and speedy death. No art, no precaution, no exertion, could avert a terrible and universal pestilence, in which, men and animals alike would perish without hope of escape, and without alleviation of their terrible and fatal agonies.

How very little reflection suffices to show us how thoughtless and short-sighted we mortals are; and how wise and benevolent is that Omnipotent Being, who knows what we need better than we ourselves do, and who makes all things work together for our good! We cannot turn our attention to a single subject without rejoicing that we have God to watch over us, and to protect us against the silliness of our own wishes, and the selfishness, the unwise selfishness, of our own hearts.

THE SPOTTED KANGUROO.

There exist several species of the Kanguroo, all of which are natives of New Holland.

The habits of this animal have been well described by Mr. Cunningham, in his "Two Years' Residence in New South Wales."

The Kanguroos make no use of their short fore legs except in grazing, when they rise upon them and their tail, bring their hind legs forward, and go nibbling upon all fours, pulling up occasionally some favorite plant with their fore paw, and sitting up bold and erect upon their hind legs and tail, while they slowly bite and nibble it, shifting it from paw to paw, like a boy protracting his repast on a juicy apple. When chased, they hop upon their hind legs, bounding onwards at a most amazing rate, the tail wagging as they leap, and serving them for a balance. They will bound over gullies, and down declivities, the distance of thirty yards, and fly right over the tops of low brushwood; so that, in such places, dogs stand very little chance with them; but in a clear open country soon tire them out. The dogs seize them generally by the hip, and throw them over; then fasten upon their throats and finish them. But few dogs will attack a large Kanguroo singly, some of the two hundred weight size often hopping off with three or four assailants hanging about them; and I was informed of one that actually carried a man to some distance. When a dog gets up close to a large Kanguroo, it will often sit upon its tail and haunches, and fight the dog, turning adroitly round and round, so as always to face him, and pushing him off with the fore paws; or it will seize and hug him like a bear, ripping him up with the long sharp claw on its powerful hind leg. They are constantly indeed cutting, and often killing, dogs with this terrible weapon, which will tear out the bowels at a single kick; and a large Kanguroo is, on this account, very dangerous even for a man to approach, when set at bay.

"One

The Kanguroo may be domesticated. of the largest tame Kanguroos I have seen in this country (says Mr. Cunningham) is domesticated, and a mischievous wag he is, creeping and snuffing cautiously towards a stranger, with such an innocently expressive countenance, that roguery could never be surmised to exist under it; when, having obtained as he thinks, a sufficient introduction, he claps his fore paws on your shoulders, as if to caress you, and raising himself suddenly upon his tail, administers such a well put push with his hind legs, that it is two to one but he drives you heels over head! this is all done in what he considers facetious play, with a view of giving you a hint to examine your pockets, and see what bon bons you have got for him, as he munches cakes and comfits with epicurean goût; and if the door is ajar, he will gravely take his station behind your chair at meal time, like a lackey, giving you an admonitory kick every now and then, if you fail to help him as well as yourself."