54-The Power of a Horse. S. T.-The power of a horse working for eight hours a day, amounts to 150lbs, conveyed 20 miles, at the speed of 2 miles per hour.

55-Origin of "Piping-hot." R. G. L.-This expression is said to have originated from the custom of a baker blowing his pipe or horn in the villages, to let the people know that he had just drawn his bread, which was hot.

56-Custom of eating a Gammon at Easter. M. R.-The custom of eating a gammon at Easter, was founded and kept up to show an abhorrence of Judaism at that solemn commemoration of our Lord's resurrection. This custom is still observed in some parts of England. 57-The Ottoman Empire. M. V. M.- The total number of square miles belonging to this empire is 904, 233, which is made up as follows:European Turkey contains 180,074 square miles; Asiatic Turkey, 447,679; and the African dominions, 276,480. Population is estimated at 24,690,000; of this number European Turkey has 9,700,000; Asiatic Turkey, 12,500,000, and Egypt 2,490,000.

58-Fireproof Ceilings. J. H. D.-The only fireproof ceiling with which we are acquainted, is that made of wire-work. This kind of ceiling was employed at the Chester Lunatic Asylum, and it has also been used in many other places. The wire of which it is composed is galvanized or japanned to prevent it corroding, and the wires are placed about a quarter of an inch apart.

59-Mummy Wheat. T. M.-It is quite true that wheat, peas, and other seeds have grown after being taken from a mummy case. Sir G. Wilkinson and others have brought some of these seeds from Thebes, and they have produced plants after being about 2,400 years entombed in the pits of Thebes. This kind of wheat is most productive, as we can testify from the information of some friends who brought it from Egypt and reared it themselves; one grain producing about 1,600 grains of corn. resemble the marrowfats in flavour and appear

ance.

The peas

60-Tamarinds. G. T.- This fruit is slightly nutritive, refrigerant, and gently laxative, and having an agreeable flavour will generally be eaten by children when they will not take other medicines. You need not be afraid to allow your children to partake of this fruit in moderation. The usual dose is from half an ounce to one ounce of the fruit; but a very pleasant drink, called tamarind whey, is made by boiling an ounce of tamarind pulp with a pint of milk, and then straining it. The common drink is made by dissolving one ounce of the pulp in a

pint of warm water, allowing it to get cold and then straining.

61-The growth of Trees. F. W.-Mr. Latus, gardener of Brindle, has made some interesting and curious experiments to determine the relative growth of trees. He planted twelve acres of land, each plant being set three feet apart, and two feet high, and six years afterwards he measured them, when he found the following to be the average growth of each sort, viz:-Poplars, 7 yards in length, by 18 inches in circumference; withies, 7 yards, by 19 inches; elms, 6 yards, by S inches; birches, 6 yards, by 13 inches; larches, 6 yards, by 18 inches; syca mores, 6 yards, by 9 inches; ashes, 6 yards, by 8 inches; alders, 6 yards, by 12 inches; beeches, 3 yards, by 7 inches; Scotch firs, 4 yards, by 8 inches; oaks, 4 yards, by 6 inches.

62-The original Incantation Song in "Macbeth." H. H.-Shakspere is said to have taken the charm song of the witches in " Macbeth," from "The Witch" by Middleton; the original being as follows:

The Witches going about the Cauldron. Black spirits and white; red spirits and gray: Mingle, mingle, mingle; you that mingle may. Titty, Tiffin, keep it stiff in ; Firedrake, Puckey, make it lucky:

Liard, Robin, you must bob in: Round, around, around; about, about: All ill come running in; all good keep out! 1st Witch. Here's the blood of a bat. Hec. Put in that: oh, put in that. 2nd Witch. Here's libbard's-bane. Hec. Put in again.

1st Witch. The juice of toad, the oil of adder. 2nd Witch. Those will make the yonker madder. All. Round, around, around," &c.

63-A Wife's Duties. B. F. T.-A wife should endeavour to make her home as comfortable as possible, so that her husband may always look forward with pleasure to the time when he reaches home. Many husbands are driven from their homes to clubs, and other places that they should shun, by the bad management of their wives, or, what is worse, by their want of discretion in exposing all their little faults to neighbours. That system of gossiping that some wives indulge in is frequently the cause of much misery; when a woman exposes her husband's failings, she, breaks her marriage vow, and makes her home miserable, perhaps for ever. Whatever may be the private character of her husband, it should be defended rather than laid open to attack by the public. Your own good sense will guide you in the other domestic duties of a wife.

