Beside the ruins of an ancient pile,
That once with nospitable pleasures rung;
A MINSTREL, long a stranger to a smile,
Thus to his harp of sorrows, lonely sung:
How sweet was the harp and the song!

How revered was the MINSTREL of yore,
His praises were heard on each tongue,
And WELCONE would open each door.
He knew not the finger of scorn,

He felt not pale poverty's stings;
His harp the old halls could adorn;
And he slept in the chamber of kings.
CHORUS.

G.

And lo! the soft empire of love;
What a triumph it owes to the art,
That rivals the voice of the dove,
When it tells a foud tale of the heart.
CHORUS.-Ah! thus then shall, &c.

Sonnet to Faith.

O life! thou art a dreary waste, o'erspread

With thorus, and briars, and whelmed in shades of death, And should a rose bud near its tender head,

'Tis withered by oppression's poisonous breath, O'er thy polluted paths the sons of time

Their gloomy course beguile with plaintive cry,
But who is she that lifts her brow sublime,
Looks on the waste and seems to grasp the sky?
'Tis faith! I trace her light encircled form

Her heav'n, directed eye, her cherub miens:
Without a fear she view the hov'ring storm,
And treads without a sigh the baleful scene,
Unmoved she smiles at sorrow's darkest gloome,
And sings of happiness beyond the tomb.

Ebening Hour.

J. D. WORGAN.

'Tis evening hour, and memory wakes
To many a past, delightful dream ;
'Tis evening hour, and fancy takes
Some foud, some fav'rite theme.
She leads along the peusive mind,
To baby scenes of earlier years;
And loves to cast a look behind,

On youthful "hopes and fears."
The few we loved-and live to mourn→→→
Whose honor'd shades come stealing on;
Some dearer tie-which death hath torn;
Some loved-some loving one!

Ah! I could bear with thee to pore

Were dearest joys from sorrow parted; Yet now to dwell on days no more, Makes me but broken hearted!

'Tis evening hour-and fancy wreathed
A garland bright that could not last;
O'er all my soul the vision breathed,
'Tis gone-like pleasures past!

On Home.

When north winds blow keenly, and thick falls the rain,
And the poor houseless stranger is forced to roam
'Midst the tempest, how pleasant it is to remain
Inclos'd in the shelter of one's humble home.
When hot beams of summer the wand'rers distress,
Who through the long feverish wilderness stray,
When hunger and thirst their worn vitals oppress,
And none know the wants they experience but they.
'Tis sweet in the dwelling where kindred reside,
To find a cool shade and a place where to rest,
In the day to retreat, and at night to abide,
And from one's own table at pleasure to feast,
Though no gilded sofa supports the dull form,
Nor dishes luxurious tempt us eat,

'Tis enough we are snug from the heat or the storm,
And the food by necessity savor'd is sweet.

Song of the Brabe.

O! what is the life of the brave?
A gift which his Maker hath given,
Lest nothing but tyrant and slave
Remain of mankind under Heaven.
O! what is the life of the brave?
When staked in the cause of his right?
'Tis but as the drop in the wave,
A trifle he values as light.
And what is the death of the brave?
A loss which the good shall deplore;
The virtues be struggled to save

Are grieved to behold him no more:
'Tis the close of a glorious day,
'Tis the setting of youder bright sun;
A summons that welcomes away
To a heaven already begun.
And what is the fame of the brave?
'Tis the halo which follows his day;
The virtuous examples he gave
Still shining in splendid array.
The blood of the coward runs cold,
The wise and the good do admire;
But in the warin heart of the bold,
O, it kindles a nobler fire.
Then who would not live with the brave?
The wretch without virtue or worth;
And who would not die with the brave?
The coward that clings to the earth.
And who shall partake with the brave,
The fame which his valor hath won?
O, he that wilt fight with the brave
Till the battle of freedom is won.

SCIENCE.

New Percussion Lock.

Mr. George Forrest, gunmaker, of Jedburgh, in Scotland, has made an ingenious improvement on the Percussion Lock. The chief advantages of his invention are, that the sportsman, before setting out, is enabled to supply priming for eighty discharges of a double-harrelled gun; that the explosions are certain, the lock easily kept clean, and not exposed to damp; and above all, perfect security against accident by the bursting of the magazine. The priming n-ed is the same as in Forsythe's patent, viz. three parts oxymuriate of potash, 1 sulphur, and 1 charcoal.

