A Catechism of Familiar Things Part 36

_Martyr_, one who is put to death for the cause of religion.

_Mosque_, a Mahommedan temple.

[Ill.u.s.tration: A SLATE QUARRY.]

What is understood by a Consul?

The chief magistrate of the Roman republic or commonwealth. After the Romans had expelled their kings, they were governed by two Consuls; these were established in the year of Rome 245. The Consuls were the head of the senate; they commanded the armies of the republic, and judged all the differences between the citizens: they held their office for the s.p.a.ce of a year; at the end of which time, new ones were elected. Consuls were even continued under the Emperors after the republic was destroyed; but it was then little more than an honorary t.i.tle, and at last was totally abolished.

_Expelled_, turned out.

_Abolished_, annulled, made void.

To what is the term Consul applied at the present time?

To an officer established by a commission from a king or state, to reside in foreign countries of any considerable trade, to facilitate and despatch business, protect the merchants of the state, &c.

_Commission_, a trust imposed, command, authority.

_Facilitate_, to render easy.

What is meant by a Senate?

An a.s.sembly or council of senators, that is, of the princ.i.p.al inhabitants of a state, who have a share in the government.

What is the government of the United States?

It is one of limited and definite powers, defined by a written const.i.tution.

How are the legislative powers, granted to the government, vested?

In a Congress, consisting of a Senate of two Senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof; and a House of Representatives, consisting of one or more members from each state, elected by the people in equal electoral districts.

_Legislative_, giving or enacting laws

How are our laws made?

Bills pa.s.sed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, on receiving the sanction of the President, become laws; or, if vetoed by the President, may be pa.s.sed by two-thirds of both Houses.

_Vetoed_, withheld a.s.sent to.

Who was Jupiter?

The princ.i.p.al deity of the Pagan world.

What is used to cement bricks firmly together?

Mortar; a composition of lime, sand, gravel, &c., mixed up with water; the ancients had a kind of mortar so very hard and binding, that, even to this day, it is next to impossible to separate the parts of some of their buildings.

What is Granite?

A rock which has been formed by the union of three different minerals in a state of fusion; these, on cooling, have crystallized and become distinct from each other in the ma.s.s. It is remarkable for the beauty of its colors, its hardness and durability. There are granites of many different colors, as red or rose-colored, grey, green, variegated, &c.

_Fusion_, a melted state.

_Ma.s.s_, a body, a lump.

What form does it bear?

Granite does not, generally, form one extensive ma.s.s, but remains in separate and large fragments, rudely compacted together; besides the three minerals of which it is composed, particles of other stones, or metallic earths, are often accidentally mixed with it. It is called granite from its granulous structure.

_Compacted_, joined together.

_Granulous_, consisting of small grains.

Where is Granite found?

Granite occurs in all the larger mountain ranges, and in isolated ma.s.ses in every country; not being a stratified rock, and being excessively hard, it is difficult to get it out in manageable ma.s.ses.

In Arabia Petraea, the whole country abounds in ma.s.ses of different granites.

_Isolated_, alone, separated, detached.

_Stratified_, consisting of strata or beds.

What mode is usually employed in this country in obtaining it?

Blasting, or blowing up with gunpowder; the force of which detaches pieces from the rock, which are hewn roughly into forms on the spot by a small pickaxe. Granite is also quarried by cutting a deep line some yards long, and placing strong iron wedges at equal distances along this line; these wedges are struck in succession with heavy hammers, till the ma.s.s splits down. Another method of detaching ma.s.ses of rock, is by driving wooden wedges into a deep artificial or natural crack, or fissure; the wedges are then wet, and, in consequence of swelling, burst the rock asunder.

_Quarried_, from _to quarry_, a term used for the getting of stone from a quarry, or place where stones are dug from the earth, or detached from a large ma.s.s of rock.

_Detach_, to separate.

For what is this Rock used?

On account of its great hardness, it is used for large public structures, as bridges, churches, &c. The ancient temples and other buildings in Egypt, Asia, and Italy, were built of different colored granites, especially the beautiful Oriental red granite.