as his way was, never left till he made him quit the bench, and go down to the criminal's post at the bar; and there he pleaded for himself as a common rogue or thief must have done; and when the mayor hesitated a little or slackened his pace, he bawled at him, and, stamping, called for his guards; for he was general by commission. Thus the citizens saw their scarlet chief magistrate at the bar, to their infinite terror and amazement. He then took security of them to answer informations, and so left them to ponder their cases amongst themselves. At London, Sir Robert Cam applied, by friends, to appease him, and to get from under the prosecution, and at last he granted it, saying, 'Go thy way; sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.' The prosecutions depended until the revolution, which made an amnesty; and the fright only, which was no small one, was all the punishment these judicial kidnappers underwent. And the gains acquired by so wicked a trade rested peaceably in their pockets.'Roscoe's Biography of Eminent British Lawyers. PHILIP DODDRIDGE. THE volume now before us is a second edition. This alone is significant of a favourable reception by the public; and an extended and enduring popularity we think ourselves safe in predicting for it. Biography ever has been, and ever must be, a favourite study with the thoughtful and wise; and, in its various shapes and semblances, it has ever been in high demand among those who read for mere amusement. While the mysterious sympathy which embraces all mankind within its magic circle still continues; while the pulse of every man is faintly or powerfully echoed by the pulse of every brother man; while the light which has flashed from one human eye retains its power to kindle a responsive flash in other human eyes, biography will not die, but live and flourish. We rejoice that it is not likely to cease or to wither in our day. There are various ways of gauging the general mental condition of an age. Who are the men whom their contemporaries exalt into high places, and look up to for guidance and command? Who are the writers that stand highest in the temple of contemporary fame? What are the leading ideas and delusions of the day? What are the most popular songs? By obtaining a comprehensive and accurate response to any one of these questions, we would obtain some considerable insight into the state and the possibilities of any period. But, of as unquestionable certainty, as a test of the inner life of a people, as any of the above questions, would be the inquiry-Of what men, and of what class of men, do they love best to read and to hear? And we cannot but consider it an augury of good, that in our day Christian biography is so highly favoured by the reading public. We, of course, do not mean to assert that Christian biography is our most popular literature-that, in this enlightened age, it can come into comparison, in point of popularity, with our circulating libraries, or our great (we must use the word, but let it indicate mere windy monstrousness, like that of the puffed frog!) novelists, or that it has yet attained a very high degree of excellence. But it is beyond dispute that there have been made, within the last few years, very important and valuable additions to our Christian biography; and it is as certain that the public has displayed an eager desire for, and a hearty appreciation of, such biography. We need but mention the lives of M'Cheyne, Hallam, Stanley, Bickersteth, Heugh, and Chalmers, to establish both these positions; and we hail them as omens that a new life is beginning to warm the vitals of our churches, or, at least, as signs that the olden fire has not yet died out. Mr Stoughton's work is styled A Centenary Memorial,' having been written for a general meeting of the Congregational Union of England, and read before their members just a century after the demise of its illustrious subject. It might be not inappropriately characterised as a discriminating biographic panegyric upon Philip Doddridge. In * Philip Doddridge, his Life and Labours. By JoHN STOUGHTON. London: Jackson and Walford. general style it deserves high laudation; and, while its tone is decidedly and enthusiastically eulogistic, the author honestly scrutinises, and impartially displays, what he deems the defects and imperfections of his hero. We feel confident in recommending it to our readers, and shall in the meantime endeavour, with sufficient briefness, to convey to them, chiefly from the pages before us, some idea of the character and career of Doddridge. Philip Doddridge was born in London on the 26th of June, 1702. He was the youngest of twenty children, all of whom, save himself and a sister, were laid in an early grave. His father was an oilman by trade. His mother was the daughter of a Bohemian pastor, who quitted his native country about the year 1626. She appears to have been a devoted and a godly mother. To the childish training of Philip, she applied herself with that complete and holy affection which makes a Christian mother perhaps the most nearly angelic existence possible on our world. She early turned his eye heavenwards, and instilled into his vivacious mind the elements of Christian knowledge. The chimney corner was lined with blue Dutch tiles, on which were portrayed Scriptural incidents; and many a time, doubtless, was