* tufts, as the superb bird of paradise+ and the golden bird, the last being congenerous with the Australian regent bird. Belon, who went to the east, partly in order to obtain information on the subject, thought that the phoenix was one of the birds of paradise; the "Rhyntaces" of Aristotle, who describes it in the old erroneous way, as being destitute of legs, and using the long feathers of its tail to suspend itself from trees. The first Portuguese navigators, also, called the bird of paradise the bird of the sun.§ Magellan in his voyage round the world, brought home the bird of paradise with him, in the year 1522, and in the journal of the voyage he mentions the fact, that the natives cut off the legs of the bird, as parts of no importance, previously to selling it. Yet the celebrated Aldrovandus, having only seen such mutilated specimens, accused Pigafetta of gross falsehood, in asserting that the bird was naturally furnished with legs and feet. Scaliger believed the bird to be footless; and in the eighteenth century, count de Buffon contributed to the propagation of the error. Having observed that the ostrich, and some other birds, cannot fly, but walk; that others, like the hawk, though flying and swimming, cannot walk, he goes on to say that there are others "which neither walk nor swim, and are incapable of any other pro Few birds have given to the naturalist more trouble, in discovering its real characteristics and habits, than this. By some it has been described as an inhabitant of the air, living only on the dew of heaven, and never touching the surface of this terrestrial sphere; and others, while believing that it never rested on the earth, have considered that it sub-gression than that of flight." But unsisted on insects. Some have ranked it among the birds of prey, and others have asserted that it was without feet. This, however, is easily accounted for. The natives of the Malacca islands, of which it is an inhabitant, cared little for natural history. The legs of the bird being large and strong, and neither ornamental nor required in the skins made up for general commerce, were cut off; while the natives thus concealing what they regarded as a deformity, considered themselves entitled to augment their demands when they offered the bird for sale. The purchaser of it, in Europe, naturally inquired for the legs, of which it was destitute, and the seller began to think it I could have none. Hence it was concluded that a bird without legs must live in the air, which would render them unnecessary; the extraordinary splendour of the plumage aided the deception, and as it was considered to have heavenly beauty," it was thought to have a heavenly residence." In accordance with this view its name was given, and the false reports which have been propagated on the subject arose in consequence. Hence Linnæus and the older writers styled the bird apoda, or footless, although the man who first introduced the bird to the scientific in Europe, distinctly stated that it was in no prominent respect different from other birds. Antony Pigafetta, who accompanied happily for the assertion, the birds of paradise by no means excel in flight, from the shortness of their wings, and the impediments they suffer from their flowing plumes, which arise either from the sides of the chest, or from other parts of their body. On the other hand, their long and stout legs and large claws indicate that they are birds whose habits require that these organs should be developed. They appear to live principally among the branches of woods and forests, though they sometimes visit the ground for food, which consists not only of fruits and berries, but it is said that the larger species also feed on insects.* Acquaintance with some of these facts at length threw light on the general darkness that prevailed on the subject. But credulity, when undeceived, sometimes runs to the opposite extreme; and this harmless bird was next branded with the extraordinary rapacity of destroying all those of smaller size with which it came in contact, and the amazing rapidity of its flight was dilated on, as qualities by which it was enabled to perpetrate almost incessant slaughter among the feathered races. This view, however, was subsequently shown to be most erroneous. The long plumes, with which the greater bird of paradise is ornamented, prevent its flying excepting against the wind; for it would otherwise disorder its feathers, and the plumes, like sails, would drive the bird along with * An "Introduction to the Study of Birds; or, the Elements of Ornithology on Scientific Principles." Published by the Religious Tract Society. great force. Indeed, the birds abstain from flight altogether during a storm, which would infallibly throw them to the ground. When flying, they are noisy, like starlings; but their common cry is said to resemble the croaking of ravens, and is particularly audible when, in somewhat windy weather, the incumbrance of their long feathers brings them into imminent danger of falling. In the Aru islands they are observed to perch on the highest trees. They are taken by the inhabitants with birdlime, or blunt arrows; but when captured alive, they defend themselves with their bills, with great vigour and determination. In their native groves, they fly in large flocks, so that districts producing the richest spices have also the most beautiful birds. The inhabitants