in its progress. It is ever in motion. I There! it has flitted to another tree, and is creeping up it. The creeper makes its nest of grass, lined with feathers, in some hole of a decayed tree; the eggs are from seven to nine in number, of a white colour, sprinkled with reddish brown. This bird is the only European example of its genus, as is the nuthatch also. But it is time to retire, for the heat of midday sun begins to warm even the recesses of the wood; the voices of the birds have ceased; and the insects have retreated to the covert of the leaves. How glorious is the sun in his strength! how powerful are his light-giving, lifereviving beams! and how forcibly does he proclaim the might, majesty, and glory of Him, who maketh the heavens his throne, and the earth his footstool! of Him, who is light ineffable, which man cannot see and live; but who has clothed himself with a raiment of mercy and compassion, that we may behold him, and so live for ever. ST. PAUL'S BAY, MALTA. M. THE REV. J. A. Clark, in writing to a friend, says-You know it was on the shores of this island, then called Melita, either from the goodness of its honey, or from the nymph Melita, the daughter of Doris and Nereus, that St. Paul was shipwrecked. As tradition had preserved the remembrance of the spot where this disaster occurred, I felt a strong desire to visit it. Accordingly, the fourth day after our arrival at Malta, we set off on an excursion that would occupy two days, so planning our route, that we should visit Gozo, and pass along around the whole circuit of St. Paul's Bay. We had advanced some eight or ten miles in our excursion, when the bright and broad Mediterranean broke upon our view upon the right. Having ascended another range of hills, we came in sight of an object that riveted my eyes to the spot, with an emotion I cannot well describe-what is called St. Paul's Bay, from its having been the scene of his shipwreck, recorded in the twentyseventh and twenty-eighth chapters of the Acts of the Apostles. When I reached the shore of this bay, where tradition has located the place of the landing of the wrecked mariners of that illfated ship, I felt I was treading on sacred ground. The waters now were all calm and radiant with the beams of a resplendent sun. But I could imagine the darkness of the heavens, the fury of the storm, the boisterousness of the sea, lashed by fierce winds into unbridled rage, and the sail-rent, dismasted vessel, with its stern already "broken with the violence of the waves," so graphically depicted by St. Luke. I could imagine the dispersed and sinking crew, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship," making their way to the land. Perhaps, on the very spot where I stood, chilled and dripping from the waters, they assembled, while the rude barbarous people, inhabitants of the island, gathered around, touched with feelings of kindness, kindled for them a fire, and received every one of them, "because of the present rain, and because of the cold." As I tried to picture to myself the apostle of the Gentiles, standing before that fire kindled on the shore, his apparel dripping with the briny waters of the sea, I thought of all the perils of his eventful life, and of all he endured for the love of Christ, and the salvation of a dying world. He was willing to be a prisoner; to be carried to Rome; to be shipwrecked, and cast into the deep; for the waves would wash him to a certain island, among whose_barbarous inhabitants he would preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. He was willing that the viper should issue from the burning wood, and fasten upon his hand, for the power which Christ had given him, to tread on scorpions, and render harmless the fangs of the most venomous beasts, would enable him to acquire such an influence over the minds of the spectators, that they would give heed to the truths of the gospel. The effect was, that Publius, the Roman governor of the island, received the whole crew courteously; and Paul having performed a miracle of healing for the father of Publius, who was "sick of a fever and of a bloody flux,” the apostle, and all who sailed in the same ship with him, were honoured with many honours; and when they departed, were laded with such things as were necessary. The apostle did not pass the three months that he spent at Malta, or Melita, as the island was then called, in vain. Publius, tradition states, and many of the inhabitants of the island, became converts of Christianity; and it is very certain, that Christianity has had a footing in this island, ever since the shipwreck of St. Paul. Doubtless, thousands have been trained here for glory. But, considering what a theatre of agitation and of war this island has ever been, and the multifarious foreign influences that have been exerted upon it, and the torpedo touch with which, ages ago, Papacy paralyzed all the energies of this people, who have never fully emerged from their ignorant and barbarous state, it is not wonderful that the mere shadow of Christianity is all that now remains. As all these various reflections came over my mind, I wound my way up the lofty hill that rises above this bay with feelings somewhat tinged with gloom. Alas! in a corrupt world, among depraved men, every thing degenerates. Still the gospel has power to stay these waves of corruption, to keep itself from degeneracy, and to bring the race up to its own high standard. It never fails to do this, except when betrayed by its pretended friends.