New Steam Engine.

In a late number of the Hermes, we extracted from the Philosophical Journal, the notice of a new Steam Engine by Mr. Perkins, and it is with great pleasure we now lay before our scientific readers a more particular account of this valuable improvement. It has often been asserted, that the theory and application of steam are yet only in their infancy; and this opinion is strengthened by the discoveries we now publish.

Never, since the days of Watt, has the steam engine received so important an improvement as the one now proposed by Mr. Perkins, which will render steam-power much more generally applicable. Steam engines on the new principle, will not only cost much less than those in use at present, but they are of the greatest importance in steam boats and carriages, as they require but a very small quantity of fuel, and in these cases the value of the fuel is nothing in comparison to the value of the room required for its stowage. The greatest advantage, however, consists in the reduction of the size of the engine, as Mr Perkins concentrates the power of this hitherto vast machine into a very small compass. This engine is on the high pressure principle, and does not differ from those on this principle now in use, excepting in size; this is however a very important difference, as bulk was the obstacle in many cases to the introduction of steam engines, the weight, bulk of the engine, and the room, requisite for carrying fuel, precluding their application to carriages in mines; also where they are frequently wanted to work in a mine, the room they require has hitherto prevented their use in such situations. Several ingenious arrangements of the parts have been made, in order to reduce the size of the engine, but Mr. Perkins, by introducing a new method of generating his steam, not only reduces the engine itself by concentrating its power, but almost entirely removes that most bulky, yet essential part, the boiler; and this is the principal feature in Mr. Perkin's improvement, as the boiler has hitherto been irreducible.

Hitherto the boiler not only contained the water for producing the steam, but three fifths of it were employed in containing a store of steam.

It has been asserted that water could be raised in temperature indefinitely, so long as vessels could be made sufficiently strong to resist the expansive force of the steam. Now Mr. Perkins, by keeping his boiler quite full of water, does not allow any steam to be formed, and by this plan the water is heated to the same degree that the metal of the boiler is, in which it is contained.

The boiler, then, contains no steam, but water only; this water, however, is at such a great temperature, that the instant a portion of it is allowed to escape, it immediately becomes steam of prodigious elastic force. Now as the bulk of steam, at the common pressure of the atmosphere, is to the bulk of the water from which it is produced, as 1000 to 1; though this ratio varies according to the pressure at which the steam is required, yet as Mr. Perkins has water only in his boder, this part of the apparatus may be reduced to a very small compass; and on Mr. P.'s plan the boiler for a ten horse engine contains only 4 gallons of water, whereas the boiler For an engine of the same size, on the present plan must hold above 400.

Mr. P.'s engine, when in action, is so constructed, that at every stroke a small quantity of water is forced into the boiler, and of course as much heated water is at the same time forced out into the engine, which immediately becomes effective steam for working the engine. The steam which has been used, affords hot water for supplying the boiler, and thus very little water is required.

THE RETICULE.

Housewifery.

Perfumes a Preventive against Mouldiness.-Dr. Mac Culloch, of Edinburgh, has published a paper in the Philosophical transactions of that city, in which he points out that all essential oils possess the property of preventing the growth of mould. Ink, paste, bread, leather, and seeds, are among the common articles which suffer from this cause, and to which the remedy is easily applicable. With respect to articles of food, such as bread, cold meats, or dried fish, it is less easy to apply a remedy, on account of the taste. Cloves, however, and other spices whose flavors are grate ful, may sometimes be used for this purpose and not by any particular antiseptic virtue, seems plain, by their preventing equally the growth of those minute cryptogamous places on ink, and other substances not of an animal nature. In illustration of the advantages of spices, in bread, &c. it may be observed, that gingerbread and bread containing Carraway-seeds is far less liable to mouldiness, than plain bread. It will be a matter worthy of consideration, how far flour might be preserved by some project of this kind.

Biography.

