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THE PATRIOT'S WIFE.

Chapters in Natural History.

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REMARKABLE BIRDS OF AUSTRALIA. IN Gould's ornithological work, treating on the birds of Australia, we meet with a very curious and interesting account of the habits and economy of two most remarkable species, "the Wattled Talegalla," or brush-turkey, and the " Ocellated Seipoa." The most remarkable circumstance connected with the history of these birds is the fact of their not hatching their eggs by incubation, but by a process altogether wonderful and new. "The Wattled Talegalla collects together an immense heap of decaying vegetable matter, as a depository for the eggs, and trusts to the heat, engendered by the process of decomposition, for the developement of the young. The heap employed for this purpose is collected by the birds, during several weeks previous to the period of laying; it varies in size from two to four cart-loads, and is of a perfectly pyramidal form. The construction of the mound is not the work of one pair of birds, but is effected by the united labours of several; the same site appears, from the great size and entire decomposition of the lower part, to be resorted to for several years in succession, the birds adding a fresh supply of materials on each occasion previous to laying. The mode in which the materials composing these mounds are accumulated is equally singular; the bird never using its bill, but always grasping a quantity in its foot, throwing it backwards to one common centre, and thus clearing the surface of the ground for a considerable distance, so completely, that scarcely a leaf, or blade of grass, is left. The heap being accumulated, and time allowed for a sufficient heat to be engendered, the eggs are deposited, not side by side, as is ordinarily the case, but planted at the distance of nine or twelve inches from each other. and buried at nearly an arm's depth, perfectly upright, with the large end upwards. They are covered up as they are laid, and allowed to remain until hatched. It is not an unusual event to obtain nearly a bushel of eggs from a single heap; and as they are delicious eating, they are eagerly sought after.' The Ocellated Seipoa differs from the Talegalla in constructing its "eccaleobion," or artificial hot-bed, of sand, instead of vegetable mould, and its eggs, deposited therein, being hatched by the heat of the sun's ray, acting on the sand. In this respect it somewhat assimilates the ostrich, which makes its shallow nest on the sand, and partly by incubation, and partly by the sun's heat during the intervals of its absence, it thus brings forth its young out of their captivity into life. It, however, makes no hotbed, or "eccaleobion," for its eggs; "nor," says Mr. Gould, "know we of any birds, excepting these two Australian species, in which instinct prompts to so strange and interesting a procedure."

OUR ATMOSPHERE.-Our atmosphere has been so frequently described that it may seem unnecessary to say more about it, and yet practically very few have either distinct or correct ideas of its nature. Some think it extends indefinitely upwards. Some suppose it twenty miles high or deep, others fifty. Dalton held this last opinion in 1834. Aeronauts and mountain travellers have proved since then that air, in which man may live, does not extend to ten miles from our ocean level, probably not to eight. Glaisher and his aeronaut almost died at six miles or thereabouts; and no other human being has ever ascended to fully five miles. At about ten miles there can be no pressure of air, or tension equal to more than an inch of mercury; there may be very light gas, but there can be no atmosphere such as we feel and breathe.-FitzRoy's Weather Book.

RED SNOW. It was not, however, till the return of Sir John Ross from his memorable expedition to the Arctic regions in October, 1818, that the attention of the scientific world at large was attracted towards this red snow. This distinguished officer, on the 16th of June, found in about lat. 75 deg. a range of cliffs rising about 800 feet above the level of the sea, and extending eight

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miles in length, entirely covered with snow, which seemed as if it had been watered with some crimson decoction. The scientific men attached to the expedition examined this wonderful phenomenon on the spot; and portions of the snow were brought home, and excited no inconsiderable interest among the most learned savans of the age. Sir W. E. Parry found the same phenomenon when investigating these remote and dreary regions in 1827; and discovered besides that wherever the surface of the snow plain, although previously of its ordinary spotless hue, was crushed by the pressure of the sledges, and of the footsteps of the party, blood-like stains appeared most vividly, the impressions being sometimes tinged with an orange colour, and sometimes appearing of a pale salmon hue.

The Patriot's Wife.

