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they can be educated, by being placed with another, which is a good singer.

They catch the notes of other kindred songsters with considerable facility; hence, among the best singers, there is a material difference in the song, which depends mainly on the bird with which they have been educated. In some countries the nightingale is employed as a master musician to a whole flock of canaries; and it is this which gives some foreign birds a different tone of voice from those bred in this country.

In teaching the canary bird to sing, it is usual to take him from his comrades, and place him in a cage alone. This is covered with a cloth, when a short, simple air is whistled to him, or played on a flute, or a small organ. In this manner, by repeating the tune five or six times each, day, especially mornings and evenings, he will learn to sing it. But it will frequently require five or six months before he will retain the whole tune.

Canary birds sometimes hatch their young every month in the year; but more commonly they breed only in the spring, summer, and fall months. After the young birds are hatched, the old ones are fed with soft food, such as cabbage, lettuce, chick-weed; also with eggs boiled hard, and minced very fine with some dried roll, or bread containing no salt, which has been soaked in water, and the water pressed out. Rape-seed, or the seed of the turnip, is much used for their food.

Up to the twelfth day the young birds remain almost naked, and require to be covered by the female; but after the thirteenth, they will feed themselves. When they are a month old they may be removed from the breeding cage.

It is a curious fact, that, when two females are with one male in the same cage, and one female dies, the other, if she has not already sat, will hatch the eggs laid by her co-mate, and rear the young as her own.

AFFECTION. Mutual affection requires to be preserved by mutual endeavours to amuse, and to meet the wishes of each ether; but where there is a total neglect and indifference either to amuse or oblige, can it be wondered if affection, following the tendency of its nature, becomes indifferent, and sinks into mere civility?

ROTUNDITY OF THE EARTH.

FOR many ages mankind supposed th earth to be a vast plain, bounded on all sides by the sea and sky. They supposed the sun, moon, and stars to be at no great distance from the earth, and that these moved daily from east to west.

Though this was the belief of the great mass of mankind, there were a few attentive observers of the motions of the heavenly bodies, who thought the earth to be round, like a ball; but they dared not tell their views, except in secret, lest they should be persecuted, and even endanger their lives.

It is only about three hundred years since the true theory of the figure [and motion of the earth began to be generally received. A few years previous to that period, a person would have been in danger of imprisonment for life, or even of being put to death, had he taught the opinion now held concerning the shape of the earth.

We learn from history that the learned Spegelius, of Upsal, in Sweden, was burned at the stake because he taught that the earth was round. Only a little more than two centuries ago, the celebrated Galileo was confined in prison, because he proclaimed that the earth turned on its axis, and moved around the sun.

Nicholas Copernicus, who was born at Thorn, in Prussia, in 1473, was the author of the theory of the Solar system, which is now received by all enlightened nations. But he was threatened banishment, and even death, if he would not deny his belief, so prejudiced by ignorance were the minds of that period. Yet truth prevailed, and in honour of its author, the theory is called the Copernican system.

How the ancients first became convinced that the earth was round, we have no means of knowing; but we will here give a few facts and observations which prove it to be a globe.

1. Persons have sailed around the world, and come back to the place from which they started, as a fly would do by crawling around an apple. But, since there are so many continents and islands to obstruct a direct passage, it may not appear plain to some how sailing around

the world will prove anything about its shape.

That this may be better understood, we will suppose a vessel to start from Rio Janeiro, in South America, and sail directly east. In a few weeks it would come to the western coast of Africa. Now navigators carry with them a compass and other instruments by which they can always tell the course they are sailing, and how far they move in any direction. On arriving at the coast of Africa, the captain changes the course of his vessel and sails south until he has passed the Cape of Good Hope; then he goes east again till he gets beyond Africa, when he turns towards the north and sails as far as he had gone south, which will bring him in a direct line east of his startingplace.

He will now continue his course eastward till coming to Australia; and, after sailing around that, in a like manner, to a point directly east of Rio Janeiro, will again proceed in an easterly direction, and at length arrive at the western coast of South America. Then, by sailing south, around Cape Horn, and going north again he will arrive at the place from which he started

It is by thus making allowances for the land which is sailed around, that the navigator knows he has continued in one general direction. Once it was considered an extraordinary act to have sailed around the world, but now many persons return every year from such a voyage. The time thus required is from one to two

years.

