sedges. A few minutes more, and I had swung myself over the gunwale, and was sculling with eager strokes down the smooth waters of the bayou-Chambers's Edinburgh Jour.

THERE are few of you, dear young readers, we will venture to say, who have not admired the beauty of the drops of dew, as they have glistened in the bright rays of the morning sun. How light and cheerful they look, as they hang like rows of pearls on the points of the grass, and along the edges of the leaves! And when you have been up thus early for a walk in the fields, the consciousness that you have not wasted your hours in bed has contributed, together with the freshness of the morning air, to put you into excellent spirits, and to make you fit to admire the beauties of nature. You walk on with a light step and a cheerful heart and everything looks smiling around you; for

"Bright every dewy hawthorn shines,
Sweet every herb is growing,
To him whose willing heart inclines
The way that he is going."

Perhaps you have wondered where the dew can
have come from, and how it is formed, and who
has formed it; perhaps, too, thought, with the
people of ancient times, that those delicate parti-
cles of dew which you see so abundant, after a
fine, clear, starlight night, must have descended
from the skies; though you may not, like them
imagine that they are shed upon the earth from
the bright moon and stars.

reason we will explain to you, as clearly as we can, where it is that the dew comes from.

The first experiments that were made in order to find out where the dew comes from, seemed quite to overthrow the ancient belief; but they led people into another mistake, for they appeared to prove that it ascended from the earth. It was found that, when plates of metal were placed out the ground, their under surfaces were alone covin the open air, and raised at some distance from ered with dew. In addition to this, it had been noticed that the leaves of the trees had often plenty on the under side, and little or none on the were exposed, placed at different heights above upper. So too, when a number of plates of glass the ground, it was found that the underside of the plate was covered with dew soon after the evening had set in, then the top of the same, afterwards the under side of the second, and so on to the thought that the gentle dew arose out of the uppermost. From these experiments, it was earth, like the vapour which the sun's warmth causes to rise from the moist ground in the daytime, but, though these observations were all correctly made, it was afterwards proved that the opinion founded upon them was erroneous.

Before we can explain the origin of dew, you must first understand that the air which surrounds moisture. Without this, it would be totally unfit us contains at all times a considerable quantity of for us to breathe; and in hot weather would become so burning and pestilential that animal life could not exist. This moisture is dissolved in the air, just as salt is in the water of the sea; and is contained in it everywhere, but in larger quantity near the surface of the earth than higher up; because Lear the earth the air is denser, and is, on this account, able to contain a greater quantity of moisture.

Now, if you want a proof that the air contains moisture, you may have it very easily. Take a decanter of very cold water from a very cold well or spring, and let it be stoppered down; when you have made sure that it is perfectly dry on the outside, carry it into a warm room, and, after it has stood upon the table a short time, you will see

It was, indeed, long believed that dew, like the rain, descended from the sky. And, doubtless, this belief was natural enough; for it was observed that the dew was formed in the greatest abundance when the sky was bright and cloudless; and was never formed at all unless the night was tolerably clear. Thus it became evident that there was some connection between the state of the sky and the quantity of the dew; though the nature of this connection was not understood. We cannot won-moisture gathering about the outside of the neck. der, theu, that men should believe that the dew fell from the sky when no clouds were in the way to prevent it; and that they could conceive no other way to account for the dew, if they did not admit that it had come down from above. Yet this belief continued to prevail after the formation of dew had been truly explained; and, even at the present day, there are perhaps few people who have quite got rid of the old opinion. For this

This will go on increasing, till the water within becomes as warm as the air in the room, and then the moisture will gradually disappear. This is nothing else than dew, artificially produced, and is occasioned by the moisture suspended in the warm air of the room being deposited upon the cold glass.

Now, it is found that the warmer the air is, the more moisture it is able to take up; so that, ona

the dew begins to form, and is deposited upon the cold grass, and leaves, and ground.

warm summer's day, when the air becomes greatly air itself has become cooled down by the cold heated, and when the sun causes a large quantity currents which descend from the upper regions, of moisture to rise out of the earth, there is always much more contained in the air than there could be on a cold day. So, too, the air in a warm Now, after the earth has become colder than room occupied by people always abounds in mois- the atmosphere above it, it naturally tends to cool ture; and hence it very soon shows itself upon the air that is close to it; and the cold currents the cool surface of the decanter. When any cir-rushing down also assist in cooling the air near cumstance causes the air to be cooled down so the earth. Thus it is that moisture is always much that it is no longer able to contain all the moisture that was before suspended on it, that moisture must fall in the shape of water; just as the vaporous clouds become converted into rain, when they meet with a cold current of air. It rests upon any cool surface that may be near.

formed into dew first near the ground; and then the air gradually becomes cool higher and higher up, and more and more moisture continues to settle. This explains how it was that the plates of glass, we spoke of before, first had dew settled upon those nearest the ground, and then the dew appeared gradually to rise and cover the higher plates; and it also explains another phenomenon, which you have very likely often observed, viz., the rising of the mist after the setting of the sun, which seems to form along the ground in meadows and has the appearance of rising out of the ground, as it gradually forms higher up in the air, but which is no other than the moisture of the air becoming visible, and beginning to settle, as it is cooled.

