Several ancient authors (Dion Cassius, Petronius Arbiter, and Isidorus) relate, that in the reign of Tiberius, an architect, who had been banished from Rome on account of his great popularity, having, in his retirement, discovered the means of so far altering the nature of glass as to render it malleable, ventured to return to Rome, in the hope of securing both as remission of his sentence and a reward for his invention. This discovery not agreeing, however, with the supposed interests of the tyrant, who feared lest the value of gold might be lowered by its means, the architect was beheaded, and his secret died with him. This is, probably, only another version of the story related by Pliny, of the same important discovery having been made by an artist in Rome, when such of the populace as imagined that their interests would be injuriously affected thereby conspired together and destroyed his dwelling.

A similar discovery, attended by results as unsatisfactory, and which is said to have occurred in France in the more modern times of Louis XIII., is recorded by Blancourt. He says, that the inventor having presented a bust formed of malleable glass to the cardinal Richlieu, was rewarded for his ingenuity by perpetual imprisonment, lest the "vested interests" of French glass manufacturers might be injured by the discovery.

Without venturing altogether to deny the truth of these stories, it would be hard to subject to the charge of presumption those persons who entertain doubts upon the matter. It does not, certainly, prove the incorrectness of the statements, that no subsequent examiner into the arcana of nature has been equally fortunate; and it is assuredly possible that some successful investigator may yet be the means of revealing that which has already been thus ascribed to more than one experi

menter.

Improbable as the achievement of this would seem, it would be scarcely more extraordinary than the transformation of linen rags into sugar, or the conversion of saw-dust into "wholesome, palatable, and nutritious food." The purposes both of use and of ornament to which glass would in such a case be applied are almost endless, and their importance can hardly be overrated; nor should we in these days have occasion to fear, lest the insensate instructions of some modern Tiberius

or Richlieu should step between the discoverer and the promulgation of his secret.

According to our present amount of knowledge, the chance of realising such a discovery is, however, limited within the barest possibility. The quality of malleability is in direct contradiction to that of vitrification; the existence of the one state seems to be incompatible with that of the other. Some metallic substances when greatly urged by fire' are made to approach towards the state of glass, and then lose their malleability; a fact which almost implies the impossibility of imparting the latter property to glass. Kunkel has indeed observed, that it is possible to produce a composition having an external glassy appearance, which should be pliant and capable of being wrought under the hammer; and Neumann tells us, that in the fusion of muriate of silver a ductile kind of glass is formed,' which may be moulded or turned into different figures, and which may be pronounced in some measure malleable; facts to which Henckel has referred in order to account for the traditionary stories of the ancients.

The Latin writers of the Augustan age make frequent mention of glass. Virgil compares to it the clearness of the water in the Fucine Lake; and Horace speaks of the lustre and transparency of glass in a way which shows that it could then be made with a considerable degree of perfection. In the year 220 a tax was laid by Alexander Severus upon the glass manufacturers in Rome, who at this time existed in such numbers, that a principal quarter was assigned to them in that city, wherein they might carry on their pro cesses. This tax was still levied in the reign of Aurelian.

The most celebrated specimen of antique glass is the vase, which during more than two centuries ornamented the Barberini palace, and which, having been subsequently purchased by the late Duchess of Portland, is better known in this country as the Portland vase. This much-admired production was found about the middle of the sixteenth century, enclosed in a marble sarcophagus, and deposited within the tomb of Alexander Severus, who died in the year 235. The body of this vase, which for a long time was erroneously supposed to be formed of por celain, is made of deep blue glass, and is ornamented with white opaque figures in bas-relief, which are designed

and sculptured in the style of cameos with a degree of skill which is truly admirable.

Glass melted and cast into plates, is said by St. Jerome to have been used in his time (A. D. 422) to form windows. About a century later, Paulus Silentiarius mentions the windows of the church of St. Sophia at Constantinople which were covered with glass; and from this period frequent allusions to the similar use of glass are met with in various authors.

Long before the establishment of the manufacture within_this_island, glass was known and used in England. The Venetians who traded with this country in very remote times furnished this among other articles of commerce in exchange for tin. The erudite Pennant is of opinion, that glass-making in Britain dates prior to the Roman invasion. The Druids were accustomed to impose upon their more ignorant followers by means of clumsily formed beads of coloured glass, which they pretended were endued with the quality of guarding their possessors from evil.

The venerable Bede, who lived very near the time, and who therefore had good opportunities for ascertaining the fact, has asserted in his History of Weremouth, that in the year 674 the abbot Benedict sent for artists from beyond seas to glaze the windows of the church and monastery of Weremouth in Durham, and that these men were our first instructors in the art of making window glass. This art, however, took root but slowly among us; and it was not until the eleventh century that glass windows were at all commonly used, either in private dwellings or in public and religious edifices. Previously to this time, light was imperfectly transmitted through linen cloths or wooden lattices. The houses of the commoner people were not, indeed, furnished with this luxury until the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, in which respect our ancestors were greatly behind the inhabitants of Italy and France.

