effort. The most barbarous of the Indian islanders, in their wars with Europeans and each other, as mentioned in other parts of this work, discharge arrows poisoned with the juice of the Anchar. These may, indeed, produce an aggravated wound, and much debility, but I doubt whether the wound of a poisoned arrow has ever proved immediately fatal. The darts charged with it are not barbed, and, therefore, instantly removed from the wound, yet, to destroy the life of so comparatively weak an animal as a dog, takes an hour when the dart is continued in the wound, and deliberately applied. Rumphius describes the Dutch soldiers as suffering severely from the effects of this poison in the wars conducted by them about the middle of the seventeenth century, at Amboyna and Macassar, until a remedy was discovered in the emetic qualities of the Radix toxicaria or Bakung. The assertion of the discovery of a remedy throws a doubt upon the whole, for it is surely altogether unreasonable to expect, that clearing the stomach by an emetic should prove an antidote to a subtle poison, taken into the circulation, and acting upon the nervous system. The Dutch soldiers were probably more frightened than hurt. In the perfidy of the practice of using poisoned weapons, and the mysterious and secret operation of a poison, there is something to appal the stoutest heart, and abundant materials for terror and superstition. When our soldiers, both Indian and European, proceeded on an expedition to Bali, in 1814, they expressed serious apprehension for the poisoned darts of the Balinese. The same fear was entertained by the same people for the krises of the Javanese, until we discovered that that people never poisoned their weapons, and that the kris was a very inoffensive, nay, very useless one. Such, unhappily for fiction, is the true account of the upas tree, the bark of which is used by the natives of the countries in which it grows as wearing apparel, and beneath the shade of which the husbandman may repose himself with as much security as under that of the coco-palm or bamboo, Every thing we know of the true history of the upas tree proclaims the egregious mendacity of the man who propagated the fable respecting it, which has obtained currency in Europe, and the extraordinary credulity of those who listened to his extravagant fiction. The Outlaw of Taurus, translated from Eusebius, by Thomas Dale. WHEN, after the death of the tyrant Domitian, the apostle John had returned from the isle of Patmos to Ephesus, at the solicitation of the brethren he undertook a tour through the provinces adjacent to that city. His objects in this journey were the ordination of bishops, the personal superintendance of the churches, and the separation of such persons as were indicated to him by the Spirit, to the exercise of the clerical office. On his arrival at a city not far from Ephesus (the very name of which is mentioned by some writers,) after he had consoled the brethren by exhortations, he beheld among his audience a certain youth, whose commanding stature and engaging aspect bespoke a corresponding nobility of mind. Turning to the Bishop whom he had just ordained, he exclaimed— "In the presence of the Church, and in the sight of Christ, I commit this youth to your utmost diligence." He having received the young man, and given the required promise, the apostle, having solemnly reiterated his charge, returned to Ephesus. The presbyter, admitting into his own family the youth who had been thus consigned to his care, after having instructed, strengthened, and cherished him, administered to him the ordinance of baptism. After this, however, he relaxed his former vigilance and caution, imagining that he had secured him by the most effectual restraint, the seal of the Lord. But certain of his former companions, dissolute, debauched, and abandoned to every species of vice, endeavour to corrupt the youth, who had been too early released from restraint. And first they entice him by magnificent banquets; afterwards, stealing out by night for pur #66 pass." Guvsiye, properly, kept within com. poses of robbery, they persuade him to accompany them; and, in a short time, excite him to attempt some action of greater atrocity. But he, becoming gradually inured to vice, like a spirited and unbridled charger galloping from his right path, and champing his bit, is hurried by the very nobility of his soul, more deeply into the abyss. Having renounced all hope of salvation in his Redeemer, he meditated no trivial action; but, as one reduced to utter desperation, determined to perpetrate some great exploit, disdaining, even in guilt, to be on an equality with the rest. Having, therefore, collected his associates into a band, and procured himself to be appointed their leader, he surpassed all others in violence, slaughter, and atrocity. In the course of time, some exigence requiring his presence, John is once more summoned to the same city. Having arranged all the circumstances, on account of which he