Page images
PDF
EPUB

the company conversing gaily, Ada surrounded as usual by a brilliant throng, while Sybil sat unnoticed apart, looking weary and somewhat sad. A splendid vase of fresh flowers occupied a marble stand, from which the lively guests were selecting their favourite flower, and requesting some chosen one to write an appropriate sentiment.

The game went gaily on amid jests and laughter, and the beautiful Ada being called upon to choose a flower, exclaimed, "I love variety too well to content myself with one flower; see this bouquet is my choice, and to each of you gentlemen I give a blossom, requesting an appropriate sentiment from every one."

A cloud gathered upon the brow of Count Louis as he heard this coquettish speech, and saw the thoughtless girl culling the flowers from her bouquet, and distributing them among the gallants who surrounded her.

The gentle Sybil saw his troubled look, and strove to catch her cousin's glance; but the proud girl was determined to show her power, and approached him carelessly, looking back and talking with the rest, while she held forth a musk rose.

The Count intercepted Sybil's appealing glance to her cousin, and the scornful certainty of power which her eye expressed in return, and accepting the flower with a slight smile, he wrote upon a slip of paper simply,

"An emblem of yourself-capricious and beautiful;" then folding the paper about the stem, he restored it to Ada, who accepted it with ill-concealed surprise, as she had expected the Count to retain and treasure it; but resolved to conceal her feelings, turned lightly away.

A sigh at her cousin's wilful folly escaped from the lips of Sybil, and Count Louis turned toward her.

"Have you chosen no flower?" he asked kindly; and ere she could reply, a sweet familiar fragrance floated toward him, and his gaze rested on a simple sprig worn upon her bosom. The truth was revealed on the instant; he saw in Sybil the unselfish benefactress-in Ada the selfish coquette.

"You have indeed selected your flower," he added, bending towards her with an earnest gaze. 666 Mignonette your

The

qualities surpass your charms.' sentiment needs no other tablet-it is engraven here;" and he placed his hand upon his breast as he spoke.

After this Count Louis wondered no longer at the partial praises of the poor cottagers; he even began himself to discover beauty in Sybil's plain features, and, in short, she became at last to him what she had long been to those she benefited — his ministering angel, — his mignonette;-in commemoration of which happy event, a sprig of the fragrant shrub was entwined with the armorial bearings of his family-a memorial of unobtrusive worth, preferred to capricious beauty.

[ocr errors]

WOOLLEN CLOTHING.-It is not generally understood how clothing keeps the body cool in hot weather, and warm in cold weather. Clothes are, generally, composed of some light substance, which do not conduct heat; but woollen substances are worse conductors than those which are made of cotton or linen. Thus, a flannel shirt more effectually intercepts or keeps out heat than a linen or cotton one; and whether in warm or cold climates, attains the end of clothing more effectually. The exchange of woollen for cotton under-shirts in hot weather, is, therefore, an error. This is further proved by ice being preserved from melting when it is wrapped in blankets, which retard, for a long time, the approach of heat to it. These considerations show the error of supposing there is a positive warmth in the materials of clothing. "The thick cloak which guards a Spaniard against the cold of winter, is also, in summer, used by him as protection against the direct rays of the sun; and while in England, flannel is our warmest article of dress, yet we cannot more effectually preserve ice, than by wrapping the vessel containing it in many folds of the softest flannel." Black cloths are known to be very warm in the sun; but they are far from being so in the shade, especially in cold weather, when the temperature of the air is below that of the surface of the skin. We may thus gather the importance of attention to children's clothing. It is an absurd idea that, to render young limbs hardy, the body should be exposed to the undue influences of our capricious climate.

POLYCARP.

"Nay, if you dread not the lions," said the Roman, "I will order you to be consumed by fire, except you repent."

"Threatenest thou me," said the gray

for an hour, and then is extinguished? And art thou ignorant of the fire of the future judgment, and of the everlasting punishment reserved for the wicked?"

THERE have been in all ages some firm and consistent Christians, who, rather than deny the true faith, have chosen martyr-haired Christian, "with the fire that burns dom. Polycarp, the Bishop of Smyrna, in Asia, was one of the earliest of these. He had become very old and venerable, when, during one of the persecutions under the Roman Emperors, his life was taken away. No accusation was ever made against him, except that he was a follower of Christ.

Suddenly there was a great noise in the streets, and multitudes shouted, "Let Polycarp be brought." Not dismayed at the tumult, he retired to pray, as was his custom at that hour. Then his enemies rushed forcibly into his house, and, foreseeing their purpose, he said,

"The will of the Lord be done." Calmly he talked with them, and, as some seemed weary and exhausted, he commanded food to be set before them, remembering the words of the forgiving and compassionate Redeemer, "If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink."