Mrs. Rowe,

The celebrated writer of the "Letters from the Dead to the Living," is said to have possessed a command over her passions, and a constant screnity and sweetness of temper, which neither age nor misfortune could sour or ruffle. It is ques tioned whether she had ever been angry in her life. On all occasions she expressed an aversion to satire, so rarely free from malice or personality, and fortified her resolution against it by particular and solemn vows. "I can appeal to you," said she, in a letter to an old and intimate friend, "whether you ever knew me make an envious or i:l-natured reflection on any person upon earth? Indeed, the follies of mankind would afford a wide and varions scene, but charity would draw a veil of darkness here, and choose to be for ever silent rather than expatiate upon the melancholy theme."

Detraction appeared to her an inhuman vice, for which no wit could atone. She loved to praise, and took a pleasure, on all occasions, in doing justice to merit. She was ever

the advocate for the absent, and extenuated where she could not excuse. If compelled to reprove, gentleness and delicacy softened her reprehension. She never dictated to others, or arrogated to her own sentiments any deference or respect. Indifferent to fame, and fond of solitude, she shunned rather than sought applause. Her modesty followed her to the tomb, and even appeared afterwards, in the order she left respecting her interment. Having desired that her funeral might be by night, and attended only by a small number of friends, she adtled, "charge Mr. Bówden not to say one word of me in the sermon. I would lie in my father's grave, and have no stone or inscription over my dust, which I gladly leave to corruption and oblivion till it rise to a glorious immortality." Her charities, considering the mediocrity of her fortune, bordered on excess; she consecrated, by a solemn vow, the half of her income to benevolent purposes. To enable herself to fulfil this engagement, she retrenched all superfluous expenses, and practised a rigid economy. The first time she accepted any acknowledgment from her bookseller, for her writings, she bestowed the whole sum on a distressed family,; another time, on a similar occasion, she sold a piece of plate to relieve an exigency for which she was not sufficiently provided. It was her custom on going out, to furnish herself with pieces of money of different value, to relieve such objects of compassion as might fall in her way. Her munificence was, not confined to the place in which she lived, nor to any sect or party. "I never," said she, "grudge any money bat when it is laid

out upon myself, for I consider how much it would buy for the poor." Nor did she confine her charities to money; she gave to the distressed her time, her labor, her sympathy, ofte of infinitely greater value. She caused the children of the neighboring poor to be instructed, and herself assisted in framing their minds and principles. Nor was her beneficence limited to the lower ranks. "It was one of the greatest benefits," she was accustomed to say, "that could be done to mankind, to free them from the cares and anxieties that attend a narrow fortune."

Arabian respect to Nomen.

So great and so sacred is the respect of the Bedouin Arabs for the fair sex, that the presence, the voice even of a woman, can arrest the uplifted scimeter charged with death, and bid it fall harmless. Whoever has committed a crime, even murder, is safe if a woman takes him under her protection; and the right of pardoning is so completely established in favor of the sex, that, in some tribes where they are occupied in the tents, if a criminal can escape to their tent, he is saved. The moment he is near enough to be heard, he cries aloud, "I am under the protection of the harem!" At these words all the women reply, without appearing, "fly from him!" and were here nudemned to death by the prince himself, and the council of the principal persons of his tribe, the punishment of his crime is remitted without hesitation immediately, and be is allowed to go where he pleases.

The Hermes.

FRIDAY, TWO O'CLOCK. TO THE PUBLIC.-The SECOND EDITION of our first number being almost out of print, as well as some of the subsequent dates, we beg to recommend those who have thoughts of taking our little work, to cemmence as early as possible. The great expense and trouble attending a re-print, will not permit us to put in hand another edition of the numbers after the second; so that in the very probable event of a full disposal, we must buy in and sell at an advanced price. We flatter ourselves it is no little proof of public approbation, that two editions of the first and second numbers, of more than 1000 copies each, have been nearly bought up.

A CRITICAL SKETCH of an eminent Methodist Minister it is intended to give next week. ADOLESCENS' Lines to Charlotte have not yet "suf cient interest for our pages.”

The long article of Dick Pomposity has caused the delay of M.'s interesting paper.

Our arrangements for the present number were completed before the receipt of our Parkgate friend's essay. It shall appear early; together with the communications of D. J. Q. and CELANDO. We thank Cetendo for his candor,

We will ponder the proposal of STUDENS ARGILLETTI. AUTUMNA is under consideration.

J. N.-W.N.-.-Zara and AMELIA are received.

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No. 17.-VOL. I.

