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one of the most gallant of the males immediately takes her under his protection. It seldom happens, however, that he is not obliged to sustain his right by one or more serious combats with his rivals. While the males are fighting in a most desperate man. ner, the object of their bloody feud sits calmly looking on, contemplating the fray with apparent delight, and no little self-complacency. I have some reason to believe that the same feeling has been evinced by females of a higher species; but, on this head, I do not presume to speak positively. The seal battle I have seen, and studied the countenance of their object,-who voluntarily yields herself to the conqueror as soon as the contest is decided, at the same time casting a look of ineffable contempt upon his vanquished rival.

The proud victor now conducts his lovely prize from the late scene of contention up to the rookery prepared for her accommodation, and this he does with a courtesy and tenderness of manners from which some husbands might derive a useful lesson.At almost every step he politely bows or nods to his new bride, and frequently touches her lips with his own.

When the female has selected her lodgings, and becomes settled in the rookery, her partner is unremitting in his cares to afford her protection, and render her situation comfortable; nor does she evince the slightest indications of jealousy while he is showing the same polite attention to a dozen other wives! Here, I believe, my former comparison does not exactly hold good. By the last of December all the females have accomplished the purpose for which they came on shore. In this process, however, they evidently endure a great deal of pain, and the males appear to be much affected by their sufferings,—redoubling their affectionate attentions. and adopting various expedients to relieve their distress.

The sense of smell, as well as that of hearing, in these animals, is remarkably acute; and, for sagacity, they are not a whit inferior to the dog. This latter quality, however, is more strikingly exhibited in their natural element than on land.

As a proof of their docility, I may mention, that I have taken two young pups, of two or three weeks old, taught them to feed, and kept them with me as pets, for two or three months, in which time they became so tame that they would eat out of my hand,-expressing for me a great degree of fondness and affection, and soliciting my caresses in the bleating voice of a young lamb. I should have probably had them to this day, but some of the crew-whose enmity I had incurred by a proper adherence to nautical discipline-found occasion to destroy them both.

The fur-seal may be known from the hair-seal by its being of a much smaller size; their noses are also smaller. and much more pointed. In swimming, likewise, they have a sort of jumping motion, not much unlike that of the porpoise, frequently springing six or eight feet clear of the water, which is a feat the hair-seals never perform, except when excessively frightened, and even then seldom succeed in throwing their bodies clear of the water.

When these animals are, for the first time, visited by man, they evince no more apprehension of danger from their new guests than did the natives of San Salvador when first visited by the Spaniards, and the confidence of the poor seals is requited in the same manner that theirs was-by robbery and murder !-in fact, they will lie still while their companions are slaughtered and skinned. But they soon become acquainted with the barbarous character of their invaders-withdraw their ill-placed confidence, and avoid the fatal intimacy. They now acquire habits of distrust and caution, and devise ways and means for counteracting human stratagem and treachery. The select more solitary retreats-on the top of rocks, beneath high projecting cliffs, from which they can precipitate themselves into the water they moment they perceive the approach of their harsh enemy.

While encamped in their rookeries, three or four sentinels are always posted to keep a look out while the others sleep, and the moment a boat makes its appearancethough it be a mile from the shore-these faithful watchmen promptly give the alarm, when in an instant the whole rookery is in motion. Every one makes for the surf with all possible expedition, so that by the time the boat reaches the shore they will nearly all be in the water, with the exception of a few females that have pups or young ones to take care of;-these will remain to defend and protect their charge until the last

moment; when, if hard pushed, they will seize their pups by the back of the neck with their teeth, and dive into the surf, where they are obliged to hold the heads of the pups above water to prevent suffocation.

The males, many of them will also stand their ground, and fight very hard for the young seals; often they perish in the noble cause. In different voyages to these seas, I have had more than fifty seamen, very severely bitten in some of these contests; yet it seldom happens that a man gets bitten who is not afraid of them, but the moment they perceive the slighest symptoms of fear or cowardice in their enemy they begin to follow him up very close. When excited, their motions are very quick-like the flash of a gun on touching the match ;-hence the name of clap-match which sailors apply to the female. In retreat or pursuit their speed is nearly equal to that of a man, and much swifter on the rocks than could be anticipated from their appearances.

