Priest of the Jews, strove to rouse me from my melancholy torpor, as he termed it. He told me that the idea of a future state was a fond imagination-a dreamy fable; that angels and spirits were but the creatures of an idle fancy; and that our wisdom lay in making the most of the present moment. Eat, drink, and be merry,' he said; 'everything else is vanity and folly.' every pore of his person, and his raiment was soft and feathery, like the fleecy clouds, which sometimes of a summer's eve weave themselves around the full-orbed moon. constrained to close our eyes against the unbearable glory; but at length we were enabled partially to gaze upon the miraculous scene which was vouchsafed to our ken. The curtain of sky which separates us from heaven, seemed as if rolled aside by an invisible hand, and a being whose majestic beauty no words can describe, appeared in the midst of that new and glorious atmosphere, if I may so speak. "Cunning and plausible were the argu-Rays, such as the diamond sheds, darted from ments which he brought forward to prove his position. They convinced me, but destroyed my slender remains of hope and comfort. The future became midnight-the present was left as dark and chill as ever. Could I take plea- "Need I say, that at this strange appear sure in the feast or the revel? The bloody ance our hearts sunk within us, and we bevisages of my murdered ones glared upon me, came sore afraid? But the beautiful angel through the vine-leaves which decorated the spoke soothingly unto us, and revived our Sadducce's sensual board. I flew from the fainting souls. Well do I remember his every converse of my kind, as from a pestilence; word; for who could ever forget the syllables and here have I dwelt between these two which dropped from that sublimely-sweet graves, without a motive and without a hope voice, full-toned and musical, like pebbles -weary and heart-sick of life, and yet deriv-plunged in a deep, 1ock-encircled pool! Thus ing no comfort from the anticipation of a ran his gracious message:- Fear not; for brighter world beyond the tomb." behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger. "You tell me that you were taught to hold No sooner had he thus spoken, than, lo! that there is no hereafter, and that spirits and another marvel! The whole space which our angels are but dreams, or delusions of the devision could embrace, was forthwith filled signing! Credit it not, thou man of bereave ment! Of all the spots on the round world this is not the one for cherishing such gloomy and chilling dogmas! Of all God's creatures, an unbelieving Jew is the most inexcusable, seeing that his nation has been nursed, so to speak, amid the wonders and mysteries of the unseen and eternal state! With tender pity, Isaac pressed the clammy hand of the hapless recluse, and his eye glistened, as if with the consciousness that he could impart to him fitting and substantial consolation. "Thirty-three years ago, I was a shepherd of Bethlehem, and on yonder plain have kept many a vigil, tending the flock committed to my care. One evening, towards the close of the year, several of my comrades and myself were thus engaged. The night was genial, and though the moon was absent, darkness did not prevail, for the sentinel stars in their silver mail kept watch and ward on the battlements of heaven. Right well do I remember our communing on that eventful night. Our minds were in a solemn mood, and we spoke concerning the great things which Jehovah had in store for His people, and especially of the Messiah, whose coming was confidently looked for by all who had carefully studied the Prophets of our nation. with angelic choristers, in fashion like unto the herald of Emanuel. Their numbers were far beyond the powers of imagination even to conceive. Millions upon millions of glittering ones floated upon the ocean of light, stretching upwards and backwards, till the brain was dizzied and crazed almost, with the impres sion of infinite number and limitless extent. Thus ran their concerted song, so mighty in its swell, that it must have been heard in the remotest planet and star:- Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men.' And then the sounds died away, like the gentle sighing of a summer's breeze, which scarce rutiles the leaf of the timid aspen and all was still and lonesome as before. "So soon as we were capable of speech, we whispered solemnly to each other, 'Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.' And coming with haste to Bethlehem, we were guided by a starlike meteor, which, as it were, beckoned us on, till we came to the stable of the principal oaravanserai. There we found a goodly young "In one instant our vision was blinded by child, lying in a manger, with his father and a flood of light so intense as infinitely to sur- mother as his sole attendants, and meanly atpass aught that I ever experienced. It was tired in the scanty rags of penury. Ere we neither glaring nor scorching; but a thousand could say aught, the coming