THE EMPEROR'S BIRTH-DAY. Original. THE EMPEROR'S BIRTH-D A Y. BY REV. D. P. KIDDER. 13 THE 2d of December is distinguished in the annals of royalty as the birth-day of the first and only native sovereign of the New World. I speak not of aboriginal monarchs, or of those in whom sovereignty is native. The former may have existed in unchronicled succession hundreds of years prior to the great era of discovery. The latter may have been found formerly, as well as now, in that obscurity where proud science and prouder ambition never strayed to awaken the impulses of the soul. tem of education. She will teach her children either good or bad, because her children will follow her example. It is the mother's duty to watch the early bias, to regulate the temper, and to mend the heart, to teach its young spirit to ascend to heaven in prayer, and to turn all the little incidents of a child's life into lessons of wisdom. On the mother the child most sweetly smiles, confides most in her, and goes to her, in all its little trials, for sympathy, consolation, and relief. To that great and good Being who has given her the child, should she teach it to go, as its heavenly Father, as its best friend, and rely on him, his care, protection and love. These facts being so, the necessity of such a female education as we advocate is apparent. She may be placed where, unless she educate her children, I refer to the only European dynasty which has they cannot be educated by any one else. She may transferred itself to the shores of the western continent. be left a widow with children, and an estate unsettled The house of Alcantara had for several generations and left in confusion, so that unless she is well educa- || swayed the sceptre of Portugal. That kingdom, once ted, she may be defrauded out of her last dollar. Our distinguished for her science, her discoveries, and her laws do all they can do for widows and orphans, but conquests, as well as for her bloody Inquisition, was they cannot do every thing. She must learn her rights doomed, when the star of her prosperity was already and maintain them. In all her trials, in all her griefs, waning, to be added to the victorious trophies of Napoon account of herself and her orphans, she may-she leon Buonaparte. The forces of the conqueror were almust go to Him who has promised to be her God. ready surmounting the heights of Lisbon, when a fleet bearing the royal family weighed anchor in the Tagus, and made sail for the New World. The residence of Don John VI., in Brazil, was not protracted. He returned, leaving Pedro, his eldest son, regent of that extensive country, which had before been a colony, but now was a part of the kingdom of Portugal. The fires of revolution had been already kindled on the western continent, and the spirit of freedom, so gloriously triumphant in North America, extended itself to many a patriot breast in the far south. Pedro himself espoused the cause of Brazilian independence. The revolutionary struggle was at length successful. Brazil became an independent nation. She adopted a constitution, and a limited monarchical government. Don Pedro was acclaimed as her first emperor. He became allied in marriage to the royal house of Austria. The empress was mother of Donna Maria, Donna Januaria, Donna Francisca, and finally, on the 2d of December, 1825, of Don Pedro II., the present emperor of Brazil. In the course of events, Don Pedro I., after a reign of about eight years, found it necessary to abdicate the throne, which he did in favor of his then infant son. The people of Rio de Janeiro, assembled by thousands in a large square of their city, hitherto called Campo de Santa Anna, received the news that the young child was to be their emperor with vivas and deafening acclamations. The place was thenceforth called Campo de Honra-The field of Honor. Original. TO AUTUMN. BY THE LATE MRS. C. H. KIDDER. AUTUMN, Sweet autumn, again thou art here, We greet thee, fair mistress of beauty and light, Stir up the deep forests, shake off the dry leaves; weaves; But bright be thy wreath my fancy shall twine, Thou comest from heaven, true herald of love, Thou mind'st us of death; and swift be our flight near The unchanging scenes of yonder bright sphere. The ex-emperor was conveyed to Europe on board a British man-of-war. His father having recently deceased, he assumed, by hereditary right, the throne of his ancestors, but only to abdicate in favor of his eldest daughter. Don Miguel his brother, commonly entitled the usurper, contested the supremacy by a long and bloody struggle. He was at length defeated, and the ex-emperor before he died, saw his children, all Ameri 14 THE EMPEROR'S BIRTH-DAY. can born, in quiet possession of the right of kings in || is vapid and bombastic in some of the 4th of July oraeither hemisphere, in both the Old and New World. tions, and