potamia. Several other references to this laborious and patient animal may be found in the Bible, but I must only now notice two more. The patriarch Jacob evidently had reference to the patience and tranquillity of the ass when, under Divine inspiration, he foretells the future lot of Issachar and his descendants: "Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: and he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant, and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute." Like the camel, the ass quietly submits to the heaviest burden, bears it peaceably until he can go no further, then lies down to rest; recruiting his strength with the provender offered to him: at his master's call he will proceed on his journey. The other is that command of the Jewish ritual in which the Hebrews were commanded "not to plough with an ox and an ass together." A probable reason for this command was, that idolatrous nations usually used a mixture of different sorts for superstitious purposes: thus Moses prohibited it. Again, a physical reason was, that two beasts of a different species cannot well work or associate comfortably together, and on this ground could not pull pleasantly together. Little country boys and girls know that all cattle are more comfortable when they are with those animals they have an affection for.

The Romans valued the ass for its milk. They early applied it to purposes of vanity: the wife of cruel, blood-thirsty Nero kept a train of milch asses constantly in attendance upon her, that her morning bath might be replenished by their milk. The milk is very light and nourishing; very useful to the sick and for children. The skin of the ass is very hard and elastic, and is used to make heads of drums and leaves for pocket-books.

But the service this useful animal renders to man, its patience, and its docility, do not exempt it from cruelty. It is frequently brutally treated by men and boys: yet, notwithstanding, it shows such an attachment to its master, that it will readily follow him,-even knows his voice. The

people of Israel did not feel thus for the living God, who daily loaded them with his benefits. This trait in his character gives uncommon poignancy to the prophet's reproof: "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." In the present day people are not more grateful to God, though to their daily mercies God has added the greatest gift, that of Jesus. Dear reader, are you grateful to God? Do you consider? Do you love Jesus? Are you patient and forbearing? Have you heard the Master's voice calling to you? Are you following Him? If not, begin at once: give to God your little heart; love him; honour him; obey him.

Whenever you see a poor donkey by the roadside, do not treat him cruelly, but think of these lines by an old poet:

"The sluggish ass, with heavy strength endued,

In some wide field by troops of boys pursued;
The shivering stick assails his sides in vain,
Whilst on his hide the feeble blows resound,
The beast regardless still maintains its ground."

A. E. PORTNALL.

FLY FROM TEMPTATION.

BEFORE Xerxes, king of Persia, invaded Greece, he sent a messenger with presents to one of the kings of Sparta, to induce him to betray his country. His daughter (a little girl) being in the room when the conference took place, on hearing the proposal immediately said, "Fly, father, fly, or this stranger will corrupt thee." The messenger was soon after dismissed without having effected the object of his mission.

"Fly, father, fly," a maiden said,
"Or thou'lt corrupted be,
Ne'er let an enemy to Greece

A traitor make of thee."

This girl had not yet reach'd her teens,

Yet her remark how true,

We should from all temptation fly,

If wrong we would not do.

The king arous'd by her remark,

The Persian sent away,

And told him all his monarch's wealth
Should ne'er lead him astray.

Advice, if good, by those who're wise,

Will be attended to;

Ne'er let us treat it with disdain,
As many often do.

Temptation is a treach'rous foe,
Of her let all beware,
Whatever form she may assume,
"Tis only to ensnare,

From her suggestions turn away,
Ne'er with them dare comply,

The path of safety wisely choose,
And from the tempter fly.

Newport, Isle of Wight.

ENIGMA XIX.

When Jacob's sons to Egypt went,
To purchase food their sole intent,
Which of the ten did Joseph bind,
And from the rest retain behind?

Of whom did Moses testify,

Ile did not like his brethren die,
But taken from the things of time,
Translated, saw a heav'nly clime?
What officer of Pharaoh's guard,
IIis faithful servant kept in ward?
He being of a crime accus'd,
To commit which he had refus'd.

J. DORE.

The son of Puah next I need,
Who did Abimelech succeed,
And, as from Scripture it appears,
Judg'd Israel three and twenty years.

Who bent his steps from Teman's gate,
To comfort Job's afflicted state;
And, at his griefs severely pain'd,
Silent sev'n days and nights remain'd.
When Moses, on the banks of Nile,
Lay in the ark expos'd awhile;
While thus endanger'd, desolate,

Who stood to watch the infant's fate?

With jealousy of Israel fired,
What Moabitish king desir'd

Woe on their camp should be denounc'd?
But, lo! a blessing was pronounced.
Who cur'd a leprous Syrian lord,
And a dead child to life restor❜d?
'Twas he (his name you'll quickly tell)
On whom Elijah's mantle fell.

When Joshua bid the spies to go
And reconnoitre Jericho,

Who hid the men, and then releas'd,
When danger from pursuit had ceas'd?

Do you now ask at what I aim?
From these I seek to know the name
Of that twelfth portion of the year,
When Sol in Libra does appear.

SCRIPTURE ACROSTICS.

No. 4.

1. Enemies of the church.

2. First letter of the Greek alphabet.
3. The upper part of the door frame.
4. A north-west province of Arabia.
5. An insect in scripture.

6. An aromatic or white rosin.

7. One of the books of the Old Testament.

The initials give the name of a province of Palestine; the finals a province in Asia Minor.

Plymouth.

THOMAS HEATH, jun.

WHAT a beautiful creature is the Zebra! and how much from its formation it reminds one of both the horse and the ass; but it very much resembles the mule. We are inclined to think that it is amongst the most beautiful of all quadrupeds. It is remarkable for its timidity, its swiftness, and elegance and strength combined; and we know of no creature in nature so wild and so unmanageable by man as this is. Not long since the writer had the pleasure of seeing one of these animals in connection with Wombwell's menagarie, and could not avoid being struck with its peculiar beauty, and with the regularity and lustre of its colours over the whole body, every stripe being distinct, whether on the head, the body, the legs, the tail, or the ears. The most accomplished artist with all his skill could not so perfectly adorn any