-Glimpses of the Old World. THE LAUNCH; OR, "HOPE HUMBLY, BUT HOPE ALWAYS." My uncle had a pretty little marine villa on the coast of Suffolk, where he generally spent a few weeks in the course of the summer, accompanied by some members of his family or other friends. One year, my parents occupied it a considerable time, for the benefit of my mother's health. In consequence of their absence from home, it was arranged that I should not go thither for the holidays, but spend them with my uncle, and accompany him and Frank to the coast to visit my parents. The scene was rather new to us, and we very much enjoyed it. Bathing, swimming, sailing, and geologizing, agreeably varied our holiday occupations; but there was nothing that interested us more than the ship building, which is carried on to a great extent on the banks of the river Orwell. The day after our arrival, my good uncle having business at the town, took us with him. It was a delightful drive along the coast, enlivened as usual by his pertinent remarks and interesting anecdotes. Our first call was at an office on the wharf. While my uncle was conversing with the principals of the concern (two brothers) Frank engaged my attention to a number of plans, with which the room was surrounded, of vessels of various sizes and descriptions, and in different stages of completion. My cousin understood something about these matters: but they were quite new to me, and not quite so interesting as he seemed to think they ought to be. The fact was, that these plans, aided even by Frank's explanations, failed to convey to my mind a perfectly intelligible idea. I did not clearly understand the uses of the several parts described, still less the technical phrases by which they were expressed. It was far otherwise when I saw the real thing; there was no lack of interest then. After the gentlemen had been some time in conversation, my uncle, pointing to one of the drawings, inquired how that fine vessel was proceeding. "It is nearly completed," replied one of the partners, “the launch is fixed for the first Tuesday in August. It is to us a season of feverish anxiety; but I assure you, sir, a sentiment with which you took leave of us last year has often sustained us in the course of our undertaking, and we still recur to it in prospect of the launch. You said to us at parting, 'Hope humbly, but hope always.' 66 Well," replied my uncle, "it is a just sentiment; and if it prove to have been a word fitly spoken, and suitable to your peculiar feelings, it is matter of satisfaction and thankfulness. We are too apt to utter unmeaning expressions, or such as are not worth remembering." True," rejoined Mr. Fowler, "and too apt to forget what ought to be treasured up; but it is well when a just sentiment is thus lodged in the mind, and affords seasonable instruction and succour; and such has been the case with your sentiment, as both my brother and myself can testify." "Yes," said Mr. John Fowler, "un der a nervous fever, last autumn, brought on, I quite believe, by excitement of mind on account of this vessel, your parting words were often present with me, and proved a more effectual cordial than any suggested by mere medical skill. I hope my dear brother, who then often suggested them to me, will now apply them with equally beneficial influence to himself; for he now, in prospect of the launch, labours under anxiety as intense as mine has been during the progress of the building." The gentlemen then invited us to walk out and look at the vessel. My uncle expressed surprise and admiration at the progress that had been made since he last inspected it, as well as at the adaptation, completeness, and beauty of every part, and their exact conformity to the original design. The gentlemen kindly explained to us the uses of the different parts; and readily answered the questions suggested by Frank's intelligence and general knowledge, and even mine, which I felt conscious discovered more of ignorance and stupidity, though not unaccompanied by a desire to gain useful information. My uncle looked at his watch, and said he had business in the town which would fully occupy him until the time that he had appointed for the carriage to meet us. It was not without reluctance that we received the summons; and my uncle and his friends, observing how much we were interested in what was going on, kindly proposed that we should remain there while he went into the town. We also received a general invitation to visit the wharf whenever we felt disposed to do so, and to be present at the launch of the vessel. On our way home, as we talked about the vessel and its owners, my uncle observed that a large, well-constructed ship presented one of the finest specimens of human skill and perseverance. "The vessel," said he, "which you have just seen, and which is now nearly completed in such admirable style, has been three years in building, and has employed the constant labour of above one hundred men." "It must be a very expensive undertaking," observed Frank. "Yes," replied my uncle, "not less than 40,000/. have been expended on it; the contract, I believe, is for 50,0001," "I was going to ask you, sir," said Frank, "whether the vessel was built for the chance of sale, or whether it was done, according to order, for some particular person.' if the vessel was contracted for before it was built." "There are, however, in so large an undertaking, many other contingencies which might well occasion serious anxiety, if not painful apprehension. Indeed, I have witnessed their operation on the minds of my friends, both in the progress of this vessel and on several former occasions, until I have really feared that their health and mental