1834.] VACCINATION. 137 is what is called a volcano, or burning mountain; it throws out fire, and smoke, and hot ashes; and a sort of liquid fire runs down its sides, which is called lava; and, when this is cold, it becomes hard like a stone, and takes a polish, and has the appearance of a beautiful sort of marble. There is a burning mountain likewise in Italy, called Vesuvius, and there are, indeed, several in different parts of the world, but these are the most celebrated. Etna is said to be nearly thirty miles from the beginning of the ascent to the top of the mountain. For about the first twelve miles there are pastures and fruit-trees in great perfection, and there are also towns and villages. The climate is particularly hot in this part. A little higher it is cooler, and it abounds in timber trees of different kinds, some of which are of enormous size. The upper part of the mountain is constantly covered with snow. Mount Etna was celebrated as a volcano by the most ancient writers; we have accounts of an eruption 1693 years before the birth of Christ. We must not suppose that burning mountains are constantly vomiting forth these torrents of flames, and masses of stone, and ashes ; but these terrible eruptions are frequently taking place, and are often the cause of dreadful destruction. Whole towns have been completely buried by the ashes from these mountains, or covered with the lava. In the year 1669, the torrent of burning lava from Mount Etna inundated a space of fourteen miles in length, and four in breadth, and buried beneath it part of the town of Catania, which is at the foot of the mountain. For several months before the lava broke out, the mountain was observed to send forth much smoke and flame. Mount Vesuvius, though a very large mountain, is not to be compared to Etna. We may perhaps say more about these mountains some other day.-Nat. School Mag. Vol. III. No. 30. VACCINATION. THERE are some persons who believe that the discovery of vaccination has done no good whatever, and that it will not prevent the subjects of it from taking the small-pox. They were perhaps told, when this discovery was first made by Dr. Jenner, fifty years ago, that whoever was vaccinated, could not, by any possibility, take the small-pox: -this was saying too much; but some persons did imprudently speak in this very confident manner. We now, however, see, that when small-pox of a very malignant character prevails in a place, some persons do take the disease who had, before, been vaccinated; and, then, we hear the declaration repeated, that vaccination is of no service whatever. The truth is, that nothing in the shape of a remedy, or a preventive, can properly be spoken of as altogether certain :-but, that vaccination has been a vast blessing to the world, no one in his senses can deny.-In numbers of villages, which in former days were seldom free from the small-pox for two or three years together, have for the last ten, twenty, or thirty years, been altoge ther without it. And how can this be accounted for, but by the fact that the progress of the disease has been stopped by vaccination? And where small-pox does now prevail, the greater number of those who have been vaccinated, escape it, while those who have not been vaccinated, generally take the infection. If it were the rule, in every place, to have all young children vaccinated, it is probable that small-pox would be entirely put an end to. -We return our thanks to the correspondent, who has favoured us with the following statement. "In a court in St. Sidwell's, where several poor persons reside, and the small-pox has lately prevailed to a great extent, is a family consisting of father, mother, and eight children; six of the children had been previously vaccinated, two had not, the two latter both caught the small-pox and died, the other six have not experienced an hour's illness." -"Thirteen gentlemen, who have been consecutive pupils to a medical gentleman of large practice in this city, most of whom have completed their medical education, and who were vaccinated when young, have never received the small-pox, although almost daily exposed to its influence." -Exeter Gazette. V. POOR LAWS. It is said, by some persons, that the spirit of the labouring 1834.] A MOTHER'S LETTER TO HER CHILDREN. 139 classes in this country is gone, and that none of them now make any hesitation about coming to the parish for relief; and that the poor laws, which were intended to protect poor old worn-out, and feeble, and sick people, now go towards supporting strong and healthy young men, who are fully able to take care of themselves. There is, unhappily, too much truth in this:-still there are many men, and women too, who would much rather maintain themselves by their own labour, than go, like beggars, to the parish. And it is much to be wished (though it is not easily managed) that a good supply of work could be found for able-bodied persons, with wages sufficient to maintain them, without any part of their maintenance coming out of the parish funds. If they earned more, one week, than they need spend, they should keep a part of their earnings for a time when work might fail them; and thus, living on their own, they would be far more respectable, and far more happy, than living on the charity purse of the parish. The