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Varieties.

ADULTERATED PRESERVES.-The "Lancet" gives the following summary of the results obtained from a chemical examination of thirty-five samples of preserves of different kinds:-That the raspberry jam analysed contained a very considerable quantity of copper. That the four samples of gooseberry jam examined all contained copper. That copper, sometimes in large amount, was detected in twelve of the fourteen samples of orange marmalade analysed. That three of the marmalades were adulterated with large quantities of a vegetable substance, most probably either turnip or apple. That the nine samples engage jam were all more or less impregnated with copper, it being present in considerable amount in five of the samples. That the greengages contained in three different boxes of crystallised fruits all owed their deep green colour to the presence of copper. That the limes and greengages present in a little glass jar of fruit preserved in jelly, also owed their brilliant colour to a salt of copper. That copper was present in the three samples of candied citron peel subjected to analysis. That copper was detected in no less than thirty-three of the thirty-five samples of different preserves analysed; three contained traces only; in eleven the metal was present in small quantity; and in nineteen either in consider able or even very large amount.

IMPROVEMENTS IN Iron ManufactURE.-Mr. James M'Carty, of Reading, Pennsylvania, has patented a new puddling apparatus, consisting of a combination of an automatic rubble, with a revolving or moving basin, or with a stationary basin, whereby much manual labour is dispensed with for stirring the iron in the process of puddling. There is also an arrangement of hollow shaft, cooler, and moving basin, in such manner that a stream of water can be kept circulating round the bottom and sides of the latter, to prevent its being overheated. Also a combination of crank and swinging guide, enabling the operator to stir the rubble over different parts of the bottom at various angles with the sides of the furnace, and to remove it out of the way when necessary.

THE ROYAL FAMILY-THEIR DAILY OCCUPATIONS.A new weekly journal gives, on what it states to be reliable authority, a few details of the manner in which the day of the royal scholars is divided. They rise early, breakfast at eight, and dine at two. Their various occupations are allotted out with almost military exactness. One hour finds them engaged in the study of the ancient, another of the modern authors, their acquaintanceship with languages being first founded on a thorough knowledge of their grammatical construction, and afterwards familiarized and perfected by conversation. Next they are trained in those military exercises which give dignity and bearing. Another hour is agreeably filled up with music and dancing. Again the little party assemble in the riding-school, where they may be seen deeply interested in the various evolutions of the manège. Thence, while drawing and the further exercise of music and lighter accomplishments call off the attention of their sisters, the young princes proceed to busily ⚫ engage themselves in a carpenter's shop, fitted up expressly for them, with tools essential to a perfect knowledge of the craft. They thus early become, not only theoretically, but practically acquainted with the useful arts of life. A small laboratory is occasionally brought into requisition, at the instance of their father. This done, the young carpenters and students throw down their saws and axes, unbuckle their philosophy, and shoulder their miniature percussionguns-which they handle with the dexterity of practical sportsmen--for a shooting stroll through the royal gardens. The evening meal, the preparation for the morning's lesson, and brief religious instruction, close the day.

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ARRIVAL OF A HUGE BOA CONSTRICTOR AND ITS YOUNG ONES.-There recently arrived at the port of Liverpool, in the ship "Arrow," from Para, a huge serpent of the boa genus. The reptile is at least eighteen feet in length, and was caught by some of the natives on the banks of the "Mighty Amazon." Before it came into the possession of Captain Wyatt it had satisfied its appetite by swallowing a full-grown goat. On the day the vessel left Para the captain and crew were surprised to find that the serpent had given birth to thirty-six young ones. The "snakelets" were about two feet each long, and in six weeks they have only grown about an inch in length. In about six days after the birth the mamma devoured twentynine pigeons, being the first food she had tasted from the time she had feasted on the goat, a period of about three months.