much that is any thing but poetry in many Donna Maria is still the Queen of Portugal. Don Pe- 4th of July poems, celebrated as that day is by perdro II., by his very youth and innocence, continues to sons of nearly every age, condition and neighborhood exert a most happy influence over the destinies of the of our great country. But it may be safely questioned wide empire of Brazil. Donna Januaria and Donna whether in any other portion or age of the world, fifty Francisca remain attached to his court, and are styled successive anniversaries have called forth an equal his most august sisters, while Donna Januaria, by vir- amount of true eloquence, both in story and in song. tue of a decree of the general assembly of the empire, At any rate, the recent efforts to promote moral, as well is entitled the imperial princess, and would ascend the as intellectual and political improvement, on that day, throne in the event of her brother's death. The design and to diffuse it through the whole mass of society, furof the above rapid sketch of historical facts will be mani- nish a peculiar and happy feature in the celebration of fest to the reader. our national jubilee. In the establishment of an hereditary monarchy on the shores of the western world, there occurred an event of no trifling interest or importance. Nor does it become us, in our superlative contempt for whatever is not republican, to regard it with indifference. It is far, however, from being the design of this article to enter into political reflections. I wish merely to illustrate some of the customs which have grown out of the event, and which prevail throughout a wide and interesting portion of our continent. The Brazilians celebrate six dias de grande gala, or political holydays. The 1st of January heads the list, with New-Year's compliments to his majesty. The 25th of March commemorates the adoption of the constitution. The 7th of April is the anniversary of the emperor's accession to the throne. The 3d of May is the day for the regular opening of the imperial legislative assembly. The 7th of September is the anniversary of the declaration of national independence; while the last, though by no means least in the catalogue, is the emperor's birth-day, on the 2d of December. The custom of celebrating le jour de naissance, the anniversary of one's introduction to the joys and sorrows of mortal existence, has descended from olden time. The formality of birth-day presents and the etiquet of birth-day compliments in former days and in other countries, is to many an object of curious inquiry. But no where else have those formalities been so excessive as in Roman Catholic countries. There, individuals are systematically trained to celebrate the day of their patron saint, of the patron saint of their village, of their Church, of their sovereign, &c. In connection with these, their own birth-day, and those of their friends, assume an importance correspondent to their ideas of relative consequence. Thus the natal days of the princesses already named are designated by authority dias de pequena gala, or complimentary holy days for the nation. The writer has repeatedly witnessed. similar celebrations in the southern part of our continent, but never became acquainted with the solitary instance in which a public address on any subject was delivered, unless, perchance, in the theatre. Females have no part in the matter, except to behold from their balconied windows the attempted pageantry of a procession, or to gaze upon the varied costumes of foreign diplomatic and consular agents, or those of other persons of naval, military, or civil distinction, who are formally invited "to add by their presence to the pomp and splendor of the beija maon." This term signifies the kissing of hands, and indicates literally the ceremonial salutation of the sovereign at the Lusitanian and Brazilian courts. But as the emperor cannot be corporeally present in the several and distant provinces of his realm, how shall the appropriate salutation be paid him? That genius which presents a crucifix or a picture before the worshiper, to aid the infirmities of his conception, and which teaches that praying before the image of a saint will secure to us more of the favor of the Deity, has not been backward to suggest a resource for an occasion like this. The place of honor in the sala de cortejo, hall of salutation, is allotted to the portrait of his majesty. On either hand, supposing the place to be the capital of a province, will stand the president and the bishop. Before these, "in measured step and true," pass the dignitaries invited, in the order of their rank and distinction, at the appropriate place, paying their obeisance to the imperial portrait. Mutual compliments are thereafter interchanged among the company, and each individual retires in the midst of whatever display