Critical Sketches of Eminent Clergymen.

REV. ADAM CLARKE, LL.D. F.A.S.
M.R.I.A. &c. &c.

ONE has said, that human success is explicable by human causes; and in the history of the illustrious person before us the position is strikingly verified. A late bishop of London, we have been informed, was pleased to call Dr. Clarke the "wisest man in the world;" and, although we can hardly go to the same length with the worthy prelate, we cannot but view him as a truly Great Man, one of the very few individuals whose circumstances we ever feel tempted to covet. Yet there is nothing in the acquisitions of this literary colossus which savors of the miraculous. His extraordinary talents are not the consequence of any extraordinary revelation from heaven; any super-endowment of intellect; or any uncommon visitation of the Holy Ghost. A man of like parts and passions with others, having derived his existence in humble life, and his learning from the ordinary sources of knowledge; his attainments afford an evidence of how much the human mind is capable by diligent and determinate application; how contemptibly futile are the excuses and subterfuges of many who aim to extenuate the guilt of their ignorance. It is not herein meant to impute blame to all who possess not the parts of this eminent Divine; else should we stand self-condemned. There are not unfrequently trifling fortuitous advantages in the lives of individuals who rise above their fellows in rank and talent, some little adventitious aids, some accidental turn of affairs, and developement of prospects, which give a new and powerful stimulus to the mind. Such was the case with Adam Clarke. It was his happy lot to become early acquainted with that zealous man of God, John Wesley; whose wisdom and piety were equally prompt to perceive and to patronize latent talent. He made him his protegé; fostered the opening buds of genius in his pupil; and had the grateful reward of seeing them spread like a green bay tree. Our limits will not permit us to dwell on the progressive attainments of Dr. Clarke,-suffice it, that his parts and popularity grew with his growth and strengthened with his strength, till

he gained an altitude in philological science which few besides himself have reached. But we must indulge ourselves with an affectionate tribute to the memory of Wesley, in recommending one part of his conduct to the imitation of our contemporary clergy. He made it a matter of conscience to seek out and encourage the wishes of pious youths who burned to join the glorious company of the apostles. He thought it no disparagement of ecclesiastical dignity, to give the helping hand to struggling genius, though found in the lowest walks of life. He entertained no jealousy lest his pupils should become his rivals; but rejoiced to see them rise from the dunghill to sit among the princes of the people. Too often does it happen that the young man of uncommon mind but of common circumstances, toils almost to death with the feeble hope of one day being useful to his fellow-creatures; and falls the victim to his anxiety and industry, from the indifference of those who should have sustained him. Too often does the coldness and austerity, the pride and the prejudice of Christian elders, make enemies of men who might have been secured as most valuable friends and allies. We have long been of opinion, that the ardent and abiding inclination of the mind to the ministerial office, is the evidence of a providential call thereto; that not always are they able to analize and state their motives, whose hearts are most sincere, and whose judgments are best informed. Nothing is easier than for one offering himself for the ministry to give becoming answers to a catechism on his objects and views; and nothing is more expectable than that they who feel least should say most on these points. Go, ye ambassadors of the Highest; seek out the humble, honest, ardent candidate for the apostleship; set him apart to the great work, in the name of Him who has the hearts of men, and disposes them for his glory. No more let worldly rank and riches influence you in choosing stewards for that Lord whose kingdom is not of this world.

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But, to return-Dr. Clarke, as preacher, is not calculated to do so much good as many of his Methodist brethren. His sermons are much better fitted for the bench of bishops or a hall of theolo

gical students, than for a mixed congregation. It is not expedient that we should be so particular in criticising a man like him, as one whose proper business is preaching, and whom there is a possibility of affecting by our remarks. But we must observe, that notwithstanding the vast crowds who are said to have been drawn together in his early life, by the freedom and fervor of his discourses, the chief causes of attraction to his ministry now, are probably the greatness of his fame, and the rank he holds as the bishop of Methodism.

We believe there are many men with not one half his learning and abilities, who make far better sermons. Nor is this an unfrequent case. Men of or. dinary talents are obliged to think beforehand on their subject, and to collect and arrange suitable matter of illustration; whilst giants of knowledge, confiding in their strength, frequently heap together a body of observations, which, how good soever in themselves, lose their effect for want of method. Sermons of this nature it is impossible to retain, without possessing the memory of a Crichton; and sermons which cannot be remembered, are not likely to be the most profitable.

