BRIDGE OVER THE BLACK RIVER. THE print presents to us the form of one of the earliest and most simple kind of bridges, constructed by man in the infancy of his art and ingenuity. When nations began to trade with one another, or to exchange the produce of a country for that of others, they soon found that the surface of the earth offered so many obstacles to their passing to and fro, and that so much time and labour were unnecessarily lost in every journey, that they were obliged, for convenience and economy, to make level roads, and to contrive some plan for crossing rivers, without having always to go round to where they were shallow. Where indeed the water was not too deep, they continued for a long time to cross on foot at places called "fords," near which towns and villages were frequently built, as their names (ending with ford) testify to this day. This plan was very awkward and troublesome, both because they were obliged to ride across on beasts, and because, after heavy rains, when the waters were swollen, even this could not be done; and all intercourse between the two banks was put an end to, while the floods lasted. But much more was the inconvenience of course felt, when the depth of the river was too great to allow of beasts of burden wading across at any time. In some countries indeed, cattle are made to swim across great rivers in herds, with their drivers on their backs; but for passengers, the first plan was to station a boat at a particular place, called a ferry, which should be ready whenever it was wanted. In this way the Thames, over which thousands of carriages now pass every day, was crossed at a place called the ferry of St. Mary Overy's, where London Bridge now stands. From this method afterwards arose the plan of fastening a number of boats together, to stretch from one side to the other, floating upon the stream, and having a road-way constructed upon them. Many of these still remain: one in France is three hundred yards long, and is paved with stone just as the streets are, and waggons of the greatest burden go over it with ease. This was the manner in which armies were transported over rivers before regular bridges VOL. XX. B b existed. But whenever the stream was not so exceedingly broad, other ways were thought of for forming a secure road across it. When indeed the art of masonry came to be understood, men took the hint from the natural bridges which are seen in some countries, formed of a rock lying across a chasm of the earth, to make similar ones of stone or brick, in the form of an arch. But when men were in too savage a state to know this, and were in the habit of building their houses of wood and rushes, they sometimes constructed a bridge of these materials, which served their purpose very well. Of a similar kind is this upon the Black River, in America. Formed of some pliable and tough materials, it resists the force of the stream by floating upon its surface, rising with it when it becomes high, and being long enough to sink down to it, when the dry weather exhausts its waters. Although it may not therefore be very durable, it is quite strong enough, while it lasts, to bear the weight of men and cattle. Some are found of equally rude structure, hanging at some distance above the water. In these there is a much greater strain upon the materials, and they are more frail and dangerous. But in situations where the banks are very high, this form is the only one that can conveniently be adopted, and almost barbarous people first contrived the method of throwing a suspension bridge over a deep chasm, which has been so nobly perfected in these days by the use of iron. The Menai Straits could not have been crossed in any other way than this, and the magnificent structure there erected, which has been formerly the subject of one of our prints, may be said to have been suggested by the rude attempts of an uncivilized nation. This is the manner in which all arts have reached their present state; viz. by gradual improvements upon old inventions and ideas. Seldom has one man produced an entirely new thing. He has been indebted to others before him, and they to their forefathers. So that no one can have any reason to set himself much above the rest of his fellow men. He may have helped them, and with their assistance, perfected surprising works of usefulness and beauty; but he seldom can have to say that he has done anything or invented anything himself alone, or that the credit belongs so entirely to him, that no one can have any right to share it with him. THE DUTY OF PRAYER FOR THE SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION OF OTHERS. Matthew ix.47, 38. In the present day, when so many excellent societies and institutions are formed, having for their object the religious instruction and benefit of those who are still in darkness, both in our own and other countries, and when such strenuous exertions are being made to induce the rich and powerful to support such endeavours, has it ever occurred to the poor and needy among us, that they, too, may effectually help forward these charities? though, perhaps, themselves so scantily provided with the things of this world, that they cannot even, like the poor widow, bestow their mite, when they see their clergyman, or some other kind friend, collecting subscriptions and donations. We have various directions, on the subject of prayer, from our Lord Himself, as well as from the inspired Apostles; but in those words of our Saviour, to which I would now