Carmel is a small chain of hills about two thousand feet high. It forms one of the most remarkable promontories on the shores of the Mediterranean, having the plain of Sharon on the south, and the port of Ptolemais on the north. Its surface is beautifully diversified, being in some places wild and rocky, and in others extremely fertile. Frequent allusions are made in scripture to the forests and pastures of Carmel, and there are still traces of extensive plantations of vines, and olive trees, but like most other parts of the Holy Land, these hills are now neglected and desolate. Carmel is celebrated in the Old Testament as having been the usual residence of the Prophets Elijah and Elisha. It was on Mount Carmel that Elijah so successfully opposed the prophets of Baal, 1 Kings xviii. King Solomon correctly describes the different form and aspect of these mountains when he compares manly dignity with Lebanon, and female beauty with Carmel.

Tabor is a high hill at the extremity of the plain of Esdraelon; its sides are rugged and precipitous, but clothed with trees and brushwood. Its summit is nearly covered with the ruins of a fortress, without one solitary tenant, and entirely destitute of the slightest indication of cultivation. The prospect from this mountain is one of the finest in Palestine, presenting a view of the plains of Galilee, with the Mediterranean in the distance, Lebanon, the Sea of Tiberias, Gilboa, and other scenes of historical interest.

Of the rivers of Palestine, Jordan is the most remarkable; its name signifies the Descending River, or the Spring of Dan. This river rises in the mountains of Lebanon, about twelve miles north of Cesarea Philippi. After it has run twelve miles south, it receives a more considerable branch which proceeds through a subterraneous course from the lake Phiala. About fifteen miles further south it forms the waters of Merom; after running twenty-eight miles still

further south, it forms the Lake Genesareth, from thence it runs southward through a long valley, most of which is desert and the air unwholesome, till it loses itself in the Dead or Salt Sea. Jordan formerly overflowed its banks in March or April, from the thawing of the snow on the mountains of Lebanon and Hermon; this, however, it has long ceased to do; most probably from the current having deepened its channel in the course of ages. It has outer and inner banks about a furlong apart, a great portion of which are covered with thickets, and were formerly infested with lions and other beasts of prey that were ejected thence by the overflowing of the river. The other rivers of Palestine, though swollen and rapid during the rainy season, are generally dry in summer, which accounts for their being sometimes called in scripture rivers, and at other times brooks.

The most renowned lakes of the Holy Land are the lakes of Sodom and Genesareth; the former is also called the Dead or Salt Sea, and the Lake Asphaltites. It was formed by the destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah, and the other cities of the plain. Monsieur Chateaubriand says, "It appears brilliant, but its solitary abysses cannot afford nourishment to any living creature; never did vessel cut its waters; its shores are without birds, without trees, without verdure; and its waters excessively bitter, and so heavy, that the most impetuous winds can scarcely ruffle their surface." Josephus, who measured it, asserts that its length is seventy miles, and its breadth nineteen. It forms the south-eastern border of Canaan, which it formerly separated from the country of the Moabites.

The lake of Genesareth, called also in scripture the Sea of Chinnereth, Galilee, and Tiberias, is a confluence of waters in the north of Palestine, through which the river Jordan flows. It is about fourteen miles long, and five and a half in width, and is

remarkable for the sweetness, coolness, and excellency of its waters, which now, as in the days of the Saviour, abound with a rich variety of fish, many of them differing in species from any with which we are acquainted, but not a boat or a fisherman is to be seen throughout its vast expanse, forming a striking contrast to its animation in ancient times. the Land of Palestine

"Those holy fields,

Over whose acres walk'd those blessed feet,
Which eighteen hundred years ago were nail'd,
For our advantage, to the bitter cross."

Such is

FLOWERS AND FRUITS.

JULY-warm sunshiny July, is the time for flowers and fruits. What a beautiful scene does our land now present! Few countries can equal the British Islands for beauty when dressed in their summer array. The green fields of grass and corn are divided by neat thorn hedges and trees of various foliage; whilst the cottages, and flower gardens, and orchards stand here and there to enrich the scene, like gems in a crown of gold. This is why foreigners are so delighted with its appearance, and say that our country is like one great garden.

Now the fruits begin to ripen-the cherries, and currants, and berries, and apples, and pears, and plums, and many other fruits that young people are very fond of. And they are all good-that is if they are not taken in excess. They are all good, like every creature of God which he has made for our use and enjoyment; but it is possible to turn a good into an evil by abusing it. We should learn to use all good things in moderation. That is the way to enjoy them. Some are so greedy-like a boy who will eat spicecake till he is sick-that they do not enjoy good things, but by their greediness turn them into an evil. Take care then to eat the fruits of summer in moderation.

Another thing, for we must be always trying to do your mind good, as well as tell you how to go on in other things, remember when eating fruits, that it was by taking of the fruit of a tree that the first Father and Mother of our race were turned out of the beautiful garden of Eden. By this sad act of disobedience they brought sorrow and pain, and sin and death, into this world. Thanks be unto God, our Heavenly Father, that he has sent Jesus Christ to save us from our sins; and now all who believe in him, will be permitted to enter a Heavenly Paradise, where they will pluck immortal fruit from the tree of life, and eat and live for ever!

THE SUMMER'S EVE.

'Twas fair Summer time, at the close of the day,
When all nature was calm and serene ;
The beautiful tints of the Sun's parting ray,
Faintly gilded the spots on the green.

No sigh now escap'd through the large shady trees,
Nor a whispering murmur arose ;

Retir'd was the storm, and hush'd was the breeze,
In the bosom of sweetest repose.

On the hard rocky seat, that stood at my door,
With composure I sat myself down ;

And gaz'd with delight o'er the wide spreading moor,
At the works of creation around.

I sat till the owl from his covert had fled,
And the bat had expanded her wing;
Secure in a bush, near the verge of my shed,
Did the Nightingale charmingly sing.

My soul was enrap'd with the beautiful scene,
'Till the Sun had far gone to the west;
And Cynthia so fair had silvered her beam,
Ere I rose to retire to my rest.

Then low on my knees, I with gratitude strove,
To engage in the duty of prayer;

And committed myself to the God of all love,
To preserve and conduct me with care.

With the thoughts of my God, I laid myself down, While his mercies did cause me to weep;

'Till my eyelids were clos'd, and my powers fast bound, In the soft downy fetters of sleep.

"EVERLASTING SPRING."

SCENES far more noble and sublime,
Await our souls beyond the skies,`
A paradise, whose genial clime,

Unwithering flowers and fruits supplies:
In that blest land no change is known,
Nor chilling winds, nor winter storms,
But Spring, in a perpetual bloom,
Displays its rich unfading forms.

Newport, Isle of Wight.

H. C.