Europe. At the age of twenty-one we find him in Rome, studying the works of Raphael and Michael Angelo, with such intense anxiety as to bring on a long fit of sickness. He was elected a member of the academies of Parma, Florence and Bologna, to the former of which he presented a painting of great excellence. In 1763, he went to London, where he was introduced to King George III., whose royal patronage he enjoyed for more than thirty years. He rejected the distinction of knighthood proffered him by the king. In 1792, he was elected President of the Royal Academy of Arts. His life was long and laborious, and his productions very numerous. During his stay in England, he painted and sketched in oil upwards of four hundred pictures, mostly of an historical and religious character, for which he received one hundred and seventy thousand dollars. "No subject seemed too lofty for his pencil. He strove to follow the sublimest flights of the prophets, and dared to limn the effulgence of God's glory, and the terrors of the judgment day. In his 'Death on the Pale Horse,' he has more than approached the masters of his calling. It is indeed fearful to behold the triumphant march of that terrific phantom, and the dissolution of all things beneath his dissolving tread."

In person, West was above the middle size, of fair complexion and sedate aspect. In disposition he was mild, liberal, generous. He died peacefully, in the eighty-second year of his age, and was buried beside other distinguished artists in St. Paul's Cathedral. His two sons and grandson were chief mourners, his wife having made her exit before him. The pall was borne by noblemen and ambassadors, while sixty coaches brought up the splendid procession.

In the case of this distinguished artist, we see the importance of encouraging the first efforts of youthful genius. Had the child received no caresses for "the likeness of little Sally," the world perchance had never heard of "Christ Healing the Sick," and the many other wonderful productions of Benjamin West.

[The custom prevailed among the Seneca Indians of imprisoning a young bird on the death of a beautiful maiden; and when it first tried its powers of Bong, to set it free over the grave. It suggested the following stanzas.]

We stand by the maiden's grave, sweet bird,

And sever thy silken band;

Go, cleave the sky like an arrow swift,

And fly to the spirit land.

On, on, through the fleecy, floating clouds,

'Mid the starry gems of night,

Till thou fold thy wing, and rest thy foot

In "the land of love and light."

Soft breezes fan that radiant shore,
Its flowers are fresh and fair;

Its bowers are green and its forests free,

And the fount of life springs there.

Be lured by nought on thy way, sweet bird,

Nor allow thy wings to rest,

Till thou light on the hand of the loved one there,

Or nestle in her breast.

Go, murmur in her listening ear

The words of unchanging love;

And say that our thoughts are with her still,

As she roams the Elysian grove.

Say not that her father's soul is sad,

That her mother's eye is dim

With tears; that her sister pines with grief,

Her lover, say nought of him.

"It is I, be not afraid."

MUSIC WRITTEN FOR THE YOUNG LADY'S FRIEND, BY L. MASON. avevo to na wy

brid

wa-ters on high; And the faith-less dis- ci-ples were bound in the spell of mys

2. The storm could not bury that word in the wave,
For 'twas taught through the tempest to fly;

It shall reach his disciples in every clime,
And his voice shall be near in each troublous time,
Saying, "Be not afraid, it is I."

3. When the spirit is broken with sickness or sorrow,
And comfort is ready to die;

The darkness shall pass, and in gladness to-morrow,
The wounded complete consolation shall borrow
From his life-giving word, "It is I."

4. When death is at hand, and the cottage of clay
Is left with a tremulous sigh,

The gracious forerunner is smoothing the way
For its tenant to pass to unchangeable day,
Saying, "Be not afraid, it is I."

5. When the waters are passed, and the glories unknown
Burst forth on the wondering eye,

The compassionate "Lamb in the midst of the throne"
Shall welcome, encourage, and comfort his own,

And say, "Be not afraid, it is I."

THERE is no influence so important in the training of children, as that of the mother. No one can have so intense an interest in the welfare of the child. No one can administer to its wants with so much tenderness. No one can watch over him, from day to day, with such care. No one can bear his petulance with so much patience. No one can note his physical, mental and moral growth with such solicitude. No one can be with him so much, nor have the same