the eye of little Philip turned, in inquiring delight, to the simple records, upon which a mother's words and a mother's smiles threw such light as could come from no other quarter. The influence of this godly parent on the future career of Doddridge we deem it impossible to overrate, and that influence was all for good. What an infinitely precious boon of Heaven is a godly parent! Fling wealth, titles, influence, and, if you like, diadems and sceptres, into the one scale, and into the other simple motherly kindness, sanctified by the love of God, and how speedily the former flies up and kicks the beam! The mightiest influences in our world are sometimes veiled in gentleness and seeming weakness; and who will compute the work that has resulted in all ages in good to humanity, from the mild but mighty instructions and monitions of Christian mothers! Doddridge was deprived by death of both his parents, when he was about thirteen years old. Even at that early age, the bent of his nature appears to have been decided; for we hear him saying, on the occasion of the loss of his parents, God is an immortal Father; my soul rejoices in him. He has hitherto helped me, and provided for me; may it be my study to approve myself a more affectionate, grateful, and dutiful child!' He was then resident at Kingston, having been previously instructed in the elementary branches of knowledge in London. After his father's death, he was placed under the charge of the learned Mr Nathaniel Wood,' in the town of St Albans. There he was very kindly looked upon and encouraged by the Rev. Samuel Clark, a Presbyterian divine, and author of Scripture Promises,' who performed pastoral duties in St Albans. His ministry was attended by Doddridge, and a kindly, almost parental, care was extended by him towards the young student. At ninteeen, Philip was admitted to church membership. He had long before evinced a predilection for the ministerial profession. An inviting opening into the Established Church had presented itself, but, on conscientious grounds, he had abstained from availing himself of it, and directed his thoughts elsewhere. Difficulties, to which it is necessary only to refer, stood in his way. He went to London, and presented himself to Dr Calamy, a man of influence among Dissenters, but met with no assistance. He knew not where to turn. His means were limited; and at this juncture, a proposal was made to him, backed by flattering prospects of success, to enter the legal profession. With no earthly parent to advise him, and with such stern circumstances of compulsion urging him into a path, where earthly rather than heavenly riches were to be won, he did what every humble Christian, believing in a personal God and Father, can do he bent his knees in prayer. He was interrupted by a knock at the door, and the arrival of a letter. It was such as at once to dispel his difficulties. Did he think, as tears of joy started to his eyes, of the angel Gabriel being sent so swiftly to one of old? The letter was from his old and benignant friend, Mr Clark, and contained an invitation to come and commence the study of theology under his roof. The offered aid was at once accepted, and Doddridge forthwith commenced his studies, in preparation for the ministry. After residing for some months with Mr Clark, who furnished him with books, and otherwise assisted him in his studies, he was placed under the tuition of Mr John Jennings, who kept an academy at Kibworth, in Leicestershire-a gentleman of great learning, piety, and useful ness. It is necessary to explain that at that somewhat troubled period the English dissenting bodies were in possession of no regularly organised and fully equipped theological seminaries, and that ministers, distinguished above their brethren, undertook, with adequate assistance, the training of theological students. Their establishments they unassumingly designated academies;' and such an academy it was which was under the superintendence of Mr Jennings. Doddridge was a diligent and conscientious student, and gave proof of very high abilities. His range of study and of sympathy was wide. He studied the classics extensively. Homer seems to have been an especial favourite. With what wide, warm, noble, buman heart was he ever not so? His remarks upon Homer, Job Orton informs us, would have filled a considerable volume. His performances in reading remind us of those of Halley. In one half year, he perused sixty books, and that in no perfunctory inadequate fashion. Nay, he even found time to abridge some of them, and to make extracts from others. Nor were the volumes such as could be speedily despatched, or skimmed over. Tillotson's Works and Boyle's Lectures formed part of the number. Job Orton gives a very interesting excerpt from his self-imposed daily duties, which he drew up along with certain guiding maxims for his own direction. Some of these last are sagacious and important. Never let me trifle with a book with which I have no present concern.' 'In all my studies let me remember that the souls of men are immortal, and that Christ died to redeem them.' 