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What a pretty picture we have in the first title page, of the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park! This gigantic structure is built of iron, glass, and wood; but as, at a distance, it seems to be made entirely of glass, it is called the "Crystal Palace." Does it not look like one of those magnificent palaces we read about in fairy tales?
The Great Exhibition is intended to receive and exhibit the most beautiful and most ingenious things from every country in the world, in order that everybody may become better known to each other than they have been, and be joined together in love and trade, like one great family; so that we may have no more wicked, terrible battles, such as there used to be long ago, when nobody cared who else was miserable, so that they themselves were comfortable. Only look at the thousands of people who crowd the Park,—all so different looking, and so curiously dressed. Grave Turks,—swarthy Spaniards and Italians,—East Indian Princes, glistening with gold and jewels,—clever French and German workmen, in blue cotton blouses,—Chinese gentlemen,—Tartars, Russians, energetic Americans, and many more. I wonder what they all think of us, whose habits in many things are so different from their own?
And what charming things there are in the Exhibition itself! Fine porcelain wares, mirrors, books, statues, perfumes, and many more articles from various parts of the world,—beautiful fans, books, bronzes, and an infinity of other matters, from France in particular. Here is a model in miniature of the Crystal Palace itself, in glass.
Ah! talking of glass, what think you of an enormous French decanter, in which three persons, having gotten inside by a ladder, can sit and dine off a table a yard in circumference? This is quite an exhibition in itself, I think. In another part of the building, we have a looking-glass, from Germany, which is the largest that ever was made, and is encased in a splendid frame of Dresden china. But here is a darling little English steam-engine, so small that you could, after wrapping it up in paper, lay it very comfortably inside an ordinary-sized walnut-shell, while the plate on which it stands is not bigger than a sixpence!
In the very centre of the building, a gigantic crystal fountain diffuses a delicious coolness around, its bright clear waters sparkling, leaping, and playing, as if in delight and astonishment at the splendid and wonderful articles surrounding it. And there are two immense statues just beside it, looking mightily pleased with the agreeable coolness of the water. But here are two large bronze lions;—how terrible they look: they seem almost as if they were going to jump at us. There are animals of various kinds in different parts of the Exhibition; stags, horses, foxes, birds, cats, and even a ferocious-looking tiger.
There is a bundle of nails so diminutive you can hardly see them—another bundle of three thousand nails, one thousand gold, another silver, and the third iron; so light that the whole weighs only three grains,—a French watch, smaller than a fourpenny piece,—Hindoo stuffs, so thin you can scarcely feel them, yet are made from rejected cotton-husks,—a highly-finished model of a palace, from Italy; and a handsome carriage, from Prussia.
But among the curious articles we must notice this imitation of a camelia japonica tree in china, with buds, leaves, and blossoms, all perfect, which came from Germany;—and that painted oil-cloth from Manchester, covered with the most extraordinary mathematical ornaments, and which took eleven years to complete, and is worth 500 guineas. And that table, made of 38,000 pieces of wood, of twenty-eight different colours, looking like mosaic, which was sent from Switzerland. Nor must we forget to look at this piece of gold, on which is engraved "The Lord's Prayer," and is yet so small that a common pin-head covers it: that came from Portsmouth. And here is a German bed, which being wound up, like a clock, to a certain hour, throws the sleeper out on the ground, when the time comes; no lazy lie-a-beds with that, I fancy!
But here is an odd contribution, also from Germany; it is—what do you think?—a piece of lace, darned, and a fine table napkin, also darned! however, don't laugh, until I explain to you the reason why it has been mended in this way: an ingenious young lady, wishing to show industrious lasses that torn clothes may be made to look as if they had not been injured in that manner at all, got a piece of cloth, tore it for the purpose, and taking up the stitches neatly, worked thread after thread till she had darned it in such a way that nobody could tell where it had been torn; she then thought of sending a specimen of her industry to the World's Fair.
Here are snuff-boxes made of coal, which have been sent from Woolwich; and a beautiful little cannon of agate, from Germany; and two violins, worth a great deal of money, which have been contributed from America.
I know that the productions of India will delight you by their beauty and ingenuity: the costumes the natives have sent are even prettier than those of Turkey, Spain, or Persia, and their gold, silver, and mother-of-pearl ornaments, are enchanting; what splendid veils, dresses, shawls, carved ivory, and curiosities!
I would have you look very attentively at the contributions from India, they are so gorgeous; such superb muslins, baskets, and fans; with silks, cotton, cocoa-nuts, roots, woods, and such tempting fruits. I always like to see Indian articles, they are so magnificent. The persons who have sent these things must have worked very hard, to make so many beautiful specimens; but then the poorer people of India are exceedingly industrious; they live very simply, eating rice, boiled with milk and spices, as their principal food, for it is against their religion to touch meat of any kind. They would lead rather a sorry life, were it not that their tastes were so extremely simple, and their wants so few. A Hindoo village looks more like a gipsy encampment, than anything else, and bears a very strange appearance to a European, at first.
However, although the poor people live in this way, the princes and nobles lead a far different life; an eastern grandee could formerly do anything he chose, even to killing of his wives and slaves, and, only I do not wish to frighten you, I could tell you many stories about the cruelty of the Indian nobles. They live in great state, and are always surrounded by a throng of slaves, and attendants, who wait on them as they recline lazily on a pile of the softest cushions, which are covered with the skins of beasts, and with silks, velvets, and satins. When they go abroad they are carried in what is called a palanquin, borne on the shoulders of servants, if they do not choose to ride on a horse or an elephant.
Their houses are adorned with the utmost magnificence, while the gardens or approaches to them are delightfully cool and refreshing, being shaded by fragrant trees, and shrubs, perfumed by the most beautiful flowers, and cooled by fountains, playing in marble basins. The Indian machinery is very clumsy indeed, and the mills are the funniest-looking things imaginable: I must show you an oil-mill.
A very cruel custom prevails in many parts of India, which I know will shock you very much: when a Hindoo of rank dies, his widow is laid by his side on a pile of faggots, which being set fire to, the poor creature is suffocated, or else burnt alive, and they pretend that she likes to be so destroyed. The ceremony is called a "Suttee," and is conducted with great pomp, all the relations of the woman and her dead husband being present, in addition to an immense crowd; before getting on the pile, the widow divides all her jewels and ornaments amongst her friends. Here is a picture of a widow about to bathe in a "consecrated" river, before going to be burnt.
Here are lovely specimens of the manufacture of gold, silver, silk, jewellery, and Lebanon horns, from Syria, with seeds, fruits, oils, and woods; and even ornaments and marble from Jerusalem! Little did the Crusaders of old think, when they were fighting in Jerusalem, and the Holy Land, that the Infidels, as they very incorrectly called them, would be sending in such a friendly way to England.
What splendid caps, slippers, veils, and perfumes, with such picturesque guns and swords, from Turkey! The Turks are a fine, handsome race of people, and very grave and sensible, except when they are angry, when they grow raging and furious; they are fond of ease; and the chief delight of those who can afford it is to sit cross-legged on a low couch, drinking coffee, and smokeing a long curled pipe, called a hookah. They often sit by the side of a canal for a whole day, looking at children flying kites. Instead of sitting at a table to dine, they put the dishes on a carpet of Turkey leather, and sit round it on the floor, eating, with wooden spoons, meat and rice stewed together, called pilau. They are not allowed to drink wine, or eat pork. A favourite diversion with them is playing on a kind of lute, and sometimes they amuse themselves with chess, draughts, and other games; but their principal amusement, like some of my little friends, is to sit and listen to stories, told by men who earn their livelihood by relating entertaining tales and romances.
The Turks do not undress and go to bed at any time, but being seated on a sofa, they smoke till they are sleepy, then laying themselves down, their slaves cover them over for the night. The poor people of the cities carry water, cakes, loaves, and other things, through the streets for a living, or act as buffoons, musicians, tumblers and wrestlers, at the Sultan's and other of the rich people's palaces.
They cannot use wheel carriages in Turkey, the streets are so narrow, and the pavements in many parts so bad; everything is therefore carried by men, horses, mules, and donkeys, which is very inconvenient, as the mules and donkeys very often tumble down, and throw their burdens right in everybody's way; as for a horse, when heavily laden, it takes up the entire road; and when two loaded horses meet, the bawling and confusion is dreadful.
The markets in Turkey are called "bazaars," and there you can buy almost anything you want; and every trade keeps together in knots of shops, different from us, in particular quarters, so that you are not obliged to walk all over the bazaar in search of a hat or a pair of shoes. In these bazaars, it is customary for a dealer to ask much more than he means to take, and for a buyer to offer infinitely less than he means to give; it is, therefore, rather difficult to strike a bargain, and sometimes several days are occupied chaffering about a price.
The Turkish houses, above the ground floors, are usually built of thin laths, painted of different gay colours, and the roofs made of tiles, so that every few months a terrible fire takes place, and several thousand dwellings are burnt down; but the people are so accustomed to this that they do not mind it, and look on very contentedly while the fire rages, smoking their pipes, and drinking coffee.
The Turks are exceedingly charitable, and not only give alms to the sick and poor, but even to travellers and strangers; and some of them have exercised their benevolence so far that they have left a sum of money for digging wells, and for the support of several cats and dogs. A very great trade is carried on from many parts of the world with them, as their country is famous for its rich brocades, thick soft carpets, mattings, baskets, curiously-wrought gold and silver embroidery, and balsams. It is also remarkable for its attar of roses, spices, figs, and coffee; all very good things, I dare say, you will think.
Some things have been sent from China to our Exhibition; but the Chinese people do not seem to care much about it. Indeed, I wonder they sent at all, for they consider themselves as the only civilized nation in the world, and call China the "Celestial Empire," while they imagine that the Emperor is an intimate relation of the Sun, Moon, and Stars! They are a very industrious nation, however, and the Emperor encourages them by his example. The poor work in every way they can; and one of their occupations is carrying about water for sale, as they have not water brought by pipes into the houses, as we have here. Here is the picture of a Chinese water carrier.
They also make the most elaborately carved ornaments, in wood and ivory; their toys and lanterns are celebrated for their ingenuity and workmanship. Their fireworks are superior to all those of other nations; and they excel in tricks and amusing entertainments. The cultivation of tea is universal, and agriculture—which, you know is the art of tilling the earth—is held in high esteem; the principal products being rice, wheat, yams, potatoes, turnips, and cabbages. The dwellings of the peasantry too, are not in villages, as in old England, but are scattered through the country; and they have no fences, gates, or anything to guard against wild beasts, or robbers. The females raise silk-worms, spin cotton, manufacture woollen stuffs, and are the only weavers in the empire. The art of printing, though done in what I must confess is rather a clumsy manner, is much exercised amongst them, and gives employment to many people.
I do not think we should like to dine with a Chinese gentleman, or Mandarin, as he would treat us to strange dainties, as—a roast dog, a dish of stewed worms, a rat pie; or, perhaps, a bird's-nest. But the bird's-nest would be the best of the list, for it is not like the kind of bird's-nests which you have seen, but is made, I believe, of the spawn of fish, and looks something like isinglass. It is the nest of a sort of swallow, is about the size of a goose's egg, and is found in caverns along the sea shores; so it is not so bad as it seems at first. And the rats are as large and fat as some of our rabbits, being fed on fruits and grain, purposely for eating; as also are their dogs, for eating.
The people of the "Celestial Empire" are celebrated for their fondness for making beautiful gardens; but their houses and gardens are quite different from ours.
What a pretty scene! what a delicious cool walk is formed by the grove of trees leading to the porcelain tower. And those ladies walking towards the boat,—or hobbling, more likely; for the Chinese ladies have feet not much larger than your papa's thumb, which is there considered a great beauty.
The common women cannot afford to have little feet, as the feet of the rich girls are bandaged up in iron shoes, when they are two or three years old, to prevent their growing larger. These small feet are called "Golden Lilies;" but I am glad no such barbarous custom prevails in our own dear country. The Chinese ladies, however, are extremely accomplished, and can play on many musical instruments, paint, and embroider. The merchants of China are not at all remarkable for their honesty, though a few of them are very scrupulous. Many of them amass great fortunes.
The Chinese have sent in embroidered shawls, table-covers, teas, curious and intricate toys, and specimens of handicraft.
Why, we have even specimens of Russian industry, in the Great Exhibition; and very good specimens they are, too. Russia is not such a pleasant country, in some respects, as any of those I have been telling you of; for in the winter the frost is so severe that many of the poor Russians die from cold. The rich wrap themselves up in warm furs, and ride in fur-lined sledges, instead of the usual carriages; but the poor people are forced to continue working out of doors at their various employments, being very careful, however, to cover their legs, hands, and head with fur, lest they should be bitten with the frost, which sometimes seizes those parts and turns them white. Though many of the poor women stand for hours together, washing their linen in holes cut in the ice, without getting frozen, yet it often happens that coachmen and other servants have been frozen to death in the streets at night, while waiting for their masters.
At the end of every year, the Russians keep a long fast, and as soon as it is over, lay in their store of winter's provisions, at a market held once a-year on the river Neva, which is then frozen over. I should like you to see this market, it is so full of gaiety and singularity, while the high piles of frozen provisions look so picturesque along the ice. The Russians are remarkable for their cheerfulness and contentment, and are so fond of singing, that they are always enjoying a song when at work. Russian songs are very different from ours, and sound rather odd to us.
The food of the common people is black rye bread, sometimes, by way of treat, stuffed with onions, carrots, or green corn, and seasoned with sweet oil. They use eggs, salt fish, bacon, and mushrooms, of which last they have a great plenty. The men are ordinarily dressed in loose trousers; short coats of sheep-skin, tied with a sash round their waists, and folds of flannel, fastened round with pack-thread, on their legs, for stockings. The women are dressed just as oddly, in short gowns, and with their hair plaited and hanging down their backs, if they are unmarried; or a cap and cotton kerchief round their heads, if they are married. The peasants' houses are built of wood, and have one or two rooms only; they are miserably furnished, with no beds, as the family sleep on benches in summer, while nearly one-fourth of the principal apartment is filled by an enormous stove, or rather oven, upon which they sleep in winter; for the smoke of which, there is no chimney beyond a hole in the wall. I don't think you or I would much like to spend a winter in Russia.
Many useful things, you may observe, have come from Spain—cheeses, honey, dried fruits, salt, lime, wool, oil, flax, and cotton; with guns, swords, and also beautiful ornaments; with some precious stones, diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. The Spaniards are not either a very active or a very cleanly people, but they are exceedingly proud, honest, and hospitable; they are skilful workers in woollen and silk stuffs, and manufacture sword-blades of a very fine kind; while their leather is celebrated for its superiority. They also work beautifully in gold and silver; and trade in immense quantities of those oranges you like so well, lemons, citrons, grapes, raisins, olives, nuts, and wines.
The chief amusement of both high and low is one which neither you nor I would be pleased with, I hope, for it is bull-fighting; which cruel entertainment they learned from the Moors, who once had possession of Spain, and built all the beautiful castles and palaces that are in it. The manners of the rich people are merely like those of our own gentry, but the common people are very peculiar; and all classes delight in playing on the guitar, and singing, both of which they perform charmingly. They have also two favourite dances, called a fandango, and a bolero, both extremely lively and graceful. The mode of conveyance in Spain is by mules, and these beasts are surprisingly obedient to their masters, and answer to their own names just like our own pet dogs. The tails of the mules are oddly decorated, by cutting the hair into stars, flowers, and other fanciful designs.
The villages are mostly mean, and the roads narrow; but Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a large city, with long, straight streets, many of them cooled by noble fountains. The houses in Madrid are built of brick, and even the grandest of them have only lattices, instead of glass windows, most of which have, however, handsome balconies, supported on columns. In the churches, there are neither pews, benches, nor chairs; the ground is covered with matting, on which every one kneels together, from the grandee to the beggar. In the suburbs there are many woods of evergreen oak, vineyards, olive plantations, and orchards of mulberry, plum, and almond trees; and the flocks of black sheep and goats, grazing in the country meadows, have a pretty effect.
I don't think you would find the Spanish cookery much to your taste; for the Spaniards are very fond of rancid butter in their meals, and of oil that has a very strong smell and flavour; indeed, when they are going to cook anything that requires fat, they lift down the lamp from the ceiling, and take out what oil they want. Bread, steeped in oil, and occasionally seasoned with vinegar, is the common food of the country people. Their favourite wine is that which has a strong taste of the leather bottles or casks, in which they keep it; and they will hardly eat any thing that has not saffron, pimento, or garlic, in it. They have, however, even amongst the poorest, such fine grapes, ripe melons, and tempting oranges, as my little readers, I know, have seldom tasted. In summer, they use a quantity of ice, which is sold in glasses, in the streets, for a trifling sum. In place of candles, the poor people have a piece of cane, cut with holes through it, which is fixed to the ceiling, and from one of the holes a lamp is hung by a hook.
The dress of the lower orders is very pretty indeed, and they themselves are mostly tall and handsome, with black hair and eyes, and dark sun-burnt complexions. The climate is so warm and balmy, that they can grow their fruits in the open air.
Some pretty articles have been sent from Portugal, a country which is near Spain, and very like it in all respects. It is a very fine country, famous for wine, and oil; and the sheep are much prized for their superior wool. The ladies of rank still spin flax from a distaff, to show their industry. The peasantry are not very well off; their only luxury is tobacco, and their usual fare is bread, made of Indian corn, with a salted pilchard, or a head of garlic, to give it a relish. They are polite and hospitable; but the people of the towns have not the least scruple in stabbing any body that offends them; so that it is a dangerous thing to affront them.
What elegant tables, pictures, vases, marbles, statues, shells, woods, and perfumes, have been contributed to the Exhibition from Italy. Here is a table of a most beautiful material, called pietra dura, which took one hundred and twenty years to finish, and came from Naples.
Italy has always been celebrated for the beauty of the articles manufactured there; and the things it has sent us now are certainly worthy of its fame. It is one of the loveliest countries in the world, in the spring and autumn, and is ornamented with the richest foliage; vines, mulberry, olive, and orange trees; and with high hills and deep dales, towns, villas, and villages. The soil is extremely fertile, and produces abundance of grain, the finest fruits and vegetables, with flax, saffron, and manna. The climate is delightful, except in summer, when the weather is dreadfully hot, and the winters are so mild, that ice and snow are quite rarities, except in the mountains; I wonder what my little-boy friends would do there, for a skate on the ice, or a merry game of snow-balls?
