honor: It happened that the box in which she had been inclosed was filled with dust, in consequence of which, when introduced amongst the working bees, she was literally grey with that which stuck about her. The first care of the bees was to unpowder and clean their future sovereign. For more than two hours she remained at the bottom of the hive, surrounded and sometimes covered by them, while they licked on all sides. It seemed as if they were anxious to warm her, and in truth she required it, as she was benumbed by the coldness of the night. I could not help admiring the anxiety and diligence of their attentions. They relieved each other in the task of cleaning her. They removed her to another spot, more than an inch distance, some were upon her, some under her. For more than two hours I witnessed this interesting scene. For a day or two, the person who made the experiment, kept them close prisoners, but afterwards placed them near the very spot from which they had been taken, and gave them the liberty of going away. He found however that though they went out they returned to their new habitation and new queen, and built cells for her accommodation.— This fact removed all doubt. These had been taken from a numerous hive, well stored, and yet they completely forgot their old companions and their birthplace, put up with all inconveniences of a small hive, and undertook to labour for a stranger. But though thus prodigal of their affections for any mother, still a number of hours must pass before they will adopt a stranger, and the lives of a thousand of their fellow labourers is nothing to them, in comparison with that of the elected queen. An observer of bees found a queen and some working bees seemingly dead from cold. Some of the latter he had brought to life, so that though feeble they could yet walk. The others, with the queen, were still without motion. Putting them all in a box, he warmed it by degrees, in the hope of reviving the whole. As soon as some of the working bees came to life they ranged themselves round the dead mother as if they were pitying her situation. With their trunks they licked her breast, head and body, but took not the slightest notice of the other bees, although as dead as this sole object of their care. The observer watched with anxiety for the signs of returning life in their queen. At first, says he, one limb quivered and after a short time the motion was repeated. No sooner was this proof of life given than a humming was instantly heard in the box, where all had before been silent Many persons, who were with me, and who watched the revival of the queen, were struck with the sound, as being louder than usual, and all named it the sound of rejoicing. The following reflections form a suitable close to the subject;-after all, the principle which regulates the proceedings of the social tribe of insects is involved in a depth of mystery, which with all our boasted advantage we in vain attempt to fathom, the motives which urge to fulfil in so remarkable yet varied a way their different destinies, baffle the researches of human sagacity. But one thing is clear, that these creatures and their instincts loudly proclaim the power, wisdom, and goodness of the great Father of the universe, and prove beyond all doubt the existence of a ruling Providence, who watches, with unceasing care, the welfare of the meanest of his creatures. PROCESSION. On Whit Monday last, the "Loyal Lune Lodge" of the Independent Order of Oddfellows; and a Sick Club, the Union of the village of Caton, near Lancaster, headed by the Dolphinholme band, proceeded to the Church at Brookhouse, when a very excellent and appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. GIBSON, M. A., from the 1st Epistle of Timothy, 8th verse, in which he commented at some length upon the necessity of persons enrolling themselves into such societies, and the benefit to be derived therefrom;-in the case of sickness, to themselves, -and, in the event of death, to their widows and children. He endeavoured also to instil into their minds the duties which their religion called for-teaching them to live in brotherly love and unity with all men, and to resemble the Good Samaritan,—to heal the wounds of the afflicted, and help a brother in distressto remain true to one another in this life, in the hope of being once more united in the Kingdom of Heaven. So truly impressive was his discourse, and so pathetic the manner in which he addressed his hearers, exhorting them to provide for a future day, and pointing out to them the benefit to be derived from such Orders and Institutions, that those who heard him (not being members of such societies) will, no doubt, avail themselves of the earliest opportunity of becoming so.