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wool used by ladies. The very handwriting of the friend sending the message is reproduced so as to be capable of recognition.

6. The telegraphic wires are coated with zinc. This is done to prevent the effect of the air upon the wire, called oxidation. Ary child may count from thirty to thirty-two posts each mile, on which these wires are suspended. To prevent the electric current running down the wooden posts, especially when wet with rain, they are made to pass through rings of stoneware. If you dip stoneware into water, it comes out nearly dry.

Observe the great uses of the telegraph: (1) it aids rapid communication in great emergencies; and, (2), it prevents the abuse of the speed of

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railways. The latter may, indeed, assist the flight of evil men from justice, but the former helps to arrest them, Relate the anecdote of Tawell. passenger takes his place at Slough. Before he reaches Paddington, and just when calculating upon his security, an alarm has followed him to Slough, and arrived upon the wings of the telegraph before him. Not five minutes elapse after the arrivalof the trainwhen a return message certifies the recognition of the suspected murderer.

7. Observe in this and all lessons, as naturally as possible, how the Creator provides for the well-being of society, and what secrets may still lie locked in nature for the benefit and comfort of Mankind.*

*This and the preceding Lesson are designed for Pupil-teachers, or advanced Classes:

Scripture Illustrations No. IV.

CLOTHING.

As the climate of Palestine was warm, the clothes would necessarily be light and cool.

I.-Clothes of Men.-Linen was worn next the skin; over that a tunic or close bodied frock; over the tunic was the abba or hyke, made of wool or hair, in size about six yards by two. This was not at all shaped to the body, but had merely a hole for the head; by the poorer classes it was used as clothing for the day, and to sleep in at night. Deut. xxiv. 13. The best kind was of one piece, without seam, the common of two; our Saviour's is said to have been without seam. John xix. 23. By some a sort of cloak, with a cape or hood, was worn over all; this is still common in those parts, and known as a burnoose. When employed in labour, the long skirts of the hyke were gathered up round the loins, and fastened by means of a girdle. So Elijah, I Kings xviii. 46. These girdles were at one

end formed into a kind of purse. It often happened that persons employed in continuous exertion, instead of girding up the skirts of their garments, threw them off altogether; when such was done, the person was said to be naked; thus Saul is said to have prophecied naked. I Sam. xix. 24. So also the young man who fled from the garden naked. Mark xiv. 52.

The hyke was, and still is, in most cases, party colored; Joseph's coat was of many colors, something like the Scotch plaid. The Arabs now use stripes, mostly black and white alternating. Round the edge of the garments the Jews were required to wear a fringe, that they might be reminded of God's law. The person who wished to be accounted better than others, wore wide borders or fringes. Matt. xxiii. 5. In Matt. IX. 20, we see that Christ wore them, for the woman who touched the hem or fringe was healed. The

trousers were large and loose, and rather short. Stockings were rarely worn; and for shoes, sandals, that is soles merely, fastened on with straps or latchets; and hence the necessity of washing the feet after travelling. The humility of Jesus led Him to wash the feet of His disciples. John xiii. 4 & 5. II. Clothes of Women.-Over their inner clothing was worn a loose robe, with long and loose sleeves; and over this, when in doors, a mantle; when out, a large external wrapper of party colors, which was placed over the head

and fell to the feet; such was that of Ruth, ch. iii. 14, in which she carried away six measures of barley. Veils were worn, but not transparent ones as in England; they were made to cover all the face but the eyes. Jewels were worn, both in the ears and nose, Isa. iii. 20, 21. Small rings or anklets were worn on the lower parts of the legs, called in Isa. iii. 18, tinkling ornaments.

In cases of grief garments were torn, or sackcloth was put on, sometimes both. Gen. xxxvii. 29 and 34.

1,

Geugraphy of England, Lu, XV.

CLIMATE; SOIL; ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTS.

Climate.-Idea of climate as wet or dry, cold or hot—depends on heat and moisture-heat depends on position (show this by reference to a fire, and apply the idea to the earth.) England between 50 and 5520. N. Lat.; with map of the world, make evident what latitude is—merely distance from the centre of earth or equator. England 50° × 70 miles nearly, or 3,500 miles north of equator, in what is called the Temperate Zone. Show what a zone is, and when a zone is temperate. Because in a temperate zone, England is neither cold nor hot. Surrounded by water, hence moist the climate is, therefore, temperate and moist. It is warmest in the S. W.; why ?-the fields always green, which happens but in few countries. The climate very healthycompare it with the west of Africa.

Soil. What soil is-difference between sandy, gravelly, and clayey soils -mostly very fertile even the hills

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covered with herbage, which feeds thousands of sheep. Compare with Ireland, no bogs-with Scotland, no bleak mountains-with Africa, no sandy wastes.

