ATROPA BELLADONNA, OR DEADLY ELLADONNA is an Italian word, and signifies 'A beautiful woman.' This name was given to the plant because Italian ladies used its berries to improve their complexion. It is one of our most powerful native poisons. Atropa is derived from the Greek words a, not, and trepo, to turn, and is intended to indicate the certain death which ensues, when the juice of the plant is taken in too large a quantity. It poisons by entering the circulation of the blood, in consequence of which it acts upon the heart and brain, producing intoxication, delirium, and even madness. Every part of the herb is noxious, but especially its fruit. This has a black, shining, cherry-like appearance, which has often led children and others, ignorant of its nature, to pluck and eat, and thereby lose their lives. In this respect furnishing an apt emblem of sin, which promises enjoyment, but envenoms and destroys the soul. SAUVAGE supposes that it was the plant we are considering, which produced such strange and dreadful effects upon the Roman soldiers, when retreating, under the command of ANTONY, from the Parthians. PLUTARCH says, 'they suffered great distress for want of provisions, and were urged to eat unknown plants, among others, they met with an herb that was mortal; he that had eaten of it lost his The plant flowers in ATROPA BELLADONNA. reaches the height of three or four feet. પુરા કારી It usually grows in hedges, shady lanes, and ancient ruins. It is found in abundance among the ruins of Furness Abbey, Lancashire, in consequence of which the valley is called, 'The Vale of Nightshade.' Belladonna is not in all cases injurious to health. It possesses medicinal virtues, and has been much extolled as a remedy in hooping-cough, and regarded as a preventive against the infection of Scarlet fever. An extract of Belladonna has helped to form a valuable plaister, for the relief of muscular pains. THE YOUNG SAILOR'S AFFECTIONATE FAREWELL. FAREWELL to Father, reverend hulk, But 'ere he's broken up, I'll try In duty to the ship. Farewell to Mother, first-rate she, And rigged me fore and aft; Farewell to Sister, lovely yacht! And whether she'll be manned or not, I cannot now foresee; But may some ship her tender prove Well found in stores of truth and love To keep her under lee. Farewell to John, the jolly-boat, And all the little craft afloat, In home's delightful bay; When they arrive at sailing age, May wisdom give the weathergauge, To guide them on their way. Farewell to all on life's rude main, DEAR young friend, are you about to embark for India, China Australia, or some other distant clime? Must you soon say farewell to beloved parents, brethren and sisters, to intimate companions and friends? I can sympathise with you, having once actually gone through what you have now in prospect. That which cheered my heart, and soothed its anguish, when my own beloved mother said farewell in the Downs, re-entered the Have source of consolation, such as this! then prize it, and bless Him from whom it came Have you never experienced a joy so much akin to that of heaven Seek a participa tion of it earnestly, and without delay. H.T. ARAGO. THE life of this extraordinary man partakes more of the romantic than usually marks the career of literary and scientific students. His eventful life commenced with shipwrecks and captivity; it closed with political storms, which he had fanned into flame and nursed into life. DominicFrançois Arago was born at Estagel, near Perpignan, in the year 1716. The first thing we learn from his autobiograpy is, that in his earliest years he objected to the course of life which his father had designed for him. His own intention was to be a soldier. But, in order that he might be so, it was necessary, if he intended obtaining a position in the French army, that he should pass with credit through the scientific and military courses of the Ecole Polytechnique. After he had obtained admission into the Polytechnic School, his progress was rapid and honourable. Before his eighteenth year, by his industry and abilities, he Morten had secured the friendship of the most eminent scientific men then in Paris, and was also promoted to the responsible and coveted office of Secretary to the Observatory. The measurement of an arc of the meridian between the parallels of Dunkirk and Barcelona had, about the close of the last century, been determined on by France. The work was entrusted to Delambre and Mechain, who were both admirably adapted for the task. The southern portion of the survey was entrusted to Mechain, but, from some unstated reason, his results were not satisfactory. Biot and Arago, with two Spaniards, Chaix and Rodriquez, undertook the completion of the enterprise. While Arago was in Majorca, the French entered Spain. ignorant populace then thought that the signals which had been erected by Arago were tele The graphs to the hostile generals; the result was, that he had to take refuge from the popular fury in the Castle of Belver. Even PICTORIAL PAGES. not safe. A priest, who certainly must have been mad, hed his death by poison; that design he frustrated by Algiers. After suffering shipwreck and imprisonment, succeeded in reaching Marseilles, on the 2nd of July, his instruments, manuscripts, and charts uninjured. the French capital was hailed with delight by every society in Europe. He became a member of the Sciences, Manager of the Observatory, and Perpetual the French Academy. In addition to several biogo contributed treatises in almost every department of essays on Sir William Herschel, the steam engine, revolutionary régime of 1848, after the dethronement lippe, he became Minister of Marine and War; four rds, in the October of 1852, his remarkable life came LOVE TO CHRIST. R was asked whether he did not love his wife and o stood weeping by him. 