"Juggernaut represents the ninth incarnation of Vishnoo, a H

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON READING BOOK

LONDON:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED AT THE OFFICE

OF

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS,

198, STRAND.

1851.

THIRD EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS

* * * * *

[Illustration: PRINCE ALBERT IN HIS ROBES AS CHANCELLOR OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.]

* * * * *

INTRODUCTION.

[Illustration: INTRODUCTION.]

To read and speak with elegance and ease,

Are arts polite that never fail to please;

Yet in those arts how very few excel!

Ten thousand men may read--not one read well.

Though all mankind are speakers in a sense,

How few can soar to heights of eloquence!

The sweet melodious singer trills her lays,

And listening crowds go frantic in her praise;

But he who reads or speaks with feeling true,

Charms and delights, instructs, and moves us too.

Browne.

To deprive Instruction of the terrors with which the young but too often

regard it, and strew flowers upon the pathways that lead to Knowledge,

is to confer a benefit upon all who are interested in the cause of

Education, either as Teachers or Pupils. The design of the following

pages is not merely to present to the youthful reader some of the

masterpieces of English literature in prose and verse, arranged and

selected in such a manner as to please as well as instruct, but to

render them more agreeable to the eye and the imagination by Pictorial

Representations, in illustration of the subjects. It is hoped that this

design has not been altogether unsuccessful, and that the ILLUSTRATED

LONDON READING BOOK will recommend itself both to old and young by the

appropriateness of the selections, their progressive arrangement, the

fidelity of their Illustrations, and the very moderate price at which it

is offered to the public.

It has not been thought necessary to prefix to the present Volume any

instructions in the art of Elocution, or to direct the accent or

intonation of the student by the abundant use of italics or of large

capitals. The principal, if not the only secrets of good reading are, to

speak slowly, to articulate distinctly, to pause judiciously, and to

feel the subject so as, if possible, "to make all that passed in the

mind of the Author to be felt by the Auditor," Good oral example upon

these points is far better for the young Student than the most elaborate

written system.

A series of Educational Works, in other departments of study, _similarly

illustrated,_ and at a price equally small, is in preparation. Among the

earliest to be issued, may be enumerated a Sequel and Companion to the

ILLUSTRATED LONDON READING BOOK, designed for a more advanced class of

Students, and consisting of extracts from English Classical Authors,

from the earliest periods of English Literature to the present day, with

a copious Introductory Chapter upon the arts of Elocution and

Composition. The latter will include examples of Style chosen from the

beauties of the best Authors, and will also point out by similar

examples the Faults to be avoided by all who desire to become, not

simply good Readers and Speakers, but elegant Writers of their native

language.

Amongst the other works of which the series will be composed, may be

mentioned, profusely Illustrated Volumes upon Geographical,

Astronomical, Mathematical, and General Science, as well as works

essential to the proper training of the youthful mind.

_January_, 1850.

[Illustration]

CONTENTS.

Abbey, Account of Strata Florida

Adam and Eve in Paradise (MILTON)

Alfred, Anecdote of King (BEAUTIES OF HISTORY)

Alfred, Character of King (HUME)

Angling, Lines on (DOUBLEDAY)

Antioch, The Siege of (POPULAR DELUSIONS)

Artillery Tactics

Athens, Present Appearance of

Attock, Description of the Fort of

Bacon, Remarks on Lord (D'ISRAELI)

Balloons, Account of

Baltic, Battle of the (CAMPBELL)

Beetle, The

Bell, The Founding of the (MACKAY)

Bible, Value of the (BUCK)

Birds, Appropriateness of the Songs of (DR. JENNER)

Bower-Birds, Description of the

Bridges, Account of Tubular Railway

Bunyan's Wife, Anecdote of (LORD CAMPBELL)

Bushmen, Account of the

Caesar, Character of Julius (MIDDLETON)

Canada, Intense Cold of (SIR F. HEAD)

Canary, Account of the

Charity (PRIOR)

Chatterton, Lines by

Cheerfulness, Description of (ADDISON)

China, Account of the Great Wall of

Christian Freedom (POLLOCK)

Clarendon, Account of Lord

Cobra di Capello, Description of the

Condors, Account of

Cruelty to Animals, Wickedness of (JENYNS)

Culloden Battle-field, Description of (HIGHLAND NOTE-BOOK)

Cyprus, Description of

Danish Encampment, Account of a

Deity, Omniscience of the (ADDISON)

Dogs, A Chapter on

Dove, Return of the (MACKAY)

Edward VI., Character of (BURNET)

Elegy in a Country Churchyard (GRAY)

Elizabeth (Queen), at Tilbury Fort (ENGLISH HISTORY)

Envy, Wickedness of (DR. JOHNSON)

Faith's Guiding Star (ELIZA COOK)

Farewell (BARTON)

Filial Love (DR. DODD)

Fortitude (BLAIR)

Fox, Description of the Long-eared

Frederick of Prussia and his Page (BEAUTIES OF HISTORY)

Gambier Islanders, Account of

Gelert (W. SPENCER)

Gentleness, Character of (BLAIR)

Goldsmith, Remarks on the Style of (CAMPBELL)

Goliah Aratoo, Description of the

Greece, Isles of (BYRON)

Greece, The Shores of (BYRON)

Gresham, Account of Sir Thomas

Grief, The First (MRS. HEMANS)

Grouse, Description of the

Hagar and Ishmael, Story of

Hampden, Account of John

Hercules, The Choice of (TATLER)

