8. It would be very pleasant to read about these people; they seem like friends to us, and we should like to know where they lived, how they looked, and what adventures they met with. But these and other matters, relating to the history of this beautiful and interesting country, I must leave for the present. 9. I have then only to add, that while you can read the history of the British nation in books, you can best study the character and manners of the people at home, in their own country. An Englishman is very agreeable in his own house, but there are many individuals who, when they travel in foreign countries, are too often disagreeable and unreasonable. 10. The Scotch are a shrewd, money-saving race, and if you will go to their wild country, and pay well for what you want, you will be well served. If a Scotchman leaves his own country, it is to better his fortune, and he generally returns to it to enjoy the riches which he has gained. 11. The Irish are much the same, wherever they may be; cheerful, witty, and generous. They live for to-day, and think little of to-morrow. They are generally without education; but, if ignorant, they are better than most other ignorant people. QUESTIONS.-3. Who was Woden? What did his mythology become? When was Christianity introduced into England? 4. What of the gipsies? Where do they live? 5. Who was Robin Hood? 6. What of Dr. Watts? 7. What other celebrated writers could be mentioned? 9. What of Englishmen? 10. What of the Scotch? 11. What of the Irish? REVIEW. THE DARK AGES. IMPORTANT INVENTIONS, ETC. 1. SUCH is my brief story about Europe. I hope I have told you enough to excite your curiosity, and lead you to read larger works than mine, about the nations I have mentioned. You will find the subject very interesting, and worthy of your careful study. I have room now only to mention a few things that have been omitted in the progress of my story. 2. You will remember that Greece was settled before any other portion of Europe, and that the Greeks became a polished and powerful people. You will remember that Rome became a mighty empire, and extended its sway over nearly all parts of the world that were then known. 3. You will remember that four or five hundred years after Christ, the Roman empire was dismembered, and that the northern tribes of Europe spread themselves over Spain, Italy, and Greece. Thus the arts, learning, and refinement which had been cultivated in these countries, were for a time extinguished, and all Europe was reduced to a nearly barbarous state. 4. This period is called the Dark Ages, because the nations were generally ignorant, fierce, and barbarous. So things continued, till about five hundred years ago, when the light of learning began to return. Since that time, society has advanced in civilization, till it has reached a higher state of improvement than was ever known before. 5. The history of the church of Christ is a subject at which I have been able only to take an occasional glance. After our Saviour's death, in the year 33, his apostles proceeded to spread the gospel throughout different countries. Paul was the most active and successful of these missionaries. He went several times through Asia Minor, travelled to Greece, and finally to Rome; everywhere preaching the truths of the Christian religion. He died at Rome, in the year 61. 6. At first, the Christians were persecuted by the Roman emperors, but the gospel continued to flourish, until it pervaded most parts of the Roman empire. It was introduced into Britain in the year 60, and into most other parts of Europe at an early period. But it was not till the year 306, |