the supply from Mexico. The State of Oax-ments, to the insect kingdom. The world aca, in Mexico, is where the breeding of is full of them, and they are constantly at Cochineal is carried on to the greatest ex- work, in some way, for man's benefit, yet tent. The insects feed upon the flowers of they are little appreciated. It is the Cochia wild fig-tree called nopal, a species of the neal that enables us to promote our comfort cactus. The plant has many stems, upon and improve our tastes by the production which buds appear having prickles upon of brilliant colors in articles of clothing, in their ends. These buds expand into wide the adornment of our houses, with beautiful thick leaves, from which the Cochineal in- carpets, tapestry, &c. There are but very sect extracts juice-its sustenance. The no- few women in this country, but daily carry pal is easily cultivated from cutting, it only the Cochineal in some part of their clothing. being necessary to plant a stem in the Let the vain remember that their most brilground to have it take root, and grow finely. liantly colored dresses of which they are so Cuttings are sufficiently grown for the in- proud, only appear handsome be cause they sects, in eighteen months after planting. In are covered with dead insects. Of such let Oaxaca there are large plantations devoted the humble in life never be envious. But to the production of Cochineal. The nopal the Cochineal is by no means the only incuttings are planted two feet apart, and up- sect that works for man. In the Pacific on some of the stems little nests of cotton Ocean are many large and fertile islands are placed, on the side towards the rising that were formed by insects; and upon the sun; into these nests a female insect is land formed, human beings now live. The placed. The female, after laying about one Bee is an insect which supplies us with an thousand eggs in the nest, dies, her dead article of food and affords us an example of body becoming a covering and protection to industry well worthy of imitation. the eggs until hatched. Six generations of silk worm thread, at this moment covers the these insects are produced every season. backs of millions of people affording them The young, as soon as they leave their shells, warmth and protection at all times. work their way out and commence feeding. May we not learn from those examples They are at first so minute as to be invisi-how constantly mindful is God of the wants ble, except with a microscope. In a little while their skins harden, forming a cocoon, from which they emerge again into a crysalis state, and then become perfect insects.

The

of his children here below, and how boundless is his goodness in supplying them.Everything in nature seems intended to advance our happiness and remind us of our frailty and our entire dependence upon the Creator. Even the very insects, invisible perhaps to the natural eye, are taught to work for our benefit, while Divine writ assures us that the very hairs of our heads are all numbered. Nor is this unwearied care extended to mankind collectively, but it applies to each individual personally. Remembering, then, that we are each objects of God's special regard, no matter what our situation in life, whether high or low, rich or poor, learned or ignorant, should we not endeavor to live as if conscious of His presence, lifting up our hearts to Him in gratiPeople are little apt to consider how much tude for His goodness, and in everything they are indebted for comforts and enjoy-'trying to honor and serve Him.

When the proper season arrives for gathering the Cochineal, which is in December, the Indian women go patiently to work, using a dull knife or brush, scraping the insect off from the plants, into their aprons and baskets. When a large quantity is collected the insects are roasted alive in an oven, which of course deprives them of life, and dries them, when they are ready for market. Cochineal is one of the most universal coloring materials now used. When mixed with a solution of tin and muriatic acid a splendid scarlet is made, altogether inimitable by any other process.

And the storm of his wrath in a deluge hath broke. Allegory, representing Summer and Winter;

For the Miscellany. THE PHILOSOPHY OF HISTORY.

BY REV. E. H. PILCHER, A. M.

This is a wonderful age in which we live, and an age of wonders. It would appear as if all the forces of Pandemonium had been set loose to deceive “unstable souls," and "to lead captive silly women" and foolish men "laden with sins" Every one stands on tiptoe to see and hear some new and wonderful thing.

What is the cause of all this? and where

will it terminate? It cannot be attributed to any one single cause, but is the result of a combination of causes-all having their foundation in the corruption and gullibility of human nature. It would be most interesting and profitable to trace out these causes, by the light of History-from its Philosophy to unravel that which otherwise is dark and unintelligible.

lightened judgment, and these passions are essentially the same in every age and every clime. They may take different hues, and have different modes and degrees of developement, according to the surrounding circumstances-they may be chameleon likebut they are resolvable in t› the same essential elements. The same laws of excitement and restraint exist and govern now, as formerly, and the motive power to action is the same in every age. If at any given time, in ference in the characteristics of either phyany one country, there appears to be a difsical, mental, or moral developement, from any other period, it is attributable to the dif

ference of external circumstances alone. It is often said, that every age has something peculiar to itself, to distinguish it from its predecessors. If this be true, (and we are not disposed to controvert it at this time,) it is what the preceding has made it.