Rome, the capital of Italy, is a splendid city, full of the remains of ancient temples, pillars, arches, and fountains; but many of them sadly ruinous and decayed. There are a great many Jews in it, who are forced to live in a particular part, called the ghetto, which means a place for Jews. The city of Rome and the surrounding country are very unwholesome during summer, in consequence of the land not being properly drained, as it used to be in the times of the ancient Romans, so that it is dangerous to dwell near them at that season of the year. The numerous vineyards in Italy, are not divided by hedges, but by rows of rather fine trees, the vines clinging in graceful festoons from one bough to another. In some parts of the country, there are various picturesque corn fields and meadows, bordered by olive trees.
The Italians are not a very industrious people, but they make silk stockings, soap, snuff-boxes of the lava of Mount Vesuvius, tables of marble, and ornaments of shells, besides gloves and caps of the filaments of a kind of muscle, which they get off the rocks, where it fixes itself by spinning a web from its own body, like the silk-worm or spider. These caps and gloves are actually warmer than those made of wool, and are of a fine glossy green colour.
There are a great many beggars, I am sorry to say, in fair Italy, who are called Lazzaroni, and they live on whatever they can get, sleeping under porticos, piazzas, or any place they can find, and are, as you may guess, excessively idle, like all other beggars.
There are also hordes of thieves, who are called Banditti, and who rob people in the most daring manner, for there are very few police. But there are also numerous persons who are quite well-behaved, and do all they can to earn their bread honestly. Among these is a set of men called Improvisatori, who tell stories, or repeat verses in the streets, and get a good deal of money from those who stop to listen to them. It must be very pleasant, on a cool summer evening, to sit under some magnificent old portico, listening to some interesting poem, or hearing a pretty story related.
Throughout Italy, one of the remarkable customs, is keeping of a grand festival, which begins some weeks before Lent, and is called the "Carnival;" on this occasion, every place is brilliantly adorned, and the people go about singing, dancing, joking, and masquerading. The most splendid Carnival is kept at Venice, a remarkable city of Italy, built upon a several islands, the sea, which runs every where among them, serving the inhabitants for streets.
The Italians are very handsome, and have jet black hair, dark roguish eyes, and fine figures. The dress of the lower orders is even prettier than the pretty Spanish costume. The men wear high-crowned hats, such as you may sometimes have seen on the organ-grinders in the streets of London, velveteen jackets, gaiters, and open shirt-collars, loosely fastened by a silk ribbon; while the women have short scarlet petticoats, and jackets of a darker colour, with exceedingly short sleeves, tied with bright ribbon, and their long black hair decorated with coloured bows of ribbon, and confined by a silk lace net, which falls partly over their shoulders. Instead of sending thieves to prison in Italy, they are sent on board the galleys, a large kind of rowing vessels, where they are chained to the decks, and obliged to endure every species of hardship.
What a number of things the Germans have contributed! Bracelets, articles of straw, beautiful household furniture, toys, wire, and many other manufactures. Here is a splendid tray of polished amber, with a little carriage, made according to a proper model, and a large chandelier of amber, capable of holding several thousand lights. There is a beautiful cabinet made of a collection of pieces of unpolished amber, intended to show the different kinds of that mineral, its various forms, its peculiarities, and its varieties. Here is a bedstead, worth it is said ten thousand pounds; and the most elegant furniture ever seen. And here is a piece of white silk embroidered with portraits of our Queen and the Prince of Wales, done in a thin kind of thread, called "hair thread."
You know a good deal about Germany itself, I dare say, already; but I must tell you something about the Germans themselves. They are grave and thoughtful, but highly romantic and full of enthusiasm. Their love for their country is most remarkable. All classes in Germany are well-educated, and many painters, poets, and musicians, have been born among them. The art of printing was first practiced in that country, and at present the number of books printed there is immense; while every year a book-fair is held at the city of Leipzig. The produce and manufactures of Germany are exceedingly numerous, and you see they are of great variety, such as clocks, watches, woollens, linens, toys, wines, ornamental work in iron and steel, worsteds, and silks. In the public walks and gardens, on Sundays, the people assemble in great crowds, dressed out in their holiday clothes, while ladies and gentlemen walk about without the least restraint among the working people.
The chase is a favourite amusement with the nobles and gentlemen, and is a sport in which they are lustily joined by the peasantry. The immense forests with which the country abounds gives shelter to wild boars, wolves, and many other ferocious animals. On grand occasions there is held what is called a battue, when a number of deer are driven into an enclourse, and shot at by the sportsmen. The habits of the peasants are extremely simple, but the people are industrious and ingenious. The villages and cottages are neat and comfortable. The peasants make many pretty toys and ornaments, and bring provisions to market from a great distance, in light roomy wheel-barrows, made for the purpose. The German people are in general fair, with blue eyes, flaxen hair, and full figures; but they do not wear any very peculiar dress.
In models of ships, in rosewood furniture, in silver embroidery, and silver cups,—besides linens, calicoes, and glass beautifully painted for windows; many contributions have been sent in by the Dutch. There are also soft thick blankets with scarlet borders, which make one warm merely to look at them.
The Dutch people are industrious, and cleanly. The women are the most active and nicest house-wives in the world; they scour and brighten, and rub not only the furniture and inside of their houses, but the outside as well; the houses in Holland, by-the-bye, look like painted baby-houses, and are roofed with glossy delft tiles, and the rooms are lined with smooth square tiles of delft, and the floors paved with marble. The people are never idle in Holland, but are always working at a great variety of manufactures, among which are leather, woollen, and linen articles,—also, paper, wax, starch, pottery, and tiles. Large quantities of gin are likewise made, and this liquor is in England called "Hollands" for that reason. Carts are not much used by the Dutch; their goods are carried on sledges, very light waggons, and boats. The reason of this is, that they are afraid lest the wheels of vehicles should injure the foundations of their cities, which are generally built on piles of huge trees, driven like stakes into the bog beneath. The common people are very humane to their cattle; they rub down the cows and oxen, and keep them as clean and sleek as our English horses. Canals run through the principal streets, and in winter they are frozen over for two or three months, when the whole country is like a fair; booths are erected upon the ice, with fires in them. The country people skate to market, with milk and vegetables; and every kind of sport is seen on the frozen canals. Sledges fly from one street to another, gaily decorated, and numberless skaters glide about with astonishing swiftness and dexterity. No people skate so well as the Dutch.
Holland was once a quagmire, almost covered with water; but by making canals higher than the land, and pumping the water out of the fields into them, the land was drained. The bogs are numerous, and supply so much turf that little else is burned. There are no beggars; and the people are in general pretty warmly clothed, and comfortable looking, with ruddy faces. The townspeople are dressed almost like the Londoners, or Parisians; but the costume of the country folks is rather funny. A farmer's wife, when out for a holiday, wears a large kind of gipsy hat, like a small umbrella, lined with damask; a close jacket with long flaps; and full short thick coloured petticoats. Her slippers are yellow, her stockings blue, and her cap is without a border, being made to fit her head exactly, and gaily ornamented with gold filagree clasps; while her costume is finished by a pair of earrings and a necklace. The farmer himself wears a hat without a rim, and huge silver buttons on his coat; and keeps whiffing away at his pipe, which he is seldom without. The Dutch are most excellent gardeners, though they sometimes ruin themselves by their love for flowers.
Among the articles that have been sent here from Switzerland, are several well worth looking at, they are so wonderfully ingenious. Of this kind are two boxes, one of white wood, and the other of brown; the white has a lovely Alpine rose, with garlands of flowers upon the sides, the rose and lid being cut out of one piece of wood, and so beautifully made to imitate nature, that the slightest touch with the point of a knife or a needle, makes the leaves move and quiver without spoiling the flower. This was made by a Swiss peasant. The people of Switzerland are very remarkable for their industry, contentment, and ingenuity.
Among the villagers, their chief occupations are the management of dairies, and the breeding of cattle; and many of the peasantry make a living by hunting the chamois, as the wild goat is called. This is rather a dangerous employment, yet the chamois-hunters delight in it; they carry a long hook pointed with an iron spike, and with the help of this, they leap from rock to rock, over frightful chasms and precipices; yet such is their surprising activity, that they are never killed. Other peasants earn a livelihood by fattening and preparing snails for market; for these creatures are considered a great delicacy in many parts of Switzerland. In another part of the country the inhabitants almost exclusively follow the trade of watch-making, and polishing the crystals and pebbles that are found in the mountains, Geneva, a city of Switzerland, is celebrated for the watches that are made there.
The women are extremely domestic, delighting in their children; and all the Swiss are remarkable for their passionate love of home. In every village there is a school, established by the Government for the instruction of poor children. The Swiss are the most graceful of all peasants, and wear very smart costumes. The men wear large hats, and their dress is generally a brown cloth jacket without sleeves, and puffed breeches of ticking. The women have short blue petticoats, a cherry-coloured boddice, full white sleeves fastened above the elbow, and a muslin kerchief thrown round their necks; while their hair is plaited, and twisted about their heads. They also wear pretty flat straw hats, ornamented with bows of ribbon.
The scenery of Switzerland is of the most charming and romantic description; there are towering mountains, craggy rocks, steep precipices, with foaming torrents dashing down their sides, and dizzy heights, which I should be sorry any of my little friends were looking down. But these are delightfully intermixed with beautiful valleys, adorned with groves of fir, beech, and chestnut trees; clear lakes, rapid rivers, cataracts, and bridges of one arch reaching an immense distance from rock to rock. Portions of the mountains are covered with villages and scattered cottages; and the inside of the dwellings are so neat and look so comfortable, that you could almost wish to live in one of them, if you were not told that there is a perpetual danger of their being buried under one of the enormous masses of snow that frequently roll from the tops of the mountains, and destroy everything in their way. These masses are called Avalanches.
Between the summits of the highest of the mountains are valleys of ice, frozen into many fantastic shapes, formed by one crust of ice growing hard over another; but what is more extraordinary, is that the borders of these glaciers, as they are called, are fertile: strawberries, wild cherries, nuts, barberries, and mulberries, grow there; and goats browse on the most inaccessible parts of the rocks, and bound with the most surprising agility from one cliff to another.
Several contributions have been sent by the Prussians and Austrians; woollens, minerals, linens, china, and other things.
The Prussians are a very polite and well-educated people, and nowhere are there more schools than in their country.
Prussia itself is an extremely pleasant place, and the towns are fine, with wide, regular streets, and high antique-looking houses; the streets are mostly lined with trees, which look pretty enough while their leaves are green, but rather prevent the free circulation of air. The Prussian ladies delight in fine clothes, and would be much vexed if they were obliged to go out without them. The gentry speak French, but the common people talk German. The beautiful Dresden china we see at the Exhibition, cames from the town of Dresden.
Austria is a very fine country, and contains a great variety of people. The principal artizans are tanners, furriers, boot makers, lace workers, and cabinet makers. There are also workers in iron, copper, alum, saltpetre, besides many others. The general habits of the Austrians are like those of the Germans, so I do not think I need tell you anything about them.
The Poles and Hungarians have also sent their industrial productions to the Great Exhibition; cloth, lace, furniture, brooms, linens, woollens, and other articles. I dare say you have heard a good deal lately about the Hungarians, when they were fighting against the Austrians and Russians. The Hungarian peasants are very hard-working; indeed, they cannot help being so, for as the nobility and gentry are not taxed, the poor people are forced to pay all the taxes, besides being obliged to give money and provisions to their masters, the Lords of the Manor, who, I am sorry to say, are excessively tyrannical. They are also compelled to pay tithes to the clergy, the magistrates, and the soldiers, and to work for nothing on the public works; against which bad laws they fought. Agriculture, and the breeding of cattle, are carried on to a considerable extent.
Hungary is occupied by a variety of people, with entirely different habits; it contains Frenchmen, Sclavonians, Turks, Jews, Spaniards, Gipsies, Germans, and Greeks. The Magyar language, the original Hungarian tongue, is spoken by the peasants; but in the cities the people mostly use German and French.
The Poles live in a cold, flat, marshy country, in the north of Europe. The peasantry are in a miserable state, very dirty and frequently drunken; and their land is in a wretched condition.
The Swedish and Danish people have made many things to be exhibited in the World's Fair. Sweden is in the north of Europe, and the climate is very disagreeable, for it is extremely cold in winter, and intolerably hot in summer. The people do not live very luxuriantly; their bread is not only black and coarse, but so hard that they are sometimes obliged to break it with a hatchet; and this, with dried fish, and salt meat, forms the chief part of their food. Yet they are very hardy and contented. At Michaelmas, they kill their cattle and salt them, for the winter and spring. Their favourite drink is beer, and they delight in malt spirits; some of them have tea and coffee. Their houses are generally built of wood, and their cottages are made of rough logs; the roofs are covered with turf, on which the goats browse. The Swedish women do everything that men are employed to do in other countries; they plough, sow, and thresh, and work with the bricklayers; the country women, as well as the ladies, wear veils to shade their faces from the glare of the snow in winter, and from the scorching rays of the sun reflected from the barren rocks in summer.
The iron mines of Sweden are exceedingly useful; they furnish great quantities of metal, to be exported to England, for the use of our steel manufactories. The extensive forests supply numerous pine trees, which are cut down and sent to foreign countries, for ship and house building; while pitch and tar are made from the sap,—a preparation which gives employment to many of the inhabitants.
The Swedes contrive to make things from materials we should throw away as good for nothing; they twist rope from hogs'-bristles, horses' manes, and the bark of trees; and form bridles of eel-skins. The coarse cloth they wear they make themselves, for the women are continually busy spinning or weaving. Sweden is the birth-place of the famous botanist, Linnæus, and the charming singer, Jenny Lind.
Norway is united to Sweden, but it is still colder in winter and hotter in summer. The people live very simply, mostly on milk, cheese, and dried fish; and sometimes they have slices of meat, sprinkled with salt and dried in the wind. In some parts of the country, the people make bread of the bark of the pine tree; and in winter, for want of hay, they are obliged to feed their cattle on dried fish. The houses are built of wood, and many of the roads are made of the same material; while wooden fences are used instead of hedges. The Norwegians send metals, minerals, salt, butter, dried fish, and furs, to other countries.
Denmark is a very fine country, perfectly level, except a single ridge of mountains. Its chief products are grain, tobacco, flax, madder, and hops. There are a great many mines, but few manufactures carried on; though the Danish gloves are much esteemed. The climate is generally rather warm, but very wet. The Danes are mostly well-educated; they are like the Swedes in their manners and customs. They have sent many specimens of their industry to the Great Exhibition.
Why, who would have thought of seeing Persian and Egyptian contributions at the Exhibition?
And such splendid articles as they are! Persia, you know, is a rich and fertile country, near Russia, in Asia; but although it has many beautiful flowers and fruits, yet is there very little timber; owing to which they have no shipping. The Persians delight in fine clothes on which they lavish the greater part of their money, and they are fonder of scarlet, or crimson, than of any other colour. They are very skilful in dyeing, in making silks, shagreen, morocco, gold and silver ornaments; and they form excellent swords and weapons. Their commerce with Turkey, China, Arabia, and other places, is carried on by means of what they call "caravans," which are large companies of merchants, who travel together for the sake of security from thieves, by whom however, they are often robbed; these companies have frequently more than a thousand camels, to carry their luggage and their goods; and in consequence of the excessive heat, they are obliged to journey mostly in the early morning, and rest during the day. The Persians live chiefly on rice, fruit, and coffee, and eat very little meat; they luxuriate in baths, and the poorest amongst them endeavour to have a horse. They use the Turkish language, and are nearly all Mahometans; they used to worship the sun and fire, though very few continue to do so still. The Persian ladies never appear in the streets or any other public place, without having long veils, in order to conceal their faces, as the Turkish ladies do. The Persians are very like the Turks in their manners and customs, which I described to you before.
Egypt was, formerly, a mighty empire, and had rich and haughty kings, who adorned it with magnificent temples and palaces. I dare say you remember what you have read of it in the history of Joseph and his brethren, and in that of Moses. It was here that Solomon built his magnificent and gorgeous Temple. It is now, however, an exceedingly mean country, and is governed by a Turkish Pacha, whose grandfather contrived to make himself master of Egypt, as well as of Syria and Palestine. The climate of Egypt is excessively hot,—in fact, the nights in spring are the only pleasant part of the year. The nights in autumn are also very fine,—even delicious; and the rays of the moon are so bright that the natives, who sleep in the open air, cover their eyes to prevent their being injured by the brilliancy. The greater portion of the land is covered with burning sands; but wherever the waters of the river Nile have been conducted by canals, and allowed to flow over the country, the earth becomes fertile, and fruits thrive luxuriantly. There are but few garden flowers, but roses are extensively cultivated, the attar of roses forming an article of commerce.
There are many valuable minerals found in the earth; and beautiful marble, alabaster, salt, alum, and other useful things. The woods, marshes, plains, and rivers supply a variety of animals, most of them wild and ferocious. It was in Egypt that the Hippopotamus was found. The people devote themselves to agriculture, the rearing of bees, and poultry; they also carry on an important trade with other countries. Most of the Egyptians are strong, of a tawny complexion, and of a gay disposition. They luxuriate in water; and esteem it the height of enjoyment to sit by a fountain, smoking their pipes; they are excessively fond of bathing. Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is a large city, with irregular unpaved streets, and brick houses, with flat roofs. There are a good many small manufactories; and some schools, a printing-office, and a large library. There are numerous magnificent fountains in the city, which are indispensable on account of the intense heat; and more than a thousand shops for selling cups of coffee, of which the Egyptians are very fond; these coffee shops are called rahwehs. All along the river Nile the banks show signs of industry; cotton, tobacco, and other produce being grown down to the water's edge. The Pyramids of Egypt, the time of the building of which is not known, are considered one of the wonders of the world.