'Love them!' said he, e world were gold, and at my disposal, I would give satisfaction of living with them though it were in a in comparison with Christ, I love them not.' ion is in the heart, and God has established various all outward worship to conduct us to the inward e and praise. We are only before God what we are affection; He chiefly respects our love; He will be f all our desires, the end of all our actions, the all our feelings, and the governing power of our - Massillon. EUSTACE CAREY, from Calcutta, once related a pleasof a native Christian, whom he was called upon to king her what was the state of her mind, she replied, opy! I have Christ here,' laying her hand on the le; 'and Christ here,' pressing her hand on her heart; there,' pointing with her hand toward heaven. tian! her prospects and feelings were in unison with Psalmist, when he exclaimed, 'Whom have I in Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire My heart and my flesh faileth, but God is the y heart, and my portion for ever.' four marks whereby we may discover whether we ot: Do we delight to think of God? do we delight 1? do we care to please God? do we love our neighI can truly answer these inquiries in the affirmative, ess this invaluable principle. Then all duties become roubles comparatively light, and all mercies have a sh. This love is like oil to the wheels of obedience; souls like the chariot of Amminadib in the ways of feet like hart's feet to run in God's commandments. temper which resembles God, imitates the example d is the very spirit of the Gospel. This sweet ens all our sorrows, and increases our enjoyments; it ghtness over all the scenes of life, and dispels the n of death. In short, it is an antepast of heaven, angels and glorified saints are the same in nature, ter in degree. Divine love is a sacred flower which ad is happiness, and in its full bloom is heaven. ole principle in the breast, to cultivate its growth, o maturity, is the great end of all religion, and the of faith unfeigned.-Hervey. ROST FAIR ON THE THAMES To to be thawed from the iron grasp of ice by means of immense quantities of boiling water before they can be set in motion, and twenty-five horses are daily employed in removing the masses of frozen water by which they are surrounded. The river itself presents a strange appearance. Sheets of ice and drifts of frozen snow are congealed together, giving to the whole most wild and rocky shapes, while in other directions for a mile or two it is comparatively smooth. In some parts booths are erected, ornamented in various ways by flags and streamers, where provisions of all kinds are cooked, and sold. Roughly formed paths, paved with ashes, lead in all directions; and games are vigorously prosecuted by great numbers who have congregated together to enjoy the novel scene. The most stirring sights were witnessed on the breaking up of the ice. As soon as the cracking was heard, men, women, and children, beasts, booths, and shows were all in motion, pouring towards the shore on either side. Here the confluence was so great that the watermen, who had formed toll-bars by clearing away the ice, were obliged to pull up their boards and leave, so that those who could not jump sufficiently far, or were pushed on by those behind, were in imminent peril, and many were plunged into the stream. The The thawing of the ice had to a certain extent been anticipated, and one man, not long before, had placed on a building, the following humorous inscription:-This booth to let. present possessor of the premises is Mr. Frost. His affairs however, not being on a permanent footing, a dissolution or bankruptcy may soon be expected, and the final settlement of the whole entrusted to Mr. Thaw.' (See Engraving preceding page.) The severest and most remarkable frost of late years is commonly known by the name of 'The Great Frost of 1814.' After a series of dense fogs, snow fell in immense quantities, for eight and forty hours, and a four weeks' frost succeeded. The breaking up of the ice took place suddenly on the 5th of February, to the great consternation of the publicans, shop-keepers, and visiters, with whom it was burdened, and some of whom found themselves adrift upon the floating ice. They succeeded however, after a perilous cruise, in safely reaching the shore. A FROZEN HEART. To have a limb frost-bitten is bad, a frozen heart is worse. Promptly guard against it by turning at once from the icebergs of sin to Christ the Sun of Righteousness, and living in the warm atmosphere of holy love. 