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Show DEW.-In most parts of western Asia, little rain falls from April to September, and during this long period of drought the earth is dependent upon the dew for the scanty supply of moisture it receives. How providential that by the ordination of the all-wise Creator, dew should be most abundant precisely at that season of the year when the supply of moisture from other sources is most apt to fail. Scripture abounds in allusions to dew which, like rain, is always associated with what is good and beneficent. The "dews of Hermon" blessed the land where they fell, and the prosperity they brought passed into a proverb. When a patriarch wished to bestow his blessing, he prayed that "God might give the dews of Heaven," on the other hand, there could be no more withering curse than what was implied in their withdrawal-"Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither ice there be rain upon you." Although the quantity of water which is annually deposited as dew in this country (England) is small in comparison to the rain fall, still it is by no means inconsiderable. Dr. Dalton has estimated it at five inches, or more than twenty-two billions of tons of water. In our moist climate it is naturally of loss importance than in Syria, or Messapotamia; nevertheless it is extremely serviceable, and in Autumn more especially, the grass would often wither were it not for its daily steeping in dew. We speak of dew "drops," but dew does not really "drop" from the sky, but forms upon the surface where it is found. Yet which of us would consent to surrender an expression that has been endeared to us by familiar associations since childhood? Dew "drops" create for us the most perfect diamond gardens in the world. Well may they challenge not a lenient but a rigorous comparison with their rivals. No diamonds could be brighter, more sparkling, or play more fancifully with the rainbow colors of light. How incomparably finer too the setting! The rare and costly mineral is mostly to be seen in the warm atmosphere of crowded rooms, and like an artificial beauty, requires the most skilful hand for its display. Its brightness pales before the light of day, and needs the garish lamp to stimulate its sparkling. But the diamonds of the garden or the meadow, are perfect from Nature's hand. They are set with boundless profusion on a ground of choicest green, and no art can improve their newborn loveliness. They are to be seen only in the fresh air of the moon, and the light that suits them best is the pure light of heaven.-Child on the Denodicite. DIVING APPARATUS.-A diver engaged in submarine operations is constantly exposed to the risk of suffocation through the entangling and crushing of the tube by which the air reaches him from above. A new apparatus has been exhibited in London by means of which the diver's oxygen is always carried about his person, enabling him to breathe an hour or more without connection with the external air. An ordinary diver's suit is worn, the "air-food" being enclosed therein. Dr. B. W. Richardson is very enthusiastic over the new process, the secret of which the inventor has not yet revealed. If its claims are sustained, it certainly must prove very valuable. A WOMAN'S ART SCHOOL.-In 1874 a committee was formed in Cincinnati to promote the creditable representatives at the Centennial of the work of women. Out of this has grown the Women's Art Museum Association, which was incorporated one year ago, and occupied its present rooms for the first time in November of last year. There have been 203 pupils, of whom 10 were free scholars, and the association is reported to be doing well financially, and exerting a good influence on amateurs in Cincinnati. A young bachelor sheriff was called upon to serve an attachment against a beautiful young widow. He accordingly called upon her and said: "Madam, I have an attachment for you." The widow blushed, and said his attachment was reciprocated. "You don't understand me; you must proceed to court." "I know it is leap year, sir, but I prefer you to do the courting." "Mrs. P., this is no time for trifling, the justice is waiting." "The justice is? Why, I prefer a parson." |