LEvrrr IN CoNvrRsArtoN.-A cause whic
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1 LEVITT IN CoNvERsArtoN.-A cause which has tendency to destroy religious serious ness, and which almost infallibIy prevents it's formation and growth in young minds, is lev ity ln conversation upon religious subjects, or upon subjects connected with religion.- Whether we consider the practice with re- gard to those who use it, or to those who hear It, It IS highly to be blamed, and is productive of great mischief. In those who use ii, it amounts almost to proof that they are des- | tHute of religious seriousness. The principle itself IS destroyed in them or was never formed in them. Upon those who hear, it's effect is this. If they have concern about re- ligion, and the disposition towards religion which they ought to have, and which we sig nifty by this word seriousness, they will be inwardly shocked and offended by the levity with which they hear it treated. They will, as it were, resent the treatment ot subject, which by others has always been thought up- on with awe and dread and veneration. But the pain with which they were first affected goes off by hearing frequently the same sort of language; and then, they will be almost sure, if they examine the state oftheir minds, as to religion, to feel change in themselves for the worse. This is the danger to which those are exposed, who had before imbibed serious impressions. Those who had not, will be prevented by such sort of conversa- ton from ever imbibing them at all so that its influence is in all cases pernicious.

 PRESENT ASPECT OF BABYLoN.-Though no antiquary, as have said, determined in my mind, that I was passing along the walls of Babylon. Many fragments of bricks were lying among the sand, some marked with the character had noticed in lillian. All was barren around; although at some distance, where the water was shallowest, I could see the grass peeping above them. By the wall I had found dry road to the base of the huge, shapeless mound on which the tower is placed; its circumference is estimated at a little more than seven hundred yards /; a nar- row way divided 1t from still larger and moro irregular heap, upon the side of which stood, facing the tower, a small mosque. If the dervishes, to whom these memorials are erected, lived on the spots where the tombs now stand which are to be seen over the rem nants of Babylon, they selected we'll for the abandonment of the world more forlorn spots could scarcely be found for even in the great desert there is verdure and flower here is utter misery. On the height of the first mound stands we'll built tower, of some- thing less than forty feet high. Such an erection in modern days would excite admir-

 

 ishment must it be viewed in the supposition that its age exceeds four thousand years.- Huge heaps of bricks lie about, melted into solid masses, as if by the action of fire; and the whole mound on which the pillar stands, is covered with the fragments of the well baked bricks; and this is the temple of Be- Jus, it is said or the tower of Babel. At any rate, be it what it may, it stands on the plains of Shinar, where Babylon once stood, and most completely, as my eye wandered over the scene of desolation, did feel the truth of the fulfilment of the judgments pronounced against her; yes, "Every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonishcd."

 Major Skinner's oUerland Jour.

 Legal Pleasantries.-They originate more than half the current wit of the day, in the Great West. There is racy freshness, moreover, about the pleasantries of that re- zion, that is quite delightful. From a late Missouri journal we have clipped the follow ing anecdote of an eminent legal gentleman of that State. If it be as new to the reader as to us, we will guarantee his favorable suf- frages: Being once opposed to MT. S.@, late member of Congress. he remarked as follows to the jury, upon point of disagree ment between them - Here my brother s. and differ Now this is very natural Men seldom see things in the same light; and they may disagree in opinion upon the simplest principles of the law, and that very honestly; while, at the same time, neither can see any earthly reason why they should. And this is merely because they look at diff ferent sides of the subject, and do not view 1t in all its bearings. Suppose, for illustration, man should come in here, and boldly assert that my brother S-'s head Che laid his hand very familiarly upon the large chuck le head of his opponenD is squash! ], on haps with equal confidence, that it is head. Now, here would be difference-undoubt edly an honest difference-of opinion. We might argue about it till doomsday, and nev- CT agree. You often see men arguing upon subjects as empty and trifling as this! But third person coming in, and looking at the neck and shoulders that support it, would say at once, that had reason on my side for if it was not head, it at least occupied the place of one, and stood where head ought to be-" All this was uttered ill the gravcst and most solemn manner imaginable, and tho effect was irresistbly ludicrous."

 Knicker5ocker.

 SUCCESSFUL PLoUGHlNG.-The Norfolk Bea- con states that farmer near that city, while recently engaged in ploughing one of his fields, struck upon vault containing box filled with gold and silver coins--vaIued, it is surmised at from S10.O0O to S2OOOO. The vault was partly of brick covered over with large stones, we'll put together with mortar. It was evidently built for special deposite, and adapted to the size of the box that was enclosed within it for many years. The box was of mahogany or cedar. and much decay Ill