idea of its dazzling brightness; no collection of precious stones is to be compared with it; but then, how cold it is! Even by the side of a large fire, made from coals, you cannot keep warm. When you pop your head out of doors, the nose, the toes, and the fingers soon make you feel that it is indeed severe. There are animals in England, furnished by their Maker with the power of being torpid, or inanimate, in severe cold weather; frogs and snakes continue for weeks as if dead; dormice, squirrels, and field-mice are also gifted with this happy quality."

Of April, they say: "April, the fourth month, has weather most variable. In this month the cherry and apple trees bloom, and the fragrance and beauty of a large assemblage of these trees in the month of April is most pleasing. April, however, is an unsafe month to travel in, without being prepared for rain; as it is one hour sunshine, and then heavy rain, and again, in a few minutes, the beautiful cheering sun bursts forth in his glory, and gladdens all things. All the fields are now covered with flowers, and the sides of the hedges and woods have beautiful flowers. To us, who live in a perpetual summer, these appearances would be as nothing; but to those who dwell in England, where, for several months every year, the trees are leafless, and the fields destitute of verdure, when nothing is seen but the bare earth for a long period, it is a season of joy and thankfulness, to see all things vegetating, and to behold every field green, and every tree looking beautiful in its new leafy clothing."

Our young readers will remember that the luxuriance of eastern vegetation is far greater than that of our country, even in the most prolific months of June and July. The trees of the Indian garden are far more magnificent than ours, the flowers not only larger, but more vivid in colouring. Our climate produces but few climbing plants compared with those of hotter regions; for, in the east, the long trailing stems, covered with thousands of large and brilliant blossoms, sometimes entwine over a distance of many hundred yards, and reaching upwards, almost farther among the lofty boughs than the eye can trace them, hang down their glowing clusters of scarlet, or crimson, or rich purple, or pink bells, in wild and magnificent profusion; while every part of an Indian garden is fragrant with its roses or jessamines, or other

flowers, which, when brought into our colder climate, give a faint odour compared to the powerful perfume with which they fill the air of India. It was not, therefore, to be wondered at, that the Parsees did not admire the English gardens. "We would wish to remark," say "that we were disappointed with the gardens of England. We have seen some which our English friends would call beautiful, but to us they appear more like a wood; because they are principally laid out in lawns, flower-gardens, and trees which bear no fruit.

they,

"The arrangement is not like the gardens in Bombay. There we have fruit trees standing in the middle, at certain distances, and vegetables growing between them; then, the narrow gravel walks, having plants of rose, jessamine, and many other scented flowers, on both sides, give a pretty and varied effect, and the trees in blossom, or fruit and flowers of various colours, in bloom, heighten the beauty. To walk here in the lull and quiet of a beautiful moonlight night, the gentle and cool breeze, and the fragrance of the rose, or jessamine, or lily of the valley, is extremely refreshing, and is the most pleasant enjoyment we have. In vain have we longed for such a sight in England, and we have been reminded very often, when thinking upon this point, of our dear native land. In England, on the contrary, flowers and fruits are grown in separate pieces of ground, the latter often of one particular sort, so that when the season is over they present a dull appearance, which is not the case in India."

There is no country which does not present some social customs, which, to the stranger from a foreign land, appear remarkable, if not absurd. We smile at the customs of other nations, and they, in their turn, smile at ours. The writer of these pages once said to a friend in Paris, " Why do you call your child, when addressing him in words of fondness, Mon petit choux, (my little cabbage?" "Well," replied the lady, laughingly, "you English women call a child a little duck,' and I am sure a fresh green cabbage is a far lovelier object than a creature which waddles in kennels and devours mud." We shall see now how some of our most familiar social habits were regarded by the Parsees.

