SMITHFIELD MARKET.-Smithfield market is the largest cattle market in England. It is filled with cattle every Monday and Friday, and being in the very centre of the metropolis, has long been regarded as a great nuisance, not without danger to the crowded population. It is here also where Bartholomew Fair is held, which is far-famed both in ballad and history. Bartholomew Hospital stands immediately behind the square. Every species of foolery and crime has been perpetrated in this place. It was formerly a ring for tilts and tournaments. It was consecrated ground for human sacrifices, where so-called heretics were offered up as burnt offerings to the Almighty. It was here also, where Wat Tyler was killed by Walworth, Lord Mayor of London, when he was holding a parley with the king. The average number of cattle annually sold in Smithfield, is about 150,000; of sheep, 1,200,000. The number of calves is not included in that of cattle, but the average brought into market is upwards of 20,000, besides those called sucklers, which are generally sold with the cows. The number of horses annually brought to market (the horse market is on Friday) averages from 12 to 13,000; but no account has been kept of the number sold, it not having been obligatory to register the sale. Neither is there any account of the number of pigs sold, but only those for which toll is paid for entering the market, this amounts to about 24,000; but as freemen are exempted from the payment of toll, this is but a fraction of the real number, supposed to be about 60,000.

AMERICAN GEMS.-Professor Taber gives the following description of these precious commodities :

"One of these is the Chrysophrase, a very pretty second-class gem, of a pea or apple green colour,' much valued by jewellers, and used even in tiaras and aigrettes. It is the same stone mentioned in Revelation as the tenth foundation stone of the Heavenly Jerusalem. In some countries it is worn as an amulet.

"This also is true of the Amethyst, which is another American gem. This is used most extensively also, and even in the royal crowns, such sometimes is its beauty; and it is also mentioned in Scripture, being appointed in Exodus for the ninth stone in the high priest's breast-plate. A lighter use of it is for ' acrostic-jewellery,' so called. In England, as Taber observes, when making a present of a ring or broach, they have a delicate way of expressing a 'sentiment;' that of arranging the stones in setting, so as to spell a word, a name or a sentence; for example, the initial letters of the following stones, when combined, will form the word REGARD-Ruby, Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Diamond.

This, together with some word or name, is made up into a half-hoop fingerring. When a sentence is desired, the stones are set entirely round the finger, or a large centre stone or glass for the hair, or for a breast pin. The imitations of this stone are so perfect as readily to deceive, but on close examination small globules of confined air can be readily perceived; 'the best method for the unpractised is to have recourse to the file.'

"We possess also the Yellow Quartz, or 'Bohemian Topaz'-closely resembling the topaz-very transparent and in great demand for seals, pins, bracelets, &c., and easily so cut as to imitate the rose diamond, with the star and pavilion faces, &c.

"The White or Rock Chrystal is more common, and we have the best descriptions in abundance. This, in transparency and polish, is second only to the diamond, and is the base of all the imitable gems. Opticians use it for spectacles, as less trying to the eyes than glass. It is also harder, and not so easily dimmed. Madagascar and the Alps furnish much of it, but ours appears to be as good.

"Our Brown Chrystal, or Smoky Quartz, again, is quite equal to the best Scotch. Mr. Taber speaks of splendid specimens from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He says he has seen it in England, cut thin like a garnet, and painted and backed with garnet-foil, which it not only imitated, but excelled the finest vinegar garnet he ever saw; and to render the illusion

more complete, a hole is sometimes drilled in the centre, into which a turpoise is inserted this being the expedient resorted to, to fill up the holes in real garnets, the finest and largest of which come drilled as beads, to avoid a heavy British duty. A large centre of brown chrystal, encircled with aquamarines, set transparents, or without a back, has a very pleasing effect.'

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"The Precious Garnet, or Carbuncle,' a rich blood-red, is highly valued and much used. Found abundantly near West Chester. Capital engravings have been made on it.

"And the same on Chalcedony, of which more varieties are known than of any other stone. It abounds in New York and Pennsylvania, and some of the samples are 'very choice'-mottled with buff-brown, on a semi-transparent ground. Used for snuff-boxes, seals, pins, &c.

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Jasper is much like it, but always opaque,

It resembles also the Scotch Pebble. This stone is mentioned in Holy Writ. It is found very good at Hoboken, and bears a high polish.