he has chosen or been able to summon for the occasion. On the last day of November, 1839, late at evening, the writer of this article was on board a Brazilian steam packet, approaching the city of Bahia, or St. Salvador, The celebration of the gala days in general, even of from the north. As the Pernambucana rounded the those most important in our estimation, such as the an-Cape of St. Antonia, and bore up directly for her anniversary of national independence, affords a striking ||chorage in front of the town, volleys of rockets, in ircontrast to similar celebrations in the United States. The display of flags, the parade of soldiery, and the pealing of cannon are common to both. But whatever is intellectual, and calculated to instruct the public mind in the history of the past or in the principles of civil liberty, are peculiar to one. There may be much that regular succession, shot up from the heights above us, careering with fiery and serpentine track through the dark expanse of a clouded sky. Their innocent crackling responded, like distant musketry, to the peal of many a deep-toned bell, which, from church, cathedral, and convent, announced approaching festivities. THE EMPEROR'S BIRTH-DAY. 15 This city, one of the oldest in America, the ancient || summer evenings is always calculated to throw enchantcapital of Brazil, the first seat of the viceroys, and es- ment over the feelings. Especially so on this occasion pecially distinguished among the Brazilians as having was the scene when the observer turned his eye upward been the first landing-place of the king of Portugal, from the varied and skillful exhibitions of artificial in his visit to the New World; yea, St. Salvador itself, light to the vaulted empyrean, and there gazed upon no longer than one year previous, was in the hands of the bright constellations so profusely set in the clear traitors to their country. The bloody flag of rebellion and moonless sky. waved over the ramparts of her ancient forts. The majority of her citizens had been driven from their peaceful homes, and the fires of licensed incendiarism had laid in smoking ruins some of her fairest edifices. The troops of the legality having been at length successful in regaining the city, and restoring peace and quiet to her streets, the inhabitants resolved on this occasion to give some worthy demonstration of their loyalty and their affection to the youthful emperor. To the mind disposed to philosophize on man, there was presented no inferior occasion. The wealth, fashion and beauty of the Bahians never boasted a more felicitous display, than was mutually witnessed and furnished by the thousands who thronged the scene. From hoary age to playful youth, no condition of life or style of character was unrepresented. There might be seen the warrior and the civilian, the man of title, the man of wealth and the slave, all sharing deeply in the common rejoicing; while among the crowd a practiced eye might have discerned the desperado and lurking assassin. The 2d of December came. It was not clad in the frosty robes of a northern winter, with whistling winds and drifted snow at its heels. Nay, the north is not Never especially had the presence of females in such farther from the south than is the idea many a fair read- numbers been observed to grace a scene of public feser has pictured in her imagination at the bare mention tivity. Mothers, daughters, wives, and sisters, who selof December, from the reality of the day in question. dom were permitted to leave the domestic circle, except Preceded by but a brief interval of twilight, the sun in their visits to the morning mass, hung upon the arm threw upward his mellower rays, burnishing the wreath- of their several protectors, and gazed with undissembled ed clouds of the eastern horizon. Presently from wonder at the seemingly magic enchantments before his bed of ocean he rose majestic on his vertical path- and around them. The dark and flowing tresses, the way, looking down on one of the fairest scenes nature darker and flashing eye of a Brazilian belle, together ever presented to the eye of man. The boundless ex- with her sometimes darkly shaded cheek, show off with panse of the Atlantic, on the east, the broad and beau- greater charms from not being hid under the arches of tiful bay on the south and west, with its palm-crested a fashionable bonnet. The graceful folds of her manislands and circling mountains, were but an appropri-tilla, or of the rich gossamer vail which is sometimes ate fore-ground to the lovely picture of the city herself, reposing like a queen of beauty amid the embowering groves of the proud eminences over which her huts, her temples, and her lordly domes were scattered. substituted, wreathed in some indescribable manner over the broad, high and fancy wrought shell that adorns her head, can scarcely be improved