give them the name of "God's bird, as being superior to all others which he has made. As the countries in which they breed are subject to tempestuous storms, the birds are then but seldom seen, and it is thought that they fly to other lands, where they obtain food in abundance. In the beginning of the month of August, they are seen in great numbers flying together; and, according to the assurance of the natives, following their king, who is distinguished from the remainder by the lustre of his plumage, and the respect and veneration uniformly shown towards him. When they are surprised with a heavy gale, they endeavour to soar to a higher region beyond the reach of the tempest, where they can pursue their journey in security. In calm weather, great numbers may be seen flying, both in companies and singly, in pursuit of butterflies and other insects. the legs, to insert a hot iron in the body, which dries up the internal moisture; and by filling the cavity with salts and spices, it is prepared for sale to the Europeans. By others, however, it is stated that the breast-bone is removed, and the birds are dried with smoke and sulphur. Many are exported to Banda, where they are sold for half a rix-dollar each, and are sent to all parts of India and Persia, to adorn the turbans of persons of rank, and even the trappings of their horses. The general colour of the bird of paradise is a deep cinnamon, with the exception of the top of the head and the back of the neck, which are yellow; the feathers which encircle the base of the beak as far as the eyes, and cover the whole of the throat, are like velvet, and of a deep emerald green. From each side of the chest, in the male, springs a full plume, from sixteen to eighteen inches long, composed of slender shafts, with fine, loose, delicate webs; in some specimens they are bright yellow at the base, fading gradually into straw-colour; in others, they are paler; from the tail coverts spring two slender naked shafts of great length, which taper gradually to a point, and are of a deep cinnamon brown. These elegant appendages are said to be lost during four months of the year; in all probability, as in the case of the whidah bird and others, they are the decorations of the breeding season, the period in which all birds display their gayest livery. The magnificent paradise bird is of an orange chestnut colour above, the tint being darker at the top of the head and the back, while the tips of the wings and the tail are brown, and the throat of a black shade. At the back of the neck is a double ruff, composed of slender plumes, with slightly dilated extremities, and from the tail coverts, which are of an orange colour, spring two long and slender shafts of golden green. In the evening, they perch on the highest trees of the forest, preferring one which bears a red berry, on which they feed when other food is scarce. The natives generally conceal themselves in the trees whither they resort; and having hidden themselves from sight in a bower made of the branches, they shoot at It has often been found that if one them with arrows made with reeds; and bird has associated with a flock of a they assert that if they thus kill the one different species, that it has the place of which they call the king, they are often king among them, and thus many strange successful in their attacks on the flock. and unwarranted stories have been told. The chief characteristic by which the In this way, M. Vaillant accounts for the king is known is by the ends of the fea-origin of the name of the king-bird of thers in his tail, which have eyes like those of a peacock. When they have made a capture, the usual method is said to be to remove as much of the inside of the bird as possible! and having cut off paradise, of which many legends are current in the eastern archipelago, where these birds are indigenous. It is averred, for example, that the two principal species have each their leader, whose im perial mandates are received with submissive obedience by a numerous train of subjects; and that his majesty always flies above the flock, to issue his commands for inspecting and tasting the springs of water where they may drink with safety; this caution being necessary from the practice of the Indians of poisoning the water in which they drink for the purpose of capturing them. The explanation of M. Vaillant accords with the account given by M. Sonnerat of the manners of the king bird of paradise; for being a solitary bird, going from bush to bush in search of the berries on which it feeds,† it may occasionally be seen near the flocks of those which are gregarious, where its singular plumage would render it conspicuous.‡ EVANGELICAL HOLINESS. F. HOLINESS is a Scripture term, and must be understood entirely in the sense in which the Scripture uses it. It is conformity to God, in his revealed character and will; the enstamping again of his moral image upon us, of which we had been despoiled by the fall. This glorious perfection of his nature is reflected upon and within us, and is made to shine conspicuously from us; as on the mitre of Aaron were engraved the words, "Holiness to the Lord," and in his breast-plate flashed the pure and sparkling gems. We and lays the foundation for a holy character in a new and holy nature. are so radically wrong, as it respects true holiness, that a Divine power alone can effect the proper alteration in the root of our nature. "A corrupt tree," says Christ, "bringeth forth evil fruit. Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt," Matt. vii. 17; xii. 33. But who can alter the nature of a tree? and who but God can change the bias of our whole moral nature? The figment of the Jews, that a little bone is left in the human frame which never perishes, and which will begin the resurrection, is not more groundless than the notion of a moral power left in the fallen mind to begin its renovation. We are said to be born from above. Surely this is incompatible with first renewing ourselves. It is absurd to speak of a thing being created that was in existence before; but a state of mind from which a holy character proceeds is expressly styled "a new creature," 2 Cor. v. 17. If a power lies in us to begin the work, what propriety would there be in the prayer, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me?" Psa. li. 10. till this work be wrought in us, it were as natural to expect a pure stream from a polluted fountain, as a holy life from our unrenewed and unchanged natureLeifchild. Alas! OLD HUMPHREY AT STAFFA AND IONA. "There is where wild Atlantic roars, And tempests spread their wings, And there the bones of godly men And crosier'd hands and crowned heads Are mouldering in the ground." THE bellman was abroad, as I walked round Oban Bay, clamorously announc Its prerequisites must be carefully noticed. It is a fabric which can be reared only on certain foundations, which if not carefully laid, it can never stand. Redemption by Christ is one of them: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins," Eph. i. 7. Till redeemed from the dominion of sin, the curse of the law against us is unrepealed. The way is not open for the Holy Spirit to performing that a steamer would leave the pier the office upon us of making us holy. Why care for the health and adorning of the prisoner, whose cell is unlocked, and over whom the sentence of death, that consigns him to execution, still impends? No; I must come out of a guilty, condemned state by faith in Christ, before the command can be given to take away my filthy garments, and to clothe me with change of raiment. Regenerating grace is the effect of this change of state, * Valentyn, Beschr. Van Oude, iii. ed. 1724. + Voyage à la Nouv. Guinée, p. 156. † Audebert, Hist. Nat. Ois. de Paradis, p. 22. the following morning for Staffa and Iona, at the reduced price of five shillings. The crier rang his bell and made his speech opposite the coach-office, the the Post-office, and other places, that all Caledonian Hotel, the Temperance Hotel, might be aware of the good news he had entered the Caledonian Hotel, many to communicate. When, however, I fulfilment of this promise; and as some of doubts were expressed as regarded the us were very desirous to see Staffa and Iona the following day, we agreed to guarantee the captain of the regular steamboat twenty passengers, at ten shil- We had pointed out to us, as we passed them, at the entrance of the Sound, the village of Auchnacraig, and Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull, as well as Ardtornish Castle on the coast of Morven. Sir Walter Scott says: "Ardtornish, on her frowning steep, 'Twixt cloud and ocean hungHewn in the rock, a passage there, Sought the dark fortress by a stair, So straight, so high, so steep; With peasant's staff, one valiant hand The Isle of Mull, though not more than twenty-five miles across it, is little less than three hundred miles in circumference, on account of its being so much intersected by arms of the sea. There is much grazing, but very little tillage in the island. We stopped at Tober Mory, the Well of our Lady, and much admired the bay in which the admiral ship of the "Invincible Armada" was forced to take shelter in the storm. On the shores of Mull, a crag is pointed out, overhanging the sea, concerning which there is the following tradition: Some centuries since, the chief of the district, Maclean of Lochbury, had a great hunting excursion, and to grace the festivity, his lady attended with her only child, an infant then in the nurse's arms. The deer, driven by the hounds, and hemmed in by surrounding rocks, flew to a narrow pass, the only outlet they could find. Here the chief had placed one of his followers to guard the deer from passing, but the animals rushed with such impetuosity, that the poor man could not withstand them. In the rage of the moment, Maclean threatened him with instant death; but this punishment was commuted to a whipping, or scourging, in the face of his clan, which in these feudal times was considered a degrading punishment, fit only for the lowest of menials and the worst of crimes. The clansman, burning with anger and revenge, rushed forward, plucked the tender infant, the heir of Lochburg, from the hands of the nurse, and bounding to the rocks in a moment, stood on an almost inaccessible ciiff projecting over the water. The screams of the agonized mother and chief at the awful jeopardy in which their only child was placed, may be easily conceived. Maclean implored the man to give him back his son, and expressed his deep contrition for the degradation he had, in a moment of excitement, inflicted on his clansman. The other replied, that the only conditions on which he would consent to the restitution were, that Maclean himself should bare his back to the cord, and be publicly