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"We don't keep a public-house.'

"I'm aware of that, ma'am,' said I; 'but night has overtaken me, and it's a long way to G—.”

"Too far for a tired man to go on foot,' said the master of the house, kindly; 'so it's no use talking about it, mother; we must give him a bed.'

"So unobtrusively that I scarcely noticed the movement, the girl had drawn to the woman's side. What she said to her I did not hear, for the brief words were uttered in a low voice; but I noticed that, as she spoke, one small fair hand rested on the woman's hand. Was there magic in that gentle touch? The woman's repulsive aspect changed into one of kindly welcome, and she said :—

I

"Yes, it is a long way to G. guess we can find a place for him. Have you had any supper?'

"I answered in the negative.

"The woman, without further remark, drew a pine-table from the wall, placed upon it some cold meat, fresh bread and butter, and a pitcher of new milk. While these preparations were going on, I had leisure for more minute observation. There was a singular contrast between the young girl I have mentioned, and the other inmates of the room; and yet I could trace a strong likeness between the maiden and the woman, whom I supposed to be her motherbrowned and hard as were the features of the latter.

"Soon after I had commenced eating my supper, the two children who were playing on the floor began quarreling with each other.

"John! go off to bed!' said the father, in a loud, peremptory voice, speaking to one of the children.

a word was said, but the young rebel was instantly subdued. Rising, he passed out by her side, and I saw no more of him during the evening.

"Soon after I had finished my supper, a neighbor came in, and it was not long before he and the man of the house were involved in a warm political discussion, in which were many more assertions than reasons. My host was not a very clearheaded man; while his antagonist was wordy and specious. The former, as might be supposed, very naturally became excited, and now and then indulged himself in rather strong expressions toward his neighbor, who, in turn, dealt back wordy blows that were quite as heavy as he had received, and a good deal more irritating.

"And now I marked again the power of that maiden's gentle hand. I did not notice her movement to her father's side. She was there when I first observed her, with one hand laid upon his temple, and lightly smoothing the hair with a caressing motion. Gradually the high tone of the disputant subsided, and his words had in them less of personal rancor. Still, the discussion went on; and I noticed that the maiden's hand, which rested on the temple when unimpassioned words were spoken, resumed its caressing motion the instant there was the smallest perceptible tone of anger in the father's voice. It was a beautiful sight; and I could but look on and wonder at the power of that touchso light, so unobtrusive, yet possessing a spell over the hearts of all around her. As she stood there, she looked like an angel of peace, sent to still the turbulent waters of human passion. Sadly out of place I could not but think her, amid the rough and rude; and yet, who more than they need the softening and humanizing influences of one like the 'Gentle Hand?'

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Many times more, during that evening, “But John, though he could not help did I observe the magic power of her hand hearing, did not choose to obey. and voice-the one gentle, yet potent, as

"Do you hear me, sir? Off with you!' the other. repeated the angry father.

"I don't want to go,' whined the child. "Go, I tell you, this minute!'

"Still there was not the slightest movement to obey; and the little fellow looked the very image of rebellion. At this crisis in the affair, when a storm seemed inevitable, the sister, as I supposed her to be, glided across the room, and stooping down, took the child's hand in hers. Not

"On the next morning, breakfast being over, I was preparing to take my departure, when my host informed me that if I would wait for half an hour, he would give me a ride in his wagon to G―, as business required him to go there. I was very well pleased to accept of the invitation. In due time, the farmer's wagon was driven into the road before the house, and I was invited to get in. I noticed the horse; it

was a rough-looking Canadian pony, with a certain air of stubborn endurance. As the farmer took his seat by my side, the family came to the door to see us off.

"Dick!' said the farmer, in a peremptory voice, giving the rein a quick jerk as he spoke.

"But Dick moved not a step.

"Dick! you vagabond! get up.' And the farmer's whip cracked sharply by the pony's ear.

"It availed not, however, this second appeal. Dick stood firmly disobedient. Next the whip was brought down upon him with an impatient hand; but the pony only reared up a little. Fast and sharp the strokes were next dealt, to the number of a half-dozen. The man might as well have beaten his wagon!

"A stout lad now came into the road; and catching Dick by the bridle, jerked him forward, using, at the same time, the customary language on such occasions; but Dick met this new ally with increased stubbornness, planting his fore-feet more firmly, and at a sharper angle with the ground. The impatient boy now struck the pony on the side of his head with his clinched hand, and jerked cruelly at his bridle. It availed nothing, however; Dick was not to be wrought upon by any such arguments.

"Don't do so, John!'

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"I turned my head as the maiden's sweet voice reached my ear. She was passing through the gate into the road, and in the next moment had taken hold of the lad and drawn him away from the animal. No strength was exerted in this; she took hold of his arm, and he obeyed her wish as readily as if he had no thought beyond her gratification.

"And now that soft hand was laid gently on the pony's neck, and a single low word spoken. How instantly were the tense muscles relaxed-how quickly the stubborn air vanished!

"Poor Dick!' said the maiden, as she stroked his neck lightly, or softly patted it with her child-like hand.

"Now, go along, you provoking fellow!' she added in a half-chiding, yet affectionate voice, as she drew upon the bridle. The pony turned toward her, and rubbed his head against her arm for an instant or two; then, pricking up his ears, he started off at a light, cheerful trot, and went on his way as freely as if no silly

crotchet had ever entered his stubborn brain.

"What a wonderful power that hand possesses!' said I, speaking to my companion as we rode away.

"He looked at me for a moment, as if my remark had occasioned surprise. Then a light came into his countenance, and he said briefly

"She's good! Everybody and everything loves her.'

