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have been, had he let his spare moments drift carelessly away? And, though he may yet be but a simple workman, will he have not risen to a higher plane as a man?

Yet this is simply the result of well-used time, and we may all aspire to it; for we all have the right to make the most of ourselves. There is hardly a man or woman in the United States, or indeed in the whole wide world, who could not devote half an hour a day to some chosen pursuit. The man who would become an architect may learn draw ing and study architecture. The artisan who knows he has it in him to become an inventor, if he can only think out and embody in models the results of his thoughts, can devote his time to that purpose. The young girl who wishes in her future life to be a companion to her husband may train herself with that end in view. And the young mother who fears that, as her children grow up, they will look down upon her ignorance, may in this way keep along with them, if not in advance of them, as the years go on.

Most men have their evenings. To be sure, they are tired after a day of hard physical labor; yet they could take half an hour for mental work without injury. Others, who have lighter mechanical pursuits, can take an hour; while there are thousands who have nothing in the world to hinder but, want of will and purpose who could take two hours a day for reading and study.-Christian Register.

THE WILL.

Blame not the times in which we live,
Nor fortune frail and fugitive;
Blame not thy parents, nor the rule
Of vice or wrong once learned at school,
But blame thyself, O, man!

Although both heaven and earth combined
To mould thy flesh and form thy mind,
Though every thought, word, action, will,
Was framed by powers beyond thee, still
Thou art thyself, O, man!
And self to take or leave is free,
Feeling its own sufficiency;
In spite of science, spite of fate,
The judge within thee, soon or late,
Will blame but thee, O, man!

Say not, "I would, but could not. He
Should bear the blame who fashioned me
Call your mere change of motive choice?"
Scorning such pleas, the inner voice

Cries, "Thine the deed, O, man!"

JOHN ADDINGTON SYMONDS.

EGYPTIAN CONSCRIPTION.

A corsespondent of the London Morning Post thus describes how new recruits are ob

tained for the Egyptian army:

"Assiour, Upper Egypt, Jan. 21, 1883. "On my arrival at Benisouef I was astonished to see the station platform crowded with shrieking women twirling handkerchiefs in token of mourning. I thought that a funeral was taking place, the shrill cries betokening some such ceremony. The scene was one to attract attention. Ten or twelve men, their heads bowed low in despair, surrounded by weeping friends, were led like dogs, an iron collar round each man's neck, and hustled by armed soldiers into the railway car. Soon the train started again on its way, and the crowd of shrieking women, tearing their hair and bespattering themselves with mud, followed as long as they could keep up, frantically calling to their departing friends. I took it for granted that the chained men were criminals, and I leant back in my carriage and moralised on the terrible trouble and grief criminals caused their friends.

“In due time the train arrived at Bibbe, and as it moved into the station, I was surprised to hear similar shrieks and cries to those I had heard and left behind at Benisouef. I looked out and saw more chained men, and again occurred the same scene, strong men weeping, while women clung round them, frantic in their despair. This time I called a boy who was on the platform and asked him who the chained men were, and what they had done. Imagine my astonishment when he told me that they were the new soldiers. 'What new soldiers?" I asked. 'For the Effendina' was the reply. These unhappy men then were being dragged from their homes, and in most cases, from their wives and families, for the fellah marries young, to serve in the army in a country where no army is necessary, but where every available hand is required for the cultivation of the land. This iniquity of dragging men from their homes is being carried out under the direction of Englishmen, for virtually Englishmen control everything for the moment. The name of Sir Evelyn Wood, as head of the Egyptian army, will be held in terror by the peasantry of Upper Egypt, and the British name, which ought to be, and until recently has been, held in veneration and esteem by the mass of the

BUILD thee more stately mansions, O my soul, Egyptians, will become a curse among the

As the swift seasons roll!

Leave thy low-vaulted past!

Let each new temple, nobler than the last,
Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast,
Till thou at length art free,
Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unrest-
ing sea.

