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PITCAIRN'S ISLAND.

Pitcairn's Island is not a colony; but the natives of it avow hearty allegiance to the Queen of England. Her Majesty's birthday is observed as an occasion of much joy. All the people assemble near the church for there is one - in holiday apparel, the bell is set ringing, and old and young unite in singing loyal songs in honour of the day. Not only the cheerful bell is heard, but the deep-mouthed gun is also introduced to assist in this solemnity. The history of the gun is curious. It once belonged to the Bounty, and was fished up from the bottom of the sea. It had lain there about fifty years many fathoms deep, and was somewhat honey-combed. presented by the assemblage of the people on the Queen's birthday has been depicted by a poet of their own in a national song, the following stanzas from which are very pleasing:

"Ha! that flash, yon grove illuming,

Long impervious to the sun;
Now the quick report comes booming
From the ocean-rescued gun.

Now the bell is gaily ringing,

Where yon white-robed train is seen;
Now they all unite in singing

God preserve our gracious Queen!'"

The scene

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If we turn to the internal management of the island, we find things quite as gratifying. Their leading man is a magistrate, who is elected on the first of January every year, by a general vote of males and females who have attained the age of eighteen years. Married persons, both male and female, though they may be under that age, are entitled to vote. Two councillors are chosen at the same time, one elected by the magistrate, the other by the people. When there is any dispute to be settled, which cannot well be decided by the magistrate, or by the magistrate and councillors combined, a jury of seven is called, to whom the matter is referred. Then, should the affair not be satisfactorily arranged, it stands over until the arrival of a British man-of-war; and there is no appeal against the captain's decision. During the interval, however, the matter drops, and no ill-feeling remains. It is a principle with them never to let the sun go down on their wrath.

In the year 1849, a Frenchman of a military air, and partly military costume, arriving with some travellers from the brig Fanny, was courteously received by the islanders. With the politeness characteristic of his countrymen, he soon engaged in conversation wi h the chiefs of the people. In imperfect English he inquired whether they had ever heard of Prince

POETRY.

Louis Napoleon and the French Republic? and next, whether they would enlist themselves under it? Suiting the action to the word, he took a paper out of his pocket for signatures. He was briefly answered by one of them quietly pointing to the English flag, which waved in the winds over their heads,"The flag that braved a thousand years

The battle and the breeze."

Indeed, a more loyal or enlightened community, as a whole, cannot be found in any of the colonies or dependencies of Great Britain. The English union-jack is hoisted on all grand occasions; and to England the people would look for protection should any attempt be made against their independence. The inoffensiveness or poverty of the isle has as yet, however, preserved it, and, we may hope, will long preserve it in its present happy state. We may observe, in conclusion, that the islanders speak Tahitan as well as English; and it is not improbable, from their aptitude and zeal for religion, that the knowledge and advancement of Christianity may be extended to some of the numerous islands in the Pacific, through the instrumentality of the mutineers of the Bounty.

Poetry.

FAR, FAR AWAY!

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PASSING THOUGHTS IN TRYING MOMENTS.

"Having a desire to depart and be Christ, which is far better."

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A PRACTICAL THEOLOGIAN.-A minister was preaching in a town in America which was much infested with the heresy that all men, whatever may be their character, shall be saved at last. A preacher of the doctrine was present; and when the service was over, he began to challenge the minister in defence of his doctrine. As it was rather late, the minister who had been preaching declined a formal debate; but proposed that each should ask the other three questions, to which a direct answer should be returned. This being agreed to the Universalist began. He put his questions, which were promptly answered. It then came to the minister's turn. His first question was, "Do you pray in your family?" Thunderstruck and dismayed, the preacher of smooth things knew not what to say. At length he asked, "Why, what has that to do with the truth of my doctrine ?" "Much," was the reply; "by their fruits ye shall know them." At last he frankly confessed that he did not. Then for the second question, “When you get somewhat displeased, do you not sometimes make use of profane language ?" Here, then, was no door of escape. Answer he must. It was of no use to

ANECDOTES AND SELECTIONS.

deny it. He confessed he was profane. "I will go no farther," said the minister, "I am satisfied;" and turning to the congregation, he added, "I presume you are satisfied also. You dare not trust your welfare to a prayerless and profane guide." Every one saw and felt the force of this practical argument. A dozen lectures on the subject would not have done half so much good.

