after conducting the new-comer into a room where his wife was seated, he led the horse to a well-stored barn, and there provided for him most bountifully. On rejoining the traveller, he observed, "That is a noble animal of yours, sir."

better for thinking of his God, than all his kind inquiries after our welfare. I wish our Peter had been home from the army, if it was only to hear this good man talk; I am sure Washington himself could not say more for this country, nor give a better history of the hardships endured by our brave soldiers."

"Who knows now," inquired the wife,

I did no more than my duty, sir," said the entertainer," and therefore, am entitled to no thanks. But Susan," added he, turning to the hostess with a half-reproachful look, "why have you not given the gentleman something to eat?"

Fear had prevented the good woman from exercising her well-known benevolence; for a robbery had been committed by a lawless band of depredators, but a few weeks before, in that neighborhood, and as report stated that the ruffians were all well dressed, her imagination suggested that this man might be one of them.

At her husband's remonstrance, she now readily engaged in repairing her error, by preparing a splendid repast. During the meal there was much interesting conversation among the three. As soon as the worthy countryman perceived that his guest had satisfied his appetite, he informed him that it was now the hour at which the family usually performed their devotions, inviting him at the same time to be present. The invitation was accepted in these words :

"It would afford me the greatest pleasure to commune with my heavenly Preserver, after the events of the day; such exercises prepare us for the repose which we seek in sleep."

The host now reached the Bible from the shelf, and after reading a chapter and singing, concluded the whole with a fervent prayer; then, lighting a pine knot, conducted the person he had entertained to his chamber, wished him a good night's rest, and retired to the adjoining apart

The sound of a voice came from the chamber of their guest, who was now engaged in his private religious worship. After thanking the Creator for his many mercies, and asking a blessing on the inhabitants of the house, he continued, "And now, Almighty Father, if it be thy holy will, that we shall obtain a place and a name among the nations of the earth, grant that we may be enabled to show our gratitude for thy goodness, by our endeavors to fear and obey thee. Bless us with wisdom in our councils, success in battle, and let our victories be tempered with humanity. Endow, also, our enemies with enlightened minds, that they may become sensible of their injustice, and willing to restore liberty and peace. Grant the petition of thy servant, for the sake of him whom thou hast called thy beloved Son: nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done. Amen."

The next morning, the traveller, declining the pressing solicitation to breakfast with his host, declared it was necessary for him to cross the river immediately; at the same time offering part of his purse as a compensation for what he had received, which was refused.

"Well, sir," continued he, "since you will not permit me to recompense you for your trouble, it is but just that I should inform you on whom you have conferred so many obligations, and also add to them by requesting your assistance in crossing the river. I had been out yesterday, endeavoring to obtain some information respecting our enemy, and being alone, ventured too far from the camp. On my return, I was surprised by a foraging party, and on. ly escaped by my knowledge of the roads, and the fleetness of my horse. My name is George Washington."

Surprise kept the listener silent for a moment; then, after unsuccessfully repeating the invitation to partake of some refreshment, he hastened to call two negroes, with whose assistance he placed the horse on a small raft of timber that was lying in the river, near the door, and soon conveyed the general to the opposite side of the river where he left him to pursue his way to the camp, wishing him a safe and prosperous journey. On his return to the house, he found that while he was engaged in making preparations for conveying the horse across the river, his illustrious visiter had persuaded his wife to accept a token of remembrance, which the family are proud of exhibiting to this day. The above is only one of the hazards encountered by this truly great patriot, for the purpose of transmitting to posterity the treasures we now enjoy. Let us acknowledge the benefits received, by our endeavors to preserve them in their purity; and by keeping in remembrance the great Source whence these blessings flow, we may be enabled to render our names worthy of being enrolled with that of the Father of his country.

THE BOA CONSTRICTOR.

HE place which the boa should occupy in a regular system is not well determined, and this arises from the circumstance that travellers have entered much into the history and habits of the larger species of serpents without carefully describing the animals themselves. We shall be content to follow Blumenbach in stating that the enormous reptile usually called the boa constrictor is found in the East Indies and in Africa, and does not appear to differ much from the amaru of South America, which was worshipped by the Antis of Peru. It is the largest of serpents. Its average length appears to be about thirty feet, but it sometimes attains to forty, fifty, or even sixty fect; it therefore occupies the relative position among reptiles which

