ILLUSIONS OF THE AIR.



THE air sometimes presents strange optical illusions, such as mirage, etc.; but as these have been explained, I will not dwell upon them. There is a remarkable appearance called the mariner's light, or St. Elmo's fire, that is frequently seen during storms at sea. Flames of fire play about the masts, and glide along the rigging of vessels; which superstitious sailors say is the spirit of St. Elmo holding a lighted candle. This light is no doubt caused by electricity in the air. 

Lightning, or electricity, assumes many different forms. In Iceland it often plays over the whole sky, making it seem on fire. It presents an alarming spectacle, but does no damage.

The currents of air display endless variety in velocity and force. In some countries the wind blows fiercely and almost constantly. Terrible hurricanes and storms occur in the ocean. Sometimes they are accompanied with so much electricity that the eyes of the sailors become dim; and their finger nails turn black, and remain so for weeks. The rush of fire balls through the air is often observable. They give intense light, and are accompanied with a hissing noise. Stones of great weight often fall to the earth. They are 

probably formed above the atmosphere. 

Some people think they come from volcanoes in the moon.

The rainbow is the most glorious vision of the air. The Hebrews called it the "Bow of God;" the Greeks, the "Daughter of Wonder." The people of the North think it is a passage connecting heaven and earth, and they call it the "Bridge of the Gods."  We sometimes see a lunar rainbow, at night; but it is inferior in beauty to the solar rainbow. The rainbow is the sign of God's covenant with man, and we know by that sign that water will never again cover the face of the earth. The contemplation of that radiant arch should lead us to adore its great Designer.

ELIZA H. MORTON.



A WARNING.

A MAN once took a piece of white cloth 

to a dyer, to have it dyed black. He was 

so pleased with the result that, after a time, 

he went back to him with a piece of black 

cloth, and asked to have it dyed white. 

But the dyer answered: "A piece of cloth 

is like a man's reputation; it can be dyed 

black, but it cannot be made white again."

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"I CAN forgive," say some, "but I can- 

not forget.'' Woe to us if God should 

make the same distinction. But forgiving, 

and a disposition to forget are the same. 

If the memory of an injury is cherished, it 

is not forgiven.