The Greeks have sent some fine stuffs; their silk manufactures are really beautiful, and their sculptures and feather-fans are splendid. Greece was a famous country long, long ago, in ancient history, but it has undergone many sad changes, and was for a long time ruled by the Turks. The English, French, and Russians rid it from Turkish hands; but its present government is weak and imperfect, for the numerous petty chiefs pursue a wicked system of robbery, fighting, and tyranny. Indeed, many of these chiefs have fitted out vessels as pirate ships, in order to seize and plunder any other vessels weaker than their own with which they may fall in. There are, however, many wealthy Greek merchants; and a number of rich Jews live in various parts of Greece. The Greek people are beautiful and graceful. The women have fine oval faces, their eyes are large and dark, their eyebrows and hair are of deep shining black, and their complexions are mostly pale. They are very splendid in their dresses; the costume of the men is extremely like that of the Turks. From having been so long subject, however, to their Turkish rulers, the Greeks have become artful and cunning.
The rich ladies and nobles of Greece have fine young slaves to wait upon them, and amuse them by singing or dancing. These slaves are bought from the Tartars, who steal them from Russia, Circassia, or Georgia, and are taken great care of, being taught to embroider, sing, dance, and deport themselves with elegance and grace. Their masters or mistresses scarcely ever sell them, but when they are tired of them, either give them to a friend, or set them free. When they do sell them, it is as a punishment for some crime, or for being useless.
There are numerous brigands, or thieves, in Greece, who are divided into bands, and rob with the utmost impunity. They manage to hide themselves very artfully in the roads where they expect to meet travellers, doubling their bodies up behind stones and bushes, or else lying flat on their faces on the ground, when they suddenly all start up and surround any unfortunate individual who may happen to pass that way. There are also honest, industrious people in Greece; and among them are the guides, men who show strangers over the curious portions of the cities for a trifling sum of money; and there are the cabmen of Athens, who are usually very intelligent and well-informed; there are a number of cabs in Athens.
The Greek houses have only one story; but there are generally large gardens, carefully tended, attached to them. The climate is generally mild, but not so much so as formerly, on account of the cutting down of the forests. The spring and autumn are delightful; but the summer is too hot, and the winter is almost a succession of storm and rain. The earth is extremely fertile, and produces corn, wine, and fruits, besides the honey and figs you like so much. The people manufacture silks and cottons, and export quantities of small raisins, which grow very luxuriantly in and about the city of Corinth. Corinth is one of the most charming places that you can fancy to yourself, and is surrounded by beautiful views and the remains of ancient temples, columns, and statues; groves of fine olive trees border the city, and the waters of two bays meet near the entrance. The ruins of the ancient temples and buildings in Athens, the capital of Greece, are still to be seen; but so little do the ignorant and foolish people, who have lived in the city in modern times, value these great works, that they have for hundreds of years used the greater part of the splendid marbles to build their houses, which are only ordinary and common-looking.
The inhabitants of Bavaria and Belgium have sent almost numberless articles of industry to the Exhibition; furs, lace, machinery, corn, books, furniture, and metals.
Belgium was formerly called Flanders, and the people produced superior cloth, hats, cutlery, and other useful things, a very great many years before the English could make any thing better than the most common sort of goods. The Belgians are still celebrated for their ingenuity in making toys, lace, cloth, silk, satin, velvet, and other useful articles. They are also famous for the culture of flowers, in which they excel even the Dutch. Every house has a garden attached, which is frequently surrounded by a moat. The country is small, but every part of the land is made fertile by the industry of the farmers, of whom there are a great number; many of them grow flax, which is woven into linen by the women. There is a weekly market for linen, held at Ghent, whither the peasantry carry their products for sale, and both men and women may be seen standing in two long lines, with benches before them.
The farms in Belgium are cultivated with great care and attention, and much resemble the market gardens round London; they all have gardens, and grow an ample supply of fruit and vegetables. The food of the peasants, is rye-bread and milk, for breakfast and supper; potatoes and onions, with bacon and beer, for dinner; they eat off pewter; and although their fare is simple, it is good and plentiful. Their dress is somewhat coarse, but it is neat and clean, the men wear blue linen frocks; and the women have printed cotton gowns, linen caps, and woollen petticoats.
The towns and villages of Belgium are numerous, and thickly peopled. Brussels, the capital, is a fine city, and is celebrated for its manufactures, particularly for lace, camlet, and carpets. Ten thousand people are employed there in making lace. It is also famous for its pottery and porcelain. The other articles made there, are cotton and woollen stuffs, silk stockings, and earthenware. The carriages built there, are superior to even those of London or Paris; there is a specimen of Belgian carriages at the Exhibition.
There are numerous silk manufactories in Brussels; and the beautiful linen, called damask, is exported in great quantities. There are innumerable breweries, too; for no people in the world are so fond of drinking beer as the Belgians. The people carry on a considerable trade with foreign countries, by means of the various canals, on which a vast number of steam-boats are constantly passing and re-passing.
The upper part of Brussels is magnificent, and has a splendid park laid out with shaded walks, and surrounded by the palaces, private houses, and public offices; but in the lower part, the streets are narrow and crowded, though the market-place is very beautiful. There are twenty superb fountains in the city, ornamented with sculpture. The Belgians delight in music, and they hold musical festivals every year. In the Horticultural Gardens at Ghent, during summer, there are several concerts performed in the open air; and even among the labouring people, the songs and pieces of music sung together by groups of peasants and working people are often delightful to hear; for in Belgium, as in Holland, Prussia, and over a great part of Germany, even the poorest children are freely taught to sing in harmony at school. There are several railways in Belgium, which is a very great convenience to travellers. The climate is good; and, in winter, snow does not fall deeply.
Bavaria is in Germany also, and is celebrated for its manufactures of iron, glass, paper, hardware, clocks, linen, woollen, and fire-arms. The people are industrious and careful, excepting in smoking tobacco, of which they are very wasteful. Industry is encouraged; and several schools have been established for teaching young men agriculture and gardening, with the usual branches of education.
We must not forget to see what has come from America. Our Great Exhibition has been almost as much talked of there, as it has been at home, and an immense number of contributions has been sent from that country. Machinery, sculptures, stuffs, carriages, minerals, boots and shoes, iron-work, and wines, have been dispatched over to the Exhibition.
America was formerly inhabited by numerous tribes of Red Indians,—a wild, warlike race,—of whom but few now remain, and those not at all civilized; but the greater number of the white people of America are the same in their dress, manners, and language, as ourselves.
A large portion of America is called the United States, which is a Republic; that is, it is governed by the people themselves, without a king, queen, and a royal family; they appoint a President every four years. Long ago, the United States belonged to the English, but the natives gradually grew more powerful than they had been, and threw off all foreign control.
America produces every kind of grain and fruit, as well as spices, dye-woods, and balsams. The people export quantities of natural productions to Europe, but their manufacturers are not as yet able to compete with those of what are called the old countries. The principal manufactures are of cotton, woollen, iron, and leather; which they exchange with the Red Indians for prepared bark, skins, and birds' feathers. Mines abound, particularly for gold and silver; and there is abundance of precious stones. The farmers are a very industrious and intelligent class, and display much taste and neatness in their management.
The finest timber for ship-building is abundant, and easily obtained; and there are many excellent harbours. Numerous fishing stations are situated along the coasts, and are very valuable; for fishing is there a very good employment, and engages many of the natives of the Northern States. As these fishermen get accustomed to a sea-faring life, and inured to fatigue, they soon become excellent sailors, and furnish men for the navy.
The whale fishery is also a valuable pursuit, but it requires uncommon bravery and skill.—In the United States there are numerous schools and academies, wherein the children are educated free.
The rich people in America are free from haughtiness, awkwardness, or formality, but they do not display the elegance and refinement of the higher classes in England or France. As for the common people, they are serious, shrewd, and industrious; but often seem rude and uncourtly to strangers, for they wish to show their independance by an annoying surliness of behaviour. A great number of turnpike roads, railways, canals, and bridges, have been formed, and improve the country very much, as you may imagine.
The Americans make works in iron and wood, articles of machinery and of husbandry, tanned leather, and dressed skins. They are famous for ship-building.
Peru, which is in South America, is a very fine country, and produces many useful things, such as tobacco, pepper, jalap, Peruvian bark, and indigo.
There are numerous valuable gold and silver mines, which make the inhabitants so rich, that at one time, long since, they paved several streets with ingots of silver, in proof of their wealth. There are whale fisheries on the coasts. Only one specimen of industry has been sent from Peru!
Mexico is another portion of South America. Its products are numerous, but the country suffers much for want of water, though the dew falls heavily every night. The soil is rich, and well cultivated, although not so carefully as with us. Indian corn is the principal food of the natives, and is cultivated so generally, that when the crop fails, there is a year of famine. A drink is also made from it, called chicha. Sweet potatoes, yams, and quantities of red pepper, together with vegetables, and fruits, and tobacco, are grown. A kind of plant, called a cacao, is so highly prized that the grains are used for money.
For want of streams, of which the country is sadly deficient, the mills are mostly worked by animals, and are very inferior; and the machinery is so bad, that the cotton is separated from the seed by the hands of workpeople. The principal manufactures are cigars, cottons, soap, tanned leather, gunpowder, pottery, and hats.
The rich people use a number of silver vessels, and a quantity of plate, on account of the want of manufactures of china and glass, so that the trade of a silversmith is rather good. Boots, saddles, and coaches, are well made: but the furniture, which is mostly of pine and cedar, is coarsely and clumsily put together.
The streets of Mexico are rather wide and well paved; the houses are ornamental, and the churches and public buildings are magnificent.—The rich people pass the greater part of the day on their sofas, in darkened rooms; but in the evening, they appear arrayed in the most elegant costume, for they are particularly partial to parties and brilliant assemblies.
There are numerous beggars, called Leperos, who are very drunken and dishonest; but lively, voluble, and extremely civil; though they will pick any body's pocket. There are also innumerable Indians, who make earthen pots very neatly, and use them instead of iron or copper vessels.
You have heard of Canada, which is a part of North America, and all that now remains to England of her vast American colonies.—Well, we have an enormous canoe from Canada!—I wonder who can have sent that? A canoe, as you know, is a kind of boat, which uncivilized people, who live near rivers, use. The canoes of Canada are of a very thin material, and so light, that the boatmen, in passing overland from one river to another, generally carry them on their heads. The canoes are mostly covered with bark, the pieces of which are sewed together with a particular kind of grass; the bark being usually not more than a quarter of an inch in thickness.
The people of Canada, who are called Canadians, are rather industrious; they make very fine fans, they hunt, fish, and collect sugar from a tree called the Sugar maple. Their houses are built of stone, and are plastered, but seldom are higher than one story, except in the towns, and are made very warm by means of stoves. The furniture is usually made by the Canadians themselves, and is exceedingly simple.
The chief article of food is peas soup, with a small piece of pork boiled in it, and a dish of thick sour milk. The women and children scarcely ever drink other than milk and water, but the men are particularly fond of rum.
Winter lasts six months, during which time the greater part of the day is devoted to amusement, principally dancing. Most of the women can read and write, but the men can hardly do either; and the manners of both are very gay and light. There are a few lead mines in Canada, in which silver is also found. Their exports are timber, furs, potash, grain, and pearl-ash.
Australia has also sent her contributions to the Exhibition. Among them are specimens of the skins of animals, dried plants, fine woods, and other things.
In Australia, there are scarcely any extensive manufactures, but the natives make some useful things, from the various and curious trees which abound. For instance, they form the most durable furniture and weapons from the casuarina or club tree; they make cloth from the finest bark of the paper-mulberry tree, and cord from a peculiar kind of flax. There are sago and cocoa trees, which grow to the height of one hundred and fifty feet, and are thirty feet round. Figs, lemons, oranges, sugar-canes, gum-trees, bread-fruit, and a kind of pepper, from which a drink, called ava, is made, are very useful to the natives. There are mines of a very rich quality, but they are as yet scarcely attended to. The original natives are very idle, and not very well off; those who live near the sea shore, catch fish; and those in the woods, eat such animals as they can get; or climb up trees, for honey, squirrels, and opussums.
The settlers, who are the people who have gone out from England and other countries, to dwell there, live in a very comfortable manner; they have large farms, with flocks of sheep and herds cattle, fields of waving corn, rice, and wheat; pretty huts, or shanties, as they are called, and a profusion of the most beautiful plants and creepers. In some parts of the country there are thriving towns, with good streets, elegant shops, and fine houses, such as there are in London.
From the West Indies, specimens of industry have also come. Rice, fruits, sugar, metals, and plants, are among the contributions.
The West Indians send us sugar rice, currants, raisins, cloves, nutmegs, cinnamon, allspice, and mace, for puddings; nice nuts, for our little boys and girls; coffee, cocoa, and chocolate, for our breakfast and tea; and fine silk, and cotton, for our dresses.
Under the name of the West Indies, there are many countries:—Cuba, Jamaica, Hayti, Porto Rico, Barbadoes, and others. In Cuba, are found mines of gold, copper, and different other metals; there is a quantity of sugar grown there; and the tobacco is finer than that of most other islands. The trees are principally ebony, cedar, and mahogany, which are hewed down, and sent to foreign countries, to be made into furniture of various sorts. Cedar wood is also used to scent clothes and papers, on account of its sweet perfume. The Cubans are fond of bull-fighting, and of cock-fighting, I am sorry to say. Balls and parties are also a favourite and more innocent amusement.
In Jamaica, the principal exercise of industry is in growing sugar, indigo, coffee, and ginger. These are cultivated in what are called plantations, which are attended to by negroes, who used to be slaves, and used to be lashed on to work unnaturally hard with whips; but they are now free in all the British colonies, as I hope they will be every where, long before any of my little friends, who read this book, may die. For not only were men and women kept in a state of slavery, but all their dear innocent little children, both little boys and little girls were treated as slaves.
The bread-fruit tree is one of the most useful productions of the country, it not only supplies food, but other necessaries. Of the inner bark is formed a kind of cloth; the wood, which is soft, smooth, and of a yellowish colour, serves for the building of boats and houses; the leaves are used for wrapping up food; some parts of the flowers are good tinder; and the juice, when boiled with cocoa-nut oil, is employed for making bird-lime, and as a cement for mending earthenware vessels. So you may guess how useful it is to the people of Jamaica, and yet it is not a native of the West Indies, but was first brought there by English people, within the last seventy or eighty years.
Hayti is now a much more flourishing island than it was; the Emperor, Faustin Soulouque, does every thing in his power to render it a civilized and polite country. He encourages all the arts and industrial sciences; and, in his court is kept up the grandeur of a great and powerful state; though the Haytians are black people, and were for the greater part negro slaves.
Barbadoes is an exceedingly warm country, and is unfortunately liable to dreadful hurricanes, which sometimes overthrow whole towns and villages. The products are sugar, cotton, ginger, and rum. The tall sugar-canes, which grow as high as five or six feet, are set in plantations and tended by negroes; and the cotton plants are also taken care of by the negroes, who are almost the only persons who can work in the open air, on account of the heat. The houses of the planters are numerous all over the country; and, with the green hills, and the luxuriance of the vegetation, make an extremely picturesque scene.
Since slavery has been abolished in our West India islands, schools for the children, and chapels for religious worship, have been erected at the expense of the negroes; numbers of whom have also become small landowners.
What a number of specimens have been despatched to the Exhibition from Algeria, Tunis, and the Cape of Good Hope: one, a model of a winged head, moulded in fine yellow clay, is really pretty; and the preserved fruits have quite a tempting look. And here are some boxes, made of most brilliant fancy woods; a few knives, soaps, cigars, herbs, and specimens of various woods, in blocks and in polished pieces. Here is also opium, paper made from the palm-tree, articles manufactured from native woods, with essences, perfumes, and splendid veils, slippers, caps, guns, and swords.
Algeria now belongs to France; it was formerly one of the Barbary States, in the north of Africa, and many very useful plants and trees flourish there; oranges, melons, cucumbers, cabbages, lettuces, and artichokes, grow in great luxuriance. The sugar-cane is cultivated with success; and everywhere may be seen quantities of white roses, from which a sweet essence is extracted. The stems of the vines, which the people tend, are sometimes so thick, that a man can hardly put his arms round them; and the bunches of grapes are a foot and a-half long. Only think of bunches of grapes half a yard long! they must be something like those which we read of in the Bible, that were brought to Joshua, to show him what a fertile country was the land of Canaan.
Acacia and cork trees grow in the woods of Algeria; the natives obtain gum from the acacia. There are many mines, but the Algerines make no use of them. The people themselves are strong in body, and of a tawny complexion.
Tunis is another of the Barbary States, and contains a great number of people,—Moors, Turks, Arabs, Jews, and Christians, merchants and slaves. All these carry on a large trade in Morocco leather, linens, gold-dust, oil, woollen cloth, lead, ostrich feathers, horses, and soap. There are the same variety of vegetable productions that there are in Algeria.
The Cape of Good Hope is in the south of Africa; it produces fine fruits and flowers, grapes, lemons, oranges, and figs, but no nuts. The aloe and myrtle grow to a great size, and the almond and wild chestnut are very plentiful. There are scarcely any manufactures, but the farmers keep immense flocks of sheep, and herds of cattle; and there is a vast quantity of fine wool sent every year to England; and ships provisions, such as beef, pork, and butter, are supplied to the vessels sailing to India, Australia, and many other parts of the world; their other chief export is Cape wine.
In some parts of this country are large herds of zebras, antelopes, and giraffes, which are usually preyed upon by lions, obliging the shepherds to watch their flocks, and the farmers to ride about with loaded guns. A strange mode, my little readers will think, of being shepherds.
There have been no scarcity of French contributions; rich silks, velvets, satins, linens, fruits, woods, herbs, statues, machinery, furniture, iron-work, glass, plate, and a heap more of industrial products; and such splendid carpets. In the "Arabian Nights' Entertainments" we read about the Palaces of Fairies and Genii, with the floors covered with the richest carpets, and divans and cushions or gorgeous tapestry, and we long to see these carpets in reality; and so we shall at the Exhibition, for there are some so magnificent, that I do not think the Princess Badroulboudour, or the Fairy Queen Pari Banou, ever sat on finer. And charming little models of ships; and such beautiful fans. Do you know how many persons it takes to make a fan? Fifteen; and although those fans at the Exhibition are each worth several guineas, yet, in France, tens of thousands are sold at not more than a halfpenny a-piece. The French fan-makers get two shillings and six-pence a-day each, for their labour. The people of France are our next-door neighbours, almost; and from being our bitterest enemies they have now become our most intimate friends, and exchange visits constantly with us; steam vessels and railways having made the journey one of only a few hours.