particularly direct your attention, we have a clear and positive command to pray for the spiritual benefit of those around us. Jesus saw that the multitudes among whom He passed, fainted and wandered from the right way, as sheep who have no shepherd to keep them; therefore said He to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plenteous; but the labourers are few, pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers unto his harvest." It is as much our duty to obey this command now, as it was that of the disciples then. Multitudes of people, in heathen countries, are still bowing down before strange gods-some have not so much as heard whether there is a God, and even in those places where missionaries are stationed, they have much obstinacy and unbelief to fight against, before they have the satisfaction of seeing those they are sent to teach worshipping God in spirit and in truth. In our own favoured country there are still some parts where there are no schools for the young, and very insufficient Church accommodation for the old, where the spiritual instruction of several hundred persons is put into the hands of one Clergyman, who cannot, be his intentions ever so good, supply the earnest and constant attention to his flock that is necessary to bring souls to Christ. Shall not we, then, seeing the wants of our fellow creatures, cheerfully and constantly give them the assistance of our prayers? Shall we not daily pray to God to send forth labourers into his harvest, and where they are sent, to bless their endeavours, and to give them zeal and perseverance in the great work in which they are engaged, that so they may be enabled to turn the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, and to bring those who now sit in darkness and the shadow of death, unto the light of the glorious Gospel of God? You may not, as I have before said, be in a condition to afford to give money to assist in building Churches or Schools, or to remunerate those Clergymen who are being employed as assistants to the Vicars or Curates of our most populous districts, but you all can, and ought to, try to help them by your prayers. Oh! when you kneel before God in prayer each morning and evening, do not be contented with selfishly praying only for yourselves, your own families or connexions; pray for all those who are yet in sin and error. Pray for God's blessing on all those endeavours which are calculated and intended to promote His glory and the knowledge of His holy name. Pray to Him to hasten the time when the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Pray Him to grant, that we and all the nations on earth, may be taught by the Holy Spirit to love and serve Him here, and that we may at length unite in singing the glorious song of praise to Him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb for ever. THE WEATHER. C. MR. EDITOR,-I am sorry to see a practice very prevalent, even among Christians, of grumbling against the weather. Now, as I think there are many who do it from habit only, or from constantly hearing others do so, and have given the subject no reflection, to them, as Christians, who wish to make themselves more worthy of the name, I shall address a few words, to show how 66 highly wrong it is not to be satisfied with God's bounties. Let us first reflect that we deserve nothing good-we are by nature the children of wrath-we are born in sin-and even after having been received into the congregation of Christ's flock, and signed with the sign of the Cross, few, very few, I fear, act up to their baptismal vows. Yet we hear people exclaim, at the sight of a rainy day, “What shocking weather!"-" No such thing as doing anything to-day"" What shall we do with ourselves this stupid day?" Or else, "the weather is so intolerably cold that they will be frozen up," or so hot that the sun will scorch them to death." But I might fill this letter with the like discontented expressions, which one hears daily from most people. Whether they are rich or poor, all grumble at the weather. One would think, to hear people talk in this way, that we are sent into the world to have every thing our own way, to expect no crosses, or any thing to interrupt our happiness; whereas these little things all show us that here we have no abiding city, but are strangers and sojourners to a better country. Is it likely when, at the same time, that one farmer requires rain, from having a dry soil, and another would rather be without it for some equally good reason; is it likely, I say, that they can both be pleased at once? and so one will think he is hardly dealt with. When the sower wishes for a calm day to put his seeds into the ground, perhaps the miller will say he can do nothing without wind; so it is in every trade and profession. "What is one man's food is another man's poison." And how often will you hear people grumble all day at some party of pleasure being unavoidably put off from bad weather. In this children ought to be corrected when very young, and taught to put up with such little disappointments, for they are not disappointments to happen once only in their lives-they will be always liable to the same any day. To view all this in a Christian light, how deeply does it show a want of gratitude to the Giver of all good gifts! Poor, weak, sinful mortals, that dare presume to say our Great Benefactor sends us "bad weather!" Is it for us to know the times and the seasons? We, who never know what is best for us? and often have I seen it |