who, notwithstanding his carnivorous propensities, should be rather preserved than exterminated. How picturesque he looks, and how perfectly he represents the genius loci, as, perched on some rocky point or withered tree, he sits unconcerned, in wind and storm, motionless and statue-like, with his keen, stern eye, however, intently following every movement of the shepherd or of the sportsman, who, deceived by the bird's apparent disregard, attempts to creep within rifle-shot. Long before he can reckon on reaching so far with his bullet, the bird launches himself into the air, and gradually sweeping upwards, wheels high out of shot, leaving his enemy disappointed and vexed at having crept in vain through bog and over rock in expectation of carrying home so glorious a trophy of his skill. When intent on seizing game, the eagle frequently will venture within a short distance of the grouseshooter or deer-stalker. I have seen him pounce, (no that is not the proper word, for he rather rushes,) down on a pack of grouse, and, with out-spread wings, he so puzzles and confuses the birds, that he seizes and carries off two or three before they know what has happened, and in the very face of the astonished sportsman and his dogs. The mountain hare, too, is carried off by the eagle with as much apparent ease as the mouse is borne away by the kestrel.

The marten and the wild cat are favourite morsels. A tame eagle which I kept for some time killed all the cats about the place. Sitting motionless on his perch, he waited quietly and seemingly unheeded till the unfortunate animal came within reach of his chain. Then down he flew, and surrounding the cat with his wings, seized her in his powerful talons, with one foot planted firmly on her loins, and the other on her throat; and nothing more was seen of poor grimalkin except her skin, which the eagle left empty and turned inside out, like a rabbit-skin hung up by the cook, the whole of the carcase, bones and all, being stowed away in the bird's capacious maw. The quantity of meat taken from the stomach of an eagle killed on the mountain is sometimes perfectly incredible. I regret not having taken a note of the weight of mutton I once saw taken out of one I had shot.Wild Sports and Natural History of the Highlands.

THE NEGLECTED VINE.

LATELY I visited the house which I and my family occupied, over the front of which there grows an excellent vine. But on inspecting the tree it wore the appearance of being neglected. The branches had not been pruned nor trained; and though there was fruit to be seen, it was so secluded from the influence of the sun, that though the season had been fine, the grapes, instead of being black, were green and sour. Here, then, I had an illustration of the evil effects of negligence, which, for the benefit of my youthful friends, I will endeavour to improve. We find, then, that the vine must be well cultivated, in order that we may have good fruit, and fruit in proper season. So it is with the young. They need education and discipline, otherwise they will not bring forth good fruit; and we are told that every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, will be hewn down and cast into the fire. When the vine-dresser formerly trimmed this vine it appeared to me a pity to cut off such fine shoots and branches; and he seemed to be cutting off all my hopes of fruit, as he pared the tree almost to the ground. I thought I would have spared many a fine runner that his unsparing knife laid at my feet. I felt in my mind he was unmercifully severe; but he assured me that it was quite necessary. I afterwards discovered the propriety of his proceedings. The vine brought forth plentifully, aud yielded us pleasant fruit.

Solomon, the son of David, has said "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." It is the duty of parents and teachers to train up the young, as we do the vine. There are many wild shoots of self-will, cross-temper, unkindness, disobedience, and pride, that must be cut off. To do this sometimes requires painful correction. But this will be for much profit in the end. Youth would like to run wild-to have their own way in every thing-to suffer no smart-and to be indulged in every whim, however extravagant and costly it may be. But were such wishes gratified, it would bring bitter fruit to the parents and guardians who allowed it;

and still worse results to the young thus uncorrected and unrestrained. Be assured, therefore, that your friends are doing you a kindness, that cut off such wild hopes, and prevent by salutary measures such ruinous consequences. We find moreover that God, our heavenly Father, also desires our instruction, and sometimes corrects us that we may bring forth good fruit. He seeks to train our wills to obedience to his holy law, and our hearts to love him; so that we may be humble, meek, holy, and righteous. Humility, meekness, and holiness, are highly esteemed of God. How pleasant it is when the Sun of righteousness shines on the soul; and, when through his influence, our sour tempers are sweetened into love to God, and good-will to men.

If affliction and trouble come upon us, not through our own seeking, but in the Providence of God, we must endea- ! vour to be submissive to the hand of our heavenly Father. It may be painful to us to have our hopes seemingly cut off, when he brings us low, and seems to lay us even with the ground. But we shall learn afterwards that all things work together for good to them that love God. We often need to be pruned that we may bring forth fruit abundantly; and that our fruit may arrive at perfection.