There are some things in Dr. Clarke's pulpit habits, that in any other man would be considered vain and dogmatical; but in one whose name has resounded throughout the whole of Europe, whose praise is in all the churches, they are at least permissible. He appears fond, for instance, of making known that certain remarks are his own--that such and such things were first discovered by himself, and that "it is astonishing all the learning of mankind" should not have perceived so obvious a truth before. Fully appreciating Dr. Clarke's literary and theological character, we had yet rather read than hear him. Besides the objections mentioned, his discourses are sometimes very tardily given, and protracted to a wearisome length.

He is a native of Londonderry, Ireland, and was born about the year 1763. For more particulars of his history we refer our readers to the January number of the Imperial Magazine; in which is also given some account of his numerous valuable books, offices, &c. Dr. Clarke

pride of their degenerate successors. The bane of all virtue and the destruction of all national true greatness, is intemperance. I say intemperance rather than luxury, because the former may prevail, where the latter can have no existence. Indeed the history both of states and individuals proves, that the enervating effects of intemperance have effectually prevented their ever arriving at riches and luxury, but frequently both drag out a lengthened and ignoble existence.

The memory of the brave and virtuous forefathers of the English is not stained with this reproach; they have bequeathed to us their posterity, not only liberty and equal laws, but a goodly patrimony, and a respectable if not a commanding situation among the nations of Europe; and the shame and disgrace is ours, if we have already in any degree, or should hereafter, barter our advantages, or waste by our intemperance the fair estate we have in our possession.

Intemperance ruins health, clogs the faculties, clouds the reason, infeebles the character, and considerably shortens the period of human life. But not to that notorious and disreputable kind of it, do I here particularly allude, against which Mr. Herbert in the following lines dissuades with so much force and reason;

The lines of Phædrus, of which I have given a free translation, were no doubt true of his contemporaries; and they are unquestionably so of the people of England, taken in the aggregate, at the present moment. How apt are men to pass the most unqualified censure on others, for conduct which they have not the remotest conception they themselves practise? And yet that they do so, is visible to every one else.

Of the Arabians we have so little authentic information, that I shall compress my observations concerning them, and strive to deduce some practical illustrations from their predatory conduct.

Drink not the third glass; which thou canst not tame When once it is within thee; but before Mayst rule it as thou list; and pour the shame Which it would pour on thee, upon the floor. It is most just to throw that on the ground, Which would throw me there, if I keep the round. It is a more universal and not less pernicious kind, I mean the habit of eating more and I take this people next in order in the preoftener than nature requires. Drunkenness sent series of essays, on account of their supis the vice of the many, intemperance in eat-posed antiquity; as they claim to be descending is the fault of all. Few indeed even of the The prophecy concerning him "that he should ants of Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar. considerate part of mankind, who have it in their power to indulge their appetites in qualibe a wild man: that his hand should be against ty and quantity, exercise sufficient self-con-every man, and every man's hand against trol in this respect; or if they have force of of all his brethren," has been clearly fulfilled him and that he should dwell in the presence mind enough, deem it a matter of much less in the person of Ishmael and his posterity; magnitude than it really is. But it is not necessary to descend to particulars; a wise and who continually infested the neighboring eminent physician of our own country has said, countries with their robberies and incursions. In about 30 years after Ishmael was dismissed that excessive drinking has slain its thousand, by Abraham, his family appears to have attained considerable power; for in Genesis, c. 25, v. 12 to 16, we find the names of the sons

but excessive eating its tens of thousands.

It is observable that those men who have been the blessing, the lights and the ornaments, of human nature, have been temperate or abstemious livers, and have discovered a noble superiority to the sordid and mean love of the luxury of the table; and even heroes, who have generally been the worst of men, have found this indulgence too low and grovelling to occupy the attention of their aspiring

minds.

of Ishmael "by their Towns, and by their Castles; twelve Princes according to their nations." The Ishmaelites or Arabians are generally considered to have been a wandering people; and this mention of towns and castles unless we also imagine these to have been might militate against such a supposition, rather inclosures, or places fortified in a temIt was worthy indeed the effeminate charac-porary manner, for the protection of their ter of Julian, to rise from the infeebling luxu- wives and children during their wars. They ries of the table, to negociate for the imperial appear also to have been a trading people; for throne of Rome; whilst the conduct of Seve-in the year 1727 A. C. Joseph was sold by his rus, whose general principles were no better, formed a striking contrast in this particular, his ambition scarcely allowing himself sleep or food; without reluctance foregoing such close gratifications, that he might seize upon the throne, and wrest the sceptre from the hand of his unequal competitor.

