Among all the remarkable and sublime characters depicted in the Sacred Scriptures, this is one of the most striking and peculiar. How unlike anything we find presented in other books, how totally different a man from all, even the most exalted, of which we have any history, description or hint in the records or the poetry of other lands or ages! There is not one with whom it seems possible to bring Elijah into comparison, unless for the purpose of showing a strong con

trast.

Unlike most of the other remarkable personages of the Bible, he led a life of almost unintermitted persecution and danger. His friends were few, and his foes numerous and powerful: yet he generally displayed a high trust in God, and a perfect submission to his will, which render his example one of the most instructive and encouraging to a man in affliction.

If we take up the various scenes in his life in succession, and give to each a particular and deliberate consideration, until we distinctly apprehend the circumstances which surrounded him, we cannot fail to feel a high admiration of his character, and to rise from the task with a salutary lesson. In the case which is

represented in our print, we find the prophet a fugitive from the vengeance of Ahab, one of the worst of the kings of Israel, and from the more terrible hatred of the blood-thirsty Jezabel. We trace him to the obscure and narrow chamber of the poor widow of Sarepta, to which he was driven by his sufferings from the drought, which he had foretold; and the poverty of everything around him is strongly contrasted with the superiority, the sublimity of his character, and the magnitude of the objects to which he was devoted.

We are too often inclined to think that weakness, obscurity or adversity, the contempt or opposition of the prosperous and powerful, must necessarily overthrow independence of mind, and destroy the ability to perform deeds which, under other circumstances, ought to be performed. Duties are sometimes declined, with such an apology. How salutary is the reproof we receive from the example of Elijah. His courage was unshaken, even while sharing the widow's cruse and barrel of meal, which were replenished day by day. And if we as habitually lived with a proper sense of dependance on God, we ought as confidently meet every danger and surmount every obstacle.

This is one of the numerous forms in which our Southern neighbors construct the slight habitations, which shelter them from the heat and rain of their warm and often hot climates. The long and feathery foliage of the palms, the frail tenement and the hammock swung under the shade of the roof, all give intimations of the luxuriance, warmth and indolence of a tropical region.

The utility of the Palms, in their numerous species, is more extensive and important to many branches of the human family, than many an untravelled and unread person can have any adequate conception of. Thousands and millions of our fellow-men are this day feeding on their various fruits, dressed with fabrics more or less formed of its fibres, and dosing under their shadow, suspended in hammocks made of the same material.

But we need not envy the mildness of the winters, or the facility of procuring food, so characteristic of the Palm regions, both in the new or in the old continent. The absence of necessity leaves man without that stimulus necessary to the active, powerful and systematic employment of the body and the mind; and

both the physical and intellectual parts of the being are usually found ill-developed. National character and condition are affected by the same causes; and history marks the tropical regions with the brand of imbecility and low stages of civilization. This is not necessarily the effect of such climates; and we may confidently hope to see hereafter great improvements introduced into such parts of the world, as soon as pure Christianity shall prevail, and have time to produce its appropriate, its necessary results upon society. We must not be discouraged, or augur unfavorably of the future, by the failure of false Christianity to bring about such happy changes. Ignorance, superstition and idolatry are essentially different from Christianity, wherever, or however many centuries, they may have assumed her name.

A traveller in Mexico is satisfied if he meets a reception like that given to the man in our print, who has a seat in the open air, with a dish of tortillas, or some other simple food, set before him by a good-humored attendant. In a state of society but little better in most respects than that in which Cortez found the na

tives. The country people of Mexico are generally found in a state of semicivilisation, an idea of which may be formed by a glance at this scene.

We scarcely need to say, that the sight of a Mexican house, at the present time, must naturally awaken some painful reflections in the mind of the philanthropic American. Into many of the poor, but hitherto peaceful and happy dwellings of unoffending families, have we, their selfish, passionate and rapacious neighbors, lately sent alarm, distress and desolation! How many a warm-hearted man, whom we may choose to depreciate as a ranchero, or a semi-savage, has rushed from a little thatched cottage like this, and left a poor and helpless family to suffer and inourn over his loss! For ourselves we do not hesitate to say, that the boasting words in letters we now and then read from men and boys in our army, will give us many painful reflections. Some of those we have published, to show our readers something of the spirit and effects of war. We wish that our countrymen would cease boasting of their Anglo-Saxon descent, and content themselves with living, acting, speaking and uniting in a manner becoming men of sense and Christians.