HOLMES.

people whom we have undertaken to benefit. At all the stations along the Upper Egypt line, as far as Assiout, the same scenes were repeated causing the unhappy villagers an amount of woe and desperation which in any other country would drive them to revolt against their

Whoever has visited Egypt and spent some

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The problem for Christian statesmen should be, the furtherance of such measures as shall tend to the triumph of the policy of the Prince of Peace, and the coming of the time when swords shall be beaten into plowshares, and spears into pruning hooks.

NATURAL HISTORY STUDIES.

oppressors. At the present time England, | ants, whose only crime was that they loved being in occupation of the country, and re- home better than soldiering. Who is there sponsible for order, tacitly countenances these who would not pity them?" abuses, and is therefore numbered by the fellaheen among their oppressors. This is ex-months in tranquil observation on its grand actly what the native official class desire. arterial river, can bear witness that this acEngland acknowledged by the native peasan- count is probably not in the least exaggerated. try as a protector and benefactor would not It is merely a continuation of existing "timesuit the mudirs, moufettishes, and large official honored usage, and without doubt an enclass who have for years lived on and trance into military life is so repugnant to the oppressed the unhappy peasants. It is evi- inclination of the poor fellaheen, that any dently the intention of those officials to en- more merciful plan would scarcely be effective. deavor to make the English supervision as unpopular as possible, and I am convinced from what I have seen, and from inquiries that I have made, that no pains will be spared to bring this about. The action of Sir Garnet Wolseley in disbanding the rebel army, after Tell-el-Kebir, was thought at the time to be wise and was approved of at home, but England now runs considerable risk of stultifying herself by calling into being a new army conscripted from the same material and by the same system, with all its iniquities and abuses. These abuses were the primary cause which led to the late revolt. The abuses still exist. What guarantee is there that the same result will not follow? We may be answered that English officers will be in command, but can any sane man believe that a few Englishmen, however zealous and able, can make men contented and happy who have been dragged from their homes in chains, or make work utterly foreign to their nature acceptable to them? Soldiering is not the métier of the fellah, and the breaking of his home ties does more to demoralize him than any other form of oppression could do. Ahmet and Hassan are as a rule exceedingly fond of home and of wife and children, and to drag them off from those dear to them is a most refined form of cruelty. To force men to be soldiers against their will is a work in which England, of all countries in the world, cannot meddle without soiling her hands. By all means let Egypt have an army, if necessary, but in the name of everything humane, stop the cruelties which are inseparable from the present system of recruiting.

British blood has boiled at the enormities of the slave trade, and England has done much to diminish that trade, with its horrors. I cannot but wish that some of those humane people who take interest in the negro, had been with me in the train between Cairo and Assiout on January 19. The chained men with iron collars around their necks, the weeping women shrieking in their despair at parting from their dear ones, the armed soldiers in charge, would, I am sure, have excited compassion and indignation, coupled with a desire to succor these helpless peas

The Speed of the Wing.-A writer in Fraser's Magazine says: "The speed at which some wings are driven is enormous. It is occasionally so great as to emit a drumming sound. To this source the buzz of the fly, the drone of the bee, and the boom of the beetle are to be referred. When a grouse, partridge, or pheasant suddenly springs into the air, the sound produced by the whirring of its wings greatly resembles that produced by the contact of steel with the rapidly revolving stone of the knife-grinder. It has been estimated that the common fly moves its wings three hundred and eighty times per second, i. e., nineteen thousand eight hundred times per minute,-and that the butterfly moves its wings nine times per second, or five hundred and forty times per minute. These movements represent an incredibly high rate of speed even at the roots of the wings, but the speed is enormously increased at the tips of the wings, from the fact that the tips rotate upon the roots as centres. In reality, and as it has been already indicated, the speed at the tips of the wings increases in proportion as the tips are removed from the axis of rotation, and in proportion as wings are long. This is explained on the principle well understood in mechanics. If a rod or wing hinged at one point be made to vibrate, the free end of the rod or wing always passes through a very much greater space in a given time than the part nearer to the root of the wing. The progressive increase in the spread of the wings, in proportion as the wings become larger, explains why the wings of bats and birds are not driven at the extravagant speed of insect wings, and how the large and long wings of large bats and birds are driven more leisurely than the small and short wings of small bats and birds. That the wing is driven more