He requested that he might have one hour for his devotions, ere they took him from his home, to which he felt persuaded that he should return no more. This they granted, and when the hour was passed, placed him on an ass, to carry him to the city. Two Romans of wealth and power passing by, took him up into their chariot. There they endeavoured to persuade him to sacrifice to the heathen gods. He replied, "I shall never do what you advise." Then they threw him out of the chariot so roughly that he was bruised and hurt; but rising, he walked on cheerfully, notwithstanding his great age. When he was brought before the tribunal, the governor urged him to deny the Saviour. "Reverence thine age," said he. "Repent. Swear by the fortunes of Cæsar. Reproach Christ, and I will set thee at liberty."

But Polycarp replied, "Fourscore and six years have I served him, and he hath never done me an injury. How, then, can I blaspheme my King and Saviour?"

"I have wild beasts," said the furious governor. "I will cast you unto them unless you change your mind."

"Call for them," answered Polycarp.

Then the whole multitude, both of Jews and Gentiles that inhabited Smyrna, cried out furiously, "This is the father of the Christians, who teaches all Asia not to worship our gods. Let a lion loose upon him, or let him be cast into the flame." They hastened to raise a pile of wood and dry branches. He unclothed himself at their command, and endeavoured to stoop down and take off his shoes, which he had long been unable to do, because of his age and infirmity. When all things were ready, they were going to nail him to the stake. But he said, "He who gives me strength to bear this fire, will enable me to stand unmoved without being fastened with nails." Then he thus prayed :

"O Father of the beloved and blessed Son, Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained the knowledge of Thee, O God of angels and principalities, of all creation, and of all the just who live in Thy sight, I bless Thee that Thou hast counted me. worthy on this day, and at this hour, to receive my portion in the number of martyrs, in the cup of Christ, for the resurrection to eternal life, both of soul and body, in the incorruption of the Holy Ghost, among whom may I be received before Thee, as an acceptable sacrifice, which Thou, the faithful and true God, hast prepared, promised, and fulfilled accordingly. Wherefore, I praise Thee for all these things, I bless Thee, I glorify Thee, by the eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ, Thy well-beloved Son, through whom and with whom, in the Holy Spirit, be glory to Thee, both now and for ever."

Scarcely had the hoary-headed saint uttered his last earnest Amen, ere the impatient officers kindled the pile. Flame and smoke enwrapped the blackening body of the martyr. It was long in consuming, and so they ran it through with a sword. Thus died the faithful and venerable Polycarp, in the year 168, aged eighty-six.

[graphic][merged small]

THE WORK-TABLE FRIEND.

THE TULIP.

Materials. Light yellow wool, 6 skeins; 2 skeins of light vert d'Islay; 1 skein of claret; and a reel of two sizes of cannetille.

THE FLOWER. For a petal make 27 Ch; take a quarter of a yard of cannetille, and work over it, on the chain, 2 Sc, 1 Sdc, 2 Dc, 2 Stc, 15 Tc, 2 Te in each of the next 4 stitches, which will bring you to the end of the chain; 3 Te in the stitch at the end; bend the wire round, in the shape of a hairpin, and work over it, on the other side of the chain, 2 Te in each of the next 3 stitches, 15 Tc, 2 Stc, 1 Dc, 1 Sdc, 2 Sc. Slip-stitch at the base, and work round the petal as follows, taking every stitch under both sides of the chain, 4 Sc, 1 Sdc, 2 Dc, 2 Stc, 19 Tc, 1 Stc in the same stitch as the las To Dc, 2 Sc in each of the next 3; be the wire, and work on the other side, to the base of the petal, in Sc; make a slip-stitch and fasten off.

Six of these petals are required for each flower.

stitches; take a piece of thick wire, slip the end in the last chain-stitch, and work over it 3 Sde, 3 De, 26 Tc, 5 Dc, 6 Sde; bend the wire, and round the point work 5 Sc; down the side, 6 Sdc, 5 Dc, 26 Tc, 3 Dc, 3 Sdc. Work all round this leaf in Sc, taking every stitch under both sides of the chain, and holding in the wire. Make a slip-stitch at the end, and fasten off.

Several leaves should be made in the same way, but of various sizes.

Before making up the tulip, do 4 pieces. of chain-stitch, with the claret wool, rather more than an inch long; join the ends together; take a piece of rather short wire, long enough to make the stem of a tulip when doubled; bend it in the middle, in the shape of a hairpin, and twist round the top a small ball of light green wool, the size of a pea. Arrange round it the 4 claret chains, and 3 of the petals; twist the green wool round them, and then add the other 3 petals. Continue to twist the wool round, until you come to the end of the wire.

