The following is an abridged scientific account of the Owl, from Cuvier. It belongs to the second family of the birds of prey, the Nocturnæ, or night birds. They are distinguished by a large head, great eyes directed forwards, surrounded by a circle of slender feathers, the anterior of which cover the cera of the beak, and the posterior the opening of the ear. Their enormous pupil permits the entrance of so many rays of light, that they are dazzled by that of day. Their cranium, which is thick, but formed of a light substance, is excavated by large sinuses, which communicate with the ear, and which probably assist in hearing; but the organs of flight are not very vigorous. Their fourchette (commonly called in fowls the breast-bone or merry-thought) is weak, and their flight, consequently, not powerful, this bone being a brace, to keep the wings apart.

They can direct their external toe either forwards or backwards. They fly chiefly by twilight and moonlight; and in the daytime will not fly when attacked, only stand erect, with ludicrous postures and gestures. Their food is wholly animal, chiefly mice and small birds. The latter often form small bands of volunteers from all quarters, when an owl is discovered, and wage against it a most harrassing warfare.

They form but one genus, and naturalists divide them into subgenera, by their tufts, the size of their ears, the extent of the circle of feathers round the eye, and some other differences.

The horned owls have two tufts of feathers, which can be raised and depressed at pleasure, the couch of the ear extends in a semicircle from the beak to the top of the head, with a membraneous opening in front, and the feet and nails are covered with feathers. The common Owl is of this species, and is fawn-colored, with long brown spots on the body, confused lines on the back and wings, horns half the length of the head, and eight or nine bands on the tail.

An Important Distinction.

An essential difference between the Christian system and every false religion is very plainly and forcibly pointed out by Bishop Whateley, in an appendix to his volume of Six Essays, which has often been overlooked, and seldom received with all the distinctness which it deserves. In presenting it to our readers, we shall copy the language of

a reviewer of the Bishop's work, in the last number of the North British Review.

"The peculiarity alluded to is, that the Christian Religion alone is without a priest. Among the Jews a distinct order of men were set apart for a peculiar purpose, and the office of their priests was to perform religious services in the name, and on the behalf of the people. They offered sacrifices, and performed ceremonial rites, which they alone could duly discharge, standing in the place of mediators between God and the people. Among the pagans the priests were considered individuals to whom certain religious services were appropriated, for the benefit of the state, and more particularly for those individuals who availed themselves of their aid. But there is nothing of all this in the Christian dispensation. There is one Mediator and High Priest for all, through whom all have equal access to God. There are now no sacrifices to be offered up to the Deity, "Christ having, by one sacrifice, perfected forever them that are sanctified." There are no peculiar ceremonies to be performed exclusively by the priest, by which the Almighty may be rendered more propitious; no mysteries of which they alone have the knowledge. They administer indeed the sacraments, but they owe their efficacy not to any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; and are only beneficial by the blessing of God and the working of his Spirit, in those who by faith receive them.

"The ambiguities of language, and the erroneous practices of some of the Christian churches, have led to misconceptions on this subject. Certain ministers of religion were ordained by Christ and his apostles, and have continued down to the present day, and the name of "priest" has been applied to these, as to the ministers of every other religion, but their office is essentially different, and in the New Testament their names also are different: Episcopos and Presbyteros (from which the word priest is formed,) "overseer" or "elder," and " Hiereus" for the priest of the Jewish or Pagan religion. To all the idle clamors which are afloat about priestcraft, the readiest answer is, that Christianity, i. e. unperverted Christianity, has no priestcraft, for this simple reason, that it has, in that sense of the words in which our opponents employ it, no priest on earth.”

The following passage is in the author's own words. "The confounding together, then, through the ambiguity of language, two things thus essentially distinct, may well be expected to mislead, not only such as are ignorant of the distinction, but all who do not carefully attend to it, and keep it steadily in view."

In Canandaigua, a pleasant and public spirited practice prevails, of procuring the portraits of all the distinguished sons of that place, without distinction of sect or party, and placing them in the court house.-Select.

RUNNING AWAY FROM THE BRITISH. A Grandmother's recollections of the Revolution. By an Officer's Widow.

(CONTINUED.)