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the elephant does among quadrupeds, and the whale among the inhabitants of the sea. In the venomous species, the poison fangs are in the upper jaw-somewhat larger than the other teeth, projected forward in the act of biting, but at other times disposed along the roof of the mouth. These are wanting in the boa, but otherwise the teeth are disposed much in the same manner as in other serpents-being long, sharply pointed, and inclined backward-of no use for mastication, but evidently intended only for the purpose of holding the prey. The genus is distinguished by having a hook on each side the vent; the body is compressed, inflated toward the middle; the tail is prehensile; the scales small, particularly upon the back of the head. The ground color of the boa constrictor is yellowish gray, with a large chestnut colored interrupted chain, extending down the back from the head to the tip of the tail, and subtrigonal spots down the sides. The name "constrictor" is derived from the terrible muscular power by which it crushes to death the unfortunate animals embraced in its folds. It is true that most serpents possess, in some degree, this constrictive power, but it is not commonly used by the smaller species in seizing their prey, the mouth and teeth alone sufficing for the purpose.

Requiring food only at long intervals, the boa constrictor, like most other serpents, spend the greater part of its life coiled up asleep, or in a state of stupor, in which, if it has recently been gorged with food, it may be overcome with little danger or difficulty, although to attack it in an active state would be madness. But when it becomes hungry, the gigantic reptile assumes an activity strikingly in contrast with the loggish inertness it before exhibited. When properly in wait for prey, it usually attaches itself to the trunk or branches of a tree, in a situation likely to be visited by quadrupeds for the sake of pasture or water. In this posture it swings about, as if a branch or pendent of the tree, until some unhappy animal approaches, and then, suddenly relinquishing its position, it seizes the unsuspecting victim, and coils its body spirally around the throat and chest. After a few ineffectual cries and struggles, the poor en

much weight as possible to the muscular effort; these folds are then gradually tightened with such immense force as to crush the principal bones, and thus not only to destroy the animal, but to bring its carcase into a state the most easy for its being swallowed. This having been effected, the boa addresses himself to the task of swallowing the carcase. Having pushed the limbs into the most convenient position, and covered the surface with its glutinous saliva, the serpent takes the muzzle of the prey into its mouth, which is capable of vast expanion; and, by a succession of wonderful muscular contractions, the rest of the body is gradually drawn in, with a steady and regular motion. As the mass advances in the gullet, the parts through which it has passed resume their former dimensions, though its immediate position is always indicated by an external protuberance. Their prey generally consists of dogs, goats, deer, and the smaller sorts of game. Bishop Heber considers as quite untrue the stories of their attacking such animals as the buffalo or the chetah; but men are by no means exempt from their attacks. This is shown by the following anecdote, which the engraving illustrates :

The captain of a country ship, while passing the Sunderbunds, near Calcutta, sent a boat into one of the creeks to obtain some fresh fruits which are cultivated by the few miserable inhabitants of this inhospitable region. Having reached the shore, the crew moored the boat under a bank, and left one of their party to take care of her. During their absence, the lascar, who remained in charge of the boat, overcome by heat, lay down under the seats and fell asleep. While he was in this happy state of unconsciousness, an enormous boa constrictor emerged from the jungle, reached the boat, had already coiled its huge body round the sleeper, and was in the very act of crushing him to death, when his companions fortunately returned at this auspicious moment; and, attacking the monster, severed a portion

GEMS OF THOUGHT.

ONVERSATION is the daughter of reasoning, the mother of knowledge, the breath of the soul, the commerce of hearts, the bond of friendship, and the nourishment of content.

Open your heart to sympathy, but close it to despondency. The flower which opens to receive the dew shuts against rain.

He who dreads giving light to the people is like a man who builds a house without windows for fear of lightning.

The shortest day of our year comes in winter-fit emblem of our life, at once dark, cold, and short.

Men, like books, have at each end a blank leaf-childhood and old age. Graves are but the prints of the footsteps of the angel of eternal life.

Peace is the evening star of the soul, as virtue is its sun, and the two are never far apart.

Our sorrows are like thunder-clouds, which seem black in the distance, but grow lighter as they approach.

Universal love is like a glove without fingers which fits all hands alike and none closely; but true affection is like a glove with fingers which fits one hand only and sits close to that one.

Passion is a keen observer, but a-wretched reasoner. It is like the telescope whose field is clearer, the more concentrated it is.

Esteem is the mother of love, but the daughter is often older than the mother.

The grafts that circumstances make in our character, we are apt to regard as its native fruit.

Our evil genius, like the junior member of a deliberative body, always gives its views first.