sewing their garments, which, from their durability and scanty supply, was anything but a laborious work. It was a novel sight to observe women and young girls handling the little bright instrument, which was scarcely perceptible to the touch of fingers accustomed to grasp the handle of a pickaxe, or to employ them to supply the absence of trowels. But they were willing; and Mrs Moffat, in order to encourage them, engaged to meet them as often as her strength would permit. She had soon a motley group of pupils, very few of the whole party possessing either a frock or gown. The scarcity of materials was a serious impediment to progress; and living as we did far beyond the reach of traders, and six hundred miles from a market town, it was next to impossible to obtain them, at least just when wanted. Ornaments which were formerly in high repute as adorning, but more frequently disfiguring, their persons, were now turned into bullion to purchase skins of animals, which, being prepared almost as soft as cloth, were made into jackets, trousers, and gowns. When opportunity was afforded by the visit of a trader, British manufactures were eagerly purchased.

"In the progress of improvement during the years which followed, we were frequently much amused. A man might be seen in a jacket with but one sleeve, because the other was not finished, or he lacked material to complete it. Another in a leathern or duffel jacket, with the sleeves of different colours, or of the fine printed cotton. Gowns were seen like Joseph's coat of many colours, and dresses of such

fantastic shapes as were calculated to excite a smile in the gravest of us. It was somewhat entertaining to witness the various applications made to Mrs Moffat, who was the only European female on the station, for assistance in the fabrication of dress; nor were these confined to female applicants. As it was seen that these matters were left to her, they thought that she must needs be mistress of all the arts of civilised life, and consequently capable of instructing men as well as women. One would bring prepared skins to get them cut into dresses, another wanted a jacket, and a third would be desirous of a pattern; while another would bring his garment sewed upside down, and ask why it would not fit. These efforts, however trifling they may appear, were the precursors of a mighty change, and the elements of a system which was destined to sweep away the filth and customs of former generations, and to open up numberless channels for British commerce."

INTRODUCTION OF THE PRINTING PRESS." The press was soon called into operation, when lessons, spelling-books, &c., were prepared for the schools.

66

"Although many of the natives had been informed how books were printed, nothing could exceed their surprise when they saw a white sheet, after disappearing for a moment, emerge spangled with letters. After a few noisy exclamations one obtained a sheet, with which he bounded into the village, showing it to every one he met, and asserting that Mr Edwards and I had made it in a moment with a round black hammer (a printer's ball) and a shake of the arm.

The de

scription of such a juggling process soon brought a crowd to see the press, which has since proved an auxiliary of vast importance to our cause."

SUMMARY.-Mr Moffat, in his book on South Africa, gives an account of the degradation of some of the native tribes, and the progress of civilisation among them. They wore little or no clothing, were accustomed to a wandering life, and were dependent for food upon wild herbs or fruits, and such wild animals as they could catch. By degrees they learned to cultivate corn, to build fixed habitations, and to make and wear decent clothing. Schoolhouses were built, and the printing-press and books in their own language were introduced among them.

QUESTIONS.

Name one of the most degraded of the African tribes. Describe some of the things they carried with them in their wanderings. How do they prepare poisonous serpents for eating; and what do they do with the heads? For what purpose do they use the poison? They mix it with the milky juice of the euphorbia, and then use it to cover the points of their arrows. What is the euphorbia? The euphorbia is one of a large family of plants, many of which afford a milky juice which is often highly poisonous. With what do they smear their bodies? Fat, mingled with ochre. What is ochre? Red ochre is an iron ore of blood red colour, which is sometimes found in powder and sometimes in a hardened state. Under the name of reddle this substance is much used for the marking of sheep. What is a bulb? A round root (Lat., bulbus, a bulb or round root), as the root of a crocus, onion, lily, &c., &c.

THE HOUSE OF HANOVER (10).

VICTORIA-1837.

Continued.

DERIVATION.

MEANING.

A person who has a commission or warrant from proper authority to perform some office, or execute some business.

Murder, slaughter, carnage.

Persons in military or naval service who rise in opposition to their officers or the government.

Crushed, subdued.

Disturbed; excited into tumult.

That which comes suddenly; an unexpected event.

Put an end to.

Enterprising; courageous in encountering danger.

Scarcely was the Crimean war ended when a new war broke out in the East with Persia, in 1856. The Persians had attacked Herat, a city on the frontier of Afghanistan. An expedition was sent out to the Persian Gulf under Sir James Outram, and the war was speedily ended. In the same year war was declared against China, to punish an outrage on a British vessel. The Earl of Elgin was sent out as special commissioner, with a powerful force; but as soon as he reached China that force had to be sent to India to assist in subduing the terrible mutiny of the Sepoys, or native soldiers in India, who had been for some time discontented. On the 16th of May 1857,

the native troops at Meerut murdered their British officers, and marched to Delhi, the ancient Mohammedan capital, where the Europeans were also massacred. The mutineers spared neither women nor children in their cruel massacres. The English living at Cawnpore were cruelly murdered, and their bodies. were thrown into a well. General Havelock and the brave forces under his command retook Cawnpore, and advanced to Lucknow, where the English residents-men, women, and children-were besieged by a host of mutineers, and hourly expected death. Havelock arrived in time to relieve the little garrison, and save them from the horrors of Cawnpore. But it was at once obvious that to return with the sick and wounded, and women and children, was impossible; and it was therefore determined to wait for further relief. Their rescue was successfully accomplished by Sir Colin Campbell, afterwards created Lord Clyde. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the forces in India, and in the course of the following year he completely quelled the rebellion.

The result of the rebellion was the transference of the government of India from the East India Company to the Crown. The Queen was proclaimed Empress of India, November 1, 1858. Calcutta and the other principal towns were illuminated, and there were great rejoicings among the natives. In 1857, Lord Elgin returned to China, and was joined by French troops. Canton was taken by assault, and English and French forces were advancing towards Pekin, when the Emperor of China yielded. A treaty