At last, a recruiting officer made his appearance in Ridgefield, and almost all the bonnets but mine, were put in order for the occasion." I suppose, said Agnes, 66 you were fearful of exciting grandfather's jealousy." "No, my dear; I was not afraid of that, but had no wish to attract the attention of any other man." We found Lieutenant Delano quite an acquisition to our small circle; though not in the same regiment with our friends, he knew them all, and was acquainted with the engagement between Captain Talbot and myself; so that he could visit us frequently, without any danger of misconstruction.

suc

One afternoon, during the summer ceeding our removal, I was sitting alone, reading, my mother having taken the children out to walk; when a young man belonging to the village, dressed in his Sunday suit, and new felt hat, walked into the room. When he had got as near to the centre as possible, he stopped;-took off his hat; bowed so low that it touched the floor, and then, with the manner of a school-boy on hibition day, speaking his piece,' he said,"you are hereby invited to attend a wedding to-morrow afternoon, at one o'clock, at Ozias Fippenny's, and Mister Leftenant, David Delano, Esquire, is appointed to be your spark." Another low bow, and exit Zadock Sention.

ex

At half-past twelve the next day, Leftenant Delano, in his regiments,' and I, in some of my long neglected city finery, commenced our walk to Ozias Fippeny's. We found nearly all the company assembled; but as the bride had not yet made her appearance, in order to save time, the young people had commenced dancing. They had not finished their second jig, when the bridegroom entered, (the very Zadock, who had given me the invitation the day before,) leading in the blushing bride, Miss Content Fippeney. She was pretty, and modest in her appearance, and was dressed in white dimity trimmed with green worsted fringe." Oh horrid!" said Mary. "Not horrid at all," replied Mrs. Z.-" Content had spun and wove her bridal dress herself; and therefore, justly, set a higher value on it, than if it had been bought at Ten Broek's, in William street; and his store then, stood as high as Stewart's, or Fountain's, in modern times. The ceremony was performed immediately after their entrance. As soon as it was over, mince pies baked in large earthen milk pans, cider in quantities to correspond, and doughnuts in large trays, were brought in. When the eating and drinking were over, the dancing was resumed, and after Lieutenant Delano had danced a three reel with the bride and myself, I took my departure, at

tended by my "spark." leaving them in the midst of "Hunt the squirrel."

But these peaceful times were of short duration. Lieutenant Delano had returned to his regiment with his recruits, and we had passed a dull winter; but in the spring we were roused once more by the news that the British had landed at Compo Point, between Fairfield and Norwalk, and were on their march to Danbury, an adjoining town to Ridgefield, where there was a depot of military stores. There was no time to be lost! Dapple was accordingly once more put in requisition; though our arrangements were not exactly the same as before. He and a horse of my brother's, named Lexington, who was at home "on furlough," were harnessed into a Dutch waggon, which had strayed across the line, from the State of New York; and taking as many valuables with us at it would hold, the whole family, including Pete, who again mounted on the bed, set forth. We rode towards the south for a short distance, and then struck into the woods, pursuing the winding of a cart path, which led in a south-westerly direction, towards the New York boundary line.

We soon left the village far behind us, and the path became grassy, and hardly descernable. Occasionally, too, all the domestics would be obliged to leave the waggon, and remove large stones, or logs from the tracks, to prevent our overturning. After a time, which to me seemed very long, we reached a cleared spot on which stood the farm-house, where we proposed making at least a temporary stop. The building was large but unfinished; the farmer having neglected the advice of scripture, "not to build without counting the cost." The hearty welcome we received from him and his family, made us feel very indifferent to our accommodations; and it was a matter of little moment, that the stair-case looked extremely like a ladder, and that half the window sashes were filled up with shingles. I could not help being amused at the group assembled within, which consisted of the farmer, his wife, and three daughters; and several of their friends, and acquaintances, who living near the principal road, had, like us, sought refuge in this retired spot.

They were anxiously expecting the return of the farmer's son, who had gone off on the plough-horse, to reconnoitre from the top of a hill several miles distant; and they hoped he would bring some tidings of the enemy. From the conversation of his sister, we learned that he had married, a few months before, an heiress from Wilton, one of the neighboring towns; where she had now gone on a visit to her parents. She had, however, left her bridal finery behind her; about which they expressed great solicitude. "Now

what if the regulars should find out that we have hid Eunice's yallow silk gown, down in Long Hollow! I'll be bound they'd be there quick enough," said Charity, the eld

est daughter. "Yes," said Temperance, the second in age, for shortness called Tempy, "and you put her dark chintz into the churn with the pairshin,* did'nt you Charry?" "Oh dear suz, exclaimed Sophrony, the youngest, I wish my pillow-case of chain and filling was'nt there, too; I set as much by my yarn as Eunice does by her silk gowns. "I dare say you do," said Tempy; and began, rather archly, to hum the old tune, "How can I be married to-day, that have neither blankets nor sheets?"