DISCOVERY OF A BURIED EGYPTIAN CITY.-Mention is made in the letter of an Egyptian correspondent of a London journal of the discovery of a buried city in Egypt, named Sacckarch. It appears to be situated about five hours' journey from Cairo, near the first cataract. An Arab, having observed what appeared to be the head of a sphynx appearing above the ground near this spot, drew the attention of a French gentleman to the circumstance, who commenced excavating, and laid open a long-buried street, which contained thirty-eight granite sarcophagi, each of which weighed about sixty-eight tons, and which formerly held evidently the ashes of sacred animals. The French gentleman has got a grant of the spot from the Egyptian Pacha, and has exhumed great quantities of cu riosities, some of them ancient earthenware vessels of a diminutive size. This street, when lit up at night, forms a magnificent sight. It is upwards of 1600 yards in length. Many of the curiosities dug out have to be kept buried in above the square, near the Greek church, there has also sand to prevent them from perishing. At Alexandria, just been laid open very recently the foundation of what is be lieved to be the once famous Alexandrian Library, destroyed by the Caliph Omar. The ruins dug from this spot, which consist principally of bricks, are being sold for ordinary purposes.

BANK OF ENGLAND NOTES.-CAUTION TO EMIGRANTS. Mr. William Howitt has written a letter to one of the public journals, cautioning emigrants to Australia against taking out Bank of England notes. His letter is dated Port Phillip, Sept. 20; and in it he says, Bank of England notes "are utterly refused here, even by the bankers, except at a discount of 20 per cent. Numbers of persons are coming out daily. There are a thousand arriving at this port per diem, and not ten men out of each thousand are aware of this fact. In the ship in which I came-the "Kent"-there were numbers struck with consternation at the news. Some lost from 50l. to 100%. by their Bank of England notes; almost every one something, more or less. Whoever brings Bank of England paper will assuredly and inevitably be mulcted of one-fifth of his money. I speak from actual experience."

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GUARDS AND ENGINE DRIVERS ON RAILWAYS.-To- remedy the evils arising from the want of means of communicating between the and Knight, of Birmingham, have patented an invention different parts of a railway train, Messrs. Holden, Bull, which seems to us to meet the requirements of the case, in a metal tube attached to the top, bottom, or side of the carriage. At each end of this is a metal union joint; and forms the connection between each carriage. A powerful a flexible tube with another portion of the joint upon it whistle, inserted in the end of the tube, is acted upon by the guard blowing into it; and when his attention is DISCOVERY OF GUANO IN THE FALKLAND ISLANDS.-called to the summons, the two can converse, take and give The Governor of the Falkland Islands has recently sent home despatches, announcing that guano has been discovered in large quantities in those islands. The climate there being less dry than at Lobos, the guano is not of equal value to the Peruvian product; but there seems to be no doubt that this discovery in the Falkland Islands will prove to be one of great value, both in a trading and an agricultural sense.

orders, at any reasonable distance. We have not yet seen the apparatus in operation, but we believe that it will supply the want so urgently required.

THE Imperial Academy of Sciences of St. Petersburgh have elected the Earl of Rosse, President of the Royal Society of London, an honorary member, in consideration of his high scientific acquirements, and of the important services which he has rendered to astronomy.

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ISSUED BY THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY.

THE LEISURE HOUR:

A FAMILY JOURNAL OF RECREATION AND INSTRUCTION; illustrated with Engravings by the First Artists. In Weekly Numbers, price 1d., or Monthly Parts, price 5d. An instructive and agreeable Companion for all classes and occasions.