PERSONS APPARENTLY DROWNED.-As everybody should be acquainted with the treatment of such cases, which do not admit of the delay for a medical attendant, we publish the following:

When a person has remained more than twenty minutes under water, the prospect of his recovery is small; yet we should not too soon resign the unhappy object to his fate, but try every method for his relief, as there are many well attested instances of the recovery of persons to life and health, who have been taken out of the water dead, and remained so a considerable time without showing any signs of life. In attempting to recover persons apparently drowned, the principal intention to be pursued is, to restore natural warmth, upon which all the vital functions depend, and to excite these functions by the application of

stimulants. First strip him of his wet clothes, and dry him well; when he is dried lay him between two hot blankets, and renew them as they grow cold. Rub him constantly with salt, waim ashes or coarse dry clothes, and rub on his wrists and ankles spirits of hartshorn, and frequently apply bottles or bladders, filled with hot water, to his feet and armpits.

-While these external means of restor ing heat to the body are going on, you must inflate the lungs as soon as possible with a pair of bellows, by inserting the pipe into one nostril, while the other and mouth are kept closed and blowing for cibly; or for want of bellows, you may use a common bag and pipe, or in case of necessity, use a common tobacco pipe or quill. Some person should blow through the pipe into one nostril, while the other and mouth are closed as before.-Repeat this process for a half an hour and more. In addition to this method, you may dip a blanket into boiling water, wring it as dry as possible, and wrap the person in it. Repeat this every 15 or 20 minutes for two hours or more. These means ought to be continued for two or three hours at least, even if no signs of life appear. When signs of returning life are apparent, the friction must be continued, but more gently; when the patient can swallow, he must take some warm spirits; when he is pretty well recovered, put him into bed in blankets, and give him some warm spirits; if his feet should be

cold, wrap them up in warm flannels.

Selected.

Notes of Travel.

Cæsarea, in Palestine, formerly called Strato's Tower, was situated on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, and had a fine harbor. It is reckoned to be thirty-six miles south of Acre, thirty north of Jaffa, and sixty-two north east of Jerusalem. Cæsarea is often mentioned in the New Testament. Here King Agrippa was smitten, for neglecting to give God the glory, when flattered by the people. Cornelius the centurion, who was baptized by Peter, resided here, Acts 10. At Cæsarea, the prophet Agabus foretold to the apostle Paul, that he would be bound at Jerusalem, Acts 21: 10, 11. Paul continued two years prisoner at Cæsarea, till he could be conveniently conducted to Rome, because he had appealed to Nero. When Cæsarea is named, as a city of Palestine, without the addition of Philippi, we suppose this Cæsarea to be meant.

Dr. Clarke did not visit Cæsarea; but viewing it from off the coast, he says, "By daybreak the next morning we were off the coast of Cæsarea; and so near with the land that we could distinctvery ly perceive the appearance of its numerous and extensive ruins. The remains of this city, although considerable, have long been resorted to as a qnarry, whenever building materials are required at Acre. Djezzer Pasha brought from thence the columns of rare and beautiful marble, as well as the other ornaments of his palace, bath, fountain, and mosque at Acre. The place at present is only inhabited by jackals and beasts of prey. As we were becalmed during the night, we heard the cries of these animals until daybreak. Pococke mentions the curious fact of the existence of crocodiles in the rivers of Cæsarea.

Perhaps there has not been in the history of the world an example of any city, that in so short a space of time rose to such an extraordinary height of splendor as did this of Cæsarea, that exhibits a more awful contrast to its former magnificence, by the present desolate appearance of its ruins. Not a single inhabitant remains. Its theatres, once resounding with the shouts of multitudes, echo no other sound than the nightly cries of animals roaming for their prey. Of its gorgous palaces and temples, enriched with the choicest works of art, and decorated with the most precious marbles,

scarcely a trace can be discerned. Within the space of ten years after laying the foundation, from an obscure fortress, it became the most celebrated and flourishing city in all Syria. It was named Cæsarea by Herod, in honor of Augustus, and dedicated by him to that emperor, in the twenty-eighth year of his reign. Upon this occasion, that the ceremony might be rendered illustrious, by a degree of profusion unknown in any former instance, Herod assembled the most skilful musicians and gladiators from all parts of the world. The solemnity was to be renewed every fifth year.