Holly Bough (MACKAY)

Hope (CAMPBELL)

Iguana, Description of the

Industry, Value of (BLAIR)

Integrity (DR. DODD)

Ivy in the Dungeon (MACKAY)

"Jack The Giant Killer," Origin of (CARLYLE)

Jalapa, Description of

Jewels, Description of the Crown

Joppa, Account of

Jordan, Description of the River

Jordan's Banks (BYRON)

Juggernaut, Account of the Car of

Kaffir Chiefs, Account of

Kaffir Letter-carrier, Account of

Kangaroo, Description of the

Knowledge, on the Attainment of (DR. WATTS)

Leopard, Description of the Black

Lighthouse, Description of Hartlepool

Lilies (MRS. HEMANS)

Mangouste, Description of the

Mariana (TENNYSON)

Mariners of England (CAMPBELL)

Martello Towers, Account of

Mary's (Queen) Bower, at Chatsworth

Microscope, Revelations of the (DR. MANTELL)

Midnight Thoughts (YOUNG)

Mill-stream, Lines on a (MARY HOWITT)

Music, Remarks on (USHER)

Napoleon, Character of (GENERAL FOY)

Nature and its Lord

Nature, The Order of (POPE)

Naval Tactics

Nests of Birds, Construction of (STURM)

Niagara, Account of the Falls of (SIR JAMES ALEXANDER)

Nightingale and Glowworm (COWPER)

Olive, Description of the

Othello's History (SHAKESPEARE)

Owls, Account of

Owls, (Two) and the Sparrow (GAY)

Palm-Tree, Account of the

Palm-Tree, Lines on a (MRS. HEMANS)

Parrot, Lines on a (CAMPBELL)

Patmos, Description of the Isle of

Paul and Virginia, Supposed Tombs of

Pekin, Description of

Peter the Hermit Preaching the First Crusade (POPULAR DELUSIONS)

Poetry, Rise of, among the Romans (SPENCE)

Polar Regions, Description of the

Pompeii, Account of

Poor, The Afflicted (CRABBE)

Pyramid Lake, Account of the

Railway Tunnels, Difficulties of

Rainbow, Account of a Lunar

Rattlesnake, Account of the (F.T. BUCKLAND)

Rome, Lines on (ROGERS)

Rookery, Dialogue about a (EVENINGS AT HOME)

Sardis, Description of

Schoolboy's Pilgrimage (JANE TAYLOR)

Seasons (THOMSON)

Shakspeare, Remarks on

Sheep, Description of Thibetan

Sierra Nevada, Description of the (FREMONT'S TRAVEL)

Siloam, Account of the Pool of

Sleep, Henry IV.'s Soliloquy on (SHAKSPEARE)

Sloth, Description of the

Smyrna, Description of

Staffa, Description of (HIGHLAND NOTE-BOOK)

Stag, The hunted (SIR W. SCOTT)

Starling, Story of a (STERNE)

St. Bernard, Account of the Dogs of (THE MENAGERIES)

St. Cecilia, Ode to (DRYDEN)

Stepping-stones, The (WORDSWORTH)

Stony Cross, Description of

Stream, the Nameless (MACKAY)

Study, Remarks on (LORD BACON)

Sun Fish, Capture of a (CAPTAIN BEDFORD, R.N.)

Sydney, Generosity of Sir Philip (BEAUTIES of HISTORY)

Tabor, Description of Mount

Tapir, Description of the

Telegraph, Account of the Electric (SIR F. HEAD)

Time, What is it? (REV. J. MARSDEN)

Turkish Customs

Tyre, the Siege of (LANGHORNE'S PLUTARCH)

Una and the Lion (SPENSER)

Universe, Grandeur of the (ADDISON)

Vocabulary

Waterloo, Description of the Field of

Winter Thoughts (THOMSON)

Writing, On Simplicity in (HUME)

* * * * *

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON READING BOOK

* * * * *

THE SCHOOLBOY'S PILGRIMAGE.

[Illustration: Letter N.]

Nothing could be more easy and agreeable than my condition when I was

first summoned to set out on the road to learning, and it was not

without letting fall a few ominous tears that I took the first step.

Several companions of my own age accompanied me in the outset, and we

travelled pleasantly together a good part of the way.

We had no sooner entered upon our path, than we were accosted by three

diminutive strangers. These we presently discovered to be the

advance-guard of a Lilliputian army, which was seen advancing towards us

in battle array. Their forms were singularly grotesque: some were

striding across the path, others standing with their arms a-kimbo; some

hanging down their heads, others quite erect; some standing on one leg,

others on two; and one, strange to say, on three; another had his arms

crossed, and one was remarkably crooked; some were very slender, and

others as broad as they were long. But, notwithstanding this diversity

of figure, when they were all marshalled in line of battle, they had a

very orderly and regular appearance. Feeling disconcerted by their

numbers, we were presently for sounding a retreat; but, being urged

forward by our guide, we soon mastered the three who led the van, and

this gave us spirit to encounter the main army, who were conquered to a

man before we left the field. We had scarcely taken breath after this

victory, when, to our no small dismay, we descried a strong

reinforcement of the enemy, stationed on the opposite side. These were

exactly equal in number to the former army, but vastly superior in size

and stature; they were, in fact, a race of giants, though of the same

species with the others, and were capitally accoutred for the onset.

