166 FALL OF THE LEAF. nity in his condescension; it does not sink, but exalt his reputation and character. A man of inferior rank, that knows himself, knows to be content, quiet, and thankful in his lower sphere. As he has not an extravagant veneration and esteem for those external things which raise one man's circumstances so much above another's, so he does not look upon himself as the worse or less valuable man, purely because he has them not; much less does he envy them that have them. As he has not their advantages, so neither has he their temptations. He is in that state of life which the great Arbiter and Disposer of all things hath allotted him, and he is satisfied. But as a deference is owing to external superiority, he knows how to pay a proper respect to those that are above him, without that abject and servile cringing that discovers an inordinate esteem for their condition. As he does not overesteem them for their little accidental advantages in which they excel him, so neither does he overvalue himself for those things in which he excels others. FALL OF THE LEAF.. SEE the leaves around us falling, "Sons of Adam! (once in Eden, Virgins! much, too much presuming. Griping misers! nightly waking, APPEARANCES OF NATURE IN SEPTEMBER. 167 Fled on wings of our own making, We have left our owners bare. Sons of honour! fed on praises, Brings us down to parent earth. Youths! though yet no losses grieve you, Venerable sires! grown hoary, Yearly in our course returning, On the tree of Life Eternal, Man, let all thy hopes be staid; Which alone, for ever vernal, Bears a leaf that shall not fade." APPEARANCES OF NATURE IN SEPTEMBER. Now soften'd suns a mellow lustre shed, The laden orchards glow with tempting red; And with the sportsman's war the new shorn-fields resound! THIS is in general a very agreeable month, the distinguishing softness and serenity of autumn with its deep blue skies prevailing through great part of it. The days are now very sensibly shortened; and the mornings and evenings are chill and damp, though 168 FABLE OF THE BEARS AND THE BEES. the warmth is still considerable in the middle of the day. This variation of temperature is one cause why autumn is an unhealthy time, especially in the warmer climates, and in moist situations. The labours of the husbandman have but a very short intermission; for, no sooner is the harvest gathered in, than the fields are again ploughed up and prepared for the winter corn, rye and wheat, which are sown during this month and the next. Not only the swallow-tribe, but many other small birds which feed on insects, disappear on the approach of cold weather, when the insects themselves are no longer to be met with. On the other hand, some birds arrive at this season from still more northerly countries to spend the winter with us. The fieldfare and red-wing, whose departure was mentioned in March, return about the end of September. They feed chiefly on the berries with which our woods and hedges are plentifully stored all the winter. The most useful fruit this country affords, the apple, successively ripens, according to its different kinds, from July to September or October; but the principal harvest of them is about the close of this month. They are now gathered for our English vintage, the cyder-making, which in some counties is a busy and important employment. Pears, treated in the same manner, yield a vinous liquor called perry. These are the common drinks in the counties where they are chiefly made. The autumnal equinox, when day and night are again equal over the whole globe, happens about the 23d of September. This, as well as the vernal, is generally attended with storms, which throw down much of the fruit yet remaining on the trees. FABLE OF THE BEARS AND THE BEES. As two young bears, in wanton mood, THE ISLE OF PATMOS. O'erjoy'd they seiz'd, with eager haste, Alarm'd at this, the little crew 169 THE ISLE OF PATMOS. It is not possible for any power of language, adequately to describe the appearance presented, at the rising or setting of the sun, in the Ægean Sea. Whether in dim perspective, or amidst hues of liveliest purple, the isles and continents of Greece present their varied features, nor pen nor pencil can pourtray the scenery. Whatsoever, in the warmest fancies of my youth, imagination had represented of this gifted country, was afterwards not only realized but surpassed. Let the reader picture to his conception, an evening sun behind the towering cliffs of Patmos, gilding the battlements of the Monastery of the Apocalypse with its parting rays; the consecrated island surrounded by inexpressible brightness, seeming to float upon an abyss of fire; while the moon, in milder splendour, is rising full over the opposite expanse. Such a scene we actually witnessed, with feelings naturally excited by all I 170 THE MARTYRDOM OF ABDALLAH. the circumstances of local solemnity; for such, indeed, might have been the face of nature, when the inspiration of an apostle, kindling in its contemplation, uttered the alleluias of that mighty voice, telling of “ salvation, and glory, and honour, and power." THE MARTYRDOM OF ABDALLAH. ABDALLAH and Sabat were intimate friends, and be ing young men of family in Arabia, they agreed to travel together, and to visit foreign countries. They were both zealous Mahometans. Sabat is son of IbrahimSabat, and a noble family of the line of Beni-Sabat, who trace their pedigree to Mahomet. The two friends left Arabia, after paying their adorations at the tomb of their prophet at Mecca, and travelled through Persia, and thence to Cabul. Abdallah was appointed to an office of state under Zeman Shah, King of Cabul; and Sabat left him there, and proceeded on a tour through Tartary. While Abdallah remained at Cabul, he was converted to the Christian faith by the perusal of a Bible, belonging (as is supposed) to a Christian from Armenia, then residing at Cabul. In the Mahometan states it is death for a man of rank to become a Christian. Abdallah endeavoured for a time to con ceal his conversion, but finding it no longer possible, he determined to flee to some of the Christian churches near the Caspian Sea. He accordingly left Cabul in disguise, and had gained the great city of Bochara in Tartary, when he was met in the streets of that city by his friend Sabat, who immediately recognized him.. Sabat had heard of his conversion and flight, and was filled with indignation at his conduct. Abdallah knew his danger, and threw himself at the feet of Sabat. He confessed that he was a Christian, and implored him, by the sacred tie of their former friendship, to let him escape with his life. "But, Sir, (said Sabat, when relating the story himself) I had no pity. I caused my servants to seize him, and I delivered him up to Morad Shaw, King of Bochara, He was sentenced to die, |