slowly in proportion to its length is proved by experiment, and by observing the flight of large and small birds of the same genius. Thus, large gulls flap their wings much more slowly than small gulls; the configuration and relative size of the wings to the body being the same in both. This is a hopeful feature in the construction of flying machines, as there can be no doubt that comparatively very slow movements will suffice for driving the long, powerful wings required to elevate and propel flying machines. The speed of the wing is partly regulated by its amplitude. Thus, if the wing be broad as well as long, the beats are necessarily reduced in frequency. This is especially true of the heron, which is one of the most picturesque and at the same time one of the slowest-flying birds we have. I have timed the heron on several occasions, and find that in ordinary flights its wings make exactly sixty up strokes and sixty down strokes,—that is, one hundred and twenty beats per minute. In the pterodactyl, the great extinct saurian, the wing was enormously elongated, and in this particular instance probably from fifty to sixty beats of the wing per minute sufficed for flight. Fifty or sixty pulsations of the wing per minute do not involve much wear and tear of the working parts; and I am strongly of opinion that artificial flight, if once achieved, will become a comparatively safe means of locomotion, as far as the machinery required is concerned.

ITEMS.

corner of the State, to the mouth of the Suwafor the greater part of the distance it will folnee river, a distance of about 160 miles. But for the greater part of the distance it will follow the natural water-courses. It is proposed to make it 20 feet deep and 100 feet wide, and to construct it at the ocean level, without locks.

THE recent cyclone has carried destruction along the track in the Mississippi Valley, so severely afflicted with yellow fever and devastated by floods. The total number of deaths caused by the tornado at Wesson and Beauregard, Mississippi, is 46 thus far. As showing the force of the storm, it is asserted that solid iron screw of a cotton press, weighing 675 pounds, was carried by the cyclone 300 yards." and 10 feet long, was driven through a red oak Also, that a piece of scantling, 3 by 4 inches sapling."

a

STRAW TIMBER.—A substitute for wood is now made from compressed straw, flax, hemp, or any other fiber which will work into a pulp. The pulp is rolled into thin sheets, which are cemented together by a waterproof glue, then pressed into a solid. The boards can be sawn, planed, and polished like ordinary wood, and are now made into counter and table tops, doors, and ornamental frames. They sell at one-half the price of the finer pines and walnuts. The artificial timber is practically fireproof and waterproof, having been manufacsixtyred under 500 degrees of heat, and boiled without any apparent change of structure. Its tensile strength is greater than that of oak or walnut, and it weighs more than walnut when dry. A ton of straw produces about 1,000 square feet of boarding.-American Artisan.

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THE making of sassafras oil is now a leading industry in many parts of Virginia. The raw root costs $1.50 for 1,000 pounds.

PROFESSOR TREADWELL, of Massachusetts, found that a half-grown American robin in confinement ate in one day sixty-eight worms, weighing together one and a half as much as the bird himself, and another had previously starved upon a daily allowanee of eight or ten worms, or about twenty per cent. of its own weight.

A TELEGRAM has been received in Chicago announcing the shipment from London of seventeen cases of exhibits, including the first railway engine built by George Stephenson, for the railway exhibition, which is to open in Chicago on May 24th. The exhibition "buildings cover five acres of ground. An electric railway will be among the novelties.

THE eleventh annual meeting of the Zoological Society was held yesterday. During the year the visitors numbered 252,866. The average daily receipts from admissions were $128.10, and the total $46,758.32. The total income was $50,162.85, and expenditures $42,714.52. During the year 423 living specimens were added to the collection. Officers were elected.