At this moment a sound of lamentation was heard approaching the house, which startled us all. We hastened to those windows which were glazed, and were much relieved to see that it proceeded from a party just making their appearance from the woods, consisting of an elderly man, and his nine, tall daughters. They were exhausted with fatigue and alarm; having walked a good many miles, loaded with bags and butterboxes filled with provisions, to escape from the British, of whose advance guard they had caught a distant glimpse, as they fled from their habitation, leaving their little all to the mercy of the invaders. They were received in the same kind manner with ourselves; and soon after, the farmer's son made his appearance. He did not seem to have unnecessarily exposed himself to danger, and could give no very definite account of the enemy; but he had been near enough to their line of march, to pick up a cracked fife, which had been thrown away; and we were constantly annoyed, during the remainder of our stay, by his attempts to play up the squeaking thing. The poor old man, who had arrived just before him, had not recovered from the effects of his alarm, and was too much agitated to keep quiet a moment; but was continually walking to and fro, in the large kitchen, where we were assembled. The floor was of loose boards, laid upon the timbers; and they would rise, and fall, and creak, and tremble, as he paced backwards and forwards; and when anything resembling a laugh, or the sound of the crazing fife met his ear, he would ring his hands and exclaim, "How can you make such a noise, when we are all on the borders of e-tar-ne-tye!"

After two or three days, spent in this uncomfortable manner, the young farmer made another exploring expedition, first to Long Hollow, where he ascertained the safety of the hidden treasures; and then a more distant one, to find out where the British were. He returned with the joyful news that the Continentals, or Militia, he did not know which, had driven off the Englishmen ; and they were in full retreat for the coast. They had gone so far from us, that we could return to Ridgefield in safety, which we did the fol lowing day.

But we went with fear and trepidation.We knew not what might have befallen our

* Pers an-the name of a particular kind of slik.

neighbors, and acquaintances, during our brief absence. When we left the wood, and entered the open road, we found that it was thickly marked with the foot-prints of men and horses. Traces of war met our view continually; the wounded comrade left to encounter such treatment as the compassion of the inhabitants might afford; broken baggage; wagons abandoned; and implements of destruction thrown away, in a hasty retreat.

We rode on in silence, and entered our late peaceful home, in tears. Every room in the house had been occupied, by either the dead or the wounded. A redoubt had been thrown up across the road, on the top of a hill near our house; and there the hardest fighting took place. General Arnold, then considered a patriot, soon after an unmasked traitor, had a horse shot under him within sight of the windows; and very near us were thirty new made graves, where slept in silence the victims of this dreadful war.

Our first care was to set the domestic at work to remove the stains of blood, which shocked us in every apartment; and then, we hurried to fulfill the duties of humanity to the wounded survivors of both armies. My dear mother would often speak of it to me, as the greatest comfort she had, in the exasperated state of feeling then existing between whigs and tories, that, from having her dearest relatives in the American army, she could indulge her kind feelings towards the unfortunate of both parties, without subjecting her family to suspicion. You, my dear children, who have always lived in peace, cannot imagine our feelings: God grant that a state of war may never make you realize what they were.

A few days after our return, and just as our habits and thoughts were resuming their former channel, we were again agitated by the appearance, in our village, of a female stranger. She was evidently deranged, though slightly so; but the tale she told in hurried accents and in a startled manner, terrified us extremely. She spoke of her home on Long Issland; its happy inmates and sweet seclusion-of its conflagration by the British troops-of her heroic brother's death, by the sword of the Hessians, and of her own fate, which made any death but suicide enviable. She had fled from the field of destruction and woe, bringing with her her father's Bible; which she would not allow any one to take from her, even for a moment. We tried to soothe her, and succeeded in a degree; but could not induce her to remain in the village. After many wanderings she took up her abode in a cave some miles distant, and, I have heard, lived there a great many years, with no companion but her Bible. How powerful is "the word of God," my dear girls, when it can afford consolation, and speak peace, not only to the broken heart, but to the distracted mind!

There was one circumstance of a rather

less melancholy nature than those I have mentioned, which was told us on our return. An old gentleman in the neighborhood, owned pictures of King George and Queen Charlotte, made of wax in a kind of relievo. As he was a staunch Whig at the commencement of the war, he turned their faces to the wall. He had been however, for a long time, bed-ridden and speechless; but, when the alarm was given that the British were approaching the town, and his family were in great consternation, he made signs for them to turn the faces of the pictures out again.

