house, and home, and all we hold dear? How does she slide into every scene, and make a part of every picture ?

And all this is regarding puss only as a plaything: we are leaving out of view her proper character of rat catcher and mouse destroyer: and we are only considering a point, which strikes us more and more as we reflect upon it, that not only in wisdom, but in goodness, God has made these domestic creatures. They serve us in our wants and necessities and luxuries, and when the body has been served, they minister to the finer pleasures of the mind and heart.

But a part of our design is to vindicate puss from certain prejudices that exist in regard to her. It is a very prevalent notion that cats are fond of sucking the breath of infants, and consequently of producing disease and death. Upon the slightest reflection, nothing can be more obvious, than that it is impossible for cats to suck an infant's breath, at least so as to do it any injury.

It has been said, that a cat has the power to charm or fascinate birds in such a manner, that they lose the ability to escape, and thus become an easy prey. This power is probably a faculty of inspiring birds with such terror that they become stupified and motionless. Montaigne relates the following story in illustration of this characteristic of the cat.

There was at my house a little while ago, a cat seen watching a bird upon the top of a tree, and for some time they mutually fixed their eyes upon each other. At length the bird let herself fall into the cat's claws, probably dazzled and astonished by the force of imagination.

SAUL OF TARSUS HOLDING THE GARMENTS OF THE

MURDERERS OF STEPHEN.

THE soldier of Christ to the stake was bound,
And the foes of the Lord had beset him round;
But his forehead beamed with unearthly light,
As he looked with joy to his last high fight.

Beyond that circle of death was one

Whose hand was unarmed with glaive or stone;
But the garments he held, as apart he stood,
Of the men who were bared for the work of blood.

His form was tall and his bearing high,
And courage sat in his dark deep eye;

His cheek was young, and he seemed to stand,
Like one who was destined for high command.

But the hate of his spirit you well might learn,
From his pale high brow so bent and stern,
And the glance that at times shot angry light,
Like a flash from the depth of a stormy night

'T was Saul of Tarsus! -a fearful name, And wed in the land with sword and flame; And the faithful of Israel trembled all,

At the deeds that were wrought by the furious Saul.

E

'Tis done! the martyr hath slept at last,
And his victor soul to the Lord hath past,
And the murderers' hearts waxed sore with guilt,
As they gazed on the innocent blood they spilt:

But Saul went on in his fiery zeal ;

The thirst of his fury no blood could quell;
And he went to Damascus with words of doom
To bury the faithful in dungeon-gloom.

When lo!

as a rock by the lightning riven,
His heart was smote by a voice from heaven;
And the hater of Jesus loved nought beside,
And died for the name of the Crucified.

BROTHERS and sisters should make it a study to promote each other's happiness. They should take pleasure in pleasing each other, instead of each being selfishly taken up in promoting his own separate enjoyment. They should never envy each other's gratification; if one has a more valuable plaything than the other, the rest should rather rejoice than be sorry. Envy in children is likely to grow into a most baleful and malignant disposition. They should never take each other's possessions away, and be always willing to

lend what cannot be divided, and to share what does admit of being divided. Each must do all he can to promote the happiness of the whole. They should never be indifferent to each other's sorrows, much less laugh at, and sport with each other's tears and griefs. It is a lovely sight to see one child weeping because another is in distress. A boy that sees his brother or sister weep, and can be unconcerned or merry at the sight, would, when he becomes a man, in all probability, see them starve without helping them.

Children should never accuse each other to their parents, nor like to see each other punished. An informer is a hateful and detestable character; but an informer against his brother or sister, is the most detestable of all spies. If, however, one should see another doing that which is wrong, and which is known to be contrary to the will of their parents, he should first in a kind and gentle manner point out the wrong, and give an intimation that if it be not discontinued, he shall be obliged to mention it: and if the warning be not taken, it is then manifestly his duty to acquaint their parents with the fact. They must not tease or torment one another. How much domestic uneasiness sometimes arises from this source: one of the children perhaps, has an infirmity or weakness of temper, or awkwardness of manner, or personal deformity, and the rest, instead of pitying it, tease and torment the unhappy individual, till all get quarrelling and crying together.

Is this promoting their mutual comfort? If there be any one of the family that is in bad health, or weakly, all the

rest, instead of neglecting that one, ought to strive to the uttermost to amuse him. How pleasing a sight it is, to see a child giving up his play time, to read to, or converse with a sick brother or sister: while nothing is more disgusting than that selfishness which will not spare a single hour for the amusement of the poor sufferer upon the bed, or the little prisoner in the nursery. As to fighting, quarrelling, or calling ill names, this is so utterly disgraceful, that it is a deep shame upon those children who live in such practices. Dr. Watts has very beautifully said :·

'Whatever brawls disturb the street,
There should be peace at home,
Where sisters dwell, and brothers meet
Quarrels should never come.

'Birds in their little nests agree;
And 't is a shameful sight,
When children of one family,

Fall out, and chide and fight.

'Hard names at first and threat'ning words,

That are but noisy breath,

May grow to clubs and naked swords,

To murder and to death.'

Children that are removed from home to school, should be both watchful over, and kind to each other. They should