The National Register. — London, England, 1814-12-25 00:00:00

r)r , CA:: his superintendence. And unless the Divine, to whose awful duties we are required by the scriptures to pay submis sive obedience, enforce and prosecute his arduous ministerial function with unabated zeal, his classical acquirements will be 'but little estimated. By this short sketch we may comprehend the great utility , of Perseverance in every useful undertaking, fur without it the brightest genius will often find his shining talents other wise blaz i ng forth as * splendid meteor, bst for want of per- ' sisting in his ingenious designs: but endued with this accom plishment, moderate abilities commonly surpass the most sanguine expectations. The flights of genius may dazzle for a season, as the glow of the ruby ; but Perseverance, by cat e fol;y removing every stone which obstructs the path, and keeping the desired . object constantly in view, not unfre quently eclipses she momentary flashes of those, who, not withstanding their superior faculties are nevertheless, for want of:pplication, more transient meteors of fancy A mote apposite moral apologue than the subjoined, which I have presumed to transcribe for the young reader's improvement, cannot, I think, be adduced, pai ticularly when the great contrast between the tardiness of the tortoi4e, and the swiltnefs of the hare, is duly impres , ed on the tender mind, as appropriate emblems of moderate Abi I ities with per severance, and brilliant imagination and genius with inde cibion. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE. In days of yore, when time was young, When birds einivers'd as well as sling; When use of speech was not confiii'l Merely to brutes of human I:hide.- A forward hare. of swiftness vain, The genius of the iseiglibiring plan. Would oft deride the drudging crowd--- For geniuses are sometimes proud : ile'd bassi. his flight 'twtre vain to follow, I'or dog and horse he'd beat them hollow ; Nay, if lie pet forth all his ettene,th, Outstrip his brethren halt a length. A tortoise heard i.is vain oration, Aid vented this his indignation : Oh, puss! it bodes thee dire disgrace, X.Viieit I deft thee to the race. Come, 'tin a match ; nay, no denial,. i lay my shell upon the tiial. ':'was done, cud done ! ell fair ! a bet ! Judges prepar'il, and distance set. fhe scamp'ring hare outstr:pp'd Find; Thv epecping tortoise Inge'd behind, A'.d scarce lied pess'il a sink. btu pus. had almost reacted the goal. Frit:tic! tortoise, quetli the jeering butt'. "Yeer burden's more than you can bear; 'To niply your •peed it etc as well Th.it I should ease you of your shell: .rog on a little faster, pi'y thee ; take a nup, und then be with thee. 5:0 so done. and safely •tire, For say, what coittrient more secure ? 7Vbitie'er he wak'd, Well all that's in It, could o'ertake hi t, in a nuinnte. Tee tortoise heard his jninitiog jeer, jai r still . resolv'd percerere ; Sti:! - Iced along, as uho should say, is in, like Fabius, by delay ; Cu t o the prat, Wein fy crept, AV bile puss, unknowing, soundly s'crt. The bets were even, the hare 2'weke, When thus the victor tortoise spoke : Pass, though I °inn thy quicker parts, Things are not always done by starts; You may deride my awkward pace, Wit slew and steady wins the race.—Lto‘ D. C hard Siicct, Salford, Manchester, Nov. 11 ) 1011, 1. C. THE 'NATIONAL REGISTER. 7'HE HEBDOMADARY. DECEMBER. England was harpy England, when Old Christmas brought his sports again; Then, Christmas broaeled the stun test ale; Then, Christmas told the merriest tale; And Christmas gambols nft could cheer The poor MAIN heart through hall the year. 13 Christmas Day.—Morning lessons are from Isaiah 8, and Luke ; Evening are from Isaiah 7, and Titus 3. Among the cuitoins still observed at this season is the adorning of windows with hay•acd laurel, particularly at both the Universities, where not only the windows of the townsfolk and college?, are ornamented with branches of laurel, but also the chapels. The same practice is adhered to in all the episcopal churches and (mpels throughout this land. Laurel was used by the ancient Romans as emblematic a peace, of grafi:- Minn. and of victory ; and in this manner it appears to have Ln ra adopted, at this sea3oty by Christians. 26. Monday.—St Stephen, who was 'one of the Peven deavnes first chosen to manage the temporal concerns of the chervil, be;ll4 brought irefore the S:inhcdrim, made an elaborate defence of his tilith, and charged the Jews with the murder of Jesus Christ ! This issued his own murder, for Stephen was 'instantly led out by the cu raged mob, and thus stoned to death. Full Muon at 11 o'clock to night. On this evening, at si; minutes past 9, thrreamill happen a visible eclipse of this Luminary ; which will continue till 18 minutes past 11 o'clua. Tuesday.--St. John was that " Disciple whom Jesus 10ve.i., - itnessed Ins-Divine Master's last sufferifigs, and, after he exri , complied with the charge of taking Mary to his own home. \; as banished by Dcrnitian to the Isle of Paillloi, Where he was. t ~nerd with that Onions portion of revelstion Which .attests his ciiiitence and,his worth. He returned from hauishment, and attained to the unusual age of one hundred years. - - VC. iVednesday.-11oly Innocents. This festival is in commemo ration of the laneliter of the Jewish children, amounting by Lath tion to 14,0(X), slain by order of Herod. 29. 77zurrday.—Moon tires at 13 minutes past 7; and will south at W minutes after 2 in the morning. SO. Friday has increased exactly 4 minntes. 31. Saturday.—St. Sylvester; who succeeded 1114tiatles in the papacy, was renowned in the 'loutish church, and died in &4. when he had occupied the papal chair twenty years.—New Yeals'S Eve !-- NATURALIST'S CALENDAR. t. Nothing of consequence is done by the farmer tilt of doors,ditrarg this season, his cattle now requiring► all his attention and assiduity. Deciduous tiees and shrubs still admit of planting in open we-miler, with a view to plantations.—Complete the planting and trail plant ing of lilies, if not done already.—Prepare fresh composts fin flubs er beds, or pots, and tura limner made composts.—Expect also the setting-in of severe weather. MGR WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. DE f! EDI BEI!. Days. Morning. Afternoon. 26. 26. 27. fB. 29. 50. :31. ‘Ve Itarn from Vienna {hat the Empress of Thisf.oia is pregnant; as the Emperor Alexander has no living de scendant, this is an important event fur Russia. A morning raper says, that the widow of the late Ri !lon. Spencer Perceral will slwitly be led to the hynie! ,, e.l altar by Colonel fair.