SHE then mingled with the cloud of Self-denial, while the children started on their journey from the same point. In a short time, Amy began to turn her head from side to side with a longing look, as to what was beyond the dark cloud; at last she said, "Dora, the fruit we have eaten is very good, but the quantity is so small, I shall run and gather more from under the white cloud and will soon return, and, laughing at Dora's admonitions against disobedience, she ran joyously after the tempting fruit, and regaling herself with an abundance of sweet things, gave herself up to Pleaseself. Towards night Amy felt languid and irritable, her overexcited spirits were succeeded by a depression she had never before experienced, and hurrying over her prayers, she sunk down on a bed of roses, forgetting her intention of returning to her playmate. Amy's slumbers were troubled with the white-light above, and the next morning found her drowsy and languid, but instead of springing from her rosy couch, she buried her head still further among the leaves. When, at last, aroused, sad was her annoyance at the lateness of the hour, while with a dissatisfied feeling she hurried after Dora, who was still walking beneath the dark cloud.

After Amy's departure, Dora's sorrow found vent in tears, when Deny-self descended so low as to embrace her, and asked in a soothing tone, what she wished to be done with the surplus portion of food belonging to her, in consequence of her moderation. Dora consulted her diamond heart, and

then pursued the swift sailing cloud till it stood over the dismal haunts of wretchedness and want; she wearied herself with administering to the comforts of others; then, after leaving the objects of her care, spent her time in prayer, and her devotions went up with incense to heaven. When she was preparing to lie down on a bed of herbs, Deny-self acquainted her with their medicinal properties, unhesitatingly she plucked them up, distributed them to the sick, and returned to rest on the hard ground, while the dark cloud shaded her from harm, and chanted over her the words, "Inasmuch as she have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

In the morning Dora awoke refreshed with sleep, and by the grey light of morn, bent her steps to a way-side chapel, where she offered up prayers for herself and others; taking leave of the holy ground, she went on her way, and the two friends met at the entrance of a wide street, lined on each side with shops, whose windows exhibited gorgeous apparel, sparkling jewellery, and costly furniture. The girls were

mutually glad to meet, but the white cloud attached itself to Amy, adding a lustre to the surrounding splendour, while Please-self suggested this was becoming, and that indispensable. Dora was preserved from envy by the watchfulness of the dark cloud, which so dimmed the magnificent attractions, that she journied on contented.

Suddenly temptation arrested them and showered down heaps of gold; immediately with undisguised glee Amy darted first into one shop and then into another, and was soon decked out to her heart's content and riding on in a carriage and four. Dora tremblingly took up the gold, and entering

a shop was bewildered with the light, but observing a dulness at the further end hastened thither, purchased useful clothing and plain furniture, which were transported to the dwellings of the poor; then seating herself in a carriage and pair, with the lame and infirm beside her, she too travelled on the road with her old companion, but a severe trial was at hand. On entering a garden thronged with multitudes of gay-looking beings, Amy became the centre of attraction, was accompanied by crowds who lavished on her the most caressing affection, the most courteous attention, while Dora was neglected, scorned and ridiculed; but time reconciled her, and the blessing of the orphan and widow sounded like music in her ears; the bestowal of her riches on others had become her pleasure. She was happy, so apparently was Amy, who banished thought and indulged in luxury, though her failing health troubled her.

Riches take to themselves wings and flee away, and our travellers were left in poverty. Dora laboured and toiled for the support of herself and friend, unrepiningly enduring complaints, discontent, and unavailing regrets. Amy, disappointed and miserable, obeyed the dictates of her long neglected diamond heart, and assisted Dora in her daily work. Temptation again assailed Amy, alas! she listened, she yielded, she mixed with a concourse of people bearing the name of flattering dishonesty; she disregarded truth, took unfair advantage, was tainted with vice, and breathed in an exhausting atmosphere; her diamond heart had lost its brilliancy, and its tenure was weakened.

Dora recovering from her friends absence, became the solace of a bereaved family, and her unselfishness was repaid

by affection. Time effaces sorrow, and Dora led a life of enjoyment, though not of idleness, and the dark cloud rose higher and higher. A petition for her aid, from the querulous and passionate was presented to her; the once afflicted family needed her no longer, though her absence would cause a blank; she struggled, she prayed, she rent the dearest ties asunder, and made her home among petty jealousies, and petty bickerings; the dark cloud rested on her head, her diamond heart expanded under the wing of safety, her health faded, her spirits drooped, but inward peace grew stronger.

Once more the friends were together, both lay apparently dying at the foot of the ladder, both knew the necessity for mounting, the ladder was their only resource. Amy made the effort, she had little choice left: the steps were of crystal, the white cloud enveloped and puzzled her, she felt for her diamond heart, but the spring of action had run down; the heat from below was intense, the flames burst through the white cloud, her head became giddy and she fell into the fiery brimstone lake. Dora commenced her ascent with fear, her diamond heart encouraged her, darkness lent distinctness to the crystal steps, the soft dews of repentance refreshed the air, charity held a bannister rope, the use of the dark cloud was visible in the shelter it afforded from the burning flames, the faintest expiring breath was heard, the top was gained, the dark cloud burst asunder, untold glories shone forth, hallelujahs filled the air, and Dora was admitted to the unnumbered joys of the celestial mount, and incorporated with the blessed saints on high.

YETTA.

GATHERINGS FROM SCIENCE.-No. IV.

ACOUSTICS -VELOCITY OF SOUND.

(Continued from page 171, Vol. for 1852.)

THE velocity of light is such, that for any distance on the earth, its passage may be regarded as instantaneous. Dr. Herschel has ascertained that it travels at the rate of 192,000 miles per second. The velocity of sound is much less. If a woodman be observed at his occupation on a hill, his axe is seen to fall a considerable time before the sound of the blow reaches the spectator's ear. The flash of a gun fired at a distance is seen long before the report is heard.

Most accurate experiments have been made to ascertain the velocity with which sound travels in the atmosphere, and it is found to be 1,142 feet per second, or a mile in about four and a half seconds, varying little either with the density or temperature of the air.

In the same manner, the distance of thunder may be ascertained; and the reason of the long-continued roll of thunder, is, that although the lightning darts instantly through the chain of clouds, perhaps of miles in length, the claps or explosions at each interruption of the chain are only heard successively, as the sound arrives at the ear. Wind affects the velocity of sound, just as a current in water affects the motion of a sailing vessel.-The Daily Lesson Book. W. J. L.

• From akouo, a Greek word, to hear. It treats of the nature and laws of Sound.