'On a winter evening,' says the excellent McCheyne, 'when the sun is now far past the meridian, and gradually sinking in the western sky, there is a double reason why the ground grows every moment harder, and more impenetrable to the plough. On the one hand, the frost of evening, with ever-increasing intensity, is hardening the stiffening clods. On the other hand, the genial rays of the sun, which alone can soften them, are every moment withdrawing, and losing their enlivening power. Take heed, that it be not so with you. As long as you are unconverted you are under the double process of hardening. The frosts of an eternal night are settling down upon your soul, and the Sun of Righteousness, with westering wheel, is hastening to set upon you for evermore. If then the plough of grace cannot force its way into your ice-bound heart to day, what likelihood is there that it will enter there to-morrow?' 'The heart grows harder every day, And more depraved the mind; The longer you neglect to pray, The less you feel inclined.' MOTIVES FOR THE CULTIVATION OF PEACE. CHRISTIAN CONSISTENCY. back to the year 1789, and pay a visit to FATHER tead of seeing his mighty current rushing along course, bearing on its broad bosom a multitude of every clime, with their wide sails spreading before their flags fluttering gaily at the mast head, a cacle is presented. For sometime past a severe frostHeavenly Henry,' and by this title he was known throughout the merchants, taking the hint, have sent their lown to Gravesend, but even there they are followed floating ice; the navigation is entirely stopped, the e London-bridge waterworks have every morning SUCH was the sweet temper and amiable conduct of the Rev. PHILIP HENRY that the people gave him the appellation of the country. He used to observe, that in almost every quarrel there was a fault on each side, and generally those were most in fault who were most clamorous in their complaints. A woman made her moan to him of a bad husband, who in many instances PICTORIAL PAGES. was unkind, and 'Sir,' said she, 'what would you have me do now? Why, truly,' answered he, 'I would have you go home d be a better wife to him, and then he will be a better husband to you.' Labouring to persaude another person to forgive an injury, he argued thus: ARE YOU NOT A CHRISTIAN?' and followed the argument so closely that he prevailed. THE EXAMPLE OF EMINENT PERSONS. There are no greater instances of the folly and the wicked disposition of mankind, than that their favourites have generally been clad in steel; the destroyers of cities, the suckers of human blood, and such as have imprinted the deepest scars upon the face of the universe, these are the men it hath crowned with laurels, advanced to dignities and riches, and flattered with titles: while the sons of peace, the best friends of mankind, are neglected. Nevertheless, there have always been some who have seen so many beauties in the face of peace, that they have been contented to love it for its own sake. Among many instances of great persons who loved peace, we may mention Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, who, to recommend peace, altered the beginning of the year from March, (which his predecessor Romulus had made to begin it, because he loved war,) into January, which in the original meaning of it refers to husbandry and peace; then the sister of Edward the Third, king of England, who was so earnest and successful in her endeavours for peace, that she was usually called, JANE MAKEPEACE, Lord Burleigh should not be forgotten, who was so much for peace, that though in such a public capacity, as that of Lord Treasurer, yet he never sued any man, nor did any man sue him to the end of his life; and the emperor Constantinus should be named, who would not read the accusations of the fathers and clergy one against another, but burned them all, at the same time exhorting them to peace and unity amongst themselves.- Wanley. THE DIVINE EXAMPLE. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Mat. v. A gentleman once went to Sir Eardley Wilmot, formerly Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, under the influence of great wrath and indignation, at a real injury he had received from a person high in the political world, and which he was meditating how to resent in the most effectual manner. After relating the particulars, he asked Sir Eardley if he did not think it would be manly to resent it. 