64-Statistics of Mortality. J. F.-The mortality in England is 1 in 45 annually, and the expectation of life is 41 years. In Russia the mortality is 1 in 27; in Denmark, 1 in 46. The mean age of the people of England is 32, and the mean time which they will live is also 32. In Austria the mean age is 29; in Russia, lower than 27. At the age of 32, the mortality in Great Britain is 1 in 95. The mortality in the British army is 49 in 1,000; that of men under 25 years of age amounts to 24 in 1,000; while among those above 40 years, it is as high as 126 in 1,000. In England, husbands and wives marrying at the age of 25, on an average live together 27 years. If the male be 40, and the female 30, the average is 21 years. In the former case, the widows survive their husbands 10 years, the widowers their wives 9 years; in the latter the widows survive 13 years; the widowers live 5 years after the death of their wives. Dr. Caspar, of Berlin, estimates the mortality of bachelors, from the ages of 30 to 45, at 27 per cent. Of married men of the same ages, 18 per cent. For 41 bachelors who attain the age of 40, there are 78 married men. The difference is more striking as age advances. At the age of 60 there are but 22 bachelors alive for 48 married men; at 70 years, 11 bachelors for 27 married men; and at 80 years, for 3 bachelors there are 9 married men.

65-Working Men. A. F.-It is no disgrace to be called a working man; on the contrary, rather an honour. The term is absurd in its general acceptation, for Editors, who are really working men, are not designated thus. Dr. F. Lieber's remarks upon the term are worth your attention. He says, "The expression 'working class,' or 'working men,' must mean cither those men who physically work without thinking, in which case it will not be very acceptable to those who arrogate it, and a wind or water mill, working day and night would be the beau ideal of a working man, or it must mean men who work and think. But if this is meant, who is not a working man, and who is? Is the physician, who follows his vocation at any hour of the day, the lawyer, who sits up late at night, the scholar, who sacrifices his health to his science, a conscientious editor, whose work never rests, are all these who rise much earlier and go to bed much later than those who call themselves working men, par excellence, no working men? Is a Humboldt, who braves, in the pursuit of his noble and chivalrous career, fever, beasts of prey, and insupportable insects, under a thousand privations; is a Champollion, who exposes himself to the burning sun of Egypt to learn the lessons of the past; is a Parry, who

dares the ices of the pole; a Davy, a Herschel, who enjoy no rest so regular, no health so sound, as that of any farmer-are not all these hardworking men? The division is entirely artificial and untenable, and, therefore, if acted upon, highly mischievous. It is to be regretted, then, that so fictitious a thing is made, not unfrequently, a ground of political division, as though the interests of those who apply their mind to the changing and moulding of materials were separated from those who consume their productions, or assist them essentially in discovering the best way of mastering the material."

66-Virtues ascribed to Precious Stones. M.The Mohammedans ascribe peculiar medicinal virtues to the various precious stones. The ruby is said to fortify the heart and protect the wearer from the plague and thunder. Placed under the tongue, it is supposed to quench thirst, and preserve the wearer from the temptation of committing suicide by drowning. The diamond, they assert, defends the wearer from epileptic attacks, and if applied upon the abdomen, cures the colic, and other similar diseases. The emerald is considered to be an excellent specific for the bites of vipers; if it is powdered and drank in water, it is said to cure all venomous wounds. If an emerald is shown to a viper it is supposed that it will put out its eyes. It is said to be a charm against epilepsy, and if gazed upon steadfastly, to strengthen the sight. The turquoise is held in great esteem, being considered useful in diseases of the eye, the bites of scorpions, and for strengthening the sight. The cornelian varies in its virtues according to the depth of its colour; if deep red, it is said to prevent the sad effects of anger; if flesh-coloured, with white rays, it stops hæmorrhages; another kind, when reduced to powder, is said to stop toothache. Emery is said to cure all kinds of wounds, and various diseases of the stomach. Lapis lazuli, when powdered, serves in cases of diseased eyes, and hematite relieves the gout and other maladies; when powdered and mixed with milk or warm water, it is said to counteract the effects of poison. Rock crystal is considered to prevent bad dreams. Jeshu (a kind of jade stone), is thought to keep away thunder and unpleasant dreams. Jesb (another kind of jade), is esteemed useful in disorders of the throat and stomach. Cat's-eye preserves the wearer, it is thought, from the glances of the "evil eye," and defies the strokes of fate; and moreover, if hard pressed in a combat and we present it to our adversary, we may escape unharmed, as it is said to render us invisible. Many other virtues might be mentioned, but we have said enough. So much for superstition

67—Origin of Projiles. W. W.-The origin of profiles is said to be owing to Antigonus having only one eye, and therefore his likeness was taken in this manner, B. C. 330.

