greatest efforts, but remain for ever condemned to a humiliating mediocrity. But this is not all. When we are thoroughly convinced that those differences of disposition are the results of organisation, we will congratulate the man whom nature has constituted favorably in that respect; and we will, on the other hand, regard with compassion him who has been less felicitously endowed. The same considerations will strengthen our feelings of indulgence towards the failings of our fellow-creatures, at the same time that they will show the importance of an enlightened education, which shall aim at counterbalancing the depraved dispositions of a child, by exercising those organs and faculties which may tend to destroy their effects, and which may even frequently turn them to the advantage of the individual who would otherwise have been their victim.

Such is the importance of Phrenology; but, at the same time, can it be said that the man whose genius has given it birth has succeeded in bringing it to perfection? Little attention, indeed, would, in these days, be paid to the man who should pretend to prescribe limits to any one of the sciences. No! Phrenology, like all the branches of medicine, is still imperfect; but, like them, it lays claim to stand on certain positive data, on fixed principles, and funda mental doctrines, which cannot be called in question, as being the results of testimony a thousand times repeated, of the whole united senses, elucidated by the simplest reasoning, and proved by the severest induction. So fully is this admitted to be the case, that now a-days the study of Phrenology is no longer considered to belong exclusively to the physician, but begins to be looked upon as common to all the world.

Artists were perhaps the first to perceive the importance of our science; for it is a striking fact, that in the models of antiquity the forms of the head are very often found in the most exact relation to the faculties of the gods and men whom the chisel of the artist has handed down in sculpture to posterity. What sculptor will not comprehend, that by means of Phrenology, he may be able at a single glance to obtain a key to individual character? and that, in creating an ideal subject, he must be guided by the same principles? Will it ever occur to him to give to the figure of a Hercules the forehead of an Apollo? or would he place the head of a demon of cruelty on a statue intended to represent a character of pure benevolence? Were an artist to commit such an error, he would be considered a man of superficial mind; and though, as a mere workman, he might be more or less rewarded for his skill, he would be treated as one who had not an idea of the true nature of his art, and of accomplishing it. The same remarks are equally applicable to the kindred art of painting. The painter cannot too strenuously pursue the study of Phrenology; for he has only an even surface on which to delineate his objects, and he may fail in giving them the necessary expression, by neglecting those traits, which, however slight, are characteristic and necessary to bring out the distinguishing peculiarities of his subject. More over, Phrenology recognises a uniform relation, an intimate connection between the habitual attitude of individuals and their predominant

dispositions; and the painter who knows how to appreciate this influence of the cerebral organisation upon the movements of the body, will be distinguished for the naturalness of the deportment and action of all his personages; while he who is a stranger to Phrenology runs a continual risk of falling into the grossest inconsistencies. What would be thought of a medallion, in which the predominating organs of its subject were not more strikingly developed than the rest? In this way, to all those arts which profess to present the exact image of man to the eyes of his survivors, Phrenology is most useful, and will in future be considered indispensable. (To be Continued.)

THE TWO UNKNOWN SHIPS.

Slowly drifting down from the frozen seas of the North, to lose themselves in the waters towards the Equator, annually come vast herds of icy rocks; crags that would be immortal in their native deserts, where land and water for get their separate nature in the common rigor of the iron frost; but, wandering down to more living waters, those rock pinnacles melt and die. Among the herd last year was a field or floe of ice; and on that floe were two ships, idle and deserted, performing a strange helpless voyage. One smaller vessel going to Quebec, sails near them, and they pass on their way, not unseen, as well they might have done; but they were neglected. Many in the Quebec-bound vessel wished to explore those deserted wandering homes, but the master was sick and listless and would not be disturbed. Were they Franklin's ships, the Erebus and Terror? the question occurred to one person on board, but it was un solved; and now a year after the event, Admiralty and public are engaged seeking evidence!

At first the story was point-blank disbelieved; then it was credited as a tale of a delusive apparition, a mirage; then it was thought possible that ships there might have been, but not Franklin's-only wrecked whalers. Now, however, the details of a minute examination strengthen the probability that the ships were Franklin's. No one can know; no one can as yet deny it. It is mournful to reflect, that if they were the historic ships Erebus and Terror, the last known of them should be that passing sight on their Voyage of mystery.