Their appearance discouraged us greatly at first, but we found their

strength was not proportioned to their size; and, having acquired much

skill and courage by the late engagement, we soon succeeded in subduing

them, and passed off the field in triumph. After this we were

perpetually engaged with small bands of the enemy, no longer extended in

line of battle, but in small detachments of two, three, and four in

company. We had some tough work here, and now and then they were too

many for us. Having annoyed us thus for a time, they began to form

themselves into close columns, six or eight abreast; but we had now

attained so much address, that we no longer found them formidable.

After continuing this route for a considerable way, the face of the

country suddenly changed, and we began to enter upon a vast succession

of snowy plains, where we were each furnished with a certain light

weapon, peculiar to the country, which we flourished continually, and

with which we made many light strokes, and some desperate ones. The

waters hereabouts were dark and brackish, and the snowy surface of the

plain was often defaced by them. Probably, we were now on the borders of

the Black Sea. These plains we travelled across and across for many a

day.

Upon quitting this district, the country became far more dreary: it

appeared nothing but a dry and sterile region, the soil being remarkably

hard and slatey. Here we saw many curious figures, and we soon found

that the inhabitants of this desert were mere ciphers. Sometimes they

appeared in vast numbers, but only to be again suddenly diminished.

Our road, after this, wound through a rugged and hilly country, which

was divided into nine principal parts or districts, each under a

different governor; and these again were reduced into endless

subdivisions. Some of them we were obliged to decline. It was not a

little puzzling to perceive the intricate ramifications of the paths in

these parts. Here the natives spoke several dialects, which rendered our

intercourse with them very perplexing. However, it must be confessed

that every step we set in this country was less fatiguing and more

interesting. Our course at first lay all up hill; but when we had

proceeded to a certain height, the distant country, which is most richly

variegated, opened freely to our view.

I do not mean at present to describe that country, or the different

stages by which we advance through its scenery. Suffice it to say, that

the journey, though always arduous, has become more and more pleasant

every stage; and though, after years of travel and labour, we are still

very far from the Temple of Learning, yet we have found on the way more

than enough to make us thankful to the kindness of the friends who first

set us on the path, and to induce us to go forward courageously and

rejoicingly to the end of the journey.

JANE TAYLOR.

* * * * *

PEKIN.

Pekin, or Peking, a word which in Chinese means "Northern Capital," has

been the chief city of China ever since the Tartars were expelled, and

is the residence of the Emperor. The tract of country on which it stands

is sandy and barren; but the Grand Canal is well adapted for the purpose

of feeding its vast population with the produce of more fertile

provinces and districts. A very large portion of the centre of the part

of Pekin called the Northern City is occupied by the Emperor with his

palaces and gardens, which are of the most beautiful description, and,

surrounded by their own wall, form what is called the "Prohibited City."

[Illustration: GRAND CANAL AT THE ENTRANCE TO PEKIN.]

The Grand Canal, which runs about five hundred miles, without allowing

for windings, across the kingdom of China, is not only the means by

which subsistence is brought to the inhabitants of the imperial city,

but is of great value in conveying the tribute, a large portion of the

revenue being paid in kind. Dr. Davis mentions having observed on it a

large junk decorated with a yellow umbrella, and found on enquiry that

it had the honour of bearing the "Dragon robes," as the Emperor's

garments are called. These are forwarded annually, and are the peculiar

tribute of the silk districts. The banks of the Grand Canal are, in many

parts through which it flows, strongly faced with stone, a precaution

very necessary to prevent the danger of inundations, from which some

parts of this country are constantly suffering. The Yellow River so very

frequently overflows its banks, and brings so much peril and calamity to

the people, that it has been called "China's Sorrow;" and the European

trade at Canton has been very heavily taxed for the damage occasioned by

it.

The Grand Canal and the Yellow River, in one part of the country, run

within four or five miles of each other, for about fifty miles; and at

length they join or cross each other, and then run in a contrary

direction. A great deal of ceremony is used by the crews of the vessels

when they reach this point, and, amongst other customs, they stock

themselves abundantly with live cocks, destined to be sacrificed on

crossing the river. These birds annoy and trouble the passengers so much

by their incessant crowing on the top of the boats, that they are not

much pitied when the time for their death arrives. The boatmen collect

money for their purchase from the passengers, by sending red paper

petitions called _pin_, begging for aid to provide them with these and

other needful supplies. The difficulties which the Chinese must have

struggled against, with their defective science, in this junction of the

canal and the river, are incalculable; and it is impossible to deny them

the praise they deserve for so great an exercise of perseverance and

industry.

* * * * *

THE GOLIAH ARATOO.

The splendid family of parrots includes about one hundred and sixty

species, and, though peculiar to the warmer regions of the world, they

are better known in England than any other foreign bird. From the beauty

of their plumage, the great docility of their manners, and the singular

faculty they possess of imitating the human voice, they are general

favourites, both in the drawingroom of the wealthy and the cottage of

humble life.

The various species differ in size, as well as in appearance and colour.

Some (as the macaws) are larger than the domestic fowl, and some of the

parakeets are not larger than a blackbird or even a sparrow.

