permint, &c., requiring large cultivation to obtain even moderate quantities. Even the apparently worthless parts of plants are of great use. Who would imagine, at first view, that the old bark which peels so readily off the tree could be of any value? Yet without it we should not have our leather. It contains a substance which, from its action in hardening skin, has been called tannin. Animal skin is a collection of egg-shaped cells, full of a gelatinous fluid, which readily washes out by water, and is easily rotted; hence the untanned skin is not durable. But when soaked in a watery liquor, in which has been steeped the bark of some trees, the tannin soaks into the cells, unites with the gelatinous liquor, and forms a solid body, which does not dissolve in water, and will not readily rot. Such is the process of tanning, which converts a perishable skin into a durable leather. A little insect pierces a hole in the leaf of the oak, and other trees, and buries its egg there. The leaf round about the bite hardens and enlarges so as to become a nut; the sun's heat hatches the egg, and the little insect bores its way out, and becomes in due time a perfect gall-fly. The leaf withers, and the gall-nuts are gathered. They contain the same substance as the oak-bark, and are used for similar purposes. The chief uses are the manufacture of ink, and the dying of cloth black. When plants are cultivated, the properties they possessed in the wild state become altered in a remarkable degree. Many plants, which are poisonous when wild, become innocuous when cultivated. This has happened with the potato, the tubers of which were very small and poisonous a few hundred years ago. It is still a poisonous plant in Equador and New Grenada. By constant cultivation the tubers have been developed, and they have not only increased greatly in size, but become filled with starch and other nutritious matters. The same influence is also seen in the growth of wheat. This plant owes its nutritious property to the large quantity of a substance called gluten, which it contains. Gluten resembles dough, and may be obtained by kneading the flour into a paste, and washing it by exposure to a small stream of water. In wheat grown on poor ground, the gluten is not present in a greater quantity than four or five per cent., while in well-tilled lands it rises as high as one fifth of the whole weight. We have the power to increase the quantity of gluten up to this per centage, by proper care of the ground. Gluten is the valuable substance for which wheat is grown, and it contains a chemical substance called nitrogen. Now, if we add as a manure some substance containing nitrogen in large quantity, as rape-dust, bones, or guano, this element enters the wheat, gluten is formed, and the weight and value of the wheat is much increased. The Turkey red, so much admired in shawls and handkerchiefs, is obtained from the madder plant, which contains besides it two other colours. But the red is the most valuable, and exists in the smaller proportion. By cultivation, however, we can increase this quantity in a remarkable degree; for we find in those roots which contain the least quantity of lime the smallest quantity of the red colouring matter. If we add lime to the ground, so that the madder-roots may imbibe it, the red colour immediately commences to increase, and a large quantity of that beautiful dye is produced. It may be learned from the above how much control we have over the growth of a plant, how we may increase the amount of any valued production to a very great extent, and what an interesting, useful, and even a scientific occupation, is the cultivation of plants. ELEVATION BY HUMILITY. - In the evening of the day that Sir Eardly Wilmot kissed the hand of his Majesty, on being appointed Chief-justice, one of his sons, a youth of seventeen, attended him to his bed-side. "Now," said he, "my son, I will tell you a secret worth your knowing and remembering. The elevation I have met with in life, particularly this last instance of it, has not been owing to any superior merit or abilities, but to my humility; to my not having set up myself above others, and to a uniform endeavour to pass through life void of offence towards God and man." CARPETS-HOW PRODUCED. THERE are two characteristic processes in making a carpet-one adopted in the more costly varieties, and the other for those of lesser cost and more extensive use. The former are very little other than specimens of needlework: or rather they resemble tapestry. There is a frame in which the foundation of the carpet is stretched, as for ladies' tambour or Berlin work; and into