2. When a ship goes out to sea, we first lose sight of the hull, or body of the ship; then of the sails and lower rigging, and lastly of the masts. When a ship approaches the land, the top of the mast is seen first, then the lower parts of the vessel gradually appear. If the earth were an extended plain, the largest parts of the ship, when leaving the shore, would be seen last, and on approaching land these would be seen first.

If a person stands on the deck of a vessel when leaving the shore, the land and less elevated objects are first lost sight of, and the steeples and highest parts of all objects are seen last. Now these appearances are the same in every part of

the world, which man has visited, hence it follows that the earth is regularly curved on all sides.

3. When the moon is eclipsed, it is darkened by passing through the earth's shadow. This shadow, as seen on the surface of the moon, is always of a circular form, such as a round ball would make. 4. If we stood on the equator, the north star would be in the horizon, where the earth and sky seem to meet. On going twenty degrees to the north, this star would appear to have arisen twenty degrees above the horizon. If we proceeded forty-five degrees north, this star would appear forty-five degrees above the horizon, and so on. The reverse would be the case on going south again. Then the stars in the north would sink and new ones rise in the south.

These changes prove that the earth is round from north to south, as they could not occur were it otherwise. The firstmentioned observation proves that the earth is round from east to west; the second shows its general convexity; and all combined afford convincing proofs that the earth is round like a ball.

PHILIP DE MORNAY.

PHILIP DE MORNAY, Lord of Plessis Marly, a French nobleman, illustrious both for rank and valour, was born November 5th, 1549.

Descended from an ancient family, which had produced other distinguished characters, he was educated with the greatest care. Masters in various languages and sciences were provided for him, and his proficiency was what might have been expected from superior talents and rigid application.

With his earliest training, his mother instilled into him the purest principles of integrity and benevolence. She inspired him also with her own deep love of the Protestant faith, from which he never swerved in times of peril, or for the lures of ambition and gain.

Civil commotion, and his own high birth, drew him early into the army, but as soon as the change could be made with propriety, he quitted military for intellectual pursuits. His literary labours were varied by travels in foreign lands, where

he added a knowledge of human nature to the wealth of silent study.

After visiting Geneva and Switzerland, he remained some time in Germany, applying himself to the study of civil law. He examined with attention the most interesting parts of Italy, and passed on to England, where he was received by Queen Elizabeth with great courtesy and cordiality. The King of Navarre persuaded him to remain at his court, and accept the office of Counsellor of State. Here he greatly distinguished himself by his talents and negotiations, but circumstances which brought into prominence his attachment to the Protestant religion, induced him, at the age of twenty-seven, to resign these distinctions, and resume the unostentatious pleasures of literature.

His writings were numerous and highly appreciated. Among his works are those upon the "Truth of the Christian Religion,'

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The Church," and "The Eucharist." The latter became so much celebrated, as to occasion a controversial conference at Fontainbleau, between him and Cardinal du Perron, by which his reputation was so extended, that he was known by the title of the "Protestant Pope."

In consequence of his fidelity to his religious tenets, he was deprived by Louis XIII. of the office of Governor of Saumur, and passed the remainder of life at his chateau of La Foret, near Poictou; where he died in 1623, at the age of seventyfour.

Retirement, study, and devotion, shed a congenial and tranquilising influence over his last decline. When reminded by those around, of his service to the Church through his writings and example, he exclaimed with an affecting humility,

"Alas! Say not it was I, but the grace of God. I ask for naught but mercyfree mercy."

He repeated often that his hope was founded on the boundless mercy of God, through Jesus Christ, who had been made unto him wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. To a friend who expressed gratitude at being permitted to listen to his testimony of peace and trust, he replied,

"I feel, yes, I feel what I speak." As the morning of his last day dawned, he said with solemn emphasis,

"We know, that if the earthly house of this our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.'"'