You may easily have a very good illustration of the settling down, or the precipitation, as it is called, of a dissolved substance, when the fluid in which it is dissolved becomes less able to support it. Take, for instance, some common alum, and dissolve in a small quantity of hot water as much as it will contaiu; now, as the water cools, it is not able to hold so much of the salt in solution; so part of it again becomes solid, and sinks to the bottom in the form of crystals. Indeed, those of you who are familiar with experiments in chemistry will know that very often, when solutions of salt from the sky, nor rises out of the ground. It We see, then, that the dew neither falls are cooled, the whole becomes suddenly converted descends not from the broad expanse of heaven, into a mass of beautiful crystals. It is by a pro-nor is it the offspring of the rising morn, though cess similar to this that the moisture which is dis- such has been the language of the poets. Thus solved in the air becomes changed into dew on Tasso sings: the cold ground, or on the grass, or the windows. You well know that the warm rays of the bright sun make the ground hot in the daytime; so hot, that you can scarcely bear to put your hands upon it in the days of summer. Thus you may be sure that the sun in the daytime warms the earth very much more than it does the air, so that the moisture can never become dew upon the ground while the sun is still up in the sky. But no sooner has the sun gone down, than the ground begins to cool; it sends forth heat into the air aloft, and rapidly cools down, till it becomes much colder than the air itself. This is called radiation; and the earth is said to radiated its heat into the sky.

Now, you will know, by the fact of snow lying all the year round upon the tops of high mountains that the air is always much colder high up in the sky, than it is near the earth. But the heat that is radiated from the earth warms first the lowest portion of the air, and this, thereby becoming lighter, rises, and then the cold air from above rushes down, and cools still more the earth and lower air. After the ground and the things upon it have become cooler than the air, and the lower

"

Aurora smiling from her tranquil sphere,

O'er vale and mountain sheds forth dew and light.” Such is the charming imagery of the poet; but the plain truth is this, that the dew is derived from the moisture accumulated in the air during the day, and which the coolness of night causes to collect into those extremely minute and beautiful drops which cling to whatever is exposed to them.

But you will very likely begin to wonder why it is that we do not always find dew upon the grass after a warm day; and how it comes to pass that there is sure to be most dew when the night is clear. The reason is, that clouds prevent the cooling down of the air. The clouds themselves radiate the heat which they receive from the earth back again to it; and thus the heat is confined within the space between them and the ground, so that the air cannot be sufficiently cooled down for dew to appear. But a few clouds, or even a single one, will have the effect of preventing the escape of heat into the open sky above, and thus of lessening the amount of dew. Even the thinnest can.bric handkerchief, spread near the ground beneath it, by which you will at once understand

how it is that the gardener is able to protect his far less danger; for the air is then warmer and tender plants from the cold of the night, by cov-drier, and dew is not deposited. Dew is, however, ering them with a thin light matting. A strong wind, too, by keeping the air in constant motion, effectually prevents the heat from passing off, and thus diminishes the amount of dew.

always more abundant when a clear and bright morning succeeds to a misty evening, and when dry weather follows rain; so that at such times it is not prudent to venture out until the sun begins to rise, and to warm the air with its morning beams. But, at the first touch of the sun's rays, the air, warmed thereby, begins again to absorb the moisture that was forming into dew; and soon the glistening dewdrop is no longer seen upon the grass.

WHAT IS MAN?

A DREAM.