and between the meshes of this foundation are introduced little tufts and threads of worsted, so disposed in colour as to produce any desired pattern. A peculiar kind of knot fastens each little tuft; and the arrangement of the front surface, according as it is looped, or cut, or sheared, produces the various kinds of Brussels and Saxony and "pile" and "velvet" carpets. The other or cheaper kinds are produced rather by the ordinary process of weaving, in which a shuttle, or set of shuttles, throws in the coloured weft threads among the warp; peculiar adaptations of a double weft or a double warp being employed according to the particular kind to be produced. In Tapestry and in the real Turkey carpets the manufacture bears some resemblance to lace-making, inasmuch as the fabric or foundation of the carpet is made by the same slow and patient hand-processes as the decorative surface; or, at most, the warp threads are previously arranged, and all the rest worked in by hand. In all these carpets each yarn or separate thread is dyed of one colour throughout, so that there must be as many separate yarns as colours in the carpet. Now one of the modern novelties in carpet-making is to apply to it a principle which produces beautiful results in cottons and silks, viz., printing the yarns before weaving, so that each single thread may have a parti-coloured pattern of its own. This pattern requires a very nice adjustment, so that when the various threads are interlaced, each may show the right colour at the right spot. Some of Mr. Whytock's carpets, produced on this principle, are very remarkable. Another novelty is Messrs. Templeton's chenille carpets soft, beautiful, but costly. These are made in a singular way. The warp threads are stretched out hori zontally, as in a common loom; and the weft is thrown in by a shuttle; but this weft consists of chenille instead of mere yarn; and when the weaving is effected, the loose coloured threads of the chenille are combed up and made to appear at the surface, where they are cut and sheared to an exquisite state of velvety softness. The pattern is dyed in the chenille itself, nothing appearing at the surface of the carpet except the ends of the chenille fringe. A later novelty, and one which seems likely to lessen the price of well-made carpets, is an application of the powerloom in weaving with the printing process in ornamenting. The yarn is subjected to no dyeing or printing whatever; it remains in the state of white worsted, and is in that state woven by the power-loom. Then, after the weaving, the white carpet is printed with rich colours, in such a way as to send the dye through the whole substance. The House of Lords' library, and some of the other apartments of the new legislative palace, are carpeted with the more costly and luxurious "velvet pile," in which the foot sinks into a downy bed at each step. This is the true "Wilton " carpet, which differs from "Brussels" chiefly in having the loops at the surface cut in the manner of velvet, thereby forming a nap or pile. Most of our carpets are made of mingled worsted and linenthe latter hidden from sight by being placed at or near the back of the fabric. Cotton-that substitute for all the dearer kinds of textile fibres at the present day— has not yet been used much in carpets. A suggestion has been made, however, that such an application might not be at all unreasonable. Cotton carpets-stout, serviceable, and handsome-are made and used in India; they are generally striped, red and blue, or with three shades of blue; but sometimes they have figured patterns. Our cotton manufacturers can now produce very stout and durable goods; and we may yet see the day for cotton carpets. Let them, however, be called cotton, and not palmed off as being made of more costly materials; if known at all, let them be honestly known by their proper names. And cloud that will not pass away From the hill-tops for many a day, And stillness round the homes of men. The drooping year is on the wane, The crimson heath is wan and sere, The owl sits huddling by himself, In poor men's huts the fire is low, Oh! poverty's disconsolate, The rich man, in his jovial cheer, THE PAUPER'S DEATH BED. BY MRS. SOUTHEY. Tread softly!-bow the head- Is passing now. Stranger! however great, With lowly reverence bow; There's one in that poor shedOne by that paltry bedGreater than thou. Beneath that beggar's roof, Lo, Death doth keep his state; That pavement, damp and cold, No mingling voices sound- Oh, change! oh, wondrous change! Beyond the stars! Oh, change!