The interesting bird of which our Engraving gives a representation was

recently brought alive to this country by the captain of a South-seaman

(the _Alert_), who obtained it from a Chinese vessel from the Island of

Papua, to whom the captain of the _Alert_ rendered valuable assistance

when in a state of distress. In size this bird is one of the largest of

the parrot tribe, being superior to the great red Mexican Macaw. The

whole plumage is black, glossed with a greenish grey; the head is

ornamented with a large crest of long pendulous feathers, which it

erects at pleasure, when the bird has a most noble appearance; the

orbits of the eyes and cheeks are of a deep rose-colour; the bill is of

great size, and will crack the hardest fruit stones; but when the

kernel is detached, the bird does not crush and swallow it in large

fragments, but scrapes it with the lower mandible to the finest pulp,

thus differing from other parrots in the mode of taking food. In the

form of its tongue it differs also from other birds of the kind. A

French naturalist read a memoir on this organ before the Academy of

Sciences at Paris, in which he aptly compared it, in its uses, to the

trunk of an elephant. In its manners it is gentle and familiar, and when

approached raises a cry which may be compared to a hoarse croaking. In

its gait it resembles the rook, and walks much better than most of the

climbing family.

[Illustration: GOLIAH ARATOO.]

From the general conformation of the parrots, as well as the arrangement

and strength of their toes, they climb very easily, assisting themselves

greatly with their hooked bill, but walk rather awkwardly on the ground,

from the shortness and wide separation of their legs. The bill of the

parrot is moveable in both mandibles, the upper being joined to the

skull by a membrane which acts like a hinge; while in other birds the

upper beak forms part of the skull. By this curious contrivance they can

open their bills widely, which the hooked form of the beak would not

otherwise allow them to do. The structure of the wings varies greatly in

the different species: in general they are short, and as their bodies

are bulky, they cannot consequently rise to any great height without

difficulty; but when once they gain a certain distance they fly easily,

and some of them with rapidity. The number of feathers in the tail is

always twelve, and these, both in length and form, are very varied in

the different species, some being arrow or spear-shaped, others straight

and square.

In eating, parrots make great use of the feet, which they employ like

hands, holding the food firmly with the claws of one, while they support

themselves on the other. From the hooked shape of their bills, they find

it more convenient to turn their food in an outward direction, instead

of, like monkeys and other animals, turning it towards their mouths.

The whole tribe are fond of water, washing and bathing themselves many

times during the day in streams and marshy places; and having shaken the

water from their plumage, seem greatly to enjoy spreading their

beautiful wings to dry in the sun.

* * * * *

THE PARROT.

A DOMESTIC ANECDOTE.

[Illustration: Letter T.]

The deep affections of the breast,

That Heaven to living things imparts,

Are not exclusively possess'd

By human hearts.

A parrot, from the Spanish Main,

Full young, and early-caged, came o'er,

With bright wings, to the bleak domain

Of Mulla's shore.

To spicy groves, where he had won

His plumage of resplendent hue--

His native fruits, and skies, and sun--

He bade adieu.

For these he changed the smoke of turf,

A heathery land and misty sky;

And turn'd on rocks and raging surf

His golden eye.

But, petted, in our climate cold,

He lived and chatter'd many a day;

Until, with age, from green and gold

His wings grew grey.

At last, when blind and seeming dumb,

He scolded, laugh'd, and spoke no more,

A Spanish stranger chanced to come

To Mulla's shore.

He hail'd the bird in Spanish speech,

The bird in Spanish speech replied:

Flapt round his cage with joyous screech--

Dropt down and died.

CAMPBELL.

* * * * *

THE STARLING.

[Illustration: Letter T.]

'Tis true, said I, correcting the proposition--the Bastile is not an

evil to be despised; but strip it of its towers, fill the fosse,

unbarricade the doors, call it simply a confinement, and suppose it is

some tyrant of a distemper, and not a man which holds you in it, the

evil vanishes, and you bear the other half without complaint. I was

interrupted in the heyday of this soliloquy, with a voice which I took

to be of a child, which complained "It could not get out." I looked up

and down the passage, and seeing neither man, woman, or child, I went

out without further attention. In my return back through the passage, I

heard the same words repeated twice over; and looking up, I saw it was a

starling, hung in a little cage; "I can't get out, I can't get out,"

said the starling. I stood looking at the bird; and to every person who

came through the passage, it ran fluttering to the side towards which

they approached it with the same lamentation of its captivity. "I can't

get out," said the starling. "Then I will let you out," said I, "cost

what it will;" so I turned about the cage to get at the door--it was

twisted and double twisted so fast with wire there was no getting it

open without pulling the cage to pieces; I took both hands to it. The

bird flew to the place where I was attempting his deliverance, and

thrusting his head through the trellis, pressed his breast against it,

as if impatient. "I fear, poor creature," said I, "I cannot set thee at

liberty." "No," said the starling; "I can't get out, I can't get out,"

said the starling.

[Illustration: STARLING.]

I vow, I never had my affections more tenderly awakened; nor do I

remember an incident in my life, where the dissipated spirits to which

my reason had been a bubble were so suddenly called home. Mechanical as

the notes were, yet so true in tune to nature were they chaunted, that

in one moment they overthrew all my systematic reasonings upon the

Bastile, and I heavily walked up-stairs unsaying every word I had said

in going down them.

STERNE.

* * * * *

THE CAR OF JUGGERNAUT.

[Illustration: Letter J.]