Paris is the capital of France, and it is the gayest city in the world; there are theatres, balls, processions, feast-days, fairs, and more amusements than I can remember. But there are also numbers of very poor people, who almost live in the streets, and get food and clothing as they best can. Some, who are called cheffoniers, go about with a fork and a basket, to pick up pieces of iron, rags, bones, or any stray valuables, if they can find them, from holes and corners in the streets, and from the dust heaps; others look for the ends of cigars, and sell them to be made into pieces of tobacco for the common people; and a number, I am very sorry to say, either beg or steal.
Among the peasantry there is a great deal of industry displayed. As they are all desirous of having a cottage and some land of their own, lads of fifteen or sixteen years of age, hire themselves as labourers to the farmers, and receive wages, out of which, and their mode of living, they save enough money in a few years, to buy a piece of land. If the land is fit for it, they plant it with vines; for the vineyards of France yield an abundant harvest, and well repay the labour bestowed on them. The French wines are among the finest and most expensive in the world.
The cottages of the peasantry are not remarkable for comfort, being very rude buildings, frequently having merely a hole in the roof for a chimney. They are mostly, however, extremely picturesque, completely covered with vines. The wines, called Bourdeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne come from France. From the fruit of the olive-trees, which grow in vast quantities, a fine clear oil is obtained, and this forms a large part of the commerce of the country. The rearing of poultry is carried on to a great extent; and most of the eggs sold in London, which are used by us at breakfast, for sauces, and for puddings, come from France. Most of the cottagers keep one or two small hardy cows, which their boys or girls, or old people, are usually leading about by a halter, to eat the rank grass in paths or road-ways between the fields. Their milk and butter form a good part of the people's food.
In Tours and Lyons, there are numerous manufactories for the most superb silks and damasks; some years ago, there were fifteen hundred pairs of silk stockings finished each day at Lyons.
The plate-glass of Paris is now much better than that of Venice, which was formerly the finest in the world, the plates being of an immense size and extraordinary clearness. Their tapestry is beautiful; the tapestry of the Gobelin in particular, for it is just like splendid painting. Indeed, some of the designs, copied from pictures, surpass the originals, in point of beauty and brilliancy. There are many specimens of this tapestry at the Exhibition, both in draperies, and fitted to pieces of furniture.
The porcelain made at Sevres is exquisitely beautiful, and is used for numerous ornamental purposes; vases, tea services, chimney ornaments, figures, and other articles. The painted papers, which represent various ornaments in painting, sculpture, and architecture, serve to employ a great number of people. Watches, cutlery, shoes, dresses, bonnets, and jewellery, are also a good source of employment among numerous families. All these beautiful things we shall see at the Exhibition.
The forests, in France, are very extensive; and as wood is the general fuel used, great attention is paid to the growth of the trees. Cattle and domestic animals are rather scarce, and the sheep are ill-managed; in winter, they are fed on straw and hay, instead of green food, so that the French meat is not so good as the English; but they have a nice way of dressing it. The country people are very simple in their habits and manners, and very frugal in their way of living; they live for the most part on black bread, garlic, fruit, and milk. The costumes of some of the peasants are exceedingly pretty.
What a many thousand contributions have come from foreign countries, yet even a greater number have been sent in from all parts of our own dear islands, England, Ireland, and Scotland. Here is a silver tea-kettle, manufactured from a fourpenny-piece, by a working man. I think that would grace the diminitive tea-table of the Emperor of the Lilliputians. And a pair of boat-sculls, made of white ash, and only the size of writing-pens, which I dare say, the oars of the King of Blefuscan's barge resembled; these, with a magnificent oar, thirty-six feet long, are intended as presents for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.
Here is a scarf, containing twelve miles and a-half of thread, three millions four hundred and seventy-five stitches, is nine feet ten inches long, three feet wide, and weighs only five ounces and a-quarter;—that came from Ireland. Look, too, at that beautifully embroidered dress; it came from Ireland, and is worth seventy-five guineas.
There are many little models of different buildings; and there is a colossal horse and dog; and two gigantic statues; and there is a nicely carved oak chair, made by an English ship-carpenter; and here are cotton stockings, manufactured so fine, that they look exactly like silk. There are also models of carriages, ships and machinery; a magnificient epergne of glass, with some large pearls, from Ireland. A beautiful piece of sculpture, representing the Scottish games, is the most remarkable contribution which has come from Scotland.
The English people are celebrated for their industry and perseverence; they manufacture numerous things, and carry on a alrge commerce with other countries. The industry of the peasants have made the soil produce wheat, barley, rye, oats, beans, potatoes, turnips, hops, hemp and flax. Nearly every variety, of vegetables, and a great number of fruits, are also grown. There is abundance of timber, which is used for many purposes; the oak tree is chiefly employed for building ships. The ships of war are called the "wooden walls of England."
The domestic animals are taken great care of; sheep and hogs, when killed, are made into mutton, pork, bacon, and ham. The English cheese and butter is superior to any other. There are abundance of mineral treasures found in various parts of the kingdom; indeed, the English people are greatly indebted to the well-worked mines for their wealth. At the Exhibition, are several specimens of ores.
In addition to the rich mines, and the vegetable productions, the English are celebrated for their superior manufactures, which fame they are enabled to enjoy by means of the most ingenious machinery, rail roads, and canals, by which they can easily and rapidly send their goods, and travel from one part of the country to another. Cottons, woollens, linens, silks, iron, jewellery, leather, glass, earthenware, paper, and hats, are manufactured in great quantities.
I dare say you would be much amused by a visit to Manchester, in Lancashire, where the art of spinning cotton is carried to a high perfection. There are more than a hundred and forty cotton factories in that city, where men, women, and children, are continually at work, minding the machines, which are about twenty thousand in number. When you first go into one of these factories, you hear a terrible noise of whirling and whizzing, and see an immense number of wheels flying round and round.
Halifax and Leeds, in Yorkshire, are the chief places for woollen cloth, the manufacture of which employs the greater part of the inhabitants. A weekly market is held in Halifax for the sale of woollens, in a spacious building called the Piece Hall; but in Leeds, the markets are held two days in the week, in the two Cloth Halls.
Staffordshire is famous for earthenware; the reason of this is, that there is such an enormous quantity of yellow clay suitable for that manufacture, found there. Indeed, there are several towns and villages formed into a district called "The Potteries;" and in consequence of the innumerable furnaces, which are always blazing, the place looks at night as if was on fire. Gloves, lace, and stockings, are mostly made in Nottingham, where there are several thousand machines for the manufacture of these things.
From Kidderminster, in Worcester, we have very fine carpets; from Gloucester, we have cheese and pins; Northampton is celebrated for leather; Shrewsbury, for flannel. The great mines are in Cumberland, Cornwall, Northumberland, Durham, and Derbyshire. However, if I were to tell you of all the places in England, that are famed for different manufactures, I am afraid I should both exceed our space, and wear out your patience, which I should be sorry to do. So I will now tell you something about London.
London, which you know is the capital of our own dear native land, is the greatest commercial city in the world; it has been reckoned that the value of the property shipped and unshipped on the river Thames, every year, is more than one hundred million pounds. An enormous quantity of property is laid in the London Docks, at Wapping; indeed, the warehouse for tobacco alone covers a space of nearly five acres, while the vaults underneath the ground are more than eighteen acres in extent.
More coaches, omnibusses, waggons, vans, and other conveyances, crowd the streets of London than any other city in the world. You will, perhaps, be a little surprised when I tell you that in one principal street, seven thousand vehicles pass to and fro every day. Almost every kind of manufacture is carried on in London; silk goods, jewellery, clocks, watches, ear-rings, hats, furniture, instruments of every kind, porter and ale, with many more that I cannot now remember. However, you must not think, from all this, there are no poor people in London; for, unfortunately, there are thousands. Some beg, others steal, and those who are honest and able to labour, work. But those who cannot obtain work are very badly off; and persons die from starvation.
The industrial manufactures of Scotland are like those of England; the exports are linens, muslins, woollen stuffs, cottons, iron, lead, glass, earthenware, leather, and other articles. The chief manufacture is linen: but manufactures of stoves, and grates, and many other things, from their immense iron works, particularly from those of Carron, are also a principal part of the industrial products.
The Scotch people are remarkable for their thrift and prudence; the lower orders are in general well-educated, and it is the height of ambition in a Scottish mechanic, to appear with his family in neat, clean dresses, on Sundays and other holidays.
The costume of the Highlanders is very picturesque; the plaid is made of woollen stuff, of various colours, with a jacket, and a short petticoat called a kilt, which leaves the knees bare; the stockings are also a plaid, generally red and white, and do not reach up to the knees, but are tied round the legs with scarlet garters. The head-dress is a flat blue bonnet, as it is called, ornamented round with scarlet and white plaid, and frequently adorned with eagle's feathers. The Highland women go without shoes or stockings, and wear short petticoats, a plaid jacket, and a plaid scarf.
Most of the Scotch people are intelligent, and so far advanced in education, that even the miners in the south have a library, where they read, and improve their minds; and yet these poor miners were little better than in a state of slavery two hundred years since. The favourite musical instrument, with the Scotch, is the bag-pipe; which does not, however, sound quite so well to our English ears, as it does to theirs. Their national dances are the Highland reel, and fling, which they perform with great agility and grace. The sheep and cattle are rather small, but give exceedingly good meat; and the sheep, in particular, are valued for their fleece, which is almost as fine as the best Spanish wool.
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is, in the new parts of it, a fine clean city; the houses in the old town are excessively high, and the streets inconvenient; but the streets of the new town are very broad, and almost all in straight lines; some of them are a mile long. Most of the houses are built of white stone, which sparkles as if it was inlaid with diamonds when the sun shines on it.
The manufactures carried on in the city, are mostly cabinet-work, furniture, carriages, musical instruments, linens, shawls, silks, glass, marble, brass, and iron work. There are also many breweries, for Edinburgh has long been celebrated for its ale, large quantities of which are sent to London, and other parts of the kingdom, Glasgow, which is the principal manufacturing and trading town, contains extensive cotton factories.
In many parts of the Highlands, the natives are employed in feeding sheep and cattle, for the markets; and in the valleys, and other sheltered places, hemp, barley, flax, and potatoes, are cultivated, though unfortunately most of the barley is made into whiskey. In the more northernly parts the general employment is fishing.
Ireland is a much warmer and more fertile island; it is celebrated, in point of industry, for its wool, butter, beef, hides, tallow, cows, horses, pigs, sheep, potatoes, wheat, barley, oats, and linen. Linen is the chief manufacture. There are numerous mines, from which are obtained gold, silver, iron, copper, and lead; all very useful metals, I think.
There are also quarries of marble, slate, and freestone; and in various parts are found coal and turf. In Ireland, turf is the principal fuel used. The brewing of stout, and a strong bittered beer, for exportation; and the distilling of whiskey, another strong but spirituous drink, are other branches of Irish industry.
Fishing is an important occupation with those peasants who live on the sea-shore, and near the rivers or lakes. The making of roads, draining bogs, and improving the land, now employ thousands of poor labourers, who formerly used to be without any occupation.
The Irish dairies are well-managed and are generally extensive; many counties in the south part of the island are occupied almost entirely by dairy farms. As many as thirty or forty cows are kept on some of them, for butter is the chief produce, and this is sent into England, Portugal, and the East and West Indies. Some of the nice butter you eat on your bread and rolls comes from Ireland. Sheep and cattle are fed in great quantities on large pieces of land devoted to the purpose the sheep are large, and have fine wool.
The mud cabin of the Irish peasant is the most miserable cottage you can imagine; the walls are formed of clay, which hardens in the sunshine, the roof is made of sticks and straw, and the floor is the mere damp earth. It has frequently neither door, nor chimney, and consists of only one room; the furniture is rarely more than a stump bedstead, two or three stools, an iron pot, to boil the potatoes in, and a table to eat them from. Generally, there is a small piece of land attached to the dwelling, and in this potatoes are grown; the peasants of Ireland hardly ever eat anything besides potatoes. When they have enough of them to eat, and a little whiskey to drink, the poor people are exceedingly jovial and merry; they laugh, sing, and joke; and go to weddings, fairs, dances, and what are called in Ireland "wakes," which, among the poor, is a kind of laying in state before funerals;—but sometimes the crops of potatoes fail, and then the unfortunate peasants die by hundreds from hunger. The favourite dance of the common people is called a jig.
Dublin, which, I dare say, you know is the capital of Ireland, is an elegant city, with fine houses and good streets. The churches, the castle, the linen hall, exchange, bank, custom-house, and post-office, are all very noble buildings. There are also parks, gardens, theatres, canals, and other ornamental places throughout the city. From Dublin have been sent models of carriages, specimens of metals, slates, and linens, and a model of a house made in granite.
I have now told you, my dear little friends, a great many stories about the industry of all nations, and we have gone through the World's Show together. We have seen nearly all the useful and splendid things sent to the Great Exhibition from all parts of the world. I have told you about Europe, and Asia, Africa, and America; and I must soon leave you. But before I go, we must have another look at the Exhibition, and one more glance at those few things which we have not as yet seen.
We forgot to examine this magnificent chess-board, worth one thousand two hundred guineas. You will doubtless wonder why it is such a dear board, but your surprise will cease when you observe that the "checks," as they are called, are of mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell, while the rim is of beautifully burnished gold, and the chessmen are of gold and silver, elaborately wrought, and ornamented with the portraits of celebrated historical characters; one of them represents the Emperor, Charles the Fifth. I dare say you would like to play a game with me on this chess-board. As a companion to this beautiful chess-board, is a very elegant colour box, fit for the Queen, or the most noble young lady in the land, to use for painting with. And here is a model of the town of Liverpool, with several thousand little people in the streets; and these figures are so exceedingly small, that a thousand of them would fit into an ordinary sized pill box.
In contrast to this specimen of a great town in a minute space, we have in front of the transept a wonderful clock, which is kept in motion by a set of powerful electro magnets, eight in number, on which is wound a length of twenty-five thousand feet of copper wire. This gigantic time-keeper sets in motion the immense hands on the principal dial, which is twenty-four feet in diameter, besides two smaller ones which are fixed in front of the galleries, at the east and west ends of the building. I am afraid that it would tire you, were I to attempt to tell you exactly what electricity is, and must therefore satisfy your curiosity, for the present, by letting you know that it is caused by the coming in contact of different substances possessing peculiar properties, which cause them to vibrate, when they touch.
There is another very curious clock in the Exhibition, which will go for a hundred years before requiring to be wound up again; and there is one wheel in it which is said would take ten thousand years to go round once.
Next there is a case of stuffed birds, which came from Scotland, and which we cannot help admiring. There are in this case specimens of all the various kinds of birds which are peculiar to Scotland, neatly and carefully stuffed; and really they almost look as if they were alive. Ah, ah! Mister Eagle, you are not so much to be feared now, I think, as you were when you lived in your lofty home in the Highland mountains.
And here is another case in which are all the different sorts of mother-of-pearl buttons that can be imagined; there is every variety of ornament on the buttons, which look exceedingly brilliant.
This immense block of granite, from Scotland, is not quite so pretty, though it is, perhaps, more useful; it is twenty feet long, and is a piece of the finest kind and colour that could be found. Another very useful thing, also from Scotland, is a large lighthouse bell, managed so as to ring very loud, to warn any ship that is going too near a dangerous rock or shoal, near the lighthouse where the bell may be.
Among the more beautiful specimens of industry, there are several elegant vases made of silver, and of a delicate material called Parian, which is an imitation of Parian marble; some of them are ornamented with blue and gold, and others are ornamented with silver. There is also a splendid tea-service, adorned with charming pictures of the dear old fables we all know so well,—the "Lion and the Mouse," the "Wolf and the Lamb," the "Dog and the Shadow," and others.
Near the very middle of the building, close by the crystal fountain, there are the splendid iron gates from Coalbrookdale, which look very magnificent. I fancy Samson would find it rather a difficult matter trying to bear off these gates on his back, strong as he was. Close by these gates there is a gigantic statue of our good Queen, on horseback, which towers high over our heads; and she sits smiling at us as if she could see us looking so delighted.
There are several gigantic things at the Exhibition. Here, for one, is a monster cake, covered with the most superb ornaments; it is four feet high, and weighs about two-hundred and twenty-five pounds. Yonder is another monster contribution, an immense map of the busy city of Manchester; and there is a huge railway carriage; and still further on, there is an iron wire, one mile long. At a little distance stands a magnificent bed and bedstead, fit for the Queen to sleep in. It came from Edinburgh, and is made mostly of materials which can be produced in Scotland. And in this direction, we can see a set of beautiful mantelpieces and fenders, from Sheffield, all decorated in the most elegant manner. The first mantelpiece we must look at is made of cast-iron; the mouldings of the cornice are richly ornamented, and supported by little pillars covered with graceful wreaths of oak-leaves, while the freize is adorned with a cluster of rich fruit. The next mantelpiece is painted white and gold, and has a burnished steel grate; while the third is painted blue and gold, and has a stove made on a new plan, for it is managed so that its own brightness shall help to throw out the heat of the fire in an equal and agreeable manner. The fourth and last mantelpiece is painted black, and ornamented with ormolu; it contains a polished steel stove. Three ormolu fenders, and five bright ones are placed together with the mantelpieces; and they certainly make a goodly show. But we must now leave them, and go on to see some other wonders.
Here are several most beautiful loo-tables inlaid, and they seem to attract a good deal of attention from more than us. You look a little puzzled at the word inlaid; I think I must explain it to you, by telling you that it means pieces of different material let into a piece of furniture to ornament it.
There are numerous models of various buildings in the Crystal Palace; those of York Cathedral, and Chance's Lighthouse, are particularly well made. There is also a model of the Britannia Tubular Bridge; and there are models of many of the fine public works of London.
Here is a pair of scissors made in Sheffield, and ornamented in the most beautiful way, with a crown for a handle; and yonder are a pair of cotton stockings from Ireland, spun so fine that they look exactly like silk, and indeed you would be likely to mistake them for silk, if you were not told they were merely cotton.
How brilliant this collection of gems looks; how the stones sparkle! they have been sent as specimens of the jewels which Ireland produces. But here are some pretty English agates; and a huge mass of Irish rock crystal, which is very bright and clear. In a compartment, at a little distance, we may see a book, bound according to a new method, by which the leaves are so firmly placed together, that they would not loosen in ten years' time, no matter how the book was tossed about, unless they were purposely taken out.
