For ever and for ever.

the Ragged Windows, leading to a pond Thus beauty, glory, pride, and power,

As time rolls onward, sever, called Wood Pool, stood a noble beech. I

And bow their heads in wintry hour, can see now, in my fancy, the goodly crop of mast that usually burdened its fantastic branches. Many an hour have I and I cannot look on a fir without breathmy playmates pelted that tree with sticks ing, in imagination, the keen air the and stones, and many a hat crownful of north. Switzerland and Russia and Nornuts have I borne away from its de- way rise before me, and hills and mounspoiled boughs. This brow of mine was tains and precipices are bristling with then free from wrinkles; these locks straight, tall, sharp-pointed trees, that were not then bleached by the winters of stand up “ like quills upon the fretful age. If life be short, reckoning from porcupine.” infancy, what must it be when reckoned

We read of fir or pine trees tapering from advanced years

s ? Again have I up into the air a height of two hundred reason to put up the prayer, “ Lord, feet, and spreading their fringy and fanmake me to know mine end, and the tastic branches widely abroad. Many a measure of my days, what it is; that I tall man carries his head proudly, bemay know how frail I am," Psa. xxxix. 4. cause he measures a trifle more in height

How varied are the effects of outward than his fellows. I would place such an objects on the mind! When we stand one at the foot of a two-hundred-feet under a beech, an elm, an ash, or an fir, that he might feel ashamed of himoak, we feel ourselves to be under a self—not ashamed that he is not two British tree, and especially so, when hundred feet high, but ashamed because under the oak. It sets us thinking, at he is proud of being two inches taller least it does me, of the old hollow than his neighbours. trees that are to be seen in the parks of Europe, Asia, and America, in their English noblemen ; it takes us, in ima- northern parts, abound with firs, fringgination, to the forests of old times, and ing the land to the “shining borders of to the oak and mistletoe-loving Druids the polar seas.” How strange it seems, of earlier days; but when we stand at that the Almighty should make the pine the foot of the cedar, our feelings are

trees of the forest the reservoirs of turchanged. It is not a common thing for pentine, and the grand storehouses of us to see a fine cedar in England; and tar, and pitch, and resin, for the use of when we do see one, it brings to our

man! Truly, “Great is our Lord, and fancy such a gorgeous picture of the of great power; his understanding is inforest of Lebanon, that the solitary finite," Psa. cxlvii. 5. tree before us seems as a pilgrim and a If I say that I love the yew tree, it stranger in the land.

must not be one of the cut and clipped, While I write, a sunny season of the the mangled and tortured trees, that past breaks in upon my memory. Old here and there afflict our sight, in a garHumphrey and a few of his friends are den hedge, by the wayside. Such trees keeping holiday. A goodly castle is be- may be curious and comical; but rather fore them, proud in its strengthy walls give me the rudest, the wildest form that and high embattled towers. An ample nature ever wore, than such grotesque lawn nearly covers the inner court, a monstrosities. I do love the yew, not river is gliding along at the foot of the because of its dark, slender, needlenoble pile, and a group of lofty cedars shaped leaves and red berries ; not beare waving in the wind their flaky cause it was famous for supplying the branches, sweeping the very ground! English bowman with his destructive But again I must hurry on.

weapon, in days gone by; nor because They tell me, that the forest of cedars its wood is hard and tough, and beaution Mount Lebanon, where grew the fully rich in its colour, grain, and veins, stateliest and most magnificent of trees, but simply because it has so long stood supplying Tyre and Sidon, the palace of as a guardian in our churchyards, keepDavid and the temple of Jerusalem, with ing watch for centuries among the dust costly timber—they tell me that its glory that is dear to us. is departed; the hatchet of the Arab has I could be garrulous about yew trees, laid low its loftiest and its mightiest, and for few men have spent more time among few of the kings of the forest now re- the tombs than I have: would that I had main.

turned my reflections there to a better

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uld not agree

account; then had the thoughts of my promise be fairer than its performance. heart been more continually grateful to- Be a horse chestnut if you will in your wards God, and then had my words and words, so that you are a Spanish chestmy deeds been more frequently profit- nut in your

deeds. able to my fellow men. Yes, the church- Poplars are all handsome; the abele, yard is a place familiar to me; there with its leaves of silver on the under side, have I mused at even-tide, there have I the aspen, with its trembling foliage, and lingered till the midnight hour; and, the black poplar, with its graceful boughs. once, when the morning sun lit up All are beautiful; but the Lombardy runthe eastern sky with his earliest beam, it ning up as it does towards heaven with found me seated on a tombstone, with elegant, lofty, and spiry stem, pleases the skull of a fellow creature in my hand. me best. Willingly would I persuade The churchyard is a place where the myself that other people derived half the wise man and the fool may gain instruc- pleasure from trees that I do ; but I fear tion.