Juggernaut is the principal idol worshipped by the Hindoos, and to his

temple, which is at Pooree, are attached no less than four thousand

priests and servants; of these one set are called Pundahs. In the autumn

of the year they start on a journey through India, preaching in every

town and village the advantages of a pilgrimage to Juggernaut, after

which they conduct to Pooree large bodies of pilgrims for the Rath

Justra, or Car Festival, which takes place in May or June. This is the

principal festival, and the number of devotees varies from about 80,000

to 150,000. No European, Mussulman, or low cast Hindoo is admitted into

the temple; we can therefore only speak from report of what goes on

inside. Mr. Acland, in his manners and customs of India, gives us the

following amusing account of this celebrated idol:--

"Juggernaut represents the ninth incarnation of Vishnoo, a Hindoo deity,

and consists of a mere block of sacred wood, in the centre of which is

said to be concealed a fragment of the original idol, which was

fashioned by Vishnoo himself. The features and all the external parts

are formed of a mixture of mud and cow-dung, painted. Every morning the

idol undergoes his ablutions; but, as the paint would not stand the

washing, the priests adopt a very ingenious plan--they hold a mirror in

front of the image and wash his reflection. Every evening he is put to

bed; but, as the idol is very unwieldy, they place the bedstead in front

of him, and on that they lay a small image. Offerings are made to him

by pilgrims and others, of rice, money, jewels, elephants, &c., the

Rajah of Knoudah and the priests being his joint treasurers. On the day

of the festival, three cars, between fifty and sixty feet in height, are

brought to the gate of the temple; the idols are then taken out by the

priests, Juggernaut having golden arms and diamond eyes for that one

day, and by means of pulleys are hauled up and placed in their

respective carriages: to these enormous ropes are attached, and the

assembled thousands with loud shouts proceed to drag the idols to

Juggernaut's country-house, a small temple about a mile distant. This

occupies several days, and the idols are then brought back to their

regular stations. The Hindoos believe that every person who aids in

dragging the cars receives pardon for all his past sins; but the fact

that people throw themselves under the wheels of the cars, appears to

have been an European conjecture, arising from the numerous deaths that

occur from accidents at the time the immense cars are in progress."

[Illustration: CAR OF JUGGERNAUT.]

These cars have an imposing air, from their great size and loftiness:

the wheels are six feet in diameter; but every part of the ornament is

of the meanest and most paltry description, save only the covering of

striped and spangled broad-cloth, the splendid and gorgeous effect of

which makes up in a great measure for other deficiencies.

During the period the pilgrims remain at Pooree they are not allowed to

eat anything but what has been offered to the idol, and that they have

to buy at a high price from the priests.

* * * * *

CYPRUS.

[Illustration: Letter C.]

Cyprus, an island in the Levant, is said to have taken its name from the

number of shrubs of that name with which it once abounded. From this

tall shrub, the cypress, its ancient inhabitants made an oil of a very

delicious flavour, which was an article of great importance in their

commerce, and is still in great repute among Eastern nations. It once,

too, abounded with forests of olive trees; and immense cisterns are

still to be seen, which have been erected for the purpose of preserving

the oil which the olive yielded.

Near the centre of the island stands Nicotia, the capital, and the

residence of the governor, who now occupies one of the palaces of its

ancient sovereigns. The palaces are remarkable for the beauty of their

architecture, but are abandoned by their Turkish masters to the

destructive hand of time. The church of St. Sophia, in this place, is

built in the Gothic style, and is said to have been erected by the

Emperor Justinian. Here the Christian Kings of Cyprus were formerly

crowned; but it is now converted into a mosque.

The island was formerly divided into nine kingdoms, and was famous for

its superb edifices, its elegant temples, and its riches, but can now

boast of nothing but its ruins, which will tell to distant times the

greatness from which it has fallen.

The southern coast of this island is exposed to the hot winds from all

directions. During a squall from the north-east, the temperature has

been described as so scorching, that the skin instantly peeled from the

lips, a tendency to sneeze was excited, accompanied with great pain in

the eyes, and chapping of the hands and face. The heats are sometimes so

excessive, that persons going out without an umbrella are liable to

suffer from _coup de soleil_, or sun-stroke; and the inhabitants,

especially of the lower class, in order to guard against it, wrap up

their heads in a large turban, over which in their journeys they plait a

thick shawl many times folded. They seldom, however, venture out of

their houses during mid-day, and all journeys, even those of caravans,

are performed in the night. Rains are also rare in the summer season,

and long droughts banish vegetation, and attract numberless columns of

locusts, which destroy the plants and fruits.

[Illustration: CYPRUS.]

The soil, though very fertile, is rarely cultivated, the Greeks being so

oppressed by their Turkish masters that they dare not cultivate the rich

plains which surround them, as the produce would be taken from them; and

their whole object is to collect together during the year as much grain

as is barely sufficient to pay their tax to the Governor, the omission

of which is often punished by torture or even by death.

The carob, or St. John's bread-tree, is plentiful; and the long thick

pods which it produces are exported in considerable quantities to Syria

and Egypt. The succulent pulp which the pod contains is sometimes

employed in those countries instead of sugar and honey, and is often

used in preserving other fruits. The vine grows here perhaps in greater

perfection than in any other part of the world, and the wine of the

island is celebrated all over the Levant.

* * * * *

THE RATTLESNAKE.

[Illustration: Letter T.]

This terrible reptile is found in great abundance on the continent of

America; and if its instinct induced it to make use of the dreadful

means of destruction and self-defence which it possesses, it would

become so great a scourge as to render the parts in which it is found

almost uninhabitable: but, except when violently irritated, or for the

purpose of self-preservation, it seldom employs the fatal power bestowed

upon it. The rattlesnake inserts its poison in the body of its victim by

means of two long sharp-pointed teeth or fangs, which grow one on each

side of the forepart of the upper jaw. The construction of these teeth

is very singular; they are hollow for a portion of their length, and in

each tooth is found a narrow slit communicating with the central hollow;

the root of the fang rests on a kind of bag, containing a certain

quantity of a liquid poison, and when the animal buries his teeth in his

prey, a portion of this fluid is forced through these openings and

lodged at the bottom of the wound. Another peculiarity of these poison

teeth is, that when not in use they turn back, as it were, upon a hinge,

and lie flat in the roof of the animal's mouth.

