only the subject of the habit, but preeminently addicted to it. This is not one of the things which ought to be imitated, but avoided. Let the past go. Shut men out, and use only reason and conscience in your dealing with it. Instead of any further arguments of my own, I shall set before you the sentiments of a body of men entitled to your notice; and if you will only bring candour, study, conscience, resolution, to the examination of these Authorities, the result will be your emancipation, with all the blessings attendant upon it. A LITERARY MAN. TOBACCO AND SNUFF. THE total quantity of tobacco, manufactured and unmanufactured, entered for home consumption in the United Kingdom, in 1848, amounted to 27,305,134 lbs., of which 206,481 lbs. were manufactured tobacco and cigars, and 338 lbs. were snuff. The total amount of duty received was £4,365.233. The quantity of foreign manufactured tobacco and cigars imported, in 1848, amounted to 1,509,079 lbs. The number of persons convicted of smuggling tobacco, in 1848, was 1,917; the number of seizures made was 2,638; the number of persons imprisoned was 453, and the amount of penalties paid was £2,995 17s. 5d. Tobacco is extremely adulterated with dried dock leaves, browned, as in the case of tobacco itself, by sulphate of iron and cascarilla, for the purpose of giving it flavour. Nitrate of potash is added, to make tobacco in form of cigars kindle readily; but it is inju-, rious to the lungs. Other metallic substances are often found mixed with tobacco, such as antimony, bichloride of mercury, copper, liquorice, hellebore. Tobacco in the form of snuff is adulterated still more largely.-Chemical Times. Tobacco is one of the most powerful and deadly poisons in the vegetable kingdom. Its effects on the living tissues of the animal system are always to destroy life, as the experiments made on pigeons, cats, and other animals, sufficiently prove.-Professor Graham. However used, whether smoked, chewed, or snuffed, its action on the It is system is but little different. essentially a narcotic; and as such it is detrimental to the power and healthiness of the nervous system-as such, it stimulates at the expense of subsequent depression and eventual loss of toneas such, it interferes with the functions of assimilation and expenditure-and as such, is injurious to the health of the system.-Dr. Robertson on Diet and Regimen. There are two principles of activity in tobacco, an essential oil, and a peculiar proximate principle called nicotin, both of which are capable of producing death, but by very different physiological action; the former by its effects on the brain, the latter by its influence over the heart. The essential oil is so virulent a poison, that small animals are almost instantly killed when wounded by a needle dipped in it, or when a few drops of it are let fall upon their tongue. That the regular application in this way of a poison of such power, perhaps for five or six times daily, for months or years together, should at length be productive of serious effects on the nervous system, and especially on the brain, cannot surely be a matter of doubt. Indeed, it would be surprising if it were otherwise -Dr. Mackenzie, Surgeon-Oculist to her Majesty. The severe and peculiar dyspeptic symptoms sometimes produced by inveterate snuff-taking are well known; and I have more than once seen such cases terminate fatally with maligrant disease of the stomach and liver. Surely if the dictates of reason were allowed to prevail, an article so injurious to the health, and so offensive in all its forms and mcdes of enjoyment, would speedily be banished from common use-Dr. Prout. Many cases of death are recorded, produced either through smoking, snuffing, drinking, injecting, etc, which are to be found in the works of Harrison, Cooper, Orfila, Howison, Banow, Christison, Bell, Marshall, Hall, Malin, Cheyne, Grahl, Thompson, Brodie, and other writers, all of whom speak loudly against the injurious effects of tobacco smoking-Dr. Smethurst in Water Cure Journal, Nov. 1849. I have found much more difficulty in fitting artificial teeth in the mouths of tobacco chewers than others, owing to the irritable and tender state of the gums. Tobacco causes the gums to recede from the teeth, whereby they become loosened.-Dr. Burdell, Dentist, New-York. I wonder physicians keep silent as they do. The American community is full of the victims of tobacco. It is hardly less fatal than its grand associate, rum. They are true work-fellows in poisoning the instincts, destroying the health, and degrading the nature of man.-Dr. Beman, New York Tobacco smoking feeds the love of strong drink in two ways. First, by creating morbid thirst; secondly, by impairing the appetite for food, and indirectly encouraging him who uses it to seek for that strength which food should give him, in the use of extra stimulus.-Dr. Alcot. I group alcohol, opium, and tobacco together, being equally poisonous, alike to be rejected, because they agree in their effects, producing stupor and insensibility.