258

into a shape like the quarter of an
orange-rind, and sew the whole very
neatly to the under side of a banana-leaf,
so as to make one side of the nest. But
there is another most beautiful little bird,
which is called the tailor-bird, because it
sews so well. It first picks out a plant
with large leaves, then it gathers cotton
from the shrub, and with the help of its
fine long bill and slender little feet it
spins this cotton into a thread, and then
- using its bill for a needle, it will sew
these large leaves together to hide its
nest, and sew them very neatly, too.”
We learn from all that I have been
telling you who made these little crea-
tures with such curious skill, and taught
them to work so well. It was the
same God who made us; for such won-
derful things never came from what
people call chance. Chance never made

any thing; and how very wise he must.

be to form such nice little workmen;
and how very good thus to teach them
how to take care of themselves. The
Bible says, truly, that ‘his tender mer-
cies are. over all his works.’ And I
think we may learn another thing; it is
not to be so very proud of what we
know; for I rather suppose that we
shall often find that the lower creatures
around us understood many of our trades
long before we found them out.”

 

How Wars Happen.

any a war has been caused by

the most trifling circumstance.

Here is an instance.

the middle of the thirteenth

century, the two republics of Genoa and

©

About

 

THE YOUTH’S CABINET.

Venice were at the height of their pros-

perity, and had establishments in all
parts of the world. They had a con-
siderable one in the city of Acre, on the

coast of Syria, where they lived subject

to the laws of their respective countries,
in perfect union. Their peace was, how-
ever, destroyed by a mere accident. One
day, two porters, one a Genoese, and the

other a Venetian, fell out about a bale
of goods which was to be carried. From
words they fell to blows. The mer-
chants, who at first gathered round them
only by way of amusement, to see the
battle, at length took part in the quar-

rel, each assisting his countrymen ; and

much blood was spilled on both sides.
Complaints were soon carried to Genoa

and Venice; and the magistrates of each

republic agreed that satisfaction should
be made for the damage, by arbitration.
The Genoese had the greater sum to
pay, which they failed to do; when the

Venetians, by way of retribution, set on

fire all the Genoese vessels which were
then in the port of Acre. A sanguinary
battle ensued; and the account says,
Genoa and Venice resolved to support
their merchants, and each fitted out 4
considerable fleet; the Genoese were
beaten, and compelled to abandon their
settlements at Acre, when the Venetians
razed their houses and forts, and de-
stroyed their magazines. The Genoese, —
irritated at their defeat, refitted their
fleet, and every citizen offered to ven-
ture his person and fortune to avenge
the outrage on his country. Meanwhile,
the Venetians were equally active. The
sea was covered with the ships of the
rival republics ; an engagement ensued ;
much blood was spilled, and many brave
citizens were lost on both sides.