from the shore. The waves rolled very high, but the boat skimmed like a sea-bird over the tops of them, and soon came along side of the vessel. Thursday October Christian, the son of the Mutineer. 15. The boat was rowed by two young men. They were handsome, though of rather a dark complexion; and when they came near the vessel, one of them called out, in good English-" Won't you throw us a rope, friends?" A rope was thrown to them, and they took hold of it and clambered on board of the vessel. Sir Thomas Staines asked them who they were, and how they came to be living on that lonely island. The mystery was soon explained. 16. When Christian and his companions left Otaheite, they had steered for Pitcairn's Island, and had run the Bounty ashore on the rocks, and set her on fire. They had then built houses on the island, and had married the Otaheitan women whom they brought with them. 17. Christian and all his associates were now dead, except one old man, whose name was John Adams; but they had left children and grandchildren, so that there was now quite a flourishing colony on the island. 18. Old John Adams had taught the young people to read the Bible, to tell the truth, and to be honest and upright in their behaviour. QUESTIONS. 1. Why was the Bounty sent to the Society Islands? Her commander ?- -2. When did he arrive at Otaheite? How did his men like the island ?- -3. How did the natives treat the sailors? -4. What of the crew of the Bounty? What resolution did they form?- -5. What did Christian do?- -6. How did he treat Lieutenant Bligh and eighteen others ?-7. Did they arrive in England?-8. What became of the mutineers ?-9. What had Christian and his companions done ?-10. What was supposed to have become of them ?- -11. What happened in the year 1813? -12. Where is Pitcairn's Island? When was it discovered?13. What was seen from the deck of the ship? ——— 14, 15. Who came off from the shore ?16. Where had Christian and his companions steered on leaving Otaheite ?17. Who alone remained of the 'mutineers? How was the colony peopled ?—18. What had John Adams done for the young people? CHAPTER CLXXII. Chronology of Oceania. A. D Java discovered by the Portuguese Philippine Islands discovered by Magellan Batavia, the capital of Java, built by the Dutch Botany Bay, in New South Wales, settled Mutiny of the Bounty Convicts first sent to Van Diemen's Land The English take Java from the Dutch Sir Thomas Staines reaches Pitcairn's Island Missionaries established at the Sandwich Islands CHAPTER CLXXIII. REVIEW. Duration of the Empires of Asia and Africa. 1. I HAVE now told you my story of the four quarters of the globe, and that fifth division which passes under the name of Oceania. But ere we part, it may be advisable to take a backward glance at the countries through which we have travelled, and a general view of the events which have been narrated. 2. What a wonderful story does the world present! Less than six thousand years ago, there was but a single human pair on this globe; these dwelt on the banks of the Euphrates, and every other part of the earth was without inhabitants. Now the greater portion of the world is peopled, and not less than eight hundred millions of persons are in existence. 3. And since the creation of Adam and Eve, how many nations have arisen and passed away! how many empires have flourished and decayed! how many millions of individuals have lived and died! It is a matter which we need not attempt to calculate with precision, but it is probable that at least one hundred thousand millions of persons have existed and perished since the creation of the world. This wondrous subject is too vast for our comprehension; let us therefore turn our attention to the principal empires of which history gives us an account. 4. The first empire that was formed was that of Assyria This was founded by Ashur, 2229 years before Christ, and was overthrown by Arbaces, in the year 900 before Christ; but it was afterwards revived, and continued until the time of Cyrus, 538 years before Christ. Its whole duration, therefore, from the beginning to its final overthrow, was one thousand six hundred and ninety-one years. 5. The next great empire was that of Persia, founded by Cyrus, in the year 536 before Christ. This rose to great power, and spread itself over a large portion of Asia; but in the year 330 before Christ, it was conquered by Alexander, king of Macedon; it afterwards became subject to the Parthians, and finally formed a portion of the Saracen empire. The present kingdom of Persia is much smaller in extent, and of modern origin. 6. The empire of the Caliphs, or Saracens, commenced 638 years after Christ, and was overthrown by the Turks, in the year 1258, having continued six hundred and twenty years. 7. China, the most populous empire on the globe, is also the oldest existing one; it is now about four thousand years from the time of its first emperor to the present date. It has several times been conquered by its northern neighbours, and the present reigning family are Tartars, who acquired the empire in 1644. 8. The Jewish nation may be considered as having its origin in Abraham, who left Chaldea and removed to Canaan, 1921 years before Christ. From this period to the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, and the dispersion of the Jews, in the year 70 after Christ, was a space of one thousand nine hundred and ninety-one years. From the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt, to their dispersion after the destruction of Jerusalem, was a period of one thousand five hundred and sixty-one years. 9. Such is a brief view of the great kingdoms and empires of Asia. The only African empire of great duration was that of Egypt: this was founded by Misraim, 2188 years before Christ, and continued till the time of Alexander, 332 years before Christ. During this period of one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six years, it experienced many changes, but it may be considered as one continued empire. Since its conquest by Alexander, it has had many masters. It may now be considered as an independent state. 10. Carthage was originally a Phoenician colony, and was founded 869 years before Christ. The people had many vessels, and carried on trade with various towns and |