one was in it. I visited it again in February, when the weather was intensely cold, and became perfectly satisfied that these swallows do not spend the winter in trees, but that they migrate southward on the approach of autumn.

On the following May I went to the old sycamoretree, and found the swallows once more returning to their old haunt. After five years had passed, I again visited this tree, and saw the swallows still resorting to it. But the ancient tree at length yielded to the violence of a severe storm, and came to the ground. What became of the swallows that so long frequented it, I know not.

AFRICAN KINDNESS.

NOTWITHSTANDING the heathenism and uncivilized character of the tribes of Africa, we occasionally hear of their tender-heartedness and kind feeling towards others. Many of our older friends will remember the touching lament of some African females over the celebrated traveller, Mungo Park, many years ago, when he came to their village, in the interior of the country, in a state of great destitution, friendless and forlorn:—

"The winds roared, and the rains fell:

white man,

The
poor
under our tree.

faint and weary, came and sat

He has no mother to bring him milk, no wife to grind

his corn.

Let us pity the white man: no mother has he," &c.

A

very touching instance of African sympathy and kindness was shown on the occasion of the severe illness of Mr. Hinderer, Missionary at Ibadan, by a young Heathen war-chief, whose heart appeared to have been a good deal attracted towards the Missionaries. Indeed, the interest and sympathy of many of the natives on that occasion were truly remarkable: they were continually coming to Mrs. Hinderer, treading with light step, and asking her in a whisper, "Is father better?" The young

warrior, however, by name Olomloyo, came every day, and was well nigh heart-broken. "He told me," says Mrs. Hinderer, "that I must pray much for my husband." The latter was suffering greatly from thirst and exhaustion, and felt a strong desire for some oranges, the season for which was, however, past. There was not one to be had. This was mentioned to Olomloyo, who immediately sent his servants out into the country to see if they could procure any; but in vain. The Chief was very sorry. He said, however, that he must have some; and he therefore set off himself on horseback, galloping to several farms in search; and at night he returned, with no small delight, and brought back eleven. He took them immediately to the sick Missionary, and waited until he saw him devour one, almost greedily. The young Chief was so pleased, that tears filled his eyes. Mr. Hinderer tried to thank him for his kindness. Olomloyo, however, lifted up his hand, and said,“ Don't speak! I am too glad."

Who could have expected such sympathy and

tenderness, as well as such good breeding, from unconverted war-chief at Heathen Ibadan ?-Ch of England Missionary Magazine.

BURNS'S MONUMENT.

THE remains of the famous, clever, unha Robert Burns lie in St. Michael's churchy Dumfries. Admirers of his poetry have built monument, adorned with a piece of marble sculpt which represents the genius of Scotland finding at the plough, and throwing her mantle over hir

THE FLOCK OF SHEEP,

Ir is noon on a very lovely day in July, and a large party, consisting of the Teachers, scholars, and friends of a Methodist Sunday-school in the south of England, are assembled at the railway-station, in order to go by the train to a hill about seven miles distant, where we are to spend the afternoon, and take tea together. Very soon we are all in our places; the signal is given, the train is off, and a loud "Hurrah!" from the boys testifies their delight.

Soon after leaving the station, there is a curve in the line; so that, on looking from the carriagewindow at one end, you see the entire length of the train, and discover scores of happy faces, full of mirth and glee. Many of the boys have tied their handkerchiefs to sticks, and are waving them in the air. The train moves on quickly: the first station is reached; but we dash right past it: now it moves more slowly, and at length stops. The doors are opened; out leap the boys: I fear they are not polite enough to stay, or turn back, to help their more timid sisters out. O, no! they have already reached the gate that leads into the road, and have poured through it without listening to their Teachers, who vainly endeavour to bring them into marchingorder. Suddenly there is a great outery, and a rush, and a blinding dust. What is the matter? 0, nothing very serious, only a flock of sheep, that were waiting to cross the line as soon as the train had passed, have taken fright, and run in all directions. Poor sheep! they are sadly frightened, and run very

fast; but they cannot get far, and are soon brought together on the road-side, where they stand, close one to another, panting and trembling. Why cannot they trust their shepherd? he will take care of them. He thinks now his trouble is over; but he is mistaken: one foolish sheep starts off again, and away they all go. By this time, however, the children have got past them, and they are soon recovered. Poor silly things! nobody would have hurt them; but they hurt themselves by their foolish fears. If they had remained by their shepherd, they would have been saved all this trouble and fright; but they followed an evil example.

The sheep were soon forgotten amid the enjoyments of the day; but we may draw a useful warning from their conduct. Who their shepherd was I do not know; nor whither he was taking them. But we all know that there is one who is called the Good Shepherd. He loves His sheep and lambs, and will lead those who follow Him into green pastures, and beside still waters. But do you think He never allows them to be in any danger? This is not the case. Good and kind though He is, He nevertheless sees right to bring His flock through places of trial and temptation. They have to pass through a great multitude who are hurrying on in a different direction; and sometimes they scarcely know what to do there is so much noise, and bustle, and confusion, some crying one thing, and some another, that they hardly know which is the right way; and even if they know it, it seems much easier to go with the crowd than against it. The only thing for them