-Professor Hitchcock. Whereas true temperance implies a total abstinence from all things injurious to health, and only a moderate use of those things which promote it; therefore, Resolved, that while we advocate and practise total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors, we will also everywhere by example, and on all proper occasions by precept, discountenance the vulgar use of tobacco.Massachusetts Methodist Conf, 1849. The amount of intemperance arising from this cause, if followed to its actual issues, would be truly startling. One writer on the subject is of opinion that it would amount to not less than onetenth of the drunkards annually made throughout the nation. The practice is, beyond all doubt, a fruitful source of intemperance, and ought, therefore, to be disused by every one who regards the welfare and happiness of either himself or his fellow creatures.-Dr. Grindrod. The Fragment Basket. THINGS NECESSARY FOR OUR SABBATH-SCHOOL. "I hope our Sabbath-school will flourish this year," said a pastor to a superintendent. "Yes, sir," replied the latter, "I pray God that it may." This led to a conversation between the two, in the course of which they each stated what was deemed necessary for the prosperity of the school. Being accidentally present, I paid attention to the conversation, and noted down the following particulars: In order that a Sabbath-school may flourish, and answer its true purposes, 1. The pastor must take an interest in it. 2. The superintendent must faithfully look after its affairs, both on the Sabbath and during the week. 3. Competent and faithful teachers are just as necessary as lungs to the body. 4. Parents must lend their aid in exciting an interest in the school, and in instructing their children at home. 5. In addition to thorough instruction in the historical parts of the Bible, its doctrines must be included throughout that excellent summary of them, the Shorter Catechism. 6. A good library is needful. 7. Much prayer is necessary on the part of the Church, individually and collectively, in order to secure the Divine blessing. NO RETREAT. Among the prisoners taken captive at the battle of Waterloo, there was a Highland piper. Napoleon, struck with his mountain dress and sinewy limbs, asked him to play on his instrument, which is said to sound delightfully in' the mountains and glens of Scotland. Piay apibroch," said Napoleon, and the Highlander played it. 66 Play a march." It was done. "Play a retreat." "Na, na," said the Highlander, "I never learned to play a retreat!" No retreat! should be the motto emblazoned on the standard of every Christian warrior, as he goes forth to battle, "not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." "Wherefore, take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand," Eph. vi. 13. HINT TO HOUSEKEEPERS. FEW persons are aware of the advantages obtained by simply lining the back and sides of an ordinary fireplace with fire-brick. Every one must have noticed that, when a fire goes out, the coals at the sides are left unburnt, while the centre is consumed. This arises from the cooling powers of the iron at the sides, and hence the complaint that "you must have a large fire or none at all." With fire-brick, the whole of the fire, however small, will be kept alight-an object of great consideration in spring and autumn; and even after the fire is extinguished, the fire-brick lining will continue to diffuse warmth for some time. WHO CAN TRACK A TRACT? I CAN give you a few first footprints of one given in 1843 to the wife of a merchant. It was "Self-dedication to God." I then left town a few days to help a neighbouring brother. Within three days came word that I must return and preach to my own parish, as the tract had led the lady to Christ, and a religious interest had thus commenced. That was the commencement of a revival of religion which brought, as we hoped at the time, nearly two hundred to the Saviour. Poetry. FUNERAL HYMN. BY THE LATE EBENEZER ELLIOTT. FATHER! our brother's course is run, He thank'd thee, God of earth and sky, For every thorn and every flower, For soul to feel and sight to see, Thou say'st to man, "Arise, and run Lord! when our brother wakes, may they THE DYING BOY TO THE SLOE BLOSSOM. BY THE LATE EBENEZER ELLIOTT. BEFORE thy leaves thou com'st once more, White blossom of the sloe! Thy leaves will come as heretofore; A month at least before thy time Why here in winter? No storm lowers But blithe larks meet the sunny showers, Sweet violets, in the budding grove, And where the rose leaf, ever bold, The breeze-bow'd palm, moss'd o'er with gold, Smiles on the well, in summer cold, And daisied sod. But thon, pale blossom, thou art come, To tell me that the worm makes room For as the rainbow of the dawn A sunbeam on the sadden'd lawn, Thy leaves will come, but songful spring Her bells will ring, her bridesmaids sing, When my young leaves are withering Where no suns shine. Oh! might I breathe morn's dewy breath, Even as the blushes of the morn To love my mother and to die- Is this my sad brief history? He lived and loved-will sorrow say- He smiled, he sigh'd, he pass'd away; My mother smiles, then turns away, They whisper round me,-what they say Oh! love is sorrow; sad