by any imitation of foreign fashions. Nevertheless, the forte of a Brazilian lady is in her guitar and the soft modinhas she sings in accompaniment to its tones. The day was ushered in by the roar of cannon from the several batteries and vessels of war. From that moment might be seen the shipping of every nation The public garden, surmounting as it does the proudin the harbor, gaily decked with flags, signals, and ||est height of the town, and separated only by an almost streamers of unnumbered hues. No girlish fancy ever perpendicular ascent from the sea, which laves the base prided itself more on the gaudy ornaments of a doll, than does the seamen's on an occasion like this, in "rigging out" from every mast, yard, brace, stay, and bowline of his vessel, some appropriate bunting to floated inscriptions in Latin had been set with solid gold in in the playful breeze. of the eminence, presented two scenes of especial attraction. One was at the marble monument erected in memory of Don John's visit to Bahia. Long and learn its quadrilateral tablet, to explain its first design. But some Vandal hand had chiseled out the precious metal, thus marring the beauty and splendor of the structure. shaft of the monument, celebrated in measured extravaganzas the glories of their youthful sovereign, that day fourteen years of age. A Te Deum was celebrated in the morning at the cathedral with the presence of troops and martial music. In the afternoon the levee took place at the pres-On this occasion illuminated forms, fitted to the peering ident's palace; while, for the evening, were reserved the ball, the theatre, and the illumination. The latter alone had attractions for the writer, and that not so much between the lighted windows of the city as in In another quarter had been fitted up, expressly for the romantic walks of the public garden. There, under the occasion, on a high parapet overlooking the ocean the dark dense foliage of the mango, the lime tree, the and bay, a fancy structure in imitation of an Athenian bread fruit, the cashew, and countless other species of temple. Supported by the central columns, was arrangtropical growth, hung long lines of illuminated globes.ed the full length portrait of the emperor himself. In These were constructed to radiate severally the prin- the rear were bands of martial music, and around were cipal colors of the rainbow, as they waved with grace- the dignitaries of the province. The president himself fulness in the evening breeze, which came loaded with was present, in order to open with due formality the the fragrance of opening flowers. The calmness of congratulations of the evening. At a given hour, the curtain rolled up from before the looked-for painting, || how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee and the emperor was duly presented to his thronging as Zeboim? My heart is turned within me, my reand devoted subjects. The air was rent with vivas and pentings are kindled together," Hosea xi, 8. enthusiastic acclamation, while music mingled its sym- Is not this the language of compassion? It may be phonies with the shouts of the multitude, and at the said that "it is accommodated to our conceptions." same moment the whole heaven was emblazoned with || Then it surely teaches us that God is not all intellect; the simultaneous discharge of a thousand rockets. for it expresses, "to our conceptions," the most benevThere stood the emperor, faithfully portrayed in his || olent and intense sympathies. If he is susceptible of still delicate and child-like features, arrayed in the in- no such emotions, how are our conceptions aided by signia of his titled rank, at once the idol and the hope | language which indicates them? I feel warranted by of his nation. this and many similar texts, to maintain as an article For three successive evenings the same ceremonies of my creed, that the infinite God is susceptible of comwere repeated, and the people loved to linger around passion; or at least of a sentiment which can be desigthe fancied presence of their monarch, rendering every |nated by no better word in our language. I mean by possible expression of their loyalty. The ceremonies compassion in this instance, a benevolent state of the were finally closed by a formal and magnificent display of pyrotechnical skill. Thus was celebrated the fourteenth natal anniversary of Dox PEDRO II., D'ALCANTARA, EMPEROR OF BRAZIL. Original. THE NATIVITY. BY L. L. HAMLINE. THE evangelists record the birth of our blessed Savior, and notice minutely its attending circumstances. The Gospel opens with these encouraging recitals. Its earliest notes are from angelic choirs, announcing the natal hour of the Deliverer. The incarnation is the first among the series of wonders in redemption. Whoever seeks to know the Gospel, must as a learner commence here. The first lesson must be