which had hitherto existed as to the durable nature of such bodies as comets. It attained its solar elevation on the 13th of March, when its distance from the sun was 11,650,000 miles and was of inferior size to what it had been on its last appearance. Its tail was but lightly illuminated and not discernible except when the sky was clear; on which account no precise judgment could be formed of its length.

The weakness of its irradiation was principally owing to its unfavorable position. Its last revolution had been seventy-six years and six months. It may reasonably be asked, why the comet consumed a whole twelvemonth more in its revolution than was natural to it? To this it may be answered, and upon very accurate calculation, that it first displayed itself upon the planet Jupiter, which influenced and retarded its movement. Hence it appeared at a somewhat later period than Halley had foretold. The return of the comet in our days ought to take place in the year 1834; but it is possible that it may be so influenced by Saturn and Ura nus as not to make its appearance before 1835 or even 1836.-Numberless calculations have already been formed on this event; and we must leave it for time to pronounce which of them is correct. Neither can we predetermine what will be the degree of its brilliancy, or the extent of its tail; these are matters, which seem to depend on circumstances beyond the sphere of our present knowledge.

INTERESTING AND USEFUL EXTRACTS.

THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

Our state in this vale of tears is a mixed one, Life may be likened to the winds-ever shifting and never alike. Sometimes it appears as calm as a summer even ing, and again storms and tempests chequer its even surface, darkening every prospect; and rendering scenes once bright and joyous, gloomy and bleak as the caverns of death. But even over all these scenes there is one star that seems to brighten. In the absence of all that renders life tolerable, in weal or wo, in joy or sorrow, it still beams out alone unchanged, undimmed, as though

it had found its way from the third heavens. It stands out in peerless beauty, dispensing its blessed light at all times and all seasons, flinging its hallowed though not brilliant rays across the path of the wilderness; and even in our sunniest moment when it is forgotten, and we steer wide of its heavenly direction, still it seems to twinkle near the blazing orb that burns when prosperity rules at the destiny of an hour.-THIS IS THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

SUBJECTS FOR THE PULPIT.

"The Preacher of everlasting truth has certainlly the noblest subjects that ever elevated and enkindled the soul of man-not the intrigues of a Phillip-not the plots of a Cataline-but the rebellion of angelsthe creation of a world-the incarnation and death of the Son of God-the resurrection of men-the dissolution of nature-the general judgment—and the final confirmation of countless millions of men and angels in happiness or misery. No subjects are so sublime -none are so interesting to the feelings of a reflecting audience: no or or was himself ever so deeply interested in his subject, as a godly minister is in the truths which he presses upon his hearers. If on any topic he can become impassioned, and be carried beyond himself, it is on the theme of immortal love, and the everlasting destinies of men."

BRUCE AND THE SPIDER.

When driven from haunt to haunt by his enemies, uncertain, in the complicated difficulties with which he was surrounded, whether it would not be desirable, at once, to renounce the daring and desperate enterprise in which he was engaged, and become a voluntary exile from Scotland, Bruce had retreated into a wretched hovel, where he threw himself down to snatch a short interval of repose. There, as he lay on a heap of straw, and bitterly pondering on a plan for engaging in the holy war, and for ever forsaking his country, his eye involuntarily directed to a spider, which, engaged in the process of constructing its web, had suspended itself

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by its long and slender thread from the roof above his head, and endeavored, with a perseverance which was unconquered by repeated defeats, to swing itself from one joist or rafter to another. Bruce watched its efforts, and unconsciously became interested in them. times it essayed to reach the destined point; six times it had failed, and fallen back. He was led, not unnaturally, to draw a parallel between himself and the insect, whose determination of purpose he admired; and with a superstition, which no one acquainted with the human mind will pronounce unnatural, he resolved that he would regulate his own conduct by its ultimate success or failure. The seventh effort was made; the spider attained its object, and fixed its web, and Bruce, not a little encouraged by this augury, dreamed no more of deserting Scotland. He accordingly retired into the most mountainous and inaccessible parts of the country, and whilst the English beset his haunts on every side, had the good fortune to escape the toils which were laid for him.*

JOHN MILTON.