We must now have a look at the machinery department. Firstly, there is the great steam-engine that works all the other steam-engines in the Exhibition, though, of course, you cannot understand it by looking at it; neither can I, although I know so much more than you do. Near it is a model of a new agricultural machine for cutting, turning up, and making into light mould, the clay of fields, so as to make it ready to receive the seeds to be set, without the farmers being obliged to plough the earth. There is a machine for making bricks and tiles, so that people may, if they like, form those materials for building houses cheaper and better than in the usual way. But here is a useful machine. It is a measuring machine, by which you could measure to the smallest size, even to the hundred-thousandth part of an inch!
Here is a very pretty contribution; it is a model of the house of the great play-writer, Shakspeare,—of whom, perhaps, you may have heard,—and it is surrounded by figures representing different beautiful scenes from Shakspeare's plays. It was made by a workman in his leisure time: and it certainly does him credit. It is called the Shakspeare Jubilee.
Yonder is another piece of ingenious industry; it is a group of figures showing all the various Scotch games; there is one figure dancing the Highland fling, another throwing the beam, and all the others engaged in similar sports. That came from Scotland, of course.
Let us now go on to look at that splendid design embroidered in gold, and intended for a communion cloth. Oh! here it is; does it not look beautiful? But here are several lovely specimens of china, and earthenware, which would grace the sideboards of the richest house in the land, I think. Here is a fine marble font, made of Devonshire marble, which is very nicely carved, as well as I can judge. Further on, we have some less showy, but more solidly useful articles. Various kinds of iron, copper, zinc, lead, silver, and gold ores are displayed, with oils, quartz, stones, coal, &c. There are lanterns on a new plan, microscopes, barometers, optical and philosophical instruments, farming implements, machines for melting metals;—besides hundreds of other articles which we cannot stop to notice more particularly. There are two or three very interesting models of mines, with mining machinery, and plans for improving the air of the mines, so as to make the poor miners more comfortable. And there are other models of ships, printing presses, looms, and machines for making gas, which deserve some degree of attention. There is also a new machine for printing cotton on both sides, which will be very useful, as the cotton printed with it will be as ornamental on one side as the other.
There are four splendid and very powerful organs, and several beautiful piano fortes, in the Exhibition; and there is an accurate model of Plymouth Breakwater, with a very very little ship attached to it, and all complete, even to the smallest rope ladder. Plymouth Breakwater is a vast heap of stones built across the entrance of the Sound, so as to leave a passage for ships at each end, but preventing the heavy waves of the Atlantic Ocean from dashing into the harbour. It has cost more than a million of pounds in money.
Here we have a beautiful writing table for ladies, which is one of the most splendid things in the Exhibition, and which came from that land of ingenuity and industry, Switzerland. It is made of two kinds of wood, white and red, the Swiss national colours; and is cleverly managed by machinery, so that by merely pressing a spring, the whole contents of the desk is laid before the spectator, while, at the same time, a stand for writing on, and a seat, are produced. It is covered with figures of men and animals, and with ornaments most exquisitely carved; and it is a writing table which the greatest lady in England might use.
Along the centre of the aisle, or chief walk, are arranged colossal statues, pillars of marble, beautiful fountains, magnificent feathers, crystals of alum, crystals of spermaceti oil, specimens of silk manufactures, from Spitalfields; and fine cutlery, from Sheffield. There is also an immense dome of iron and glass, forty feet high which looks very astonishing; and a curious Russian chain bridge, which is very ingeniously made. Besides these, we have a gigantic telescope, which attracts a great deal of attention from the crowd of people who are walking down the aisle.
In the nave there are several beautiful pieces of sculpture. One is a colossal group, representing St. Michael conquering Satan; another is a figure of the celebrated warrior, Godfrey of Bouillon, mounted on horseback; and a third, is an Amazon, who is just about to hurl her javelin at a ferocious tiger, who has fastened on the neck and shoulders of her frightened horse. Here is also a figure of Mazeppa on the wild horse, which is extremely well made, and, perhaps, reminds those of my little friends who have seen the play of "Mazeppa" at Astley's Amphitheatre, of the scenes where poor Mazeppa was carried along on the terrible horse's back, through brambles, thorns, and crashing boughs. But what have we here? A grim-looking growling bronze lion, from Bavaria, who glares at us as if he would be only too glad to eat us up if he were alive, and does not seem at all the kind of beast one would like to shake hands, or rather paws, with.
We have a charming representation of Reinecke Fox's adventures, by means of stuffed animals, in the German portion of the Exhibition. The expression of the different animals is very funny, and makes us laugh to almost an inconvenient degree. The first group represents the fox, with his rosary in his hand, confessing his sins to the cock, who is listening very gravely, and reading him a sermon on his wickedness.
The next group shows the tom-cat, coming to summon Master Reinecke to court, to answer the accusations brought against him; the fox sets out, and on his way wounds a poor hare, whom he carries with him. But we cannot stay to notice all the groups now; only we must just glance at the fox lying on the sheep's skin, after his repast, for here Master Reinecke's expression shows him to be so well satisfied and comfortable that it is very droll.
In the Russian division we may observe a most magnificent pair of candlesticks of bronze, gilt, which look exceedingly sparkling and brilliant, and are the first objects that meet our eyes as we enter the department.
In the transept, at the opposite end to where the gates from Coalbrookdale are situated, are another beautiful specimen of ornamented gates for a park, in the style of the elegantly wrought iron work, made about a hundred and fifty years since, and which adorn the entrances to many of the old mansions of England. Some parts of these are tastefully gilt, and produce a remarkably pretty effect.
It would take us more than a month to see everything in the Crystal Palace, and those who wish to examine all the wonders, must pay several visits. But we have, I think, seen enough for the present, and will now leave the Exhibition, if you are satisfied. Perhaps, before I go, you would like me to describe the ceremony of the opening of our Palace of Wonders, by our good Queen? If so, I shall be very happy indeed to oblige you, by telling you all I saw on the first of May.
Early in the morning of that day,—soon after dawn,—thousands of people in London were wending their way towards Hyde Park; horses feet, and carriage-wheels clattered through the streets, and strange looking foreigners passed along among the crowd, all eager to see the procession.
I dare say you would have been delighted with the grand sight:—first there came a long line of splendid carriages, containing various lords and ladies, in gorgeous costumes;—diamonds flashing, and feathers waving; next came a troop of Life Guards in scarlet coats, bright cuirasses, and glittering helmets: they were escorting the Queen's carriage, which was followed by a goodly number of other carriages. You should have heard how the crowds huzzaed and shouted when they saw the Queen, who looked very much pleased, bowing and smiling to her people. She entered the building amid the loud cheers and hurras, followed by Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales, and the Princess Royal. After staying a short time in the elegant robing-room, which was fitted up in a single night, her Majesty proceeded to her throne, between flower stands, and tropical plants, past the Coalbrookdale gates, and the fountains and statues with which the centre of the palace is adorned. When she appeared, the twenty-five thousand people, who were present, rose to welcome her.—Ladies waving their handkerchiefs, the gentlemen their hats;—and you may readily guess how splendid the scene looked. Even the sun popped out his head from the clouds, and poured a flood of golden light in through the glittering dome of the transept, to illuminate the brilliant spectacle.
As soon as Her Majesty was seated on her throne, one of the organs commenced pealing forth the notes of the National Anthem, the choir, which was collected for the occasion, singing to the music. After this, Prince Albert joined those gentlemen who have directed the affairs of the Great Exhibition, and going near to the Queen, read to her an account of the Exhibition from the commencement; to which Her Majesty answered, when the Prince had finished, that she was much pleased with the description of the proceedings, and that she hoped the World's Fair would do good to all mankind, by encouraging the arts of peace and industry, strengthening the bonds of love between all the nations of the earth, and promoting a friendly rivalry among our fellow creatures, in the useful exercise of those faculties which have been given by GOD for the good and happiness of all mankind.
The Queen having read this answer, the Archbishop of Canterbury approached the throne, and offered up a prayer to Heaven, intreating the Lord's blessing on the Exhibition; that it might benefit every body on earth, making them love and help each other. I hope all that heard the prayer, joined in it with heart and soul: and I hope, too, that my dear little readers will think of it when they go to the Crystal Palace.
At the close of the prayer, the choir sang the Hallelujah chorus, and you may form some idea of the effect of this performance, when I tell you that all the persons who sing at the Queen's Chapel, at St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and St. George's Chapel, Windsor, were all singing together, besides part of the band of the Sacred Harmonic Society, pupils of the Royal Academy of Music, and many other songsters, both foreign and English.
The immensity of the building left scope for the rich volume of sound poured forth; and you may imagine what an effect the splendid strains had on the feelings of the multitude of spectators. Indeed, one of the audience,—a Chinaman, was so excited by the grandeur of the scene, and the triumphant music, that he rushed forwards, made his way through the crowd of nobles and ladies that surrounded the Queen, and, advancing close to Her Majesty, saluted her by a grand salaam, which she graciously acknowledged with a smile and a bow. A salaam, you must know, is the eastern way of bowing, and consists in bending the head until it almost touches the ground.
When the Hallelujah chorus ceased, the procession was formed for the Queen to go round the building. First went the heralds, in their splendid costumes; then a great number of gentlemen, who were more immediately concerned with the Exhibition; after them, the Duke of Wellington,—of whom, I dare say you know,—with more gentlemen, and the Archbishop of Canterbury; and then the Queen and Prince Albert, with the Prince of Wales, and the Princess Royal, both of whom looked extremely delighted and astonished with the gorgeous spectacle they were viewing. The Royal Family was followed by a number of lords, ladies, and attendants, the procession being concluded by heralds.
The train first went to the west end of the nave, on the north side, everybody cheering loudly as it passed. The view varied every minute, but was always picturesque, and beautiful. Even those persons who were most acquainted with the wondrous objects that lay on every side, were surprised by the new and charming attractions displayed. The Indian collection, and the compartment filled with specimens from the colonies, were left behind; the department devoted to sculpture, and other finer products of industry, was passed, and the procession moved into that portion of the palace which contains the English manufacturing products. You might then have caught a glimpse, over the heads of the spectators, of the Furniture Court, where the furniture is placed; and of the fixed machinery beyond it, the massive iron form of each machine looking as much as to say "move me, if you can." Then the procession passed the enormous dome of iron and glass, the two gigantic statues, the figure of Shakspeare, and the many other objects which adorn the centre aisle; leaving behind the furs of bears, and other wild animals, hung beneath the galleries, and the carpets which lent their brilliant colours to finish the decorations; it reached the western entrance, where it was reflected in the immense mirror, exhibited at that point. Then, turning round by the model of the Liverpool Docks, it was returning on the south side of the nave, when the gigantic organ placed there, suddenly hurled forth an immense volume of music, which sounded extremely fine: but every one was already so much astonished, that I do not think anything more could surprise them. At length the procession reached the transept, round the south end of which it proceeded, and then swept into the Foreign Department of the Exhibition, where great efforts had been made to receive it properly. The French had collected together all the choicest specimens of their manufactures to grace the foremost part of their division; and I am sure you would have admired the tasteful manner in which the contributors decorated the collection. Some of the other countries, as their exhibitors had sent in their contributions sooner than the French, were of course able to make a more satisfactory appearance. The two organs, from France and Germany, each, in turn, poured forth their music as the procession passed; and two or three of the Queen's bands played a march as the pageat moved round the eastern end of the building.
At last the procession returned along the north side of the nave, the cheering and waving of hats and handkerchiefs, which had continued all the time getting now more joyful than ever; and the Queen returned once more to her throne. One of the noblemen, named the Marquis of Breadalbane, then called out in a loud tone of voice, that Her Majesty declared the Exhibition open; a flourish of trumpets, and a roar of cannon, told the people outside that all was now concluded, and the Queen, with the royal family and other attendants, left the Crystal Palace, the choir again singing the National Anthem.
In order that the workmen and their families, who come to see the Exhibition, should live comfortably when they return home again, Prince Albert has had a model building erected, with four dwellings, or sets of rooms, each containing all the conveniences essential to a distinct family-house, with four distinct entrances for the four different families, such as he wishes every honest working couple in this country, and indeed every honest couple in all parts of the world, should possess. And, in order to shew to working men, and to builders, and to persons of property who desire to do good, how they can usefully assist their fellow creatures to comfortable habitations, for the same rent that they now pay for closely-built, unhealthy ones, he has erected these four model houses under one roof, each of them dry, warm, convenient, fire-proof, and healthy, and yet cheap. They are built of very hard hollow bricks, made by machinery, and are situate at the corner of the barrack yard, near to the Crystal Palace, and will be shown freely to all persons visiting the World's Fair.
Now, boys and girls, good-bye; I know you are sorry to see me going away, and you may be certain I am sorry to be obliged to leave you. But I hope we shall soon meet again, for I am thinking of coming to see you very shortly, to tell you more stories and have another talk with you. So, if you say you have been amused, and have learned something, by reading these stories, I will pay you another visit soon, and tell you something more about other things. But in the mean time, let us hope that the suggestions of Prince Albert, the husband of our gracious Queen, will do good; and that every body, and every nation, may become better, and learn more, and love each other more, in consequence of meeting together, in friendship and harmony, at
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THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND;
A New Edition; with Chronological Table; Twentieth Thousand; 3s. 6d. cloth, lettered; or bound up with Questions on the History, 4s.
Illustrated with a Map, and five Historical Engravings,—1. Rowena presenting wine to Vortigern. 2. King John signing Magna Charta. 3. Henry VII. proclaimed at the Battle of Bosworth Field. 4. Oliver Cromwell dissolving the long Parliament. 5. Coronation of Queen Victoria—the Peers rendering Homage.
"It is important that history meant for young Englishmen should be free from political poison, and this book will be found unexceptionable on this score."—British Banner.
"We have much pleasure in stating that this book is in another new edition, and its merits deserve it; it is well written, and admirably adapted for a school or reward book."—Academic and Collegiate Circular.
"Miss Corner's England and Wales, we perceive, has just reached another new edition, in which the addition of the chronological table will be a great desideratum; the work is well written, and is equally adapted for a school, or, indeed, a gift book."—Bent's Literary Advertiser.
"We know no histories more likely to prove useful and agreeable in the instruction of children."—Britannia.
"The style of the book throughout renders it worthy of the support it has secured."—Gospel Magazine.
"Miss Corner has chosen her epochs skilfully, and sketched them in a manner to make an adequate impression."—Literary Gazette.
THE HISTORY OF IRELAND;
New Edition; Seventh Thousand; 2s. 6d. cloth, lettered; or bound up with Questions on the History, 3s.
Illustrated with a Map, and three Historical Engravings.—1. St. Patrick preaching Christianity to the King and Nobles. 2. Lord Thomas Fitzgerald renouncing his allegiance to Henry VIII. 3. Entry of James II. into Dublin.
"The history before us is well executed."—Literary Gazette.
"Miss Corner's style of writing will produce habits of thinking."—Morning Advertiser.
"The Historical facts, always correct, are detailed in plain and concise language. This is one of the best class books on Ireland, for young people."—Limerick Standard.
The beauty of composition throughout the writings of Miss Corner is singular and fascinating.—Sun.
Miss Corner has acquired a deserved celebrity for the singularly-attractive and intelligible manner she has in narrating history.—Critic.
THE HISTORY OF SCOTLAND;
New edition; ninth thousand; 2s. 6d. cloth, lettered; or bound up with questions on the history, 3s.
Illustrated with a map, and three historical engravings.—1. Coronation of the infant King David II. and his Queen, at Scone, 2. James V. taking refuge at Sterling Castle. 3. Queen Mary's escape to England.
"We sincerely recommend this history as peculiarly suited to the meridian of schools."—Ayr Observer.
"This meritorious work is written in a very easy and agreeeble style, perfectly adapted to the capacities of the young persons for whom it is intended."—Times.
"We have perused this history with much interest, delighted with the ease and perspicuity of style, and with the clearness and force of the narrative."—Chronicle.
"Peculiarly adapted for instructive family reading."—Caledonian Mercury.
THE HISTORY OF ROME;
From accepted English and foreign authorities, as Macpherson's Annals of Commerce, Keightley's Roman History, Smith's and Adam's Greek and Roman Antiquities; Dr. Arnold, Niebuhr, &c. With questions to each chapter, a chronological table, and a map of the Roman Empire; 3s. 6d. bound in cloth, lettered.
"Miss Corner's History of Rome will assuredly ere long supersede all the Roman histories at present used in schools, it is well written, and the historical facts elicited by the learned labours of Niebuhr, Arnold, &c., are made to take the place of the fabulous accounts which have hitherto passed current as authentic history; at the same time the popular early legends are not omitted, but their doubtful nature pointed out."—Westmister Review.
"An excellent feature in this history is the continual effort to open out to the young reader the household life and social customs of the Romans, for without this, ancient history can have no reality for children."—Educational Times.
"Its contents form a correct history of the Roman empire, from its beginning."—Church of England Journal.
THE HISTORIES OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL;
New Edition, Fifth Thousand; 2s. 6d. cloth, lettered; or bound up with questions on the histories, 3s.
Illustrated with a map, and three historical engravings,—1. Inez De Castro entreating the king to save her life. 2. Interview of Columbus with Queen Isabella. 3. The Cortez taking the oath of allegiance.
"Miss Corner gives a clear and striking account of the different kingdoms that at various times were founded in Spain."—Edinburgh Review.
"So concise and plain as to be at once adapted to the capacities and volatility of young people, while they are useful compendiums for adults."—Times.
THE HISTORY OF FRANCE;
Tenth Thousand, New Edition, with continuation of events to the Presidency of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte; 2s. 6d. cloth, lettered; or bound up with Questions on the History, 3s.
Illustrated with a Map, and three Historical Engravings,—1. The Coronation of Charles VII. 2. A French Tilt, or Tournament. 3. Bonaparte's Expedition across the Alps.
"The Writer has borne in mind throughout, that simplicity of style was essential to her purpose, and has selected those facts which are best adapted to give an idea of the events and the customs of the successive ages."—Baptist Magazine.
"Miss Corner appears to be an excellent historian for the school room. She narrates with fluency and clearness, and in a concise and lively manner, the leading facts, so as to convey the spirit of history, and indicate the characteristics of the people and the country, as well as the rulers and famous characters."—Spectator.