energies would give way under the excitement. However, you will probably have an opportunity of hearing more than I could tell you about this matter; for as Saturday is a public holiday, I have prevailed on the Fowlers to give themselves a little recreation, by way of recruiting themselves for the prospect of the launch, which will be a new excitement. I hope they will be able to come to us on Friday evening, and stay till Monday morning." It was late when these gentlemen arrived; for they had considered it a necessary precaution before they left the wharf to see all the workmen clear off, and personally to inspect every part of the vessel and the premises, where any possibility might exist of mischief from fire. This inspection was not to be trusted even to a trusty foreman, in prospect of both the principals giving a truce of two or three days to care. "And now," said one of the brothers, addressing himself to my uncle, "having taken every precaution that prudence dictated, and I trust habitually committing our concerns to the watchful care of Providence, we must again endeavour to put in practice your golden maxim, 'Hope humbly, but hope always.' 999 The subject was then dismissed, and the conversation assumed a general chaup-racter; though, as I have often observed, my uncle discovered considerable tact in drawing out his guests on topics which he had reason to think would be agreeable to them, and on which they were most likely to impart information. Much passed that evening that, at least to Frank and myself, was new and interesting-about the growth of different kinds of trees; the peculiar properties and adaptations of each as timber; the importation of timber from foreign parts; the articles of commerce usually furnished in exchange; and the difficulties and hazard attendant on commerce of every kind, and that of timber in particular, in a time of war, com "The latter, certainly; it would be far too great an enterprise to embark in as a mere speculation.' "Yes, one such concern would be enough to ruin a man, if he did not happen to dispose of it. I thought, perhaps it was on that ground that the Messrs. Fowler expressed so much anxiety. But that could not be the case pared with the facility, security, and | advantages of peace. The difference in price was astonishing, and several instances were mentioned, in which the fortune of individuals had been made or ruined by the purchase of a cargo of timber a few days earlier or later; and thus the conversation glided round again to the favourite vessel. Mr. William Fowler mentioned having been for a fortnight or more in a state of extreme anxiety as to the fate of a vessel, on board which they had a large consignment of foreign timber, and which was supposed to have been captured. It was at a time, he said, when his brother was laid aside by illness; and when he was not only deprived of the solace of having a sharer in his apprehensions and perplexities, but when they were doubled by his efforts to conceal them, lest the intelligence should reach his brother, and aggravate his already threatening malady. And what was the result?" asked my uncle. 66 66 66 pose terms that were not likely to afford us a fair remuneration. We could not be very sanguine. We hoped, however, that an established character for integrity, capability, and punctuality in lesser affairs might recommend us to notice in this; and we farther hoped, that if employed, we should be enabled to complete the undertaking to our own credit and the satisfaction of all parties concerned." 66 Yes, my friend, you hoped humbly, and you have not been disappointed." "Not hitherto; but the work is not yet complete, and the launch is still before us." "Well, having hoped humbly, it now remains that you should hope always.” "Yes, we must endeavour so to hope as to allay distressing and useless anxiety; but not so as to slacken exertion and vigilance." "True; the legitimate influence of hope is to quicken while it encourages; your success in obtaining the contract, no doubt, while it sustained your hope of ultimate success, at the same time stimulated your exertions at every succeeding stage of the business, to deserve and to acquire the success at which you aimed." "Yes; we have often said to each other, We must pay particular attention to such or such a matter; after suc "After more than a fortnight's suspense, we learned that the vessel had safely reached the port of Hull; so we had only to sustain a little additional expense and a little inconvenience from delay, instead of the heavy and almost ruinous loss which had been apprehended." "This," observed my uncle, address-ceeding so far, it would be doubly grieving himself to Frank, was one of the contingencies to which I alluded the other day, when I spoke of the frequent anxieties experienced in the progress of an undertaking like that of our friends." Anxiety, sir!" exclaimed Mr. William Fowler, our business is one of anxiety from first to last; I can scarcely enumerate the seasons when we have had nothing to sustain and cheer us beside your golden maxim, 'Hope humbly, but hope always.' First, there was the competition for the contract. There were several competitors, most of them confident of success; some relying on interest; some on long experience and established reputation in the trade; some on the extremely low sum proposed in their estimate. On neither of these particulars could we presume. We had no special interest with the parties proposing the contract, nor with any who were likely to influence them. As comparatively young men, our reputation in large undertakings