'If I have grossly erred in any one of these particulars, let me not think it an excuse for erring in others.' From all this, we infer that Doddridge was by this time a youth of pervading godliness, who had fairly decided for God and against the world that he was possessed of a vigorous, active, and able mind-and that he was impelled onwards by a powerful and noble scholarly enthusiasm. Doddridge entered the ministry July 22, 1722, being then twenty years old. His first sermon was preached at Hinckley; the text was that impressive passage, 'If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema maranatha.' The pastor had reason to believe that his words were accompanied with power in more than a single instance. After preaching about a year at Hinckley, he accepted a call to the congregation of Kibworth, and took up his residence in that place in June, 1723. His sojourn here seems to have been on the whole cheery and pleasant, while it afforded an invaluable opportunity for the maturing, extending, and deepening of his knowledge, and the ripening of his faculties and piety. It was a pleasant rural abode. Fashion, with its starch, periwigs, and hoops, was in the distance; there was not a single tea-table, Doddridge informs us, in the whole district over which his ministerial care extended. But the sun shone, and the roses bloomed, and the kind English heart had always a warm welcome for the pastor. A man who could write as follows might sincerely thank God that he had not been born to a coronet or a crown: I am now with a plain, honest, serious, good-natured people. I heartily love them myself, and I meet with genuine expressions of an undissembled affection on their side. I would hope that God is among us, and I desire to mention it with a great deal of thankfulness, that I already see some encouraging effects of my poor attempts to serve them. I do not go very much abroad, and when I am at home I can conveniently spend twelve hours a-day in my study. I have now many good books of my own, and my friends that are still better furnished are very ready to oblige me with the use of theirs. As to the salary, though it does not certainly amount to forty pounds a-year, it is a tolerable subsistence for a single man; and I believe I shall never marry while I stay here.' Forty pounds a-year, and yet in very truth he was passing rich! In the close of 1729, Doddridge was invited to undertake a charge in Northampton, and removed thither in December of that year. About this time, he appears to have entered the matrimonial relation. He commenced his new duties with earnest devotion and zeal. I have some cheerful hope'-these are his words-that the God to whom I have this day been more solemnly than ever devoting my service, will graciously use me, either in this world or a better; and I am not solicitous about particular circumstances, where or how. If I know anything of my heart, I apprehend I may adopt the words of the apostle, that it is my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that Christ shall be magnified, whether it be by life or by death; that to me to live is Christ, and to die unspeakable gain.' From this time forward, there occurs little in the circumstances of Doddridge which it is of importance for us to notice. Besides the duties of his pulpit and parish, he was also constantly and efficiently engaged in the preparation of young aspirants to the office of the ministry. In every capacity he was zealous and indefatigable. Respecting his powers as a preacher, Mr Stoughton says: The four volumes of sermons, published twenty years ago, perhaps afford a fair sample of his better preaching. In matter evangelical, in arrangement lucid, in imagery generally tasteful, sometimes felicitous, in diction always perspicuous, and occasionally eloquent, they must have been heard with uncommon interest. Never very great, they were always very good; and goodness in a sermon, meaning by that the power to edify, is better than greatness. Doddridge's discourses do not remind you of Alpine mountains; they have no massive and daring arguments, tinged with poetic hues, like the glorious range of the Oberland at sunset; no confounding expostulations, like torrents from some glacier cavern; there is nothing to astonish, entrance, enthrill. But they remind you of English valleys; they are full of rich, useful, refreshing thoughts, like corn-fields, orchards, and gardens. They abound in earnest, persuasive appeals, like brooks of living water. They have much to feed the soul, and inspire calm delight. Doddridge entered the pulpit, not to dazzle, but to teachnot to amaze, but to convince-not to gratify, but to reform-not to be thought great, but to do good. This was his motto: May I remember that I am not to compose a harangue, to acquire to myself the reputation of an eloquent orator, but that I am preparing food for precious and immortal souls, and dispensing the sacred gospel which my Redeemer brought from heaven, and sealed with his blood.' He neglected no part of his flock, and gave especial attention to the children. He visited every member of his congregation; he improved to the utmost every casual opportunity of usefulness. In his capacity of tutor, he performed a vast amount of work. Mr Stoughton gives so graphic and interesting a view of him in the discharge of his daily duties, that we would be unjustified in abridging it: Behold, then, his tall and slender form enrobed in academic costume, and his large features and goodhumoured countenance encompassed by the curls of a flowing wig, and an ample supply of snow-white