the nativity. Let us then compose our thoughts to meditation on the origin, the mode, the mystery, the motive, and the beneficence of the incarnation. Its origin is the love of God-not the love of the Father only, but the love of Father, Son and Spirit. An affection of the Trinity moved Christ's incarnation. It will mar and quench the beauty and the fire of our devotions to trace this gift exclusively to either divine person. It is true that "God gave the Son to be the Savior of the world;" and it is equally true that the Son gave himself. The several persons of Jehovah || were consenting, and it was a common sacrifice-a sacrifice not only on the part of the Son who was crucified, but also on the part of the ever blessed Trinity, who gave him to be crucified. divine affections, under the hindrance of God's charity or mercy, through the perverse tempers of free moral agents. To speak of "the hindrance of God's mercy" may startle some of my readers, but not if they will study and fairly interpret such language as, "How often would I have gathered thy children together as a hen gathereth her brood under her wings, and ye would not." Surely, if words can unequivocally indicate the "hindrance of mercy by perverse tempers," here is an example. I conclude, therefore, that they who inculcate the impassive nature of Deity do not thereby exclude from him compassion. But if God exercises compassion, when, in the progress of his universal government, was there the greatest occasion for its exercise? Doubtless when he gave his only begotten and well beloved Son to bear the sin of a reprobated world. Though the Father, Son and Spirit are one divine essence, yet they are three divine persons; and the persons as well as the essence are eternal. The plurality of this Unity is such that it forms society. Of course God is not solitary; nor was he before he commenced his creation. As far back as when no creature existed, God enjoyed fellowships infinitely blissful. This is an argument in the mouth of philosophy, to confirm the Scriptural testimony in favor of the Trinity. To suppose that before his first act of creation, God had existed in a state of eternal solitude, is exceedingly repulsive to reason; and those who hold the doctrine of a' Trinity need not suppose it. They may claim that there was always communion on the throne of God, and to corroborate the sentiment, may refer to Christ's words in John xvii, 5: "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." And again, in verse 24: me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me, before the foundation of the world." It is usually understood that Deity is impassive; or, in other words, is insusceptible of suffering. This doc-"Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given trine may be taught in the Bible, and may be confirmed by reason; but I suppose it does not imply that God cannot exercise compassion. If so, I for one reject it. I know that the lament of Jesus over Jerusalem, and his tears at the grave of Lazarus, are ascribed to his humanity; and that may be according to truth-but certainly his language and behavior on those occasions scarcely equal in pathos the following exclamation of Jehovah over his ancient people: "How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? These texts unfold interesting particulars in regard to Christ's pre-existence. They not only confirm the fact that he did exist before his incarnation—that is, from eternity; but they teach us that such was the distinction (of persons) between the Father and the Son, that the Son could be the object of the Father's love. They teach us also that such was the exalted equality of these two persons, that the divine glory was common || ness of the Divine compassion for our race. And it is to both. not to be wondered at that when we adore, our grate The second particular is what immediately concerns ful hearts should be turned to the cross, and should us. The Father loved the Son before the foundation yearn over the victim of our transgressions. But enof the world; that is, eternally. Mutual love consti-lightened devotion, such as the sanctified experience, tutes fellowship. Parental love forms the most blissful recognizes the overwhelming presence and mercy and of all fellowships. Such love there was between the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Father and the Son. And it was eternal. O then what oceans of bliss must have attended these eternal fellowships between the persons of the Trinity? The Father loved the Son with a parental love and of course with affections as intense as was possible to the Infinite Mind; for the divine perfections of the Son warranted such an intense love. Let us bless the incarnate Son for ever and ever; but let us also praise the Father and the Spirit, as realizing that the "whole Deity is known" in Christ's