"HARK! what is that, my mother?" ""Tis the rolling of the drum,

And the trumpet's note proclaiming that our country's tyrants come;

"Tis the call that charms the brave to arms, and with them goes thy sire,

His bosom filled with victory's hope and patriotic fire. At that sounding hearts are bounding which before tomorrow's light

May sink in silence 'mid the gloom of Death's descending night;

Oh, Heaven o'ershield thy father's head for thee and me, my son!"

"What's that, my mother?""

ing they are gone!"

"Tis the shout announc

"And must my father also die "" "My child, my child, no! no!

Hope tells me he'll return in pride, victorious o'er the foe;

His war-sword sheathed, his brow enwreathed with laurels evergreen

Honored, lauded, and applauded, he'll return to us, I

ween.

But what know'st thou, my darling boy, of victories or defeats?

The glow of fame, or blush of shame, alike thy vision greets';

Nor envy nor ambition yet have place within thee found

"List, my mother. Hark-another!" ""Tis the cannon's opening sound.

"Now, now begins the work of war-the ravages of doom;

How many a dying prayer is hushed in each re-echoed

boom;

My 'wildered vision seems to see him stretched upon the plain,

Which drinks his crimson flood of life-that deathfraught roar again!

Sleep, baby mine. What knowest thou of hope, or hate, or fear;

The tyrant has not crushed thy heart-not yet, not yet, my dear!

Thou ne'er hast gazed, afeard, amazed, at the pale form of death

The burial flower blooms bright to thee as does the bridal wreath.

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"Sleep, baby mine!" the world to thee seems wondrous

bright and fair

Sleep! sleep! thou hast not conned the bitter lesson of despair;

How soon, alas! the cloud may pass o'er this calm heav'n of thine!"

"List, my mother! Hark-another r Sleep, dearest baby mine.

Oh, in this dreadful hour, whilst I have only tears for him,

Perhaps the little dawning light of liberty grows dim ; And yet what matters it to me though all the world were slaves,

If all my world be lost among the war fields gathered graves!"

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RETRIBUTION. By Mrs. C. L. Balfour.

This is another of the excellent tales issued by the Scottish Temperance League. In some respects it may be considered the best from the pen of its gifted authoress, Mrs. C. L. Balfour. The sad effects of intemperate habits, and the lamentable results to families and their domestics of moderate drinking, are vividly and powerfully pourtrayed. We wish the story a very extensive circulation.

THE PILGRIM FATHERS: A Poem. By William H. Kisbey, Trinity College, Dublin.

We are glad to see that the talented author of "The Mission of Livingstone" has again been successful in obtaining the Vice-Chancellor's prize for English verse composition. The subject of the present poem is "The Pilgrim Fathers," and Mr. Kisbey has handled the historical theme with great poetical ability. In our next we purpose giving some extracts from the beautiful poem.

REV. JOSEPH WOLFF AND THE RECHABITES.-The Rev. Joseph Wolff says::-" On my arriva in Mesopotamia, some Jews that I saw there pointed me to one of the ancient Rechabites. He stood before me, wild, like an Arab, holding the bridle of his horse in his hand. I showed him the Bible in Hebrew and Arabic, which he was much rejoiced to see, as he could read both languages, but had no knowledge of the New Testament. After having proclaimed to him the tidings of salvation, and made him a present of the Hebrew and Arabic Bibles and Testaments, I asked him, 'Whose descendant are you? Mousa,' said he, boisterously, 'is my name, and I will show you who were my ancestors;' on which he immediately began to read from the fifth to the eleventh verses of Jeremiah xxxv. 'Where do you reside? said I. Turning to Genesis x. 27, he replied, 'At Hadoram, now called Simar by the Arabs; at Uzal, now called Sinan by the Arabs;' and again referring to the same chapter verse 30, he continued, 'At Mesha, now called

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Mecca, in the deserts around those places. We drink no wine, and plant no vineyard, and sow no seed; and live in tents, as Jonadab our father commanded us; Hobab was our father, too. Come to us, and you will find us 60,000 in number, and you see thus the prophecy has been fulfilled: "Therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab, shall not want a man to stand before me for ever;" and saying this, Mousa the Rechabite mounted his horse, and fled away, and left behind a host of evidence in favour of sacred writ."

DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON ON TOTAL ABSTINENCE.Talking of a man's resolving to deny himself the use of wine from moral and religious considerations, he said, "He must not doubt about it. When one doubts as to pleasure, we know what will be the conclusion. I now no more think of drinking wine than a horse does. The wine upon the table is no more for me than for the dog that is under the table." Edwards: How do you live Sir? For my part I must have my regular meals, and a glass of good wine. I find I require it." Johnson: "I now drink no wine, Sir. Early in life I drank wine : for many years I drank none. I then for some years drank a great deal." Edwards: "Some hogsheads, I warrant you." Johnson: "I then had a severe illness, and left it off, and have never begun it again. I never felt any difference upon myself from eating one thing rather than another. There are people, I believe, who feel a difference; but I am not one of them." Edwards: "I am growing old: I am sixty-five." Johnson: I shall be sixty-eight next birth. Come, Sir, drink water, and put in for a hundred."-Boswell's Life of Johnson. SYDNEY SMITH ON TOTAL ABSTINENCE. "Many thanks for your kind anxiety respecting my health. not only was never better, but never half so well : indeed I find I have been very ill, all my life without knowing it. Let me state some of the goods arising from abstaining from all fermented liquors. First, sweet sleep; having never known what sleep was, I sleep like a baby, or a ploughboy. If I wake, no needless terrors, no black visions of life, but pleasing hopes and pleasing recollections-Holland-house, past and to come! If I dream, it is not of tigers and lions, but of Easter dues and tithes. Secondly, I can take longer walks and make greater exertions without fatigue. My understanding is improved and I comprehend political economy. I see better without wine and spectacles than when I used both. one evil ensues from it: I am in such extravagant spirits that I must loose blood, or look out for some one who will bore or depress me."-Letter to Lady Holland.

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THE MOTHER OF GEORGE III.--As mother of the King she inhabited Carlton House, which contemporary prints represent, as Mr. Thackeray points out, with a perfect paradise of a garden, with trim lawns, green arcades, and vistas of classic statutes. "She admired these in company with my Lord Bute, who had a fine classic taste, and sometimes council took and some times tea in the pleasant green arbours along with that polite nobleman." As long as his mother lived, George III, was a “great, shy, awkward boy, under the tutelage of that hard parent"-for such Mr. Thackery accounts the Princess; affirming, indeed, that there is something to him exceedingly touching in the simple early life of the king; and declaring her Royal Highness to have been a clever, domineering, cruel woman, who kept her household lonely and in gloom, mistrusting almost all persons who came about her children. "Seeing the young Duke of Gloucester silent and unhappy once, she sharply asked him the cause of his silence. I am thinking,' said the poor child. Thinking sir! and of what? I am thinking if ever I have a son I will not make him so unhappy as you make me.' The other sons were all wild, except George. Dutifully every evening George and Charlotte paid their visit to the king's mother at Carlton House. She had a throat complaint, of which she died; but to the last persisted in driving about the streets to show she was alive. The night before her death the resolute woman talked with her son and daughter-in-law as usual, went to bed, and was found dead in the morning. 'George, be a king!' were the words she was for ever croaking in the ears of her son; and a king the simple, stubborn, affectionate, bigoted man tried to be." It is curious to think that this strong minded woman's favourite occupation, even after marriage, had been dressing and undressing a doll.-Colburn's New Monthly.

FAMILY PASTIME, HOUSEWIFE'S CORNER, AND "OUR CORRESPONDENTS."

Family Pastime.

GARDENING FOR MARCH.

HARDY annuals and spring flowers may be sown from the middle of this month. Border flowers planted out, and tender annuals potted out under glasses. In sowing seeds, let the ground be well dug and finely raked; do not cover them more than from a quarter to half an inch deep, nor let the soil you cover with be too fine. Sow the tallest growing kinds farthest from the border, or, if in a bed, at the centre; then the next in height, and so proceed, keeping the plants of least stature next the walk.

