neighborhood, as is all the coast hereabout, is flat, sandy and but partially wooded. Several large and white-looking, and even brick buildings with red-tiled roofs, peep forth from among the groves in which they are embedded, and were the rest of the settlement similar, a as respectable, the distant spectator might fancy himself in the presence and vicinity of a large, flourishing and comfortable city. But the chief value and importance of Wydah consists in the facilities it offers for the protection of the slave-trade, from the existence of that long salt lake or canal, which communicates, as I have stated, with the Volta, and the security, ease and success which this circumstance and others confer upon the business elsewhere so often perilous and uncertain. The supply from the constant quarrels and forays of the neighboring ferocious tribes, and the aid and countenance of the despot of Dahomey, must be considerable and unfailing, and the trade would so seem to flourish despite the vigilance of the British and French cruisers, who not having their hands tied as we have, and greater rewards and inducements, keep up a sharp but ineffectual surveillance over this portion of the coast. A proof in point is furnished by the master of the American brig, Bridgetown, who followed us from Grand Popoe. He states that within a few weeks the slavers have got off from this place or immediate vicinity two schooners or American-built pilot-boats' loads of Africans, say four hundred head each! A profitable piece of business, and one that can and will be often repeated. The Americans had been no doubt previously disposed of, and at the time of their slaving-expeditions, under another flag. With them, had we been there, our laws, treaties and regulations would not have allowed us to interfere, even when actually caught in 'flagrante delictu.'

History informs us that Guadjo Trudo, the sovereign of Dahomey, extended his dominions to the sea by the conquest of Wydah and Ardra, in the beginning of the last century, laying waste the country and converting what is represented to have been previously a garden, into a desert. The town of Wydah is said to contain over seven hundred inhabitants, and the neighborhood produces all the necessaries of African life.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5. To-day has been indeed a dull one. We are rolling about uncomfortably, with a warm and clammy atmosphere to melt and debilitate us. As yet no answer has been received from De Sonza, and the proposed visit will have to be postponed. Though little or nothing has occurred among us to vary the usual routine of ship-life in port, yet we are not lonely at our anchorage. Six vessels are keeping us company at our rolling tacks, three of them Hamburgers, two Sardinian and one American. During our cruise on the coast, we have met more trading vessels of the first named nation than any other. So the trade between that city and the west coast must be frequent, steady and profitable.

This evening, about three o'clock, the expected answer from the Wydahn dignitary was brought in a large canoe of the Accra build, and a polite invitation extended to such officers as might be disposed to go

ashore, with an assurance of a kind and friendly reception. So the affair will come off to-morrow morning, when a passage-canoe will be sent for the officers, who intend to profit by the opportunity. I wish them a pleasant and instructive visit, and a safe and speedy return. Three of the natives, who brought the answer to the Commodore's letter, came on board, and being introduced into the cabin, cut a droll figure in their very scanty costume, and with their uncouth appearance and behavior. The Commodore was enabled to carry on a little conversation with them through an Italian sailor who spoke Portuguese, our head Krooman, Tom Johnson, being unable to speak or understand their dialect. Noisy, active and dirty as their more northern countrymen, although somewhat accustomed to their appearance, songs, gestures and movements, I still gazed on them with interest and enjoyed the peculiarity of the spectacle.

LINE S

WRITTEN ON SEEING THE HAND OF A SLEEPING INFANT LYING OUTSIDE THE COVERLET.

BY A NEW CONTRIBUTOR.

OH! magic piece of flesh and blood,

Thou little baby hand!

Thou wieldest no diviner's rod
Nor sage enchanter's wand:
And yet, as here my loving eye
Doth fondly on thee dwell,
Thou lay'st on my devoted heart
A most entrancing spell.

A precious thing of love and life
Art thou, sweet baby hand!
For me, thy tender tiny grasp
Is strong as iron band.

And when thou wand'rest o'er my cheek

With little fond caress,

I ask not Heaven with dearer joy

My raptured heart to bless.

How gently spring the fingers small
From out the snowy palm!

Their little restless, aimless play
Stilled in repose so calm.

How pure the white unsullied flesh,
How spotless and how fair;
With what serene tranquillity
It lies in slumber there!

And yet, as on that fairy shape
I gaze with moist'ning eye,
I can but ask my beating heart
Its future destiny.

BALM OF GILEAD: AN AUTHENTIC SKETCH.

BY JUNIUS JUNIOR.

