9. But lest you should be weary of my stories, we will proceed to the history of Prussia. I must, however, remark, that the geography, as well as the history, of Germany, is a great puzzle, and demands great study in order to be understood.

QUESTIONS.-1. What of Hungary? Its capital? 2. Climate and soil of Hungary? Mountains? Inhabitants? 3. What of the original inhabitants? Their origin? Whom did they probably resemble? 4. What of the Huns? What of Attila? When did he die? 5. What of Hungary for many years? What of Stephen? What took place in 1563? 6. What of Bohemia? Population? Mines? Inhabitants? 7. What of a tribe of Celts? Who occupied the country in 450? What of Charlemagne? What took place in 1526? 8. Where do the Tyrolese live?

CHAP. CXXXII.-EUROPE continued.

ABOUT PRUSSIA.

1. THERE are five great powers in Europe: Great Britain, France, Russia, Austria, and Prussia. Of these Prussia is the smallest, that is, it has the fewest people, the least wealth, the smallest number of soldiers, and therefore the least power. Yet it is still an extensive country, and has about sixteen millions of inhabitants.

2. The kingdom of Prussia consists of two separate tracts of territory. The larger of the two is bounded north by the Baltic, east by Russia, south by Austria, and west by Germany. The smaller portion is a part of Germany, and is

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bounded on the north and west by the Netherlands and Belgium.

3. The capital of Prussia is Berlin, situated on the river Spree; a river, by the way, with a very merry name. It is, however, a sober stream. The city is twelve miles in circumference, and is surrounded by a wall. It has a splendid palace, where the king resides, a fine university, where a great many young men are educated, and several places of public amusement. It is, on the whole, one of the most splendid cities in Europe.

4. Besides Berlin, there are many other fine cities in Prussia. Among these are Potsdam, where there is a royal palace, and Dantzic, a wealthy town and the chief sea-port of Prussia. This place is a powerful fortress, with immense stone walls and a multitude of cannon. It is defended by a large number of soldiers, who always remain in it.

5. The inhabitants of Prussia are chiefly of German origin, and speak the German language. They are industrious, and a multitude of schools having been established by the monarch among them, they are tolerably well educated. But they are not a free people, and without freedom, even education cannot make a nation happy.

6. Besides the German population, Prussia has a good many Jews. There are also the remains of tribes that settled in the country long ago, who speak their original languages. These people are generally ignorant, and appear unwilling to be taught.

QUESTIONS.-1. What are the five great powers of Europe? Which is the smallest? What of it? Its inhabitants? 2. How is the kingdom of Prussia divided? Bound the two portions. 3. Capital of Prussia? River Spree? What of the city? 4. What of Potsdam? Dantzic? What of the fortress? 5. What of the inhabitants of Prussia? Schools? Of what blessing are the people in want? 6. What of Jews? Ancient tribes ?

CHAP. CXXXIII.-EUROPE continued.

HISTORY OF PRUSSIA.

1. PRUSSIA did not become a kingdom till the year 1701. Previous to that time it was governed by dukes. Its ancient inhabitants were called Borussi, from whom the country took the name of Prussia.

2. Frederic William the First, who ascended the throne in 1713, was a very odd sort of a king. He used to wear an old blue coat, which was ornamented with rows of copper buttons, reaching from his chin half-way down his legs. Whenever he got a new coat, he made the tailor sew on the same old copper buttons.

3. He prided himself greatly on a regiment of his guards which consisted of very tall men, many of whom were seven feet high. These gigantic fellows came from all parts of Europe; and, if they would not come of their own accord, the king hired people to bring them by force.

4. Frederic William was in the habit of walking about the streets of Berlin, with a big cane in his hand, and if he

happened to see any idle people, he would give them a sound thrashing. He beat his own son oftener than anybody else. The princess, his daughter, got likewise a good many hard knocks.

5. When this ill-tempered old king was dead, his son Frederic came into possession of an enormous quantity of treasure, as well as an army of sixty thousand men. He soon found uses enough for his money and soldiers, in a war with Austria, Russia, and France.

At

6. The war between Prussia and these three kingdoms began in 1756, and was called the Seven Years' War. Saxony and Sweden joined the enemies of Frederic. one time, he seemed on the point of losing all his dominions. But he finally brought the war to an honourable close. was then the most celebrated sovereign of his time, and is known in history by the title of Frederic the Great.

He

7. He was almost as peculiar in his dress as his father had been. He always wore a uniform, consisting of a blue coat faced with red, and a yellow waistcoat and breeches. But his clothes were often torn, and generally soiled with snuff. On his head was a very large cocked hat, and he wore a long queue behind.

8. When Frederic the Great was grown an old man, he used to sit in an easy chair, wrapped in a large cloak. He appeared to take no pleasure in his palace, nor in all the pomp and power of his kingdom.

9. He looked very sad and wo-begone, and might be

heard muttering to himself "A little while longer, and I shall be gone!" He died in 1786, at the age of seventyfive.

10. He was succeeded by his nephew, Frederic William the Second, who reigned eleven years. The next king was Frederic William the Third. He had a large army, and thought himself powerful enough to withstand the Emperor Napoleon.

11. But at the battle of Jena, in 1806, Napoleon worsted the Prussian army, and killed or wounded twenty thousand men. About forty thousand were taken prisoners. Frederic William was then deprived of a great part of his

territories.

12. After the battle of Waterloo, and the final defeat of Napoleon, the losses of Prussia were repaired. Frederic William was a well-meaning man. He declared that there should be a Bible in every cottage in his kingdom, and I believe he tried to keep his word.

13. He took more pains than any other king that ever lived, to have all the children sent to school; and the good state of education in the country is owing to his efforts. If he had ceased to govern the people against their will, and allowed them to govern themselves, according to their own wishes, he would have set an example worthy of being followed by all kings. He died in 1841, and was succeeded by his son, Frederic William IV.