or even India, by passing over the deserts of Arabia: but this last is very dangerous, not only from the probability of meeting with the wild Arabs and noxious animals, but also from the wind, which rises to a considerable height, and is then frequently attended with fatal consequences to travellers, as the clouds of sand either prevent their pursuing the right course, or blind them, and sometimes totally overwhelm them.

Lady L. Pray what is an island? My brother I dare say knows.

Ment. Island is a general term for every thing encompassed by water. In the more elevated sense it signifies any habitable place, or kingdom, surrounded by the sea, as Great Britain, or Ireland. The advantages arising from this situation are evidently these: the convenience of importing into every part of it, the produce of other countries; and to those engaged in commerce, the equal advan-. tage of exporting such commodities as the soil or manufactures bring to perfection.

Lady M. I never knew before that England was an island; and always thought every thing we ate, drank, or wore, was the produce of our own country.

Ment. Your Ladyship was much mistaken: on the contrary, we are indebted to other countries and nations for many of the conveniences of life. East India supplies us with tea, spices, drugs, rice, china, muslin, precious stones, and various other articles. The West Indies with sugar, coffee, rum, tobacco, chocolate, mahogany, spices, and drugs. South America supplies Spain and Portugal, and through them the other nations of Europe, with gold and silver, from its inexhaustible mines. North America abounds with Tobacco, Rice, Iron, and Timber of all kinds. Italy furnishes us with most of the Silks we wear; as mulberry trees (on the leaves of which silk-worms feed) are the natural growth of the country, and are as common there as the oak or elm are in England. The silk comes over in its natural state, is afterwards dyed of various colours, and manufactured into the different kinds of silk and satin we wear. Spain and Portugal produce most of the wines we drink. France affords us brandy, claret, and some other wines, with many ornamental parts of dress and furniture. Denmark and Norway are famous for timber, of which ships and many other things are built. Sweden is favoured

favoured with the best iron mines. Russia hath a profitable commerce for hemp, linens, and iron; and, like most of the northern countries, abounds with animals of various kinds, some docile, others ferocious; many of which are valuable on account of their skins; such as the furs of the ermine (which is the skin of a little animal very much like a weasel), sables, squirrels, and bears. It was wisely ordained by Providence to furnish the inhabitants of the northern regions with such ample provision for warm raiment as the coldness of the climate indispensably requires. In England there are quarries of stone, and mines of lead, tin, and coals; also, in different parts of the world, quarries of marble, and mines of iron, silver, gold, and precious stones, which particularly to enumerate would carry me beyond my present purpose.

Lady L. Pray, Mentoria, what is a Peninsula? Is it not something like an island?

Ment. You are perfectly right, my dear Lady Louisa. It is a tract of land almost encompassed with water. The French call it presque isle, which in their language so clearly expresses the sense, it requires no explanation. The neck of land which prevents it from be

coming an island, is called an Isthmus. It consists of piece of land which usually runs between two seas, and joins a peninsula to the continent.

Lady L. I believe the next thing you are to explain is rivers: I think you need not give yourself the trouble, as we know what they are.

Ment. You have undoubtedly seen the river Thames; but I am certain you cannot trace the source from whence that and other rivers spring.

Lady L. Does it not begin at London, and end at Richmond?

Ment. I thought that was your Ladyship's idea, which is a false one; for rivers usually proceed from some spring or fountain, and empty themselves into some sea. The sea constantly ebbs and flows, which constitutes. what are called tides: this flux and reflux renders the water more wholesome and agreeable than lakes of stagnated water, which cannot lose the impurity they contract. Vessels also, from all parts of the world, come up with the tide to the port of London, and, as a natural consequence, are conveyed from thence by the return of it. The Thames is the most

famous

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famous river in England. There are many others of less consequence, which I have not leisure to enumerate. I shall only particularize the following: the river Avon, which has often been celebrated on account of the great poet Shakspeare, being born at a place called Stratford-upon-Avon. The rivers Isis and Cam are also famed for their vicinity to the two universities of Oxford and Cambridge: it is almost needless to add, the latter derives its name from a bridge over the river Cam. cannot conclude this conversation on rivers, without adding some account of the Nile. As it scarcely ever rains in Egypt, the soil would be quite unfruitful, if it were not for the salutary effects of this wonderful river. It begins to rise at the latter end of May, and continues to do so till September or October, when there are channels cut to let it into the great canal which runs through Cairo, and from it overflows the fields and gardens. This joyful

event is announced by a public festival, fireworks, and every demonstration of joy. The mud which the stream carries with it manures the earth, and makes it fit to receive the dif ferent kinds of grain, which in a month or two after it is sown, yields an abundant har vest. The Nile is very beneficial to the Egyp