This engraving represents the palm in its wild state in that wilderness of Arabia, over which the Israelites wandered forty years. That accomplished traveller, M. Lèon de Laborde, has furnished some splendid sketches of this tree as he found it in Wady Seleh, not far from the ancient Elim, where, Moses tells us, were "twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees," (Num. xxxiii. 9.) The wild palm has a thick trunk, as in the picture. This is owing to the branches growing downward every year, covering thicker and thicker the original stem, from which alone, at the top, the branches and fruit proceed, forming a kind of bush, with pendant branches, like ostrich feathers. This covering preserves the trunk, and protects the tree from injury. Forests of these noble trees are found in some parts, but they more frequently stand solitary, a welcome signal to distant and weary travellers to come and drink of the cooling spring which usually bubbles at their feet. The leaves of this tree retain their freshness and beauty all the year, to which the Psalmist alludes, when he says, "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree." Dates are the fruit of the palm, and hence it is sometimes called the date-tree. But you shall hear more about the palm in another chapter ere long.

THE PALACE OF THE PEAK,

OR, A VISIT TO CHATSWORTH.

Ir was a beautiful summer morning, early in August, 1849, that we started on a visit to this splendid ducal mansion. We had often heard of the wonderful sights there to be seen, and were a little excited in expectation of an agreeable and pleasant trip through a romantic country.

The occasion was a "special train," got up for the purpose, on cheap and easy terms. We secured our tickets beforehand, and it was well we did, for on repairing to the station, we found many returning, with dejection and disappointment in their lookssome young people especially. They had waited to see if the morning were fine. It was; but the places were all secured, and there was no room for them: for, according to the arrangements, many more must be taken up at other stations along the line. Some, however, managed to get into the carriages with their friends, without a ticket; but, on returning, they were found out, and made to pay the fare!

Hark to the whistle! we are moving; steadily and slowly at first, which was well, as the train was very very long. The morning was rather misty, but the sun soon cleared the landscape of the fog, and revealed

THE

CHILDREN'S MAGAZINE,

AND

MISSIONARY REPOSITORY.

EDITED BY J. F. WINKS.

VOLUME XIII.-1850.

LONDON:

SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, AND CO.

LEICESTER:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY J. F. WINKS.