in a situation where wild beasts might attack me, I got up into a tree, and, fastening myself by my clothes as well as I could, endeavoured to sleep. In the morning, I awoke much refreshed, and what was my joy, to find the tree I had climbed, a date-tree! My heart swelled with gratitude to the Almighty, for thus furnishing me so unexpectedly with food. After satisfying myself, I filled my pockets with dates, descended the tree, and once more resumed my perilous journey.

"As I went along, I spied a large red lion reposing in a thicket. You may imagine that I was dreadfully afraid; but, probably, he was already glutted, for he suffered me quietly to pass. I soon after ar

rived at a river, which several blacks were crossing on a curious bridge.

This bridge was formed by bending down to the water's edge some of the huge tall trees, which grow on its banks opposite each other, and tying their extremities together, and then laying across these trees planks, on which the people and their cattle can safely pass. Some of these Negroes regarded me with great compassion, and offered to conduct me to a town, to which themselves were going, and where, they assured me, I would be well received by a black woman, who had lived a long time in white man's country,' and held them in high respect. I was truly glad to hear I was so near relief. Before night, we arrived at the town; and I was taken to the black woman's, who lived in a house built somewhat like our own. She treated me with the greatest kindness; gave me clean linen, and

every refreshment that I was in need of; and told me, that I was welcome to remain in her house until an English vessel should arrive at a neighbouring port, where they generally stopped to take in provisions. It was not long before one arrived, bound for India, whither I wished to go. I was, fortunately, known to the captain of the ship, and he enabled me amply to repay the value of what I had received from the good black woman: her kindness I could only return with gratitude, and we parted with mutual expressions of regard and esteem, and with prayers for each other's welfare. I went on-board the English ship, which presently proceeded on her voyage; but, what happened to me further, I must reserve for another evening's amusement."

OBSERVATIONS.

MR. and Mrs. Johnson warmly thanked their friend for the pleasure his relation had afforded them; but the children felt sorry when Mr. Selby finished the recital of his African adventures. However, they anticipated with great delight the enjoyment of some future evening, when they should again hear about foreign countries; and they felt very grateful for the entertainment they had already enjoyed. Both Frederic and Lucy wished extremely to ask several questions, about things Mr. Selby had mentioned, which they did not quite understand, but they felt afraid of being troublesome; and, for some time, they sat silent,-till, at last, Lucy, remembering her mamma had fre

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quently told her, it was right to desire explanations of what she did not understand, from some person older and wiser than herself,-for, if she did not, she would always remain as ignorant as if she had heard nothing at all; and that no-body would consider such enquiries troublesome, if she only took care not to make them when she saw the person, to whom she applied; engaged either in reading, writing, or otherwise particularly employed; -Lucy, recollecting all this, and seeing her mamma was not talking, begged (in rather a low voice,) she would tell her something "about that place Mr. Selby called a desert ; and why there were no houses, nor people in it."

The desert, my dear," replied Mrs. Johnson," is so called from its want of vegetation, occasioned