not be decomposed. These in every department of terrestrial productions are few indeed. With the exception of the metals, their number does not exceed twelve, and it is not improbable that some of them may ultimately prove to be compounds. But in the vegetable kingdom not above three or four even of these are to any extent made use of.

In the present and some following papers, it is our intention to take a brief survey of this interesting subject. In order, however, to render it more completely intelligible to those who have not yet directed much attention to the science of chemistry, it may be well to premise a few remarks upon the general subject of elementary combination. The salt called sulphate of soda, for instance, is a compound body, consisting of soda and sulphuric acid, into which it may readily be resolved; but these, in chemical language, are merely proximate principles; each of them are compounds likewise, for the soda may be yet farther resolved into sodium, its metallic base, and oxygen; and the sulphuric acid into sulphur and oxygen. But sodium, sulphur, and oxygen cannot be decomposed, and are, therefore, elements. Now, chemical union is supposed to take place between the ultimate atoms of bodies only. Sometimes they unite in all proportions, or in all proportions up to a certain point; but very frequently in definite proportions only, in which case it is a curious fact, that the larger proportions in which one of the bodies unites, are simple multiples of the smallest. Thus: let us suppose 5 parts by weight of one body, a, to combine with 8 parts of another body, B, it will be found to combine likewise with 16, 24, and 32 parts of B, but there will be no intermediate combination. In this case, supposing the weight of the atom of a to be as 5, and that of в to be as 8, we may reasonably imagine that one atom of the former unites, in fact, with 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the latter. And we may thus deduce from the relative weights in which bodies combine, the relative weights of their ultimate particles or atoms. For instance, 100 parts of manganese combine with 14, 28, 42, and 56 of oxygen; in other words, one atom of manganese will combine with one, two, three, and four of oxygen, and the relative weights of the atoms of the two bodies will be as 100 and 14. So again, 14 parts by weight of nitrogen will combine with 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40 of oxygen to form protoxide of nitrogen,

dentoxide of nitrogen, hyponitrous acid, nitrous acid, and nitric acid; or, in other words, one atom of nitrogen will combine with one, two, three, four, and five of oxygen, and the relative weights of the atoms of the bodies will be as 14 and 8. And the variety resulting merely from such apparently small differences in composition, are most curious and interesting. For instance, we do not know a substance more corrosive or destructive to animal textures, than nitric acid, or aqua-fortis as it is commonly called. Yet its elementary constituents are nothing more than the oxygen and nitrogen, of which our atmosphere is composed, and between which and the wants of our bodily frame there is so exact an adaptation. The only difference is, that in the one case they are chemically combined; in the other but mutually diffused. But what is more wonderful, the same elements, even when they are chemically combined, but in a different proportion only, form a gas the most singularly stimulant and exhilarating that can be imagined. So easily might the great Author of our being convert the very atmosphere we inhabit into elements of destruction, or transfer it into a medium for the sustenance of a far higher state of existence, if so it should please him, in connexion with "new heavens and a new earth, wherein shall dwell righteousness." Again, no elementary principles in their simple and uncombined state, can be more innocuous than carbon, (charcoal,) nitrogen, or azote, which forms four-fifths of atmospheric air, and is known only by its negative properties, and hydrogen, which unites with oxygen to form water. Yet, in one definite proportion, they combine in the production of one of the most deadly poisons with which we are acquainted, a very few drops of which, in a state of concentration, and even the vapour of it, is sufficient to destroy animal life. The whole tribe of neutral salts, as they are termed, are merely combinations of an acid with an alkaline or metallic base, in some one definite proportion, in consequence of which they form a third substance having, for the most part, no trace of the properties of its constituents. Nitric acid and caustic potassa unite thus to form the well-known cooling and comparatively harmless salt called nitre. Sulphuric acid (vitriol) and soda, form sulphate of soda, etc. etc.

But we must confine our view to the vegetable kingdom. Here, then, we have

endeavour, in these papers, to combine, with a brief abstract of established facts, some outline of those modern discoveries which are tending to enlarge our stock of knowledge. To the Christian, no department of the works of creation can, indeed, ever be devoid of interest, because he has learned to look upon them, not merely as so many isolated demonstrations of the attributes of "his Father and his Redeemer, whose name is from everlasting," but as parts of one glorious whole, infinitely complex in its arrangements and most wonderful in their adjustment, the utmost parts of which he can now at the utmost but feebly discern, but in which, as beheld by the unclouded lustre of an eternal day, he hopes to contemplate for ever and for ever the manifold wisdom of God. Nor will he feel inclined to disdain any help which even analogy may afford to assist his conceptions of the higher, from what he can now observe of the lower, of these operations of the Divine hand. We might adduce several instances, but to recur to that one only to which we have already made a passing allusion. If God has declared in his word that these very bodies, sown in corruption, weakness, and dishonour, shall be again raised, glorious, immortal, and incorruptible-it is enough that he has declared it. However astounding to our reason, why should it be thought a thing incredible that God should raise the dead?" If He has given us reason to imagine that, from the final wreck of a dissolving world, there shall arise one of far more resplendent beauty, when "the tabernacle of God shall be with men," it is enough that Jehovah hath said, “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind," Isa. lxv. 17; but it may surely not only aid our imagination, but confirm our faith also, to trace some, if it be but the lower links, of the vast chain of the Divine administration, and to see, in the wondrous transformations of matter which are now going on, how readily every essential atom may remain, in cases in which the order and arrangement which have hitherto supported them are altogether subverted, and the vitality which once animated them would seem to have gone out for ever. That Almighty word, which at first changed the formless void into light, and order, and beauty, how readily may it effect any transformation in any conceivable portion of matter, vast or

minute, so that it shall be "another and yet the same," "according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself!" Phil. iii. 21. D. W.