The Volume for 1852, neatly bound, price 6s., consists of 832 pages of letter-press, and contains about 140 engravings. This new effort to employ the press in the service of morality and truth, by the production of a healthy literature, written in a Christian spirit, and suited to all classes, has received the highest approval and met with the most encouraging success. The variety and value of its contents commend it to families, young men, and the working classes, and equally make it suitable as an addition to mechanics', vestry, and other libraries. The following subjects are embraced within its ample range:-Tales-Biographical SketchesPoetry-Curiosities of London Life-Visits to Remarkable Places-Vestiges of the Past-" Shades of the Departed"-Papers on Social Economics and Sanitary Reform-Natural History-Natural Philosophy simpli fied-Modern achievements of Art and Skill-Examples of Self-elevated Men-Incidents of Adventure-Travels Abroad and Rambles at Home-Sketches of English Watering-Places-Discoveries and Inventions-Papers on Australia and Emigration-Domestic Economy-Golden Sentences-Anecdotes-with choice extracts from the newest Books.

A new Series of AUSTRALIAN SKETCHES will shortly appear.

THE CHILD'S COMPANION,

AND JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR. Thirty-two pages of super-royal 32mo. On good paper, neat type, and coloured wrapper. Embellished with beautiful Engravings in oil colours, and numerous superior Wood-cuts. Price One Penny. This popular Magazine is suited for the young in families, and Sunday and Day Scholars. Its present average monthly circulation of 45,000 will attest to its established character, and adaptation for usefulness.

THE TRACT MAGAZINE

AND CHRISTIAN MISCELLANY. 12mo. Price One Penny, with an Engraving, stitched in a neat wrapper. Its contents are interesting and instructive, and adapt it for cottage reading and loan circulation.

THE MONTHLY MESSENGER.

Four pages, 8vo., forming a tract for periodical distribution, at a low price. 1s. 4d. per 100.

THE MONTHLY VOLUME;

Containing 192 pages of letter-press, in a neat cover, 6d.; cloth boards, gilt, 10d. The following Volumes were issued during the past year :

Volcanoes: their History, Phenomena, and Causes.-James Watt and the Steam Engine.-The Ancient British Church; an Inquiry into the History of Christianity in Britain, previous to the Establishment of the Hep. tarchy. The Palm Tribes.-Life and Times of Charlemagne.-Wonders of Organic Life.-Tyre: its Rise, Glory, and Desolation.-Lives of the Popes; Part III.-Dublin: a Historical Sketch of Ireland's Metropolis.-Caxton, and the Art of Printing.-Money-Lives of the Popes; part IV.

DEPOSITORIES: 66, PATERNOSTER ROW; AND 164, PICCADILLY; WHERE ANY OF THE SOCIETY'S WORKS MAY BE HAD.

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within and without the overstocked marts, and constant appeals are made to the passers-by, as though it were a fact not to be doubted, that every person there was in search of some particular article. It is worth while to pause a moment and watch the tactics of the salesman employed. The bland politeness of the ordinary shopman is not to be found here; so far from conciliating, it would nauseate the generality of the customers. The utmost you can expect is a plain matter-of-fact civility. Where a vast number of low-priced commodities are sold at a very small profit, as is the case in most of these dusty museums, time cannot be wasted in effecting a sale: so the salesman too often cultivates a species of disreputable eloquence which, among unscrupulous employers, is significantly termed "bounce.' The possession of this peculiar qualification enables the salesman to exercise in his transactions with his customers a species of despotism, which must however be of such a character, being seasoned with humour or the affectation of it, as not to give offence. It is curious to notice how cleverly the affair is managed by a practised hand. While loudly talking down all objections, he contrives in the same breath to cajole, to deprecate, to flatter, and to overrule the hesitating customer, and to despatch a treaty which threatened to linger for an hour in less than three minutes; and this indeed he is obliged to do, or his employer would lose money by the transaction.