The spirit of liberty which burst forth with such vigor and activity, in '76, did not, like Jonah's gourd, spring up in a night, nor like fabled Minerva spring out suddenly, in full growth from the head of Jupiter. Read the history of the preceding years-observe the growth of free principles, and you find them germinating, rising-trampled down, to be sure, but only to acquire greater strength. In all this there is nothing new. In all the new discoveries in the physical sciences, or even in the mental laws, there is nothing new created; they are only bringing to light that which was, but had been obscured from our view.

A very wise man once said, "The thing that hath been, is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new! It hath been already of old time, which was before us." The truthfulness of this saying has been,and even now is called in question by some of the verdant philosophers of the world. That which is new to them, must be new under the sun. Being, themselves, in their own estimation, in the centre of all creation, they cannot conceive how it is possible for anything to have been, which they have not be-time, probably, the sense in which we use fore known. It is supposed, by them, that in the various mutations of this world something new must be evolved.

The reader will have discovered by this

the term placed at the head of this article, as also the application we would make of it for practical purposes. How that in History By giving close attention to the lessons of we have certain known and recorded facts, wisdom taught by the history of human de- from which we are to ascertain other facts velopement and progress, we find the state- not, yet known. We shall not any of us ment to be very accurate. That which is soon forget the astonishment occasioned by evolved is only a variation in the form and the circumstances connected with the dismode, and not in fact and nature. Human covery of a new planet, by Leverrier. But action has ever originated in human passion, why should we have been so astonished?more than in the sober convictions of an en-The wonder rather is, that that method had

not been adopted before. It was novel, certainly, to see an astronomer sit down in his studio to find a planet, instead of sweeping the heavens with his telescope. Still, it is nothing more than the application of certain known principles, to find that which was concealed. He had the motions, disturbances, and quantity of certain heavenly bodies, as a given problem from which to ascertain the locality of the disturbing causes.Having this given, he needed only to apply his mathematical philosophy,-when, lo! the planet appeared.

being deceived," are accustomed to talk largely of the progress of the age, and to boast of their superiority over their fathers, and to vaunt themselves of the regenerative energy and 'perfectibility of human nature. Their vision by this means, is very circumscribed, and their conclusions drawn from insufficient evidence. In this age especially, Solomon's advice is entirely useless, to wit, "Say not thou what is the cause, that the former days were better than these?”— So much is said of progress and advancement, that the former times are forgotten, or

While the stern and laborious habits of life remained to the Athenians, the arms of Philip of Macedon, were unsuccessful; but when the desires for mere pleasure and selfgratification were infused into them, the ass laden with gold effected what power could not befor. But this is only what has been, is now, and will be hereafter. Men love to bask in the sunshine of present pleasure, as the lamb in spring-time, regardless of the indicated storm. They sing, they dance, they sport, they eat, they drink, they talk of

The Philosophy of History, furnishes the only remembered to be despised. principles or known quantities, and the practical use of it is to find out what lies before and concealed, in relation to the prospects and destinies of goverments and nations.The saying is often uttered, that men are fitted for the times in which they live. It should rather be, that they are formed by the occasions with which they are surrounded. The sturdy, fierce, and warlike Goth, while living in his own native wilds, and called to grapple with the perpetual difficulties attendant on every step, retained and perpetuated to his race, the same bold and fear-"long years of pleasure here," and hops less manifestations. But when transferred to the warmer climate of Italy, and lead to luxuriate in the gorgeous profusion and enervating pursuits and associations of an effeminate and decaying empire, partook of the occasions and passed through a great metamorphosis of character. Behold the fierce and terrific race of warriors, now the weak, timid, fawning, and sycophanting courtiers. Is this anything new or wonderful? It is only what has been, and must be again. True, the change comes not in a moment, nevertheless it is certain, and the more dangerous as it is stealthy in its approach.

By attending to the same lessons of wisdom, "speaking from the voice of age and experience"-the history of the past, and having the accompaniments and occupations of any nations given, the problem of their destiny is of easy solution. This, however, is not the usual mode of investigation. Men, self-pleased, self-adulatory, "deceiving and

much of future, better days, even though they stand on the heaving, swelling sides of the volcanoe. "As it was in the days of Noe," so is it now, and "so will it be at the coming of the son of man."

It is said with truth, "that coming events, cast their shadows before," and by the application of the rules of our historic philosophy, by following the shadows we shall arrive at the substance. The nearer the approach, the more distinct the image in the shadow. At first, they may appear only "as trees walking"-confused and uncertain. But look again-long and steadily-accus tom the eye to the contemplation, and all will be clear.

You see that gallant vessel floating on the bosom of the deep, as a thing of life, carried forward by the gentle wind-to you the sky is clear and beautiful, and everything looks prosperous; when suddenly, and to your astonishment, you hear the voice of the com