scourged as he had been! In despair, the chief consented, saying, he would submit to anything, if his child were but restored. To the grief and astonishment of the clan, Maclean bore this insult, and when it was completed, begged that the clansman might return from his perilous situation with the young chief. The man regarded him with a smile of demoniac rage; and lifting the child high in the air, plunged with him into the abyss below. The sea closed over them, and neither, it is said, ever emerged from the tempestuous whirlpools and basaltic caverns that yawned around them, and still threaten the inexperienced navigator on the shores of Mull! There is hardly any end of castles in the isles and highlands of Scotland. The headlands are crested with them, go where you will. Aros Castle, a strong, rock-built fort, attracted our eyes on one side, and at the end of the Sound we were greeted by another. For there Mingarry's mouldering castle stands The lords of the isles, that owned so to an entertainment by the lord-lieu- | feet, and then there is a steep ascent of tenant, and being among the last who fifty-five feet. At this distance there is came in, he seated himself at the foot of a flat of a few feet, and to this restingthe table, near the door. The lord-lieu- | place, the sides of the passage are comtenant asked him to sit beside him. pletely black; but beyond this is another Macdonald, who did not understand ascent of twenty-eight feet, white as a English, asked, 'What says the carle?' glacier, to which it bears a close resem'He bids you move to the head of the blance. At the head of this pass the table.' 'Tell the carle,' replied the lord breadth is eight feet, and above is a of the isles, 'that wherever Macdonald vaulted roof, twelve feet high, and of sits, that is the head of the table.'' dazzling brightness. The right side of the arch is sustained by a regular Gothic column, shooting from the side, under three-fourths of its circumference. Pro How frequently does age live over again the season of youth! How continually in after years do we realize the emotions of childhood! As the steam-ceeding along this passage, the walls boat left behind her Loch Sunart to brave the Atlantic, a rush of boyish remembrances came over my heart. I was in the midst of the Hebrides, or western isles of Scotland, not less, perhaps, than three hundred in number, and I could remember the very order in which, when at school, I committed the names of many of them to memory. A long list, ending with "Mull, Coll, and St. Kilda,”—I remembered, too, reading in youth the impressive narrative of "St. Clair of the Isles; or, the Outlaws of Barra," and I strained my eyes, as the weather had much cleared up, in looking westerly for the Isle of Barra. The dream of the past was a present reality, and I gazed with an indescribable interest around. As I looked on the clustering islands, and thought of the lords of the isles, the vanity of earthly glory appeared in its true light. In power and pride, impatient of their right, The largest of the Hebrides is the Isle of Skye, which lies considerably to the north of Mull. It is as much as fortyfive miles long and twenty-five broad. The celebrated Spar Cave there is an object of general interest. The entrance to the cave is a huge gap in the rocky coast; it is thirty feet in breadth, five hundred in length, and one hundred in height. Through this natural avenue the visitor gradually ascends, until he reaches the mouth of the cave, which is of the form of a Gothic arch, and opens to a passage where profound darkness reigns. To proceed further, torch or other light is indispensable. The passage from the mouth of the cave is nine feet broad, and from fifteen to twenty feet in height; it is level for sixty appear covered with the most elegant incrustations, and its roof fretted with sparry icicles. It gradually enlarges to ten feet in width and forty in height, when, all at once, the visitor enters a saloon of wonderful splendour. The open space is suddenly enlarged to twenty feet in diameter, is nearly circular, and the whole is composed of incrustations, shining like the most brilliant gems, of snowy whiteness. The bottom is filled with water, and resembles a large marble basin, surrounded with an infinite variety of grotesque figures of spar, while from the roof are suspended innumerable shining stalactites. There is a continual dripping of water from the roof, and the whole surface is covered with moisture. The scenery in the neighbourhood of this cave is wild in the highest degree. It comprehends Glenarnish and Loch, which, for gloomy solitude, can scarcely be equalled; westward, Loch Scavigh, with its cascade, and beyond "The savage wilds that lie North of Strathmardil and Dunskye," are seen. the dark blue mountains of Cuchullin. The breakfast laid out in the cabin, of the steamboat was very abundant; a thorough Scottish breakfast. Such a profusion of salmon, steaks, eggs and bacon, and marmalade, I never saw on a table before. Our captain had just returned from piloting the queen to Fort William, and appeared to be a well-conducted and intelligent man. After rounding the last promontory of Mull, the steamer took a southerly course, passing by clusters of islands, many of them altogether uninhabited. Í stood on the deck with an intense interest, looking out for Staffa, the geological wonder of the Hebrides: at last it |