it is To be both tried and true; I ever trembled in my bliss; But woodbines flaunt when blue-bells fade, And many a youth in Shire-cliff's shade Then panting woods the breeze will feel, Well, lay me by my brother's side, Where late we stood and wept; The Children's Gallery. LIFE IN SOUTH AFRICA. A VOLUME has just been published in London, entitled, "A Hunter's Life in South Africa,"-a very extraordinary performance. The "Hunter" is a Mr. Cumming, who has established his claim to the honour of being in the succession of Nimrod himself; for, asHe suredly, he is a "mighty hunter." seems a man born for adventure, and the spirit that prompts him to his perilous enterprise seems fertile of expedients of combating the danger to which it exposes him. From his very childhood he seemed fired with a desire to penetrate the Bush, the Jungle, the Morass, and the Wilderness. The result of his roamings is set forth in the work he has just issued, and verily it is a wonderful tale. The man's courage often borders on madness. Indeed, he seems to know nothing of fear; and yet his very daring, in dealing with the most terrible of creatures, appears to constitute his shield. The following extracts will interest our youthful readers: ELEPHANTS. The Presently, on reconnoitring the surrounding country, I discovered a second herd, consisting of five bull elephants, which were quietly feeding about a mile to the northward. The cows were feeding towards a rocky ridge that stretched away from the base of thehillock on which I stood. Burning with impatience to commence the attack, I resolved to try the stalking system with these, and to hunt the troop of bulls with dogs and horses. Having thus decided, I directed the guides to watch the elephants from the summit of the hillock, and with a beating heart I approached them. ground and wind favouring me, I soon gained the rocky ridge towards which they were feeding. They were now within one hundred yards, and I resolved to enjoy the pleasure of watching their movements for a little before I fired. They continued to feed slowly towards me, breaking the branches from the trees with their trunks, and eating the leaves and tender shoots. I soon selected the finest in the herd, and kept my eye on her in particular. At length two of the troop had walked slowly past at about sixty yards, and the one which I had selected was feeding with two others on a thorny tree before me. My hand was now as steady as the rock on which it rested, 80, taking a deliberate aim, I let fly at her head a little behind the eye. She got it hard and sharp just where I aimed, but it did not seem to affect her much. Uttering a loud cry, she wheeled about, when I gave her the second ball close behind the shoulder. All the elephants uttered a strange rumbling noise, and made off in a line to the northward at a brisk ambling pace, their huge fan-like ears flapping in the ratio of their speed. I did not wait to load, but ran back to the hillock to obtain a view. On gaining its summit the guides pointed out the ele phants. They were standing in a grove of shady trees, but the wounded one was some distance behind with another elephant, doubtless its particular friend, who was endeavouring to assist it. These elephants had probably never before heard the report of a gun; and, having neither seen nor smelt me, they were unaware of the presence of man, and did not seem inclined to go any farther. Presently my men hove in sight, bringing the dogs; and when these came up I waited some time before commencing the attack, that the dogs and horses might recover their wind. We then rode slowly towards the elephants, and had advanced within two hundred yards of them, when, the ground being opened, they observed us, and made off in an easterly direction; but the wounded one immediately dropped astern, and next moment she was surrounded by the dogs, which, barking angrily, seemed to engross her attention. Having placed myself between her and the retreating troop, I dismounted to fire within forty yards of her, in open ground. Colesberg was extremely afraid of the elephants, and gave me much trouble, jerking my arm when I tried to fire. At length I let fly; but, on endeavouring to regain my saddle, Colesberg declined to allow me to mount; and when I tried to lead him, and run for it, he only backed towards the wounded elephant. At this moment I heard another elephant close behind, and on looking about I beheld the "friend," with uplifted trunk, charging down upon me at top speed, shrilly trumpetiug, and following an old black pointer named Schwart, that was perfectly deaf, and trotted along before the enraged elephant, quite unaware of what was behind him. I felt certain that she would have either me or my horse. I, however, determined not to relinquish my steed, but to hold on by the bridle. My men, who of course kept at a safe distance, stood aghast with their mouths open, and for a few seconds my position was certainly not an enviable one. Fortunately, however, the dogs took off the attention of the elephants; and, just as they were upon me, I managed to spring into the saddle, where I was safe. As I turned |