BY A CANADIAN PYTHAGOREAN.

morning dawn seek a solution to the riddle their brain has conjured up. I am one of these. At the breakfast-table I invariably relate at length the fancies of the previous night, asking for an interpretation, and am intensely delighted if the opinions of my family coincide with my own. would extend my family circle, and ask you, reader, the meaning of the following dream:

I

You have no doubt observed that the dew does not lie equally on all kinds of substances. If, for instance, you have noticed how it lies upon a gate, SOME people have great faith in dreams, believyou have always seen much less upon the iron-ing implicitly in the visions of the night: and at work, such as the screws and hinges, than upon the wood-work. There will also be much more on glass than on any metal; for it is found that bad conductors of heat have always more dew on them than good conductors. The reason of this is, that whatever prevents heat from accumulating serves to keep up the cold, and of course the colder the body, the more dew is deposited upon it. By using very delicate (that is, very fine) instruments, the grass is found to be colder at night than the garden mould, and the garden mould cooler than the firm gravel path. So, too, the surface of snow is always very cold; and that of wool or swan's-down laid on the snow is still colder.clined on my soft and airy couch, a being, such as These soft loose substances are therefore very good for experimenting on the quantity of dew falling; and they can easily be weighed before and after the experiment.

On a cold and frosty morning, you may see the dew formed on the inside of your bedroom windows; for the moisture contained in the warm air of the room is deposited upon the glass panes, which have been cooled by the air without. And, if your window has a close shutter, there will be more dew, because the shutter prevents the heated air of the room from warming the inside of the panes, and thus, by keeping them cooler, allows the greater accumulation of dew.

You will now understand why it is so dangerous to be out late in the evening, and especially after midnight. Then the dew is forming, and the air is so damp and chilly, that you are almost sure to take cold; for nothing is worse than that cold, chilling dampness which pervades the air when the dew is forming. On a cloudy night there is

I thought I was borne gently through the air, on one of those large light-coloured clouds, that skirt the horizon on a summer's eve, its edges tipped with a golden fringe,—the rays of the setting sun. Suddenly appeared before me as I re

I had never seen in any dream. His height was variable, at one time appearing gigantic, at another like unto a dwarf. On his touching the cloud on which I rested, it became transparent, and I saw the earth, as if from a fixed point in the heavens, revolving beneath me. Trees, rivers, forests, lakes, villages, towns and cities, in succession passed beneath me. I could even distinguish the inhabitants of the world, and felt surprised that the being called man (it did not occur to me that I belonged to the human race) could so perfectly change the face of nature, he is but a mite in comparison to the world, but the whole surface of the earth feels his presence.

Involuntarily, I exclaimed, "What is Man?" The earth ceased to move, and I hovered o'er a grave yard. On a newly made grave, I saw an infant playing, and in the grave I saw the mother; and, afar off, appeared the busband in the prime of life, bowed down with his mighty grief.

The pictorial answer to my exclamation must

nize over

have been unsatisfactory for again I repeated the beings or passions preponderate, they tyranwords, but this time with a melancholy accent. the good and render the soul mis"What is man?" The earth vanished! all was erable. During life man appears to have the darkness. I felt some one seize my hand and lead power of cultivating and nourishing the good, but me forward, he was doubtless my aerial visitor. if he neglect their care, the bad seem to have We were in a species of vault, for our footsteps self-producing power, and will make the good their echoed after us, hollowly, as they fell on the stone slaves." pavement. The air, too, was damp, and smelt "I will shew you some of these here," he said, foul. In silence we continued our way for about handing me a microscope; you see the good a hundred yards, (I counted my steps,) when turn-beings I spoke to you of? they are most beautiing suddenly to the right we entered a large and ful little creatures; see their beautiful faces gloomy looking apartment, circular in form and and figures; look at their splendid attire, a red lighted by many lamps suspended against the scarf across their breasts, and a breast-plate of wall. In the centre of the room stood a table pure transparent crystal; this shows that their upwards of three feet in height, of about seven actions are as pure and free from stain as their long, and nearly three wide. Something lay there, breastplate; they are all armed with a sword. but what it was, I could not tell, for a large white Yet they are not all alike, yonder is one sheet enveloped it and the table on which it rested. called Conscience, his principal weapon is a spear, All this I took notice of before I turned to my whose diamond point rivals the needle in sharpguide, who was a grave, yet curious looking old ness. Conscience employs himself in goading or man. I did not wonder, or even suppose, that he spurring on the good to their duty; how often do was the same I had seen before. My dream "had we speak of the 'stings of Conscience, little do changed." we think how literal our remark is."

"The experiments!" he exclaimed, advancing quickly towards me, and scanning my face closely, "was it not you that I told no, I see I am mistaken, but I will tell you."

I was impressed by his manner. "Look here," he continued, "look at this face." Turning down the sheet from off the body lying on the table, I saw the features of her who reposed in her grave whilst her child played above. I shuddered.

He reversed the microscope through which I was looking.