ANOTHER great feat of engineering is proposed in a ship canal across Florida. It is to run from near Fernandina, at the northeastern

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THE discovery of building stone at Albany, Oregon, upon which the action of neither heat, cold nor moisture has any bad effect, is one of the most important events that has ever occurred in the territory. The stone is called granite sandstone, very rich in silica, of a close, fine grain, highly crystallized, unlaminated, and of a fine brown color. It has been used in this locality for many years, for fireplaces, doors and window-sills, and for monumental work. It has lately been put to some very severe tests with a view of using it for the building of the great union depot at Portland, Oregon. It was brought to a white heat, and suddenly plunged into cold water, and came out as solid and firm as before it went into the furnace.

NOTICES.

School General Conference will meet at the
The Executive Committee of the First-day
Philadelphia, Fifth mo. 12th, 1883, at 73 P. M.
meeting-house, Fifteenth and Race streets,
A full attendance of the Committee is desired.

JOSEPH A. BOGARDUS, Clerk.

The Quarterly Meeting's Committee have appointed a meeting, to be held at Haverford, on First-day, Fifth mo. 6th, 1883, at 3 P. M.

Cars leave Broad and Market at 1 P. M., for Wynnewood Station, about a mile distant.

FAIR HILL MEETING.

First-day Fifth mo. 6th, at 3 P. M., at house of Eliza P. Kirk, 2835 N. Eleventh street.

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FRIENDS' INTELLIGENCER.

"TAKE FAST HOLD OF INSTRUCTION; LET HER NOT GO; KEEP HER; FOR SHE IS THY LIFE.

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When Samuel Bownas felt himself "clear of Long Island," he took counsel with the elders in regard to his future work. In a | tender, fatherly way, they inquired into his wants. He told them that he had, by his shoemaking while in prison, earned sufficient money to supply all his necessities, and he only wanted a travelling companion to go with him through the eastern part of New England. Several offered to accompany him, but Samnel Bowne, having had a concern to make the same journey, was chosen, and arrangements were speedily made for them to set out on horseback, as the narrative would imply.

It was now midwinter and the cold intense; all the rivers of the Connecticut colony were crossed on the ice, and for nearly two hundred miles they travelled through a region inhabited mostly by strict Presbyterians, who "counted it a crime to be at a Quaker meeting, especially on a Sabbath-day." But coming into Narraganset they were among Friends again, and began to hold meetings. At Rhode Island they attended the marriage of a daughter of a man of rank in the colony, at which they were introduced to many of the chief officials. It was an occasion of considerable note, yet Samuel writes, they had "a precious, living time." The Governor, who

Woman as an Inventor.

Natural History Studies....

Items... Notices....

was present, "was very kind, and inquired of Samuel about his imprisonment." They found Friends very numerous in Rhode Island.

"Fear

From there they passed directly to the settlements of Friends at Hampton and Dover, in the New Hampshire colony, where a few meetings were held. At Dover Samuel Bownas was quite "shut up." The same was his condition at the next meeting held a few miles from there. His companion spoke of it, and said, "What dost thou think these people will say, that we should come so far to appoint meetings among them, and have nothing to say." "It just then livingly came into my mind," writes Samuel, to reply. not, have faith, nothing doubting, but we shall have enough to say before we leave them;" and indeed it was so. At the next meeting the number present was so large that the house, though of good size, could not contain all the people. Many came bearing firearms, it being a time of war with the Indians, and all who were not Friends went everywhere equipped for military service. After sitting a long time in silence Samuel began to go over in his mind the former meetings in which he had kept quiet; and finding no "cause of uneasiness," he came to the conclusion that he was but the Lord's servant,” and could of himself." do nothing," so craving patience, he settled down, diligently waiting for divine direction.