The name of rattlesnake is given to it on account of the singular

apparatus with which the extremity of its tail is furnished. This

consists of a series of hollow horn-like substances, placed loosely one

behind the other in such a manner as to produce a kind of rattling noise

when the tail is shaken; and as the animal, whenever it is enraged,

always carries its tail raised up, and produces at the same time a

tremulous motion in it, this provision of nature gives timely notice of

its dangerous approach. The number of pieces of which this rattle is

formed points out the age of the snake, which acquires a fresh piece

every year. Some specimens have been found with as many as from forty to

fifty, thus indicating a great age.

[Illustration: RATTLESNAKE AND YOUNG.]

The poison of the Viper consists of a yellowish liquid, secreted in a

glandular structure (situated immediately below the skin on either side

of the head), which is believed to represent the parotid gland of the

higher animals. If a viper be made to bite something solid, so as to

avoid its poison, the following are the appearances under the

microscope:--At first nothing is seen but a parcel of salts nimbly

floating in the liquor, but in a very short time these saline particles

shoot out into crystals of incredible tenuity and sharpness, with

something like knots here and there, from which these crystals seem to

proceed, so that the whole texture in a manner represents a spider's

web, though infinitely finer and more minute. These spiculae, or darts,

will remain unaltered on the glass for some months. Five or six grains

of this viperine poison, mixed with half an ounce of human blood,

received in a warm glass, produce no visible effects, either in colour

or consistence, nor do portions of this poisoned blood, mixed with acids

or alkalies, exhibit any alterations. When placed on the tongue, the

taste is sharp and acrid, as if the tongue had been struck with

something scalding or burning; but this sensation goes off in two or

three hours. There are only five cases on record of death following the

bite of the viper; and it has been observed that the effects are most

virulent when the poison has been received on the extremities,

particularly the fingers and toes, at which parts the animal, when

irritated (as it were, by an innate instinct), always takes its aim.

F.T. BUCKLAND

* * * * *

ORIGIN OF "JACK THE GIANT-KILLER."

[Illustration: Letter A.]

After various adventures, Thor, accompanied by Thialfi and Loke, his

servants, entered upon Giantland, and wandered over plains--wild

uncultivated places--among stones and trees. At nightfall they noticed a

house; and as the door, which indeed formed one whole side of the house,

was open, they entered. It was a simple habitation--one large hall,

altogether empty. They stayed there. Suddenly, in the dead of the night,

loud voices alarmed them. Thor grasped his hammer, and stood in the

doorway, prepared for fight. His companions within ran hither and

thither, in their terror, seeking some outlet in that rude hall: they

found a little closet at last, and took refuge there. Neither had Thor

any battle; for lo! in the morning it turned out that the noise had been

only the snoring of a certain enormous, but peaceable, giant--the giant

Skrymir, who lay peaceably sleeping near by; and this, that they took

for a house, was merely his glove thrown aside there: the door was the

glove-wrist; the little closet they had fled into was the thumb! Such a

glove! I remark, too, that it had not fingers, as ours have, but only a

thumb, and the rest undivided--a most ancient rustic glove!

Skrymir now carried their portmanteau all day; Thor, however, who had

his suspicions, did not like the ways of Skrymir, and determined at

night to put an end to him as he slept. Raising his hammer, he struck

down into the giant's face a right thunderbolt blow, of force to rend

rocks. The giant merely awoke, rubbed his cheek, and said, "Did a leaf

fall?" Again Thor struck, as soon as Skrymir again slept, a better blow

than before; but the giant only murmured, "Was that a grain of sand!"

Thor's third stroke was with both his hands (the "knuckles white," I

suppose), and it seemed to cut deep into Skrymir's visage; but he merely

checked his snore, and remarked, "There must be sparrows roosting in

this tree, I think."

At the gate of Utgard--a place so high, that you had to strain your neck

bending back to see the top of it--Skrymir went his way. Thor and his

companions were admitted, and invited to take a share in the games going

on. To Thor, for his part, they handed a drinking-horn; it was a common

feat, they told him, to drink this dry at one draught. Long and

fiercely, three times over, Thor drank, but made hardly any impression.

He was a weak child, they told him; could he lift that cat he saw there?

Small as the feat seemed, Thor, with his whole godlike strength, could

not: he bent up the creature's back, could not raise its feet off the

ground--could at the utmost raise one foot. "Why, you are no man," said

the Utgard people; "there is an old woman that will wrestle you." Thor,

heartily ashamed, seized this haggard old woman, but could not throw

her.

[Illustration: THE GIANT SKRYMIR.]