Strong liquors of all sorts were his aversion.

The following is Milton's own description of his morning occupations." My morning haunts are where they should be, at home; not sleeping, or concocting the surfeits of an irregular feast; but up, and stirring; in winter, often ere sound of any bell awakes men to labor or to devotion; in summer, as oft with the bird that first rises, or not much tardier, to read good authors, or cause them to be read, till the attention be weary, or memory have its full freight; then with useful and generous labors preserving the body's health and hardiness, to render lightsome, clear, and not lumpish obedience to the mind, to the cause of religion, and our country's liberty, when it shall require firm hearts in sound bodies to stand and cover their stations, rather than to see the ruin of our protestation and the enforcement of a slavish life."

* The tradition is strongly corroborated by the fact, that at the present day, in Scotland, no individual of the name of Bruce will willingly kill a spider.

MIND YOUR BUSINESS."

This is an excellent exhortation, which in the days of yore, we used to see stamped upon some of the oldfashioned Rhode-Island coin:- "Mind your Business." There was more real value to our fathers in these three words, than there was in the coppers on which they stood imprinted; more value, because they not only admonished the holder to go to work honestly to obtain more of them, but they were calculated to promote his health as they increased his industry, and to make him respectful as they kept him out of other people's business. Reader! let these words, as the saying is, stare you full in the face," whenever you sally out into the idler's list, or whenever you are on the point of inquiring into the concerns or meddling with the business of others in which you have no interest; and, our word for it, yourself will be the gainer.

Every man will have his own criterion in forming his judgment of others., I depend very much on the effect of affliction. I consider how a man comes out of the furnace: gold will lie for a month in the furnace without losing a grain. And, while under trial, a child has a habit of turning to his father; he is not like a penitent who has been whipped into this state: it is natural to him. It is dark, and the child has no where to run, but to his father.

When Ramsay was one day complimenting Newton on the new lights which he had thrown upon science, he made the following splendid answer: "Alas? I am only like a child picking up pebbles on the great ocean of truth."

A SCRAP.

If you have a friend whom you esteem and wish to retain, resent not too quickly truths which may have been imparted in moments of confidence, perhaps for your own benefit. Those who are unreserved and candid in their communications are more valuable as

friends, than such as have the gift of suiting their faces to all occasions. Those who would give advice should first carefully ascertain whether they are qualified to do so; and next, whether it will be acceptable; else, what they may mean as a kindness, may be interpreted as impertinence.

THE CHRISTIAN AND THE WORLDLING.

This life to the worldling is one continued dream— a fairy land in which his senses are bewildered, and an ignis fatuus which leads on the miserable wanderer in the pursuit of what he never attains till death breaks the enchantment, and the wretched victim of his own follies is awakened to inconceivable wo.

He

But if life is a dream to others, it is not so to the Christian. It is with him the morning of eternity; he wakes and watches, while those around him sleep, and enjoys all the blissful realities of certain existence. The dayspring from on high diffuses its light through his soul, while many of his fellow travellers are enveloped in darkness. With him, time loses its fleetness, the world its follies, and the grave its terrors. stands upon a point, from whence he perceives all perishing around him; but though the earth should recede from his footsteps; even though the everlasting mountains may tremble, and the perpetual hills may bow, yet he, in exulting adoration, stands fast: the immutable promises of Jehovah are his sure foundation, and the atoning blood of Christ his certain refuge. Life is with him the glimmering twilight, chequered with clouds indeed, but irradiated with a ray of light divine, which at death dawns into everlasting day.

Soon will my soul throw off this mortal covering like the bird stretching its wings for flight, to seek a milder region; when death's cold wintry blast shall lay this body low, my soul shall soar on high to happie climes where are no changes, where winter never enters but a perpetual verdure crowns the year, and spring fo ever reigns.