Perhaps, however, there may be some young persons who have sunk so low in their own estimation, that they imagine themselves useless-that they can do no good. Or they deem themselves neglected and despised, and, therefore, are ready to despair! Perhaps, too, they see others amongst their acquaintances, rising up in the school, more prominently than themselves, or who draw more attention, and by their gifts and abilities seem to gain universal applause and esteem. This may make those who are less gifted despond; and it may be they are tempted to complain. such attend to the following Jewish parable.

Let

"On the day of their creation, the trees rejoiced. Each exultingly praised its own good qualities. The Lord has planted me,' exclaimed the lofty cedar; 'firmness and fragrance, durability and strength, are united in me.' 'The mercy of the Lord has planted me as a blessing,' said the umbrageous palm tree; 'beauty and utility are combined

in me.' The apple tree said, I stand glorious among the trees, like the sun amidst the celestial hosts!" And the myrtle exclaimed, Like the rose among thorns, I stand distinguished among my kindred, the underwood!' All boasted; the figtree of its fruit; the olive of its richness; even the pine tree and the fir could rejoice and exult. The vine alone remained drooping and sad. To me,' it mournfully said, 'every thing seems denied; no stem nor branches, blossom nor fruit, can I boast; yet such as I am, I will wait in silent hope.' It sank down, and its tendrils wept in sorrow and solitude. Not long it waited and wept, when behold the new created lord of earth, kind-hearted man, approached. He saw a feeble plant, a plaything to the winds, sunk low, as if imploring aid. In pity he raised it, and wound the tender tree around his arbour. Joyfully the air saluted the glowing vine; the heat of the sun penetrated its hard green grain, and prepared that sweet moisture, the most precious beverage of man. Decked out in the fulness of its rich grapes, the vine bent down to its preserver. He tasted its refreshing juice and called the vine his friend. The proud trees envied the feeble plant, for its fruit was more valued than theirs; but it rejoiced on its slender stem, and the accomplishment of its hope. Therefore its juice still invigorates the human heart; it cheers the desponding spirit; and imparts its gladness to the mourning mind." The Hebrew moralist adds, "Ye who are suffering and abandoned, do not despair; but persevere in patience and hope. There is an eye above that beholds even you. The humblest plant yields the most precious juice; the feeble vine begets vigour and animation."

The vine is indeed a feeble plant. It needs support-it cannot boast of strength-it must be nurtured and provided for. So it is with many of God's choicest saints. They are in themselves feeble-they cannot boast of wisdom, or knowledge, or power; of righteousness, or holiness, or goodness. But whilst they feel their helplessness and misery, Christ Jesus comes to them as a Saviour. He himself becomes to them as a vine. He is the root and stem

-they are branches; and by believing in him they derive

wisdom and strength, righteousness and holiness, grace and everlasting life. By his Spirit dwelling in them, they bring forth fruits of righteousness, and God rejoices over them with gladness. Let, then, the humble, like the vine in the fable, "wait in silent hope;" they cannot boast as others do; but God will be glorified in them, and the influence of their piety shall be more productive of good to others, than the most shining talents, where pride and vanity only dictate their display, and the praise of man is the only coveted reward. Our youthful friends are variously endowed. They may differ as to qualities like the cedar, the palm tree, the apple tree, the myrtle, or the fir. But all their qualifications come from God. There is no room therefore for pride, self-elation, boasting, display, or the depreciation of those of humbler worth. Let every one devote himself and his peculiar talent and ability to God; and seek the cultivation of the grace of humility, and that meekness and quietness of spirit which in the sight of God is of great price. Like a well cultivated vine, duly pruned and trained, may our young friends, from the instructions they receive, bring forth the fruits of holiness, which shall be found hereafter to the glory and praise of God. S. X.

A SISTER'S INFLUENCE.

A SISTER! This is one of the most tender and endearing appellations in our language, and the relationship is one from which flow some of the gentlest and most affectionate sympathies which soften and sweeten the intercourse of the family circle. No ties of consanguinity are more delicate or more powerful than those which proceed from and entwine themselves around the heart of a lovely and affectionate sister. The names brother and sister are enshrined in the affections of every bosom, and can never be separated or forgotten. And all who bear these endeared and endearing names ought to cherish in their hearts and manifest in their conduct, the corresponding affections of them.

Whatever be the cause of the difference, it very often happens that the sisters of a family are more virtuous, pious, amiable, and exemplary, in all respects, than the