times only as ornaments on the summit of a lofty mountain Seen in the distance, they are conspicuous objects, and serve to enrich the scenery; and when erected near the sea-shore, serve, in the day-time, as prominent land-marks to mariners far out on the ocean. "MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY!" TO MY MOTHER ON HER 75TH BIRTHDAY. "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousnesss." MANY happy returns of the day, mother! In sparing thee thus the advanced age Many happy returns of the day, mother! May the blessings of heaven be thine gone May the joy of the Lord be thy constant strength- Many happy returns of the day, mother! May I meet thee again in the realms of bliss, The pleasures eternal to know. Many happy returns of the day, mother! I hail its return with joy; Accept these few simple yet heartfelt lines, From thy youngest-thy dutiful boy. Newport, I. W., Jan. 25, 1858. A. M. GOOD MANNERS. GOOD MANNERS are very cheap. They do not cost money, and they will come if you call for them at any time and in any place. They only require a little care not to forget them. They do not like to be hidden. They love daylight. So let them be seen wherever you go. Let me tell you how. Salute your acquaintance when you meet them. A cheerful "good morning," or "good evening," gives pleasure to the moment, and moments are the stuff life is made of. If you meet a person you know, if you do not stop to speak, you should salute him; this is civil and pleasing. Avoid rudeness to passers by in the street. Do not stare at them: do not run against them. Always make way for aged and infirm people, and never stand on the footpath talking to others so as to stop up the road. If you are eating an orange in the street, never drop the peel on the pavement. Mind that. In the eagerness of your play at ball, hoop, or marbles, be careful not to annoy others. The practice of jumping up behind carriages, is both dangerous and vulgar. Never deface walls or door-steps by writing on them, and the benches in the parks or other public places, as rude people do, by writing or cutting your name on them. Remember that among strangers your good or bad manners are noticed; so if you be in an omnibus, a steamer, a railway carriage, or any public conveyance, be always observant of your fellow-travellers, and do not in any way annoy them. Do not selfishly look out for the best seat, nor refuse to accommodate another; at the same time, if you find any person who offers you civility, be careful to acknowledge it. H Do not annoy others with your boxes, baskets, or parcels, nor lean on your next neighbours, sit on their clothes, or tread on them. Be courteous at all times, and to everybody. "Politeness," says a celebrated writer, "is a coin that enriches not him who receives it, but him who gives it.” If you are to be only half-an-hour in any company, it is surely better to spend that time agreeably than otherwise; so always try to make yourselves agreeable. What is it, my young friends, that gives value to these small civilities? It is that they express kind-heartedness; and that they show you are free from the coarse and vulgar selfishness that is always on the look-out for its own enjoyment and gratification, and cares nothing for others. These courtesies should, however, always come from the heart; for remember that the worth of good manners consists in their being the sincere expression of our feelings. Like the dial of the watch, they should indicate that the works within are good and true. So mind that in showing your good manners you do not make a fussy display of them. That would be as offensive as rudeness. Good manners are always more agreeable, especially in young people, when they are marked by modesty and humility. I wish we could see more good manners among young people. Whenever I meet with a young person of good manners, I feel very much pleased indeed. I hope my young readers will try what they can do by setting a good example to others, for there are sadly too many rude boys and girls now-a-days, who need teaching how to behave themselves. I THE JEWISH LAVERS. DR. KITTO tells us that the Laver was a basin to contain the water used by the priests in their ablutions, during their ministrations. There was one of brass (fabricated out of the metal mirrors which the women brought from Egypt, (Exod. Xxxviii. 8.) It had a 'foot' or base, which, from the manner in which the 'laver and its foot' are mentioned, must have been a separable from the conspicuous feature, and was perhaps basin itself for the purpose of removal. We are not informed of the size or shape of this laver; but it appears to have been large. It stood between the altar of burnt-offerings and the door of the tabernacle (Exod. xxx. 18-21; xl. 30-32.) The water of this laver seems to have served the double purpose of washing the parts of the sacrifices, and the hands and feet of the priests. But in the temple of Solomon, when the number of both priests and victims had greatly increased, ten lavers were used for the sacrifices, and the molten sea for the personal ablutions of the priests (2 Chron. iv. 6). These lavers are more minutely described than that of the tabernacle. So far as can be made out from the description, they consisted of a base or stand, adorned with figures of palm-trees, cherubim, lions, and oxen. The stand doubtless formed a hollow basin for receiving the water which fell from the laver itself, and which appears to have been drawn from it by means of cocks (1 Kings vii. 27-39). Each of the lavers contained forty baths, or, according to the usual computation, about 300 English gallons. In the second temple there appears to have been only one laver. Of its size or shape we have no information, but it was probably like those of Solomon's temple. The picture we have given must not be regarded as an exact representation of any of the lavers of the Jewish temple. We say so, because we would not mislead our young readers. Nothing can be now precisely known of the form and appearance of these ancient lavers, and we can only accept this beautiful design as an attempt to furnish an outline of an elegant lavatory. Of some of the utensils and ornaments of temple worship more correct representations have been preserved on the arch of Titus at Rome, erected to commemorate the destruction of Jerusalem and its famous temple. But all these things have now passed away, and they have because they were needed no longer. They were intended to introduce "better things," which it |