following example of good feeling has been sent to us by the same correspondent, who furnished the Vaccination fact. "We have much pleasure in recording a circumstance which has lately occurred in Heavitree, as it affords a proof of integrity and good principle. A poor widow, named Sarah Gale, having three children, on leaving her parish (Heavitree) to go into service in Berkshire, requested that her parochial relief of 1s. 6d. a-week might be continued to her, lest she should be unable to retain her situation; her request was complied with, and on Thursday last she, of her own accord, sent back to the parish officers the sum of 5l. 3s., acknowledging, with gratitude, that she had not required the assistance granted her, and could therefore afford to return it." V. A MOTHER'S LETTER TO HER CHILDREN. I ENCLOSE a letter which has lately come into my possession, thinking that perhaps you may approve it and like to insert it in the Cottager's Monthly Visitor. It is written by a poor woman whom I know to have endured extreme poverty, for some time past. She expired very suddenly about a fortnight since, leaving a husband and six children; and the enclosed was found by her husband, who brought it for my perusal. I am, Sir, yours truly, S. A. C. MY DEAR CHILDREN, CONSIDERING at all times the uncertainty of life, and not knowing whether it may please the Lord to spare my life under the approaching trial, you, my dear little ones, engross my thoughts; not but that I know God can do as well without such an unworthy instrument as I, though at times it may seem to my ideas that for your sakes it is expedient for me to remain longer here; and, on that account alone, I am inclined to pray for life. Knowing, by my own feelings, that any thing written by a beloved relative is valued when such a one is not present with us, I address you these few lines, entreating for Christ's sake (if you see them, should my life not be spared,) a divine blessing on them. Remember, my dear children, above all things, that God sees you: and, at all times and in all places, when tempted to tell lies, or to do any evil thing, remember he sees and hears you, and will surely call you to an account at the Judgment Day. Think of what I have often told you, that you cannot do your duty, in your own strength; you must pray to God that he would give his grace, that you may do his will; at least pray to him, night and morning, that he would make you dutiful, good children; ask all for the sake of Jesus Christ, who, you know, loved you and died for you, and will save you, if you believe on him and seek to serve him. Be kindly affectionate one to another. Remember the command of God, "Honour your father," &c. be affectionate and obedient, endeavour to curb your tempers; and pray to God to enable you to check every evil disposition; and recollect, that, to be fretful when God in his kindness has given you so much more than many others, is very wicked, and will make him angry with you. You must seek, through life, to please your Heavenly Father: make His service your delight, and he will make you all his constant care. God has been good to me all the days of my life. When my dear mother died, he took me up. Do you trust him, and love him too; and he will bless and keep you. 1834.] OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH. "Beneath his smiles my heart has lived, I praise him for his grace received, And trust him for the rest." 141 When separated,-that we may all meet round his throne is the constant prayer, my beloved children, of your affectionate Mother, S. M. C. DEAR JOHN, READ this to the dear children till able to read it themselves. May God bless you and them. Your affectionate wife. OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH. WHATEVER may be done, by law, for promoting the better observance of the Sabbath-day, much will remain to be done by the good practice and good example of those who wish to see true religion prevailing in our land. Without such practice and example, even under any restrictions which law can enjoin, we shall never see the Lord's-day kept in a Christian manner, and from Christian motives. We do, indeed, trust, that within these few years, much improvement has been going on in this respect. But, knowing the vast weight of good example, we rejoice to read, in the Declaration of the Bishop Wearmouth, Sunderland, and Monkwearmouth Auxiliary Society for promoting the due observance of the Sabbath, the following resolutions, showing that the framers of these resolutions are anxious, themselves, to set an example of what they wish to encourage in others.-The invitation to sign the declaration was addressed to persons of both sexes, above the age of sixteen, who approved the measure, and who conscientiously resolved, by Divine help, to keep their promise faithfully. First we declare that, we will labour, by the help of God, to keep the Sabbath-day ourselves, by a regular and conscientious attendance at the house of God; by abstaining, on that day, from any worldly business; from all parties at home, and abroad, of worldly pleasure or amusement; from attendance at the news-room, and other places of worldly intercourse; and from all journeys which shall not be of absolute necessity.-Secondly, That we will labour to have the Sabbath-day kept holy in |