-The sermon being concluded, both Clubs formed in a procession on their return to Caton, where an excellent dinner was provided by Mrs. Hogg, at the Ship Inn; and the day was spent in much good order and regularity From a Lancaster Paper. PRESENTATION OF A SILVER MEDAL TO P. G. & P. C. S. SCOTT. On Monday evening, April 18, 1831, the members of the Nelson lodge, Kendal, after having concluded the business of the night, presented Mr. Jas. Scott, P. G. & P. C. S., with a handsome Silver Medal, value £2 12s. Od. as a mark of their appro' tion of his unremitting zeal in the cause of Odd Fellowship. Mr. Joseph Robinson, D. G. M., for that district of lodges, was deputed by the brethren to present the medal, which he did in a very neat and appropriate speech, in which he several times adverted to the valua ble services conferred by Mr. Scott, on that lodge, since he became a brother, Mr. Scott next addressed the brethren, nearly as follows: RESPECTED Brethren, In receiving this handsome token of respect which has just been presented to me, I feel myself at this moment too much overpowered to express in an adequate manner, the feelings which so liberal a mark of your estimation gives rise to. The inscription you have placed upon it is, to me, very flattering;-You say it has been "presented to me for my meritorions labours in promoting the interest of my lodge, as well as the order in general"—If such has been the case, the high compliment now paid me, makes me aware that I have, in some measure, paid attention to those duties which Odd Fellowship enjoins us to do;—it likewise enables me to look back with pleasure on those humble endeavours which have been the means of calling forth such marked respect this evening towards me. Odd Fellowship, to me, was always a source of the greatest pleasure, when conducted on those principles which have for their end "PEACE AND GOODWILL TO ALL MEN," and I think, that a society which has for its basis a sentiment like this, ought to be honoured and revered by all good men. You, my respected brethren, have bestowed your unwearied exertions, for a series of years, in the behalf of this lodge-You have calmly and steadily proceeded in that course which has now brought this lodge to its present perfection. The day is not far gone by, when you had to contend with the insidious shafts of calumny. The day is not far gone by, I repeat, when the very name of Odd Fellowship was looked on in this part with abhorrence, but with the assistance of your unwearied and assiduous exertions in the cause, you are now going forth conquering and to conquer, and I hope, 'ere long, the foul stigma which has been cast upon us, will be wiped away, and that calumny will be ashamed to raise her head, but will sink unheeded and despised into the bosom of oblivion. ་་ - It now only remains for me to return you my most unfeigned thanks for the very distinguished honour you have conferred upon me, and rest assured that if my exertions have hitherto proved worthy of your notice, it shall hereafter become a duty incumbent on me, to do all that time and circumstance will permit, to conduce to the prosperity of the lodge. The worthy past officer then sat down amidst the most enthusiastic cheers. THE FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF THE INSCRIPTION ON THE MEDAL. -A tribute of respect, presented to James Scott, P. G. and P. C. S., of the Nelson Lodge, Kendal, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, for his meritorious labours, in promoting the interests of his lodge, as well as the Order in general. Kendal, April 18, 1831. YR ODYDDION ANNYMDDIBYNAWL. (INDEPENDent odd feLLOWS) MESUR "LLWYN ONN." "Cyfeillgarwch, Cariad, a Gwirionedd." SIR, TO THE EDITOR. The following description of a quarrel, between a couple of rural lovers, the one a hosier's literary apprentice, the other a lady's maid, is copied from an amusing work, recently published, and may, perhaps, prove acceptable to many of your readers, who may not have an opportunity of perusing the original. Yours, &c. X. Y. Z. Nottingham, May, 1831. "The next day they met again after church, and took a walk together in the evening, in the course of which they discovered another subject common to both, that subject which those who like it at all find so delightful - the Theatre. Stephen, certainly the most literary of hosiers' apprentices, was especially enthusiastic on the drama, had twice appeared at a private theatre, and entertained a strong desire to embrace the stage as a profession as soon as he was out of his time. Now Peggy had herself been at three plays, and talked of them with some discretion: knew comedy from opera, and tragedy from farce. But it was not a talker that Stephen required on this theme: a listener was what he wanted; and no one ever acted audience whilst he rehearsed the story of his two appearances in Romeo and Richard the Third, better than the little blue eyed girl who hung on his arm so admiringly as they walked round Aberleigh Green. Nothing, he said, could exceed the applause with which his debut in Romeo had been greeted by a large audience of city 'prentices, and shopwomen, troubled only by the astounding beight of a bouncing Juliet, half as tall again as himself, who quite spoilt, as he observed, the proportions of the play. Again they made the tour of the Green, and Peggy had half promised to study the part of Juliet, when a difference arose out of this very subject which put an abrupt end to their courtship. "From his personal adventures Stephen wandered to a general critique on plays and actors, especially to a warm encomium on one great actor, who was as he said his model. Peggy (who had seen the tragedian in question in Othello) assented heartily to the panegyric, adding 'that it was a great pity so clever a man should be black.' ""Black !' ejaculated the astonished Stephen ; 'Black ! !' "'Yes,' answered Peggy, black; a blackamoor, a negro.' ""Blackamoor!! Negro !!!' re-echoed Stephen, more and more astounded. 'Mr.- -black! Are you dreaming? He's as fair as you are. What do you mean? What can you mean?' "'What I say ;' returned Peggy. my own eyes, and was not be as black as 'Did not I see him with a chimney sweeper? |