collar, turned down over the shoulders, as he meets his young men at six o'clock on a summer morning, to open the day with short and solemn prayer. Later, at family worship, they read a chapter in the Hebrew Bible-Orton and Kippis, and such promising lads, performing the exercise with commendable diligence, but some of the idler fellows slurring over the task, by slily placing the English translation beside the original, which the professor, who is very short-sighted, is unable to detect. The reading, well or badly done, he goes on with his accustomed perspicuity to expound the paragraph, and to aid the young linguists by the light of his own ever-ready critical learning. After breakfast comes the grand business of lecturing, and forthwith he unfolds a formidable string of 'propositions,' 'scholias,' and 'lem- Wherever he came, Doddridge was received with open arms, and, during his vacations, he delighted to ramble over England, from friend to friend, and from meadow to meadow. We are glad to go with him (and Mr Stoughton) on one of his trips. Forthwith we sally out, in imagination, along the bad roads of the last century, by some flying coach, which managed to compass the distance between Northampton and London in a couple of days, till we arrive at Mr Coward's house, at Walthamstow, who entertains us with hearty cheer, and cordially drinks Mrs Doddridge's health after dinner. Getting into a post-chaise with him and Mr Ashworth, we count thirty-five gates, made fast with latches, between the last market town and Stratford-on-Avon,' where the doctor makes a pilgrimage to Shakspere's grave. Next we go with him down to the hospitable mansion of the Welmans, the glory of the Taunton Dissenters,' who receive him with princely elegance,' at 'a table fit for an archbishop.' Then we slowly travel on to Plymouth, and see our friend in 'a little boat dancing on the swelling sea,' or 'feeding a tame bear with biscuits; and then, on his way home, we peep into his room at Lymington, where he sits on Saturday night, in a silk night-gown which Mr Pearson has lent him, writing letters to his beloved Mercy; or, opening one of them from Ongar, in Essex, we find that he has turned angler: 'I went a-fishing yesterday, and with extraordinary success, for I pulled a minnow out of the water, though it made shift to get away.' We think these tit-bits from Mr Stoughton's pages should induce our readers to become personally acquainted with the volume. They will find it replete with interest and noble instruction; for what contemplation, in the whole circle of objects which present themselves to the eye of man upon this world, can be grander than this, of a man who has early, calmly, and with conscientious strength of determination, devoted himself to the service of his God? And such an one was Philip Doddridge. Here actually was a man who could turn his eyes from the witching gleam of gold, and rigidly sum it as dross-who could look to his heart within him, and to the heavens above him, and to the human hearts which the kindly magic of love and sympathy drew around him, and feel himself emphatically rich on less than forty pounds a-year! A sublimity greater than that of the battle-field or the volcano encircles such a career as this; a sublimity as of a calm mountain lake, where the lights of heaven glass themselves. Long will such a man, though dead, still speak; though he himself has long since been gathered to his fathers, still, like an ever-blooming Aaron's rod, will the beautiful Christian life he led, the works he did, the words he spake, and the death he died, continue to cheer the hearts and to lighten the eyes of his tearful brethren behind. He expired in a foreign land, having visited Portugal under medical treatment. The time of his death was October, 1751. He died as the blessed die. INDIAN CORN. THE botanical name of this beautiful and useful moncecious grass or plant is Zea Mays. It is known in the United States as Indian corn; in the Spanish countries of the New World as Maize, Trigo de los Indias; and in Europe as Indian or Turkey corn. It was the principal vegetable food of the aboriginal inhabitants of America before the conquest, and kind Nature in her beneficence bestowed this plant, where other cereals would not thrive so well. Its range of growth is extensive, namely, from the equatorial regions to about 50° N. and to 40° S. It is an herbaceous annual, with stout, reed-like, jointed stems, from two to more than twelve feet high, according to climate and variety. The leaves are flag-like, broad, and long, from one to three or four feet in length, by three to four inches in breadth. The ear contains several hundred grains, arranged in longitudinal rows upon a spike of eight to ten inches in length. The grains are usually of a bright golden colour, though some are white, blood-red, purple, and even black. The number of ears on one plant is from three to ten, and one ear is sometimes found to contain eight hundred grains. A grain of Indian corn will yield from one thousand to three thousand-fold in one season. Maize is indigenous to the New World only; but it would appear that this plant was cultivated in Asia and Africa in the early ages of the world. Many scriptural allusions to corn apply more fully to maize than to any other grain. Its extensive cultivation in modern times, however, dates