winepresses were either built of stone, or hewn out of a large rock. The grapes were thrown into the upper part, to be trodden by men, and the juice flowed out into receptacles beneath, as appears from the engraving. The treading of the 'winepress was laborious, but it was performed with singing, and sometimes accompanied with musical instruments.

Oil of olives was expressed in the same way, before the invention of mills. The existence of this practice in Palestine is evident, from the language of Moses: "Let Asher dip his foot in oil;" and from the threatening, "Thou shalt sow but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine." (Micah vi. 15.)

To the custom of treading grapes and olives reference is frequently made by the inspired writers. Thus the glorious conqueror, who appeared in vision to Isaiah, said, "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.” (Isaiah Ixiii. 3.) As the clothes of the treaders were sprinkled with the juice of the grapes, so were the garments of the Redeemer with the blood of his enemies, who were as easily and completely crushed by his almighty power, as are the full ripe clusters of the vine beneath the feet of men. The same figure is employed in the book of Revelations, xiv. 18-20, to express the fearful destruction which awaits the adversaries of God and of man. Happy, unspeakably happy are they, in every age, who are numbered among the friends of Christ.

THE TURTLE DOVE.

"Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?" (Isaiah lx. 8.)

THE Turtle-dove is a smaller bird than the common pigeon, and is easily distinguished by the yellow iris of the eye, and by a crimson circle that encompasses the eye-lids.

The note of this bird is singularly tender and plaintive; in addressing his mate, the male makes use of a variety of winning attitudes, cooing at the same time in the most gentle and soothing accents; on which account the turtle-dove has been represented, in all ages, as the most perfect emblem of connubial attachment and constancy. It arrives late in the spring, and departs about the latter end of August: it frequents the thickest and most sheltered parts of the woods, where it builds its nest on the highest trees; the female lays two eggs, and

has only one brood in this country, but in warmer climates it is supposed to breed several times in the year. These birds are so common in Kent, that they are sometimes seen in flocks of twenty or more, frequenting the pea-fields, and are said to do much damage. Their stay with us seldom exceeds four or five months, during which time they pair, build their nests, breed, and rear their young; which are strong enough to join them in their retreat.

The fidelity of these birds has furnished poets and sentimental writers with the most beautiful allusions; and it is generally asserted, that if a pair be put into a cage, and one happens to die, the other will not survive it.

This bird is often alluded to in the Scriptures, and deemed by the law of Moses clean. In the wild state, doves build principally in the holes or clefts of rocks; but they are easily domesticated. They were always held in high estimation, in consequence of their innocence, mildness, and gentleness; and are deemed in the Scriptures emblems of simplicity, innocence, and fidelity. (Hosea vii. 11; Matt. x. 16.) The dove was used in sacrifices. Among other animals, it was prepared by Abram, when God manifested his intention to bless him. (Gen. xv. 9.) When a child was born, the mother was required, within a

certain time, to bring a lamb and a young pigeon, or turtledove, as the offering; but if she was too poor, she brought two young pigeons. (Lev. xii. 6-8.) The mother of Jesus being poor, availed herself of this provision. (Luke ii. 24.) It was to supply the mothers with the means of making the customary offering that in the precincts of the temple were found dove-sellers. Jesus Christ drove them out, because the house of prayer was not a fit place for merchandise. In Morier's "Persian Travels," he ፡፡ says, In the environs of the city, to the westward, near the Zainderood, are many pigeon-houses, erected at a distance from habitations, for the sole purpose of collecting pigeons' dung for manure. They are large, round towers, rather broader at the bottom than the top, and crowned by conical spiracles, through which the pigeons descend. Their interior resembles a honeycomb, pierced with a thousand holes, each of which forms a snug retreat for a nest. More care appears to have been bestowed upon them outside than the generality of dwelling-houses, for they are painted and ornamented. The extraordinary flights of pigeons, which I have seen alight upon one of these buildings, afford a good illustration of a passage in Isaiah, chap. lx. 8: 'Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?' Their great numbers and their compactness literally look like a cloud at a distance, and obscure the sun in their passage."

OUR CHILDREN'S PORTION.

PEACE OF MIND LOST, OR THE UNHAPPY
LITTLE BOY.

Benson. The last-named was the unhappy little boy who, for

Ir happened, one very fine ward Summers, and Albert afternoon in the month of July, that a merry party of four little boys were assembled together a time, lost his peace of mind. for the purpose of having a He dearly loved his parents, game at marbles. It was Wed- and attended to almost everynesday afternoon, a time that thing they said to him; but schoolboys hail with delight; even good boys and good people I know I used to do so when sometimes do wrong, and this I was a little boy, and no doubt little boy did so too. Well, some of my readers do so too. they met at the time appointed, Our little party consisted of each having a bag of marbles.

Joseph Page, Robert Hale, Ed-Joseph Page had a very nice

ally for a taw, Robert Hall a my little dears, your turn will very nice stony, Edward Sum-come. I may, in a future nummers boasted of a China one; ber, give a little tale about a but poor little Albert, the hero little girl. of our tale, had but a common clay one. Now, I dare say many little boys would have

Now, we will suppose all this while the four little boys have been playing at marbles, and

envied their play fellows their they have come to the last

treasures. Not so with Albert; and why? Because he had been taught not to covet what belonged to another, and to "be content with such things as he had." Impressed with this passage of Holy Writ, he thought that if it applied to his parents in temporal things, it must also apply to him in his playthings; consequently, he was content with his clay taw. My dear little readers, you may, perhaps, think our Heavenly Father takes no notice of trifling matters; but, be assured, he does.

For he that has said not a sparrow falls to the ground without his permission, takes notice of the smallest matters in this world; and if we endeavour to cultivate a contented spirit, it will enable us to meet the trials of this world, and be a means of preparing us for a seat at God's right hand.

game; and by a mistake Albert wins four. Now, you all know to win the last game is reckoned a great triumph among boys. Albert knew the cause, but he was so pleased at being the conqueror that he did not tell them of the mistake. The enemy of souls, the devil, gained his point, and triumphed over this hitherto good little boy. What was the consequence? He lost his peace of mind; and though he was carried home the victor, he was a very unhappy little boy. Albert had his tea, got his lessons, but he could not learn. He could think of nothing but the deception he had been guilty of.

The time arrived for family prayer; all assembled at the family altar; all were prostrate before God. And while Albert's father was pouring out his soul to the Throne of Grace for his little boy, that Jesus would Now, I dare say, my little make him a child of truth, and readers, you are getting impa-impress upon his mind that God tient. You want to be among sees him at all times, and that the boys (but perhaps, and not at all unlikely, some of my readers are little girls); patience,

nothing can be hid from him, Albert burst into tears: his heart was softened; the blessed