that this is not the case. At times I can

imagine the very angels looking down Ambition, honour, wealth, and worldly pride,

from heaven, to admire the surpassing The painted bubbles mortal men adore, Burst when they come in contact with the tomb, beauty of the trees of the field. And all their glittering hues are seen no more. Thus might I go on through the trees

of lesser growth, but it Whether the impression common among with my design. The more bulky trees country people be really true, that a wal of the forest were those, and those only, nut tree requires a thorough beating of that I meant for a season to occupy my its branches to make it productive, I thoughts. cannot tell; but I do know, very well, The willow, the birch, and the lime, that men, ay, and Christian men, too, the hazel and the holly, the cypress and require a great deal of beating, of one the sycamore, the mulberry and the kind or other, to make them fruitful. maple, the elder, the alder, the thorn, The walnut tree grows to a considerable and twenty others, are well worthy the size; it has a massy closeness in its best attention that can be paid them; we trunk, and a boldness of branch, that must, however, pass them by with the entitle it to be ranked among useful tim. general remark, that if we loved God ber trees. Like the yew, the walnut is more, we should, most likely, love them a warlike tree; for as the former gave more, as the workmanship of his almighty the archer his bow, so the latter supplies hands. the soldier with his gunstock ; both trees, But imagine not that an ardent love of however, may be put to a much better nature's beauties must of necessity be a purpose than that of enabling men to do good. Alas! many have found it to be mischief. Some half-dozen walnut trees an evil. There is no use in dreaming are much endeared to my memory, on over a daisy, sighing with ecstacy at the account of those to whom they belonged. foot of a waterfall, or gazing, on the Thus it is that things inanimate are made rising or setting sun, till blinded with useful, bringing to our remembrance his beams; these things are mere idlethose we love, and binding us affection- ness, yea, folly, unless connected with ately to our absent friends.

some active principle in the soul. An À word upon the chestnut tree, of intense love of created things should which there are two kinds, the Spanish produce an intensity of love for their and the horse chestnut; each has its Creator, with a desire to know him, to advantage, the one in fruit, and the obey him, and to glorify him. It should other in flower. I have no time to speak influence us in a longing to be like him, of the Mount Etna chestnut, the largest and a desiring to abound in every good in the known world, nor of the Glou- word and work, setting forth, by purecestershire tree, fifty feet in girth, ness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, though these have called forth much by kindness, and love unfeigned to our of wonderment. Not a finer posy is to fellow pilgrims, whose we are and whom be found in creation than the horse we serve. Thus gazing on creation, with chestnut tree in flower, and yet, no tree the mountains and the hills we shall that grows casts a deeper shade. Many " break forth into singing,” and with the a showy character, goodly to look upon, trees of the field and the forest we shall casts a deep shade too. Never should a clap our hands.

MEDICINE IN THE SIXTEENTH but when it is once in their hands, we
CENTURY

must seek it in the ashes." MEDICAL science and practice were in Magnetism and electricity were known; a very imperfect state, though they had the former was practically applied in the made considerable advances. It is to mariner's compass, but no farther use be apprehended that many persons in was made of either discovery. Skill in this century “died of the doctor,” al- astronomy and mathematics frequently though the practitioners might use their led to the inspection of surgical studies, best skill to effect a cure. A minute

as in the case of Dr. John Dee, who account is given of the illness and death was consulted, even by the queen and of the earl of Derby, in 1594, which her chief courtiers. show's extraordinary medical treatment. Cristofer Langton, writing on “phyBesides rhubarb and manna, and a va- syche," did not hesitate to personify riety of other drugs, with medical and physic as addressing the physicians of surgical outward applications, “his ho- that day in severe terms,

oi Whereas, nour took bezoar stone and unicorn's before I was authour of helthe to everye horn.” The statement, in conclusion, man sekynge for me; now I am not gives ten reasons, “which caused many only a commune murtherer and a comto suppose his honour to be bewitched.”

mune thefe, but also a mayntayner of The third is, that he dreamed he was parricides,” etc. stabbed ; the eighth, that “he fell into There were many who wrote rules for a trance twice when he should have health, often ridiculous, sometimes mistaken his physic.” The latter may have chievous. Sir Thomas Eliot speaks of tended to prolong, rather than to shorten colds as being only lately known in Enghis life!