from the discovery of America, it being the only species of corn cultivated in the New World previous to its discovery. The maize and cotton plants were two striking elements of the Indian civilisation; and it is evident that the cultivation of maize gave the ancient moundbuilders of North America the capacity of concentrating their numbers, and living together in large towns and cities, and particularly in Mexico, Central America, Peru, and even as far south as Arauco. The Indians of Virginia called the plant No-ka-hik; the Ojibeways, Mon-da-min; the Miamis, Min-ge-pe; the Mohawks, One as-ti; the Comanches, Ha-ne-nis-ta; the Blackfeet, Bes-ca-tte. In Mesopotamia, Persia, North India, and Arabia, it is extensively cultivated; in North and West Africa, it is also found. In Spain and Portugal, in Italy, and even in Switzerland and Germany, it has long been esteemed an essential article of consumption. The writer of these remarks remembers Cobbett receiving a medal, about 1823, from the Society of Arts, for the introduction (or rather the growth) of a quantity of it into this country. It is the staple grain of the United States. The quantity imported from thence to Great Britain in 1843 was only 517 quarters; in 1847, 3,608,312 quarters; in 1850, 1,286,264 quarters. During the famine occasioned by the failure of the potato crop in Ireland, this grain formed the sole food of millions of the people for a long time. Unhappily, a large portion of it was damaged by the sea voyage, and acquired a sour or bitter taste, which created a prejudice against it. Mr Stafford, of New York, has discovered and patented a mode of grinding and drying the flour of this grain by steam heat, so as to free it from the deteriorating quality. The moisture contained in cereal grains, generally, is the cause of the change they undergo, particularly when in the state of meal. Indian corn, in the cob, and well housed, undergoes little or no change; but when ground, change is soon perceptible. The moisture in the grain is a peculiar acid body, which, when the outer covering is broken, combines with the oxygen of the air, and, with the aid of a tempera ture between 45° and 90°, decomposition takes place, hastened or retarded by an increase or diminution of temperature. Now if this acid moisture is expelled, without producing any chemical change in the grain or its manufactures, and if the manufactured article be kept from the air by packing, it will remain unchanged. By Mr Stafford's process of drying, the acid moisture is evaporated by steam heat at a low temperature. The ventilation during the process being perfect, neither the colour, flavour, nor quality are changed. The formation of all the cereal grains is crystalline. Each distinct crystal has a coating of gluten, or albumen, and it is the quality of these that gives the grain its nutrition. Yellow corn contains more nutriment than white corn. In the United States, cakes, puddings, fritters, Indian muffins, mush, egg-pone, johny-cakes, and a great variety of preparations, are made from Indian corn. This grain abounds in starch, but contains little gluten, and it is the want of the latter that renders it less palatable to Europeans than wheat. The following are some of the modes in which Indian corn is used in different parts of the world, showing that every portion of this valuable and interesting plant may be turned to advantage:— it to the negroes, they complained that the new food did not agree with them. To the European, maize bread is far from being palatable at first, and many are only initiated into the eating it by absolute hunger. 8. As food for cattle, horses, pigs, and poultry, particularly in new countries, it is most useful, both as corn and as green and dry fodder-the last being the leaves only, which contain much nutriment of a saccharine and gummy character. Care should be taken not to allow horses to eat too much of the green fodder, for they stand a chance of being foundered.' The dried leaves that surround the husk are often used as stuffing for mattresses, as also as an envelope for tobacco, forming what the Spaniards denominate as Cigaros de Paja. 9. Roasted corn, or Maize Tostado of the Mexicans and Peruvians, is a favourite way of eating it at table in lieu of bread. With a little toasted maize, and a small bag of coca (Erythroxylum Peruvianum), the Peruvian Indian will travel for weeks on foot, without any other food, drinking at the streams he may pass. The coca is chewed with a substance (in Peru) called Llucta, which is composed of mashed potato and the strong alkaline ash of the prickly pear (Cactus). 10. Roasted and partially scorched. Indian corn, when 1. The heads of green corn, called in South America ground into a fine meal, and mixed with cold water, is Chojlos, when boiled and eaten with salt, pepper, and but-known in Peru as Ulpo; sometimes cinnamon and sugar ter, is a good substitute for the potato. are added, making a grateful drink within the tropics when travelling. 2. Sometimes the dry corn, after it is out of the shuck, is boiled for the use of the table, and eaten as peas; in this case, however, it must be steeped in ley for a short time, so as to soften it. 3. When ground, it is called corn-meal, which is made into cakes rather than into loaves. In the Spanish countries of America, these cakes are known as tortillas. Green corn being ground into a fine mass, cakes are made from it. In the United States, the cakes, when baked in lard or butter, are known as 'corn dodgers;'* sometimes eggs and milk are added. 