was yet to be made; and we could not afford to pro ous to sustain disappointment through any neglect or fault of our own.' Oh, the scrutinizing care with which we felt it necessary to watch every line of the contract, to see that it was so drawn up as to leave no cause for dispute at a future period; that every thing might be upright, clear, and explicit; that we should ourselves fully understand our obligations and our claims; and that the whole might be perfectly intelligible to others, in case of the death of the original contractors! Then the care and caution necessary to be observed in the selection of timber. O, sir, think of the tremendous consequences that might ensue, if one unsound plank were employed in the vessel! Then the engaging a sufficient number of competent and faithful workmen, and securing an adequate supply of materials to keep them constantly employed; and the forecast and management, and often almost insurmountable difficulty necessarily attendant on young beginners, in timely providing for the heavy outlay required in an undertaking of this magnitude; and the constant enforcement of method and despatch necessary to secure the completion of the work within the time specified: all these have been sources of constant anxiety, and could only be counterbalanced by the exercise of humble, persevering hope of success; hope sustained by the consciousness that our own best endeavours were not wanting. "We have had many anxieties, too, arising from causes beyond our own control and management-the hazard of life or limb to the workmen employed. How sadly would our success be embittered if we had to connect with it the lamentations of bereaved families, or the loss of health and activity to some faithful, laborious workmen! This we have mercifully been spared, and we consider it a cause for peculiar gratitude to the Preserver of men, that no one has sustained serious injury in the progress of the work. But one of our principal men was laid aside by serious illness. This occasioned considerable delay, as many hands were guided by his head, which, during his absence, were comparatively useless. Had our fears about him been fully realized, it would have been impossible for us to have duly fulfilled the contract. The failure of a country bank, from which we were to receive our instalments, threw us into great perplexity and embarrassment, which, though but temporary, were distressing and alarming: and then the illness of my brother, and the apprehension that one or other of us might be cut off, and leave the survivor incumbered with a great unfinished undertaking, which such a circumstance might render ruinous instead of advantageous to both our families. Oh these have been anxieties indeed, and I can only wonder that from day to day we have been sus tained under them. We have still the launch before us-when hundreds, perhaps thousands, will be assembled to witness the success or the failure of our enterprize! Oh it is indeed an appalling prospect. Our vessel has been constructed with the nicest care and the greatest mathematical precision; but we cannot be sure that we have succeeded until we see her float steadily and majestically on the wave. Our work is performed on the dry land; but it must be proved on the ocean: and what if it should be a failure! Then, too, with all our care in preparing for the launch, it is possible that the slipping of one block or wedge may cause the vessel to jerk irregularly in its descent, or, as we technically call it, to lurch, and occasion serious injury to itself, or what would be far worse, endanger the men employed in managing it." 66 Well, cheer up, my good friend, and still let hope sustain the head of exertion, till perseverance crowns it. I assure you we all feel deeply interested in the trials and anxieties you have detailed, and which are now approaching so near to their termination: and relying on the same gracious Providence which you have all along humbly recognized, whose blessing has hitherto rested on the work of your hands, and is usually seen to rest on humble confidence combined with proper diligence and care, we cheerfully anticipate for you a prosperous issue of the affair." The assiduous brothers took their departure from my uncle's very early on the Monday morning, much recruited even by that short interval of repose and recreation. During the period that intervened between that and the time appointed for the launch, Frank and myself daily visited the wharf, and passed several hours in watching the completion of the interesting vessel, participating in no small degree in the anxious excitement with which its builders looked forward to the important day. When it arrived, my uncle and all his inmates were among the earliest of the spectators. He stood for some time, arm in arm with the Messrs. Fowler, watching the workmen engaged in removing every thing that could obstruct or endanger the vessel. On leaving them to conduct my mother and sisters to the seats allotted for them, my uncle shook hands with each of the brothers, and said, "Once more, hope to the end, hope humbly, but hope always." The day was serene, and not intensely hot; the company numerous and highly respectable. The Messrs. Fowler were highly respected in the neighbourhood, as their father before them had been many years: and as this was the first very formidable undertaking completed by the young men since the business had been entirely in their hands, a very lively interest was excited. At the appointed moment, the signal was given, the last block was removed, the moorings were unloosed, and the |