gives it the mortal blow, after which it very slowly and deliberately turns it over into a proper position, and finally swallows it. We have seen a rattle-snake in a very large cage, using every means within its power, and exerting its cunning for a whole month, before it could succeed in capturing a brown thrush, that was imprisoned within it. At night the bird roosted beyond the reach of the snake, and during the daytime it was too cautious in its movements, and too agile-snatching up its food at intervals, and flying instantly back to its perch-to be struck by the unwieldy serpent. We now added a mouse to the number of the inmates of the cage; the affrighted animal retreated to a corner, where the snake slowly crawled up to it, and with a sudden blow darted his fangs into it, and killed it, soon after which he swallowed it. About a week after this adventure, the snake again renewed his attempts to capture the thrush, and pursued it all round the cage. This experiment afforded a fair opportunity for the rattle-snake to exert its powers of fascination, had it possessed any; but as it did not exhibit them, we do not hesitate to say that it was entirely destitute of any faculty of the kind. After some hours of fruitless manœuvring, the snake coiled itself up, near the cup of water from which the bird drank. For two days the thrush avoided the water; on the third, having become very thirsty, it showed a constant desire to approach the cup; the snake waited for it to come within reach, and in the course of the day struck at it two or three times: the bird darted out of its ever, and it was not killed until the next day. way, how If, notwithstanding these facts, it is argued that the mysterious and inexplicable power of fascination is possessed by the snake, because birds have been seen to approach it, and with open wings and plaintive voice seemed to wait upon its appetite, we must be prepared to admit that the same faculty is possessed by other animals. On a certain day, we saw a mocking bird, exhibiting every appearance usually, according to descriptions witnessed when birds are under the influence of fascination! It approached a hog, which was occupied in munching something at the foot of a small cedar. The bird fluttered before the grunter with open wings, uttered a low and plaintive note, alighted on his back, and finally began to peck at his snout. On examining into the cause of these strange proceedings, we ascertained that the mocking-bird had a nest in the tree, from which several of her younglings had fallen, which the hog was eating.-Bachman. THE EARLY CHOICE AND HAPPY CHANGE. THERE was a little boy in Ligniers, in the canton of Neufchatel, Switzerland, whom his uncle, a pious man, took and trained from his infancy. The good man kept a school for boys. He educated the lad, and was in every sense as a father to him. After he had been a little while in Zurich and Neufchatel, he came back to his home, and assisted his adopted father in his school. But he was of an active and enterprising spirit, and could not bear the quiet life of a schoolmaster. The path that suited him he had not yet found. But at length he thought he must be a soldier, and this desire at length became too strong to be overcome. After many inward struggles, he told his uncle that he had made up his mind to enter a Swiss regiment, which was then in the service of France. His uncle was greatly distressed, and he tried every means to turn him from his purpose, but it was all in vain. The youth would not listen to his kind relation's voice, and at length set off towards Berne, with his knapsack on his back. He was then about seventeen years of age. ་ At first, he hastened with quick footsteps on his journey; but soon he was filled with sorrow, as he considered the step he had taken. He remembered all the proofs of his uncle's goodness to him-the wise counsels and tender treatment he received from him, even from his childhood; and as he thought of these things, his heart smote him. Still his feelings led him on, and he yielded to the dangerous desire after worldly glory. He had a beloved mother, who lived at Aarberg. Here he stopped a night., She tried hard to turn him from his purpose, but he was deaf to all her remonstrances, and again set off towards Berne. The sun had set behind the mountains, and for three days his fond relations had been weeping at his departure; but He that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. The prayers that were offered had reached the throne of heaven, aud the God of all grace had already answered them. Suddenly, a well-known and beloved voice was heard in the house of mourning, and the next moment the wanderer was in his uncle's arms. "Oh, uncle!" he said, "you have been praying for me. A mighty hand laid itself on me, and arrested me as I was about to pass over the bridge of Aarberg, to go to Berne, and here I am again, restored to myself and to you." His return was a feast of gladness to all his friends, and his uncle treated him still more tenderly than before. Shortly after this, the youth was sent to Amsterdam, in Holland, as a teacher in a family. Here a fresh temptation awaited him. The Dutch were then fitting out a fleet, and he was offered a highly honourable place in a ship of war, and was even entreated to accept it. His inclination for deeds of arms was again awakened by this offer, and he longed to tread that violent and dangerous path of life. But his uncle's advice was this time regarded, and he abandoned once more his purpose. At that time the missionary spirit began to be awakened in Holland. Monthly meetings were held to promote the conversion of the heathen, while various encouraging accounts of the progress of the work were laid before the people. The young man attended those meetings; his zeal was roused, and a new direction was given to his ardent mind. His emotion was greater when he learned that so few were willing to go into these distant fields of labour, and he cried incessantly to God that he might be sent. His prayer was heard. For six months he was the prey of the most painful doubts as to his fitness and qualifications. But God encouraged him, and took away his fears. His only aim now was the glory of God, and the salvation of his fellow-men. After due time for study, the Amsterdam Missionary Society sent him to Chinsurah, which was then a Dutch colony. As that station afterwards, however, came under the government of Britain, he entered the service of the London Missionary Society, who sent him to labour in Calcutta. Many of the friends of missions know the name and labours of Alphonsus Lacroix, and this is the individual whose early history we have here related.-Juvenile Missionary Magazine. WHISPERS OF THE OLD YEAR. LISTEN there is mourning in the air, a sighing among the fading leaves, a wailing in the midnight storm. Listen-the grey, old year is fading-he hath parting words for thee. Do not shrink from his icy touch, do not turn from his solemn whispers. Sadly he saith "Here we part. I have borne thee thus far on thy great journey. Many have I carried into eternity, another will carry thee. I go to bear report of thee to heaven-oh, strange and sad report! Oh, blotted and disfigured page! Must it not witness against thee? What grateful returns hast thou made to the Giver of life, and health, and blessings, which no man can number? When Jesus called, didst thou heed him? When he came to thee, didst thou not hide thyself? When the Spirit searched thee out, didst thou not bid him depart? How many unhonoured Sabbaths, how many prayerless mornings and unthankful evenings hast thou passed? Hast thou not been to the Sabbath school with unwilling step, and opened the Bible with unwilling heart? What soul hast thou tried to save? What sick-bed hast thou soothed? What sins hast thou forsaken? In what holy exercises hast thou been strengthened, and what sacrifice hast thou made for other's good? Art thou the obedient child, the tender and faithful friend, the meek and lowly Christian? How wilt thou answer? What saith thy conscience ?-All yet to be begun! When wilt thou begin? Delay not to a more convenient season; it never came to Felix, it may never come to thee." The Old Year is departing, its solemn whispers echo on the ear. MEMOIR OF SARAH ALICE LEIGH, OF SARAH ALICE LEIGH was born March 8th, 1840. At five years of age she was placed under the care of Mrs. Cavanagh, an elderly and exemplary member of the Wesleyan Methodist Association at Stocks, Manchester, who judiciously and piously educated Sarah Alice; and the subject of this memoir was a cheerful learner, and manifested a strong attachment to Mrs. Cavanagh, whom she always delighted to call her grandma. About five years ago she removed with the family with whom she resided into Salford; from this time I knew her personally and intimately, by her becoming a scholar in our Oldfieldroad Sunday-school. I do not wish to represent her as having been without fault, but truth compels me to say, I never before found SO many excellences of character in one so young. She was ever found at |