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SPLENDID NEW YEAR'S GIFT.

THE best book for a holiday present, strange to tell, has not yet been noticed by a single press this year. It is to be had, we believe, of all the booksellers, in almost every variety of size, and external and internal decoration. This book is a master-piece of HISTORY, without the aid of which, nothing with any degree of certainty could have been known, of more than three thousand years of the existence of man. It is a BIOGRAPHICAL work. There is no other work extant which illustrates the characters of so many eminent men—including the lives of the most exalted and best men that ever livedthe greatest philosophers, monarchs, lawyers, poets, naturalists, theologians, architects, warriors, and traitors that ever lived. It is the best LAW Book in existence. Within its pages are concentrated, in a very small comparative compass, the principles of all that is valuable, in

the civil and criminal law of every civilized nation on earth. It contains the basis of the Law of the Twelve Tables, the Pandects of Justinian, and of the English and American Law-together with the most perfect commentaries ever written or spoken from the lips of man. It is a STORY BOOK, abounding with the most touching incidents -of deep and absorbing interest-told with all the beautiful simplicity of truth, and all the tenderness of legiti mate feeling. It is a THEOLOGICAL WORK-not the theology of schools and metaphysicians-but declaring the elements of divine truth in language so plain, that "he who runs may read"-containing all that is necessary to carry men safely through this world, and prepare them for a better. More than all, it is also a POETICAL Book-abounding in the loftiest strains of poetry-the richest descriptions-the most glowing language-the most melting pathos-and the sublimest strains that mortals ever sang.

Indeed it contains one song, which was first breathed forth from the lips of a choir of heavenly minstrels! But we must stop,-for we plainly perceive that we shall not be able adequately to describe the thousand unspeak

able excellences of this book-being, in one word, perfection itself. It is called THE BIBLE-most suitable, at all times, for a present-especially in the winter-the season best fitted for devout meditation.

When Eudamidas, the son of Archidamus, heard old Xenocrates disputing about wisdom, he asked, very soberly, "if the old man be yet disputing and inquiring about wisdom, what time will he have to make use of it?"

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THE SHORT CANDLE.

As I lately sat in my chamber, I saw a little girl working by the light of a candle. It was burnt almost down to the socket. I perceived that she plied her needle very fast, and at length I overheard her, saying to herself, “I must be very industrious, for this is the only candle I have, and it is almost gone."

What a moral there is, thought I, in the words of this child! Surely I may learn wisdom from it. Life is but a short candle. It is almost gone, and I have no other. How earnestly engaged should I then be in every duty of life. While I have the light of life, how careful should I be to perform every thing enjoined by my heavenly

master.

1. I ought to be in haste to work out my salvation, with fear and trembling; knowing that when this light is

extinguished, there is no other allowed to mortals for preparation.

2. I ought to be all alive to the immortal interests of my fellow creatures; working while it is called to-day; striving to bring sinners to the Lord Jesus Christ, for my brief candle is soon to go out; and there can be no conversion of sinners in another world.

3. I ought to be unceasingly active in every work of benevolence, making as many happy as I can; relieving the miserable, and doing good to all within my reach: for this light is soon to be put out; and in the other world the miserable and suffering will be beyond my reach.

4. I ought to use every talent for the glory of God and the Kingdom of Christ; working the works of him that sent me while it is day, because the night cometh in which no man can work.

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might: for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest.”—Ecc. ix. 10.

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