fingers, he looked for a minute at the line on which he was to sign, and then summoning courage, and screwing up his muscles as though he was going to knock down a bullock, he began. The first signature was the work of about two minutes. He then laid down the pen, took off his hat, and wiped from his forehead the perspiration which came out in big drops at the thought of what he had yet to do. After that, two more signatures, when he stopped for another wipe, and exclaimed "Tis harder work than putting on tires;" and altogether he was about twenty minutes signing his name ten times. Here was a striking instance of a difficulty being made out of what is in itself no difficulty. If the wheelwright had only accustomed himself to do a little writing occasionally, say once a-week even, he would not have made such a labour of receiving his dividends. It is well worth while for every one to take a little pains in learning to get a ready use of the pen. people who are more or less awkward writers, we must now say something about those who know how to use their pen, and can write a letter quickly, but without saying what they want to say in a correct style, and very often are not understood. It is ten chances to one if they put a date to the letter, or the name of the place at which it was written; so that you don't know if it is a day old or a week old, nor can you always tell where it comes from. Then in the letter itself that which should come first is put last, and now and then you find something which is really important mixed up with matters altogether unconnected with the subject-hear that farmer Tubb "had a sheep stole," or somebody's aunt is "bad with rheumatism." Such. information is all very well in its proper place, but it is not to be brought in any how. Some people have a habit of filling their letters so full of gossip that they forget what they wish to say until the end, and then squeeze it into a postscript. How easy to many people seems the Others think it good fun to sprinkle their writing of a letter; all that they want to letters with jokes; but unless a joke is say is in their head, and there appears no very good it should never be spoken, much reason why they should not bring it out less committed to writing. The faults here comfortably. So down they sit and begin indicated are not confined to the uneduby writing the words "My dear Friend,"cated classes; for, as we know by exand there they stop. They sit and look at these few words for half an hour wondering so hard what they shall say next; very often they can't think of anything else, although it seems to be in their head ready to come forth, and they give up the task in despair. Those persons who find it so very difficult to express their thoughts in writing would do well to copy passages from Dr. Franklin's works, and Robinson Crusoe, as the style of these is clear and sound. After a little time spent in copying, an attempt might be made to write down passages from memory, and thus by degrees the power would be gained of expressing thought in written words. Here we must make a remark about thinking. Most people fancy that they think, because hour after hour a number of ideas pass through their mind; but these ideas are in the main a loose jumble, no more like real thought than a heap of bricks is like a finished house. Sand cannot be spun into ropes, neither can loose ideas be easily shaped into a letter. So if people want to write they must first find thoughts, and then express those thoughts clearly and connectedly. Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. Thus far what we have said applies to perience, there are number of persons in what are called the respectable ranks, who cannot write a letter as a letter ought to be written. Men and women, it is often said, are but children of a larger growth, there being more similarity between the old and the young than is commonly supposed. Such being the case we shall make use of a boy's letter for the purpose of giving a lesson in the art of letter-writing. The boy in question was on a visit to some of his relatives at a little distance from home and wrote one day to his mother as follows: "Dear Mother, "I hope you are quite well. Uncle's going to have a new pig-stye built, and we went to the Baptist Chapel last Sunday. Oh, Mother, there's such a nice little donkey to be sold, and so cheap, mother, and aunt says she thinks of coming to see you very soon. 'Tis only half-a-crown, mother, so do let me have the donkey. There was such a thunder-storm here last week. We could keep him in the washhouse mother, he isn't a big one, so do let me have the donkey. He'd be so useful mother, I hope father is quite well, and John and Charles could ride upon him as well as me, so I hope you will let me have | no need to repeat the word mother quite the donkey. "Your dutiful son, In beginning to write a letter, unless there are special reasons to the contrary, you should first set down the names of the place at which you write, also the day of the month, and, whenever necessary, the name of the street and number of the house in which you live. For want of one or other of these particulars, it often happens that the person who receives the letter cannot answer it from not knowing the address of the writer. If writing to strangers, it is usual to say Sir or Madam, and if to acquaintance, Dear Sir or Dear Madam, according to the degree of intimacy between the parties. Among relatives and intimate friends the name is used with Dear or My Dear before it. Now let us examine William Gape's letter and see what can be made of it; we shall add nothing, but only correct the errors, and substiiute order for disorder. The first omission is the date and address: "16, Church Street, Basingstoke, July 17th, 1859. "Dear Mother, "I hope you and father are quite well. We went to the Baptist Chapel last Sunday; uncle is going to have a new pigstye built, and aunt says she thinks of going to see