footsteps of other suns in their noontide strength could never visitors was heard, and presently there enhage shed such a wondrous mass of super-tered a company of Magi -Eastern Kingsnatural brightness. For a scason we were who had come from their distant dominions to "It will not interest you to be told, how I agreed to accompany one of these devout princes to his own land, or how I fared in that foreign region. Enough to say that my patron, some months ago, was gathered to his fathers, and on his death-bed charged me to return to Judea, as the completion of the Messiah's work was about to take plaoe; and it behoved me, as one favoured by Heaven, to be present at Jerusalem on the coming Pentecost. "Thus, oh mourning one, you perceive how great your error, how entire your delusion, as regards the future state of being! No angel-no spirit? The air teems with them. Not a sun-beam but bears legions of them on some mission of mercy or judgment." 66 Sadoc, the solitary, who had listened with attention to the pilgrim's narration, was for a while absorbed in thought; and it seemed as if the cloud of despair was beginning to pass away from his care-furrowed brow. But anon he sunk back into his pristine gloom, and wrung his hands as despondingly as ever. 'No, Shepherd," he said, your words bring me no comfort. Something of the event which you describe, I have heard before, but I cannot regard it as aught, save a delusion or a dream. At any rate, presuming the sight to be real, it proves nothing as to the resurrection of Adam's children. Oh no! no! no! There is there can be no hope for me, the most miserable of men. My slain ones, never more shall I behold you!-never more hear the gentle tones of your forever-hushed voices! My lot may indeed be called Mara, for it is bitter exceedingly." At this moment the warders on the towers of Bethlehem, proclaimed THE SIXTH HOUR. excitement, and reeled, and heaved, and tossed, as if its foundations rested upon the waves of a tempest-vexed sea. In the midst of this mysterious and soulawing turmoil, a soft violet-tinted light began gradually to pervade the spot where stood the pilgrim shepherd and the sorrow-blighted Sadoc. As it increased, it was evident that a change had occurred in the locality during the reign. The twin graves were open, the fresh earth being scattered around, and the huge stones which had covered them lying at some distance, as if removed by some gigantic power. And closely adjoining these disturbed mansions of mortality, there stood two forms clothed in the livery of the dead. One of them was a female, and the other a child, who grasped her hand and looked fearlessly and confidingly in her face, undismayed by the wild war of the elements which raged around. But who could describe the surpassing beauty, not so much of feature as of expression, which beamed in the visages of that meek and silent pair? Its main characteristic was peace peace, passing all understanding-peace, such as the cold, churlish world could never give, nor, with all its manifold vicissitudes, ever take away. Isaac, was the first to mark this addition to their company, and he silently directed the attention of Sadoc to the strangers. Slowly and listlessly did the heart-sick hermit turn himself round; but no sooner did he behold the new-come pair, than it seemed as if an electric fluid had pervaded his whole frame. Every muscle quivered, every vein swelled, every particular hair stood stiff and rigid. He drew his breath in laboured, convulsive sobs, and his eyes seemed glazed by the absorbing intensity of the glare with which he regarded the gentle, saintly group before him. One smile from them-a smile concentrating the rich happiness of years, brightened upon the dark cold places of his heart. His ears thrilled with the long unheard words, "HusbandFather"; and with a gasping, choking excla "My Judith-my Benjamin !" he staggered forward, and encircled them both in one mighty, wild, hysteric embrace. The recollection of more than thirty dark years of sorrow and despair was in one moment obliterated; their agonies were forgotten, like the fitful dream of a single night! * Ere the sound of their voices had died away,mation. it became darker than the darkest midnight: like that which plagued the Egyptian oppressors, the gloom might be said to be felt, so distaal, so profoundly sable the pall which was drawn over the whole expanse of heaven. Thunder, too, of a deeper bass than ever before had been uttered, rolled and crashed in incessant peals. It seemed as if the elements had been indued with reason, and were in frenzied voice protesting against some unheardof and intolerable deed of wickedness and blasphemy. Over Jerusalem forked bolts of lightning hissed and darted like serpents ejected from the pit of perdition, as if attracted by some horrid fascination situated in that city. In particular they seemed to concentrate upon the spot where stood the Temple of the God of Israel; and the earth shared in the mighty * * * * * "Oh Sadoc, dearest! come on, and stay not to converse of such matters. Have we not a gladsome eternity before us? The city must be reached before the Ninth Hour. Legions of Angels are flocking thither, even as I am now speaking." At that heaven-chronicled hour, shepherd, husband wife and child, knelt on the summit of the mount called Calvary. Before them stood three gaunt, blood-stained crosses, illamined by the lightnings which flashed and and twisted around; and they were in time to hear the calm, pale-visaged, thorn-crowned Being hung on the centre tree, exclaim with full, sweet voice, "It is finished. Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit." Take heed lest trifling with a mind distrest, Eatros. In the writhing and pain-fevered wretches who were nailed to the other two crosses, Sadoc recognized the soldiers who had slain his loved ones. He specially remarked, however, that the countenance of the one who had shewn EIGHT YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES, ruth and pity, bore marks of resignation and humble but well-assured hope; and a bystander said that the King of the Jews, whose diadem was a circle of brambles, had promised that that day he should be with him in Paradise. * * * * * Isaac and Sadoc were among the number of those who met together on the day of Pentecost. They gladly received the word of Peter, aud were baptized, and continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. THE SEA-BIRD. Loud broke the surge, upon the sullen rock, Each effort brings him nearer to the shore WITH OCCASIONAL GLIMPSES OF THE BRITISH No. 1. Ar a time when many well-informed and candid individuals in the United States, entertain doubts as to the result of the problem which has yet to be solved in that country, with reference to the effect of republican institutions upon the moral, social and political conditions of the people; the popular mind is impressed with the conviction of its actual success, and views all other forms of government, whether of absolute or constitutional monarchy, as neither more nor less than positive and insufferable despotisms; under which a prosperous national condition cannot be attained, nor individual liberty secured. But it has yet to be determined whether the American revolution will be productive of permanent advantage or injury, to the cause of human freedom. The immense advance in commercial importance, which the United States has made, their vast increase in population, the extensive establishment of manufactories, and the corresponding accumulation of wealth, would cularly when these effects are viewed, as is seem to sanction the popular delusion-partigenerally the case, without comparison with other countries. Still, the same energy of character, that formerly enabled the colonists successfully to contend against the Parent State, and the extraordinary position of the world, during the first fifteen or twenty years after their independance was acknowledged— and of which that event was the cause, would have accomplished the same results, under a different form of government. The troops of France, who served in America during the revolution, carried back with them the seeds of a popular movement there, and produced the long and momentous war, in which England found herself compelled to enwhich the French mercantile marine was swept gage for upwards of twenty years, during from the occan, and a field was opened up for American enterprise, of which the people of the United States were not slow to avail themThe application of steam to the propulsion of selves, and of which they did not fail to profit. boats on rivers and lakes, which Mr. Fulton introduced from Great Britain in 1807-just twenty years after the adoption of the present federal constitution, enabled millions of the distressed, oppressed or disaffected of other nations, to find their way into the interior, by which Ohio and the more westerly and northwestern portions of the Union have become extensively settled. manner by them deemed most beneficial; in the United States is paid over to the General Government, and disbursed by Congress, for purposes with which many of the States have no concern, and which are often adverse to their wishes, and in opposition to their interests; and it is argued that this fund cannot be appropriated for internal improvement. A few years since, South Carolina virtually seceded from the Union, by refusing to permit those the monied aristocracy at the North, had been instrumental in imposing; and which the United States officers were unable to collect, until a compromise was effected through the instrumentality of Mr. Clay. It is not the object of the writer of this and perhaps subsequent papers, containing the result of observations made in the United States, and during an extensive acquaintance with the British Colonies, to disparage the in-high duties to be levied within its limits, which stitutions of the neighbouring Republic, as inapplicable to those who have been born and educated