Q. What spiritual mercies have you enjoyed?

A. I have been taught to fear God's holy name, and do his holy will.

Q. And what have too many other poor children been taught?

A. To swear, and lie, and steal.

Q. Then if God have shewn such great mercy unto you, what ought you to do?

A. "Love him more than they,
And try to serve him best.”

Q. Will God require more of you than of those who have not been instructed as you have been?

A. Yes.

Q. Where do you learn this?

A. Luke xii. part of verse 48. "Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."

We must obey man for God's sake, but we must never disobey God for man's sake.-Bishop Taylor.

Intermixed joy is dangerous.-The

same.

Go to bed early, and in good humour, and rise with the lark.

THE ancients considered this mountain as the highest in the world; and it is, indeed, of an enormous height, although there are some that are still higher,

B

particularly among those called the Andes, in South America. Mount Etna is in the island of Sicily, and its elevation above the level of the sea is said to be 10,963 feet, which is more than two miles. It may be seen from Valetta, the capital of Malta, on a clear day, and this is a distance of 150 miles. Etna is what is called a volcano, or burning mountain, it throws out fire, and smoke, and hot ashes; and a sort of liquid fire runs down its sides, which is called lava; and, when this is cold, it becomes hard like a stone, and takes a polish, and has the appearance of a beautiful sort of marble. There is a burning mountain likewise in Italy, called Vesuvius, and there are, indeed, several in different parts of the world, but these are the most celebrated. Etna is said to be nearly thirty miles from the beginning of the ascent to the top of the mountain. For about the first twelve miles there are pastures and fruit-trees in great perfection, and there are also towns and villages. The climate is particularly hot in this part. A little higher it is cooler, and it abounds in

timber trees of different kinds, some of which are of an enormous size. The upper part of the mountain is con. stantly covered with snow.

Mount Etna was celebrated as a volcano by the most ancient writers; we have accounts of an eruption 1693 years before the birth of Christ. We must not suppose that burning mountains are constantly vomiting forth these torrents of flames, and masses of stone, and ashes; but these terrible eruptions are frequently taking place, and are often the cause of dreadful destruction. Whole towns have been completely buried by the ashes from these mountains, or covered with the lava. In the year 1669, the torrent of burning lava from Mount Etna inundated a space of fourteen miles in length, and four in breadth, and buried, beneath it, part of the town of Catania, which is at the foot of the mountain. For several months before the lava broke out, the mountain was observed to send forth much smoke and flame.

Mount Vesuvius, though a véry large mountain, is not to be compared to Etna.

We may perhaps say more about these mountains some other day.

QUESTIONS FROM THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

(See page 177.)

IN what year did Henry the Fourth come to the throne?

Had Henry any right to the throne?
How, then, did he get it?

Was he happy?

Why not?

Did any of his subjects rebel against

him?

Who principally?

Was there a battle?

Where ?

Who conquered ?

Had the king a son?

Was he a dutiful son?

How did he behave at the battle of Shrewsbury?

Whom did he kill with his own hand?

What sort of company did prince Henry keep?