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THE CONJUGATING DUTCHMAN.

Two English gentlemen once stepped into a coffee-house in Paris, where they observed a tall, odd-looking man, who appeared not to be a native, sitting at one of the tables, and looking around him with the most stone-like, sober, gravity of countenance upon every object. Soon after the Englishmen entered, one of them told the other that a celebrated dwarf had arrived at Paris. At this the grave-looking person. age above mentioned opened his mouth, and spoke, "I arrive," said he, "thou arrivest, he arrives, we arrive, they arrive." The Englishman, whose remark seemed to have suggested this mysterious speech, stepped up to the stranger and asked, “Did you speak to me, Sir?" "I speak," replied the stranger, "thou speakest, he speaks, we speak, they speak." "How is this," said the Englishman, "Do you mean to insult me? The other replied, "I insult, thou insultest, he insults, we insult, you insult, they insult." "This is too much," said the Englishman, "I will have satisfaction; if you have any spirit with your rudeness, come along with me." To this defiance the imperturbable stranger replied, "I come, thou comest, he comes, we come, you come, they come ;" and hereupon he rose with great coolness, and followed his challenger. In these days, when every gentlemen wore a sword, duels were speedily dispatched. They went into a neighbouring alley and the Englishman, un

sheathing his weapon, said to his antagonist, "Now, Sir, you must fight me." "I fight," replied the other, drawing his sword, "thou fightest, he fights, we fight," here he made a thrust-"you fight, they fight," and here he disarmed his adversary. "Well," said the Englishman, " you have the best of it, and I hope you are satisfied." "I am satisfied," said the original, sheathing his sword, "thou art satisfied, he is satisfied, we are satisfied, you are satisfied, they are satisfied." "I am glad every one is satisfied," said the Englishman, "but pray leave off quizzing me in this strange manner, and tell me what is your object, if you have any, in doing so.”The grave gentleman now, for the first time became intelligible. "I am a Dutchman," said he, "and am learning your language; and I find it very difficult to remember the peculiarities of the verbs, and my tutor has advised me, in order to fix them in my mind, to conjugate every English verb that I hear spoken. This I have made it a rule to do. I don't like to have my plans broken in upon while they are in operation, or I should have told you this before." The Englishmen laughed heartily at this explanation, and invited the conjugating Dutchman to dine with them. "I will dine," said he, thou wilt dine, he will dine, we will dine, you will dine, they will dine, we will all dine together." This they accordingly did; and it was difficult to say whether the Dutchman ate or conjugated with most perseverance.

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LINES TO P. V. EDWARD GREENHOW AND HIS LADY,
On their return to Kendal, from their Marriage Tour,
Married February 12th, 1835.

WELCOME hither, hopeful couple,
Wreaths of virtue bind your brow,
Hearts entwin'd in love's sweet fetter,
Be your lot whilst here below.

Ah! how sweet when true affection

From each other's heart falls free ; When the mind is not restricted,

But melts in social sympathy.

Whose cares are only to impart,
Fresh pleasures to each other's mind;
Unfeign'd, free from art and guile,

To probity alone confined.

These are joys no man or woman
Ever feels without a friend;
All but these are fleeting transients,
These unchanging without end.

If to you an offspring's granted,

In their tender minds implant Seeds of goodness which shall ripen, Soothing kindness and content.

Powerful precepts, bright examples,

Nurse those tender plants divine; That their lives may be your comfort, When to age you both recline.

Such an offspring smiling round,

Then your mutual joys are blest;
Paying and repaying kindness,

Hearts of bliss may speak the rest.

Guard against the poisonous sting

Of jealousy, with hateful barb,
Which all earthly joys supplant,

And add to sin woe's gloomy garb.

Guard against the seeds of anger,

That destroy connubial peace; Nourish virtue's purest blossom, Which will your happiness increase.

Days of pleasure here are transient,
Dearly ransomed earthly joy;
Seek a treasure which is lasting,
Heavenly blessings never cloy.

A. M. J.

(IMPROMPTU).

JEHOVAH, maker of us all,
Support this Feeble Frame,
That I may sing and pray to Thee,
And bless thy Holy Name.
Manchester, February, 1836.