And now, on their quitting Utgard--the chief Jotun, escorting them

politely a little way, said to Thor--"You are beaten, then; yet, be not

so much ashamed: there was deception of appearance in it. That horn you

tried to drink was the sea; you did make it ebb: but who could drink

that, the bottomless? The cat you would have lifted--why, that is the

Midgard Snake, the Great World Serpent--which, tail in mouth, girds and

keeps up the whole created world. Had you torn that up, the world must

have rushed to ruin. As for the old woman, she was Time, Old Age,

Duration: with her what can wrestle? No man, nor no god, with her. Gods

or men, she prevails over all! And then, those three strokes you

struck--look at these valleys--your three strokes made these." Thor

looked at his attendant Jotun--it was Skrymir. It was, say old critics,

the old chaotic rocky earth in person, and that glove house was some

earth cavern! But Skrymir had vanished. Utgard, with its sky-high gates,

when Thor raised his hammer to smite them, had gone to air--only the

giant's voice was heard mocking; "Better come no more to Jotunheim!"

CARLYLE.

* * * * *

VALUE OF THE BIBLE.

What an invaluable blessing it is to have the Bible in our own tongue.

It is not only the oldest, but the best book in the world. Our

forefathers rejoiced when they were first favoured with the opportunity

of reading it for themselves. Infidels may reject, and the licentious

may sneer; but no one who ever wished to take away this

foundation-stone, could produce any other equal to it, on which the

structure of a pious mind, a solid hope, a comfortable state, or wise

conduct, could be raised. We are told, that when Archbishop Crammer's

edition of the Bible was printed in 1538, and fixed to a desk in all

parochial churches, the ardour with which men flocked to read it was

incredible. They who could, procured it; and they who could not, crowded

to read it, or to hear it read in churches. It was common to see little

assemblies of mechanics meeting together for that purpose after the

labour of the day. Many even learned to read in their old age, that they

might have the pleasure of instructing themselves from the Scriptures.

It is recorded of Edward VI., that upon a certain occasion, a paper

which was called for in the council-chamber happened to be out of reach;

the person concerned to produce it took a Bible that lay near, and,

standing upon it, reached down the paper. The King, observing what was

done, ran to the place, and taking the Bible in his hands kissed it, and

laid it up again. This circumstance, though trifling in itself, showed

his Majesty's great reverence for that _best of all books_; and his

example is a striking reproof to those who suffer their Bibles to lie

covered with dust for months together, or who throw them about as if

they were only a piece of useless lumber.

BUCK'S _Anecdotes_.

* * * * *

NATURE AND ITS LORD.

[Illustration: Letter T.]

There's not a leaf within the bower,

There's not a bird upon the tree,

There's not a dew-drop on the flower,

But bears the impress, Lord, of Thee!

Thy hand the varied leaf design'd,

And gave the bird its thrilling tone;

Thy power the dew-drops' tints combined,

Till like a diamond's blaze they shone!

Yes, dew-drops, leaves, and buds, and all--

The smallest, like the greatest things--

The sea's vast space, the earth's wide ball,

Alike proclaim thee King of Kings.

But man alone to bounteous heaven

Thanksgiving's conscious strains can raise;

To favour'd man alone 'tis given,

To join the angelic choir in praise!

* * * * *

THE STEPPING-STONES.

The struggling rill insensibly is grown

Into a brook of loud and stately march,

Cross'd ever and anon by plank or arch;

And for like use, lo! what might seem a zone

Chosen for ornament--stone match'd with stone

In studied symmetry, with interspace

[Illustration]

For the clear waters to pursue their race

Without restraint. How swiftly have they flown--

Succeeding, still succeeding! Here the child

Puts, when the high-swoll'n flood runs fierce and wild,

His budding courage to the proof; and here

Declining manhood learns to note the sly

And sure encroachments of infirmity--

Thinking how fast time runs--life's end how near.

WORDSWORTH.

* * * * *

HUMANITY.

During the retreat of the famous King Alfred at Athelney, in

Somersetshire, after the defeat of his forces by the Danes, the

following circumstance happened, which shows the extremities to which

that great man was reduced, and gives a striking proof of his pious and

benevolent disposition:--A beggar came to his little castle, and

requested alms. His Queen informed him that they had only one small loaf

remaining, which was insufficient for themselves and their friends, who

were gone abroad in quest of food, though with little hopes of success.

But the King replied, "Give the poor Christian the one half of the loaf.

He that could feed live thousand with five loaves and two fishes, can

certainly make that half of the loaf suffice for more than our

necessities." Accordingly the poor man was relieved; and this noble act

of charity was soon recompensed by a providential store of fresh

provisions, with which his people returned.

Sir Philip Sydney, at the battle near Zutphen, displayed the most

undaunted courage. He had two horses killed under him; and, whilst

mounting a third, was wounded by a musket-shot out of the trenches,

which broke the bone of his thigh. He returned about mile and a half on

horseback to the camp; and being faint with the loss of blood, and

parched with thirst from the heat of the weather, he called for drink.

It was presently brought him; but, as he was putting the vessel to his

mouth, a poor wounded soldier, who happened to be carried along at that

instant, looked up to it with wistful eyes. The gallant and generous

Sydney took the flagon from his lips, just when he was going to drink,

and delivered it to the soldier, saying, "Thy necessity is greater than

mine."