you very soon. There was such a thunder-storm here last week. Oh, mother, there's such a nice little donkey to be sold, and so cheap mother; only halfa-crown, so do let me have him. We could keep him in the wash-house, mother, so do let me have the donkey. He'd be so useful, and John and Charles could ride upon him as well as I, so I hope you will let me have the donkey. &c., &c." so often, neither after stating that the donkey was a nice little one was there any necessity to add that it was not a big one; and as the last words were about the donkey there was no good cause for the postscript. Some painters, it is said, never know when their pictures are finished, and some letter writers never knew when they have said enough. From all of which it appears, that having first thought of what to say, we must then consider how we shall say it. If there be a difficulty it is a good plan to write the letter first on a piece of waste paper, read it over, correct the faults and then copy out fairly, paying due attention to all the above-mentioned particulars. The writing, too, should be plain and legible: it is not fair to put people to the trouble of making out a wild scrawl. Write the address plainly, and let the name of the place or town to which the letter is to be sent be written large; it saves trouble at the post office in the hurry of sorting. The sorter looks only at the name of the town; it is the postman who delivers that concerns himself with the other part of the direction. Also, the word paid should be written on the right hand corner of the letter, after it is folded, at top, or if a stamp is put on this is the place for it -always the right hand corner at top. Attention to these few particulars will save trouble to all parties, and greatly enlarge the pleasure and benefits of letter writing. ON MAKING A COLLECTION OF THE advantage of an acquaintance with any of the natural sciences, the additional interest it lends to a country ramble, and the resource it furnishes against the "hour too many," will hardly be disputed by any who have witnessed the enjoyment it furnishes to the cultivator. Among the various sciences that come under the term natural, entomology certainly has its advantages. It is not, like sea-weed collecting, confined to a certain class of localities; nor is the result of the best day's sport burdensome to the collector, who trudges home lightly laden, while his friend the geologist is sighing over an ammonite too bulky to carry, and too good to be left behind. With this alteration it is still a boy's letter, but there is no confusion. The inquiry concerning the parents' health comes first where we should naturally look for it. Then follow the items of news, not very connected it is true. But kept from straggling. Then the most important topic of the letter comes where it will For preservation, few subjects of natural make the most impression, and all the an- history are more easy-the insect cabinet ticipated advantages are strengthened by exhibiting its treasures in the form and being kept close together, and some un-attitude of life, while the botanist must be necessary words are omitted. There was content with flattened effigies of the once graceful plants. If the definition of happiness is a correct one-keeping an object in view with the consciousness of continually drawing nearer to it-he who is engaged in making a collection ought, humanly speaking, to be a happy man. That the reader may, if he pleases, put this theory to the test, the following brief instructions are penned on collecting British insects. The first question usually asked by the aspiring youth who has been smitten by the sight of some well-filled cabinet is, where to go to catch the insects-a question that involves a lengthy reply, as there is scarcely a situation on the face of the earth in which some of the tribe are not to be found, as might be expected when we learn that our own country alone furnishes about 12,000 different kinds of the most various habits and instincts. At the same time, although it would be difficult to say where insects are not, there are certain localities where they especially congregate, and it will be serviceable to the beginner to have such places pointed out. Among the best that can be named are woods and forests, in which many insects of all the orders are to be found. Butterflies flutter along the sheltered glades, and in clear spaces open to the sunshine. The splendid "Emperor" is found about oaks in the south of England, but requires a net mounted on a long pole for his capture, as his imperial pride leads him to prefer the upper branches. I lately heard of an entomologist who used a gun and a charge of dust shot for the purpose! Fortunately for the collector, his majesty Occasionally descends in hot weather to drink at some muddy pool. Many of the moths will be found flying in the day time, but the greater number lie concealed until the evening, when they emerge from their hiding-places, and some of them continue their revels till daylight doth appear." A lantern strapped to the waist or hat is often serviceable on a dark night, the light being a great attraction to nocturnal insects. Immense numbers of moths have been taken of late years by the method termed 66 sugaring," which consists in making a syrup of coarse brown sugar, to which some add a little rum, and smearing it with a brush on the trunks of trees in likely situations. On a favourable evening the moths will flock to the treat prepared for them, and indulge in the sweets till they fall to the ground from repletion. Their appetite, however, is subject to strange variations; and while on one evening they will come in swarms to the sugar, on another they will all decline the invitation. The magnificent Dragon-flies, popularly termed Horsestingers (perhaps because they never sting horses), hover and sweep along in the same situation with the butterflies, but far less peaceful in their occupation; and