"Some of the customs of England, of every day's occurrence, appeared to us very odd. When two intimate friends

meet in the street (particularly in the country) they say to each other, without stopping, but nodding to each other, 'How do?' 'How do you do?' 'Pretty well;' Fine day;' 'Looks like rain;' 'Good bye; good bye.' This we saw repeated constantly, very much to our amusement, with, of course, the variation of Very warm,' 'Quite oppressive,' or 'Very gloomy.' All these remarks, of course, are brought about by the variableness of the climate, and it is indeed perpetually changing."

ance.

"We will now tell you," say they, "how we have been received and treated at the house of an intimate acquaintUpon entering the room, the master and mistress, and all the family, rise to receive you, and offer you the seats of honour, which, at the season of the year when fires are required, are arm-chairs next the fire. And we may prepare such of our countrymen as may visit England, to expect a hearty welcome and a friendly shaking of the hands, much courtesy and great kindness from all with whom they may become intimate. Males and females, old and young, all strive, in their respective ways, to do something to make you pleased and happy, or, to use their own strictly English word, comfortable. You have only to express that you like this thing, or dislike that, and, if it is in their power, your wishes and views will be met.' The Parsees then proceed to give their country men a further account of the English domestic society, and the following picture of a private family will perhaps amuse our young readers. In this family, in which the Parsees visited familiarly, there were seven daughters, the eldest sixteen, the youngest two years of age. After having particularly described their course of instruction at the boardingschools to which several of these young ladies were sent, they give this account of the family scenes at home; an account which may probably find its counterpart in the families of some who will read these pages. "Taking the summer as the period we would describe, they rise at seven, and take a little walk in their flower-garden, and sit down to breakfast at eight. Their breakfast would consist of coffee, bread and butter, and toasted bread, some dried fish, cold meat, consisting of ham or tongue, and sometimes radishes, or water-cresses. Some of them would then practise music upon the piano, some would draw

houses, trees, etc., some would mend their clothes, some would work raised figures with wool or silk, or canvass, or net silk-purses, or make little fancy articles for presents for their friends, or perhaps some one would read aloud an amusing book, or perchance sing a song. This would be done until about twelve or one o'clock, when they would have a luncheon of biscuit or cake, with a little fruit and water. And then they would take off their morning frocks, usually made of a neat printed cotton, and put on their out-door walking dresses of a fine muslin, made of wool, and covered with flowers or checks; straw-plaited bonnets, with pretty ribbon, and a little cape to cover their shoulders, or a thin silk handkerchief round their throats and necks. They would then walk and make calls until four o'clock, when they dined. And as this family professed to live in a plain way, they would have either a joint of roast or boiled lamb, or mutton, or beef, or perhaps, fowls, a ham, or ducks. Generally two or three sorts of boiled vegetables, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, peas, or asparagus; and then they would have puddings or pies made from fruits, currants, gooseberries, cherries, or raspberries, and at other times from apples; with boiled or baked custards, made from eggs, milk, and spice; and lastly, bread and cheese. Beer, water, or wine would be drunk whilst at dinner; and after that, fruits, the production of England, apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots, nectarines, grapes, cherries, currants, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, such as happened to be in season, with wine, would be placed upon the table, which is called the dessert. They then either walk again, or resume their morning occupation. At about eight, either tea or coffee, and cakes, or toasted bread, or bread and butter are partaken of, and sometimes they take a little light pastry and fruit, with a little wine and water before they go to bed. The younger ones go to bed about eight, and the three elder, sixteen, twelve, and ten years of age, sit up until after ten.

"This is only a quiet picture of every day life in a family. The four eldest daughters write and understand arithmetic. They play tunes upon the piano, and talk reasonably upon almost everything. One, about four-and-a-half years' old, repeated perfectly a long piece of poetry called, 'Pope's Universal Prayer;' and one, six years' old, repeated a great

many poems, and could spell every word we asked for, and knew the multiplication-table."