4. Porridges of all sorts, one of which is polenta, eaten with milk, honey, molasses, or sugar-to say nothing of the favourite 'mush and milk' of the United States. 5. In the United States a common spirituous liquor is made from Indian corn; it is called 'rot gut.' 6. In Peru, in particular, a very pleasant drink is manufactured by the Indians, by fermenting malted ground maize, which liquid, after a little age, and when well made, becomes an intoxicating beverage, if taken in copious libations; this drink is the celebrated Chicha de Maize, and was much prized by the ancient Peruvians. This chicha is prepared in the following manner :-The corn, ere it becomes dry, is malted; it is then ground, and boiled with water. The clear liquor is poured off, and allowed to cool. After a time, fermentation commences, which is allowed to go on for a certain period. The starchy matter in malting has taken on a partially saccharine character, which now produces alcohol, and independently of carbonic acid being evolved, there is another, which may be a new acid, or allied to the acetic. When this fermented liquid, or chicha, is allowed to stand for some days, a bright yellow oil or fatty matter, from 5 to 10 per cent., floats up to the surface, having an aromatic odour, composed of three substances, viz., 1, a body like elaine; 2, a small portion of stearine; and, 3, a substance which the writer of these remarks has called maizaline. This last substance appears to have a purgative quality, and, on persons not accustomed to eat maize bread, it is that portion that produces generally such an effect. Dr Playfair gives the following analysis of maize:-Starch, 76; water, 12; proteine, 7; fatty matter, 5 = 100. 7. It is asserted in the United States, that, when maize has been scarce, and wheaten bread was given in lieu of The origin of the word appears to be the following:-The steward of an American man-of-war had not baked or fried the corn cake to his officer's liking, when the officer took aim with the intention of throwing the plate of cakes at the steward's head, who, perceiving the corn cakes flying towards him, dodged, and so evaded the mis siles. Thus, from dodge, comes corn dodger. 11. The 'cob' (in which the seeds are inserted), when hollowed, makes a good pipe for smoking tobacco. The cob is likewise used in lieu of corks. 12. When Indian corn is young and tender, and a little before 'earing time,' is the period for the development of saccharine matter; and sugar has lately been extracted with some success in the United States, and is known as corn-stalk sugar.' It is estimated that from 600 to 1000 lbs. of sugar may thus be easily procured from an acre of land. 13. When the roots of the corn plant are burned, they yield a large quantity of alkali-probably carbonate of potash. 14. Atole achamparado' is a Mexican preparation, made of finely ground corn-meal, mixed with chocolate, made into gruel for invalids. The meal is also used for poultices. The ancient Peruvians celebrated the virtues of the Chicha de Maize in song; they also made offerings of the plant to their gods. The Mexicans had the goddess of maize. The Chippewas have the following allegory, which is called 'Mon-da-min,' or the origin of Zea Maize : -A poor Indian was living with his wife and children in a beautiful part of the country. His children were too young to give him any assistance in hunting, and he had but ill luck himself. But he was thankful for all he received from the forest, and, although he was very poor, he was contented. His elder son inherited the same disposition, and had ever been obedient to his parents. He had now reached the age at which it is proper to make the initial fast, which the Indian lads all do at about fourteen. As soon as the spring arrived, his mother built him a little fasting lodge in a retired spot, where he would not be disturbed; and, when it was finished, he went in and began his fast. He amused himself for a few mornings by rambling about in the vicinity, looking at the shrubs and wild-flowers (for he had a taste for such things), and brought great bunches of them along in his hands, which led him often to think on the goodness of the Great Spirit in providing all kinds of fruits and herbs for the use of man. This idea quite took possession of his mind, and he earnestly prayed that he might dream of something to benefit his people, for he had often seen them suffering from the want of food. On the third day, he became too weak and faint to walk about, and kept his bed. He fancied, while thus lying in a dreamy state, that he saw a handsome young man, dressed in green robes, and with green plumes on his head, advancing towards him. The visiter said, 'I am sent to you, my, friend, by the Great Spirit, who made all things. He has observed you. He sees that you desire to procure a benefit to your people. Listen to my words, and follow my instructions.' He then told the young man to rise and walk with him. Weak as he was, he tottered to his feet, and began; but, after a long trial, the handsome stranger said. My friend, it is enough for once; I will come again.' He then vanished. On the