land. He rightly disapproves of the warm Lord Burghley was often afflicted with coverings for the head, so that even boys the gout, numerous remedies were re- and young men wore two caps. Another commended; amongst them were medi- physician laments the increase of witchcated slippers, oil of stag's blood, and craft

, which he considers more dangerous tincture of gold. The latter remedy than the plague. But at the close of this seems to have proceeded from some al century, Reginald Scot published the chymist, which was almost the only “Discovery of Witchcraft,” which did form in which chemical researches were much to meet the foolish ideas on this subpursued. The objects principally sought ject. He relates many amusing stories of were two ; the transmuting of baser imposition and credulity : among the metals into gold, and the producing an cheats, was one who confessed that her elixir which would prolong life, if it did conjuration to restore health was mutternot quite prevent death. In 1574, a ing these words over the sick. plan for transmuting iron into copper “ Thy loaf in my hand, and quicksilver, was urged so plausibly

And thy penny in my purse,

Thou art never the better, upon the government, that a corporation was formed for the purpose, and several leading men about the queen, subscribed a capital to carry on the undertaking. WHAT WE HAVE BEEN USED TO, AND It proved a mere delusion. One of the principal persons con

oncerned, was sir I have frequently been led to observe, Thomas Smith, of whom Strype says, and indeed to experience, that a very “As chymistry is but an handmaid of large portion of human misery results physic, and usually accompanieth it ; from the disappointment of expectations so he was as well skilled in that art which we never ought to have enteralso, and had apartments in his house tained. Hence, in the moment of sorfor his skill and laboratories, which were row and disappointment, our trouble is going to his greate cost; but especially frequently aggravated by the internal in labouring to transmute coarser metals conviction of reason and conscience, into those of more fineness and greater perhaps by the ill-timed retort of ofvalue.” But sir Thomas, when he had ficious friendship, How could you exbought experience, said of alchymists, pect any otherwise ? how could you in“ Trust little to the words, and promises, dulge such groundless expectations ? and accounts of men of that faculty. In one of my school vacations, a Fain they would be fingering of money ; | family party was formed to visit the

And I am never the worse.'

WHAT WE EXPECTED.

6. Did you

lakes of Westmoreland and Cumberland. , any thing like this; and I am sure mamma During our stay at Keswick, I accom- would not approve of it.” panied my uncle and Mrs. Mortimer ever hear of such a thing ?" etc. in a ride to a ladies' school, a few miles Mrs. Mortimer heard all patiently; distant, where my cousin was charged but it was evident that she did not symwith some commissions to the daughters pathize with her young friends in many of a friend, who, on account of distance of their complaints. Her remarks in from home, remained there during the reply, though couched in the gentlest holidays. The young ladies were quite terms, tended to direct their attention as much pleased as school girls usually to their own vanity, pride, and selfare, with the visits of friends and com- indulgence, as the real cause of their munications from home; they were, discontent. She really could not conhowever, disposed to avail themselves sider any one of the matters specified as of the liberty of speech afforded them worthy to be considered a hardship. by the absence of their governess, (who Simple food and regular hours were politely withdrew soon after introducing most conducive to health ; and the imher pupils,) to pour forth complaints of proved appearance of the young ladies the restrictions and regulations of school, fully established the beneficial effects of which were by no means agreeable to their present system on themselves. The them: and they particularly requested cultivation of habits of useful activity Mrs. Mortimer to inform their mamma she considered one of the most imthat things were very different from portant branches of education ; and the what they had expected—not at all what equal blending of young persons well they had been used to. My uncle and disposed and well instructed, though not cousin exchanged glances, which at once of precisely the same rank and habits, conveyed to my mind the impression was advantageous rather than otherof their being rather sceptical as to the wise, as tending to enlarge the views, reality of the grievances. * Perhaps they to call into exercise the benevolent disfelt some embarrassment in steering positions, and to correct the too comclear of either encouraging a spirit of mon, but, wherever it exists, the mean discontent and insubordination, or neg- and vulgar prejudice of supposing that lecting to listen to just complaints in wisdom, goodness, respectability, and order to obtaining redress. The ques- politeness, are confined to any one partions and remarks of their friends eli- ticular rank or class of people. cited from the young ladies a full con- The first class of objections set aside, cession that there was no deficiency of the young ladies proceeded to express kindness or attention on the part of their utter disapprobation of the modes their preceptress, nothing wanting that of tuition in Mrs. 's establishment; was really essential to their health, it was so very unlike what they had comfort, or improvement; and yet they been used to, and so very different from declared themselves far from comfort. what they had expected. Among other able, and quite certain that they should causes of dissatisfaction, they complained make no progress in their education, that although they had been more than As far as I can recollect, at this distance a year in small hand at their former of time, the domestic grievances com- school, the writing master insisted on plained of were - thick bread and butter; their returning to large hand copies ; butter rather too salt; plain rice pud- that, in like manner, though they had dings without sauce; a regular time made great progress in other branches allowed for undressing, and then the of polite learning, and expected to take candle removed from each bed cham- a prominent station in the upper classes, ber; each young lady required to make they were compelled again to go over her own bed, and no distinction allowed the groundwork, which they averred between young ladies who had been was perfectly unnecessary, and exceedaccustomed to the most genteel style ingly discouraging and mortifying to of living, and those who were merely them to be placed on a level with little tradesmen's or farmer's daughters. The girls. Moreover, Mrs.