68-The Post Office. E. D.-The average daily number of letters passing through the Postoffice in London, is not less than 260,000, and the number of newspapers 14,000..

69-Horse Power in Steam Engines. A. Z. — This is calculated as the power which would raise 33,000lbs. a foot high in a minute, or 90lbs. at the rate of four miles an hour.

70-Adulterated Preserves. J. T.-Your friend was not joking; it is an actual fact, that most of the preserves sold in the shops are adulterated with various deleterious substances.

71- Value of Gold. J. G.-The value of the gold will depend much upon the amount of alloy it contains. It frequently brings £3 17s. 9d. an ounce; consequently a pound troy wouid be worth £46 13s., and a ton of it more than £104,500.

72-Emigration. B. P. H.-It depends much upon your health and knowledge of agricultural pursuits, whether you are suited for an emigrant's life; and as we have not the pleasure of your acquaintance, it is impossible to offer advice upon the subject. You had better consult your friends.

73-Guano. C. M. A.-Guano consists of the excrementitious matter deposited by sea-birds, and has been extensively employed as manure, not less than 70,000 tons having been exported between 1841 and 1844. Some farmers have attributed the introduction of the potatoe disease to the use of guano.

74-Origin of the Tri-coloured Cockade. H. L.The tri-coloured cockade worn by the French revolutionists, is said to have been suggested by the plume of cock's feathers with which the Croats ornamented their caps. It became the national emblem during the French revolution, serving to distinguish parties, and from that time it has continued to be worn.

75-Musical Terms. F. J.-A voluntary is an extempore performance on the organ: a serenade is a musical performance in the open air at night, it may be vocal and instrumental, or only instrumental; a rondo is an air which has the first part of it repeated; a rondino is a little rondo, and a rondiletto is a similar composition.

76-Raising the Mulberry Tree. C. - You should take a branch eight or nine feet long from the tree now, and plant it in good soil, taking care to cover half of it with earth. This is the quickest method of raising mulberry trees with which we are acquainted, and if the plan

is pursued now, the trees will produce fruit next spring.

77-Doves. S. J.-Doves require to be kept in a warm room in large cages, with breeding boxes attached to them. They should be fed upon peas, corn, vetches, rye, hempseed, and bread-crumbs, and if carefully looked after, and kept nice and clean, they will produce young every six or seven weeks. They lay two eggs at a time; but as we have not tasted their eggs, we cannot pronounce an opinion upon their flavour.

78-Wickless Lamps. R. S.-We believe that Mr. Blackadder was the inventor of these lamps, although Mr. Davis, of Manchester, is generally considered to have originated them. The principle of construction is this: the oil passes through a capillary glass tube, which being heated at the upper part produces a flame without the aid of a wick. They are economical lamps, but perhaps, not quite so cheap as other forms of night lights.

79-Dependency. B. D. C.-You acted quite right; we are all dependent upon one another, and it is a wise provision of the Almighty that such is the case. Sir Walter Scott was of our opinion, and said that-"The race of mankind would perish did they cease to aid each other. From the time that the mother binds the child's head till the moment that some kind assistant wipes the death-damp from the brow of the dying, we cannot exist without mutual help. All, therefore, that need aid, have a right to seek it of their fellow-mortals. No one, who holds the power of granting it, can refuse it without guilt."

80-Care of Books. A. J.-Our space will not admit of the list you require with regard to borrowing and lending. If you would not lose your books, write your name legibly on the titlepage, and keep a list of those that are lent, and of the persons borrowing them. If you would not have your books soiled, put on paper covers before they go out of your hands, and do the same when you use a borrowed book yourself. If a new book is lent to you, and you have not time to read it directly through, you had better return it, and borrow it again than keep it lying useless on your shelf, whilst others are longing to have it.

