THE MULE.

THIS animal is not so frequently seen as the horse or the ass, both of which it resembles : sometimes being more like the one,-sometimes more like the other. It is often stupid and obstinate. (See Psalm xxxii. 9.) It is, however, a useful creature: and though not so handsome as the horse, is considered the most sure-footed of all animals, and the best able to bear fatigue. The mule is used for riding and driving in Eastern lands: also in many parts of Europe.

In the times when the Bible was written, it was much used for carrying burdens. (2 Kings v. 17; 1 Chron. xii. 40.)

Mules were always valued by the Israelites, though they were forbidden to have large numbers of them. They were among the presents brought by the people to king Solomon. They were also sold in the fairs of Tyre. (Ez. xxvii. 14.) David's sons all rode on mules. (2 Sam. xiii. 29.) Of Absalom,-that wicked man, who rebelled against his father, and fled from the battle,we read, "And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away." (2 Sam. xviii. 9.) And you

perhaps know how he was left hanging by the beautiful hair of which he was so proud: and soon after a dart was thrust through his heart by his own cousin. Such was the end of this disobedient son; and God is sure to punish, either here or hereafter, all children who do not honour their parents. I hope none of you, dear little friends, will ever make your parents' hearts sad, as David's was made sad by Absalom.

When Solomon was crowned king of Israel, he rode upon a mule to his coronation ;—so you see a mule was thought a great deal of in those days. And when God shall restore Jerusalem, mules are to be used, as well as other animals, to bring offerings to the holy city. (Is. lvi. 20.)

APES.

THESE animals are a kind of monkey, but are different from them in some respects, as they have no tails, and are larger in size. They are painfully like human beings. I never see an animal of this kind without feeling humbled, to think how nearly its face approaches to the face of a man. These beasts, however, are destitute of the sense which God has given to mankind, and live in trees, feeding upon leaves, fruits, insects, etc. They are chiefly brought from Africa and India. They are only once named in the Bible, I believe, and that is in 1 Kings

x. 22, where we read that king Solomon had "at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram once in three years came the navy of Tarshish, bringing gold, silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks."

Why. Solomon should send for these creatures I know not, for they are neither useful nor ornamental: perhaps he wished to see and study the habits of every known animal.

Unclean Animals.

PART IV.

THE LEOPARD.

How thankful we should be that in England we have no fierce beasts to frighten us, as is the case in nearly every other country. The leopard, though a graceful animal to look at, with a beautifully spotted skin, is yet a ravenous, bloody, and destructive animal. The panther is another kind of leopard, but larger and darker skinned and these fierce creatures still abound in Palestine, where they attack sheepfolds, and cause terror and dismay to the shepherds. They are very difficult to guard against, for leopards can climb trees, swim well, crawl like a serpent, and leap tremendously. It has been said of this animal that, though always voracious for food, it is always thin. This seems an emblem of persons who indulge in every kind of vanity and pleasure freely, hoping to gain happiness, but who remain unsatisfied, and have, as the Bible says, "leanness in their souls."

Leopards, in Solomon's time, lived in the mountains; and he speaks of them there, in his Song iv. 8. Jeremiah says,-"Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil." (Jer. xiii. 23.) Thus you see how hardened the Jews had become in their sins. One of God's threatened judgments on the rebellious Jews was,-"A leopard shall watch over their cities," etc. (Jer. v. 6.) The prophet Habbakuk speaks of the swiftness of the leopard. (Hab.i. 8.) God in anger says, by another prophet, that "He will observe them (that is watch sinners) as a leopard by the way." (Hosea xiii. 7.) Daniel saw a vision of beasts, among which was one like a leopard, which was to represent, or show, the Macedonian kingdom. (Dan. vii. 6.) Isaiah speaks of that blessed time, of which I believe I told you before, when the "leopard shall lie down with the kid." (Is. xi. 6.) And lastly, St. John, like Daniel, saw a vision of a beast like a leopard, which rose out of the sea, "having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns: and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." (Rev. xiii. 1, 2.)

This beast signifies a false religion. Some people think it means the corrupt Church of Rome. Very likely it does; but the book of Revelation is so mysterious, that no one can tell