-stupendous change! THE MOURNERS. Yet there is a world of light beyond, The heart is cold, whose thoughts were told She scarce seem'd made to die. Yet we know that her soul is happy now, Her laughing voice made all rejoice Yet we know she sings by God's bright throne- The cheek's pale tinge, the lid's dark fringe, That lies like a shadow there, Were beautiful in the eyes of all And her glossy golden hair! But though that lid may never wake She is gone where young hearts do not break- That world of light with joy is bright, Shall we grieve that her soul hath taken flight, We will bury her under the mossy sod, BEAUTIFUL INFLUENCES. ORIGINS AND INVENTIONS. INVENTION OF BELLS.-The invention of bells is ascribed to Paulinus, Bishop of Nova, in Campania. The date of their origin is about the year 400, and of their first use in churches the year 900. CATERPILLAR.-The most probable derivation of the name is from two old French words, acat, food or provisions, more recently written cates, as in Paradise Lost, "Alas! how simple to these cates Was the crude apple that diverted Eve!" and piller, to root or plunder, whence we have also the word pillage. ORIGIN OF A FEATHER IN THE CAP.--Among the ancient warriors it was customary to honour such of their followers as distinguished themselves in battle, by presenting them with a feather to wear in their caps, which, when not in armour, was the covering of their heads, and no one was permitted that privilege who had not at the least killed his man. From this custom arose the saying, when a person has effected a meritorious action, that it will be a feather in his cap. THE GAMUT.-Guido D'Arezzo, a monk of the thirteenth century, in the solitude of his convent, made the grand discovery of counterpoint, or the science of harmony, as distinguished from melody; he also invented the present system of notation, and gave those names to the sounds of the diatonic scale still in use:-ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si; these being the first syllables of the first six lines of a hymn to St. John the Baptist, written in monkish Latin; and they seem to have been adopted without any special reason, from the caprice of the musician.-Foreign Rev. DICK STROTHER-A LIAR.-Dick Strother was a cobbler, and being in want of a hare for a friend, he put into his pocket a ball of wax, and took a walk into the fields, when he soon espied one. Dick then very dexterously threw the ball of wax at her head, where it stuck, which so alarmed poor puss, that in the violence of her escape, she ran in contact with the head of another, when both stuck fast together, and Dick! lucky Dick! caught both. Dick obtained great celebrity by telling this wonderful feat, which he always affirmed as a truth; and from that time, every notorious liar in Thorner, bears the title of Dick Strother. ORIGIN OF THE TERM "BLUE-STOCKING."— Boswell, in his life of Dr. Johnson, relates that about the year 1781, it was much the fashion for several ladies to have evening assemblies, where the fair sex might participate in conversation with literary and ingenious men, animated by a mutual desire to please. The societies were denominated "Blue-stocking Clubs," from the following circumstance:-One of the most eminent members was Mr. Stillingfleet, whose dress was remarkably grave, and in particular it was observed that he Wore blue stockings. Such was the excellence of is conversation, that his absence was felt as a great loss, and it used to be said "We can do nothing without the blue stockings;" and thus, by degrees, the title was established. THE BISHOPRICS OF ENGLAND AND WALES.These were instituted in the following order of time; viz., London an Archbishopric and Metropolitan of England, founded by Lucius, the first Christian king of Britain. A. D. 185; Llandaff, 185: Bangor, 516; St. David's, 519. The Archbishopric of Wales from 550 till 1100, when the Bishop submitted to the Archbishop of Canterbury as his Metropolitan ; St. Asaphs, 547; St. Augustine (or Austin) made Canterbury the Metropolitan Archbishopric, by order of Pope Gregory, A. D. 596; Wells, 604, Rochester, 604; Winchester, 650; Lichfield and Coventry, 656; Worcester, 679; Hereford, 680; Durham, 690; Sodor and Man, 898; Exeter, 1050; Sherborne (changed to Salisbury), 1056; York (Archbishopric) 1067; Dorchester (changed to Lincoln) 1070; Chichester, 1071: Thetford (changed to Norwhich), 1088; Bath and Wells, 1088; Ely. 1109 Carlisle, 1133. The following six were founded upon the suppression of monasteries by Henry VIII.-Chester, Peterborough, Gloucester, Oxford, Bristol, and Westminster, 1538. Westminster was united to London in 1550.-Vide Tanner's Notilia Monastica. ODD ORIGINS.