Let all my Thoughts be bent on Thee,
Whilst here I reign below,

Yea, may they soar unto thy Throne,
Where every Knee must bow.

CHARLES BLACKBURN.

TO THE EDITOR AND COMMITTEE OF THE O. Fs.' MAGAZINE.

GENTLEMEN,

If you think the following remarks on the Widow and Orphans' Fund, worthy your notice, you will much oblige me by inserting them in the next number of the Magazine:

I believe most men have one or more talents, and as it is my lot to have one only, I have an undoubted right to exercise that talent which God has given me. Since the year 1830, I have been a constant reader of your Magazine, but I confess, (to my shame be it spoken) that I have not been a subscriber individually. I am aware that I have not done my duty, but, if God spares me, I will, by his help, work over-time to make up the lost. The object shall have my utmost support-the utility of it needs no comment and I have not the least doubt but it will be supported by all who have the sacred cause of Odd Fellowship at heart. It only requires a "long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether.' Mere external profession of attachment to an object-if not attended with positive proofs of love for the same-are the marks of hypocrisy, and are but, at the best, an abomination in the sight of God. We ought to conduct ourselves here so as to be void of offence both to God and man; our consciences will be clear, and we may then safely say, that we have gained the approbation of Heaven. We learn that acts of benevolence and charity,-in relieving our distressed brethren, and our needy fellow-creatures,-are most beneficial to ourselves, and more acceptable to God than the most rigorous austerities inflicted on our own bodies, and to the strict attention to the mere forms of religion. If we now neglect to provide for the wants of our wives and children whilst we have an opportunity, we lose all well-grounded hope or expectation of their being relieved by others in the day of necessity ;--and, as England expects every man to do his duty in time of need for the safety of old Albion, surely the least we can do is to do our duty to our dear wives and families. If we all lend our assistance the difficulty will easily be surmounted; the cause is good; and He that is for us, is more than all that can be against us,-He has promised to be a husband to the widow, and a father to the fatherless.

Officers and Brothers, of what infinite value is tenderness, compassion, and benevolence, to our Order! No man can be an Odd Fellow in heart if he has not these principal traits of character shining in him ;-they are the foundation of all virtues, and the mainspring of our usefulness. Let us, then, consider the awful responsibility of such gifts. We ought to consider them as our most valuable treasure, and employ them solely for the benefit of our fellow-creatures, and more especially to our dear bosom friends. By supporting this Fund whilst in this transitory world, we shall leave it with a certain hope, that our widows and orphans will not be left without support. What a consolation will this be to all parties! May God assist us in establishing it;for it will most assuredly elevate our Order; and, for usefulness, it can never be excelled. Our Lodge is but composed of few members, but what there are, they are willing to do their part.

I have explained the utility of the object to some of the members, and am happy to inform you, that there are 16 snbscribers to the work, and I have not the least doubt but the remaining part of the members will join when we have the opportunity of explaining the subject to them. If we exert ourselves in the cause we shall see the completion of our object effected in a short time. We trust other Lodges will see the utility of the thing as well as ourselves, and we hope they will put their shoulder to the wheel, and help it forward.

As it is the first attempt to write upon any important business, I beg you will excuse all defects, as I can assure you that I had nothing in view but the welfare of the Order in general.

Believe me, Gentlemen, to be, in the bonds of F. L. & T.

Your's, sincerely,

MICHAEL MAC GEE, P. P. G. M.

Alrewas, near Lichfield, November 13, 1835.

* There was not a subscriber previous to this date.

son.

BIRTHS.

