THE CROW. 90 



the persons who heard them. Even at the present 

 day, some ignorant people believe that if a Raven 

 lights upon their houses, some dreadful accident will 

 happen to one or more of the family. This belief, 

 however, arises from folly, and the want of knowledge ; 

 for nothing can be more ridiculous, than to suppose 

 that this bird is sent by a superior power, to warn us 

 of evil ; and it would be still more foolish to believe 

 that the bird came of its own accord for this purpose, 



The Raven is several times spoken of in the Scrip- 

 tures, and generally in allusion to some of its peculiar 

 habits ; once or twice it is mentioned in connexion 

 with interesting historical events. 



This bird often builds its nest on the top of some 

 ancient tower, or in some part of a ruined or forsaken 

 building ; a place once inhabited, but which has be- 

 come desolate, by the death, or removal of the people. 

 In allusion to this circumstance, several of the proph- 

 ets, when they have spoken of the approaching ruin 

 of a people, or nation, have figuratively expressed it, 

 by saying, that where cities once stood, and where the 

 voice of mirth and melody was once heard, ther3 

 should come such desolation, that the Raven should in- 

 habit that place. Thus Isaiah says of Edom : " The 

 cormorant and the bittern shall possess it, tfie owl, 

 also, and the Raven, shall dwell in it." Chapter 34, 

 verse 11. 



When we consider that the Raven and the owl live 

 only in places which are distant from the habitations 

 of men, and that in their wild state, they shun all hu- 

 man society, we cannoflbut be struck with the awful 

 desolation that attended the fulfilment of this prophecy, 



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