The Naturalist.

Cab. Cyc.

INGENUITY OF MOLES.-We may remark, that in districts where moles abound, some of the mole-hills are greatly larger than others. When a hill, of large dimensions, is thus discovered, we may almost be certain of find

ing the nest or den of the mole, or near it, by digging to a sufficient depth. The fur of the mole is admirably adapted, from its softness and short close textnre, for defending the animal from subterraneous damp, which is always injurious, more or less, to non-amphibious animals; and in this climate no choice of situation could entirely guard against it. It is a singular fact, not generally known, we believe, that there are no moles in Ireland. May not the great dampness of the climate account for their not thriving there? Moles, indeed, are partial to fields within the reach of water; they like to have their galleries in dry banks, or the more elevated parts of fields, where they are not in danger of being flooded. An instance, in proof of this, fell under our observation during winter. In the woods adjoining Shooters' Hill, there are considerable patches of swampy ground, which are particularly flooded in rainy weather. On passing near one of these swamps, we were struck with the unusual size of a mole-hill, which we at first imagined to be an ant's nest. It was, indeed, rather a singular locality for a mole-hill, moles being seldom found in woods, and much seldomer in swamps; but though it was as large as six ordinary mole-hills, there can be no doubt that it was one. Upon removing a portion of the upper layer of the mould, the reason of its extraordinary elevation was at once explained; a circular gallery having been constructed on the highest part of the mound, and covered only by about two inches depth of mould. As this gallery was, at least, two feet above the level of the swamp, it was out of the reach of any common inundation. The mole begins to be busy in working his subterraneous galleries in pursuit of earthworms, from which, before he eats them, he ingeniously strips off their skins, by making an opening, and through this, squeezing out the contents of the body, which alone he selects for a bonne bouche. This earth-worm, it may be remarked, is so instinctively afraid of the mole, that any motion of the earth, similar to that caused by the burrowing of the mole, causes it to make all haste above ground; a circumstance well known to fishers, who procure the earth-worms for bait, by moving a spade or stake too and fro in the ground.

Times' Tel for 1833.

side him, signiffed the knave of pinks, or diamonds. Ince's Outline of Hisorty.

THE DEATH OF HAROLD.-A story has been transmitted to us, that Harold escaped at the battle of Hastings, and though the tale is romantic, it is not incredible. His friends obtained permission from the Conqueror to seek for the body of the Saxon King, but Harold could not possibly be discovered-no trace of him was to be foundbut at length a mutilated corpse was selected and buried in Waltham Abbey.

Years after, when the Norman yoke pressed heavily upon the English, and the Battle of Hastings had become a tale of sorrow, there was a decrepid anchorite, who inhabited a cell near the Abbey of St. John, Chester. This recluse, deeply scarred and blinded in his left eye, lived in strict penitence and seclusion.. Henry the First visited him, and with his dying breath he declared he was Harold the second. If this tradition is admitted, it is probable he was secretly conveyed from the field to some castle, perhaps Dover, where he continued concealed until he had the means of reaching the sanctuary where he expired. Or did his friends discover him on the field of battle at the last gasp, restore him to animation by their care, and have recourse to the artifice related to lull suspicion. 16.

THERE is much curious matter worth possessing in the little tract from which we take the following:

"There are in England, Ireland, and Scotland, not including Roman Catholics, about 9000 congregations of dissenters, who build their own chapels; maintain their own ministers; and support their own colleges, to the number of about twenty. They educate about 800,000 children in their Sunday schools, and expend nearly 150,000 per annum in promoting Christianity among the Heathens.

The Poor Man's Book of the Church,†

THE following extract is from the "Boke of Kervinge," a treatise printed by Wynken de Worde, which goes far to prove that the pleasures of the table must have been highly valued, when so pointed an attention was paid to their minutiæ.

The termes of a Kerver be as here followeth :-Breke that deer. Lesche

that brawn. Rere that goose. Lyste that swanne. Sauce that capon. Spoyle

+ W. Strange.

that hen. Fruche that chekyn. Unbrace that mallard. Unlace that conye. Dismembre that heron. Display that crane. Dysfygure that pecocke. Unjoint that bytture. Untache that curlewe. Alay that fesande. Wynge that partryche. Affynge that quaile. Mynce that plover. Thye that pygyon. Border that pastie. Thye that woodcocke. Thye all maner smalle byrdes. Tymbre that fyer. Tyere that egge. Chynee that samon. Strynge that lampreye. Splat that pyke. Sauce that plaice. Sauce that tench. Splay that "creme. Syde that haddock. Taske that berbell. Culpon that troute.Fyne that cheven. Trussene that ele. Trance that sturgeon. Undertrouch that porpus. Tayme that crable. Barbe that lopster. Here endeth the goodlye terms of Kervynge.