Just here we get the key-note to the true

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condition of waiting. There must be diligence in times of quiet as well as in seasons of activity, diligence lest the quiet leads to inattention and indifference. It is of such waiting that the Psalmist wrote, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."

While Samuel turned these thoughts over in his mind, the word came with power and life, and rising, he said, "The Lord's time is the best time, and let us not grow uneasy to wait for it; for when He opens none can shut, and when He shuts none can open." Great tenderness was manifested by the people, and they had a "glorious meeting." The distress occasioned by the war had brought the colony into a low, humble condition, and the simple truths expounded by Samuel had "a very great reach" upon his hearers.

As soon as the meeting closed he found "an uncommon and weighty concern" laid upon him to call the ministers of his own Society together, which they very readily complied with. They were a handsome number," but not all thoroughly baptized into the work."

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Samuel and his companion had suitable service among them, and were enabled to see clearly why they had been so "shut up." They found that some of the ministers had run into the extreme" of preaching and praying, at length, not only in public meeting, but at the table, and elsewhere, which caused great uneasiness to some sensible Friends among them, who were not able to do any thing to correct it until after this opportunity. Those who had fallen into such ways saw the wrong they had done, and how it was "leading them into ranterism," and a spirit of opposition against the good order of Friends, and were restored to confidence and

usefulness.

Having performed this service to the satisfaction and encouragement of all, and held a few other meetings, our travellers returned to Rhode Island in time to attend a Yearly Meeting, and from thence went by sea to the islands along the coast. At Nantucket they found the people who were not Friends, mostly Baptists, moderate and tolerant in their views, and willing to attend the meetings appointed for Samuel.

On one occasion some objections were raised in regard to prayer, the minister charging that "Friends did not offer prayer to God in the name of Christ, but in their own names. To this Samuel Bownas replied, "We look upon it to be our duty to pray to God in Christ's name, and as his name is understood to be his power, we dare not presume to pray to the Father, but as the wisdom and power of Christ give us utterance." The answer was

acknowledged to be "a gospel truth in its primitive purity."

Samuel and his companion now separated, the latter returning home, and Samuel going eastward over the same ground he had previously visited, and attending all the meetings. Where he had sat in silence before, he now had good and acceptable service. When "clear of those parts" he returned again holding meetings at places where none had before been held. Among these was Newberry, a man who resided there and had lately been convinced, was very anxious to have a meeting at his house, but when the hour arrived his wife would not allow the Friends to enter, keeping the door locked. The man was a shipwright, and the place where he worked being large, was soon got ready, and the few Friends who were there attempted to hold a meeting. In a little time the house was full, many preachers of the town being present.

After sitting a short time a young woman arose to speak, but the people were so rude that she sat down in much confusion. Then Lydia Norton, who is represented as having a strong voice and an excellent gift, stood up, but without avail; the people grew worse and worse in their behavior. After her a young man, who, before his convincement had been a companion with the gayer sort in their pleasures, endeavored to speak, but they were ruder to him than they had been to the women. By this time a large concourse of uel's mind to stand up with his Bible in his people had gathered, and it came into Samhand. The noise continued until some of them observed the book, and began to urge the others to be quiet, offering as a reason that he "had the Word of God" in his hand. In a little time "all was quiet and still," and Samuel began to speak, first calling attention to the rudeness of their behavior, which he said surpassed anything he had ever before experienced, though he had been so great a traveller. He then went on to say "that religion without righteousness was useless, and could not profit those who professed it, proving what he said on the subject, by reference to the Bible he held. Some of the audience doubted his quotations, upon which he gave chapter and verse, and asked those who had Bibles with them to examine for themselves, who did so, and acknowledged he had quoted correctly.

In giving the details of this peculiar, and in many respects deeply interesting occasion, Samuel continues, "then I went on with my opening, carefully minding my guide," and the meeting ended well. Much tenderness was manifested among the people, and he felt comforted, and thankful that they "got over that day's work so well."

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