THE DANCING BEAR.

ONLY think of a bear dancing! I should not like to be its schoolmaster. Indeed I do think it a cruel and wicked thing to take and beat such a stupid and savage animal till they make it walk and jump on its hinder legs; for after all it is not dancing, but only something between a walk and a jump which they make it perform.

The bear is naturally a stupid and clumsy creature, and is more fitted to creep or crawl, than to leap or jump. The greyhound and antelope are made to run, and

the springbok and kangaroo to bound or leap. But what will not some men do to get money, when they try to teach a bear to dance! It is too bad. I never see one of these ugly sights in our streets, but I feel pity for the poor animal, and indignation at the man who drags it about to make money of it. But the sight of a bear in our streets, is not so common as it used to be. Of this I am glad. Indeed I think it would be quite right if justices of the peace were to take up all the dancing-bear men as rogues and vagabonds, for such sights are not only a public nuisance, but they are often dangerous. Only think how women and children would scream, and run, and frighten themselves almost to death, if one of these dancing bears were to slip its muzzle and run in among the crowd. Perhaps some lives would be lost before it could be secured.

I hope the young will grow up to know better than give their sanction to any amusement that is offered them at the expense of the sufferings of dumb animals.

Thank you, pretty cow, that made
Pleasant milk to soak my bread,

Every day and every night,

Warm, and fresh, and sweet, and white.

Do not chew the hemlock rank,
Growing on the weedy bank;
But the yellow cowslips eat,
They will make it very sweet.

Where the purple violet grows,
Where the bubbling water flows,
Where the grass is fresh and fine,
Pretty cow, go there and dine.

GOD THE GUIDE OF YOUTH.

BY CHARLES GORBELL.

"Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth ?-Jer. iii. 4.

The subject of this paper was addressed to an interesting band of youth at a Bible class in the city of Montreal, Canada. It was also delivered at a celebrated camp meeting in Lachute, North America.

MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,-I have been requested by your kind instructor, to address a few words to you; and I do so, the more cheerfully, because it reminds me, very forcibly, of the period when I listened, like you, sabbath after sabbath, to a kind and affectionate teacher. O that I could tell you how anxious he was for our eternal

salvation. Well do I remember his looks, his voice, his kind expressions, his earnest entreaties, his persuasive arguments, and his intense anxiety for our best interests. And, surely, there are some of you at least who are concerned that your kind teachers' instructions may be a lasting blessing, as they are of infinite importance to you.Will you, then, kindly listen to me while I attempt to talk to you as a friend, a sincere friend, who desires your present and everlasting welfare. And I would commend to you, a subject the most interesting, and at the same time of unspeakable solemnity and importance. "Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth."

This world is one of danger, perplexity, and trial. You are all seeking for happiness. Oh, how you toil and labour and pant for it, and doubtless, many of you are looking forward to it as an object to be possessed at some distant period in your life; but let me undeceive you this is fallacious; if you are happy at all, now is the season, now is the period-you have now the least care and anxiety-you have now the best opportunities of receiving instruction, and of retaining the knowledge which you have received. Besides, the present world is