"We look upon Miss Corner's work with great interest, as being peculiarly adapted to the minds of young people, and being free from that inversion of facts by which history is so often made subservient to party purposes."—Nonconformist.
THE HISTORY OF DENMARK, SWEDEN, AND NORWAY;
2s. 6d. cloth, lettered; with a Map, and two elegant Historical Engravings.
1. A Norwegian Family listening to the Songs of their Scalds, 2. Submission of the Order of Nobles to Frederick III.
"The two chief qualities of a good book are usefulness of subject and cleverness of handling, and these requisites Miss Corner's histories exhibit in an eminent degree. The frequent intermixtures of government between the three countries have indeed tended materially to embarrass this portion of European history, but Miss Corner by an accurate arrangement of dates, and a judicious connection of events, has set every thing in a clear light."—Post Magazine.
THE HISTORY OF POLAND AND RUSSIA;
3s. 6d. cloth, lettered; with a Map, and three elegant Historical Engravings.
1. Assassination of Demetrius. 2. John Cassimer, worn out by misfortune, resigning his crown to the Diet. 3. Flight of the Inhabitants of Moscow at the approach of the French army.
"This volume forms one of a series of histories for the use of young persons; the present volume is, however, more descriptive than historical, which we consider an advantage; the living manners of the Poles and Russians being much more instructive and entertaining to young English readers."—Tait's Magazine.
"Miss Corner has succeeded in compressing into a small compass all the leading events of history, without the slightest obscurity, or without sinking her book into a dry chronicle of facts."—Britannia.
THE HISTORY OF TURKEY AND THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE; INCLUDING GREECE, SYRIA, AND THE HOLY LAND;
3s. 6d. cloth, lettered; with a Map, and three elegant Engravings.
1. Selim II., receiving the Ambassadors of Maximilian, Emperor of Germany. 2. Mahomet expounding the Koran at Medina. 5. Reschid Pacha reading the Hatti Scheriff of 1839 to the Ambassadors and Great Officers of State.
"The narrative is so well arranged and so agreeably diversified by occasional remarks on individual and national character, as to render history attractive even to the very young; and the information is conveyed in a style remarkable for its unaffected simplicity and clearness."—Morning Post.
"The leading features of Turkish manners, laws, and policy, are accurately and forcibly pourtrayed, while the narrative is distinguished for simplicity, perspicuity, and completeness."—Conservative Journal.
THE HISTORY OF ITALY AND SWITZERLAND;
3s. 6d. cloth, lettered; with a Map, and three elegant Historical Engravings.
1. Pope Martin V. riding through the streets of Rome, the Emperor and Elector leading his Horse. 2. Massaniello haranguing the Populace. 3. William Tell and the other Swiss Patriots holding their nightly meetings.
"Brief, clear, and correct; well adapted for young persons."—Leamington Spa Chronicle.
"Written with great care and ability."—John Bull.
"A very useful educational book."—Literary Gazette.
THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND AND BELGIUM;
2s. 6d. cloth, lettered, with a Map, and two elegant Historical Engravings.
1. Assassination of William of Orange. 2. Admiral Van Tromp shot whilst animating his sailors.
"The present, like the proceeding histories from the pen of this intelligent lady, is distinguished for its conciseness, elegance of expression, and clearness of detail."—Manchester Times.
"A condensed mass of knowledge, well put together, and prettily illustrated."—Church and State Gazette.
"To a pleasing, fluent, narrative style, Miss corner unites a nice discrimination, and never suffers matters which sully the mind to appear in her pages."—Surplice.
"We cannot too strongly recommend these admirable Histories, and we feel satisfied that no parent or preceptor can place better works in the hands of a youth."—Academic and Collegiate Circular.
"Altogether we do not know of a more agreeable or instructive present for youth; and each history is illustrated with a map and engravings, which considering the price of the work, are of a superior description."—Times.
"The authoress shows much discrimination in conveying in language suited to her readers the results of the laborious investigations of other scholars."—Educational Times.
AN ACCURATE HISTORY OF GREECE.
From accepted Authorities, English and Foreign; as Crete's and Chambers's Histories of Greece, Smith's Greek and Roman Antiquities, Thirlwall and Wordsworth's Greece, Smith's Mythology and Biography, Annals of Commerce, Library of Useful Knowledge, &c. With Questions to each Chapter, a Chronological Table, Index, and a coloured Map of the Greek States. Price 3s. bound in cloth, lettered.
We have not met with any History of Greece that contains, within the same compass, so large an amount of interesting and valuable information. Miss Corner writes concisely, perspicuously, and sensibly.—Westley Banner.
A concise History of Greece, well adapted for Schools.—Cambridge Independent Press.
This is a very excellent compendium of Grecian History, and such are the merits of the Work that we shall not be surprised at its becoming a popular educational book.—The British Mother's Magazine.
Remarkably clear in its arrangement, while the simple and easy style in which it is written, peculiarly fits it for popular use, it displays much careful research on the part of its Author.—Englishwoman's Magazine.
Miss Corner has the art of writing so as to be understood by youthful readers.—London Literary Journal.
By far the best introductory School History of Greece we have ever seen.—British Banner.
A combination of simplicity of narrative, with comprehensiveness of detail, admirably adapted for the use of the School-room.—Douglas Jerrald's Weekly News.
With feminine delicacy, Miss Corner omits what should be omitted, giving meanwhile a narrative of the broad character and features that mark the progress of a nation.—Express, Evening Paper.
The results of the best modern scholarship are here given.—Leader.
Miss Corner's Histories require no recommendation of ours to bring them into notice. This Volume, her History of Greece, is written with great clearness and fluency, the fabulous tales which disfigure so many professedly authentic histories of the Greeks are discarded. We cordially recommend this work for the School-room, or family circle.—Gospel Herald.
DEDICATED (BY PERMISSION) TO THE LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN. THE REV^D. EDWARD BICKERSTETH'S CHRISTIAN PSALMODY;
(of which upwards of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand have been used,)
Comprising a Collection of above Nine Hundred Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, selected and arranged for public, social, family, and private worship, by the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, late Rector of Watton, Herts.
Sold at 2s. in cloth,—2s. 6d. in embossed roan,—and 3s. 6d. in calf,—12 copies, in cloth, £1,—25 for £2,—50 for £3 17s. or 100 for £7 10s.
A fine thin paper edition, 2s. 6d. in cloth, gilt edges;—3s. 6d. roan, gilt edges;—and 4s. 6d. morocco, gilt edges.
An edition, in large type, is also published, at 4s. 6d. cloth; 5s. 6d. roan; and 7s. in calf.
To meet the wants of poorer and village congregations,
THE CHURCH AND VILLAGE PSALMODY, has been prepared by the REV. EDWARD BICKERSTETH: consisting of three hundred and ninety of the above Psalms and Hymns most adapted to public worship; and so arranged as to be used at the same time with either of the larger editions of "Christian Psalmody."
It is published for one shilling, done up in cloth binding:—or 25 copies for £1;—50 copies for £1 18s. 6d.;—100 copies for £3 15s.
Clergymen and Congregations may also be supplied with an
ABRIDGED OR SUNDAY-SCHOOL EDITION; at 6d. in cloth;—25 copies for 10s;—50 copies for 19s;—or 100 for 37s. 6d. And bound in red sheep, at 8d;—25 copies for 13s. 6d;—50 copies for 26s;—or 100 copies for 50s.
ALSO, AN IMPROVED EDITION OF
WILLIAM HUTCHINS CALLCOTT'S
Arrangement of Ancient and Modern PSALM and HYMN TUNES, for the ORGAN and PIANO-FORTE, adapted to the above, and applicable to any other Selection of Psalms and Hymns.
In cloth, at 5s. 6d;—or, half Morocco, 6s. 6d.—25 copies in cloth for £5 10s.—and 25 in half morocco for £6 10s.
THE LIFE OF CHRIST, BY THE REV. T. TIMPSON, Illustrated by choice Passages from one hundred and thirty-eight eminent British and Foreign Divines, and embellished with seventy engravings after the best Masters.
10s. 6d. elegantly bound and embellished, and with gilt edges.
TALES OF THE REFORMATION; an account of the progress of that important Event; with some interesting tales of MARTIN LUTHER, and other eminent Men who were involved in its early development. By A.M. Sarjeant, author of Tales of the Early British Christians, &c.
2s. 6d. cloth, with frontispiece.
THE BIBLE AND THE PEOPLE; A SERIES OF PLATES, Exhibiting the INESTIMABLE BENEFITS OF THE BIBLE, and its great power as a means of effecting present and lasting good.—Lithographed by ROBINSON, and printed on plate paper,
2s. 6d. tinted;—or, coloured, 3s. 6d.
HIEROGLYPHICAL BIBLE; a pleasing Introduction to reading the Holy Scriptures, numerous words being depicted by engravings, to the number of Two Hundred and twenty.
6d. sewed.
THE BELIEVER's POCKET COMPANION:
Passages, (chiefly promises,) from the sacred writings; with appropriate observations, in prose and verse. By J. EVANS.
4d. sewed.
NEW SCRIPURAL SERIES OF COLOURED SUNDAY BOOKS:
SIX-PENCE EACH.
With coloured Engravings, correctly representing the Costumes of the People and the Scenery of the Countries in which the incidents described took place.
THE LIFE OF OUR SAVIOUR. Embellished with eight coloured engravings.
TWO BROTHERS; OR, HISTORY OF CAIN AND ABEL. Embellished with twelve coloured engravings.
THE HISTORY OF ISAAC AND REBEKAH. Embellished with ten coloured engravings.
THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN. Embellished with nine coloured engravings.
RUTH AND NAOMI; OR, THE AFFECTIONATE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW. With twelve coloured engravings.
ELISHA, AND THE WIDOW'S CRUISE OF OIL. With fourteen coloured engravings.
THE DISOBEDIENT PROPHET; OR, WHAT HARM CAN THERE BE IN IT? With eleven coloured engravings.
THE SCRIPTURE HISTORICAL ALPHABET. Embellished with fifteen coloured engravings.
THE HISTORY OF ABRAHAM. Embellished with eight coloured engravings.
ESAU AND JACOB; OR, FORGET AND FORGIVE. Embellished with eight coloured engravings.
THE LIFE OF MOSES. Embellished with seven coloured engravings.
THE HISTORY OF SAMUEL; OR, CHILDREN MAY BE WISE. Embellished with seven coloured engravings.
THE SHEPHERD KING; OR, HISTORY OF DAVID. Embellished with eight coloured engravings.
THE PROPHET DANIEL; OR, THE CAPTIVES OF JUDAH. With eight coloured engravings.
NEW SERIES OF 13 SCRIPTURAL PRINTS, ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF OUR SAVIOUR.
Size, Nine Inches by Fourteen, price, 1s. each, full coloured; or, 6d. tinted.
1 ANGELS APPEARING TO THE SHEPHERDS. And the angel said unto them—Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy. Luke, ii. 10.
2 ADORATION OF THE MAGI. And when they saw the young child with Mary his mother, they fell down, and worshipped him. Matthew, ii. 11.
3 CHRIST DISPUTING WITH THE DOCTORS. They found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors both hearing them, and asking them questions. Luke, ii, 46.
4 THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST. The heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him, Matt. iii. 16.
5 CHRIST BLESSING LITTLE CHILDREN. Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven. Mark, x, 14.
6 CHRIST HEALING THE BLIND. Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. Luke, xviii. 42.
7 THE RAISING OF LAZARUS. He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound head and foot. John, xi. 43.
8 THE WIDOW'S MITE. This poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury,—for she did cast in all that she had. Mark, xii. 43.
9 CHRIST'S ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM. Many spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strewed them in the way. Mark, xi. 8.
10 THE LAST SUPPER. This do in remembrance of me. Luke, xxii. 19.
11 PETER DENYING CHRIST. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter, and Peter remembered the words of the Lord, Before the cock crows, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he wept bitterly Luke, xxii, 61.
12 CHRIST BEFORE PILATE. Pilate asked him, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. Mark, xv. 4.
13 TAKING DOWN FROM THE CROSS. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb. Matthew, xxvii. 59.
AMUSING PANORAMAS OF ANIMALS,—with their uses and habits,—for Children.—Eight Animals, with characteristic coloured engravings, in each book.
11 sorts, 6d. each.
PETER PALETTE's COLOURED SCRAP BOOK; in six parts, each part comprising six leaves, and each leaf containing several interesting subjects.—Six-pence each Part;—or
The set, bound together, 3s. 6d.
THE CHILD's OWN SCRAP BOOK OF PICTURES, BY PETER PALETTE. Seven parts, coloured; 4to size. 6d. each; or The set, bound together, 4s.
THE FIRST HISTORY OF ENGLAND THAT SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE HANDS OF A CHILD. By MISS CORNER, Author of the Play Grammar, Every Child's History of England, Scripture Parables, &c. Containing,
An interesting description of the Ancient Britons, and their civilization by the Romans; the Conquest of the Romans and Britons by the Saxons; the Life and Times of Alfred the Great; the Norman Conquest; the Feudal Times; the Manners and Condition of the People of England in the Middle Ages; in the Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, and Nineteenth Centuries, to the present time.
Printed in large type; with twenty-five pages of illustrations. 3s. 6d. bound, suitable for a present, in blue cloth, gilt edges; Or, in Eight Parts, 6d. each, stitched in fancy wrappers.
EVERY CHILD'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND: WITH A MAP, AND QUESTIONS TO EACH CHAPTER.
Particularly suited for Children, and for Home, or Infant School Reading. By Miss CORNER, Author of the Play Grammar,—Scripture Parables, &c.
1s. sewed; or with the map coloured, 1s. 6d. in cloth.
PAPA AND MAMMA'S EASY LESSONS IN GEOGRAPHY; OR, THE ELEMENTS OF GEOGRAPHY, IN A NEW AND ATTRACTIVE FORM.
By ANNE MARIA SARGEANT, Author of Bible Geography, &c. Embellished with many Illustrations: and intended as a companion to Miss Corner's Play Grammar.
Price 1s. stitched, or 1s. 6d. bound in cloth.
GUIDE TO USEFUL KNOWLEDGE: BY CHARLES BUTLER.
Containing, in the popular form of an easy and familiar Catechism, the newest and most useful information connected with the Arts, Sciences, and the various Phenomena of Nature. For the use of Schools and Families.
Fourth edition, corrected. 1s. 6d. bound in cloth.
GUIDE TO GEOGRAPHY: BY CHARLES BUTLER.
A new, pleasing, and concise description of the five great divisions of the globe: the empires, kingdoms, and states, into which they are divided; and the natural, mineral, and vegetable productions of the several countries; with the numbers, and the manners and customs of their inhabitants.
New edition, corrected, 1s. 6d. bound in cloth;—or, with Seven Glyphographic Maps, and the use of the globes, 2s. bound.
THE PLAY GRAMMAR; OR, THE ELEMENTS OF GRAMMAR EXPLAINED IN SHORT AND EASY GAMES. By MISS CORNER. 1s. 6d. cloth lettered, with richly coloured frontispiece, and numerous engravings on wood; or, 1s. sewed in fancy covers, with plain frontispiece.
CHRISTMAS BERRIES AND DAISY CHAINS, FOR THE YOUNG AND GOOD. A collection of pleasing and instructive tales in poetry and prose, adapted to the youthful mind. By the author of Spring Flowers and Summer Blossoms, &c.
Printed in large type; with eight pages of tinted illustrations. Price 2s. 6d. bound in fancy cloth, gilt edges and sides, suitable for a present.
SILVER BLOSSOMS TO PRODUCE GOLDEN FRUIT: Being golden keys to the good old proverbs, in interesting tales. By the author of Spring Flowers and Summer Blossoms, Christmas Berries, &c.
With eight pages of tinted illustrations. Price 2s. 6d. bound suitably for a present, in fancy cloth, with gilt edges and sides.
STORIES OF THE ELEMENTS: Or, the Old Man and his Four Servants; Volcanoes and Earthquakes; the Volcanic Island, and the Indian Family. By MRS. BAKER. With six pages of engravings printed in tint, 1s. 6d. cloth, lettered, with richly coloured frontispiece;—or, 1s. sewed, with plain frontispiece.
SCRIPTURE NATURAL HISTORY; BY THE REV. J. YOUNG, A.M. A pleasing description of the nature and habits of the most interesting and wonderful of the works of God, as exhibited in creation, and recorded in scripture. With numerous engravings, and eight pages of tinted illustrations; 2s. 6d. handsomely bound in cloth, gilt edges and sides.
THE ORPHAN CAPTIVE; OR, CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE; A tale of the shipwreck and captivity of an ambassador's daughter. By Miss J. Strickland. With seven pages of elegant plates, 1s. sewed, or Is. 6d. cloth.
SCRIPTURE PARABLES, in EASY VERSE, for CHILDREN; WITH AN EXPLANATION OF EACH PARABLE, IN PROSE.
By the Author of Ruth and Naomi,—the Widow's Cruise of Oil,—Isaac and Rebekah, &c. Illustrated with eight pages of beautiful plates, and twenty engravings on wood.
1s. 6d. cloth lettered, with richly coloured frontispiece; or, 1s. sewed, in fancy covers, with plain frontispiece.
TALES OF SPRING FLOWERS AND SUMMER BLOSSOMS; FOR THE YOUNG AND GOOD: About Snow-drops,—the Wall-flower,—and Cowslips and Primroses.
With six pages of illustrations, 1s. sewed—or 1s. 6d. bound in cloth, lettered, and coloured frontispiece.
MORE TALES OF SPRING FLOWERS AND SUMMER BLOSSOMS; FOR THE YOUNG AND GOOD:
About Hare Bells,—the Bee Orchis,—White Violets,—Water Lilies,—Wild Roses,—and Wood Anemonies.
With six pages of illustrations, 1s. sewed;—or 1s. 6d. in cloth, lettered, and coloured frontispiece.
THE TWO PARTS, elegantly bound in one handsome volume, gilt edges, with eleven pages of tinted illustrations, 2s. 6d.
THE VILLAGE SCHOOL: WITH THE HISTORY, AND WHAT BECAME OF, SOME OF ITS SCHOLARS.
1s. 6d. cloth, with many engravings, and richly coloured frontispiece; or, 1s. sewed, with plain frontispiece.
THE WIDOW AND ORPHANS; OR, CHANGES OF LIFE.