KNIGHTHOOD AND KNIGHT'S SERVICE.-A knight, even in the full chivalric meaning, was a military servant of somebody, either of the king, the queen, a favourite ladý, or some person of dignity. In a state very similar to this are the cnihttas in the Saxon wills. They appear to us, in like manner, in a rank far above a servant in the Saxon gild-scripes. Of these fraternities, cnihts constituted a part, and are distinctly mentioned, though with a reference to some lord to whom they were subordinate. A situation which seems best explained by supposing them free and respectable dependants." If a cnicht draw a sword, the lord shall pay a pound, and let the lord get it when he may."

Hist. Ang. Sax.

Customs of Various Countries.

RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES OF THE RUSSIANS.-The most solemn and magnificent ceremonies of the Greek church may be witnessed at St. Petersburg, with every preparatory and attendant circumstance that can add to their effect. Fasting is so prominent and essential a doctrine of this church, as to have given rise to the satirical remark, Que les Russes ne savent prendre le coil par famine. At Lent, they fast seven weeks; the same period from the Pentecost to St. John the Baptist; then again, fourteen days before the Assumption; and forty days before Christmas. At Easter, a ceremony is performed peculiar to this church, which is certainly not surpassed by the most striking and imposing spectacles ever invented. A representation of the sacred tomb is ex

posed to the people during the evening; and at night, the resurrection is announced in all the churches throughout the empire. Mr. James, who witnessed this extraordinary spectacle in 1814, gives the following account of it:"We entered the Casan church at a late hour. The nave, the aisles, in short, every part was crowded to suffocation with a host of devotees; thousands of lighted tapers (for each bore one in his hand) glittered over the whole area, spreading an illumination as bright as noon. As the early hour of twelve approached, all eyes were earnestly bent on the sanctuary, and a dead silence reigned throughout. At length the door opened, when there issued forth a long train of banners, crosses, &c., with archimandrites, protopopes, and priests of all ranks, dressed in their sumptuous robes of embroidered silks, and covered with gold and silver, and jewels: they moved slowly through the crowd, and went out from the doors of the church, as if to search for the body of our Lord. In a few minutes the in

signia were again seen on their return, floating above the heads of the mob, along the nave; and when the archbishop had regained the altar, he pronounced with a loud voice, Christos voiseress-Christ is risen. At that instant the hymn of praise commenced, and a peal of ordnance from the fort ress re-echoed the joyful tidings through the city. The mob now saluted and congratulated one another in turn, for the days of fasting were at an end. Tables, spread with provisions, in a short time made their appearance in the church; the forbidden meats were tasted with eager appetite; and a feast of gluttony, that annually proves fatal to some of the followers of this religion, took place of penance and prayer.

Anecdotiana.

HOW TO SELL A Book.—One of the last attempts of Dr. Anderson, was a pamphlet against the principles of the French Revolution. This being not only written in his usualavy style, but adverse to the popular sentiments, met with so little sale, that it could scarcely be said to have been ever published. However, the doctor was not discouraged, adopting rather the maxim-"contra audentior ito," he wrote a ponderous addition or appendix to the work, which he brought with him to Edinburgh, in order to put it to the press. Calling first upon his

friend, Principal Robertson, he related the whole design, which, as might be expected, elicited the mirthful surprise of the venerable historian. "Really," said Dr. Robertson, "this is the maddest of all your schemes. What! a small pamphlet is found heavy, and you propose to lighten it by making it ten times heavier! Never was such madness heard of!". 66 Why, why," answered Dr. Anderson, 66 did you never see a kite raised by boys?". "I have," answered the Principal. "Then you must have remarked, that when you try to raise the kite by itself, there is no getting it up; but only add a long string of papers to its tail, and up it goes like a laverock!" The reverend Principal was completely overcome by this argument, which scarcely left him breath to reply, so heartily did he laugh at the ingenuity of the resolute author. However, we believe, he eventually dissuaded Dr. Anderson from his design. It is narrated of the same learned Theban, that his continuous efforts were not drawn forth by the encouragement of the public; they were solely owing to the desperate cacoethes of the worthy writer, which would take no hint from the world-no refusal from fame. It is said that he was solely enabled to support the expense of his unrequited labour by a set of houses belonging to himself in Dunse (too appropriate locality!) one of which was sold for every successive quarto, till at last something like a street of good habitable tenements in that thriv ing town was converted into a row of unreadable volumes in his library.

CHARLES THE SECOND AND Dryden. -Dryden received the hint which induced him to write his poem called "The Medal," from that merry monarch, Charles the Second, in the fol lowing manner:-As Charles was one day walking in the Mall, and talking with Dryden, he said, "If I were a poet, and I am sure I am poor enough for one, I would write a poem on such a subject, in the following manner :" The King then stated the plan of the poem. Dryden took the hint, and when the poem was finished he presented it to his Majesty, who made him a present of a hundred broad pieces for it.

THE MARCH OF INTELLECT.-Sir Mr Wright of Cartrett Street Westminster Wold be a blige to Mr Cowell if he Wold send him a Barel of ber Derictley and the Bill I have Anopetin of selen a Grate quantity of Ber at the Corenaton as I have gott the ofer of