first let loose, the pigeon would rise high in the air, making a spiral flight of observation. As soon as it gained sight of a known object it would go off in a direct line to the point. It will fly thirty miles an hour. One of them once took a message from London to Antwerp, a distance of one hundred and eighty miles, in six hours.

These pigeons are used to some extent at present, but as I have already intimated, the lightning has become a powerful competitor, and will probably prove a successful one. It clears the track much quicker than the dove, but its path is not so easily kept in order.

My young readers will take special interest in the following touching lines, when they learn that Mr. Adams wrote them the day preceding his fatal attack of illness, to accompany his autograph signature, which had been requested by a young lady.

WRITTEN FOR MISS C. L. EDWARDS, OF MASSACHUSETTS, THE DAY

PRECEDING HIS DEATH.

John Quincy Adams,

Quincy, Massachusetss.

In days of yore, the poet's pen

From wing of bird was plundered,
Perhaps of goose, but, now and then,
From Jove's own Eagle sundered.
But, now, metallic pens disclose

Alone the poet's numbers;
In iron inspiration glows,

Or with the minstrel slumbers.

Fair damsel! could my pen impart,
In prose or lofty rhyme,

The pure emotions of my heart,
To speed the flight of time;
What metal from the womb of earth
Could worth intrinsic bear,
To stamp with corresponding worth
The blessings thou shouldst share?

THIS distinguished gentleman was, to a great extent, a self-made man. It is said that when Napoleon Bonaparte was about to become the son-in-law of the Austrian monarch, that monarch having a great desire of proving him of royal descent, made diligent search to establish the fact. But Napoleon, becoming acquainted with his intention, immediately visited him and exclaimed, "Stop, stop, sire' I alone am the author of my fortune, and desire it to be so understood. Neither royal descent nor royalty has contributed anything to its

achievement; and though I might legitimately claim both, would not mention either." I have never heard of royal descent on the part of Mr. Clay, and I hope he has enough of the true republican in his constitution to feel that that is a matter of indifference.

Henry Clay was born in Virginia, on the 12th of April, 1777. His father was a Baptist minister, and preached, at the time of Henry's birth, in Hanover county, familiarly called "The Slashes."

His father died when he was about five years of age. His early means of education were poor. The straitened circumstances in which the family was left made it necessary for him, in common with his brothers, to spend much time in manual employments. He was no stranger to farming utensils; by the sweat of his brow he earned his daily bread. It was from his frequent visits to a gristmill on the Panumkey river,— where he went seated on a bag of grain thrown across his horse, without a rope, bridle or saddle,— that he gained the title of " Mill Boy of the Slashes."

He worked in this way till about fifteen years of age, enjoying, as I before intimated, but meagre means of education. In 1792, he was placed in the office of the clerk of the High Court of Chancery, where he found employment congenial to his taste, and ample means of mental culture. In this and other offices he "paid his way" by diligent effort, and acquired a knowledge of law, so that, in the year 1797, he was licensed to practise law. Boys, remember this has been done; and though you are poor and without friends, just think that it or its equivalent may be done again.

Mr. Clay once said, in reference to his commencement in business, 'I was without patrons, without friends, and destitute of the means of paying my weekly board. I remember how comfortable I thought I should be, if I could make £100 Virginia money, per annum, and with what delight I received the first fifteen shilling fee. My hopes were more than realized. I immediately rushed into a lucrative practice."

er.

And with his lucrative practice came wealth, and honor, and powHe has been one of the great men of this nation. He has held many offices of high distinction, and acquitted himself with ability and honor.