81-Tableaux Vivants. J. C. A.-The living pictures or tableaux vivants originated with the manager of one of the theatres in Berlin, who in 1826, imitated various well-known pictures and statues, by groups of living persons, and accompanied the representation by music analogous to the subject. "The Crowning of Apoilo," after Schinkel, was accompanied by a

duct of Weber's, from his opera of Epimenides; "Joseph before Pharaoh," after Raphael, by the celebrated romance of "Joseph in Egypt," by Mehul; "The Prince of Geldern condemning his Father to Prison," aft Rembrandt, by one of Catel's choruses, &c 82-Decorum at Places of Worship. S W. C.— Your remarks are very sensible. The display of finery and of new clothes, which is too often made at places of worship, is so out of place, and grates so harshly on the feelings of more sober-minded people, that we have heard wishes expressed that a fixed costume should be worn at places of worship; like the Spanish ladies, who always put on a black dress and veil on such occasions. It would be well, however, if every sober-minded Christian woman would dress, at all times, in a style suited to her character, and not let fashion force upon her an outward seeming, wholly at variance with the inward reality. | · 83—Winter Food for Cows. W. E-Cows fed in the winter upon dry substances give less milk than those which are kept upon a green diet, and their milk loses much of its quality. M. Chabert (of Alfort), advises the following food to be given to the cows, so as to enable them to give an equal quantity and quality of milk during the winter as in the summer. "Take a bushel of potatoes, break them whilst raw, place them in a barrel standing up, putting in successively a layer of potatoes, and a layer of bran, and a small quantity of yeast in the middle of the mass." Let this ferment for a whole week, and when the vinous taste has pervaded the whole mixture, give it to the

Cows.

84-Charming Warts. C. N. W.-There are many charms used for warts, but we need scarcely mention that they are useless.

We have no doubt that some of our readers will be very angry at the scepticism we have avowed; but nevertheless, we put more faith in a steady and frequent application of tincture of iodine, or the tincture of the sesquichloride of iron, than all the charms that were ever thought of or practised. We have known some persons rub the wart with a piece of fresh meat and bury it; others repeat some miserable rhyme over it; and others again, particularly in some parts of Ireland, rub the warts when a funeral is passing, and say three times, "May these warts and this corpse pass away, never more to return."

85-Literary Society at Jerusalem. R. W.-It is true. There is a literary Society established at Jerusalem, the trustees of which are the Lord Bishop, the British Consul, and R. Sandford, Esq., the surgeon to the bishop. Its object

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is to investigate all subjects of interest, ancient or modern, scientific or literary, pertaining to the Holy Land. There is a library, museum, and small garden attached to it, to which persons of all nations and religions have access, under certain regulations. Such a society deserves to be encouraged, and therefore we feel pleasure in giving you every information respecting it, and we may mention that any contributions of books, philosophical instruments, &c., that you may be inclined to present to the society, will be received by Messrs. Wertheim and Macintosh, in Paternoster-row.

86-Influence of Employments on Health. J.C. R. -Undoubtedly the progress of disease is accelerated or diminished by the nature of certain occupations. A paper on this subject, by Professor Guy, was read at a recent meeting of the Statistical Society, compiled from materials from the registers of the out-patients of King's College Hospital, and comprising upwards of 3,000 individuals engaged in various occupations. From this the following conclusions were deduced:-That in females the ratio of cases of pulmonary consumption to those of all other diseases is highest in those following sedentary employments; less in those having mixed in-door employments; and least in those occupied out of doors. The highest ratio occurs in the case of females whose habits of life are irregular. In men the ratio of cases of pulmonary consumption to other diseases is somewhat higher in those following in-door occupations than in those working in the open air. In fact, the ratio of cases in those employed in doors varies inversely as the amount of exertion, being highest when there is the least exertion, and lowest in employments requiring strong exercise. Neither a constrained posture nor exposure to a high or a moist temperature, appear to have any marked effect. The ratio of cases of pulmonary consumption to those of all other diseases is highest where persons are exposed to inhalation of dust; there being in persons so employed cases of consumption far less than those of all other diseases. In those addicted to habits of intemperance, the ratio is two to five. The first attack is also earlier in those following in-door occupations—and the practical rule to be deduced from these observations is, that those persons who have an hereditary tendency to consumption should make choice of occupations which are carried on in the open air, and that, if they are obliged to choose some in-door employment, it should be one requiring strong exercise, and that they, more than others, should, avoid exposure to dust, and habits of intemperance.