Domestic Pleasures, or, the Happy Fire-side Part 19

_Mrs. B._ Exactly so, Louisa. However, the gentlemen concerned in the business, were too generous to let this influence their determination; therefore, when convinced that it would not only be stronger constructed of stone, but also more speedily erected, they did not hesitate a moment, but determined that it should be rebuilt in the very best manner; and such was their confidence in Mr. Smeaton's honour and integrity, that they left the accomplishment of the plan entirely to him.

_Louisa_. In what month did he begin his work, mamma?

_Mrs. B._ On the 23d of July, 1756, he set sail for the rock; but there was a great deal to be done before the erection of the building could be begun. First, marking out and preparing the rock, and contriving such cements as would not be affected by water.

_Ferdinand._ I was wondering how that would be managed.

_Mrs. B._ Mr. Smeaton was indefatigable in his experiments upon that subject, and at length succeeded, in a manner equal to his most sanguine expectations.

_Louisa_. I long to hear when he began the building.

_Mrs. B._ Have a little patience, my love, and you shall hear. Towards the end of May, 1757, every thing was in readiness for the commencement of the work. The comfort and accommodation of the light-keepers was, in this building, most kindly considered. In the one constructed by Mr.

Rudyerd, the bed-rooms had been in the lower part, and the kitchen at top; but the beds were, in that case, very apt to be damp. In the present instance, the chambers are contrived above the kitchen; the funnel for the smoke from which, pa.s.ses through them, and by this means they are kept constantly warm and comfortable. I cannot give you an account of the whole admirable arrangement of this building, nor do I think it would be at all interesting to you if I could; you will be satisfied to know, that on the 9th of October, 1759, it was completed, without loss of life or limb to any person concerned in it. Not a single accident occurred during the whole time, by which the work could be said to have been r.e.t.a.r.ded. The time that elapsed, between the first stroke upon the rock, and leaving the lighthouse completed, was three years, nine weeks, and three days.

_Louisa_. Thank you, dear mamma. Now I think I know all about it; and I feel quite as well pleased, as if I had actually been at the Eddystone, and heard the billows roar, and seen the waves dash over it, in the tremendous manner Edward says they sometimes do.

"I am much better pleased than I should be under those circ.u.mstances,"

said Emily, whose gentle nature preferred the calm of domestic life, to any other scene. But Ferdinand thought it would certainly be more interesting to see and hear for himself, under all circ.u.mstances, than to receive the most eloquent description from the lips of another.

"And now, pray, mamma," added he, "what does Edward mean by calling me a philosopher. I believe he only intended to laugh at me, and that I do not much like. Little boys cannot be philosophers, can they?"

"I shall answer your question by another," returned his mother: "Can little boys love to acquire wisdom?"

"O yes, mamma, certainly," said Edward, "for I love nothing so well as hearing new things, and improving myself."

"The word philosophy," my dear, "is formed from two Greek terms, which signify a lover of wisdom. You have heard your father speak of Pythagoras?"

_Ferdinand._ Yes, I have, mamma. I heard him once say, that he was the first who discovered the solar system.

_Mrs. B._ Do you understand the meaning of the term you have just used, my dear?

_Ferdinand_. It means, the revolution of the earth and other planets round the sun, I believe, mamma.

_Mrs. B._ True. This was discovered, as your father has informed you, by Pythagoras, several hundred years before the birth of our Saviour.

This great man was as humble as he was wise; and when the appellation of _sophist_ was given him, which signifies a wise man, he requested rather to be called a _philosopher_, or _lover_ of wisdom.

_Ferdinand_. I like Pythagoras very much, mamma; I wish you would be so kind as to tell me some more about him.

_Mrs. B._ That I will do most willingly, my dear. I see the sun is breaking out, and I believe we may venture to take a little walk. Go and put on your cloaks and bonnets, Emily and Louisa, and we will talk about Pythagoras as we go along.

The children were soon equipped, and joined their mother in the garden.

The plantations were extensive, and as the clouds still looked dark and lowering, they did not venture to extend their ramble beyond them.

Mrs. Bernard aroused them for some time, with relating the most interesting particulars of the life of Pythagoras.

Louisa thought his forbidding his pupils to speak in his presence, till they had listened five years to his instructions, was not a good plan; declaring, that she should learn very little, were she not allowed to ask the meaning of such things as she did not understand, and to mention her own notions upon various subjects.

