second great command of the moral law-"That we should do to others whatsoever we would that they should do to us." All men love to be treated with civility, and are bound therefore by the law of God to exhibit such treatment to others. The Chinese proverbially and justly observe, that a man without civility, is a man without common sense. Such manners are the proper polish of that most beautiful of all diamonds, virtue; and enable it to shine with its own peculiar lustre. They render the character lovely, increase exceedingly the power of those who possess them to do good, and secure them a thousand kind offices, to which coarse, rough, and brutal men are utterly strangers. Children, in order to be taught such manners, besides being particularly instructed in their nature, should especially be accustomed to the company of those from whom they may be successfully copied.

Religion, like the dew of heaven to the drooping spirit, refreshes the fainting traveller, and he pursues his journey with strength and cheerfulness. It is the guide of the young, and the staff of the aged; a treasure in the bosom of poverty; it opens to the wretched a bright prospect of happiness, when all in this world is involved in clouds of darkness.

To correct the spirit of discontent, let us consider how little we deserve, and how much we enjoy.

Long Service. The following instances of long servitude, are, we believe, equal to any on record. Ann Squire, late of Wells, died a short time at an advanced age, having been in the service of Mr. Fuller and family for more than fourscore years; and lately died William Penny, aged 72, who lived in the same service sixty years.

ago

Mews.—The origin of this word, so generally applied to stables in the metropolis, may not perhaps be known to some of our readers. Mue (from the French verb muer, to change) signifies a kind of cage where hawks are wintered, or kept when they mue, or change their feathers, whence the great stables belonging to Whitehall took their denomination, that place having been anciently full of mues, where the king's hawks were kept.-Blount's Dictionary, 1681.

Hammer Cloth. The origin of the name hammer-cloth, the ornamental covering of the coach box, is said to be from the coachman's formerly carrying with him a hammer, pincers, a few nails, &c. in a leather pouch, hanging to his box, and this cloth was devised for hiding them from the public view.

Customs.-Casual observers are frequently so conceited as to fancy that their own ways and doings are not only the best, but the best suited for all places and these persons are often so wedded to their own peculiar customs and habits, as to believe that other people are not so sagacious as themselves. They make no allowance for difficulties or localities; but experience has turned out to be the best instructor; and circumstances have taught rules, which time has proved to be the best, when they are generally adopted.

Health. In the library of Boërhave, the celebrated physician of Leyden, was found a book most beautifully bound, which he had declared contained the most valued secrets of his profession. On being opened, it proved to be only blank paper, excepting the first page, on which was written,

"Keep your head cool,

Your feet dry and warm:

Let this be your rule,

And you'll come to no harm!"

Hindooism.-As soon as the cholera morbus assumed an alarming aspect among the Hindoos, (says one of the missionaries of Cuttack,) the money, and what else of value the patient possessed, were taken away, and the parties decamped, leaving the poor sufferers to die unpitied and unassisted. I have witnessed (says he) an instance wherein a son denied all connexion with and knowledge of his own mother, who lay dying near him he coolly sat at the distance of two yards, watching her last breath, to decamp with what her poor corpse might afford. And yet, strange truth! common as this want of natural affection is, Hindooism has been, and still is, admired and defended by some professed Christians.

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The Plague. The experience of more than a century proves that with suitable precautions the plague can be effectually guarded against, even in climates which might be imagined to predispose the human constitution to its influence. The Mediterranean States, for example, have found that the establishment of quarantine protects the health of their inhabitants; while many intelligent medical men hold the opinion, that the atmosphere of Great Britain, combined with the improved police of our larger towns, is itself a sufficient antidote to the malady, which occasionally carries death through the crowded, filthy, and ill-ventilated lanes of modern Alexandria.-View of Ancient and Modern Egypt.

Personal Cleanliness.-Independent of external appearance, nothing is more conducive to health than cleanliness: it invigorates both mind and body. All travellers well know how refreshing and comfortable is the change of raiment after fatiguing and long journeys, or even after laborious exercise.

The Camel.-Unless such an animal as the camel had existed in Asia, (a country intersected by immense arid plains, and impassable with burthens, except by a creature possessing at once great strength, and an extraordinary capacity of enduring privation,) the intercourse of mankind would have been confined to small spots where abundance reigned; the commodities of one part of that immense region could not have been exchanged for those of another: commerce, the great moving principle in the extension of civilization, would have been unknown.— Entertaining Library.

