THE RAVEN. 179 



comix ;" and in a tame state it has attained a very 

 long life. How long extended its existence may 

 be, when roaming in an unrestricted state, we have 

 no means of ascertaining. This liberty may be 

 most favourable to longevity ; yet, from the numer- 

 ous contingencies attending the condition of these 

 creatures, it is probable that few of them live out 

 all their days, so as to become the " bird of ages." 

 However, the supposed longevity they have at- 

 tained, their frequent mention and agency in holy 

 writ, the obscure knowledge we possess of their 

 powers and motives, with the gravity of their 

 deportment, like an " all-knowing bird," have 

 acquired for them, from very remote periods, the 

 veneration of mankind. The changes in our man- 

 ners and ideas, in respect to many things, have 

 certainly deprived them of much of this reverence ; 

 yet the almost supernatural information which they 

 obtain of the decease, or approaching dissolu- 

 tion, of an animal, claims still some admiration for 

 them. This supposed faculty of " smelling death" 

 formerly rendered their presence, or even their 

 voice, ominous to all, as 



" The hateful messengers of heavy tilings, 

 Of death and dolour telling;" 



and the unusual sound of their harsh croak, still, 

 when illness is in the house, with some timid and 

 affectionate persons, brings old fancies to remem- 



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