Sow lettuces, onions, carrots, parsley, beans, peas, turnips, and cabbages; and plant slips and parted roots of perennial herbs. Finish pruning, graft trees, and protect early blos

soms.

ENIGMAS, CHARADES, REBUSES, &c. 7-Though scanty and poor be my first in green Erin, The land of my fathers, and home of the true,

I love the brown fields where her sons toil despairing,
Her fern-coated hills and her mountains of blue.
In days that are gone, oft my second was guarded
By fairy and spell, as tradition doth say;
And on certain destruction the maiden awarded

Who sought the bann'd treasure ere close of the day.
My whole is a word never thoughtlessly spoken,
Except by the fickle, the selfish, or vain;

'Tis linked with the mem'ry of vows made and brokenWith visions of grief, disappointment, and pain.

8-A boot, without me, is no boot;
And I am always on the foot,

Let shoe be there or no.

And deep amid the ocean caves,

Or where the tide so gently laves,
"Tis my blest fate to go.

9-I may be deep,

And dark, and steep

I must confess 'tis so;

Reverse me-I,

On mountains high,

Those mountains see below.

10-To four-sixths of a young masculine friend and twothirds of a pronoun add an affix too often used, and you'll name a noun too little known.

11-My whole is where men seek to find my first,

Without my last my whole could never be ; I'm often sought for with the greatest thirst, Though when I'm old men little care for me. 12-Why is a watch like a cautious man?

13-A father being asked by his child what was his age, replied- Your age is the one fifth of mine; but four years ago your age was only the one-seventh of what mine is now. Required their respective ages.

ANSWERS TO THE ENIGMAS, &c. No. 1-Thought. 2-Tiptoe. 3-A Chair. Inebriety. 5-Spark-Park-Ark. 6-Bridegroom.

ACTING CHARADE.

4-Ebriety

TEAPOT.-1st scene-A grocer's shop, and customers being served with tea. 2nd scene-A kitchen, with cook and other servants storming because the dinner pot was not boiling; in a word, a storm in the pot. 3rd and last-A family tea party, where the good lady of the house directs attention to her famous silver teapot, presented to her great great grandfather, and handed down as a family heir-loom. Of course all these scenes can be highly embellished by young people.

Housewife's Corner.

FOOD IN SEASON.-Fish-Cod, eels, mackerel, perch, plaice, salmon, crabs, lobsters, &c. Meat-Beef, house lamb, mutton, pork and veal, &c. Poultry and Game-Chickens, fowls, dorklings, green geese, turkeys, grouse, moor game, rabbits, pigeons, snipes, woodcocks, &c. Vegetables-Artichokes (Jerusalem), beet, brocoli, cabbage, carrots, celery, lettuces, onions, parsley, potatoes, parsnips, savoy, spinach, turnips, &c. Fruit -Apples, pears, oranges, &c.

As it is of the utmost importance in the consumption and comfort of a family that meat should be properly carved and served, we therefore purpose to give a few general directions for carving:-Fish requires very little carving, care being taken always not to break the flakes. Serve part of the roe milt or liver to each person. The heads of carp, part of those of cod and salmon, sounds of cod, and fins of turbot, are likewise esteemed delicacies. Mackerel should be deprived of the head and tail, and then divided down the back, so as to assist a number; or the thicker end given where there are few, as it is preferred. Bartel, carp, haddock, herring, perch, whiting, &c., should be helped in the same way, remembering that the head of carp is considered a delicacy.

RECEIPTS.

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Tea Cakes. Take a pound of flour, half a pound of butter, and the same weight of sugar, the peel of a lemon finely grated, a little of the juice, an egg, and a teaspoonful of bruised coriander seed; roll it out thin, make into cakes, and bake in a quick oven.

Rice Pudding-In a pint of new milk put two large spoonfuls of rice, well washed; then add a few currants or raisins. Simmer slowly, till the rice is very soft; then add two eggs, beaten, to bind it. Serve with cream and sugar.