How much one would give to know all that might have been learned, positively or even negatively, from those ships! There were men on board the brig who felt the impulse, although they did not know that a reward had been offered for the discovery. The mate, with laudable curiosity, wished "to rummage the cabins." Had he done so we should have known what the vessels were. But he did not obtain permission from the sick and listless master. Perhaps, if the reward had been known, the listlessness of discase might have been roused to animation at the report of two ships so strangely stranded. But the golden incentive was wanting, and the ships were abandoned to drift down to the sunny seas where the floating ice-dock would melt, and its burden be yielded to the waters for the quict consummation of fate.

shrubberies on the following morning. were indeed "up" with the lark.

We

What a spell had been cast upon every living, every drooping,-aye, and every dying plant, in a single night! What an aroma of sweet odors floated upon the moist air! And how fondly did we gaze upon the magical effects which we saw produced, almost momentarily, by gently-distilling showers, as each modest up-turned head received the grateful, long-expected supply of renewed life from the skies!

Then what a change from the (apparentlyeverlasting) keen, biting, killing blasts of the north-east, to the warm, genial, refreshing breezes from the south-west! And how eloquent the song of the nightingales, blackcaps, robins, and others of the feathered tribe, by comparison with their past efforts to be joyous! All Nature indeed, participated in the timely relief. Let us henceforward make up for what has been lacking in our enjoyments abroad, by rising at peep of day. The delay we have suffered will only serve as a stimulus to our future energies and elasticity.

No more rheumatic pains; no more sciatica; no more attacks from bronchitis; indeed no bodily ailments whatever, must now be even hinted at. The "cause" is removed: it rests with ourselves to perfect a "cure." To all who would be well and happy, we repeat our universal remedy,-Give your lungs free play in the sweet, open air; discard the town, and fly bodily to the country. Oh,

It is delightful, 'midst the early dew

To be a wanderer! When the morning hours Bear on their wings the perfume of all flowers; When from the green earth to the heavens blue Ascends the song of birds.

And no less pleasant is it in our daily stroll, to watch the progress of each passing day in new-created loveliness; rejoicing, on our return at eve, to hear-

The bills

Of the glad thrush and blackbird, far and free, Shout forth the day's decline from tree to trec.

May is just the very month for a pleasant, meditative walk; and no doubt many of our readers understand what we mean by that expression. We love to wander to some lonely spot, where undisturbed we can enjoy

A deep repose, a silent harmony

Of nature and of man-Where circling woods Shut out all human eyes; and the gay orchard Spreads its sweet world of blossoms, all unseen, Save by the smiling sky.

How often have WE enjoyed such a treat as this! And how often have we thought, This is the spot to live and die in!

Avadevats and Blackcaps.-Some weeks since, you spoke of some avadevats building in an kindly tell me, through your columns, what is the aviary at Rugby. Will your Correspondent material they use for their nest, and also what is the proper food for the young, when hatched? Will you tell me too, please, when the blackcaps go to nest? [They are beginning to build their nests now; and if we ever have any warm weather-then we may speedily look for young birds of all kinds.] Of course you will soon be writing about the blackcap.-M. R., Watford.

German Paste.-I send you a receipt for German paste, which I think a very good one. [Singular enough, this receipt is worded so nearly like the one we have already given (see p. 249), that we have no hesitation in saying the former and this are identical-both parties having gained their information from one and the same source. The only difference is, that in our former receipt, we recommended blanched and bruised almonds as a novelty, in addition. Our Correspondent thus finishes his receipt, which, being an extra element in the mixture, we here subjoin.] If hempseed be thought essential, let it be the small Russia hempseed. Give this whole, not bruised. The birds will then escape those nasty, troublesome complaints, such as "the husk," &c., which invariably arise from eating the hull of bruised hemp seed; and which utterly destroy the voices of many fine songsters.-W. C., Chatham.