under them, and are therefore accustomed to the incessant turmoil and excitement which they engender, and whom they seem to suit; but rather to show that British subjects, have ample cause for satisfaction with their portion as such-that on public grounds there is nothing to envy on the other side of the line, and that their moral and social condition will not suffer by a comparison. While the title of the Crown to the waste lands of the North American Colonies, has been ceded to them individually, the General Government of the United States, retains the right to dispose ofthepublic lands in the several States and Territories; the proceeds of their sale being paid into the national Treasury at Washington, to meet the exigencies of the State. We have recently seen the Legislatures of the British Provinces, ceding those lands of which they have the entire disposal, within their respective jurisdictions, in aid of the contemplated line of railroad from Halifax to Quebec; while the Western States have made repeated and unsuccessful applications to Congress for similar assistance. These applications have uniformly met with opposition, on the part of the old States; and at length a Bill has been introduced,-with what success remains still to be seen, granting certain portions of the public lands, to all the States and Territories, in aid of railroads and for other purposes-the General Government retaining the remainder. At the close of the revolutionary war, the Republic had incurred a public debt of considerable amount, without possessing any tangible means of meeting even the payment of the annual interest. In this emergency, the different States-with the exception of Georgia, voluntarily surrendered the public lands which they possessed, to the General Government, to be appropriated to the discharge of this debt, and to provide for the current expenses of the nation. Not only are the lands held in this manner, and the States in which they are situated, deprived of the profit and advantage resulting from their sale, but the revenue that is derived from the imposition of duties on imports, which in the British Colonies are levied exclusively by the Colonial Legislatures, and appropriated in the Even the revenue derived from the Post Office, over which the Colonial Legislatures exercise sole controul, takes the same direction; and it is notorious, that in this way the Northern States are required to meet the deficiency, that accrues from the paucity of correspondence, and the ignorance that generally prevails at the South. And while the circulation of newspapers by mail, in the British Colonies is free of charge; in the United States, beyond the county in which a paper is published, the transmission of newspapers hy mail, is subjected to a postage, in some cases, amounting to the original charge for the paper. Some years have elapsed since the payment of fees at the custom house was abolished in the Colonies, but these remain in full force in the United States; and a person having business to transact there, must have his purse continually in hand. If we advert to that portion of the population, who are employed in the manufactories, little will be found to gratify the philanthropist and lover of his species. When we visit these establishments, we find females employed in a manner that prostrates their strength, undermines their constitution, abreviates their life, and is destructive of those feminine character istics that give to woman her peculiar charm and loveliness; while at an early age they are,in this way, thrown into the society of men and boys, by which their morals are often contaminated, their minds depraved, their manners acquiring a coarseness and masculine tendency, that increases with increasing years. We hear a great deal of the superior standing, accomplishments, and intellect of the females who are employed in the factories of New England; and instances are cited of their being enabled to acquire the means of assisting their parents, or of accumulating a fund for themselves; but personal observation has satisfied me, that, generally speaking, females under ordinary circumstances have not thus profited by their employments; while they are estranged from the domestic relations of home, and removed from the nurture and admonition of careful parents, and become unfitted for discharging the duties of life. As to females who are so constantly occupied as are these in the factories, possessing time for the improvement of their minds that is out of the question. What leisure can a young girl find for intellectual improvement, who is called from her bed, at some seasons of the year, before the day has dawned; and who after partaking of a slight breakfast, hurries to the scene of her daily toil; is barely allowed time to partake of dinner, and who returns home at night exhausted by fatigue. To my mind much of the consumption that prevails in the United States among the young, is attributable to this cause. We hear a great deal in favour