and had a wife and children at Goa, besides the care of three sisters, who absolutely depended upon him for support; whereas himself was single, and his life of no great importance:"-he therefore conjured him to suffer him to supply his place, assuring him that he would rather die for him than live without him. The elder brother, astonished and melted with this generosity, replied, "that, since the Divine Providence had appointed him to suffer, it would be wicked and unjust to permit any other to die for him, but especially a brother to whom he was so infinitely obliged." The younger, however, would take no denial, but, throwing himself on his knees, held his brother so fast that the company could not disengage him. Thus they disputed a while, the elder bidding him be a father to his children, and recommending his wife and sisters to his protection; but all he could say could not make the younger desist. At last the constancy of the elder brother yielded to the piety of the other, and suffered the gallant youth to supply his place, who was accordingly cast into the sea. It is but right to add, that this devoted brother did not lose his life. Land being soon after descried, the crew made an effort to take him again on board, which was crowned with success; and in a few hours the whole party were landed in safety on the coast of Mozambique. Beauties of History. THE HOMES OF ENGLAND, THE stately homes of England, How beautiful they stand! Amidst their tall ancestral trees, O'er all the pleasant land! The deer across their greensward bound Through shade and sunny gleam, And the swan glides past them with the sound Of some rejoicing stream, The merry homes of England! Around their hearths by night, What gladsome looks of household love Meet in the ruddy light! There woman's voice flows forth in song, The cottage homes of England! They are smiling o'er the silvery brook, Through glowing orchards forth they peep, As the bird beneath their eaves. The free fair homes of England! May hearts of native proof be reared And bright the flowery sod, Where first the child's glad spirit loves Its country and its God. MRS HEMANS, THE SHEPHERD-BOY AND HIS DOG SHAG. ONE Saturday evening Halbert's mother was taken very ill; the cottage they lived in was away among the mountains far from any path. The snow fell in large heavy flakes, and Malcolm (that was the shepherd's name) took down his long pole with the intention of setting out to the village to procure some medicine for his wife. "Father," said little Halbert, "I know the sheep-path through the dark glen better than you; and with Shag, who will walk before me, I am quite safe; let me go for the doctor, and do you stay and comfort my mother.” Malcolm consented. Halbert had been accustomed to the mountains from his earliest infancy; and Shag set out with his young master, wagging his tail, and making many jumps and grimaces.-They went safely on,-Halbert arrived at the village-saw the doctor-received some medicine for his mother-and then commenced his return with a cheerful heart. Shag went on before to ascertain that all was righ -suddenly, however, he stopped, and began snuffing and smelling about. "Go on, Shag," said Halbert. Shag would not stir." Shag, go on, sir," repeated the boy; "we are nearly at the top of the glen; look through the night, you can see the candle glimmer in our own window." Shag appeared obstinate for the first time in his life; and at last Halbert advanced alone, heedless of the warning growl of his companion. He had proceeded but a few steps when he fell over a precipice, which had been concealed by a snow-wreath. Malcolm repeatedly snuffed the little candle which he had affectionately placed so as to throw light over his boy's path-replenished the fire-and spoke to his wife that comfort in which his own anxious heart could not participate. Often did he go to the door, but no footstep sounded on the crackling ice, no figure darkened the wide waste of snow. Perhaps the doctor is not at home, and he is waiting for him," said his poor mother. She felt so uneasy at her child's absence, that she almost forgot her own pain. It was nearly midnight, when Malcolm heard the well-known bark of the faithful Shag. "My son! my son!" cried both parents at the same moment. The cottage-door opened, and Shag entered without his master!" My brave boy has perished in the snow!" exclaimed the mother; at the same moment the father saw a small packet round the dog's neck, who was lying panting on the floor. "Our boy lives," said the shepherd; "here is the medicine tied with his handkerchief; he has fallen into some of the pits; but he is safe. Trust in God! I will go out, and Shag will conduct me safely to the rescue of my child."-In an instant Shag was again on his feet, and testified the most unbounded joy as they both issued from the cottage.You can imagine the misery and grief the poor mother suffered-alone in her mountain-dwelling-the snow and the wind beating round her solitary cot-the certainty of her son's danger, and the fear lest her husband also might perish. She felt that both their lives depended on the sagacity of a poor dog; but she knew that God could guide the dumb creature's steps to the saving of both; and she clasped her hands, and fervently prayed that God would not desert her in the most severe trial she had ever met. Shag went on straight and steadily for some yards, and then suddenly turned down a path which led to the bottom of the crag over which Halbert had fallen. The descent was steep and dangerous, and Malcolm was frequently obliged to support himself by the frozen branches of the trees. Providentially, however, it had ceased snowing, and the clouds were drifting fast from the moon. At last Malcolm stood at the lower and opposite edge of the pit into which his son had fallen ;-he hallooed-he strained his eyes, but could not see or hear any thing. Shag was making his way down an almost perpendicular height, and Malcolm resolved at all hazards to follow him. After getting to the bottom, Shag scrambled to a projecting ledge of rock, which was nearly bedded in snow, and commenced whining and scratching in a violent manner. Malcolm followed, and after some search found what appeared the dead body of his son. He hastily tore off the jacket, which was soaked SHOW, and, wrannino II or in his plaid, strapped him across his shoulders, and with much toil and difficulty reascended. Halbert was placed in his mother's bed; and by using great exertion they aroused him from his dangerous sleep. He was much bruised, and his ankle dislocated; but he had no other hurt and when he recovered his senses, he fixed his eyes on his mother, and his first words were, “Thank God !—but did you get the medicine, mother?” When he fell, Shag had descended after him, and the affectionate son used what little strength he had left to tie what he had received from the doctor round his neck, and directed him home with it. It is many years since this happened, and Shag is now old and grey; but he still toddles about after his master, who is now one of the most handsome and trusty shepherds among the bonny Highlands of Scotland. Juvenile Forget-me-Not. GELERT. THE spearman heard the bugle sound, And many a brach, and many a hound, And still he blew a louder blast, And gave a louder cheer; "Come, Gelert! why art thou the last Llewellyn's horn to hear? "Oh, where does faithful Gelert roam ? So true, so brave, a lamb at home- That day Llewellyn little loved Unpleased, Llewellyn homeward hied, But when he gain'd the castle-door, The hound was smear'd with gouɩ ne His lips and fangs ran blood! Llewellyn gazed with wild surprise, His favourite check'd his joyful guise, Onward in haste Llewellyn pass'd, O'erturn'd his infant's bed, he found He call'd his child-no voice replied; "Hell-hound! by thee my child's devour'd!" The frantic father cried, And to the hilt his vengeful sword He plung'd in Gelert's side! |