woe to any weaker insect that crosses their path. It is stated that one has been seen to devour three times its own bulk in an hour; and as this process is going on, in bright weather, from sunrise to sunset, they must be formidable rivals to the entomologist. Numerous beetles also occur in such localities, many being attached to certain trees, shrubs and plants. Umbelliferous flowers are the favourite resort of several of the group termed Longicornes, some of them preferring felled timber. Many kinds conceal themselves under loose bark, while others form a secure retreat by boring far into the wood. Caterpillars of various moths and butterflies feed on the foliage and herbage, and may be collected in numbers by holding a large net under the branches while they are beaten with a stick. For this purpose an open and inverted umbrella is a good substitute for the net. Heaths, commons, and open fields are the home of numerous butterflies, &c., and many of the predaceous beetles will be seen running in bright weather about the paths and sandy places, or lurking during the day under stones and clods. The herbage should be swept with a hoop net, made of strong canvass or cheese-cloth, for delicate materials will not stand the work; by this means multitudes of small beetles, and indeed small insects of all kinds, will be taken. The rails and fences should not be neglected, especially palings, which are a favourite resting-place for sundry moths, and nearly all wooden erections will show the round tunnels formed by the little boring beetles. Sandy commons are productive of many of the bee and wasp tribe (Hymenoptera), and should be diligently searched by the collector of that order, especially on hot sunny days. Lanes with untrimmed hedges are often good places for collecting, especially if the soil is sandy. As a general rule, it may be observed that sandy soils are far more favourable to insect life than clays; chalk and limestone districts are usually productive. The hedge banks will furnish many species, and generally show the burrows of wild bees and other Hymenoptera. The various flowers and plants in gardens are attractive to many butterflies and other insects, and are always worthy of a search when circumstances may prevent longer excursions. Petunia beds are patronised by some of the rare Sphingidæ and the Hum mingbird Hawk Moth is partial to the red Valerian. A light placed in an open window looking into a garden or near a wood will often attract numbers of moths, and several scarce species have lately been taken on street lamps. Sand and gravel pits will repay investigation, as many beetles, &c., reside in such places, and others often fall into them or are blown in on windy days. Holes in the sides will show where insects have burrowed; a straw should be inserted as a guide, and the inhabitant dug out with a small trowel or digger. Stones and clods in these and other situations should be turned over as many beetles avail themselves of their shelter. Ponds and pools, as well as streams, should be fished with a hoop net of cheese cloth, or other strong open material for the waterbeetles and bugs. They are very numerous in species, and though seldom remarkable for bright colouring, are often curious in form and of interesting habits. Although the best collecting is during the warmer portions of the year, yet even in the winter months much may be done. The water beetles just mentioned are still to be taken, and will sometimes come to a hole broken in the ice. Then, as at other seasons, numerous beetles hide under bark, or live in burrows in the wood, but most of the insects of that order shelter themselves in moss, which should, therefore, be gathered without much disturbance, and carried home in closely-tied bags to be examined at leisure by shaking a little at a time over a white cloth. This is also the season for digging for the pupa or chrysalides of moths; they are mostly found three or four inches in the ground where the roots of trees fork on the surface, and generally occur in that part of the fork nearest to the trunk. Those who wish to make a general collection must seek for insects in more disagreeable situations than those hitherto mentioned. A large number of beetles are carrion feeders, most of them belonging to the group termed Necrophaga; and as vultures feast on the carcase of a camel, so do these small scavengers revel in a dead cat or dog. Many species attach themselves to old bones and skins, and a still larger section burrow in cattle droppings in fields and pastures. The list of productive situations might be indefinitely extended, as many small groups, and even individual species, have haunts peculiar to themselves; but information on these points is best sought in works professedly written on the subject. Whoever will search diligently in the localities here indicated will meet with a great variety of insects, and in no long time may get up a collection, which, if not large in a scientific sense, will excite the wonder of the uninitiated, who "couldn't have believed that so many different kinds existed."-GEORGE GUYON. THE ORDER OF THE HOSPITALS OF HENRY VIII. AND EDWARD VI., VIZ., ST. BARTHOLOMEW, CHRIST'S, BRIDEWELL, ST. THOMAS.