"But I must stop," said the old lady, for it is growing late. "O grandmother!" exclaimed Mary, "you are skipping all the love of the story, and I wish to know how Captain Talbot sped in his wooing." "He accompa nied Henry to our retired home, continued Mrs. Talbot, whenever they could leave the regiment; and it was understood we were to be married as soon as the war was over. Peace was at length restored; and our friends hastened to Ridgefield, as soon as possible, to add to our happiness by their presence. We made a dinner party for them; and, though sadly puzzled to do it in style, yet we were too joyful to mind trifles. It must have been a real calamity, that could have clouded our countenances at such a time. Our frequent and hurried removals had caused some incongruities in our dinner apparatus: thus we had preserved our silverhandled knives and forks, while our salt cellars were the dried shells of the summer squash. We dined in the garden, in a long summer house, covered by grape and vine; and, for want of a dove and an olive leaf, as an emblem of peace, I was obliged to stuff a blue jay, and put a sprig of winter green in his bill, to place at the upper end of the arbor. "Rather a queer substitute !" whispered Agnes to Mary.

Soon after, we left Connecticut; my father having determined to take up his residence in New York. I had therefore the pleasure of seeing the British troops evacuate the city. 1 went, with quite a party of friends, civil, as well as military, to witness their departure, from the windows of the house which had been General Howe's head quarters, now No. 1, Broadway. Every one present appeared to enjoy the scene highly, except a young lady, who had not left the city during its occupation by the enemy, and had been a great belle among the officers. As they marched past us to embark, she seemed to be taking leave of beaux, for the studied neglect of the American ones present shewed, that even a pretty face must, under such circumstances, be animated by patriotism to make it attractive.

But I am getting sleepy, and will therefore just say, that I was married about a week after; that all the Army officers in New York were present at the wedding, including Colonel Murray; who, to show his esteem for my military relatives, gave away the bride; adding to his other congratula

tions, when the ceremony was over, that there would no longer be any necessity for even females running away from the British."

Extracts from late London works.

An autograph of Shakspeare has recently been discovered on the vellum cover of a little Italian book of the sixteenth century, and has been the subject of dispute at Marlborough Street police-office, this week. The work is entitled "I Quattro Libri della Filosofia Naturale," by Giovan Saravia, published in 1565. Mr. Howard, a bookseller, recently purchased the volume, with several others, of a dealer in books living at Hoxton, for a few shillings; having detected the signature, which is very faint, on the cover. The discovery having been made, the book is now valued at 1007. or more. Mr. Howard placed it in the hands of Mr. Fletcher, the auctioneer, for sale; whereupon a Mr. Taylor claimed it as his property, declaring that it had been stolen from his library. He was not aware of the existence of the autograph on the cover of the volume, which he bought for sixpence fifty years ago. Mr. Alexander, the Hoxton bookseller, who sold it to Mr. Howard, said he bought it with others at an auction. Mr. Howard refused to yield up his prize; and as the matter had not been brought before the magistrate by way of summons, no decision was pronounced. At the suggestion, however, of Mr. Fletcher, the disputants, to avoid a lawsuit, agreed to divide the proceeds of the sale of the book.—Spec.

Canadian Winter Garments.- "The sojourner in Canada should be well armed against the cold by way of clothing. All the great-coats, box-coats, pilot-coats, taglionis, and wrappers of every kind that man ever wore, will avail not unless there be an undercasing of chamois leather. An invisible waistcoat with continuations to match of this impervious material are worth all the woollen materials that ever came from Manchester. A leathern casing worn over the under drapery will bid defiance to the keenest blast that ever chilled the North American traveller; and the usual winter garments of our own climate will suffice with the hidden precaution I have made mention of.

"The Canadians of high and low degree invariably adopt a fur or seal-skin cap for winter wear; but a stout beaver hat of an extra size, to admit of a strong lining throughout of the aforesaid chamois leather, will be found a more comfortable covering for the head-piece.

"To proceed to extremities-a word about the feet the Indian moccasin is the lightest, warmest, and best protection; a large boot made of cloth with a sole of felt is a favorite adoption with some; but a moccasin over an easy boot is best of all."-Mr. Telfres's Sportsman in Canada.

David Roberts' beautiful sketches of the Temples, Pyramids, and sculptures of Egypt

and of Cairo, are now again exhibited at Mr. Hogarth's Gallery in the Haymarket; preparatory to the publication of the Egyptian portion of Mr. Roberts' great work.

