5. Roses. One of the principal marks, is to be found in the "rose-bud," where we perceive that the parts are folded over each other in a spiral direction. The numerous little fruits (carpella) seen in others, are here grown into one, which in familiar English we call the "hep." This tribe comprises, at present, only one genus, (rosa,) which contains nearly one hundred and fifty species, distributed over most regions of the earth.

6. Pomaceous, or apple-bearing trees and shrubs. This tribe is distinguished by its fruit, which comes under the definition of a pomum or apple; that is, a fruit the texture of which is granular, and has its seeds within cells that are lined with a peculiar material, differing from the rest of its substance. Of this, the hawthorn (crataegus oxyacantha) is a specimen, which has its seeds of a bony hardness.

Pyrus communis, the pear, and pyrus malus, are examples of the genus pyrus, and of the usefulness of this order.

The mountain ash, one of the prettiest ornaments of our groves in the latter end of summer; if the fruit be examined, it will be found to be an apple in miniature; its botanical name, at present, is pyrus ancuparia.

An elegant ornament of walls, in autumn, is the cotoneaster vulgaris, of which the numerous red berries are beautifully contrasted with the deep green of the leaves. The medlar, (mespilus germanica,) distinguished by its pitcher-shaped fruit, and the bony covering of the seed.

The last we shall mention is the quince, (cydonia vulgaris,) which differs from the apple in having several seeds in each cell, instead of one, as in the latter.

We have thus given a brief sketch of a great and important order, which evinces the special kindness of God, who has not only provided for the sustenance of man, in affording corn, the bread-fruit, and the countless assortment of nutritious roots, but has withal garnished his board with a varied choice of delicious and wholesome fruits. When a naturalist unfolds the curiosities and fair proportions of creation, all listen with interest; but if he points out their tendency to illustrate the special goodness of God, too many give "him audience unto this word," and then lock up their attention.

THE INTIMACY OF A MAN'S THOUGHTS.

THERE is much profound and important wisdom in that proverb of Solomon,

where it is said, "The heart knoweth its own bitterness." It forms part of a truth still more comprehensive, that every man knoweth his own peculiar feelings, and difficulties, and trials, far better than he can get any of his neighbours to perceive them. It is natural to us all, that we should desire to engross to the uttermost the sympathy of others with what is most painful to the sensibilities of our own bosom, and with what is most aggravating in the hardships of our own situation. But, labour as we may, we cannot, with every power of expression, make an adequate conveyance of all our sensations and of all our circumstances into another understanding.

There is something in the intimacy of a man's own experience, which he cannot make to pass entire into the heart and mind, even of his most familiar companion; and thus it is, that he is so often defeated in his attempts to obtain a full and cordial possession of his sympathy. He is mortified, and he wonders at the obtuseness of the people around him, that he cannot get them to enter into the justness of his complainings, nor to feel the point upon which turn the truth and the reason of his remonstrances, nor to give their interested attention to the case of his peculiarities, and of his wrongs, nor to kindle in generous resentment along with him when he starts the topic of his indignation.

He does not reflect all the while, that with every human being he addresses, there is an inner man, which forms a theatre of passions and of interests, as busy, as crowded, and as fitted as his own to engross the anxious and the exercised feelings of a heart which can alone understand its own bitterness, and lay a correct estimate on the burden of its own visitations. Every man we meet carries about with him, in the unperceived solitude of his bosom, a little world of his own; and we are just as blind, and as insensible, and as dull, both of perception and of sympathy, about his engrossing objects as he is about ours; and, did we suffer this observation to have all its weight upon us, it might serve to make us more candid and more considerate of others. It might serve to abate the monopolizing spirit of our nature. It might serve to soften down all the malignity which comes out of those curious contemplations that we are apt to cast on the fancied ease and prosperity which are around us. It might serve to reconcile every man to his own lot,

and honest, and just, and pure, and lovely, and of good report. He highly values the public meetings of christian people, and therefore it is that he speaks in their praise.

OLD HUMPHREY ON RELIGIOUS AND

BENEVOLENT PUBLIC MEETINGS.

I NEVER remember an instance of a number of bad men meeting together with a bad intention, without their trying to do some mischief, and should as soon expect to see a red-hot iron thrust into a heap of gunpowder without an explosion, as for such a thing to take place. If you sow thistleseed, thistles will spring up; if you plant thorns, thorns will grow; and evil intentions, just in the same way, will produce evil deeds.

But if this be true, and true it certainly is, then this reasoning may be applied to good as well as to evil. I never remember a number of godly men meeting together with a godly intention without some good effect following, and should as soon expect that a fruitful vine would bear poisonberries, as that christian men would lay their heads together, willingly to dishonour God, or to afflict mankind.

It is a glorious thing for those who desire to make the world better, and happier, and holier than it is, by spreading wider the kingdom of the Redeemer, to refresh themselves with each other's presence, opening their hearts freely, and kindling a brighter flame on the altar of devotion than might otherwise burn there.

