5. I never pass this establishment without stopping to look at the scene it presents. Its teachings are more eloquent than a hundred lectures on peace and universal brotherhood. I love to see the children stop to look at it, for I know they will carry away a lesson which will do them good; they will think of it on their way to school,—and at home too, I hope, when any thing crosses their will in the family circle or playground. I could not but wish that this "Happy Family" might be exhibited every morning to all the unhappy human families in the land.

ELIHU BURRITT.

XCVIII.-EVENING SONG OF THE TYROLESE PEASANTS.

It is the custom in some parts of the Tyrol for the laborers to assemble in the evening, after their day's work, around some spreading tree, generally at the entrance of the village, and sing a hymn or song in concert. The following is a song supposed to be sung by some of these peasants.

1. Come to the sunset tree!

The day is past and gone;
The woodman's ax lies free,
And the reaper's work is done.

2. The twilight star to heaven,

And the summer dew to flowers,
And rest to us is given,

By the cool soft evening hours.

3. Sweet is the hour of rest!

Pleasant the wind's low sigh,
And the gleaming of the west,

And the turf whereon we lie,

4. When the burden and the heat
Of labor's task are o'er,
And kindly voices greet
The tired one at his door.

5. Come to the sunset tree!

The day is past and gone;
The woodman's ax lies free,
And the reaper's work is done.

6. Yes; tuneful is the sound

That dwells in whispering boughs;
Welcome the freshness 'round,

And the gale that fans our brows.

7. But rest more sweet and still
Than ever night-fall gave,
Our yearning hearts shall fill
In the world beyond the grave.

8. There shall no tempest blow,
No scorching noontide heat;
There shall be no more snow,
No weary wandering feet.

9. So we lift our trusting eyes
From the hills our fathers trod,
To the quiet of the skies,
To the sabbath of our God.

10. Come to the sunset tree!

The day is past and gone;

The woodman's ax lies free,
And the reaper's work is done.

MRS. HEMANS.

Every good act is a flower, which will beautify our final home.

XCIX.-THE HUMMING-BIRD.

1. Of all the birds that flutter in the garden or paint the landscape, the humming-bird is the most delightful to look upon, and the most inoffensive. Of this charming little animal there are six or seven varieties, from the size of a small wren down to that of a humble-bee.

2. Many, perhaps, do not really know that there exist any birds so very small, and yet so completely furnished with a bill, feathers, wings, and digestive organs, exactly resembling those of the largest kind.

3. Birds not so big as the end of one's little finger would probably be supposed mere creatures of imagination, were they not seen in infinite numbers, and as frequently as butterflies on a summer's day, sporting from flower to flower and extracting sweets with their little bills.

4. The smallest humming-bird is about the size of a hazel nut. The feathers on its wings and tail are black; but those on its body and under its wings are of a greenish brown, with a fine red cast or gloss, which no silk or velvet can imitate.

5. It has a small crest on its head, green at the bottom and as it were gilded at the top, and which sparkles in the sun like a little star in the middle of its forehead. The bill is black, straight, slender, and of the length of a small pin. It is inconceivable how much these birds add to the high finishing and beauty of a rich and luxurious landscape.

6. As soon as the sun is risen, the humming-birds of different kinds are seen fluttering about the flowers, without ever lighting upon them. Their wings are in such rapid motion that it is impossible to discern their colors except by their glittering. They are never still, but

are continually in motion, visiting flower after flower, and extracting its honey as if with a kiss.

7. For this purpose they are furnished with a forky tongue, that enters the cup of the flower and extracts its nectared tribute. Upon this alone they subsist. The rapid motion of their wings occasions a humming sound, from whence they have their name; for whatever divides the air swiftly must produce a murmur.

8. The nests of these birds are also very curious. They are suspended in the air, at the point of the twigs. Sometimes they make their nests even in houses, if a small and convenient twig for the purpose is found there. The female is the architect, while the male goes in quest of materials such as cotton, fine moss, and the fibers of vegetables.

9. Of these materials a nest is composed, about the size of a hen's egg cut in two; it is admirably contrived, and warmly lined with cotton. There are never more than two eggs found in the nest; these are about the size of small peas, and as white as snow, with here and there a yellow speck.

10. The male and the female sit upon the nest by turns; but the female takes to herself the greatest share. She seldom quits the nest, except for a few minutes in the morning and evening, when the dew is upon the flowers, and their honey in perfection. During this short interval the male takes her place.

11. The time of incubation continues twelve days, at the end of which the young ones appear, and are about the size of a blue-bottle fly. They are at first bare; by degrees they are covered with down; and, at last, feathers succeed, but less beautiful at first than those of the old ones.

12. Father Labat, in his account of the mission to America, says that his companion found the nest of a

humming-bird in a shed near the dwelling-house, and took it in at a time when the young ones were about fifteen or twenty days old.

13. "He placed them in a cage at his chamber window, to be amused by their sportive flutterings; but he was much surprised to see the old ones, which came and fed their brood regularly every hour in the day. By this means they themselves grew so tame that they seldom quitted the chamber, and without any constraint came to live with their young ones.

14. "All four frequently perched upon their master's hand, chirping as if they had been at liberty abroad. He fed them with a very fine clear paste, made of wine, biscuit and sugar. They thrust their tongues into this paste till they were satisfied, and then fluttered and chirped about the room.

15. "I never beheld any thing more agreeable," continues he, "than this lovely little family, which had possession of my companion's chamber, and flew in and out just as they thought proper; but were ever attentive to the voice of their master when he called them."

OLIVER GOLDSMITH.

C.-BUDS, FLOWERS, FRUIT.

1. “Milton, you may bring me a branch from the peartree, and also one off the cherry-tree in the garden, and we will examine into their structure a little.

2. "Very good, my son; these specimens will nicely serve our purpose. Please look carefully at this branch of cherry, and see if you can distinguish any thing pecu liar about it."

3. "I notice, father," said Milton, "a little cluster of buds, and several others scattered over the branch, and that some are larger than the others."