half a shekel weight, and two bracelets on her hands of ten shekels weight of gold.””

"But it does not appear that he gave her any nosejewels; and only one ear-ring; which is very odd, you know, for every body has two ear-rings."

:

"True, Harry and from hence it seems almost certain that it was not an ear-ring which was given to Rebekah, but, as it is said in the margin, 'a jewel for the forehead.' And as the word is in the singular number, it is in a high degree probable, to say the least, that it was a nose-ring, or jewel."

"It does seem so, indeed. I did not notice the reading in the margin."

"This we should always do, for it is often more literal than the text; and not unfrequently it throws great light upon the real meaning."

RICE.

As Harry and his father were again walking the next evening in the corn-fields, and looking at the

What was the ear-ring probably that was given to Rebekah? Is the margin in the Bible of much use?

reapers, Harry inquired,-" is not rice a kind of wheat?"

"It may be so regarded," replied his father, "as it furnishes bread for by far the greater part of the human race."

"Does it?" exclaimed Harry, with a countenance full of wonder at the information.

"Yes, it is cultivated and eaten, more or less, in all parts of the Eastern world; yet the manner of its production differs from that of wheat. It is sown,' as a French traveller informs us, 'in Lower Egypt, from the month of March to May. During the inundation of the Nile, the fields are covered by its waters, and, in order to detain them there as long as possible, a sort of raised embankments are thrown up around each field, to prevent them from running off. Trenches serve to carry thither a fresh supply; for, in order to make the plant thrive, its roots must be incessantly watered. The ground is so moistened, that, in some places, a person sinks in half-way up to his chin. Rice is nearly six months before it comes to maturity; and it is generally cut down by the middle of November.'

Of what use is rice to mankind? Where is rice sown? What happens during the inundation of the Nile? How is the water kept upon the fields? How long is rice coming to maturity? When is it cut?

"The prophet Isaiah says:-'Blessed are ye who sow your seed in every well-watered place.'-' This exactly,' says Sir J. Chardin, 'answers to the manner of planting rice; for they sow it upon the water; and as they sow the rice in water, so they transplant it in water. The rice grounds,' says the late Dr. E. D. Clarke, are inundated from the time of sowing near

ly to harvest. The seed is commonly cast upon the water. When the rice plants are about two feet high, they are transplanted.""

"Well, father, this is indeed, as you said, very much unlike wheat."

"Yes; Some lands produce three crops in a year; vegetation is so quick, that as fast as the water rises, the plants of rice grow above it, so that the ear is nev

What does the prophet Isaiah say? How is rice sowed? What does Dr. Clarke say of the rice grounds? What is said of the growth of rice?

er immersed. Men of experience affirm, that a single stalk will grow six cubits in one night.'

"This subject explains a beautiful passage in Ecclesiastes; Cast thy bread,' says the wise Man, upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days.' Some have thought that the sacred writer here meant, that if any one literally threw bread into the river, they should find it again after a considerable lapse of time. This would not be likely, for the fowl, or the fish, or both, would assuredly devour it. But he who throws the seed-rice into the waters will, after many days, not only find again what he cast from his hand, but such a vast increase as will abundantly recompense his labours. So, no benevolent efforts to do good to mankind shall be lost, but shall assuredly in time, by the blessing of God, produce fruit to his glory, and the real welfare of our fellow-creatures. Thus the philanthropist he who is engaged in the instruction of the rising generation, and the faithful minister of the Gospel, are all casting their bread upon the waters, which they shall certainly find again after many days. This view of things is not only just, but encouraging and delightful."

What passage of Scripture is explained by the sowing of rice? What have some people thought? What will he find who throws rice seed upon the water?

EATING FLESH WITH THE BLOOD.

"When God made a covenant with Noah after the Flood, father, He told him not to eat flesh with the life, that is, the blood, in it."

"True, Harry; and the disciples, in the New Testament, were charged to abstain from eating' things strangled, and from blood.'"'

"But why, father? Do you think any one would ever eat live flesh ?"

"Certainly I do. There is even reason to believe that the practice, shocking and inhuman as it is, still prevails in the East. Mr. Bruce says; 'Not long after we lost sight of the ruins of the ancient capital of Abyssinia, we overtook three travellers driving a cow before them; they appeared to be soldiers. We saw that our attendants attached themselves in a particular manner to the three soldiers who were driving the cow, and held a short conversation with them. Soon after we arrived at the hithermost bank of the river, where, I thought, we were to pitch our tent, the drivers suddenly tripped up the cow, and gave the poor

What did God tell Noah when he made a covenant with him? What were the disciples charged in the New-Testament? What shocking custom still prevails in the East? What account does Mr. Bruce give of the Abyssinians?