-Confucius was a carpenterMahomet, called the prophet, was a driver of asses-Mehemet Ali was a barber-the Emperor of Morocco was a pawnbroker-Bernadotte, King of Sweden, was a surgeon in the garrison of Martinique when the English took that islandMadame Bernadotte was a washerwoman of Paris -Napoleon, a descendant of an obscure family of Corsica, was a major when he married Josephine, the daughter of a tobacconist Creole of Martinique-Franklin was a printer-President Boyer was a mulatto barber-President John Tyler was a captain of militia--Oliver Cromwell was originally a brewer-President Polk was formerly an innkeeper-the stepfather of Isabella, Queen of Spain, husband of Queen Christina, and brother-in-law of the King of Naples, was once a bar-keeper of a coffee-room-General Espartero was a vestry-clerk-King Christophe of Hayti was a slave of St. Kitt's-Bolivar was a druggist-General Paez was a cowkeeper-Vasco da Gama was a sailor-Columbus was a sailorAstor, the richest man in the New World, before he became the proprietor of Astor-house, used to sell apples through the streets of New YorkJoseph Bonaparte, before his arrival at New York with all the silver, gold, and jewels of the crown of Spain that he was able to take with him from that country, was the King of Spain, &c.!Louis Philippe was a teacher of the French tongue at Switzerland, Boston, and HavannahCatherine, the Empress of Russia, was a camp grisette-Cincinnatus was ploughing his vineyards when the dictatorship of Rome was offered to him-A governor of the island of Madeira was a tailor-and a Minister of Finance in Portugal was a dealer in bottles of Madeira wine. There are at present in Portugal and Spain several Dukes, Marquises, Counts, Viscounts, and Barons, who formerly were cooks, tailors, barbers, cobblers, sweepers, and mulattos. These few, but remarkable, facts of ancient and modern history are enough for proving that men and women from the lowest class of society have attained power, eminence, insolence, and even thrones, crowns, and altars. TRIFLES. A coachmaker, remarking the fashionable stages or carriages, said, "That a sociable was all the ton during the honeymoon, and a sulky aiter." IN a dispute between Sir Watkin Lewis and Wilkes, the former said, "I'll be your butt no longer." "With all my heart," said Wilkes, "I hate an empty one: " AN Irishman getting on a high-mettled horse, it ran away with him; upon which one of his companions called out to him to stop it. "Arrah, honey," cried he, "how can I do that when I have got no spurs!' AN Irishman, meeting another, asked what was become of their old acquaintance, Patrick Murphy. "Arrah, now, dear honey," answered the other, "poor Paddy was condemned to be hanged, but he saved his life by dying in prison." A gallant wag was lately sitting beside his beloved, and being unable to think of anything else to say, asked her why she was like a tailor. "I don't know," said she, with a pouting lip, "unless it is because I'm sitting beside a goose." "Plaze, sir," said an Irishman to a traveller, "would yez be so oblaiging as to take me great coat, here, to Boston wit' yez?" "Yes," said the man in the wagon; "but how will you get it again?" "Och! that's mighty aisy, so it is,' said Pat; "for shure I'll remane inside of it!" CURRAN was a rare wit, but even he sometimes met his match. He was once examining a crossgrained, ugly-faced witness, from whom he sought to obtain a direct answer. At length he exclaimed, "It's no use trying to get the truth out of you, for I see the villain in your face!" "Do you, sir?" retorted the man, with a smile, "why then it must be so: faix, I never knew my face was a looking-glass before!" TO A LADY, WITH A PAIR OF GLOVES. In the Pepysian Library at Cambridge. A remarkably short and round gentleman, four feet high, or rather four feet square, had a son as remarkably tall and slender, whom he had named after a facetious friend of his. One day, meeting the latter at Margate, he presented his son to him, saying, "Allow me, sir, to introduce my son, whom I have named after yourself." Sir," rejoined the other, looking at the young man, "you pay me a very high compliment.' JUDGE PARK was once trying a prisoner at the Wells Sessions for felony, and a Dissenting preacher, who was being examined, repeatedly said "They say so." "Pray, sir," asked his lordship (who was suffering from gout), "who are they?" This was a poser. On receiving no reply from the straight-haired gentleman, the Judge added-"They are a set of good-fornothing people who attend to other persons' business and neglect their own." Like to the falling of a star; DELAY. Bishop King. Shun delays, they breed remorse; |