one.

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A Lexicon I purchased at a bookseller's shop; and at the same time ordered a Grammar and a Bible. I was advised to procure Frey's Grammar, as containing every article of information I should need, and rules for the correct pronunciation of the language. I did my best with the Grammar I had borrowed till the beginning of November, when my new purchase arrived. I soon found Frey's Grammar, (edited by George Downes A. M. late of Trinity College, Dublin") to answer the previous recommendation. When I began these attempts I did not know the Alphabet: but in a very few weeks (having well plied the Grammar) I found that the report in the Magazine was a true For some time I had, of course, difficulties to contend with: but I had made up my mind not to be intimidated. Having no other Hebrew books but those already mentioned, (excepting a small Grammar I met with, of very little value) I was obliged now and then, to toil for four or five hours together over a single word: as I had resolved from the first to pass nothing by without understanding it. About the beginning of the present year, I had gone through the first chapter of Genesis; on which I thanked God and took courage." I have now read the first nine chapters of that book; a few of the Psalms; and some passages in other parts of the sacred volume.-On re viewing my progress thus far, I can truly say, that owing to various necessary avocations, I have not spent, on an average, six hours in a week on these studies since I began: and yet I value my very imperfect attainments in this language, beyond any thing in literature that I can think of. If this statement should induce ministers, unacquainted with Hebrew, to view the undertaking as a very feasible one, and to commence their labours accordingly, they will soon find that "a good reward" awaits them; and my object in writing these lines will be accomplished. TAPEINOS.

REMARKS ON A FEATHER.

INVESTIGATIONS bearing on the wonders of the world of nature, will never cease to amuse and instruct both the aged and the young. We no sooner turn our attention to the plumage of birds, or even of our domestic fowls, than we find

much, very much, to excite admiration. Let a feather, such as I am now using, be the subject of our present thoughts.

The feather I now hold in my hand may be considered as consisting of three parts, namely, the quill, the back or stem, and the beard. The filaments are placed in smooth, regular, and beautiful order on each side of the polished and ivory-like stem, and thus situated, they contribute much to the beauty of the bird, and furnish a covering to its body, light, warm, and durable. For it is an evident principle in nature, that the covering, or dress, which God puts upon his creatures is never heavy or cumbersome; whether we consider it in reference to the huge elephant, or sprightly winged insect. In the feathered tribes their dress is noted for its elegance, airiness, strength, and flexibility. The qualities and arrangements whereof, are, in every instance, seen in perfect adapted, ness to the fowl's, or bird's motion, either of walking or flying; and, as to aquatic fowl, for swimming. In the latter, there is for buoyancy, and to keep the bird well above water, a proportionably greater quantity of feathers under the body, as well as to render that part impervious to the water.

But let me not forget, that an analysis of a single feather, is the design of the present paper. Were we to dissever the numerous lamina which are the feather's chief ornament, we should, apart from our previous knowledge of the fact, wonder at their being compressed into so small a compass. And what are these lamina? Having just plucked one from its place, and applied it to my microscope, I see, that each consists also of three parts, clearly different the one part from the other. The edge lying uppermost on the surface of the wing, consists of various bodies of down, or of hundreds of very minute feathers, which from their extreme fineness, pliability, and softness, readily collapse, and turn into one another; so that, as connected with their curved and tapering position, no lodgment of water can take place. The middle part of each lamina is the widest, but of a close substance, and very smooth, thus admitting of that fine order in their arrangement, seen at once, and admired by the beholder. The inner edge consists of a substance more resembling horn, and appears more compact than the other parts, which the frequent flapping of

the wings might render expedient; for if soft as the upper edge, injury would result. The character of the whole range of the laminæ changes according to their position; if I force them up to right angles with their base, and press my finger upon them, I find I do them an injury, and there is resistance to my pressure: but if I carry my finger along in the direction of the laminæ, nothing can be more soft and pleasant to the touch. Let me here make one moral reflection: Thus God has ordained, that our conscience should feel accordingly, either as we resist, or obey His will, in the gospel of Christ.

The filaments are placed very differently as to their position in the upper and under part of the feather. No mathematical precision could possibly exceed the nicety of the level surface at the top; but beneath, the feather presents a considerable cavity along the stem, thus leaving a free passage of air, and allowing a necessary curve to the whole of the feather.

The quill, as consisting of a tube, offers a channel for the heat and moisture sent out from the body of the fowl, for the nourishment necessary to the health and growth of the wing; while the pith may possibly serve to retain a surplus of the moisture, or to send it forth as may be necessary. Numerous fibres encircle the quill, which operate as holdfasts, so that the bird is in less danger of losing his feathers which irregular hoops become clearly apparent, when, before the scurf is well scraped off, we attempt to make a slit in the quill with a sudden jerk of this, the jagged teeth which then appear, are a sufficient proof.

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REFLECTIONS.

To what a beneficial purpose was the mind of that individual directed, who first made the quill subservient to the important use of writing!

And when in examining into the most minute parts of cre ation, we see their complete adaptation to the end designed, and new beauties unfolded at every step we take, how justly appropriate do we feel the following devout acknowledgment, "The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." Psalm cxi. 2.

Earnestly recommending this profitable research to your young readers, I remain,

J. C.

THE DISOBEDIENT PROPHET SLAIN.

IN the times of awful declension from God he left not himself without witnesses. Jeroboam, the king of Israel, had made two calves of gold, and had led his people to worship them. One of them was erected at Bethel, which was no longer the house of the true God. Thither God sent a prophet from Judah; he proclaimed his fearful message,—Jeroboam attempted to seize him, but his guilty hand was miraculously withered. The prophet, at his urgent request, prayed for him, and Jeroboam was restored. The king then earnestly invited the man of God to go home with him, to refresh himself and receive a reward. He boldly and plainly declared, that God had ordered him not to do so; and thus, resisting the temptation, hastened home another way.

When God has delivered us from one temptation, we must not grow careless, but prepare for another. Satan, our deceitful enemy, when he has been once failed, will watch for our halting, and if he sees us off our guard, secure in the victory we have been enabled to achieve, he will present a more powerful temptation. It often happens, too, that danger arises from those who ought to direct us aright, rather than lead us astray. Thus it was that an old prophet who dwelt at Bethel, seduced the man of God, and by pretending a contrary revelation, induced him to violate the clear and express divine command he had received. He stayed to eat bread and drink water.

The path of transgression may be attractive at first, but it certainly leads to misery, either here or hereafter, and often in both worlds. The tempting prophet was made the means of conveying the divine threatening to the disobedient man of God. In this respect he was like the great adversary of our souls, who first tempts us into sin, and then becomes our

accuser.

The disobedient prophet being thus warned, soon mounted his ass and hastened on his course; when lo, a lion met him by the way and slew him, and his carcass was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, and the lion also stood by the carcass. This was undoubtedly miraculous: God stayed the ravening liou's rage, and mingled mercy with his righteous judgment.