been known to come and eat flies out of the hand. They are very cleanly, and often help one another to perform this work, and are very playful one with another. They fold up their ears under their wings during sleep, and give a sharp piercing cry, or shriek, if disturbed. They are said also to possess another sense, by which, when unable to see, they can avoid objects which would obstruct their flight.

THE BRIGHT SIDE OF THE CLOUD. A BOY was one day standing gazing at a dark cloud which was going over his head, when an elderly gentleman, who was passing by, observing him, stopped, and asked him what he thought of the cloud. He did not like it at all, he said, he never liked clouds, they were so dull and dark. Not on both sides said the gentleman; and now if you were up in a balloon on the other side that dark cloud you would see a clear sky, and the sun shining down on the cloud, making it look quite bright and beautiful. That boy never forgot afterwards, when he saw a cloud, that it had a bright side as well as a dark one.

And so it is with many other things in this world -they may have a dark side, but they have a bright

side too. It may take some trouble and pains to get to see the bright side; but there is one, depend upon it. The school is a dark cloud whilst you are plodding at your lessons-and arithmetic, grammar, history, geography, and many other things, may seem like so many thick dark clouds all on a lump, through which no light shines; but work away, and the light will begin to break out, and you will, if you keep on, get to the bright side at last, where the sun of knowledge shines clearly, and all is bright and beautiful.

ON THE FALL OF THE LEAF.
GREAT God! we would delight to trace,
Thy wisdom, power, and love,
As they revolve in nature's face,
Around, beneath, above.

The changing seasons come and go,

Obeying thy decree;

Summer and winter, shine and snow,

Are order'd all by thee.

When walking through the groves at spring,

We hail the peeping bud;

And listen to the birds which sing

The goodness of our God.

Then gentle showers and balmy dew,
With sun and air combined,
Clothe every tree with garments new,
And flowers of every kind.

Thus robed by thy Almighty power,
Nature was wont to raise

A choir, in every grove and bower,
To sound her Maker's praise.

The winds from heaven the tune begun,
'Mongst leafy boughs and bands,
Which hung like harps already strung,
And played by unseen hands.

Now mark the change on all around,
Those leaves begin to fall;

And oak, and ash, and hazel brown,
All fade at winter's call.

True emblems these of human kind,
Who flourish, fade, and fall,

Just like the leaf: nor one behind
Can stay when God shall call.

Our life's just like that tender leaf,
Exposed to every blast,
Trembling we hang a moment brief,
And then fall off at last.

How feeble is the stem that holds
Our souls from heaven or hell;
If it should now give way-oh then,
In which place should we dwell?

Now in the blessed Saviour's face

May we behold thy love!

And then his glorious goodness trace
In paradise above.

There we shall pluck the tree of life,
And taste the fruit it giveth;
And in immortal vigour thrive,
Long as the Saviour liveth.

Oakham.

M.

THE AGED BEGGAR OF RAROTONGA. MR. WILLIAMS said that when he was in the island of Rarotonga, he was saluted by a poor cripple, who crept into the middle of the path as he was passing. The poor man had lost his hands and his feet by a disease common in that country. Mr. Williams finding him well informed on the subject of religion, and knowing he had never been at the place of public worship, inquired how he had obtained his knowledge. He replied, "as the people return from worship, I sit by the way and beg a bit of the word as they pass. One gives me one piece, and another another piece, and I collect them together in my heart. Thus, and by praying to God to make me know, I understand a little of his word."