Mince Pies. Take a piece of puff paste, roll out very thin, butter the pans lightly, line the pans with the puff paste, place in the mincement, trim and wet the edges of the paste with milk, cover with paste; trim, press the edges closely and crimp; put a hole in the centre of the top; egg, and dust some fine white sugar over. Bake for twenty minutes in a

moderate oven.

To Renovate Silks.-Sponge faded silks with warm water and soap, then rub them with a dry cloth on a flat board; afterwards iron them on the inside with a smoothing iron. Old black silks may be improved by sponging with spirits, in this case, the ironing may be done on the right side, thin paper being spread over to prevent glazing.

A Positive Cure for Corns.-The strongest acetic acid, applied night and morning with a camel's-hair brush. In one week the corn will disappear. Soft or hard corns. Bleeding from the Nose, from whatever cause, may generally be stopped by putting a plug of lint into the nostrils; if this does not do, apply a cold lotion to the forehead, raise the head, and place both arms over the head, so that it will rest on both hands; dip the lint plug, slightly moistened, into some powdered gum arabic, and plug the nostrils again; or dip the plug into equal parts of powdered gum arabic and alum, and plug the nose.

Curing of Hams and Bacon.-It is simply to use the same quantity of common soda as saltpetre-one ounce and a half of each to the fourteen pounds of ham or bacon, using the usual quantity of salt. The soda prevents that hardness in the lean of the bacon which is so often found, and keeps it quiet mellow all through, besides being a preventive of reast.

Our Correspondents.

WE are glad to find that our family pastime and correspondence have met with so much approval, and that we are enabled this month to present our readers with original enigmas, &c., thanks to our young friends. We again repeat that we will try to make this department as useful and interesting as possible, but must depend upon our subscribers to support it by contributions. All communications on these subjects must be sent to us on or before the 20th of each month. All enigmas, charades, &c., must be accompanied by the answer. R. S.-Dr. Nott's celebrated Lectures on Bible Temperance are about to be republished under the editorship of Dr. Lees. This English edition of these able lectures will embrace a critical introduction by Tayler Lewis, D.D., and notes, historical and explanatory, by Dr. F. R. Lees. We are glad also to know that it will contain St. Martin's case of Perforated Stomach, with beautifully colored illustrations of its appearance in health, and after the use of alcohol. The London correspondent of the Alliance News remarks :-"The friends of Dr. Lees will rely on his vigilance and fidelity that the work shall be free from all critical drawbacks, and be able to undergo, without damage to its reputation, the critical test of the ripest scholarship of England." The work will be published at a very cheap rate, and we sincerely hope it may have a very extensive circulation.

INQUIRER. For your purpose we think Sullivan's Dictionary and Grammar are the best.

NEPHALISM is from a Greek word, signifying habitual abstinence from intoxicants.

PADDY FROM CORK.-Dr. Lees will visit Ireland in March. His prize essay can be had at our offices, 5, Donegall Street. SECRETARY.-Mr. Pyper, the agent of the League, is the same who conducted the Mercantile Academy, and has been for a long time well known to all the members of committee. He is an elder-elect of one of the most influential congregations in Belfast.

H. R.-Thanks to our young friend for the suggestions. W. H.-Our "Journal" can be obtained from the Agents of the Bible and Colportage Society for Ireland. We are anxious to have an Agent in every town.

[We are reluctantly compelled to hold over "Sabbath Schools and Temperance," by the Rev. Dr. Morgan; and "Concerning Christian Temperance," by the Rev. W. Magill, Cork.]

THE "SINEWS OF WAR."-We beg to remind the subscribers to the Irish Temperance League, Band of Hope Union, and Permissive Bill Association, that their subscriptions for the present year are now due. Some of the subscriptions for last year have not yet been received, and unless these are paid during the present month they cannot appear in the Register for 1863-4, which is now being prepared.

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SAVINGS BANKS, TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES AND RECHABITISM.

Savings Banks.

By JOHN PIM, Belfast.

FOR many years past I have contemplated with interest various institutions and schemes established for the benefit of the working classes; and after careful consideration of their several proposed advantages, I do not know of any that surpass Savings' Banks.