We see from these extracts that the Parsees were surprised that young ladies should talk reasonably, and read and write; and that very little girls knew how to spell their own language, and had learned the multiplication-table; but the little girls of India are not favoured with an education like that of English children. There are no boarding-schools for Parsee children. Their parents are often rich as princes, yet they are not taught so much as the little girls who sit on the forms of many day and Sunday schools, receiving from their teachers the first principles of learning. They do not learn to read and write, or to draw, or to study music, or to speak the language of other lands, or any of those pleasant accomplishments which the careful English parent who can afford it, gives to his daughters. And when the Parsees lose their book, they entreat of their fellow-country women to strive and gain these advantages for their female children, and point out the great pleasure and usefulness which a good education imparts to English women.

But it is not only in the education which English children receive pertaining to the things belonging to this world, that they have a great advantage over those of India. It is not this alone which should lead them to be thankful to the God who placed them in our happy country. English children are not taught to lift up their hands in worship to the hosts of heaven. From their father's lip, and their mother's knee, they often learn the truths of the Bible, and are taught early to bow down to the God who made the sun and stars, and made too, their living, thinking spirits, more valuable still than star or sun. Their religion is not taught them from some vain philosophy, from some cunningly devised fable.' The Bible brings them its blessed truths, and we trust that soon every British home shall have a Bible within its walls.

"

But while British children, on comparing their circumstances in these respects with those of the young Parsees, should learn to be thankful, yet they have no reason to be proud; rather, indeed, they have deep reason to be humble. The Bible teaches its pure lessons, yet many English children know no more of God, and love the Saviour no more, than

if they had been brought up among heathen. But let them remember, that as their advantages are greater, so also is their responsibility. The servant who knew his Lord's will, and did it not, was to be beaten with many stripes; and assuredly at that great day, when all shall be judged of God, the British child will be answerable for his great privileges. Follow, then, the injunction of our Saviour, "Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and these are they which testify of me.'

"But," says the young English reader, "I can think of religion by-and-by; I am young, and have a long life before me. I will read the Bible when I am grown up." Ah, but you may die early! You have seen little children laid in their graves many times. You may never live to grow to manhood, but even if you should, you will never regret having loved God from your childhood. I will tell you an anecdote which is quite true.

There was a young man, well known to the writer, who had very great talents. He could speak on almost every subject but one. He read many books, knew many languages, and thought a great deal on all he heard and saw. Yet, strange to say, he never or seldom spoke of God. He never loved, nor sought him. He had finished his education, he had travelled to distant lands, and had gathered great stores of learning, when consumption came. It pleased God, in his mercy, to grant him a long period of illness, and in the early stage of his disease, God taught him the uselessness of all the learning which he had spent his life in gaining, compared with the knowledge revealed in Scripture, the knowledge of the one true God, and of Jesus Christ, his Son, and the Saviour of sinners. Now, his high intellect and proud heart were subdued. He bowed humbly before God, and, in the meek disposition of a little child, prayed for the teachings of God's Spirit, and God heard and answered his prayers. One day just before his death, a friend was reading to him the twentythird Psalm. The dying young man listened as he read these words, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me," Psa. xxiii., 4. "Stay," said the invalid, "stay; yes, God is with me, but the valley would not have been so dark had I sought him earlier!"

P.

THE CLARENDON PRESS.

Nor long after Caxton introduced the art of printing, Oxford and St. Albans, the principal seats of learning, and alike situated at a convenient distance from the metropolis, were considered spots peculiarly favourable for its practical application. Oxford immediately availed itself of the advantages thus afforded, and a specimen of work from this city is still extant, which was produced in the year 1478, if not 1468; while of St. Albans none is known anterior to 1480. These, and other works of more recent dates, were all written in the Latin tongue.

On the restoration of Charles II., a theatre was erected by Gilbert Seldon, archbishop of Canterbury, and chancellor of the university. It was constructed in 1669, on the plan of the theatre of the Marcellus, at Rome; the architect being sir Christopher Wren. It was used for public meetings, for the occasional conferring of degrees, and for prize compositions. One of the first advantages that accrued appeared in a Pindaric ode, written in praise of the building and its founders, by Corbet Owen, of Christchurch, which was publicly recited at the solemn convocation of the theatre, on the 9th July, JULY, 1847.