"You now see the children of the devil, they are black in heart and ugly in feature, they have "I have been long engaged," said the anato- cloven hoofs, which shows their origin. Their arms are various, but perhaps the most curious, mist, for such he was, "in investigating the pasare those of Deceit and Revenge. Deceit's is a sions of man and their connection with the body. Love and Hatred you may see depicted in the veil, which, when he casts it about himself, countenance of the same individual at different renders his outward appearance as fair and times, and I have sought the several nerves that, pleasant as any of the good, he is thus enabled to acting on the muscles, produce these appearances. | mingle with them undiscovered, and to cause For a long time I supposed the agent to be a more mischief than almost any of the others species of fluid resembling electricity called into Revenge is strong, inasmuch as he never sleep" existence by the heart of the being; but I was wrong. The passions have a seperate and individual existence in the body. At death these beings do not depart, nor do they die. They are immortal, and should the evil

"All this," I said, noting that he paused, "I see, but- -"the whole faded, and I again reclined on my cloud-couch, with a being like an angel resting beside me.

"You have seen strange things," whispered

the form, "do you believe them? Listen to a just commands, recommending him to consult

tale.

KING CHEEKAZZIM.

King Cheekazzim, "good old King Cheekazzim," he was usually styled, was one of the noblest and most virtuous kings that ever ascended the throne of Savia, since Serone the founder of the kingdom. The kingdom of Savia was situated in the East, but the exact locality is at present undetermined, notwithstanding the diligent researches of numerous learned doctors, who have devoted their attention to this question, and as it is not likely that their labours will ever be crowned with success, I will not trouble you with any of their opinions; this much, only, have they admitted, namely, that Savia was so called after Savinia, who is supposed to have been one of the daughters of Solomon, and was the wife of Serone, the first king of the Savinians.

King Cheekazzim had an only son, who on arriving at manhood was seated on his father's throne by the father, who resigned his office in nearly the following words:

"My son, take this shield, of polished steel, and let thy honor be as unsullied as its pure bright face. This lance, preserve it; may it never be stained in hasty quarrels, or with the blood of cowards. This sword, well has it served me, its edge is keen and true, the metal is well tempered, be you like it. My sceptre, it has ever been wielded in the cause of virtue and truth, disgrace it not. And lastly, O my son! This crown. Kneel,-Arise King Cheekazzim! Officers, soldiers and citizens assembled ; behold your king!" "Long live the King Cheekazzim. Long live our noble king!"

"And now," continued the old King as the shouts subsided, "may the Great King preserve thee. These instructions read. Farewell my son, farewell." The aged monarch handed him a roll of parchment which the young lad took and retired from his father's presence. King Cheekazzim immediately afterwards left the court for his beautiful country palace, where at a distance he might enjoy his son's fame, and spend the remainder of his life in tranquility.

'King Cheekazzim," whispered a hoarse hollow voice, that appeared to issue from the parchment. "Who speaks," said the king?

"Tis I, Zoddajh, the Genie of your family," and the king saw the paper kindle into a flame, which filled the room with a blaze of light. It vanished and before him stood the form of a man, gigantic in size, "Tis I, Zoddajh, the Genie of your family," spoke the form, in a voice that seemed to the ear of the child-king as the rolling of thunder.

"What would you, O most mighty Zoddajh ?" asked the king.

Know, king Cheekazzim, that I am the guardian of your family and throne, till now I have never revealed myself to mortal, and why? I am the special guardian of the reigning member of your family, and had to act in secret, whilst he who reigned was married. Know, young king, you are the first that has ever ascended this throne without a Queen since the days of Senone. To you I reveal myself to be your slave and counsellor, visible to none but you, and ever at your call. Speak! what am I to do?" "Nay I, know not for what to ask."

"Then" said the Genie, "listen to me. It is thus that you shall command me when you require my assistance, take your fathers roll of parchment which you will find at your feet when I disappear, burn it, and collecting carefully the ashes, place them in this phial. When time to The young King entered on his onerous duties bathe before evening prayers, anoint yourself with a zealousness that surprised his court, that with its contents and then to prayer. On the every day in his royal robes he administered tomorrow, by placing any part of your body in conthe affairs of state, and when the fatigues of the tact with a lighted taper, for a space, I'll appear, day were over, he took his accustomed siesta. -your slave." Indeed, he had been so occupied that he forgot to read his fathers last bequest, the roll of parchment, an awakening he remembered his negligence, and drawing it forth, read with intense interest its contents. It consisted of most sober, wise, and

"What!" exclaimed the King; would you have me to burn my father's last command ?"

Here," replied Zoddajh, taking a roll from his breast," is a parchment similar, burn the one at your feet; remember my instructions." Slowly