There is something very degrading to man's intellectual nature, which is capable of such noble things, to be so in subjection to the animal that nearly the whole of the time given him for better purposes, should be consumed in mere sensual gratification.

The ancient Greeks, whose conduct before they were corrupted by intemperance and

brethren to "a company of Ishmaelites, who spicery, and balm, and myrrh, going down came from Gilead with their camels, bearing into Egypt:" and we likewise read of Solomon having a considerable traffic with the +Arabians.

Moses is said to have fled from the court with him the wisdom of the Egyptians. It is of Pharaoh into Arabia, and to have carried

• In Genesis c. 17, v. 25, we read that Ishmael was 13 years old when he was circumcised, A. C. 1898 and the Arabians, as his descendants, do not circumcise their sons till they attain that age.

+First Kings, c. 10, v. 25. The only other mention (worthy present notice) of the Arabians, in the sacred writJeremiah, c. 25, and Ezekiel, c. 27. ings, is in 2 Chronicles, c. 21 and 22. Nehemiah, c. 4 and 6.

also by some believed that the queen of Sheba, who visited Solomon, was an Arabian, and that the Arabs have to this day a tradition which mentions the journey of queen Balkis from the city of Sheba, otherwise called Marib or Mareb, in the country of Yemen, to visit Solomon. The magi or wise men of the east, who went to Bethlehem to worship the Messiah, are also by some supposed to have been §Arabians. And Pythagoras is likewise said to have acquired a great portion of his knowledge from intercourse with that nation. Pliny speaks of Hippocus an Arabian magus, and Ptolemy calls Arabia in particular "the receptacle of the magi."

An ancient sect of philosophers is reported to have existed among them called Zabians, or Sabians, from Sabi, the son of Seth. But of these the accounts are conflicting; some writers asserting that they were worshippers of images, whilst others inform us their religion consisted in the worship of the heavenly bodies. In common with the eastern nations they knew a little of astronomy, pretended to a knowledge of divination, by cups &c. and were famous for the solution of enigmas.

Of this people, as well as of other ancient nations that I have before treated of, scarcely a vestige of the writings remains. Erpenius has translated the fables of Lokmann from Arabic to Latin, but from their close resem blance to those of Æsop, some have thought they are by the same person.

The Arabians, as far as we have been able to collect from "the Travels of Norden" and others, still continue to carry on their ancient system of predatory pillage and spoliation. This mode of living on indiscriminate plunder, of the Arabians; for if it be not openly avowin not however exclusively the characteristic ed by more polished nations, it is much too extensively practised sub rosa.

amongst too many who do not possess it: and An inordinate thirst for wealth prevails by the favored few who are the owners of riches, they are not unfrequently and grossly abused. We are informed in the gospel, that

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know that idolatry is most hateful to the Deity. concupiscence is idolatry," and we well It behoves us then as Christians, who must in the body, whether good or bad, to reflect hereafter give an account of the things done on these subjects, which are of such vital importance to our future interest; lest we be come worshippers at the shrine of this idol WEALTH.

own, in recounting some of the evils that have I had intended to offer a few remarks of my accrued to mankind from an excessive love of riches, from an over anxiety to obtain them, and from their misappropriation by many of their unworthy possessors. But I deem if superfluous to present any such catalogue of mine to your readers, because their own exthem to supply any such deficiency. And the perience and a little calm reflection will enable subject has already been fully discussed, and those evils developed, by many valued authors in their justly prized productions. In none, however, do I remember to have seen this compressed, than in the Lusiad of Camoens, topic more ably handled, and more neatly with whose Biography you favored your readers in the last number, and who was deserve edly styled "the Virgil of Portugal." The passage I allude to is as follows:

* Vide Clarke's Life of Christ, page 51
s Vide Dr. Fafield's Philosophy