МАНОМЕТ.

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Mahomet was born at Mecca, he was in his early1 days employed as a caravan driver3 between Mecca and Damascus. At the age of twenty-eight he married, and commenced his religious office. He then passed3 much time in a retreat9 near Mecca, where10 he compiled11 the Koran, with the assistance12 of a Persian13 Jew14 and two christians. At the age of forty-two, he publicly 16 declared17 himself as a prophet of God.18 His adversaries19 forced20 him to fly21 from Mecca to Medina. This event22 is celebrated under the name of the Hegira, or flight ;23 from which the Mahometans date24 their years. At Medina he assumed 25 the military26 as well as the religious character. He made many disciples, 27 and assembled 28 a determined29 and daring-30 band. He excited their courage, and promised31 them a paradise filled 32 with sensual33 delights,34 especially $5 to those who fell36 in the defence37 of their religion.

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Mahomet taught 38 that there is one God. He acknowledged 39 the divine40 authority of the mission of Christ, but rejected 42 the doctrine43 of his divinity.44 He conquered all45 Arabia, Syria, and other parts16 of Asia. He died in 632, aged sixty-two. It is related, 47 that he was poisoned. 48 His followers, 49 the Saracens and Turks extended50 their conquests over the most fruitful51 parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe.

CONFUCIUS.

Confucius was born about1 551 years before the birth of Christ; he was descended3 from one of the first Em

perors of China. His descendants5 still have a title of distinction, and are exempted from the payment10 of taxes. Confucius was learned11 in the ancient12 languages, 13 and in his thirtieth year devoted14 himself to the study of philosophy. He led15 a most austere 16 life, and slept17 on the earth's with no other pillow19 but20 his arm. He had three thousand disciples, and lived to the age of seventy-three. A great part of the national religion of China, and of its laws, 21 is founded22 on the moral23 writings of Confucius. 24 In many cities China, splendid 26 colleges are erected27 to his memory.28

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THE ROBIN RED-BREAST.

The robin1 red-breast is a bird well known in all parts of Europe; his song is very soft6 and sweet7. The robin is known by his red forehead,9 throat, 10 and breast;11 his head, 12 a part of his neck, 13 back,11 and tail15 are of the colour16 of ash, 17 tinged18 with green.19 The robin builds 20 its nest21 in different22 places;23 its young24 are very delicate.25 In winter26 the robin is very tame,27 and often pays28 its visits 29 even to the houses 30 of men,31 hopping32 fearlessly33 into a kitchen,34 or a parlour.35

THE MAGPIE.1

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The magpie is a crafty bird; it is addicted3 to stealing. On a theft5 of a bird of this species is founded? the tale of the "Maid9 and the Magpie." A magpie stole1o a silver11 spoon,12-the servant13-maid was accused

of the theft, and condemned to be executed.14 As the officers15 of justice16 conducted17 her to the place of execution, 18 the magpie was seen19 to carry20 (as she carried) another booty21 to the spire of a church.23 It was pursued, 24 the lost spoon was found, 25 and the innocent26 girl was acquitted.27

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THE HORSE.1

The horse is one of the most beautiful and useful3 of all domestic animals.5 Arabia produces the most swift,7 the most generous, and the most persevering9 breed.10 The horses of the Arabians are the principal11 source12 of their support ;13 they use14 them in the chase, 15 and in their expeditions16 for plunder.17 They never18 force them to carry heavy19 burdens, 20 nor21 to take long22 journeys ;23 they are very tractable24 and familiar;25 they are left26 without keepers27 in the fields, 28 but they follow29 willingly30 when they are called31 by their masters. The Arabs never beat32 nor correct33 their horses, but they treat34 them with kindness35 and affection.36

THE ATTACHMENT OF AN ARAB FOR HIS
HORSE.

The whole property3 of an Arab consisted in his horse. The French5 Consul at Said wished to purchase? it as a presents for his King. The Arab, pressed by poverty, 10 hesitated11 for a long time; but the Consul offered12 a very large13 sum, 14 till he gave15 his consent.16 A day was appointed17 for the sale; 18 the Arab arrived19

with his magnificent20 courser; he dismounted21 but was very agitated.22 He looked23 first at the gold, then at his horse, and heaving24 a deep25 sigh, 26 he exclaimed :27 "To whom shall I surrender28 thee; to an European, 29 who will beat and make thee miserable.30 Return31 with me, my jewel, and rejoice33 the heart 34 of my children.35 He sprang 36 upon his back and disappeared in a few37 moments.3 38

LONDON STONE.

London Stone is a well known remnant1 of antiquity; it stands3 against the southern5 wall of St. Swithin's church in the City of London. Although it is now a mere fragments it is still an interesting9 object10 with those who associate11 the recollection12 of past13 events with existing14 monuments.15 This venerable16 monument was considered17 in former18 times with superstitious19 zeal, 20 and many of the inhabitants of the city believed, 21 that their happiness22 and safety23 depended24 on its preservation.25 This ancient monument is mentioned 26 by Hollingshed in his account27 of the insurrection 28 of Jack Cade. When that leader29 of the rebellious 30 populace31 forced32 his way into the capital, he struck33 with his sword 34 upon London Stone, and exclaimed, "Now is Mortimer lord35 of this city." Some36 antiquaries 37 consider this stone38 as a Roman miliary, 39 from which the Romans measured 40 their roads41 as from a centre.42 But others are of opinion, 43 that it was rather44 a monument in a Roman forum, for some pavement45 and other remains of Roman workmanship46 and buildings47 were discovered upon48 digging-49 in the adjoining50 ground.51

THE MICROSCOPE.1

The invention of the microscope disclosed3 to the eye1 of the inquirers into the wonders of the creation a new3 world of minute9 animals, 10 the existence11 of which was until that time unknown. By the power12 of this instrument13 it was discovered that every drop14 of impure15 water16 contained17 thousands of living creatures, which are invisible18 to the naked19 eye. The rapid20 and apparently21 hostile movement23 of the larger kind of these creatures among their smaller25 companions 26 induced27 the belief28 that they devoured 9 each30 other; but later31 observers 32 have asserted, 33 that this was an erroneous 34 supposition.35 The microscope gave36 origin37 to many other discoveries.38 The corallines 39 and sponges, 40 for instance, had long been considered as belonging11 either to the vegetable12 or mineral kingdom;43 but the little architects who build44 and inhabit45 their minute cells 46 were discovered by the aid of this instrument. Several theories of naturalists47 were made clear48 to the eye, and thus established, 49 while others were rejected, 50 as it was made palpable51 to the sight,52 that they were without53 foundation.54 The smallest creature which has been discovered is called55 Monade. At first it appeared56 to be without trace of organization; but the recent58 discoveries of a German naturalist Professor Ehrenberg, have proved 59 that even this, the smallest of the infusory60 animals is in possession61 of four distinct62 stomachs.63.

MOUNT ETNA.

This mount is situated in the islands of Sicily. It is by far the largest volcano in Europe, and on a clear day