Remarkable instance of affection and sagacity in a Dog.-On Thursday morning, the 7th of March, 1816, the body of Thomas Rutherford was found under circumstances too peculiar to pass unnoticed. It appears he had left Alnwick, on his road to Rothbury, late the evening before, accompanied by his dog, and had proceeded nearly seven miles, then about eleven o'clock, when he became quite exhausted by struggling with the deepness of the snow, and the impetuosity of the storm. He fell, and could rise no more; and soon became insensible. In this state he was exposed to all the horrors of the night, till seven o'clock the following morning. His faithful dog, observing on a distant height the shepherd of the farm, used every means to bring him to the aid of his unfortunate master. The dog's pitiful howlings and importunate solicitude for one spot, which he often left and returned to, with apparently the most poignant signs of grief and distress, induced the shepherd to follow the motions of this sagacious animal. The body being entirely covered with snow, he could discover no cause for such singular behaviour. The dog, steady to his grateful purpose, scratched near the body, which was then found, and conveyed to the inn in a state that precluded any hope for his recovery, as scarcely any symptom of animation remained. Medical aid was however procured; and, after five hours' exertion by the humane host and family, life gradually returned, and we are happy to state he reached his home on the Friday completely recovered.

A Curious Fact.-Some few years ago, a person who had made a considerable fortune in Philadelphia as a butcher, went on board one of the

ships from Amsterdam, which had a number of German Redemptioners, for the purpose of purchasing one to assist him in his business. After examining the physiognomy of several of the passengers, without being able to please himself, his attention was arrested by the tranquil and composed countenance of a man advanced in years, but with much appearance of strength and activity. Not less pleased with the tenor of the conversation of the German than with his exterior, he described the purpose for which he wanted a servant, and obtained the man's consent to purchase his indentures, provided he would also purchase those of his wife, who had accompanied him. The parties then went ashore, to complete the business, attended by the captain; and upon the names of the persons being mentioned to insert them in the writings, they were the same as the purchaser's father and mother; and upon farther inquiries, he ascertained them to be, in fact, his father and mother, the latter declaring that if he was their son, he had a remarkable mole upon his left arm, which proved to be the case. It is added, that nothing could surpass the joy of all parties. The providence of God had snatched the venerable pair from poverty and servitude, and conducted them to plenty and independence, under the protection of an affectionate son. He, it seems, had run away from his parents when quite a boy; and from the continual wars in Europe, neither had heard of the other since.

Secrecy. It is related by Quintus Curtius, that the Persians always conceived an invincible contempt of a man who had violated the laws of secrecy; for they thought, that however he might be deficient in the qualities requisite to actual excellence, the negative virtues were always in his power, and though he perhaps could not speak well if he was to try, it was still easy for him not to speak.-Rambler.

Let not thy mirth be so extravagant as to

intoxicate thy mind, nor thy sorrow so heavy as to depress thy heart. This world affordeth no good so transporting, nor inflicteth any evil so severe, as should raise thee far above, or sink thee much beneath, the balance of moderation.— Dodsley.

Repine not, O man, at thy state of servitude; it is the appointment of God, and hath many advantages; it removeth thee from the cares and solicitudes of life.

THE

FAMILY MONITOR.

No. XI.

NOVEMBER, 1831.

VOL. I.

FEASTS AND FASTS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND EXPLAINED.

All Saints' Day.

Nov. 1.-This day is set apart for a commemoration of All Saints in general, both militant here on earth and triumphant in the kingdom of heaven. Those may be truly denominated of the church militant, who, seeking the aid of a strength greater than their own, endeavour to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; and who, relying on the merits of their Redeemer, Jesus Christ, are careful to keep always a conscience void of offence both toward God and man; and by this means, when their earthly tabernacle is dissolved, they will have a glorious building, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; and so become a part of the church triumphant. Thus, the design of the church in instituting this festival, is to honour God in his saints, whose virtues ought to be had in everlasting remembrance. And also, that we, who are in this valley of tears, might be encouraged by their good examples, patiently to "run the race that is set before us." And that by living as the saints once did, we might at length inherit those promises, which they by their faith and perseverance in this world, now inherit in the regions of bliss and immortality.

Gun-powder Treason Day.

Nov. 5. The reason why this day is observed, must be so well known to every one, that it is almost unnecessary to give an account of its origin: it was a plan devised by the Catholics to destroy the Protestant Parliament in the reign of James the

VOL. I.

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