Tulips may, of course, be made in any THE LEAF. Make a chain of 43 other colour that is to be found in Nature;

[graphic]

MANDARIN SLEEVE, IN EMBROIDERY, BY MRS. PULLAN.

and they as well as the leaves may be a little smaller or larger. The wire that goes round the outer part of the petals, should be drawn a little, to give the edge the hollow form proper to the flower.

MANDARIN SLEEVE, IN EMBROIDERY. Materials. Half a yard of French muslin, and W. Evans & Co.'s Moravian cotton, No. 70, and No. 50. Boar's-head sewing cotton.

WE give in the engraving a diminished representation of half the sleeve, which should be made with a tight under-sleeve to correspond, as already seen in our Pointlace Sleeve, (page 316, Vol. VIII.) This pattern has the merit of being very effective, with small outlay of time and trouble.

It is done entirely in raised button-hole and satin - stitch, with the exception of a scallop of graduated eyelet-holes, between the outer edge and the muslin. Those parts which are perfectly white are worked in raised satin-stitch, the black parts of the fruit being merely holes pierced with a stiletto, and the veinings of the leaves being done in open-hem. The stems and tendrils are neatly sewed over, and the Moravian cotton is used exclusively for this work. The sewing cotton, is for the graduated eyelet-holes in the scallops, which by some accident have been omitted by the engraver. The Moravian cotton saves a great deal of time, as one stitch has the appearance of several. A pair of these sleeves, with under, ditto, and materials, sent for 4s. 6d.

NATURAL HISTORY.

INSTINCT OF ANIMALS.

BY MRS. FOWLER.

THERE is in many respects a great resemblance or analogy between man and other animals. Some animals exhibit marks of skill, sagacity, caution, or judgment; and, in many cases, the power of reasoning almost equal to human beings. Some suppose that every animal possesses all the faculties with which man is endowed, only in a much more limited degree, modified by circumstances, but not guided by reason. Whether this be correct or not, we know that animals show as many of these different talents as it is possible without having the intellect of man. Sometimes they appear to be guided by experience, observation, and even reason. However this may be, they are endowed with a principle which enables them to seek their food, build their habitations, and take care of their young, which is called INSTINCT. They have also the power to vary their means or course of action, in order to accomplish certain ends, when circumstances vary or require this change.

Instinct is that which prompts an animal to act, without teaching from others; to follow a certain course which is best adapted to his wants and condition.

The reason of man has been called a "bundle of instincts;" yet there is a wide difference between the powers of men and animals. Man improves from one year to another; his knowledge is the result of experience, observation, and reflection.

The dwellings of man differ in different countries and ages, from the hut of the savage to the palace of the king; though man constructed both the hut and the palace.

Beavers build the same kind of houses now that they built many hundred years ago; and so of all other animals, there is no improvement from one generation to another; they always continue the

same.

Smellie says there are two kinds of instincts; one kind which the animal can scarcely help obeying, without any in

struction or experience; and a second kind by which they can accommodate themselves to peculiar situations, and can also improve by experience and observation.

I will relate some anecdotes which illustrate these different instincts in some of the different animals; and though it may seem impossible that these are true, yet I shall mention none except those which I know to be true, by having witnessed them myself, or those related to me by friends who have seen them, or those given by different physiologists as facts.

Young birds always open their mouths at every noise they hear, because they think it is their mother's voice, and that she is bringing them food. They do not use their wings till they have gained strength, and have observed in which way mother-birds use theirs. Insects place their eggs in the most favourable situations for their young. All those whose young feed on vegetables place their eggs on plants. Those that always live in the water place their eggs on the surface of the water. The wasp builds her nest, deposits her eggs in it, then brings just enough green worms, which she rolls together so that they cannot move, and then leaves them as nourishment for her young. She does not wish them as food for herself, but knows that they are the best nourishment for the little young wasps. Dr. Darwin relates a fact which he saw himself. A wasp caught a fly almost as large as her own size. She cut off its extremities and tried to fly away with the body, but found that on account of a slight breeze, the fly's wings impeded her own flight. She came to the ground, cut off first one and then another of the fly's wings with her mouth, and then flew away.

Bees exhibit a wonderful sagacity. They choose their queen, and then build their cells, which are very neatly and beautifully constructed. When they increase so much in number that the old hive is not large enough to contain them, they choose their queen, swarm, and seek a new home. If there is not room for all their operations, they increase the depth of their honey cells. Those who wish to find the honey of those bees which have strayed away in the woods, and have built their nests there, catch two

« PreviousContinue »