EASTERN VINE.

HE Vine is a beautiful and useful fruit-bearing plant. We are told in Genesis (ch. ix. 20) that Noah "planted a vineyard," and some have supposed from this that the vine was previously unknown. This, however, is obviously an error: as Noah could not have made the vine, and we have no reason to believe that God made it expressly for him, it is more than probable that it existed before the deluge, and that from the plants which survived that catastrophe he selected those with which he planted his vineyard.

The Vine is a native of the East. "In the forests of Mingrelia and Imiretia it flourishes in all its magnificence, climbing to the tops of the highest trees, and bearing bunches of fruit of delicious flavour." In Palestine the vine has been cultivated from the earliest ages, and its grapes have been and are celebrated for their abundance and excellence. Even in the present day, its vines produce clusters to the weight of twelve pounds; the grapes are large and mostly red or black.

The Scriptures contain many references to the grapes of the Holy Land, which we recommend our readers to search out for themselves. The juice of the grape is sweet and nutritious; it is specially grateful to, and suitable for, invalids, and in warm countries is a pleasant and cooling beverage. It is a sad pity that this gift of God is so grievously abused by man in its fermented state, when taken in excess, it produces drunkenness, and it is often rendered powerfully intoxicating and greatly injurious by the addition to it of poisonous substances by wine manufacturers. We offer no objections to the eating of grapes; nor to the drinking of the juice expressed from them; but we strongly advise all our young friends to abstain from the latter-as we have long

done-after it has become fermented. It is so seductive, that there is a fearful possibility that if they begin to drink it, they will like it to excess and become drunkards. "Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright; at the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." Prov. xxiii. 31, 32.

ADAM'S ALE; OR, THE COLD WATER BOY.

BOY named Frank, who had heard a great deal said about the evil of intemperance, was passing the door of a tavern kept by a man who drew a good deal of custom by his agreeable manners, and the pleasant way he had of talking to every one. Frank was whistling a lively tune as he went by, and the landlord, who happened to be standing in the door, said to him in a joking, playful way

"Good morning, my fine fellow! Won't you step in and get something to drink ?"

Now, Frank had some fun in him as well as the landlord, whom we will call Hartley; and he replied in an off-hand kind of a way

"I don't care if I do." And he straightened himself up, and walked with an erect air, as if he were a man, into the bar-room.

"Well, Sir! what will you take ?" said the landlord, who was always ready to be pleased with any thing a little out of the common order. "A brandy punch, mint julep, sherry cobbler, or a hot whisky punch?-all capital drinks!"

There were two or three old tippling customers in the barroom, idling their time away instead of being at their work. Here was a little novelty for them, and they gathered around

the new comer, pleased as could be at the prospect of something to break in upon the dulness of the hour. If one of them even thought of the dangerous course the lad was apparently entering, it did not occur to his mind at the same time that it was his duty to warn him of his folly. All felt like having some sport out of the boy.

"Try a sherry cobbler," said one, speaking up quickly. "It's first-rate."

"No, no," said another, "nothing like hot whisky punch; try that."

And one pulled him one way, and one another; while the landlord said, with mock gravity—he was enjoying the scene wonderfully

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Come, come, Sirs! let the gentleman choose for himself. I reckon he knows what's what as well as any of you. Now, sir," addressing Frank, "which will you take ?"

Frank had not been in the least confused by all the hubbub his appearance had created; and as soon as he could get a chance to order what he wanted, said with the utmost coolness, "I'll take a glass of Adam's ale, if you please, landlord."

It was a little curious to see how the laugh began gradually to change to the "other side of the mouth" the moment Frank said this.

"Oh! Adam's ale," returned the landlord, doing his best to keep up the little farce he was acting. "Yes-very good drink that, only a little too weak." And he poured Frank out a glass of pure, sparkling water, which the lad drank off with the air of one who enjoyed it.

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'How does it taste ?" inquired one of the tipplers, thinking still to throw the laugh off upon Frank.

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'Try a little, won't you?" said the boy, with a serious face. "I am sure you'll like the taste. It makes you feel good all over, and hasn't a particle of headache or fever in it."

"Indeed! So, you're a young teetotaller," remarked Hartley.