"The plan adopted by Pythagoras," said Mrs. Bernard, "was calculated to teach his pupils those amiable virtues--diffidence, humility, and forbearance. These charms give a brilliant l.u.s.tre to every other acquirement; indeed, they are so necessary, that knowledge without them, far from improving a character, is apt to produce conceit and arrogance, which are great failings in all, but particularly disgusting in youth."

Louisa fully agreed to the truth of her mother's remark, and was going on with the conversation upon the character of the philosopher, when her attention was attracted by her favourite tortoise. He was creeping slowly out of his hole, to enjoy the sun-beams, which at this instant, with splendour, shone through the dark cloud, that a moment before had obscured his rays.

"Mamma, does not the tortoise live a great many years?" enquired Louisa.

"It does, my dear," returned Mrs. Bernard: "I was reading an account in the 'Monthly Magazine,' this morning, of one which lives in the garden of the Bishop of Peterborough, and is known to have been two hundred and sixteen years in the country."

"Two hundred and sixteen years!" exclaimed Louisa, with astonishment: "why that is almost as long as the patriarchs lived of old."

"Oh no, indeed, you are mistaken there, Louisa," said Ferdinand; "for I read in the Bible, this morning, that Methuselah, who was the oldest man ever known, lived nine hundred and sixty-nine years."

Mr. Bernard at this instant joined them, and in conversation equally instructive and entertaining, the time pa.s.sed pleasantly away, till the dinner-bell summoned them to the house.

"Several days elapsed without any remarkable occurrence; frequent showers prevented their visiting the poor cottager, whose health gradually recovered, under the kind care of her excellent nurse Jane, and the tender attentions of her little Susan. On the day fixed for Edward's return, the two children were again taken to their humble home, and rejoiced their mother by their improved appearance.

Each hour was anxiously counted, as the time fixed for his arrival approached. Ferdinand, Louisa, and little Sophy, stationed themselves at the window. Anxiously they watched every carriage that drove past the gate; at length, a cry of joy announced his arrival. In an instant he was folded in the arms of his tender parents, and alternately embraced, with the greatest affection, by his brother and sisters. Every individual rejoiced at his return. And thus restored to the bosom of DOMESTIC PLEASURE, we leave him, for the present, tranquil and happy.

THE END.

* * * * * HISTORICAL QUESTIONS.

Who were Numitor and Amullus? Who was Romulus? To what danger were Romulus and Remus exposed in their infancy? How were they preserved?

Where does the river Tiber rise, and where does it discharge itself?

What is its present name? What was the employment of Romulus and Remus during their youth? What circ.u.mstance was the princ.i.p.al cause of the change in their situations? What occasioned the death of Remus? Who founded Rome? What was its first form of government? Did any thing extraordinary attend the first peopling of Rome? What was the cause of the Sabine war? How did the Sabines gain possession of the Capitoline hill? How was Tarpeia punished for her treachery? What was the consequence of the Sabines becoming masters of the Capitoline hill? How were the two nations reconciled? What change did this reconciliation occasion in the government of Rome? Did Tatius long survive this arrangement? What occasioned the death of Romulus? Who was Numa Pompilius, and what was his character? Was he elected to the sovereign authority immediately after the death of Romulus? How was he received by the Roman people? How did he fulfill the important duties of a king?

What was the name of the temple he built, which was only opened during war? What regulations did he make, to allay the animosities subsisting between the Sabines and Romans? How many years did he reign, and what was his age at his death? Where was he buried? Can you tell me why Numa called the first month January, and whence the others derived their names? Who was the third king of Rome? What was his character? Who were the first people who gave Tallus an opportunity of indulging his warlike disposition? How was this war terminated? Who were the Horatii and Curiatii? What cruel action tarnished the honour which Horatius gained by his victory? Did he undergo no punishment for his crime? What was the yoke, used as a punishment by the Romans? Did Horatius receive no honour for his victory? Did the Romans continue at peace after the termination of the Alban war? How was the life of Tullus Hostilius terminated? Give me a sketch of his character. What new law did he establish? Who succeeded him? Who was Ancus Martius? What was his character? Give me a short sketch of his reign. How long did he govern Rome? Who succeeded him? Who was Lucius Tarquinius Priscus? How did he obtain the crown? How did he govern the city so unjustly acquired? Give me an account of Altius Naevius, and tell me the meaning of the word augur. What was Tully's opinion of the pretended miracle? How did Tarquinius close his long life? Were his murderers taken? Did they confess their guilt? What is the punishment of the torture? How did queen Tanaquil act upon the death of her husband? What became of the sons of Ancus Martius? How did Servius act? Who were his parents? Where is Corniculum situated, and what is its present name? Is any thing extraordinary related respecting his infancy? Who had the charge of his education? How can you account for his having so easily obtained the throne on the death of his father- in-law? In what manner did he conduct himself after his accession? How was he received by the n.o.bles? How did Servius act in this emergency?