In Savings' Banks the industrious may lodge weekly such portions of their earnings as they can spare after providing for the wants of themselves and of their families; the money thus lodged remains under their own control, and may be added to, or withdrawn, as they may find convenient or needful; and experience has shown that large amounts have been saved by thus weekly investing that which otherwise might have been laid out in things not absolutely required, or, as is lamentably too often the case, expended for intoxicating drinks. In thus calling attention to the subject of Savings' Banks, I cherish a hope that some who have not yet availed themselves of their benefits may be induced to do so, and that, with the blessing of the Lord on their honest endeavours, they may be enabled to raise themselves and families to a state of greater comfort and independence than is generally enjoyed by persons of like occupation with themselves, who spend weekly almost all that they earn.

I have given below a few simple calculations, which are intended to present to the view of the reader the amounts produced by weekly lodgments; and in order to make these more clear, adduce the following illustrations:-6d. per week lodged amounts in one year to £1 68., and in five years to about £7 10s;-2s. 6d. per week lodged, amounts in one year to £6 10s., and in five years to about £37 10s. I may also add that I have generally found that those who receive weekly wages, and who lodge small sums weekly in the Bank, succeed better than those who delay till they can deposit larger amounts, and this fact I strongly recommend to the notice of all persons concerned in the subject.

Weekly Lodgments of

In a Year amount to

In 5 Years, with Interest,

Os. 6d.

£1 6 0

to about £7 10 0

1 0

2 12 0

15 0 0

1 6

3 18 0

22 10 0

20

540

30 0 0

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In 10 Years, with Interest, to about £15 0 0 30 0 0 45 0 0 60 0 0 75 00 90 0 0 150 0 0 225 0 0 10 0 300 0 0 This table is calculated for the rate of interest allowed by the old Savings' Banks, but, as the rate at the new Post-Office Savings' Banks is somewhat lower, the increase on sums lodged in the latter will not be quite so great.

Temperance Societies and Rechabitism.

THE Irish Temperance League desires to work in one united band all the Temperance Societies in every town throughout this country. But its object does not stop .here. It desires also to assist in working all the means which can be used for spreading Total Abstinence and for sustaining so grand and noble a cause. It stops not at merely "moral suasion," but goes forward to seek for legal prohibition. It would also seek not only to make men sober, by inducing them to become Total Abstainers, and to keep them from falling into the evil habit of partaking of strong drinks, by removing out of their way the tempting whisky shops; but it would also desire to make men provident, and teach and train them up in habits of forethought, carefulness, and economy. Times of sickness will come to the homes of Total Abstainers as to those of other members of the human race, though not so frequently.

To provide for such occasions, during years of health, ought to be an object set before all the working classes who have to maintain themselves by their daily toil.

Without some organisation in which Total Abstainers could, by mutual co-operation, aid each other in providing for a day of sickness, one bright and cheering portion of the movement would be wanting. In America, for many years, the Sons of Temperance has flourished as a Total Abstinence Benefit Society. There is little or no total abstinence in America-in the United States, Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, &c.-apart from enrolment in the archives of the Sons of Temperance, and by females amongst the Daughters of Temperance. All ministers of religion, with their wives and daughters, belong to these Benefit Societies. This organisation is one vast net-work spread over the whole of America.

In these kingdoms, we have its counterpart in the Independent Order of Rechabites. The Sons of Rechab differ only in name from the Sons of Temperance. Knowing that these societies form the very brightest portion of the Temperance organisation, and that they provide, during sickness, for many of the working classes in those places where such societies happily exist, we feel that in our advocacy of the Temperance work in this country we would fall short of our duty to the members of the different affiliated societies of the League if we did not place before them the great advantages to be derived from having the Independent Order of Rechabites introduced in every town and village in which there is a Temperance Society. We look upon it as part and parcel of the great Temperance reformation. We think that in every place where the grand principles of Total Abstinence are taught, the Independent Order of Rechabites ought to be recommended; and where it has not at present a local habitation, it should at once be established.