Products. What products are-the three principal kinds. But few wild animals, and these small, as the fox, badger, and wild cat. The domestic animals, as the horse, cattle, and sheep; the finest in the world. The vegetable products are those furnishing food for man and beast, as wheat, oats, barley

potatoes, turnips, and other roots. About one-third ploughed land, and one-half in pasture. The apple and pear, largely cultivated in the west, for cider and perry; cherries, and hops in Kent and Surrey. Forest land about one-sixtieth-the principal, the New Forest, and those of Dean and Windsor, Agriculture employs about one-third part of the population.

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We subjoin the rest of the explanatory Letter on the recent Minutes of Council, which was commenced in our last number.

9. The office of Assistant Teacher (besides its important bearings on the work of instruction-the new field of employment which it opens for Pupil Teachers and its tendency to check any excessive increase in their number) will especially facilitate their passage through the required period of probation to the rank of certificated Masters and Mistresses. It will be observed that there is nothing in their Lordships' Minutes to prevent Assistant Teachers from competing for Queen's Scholarships. It will, therefore, be optional with them, at any time, to seek this entrance into their profession, or, after the end of three years, to be examined for a certificate of merit as Assistant Teachers and not as Students.

10. The stipends of Assistant Teachers will be paid at the same time as those of the Pupil Teachers in each School. No stipends (after the first) will be paid for fractional portions of a year, unless the year's service will be deemed to have been interrupted by the dismissal or voluntary withdrawal of the Assistant before the end of it, or by any unreasonable delay on the part of the managers in supplying vacancies in the appointment of Principal Teacher.

11. A question arises, whether these Assistants should received special instruetion from the principal Teacher out of School-hours, and, if so, under what conditions. It may be anticipated that young persons of sufficient age and attainments to seek the office of Assistant, will be materially influenced, in the selections of Schools wherein to serve, by the ability of the principal Teacher to aid them in their Studies. Such aid, however, would not be completely given by combining them with the Apprentices, in the hours during which the latter are to receive special instruction; nor, on the other hand, would it be desirable to encroach further upon the principal Teacher's leisure, out of School-hours, by requiring him in all cases, to give separate lessons to his Assistants. Ás a general rule, therefore, their Lordships do not propose to allow any gratuity, or to lay down any regulations, for the special instruction of Assistants by principal Teachers. As matter of fact, it will commonly happen that, sometimes by express arrangement between the parties, and oftener by tacit understanding and mutual good will, the Senior will help the Junior Teacher. An Assistant, who is fit for his post, will not need that constant succession of fixed lessons which is prescribed for a Pupil Teacher, but will rather look for occasional assistance in difficulties arrising out of his own studies, or for guidance to direct him, from time to time, in his further progress. No Assistant ought to be appointed or maintained in his place who falls short of the standard prescribed for the end of the fifth years' Apprenticeship, nor do my Lords feel warranted in offering any premium for the instruction of Assistants up to that standard which they ought already to have attained. If, however, in Geography, History, the Analysis of Language, Arithmetic, Linear Drawing, Vocal Music from Notes, or in any branch of Physical Science, or of pure or applied Mathematics, the Assistant shall, with the principal Teacher's aid, have mastered some task-book, to be submitted in the first instance for approval by Her Majesty's Inspector, and shall have given sufficient evidence of proficiency in the subject-matter of that taskbook upon examination, my Lords would, on the report of Her Majesty's Inspector, take into consideration the propriety of allowing the same gratuity to the principal Teacher, as if the Assistant had been his Apprentice. It is to be understood that this offer is strictly confined to special proficiency in some one of the foregoing subjects. In the case of female Assistants, thorough acquaintance with the principles and practice of domestic economy, in its several branches, would be accepted, in lieu of the foregoing subjects. Notice of the subject and task-book selected must be given to Her Majesty's Inspector, to pass examination, either oral or written, in all or any of the subjects required of Pupil Teachers at the end of the 5th year of their Apprenticeship. It would be proper to insist upon such an examination, in cases where the state of knowledge in the School, or the Inspector's observation of the Assistant's manner of imparting any particular branch of instruction, might suggest a doubt as to the sufficiency of his attainments. Her Majesty's Inspector would, in all cases, make the Assistant teach for a considerable time in his presence. In the pursuit of Religious Knowledge, the Assistants will seek advice and guidance from the Ministers of Religion who attend their respective Schools.

12. Assistant Teachers may be reported on in the Form X., but they must, of course, be carefully distinguished in it from Apprentices.

13. In accordance with the view hereinbefore stated, concerning the object of the Easter Examinations for Certificates of Merit, and pursuant to the intimation conveyed in the Minute dated 25th of July, 1850, I have the honour to inform you that District Examinations will be held as heretofore in.the Easter Week of 1853, but that thenceforth they will not be held as matter of course in each year. The Examinations which are held at Christmas in each year at the several Training Schools under inspection, are generally opened, by the

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