-1557. THE MATRON'S CHARGE. YOUR office is an office of great charge and credit. For to yow is committed the governance and oversight of all the women and children within this hospitall. And also to yow is geven authoritie to commaunde, reprove them, or any of them, and if any shall happen to disobey, whom yow shall not be able to correct, yow shall from time to time make such knowen unto the almoners and governors of the howse, that they may take order with them as shall be thought meete by their wisdomes. Your charge is also to searche and enquire whether the women doe their dutie, in washing of the children's sheetes and shirtes, and keeping clean and sweet those that are committed to their charge; and also in the beddes, sheetes, coverletes, and apparaile (with keeping cleane their wardes and chambers), mending of such as shall be broken from time to time. And specially yow shall geve diligent heede that the saide washers and nurses of this house be alwaies well occupied and not idle, and that their linen be holsomly and cleanely washed; and the same first received from the keepers be (after the washing thereof) quietly de livered unto them. Yow shall also once every quarter of the yeare examine the inventorie, which shall be delivered unto yow, of the implements of this house; as of beddes, bolsters, mattresses, blanquets, coverlets, sheetes, pallads, shirtes, hosen, and such other-whether any of the same be purloyned, embezzeled, spoiled, or otherwise consumed, and to make such lacke and faults, as by yow shall be espied, knowen unto the almoners of this howse for the tyme beinge, that they may take order therein. Yow shall also geve great charge unto all the nurses of every warde, that no childe be received by them before the name of the same child be entered into the warde-booke, nor that any be delivered to nurse or otherwise, but that they be also entered, and to whom they are delivered, with the day and month when the same is done. Yow shall also neither receave nor deliver any thinge that is in the wardrop, unless yow cause the same to be written by them that are appointed thereto. And be suer to receave from the nurses in the country, when any children die, their apparaile. Yow shall take such order among the nurses or otherwise, that the hall be kept swete and cleane, and suffer non of the children to be there after their meales, except it be at service time, and when it shall please the governors to appoint them. Yow shall twice or thrice in every week arise in the night and go as well into the sick warde, as also into every other warde, and there se that the children be covered in the beddes, whereby they take no colde. And last of all if yow shall perceave, that if any officer or officers of this howse doe abuse themselves either in worde or deede, yow shall admonish the governors of the same, and not medle any further therein, neither to have to doe with any officer or officers, other than appertaineth to your own office and charge as aforesaid. CHARGE OF THE NURSES AND KEEPERS OF THE WARDES. Your charge is faithfully and truely to serve in this howse, to obey the matron thereof. Ye shall also flie and eschue all rayling, skoldinge, swearing, and drunkennes." Ye shall in your behaviour and doings be vertuous, loving, and diligent. Ye shall also carefully and diligently oversee, keep, and govern all those tender babes and yonglings that shall be committed to your charge, and the same holsomly, cleanely, and swetely noorish and bringe up. And in like manner shall ye keepe your wardes and every part thereof swete and cleane. Ye shall also, to avoid all idleness, when your charge and care of keping the children is paste, occupie yourselves in spinning, sewing, mending of sheetes, or some other vertuous exercise, such as yow shall be appointed unto. Ye shall not resort, or suffer any man to resort to yow, before yow have declared the same to the almoners or matron of this howse, and have obtayned lycence and favor so to doe. Ye shall at lawful times, according to such order as is and shall be taken in this house, be within your wardes and places of lodging, and se that all your children before they be brought to bed, be washed and cleane, and immediately after every of yow shall goe to your bed, and not to sit up any longer, and once every night arise and se that the children be covered, for taking of colde. Theis are the especial partes of your charge, whiche ye shall endeavour every of yourselves with all your powers to observe and keep; or els ye shall not only remaine under the correction and punishment that shall be thought meete, by the discretion of the governors; but also to be expulsed and banished this howse for ever. And whatsoever faults ye shall perceave by any other officers in this howse, the same ye shall declare unto the governors, and not otherwise medle or make, but in your owne busines.Noorthouck's History of London. THE ARABS OF ALGERIA. FAITHFUL to his traditions, the Arab of Algeria still cleaves to the patriarchal life, abhorring the contamination of large towns, preferring tents to dwellings of a more durable kind, and a roving to a settled existence. Agriculture is the only tie that binds him to the soil; but flocks and herds are more compatible with his native bias. His philanthropy is confined to his own race; he despises every religion but his own; he looks down upon the benefits of civilisation, except so far as they can be incorporated into his actual mode of life, or be turned to account in the chase or in the camp. He is content with his own slovenly mode of tilling the ground. He ranks science with the occult arts. He has no ambition to be more educated than he is. It is enough for him that his marabouts should acquire knowledge for the good of the public. He is naturally indolent, and therefore prefers taking from others when he can, and, when he cannot, doing without superfluities, to the securing them by the sweat of his brow. He has no patriotism, because he has no fixed home; no incentive to peace, because he has so little to lose; indifferent to what may happen, because, like all Mohammedans, he is a fatalist. In his temperate habits, in his intercourse with his brethren, he may exercise those virtues which travellers are fond of attributing to the Bedouin of the desert; but in his dealings with Europeans, the Arab of Algeria is cunning, thievish and lying; his frugality seems the effect of indolence rather than of choice; his treachery ill accords with our prepossessions of his chivalry; his superstitions are more deeply rooted in him than his religion; and his love of independence assumes the effect of impatience of the restraints which govern society. |