following day the celestial visiter re-appeared, and renewed the trial. The young man knew that his physical strength was even less than the day before; but, as this declined, he felt that his mind became stronger and clearer. Perceiving this, the stranger in plumes again spoke to him. To-morrow,' he said, 'will be your last trial. Be strong and courageous; it is the only way in which you can obtain the boon you seek.' He then departed. On the third day, as the young faster lay on his pallet, weak and exhausted, the pleasing visiter returned; and as he renewed the contest, he looked more beautiful than ever. The young man grasped him, and seemed to feel new strength imparted to his body, while that of his antagonist grew weaker. At length the stranger cried, 'It is enough. I am beaten. You will win your desire from the Great Spirit. To-morrow will be the seventh day of your fast, and the last of your trials. Your father will bring you food, which will recruit you. I shall then visit you for the last time, and I foresee that you are destined to prevail. As soon as you have thrown me down, strip off my garments, and bury me on the spot. Visit the place, and keep the earth clean and soft. Let no weeds grow there. I shall soon come to life, and re-appear with all the wrappings of my garments and my waving plumes. Once a-month cover my roots with fresh earth; and, by following these directions, your triumph will be complete.' The mysterious visiter then disappeared. Next morning the youth's father came with food, but he asked him to set it by, for a particular reason, till the sun went down. Meantime the skyvisiter came for his final trial, and, although the young man had not partaken of his father's offer of food, he engaged in the combat with his visiter with a feeling of supernatural strength. He threw him down. He then stripped him of his garments and plumes. He buried his body in the earth, carefully preparing the ground, and removing every weed, and then returned to his father's lodge. He partook sparingly of food, and soon recovered his perfect strength. But he never for a moment forgot the burialplace of his friend. He carefully visited it, and would not let even a wild flower grow there. Soon he saw the tops of the green plumes coming out of the ground, at first in spiral points, then expanding into broad leaves, and rising on green stalks, and finally assuming their silken fringes and yellow tassels. The spring and summer had now passed, when one day he requested his father to visit the lonely spot where he had fasted. The old man stood in amazement. The lodge was gone, and in its place stood a tall, graceful, and majestic plant, waving its taper leaves, and displaying its bright-coloured plumes and tassels. But what most attracted his admiration was its cluster of golden ears. It is the friend of my dreams and visions,' said the youth. It is Mon-da-min, it is the Spirit's grain,' said the father. And this is the origin of the Indian corn. Original Poetry. ISLAND ISOLATION. WRITTEN AT THE AZORES. Week after week we sail, nor descry Or sun, or moon, or starry sky, Still steering on through the light and dark. Onward, and onward, as in a dream, Or as afloat on a shoreless sea: Or maybe to sail we misdeem Fix'd by some spell though seeming free. But lo! a long faint strip as of cloud, A small, small isle of the western main- Shore, rocks, and fields, we see them plain. And now for the land our mariners row. Sharks sail with us with wolfish eyes; O, never compare it with yours and with mine. Their milk of the goat, and cheese of the same, Their roots of the earth, and fruits of the tree, Their life that is bounded, their spirit that's tame, Here's nothing congenial to you and to me. How anxiously come its people on board!— How eager for poor half-worn clothing are they, How few are the comforts their isle can afford; Away for old England, good captain, away! Away! for the land of the loom and the mill, An isle, but no prison, whose jailor's the sea; Small speck of the ocean pre-eminent stillThe ark of all freedom, and home of the free! RICHARD HOWITT. NOTES OF A VISIT TO ALEXANDRIA. ON the evening of the 9th of July, 1851, I embarked at Marseilles, in the Medina steam-ship, which was to sail the following morning for Malta. The sea-breeze proved most refreshing after the heat and fine dust of Marseilles, and, seen under the morning sun (for we were detained till twelve noon, waiting for the mail), the town and harbour looked highly picturesque. A little way out from the harbour lies the rocky islet on which stands the castle or stronghold called Chateau d'If, in which, according to Carlyle, the young Mirabeau was incarcerated by his father, because the said young Mirabeau was not an epitome of the elder Mirabeau. Numerous islets of the same character lie scattered around; all so white and barren, that, but for the blue waters around, they must have proved oppressive to the eye from the reflection of light. On the morning of the 11th, we came in sight of Corsica, and could descry afar the birth-place of Napoleon, with its white houses lying along the slope of the beach; and at mid-day we passed through what are called the Bear's Straits, from a mass of rock on the island of Sardinia, which looks in the distance like a bear. Sardinia, seen from the sea, appears very mountainous; |