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We meet with various passages in the sacred writ ings, in which mention is made of the Fox, although we know from the reports of travellers that this animal is but rarely met with in Palestine. The reason of this apparent difficulty is, that the animal called in scripture SHEEAL, and rendered in our English translation, Fox, is in fact the Jackal of the East, which is found in prodigious numbers in Arabia, Palestine and Egypt, scouring the plains in packs, or concealed by hundreds in the gardens and among the tombs and rivers.

The Jackal is about the size of a middling dog, to which it bears no slight resemblance. Indeed, though the species of the wolf and dog approach each other very nearly, the Jackal seems, in some respects, to occupy an intermediate place. It unites the fierceness of the wolf with the familiarity of the dog, and its cry is made up of the howl of the former and the bark of the latter, mingled with a cry of lamentation resembling that of human distress. In the chase it is as noisy as the dog, and in its appetite as voracious as the wolf. There are several varieties of the animal, differing from each other chiefly in size and colour, those of the warm

est climates being large and of a reddish brown colour, while those from colder regions are smaller and of a beautiful bright yellow.

The Jackal never goes alone, but always in a pack of forty and fifty together. They are not afraid of mankind, but pursue their game to the very doors without the slightest signs of apprehension. They enter instantly into the sheepfolds, the yards, and the stables, and, when they can find nothing else, devour the leather harness, boots and shoes, and run off with what they have not time to swallow. They not only attack the living but the dead. They scratch up with their feet the new-made graves, and devour the corpse, how putrid soever. In those countries, therefore, where they abound, they are obliged to beat the earth over the grave and mix it with thorns, to prevent the Jackals from scraping it away. They always assist each other in this horrid work, uniting in a mournful cry, resembling that of children under chastisement; and when they have thus dug up the body, they share it amicably between them. These animals combine together every day, not only for the purposes just mentioned, but also for mutual assistance appertaining to the chase. When thus united in packs, the largest animals are not safe from their attack. They follow armies, and keep in the rear of caravans. They prey upon every thing that has once had animal life; the most putrid matter seeming equally acceptable with the most fresh. They are, in fact, the vultures of the quadruped kind.

During the day the Jackals hide themselves in holes, and seldom appear abroad till night-fall. Then they sally forth in troops, and having scented their prey, they pursue it the whole night with unceasing assiduity and perseverance, keeping up a horrid howl until they run down the victim.

The Lion, the Tiger, and the Panther, whose appetites are superior to their swiftness, attend to the Jackal's cry, and just as it supposes itself about to enjoy the fruits of its labour, one of these animals comes in, satiates himself upon the spoil, and leaves his poor provider a scanty remnant for his pains.

Of the numerous passages in scripture in which this animal is mentioned, we will cite but one. In Judges

xv. 4, 5, we read, that "Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails; and when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, with the vineyards and olives." We have cited this passage for the purpose of remarking, that the Vulpinaria, or feast of the foxes, celebrated by the Romans, was probably derived from this event. At the feast of Ceres, the Goddess of Corn, celebrated annually at Rome, about the middle of April, there was the observance of this custom-to fix burning torches to the tails of a number of foxes, and to let them run through the circus, till they were burnt to death. This was done in revenge upon that animal for having once burnt up the fields of corn. The respective times agree exactly. For instance, from the book of Exodus we learn, that before the passover, that is before the fourteenth day of March, barley in Egypt was in the ear. And, again, it is said that the wheat, at that time, was not grown up. Barley harvest then in Egypt, and so in the country of the Philistines which bordered on it, must have fallen about the middle of March. Wheat harvest, according to Pliny, was a month later. Therefore, wheat harvest happened about the middle of April; the very time at which the burning of foxes was observed at Rome.

It is certain that the Romans borrowed many of their rites and ceremonies from foreign nations: and Egypt and Phenicia furnished them with more perhaps than any other country. From one of these the Romans might either receive this rite immediately, or through the hands of their neighbours, the Carthagenians, who were a colony of Phenicians; and so its origin may be safely referred to the story we have been considering.

USEFUL AND ENTERTAINING EXTRACTS.

AUTUMN.

THE season is silently stealing onward when the Goddess of Nature disrobes herself of her simple blooming livery of green, and assumes her rich, russet and variegated mantle, as if to conceal her waning charms by a display of gorgeous decoration. Crowned by her blessings of industrious toil, the heart of the husbandman

expands as he proudly beholds his overflowing granaries, and his feelings swell with exultation at the sight of his bending orchards unfolding the golden treasures of Pomona. Home, always the dearest spot on earth is now the abode of renovated fondness, springing from the rich profusion of the offerings of the season—a sanctuary from which labour has expelled barrenness, and pinching want. Gratitude to the all-bounteous giver is among the duties enjoined on humanity, to a sense of which obligation, the appearance of all things around may well recall the coldest disposition.

"Think, oh, grateful think,

Who pours abundance o'er your flowing fields."

In the midst of the reign of the perfection of Nature's stores, her decay is also visible-the falling of the dry and withered leaf is a touching emblem of mortality appealing with irresistible though melancholy influence.

While on the subject of the season, we cannot forbear subjoining the following beautifully appropriate remarks: "There is an eventide in human life, a season when the eye becomes dim, and strength decays, and when the winter of age begins to shed upon the human head its prophetic snow.

"You have entered upon the autumn of your being, in which you may meditate upon the past and future, and repose yourself for the mighty change which you are soon to undergo.

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'It is now you may understand the magnificent language of Heaven-it mingles its voice with that of Revelation-it summons you in these hours, when the leaves fall, and the winter is gathering, to that evening study which the mercy of Heaven has provided in the book of salvation. And while the shadowy valley opens, which leads to the abode of death, it speaks of that love which can conduct to those green pastures and those still waters, where there is an eternal spring for the children of God."-Miner's Journal.

A MAP does not exhibit a more distinct view of the boundaries and situation of any country, than its newspapers does a picture of the genius and morals of its inhabitants.

ANECDOTE OF RICHARD BAXTER.

During Mr. Baxter's residence in Coventry, he, in company with several of the ejected ministers who resided there, commenced preaching in a house by the side of a common, not many miles from the city. The time of service being rather early in the morning, Mr. Baxter set out for the place the preceding evening. The night being dark, he missed his way, and after wandering about for a considerable time, he espied a light on a rising ground at some distance; to which he immediately bent his steps. On his arrival, he found that it emanated from the window of a gentleman's house. He called, and begged to be allowed to remain until the morning; at the same time stating that he had lost his way. The servant informed his master, that a person of very respectable appearance was at the door; and wished to be accommodated for the night. The gentleman ordered the servant to invite him in. The invitation was cordially accepted; and Mr. Baxter met with the greatest hospitality. At supper, the gentleman inquired what was the profession or employment of his guest. Mr. B. from several things spoken by his host, saw it necessary to be upon his guard, and replied: "I am a man-catcher, sir." "A man-catcher (said the gentleman,) are you? You are the very person I want. I am a justice of the peace in this district, and am determined to seize one Dick Baxter, who is expected to preach at a neighouring cottage to morrow morning, and you shall go with me, and I doubt not we shall easily apprehend the rogue." Mr. Baxter no longer remained ignorant of the quality of his host, and consented to accompany him. After breakfast next morning, they accordingly set out in the magistrate's carriage for the place. When they arrived, the people were beginning to assemble outside of the house; but no Dick Baxter made his appearance to preach. The justice seemed to be considerably disappointed; and said to his companion, he supposed that Baxter had been apprized of his design, and would not fulfil his engagement. After waiting for some time in ardent expectation for the approach of the Nonconformist, but without effect, Mr.

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