afforded an opportunity of publicly displaying the result. The spectacle presented was as beautiful as new, and the numerous population gazed with delight at such an extraordinary display of taste and brilliancy.

About two years after, the general nature of gas-light illumination was exhibited by a German, named Winsor, in London but the apparatus by means of which he obtained the coal-gas, and the mode of purification which he adopted, were kept secret. In 1807, Pall Mall was thus lighted, and it continued for some years to be the only street in London so illuminated. After this a Company was formed, and in the course of three or four years they began to realize the profitable effects of their exertions; the utility of gas was becoming daily more obvious, and the current of public opinion was turned rapidly in its favour.

Applications were now made for private lights from various parts of the metropolis, and in many streets the oil lamps were quite discarded. Its subsequent success is familiar to all.

A singular application of gas has more recently been made. Some years ago the proprietor of a field in America, containing burning springs, put into operation a plan for applying the gas to purposes of economy. From a pit which was sunk in one of the hillocks, the gas is con

When

ducted through bored logs to the kitchen of the dwelling, and rises through an aperture, a little more than half an inch in diameter, in the door of a cooking stove. inflamed, the mixture of gas and common air in the stove first explodes, and then the stream burns steadily. Even this small supply is said to be sufficient for cooking.

Efforts were recently made to apply gas to the same purpose in this country. Some friends of the writer's attended a public lecture in one of our large manufacturing towns, on the importance of its adoption. A large cooking apparatus supplied with gas was exhibited, by which a great variety of dishes was prepared, of which the persons attending the lecture were requested to partake at its close, that they might have the fullest proof that every one was literally "well done."

THE PRIVATION OF LIGHT A PROOF OF THE DIVINE CARE-ITS

EFFECT ON INFERIOR CREATURES-THE SLUMBER OF VEGETABLES-CURIOUS

RESULTS OF PLANTS GROWING IN THE

DARK-THE RESPIRATION OF PLANTS-INTERESTING SPEC

TACLES OF EVENING AND NIGHT-THE DAY SHOULD CLOSE

AS WELL AS BEGIN WITH PRAYER-IN HEAVEN THERE

SHALL BE NO NIGHT.

THE privation of light which is experienced from the alternation of night with day, is another proof of the Divine care, to be added to those already given, because by this sleep is directly and indirectly invited. Were it not for this gift of Heaven, all our faculties would soon be exhausted, and comfort and happiness speedily terminate. But now the gracious provision is made, and its advantages are easily perceived.

It appears that by a fundamental law of our nature, a sense of weariness invariably follows a long-continued exercise of our powers, either bodily or mental, and unless fatigue be excessive, it is soon relieved by repose;

during which, if it be sound and healthy, all the voluntary muscles of the body become relaxed, and the nervous system remains comparatively inactive, the whole body obtaining, by this means, the renovation of its powers, which is necessary for the purposes of life. To the sensation of approaching sleep, we are naturally inclined by the periodical return of night. For with the absence of light, the usual excitements cease of that wonderful sense to which it is so admirably adapted—a sense which calls our faculties into action more frequently than any other. All those, who giving themselves to avarice or luxury, turn night into day, violate the general law of Infinite Benevolence.

It is a remarkable proof of the influence of approaching darkness on inferior creatures, that if it should anticipate night by many hours, as happens when the sun is eclipsed in the middle of the day, the birds of the field, as well as the domesticated, show the same disposition to compose themselves to sleep as at the regular period of sunset, when animals in general, but more especially birds, do so; for with the exception of those whose habits are nocturnal, all birds betake themselves with other creatures to sleep at the advance of darkness.

"The dusky holiday of thickening night

Enjoys the chuckling partridge, the still mouse,