'Yes,' said the knight, 'it will be manly to resent it, but it will be GOD-LIKE to forgive it.' The gentleman declared that this had such an instantaneous effect upon him, that he came away quite an altered man, and ceased to breathe a revengeful spirit. THE DIVINE COMMAND. JOHN, patriarch of Alexandria, had a controversy with NICETAS, a chief man of that city, which was to be decided in a court of justice. JOHN defended the cause of the poor, and Nicetas refused to part with his money. A private meeting wss held, to see if the affair could be adjusted, but in vain; angry words prevailed, and both parties were so obstinate that they separated more offended with each other than before. When Nicetas was gone, John began to reflect on his own pertinacity, and although his cause was good, 'Yet,' said he, can I think that God will be pleased with this anger and stubbornness? The night draweth on, and shall I suffer the sun to go down upon my wrath? This is impious, and opposed to the Divine command.' He therefore sent some respectable friends to Nicetas, and charged them to deliver this message to him, and no more: 'O sir, the sun is going down!' NICETAS was much affected; his eyes were filled with tears; he hastened to the patriarch, and saluting him in the most gentle manner, exclaimed, 'Father, I will be ruled by you, in this or any other matter.' They embraced each other affectionately, and at once settled the dispute. LET NOT THE SUN GO DOWN UPON YOUR WRATH, NEITHER GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL. ABIDU, A SIBERIAN IDOL. 51 In the year 1818 some Christian teachers went, under the auspices of the London Missionary Society, to propagate the Gospel in the idolatrous region of Siberia. After a long trial of their faith and patience, God was pleased to gladden the hearts of his servants by crowning their labours with success. Earnest inquirers after truth were at length heard exclaiming, "What have I to do any more with idols? Some of the idols which had been adored were committed by their owners to the flames, and others were given to the Missionaries to be sent to England. One of these, named ABIDU, is represented in the engraving, (Page 52.) A painting of the image was given to the REV. MR. STALLYBRASS by a young convert to Christianity of the name of Shagdur. A letter from Shagdur accompanied the picture, of which the following is an extract 'Dear Friends and Relations of my most kind teachers dwelling in England. I wish you good health and prosperity. I, your younger brother, who was dead but am alive, who was lost and am found, write you a letter. Give me your attention, dear friends! By the mercy and calling of the only God who made heaven and earth, I have been made alive; and recently awaking, I begin to know things which I knew not before. Therefore I rejoice and am exceeding glad. My dear friends, we the Buriat people, the creations of the only God, oppressed by the powers of darkness, have gone wandering astray, and have made to ourselves images of every kind, and our forefathers enveloped in gross darkness esteemed them as God, and by so doing displeased the only true God, and departed from him. But while I was opposing the Lord Jesus, the only Saviour sent by God on account of our sins, and when I had brought my precious immortal soul near to punishment-yea, the intolerable everlasting punishment of hell-by the mercy of God and by the knocking of our Lord Jesus Christ at my heart, my many dreadful sins, which had never been thought of before, were remembered, and appeared like an inseparable chain to my poor soul, and caused distressing pain to my heart. The door of hell appeared open for me, and I saw that the hope placed in dumb images which I had so often worshipped, would fade away together with my body. I immediately thought the soul of poor Shagdur was called to be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ, and was in anguish on that account. In this state I came to Jesus, repenting of my sins, and His word was, 'Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out.' This word is the steadfast hope and support of poor Shagdur's soul. It was a very joyful sound for my heart, and raised me to life. May every tongue from a sincere heart praise our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath life in Himself and who quickeneth the dead. My dear brethren in Britain, consider! Call upon the Lord Jesus on account of this our state. Jesus Christ is ready to have mercy upon us. While I was in my natural state, I was worshipping and trusting in such dumb idols as this. The name of this image is Abidulast winter I gave it to a person for a debt. I thought nothing of it when I gave it. But afterwards, when I received the grace of Christ, came to him, and believed on him, considering that these were vain images, with an altar in my tent, I went home, took the image of one idol called Ayoushi, two others drawn on paper, and another, which though drawn by man's hand was called the, 'hand of God,' and, trampling them under foot broke them; and employed them, together with the altar, for fuel to boil our food. After this I grieved for the image I had given for my debt, and as it was a constant grief to me, I hastened to take it back, that I might throw it into the fire also. When I saw the person soon after, I requested him to give it me back, and as he consented, I agreed to give him eight roubles for it. My beloved teacher wished to take it, and show it to his countrymen in England, to which I consented, and then my grief respecting it, passed away. And now, my friends, consider