[Our Correspondent's remarks about the hempseed, are deserving of marked attention. As he says, many fine birds are ruined by having bruised hempseed mixed with their food. We have before said, those who do not make their own paste, should use none but "CLIFFORD'S," 24, Great St. Andrew St., Holborn. Then will their birds be always stout, hearty, and in full song.]

the whistle of a countryman at a distance, softened into melody by the surrounding hills; it comes nearer and nearer, louder and louder, a series of varied, rich, liquid, and sonorous notes, till all at once you are astonished to find the little bird, from whose throat such surpassing melody is poured, is sitting in a bush by your side, or on the branch of a tree close over your head. But notwithstanding all the wildness and variety of the blackcap's song, there is a vast deal of method in it. It is quite worth while to listen attentively to him, and you find that his usual song is very tune-like, and might readily be imitated on the flute or flageolet. Sometimes, after he has gone through his song several times in succession, he will introduce a few notes as from a march, and then, all at once, he will give you a delicious and off-hand imitation of the song-thrush, blackbird, or even nightingale.-G. H., Godalming

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Lesson from a Lark.-Let me, Mr. Editor, at a time when Nature has a speaking voice," call your attention to the remarks of Washington Irving in his conversations with a friend. "Of all birds," said he, "I should like to be a lark. He revels in the brightest time of the day, in the happiest season of the year, among fresh meadows and opening flowers; and when he has sated himself with the sweetness of earth, he wings his flight to heaven, as if he would drink in the melody of the morning stars. Hark to that note! How it comes thrilling down upon the ear! What a stream of music, note falling over note in delicious cadence! Who would trouble his head about operas and concerts, when he could walk in the fields and hear such music for nothing? These are the enjoyments which set riches at scorn, and make even a poor man independent:

'I care not, Fortune, what you do deny You cannot rob me of free Nature's grace; You cannot shut the windows of the sky,

Through which Aurora shows her bright'ning face; You cannot bar my constant feet to trace The woods and lawns by living streams at eve'

"Sir, there are homilies in nature's works worth all the wisdom of the schools, if we could but read them rightly; and one of the pleasantest lessons I ever received in a time of trouble was from hearing the notes of a lark." As you "point a moral" in all that proceeds from your pen, or that finds a place in your JOURNAL, the above I know will suit you exactly.-G. H.

[Many thanks. You are a universal benefactor. We hope others will follow your excellent example. We will let the echo be heard all over the world.]

Cats. You are a friend of cats, an enemy of cats; and always willing to serve the public in telling all you hear of them, and know of them, pro and con. As Mrs. Malaprop says, you are a perfect Cerberus-"three gentlemen rolled into one!" Well, hear my story, and pass as lenient a sentence as you can on my offending but now repentant cat. Don't tell me to immortalise him by administering to him a dose (by way of sleeping draught) of the Carbonate of Barytes. I well know this would atone for all his offences;

but hear me further. How can I so sacrifice 'Charlie?'-' Charlie,' who is the very king of cats? His size and proportions equal those of the noble animal figured' in the Illustrated London News about a year since. As for the mice, they disappear before him "like bricksywicksies; " and armies of rats, respectable (?) "fathers of families" (both numerous and voracious) have to bewail the gaps made by this monster in feline form. Annihilate, Mr. Editor, an animal like this! Oh, never! But to his offence. I had a linnet, a joyous bird! He was my friend and consolation. One night I was away from home, my bird was hung from the window lintel by a hook. The person who last retired for the night left, I suppose, the door open; by which means the prowling monster got admission. How he managed to get to the cage, at a height of twelve feet, I cannot tell. Perhaps the curtains aided him. But conjecture is needless; he must have hung to the cage until the ring gave way; and he and his victim were hurled to the ground. How long he tortured the little innocent I cannot say, but he killed it with his claws. He could not get it out. He then proceeded to the housekeeper's room, and by repeated wailing, succeeded in arousing her. She, suspecting something wrong, arose, and the cat, with tail erect, led the way; he entered the parlour; up to the window he went straight, and then gave vent to one of the most frightful yells which ever issued from feline throat. The foul deed was done; but why did he want this witness to the murder? Why did he utter this astounding cry? Who can say that cats have not remorse? That they are not visited with the stings of conscience? This then is "the case." You, as judge, shall decide. Put not on, I im. plore you, the "black cap," but only sentence the prisoner to banishment for life.-J. B. M., Glasgow.

[As you have so strongly recommended the prisoner to mercy, and deprecate the law of punishment by DEATH, justice will perhaps be vindicated in this case by banishment to CALIFORNIA. If remorse does not reach him there, he is a worse the way, this will be a solitary instance of-a WE give him credit for! By cat touched by remorse!]

cat than even