came, "Now," said he, "O Bishop, restore to me the deposit which Christ and I committed to your custody in presence of the Church over which you preside." He at first stood mute with astonishment, imagining that money which he had never received was required from him through some calumny; he could neither believe that what had never been intrusted to his care was demanded from him, nor could he impeach the veracity of the apostle. But when he exclaimed, "I demand the young man, even the soul of my brother," the old man groaning deeply, and bursting into tears, replied, "He is dead." "And in what manner did he die ?" "He is dead to God," rejoined the Bishop: he hath departed, being impious, and abandoned, and a most desperate robber. And he now occupies a mountain opposite the Church, with his equally lawless associates." At these words the apostle rent his garments, and with a bitter groan striking his forehead, exclaimed, "To what an excellent guardian did I intrust the soul of my brother!-But procure me instantly a horse and a guide." He hastened, even as he was, directly from the Church; and, having arrived at the place of his destination, is captured by VOL. V. the advanced guard of the robbers, neither endeavouring to fly, nor imploring life, but exclaiming, "For this very purpose I came! conduct me to your chief." The leader, armed as he was, awaited his arrival. And when he recognized John advancing towards him, overpowered with shame, he betook himself to flight. But the apostle, forgetful of his age, eagerly pursued him, exclaiming, "Wherefore do you fly from me, oh my son! from your father, aged and unarmed? Pity me, oh my child, and fear me not: you still possess a hope of salvation. I will make atonement for you to Christ. Willingly would I endure death on your behalf, even as the Lord died for me. I will give my own life as a ransom for you: stop and believe: Christ hath sent me." The youth hearing these words, at first stood still, with his eyes fixed upon the ground: next he threw off his arms, and, trembling, burst into a flood of tears. He then met the old man advancing, and with bitter sighs and lamentations implored his pardon, being, as it were, baptized a second time in his tears, only concealing his right hand. Then the apostle pledging his faith, and vowing that he would obtain pardon for him from his Redeemer, having fallen on his knees and prayed, kissed the right hand of the young man as if it had been purified by repentance, and led him back to the Church. Having besought God on his behalf with many prayers, and striving together by frequent fastings, and soothing his soul by many scriptural* exhortations, the apostle, as they say, did not depart till he had restored him to the Church, having afforded a signal example of sincere penitence, an illustrious instance of regeneration, and a trophy of a conspicuous resurrection. The author would apologize for this very hasty, and, he fears, imperfect translation; but that the confined space which remains to him will be much better occupied in assuring his readers, that there are strong proofs of the authenticity of the above legend. Ire THE prevailing wind during the winter months is the north-west, which is dry, cold, and bracing; it rarely brings snow. The deepest snow-storms are produced by a north-east wind, and are frequently long and violent. The change is commonly to the north-west, round by the south; and for some time the north-west blows vehemently, and makes a drift, or, as the Lower Canadians call it, a poudre. This only in the open grounds. In the woods, the snow continues level seldom so much as two feet, in the western parts of the province; but often four feet deep in the north and east. The frosts continue at intervals, some years, even to the 6th of June, slight indeed, but sufficient to destroy fruit. Light frosts sometimes commence again in September; and in October they are frequent, and become gradually more severe. In the end of this month, ice begins to form on the pools and small rivulets, and the trees and herbs droop, and change their freshness of colour. There are frequent storms of wind in this month, attended with rain. November is commonly more pleasant than October: the winds are seldom so violent; the weather more agreeable; and the Indian summer begins, or frosty mornings, with smoky sun-shine days. As the month draws to a close, the surface of the ground is frozen, and thawed during the day by the heat of the sun, which makes very bad roads. Similar weather continues during part of December; but, towards the 20th of this month, the snow most generally falls to remain through the greater part of the province: the rivers and ground are completely frozen, and become well prepared to receive and retain the snow, which now comes in great quantities. The winters, however, are irregular;: and, in the lower parts of Upper Canada, the snow that fell in November has remained till April, leaving good roads during all this time: but this is