from the storms of winter, and from the hot rays of the sun in summer. See how this little animal teaches us forethought and contrivance, and good management! and there is scarcely an animal in the world that would not,-if we were but wise enough so to see it.

In Lapland, and the large forests towards the north, the squirrels are observed to change their habitation, and to remove, in vast numbers, from one country to another. Sometimes, thousands of them are seen together travelling directly forward, whilst neither rocks, forests, nor other hindrances can stop them: —a good lesson for us all to be diligent and persevering, and not to be easily frightened by difficulties.

When the squirrels meet with broad rivers, or extensive lakes, they take a very extraordinary method of crossing them. Upon approaching the banks, and perceiving the breadth of the water, they return, as if by common consent, into the neighbouring forest, each in search of a piece of bark, which answers all the purposes of boats for wafting them over. When the whole company is ready, they boldly commit

their little fleet to the waves; every squirrel sitting on his own piece of bark, aud fanning the air with its tail to drive the vessel to its desired port. In this manner, they sometimes cross lakes several miles broad; but it sometimes happens that a sudden gust of wind oversets the whole navy, and there is a wreck of two or three thousand sail. On such occasions, the Laplanders gather up the dead bodies, as they are thrown on shore, eat the flesh, and sell the skins for above a shilling a dozen.

A SHORT

HISTORY OF ENGLAND.
(No. I.)

GREAT Britain, which is now the first country in the world, was, in former days, inhabited by wild and ignorant savages. By Britain, we mean England, Scotland, and Wales, which, together, form one little island; for little indeed it is when compared to other countries, as may be easily seen by looking at it on a map. It is our arts and our trade, and our manufactures, and our agriculture, and our knowledge, and, we hope, our religion,-so

much better than all knowledge,— which makes this nation looked up to by the rest of the world. But, formerly, as we have said, this country was inhabited by savages, and with these savages we must begin our little history.

These early inhabitants all lived in cottages thatched with straw, and they fed large herds of cattle; they lived mostly on milk, and the flesh of animals which they caught in hunting. They had no clothes, but the skins of beasts; their arms and legs were left naked, and were commonly painted blue, with the figures of different kinds of birds and animals.

As to government, they had scarcely any; but yet, as nothing can be done without some principal person to have the management, when they were any of them in danger of attack from their neighbours, they appointed a chief to lead them on; and this was found so useful and necessary, that they, by degrees, formed themselves into separate tribes, with each a ruler at its head. When they went to war, they fought chiefly on foot; but they had also chaots to fight in, and these were armed

with scythes, fastened to the axle-trees and other parts, which caused death and destruction wherever they went,

The religion of the Britons was managed by a set of meu called Druids. This, however, did not deserve the name of religion, for it was nothing else but a foolish and wicked superstition. This, it is true, was long before Christ came into the world, and the natives had then had no true religion taught them. The Druids were their priests and their teachers, and they had the whole command both over the minds and bodies of the people. They punished in the most dreadful manner all who did not follow their strange rules: they practised horrible cruelties towards the people, sometimes tying a great many of them together in large wicker baskets, and then setting fire to them all at once. These Druids lived in woods and caves and hollow oak-trees, and fed on any thing that they could find growing wild. These were the teachers!-and what could be expected, but that the people should continue to be a race of ignorant and barbarous savages?

[To be continued.]

SCRIPTURAL RULES.

Honour thy father and thy mother. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he liveth.

If his understanding fail him, have patience with him.

The relieving of thy father shall not be forgotten.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Blessed are the peace-makers.

Blessed are the meek.

How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

ON KINDNESS TO ANIMALS.

A man of kindness to his beast is kind, But brutal actions shew a brutal mind; Remember He who made thee, made the brute,

Who gave thee speech and reason, made him mute:

He can't complain; but God's all-seeing eye Beholds your cruelty, He hears his cry: He was design'd thy servant, not thy drudge,

And know, that his Creator is thy Judge.