"OH! HIS SABBATHS! HIS SABBATHS!"

It is truly melancholy to witness the extent to which the Lord's day is profaned in this nominally Christian country. All classes of society, from the highest to the lowest, seem determined to set at nought the Divine commandment, "Remember the sabbath-day to keep it holy. In London, politicians set apart the first day of the week for dinner parties, the lady of quality for her private concert, the rich citizen for his drive into the country or his water-party to Richmond, and the tradesman or mechanic, for his periodical visit to the tea-garden or the park.

The other towns of England follow but too closely, in this respect, the example of the metropolis. Innumerable dinner-parties weekly profane the Lord's day, in the houses of the more wealthy inhabitants; vehicles of all sorts are put in requisition to carry ladies and gentlemen on pleasure excursions; while the taverns and ale-houses are crowded with the irreverent and dissipated amongst the lower orders.

Nor is the case materially different even in highly-favoured Scotland. Look at Edinburgh, for instance. When the weather permits, numbers of well-dressed people assemble every Lord's day evening in the meadows and on the CaltonHill, to saunter, and flirt, and laugh, and talk over the news of the week; the Cowgate and Grass-market, in the meantime, have their drunken orgies in abundance; and a convivial society, including amongst its members many whose talents and influence possess but too much weight, though styled the Friday-Club, holds all its meetings on the sabbath.

Gladly would I exempt the rising generation from the charge of thus profaning the day which the Almighty claims as peculiarly his own. Many of them, doubtless, are reluctantly compelled to join in that unhallowed merriment, by which the sabbath is desecrated in their several homes. Their sin, of course, lies at the door of their unthinking parents. But it is to be feared that many young persons, whose parents and friends are piously disposed, and whose homes are neither profaned by the

under heavy burdens of grass. Each one carried a bundle of hay upon the two ends of a staff that was laid upon their shoulders. Long before they reached the plain the eye could just ken them, as they were descending in a zigzag path down the sides of the mountain; they had been cutting the grass, which nature had caused to spring up for their use. It was near midday, and the sun beat hotly upon the writer's head, as he trudged along with a large bag filled with copies of the Gospels. Not a few out of the long train of travellers could read, and so the contents of the bag were soon distributed among them to his very great delight, who was pleased to be eased of his load, and especially glad to commend about forty volumes, divinely inspired, to the wings of hope, amidst an anxiety on the part of the receivers that was truly refreshing.

The grass, which these natives were conveying to their homes, was of a long and coarse description, and, therefore, better calculated for fuel than for fodder. After the bundles have been dried, they are laid upon a rick to serve in the room of firewood, with those who cannot afford to buy wood, in a country where it is scarce, and consequently very dear. This was the case, perhaps, in Judea, so that the poor people used the grass instead of wood in heating their ovens. The beautiful appeal of our blessed Saviour to those who are over-anxious about the concerns of to-morrow, seems to indicate that this was the fact, Matt. vi. 30, "Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?"

use.

In the southern parts of China grass is employed in the preparation of leather, or in converting skins into a state fit for The skin, after the hair has been stripped, is exposed to the heat and smoke of a large mass of stout grass, that lies in a close furnace, in a condition somewhere between combustion and distillation. the The empyreuma, as peculiar mixture of smoke and reek is called, answers, in some degree, the purpose of tannin, and imparts a measure of toughness and durability to the skin. The furnace resembles one of our coppers in point of form, though less in size. The grassy fuel is supplied below, as in heating the vessel just named. The copper is shallow and perforated, so as to admit the reek, or empyreuma, to spread

itself over the surface. Upon this surface the skin is laid, that it may imbibe the vapour that freely flows about it. The office of the tanner consists in turning and shifting the skin from time to time, that the effect may be equally diffused over the entire substance thereof. It is a smoky business, and, of course, not very friendly to the eyes. To the English traveller, who has observed the plans adopted in our "tanyards," the process seems a very curious one. And we are not far from the truth in saying, that the leather manufactured in this country excels the leather made in China, as the large tanning establishments among us do the little furnace, and bundle of grass.

The drift of the passage from whence our motto is taken, seems to be the establishment of two important truths-the bounty of God, on one hand, and the indispensable nature of that duty, by which we are bound to make the best use of it, on the other. On those hills in China, where wood is scarce, grass grows in great profusion, and is long and stout enough to become a useful substitute for fuel of a far greater cost. The diligence of the native prompts him to take his journey to the hills, where, at the expense of some labour and patience, he gains a supply that will last him through the chilling months of winter. And thus he realizes the saying, "In all labour there is profit." This truth may, by analogy, be transferred to spiritual things. On God's part there is no straitness, for with him is the residue of the Spirit. After such a wonderful specimen of kindness and liberality, as the kind bestowment of an only Son, it is by no difficult reasoning we conclude that he will also freely give us all things. But it is a fact, which ought to be graven in ever bright and glistering characters upon our hearts, that the graces, which refine our feelings, mature our judgments, and give an equipoise and stability to our principles, must be sought for with patience, zeal, and self-denial. The

thoughts of the imaginations of our hearts" are apt to lead us to the conclusion, that spiritual endowments will come upon us as much without our effort as the wind or the sunshine, especially if we are regular in our attendance on the public solemnities of religion, pray night and morning, and now and then spread the word of God before us. But the herdman cannot clothe himself with the fleece of the lamb, nor find goat's milk