Not many doors from the shop of the pleasant subject of this brief article, there resided another person, a druggist like himself, with whom he was on terms of great intimacy. Many were the jokes they used to crack together, and much fine sport was the result of their joint efforts. Both knew well how to compass amusement without losing that respect for themselves, as well as others, which is the proper safeguard, and should be the constant companion of the merry. This friend of Mr. B. was an Englishman, and the wholesale agent for 'Solomon's Balm of Gilead,' a famous quack medicine of that day; and Mr. B received the nostrum from him for sale in more moderate quantities. Frequently, when these companions had returned thirsty after a ramble, they would tap a bottle of the Balm of Gilead, and mixing it with water, drink it off. It was agreeable to the taste, and being not more powerful than mild brandy, made a pleasant beverage. On such occasions his friend, the agent, would observe: 'Put that down as 'leaked,' Dick.'

it

Solomon's Balm of Gilead was probably the most successful nostrum ever offered to the public. The proprietor became immensely wealthy, and built a palace in the neighborhood of Liverpool. The Balm of Gilead was in the full sense of the word, a 'Quack Medicine.' Agreeably aromatic, slightly stimulant, but otherwise inert, with marvellous pretensions, boasting innumerable cures, and harmless in its effects, it was a pleasant humbug. Yet for many years received the patronage and praise of the hysterical old women and ricketty daughters of the aristocracy of England, who in vain sought, in this pleasant dose, the health, cheerfulness and beauty, which are only to be procured by air, exercise, an interest in the affairs of mankind, and moderate labor. In this country also, the aristocracy,' or those who aspired to that distinction, were our chief customers for it. Indeed, its price put it beyond the reach of the poor. A bottle holding a pint, was sold for ten dollars; and one holding a gill, for three dollars. But the poor, as well as those in moderate circumstances, had no need of such a remedy; not being often afflicted with those terrible nervous diseases, which are the offspring of idleness, gluttony and ennui.

This pleasant quackery of the sagacious but unprincipled Doctor Solomon is, however, by no means a type of all nostrums, although it must be confessed that there are yet many of them which have little or nothing of skill or merit to rest upon, but only the unblushing pretensions of their proprietors.

The conscientious Mr. B—— never recommended the Balm of Gilead,' and often seemed to sell it with regret, especially when he

supposed the purchaser unable to afford it. In such cases, where he could do it without giving offence, he would dissuade the appli cant from its use. Mr. B. was not only a pleasant man, but he was an honest one. This was the secret of the confidence of the public, and of his prosperity. Let those of his successors who read this make a note of it.'

Among his customers for this wonderful remedy was a farmer, who came to town once in three or four weeks, and purchased several bottles at a time. He had become quite persuaded of the truth of its pretensions, and infatuated with the medicine. Mr. B often wondered who this farmer could be, but no remark of his customer betrayed his name or residence. To all Mr. B's ingenious inquiries he turned a deaf ear and paid his cash. After he had paid hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars to Mr. B—for this pleasant but inert cordial, there came into the store one day two very respectable ladies from the country, who desired to have some private conversation with Mr. B With his invariable politeness and urbanity he led them into his back-office. The result of their conference I afterward learned.

One of these ladies was the wife of the farmer, the other her friend. They had heard of the character of Mr. B—, and appealed to his generosity to find a remedy for the infatuation of his customer. They informed Mr. B- that he had sold his cattle, his horses and a part of his farm to procure the means of purchasing this delusive, compound, and they seriously feared the ruin and destitution of the family. They earnestly implored Mr. B or in some way to prevent, the sale to their relative.

to refuse,

With that generosity which they had been told he possessed, notwithstanding the tempting profit of a continued sale, he promised to comply. He advised them to return home, to keep their interview a profound secret, and leave the rest to him.

etc.

After they had departed, he cautiously removed the printed stamp which covered the cork, then the sealing-wax, and lastly the cork, from two of the ten-dollar bottles, into each of which he put a quantity of tartar-emetic, and then ingeniously replaced the corks, stamps, In due time the farmer called for one bottle. He appeared to be short of cash. Mr. B gave him one of those prepared for him. A few days afterward he returned, with sad complaints of the effect of the last bottle, and took another, hoping it would prove better; but this was not likely to be the case, as Mr. Bgave him the other bottle which had been compounded in a similar manner. A longer time elapsed than usual before the farmer again called. When he did so, he held a long consultation with Mr. B on the altered effects of the medicine, which appeared quite inexplicable and not a little distressing to him. Mr. B hinted that probably the medicine had had its full effect, and that his disease had taken some other turn.' This appeared to be believed by the farmer, but he concluded to try one more bottle. This also had been ' 'prepared' for him. He took it, with but languid hopes, and never returned for any more of his favorite, but now changed and discarded, cordial.