"Corundum is much the same as Emery, and so used. Very hard.

Hypersthene, very soft. Used chiefly by the French, and not much with us. Found on the Brandywine, and in Massachusetts.

"The Spinelle, crimson or rose-red, or pink; very beautiful, and used in fine jewellery as the Spinelle Ruby. Professor Silliman speaks of 'fine ones' from Orange County, in this State, and from New Jersey.

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Beryl, found 'splendid and perfect,' the Professor says, at Haddam, Connecticut, of late: discovered by Professor Johnston, of the Wesleyan University, at Middletown; larger than the Emerald. In Chester County, Pennsylvania, chrystals of it exceed eight inches in diameter. The Professor says, in New Hampshire they exceed a foot, and weigh 200 pounds.

"The Red Oxide of Titanium, Sphene, Zircan, and Jade are also found, but little used. Also the Tourmaline, in Maine, in the utmost perfection, without a parallel,' the Professor says, ' in the world.'

ANECDOTE " A certain man went to a dervish and proposed three questions. FirstWhy do they say that God is omnipresent? I do not see him in any place; show me where he is.

Second:Why is a man punished for crimes, since whatever he does proceeds from God? Man has no free will, for he cannot do any thing contrary to the will of God and if he had power he would do every thing for his own good.

Third: How can God punish Satan in hell-fire, since he is composed of that element? And fire can make no impression upon itself.

The dervish took up a clod of earth and struck him on the head with it. The man went to the cadi and said, I proposed three questions to such a dervish, who flung a clod of earth at my head which made it ache. The cadi having sent for the dervish asked why did you throw a clod of earth at his head instead of answering his questions? The dervish replied-The clod of earth was an answer to his speech. He says he has a pain in his head let him show me where it is, and I will make God visible to him. And why does he exhibit a complaint against me? Whatever I did was the act of God-I did not strike him without the will of God-what power do I possess? And, as he is composed of earth, how can he suffer from that element? The man was confounded (as well he might be), and the cadi highly pleased with the dervish's

"Georgius" in our next.

The papers on Popular Superstition will shortly be continued.

E. P. C." will easily find a periodical in which to insert his lucubrations: they will not suit us.

We are much obliged by the offer of" T. H." and shall give it the consideration it merits. "B. D.,"" Clericus," Mark Antony," C. C. C.," respectfully declined.

99.66

London: Printed and Published by W. E. Painter, 342, Strand.

It is one of the most distinguishing attributes of Christ's holy Catholic Church, that there is in it no division of interests-no opposition of doctrine; that it contains no antagonist and contentious elements, but that it is single, united, and compact, possessing a holy and tranquil unity, as no less its characteristic than the apostolic sanctity of its institutions, the hallowed purity of its doctrines and precepts. It embodies within itself the earthly imitation of that harmony which, in all its perfection, exists among the ministering spirits that surround the throne of Omnipotence; it is the visible type of that unseen Spirit of peace that hovers around the heavenly choir, or tabernacles in clay within that regenerate heart which knows a calm that passeth understanding. We speak of the general scriptural character of the bride of the Lamb. We are not called upon to enter into any elaborate argument upon the question, in what consists the title to communion with the one holy Catholic Church, or what form of discipline, what system of doctrines, is or is not indispensable to a participation in the sacred character of Christian catholicity. This at least is certain, that the sacred edifice which shadows forth the heavenly kingdom, the temple reared upon the faith of saints and apostles, must be like the cornerstone on which it rests-pure, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners; and that as there is but one hope and one baptism, one faith, one Lord and Father of us all, one only means given unto men whereby they may be saved, so likewise must the Church be one in the harmony of its members and the agreement of its practice, one in all that is essential to practical Christianity, one in its

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pursuit and imitation of its Founder here, one in its full fruition of glory hereafter.