BY THE REV. J. YOUNG, M.A. Author of Perils of Paul Percival. Scripture Natural History, &c.
With seven pages of plates, and vignette title, 1s. sewed; or 1s. 6d. bound in cloth, with richly coloured frontispiece.
LITTLE STORIES ABOUT PRETTY LITTLE BIRDS.
BY THE AUTHOR OF KEEPER'S TRAVELS, &c.
With seven pages of plates, and vignette title, 1s. sewed; or, with coloured frontispiece, 1s. 6d. bound in cloth.
LITTLE TALES FOR THE NURSERY; AMUSING AND INSTRUCTIVE.
By the Author of 'Sketches of Little Girls,' 'Little Boys,' &c. With many illustrations.
1s. 6d. cloth lettered, and richly coloured frontispiece; or, 1s. sewed, with plain frontispiece.
STORIES OF THE FIVE DIVISIONS OF THE WORLD;
descriptive of the peculiar habits and customs of the Inhabitants of Australia and Polynesia,—Omoko, King of Africa,—the Elephant, and the Little Dog of Siam,—the American Slave Trade,—and Europe, or, English Freedom.
With neat vignettes, and six tinted engravings 1s. sewed.
STORIES OF THE FIVE SENSES; OR, WHICH IS BEST?
An entertaining Little Book, for Little Ladies and Little Gentlemen. Vignette illustrations, and six tinted engravings, 1s. sewed.
WHICH IS BEST?
Or, Stories about the Five Senses, and the Five Divisions of the Globe With sixteen illustrations 2s. 6d. fancy cloth, gilt edges.
THE WORLD'S FAIR; OR, CHILDREN'S PRIZE GIFT BOOK OF THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1851.
Describing the beautiful Inventions and Manufactures exhibited there; with pretty stories about the People who have made and sent those beautiful Articles to be exhibited, and how they live when at home.—Embellished with numerous elegant engravings, a frontispiece, and pictorial title-page.
2s. 6d. elegantly bound in cloth.
SUNSHINE AND SHOWERS; or, STORIES FOR THE CHILDREN OF ENGLAND;
By M.E.T. author of "Silver Blossoms to produce Golden Fruit."—Embellished with illustrative engravings, and eight pages of plates, beautifully printed in lithography.
2s. 6d. elegantly bound in cloth.
ILLUSTRATED JUVENILE KEEPSAKE OF AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION. With upwards of sixty engravings.
1s. sewed,—or 1s. 6d. bound in cloth, lettered.
SKETCHES OF LITTLE BOYS;
The Well-behaved Little Boy. The Attentive, Inattentive, Covetous Dilatory, Exact, Quarrelsome, and Good Little Boy. By S. Lovechild.
1s. sewed,—Square size, with seven coloured engravings.
SKETCHES OF LITTLE GIRLS;
The Good-natured Little Girl, the Thoughtless, the Vain, the Orderly, the Slovenly, the Snappish, the Persevering, the Forward, the Modest, and the Awkward, Little Girl. By Solomon Lovechild.
1s. sewed,—Square size, with seven coloured engravings.
THE THREE BASKETS, Or, THE LITTLE GARDENER, LITTLE PAINTER, AND LITTLE CARPENTER
Describing how, and in what manner, Henry, Richard, and Charles, were occupied during the absence of their Father. By Mrs. Burden.
1s. sewed,—Square size, with seven coloured engravings.
DAME WIGGINS OF LEE, AND HER WONDERFUL CATS;
A humorous tale, about the worthy old Dame and her Seven whiskered favourites: written by a Lady of Ninety.
1s. sewed,—Square size, with fifteen coloured engravings.
EASY AND INTERESTING HISTORIES, FOR LITTLE FOLKS;
BY MISS CORNER, Author of the Historical Library, &c.
Price sixpence each, printed in large type, and embellished with four pages of descriptive tinted plates, and sewed in fancy wrappers.
THE ANCIENT BRITONS.
Describing their Manners and Customs; and how they were conquered, and Britain was governed by the Romans. 6d.
THE CONQUEST OF THE ROMANS AND BRITONS BY THE SAXONS; and an interesting Account of the Saxon Heptarchy, or the Seven Saxon Kingdoms in England at one time.
6d. With four pages of illustrations.
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ALFRED THE GREAT.
an interesting Narrative. 6d. Four pages of illustrations.
THE NORMAN CONQUEST; four pages of illustrations.
And the manner in which the People of England lived during the Reign of William the Conqueror. An interesting Narrative. 6d.
ENGLAND, AND ITS PEOPLE IN THE FEUDAL TIMES.
6d. Four pages of Illustrations
THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND; WITH THE MANNERS AND CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE AGES.
6d. With four pages of illustrations.
AN INTERESTING DESCRIPTION OF ENGLAND IN THE SIXTEENTH AND SEVENTEENTH CENTURIES.
Showing the Condition of the People, and how they lived and dressed during the Reign of Henry the Seventh, to the death of William the Third. 6d. Four pages of illustrations.
AN INTERESTING DESCRIPTION OF ENGLAND IN THE EIGHTEENTH AND NINETEENTH CENTURIES.
Showing the Condition of the People, their modes of life, and how they lived and dressed from the Reign of James the Second, to that of Queen Victoria. 6d. Four pages of illustrations.
These Eight Histories may be had, bound in One Volume, in fancy cloth, gilt sides and edges, suitable for a present, price 8s. 6d.
PLEASANT TALES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE,
SIX-PENCE EACH,—SEWED IN FANCY COVERS, PRINTED IN COLORS,
Each embellished with numerous Engravings on wood.
SQUIRE GRAY'S FRUIT FEAST.
With an account of how he entertained his Young Friends; and some of the Pretty Tales he gave to them as Prizes.
6d. Fourteen engravings.
MIRTHFUL MOMENTS; or, HOW TO ENJOY HOLIDAYS.
A collection of Mirthful and Pleasing Games and Forfeits: with Plain Directions for Playing each Game, and how to Cry the Forfeits.
6d. with appropriate engravings.
ANNE AND JANE; or, GOOD ADVICE AND GOOD EXAMPLE.
A Tale for Young Children. By Miss J. STRICKLAND.
6d. Fifteen engravings.
SUNSHINE AND TWILIGHT; or, THE PROSPERITY AND ADVERSITY OF TWO COUSINS.
Exhibiting the sure reward of amiable manners and good conduct.
6d. Fifteen engravings.
TROUBLES ARISING FROM BEING TOO LATE; or THE TWO SISTERS.
6d. Nineteen engravings.
A PRINCE IN SEARCH OF A WIFE; or, ROSETTA AND THE FAIRY.—A Trial of Charity.
6d. Fifteen engravings.
CHARITY WOOD, THE LITTLE ORPHAN.
A Tale for Young Children. By Miss Jane Strickland.
6d. Many engravings.
THE LITTLE TRAVELLER'S TRAVELLINGS IN EUROPE.
6d. Sixteen engravings.
NURSERY PICTURE BOOKS,—in illustrated covers,
size 4to. royal,—five sheets of coloured plates in each book.
THE FIVE DIVISIONS OF THE GLOBE:—Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Polynesia or Australia. Illustrated for Little Folks, on Five Large Plates: and done up in a fancy cover,
Price 1s. plain; or, 1s. 6d. coloured.
THE FOUR ELEMENTS:—or, Fire, Air, Earth, and Water.
Illustrated for Little Folks. And the Old English Nursery Rhyme of Simple Simon, set to Music. On Five Large Plates; and done up in a fancy cover.
Price 1s. plain; or, 1s. 6d. coloured.
THE FIVE SENSES,—Hearing, Seeing, Smelling, Tasting, and Feeling. And the FOUR SEASONS,—Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Illustrated for Little Folks, on Five Large Plates; and done up in a fancy cover.
1s. plain; or, 1s. 6d. coloured
THE NURSERY RHYMES OF OLD ENGLAND,
Set to Music, for Little Folks. Containing, The Queen of Hearts,—Bye! Baby Bunting,—Who comes here? a Grenadier!—Little Boy Blue,—and, The Lion and the Unicorn. Illustrated on Five Large Plates; and done up in Fancy cover.
Price 1s. plain; or, 1s. 6d. coloured.
THE ROYAL NURSERY PICTURE BOOK,—the Nursery Alphabet,—the Royal Family.—the comparative sizes of Animals,—and a "Morland."
1s. plain; or, 1s. 6d. coloured.
PLEASANT TALES FOR LITTLE PEOPLE.
An interesting collection of amusing and instructive Stories, for Young Persons.
With upwards of eighty superior engravings, 2s. 6d. bound in fancy Green cloth, with gilt edges and side.
VISIT TO THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS, REGENT'S PARK.
A pleasing description of this delightful place of fashionable resort, and of the nature and peculiar habits of the many rare and remarkable Animals contained therein. By J. BISHOP.
Square size, with 12 coloured engravings, and 31 cuts of the animals. 1s. bound in cloth.
A GIFT TO YOUNG FRIENDS; OR, THE GUIDE TO GOOD; About the Good Man of the Mill,—from whom all Good Things come—the Lost Purse,—Self-will,—the Careless Boy,—the Good Boy,—and the Way to Save. In words of One Syllable. By Miss Corner.
Square size, with seven coloured engravings.—1s. in cloth.
SHORT TALES IN SHORT WORDS,
About the Lame Boy,—the Sea Shore,—the Cross Boy,—and the Stray Child. By Mrs. Burden.
Square size, with seven coloured engravings.—1s. in cloth.
LITTLE CHILD'S ALPHABET OF NOUNS, or BOOK OF OBJECTS:
the Letters in large and small characters; each Letter illustrated by a number of pleasing engravings of Objects expressive of the Letter.—
In large 4to., with the engravings neatly coloured.
GEOGRAPHICAL ALPHABET; a new and pleasing Introduction to a knowledge of some of the most celebrated places, or interesting countries, of the habitable world. By B. CLAYTON.
In large 4to., with twenty-six coloured engravings.
PETER PALLETTE'S PICTURES FOR PAINTING:
Thirteen Numbers, price 4d. each; or bound in 2 vols, 1st series, 2s. 6d. 2nd series, 3s. 6d.
WORRET's NEW OUTLINE DRAWING-BOOK;
A series of progressive lessons, by which the principles of the Art, as applied to figure, ornamental, and mechanical Drawing, may be easily and correctly acquired.—ON STONE, BY W. HEATH.
3s. the set of six numbers; or 3s. 6d. in cloth.
EVERY CHILD'S DRAWING-BOOK; Easy and familiar Subjects by HEATH and BARFOOT. In Seven Progressive Numbers.
1s. the set.
YOUNG ARTIST'S DRAWING-BOOK of EASY SUBJECTS, in Lithography and Ink. By BARFOOT and HEATH. In 13 Numbers.
1s. the set.
GRANDPAPA EASY'S LITTLE PIG'S RAMBLE FROM HOME. Embellished with eight coloured engravings.
GRANDPAPA EASY'S LAUGHABLE STORY ABOUT TOM PEPPER. With twenty coloured engravings.
GRANDPAPA EASY'S TWO SISTERS; OR, WHO WOULD NOT BE INDUSTRIOUS? Eight coloured engravings.
GRANDPAPA EASY'S 'LITTLE GENTLEMAN,'—GENERAL TOM THUMB. With eight coloured engravings.
GRANDPAPA EASY'S NEW MOTHER GOOSE AND THE GOLDEN EGGS. Eight coloured engravings.
GRANDPAPA EASY'S LADY GOLIGHTLY AND HER COUSINS THE GRASSHOPPERS; With nine coloured engravings.
GRANDPAPA EASY'S NEW STORY OF THE LION AND THE UNICORN FIGHTING FOR THE CROWN. Eight coloured engravings.
GRANDPAPA EASY'S PRETTY POETRY, ABOUT TREES, FRUITS, and FLOWERS. With twenty-seven coloured engravings.
GRANDPAPA EASY'S JACKO's MERRY METHOD OF LEARNING THE PENCE TABLE. Eight coloured engravings.
GRANDPAPA EASY'S PRETTY POETICAL SPELLING BOOK. Twenty-eight coloured engravings.
GRANDPAPA EASY'S COUNTRIES OF EUROPE. Embellished with fourteen coloured engravings.
GRANDPAPA EASY'S MARQUIS OF CARABAS; OR, NEW PUSS IN BOOTS. With fifteen coloured engravings.
GRANDPAPA EASY'S AMUSING ADDITION; A NEW POETICAL NUMBER BOOK. Sixteen coloured engravings.
GRANDPAPA EASY'S COCK ROBIN ALIVE AND WELL AGAIN; with seven coloured engravings.
GRANDMAMMA EASY'S NEW STORIES ABOUT THE ALPHABET. With twenty-six coloured engravings.
GRANDMAMMA EASY'S MERRY MULTIPLICATION. With seventeen coloured engravings.
GRANDMAMMA EASY'S NEW STORY ABOUT OLD DADDY LONGLEGS. Illustrated with eight coloured engravings.
GRANDMAMMA EASY'S NEW STORY ABOUT LITTLE JACK HORNER. With eight coloured engravings.
GRANDMAMMA EASY'S MICHAELMAS DAY, OR, FATE OF POOR MOLLY GOOSEY. Eight coloured engravings.
GRANDMAMMA EASY'S ALDERMAN's FEAST: A NEW ALPHABET. Illustrated with eight coloured engravings.
GRANDMAMMA EASY'S ACCOUNT OF THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS OF LONDON. With twelve coloured engravings.
GRANDMAMMA EASY'S WONDERS OF A TOY-SHOP. Embellished with eight coloured engravings.
GRANDMAMMA EASY'S NEW STORY OF THE QUEEN OF HEARTS. With eight coloured engravings.
GRANDMAMMA EASY'S NEW STORY ABOUT LITTLE TOM THUMB AND HIS MOTHER. Eight coloured plates.
GRANDMAMMA EASY'S PRETTY STORIES ABOUT THE ELEPHANT. Embellished with eight coloured engravings.
GRANDMAMMA EASY'S PRETTY STORIES ABOUT THE CAMEL. With nine coloured engravings.
GRANDMAMMA EASY'S TRAVELS OF LITTLE MATTY MACARONI. With nine coloured engravings.
GRANDMAMMA EASY'S DAME BANTRY AND HER CAT; A HUMOUROUS TALE; with seven coloured engravings.
AMUSING MULTIPLICATION; illustrated and explained, in twenty appropriate engravings.
AMUSING SUBSTRACTION; rendered easy and plain by twenty-three appropriate engravings.
AMUSING DIVISION, made familiar to the opening mind, by twenty-three appropriate engravings.
AMUSING PENCE TABLE; in a new, easy, and pleasing manner; with fifteen appropriate engravings.
RAILWAY ALPHABET, shewing all that can be seen in Railway travelling, exhibited in twenty-four engravings.
ALPHABET OF TRADES; exhibiting the working of the several trades, in forty-one descriptive engravings.
NEW ROYAL A, B, C, AND SPELLING-BOOK, in a new and familiar manner: with twenty-six pretty engravings, and twenty-six large ornamental coloured letters.
PLEASING POPULAR RHYMES FOR THE NURSERY, or, the sayings and singings of infancy, in a new dress; ornamented with twenty-six humourous engravings.
PLEASING POPULAR NURSERY RIDDLES, AND PUZZLES; upon the same plan as the above; thirty engravings.
MY AUNT'S BALL; an ALPHABET; shewing who were there,—what they had,—and how they behaved themselves—with twenty-four engravings,
A PRINCE AND HIS THREE GIFTS; how he used his three gifts; and about a good and beautiful lady; with eight large engravings.
STORY OF LITTLE JOEY, who came up to London a poor little boy, and afterwards became a great man;—with ten engravings.
TALES OF THE MONTHS AND SEASONS: and what we see and enjoy all the year round; with twelve engravings.
THE MOUSE AND HER SONS; a rural tale;—with eight coloured engravings.
UNCLE BUNCLE's DEATH AND BURIAL OF POOR COCK ROBIN, AND THE TRIAL OF THE SPARROW FOR SHOOTING HIM. With seven coloured engravings.
UNCLE BUNCLE's NEW STORY ABOUT MASTER NOBODY, and his many wonderful exploits. 7 coloured engravings.
UNCLE BUNCLE's VISIT TO LITTLE JOHNNY GREEN, the best little Boy that ever was seen: with 7 coloured engravings.
UNCLE BUNCLE's TWO LITTLE COTTAGE CHILDREN, and the means by which they became rich. Seven coloured engravings.
UNCLE BUNCLE's ALPHABET OF OBJECTS. Embellished with many coloured plates.
UNCLE BUNCLE's NEW A, B, C. With fourteen pretty and appropriate coloured pictures.
UNCLE BUNCLE's NEW STORIES ABOUT ANIMALS. Seven coloured engravings.
UNCLE BUNCLE's COMICAL BOYS, With fourteen coloured plates.
UNCLE BUNCLE's NEW STORIES ABOUT BIRDS, Seven coloured pictures.
UNCLE BUNCLE's LORD MAYOR'S SHOW; A NEW AND POPULAR MULTIPLICATION TABLE: With fourteen coloured pictures of the Procession by Land and Water.
UNCLE BUNCLE's STORY ABOUT THE SICK LITTLE ROBIN, AND HIS KIND LITTLE NURSE JENNY WREN. With seven coloured engravings.
UNCLE BUNCLE's STORIES ABOUT LITTLE PETER's VISIT TO THE FARM. With seven coloured engravings.
Uniformly printed, each country in a separate volume; with illustrations from Historical Subjects, elegantly engraven on Steel, from designs by Franklin, Jones, and Gilbert; and an Accurate Map to each Volume; well bound in cloth, lettered;
COMMENCING WITH THE EARLIEST PERIOD OF AUTHENTIC RECORD, AND BROUGHT DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME:
ACCURATELY POURTRAYING THE
NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS, AND DOMESTIC HABITS, OF THE PEOPLE.
BY MISS CORNER,
Author of "Questions on the History of Europe," a Sequel to Mangnall's Historical Questions, &c. &c.
The object of these works,—peculiarly suited to schools and families,—is to furnish the reader with a faithful history of each nation, interspersing it with an accurate account of the religion, laws, customs, national characteristics, and domestic habits of the people, in the various periods of their history.
