tion, seems to be implied in the form of the phrase in Isaiah xxviii. 24. "Doth the ploughman plough all day to sow?" literally does he all day plough plough?

In addition to the ploughman at his labor, our sketch presents a view of part of a cultivated field, the corn of which is nearly ripe: near this corn is a kind of stage, of more than one story in height, whereon sits a man to guard the corn from depredators of every kind, and especially from those birds which are the enemies of the farmer all over the globe.

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL HISTORY.

THE LOCUST.

The Locust is a winged insect, which at first sight appears like the largest kind of grasshopper, but on a more minute examination is found to differ from it very materially. Its head bears some resemblance to that of a common sheep, and is crowned with two tapering substances. It has a large mouth, and in its jaws are four teeth which pass each other like the blades of scissors; attached to its muzzle is a pair of feelers, which assist it in gathering up the herbage; in eating, it makes a champing noise, and the sound of a host of locusts feeding has been compared to the rattling of hailstones. It has four wings, (the hinder two of which are transparent,) and six legs; and each foot has two claws. It is stout made about the neck and breast, and the hinder part of its body is forked, and armed with a hard bony substance. The largest African Locust is about four inches long, and one inch in diameter.

Locusts go forth in bands or flights, and when they take the field, they have a leader at their head which directs all their motions. They appear at a distance like a black cloud, and are sometimes so numerous, as to darken the air at noon day. Wretched is the district upon which they fix; they ravage the meadow and the corn land, strip the trees of their leaves, and the gardens of their beauty; the visitation of a few minutes destroys the expectations of a year, and a famine too frequently follows.

Dr. Shaw, who saw vast swarms in Barbary in the years 1724 and 1725, says, "Their first appearance was towards the latter end of March: in the middle of April their numerous swarms like clouds darkened the sun; in May they retired to the neighboring plains to deposit their eggs, which were hatched in June-The young brood, while in their caterpillar or worm-like state, formed themselves into a body of more than a furlong square, and marching forward, climbed over walls, trees, and houses, devouring every plant in their way. Within a day or two another brood was hatched, which, advancing in the same manner, gnawed off the young branches and bark of the trees, left by the former, making a complete desolation. All attempts to stop their progress were of no avail. In a month's time they threw off their worm-like state, and appeared in a new forin with wings, and legs, and additional powers."

Locusts are seldom seen except in eastern countries. A few however made their appearance in England in 1748, but, providentially, soon perished. And in 1747, vast swarms entered Transylvania, one of which was four hours in passing the Red Tower, although the Locusts flew so close as to make a noise by their wings touching and beating against each other. The width of this swarm was several hundreds of fathoms; and it was so thick, as to hide the sun and darken the sky, so that persons could not know each other at twenty paces distance.

In the country where the Bible was written, Locusts made a distinguished figure among its natural productions, which is the reason why the Scriptures contain so many striking images borrowed from this creature's numbers and rapacity. Swarms of Locusts were one of the plagues with which Egypt was visited; (Exod. 12, &c;) but no where do we meet with so sublime an account of the appearance and ravages of these terrific insects as in the prophecy by the prophet Joel. (See chap. ii.)

Who can help admiring the power of that Almighty Being who, by means apparently so insignificant, produces such great effects, and who employs a feeble in

sect as his scourge to punish guilty nations! When he wills to work he never wants means; nor will the weakness of the instrument he employs ever defeat his

RETROSPECTION.

purpose..

Oh, 'tis pleasant, when we have returned from a long, long absence, to re-visit the scenes of our childhood, and view in sweet retrospection, the hallowed spot rendered dear to us by the recollection of our hap pier days. It brings back to our minds the time when, surrounded by our friends and kindred, we gaily sported amid the smiles of those dear objects who are now slumbering in the tomb! We were happy then-we knew not the troubles of life; we were strangers to sorrow, nor had the heavy hand of affliction bowed our proud spirits to the earth! Had we then known the numerous trials that awaited us, we should have recoiled with horror at the thought. Driven from our home by cruel destiny, we have met the world's cold frown with fortitude-we have buffeted the raging billows of misfortune-the storm of affliction has laid us low-we have languished in despair, and even cursed the hour that gave us birth!-We have met the world's cold frown with fortitude-like a stately oak we have withstood the peltings of the pitiless storm-yet now— when we are recalled to recollection by the scenes of the past, our hearts sicken within our bosoms—we weep even at our own misery-but there is pleasure in our tears, it awakens feelings of the holiest nature, and raises our souls in holy devotion to Heaven!

There is something in the place of our nativity that renders it dear to us—no matter how humble—no matter how miserable. The lonely thatched cottage is dearer far to its inhabitants, than the pomp and splendor of a palace-show and grandeur can never purchase happiness to a heart laden with sorrow and misfortune. Gold may indeed satisfy our bodily wants but can never afford consolation to a troubled mind-It deludes us for a moment, leads our delighted imagination like an ignis-fatuus to the brink of destruction, when it suddenly vanishes, and

"Like the traceless fabric of a vision,
Leaves not a wreck behind."

POETRY & MUSIC.

THE BAPTISM.

The following beautiful lines by Mrs. Sigourney, are taken from the Christian
Offering, a religious annual.

Twas near the close of that blest day, when with melodious swell,
To crowded mart and lonely shade had spoken the Sabbath-bell;
And on a broad, unruffled stream, with bordering verdure bright,
The westering sunbeam richly shed a tinge of crimson light,-
When, lo a solemn train appeared, by their loved pastor led,
And sweetly rose that holy hymn as toward that stream they sped,
And he its cleaving, crystal breast, with graceful movements trod,
His steadfast eye upraised, to seck communion with his God.
Then, bending o'er his staff, approached the willow fringed shore,
A man of many weary years, with furrowed temples hoar;
And faintly breathed his trembling lip, "Behold! I fain would be
Buried in baptism with my Lord, ere death shall summon me.”
With brow benign, like Him whose hand did wavering Peter guide,
The pastor bore his tottering frame through that translucent tide,
And plunged him 'neath the shrouding wave, and spake the triune

name,

And joy upon that withered face in wondering radiance came.
And then advanced a lordly form in manhood's towering pride,
Who from the gilded snares of earth had wisely turned aside,
And following in His steps who bowed to Jordan's startled wave,
In deep humility of soul, this faithful witness gave.

Who next? A fair and fragile form in snowy robe doth move,
That tender beauty in her eye that wakes the vow of love;
Yea come, thou gentle one, and clothe thyself with strength divine:
This stern world hath a thousand darts to vex a breast like thine.
Beneath its smile a traitor's kiss is oft in darkness bound:
Cling to that Comforter who holds a balm for every wound;
Propitiate that Protector's care who never will forsake,

And thou shalt strike the harp of praise even “when thy heart strings break."

Then, with a firm, unshrinking step, the watery path she trod,
And gave, with woman's deathless trust, her being to her God;
And when, all drooping from the flood, she rose like lily's stem,
Methought that spotless brow might wear an angel's diadem.
Yet! more Yet more! How meek they bow to their Redeemer's rite,
Then pass with music on their way, like joyous sons of light!
But, lingering on those shores, I staid till every sound was hushed,
For hallowed musings o'er my soul like spring swoln rivers rushed.
"Tis better," said the voice within, "to bear a Christian's cross,
Than sell this fleeting life for gold, which death shall prove but dross.
Far better, when yon shrivelled skies are like a banner furled,
To share in Christ's reproach, than gain the glory of the world."