How did he ingratiate himself with the people? Give me some account of the war with the Vicentes. Where is Veii? What was the result of this war? How did Servius still further work upon the feelings of the people?

Did the n.o.bles raise any other cabals against him? What resolution was he inclined to make in consequence of this? Who prevented his fulfilling this resolution? What was the character of Tanaquil? Was Servius engaged in any new war? How did he employ the interval of rest after the termination of this war? What important regulations did he introduce into the government? What was his most impolitic measure? What was the consequence of the ill-judged marriage of his daughters? What stratagem did Tarquin make use of to gain possession of the throne? In what manner did he behave to her aged father? How did Tullia act upon seeing the bleeding body of her father in the street? Give me a sketch of the character of the venerable Servius. At what age did he die, and how long had he reigned? Was he allowed the honours of a funeral? What became of his wife Tarquinia? What do you learn from this disgraceful catastrophe?

How did Tarquin act upon the death of the aged Servius? Give me a proof of his injustice How did Brutus escape the same sad fate as the rest of his family? How did the n.o.bles escape the tyranny of Tarquin? How did he act towards the people? How did he employ them, to prevent their brooding over their misfortunes? How were the patricians kept in submission? How afar distant was Gabii from Rome? What circ.u.mstance occurred to increase the discontents of the Roman people? What plan did s.e.xtus devise, to extricate his father from his difficulties? How did he execute it? What were the consequences? What happened to Tarquin and his infamous son, after their treachery? What became of the unfortunate inhabitants of Gabii? Give me an account of the manner in which the Sybilline books were brought to Rome. What occurred to interrupt the tranquillity of Tarquin's reign? What means did he take to enquire into the cause of this calamity? Who accompanied the princes to the Oracle?

What present did Brutus take to the G.o.d? What answer was returned to their enquiries of who should succeed Tarquin on the throne? How did Brutus act when he heard the reply? What occasioned the overthrow of the regal power in Rome? How did Brutus act on this occasion? What effect had his speech upon the people? How did Tarquin act? What was his object in going to Gabii? Did he succeed to his wishes? Whither did he next flee? What was pa.s.sing in the meantime in Rome? Who did Tarquin persuade to undertake an emba.s.sy to Rome? What was the object of it? How were the amba.s.sadors received? Being disappointed in this scheme, what was Tarquin's next attempt? Was this second emba.s.sy successful? What were his demands? Were they granted? What was the consequence? Who were the most remarkable among the conspirators? By whom was their plot discovered? Who sat in judgment on the sons of Brutus? What was his decree? What became of the other conspirators? How did Brutus meet his death? What funeral honours were decreed him? What became of Tarquin?

When was Rome built? In what year was the regal power abolished? How long had it existed?

MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS.

Who was the wisest of men? What was his choice, when many blessings were offered him? Do you consider knowledge and wisdom to be the same thing?

Repeat to me Cowper's lines upon this subject. Where does tea come from?