These attractive museums are besieged by crowds of chaffering purchasers up to the hour of midnight. Groups of labouring men rummage among the tool-boxes; boys and lads are tuning, and scraping, and twanging away at the fiddles; sportsmen are snapping fowling-pieces, or whipping the air with fishing-rods; poor scholars are routing among the books for some threepenny classic; spectacled connoisseurs are peering in vain through the black varnish of a suppositious Vandyke; and thrifty housewives are cheapening kettles and crockery, or buying a brace of flat-irons for a shilling with a view to the next washing-day's exploits. John Jones pulls up instinctively at the sight of the tools, among which he discerns some which would be of use to him in his own trade; but Mary pulls him out of temptation, and drags him away to the furniture-broker's next door, who has a stout table and a set of cane chairs of a very jaunty pattern, upon which she has set her heart. "What is the article you are looking for tonight, ma'am?" says the broker, who has seen her glancing at the table on previous evenings. Step in, ma'am; step in, sir; and look at the article."

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John steps in, and overhauls the tables and chairs, and demands the price. The price, to his astonishment, is less than he could have anticipated-less indeed than he, who is a working hand at the cabinet-making business, knows they could be made for if a fair price were paid for labour and material. Impressed with this conviction, John | hums and haws, and begins fumbling for his purse; but Mary, who like too many people in this age of competition has no notion of giving the full amount of anybody's demand if she can help it, insists upon an abatement in the sum total, and eventually succeeds in reducing by half-a-crown the amount to be paid for the table and chairs. They are paid for, piled upon a truck, and wheeled off in the

rear of the young couple, who pioneer the way t their humble lodgings. John, as he walks slowly along, feels considerably mystified on the subject of the articles he has bought. He knows that, had they been made in his master's workshop, they would have cost more in production than he has paid for them, and he wonders where the profit to the dealer can come from, the goods being new. He is ignorant of the existence of a numerous class of small manufacturers known by the denomination of "garret-masters," who, employing no other hands than those of their own families, purchase refuse timber, which they work up during the week, and then, under the compulsion of necessity, dispose of their manufactures on the Saturday at whatever price the brokers choose to fix upon them.

While John and Mary Jones, pleased with their first exploit in furnishing, are slowly wending their way homewards, we shall saunter through the Saturday-night market, and take a glance at the motley and ever-moving panorama which it presents to view. Owing to the system of late payments which prevails in too many establishments, there is a constant stream of working men's wives, who have but just received their market money, and are hastening to lay in a stock of provisions for the morrow, or it may be for the best part of the ensuing week. Basket on arm, they group round the vegetable stalls, sounding the cabbages and lettuces, pressing the potatoes with vigorous thumb, or poising green peas by the handful to judge of their contents by weight. Here a weatherworn matron is musing pensively over a barrel of brine-sodden pork, from which she finally extracts a hand or a breast, for which she strikes a bargain at sixpence a pound. The butcher with untiring lungs is still firing off his "buy! buy! buy! what d'ye buy ?" and his assistants are busy as bees, haggling, chaffering, chopping and weighing pounds and half-pounds of steak or chop, with now and then a small joint. There is a steady and clattering din, continuous as the noise of a rushing stream, rising from all sides, varied occasionally by an uproarious scream or a drunken yell. At the slopshop under the awning the traffic is at its height: labouring men are trying on fastian jackets and gaudy crimson waistcoats, or half throttling them. selves with spotted "belchers;" anxious mothers, leading their ragged urchin sons by the hand, are fitting their matted heads with a fourpenny cap, or their protruding toes with a pair of cheap Sunday shoes; a navigator is cheapening a pair of ironsoled bluchers of seven pounds weight; while a slatternly girl bids ninepence for a wrinkled pair of dancing-shoes, which she stuffs into her pocket, her basket being already overloaded with greens, potatoes, bread, and a pig's face.

The pawnbroker's shop is crammed full with his thriftless and improvident patrons. It is going to be a fine day to-morrow; the weather has set in fair, and there is no fear of rain; on this account, Tom and Ned and Harry, and Nelly and Sally and Madge, and the whole of the "improvident pledge-taking fraternity and sisterhood, are flocking to the golden balls to get their best clothes out of pawn, that they may not be shut up at home fer want of something to appear abroad in. Coats, waistcoats, and trowsers--and shawls, dresses, and mantles-are tumbling down the spout in ticketed

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