December 25th, the wife of C. S. Maddock, of the Frodsham District, of a daughter.-October 8, the wife of P. G. Bradley, of the Earl of Thanet Lodge, Silsden, of a son.-December 6, the wife of brother Thomas Prince, of the same Lodge, of a son.-November 30, the wife of C. S. Southern, of the Warrington District, of a The wife of P. G. Fisher, of the St. Thomas Lodge, London, of a son.-Nov. 8, the wife of P. G. Sinous, of the St. Olave's Lodge, London, and 14th of November, the wife of brother Simpson, of the same Lodge, of a daughter. December 21, the wife of P. G. William Oldroyd, of the Amphibious Lodge, of a daughter, and November 4, the wife of P. G. Goodall, of the Friendly Drop Lodge, Heckmondwike, of a daughter; and September 10, the wife of brother John Mellor, of the Cornwallis Lodge, of a son and daughter and January 1, the wife of brother Abraham Houldsworth, of the Truth and Sincerity Lodge, Huddersfield, of a daughter, all in the Huddersfield District.-December 3, the wife of Silvester Sykes, P. G. of the Cumberland Lodge, Manchester, of a daughter.-December 28, 1836, the wife of brother Joseph Greenwood, of the Key Lodge, Hadfield, of a son and heir.-February 22, 1836, the wife of brother Charles Turner, of the Clio Lodge, Tintwistle, of a daughter.February 17, the wife of P. Prov. C. S. Boyer, of the Clio Lodge, Tintwistle, of a son.-January 23, 1836, the wife of host James Moore, of the Good Samaritan Lodge, Tare, Halifax District, of a son.-January 29, the wfe of brother Broadbent Greenroyd, of the Good Intent Lodge, Halifax, of a son and heir.-February 2, the wife of P. G. Jonathan Wilson, of the Trafalgar Lodge, Halifax, of a son.-October 17, 1835, the wife of Host John Mallinson, of the Trafalgar Lodge, Halifax, of a son.September 17, 1835, the wife of P. G. R. Pattison, of the Tranquility Lodge, Rochdale, of a son.-January 18, 1835, the wife of P. G. Butterworth, of the Tranquility Lodge, Rochdale, of a daughter.—December 13, 1835, the wife of P. G. J. Rawlinson, of the Tranquility Lodge, Rochdale, of a son and heir.-March 10, the wife of N. G. Holmes, of the Tranquility Lodge, Rochdale, of a son.-December 29, 1835, the wife of P. Prov. G. M. John Spencer, late of the Duke of York Lodge, Preston, and now of the Tranquility Lodge, Rochdale, of a son and heir.--November 22, the wife of brother Jonah Drake, of the Amphibious Lodge, Bradley, of twin sisters.— January 15, the wife of P. G. George Atha, of the Lily of the Valley Lodge, Armitage Bridge, of a son.-February 24, the wife of P. D. G. M. John L. Bramwell, of the above Lodge, of a daughter.-November 17, 1835, the wife of brother John Stead, of the Conquering Hero Lodge, of a son and heir.-January 2, 1836, the wife of P. G. William Wilson, of the Globe Lodge, Bradford, of a daughter.-January 31, the wife of P. G. Josiah Robinson, of the Globe Lodge, Bradford, of a daughter.—Jan. 13, 1836, the wife of P. G. Thompson, of the Queen Elizabeth Lodge, Stockport, of a daughter.-January 22, 1836, the wife of brother Wright Cresswell, of the Queen Elizabeth Lodge, Stockport, of a son.-February 16, the wife of Dr. Cryer, P. G. of the Wellington Lodge, Huddersfield.-December 23, the wife of host Moore, of the Good Samaritan Lodge, New Dolphin Fore, Halifax District, of a son.-February 10, the wife of P. G. J. Partington, of the Temple Lodge, Stockport, of a daughter.-November 23, the wife of brother William Tomlinson, of the Stranger's Refuge Lodge, Belper, of a son.-December 19, the wife of host Millward, of a son.February 28, the wife of G. M. Kidd, of the Colville Lodge, Duffield, of a son.

MARRIAGES.

June 23, N. G. Howsley, to Miss Twyford, and on the 17th of October, Secretary John Askey, to Miss Margaret Brightmore, all of the Baslow District.-April 21, P. S. Joseph Sugden, of the Earl of Thanet Lodge, Silsden, to Miss Ann Fortune.November 15, brother Jonas Hudson, of the said Lodge, to Miss Ann Barker.-Jan. 5, brother William Tilloston, of the same Lodge, to Miss Jane Green. -December 29, at the parish church of Claines, Worcester, brother Loyd, of the Victory Lodge, Bewdley, to Frances, widow of the late Mr. James Parry, of Himbleton.-December

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