What was the cause of its first introduction into Europe? How many years is it since this circ.u.mstance? How many pounds weight were sold by the East India Company in the year 1700? What is the present annual consumption? Can you give me any account of the manner in which it is cultivated? On what does the difference of flavour depend? How is it prepared for sale? What occasions the difference between green and black tea? Give me some account of the dwarf named Baby. On what account did Peter the Great a.s.semble a vast number of dwarfs together? Can you tell me where birds of Paradise come from, and how many species there are of them? Give me 1 description of this bird. Do they migrate? What is the meaning of the word monsoon? What is the food of the humming-bird, and how does it procure it? How do they construct their nests? Will these birds live in England? What is the peculiarity of the feet of the Chinese women? Give me a description of the mode of educating the boys in China. Are the girls of that country equally well educated? What is the native country of the peac.o.c.k? Where are the islands of Java and Ceylon situated? Give me some further particulars of the peac.o.c.k. Repeat these lines of Cowper's, in which he so prettily contrasts the retiring modesty of the pheasant, with the proud display made by the peac.o.c.k, of his gaudy plumes. Repeat to me the pa.s.sage on politeness, quoted from Xenophon's Cyropaedia. Give me some particulars of that curious little animal, the Lapland Marmot. What is asbestos? Where is it found? Of what use is the cloth manufactured from it, and what are its peculiar properties? How many cla.s.ses are there in botany? How many are there in that division of natural history called the animal kingdom? What are their names? How many divisions are there in natural history? How many orders belong to the first cla.s.s, Mammalia? What are their names? Repeat to me Mr. Pope's lines upon Superficial Information? What is the meaning of the word Pierian? Who were the nine Muses? Relate the story of the old man and his bundle of sticks. Can you tell me the origin of fables?

What is the first specimen of them of which we read? Explain to me the application of the fable of the bramble. What was the parable spoken by Nathan to King David? Give me an account of the Americana vessel stranded on the island of Stameo. Where is this island situated, and are its inhabitants numerous? What are their manners and government? Repeat to me Cecil's remarks on Punctuality. What becomes of swallows in the winter? What is Mr. White's opinion on that subject? How many kinds of British hirundines are there, and what are their names? Which species first makes its appearance? How does the swallow construct its nest? How many broods do they rear each season? On what do they feed? How are swallows distinguished from the other species of hirundines? In what month do they usually disappear? Repeat to me Mr. White's lines upon these birds. How does the house-martin construct her nest? In what month do they usually leave us? How are they distinguished? Give me some account of the swift. Where do they build their nests, and how many eggs does the female usually lay? How may they be distinguished from the other species? Do they continue with us as late a the former ones? Can you give me some account of the sand-martin? How are they distinguished?

Are they songsters? Give me some account of the nest of the esculent martin. What is ginseng, and where is it found? Where are the nests of the esculemt-martin found, and what is their value? How do the inhabitants procure them? What particular ceremony do the Javanese use, previously to this undertaking? Give me some account of the dragon-fly.

What are the insects upon which they particularly feed? Where does the female deposit her eggs? What is the first appearance this insect a.s.sumes? Upon what do they feed in this state? How long do they continue reptiles? Give me some account of their transformation. What is the opinion of Hunter, the celebrated anatomist, respecting the migration of the swallow tribes, and upon what clues he found his opinion? What is the meaning of the word anatomy? What difference is there between the internal structure of the ca.s.sowary and the ostrich? What is the meaning of the term, benefit of clergy? How is the first cla.s.s in natural history, called Mamamalia, distinguished? What animals belong to the first order, Primates, and how may they be distinguished? Which are the canine teeth? What animals belong to the second order, Bruta, and how may they be known? What are the characteristics of the third order, Fera, and what animals does it comprehend? Give me an account of the fourth order, Glires, with the animals belonging to it. What animals belong to the fifth order, Pecora, and how may they be known? What are the characteristics of the sixth order, Fellux, and what animals are included under it? How is the seventh order, Cete, distinguished? What is the meaning of the word _predacious_? What are the pectoral fins, and what is their use? What is the meaning of the term _cartilaginous_? What is geography? What is chronology? What are the causes of earthquakes?

Give me an account of the one which happened in Jamaica in 1692. Give me some account of the one in Calabria. Repeat Cowper's lines upon this subject. What is tapioca? What is sago? Of what use is the Eddystone Lighthouse? By when was the first constructed? What was this gentleman's character? What occasioned the destruction of this edifice? Give me some account of the dreadful storm that occurred in the year 1703. By whom was the second lighthouse built, and what were the materials of which is was composed? How did Louis XIV behave to some workmen captured on the rock by a French Privateer? What circ.u.mstance occasioned there being three men stationed on this spot, instead of two, as formerly? What destroyed the second building? What particular circ.u.mstance occurred during this sad catastrophe? In what year was the present building erected, and who was the architect? With what materials is the present edifice constructed? Give me some account of the circ.u.mstances that led to the appointment of Mr. Smeaton to this undertaking? How long were they in building the present lighthouse? From what is the word philosophy derived? What is the solar system? By whom was it first discovered? Does the tortoise live many years? What is the age of the