When I found myself on the summit of the crater, the excitement of my feelings was such as to banish all sensations of pain, fatigue, or even fear. I stood on the edge of that great yawning gulf, which has vomited smoke and flame, for thousands of years. At the foot of the mountain, this summit appears drawn to a point, but I found it to be an immense hollow, two or three miles in diameter, and shelving down on all sides to the depth of half a mile or more. The bottom of the crater was full of chasms, through which volumes of white smoke were ascending, which rolled over the edge of the crater, and then shot off horizontally through the air. The sides were craggy, red, yellow, and black, with great masses of brimstone, big enough to load a ship. The smoke that burst out through every crevice and opening was loaded with fumes of sulphur, and on thrusting the end of my stick into a crack of the lava at my feet, it took fire. (_To be continued._) HYMN. Almighty God, when morning light Breaks the soft slumbers of the night, Then I delight to steal away To read thy word, to kneel and pray. This helps me, as the hours glide by, To feel that thou art ever nigh: When sinners tempt with speeches fair, I recollect my morning prayer. Nor can I let the evening close, And on my pillow seek repose, Until with thankful heart I raise Once more the voice of prayer and praise. Let others scorn in prayer to kneel; Like them, O may I never feel! Though oft by thoughtless ones reviled, Still would I be a praying child. * * * * * A poor Irishman advertised an old potato-pot for sale; his children gathered around him, and asked him why he parted with it. He replied, “Ah, my honeys, I would not be after parting with it but for a little money to buy something to put in it.” [Illustration: Sparrow and robin] The Sparrow and Robin; A FABLE. A robin was one summer evening sitting upon a tree and singing its cheerful song right merrily. A critical sparrow was near by, and when the robin had done, he exclaimed, “Bah! what a miserable song! Why, it really seemed as if it would split my ears. How can you, Mister Robin, pretend to sing, when there are those around who understand music so much better?” “Why, dear little sparrow,” said the robin, “I only sing simple songs, such as nature has taught me; and here is my pretty mate at my side, and she says my song gives her pleasure.”