rather an extreme case, and never happens so high as Kingston. In January there is always a good deal of snow, though frequently checked by a thaw. Towards the end of January, and the first half of February, we have, for the most part, the coldest weather, and the greatest falls of snow; but the intense cold seldom continues more than three days at one time, without a change to soft weather. March is blustering, cold, and raw : snow-storms are frequent; but the sun has now a great influence. In April there are many good days, but little or no signs of vegetation. The month of May is rendered chilly and uncomfortable by the prevalence of east winds, which continue to the middle of June, when the warm weather commences. July and August are both very warm, and likewise the greater part of September; calms prevail, and the nights are close and sultry. The winters of Canada have long been an object of terror to Englishmen; and yet a Quebec winter, cold as it is, will be found much more agreeable than an English one; and fewer, in proportion, suffer from its severity. The people of Canada are more careful to protect themselves from cold: they do not expose themselves to the external air, without being warmly clothed; and they are particularly attentive to the keeping of the head, hands, and feet, warm. These precautions the Indians likewise take, and never seem to be affected by the coldest winter. In winter the air is very dry, and entirely deprived of its moisture by congelation; and, from this dryness, it has less effect on the human body than moist air, many degrees warmer. The climate of Upper is milder than that of Lower Canada, the change being very perceptible as you proceed up the river St. Lawrence. At Kingston, the season is ten or twelve days earlier than at Montreal; and at Niagara they are as much earlier than at Kingston. Indeed, the difference of the seasons at Niagara and York, though distant only thirty miles, is very considerable. It is evident through all this country, that the climate is not more essentially determined by the latitude than by the longitude. Here much of the surface is yet covered with water, and the remainder with thick weeds, so that the rays of the sun have very little power. Human industry appears, from experience, to diminish the inequality of the seasons, but has little or no effect in altering the average temperature. In the open country the snow disappears much sooner than in the woods: but the grain sown is thus exposed to late frosts in the autumn, and early frosts in the spring, without protection; and the ground, puffed up and loosened with frequent freezing and thawing, throws the roots of the wheat out, and it immediately perishes. As the country gets cleared, the weather becomes more changeable, and perhaps less healthy: the ground is covered with water instead of snow; and sloppy roads are more inimical to the constitution, than extreme cold. It is remarked, in Canada, that the mild open winters are the most unhealthy; and for this, no other reason can be assigned, than that the greater degree of moisture engenders pleurisy. Halifax Poor Man's Friend Society. A BENEVOLENT institution, under this title, was last year founded in the town of Halifax, Nova-Scotia, which embraces in its articles of association every class of the community, and is patronnized by the governor of the province, and all the principal inhabitants of the place; and which, we are assured, has already been the means of preventing much distress and suffering among the indigent and unemployed part of the community, particularly during the rigours of winter. A general meeting of the Society was held on the 20th of December last, when the first annual report was presented, from which we make the following extracts :— "This important Charity was founded in the month of February of the present year, a season, of all others, the most severe and distressing to the poor: but whilst the committee, in referring to that season, are reminded of the numerous and distressing scenes of wretchedness that were then exhibited, they cannot deny themselves the pleasure of acknowledging, with gratitude to God, the liberality of the public, by means of which many deserving families and individuals were rescued from the extreme of misery. "Some idea may be formed of the importance and extensive usefulness of the Halifax Poor Man's Friend Society, when it is stated, that in little more than nine months, not less than eleven hundred and eighty-three cases, consisting of four thousand two hundred and thirteen individuals, have been relieved by it. "Your committee nominated several of their members a committee to wait upon his excellency the earl of Dalhousie, to present him with a copy of the rules, which was condescendingly accepted, and the object of the Society approved of by his excellency, who directed the committee to be furnished with one hundred great coats, one hundred pairs of stockings, forty blankets, fifty bill hooks, and twelve cot