incarnation; because the whole Deity moved Jesus to take on him the seed of Abraham that he might be "wounded for our transgressions." Having thus considered the origin of the incarnation, and traced it by the Scriptures to the compassion of the Trinity, let us next contemplate its mode. But, in compassion to our race, the Father "gives his Son," "delivers him up," "spares him not," "bruises him," "puts him to grief," "makes his soul an of- First, it was a real incarnation. There was nothing fering for sin." Here is a sacrifice (not in the sense illusory or merely apparent in Christ's humanity. His of penal sufferings, like those of the cross) on the part physical sensibilities and wants were strictly those of of the Father. The Son consents to be "delivered," flesh and blood-were such as all men experience, ex"bruised," "put to grief," and suffer the hidings of his cept as sin and habit may have modified them. The Father's face for a season. Here is a preliminary sa- Scriptures testify that Jesus Christ was made of a wocrifice on the part of the Son. And doubtless the Ho-man; that there is one God, and one Mediator between ly Ghost shares in these counsels of pity. That the God and men, the man Christ Jesus; that, as by man gift of Jesus was a sacrifice, on the part of the Father, came death, by man also shall come the resurrection we cannot but infer from the language of Scripture: of the dead. To become man he is represented as "He that spared not his own Son, but freely gave him having "emptied himself" of the form of God. All up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely these hints and declarations are in direct opposition to gives us all things?" That it was a sacrifice on the a sentiment which early obtained amongst certain herpart of the Son we learn from the agony in the gar-etics who taught that Christ was not born of a woman, den, and from the expiring cry, "My God! my God! nor was in reality man; but that his birth and sufferwhy hast thou forsaken me?" That the Holy Spirit ings and death were illusory-in a word, that all perjoined in this sacrifice we may infer from the fact that taining to his earthly state was a mere apparition from God, in all his sacred persons, consented to the incar- heaven. It was necessary, if we credit the Scriptures, nation--the Holy Spirit, especially, having "prepared that the Redeemer should partake of the nature of the a body for the Son." redeemed. Jesus therefore became man. He assumed not only a body, but a human soul, with its proper susceptibilities and infirmities. He became familiar with all the innocent weaknesses and woes of our nature; and purposely so, for to feel and suffer like us were essential to the perfect fulfillment of the mediatorship which he had assumed. We have not an high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our in 66 without sin; "wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest, in things pertaining to God. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted," Hebrews 2d and 4th. From all this I would conduct the reader to a conclusion which I conceive to be of practical importance. It is that the three persons of the Godhead, moved by one common affection, namely, compassion for our fallen race, made a common effort to restore us to purity and happiness. The Son is the atoning victim, and the formal sacrifice is made by him. Yet his chief agony did not consist in overt persecutions, or infirmities; but was in all points tempted as we are, yet pains inflicted by mortal hands, but in the hidings of his Father's face; and this last was a deprivation to the Father who inflicted, as well as to the Son who endured it. The Father "spared" the Son to be thus "bruised" by the Almighty Hand. Those infinitely blessed fellowships which had eternally subsisted between the persons of the Trinity, were now, as to their usual form, interrupted; and mingled in their felicities were the agonies of the filial and the compassions of the paternal God. It follows that, so far as tokens of compassion for our fallen race may provoke our pen-mean enough to suit his poverty and obscurity. Mary, itence and adoration, we should worship not merely one but the three persons of Deity with equal ardors of gratitude and praise. We owe our redemption to God-to Father, Son, and Spirit. It is true that in Jesus we see "the fullness of the Godhead"—the fullVol. I.-3 Second, the incarnation was attended with circumstances of deep humiliation. Our Savior was born in an insignificant town; and yet it seems to have contained no solitary dwelling therefore, in the hour of her extremity, was expelled. She wandered abroad, and in the rudest, vilest spot in its suburbs, gave birth to the Prince of glory. Amongst all the millions of mankind, history records the birth of one in the stable-that one is the Son of God. Who |