The principles of the Order are very simple. It provides, by association and mutual contributions, a common fund to provide a means of support for all its members, in times of sickness, and to procure medical attendance-defraying funeral expenses in case of death. It is enrolled under the Friendly Societies Act, and the members have, therefore, legal security. In any town where ten Total Abstainers can be found to unite together in such an organisation, a Tent, as each body of membership is called, can be formed; and, a Tent of ten members and upwards will be found to work sufficiently well, and be quite able to sustain, by a payment of 51d. each per week, all the claims which will come upon its funds.

But we need not stop here to go into details concerning the working of the Order, as all this can be easily ascertained by any parties desiring to form a Tent, communicating with Mr. W. Brown, 2, Willowstreet, Belfast, District Secretary. Our object here is to press upon all our readers the vast importance of Total Abstainers amongst the humbler classes prudently making provision for "a rainy day." In no way can they so readily secure a good weekly allowance during months of sickness, should such, unfortunately, fall to their lot, as by enrolling themselves as Rechabites. We would wish to see a Rechabite Tent in connexion with every one of our affiliated societies, and in places where we have even no such society. It creates an additional bond of union amongst Total Abstainers in any locality, and the provision which the funds of the Order makes for its members proves, beyond question, the practical good of being a Total Abstainer. Rechabite Tents are spreading rapidly, but we want still further progress. Ten months ago, there were only three in all Ireland; now there are eight. In other words, one has been formed every alternate month. Let Total Abstainers in each town get ten, or upwards, of themselves together this month, and let them take measures to form a Tent, by com

THE IRISH CRY.-TEMPERANCE PROGRESS.

municating as we have pointed out. They can, before the close of this present March, have some dozens of Tents opened in Ireland. We shall be happy to record, in our next issue, such Rechabite progress as this would be. It can be done, if our suggestions be at once acted upon in every town. Let us see it carried out then, and the cause of Total Abstinence will be greatly promoted thereby.

The Irish Cry.

THERE'S a wail from the glen; there's a groan from the hill;

'Tis the cry of the land 'gainst the Fiend of the Still!
'Tis the caoine of Erin-the caoine so dread
That swells for the living, and not for the dead--
The living! the smitten-the blasted-the seared —
The souls by the slime of the drink-snake besmeared.
From the home on the upland, the hut in the dale,
From hamlet and city, is bursting the wail.

"Tis the sob of the wife; 'tis the moan of the child;
'Tis the groan of a nation by bloodshed defiled.
From the heart of the orphan it pierces the air;
It bursts from the widow's white lips of despair;
It moans from the roofless, untenanted walls;
And, gurgling and choked, from the gallows it falls!
It sobs o'er the grave where the drinker is laid;
It shrieks from the soul of the maiden betrayed;
It bursts from the poor-house, the mad-house, the gaol;
This woeful-despairing-wide-wild Irish wail!
Up! Children of Erin, respond to the cry!

For man's sake-for God's sake-up! act in reply!
For the sake of the soul-smitten slave of the cup-
For the sake of his victims-up! countrymen, up!
By the hell in his heart, and the hell that he fears;
By his wife and his children-their torture and tears-
Up! act! nor be backward with heart, voice, or hand,
Till the King-fiend of curses is swept from our land.
Heave up the old land into daylight again,
The smiled-on by Heaven-a praise among men.
Wring the curse from her heart, wipe the stain from her
sod;

Roll her out among nations an island of God!

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Temperance Progress.

37

OUR cause is in the ascendant; the truth is slowly but surely leavening all classes of society, and the good work of social and moral reform "goes bravely on." Magistrates are beginning to open their eyes to the evils which spring from the common sale of intoxicating drinks, and in high quarters the soundness of the views for more than a quarter of a century propounded by the advocates of Total Abstinence is now acknowledged. The traffic, justly called by Canon Stowell "dark and damnable," is now heartily reprobated by thousands of the ministers of the various Christian Churches, and tens of thousands of intelligent and philanthropic laymen in Great Britain and Ireland have banded themselves together in order to bring to nought the unrighteous and demoralising trade. As a foretaste of what is in reversion for Mr. Boniface, we may instance the cheering fact that at a recent Petty Sessions held at Glenarm, the Earl of Antrim pointedly refered to the fact that boat and horse races, organised by the publicans, were generally followed by disgraceful riots. His lordship stated the intention of the magistrates to close, on the day of the races, all the public-houses in the districts where such races occur, and keep them closed till the termination of the "sports." The magistrates in Lisburn have also exercised their power, and during the heat of the contest for the representation of the borough the liquor shops were closed at an early hour in the evening. All this is cheering, and gives promise of the "good time coming," when the detestable and demoralising traffic shall be totally suppressed. That the feeling in favour of the Permissive Bill of the "Grand" Alliance is hopefully spreading throughout this country, the following summary of our operations during the past month will abundantly prove :