of the introduction of manufactories into Canada; but whenever these are established, it must be at the expense of the health, comfort, and advancement of the humbler classes of females, who must perform excessive and unwholesome labour for a low rate of wages, or competition cannot be successful against the superior machinery, immense capital and cheap labour of Great Britain. ground." Had the gentleman ascertained what was the result of the report, he would have found that the action of the Imperial Parliament was much more in accordance with the dictates of humanity, than was the passage of the Fugitive Slave law, by the body which he was then addressing, for which it is contended the constitution gives no authority; and that according to evidence since laid before Parliament, it has been ascertained, that at the present moment, the colliers enjoy on an average relatively, a fair share of the comforts of life-that their food is homely but plentiful, and that since the law was passed, to prevent the employment of women in the coal mines, their domestic enjoyments have vastly increased; "a fact," continues an English writer on the subject," deserving of notice, showing as it does, that, in the end, profound humanity is the wisest economy." When we see statements made that are so utterly erroneous, by a gentleman of high legal attainments and extensive practice, is it surprising that much ignorance prevails in the public Nor do these remarks apply exclusively to mind in the United States, in relation to the the manufacturing districts. Whoever has laws and institutions of England; and who been in New York, and walked from the up- would suppose, that in the very next State per part of the city, between six and seven from which Mr. Meacham is returned, five or o'clock in the morning, must have seen num-six hundred females are employed in one facbers of young persons of both sexes, wending tory alone, and that in New Hampshire and their way to the place of daily employment; having had no appetite for break fast, which had been prepared for them, just as they had left their beds, and of which they scarcely partook -to remain away from home during the day, eating probably not more than a slice or two of bread and butter as a substitute for dinner, or about half a meal, served out for six cents, at some of the numerous eating-houses with which the city abounds, and returning home at night, after a long and fatiguing walk, which destroys all desire and appetite for the remaining meal. Who does not perceive in such a course of existence, that the requirements of youth and increasing years, cannot be met, or the system invigorated and sustained by such a limited amount of nutriment as is in this way attained. Allusions are continually being made, by Americans in private conversation and in their published speeches and reported debates, to those termed "the pauper operatives of England"; in one of the latter of which I recently read a statement, of women being employed in the coal pits there, the speaker being entirely ignorant of the fact, that since the circumstance was brought under the notice of Parliament by Lord Ashley, the practice has been prohibited by law, and is discontinued. "In order to get cheap labour," said one of the representatives from Vermont, "they employ women as well as men, in the most laborious work; and according to the report of a Committee of Parliament, the former are employed in mining coal, several hundred feet under Massachusetts, thousands of young creatures are daily toiling in unwholesome and badly ventilated buildings, who do not experience that fostering care of the Legislature which prevails in Great Britain. Nor are the wages they obtain such as are represented.— In some few instances it may be higher, but that which is usually paid, is three dollars per week; from which at least two must be deducted for board and washing-leaving only one for clothing and dress, of which the girls are remarkably fond; and in the propensity for which they indulge as far as their limited means will permit. When I was at Manchester, near Lowell, some three or four years since, where there are extensive factories, I noticed a placard posted up in the streets, calling a mass meeting in the open air-for no where else was one permitted to be held, with a view of devising some plan for the introduction of the ten hours system of labour; in which it was stated, that so paramount was the influence exercised by the companies owning establishments there, that not even the townhall, for the erection of which the operatives, in common with others, had been taxed, could be procured for the purpose of holding the meeting, although the Mayor had in the first instance given his assent. I was also credibly informed while in Manchester, that several of the hands bad been discharged, both there and at Lowell, for their advocacy of the reduced term of daily labour-a list of whose names had been transmitted to the other large establishment, for the |