1669; and during a period of more than forty years, there issued from the press here established, a constant succession of excellent editions of works in various languages, the productions of eminent scholars in every department of literature. The books may be distinguished, by having on their title-pages the words, "E Theatro Sheldoniano." The typographical execution, and the extraordinary accuracy of these editions, have merited the high commendations they received; and many of the larger works are elegant specimens of the art. During the time that the university printing was carried on, the works produced were distinguished by having on their titlepages an engraving of the building; and those that remain may, by these means, be easily recognised.

Still the university was unprovided with a specific building for the work to be done, and as the body of the theatre was employed for other purposes, a small portion was all that was allowed for a press-room and a warehouse. This un

comfortable condition of things continued till the reign of queen Anne, when the copyright of the earl of Clarendon's "History of the Rebellion" being presented to the university by his son, the profits arising from the sale of the work

U

were applied towards the erection of that stately fabric, situated on the eastern side of the Seldon theatre, which was entitled the Clarendon Press, in just commemoration of that nobleman. The building is massive, and two stories in height. The typographical apparatus being removed to it, the new printingpress commenced its operations in October, 1713, and for more than a century has conferred great benefits on Britain, by the productions it has issued. Onehalf of the building has been appropriated to the printing of Bibles, Prayer-books, etc. etc., agreeably to the privilege conferred on it, and the other half to general literature, of which an immense supply has been poured forth. At length, however, the enormous and increasing demand for books of every kind, which forms so distinguishing a feature of the progression of the age, compelled an enlargement of the mechanical department; and the directors were under the necessity of providing a more ample receptacle for all their machinery and stores. They contracted for the purchase of ground north of Worcester College, and the accumulated funds of the press were therefore collected, and the present building was commenced in the northeastern suburb of the city, by Mr. Daniel Robertson, an architect. The entire edifice and south wing were finished in 1827; the north, which was commenced in 1829, under the superintendence of Mr. Blore, was completed in the succeeding year. On the west side the quadrangle dwellings for the superintendents, and engine-houses; a strong room for standing type, and other buildings have also been added. The structure is distinguished by the appellation of the University Printing-house, at which the entire business has been carried on since September, 1830. Its management has been intrusted, by a statute of the university, to a select body of eleven of its members, including the vice-chancellor and proctors for the time being, who are denominated "Delegates of the Press." These persons regulate all the proceedings, unless any special order is given by convocation, to which all delegates are responsible.

The basement story of the Clarendon at present contains a police-room, and other apartments connected with that establishment; the remainder of the building is appropriated to offices for the despatch of university business; there

THERE are, says Mr. Fortune in his work on China, few subjects connected with the vegetable kingdom, which have attracted such a large share of public notice as the tea-plant of China. Its cultivation on the Chinese hills, the particular species or variety which produces the black and green teas of commerce, and the method of preparing the leaves, have always been objects of peculiar interest. The jealousy of the Chinese government in former times, prevented foreigners from visiting any of the districts where tea is cultivated; and the information derived from the Chinese merchants, even scanty as it was, was not to be depended upon. And hence we find our English authors contradicting each other: some asserting that the black and green teas are produced by the same variety, and that the difference in colour is the result of a different mode of preparation; while others say that the black teas are produced from the plant called by botanists Thea Bohea, and the green from Thea viridis, both of which we have had for many years in our gardens in England.

During my travels in China since the last war, I have had frequent opportunities of inspecting some extensive tea districts in the black and green tea countries of Canton, Foiken, and Chekiang, and the result of these observations is now laid before the reader. It will prove that even those who have had the best means of judging have been deceived, and that the greater part of the black and green teas which are brought yearly from China to Europe and America, are obtained from the same species or variety, namely, from the Thea viridis. Dried specimens of this plant were prepared in the districts I have named, by myself, and are now in the herbarium of the Horticultural Society of London; so that there can be no longer any doubt upon the subject. In various parts of the