But, as we viewed the ruins of this memorable city, every other circumstance respecting its history was absorbed in the consideration that we were actually beholding the very spot where the scholar of Tarsus, after two years' imprisonment, made that eloquent appeal, in the audience of the King of Judea, which must ever be remembered with piety and delight. In the history of the holy acts of the apostles, whether we regard the internal evidence of the narrative, or the interest excited by a story so wonderfully appealing to our passions and affections, there is nothing that we call to mind with fuller emotions of sublimity and satisfaction. In the demonstration of the spirit, and of power,' the mighty advocate for the christian faith had before reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come, tilĺ the Roman governor, Felix, trembled as he spoke. Not all the oratory of Tertullus, nor the clamor of his numerous adversaries not even the countenance of the most profligate of tyrants, availed against the firmness and intrepidity of the oracle of God. The judge had trembled before his prisoner; and now a second occasion offered, in which, for the admiration and triumph of the christian world, one of its bitterest persecutors, and a Jew, appeals, in the public tribunal of a large and populous city, to all its chiefs and rulers, its governor and its king, for the truth of his conversation, founded on the highest evidence; delivered in the most fair, open and illustrious manner."

Cæsarea Palestina was inhabited by Jews, heathen, and Samaritans; hence parts of it were considered unclean by the Jews; some of whom would not pass over certain places; others, however, were less scrupulous. Perpetual contests

were maintained between the Jews and the Syrians, or the Greeks; in which many thousand persons were slain.

The Arab interpreter thinks this city was first named Hazor, Joshua 11; 1. Rabbi Abhu says, "Cæsarea was the daughter of Edom; situated among things profane; she was a goad to Israel in the days of the Grecians; but the Asmonean family overcame her." Herod the Great built the city to honor the name of Cæsar, and adorned it with the most splendid houses. Over against the mouth of the haven, made by Herod, was the temple of Cæsar, on a rising ground, a superb structure; and in it a statute of Cæsar the emperor. Here was also a theatre, a forum, &c. all of white stone, &c. (Joseph. de Bell. lib. i. cap. 13.)

After he had finished rebuilding the town, Herod dedicated it to Augustus, and procured the most capable workmen to execute the medals struck on the occasion, so that these are of considerable elegance. The port was called Sebastus, that is Augustus. The city itself was made a colony by Vespasian, and is described on its medals as, COLONIA PRIMA FLAVIA AUGUSTA CESAREA; Cæsarea, the first colony of the Flavian (or Vespasian) family.-Prot. Unionist.

GOOD MANNERS FOR ALL CLASSES.-Good manners, and courtesy of speech, are indispensable for the practise of all men, of whatever rank or station, to insure the respect and good will of others. It is altogether a mistake to suppose that po. liteness and the rules of etiquette are suited to the affluent and highly-born alone. There is no reason on earth why the working man, the small shopkeeper, or any of the humbler classes should not understand and practice all the rules which good breeding enjoins as correctly, and with equal benefit, as the most accomplished gentleman. Let not the artisan, the mechanic, or the small manufacturer smile at this assertion. The mistaken notion above alluded to arises from the habit of confounding etiquette with ceremony and parade, good manners with stiff formality, and politeness with deceit and falsehood. Having formed these ideas, the man in humble station, and conscientious withall, is frequently heard to exclaim, "What have I to do with etiquette? What is politeness to me? I like to be free and easy, no cere

monious fuss for me; I don't like to say one thing and mean another. I leave that to the gentry-to the aristocracy!" And thus, for fear of being thought polite (and by their false reasoning, insincere,) they rush into the extreme, and become rough, coarse, and offensive.

But let us understand the meaning of terms; let us consider that good manners are, in reality, good feelings manifested by action; that politeness is the art of doing everything that may give pleasure and comfort to others, and of avoiding all that may wound or annoy; and that etiquette is merely the laws or rules laid down to teach us in this great art-the art of pleasing-the art of gaining the good will of mankind-the art of securing our own happiness by promoting the happiness of others. In no situation of life is the cultivation of good feeling and the practise of good manners unimportant. And they should go together; for though, from good feeling, a man may be disposed to perform a kind action towards another, a great deal depends on the manner in which it is performed. A favor may be conferred in a way to make it appear a positive insult. Thus the best intentions may be negatived, if not carried out in a kind, considerate manner.-Selected.

BOWING AND OTHER SALUTATIONS.-It is bad taste to curtesy in the street, and in equally bad taste to bow stiffly. A slight bend of the body, at the same time that you incline the head, forms the most graceful and affable salutation.

A smile is natural on meeting a friend; and if it is necessary to bow coldly to an acquaintance, it is quite as well not to bow at all.

A gentleman should always lift his hat entirely from his head on saluting a lady -unless he does this his salutation deserves no return.

Bows should be mutual and made at the same moment, but when they are unavoidably otherwise, the lady should bow first to the gentleman, as a token that she permits him to recognize her. If she does not do so, he is at liberty to salute her, but runs the risk of finding his salutation unanswered.

Low curtesies are now entirely obsolete, unless you are curtesying to a very old lady-then, as a mark of respect, you must bend lower than usual.-Selected.