ASKING A BLESSING.-A minister went to dine at the house of one of his hearers whom he was in the habit of visiting. Dinner being placed on the table, the master of the house requested the minister to ask a blessing. It was no sooner done, than a prattling boy, about seven years old, said, "Father, what is the reason we always have a blessing asked when Mr. Idines with us, and never at any other time ?" We need not add that the father felt difficulty in replying. Children and servants will make their re

marks if we are not consistent.

BAD ADVICE.-When a certain young man made an open profession of the gospel, his father, greatly offended, gave him the following advice: "James, you should first get yourself established in a good trade, and then think and determine about religion." 66 'Father," said the son, Christ advises me very differently. He says, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God.' Reader! which advice are you following? The first has the promise of nothing; the second has the promise of all things.

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PRAYING ARIGHT.-Prayer is the peace of our spirit, the stillness of our thoughts, the evenness of recollection, the seat of meditation, the rest of our cares, and the calm of our tempest. It is the daughter of charity, and the sister of meekness. He who prays as he ought will endeavour to live as he prays. He that can live in sin, and yet perform the ordinary duties of prayer, never prays as he ought: a truly gracious praying frame is utterly inconsistent with the love of any sin.

THE BOOK OF Books.-"Bring me the book," said Sir Walter Scott, on his dying bed; "bring me the book." "What book ?" replied Lockhart. "Can you ask?" exclaimed the expiring man of genius, whose fascinating novels had charmed the world, but had no balm for death; "Can you ask what book ?-there is but one. The Bible contains the literature of heaven! Read to me the 14th chapter of John.”

66

A THOUGHTFUL BOY.-A father said to his son, who had attended a sabbath school, and had regarded the instructions given him there, Carry this parcel to such a place." "It is Sabbath," said the boy. "Well; put it in your pocket," replied the father. "Ah," responded the child, "God can see it in my pocket." Reader! always remember that God sees your every action, hears your every word; yea, and knows your every thought.

THE FIRESIDE.

DROWNING MISERY-A town missionary in London, in visiting one of the houses of ill fame, met with a man who, though entering on early manhood, had all the appearance of old age, for his hairs were quite grey. He spoke to him concerning the state of his soul, and the misery of the wicked after death. When he replied, "Oh, sir, you cannot tell me more than I know about it, for I have hell within me." The missionary then asked him what he was going to do in such a case? When he answered, "I am going to drink one pint of gin to drown all thoughts of the misery which awaits me."

How To AVOID QUARRELS.-A person who was remarkable for his peaceful conduct was asked by a friend, "How he contrived always to avoid being engaged in quarrels ?" He replied, "By letting the angry person have all the quarrel to himself." A very wise course, and worth remembering.

The Fireside.

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PEACE IN THE HOUSE AT HOME.

Ir is just as possible to keep a calm house as a clean house, a cheerful and an orderly house as a furnished house, if the heads set themselves to do so. Where is the difficulty of consulting each other's weakness, as well as each other's wants; each other's tempers, as well as each other's health; each other's comfort, as well as each other's character? Oh! it is by leaving the peace at home to chance, instead of pursuing it by system, that so many houses are unhappy. It deserves notice, also, that almost any one can be courteous and forbearing and patient in a neighbour's house. If anything go wrong, or be out of time, or disagreeable there, it is made the best of, not the worst; even efforts are made to excuse it, and to show that it is not felt; or, if felt, it is attributed to accident, not design; and this is not only easy, but natural, in the house of a friend. I will not, therefore, believe that what is so natural in the house of another is impossible at home; but maintain, without fear, that all the courtesies of social life may be upheld in domestic societies. A husband, as willing to be pleased at home, and as anxious to please as in his neighbour's house; and a wife, as intent on making things comfortable every day to her family as on set days to her guests, could not fail to make their own home happy.

Let us not evade the point of these remarks by recurring to the maxim about allowances for temper. It is worse than folly to refer to our temper, unless we could prove that we ever gained any thing good by giving way to it. Fits of ill humour punish us quite as much, if not more, than those they are vented upon; and it actually requires more effort, and inflicts more pain, to give them up, than would be requisite to avoid them.

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