15. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians: and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea-shore: and Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians and the people feared the LORD. and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

THE

the most splendid and imposing scenes ever witnessed in our country. It takes place on a portico of the Capitol at Washington.

2. On the fourth of March next following the election of a President, the city of Washington is crowded with people from all parts of the country. Early in the morning every street and avenue leading to the Capitol is thronged with citizens on foot, in carriages and on horseback, hastening towards the great center of attraction, and all anxious to obtain a view of the ceremony.

3. Martial music is heard from various quarters, and companies of soldiers, with waving plumes, glistening arms, and showy uniforms, add to the excitement. The hour for the inauguration arrives. A vast crowd has assembled. The President stands before them to take the oath of office.

4. It is a scene of grandeur and solemnity. The presiding Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States is there, and he administers to the President that oath in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution.

5. This is the form of words repeated by the President: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

6. And now the cheers of the multitude and the firing of cannon announce that a new President has entered upon his duties, and thus assumed responsibilities of so important a character, that from this hour he may well be regarded, by every Christian' and patriot throughout the land, as a special object for their prayers.

inauguration, putting into witness, to see.

PEACOCK was strutting proudly round the domains of his owner, with his tail wide-spread, when he spied a poor black raven on the dead limb of a tree. 66 Hoot, there! Be off, you shabby fellow!" he cried. "I'm the king over all winged gentlemen about here, and "-flapping his wings and mounting a huge stone gate-post-"this is my throne. I'll have no such mean gentry as you about."

2. "Caw, caw, caw!" cried the raven. "I think mine is a hard lot indeed; and I wonder what I was made for! Probably to afford fun for such grand birds as you! To be scorned, and ordered from one tree to another! Alas! I'm a poor despised creature,

and had better be out of the world than in it, unless I had a better fate."

3. "Ah, sir," screeched the peacock, "you have one charm, which, as you do not seem to value or even to claim, must belong to me,-those fine red boots on your legs! I've not the least doubt but they were made for me, to match my magnificent plumes; so off with them! Take these poor rusty ones I have on."

4. "Alas, alas, what a fate is mine!" croaked again the raven. "Will he tear the red boots, my only charm, from off my legs? What is to become of me? I'll be stripped of my one only charm if I stay, and I'll be shot for a thief if I attempt to fly!

I wish I'd never been hatched!"

5. Now, during this conversation, a poor dull toad had been in the garden-beds near by, picking up his breakfast of bugs and worms. He was amazed at the scornful pride of the peacock, as well as at the miserable discontent of the raven. He knew that he was one of the humblest creatures the Lord of the garden ever made; but he resolved to rebuke his superiors for this spirit of rebellion.

6. "Look at me, friends," he whispered, in a voice scarcely audible; "what have I to boast of? I have no gay plumes nor red boots to delight the eye; no voice to charm the ear. My eyes are dull and swollen, my whole form is loathsome; so that delicate ladies and little children run from my presence and shriek if I hop—for I cannot even walk towards them.

7. "And yet the good Lord has not overlooked even me; to me he has given life, with the power of enjoying his air and his sunshine. For this I will bless him rather than call in question his wisdom in forming me the unlovely thing that I am. I know not for what I am placed here, nor yet do the men who spurn me know; but it is very certain that the Allwise has made nothing in vain.

8. "Doubtless I have a corner to fill, a work to do which would suit no other. Therefore will I thank my Maker for the sweet boon of life, and bow quietly to his will." And with one leap the poor, humble teacher escaped from their sight and hid himself under the broad leaves of the waving corn.

PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S LAST INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

ON N the occasion corresponding to this, four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it; all sought to avoid it. Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation sur