Frederick, King of Prussia, one day rang his bell and nobody answered;

on which he opened the door and found his page fast asleep in an

elbow-chair. He advanced toward him, and was going to awaken, him, when

he perceived a letter hanging out of his pocket. His curiosity prompting

him to know what it was, he took it out and read it. It was a letter

from the young man's mother, in which she thanked him for having sent

her part of his wages to relieve her in her misery, and finished with

telling; him that God would reward him for his dutiful affection. The

King, after having read it, went back softly into his chamber, took a

bag full of ducats, and slipped it with the letter into the page's

pocket. Returning to his chamber, he rang the bell so violently that he

awakened the page, who instantly made his appearance. "You have had a

sound sleep," said the King. The page was at a loss how to excuse

himself and, putting his hand into his pocket by chance, to his utter

astonishment he there found a purse of ducats. He took it out, turned

pale, and looking at the bag, burst into tears without being able to

utter a single word. "What is that?" said the King; "what is the

matter?" "Ah, sire!" said the young man, throwing himself on his knees,

"somebody seeks my ruin! I know nothing of this money which I have just

found in my pocket!" "My young friend," replied Frederick, "God often

does great things for us even in our sleep. Send that to your mother,

salute her on my part, and assure her that I will take care of both her

and you."

_Beauties of History_.

* * * * *

THE SPANIELS OF THE MONKS OF ST. BERNARD.

The convent of the Great St. Bernard is situated near the top of the

mountain known by that name, near one of the most dangerous passes of

the Alps, between Switzerland and Savoy. In these regions the traveller

is often overtaken by the most severe weather, even after days of

cloudless beauty, when the glaciers glitter in the sunshine, and the

pink flowers of the rhododendron appear as if they were never to be

sullied by the tempest. But a storm suddenly comes on; the roads are

rendered impassable by drifts of snow; the avalanches, which are huge

loosened masses of snow or ice, are swept into the valleys, carrying

trees and crags of rock before them.

[Illustration: CONVENT OF MONT ST. BERNARD.]

The hospitable monks, though their revenue is scanty, open their doors

to every stranger that presents himself. To be cold, to be weary, to be

benighted, constitutes the title to their comfortable shelter, their

cheering meal, and their agreeable converse. But their attention to the

distressed does not end here. They devote themselves to the dangerous

task of searching for those unhappy persons who may have been overtaken

by the sudden storm, and would perish but for their charitable succour.

Most remarkably are they assisted in these truly Christian offices. They

have a breed of noble dogs in their establishment, whose extraordinary

sagacity often enables them to rescue the traveller from destruction.

Benumbed with cold, weary in the search of a lost track, his senses

yielding to the stupefying influence of frost, the unhappy man sinks

upon the ground, and the snow-drift covers him from human sight. It is

then that the keen scent and the exquisite docility of these admirable

dogs are called into action. Though the perishing man lie ten or even

twenty feet beneath the snow, the delicacy of smell with which they can

trace him offers a chance of escape. They scratch away the snow with

their feet; they set up a continued hoarse and solemn bark, which brings

the monks and labourers of the convent to their assistance.

To provide for the chance that the dogs, without human help, may succeed

in discovering the unfortunate traveller, one of them has a flask of

spirits round his neck, to which the fainting man may apply for support;

and another has a cloak to cover him. Their wonderful exertions are

often successful; and even where they fail of restoring him who has

perished, the dogs discover the body, so that it may be secured for the

recognition of friends; and such is the effect of the cold, that the

dead features generally preserve their firmness for the space of two

years. One of these noble creatures was decorated with a medal, in

commemoration of his having saved the lives of twenty-two persons, who,

but for his sagacity, must have perished. Many travellers, who have

crossed the pass of St. Bernard, have seen this dog, and have heard,

around the blazing fire of the monks, the story of his extraordinary

career. He perished about the year 1816, in an attempt to convey a poor

traveller to his anxious family.

_The Menageries._

[Illustration: HEAD OF ST. BERNARD DOG.]

* * * * *

JOPPA.

Joppa is the principal sea-port town of Palestine and it is very often

mentioned in Scripture.

Hiram, King of Tyre, is said to have sent cedars of Lebanon by sea to

Joppa, for the building of Solomon's Temple; and from Joppa the

disobedient Jonah embarked, when ordered by God to go and preach to the

people of Nineveh.

It was at Joppa that the apostle Peter lived, for some time, with one

Simon, a tanner, whose house was by the sea-shore; and it was on the

flat roof of this dwelling that he saw the wonderful vision, which

taught him not to call any man common or unclean.

[Illustration: JOPPA.]

Tabitha or Dorcas, the pious woman who spent all her life in working for

the poor, and in giving alms to those who needed relief, lived in Joppa;

and here it pleased God that she should be taken ill and die, and her

body was laid out in the usual manner before burial, in an upper chamber

of the house where she lived. The apostle Peter, to whom this pious

woman had been well known, was then at Lydda, not far from Joppa, and

the disciples sent to tell him of the heavy loss the Church had met with

in the death of Dorcas, and begged that he would come and comfort them.

The apostle directly left Lydda and went over to Joppa. He was, by his

own desire, taken to the room where the corpse lay, and was much moved

when he saw the tears of the poor women who had been fed and clothed by

the charity of Dorcas, and who were telling each other how much good she

had been the means of doing them.

Peter desired to be left alone with the body, and then he knelt down and

prayed, and, receiving strength from God, he turned to the body and

cried, "Tabitha, arise!" She then, like one awaking from sleep, opened

her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. He then took her by the

hand, and she arose and was presented alive to those who, thinking she

was dead, had so lately been mourning for her loss. This was the first

miracle performed by the apostles, and it greatly surprised the people

of Joppa, who began one and all to believe that Peter was really a

preacher sent by God.

The name of Joppa signified beautiful. It was built upon the side of a

rocky mountain, which rises from the sea-shore, and all around it were

lovely gardens, full of vines, figs, and other fruits.

* * * * *

THE AMERICAN TAPIR.