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"Are you assured," asked one, who bent over his couch, "are you assured of sharing in that eternal weight of glory?" "Perfectly assured,' was his answer. "Yea, perfectly assured, through the demonstration of the Holy Spirit; more powerful, more clear, more certain, than any demonstration of Euclid."

Then he secretly prayed. Some broken sentences like these, reached the listeners by his dying pillow.

"I fly-I fly to heaven-let angels bear me to my Saviour's bosom."

His last articulations were,

"I know that my Redeemer liveth. With these eyes shall I behold him," repeating several times emphatically,ipsis oculis."

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The character of Philip de Mornay becomes more illustrious when we contemplate the age and country in which he lived, and his own position in society. The temptations of rank and opulence never seduced him from the toils of literature, nor did the immoralities by which he was surrounded stain the simplicity of his virtue.

In times peculiarly venal, he adhered to a form of religion which was adverse both to his pecuniary interests, and his political promotion. For its sake he not only resigned honour and gain, but was in danger of persecution and death; for with his mother, he narrowly escaped being involved in the terrible massacre of the Huguenots, on St. Bartholomew's day, at Paris, during the reign of Charles IX. His firmness of principle, and unswerving integrity were respected even by his opponents, who saw them so beautifully combined with a pure and benevolent example.

FRIENDSHIP. How sweet it is to have a second self, from whom we have nothing secret, and into whose heart we may pour our own with perfect effusion! Could we taste prosperity so sensibly, if we had no one to share in our joy with us? And what a relief is it in adversity, and the accidents of life, to have a friend still more affected with them than ourselves!Anonymous.

THE DIVISION OF TIME. MANY ages must have elapsed after the creation of the world before any method of computing Time, or of dating events, was brought into established use. At a very early period time was measured by the revolutions of the moon, the seasons, and the successive returns of labour and rest; but as late as the age of Homer a formal calendar seems to have been unknown as a guide to history or a register of events.

The division of days into weeks is the most ancient mode of marking time, and probably took place at the Creation. The next division was that of months, which appears to have been in use even before the Flood. The months were marked by the revolutions of the moon, consequently were lunar months.

The highest natural division of time is into years. At first a year consisted of only twelve lunar months. It is supposed that this method of reckoning was in use as early as the Deluge, and that it continued for many ages after. But this was a very imperfect mode of computing time, for a lunar year was nearly eleven days shorter than a solar year; hence the months could not long correspond with the seasons. And even in the short space of seventeen years the winter months would have changed places with those of sum

mer.

The calendar which is now generally adopted in the Christian world was instituted by Romulus. His year began on the 1st of March, and contained only ten months, or about 304 days, hence was very imperfect. Numa gave the year 355 days, added two more months, and transferred the beginning of the year to the 1st of January. But this was still making the year too short.

When Julius Cæsar obtained the sovereignty of Rome, he found the months had changed from the seasons, and in order to bring them forward to their places he formed one long year of fifteen months, or 445 days. This has been called the year of confusion. It ended January 1st, forty-five years before Christ. From this period the Julian year of 365 days and 6 hours commenced. The common year contained only 365 days, but once every

four years the 6 hours amounted to another day, and this day was added to the 23rd of February, or the sixth calends of March, which was to be reckoned twice; hence this year was styled Bissextile, or Leap Year.

The Julian year, however, was still imperfect, for the earth performs its annual circuit round the sun in 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, 45 seconds; hence the solar year was shorter than the Julian, or civil year, by 11 minutes, 14 seconds, which in 130 years amounted to a day.

new

In the course of time this inconvenience becoming too considerable to be unnoticed, Pope Gregory XIII. substituted a calendar, called the Gregorian Calendar, or New Style. It was published in March, A. D. 1582. Ten days had now been gained by the old mode of reckoning, and these were struck out of the month of October following, by reckoning the fifth day of that month the fifteenth.

And in order to prevent the recurrence of a similar variation in time to come, he ordained that one day should be added to every fourth year as before, and that from the year 1600 every fourth centennial year should be reckoned as leap year, and the other three centennial years as common ones. Thus the years 1700, 1800, 1900, 2100, 2200, etc., are to be reckoned as common ones, and 1600, 2000, 2400, etc., as leap years. Even this correction is not absolutely exact, yet the error is so small as to hardly vary one day in a thousand years.