Such being the general unity of the whole body of the Church, we will now confine our remarks to that pure and apostolic branch of it happily established within these realms. Especially blessed and favoured as this nation has been and continues to be in every thing that concerns its temporal prosperity, it has far higher advantages for which it must give account, far holier and more spiritual privileges with which it has been endowed. Raised and matured from Gothic barbarism by the civilising influence of Christian teaching; supported in every adverse hour by the mighty fathers of the Anglican faith; shining forth with purer worship and a purer creed when heresies and corruptions were pervading all around; and among the first to remove the mildew and the rust of ages that had insensibly collected around the framework destined for immortality; in every period of its existence this our country seems to have been singled out for the more evident manifestations of an over-ruling Providence. Nor is it among the least of our blessings, that while in other hands the renovation of the Church degenerated into a licentious revolution, the wisdom of our ancestors, guided and instructed by Him on whom they trusted, maintained among us the calm solemnity and majestic simplicity of apostolical discipline and organization, together with all those rites and ordinances which are fitted to raise, to strengthen, to encourage the soul. Despite of all the incursions of schism and the occasional outbreaks of heresy, despite moreover of the open attacks of declared and professed opposition, the unity of the Anglican branch of the Church of Christ is as yet unshaken and unimpaired. There may indeed exist among her folds some who know not how rightly to appreciate her high and sublime character, who may even regard the " peace of Jerusalem" as a matter of small or trifling moment. These have not the spirit of the Church, and therefore are none of her's. They are among her children, but not of them; strangers and sojourners, having no lot or portion in the inheritance. The Church itself is composed of very different elements, grounded upon more lofty principles, animated by a spirit totally distinct, alike in character and operation. The Church regards all that hold a place within the limits of her sacred enclosure as members of a common family, bound together by kindred ties, and worthy to be addressed even by the highest among the stewards of holy things under the endearing and attractive name of brethren. The whole compass of the land is regarded but as one fair garden of the Lord, parcelled out and divided that the numerous rills by which it is watered may carry their refreshing streams equally over every spot. One organized system pervades every quarter of the country; a system that recognizes not the nominal distinctions between fellowship with the Church and a fellowship with the commonwealth, but blending what is temporal with what is eternal, connecting politics with religion, regards this vast and mighty republic as a well-organized ecclesiastical establishment, whose ruler is not more essentially the

monarch of the State than the presiding head of the Church, and whose people are to be governed as a holy congregation, serving the Lord. Such are the exalted notions which befit the character of British Government; such the general and beautiful outline of that unity which legislation should labour to confirm, to strengthen, and maintain. In all its spiritual perfection, in all its moral completeness, it might serve, beneath the fretted roof and the calm seclusion of even earthly temples, to shadow forth in dim proportions some fleeting semblance of the saints' communion in a life hereafter. But the unity of the Church has relation to two different objects, and may involve two distinct methods of consideration. There is an unity of heart and mind, of soul and spirit, connected by the fibrous ties that unite together the branches of the vine; an internal peace and harmony that the world can neither give nor take away, which mammon cannot purchase, which zeal cannot earn, but which cometh down from the Father of light, with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning. For this hidden and mysterious gift, we can but pour out our prayers to him to whom alone the Church can look for every good and perfect gift; but there are, nevertheless, outward means and instruments which we have still in our power, external opportunities of promoting alike the purity and the peace of the temple to which we belong, of which we are solemnly bound to avail ourselves to the utmost. It is thus that we may forward that secondary kind of unity, which is adapted to form the mind and prepare the heart, to lead by imperceptible yet progressive steps to the full realization of spiritual concord. The visible Church must be directed by visible agency; it must have its external ordinances, its rites and its discipline, inasmuch as it is an institution formed for earth, to govern the will, to curb the passions, to control the moral constitution of man. It is its office at once to fit him for immortality and to prepare him for its enjoyments; to make him worthy to receive, and anxious to occupy, a seat among the kings and princes of a heavenly Jerusalem, that bright habitation where all is happiness, apart from all strife, and envyings and malice. There must therefore be a certain uniformity in its design, in its offices, in its ministration, and in its faith. Its members must never be left to be carried about with every wind of doctrine, subject both in worship and in creed, to the casual caprice of every new religious empiric. The rites and ordinances of the Church, decreed in solemn council and with deliberate reason, must be conducted upon the forms which were of old devised, and the methods which general sanction has adopted and confirmed. Thus the whole tenor of ecclesiastical discipline will be fixed, unwavering, and definite. While the Church will maintain over her ministers that just control which she of right possesses, her formularies and her articles of faith openly propounded and implicitly maintained, will be a pledge to the world around of her sincerity and her truth. By these important standards she will be enabled to test the qualifications of those who seek to minister about holy things, and may require at the hands of those who are desirous to undertake her lofty offices a full assent to the doctrines upon which she is founded,