So many unlooked-for events take place in the world, that the most punctual are sometimes thrown out of their accustomed plans, but there is no excuse for the wretched practice of habitual irregularity. When a child, I was scolded for being too late at school; when a boy, I was cuffed and kicked for being too late at my work; and when a man, I was turned away for being behind my time on a particular occasion when my services were wanted.

My Uncle Jonathan was well to do in the world, and as his nephews were his nearest relations, we had reason to expect that his property would come among us. He had, however, one peculiarity, which effectually shut his door against me. He never was five minutes too late in an appointment in his life, and thought most contemptuously of those who were. I really believe that I was a bit of a favourite with him until my unfortunate failing justly offended him.

He had occasion to go a journey, and I was directed to be with him at seven in the morning, to carry his portmanteau to the coach. Alas! I was "Five minutes too late," and he had left the house.

Knowing his particularity, I hurried after him, and running till I could scarcely stand, arrived at one end of the street just in time to see the coach go off with my Uncle at the other. Dearly did I pay for being "Five minutes too late."

My Uncle did not return for a month, and certainly showed more forbearance toward me than he was ever known to do on a similar occasion; for in a letter he stated, that if I could be punctual, he should wish me to meet him on his return, to take charge of his portmanteau, and thereby make some amends for my misconduct. Off I set, but knowing that coaches frequently arrive a quarter of an hour after their set time, I thought a minute or two could be of no consequence. The coach, unfortunately, was horridly exact," and once more I was after my time, just "Five minutes too late."

My Uncle Jonathan never forgave me, fully believing that I had done it on purpose to get rid of the trouble of carrying his portmanteau. Years rolled away, and I was not so much as permitted to enter the door of my Uncle Jonathan.

Time, however, heals many a sore, and while it ruffles many a smooth brow, smooths many a ruffled temper. My Uncle Jonathan so far relented, that when about to make his will, he sent to me to

call upon him exactly at ten o'clock. Determined to be in time, I set off, allowing myself some minutes to spare, and pulling out my watch at the door, found that for once in my life I had kept my appointment to the second. The servant, to my surprise, told me, that my Uncle Jonathan had ordered the door to be shut in my face for being behind my time. It was then I found out that my watch was too slow, and that I was exactly "Five Minutes too late."

Had I been earlier on that occasion I might have been provided for, but now I am a poor man, and a poor man I am likely to remain. However, good may arise from my giving this short account of of my foolish habit, as it may possibly convince some of the value of punctuality, and dispose them to avoid the manifold evils of being five minutes too late.

Reader, at the beginning of this year, determine to try never to be TOO LATE during any day of it which you may be permitted to see.

HORRIBLE DEATH OF A MISER.

MONS. FOSCUE, one of the farmersgeneral of the province of Languedoc, by grinding the face of the poor within his province, had amassed an immense sum of money, which being known to the government, he was ordered to raise a considerable sum; but not being inclined to comply with this demand, he pleaded extreme poverty. And lest the inhabitants of his province should give information to the contrary, he resolved to hide his treasure in such a manner as to escape the most strict examination. He dug a kind of cave in his wine cellar, so large and deep that he could go down with a ladder; at the entrance was a door with a spring lock, which, on shutting would fasten of itself. After a time Mons. Foscue was missing, diligent search was made after him every where, but to no purpose; at last his house was sold. The purchaser, beginning to rebuild it, discovered a door in this cellar, and going down, found Mons. Foscue lying dead on the ground with a candlestick near him, and, on searching farther, discovered the vast wealth which he had amassed. The purchaser supposed that he went into the cave, and the door, by some accident, shutting after him, he was out of the call of any person, and perished for want of food. He had eaten the candle, and gnawed the flesh off both his arms. And

thus died this avaricious wretch, in the midst of the treasure which he had heaped together, an awful warning against covet

ousness.

BRITISH BIOGRAPHY.

VENERABLE BEDE.