The mode of computing time as established by Gregory is called New Style, and that by Julius Cæsar, Old Style. The New Style was adopted by Spain, Portugal, and part of Italy on the same day as at Rome, and in France on the tenth of December following, which was reckoned the twentieth day.

But in Great Britain this change was not adopted until September, 1752, when 170 years had elapsed since the Gregorian alteration, consequently a little more than another day had been gained. It was therefore enacted by Parliament that eleves days, instead of ten, should be stricken out of the month of September, 1752. On the second day of that month the Old Style ceased, and the third day was reckoned the fourteenth. By the same Act

Great Britain changed the beginning of the year from the 25th of march to the 1st of January.

The time for commencing the year has usually been determined, among different nations, by the date of some memorable event, such as the Deluge, the Incarnation of Christ, etc. The Egyptians began the year with the autumnal equinox. The Jewish ecclesiastic year began in the spring, but in civil affairs they retained the epoch of the Egyptians. The ancient Swedish year began about the time of the winter solstice. The Turks and Arabs commence their year about the middle of July.

When Romulus began the year in March, he named the last four months according to their position. The names September, October, November, December, designated their order seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth. But Numa changed the beginning of the year to the first of January without altering the names of the months; hence they do not now correspond to their order in the calendar.

Owing to these changes in the modes of reckoning time, if we wish to ascertain to what date in Old Style a certain day in New Style would correspond, or what date in New Style any day of Old Style would represent, we must observe the following rules:

If the event happened before the 1st of March, 1700, add ten days to the Old Style, and you have it corrected for the new; if it happened between the last day of February, 1700, and the 1st of March, 1800, add eleven days; if between the same dates in 1800 and 1900, add twelve days; and if between 1900 and 2100 add thirteen days. If you wish to ascertain the Old Style from the New, subtract from the New instead of adding to the Old.

THE PRODUCTIONS OF PLANTS.

THE vegetation which everywhere adorns the surface of the globe, from the moss that covers the weatherbeaten stone to the cedar that crowns the mountain, is overflowing with matter for reflection and admiration. To the vegetable kingdom we are indebted for the possession of almost all our comforts, and many of our luxuries. From the produce of some of the humblest of plants arises an extensive trade, employing many thousand families.

Take the article saffron as an example. Many tons of this useful substance are sent into the market every year; yet it is not generally known how small a portion of the plant it is. The plant itself is a crocus, and carries in its flower three little coloured filaments, as they are called in botanical language. Every single plant can only furnish three filaments, which are gently plucked by girls, who gather them in baskets from innumerable flowers. These plants are sown, tended, weeded frequently, manured, and watered, and all to give but three fine threads each. After these are gathered, the plant is of no further use. It is not wonderful, then, that good saffron should be costly.

Another plant, the safflower, or spurious saffron, contains a red colour in the flowerleaves, or petals, in very small proportion, not more than five parts in every thousand. It is also difficult to obtain, being mixed up with a yellow colour, which has to be first separated. But when obtained, it is a most brilliant scarlet red, and it is the basis of the rouge paint.

The uses of these two plants show how deeply ingrained into humanity certain habits become. Several hundred years ago, our Celtic forefathers stained their skins a yellow tint, with saffron steeped in water. From the analogous plant, the safflower, our modern beauty derives the tint to tinge her skin, and give the hue denied by Nature.

ALABASTER FROM EGYPT.-The Egyptian government has been induced to open, of late years, the rich quarries of Oriental alabaster, which have been celebrated from It is so with most other vegetables. The such remote antiquity. This alabaster is hemp and flax plants each furnish only a a peculiar kind of limestone, the tint and few fibres for cordage and linen. The translucency of which are very beautiful, quantity of sugar in the cane and the and the formation of which is stalagmitic. maple is small compared to the size of the M. Dallamoda, of Rome, has recently plants. The essential oils found in plants produced a most exquisite tazza in Egyp-exist in very small proportions, as camtian alabaster. phor, oil of lemons, cloves, carraway, pep

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