In writing these elementary treatises, one especial object has been kept in view—that of adapting them to the capacities of young people and occasional readers: by this means, while they embrace information and entertainment for all, they attract the rising generation, by simplicity of language, and clearness of detail, and render comparatively easy the attainment of a knowledge of the leading events of history.
The many high encomiums awarded to these works by the public press, and the very considerable acceptance they have met with in schools and families, are proofs that the efforts of the author to render historical knowledge pleasing, and easy of attainment, are not unappreciated by those to whom the care of the rising generation is entrusted.
THESE SERIES OF HISTORIES, BY MISS CORNER, COMPRISE THE FOLLOWING:
THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND;
A New Edition; with Chronological Table; Twentieth Thousand; 3s. 6d. cloth, lettered; or bound up with Questions on the History, 4s.
Illustrated with a Map, and five Historical Engravings,—1. Rowena presenting wine to Vortigern. 2. King John signing Magna Charta. 3. Henry VII. proclaimed at the Battle of Bosworth Field. 4. Oliver Cromwell dissolving the long Parliament. 5. Coronation of Queen Victoria—the Peers rendering Homage.
"It is important that history meant for young Englishmen should be free from political poison, and this book will be found unexceptionable on this score."—British Banner.
"We have much pleasure in stating that this book is in another new edition, and its merits deserve it; it is well written, and admirably adapted for a school or reward book."—Academic and Collegiate Circular.
"Miss Corner's England and Wales, we perceive, has just reached another new edition, in which the addition of the chronological table will be a great desideratum; the work is well written, and is equally adapted for a school, or, indeed, a gift book."—Bent's Literary Advertiser.
"We know no histories more likely to prove useful and agreeable in the instruction of children."—Britannia.
"The style of the book throughout renders it worthy of the support it has secured."—Gospel Magazine.
"Miss Corner has chosen her epochs skilfully, and sketched them in a manner to make an adequate impression."—Literary Gazette.
THE HISTORY OF IRELAND;
New Edition; Seventh Thousand; 2s. 6d. cloth, lettered; or bound up with Questions on the History, 3s.
Illustrated with a Map, and three Historical Engravings.—1. St. Patrick preaching Christianity to the King and Nobles. 2. Lord Thomas Fitzgerald renouncing his allegiance to Henry VIII. 3. Entry of James II. into Dublin.
"The history before us is well executed."—Literary Gazette.
"Miss Corner's style of writing will produce habits of thinking."—Morning Advertiser.
"The Historical facts, always correct, are detailed in plain and concise language. This is one of the best class books on Ireland, for young people."—Limerick Standard.
The beauty of composition throughout the writings of Miss Corner is singular and fascinating.—Sun.
Miss Corner has acquired a deserved celebrity for the singularly-attractive and intelligible manner she has in narrating history.—Critic.
THE HISTORY OF SCOTLAND;
New Edition; Ninth Thousand; 2s. 6d. cloth, lettered; or bound up with Questions on the History, 3s.
Illustrated with a Map, and three Historical Engravings.—1. Coronation of the Infant King David II. and his Queen, at Scone. 2. James V. taking refuge at Sterling Castle. 3. Queen Mary's Escape to England.
"We sincerely recommend this history as peculiarly suited to the meridian of schools."—Ayr Observer.
"This meritorious work is written in a very easy and agreeeble style, perfectly adapted to the capacities of the young persons for whom it is intended."—Times.
"We have perused this history with much interest, delighted with the ease and perspicuity of style, and with the clearness and force of the narrative."—Edinburgh Chronicle.
"Peculiarly adapted for instructive family reading."—Caledonian Mercury.
THE HISTORY OF ROME;
From accepted English and Foreign authorities, as Macpherson's Annals of Commerce, Keightley's Roman History, Smith's and Adam's Greek and Roman Antiquities; Dr. Arnold, Niebuhr, &c. With Questions to each Chapter, a Chronological Table, and a Map of the Roman Empire; 3s. 6d. bound in cloth, lettered.
"Miss Corner's History of Rome will assuredly ere long supersede all the Roman histories at present used in schools, it is well written, and the historical facts elicited by the learned labours of Niebuhr, Arnold, &c., are made to take the place of the fabulous accounts which have hitherto passed current as authentic history; at the same time the popular early legends are not omitted, but their doubtful nature pointed out."—Westmister Review.
"An excellent feature in this history is the continual effort to open out to the young reader the household life and social customs of the Romans, for without this, ancient history can have no reality for children."—Educational Times.
"Its contents form a correct history of the Roman empire, from its beginning."—Church of England Journal.
THE HISTORIES OF SPAIN AND PORTUGAL;
New Edition, Fifth Thousand; 2s. 6d. cloth, lettered; or bound up with Questions on the Histories, 3s.
Illustrated with a Map, and three Historical Engravings,—1. Inez De Castro entreating the King to save her life. 2. Interview of Columbus with Queen Isabella. 3. The Cortez taking the Oath of Allegiance.
"Miss Corner gives a clear and striking account of the different kingdoms that at various times were founded in Spain."—Edinburgh Review.
"So concise and plain as to be at once adapted to the capacities and volatility of young people, while they are useful compendiums for adults."—Times.
THE HISTORY OF FRANCE;
Tenth Thousand, New Edition, with continuation of events to the Presidency of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte; 2s 6d. cloth, lettered; or bound up with Questions on the History, 3s.
Illustrated with a Map, and three Historical Engravings,—1. The Coronation of Charles VII. 2. A French Tilt, or Tournament. 3. Bonaparte's Expedition across the Alps.
"The Writer has borne in mind throughout, that simplicity of style was essential to her purpose, and has selected those facts which are best adapted to give an idea of the events and the customs of the successive ages."—Baptist Magazine.
"Miss Corner appears to be an excellent historian for the school room. She narrates with fluency and clearness, and in a concise and lively manner, the leading facts, so as to convey the spirit of history, and indicate the characteristics of the people and the country, as well as the rulers and famous characters."—Spectator.
"We look upon Miss Corner's work with great interest, as being peculiarly adapted to the minds of young people, and being free from that inversion of facts by which history is so often made subservient to party purposes."—Nonconformist.
THE HISTORY OF DENMARK, SWEDEN, AND NORWAY;
2s. 6d. cloth, lettered; with a Map, and two elegant Historical Engravings.
1. A Norwegian Family listening to the Songs of their Scalds, 2. Submission of the Order of Nobles to Frederick III.
"The two chief qualities of a good book are usefulness of subject and cleverness of handling, and these requisites Miss Corner's histories exhibit in an eminent degree. The frequent intermixtures of government between the three countries have indeed tended materially to embarrass this portion of European history, but Miss Corner by an accurate arrangement of dates, and a judicious connection of events, has set every thing in a clear light."—Post Magazine.
THE HISTORY OF POLAND AND RUSSIA;
3s. 6d. cloth, lettered; with a Map, and three elegant Historical Engravings.
1. Assassination of Demetrius. 2. John Cassimer, worn out by misfortune, resigning his crown to the Diet. 3. Flight of the Inhabitants of Moscow at the approach of the French army.
"This volume forms one of a series of histories for the use of young persons; the present volume is, however, more descriptive than historical, which we consider an advantage; the living manners of the Poles and Russians being much more instructive and entertaining to young English readers."—Tait's Magazine.
"Miss Corner has succeeded in compressing into a small compass all the leading events of history, without the slightest obscurity, or without sinking her book into a dry chronicle of facts."—Britannia.
THE HISTORY OF TURKEY AND THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE; INCLUDING GREECE, SYRIA, AND THE HOLY LAND;
3s. 6d. cloth, lettered; with a Map, and three elegant Engravings.
1. Selim II., receiving the Ambassadors of Maximilian, Emperor of Germany. 2. Mahomet expounding the Koran at Medina. 5. Reschid Pacha reading the Hatti Scheriff of 1839 to the Ambassadors and Great Officers of State.
"The narrative is so well arranged and so agreeably diversified by occasional remarks on individual and national character, as to render history attractive even to the very young; and the information is conveyed in a style remarkable for its unaffected simplicity and clearness."—Morning Post.
"The leading features of Turkish manners, laws, and policy, are accurately and forcibly pourtrayed, while the narrative is distinguished for simplicity, perspicuity, and completeness." Conservative Journal.
THE HISTORY OF ITALY AND SWITZERLAND;
3s. 6d. cloth, lettered; with a Map, and three elegant Historical Engravings.
1. Pope Martin V, riding through the streets of Rome, the Emperor and Elector leading his Horse. 2. Massaniello haranguing the Populace. 3. William Tell and the other Swiss Patriots holding their nightly meetings.
"Brief, clear, and correct; well adapted for young persons."—Leamington Spa Chronicle.
"Written with great care and ability."—John Bull.
"A very useful educational book."—Literary Gazette.
THE HISTORY OF HOLLAND AND BELGIUM;
2s. 6d. cloth, lettered, with a Map, and two elegant Historical Engravings.
1. Assassination of William of Orange. 2. Admiral Van Tromp shot whilst animating his sailors.
"The present, like the preceeding histories from the pen of this intelligent lady, is distinguished for its conciseness, elegance of expression, and clearness of detail."—Manchester Times.
"A condensed mass of knowledge, well put together, and prettily illustrated."—Church and State Gazette.
"To a pleasing, fluent, narrative style, Miss corner unites a nice discrimination, and never suffers matters which sully the mind to appear in her pages."—Surplice.
"We cannot too strongly recommend these admirable Histories, and we feel satisfied that no parent or preceptor can place better works in the hands of a youth."—Academic and Collegiate Circular.
"Altogether we do not know of a more agreeable or instructive present for youth; and each history is illustrated with a map and engravings, which considering the price of the work, are of a superior description."—Times.
"The authoress shows much discrimination in conveying in language suited to her readers the results of the laborious investigations of other scholars."—Educational Times.
AN ACCURATE HISTORY OF GREECE.
From accepted Authorities, English and Foreign; as Grote's and Chambers's Histories of Greece, Smith's Greek and Roman Antiquities, Thirlwall and Wordsworth's Greece, Smith's Mythology and Biography, Annals of Commerce, Library of Useful Knowledge, &c. With Questions to each Chapter, a Chronological Table, Index, and a coloured Map of the Greek States. Price 3s. bound in cloth, lettered.
We have not met with any History of Greece that contains, within the same compass, so large an amount of interesting and valuable information. Miss Corner writes concisely, perspicuously, and sensibly.—Westley Banner.
A concise History of Greece, well adapted for Schools.—Cambridge Independent Press.
This is a very excellent compendium of Grecian History, and such are the merits of the Work that we shall not be surprised at its becoming a popular educational book.—The British Mother's Magazine.
Remarkably clear in its arrangement, while the simple and easy style in which it is written, peculiarly fits it for popular use, it displays much careful resourch on the part of its Author.—Englishwoman's Magazine.
Miss Corner has the art of writing so as to be understood by youthful readers.—London Literary Journal.
By far the best introductory School History of Greece we have ever seen.—The British Banner.
A combination of simplicity of narrative, with comprehensiveness of detail, admirably adapted for the use of the School-room.—Douglas Jerrald's Weekly News.
With feminine delicacy, Miss Corner omits what should be omitted, giving meanwhile a narrative of the broad character and features that mark the progress of a nation.—Express, Evening Paper.
The results of the best modern scholarship are here given.—Leader.
Miss Corner's Histories require no recommendation of ours to bring them into notice. This Volume, her History of Greece, is written with great clearness and fluency, the fabulous tales which disfigure so many professedly authentic histories of the Greeks are discarded. We cordially recommend this work for the School-room, or family circle.—Gospel Herald.
DEDICATED (BY PERMISSION) TO THE LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN.
THE REV^D. EDWARD BICKERSTETH'S CHRISTIAN PSALMODY;
(of which upwards of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand have been used,)
Comprising a Collection of above Nine Hundred Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, selected and arranged for public, social, family, and private worship, by the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, late Rector of Watton, Herts.
Sold at 2s. in cloth,—2s. 6d. in embossed roan,—and 3s. 6d. in calf,—-12 copies, in cloth, £1,—25 for £2,—50 for £3 17s. or 100 for £7 10s.
A fine thin paper edition, 2s. 6d. in cloth, gilt edges;—3s. 6d. roan, gilt edges;—and 4s. 6d. morocco, gilt edges.
An edition, in large type, is also published, at 4s. 6d. cloth; 5s. 6d. roan; and 7s. in calf.
To meet the wants of poorer and village congregations, THE CHURCH AND VILLAGE PSALMODY, has been prepared by the REV. EDWARD BICKERSTETH; consisting of three hundred and ninety of the above Psalms and Hymns most adapted to public worship; and so arranged as to be used at the same time with either of the larger editions of "Christian Psalmody."
It is published for one shilling, done up in cloth binding;—or 25 copies for £1;—50 copies for £1 18s. 6d.—100 copies for £3 15s.
Clergymen and Congregations may also be supplied with an ABRIDGED OR SUNDAY-SCHOOL EDITION; at 6d. in cloth;—25 copies for 10s;—50 copies for 19s;—or 100 for 37s. 6d. And bound in red sheep, at 8d;—25 copies for 13s. 6d;—50 copies for 26s;—or 100 copies for 50s.
ALSO, AN IMPROVED EDITION OF WILLIAM HUTCHINS CALLCOTT'S Arrangement of Ancient and Modern PSALM and HYMN TUNES, for the ORGAN and PIANO-FORTE, adapted to the above, and applicable to any other Selection of Psalms and Hymns.
In cloth, at 5s. 6d;—or, half Morocco, 6s. 6d.—25 copies in cloth for £5 10s.—and 25 in half morocco for £6 10s.
THE LIFE OF CHRIST, BY THE REV. T. TIMPSON,
Illustrated by choice Passages from one hundred and thirty-eight eminent British and Foreign Divines, and embellished with seventy engravings after the best Masters.
10s. 6d. elegantly bound and embellished, and with gilt edges.
TALES OF THE REFORMATION; an account of the progress of that important Event; with some interesting tales of MARTIN LUTHER, and other eminent Men who were involved in its early development. By A.M. Sarjeant, author of Tales of the Early British Christians, &c.
2s. 6d. cloth, with frontispiece.
THE BIBLE AND THE PEOPLE; A SERIES OF PLATES, Exhibiting the INESTIMABLE BENEFITS OF THE BIBLE, and its great power as a means of effecting present and lasting good.—Lithographed by ROBINSON, and printed on plate paper,
2s. 6d. tinted;—or, coloured, 3s. 6d.
HIEROGLYPHICAL BIBLE; a pleasing Introduction to reading the Holy Scriptures, numerous words being depicted by engravings, to the number of Two Hundred and twenty.
6d. sewed.
THE BELIEVER's POCKET COMPANION:
Passages, (chiefly promises,) from the sacred writings; with appropriate observations, in prose and verse. By J. EVANS.
4d. sewed.
With coloured Engravings, correctly representing the Costumes of the People and the Scenery of the Countries in which the incidents described took place.
THE LIFE OF OUR SAVIOUR. Embellished with eight coloured engravings.
TWO BROTHERS; OR, HISTORY OF CAIN AND ABEL. Embellished with twelve coloured engravings.
THE HISTORY OF ISAAC AND REBEKAH. Embellished with ten coloured engravings.
THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN. Embellished with nine coloured engravings.
RUTH AND NAOMI; OR, THE AFFECTIONATE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW. With twelve coloured engravings.
ELISHA, AND THE WIDOW'S CRUISE OF OIL. With fourteen coloured engravings.
THE DISOBEDIENT PROPHET; OR, WHAT HARM CAN THERE BE IN IT? With eleven coloured engravings.
THE SCRIPTURE HISTORICAL ALPHABET. Embellished with fifteen coloured engravings.
THE HISTORY OF ABRAHAM. Embellished with eight coloured engravings.
ESAU AND JACOB; OR, FORGET AND FORGIVE. Embellished with eight coloured engravings.
THE LIFE OF MOSES. Embellished with seven coloured engravings.
THE HISTORY OF SAMUEL; OR, CHILDREN MAY BE WISE. Embellished with seven coloured engravings.
THE SHEPHERD KING; OR, HISTORY OF DAVID. Embellished with eight coloured engravings.
THE PROPHET DANIEL; OR, THE CAPTIVES OF JUDAH. With eight coloured engravings.
NEW SERIES OF 13 SCRIPTURAL PRINTS, ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF OUR SAVIOUR.
Size, Nine Inches by Fourteen, price, 1s. each, full coloured; or, 6d. tinted.
1 ANGELS APPEARING TO THE SHEPHERDS. And the angel said unto them—Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy. Luke, ii. 10.
2 ADORATION OF THE MAGI. And when they saw the young child with Mary his mother, they fell down, and worshipped him. Matthew, ii. 11.
3 CHRIST DISPUTING WITH THE DOCTORS. They found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. Luke, ii, 46.
4 THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST. The heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him, Matt. iii. 16. 5 CHRIST BLESSING LITTLE CHILDREN. Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven. Mark, x, 14.
6 CHRIST HEALING THE BLIND. Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight; thy faith hath saved thee. Luke, xviii. 42.
7 THE RAISING OF LAZARUS. He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound head and foot. John, xi. 43.
8 THE WIDOW'S MITE. This poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury,—for she did cast in all that she had. Mark, xii. 43.
9 CHRIST'S ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM. Many spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strewed them in the way. Mark, xi. 8.
10 THE LAST SUPPER. This do in remembrance of me. Luke, xxii. 19.
11 PETER DENYING CHRIST. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter, and Peter remembered the words of the Lord, Before the cock crows, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he wept bitterly Luke, xxii, 6l.
12 CHRIST BEFORE PILATE. Pilate asked him, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. Mark, xv. 4.
13 TAKING DOWN FROM THE CROSS. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb. Matthew, xxvii. 59.
AMUSING PANORAMAS OF ANIMALS,—with their uses and habits,—for Children.—Eight Animals, with characteristic coloured engravings, in each book.
11 sorts, 6d. each.
PETER PALETTE's COLOURED SCRAP BOOK; in six parts, each part comprising six leaves, and each leaf containing several interesting subjects.—Six-pence each Part;—or
The set, bound together, 3s. 6d.
THE CHILD'S OWN SCRAP BOOK OF PICTURES, BY PETER PALETTE. Seven parts, coloured; 4to size. 6d. each; or The set, bound together, 4s.