and is very bad for about seventy yards, being only a few inches broad; but the point of danger is a spot, where the water, which comes down from the top of the mountain, either washes the path away, or covers it over with loose stones. In some places, the rock almost touches one's shoulder, while the precipice is immediately under the opposite foot, and high above head, are a number of loose stones, which appear as if the slightest touch would send them rolling into the torrent beneath, which is foaming and running with great violence. As soon as we had crossed the Pass, which is only seventy yards long, the captain told me it was a very bad place for baggage mules; that four hundred had been lost there; and that we should probably also lose one. He said that he could get down to the water at a place about a hundred yards off, and wait there with his lasso, to catch any mule that might fall into the torrent; and he requested me to lead on his mule. However, I resolved to see the tumble, if there was to be one, so the captain took away my mule and his own, and while I stood on a projecting rock, at the end of the Pass, he scrambled down on foot, till he got to the level of the

water.

"The drove of mules now came in sight, one following another: a few were carrying no burdens, but the rest were either mounted or heavily laden. As soon as the leading mule came to

the commencement of the Pass, he stopped, evidently unwilling to proceed, and of course all the rest stopped also.

"He was the finest mule we had, and on that account, had twice as much to carry as any of the others. With his nose to the ground, literally smelling his way, he walked gently on, often changing the position of his feet, if he found the ground would not bear, until he came to the bad part of the Pass, when he stopped; but the poens threw stones at him, and he continued his path in safety, and several others followed.

"At length a young mule, carrying a port manteau, with two large sacks of provisions, and many other things, in passing the bad point, struck his load againt the rock, which knocked his two hind-legs over the precipice, and the loose stones immediately began to roll away from under them: however, his fore-legs were still upon the narrow path: he had no room to put his head there, but he placed his nose on the path to his left, and appeared to hold on by his mouth. His perilous fate was soon decided by a loose mule, who, in walking along after him, knocked his comrade's nose off the path, destroyed his balance, and head over heels the poor creature instantly commenced a fall, which was really quite terrific. With all his baggage firmly lashed to him, he rolled down the steep slope, until he came to the part

which was perpendicular, and then he seemed to bound off, and turning round in the air, fell into the deep torrent, on his back, and upon his baggage, and instantly disappeared.” To any other animal but a mule, this fall must have been fatal; he was carried down by the stream in spite of all his efforts, and turning the corner of a rock, was given up for lost." "At length," the author continues, "I saw at a distance a solitary mule walking towards us! We instantly perceived that he was the Phaeton whose fall we had just witnessed, and in a few moments he came up to us to join his comrades. He was, of course, dripping wet, his eye looked dull, and his whole countenance was dejected, but none of his bones were broken: he was very little cut, and the bulletin of his health was altogether incredible."

From this interesting account of Mountain Travelling, the little reader may be led to see, how wisely the Great Creator has adapted the various animals to the regions which they inhabit. No other animal but the mule could perform such dangerous journies. Mules are numerous in South America, and they soon learn to perform their perilous duties. The Almighty, has given them what is called instinct to guide them, and so made them that their hoofs secure a firm footing where other animals would stumble or fall. How wonderful are the works of God! "In wisdom has he made them

all! The works of the Lord are great, sought out by all them that have pleasure therein." And the more we seek to know them, the more will our wonder and our pleasure increase. Every thing which God does is done in the best way it can be done. Who can give clearer light than the bright beams of his sun-who can shed richer drops than fall from his cloudswho can sing in sweeter strains than his lovely birds-or who can paint in colours brighter than his flowers display? And then his love! It fills heaven with joy-it reaches down to earth-" For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Nature with open volume stands,

To spread her Maker's praise abroad;
And
every labour of his hands

Shows something worthy of a God.

But in the grace that rescued man,
His brightest form of glory shines;
Here on the cross, 'tis fairest drawn
In precious blood, and crinson lines.

O! the sweet wonders of that cross,

Where Christ the Saviour lov'd and died!
Her noblest life my spirit draws

From his dear wounds and bleeding side.

THE WIDOW'S SON.

SOME time ago there was a pious widow, living in the northern part of this country, on whom, in consequence of the loss she had sustained, devolved the sole care of a numerous family, consisting of seven daughters and one son. It was her chief anxiety to train up her children in those virtuous and religious habits which are friendly to the present happiness, and the immortal welfare of many. Her efforts were crowned with the best success, so far as the female branches of her family were concerned. But, alas! her boy proved ungrateful for her care; and her only son, her darling, perhaps her idol, became her scourge and her cross. He loved worldly company, worldly pleasure; till,

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