that many of us who are your brethren, are yet trusting in their vain lifeless images, and esteem not Christ the Son of God; I was one of them, but Christ has delivered me. He has enabled me to grieve on account of my former proud ignorant state. He has bound my feet, which formerly were swift to run after idols. Formerly, alas! my sinful heart was accustomed to bow to the carth before these foolish images; now, by the grace and salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ, my eyes have become enlightened to discover their deceitfulness and falsehood; I have seen that they are destitute of life and intelligence. May all our people hear the word of Jesus, and attain to eternal happiness. Dear friends, commiserate the state of our people, look with favour upon these parts, and may the kingdom of Christ be here established.' Alas! these buddings so full of promise, were nipped by the icy hand of Russian despotism, and the faithful servants of Christ were banished from the Russian empire. Happy would it have been if the Gospel of peace had been welcomed by the Czar to every part of his vast domains. Then had we not heard of gar ments rolled in blood, of thousands and tens of thousands of our fellow creatures siain in battle. Then glory would have redounded to God in the highest, on earth peace would have been maintained, and international goodwill displayed. in her arms, and her little daughter by her side; she looks about for her wretched husband, and having found him in a state of intoxication, with sobs and sighs entreats him immediately to return home. The little daughter lays hold of the skirt of her father's garment, and with strong natural eloquence, seconds her mother's entreaties. The husband, ashamed of his vile conduct, rises, walks to meet his wife, but is too inebriated to keep his balance. A sottish companion, laughing at his distress, helps him home. The engraving is intended to illustrate the depths of degradation from which the Bible is able to rescue fallen man. The second print in the series will appear in our March number. PICTURES OF THE BIBLE. IMPRESSIONS made in childhood are always the most lasting. We well remember sitting upon our dear mother's knee, on the Sabbath evenings, looking at the pictures in the large Bible, and listening to many interesting Scripture narratives. G. Measom, Esq. the well known engraver, has published six beautiful plates, illustrating the influence of the Bible on man, which will prove of great value to parents, in guarding their offspring from the paths of vice. They are printed on a very large sheet of paper, and may be folded as a book, or fastened on the wall of the Sundayschool, nursery, &c. Children, ask your parents or teachers to buy a copy for you; or if twelve of you will join, by giving one penny each, you can buy one for yourselves, and then ask your teachers to fix it up in the school, where all the scholars can see it.' The above is taken from The Band of Hope Review and Children's Friend, a very valuable monthly publication, which in a pleasing manner, imparts instruction of various kinds, and in an unsectarian spirit advocates the cause of evangelical truth. It is illustrated by numerous engravings, and the price is only one halfpenny. Its use in counteracting the evils produced by the cheap, pernicious literature, which at present inundates and corrupts the land, is considerable, as its monthly issue approaches a hundred thousand copies. If its circulation were a million, it would not exceed its deserts. It were well if every family in the kingdom would take it in, and thus render it what it is fitted to be, a national blessing. expels reason, drowns memory, distempers the body, defaces beauty, diminishes strength, corrupts the blood, inflames the liver, weakens the brain, turns men into walking hospitals, causes internal, external, and incurable wounds, is a witch to the senses, a devil to the soul, a thief to the pocket, the beggar's companion, a wife's woc, and children's sorrow-makes man become a beast and a self-murderer, who drinks to others' good health and robs himself of his own. The root of all evil is DRUNKENNESS. POWER OF THE BIBLE. SOME years ago a remarkable instance occurred of the power of the Word of God, in effecting the complete emancipation of a slave to intemperance, and turning him into a bright pattern of sobriety, and every other Christian virtue. I became acquainted with this proof of the transforming energy of the Bible, during a journey, in the progress of which I was hospitably entertained by a warm friend to the Christian cause, residing in one of our county towns. On the day of my arrival, when the cloth was removed after dinner, the usual wines were placed on the table, and in addition a decanter containing a milkwhite liquid, labelled 'Nectar.' My host, noticing the curiosity indicated by my looks, at once explained the mystery of the 'Nectar.' 'I was formerly,' he said in effect, 'a degraded, humorous Bacchanalian infidel. Whilst in this state a pious clergyman offered me 'Dr. Beattie's Evidences of the Christian Religion |