"Was that indeed the secret of her power? Was the quality of her soul perceived in the impression of her hand, even by brute beasts? The father's explanation was, doubtless, the true one. Yet I have since wondered, and still do wonder, at the potency which lay in that maiden's magic touch. I have seen something of the same power, showing itself in the loving and good, but never to the extent as instanced in her, whom, for a better name, I must still call Gentle Hand.'" A gentle touch-a soft word. Ah! how few of us, when the will is strong with its purpose, can believe in the power of agencies so apparently insignificant! And yet all great influences effect their ends silently, unobtrusively, and with a force that seems at first glance to be altogether inadequate.

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Is there not a lesson for us all in this? And how very quickly it may be learned! God bless every "gentle hand!" say we.

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ANCIENT BABYLON.-The French government having employed a party of gentlemen to explore the site of Ancient Babylon, a report has lately been received from them, in which they intimate that it has been ascertained, beyond reasonable doubt, that the ruins beneath a certain tumulus are those of the marvelous palace-citadel of Semiramis and Nebuchadnezzar. are in such a state of confusion and decay that at present it is not possible to form any idea of the extent or character of the edifice. They appear, however, to extend beneath the bed of the Euphrates—a circumstance accounted for by the change in the course of that river. Sarcophagi have been found, in which were skeletons clothed in a sort of armor, and wearing crowns of gold on their heads. When touched, the skeletons, with the exception of some parts of the skulls, fell into dust; but the iron, though rusty, and the gold of the crowns, are in a fair state of preservation.

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THE CHILD AT THE WHEEL IN THE PEAK CAVERN.

THE following lines are from an English

publication, entitled "Wanderings of a Pen and Pencil." After an interesting description of numerous caves and mines in Derbyshire, England, the author recounts a visit to the Peak Cavern, and adds: "We could not help grieving over a poor little dejected urchin, who seemed abandoned to hopelessness and disease, and who turned a rope-spinner's wheel at the entrance to the cavern. We learned from a cottager hard by, that the little people employed here worked all hours of daylight in the summer-time, at low wages, and starved in the cold of winter." This suggested these thoughts, which are worthy of perusal for the genial and kindly feelings of humanity which pervade them.

The sun is bright, the heavens are blue,
The warm light gushes through the trees,
And verdant weeds of changeful hue
Bend with the breeze.

The painted fly is round the stream,
The dove coos from its maple bowers;
The poor sick maiden in a dream,

Seems lost in flowers.

VOL. III, No. 5.-JJ

All sorts of simple laboring men,

With smiles and laughter move along;
The wrinkled woodman tries again
His childhood's song.

The pillow'd grandam nods to hear

Her old man's gay but feeble rhymes; "God sends," quoth she, "my children dear, "Such blissful times!"

The white-hair'd little things come in,

And circling round her-dull and blindForth from her kirtled lap begin

Their flowers to bind.

Within the "Cavern of the Peak,"
Behold a pale and wretched boy;
The rose-bud never knew his cheek,
He hath no joy!

All day he turns that restless wheel,

From sunrise until slumber shade;
Seasons and change he scarce doth feel,
In gloom array'd.

A cool, clear stream from hideous cells,
Leaps by his feet with urgent wave;
And tripping into light, it tells,-
"I am no slave!"

Upon his mind, from faëry lamp,

No beams of youth's enchantment come; Bending, he hears-all cold and damp

A ceaseless hum!

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THE

MAIN ENTRANCE.

NAVY-YARD, BROOKLYN.

HE Navy of the United States has already acquired no small reputation, and gives promise of yet greater celebrity in the future. Separated as we are by the wide ocean from all the greater powers of the earth, it is evident that fleets, not armies, are the means by which we shall be able to exert an influence upon them. Europe seems likely to be convulsed, ere long, with commotions exceeding in intensity and importance any that the world has ever yet witnessed; and though we may desire to stand aloof as spectators rather than actors in the struggle, it is doubtful whether sympathy, interest, and duty, will permit us to remain entirely passive. Already has the commander of an American vessel of war been compelled to take a decided, and, we rejoice to say, an honorable stand in the presence of European governments. If such be the effect of the first low-breathings of the coming tempest, what will be the result when the storm bursts in all its fury? To our navy, then, always an object of interest, should our attention be now especially directed; and our navy-yards, the birth-places and homes of our fleets, well deserve our consideration.

The New-York Navy-Yard, of which we propose now to speak, occupies the

south side of the Wallabout, a bay lying between the cities of Brooklyn and Williamsburg. It was established in 1794, and is under the charge of a captain, usually styled the commandant, assisted by one commander and two lieutenants. There are also a surgeon, a purser, a chaplain, a boatswain, a gunner, a carpenter, a sailmaker, and a ship-builder, who is called a constructor. These are assisted by about twenty-five master-workmen, and employment is furnished to about seven hundred and fifty men throughout the year.

The present officers of the yard areCaptain Charles Boarman, salary $3,500 and house; Commander William L. Hudson, $2,100 and house; Lieutenant Boggs, $1,500 and house; Lieutenant Lynch, $1,500; Surgeon Guillen, $2,000; Chaplain Blake, $1,500; Purser Todd, $2,500; Master Brady, $1,000, with house.

The pay of the sailors is from $10 to $12 per month, and they are allowed as rations one pound of pork or beef dayly and fourteen ounces of biscuit, one pound of flour and one of rice per week, and other articles in proportion.

The view at the commencement of our article shows the entrance to the yard. It is at the head of York-street, Brooklyn.

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