It may suffice to say, that they comprise views of the temples of Karnak, Luxor, Philoe, Dendera, Edfou, Ibsamboul, and the Memnonium; the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Memnon statues; and the mosques and bazaars of Cairo, taken from various points. The minute accuracy and delicate neatness of the outlines are admirable; but the great merit of these drawings consists in the perfect idea they convey of the vast magnitude and sublime grandeur of the stupendous relics of Egyptian art. In this respect they are unique: Mr. Roberts has done what no other artist has accomplished, though they may have tried.-English Paper.

London Peace Society.-Mr. Rigaud had labored in Holland, France, Belgium, Switz erland, and some of the bordering towns of Germany, and said several new auxiliary associations had been formed in different parts of the country. Copies of the society's works were presented to the Emperor of Russia and the king of Saxony, when visiting in this country, and also to the king of the French (accompanied by a memorial) on the occur rence of the wars in Morocco, Hayti, and Tahiti. The diet in Switzerland had been likewise memorialized, and a correspondence opened with the American Peace Society regarding President Polk's speech in reference to the Oregon territory.

German Manners.

From a Hot-water Cure sought out in Ger many, in the summer of 1844. The Journal of a Patient. London, 1845.

A German Table d'Hote.-" The carving department was admirably and promptly performed by the landlord, who rose from table when the joints or fowls came in. A thick wooden tray, a yard long, by half a yard broad, is placed upon the side-table; and upon this the joints, chickens, ducks, &c., are taken from the dishes by shanks, legs, or other convenient handles. Here they were sliced, chopped up most dexterously, shovelled into dishes, and sent round with surprising despatch, while all the time another current of dishes was passing from hand to hand amongst the guests themselves. Although the taking of meat from the dishes and putting it upon a board to be cut up, appears at first unseemingly, it is, in point of fact, cleanly enough, for the tray is beautifully-white, and frequently changed. But the landlord's dexterity is a thing to see. Angelo himself could not slice an imaginary antagonist to pieces quicker than he does a fowl. 'Left cheek-right cheek-wrist-leg-chop, chop-and the fowl is in six parts, with both feet amputated. It is done at the rate of a chicken in five seconds, or twelve a minute.

Servants in Germany." The courtesy towards people of different ranks in this country is pleasing to see; servants are not bullied or spoken harshly to as with us; but the hotel waiters are of a higher caste, and are put in that situation as a kind of apprentice, to learn the science of inn-keeping; they have their quiet jokes with the company, as they hand the dishes, and press upon your notice what they have observed you like: 'Mais c'est bon ca Monsieur, goutez-en, c'est ce que vous aimez.

The Douche Baths.-" The douche baths are excellent and well arranged here, at the emperor's bath house. The water is pumped up to a reservoir very much higher than the baths, and is guided down upon you with very considerable force, in a stream as large as your arm. Leaning down upon the steps upon your hands as low as possible, you receive the hot stream, like a shower of lead upon your neck and shoulders, from whence it is slowly guided down each arm and leg, and even upon the soles of the feet, while the man vigorously rubs where the spout is playing. When one side is done, you are turned, and the same process gone through on the other. I cannot say that it is agreeable, but the sensation afterwards is highly so; and good spirits invariably follow. The douches in the other bath-houses are very feeble in comparison with this; but even this one sinks into insignificance when compared with ice douches at some of the cold water establishments in this country. There the cold mountain stream comes upon you from a height of thirty-five feet in a stream the size of a cable."

However uncomplimentary, there is strict truth in his description of

Dress in Germany.-"No people are so unaristocratic in their appearance. The air distingue is not to be found here. The young are overdressed; the old slovens. The reverse of Brummel's maxim is their aim, and the more people turn to look after them, the better dressed would they fancy themselves. Their dress is without keeping' or consistency-long hair, exaggerated whiskers, ferocious moustaches, heaps of bad trinkets, and a new stock with a dirty shirt; a bad hat with a new coat; ill-cleaned boots with wellmade trousers, and either no gloves at all or the brightest primrose. No people more servilely follow the fashion without regard to its suiting them. Because, just now, highcrowned, sugar-loaf hats with broad brims are the mode, everybody has them; and a more unbecoming head-dress, especially combined with a peaked beard and hair over the ears, it would be difficult to invent. I fear, too, that they sadly neglect Brummel's fundamental law-"Fine linen, plenty of it, and country washing.'"

From Aix he wandered to Wiesbaden, where the springs are still more various in taste and quality. To this we may hereafter refer.