126. Man's golden clothing, however, is derived from the web of a crawling insect, or caterpillar, called the silk-worm. All the countries of the south and east preserve and propagate this insect; and the produce of its labours, forms a considerable article of commerce with China, India, Persia, Turkey, Italy, and the South of France.

127. The worm is hatched by the heat of the sun, from eggs laid by a moth, in the preceding year. Its food are the leaves of the mulberry; in which tree it lives in warm climates. After it attains its full growth, it winds itself in its silky web, attached to one of the leaves; and in this cone of silk, it is converted into a lifeless chrysalis.

128. In a few days, the chrysalis produces a lively and delicate moth, which eats its way out of the cone of silk; flutters its wings for a few days, lays eggs for future supplies of silk-worms, -and then dies! Such is the curious and wonderful economy of this insect, which supplies man with the material of silk. See the cut after paragraph 498.

129. The cones of raw silk are about the size of a pigeon's egg; and each of them, when wound off, contains, in length, a quarter of a mile! These webs, after slight preparations, are spun into thread, by machinery in silk-mills, and then called organized or thrown silk. The weaver converts the thread into the various elegant fabrics made of silk; and the dyer and presser finish them for consumption.

Obs-Attempts have been made to render the web of the spider useful: and stockings have actually been

made of this material! In short, whatever man can spin into thread, he contrives to weave into garments; and in this respect there is no bound to his materials, but in nature.

130. Hats are made of the fine hair of animals, felted, or beat; and then gummed together, till they are tenacious and firm. Shoes and gloves are made of the hides of animals, first prepared by the tanner and currier by expelling the fatty and unctuous matter of the animal, and infusing into its place an astringent made of oak bark.

Skins are many weeks in the tan-pits or bark infusions, undergoing this conversion; and they are then shaved and coloured by the currier, for their various uses.

VIII. Of Government and Laws.

131. The heads and fathers of families were anciently their governors; and this kind of government, was called Patriarchal. The histories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are beautiful illustrations of this state of human society.

132. When the family grew too large, the branches sometimes separated, as we observe in the instance of Abraham and Lot; and of Jacob and Esau; but when they resided together, some one would be regarded as the head: in due time, a title would be given to this ruler; and he would be called a chief, captain, judge, dictator, king, sultan, or emperor.

133. Such was the origin of all governments; and they would prove of various tendencies, ac

cording to the character of the first rulers. Any quarrel between two tribes, would give to both of them a military character. A

He who got the better, would be in danger of being inspired with a love of conquest; hence, much misery would arise. In time, many tribes or families would unite into one; as well for offence as defence: such, doubtless, was the origin of nations.

134. The land of Canaan, when invaded by the Israelites, was sub-divided, in this way, into petty tribes; so was Britain, when it was invaded by Cæsar; Italy, also, was divided in the same way, before the ambition and military character of certain Romans led them to make war with their neighbours.

Such, too, is the state of nameless tribes in North and South America; in Africa, Tartary, and Siberia, at this day.

135. Every man in a society, or nation, is bound to respect its welfare; to do nothing injurious to its members; and to conform himself to the rules or laws by which it is held together, maintained, and protected. By obeying the laws himself, he sets an example to others; and he also partakes of the common benefit and protection afforded by

them.

136. A constitution is that plan of government and system of laws, under which a people live together in the same society. In England, for example, they have a chief magistrate, or king, to execute the laws and conduct the business of the government; and also two houses of parliament, to concur with the king in making

laws, and levying money: this arrangement is called the constitution of England.

137. The two houses of parliament consist of about 400 peers or nobles in the House of Lords; and of 658 members, elected by and representing the people, to the House of Commons.

No law can be enacted without the joint consent of the king, lords, and commons; and nothing can be done contrary to the laws so made; or to the established and known customs, or Common Law, of the country.

138. No tax can be levied on the people, unless it originates in the house of Commons; and is first approved of by that assembly. The creation of peers and transactions with foreign nations,. belong to the office of king; as does the direction and appointment of the Army and Navy, and the management of Wars.

139. The laws of England consist of the Common Law, the Statute Law, and the Civil Law.

The Common Law is the ancient law of England, supposed to be derived from the Saxon laws, and founded on principles of reason and justice, on the revealed laws of God, and on the customs and rights of the people.

The Statute Laws are particular laws to declare, enforce, and modify, the common law; and are made by the two Houses of Parliament, and assented to by the king.

The Civil Law is the law of their spiritual, courts and universities; and is derived from the ancient laws of the Romans, as condensed into a code by the emperor Justiniam

140. The laws are administered in the king's name, in the court of King's Bench, Exchequer, and Common Pleas, and also at assizes in county towns by judges; of whom, there are twelve. There is also a court of Equity, called the Court of Chancery in which, in particular cases, in which the principle of the law does not apply, the letter of it is moderated so as to do real justice.

141. There are also courts of quarter-sessions held by justices of the peace, for trying petty offenders; and by corporate bodies, who act under the king's charter. Courts of request, or of conscience, are instituted for the recovery of debts under five pounds.

142. No man in England can be put on his trial, for any offence, unless twelve of a Grand JURY have declared, in a bill of indictment, that there is a cause for trying him; and he cannot be convicted or punished, except a verdict has been given against him by another JURY, composed of twelve honest and unexceptionable men.

143. By the laws of England, wilful murder, forgery, house-breaking, house-burning, horse and sheep-stealing, rape, highway-robbery, cutting and maiming, piracy, coining, and treason against the king, are punishable with death.

144. Numerous other offences are also punishable with death; but the sentence is generally changed into transportation for life: smaller offences involve transportation for fourteen or seven years; and petty ones are punished by imprisonment, whipping, pillory, burning in the hand, and by fines.