Born, 672-Died, 735. AMONG the few illustrious characters of our early history, whose deeds and writings have escaped the ravages of time, this eminent man deserves the honourable mention. he has obtained. He was born near Durham, in a village now called Farrow, near the mouth of the Tyne. Having lost both his parents at the age of seven years, he was placed in the Monastery of St. Peter, at Weremouth, in the school attached to which he received his early education, and appears from his youth to have been devoted to the service of God. He afterwards removed to the neighbouring Monastery of Jarrow, in Northumberland, where he spent the remainder of his days in study, devotion, and teaching. In an age when learning was rare, he made considerable progress in all the branches then cultivated, and attained the reputation of being the most learned man of his time. This, justly celebrated monk does not appear to have been infected with the general contagion; for though his character for learning and piety opened before him the widest door of ecclesiastical prefer ment, since he was invited to Rome by the Pope himself, he chose to remain in obscurity, and both lived and died an unbeneficed presbyter. He is one of our earliest historians, and composed an Ecclesiastical History of our country, which he brought down to the year 731; and so great was his industry, that he left behind treatises on a great variety of subjects in philosophy and religion, to the extent of eight folio volumes. Though his credulity sometimes was great in matters of detail, his theological writings contain a number of very admirable thoughts. He made all his studies subservient to devotion, and examined the scriptures most assiduously, not only by the use of his natural faculties to find out their meaning, but with earnest prayer to the Father of lights for Divine influence and illumination. With much that is fanciful, and some things that are obscure or erroneous, it is surprizing and delightful to observe in his theological writings the distinctness and precision of his faith on the fundamental doctrines of the gospel; and the genuine godliness which appears in

them, must have been highly useful amidst that dearth of knowledge which prevailed in his age. He saw and pointed out some of the errors of the church to which he belonged, and strongly urged upon his ecclesiastical superiors the duty of correcting abuses. Living in an age of superstition, he did not wholly escape its influence; nor, amidst the darkness which surrounded him, did he see every thing in the light of truth. He was also too often allegorical in his exposition of scripture; yet with all his defects he was a wonderful man, and, ́ according to Milner, "knew more of true religion, both doctrinal and practical, than many ecclesiastics of the present day."

It was a principle with him to be constantly employed;" he never knew what it was to do nothing." Happy would it be if all our readers, but especially the young and vigorous, were equally thrifty of their time. And why should they not? Every hour must be accounted for. Men do not throw away their money, which they might perhaps regain by renewed labour. Why, then, should they squander away their time, which can never be recovered when once it is gone?

In the midst of his last affliction, his mind was serene and cheerful; his affections were heavenly; and, amidst all his infirmities, he took great delight in giving daily instruction to his disciples. A great part of the night was employed in prayer and thanksgiving; and the first employment of the morning was to ruminate on the scriptures, and to address his God in prayer. Perceiving his end to draw near, he said, "If my Maker please, I will go to him from the flesh, who, when I was not, formed me out of nothing. My soul desires to see Christ my King in his beauty." He sang, "Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost," and expired with a sedateness, composure, and devotion that amazed all who saw and heard him.

The works of this excellent man, which are all in Latin, have been several times published in Paris, Basil, and Cologne; and some have been printed separately. Several of his manuscripts, still unpublished, are to be found in the libraries of Oxford and Cambridge.

A curious incident has been mentioned by some writers to account for his receiving the title of Venerable, associated with his name in all succeeding ages, which, though sufficiently absurd, af fords a strong instance of the superstition then prevailing. It was the custom

MARRIAGE CEREMONIES.

THE marriage-ceremony in the east was commonly performed in the open air; the bride was placed under a canopy, supported by four youths, and adorned with jewels according to the rank of the married persons; all the company crying out with joyful acclamations, Blessed be he that cometh. It was anciently the custom, at the conclusion of the ceremony, for the father and mother, and kindred of the woman, to pray for a blessing upon the parties. Bethuel and Laban, and the other members of their family, pronounced a solemn benediction upon Rebekah before her departure: "And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them." And in times long posterior to the age of Isaac, when Ruth the Moabitess was espoused to Boaz, "All the

people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman that is come into thine house, like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem." After the benedictions, the bride is conducted, with great pomp, to the house of her husband; this is usually done in the evening: and as the procession moves along, money, sweetmeats, flowers, and other articles, are thrown among the populace, which they catch in clothes made for such occasions, stretched in a particular manner upon frames.

The use of perfumes at eastern marriages is common; and upon great occasions very profuse. Not only are the garments scented, till, in the Psalmist's language, they smell of myrrh, aloes, and cassia; but it is also customary for virgins to meet, and lead the procession, with

Bi