BELFAST.-The weekly meeting of the Belfast Total Abstinence Association, on Tuesday evening, in the Hall, Kent Street, continues to be well attended, and the visits of the agent, Mr. John Reid, to the homes of the working classes are still attended with the happiest results. The speakers during the past month were Mr. Reid (the agent); Mr. J. A. Mowatt, of Dublin; Mr. Robert Stevenson, and Mr. W. Agnew.-Friday evening, 30th January, a meeting of the Temperance Society, in connexion with the Ladies' Union, was held in Donegall Square Wesleyan School-room-Mr. H. J. Wright presiding--when the Rev. J. Martin delivered an address. -Tuesday, February 3, a meeting was held in Academy Street Presbyterian Church-Rev. J. Mecredy in the chair-when Mr. William Smyth, Mr. J. Pyper, Agent of the League, and others, delivered brief addresses.- -The same evening, the Secretary of the League and Dr. Aikin addressed the meeting held in Lynas's Lane School-room.- -Wednesday evening, Feb. 4, the monthly meeting of the Revival Temperance Society was held in the Mercantile Academy, Mr. J.

National Temperance Convention. Pyper, Agent of the League, presiding. A lecture was

AT a conversazione recently held in the new offices of the Irish Temperance League, Donegall Street, it was unanimously resolved that arrangements be made for holding in Belfast, at an early date, a national conference, to which the friends of Temperance, together with delegates from all the Total Abstinence Societies throughout Ireland, shall be invited.

The object of this convention will be to deliberate as to the best means for carrying out, with more union and energy, the great Temperance Reformation now so hopefully progressing in Ireland. The importance of such an assembly can scarcely be over-rated, and we hope the proposal will be taken up with earnestness by societies in all parts of the country. It is proposed to hold the convention in Belfast on Easter Monday, in connexion with the annual meetings of the Irish Temperance League. Further particulars will in due time be forwarded. Meantime it is hoped Secretaries will bring the subject before their respective societies, and as soon as possible send forward the names of the deputies appointed to take part in the convention to the Secretary of the Irish Temperance League, Belfast.

delivered by Mr. C. H. Hendrick; and at its close, on the motion of Mr. Hugh Pyper, seconded by Mr. D. Macauley, a resolution in favour of a Permissive Bill was carried by acclamation.-Friday evening, February 20, a meeting in support of the Permissive Bill was held in the Wesleyan School-room, Falls Road-Dr. J. Smyth presiding. Addresses were delivered by Rev. J. Mecredy, Mr. R. Stevenson, Mr. H. C. Knight, and Mr. William Church. Those present were unanimously in favour of prohibiting the traffic in drink. On the motion of Mr. J. H. Beattie, seconded by Mr. William Woods, office-bearers for the ensuing year were appointed, both for the Total Abstinence Society and the Band of Hope in connexion with the congregation. The same evening, the monthly meeting of the Belfast Ladies' Temperance Union was held in the Irish Temperance League Rooms, Donegall Street. Mr. Pyper delivered an address, and the meeting was unanimous in favour of the Permissive Bill.

BALLYNURE.-Monday evening, February 2, a meeting was held in the Ballynure Presbyterian Church-the Rev. A. R. B. M'Kay presiding. Addresses were delivered by Mr. J. Pyper, Agent of the League, and the Rev. J. Mecredy, of Belfast, Hon. Deputation. A resolution in favour of the Permissive Bill was adopted. BALLYMENA.-Tuesday evening, Feb. 10, the Rev.

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