But do not imagine that Old Humphrey, after living so long in the world, knows so little of the human heart, as to be blind to its errors on these occasions. O, no! there's too much room in the heart of a public speaker, full as it may seem to be of heavenly and holy things, for earthly infirmities to dwell there. There is danger of an eloquent man being too sensibly alive to the approbation of his fellow-mortals; he may have too keen an appetite for human praise; and there is a danger of the assembled multitude forgetting that the object of their meeting is to praise God rather than man. These are dangers that speakers and hearers would do well to avoid; but Old Humphrey ought not to be very severe on this point, for he loves to honour good men for their work's sake, and has often found himself thumping the floor with his cane, by way of commendation, when he might have been better employed in putting up a prayer, that oth speakers and hearers might be blessed ot the Most High.

It sometimes happens, that in meetings of a more than ordinary serious character, when high and holy things are entered into, and when the heart ought to be more solemnized than at other times-it sometimes happens, I say, that the speaker makes a droll remark, very droll, but sadly out of place, so that, instead of the spirit of the hearer being absorbed with sacred reverence for the Most High, it is dancing with light-hearted gaiety and turbulent mirth. This is not as it should be. Old Humphrey has before now met with something of this kind in a place of Divine worship, when the preacher, and a christian-hearted, godly, deeply-impressed preacher too, in a moment of infirmity, has scattered abroad the solemn thoughts, that he had for an hour been labouring to produce, by one unexpected, ill-timed, comical observation. The preacher has smiled, the hearers have laughed, and Old Humphrey among them, though he has reflected upon it afterwards with regret and shame.

Nor must it be denied that public speakespecially such as are young, now and then aim their remarks above the heads, rather than at the hearts of the people they

address, and use such lengthy words, and such high-flown illustrations, that a plain man wonders what they are after, and in what it will all end. I once heard a worthy young minister address a country congregation from the words, "And they all with one consent began to make excuse." One would not have thought that these plain words of Scripture could be made plainer, but the minister seemed to think differently; for he told us that "with one consent" meant "unanimously." Now, if the plain countrymen present could not comprehend the words of Scripture, it was not very likely they could comprehend the explanation of the preacher. The great object in addressing an assembly is to inform the understanding, to convince the judgment, and to affect the heart; but sometimes this is forgotten.

With all these disadvantages, public meetings are of great value; and Old Humphrey's heart has warmed within him, over and over again, while some zealous servant of the Redeemer, with a heart full of love, and a tongue touched with holy fire, has declared the mighty acts of the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

Oh, it does one good to see and to hear men more gifted than ourselves devote their time and their talents to God's glory and man's benefit; and if we feel a little humbled that we are not able to do as much as they do, we feel at the same time anxious to do more than we have done. Men's hearts are, in such seasons, just like the wood laid ready on the altar for a burnt sacrifice, and the hallowed zeal of the christian-hearted speaker kindles the holy flame.

It is a pleasant thing to read the record, printed on paper or written with the pen of a ready writer, of what is going forward in the christian world; but how much more delightful is it to listen to the account poured forth by one whose eye sparkles with joy, whose heart runs over with gratitude to the Father of mercies, and whose tongue richly abounds with words fitly spoken; such as are, in Scripture language, likened to "apples of gold in pictures of silver."

There are hundreds, yea thousands, who return home from public meetings doubly interested to what they were before, in the spread of religion, and the increase of works of mercy; and though worldly cares or worldly pleasures may afterwards abate their zeal, yet are they, on the whole, more friendly to the christian cause, and more abounding in deeds of charity.

Old Humphrey would not willingly say ill-natured things; but he verily believes, that if it were not for public meetings, one half of the supporters of religious and benevolent institutions would go to sleep with the Bible in their hands. He judges by his own heart, which, in sacred and charitable things, is often more like a lump of ice than a ball of fire. Let us, then, as far as we can, secure the advantages of public meetings, by encouraging in our own hearts humility, zeal, and christian affection; and avoid their evils, by waging war with vanity, selfishness, and a worldly spirit.

"BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD!"

THIS was the voice of John the Baptist to the people of Judea, when he saw Jesus of Nazareth passing by, John i. 36. What did he mean by it? Doubtless it was to direct their attention to the distinguishing features of our Lord's character, and to the great end and design of his manifestation in the flesh. In the holy Scriptures, as perhaps in every known language of mankind, the lamb has been selected as the popular symbol of innocence and of patience. Now, these were qualities which in an especial manner distinguished our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He was a perfect pattern of innocence. He did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners; and this purity of his nature eminently qualified him for the all-important office of "High Priest" of his church, such a one as is needed by us guilty rebels. And then his patience was as conspicuous as his innocence. Speaking of the ends of his mission into our world, he declares, that "the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.' He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. "When he was reviled, he reviled not again, but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously:" and when taken, and by wicked hands crucified and slain, he died, praying for his murderers-" Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!" But when the Baptist directed the attention of the Jews to Jesus of Nazareth, he doubtless had a distinct reference to the end and design of his manifestation in the flesh. He pointed him out to them as the Lamb destined in the eternal councils of Heaven, and fore-ordained before the founda