required enumeration of these items was accom- them daily to perform a certain portion panied with some touching appeal, as, of plain needlework, for which they had “You know, ma'am, it is what we have no taste whatever, and restricted 'them never been used to.” “We never expected as to the time bestowed on fancy per

a

to

formances in which they would have A very worthy and respectable man excelled. And then, too, they were in my uncle's neighbourhood, having without any kind of stimulus or en- several sons to provide for, determined couragement to take pains with their on placing them out to learn trades. learning; for no prizes were given, no In his selection of one for each, he was taking of places in classes allowed : in duly guided by the abilities and inclinshort, emulation had no place in Mrs. ations of the boy, and was also con

's system of tuition, and as emu- cerned so to dispose of each as lation had been all in all at their former prevent the probability of a future colschool, how was it possible for them to lision of interests between the brothers. make progress without it?

Having it in his power to give preThe entrance of Mrs. attended miums with his sons, he was particular by a servant with refreshments, pre- in choosing masters who well understood vented a direct reply to the appeal. A their respective businesses, and situspirited conversation ensued, in which ations in which he could feel confident I could distinctly perceive that my as to the moral and religious welfare of uncle and cousin sided rather with the his children, as well as to their doviews of the governess than with those mestic comfort. of her pupils ; for though no direct re- During the period of probation, one ference was made by either party to of the lads wrote to his father a pitiful the discontent of the young ladies, the letter, full of complaints of the hardgeneral remarks on education were such ships he had to encounter. Things were as to bear upon the subject of their very different from what he had excomplaints. There were three points pected, not at all like what he had been on which the views of the governess used to at home, and altogether so disand those of her visitors perfectly coin- agreeable that he was sure his parents cided, and which seemed to strike at would not think of binding him. He the root of the several complaints—That therefore requested permission to return docility in learners is essential to im- home. The parents were disappointed provement; that conformableness to cir- and distressed at this communication, cumstances is essential to happiness ; for they had received from judicious and that emulation stimulates to super- friends the most satisfactory testimony ficial rather than to solid attainments; and, as to the eligibility of the situation ; and moreover, that its ill effects of a moral should they remove their son, they knew kind more than counterbalance even its not where to place him so advansupposed advantages. Whether or not tageously. My uncle was consulted. the young ladies were led to reflect on His counsel was, to waive a direct anthe extreme folly and unsuitableness of swer to the question of his remaining pupils forming a scheme of their own or his removal, and simply to desire for instruction and discipline, and re- a specification of the grievances, as not solving that they will not be taught or an unlikely method of getting rid of regulated in any other plan, did not them. “For,” said he, "if, as I susappear at the time; but I should hope pect, they are but imaginary troubles, they were ; for I know that in course of your son, who is not deficient in good years they became very valuable and sense, will find that, however it may be well-educated women, and that they to poets, to matter-of-fact people, it cherish to the present day very lively is no easy task to give to airy nothings sentiments of gratitude and veneration a local habitation and a name. for their excellent governess. These This suggestion was adopted ; and in results I think could have been pro- the reply, it appeared that the circle duced only by their exchanging a spirit of grievances was considerably narrowed. of self-conceit, rebellion, and discontent, There was little more to complain of for one of subordination. My kind than that the apprentices were required to uncle, too, evinced his approbation of clean their own shoes; that the junior the principles and plans of Mrs. 's apprentice was obliged to take down establishment, by immediately placing the shop shutters, a task which of course there the orphan daughter of a friend, fell upon the complainant ; that he rewho had left him executor of his will, ceived his instructions from one of the and guardian to his children ; and in journeymen, not from the master himher case the result fully justified his self; and that he was not put upon the favourable judgment.

more ingenious parts of the work, but