upon his back, that they might the more easily take him, and what did they see?-the words "Lord Nelson," engraved upon him!

They also perceived that one of his arms was missing. It was their old acquaintance. But who guided him, two thousand miles, through the depths of the pathless ocean, to his own home? How did he defend himself, weak and wounded as he was, against the ravenous monsters, of the deep, dark sea?

Is home, then, as dear to the wandering denizen of ocean, as to the bird, who returning from its annual migration, builds its nest upon the same tree, and gathers crumbs from the same threshold, where its last unfledg'd brood were reared? Who can answer us this question, save He who breathed life into all the inhabitants of the deep?

We admire the exquisite beauty of the shellpalaces, which are occasionally exhibited to our view. But of the habits, and instincts of their tenants, our knowledge is small. Still, in the fragments which we gather, we perceive Infinite Goodness active for the frail, as well as the mighty habitants of the world of waters.

Shall we not all repeat the eloquent words of the Psalmist, "O Lord, how manifold are thy works. In wisdom hast thou made them all. The earth is full of thy riches. So also, is the great and wide sea."

152804

SLEEP.

WHAT a comfort is the refreshment of sleep. How wonderfully has the Almighty constructed our frame, that when its muscles are wearied with labour or play, they may stretch themselves out for a while, and return with renewed vigour, to their accustomed action.

How sweet is the repose of infancy. Is there any more beautiful emblem of innocence and peace, than a fair infant, sleeping in its cradle, the happy mother watching by its side? It reminds us of that delightful expression of Scripture, "God giveth his beloved, sleep."

When you grow up, and take part in the business of men, you will better know the value of sleep, as a medicine for the mind, as well as the body;"sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care; or as another poet has feelingly described it, "kind nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep."

The sick sufferer tosses on his couch, and solicits its aid in vain. How tardily the clock tells out the heavy hours, while he watches for the

morning. "Thou holdest mine eyes waking," said the afflicted man of old. 66

'I am so troubled

that I cannot speak." What a messenger of mercy is sleep to the diseased nerves, and the wounded spirit.

To you, whose lives have not yet been clouded by the cares, the conflicts, or the sorrows of maturity, sleep doubtless comes uncalled. Health and exercise are your anodynes. Are you ever thankful that you need no medicine from the physician, to "steep your senses in forgetfulness?"

Do you ever rise from your sweet pillow, without thanks to the Giver,-the Protector of your repose? A philosopher once said, "if you begin the day with ingratitude, misfortune will overtake you before night." To Him whose "mercies are new every morning," the young heart should turn, like the waking plant to the sun. Have you ever had unpleasant dreams? have known people, whose sleep, from frightful visions, ceased to refresh them, and who disturbed others by their shrieks. It was necessary to wake them, or they would rise in the morning, depressed and exhausted, as if from a conflict with foes.

I

Wise men have sometimes turned their attention to the theory of dreams. For as we spend so great a portion of our life in sleep, it is desirable to have it agreeable and refreshing. Some directions were once given me, in early life, how

to procure pleasant dreams. Shall I tell them to you?

The first rule was to preserve good-temper, during the day. Anger disorders the spirits, the circulation, and the nervous system. If it is indulged, the sleep becomes broken, and the bad tempers which troubled others through the day, come back at night to goad and punish us.

"My dream called out to me last night, said a very little boy, with a hoarse, horrid voice, so that when I waked, I was afraid to go to sleep again." "What do you suppose occasioned it ?" asked his brother. "I think, was the reply, because I spoke crossly, twice to you, in the day, and so the cross spirit appeared to me."

Another, and a very important rule, is to be temperate in eating and drinking. Both the quantity and quality of what we receive into the stomach, is of consequence. Frightful dreams come more frequently from indigestion, than from any other cause.

Rich, high-seasoned dishes, and all stimulating drinks, should be avoided by the young. Neither, is it well, to form the habit of taking food between regular meals, or before retiring. This imposes extra labour upon the stomach, which has sufficient employment to convert the stated repasts, into healthful nutriment.

"I was induced to eat a piece of rich cake, and to drink a glass of wine, just before retiring to

bed, said a friend. So I spent most of the night, in climbing sharp cliffs, and hanging over black, deep waters, or fighting monsters, with eyes of fire. I tried to call for help, but could utter no sound, to fly, but my limbs were powerless. Then I knew it was the cake and wine oppressing the stomach, and the stomach revenging its wrongs on me, in the shape of dreams."

It is desirable to have a free circulation of pure air, in your sleeping apartment,-not to be over-burdened with bed-clothes,-to lay in an unconstrained position, with the face entirely uncovered, and to wash, before retiring, that no particle of dust, or retained perspiration, may obstruct the pores of the skin, in their important functions.

Another rule to be observed in order to procure pleasant dreams, is to go to rest, with a cheerful, amiable disposition, and a heart at peace with all mankind. Examine the actions of the day, and whatever has been done or omitted, that conscience regrets, ask in penitent prayer, the forgiveness of your Heavenly Father, and commend yourselves to his protection, and the ministry of holy angels.

Perhaps these rules, may seem to you oldfashioned. And yet I recommend them to you. For if you should find them to fail in procuring the happiness of dreams, they will help to promote the happiness of life. It would give me