bedsteads, at a time when many individuals were suffering from want of these articles. "On the arrival of our present wormittee was also appointed to wait upon thy governor Sir James Kempt, a comhis excellency with a copy of the rules and regulations of the Society, and to solicit his excellency's favourable consideration; to which he was pleased to reply, That he would be most happy to contribute to the funds of the Society, and to give to the committee, for the use of the poor, any articles of clothing and bedding of which he might have the disposal.' "It is the peculiar character of this Society, that it attends to the wants of. the suffering poor at a time, and in a manner, best calculated to afford effectual aid; but in order that the designs of the institution be fully carried into effect, a sufficient number of active visitors to supply all the wards of the town, are at all times necessary, in order that no interruption may take place in affording necessary relief to the poor in any of the districts into which the town has been divided by your committee. In fact, the very existence of the Charity is dependant upon the regular and conscientious discharge of the duties of the visitors. "Amongst the cases already relieved. have been almost every possible grade of distress and misery; and your committee trust that the manner in which relief has been afforded, will give general satisfaction; and although it would have afforded them more pleasure to have given relief to a greater extent in many particular cases than they have done, yet a desire to make the funds hold out until this general meeting, induced them to be as economical as possible. "The government of this Society is in a committee of twenty gentlemen annually chosen by and from among the subscribers, who also elect a treasurer and secretary. The committee have divided Halifax into seventeen wards, and from time to time, appoint two gentlemen as visitors to each, whose duty it is to become acquainted with every case of distress therein, by visit ing through it occasionally during the month they are in office, bestowing such relief as the nature of the case requires; to meet the sub-committee (which consists of four members of the committee, the treasurer, and secretary) on the evening previous to the monthly meeting of the committee; to pay in the amount of collections made by them during the month; to render an account of the cases relieved by them, together with the nature and extent of relief given; and to receive the amount of the same from the treasurer, who is directed by the sub-committee to pay it. The committee meet on the evening of the first Thursday in every month, to receive from the sub-committee a report of what has been transacted by the visitors during the preceding month, and to reappoint the sub-committee and visitors, or to name other persons to these offices." From a schedule attached to the report, it appears the Society aid the necessitous with money, fuel, clothing, victuals, and other necessary articles of life. Professor Turner's Report. To the Trustees of the Theological THE first term of study in the Theological Seminary having come to a close, the Professor begs leave respectfully to report,-That he entered on the duties of his office on the 7th day of Sept. last, and since that time has pursued with the pupils of the institution the following course of studies:-The Criticism of the Greek and Hebrew Texts, comprehending accounts of the most important versions and editions of the Bible, together with discussions on the Vowel Points, Targums, Talmuds, &c. -All those parts of Jewish Antiquities which tend to illustrate the Pentateuch The Pentateuch itself, which has been carefully read in the Septuagint version, and compared with the Hebrew text; the variations having been in general pointed out, and where it was found practicable, accounted for. Besides various commentators and critics, the works of Marsh, Prideaux, Gray, and Jennings, have been used as text books. The constant occupation of his time has prevented the Professor from being able to prepare many written lectures. It has been his care, however, always to accompany the recitations with remarks designed to illustrate the subject; and he has read to the students several discussions, curious as well as useful, translated from the Latin of Bochart. In consequence of the impossibility of obtaining suitable Hebrew Grammars, the students have made but little progress in that language. Two of them, Messrs. Schroeder and W. L. Johnson, had prosecuted it to a considerable extent before they entered the Seminary. In addition to those studies, some of the pupils have read Pearson on the Creed. Their wish to pursue Systematic Theology at this time, was acceded to, from the consideration that they had been pursuing studies in divinity between one and two years before they entered the Seminary, and were apprehensive lest they should not be able to continue in it long enough to complete its regular course. |