when Constantine adopted it, that it found favour with any king or prince in Europe.

7. From this period it advanced rapidly. The mythology of Greece and Rome gave way before it. The horrid sacrifices and gloomy superstitions of the Druids yielded to the gentle worship of one God, and the mysterious rites of Odin were forsaken for the religion of the Cross.

8. In the course of time, the popes of Rome, finding that the Christian religion was going to pervade the world, pretended to place themselves at the head of it, that they might thus obtain an influence over mankind. They gradually acquired immense power, which they often used to the worst purposes.

9. In process of time, their authority was lessened, and a large part of the people of Christendom protested against their authority, and were thence called Protestants. At the present day, the pope of Rome has but little power.

10. I have mentioned the Inquisition in the history of Spain. This was a secret court whose business it was to arrest and bring to trial those who were suspected of not being true followers of the Popish or Catholic religion.

11. It appears that this institution was sanctioned by Pope Innocent III., in the year 1215. From that time it was gradually extended, and at length was established in Spain, in 1481. Here it acquired great power, and became the most cruel and bloody tribunal that has been known upon the face of the earth.

12. It was for many years a favourite instrument by which the pope of Rome carried on his schemes of tyranny. It was introduced into most countries of Europe where the Catholic religion prevailed, but in no country did it exercise its terrible power with such cruel despotism as in Spain. It was not finally abolished till the year 1820.

13. I have not had an opportunity to mention the abbeys and monasteries of Europe. These curious institutions, however, deserve notice. It appears that in most countries there have ever been some people who retire from the active business of life, and shut themselves up for religious contemplation. Such has been the case in Asia; and among the worshippers of Brama, Fo, Lama, and Mahomet they are still found. Such was also the case among the idolators of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Such was the case among the ancient Jews, and such has been the case among the believers of Christ, from very early ages.

14. The first monastery was founded by St. Anthony, in Upper Egypt, A.D. 305. This consisted of a number of huts, in which several hermits dwelt, devoting themselves to penance and prayer. Another monastery was established in France, in the year 360, by St. Martin. From this time, these institutions were multiplied, and became established in all Catholic countries. From the eight to the fifteenth century they received great encouragement, and many splendid edifices were erected for their use.

15. Some were called abbeys, and some monasteries.

Many of them were filled with monks and friars, and others with females, called nuns. The splendid remains of many of these edifices are still to be found in England, France, Germany, and other parts of Europe. At first, the inhabitants of monasteries lived in a simple manner, and devoted themselves to religious contemplation. But in after times, the abbeys and monasteries became the seats of voluptuousness. None were permitted to enter them but the monks and nuns; these, therefore, while they pretended to be engaged in religious duties, screened from the eyes of the world, often gave themselves up to luxurious pleasures.

16. These institutions were, however, greatly encouraged by the popes, and it was not until the monstrous corruptions of the Catholic religion brought on the Reformation, in the sixteenth century, that monastic institutions began to decline. They were abolished in England in 1539, and in France in 1790. In several other countries of Europe they have ceased, but still continue in Italy and Spain.

17. In the early ages war was carried on without guns and cannon. The Greeks and Romans were armed with swords, spears, and battle-axes, and they carried shields for defence. The troops of Egypt, Carthage, and Persia were armed in a similar manner. In the year 1330, gunpowder was invented, and cannon began to be used about the same time. They were first employed by the English at the battle of Cressy, in 1346. On that occasion, King Edward

had four pieces of cannon, which greatly aided in gaining the victory.

18. From this time, fire-arms were rapidly introduced, and soon the whole art of war was changed. Bows and arrows, spears and shields, were thrown aside, and contending armies, instead of coming up close to each other, and fighting face to face, learned to shoot each other down at a distance.

19. One of the greatest discoveries of modern times is that quality of the mariner's compass by which it always points to the north pole. This useful instrument, which enables the seaman to traverse the trackless deep, appears to have been in use as early as 1180.

20. But a still more important invention was that of printing, in 1441. Previous to that time, all books were written with the pen. A copy of the Bible was worth as much in ancient times as a good house or a good farm is now. Of course, very few people could learn to read, for the want of books. If Peter Parley had lived in those times, I am inclined to think he would have obtained a poor living.

QUESTIONS.-2. Which of the nations of Europe was first settled? What of Rome? 3. What happened four or five hundred years after Christ? 4. What period was called the Dark Ages? How long is it since learning began to revive? 5. When did Christ die? What of the apostles? 6 How did the Romans at first treat the Christians? When was Christianity introduced into Britain? What took place in 306? 7. What of the progress of Christianity? 8. What of the popes? 9. Who were called Protestants? What of the pope at the present day? 10.

What was the Inquisition? 11. By what pope was it sanctioned? When? When was it established in Spain? What did it there become? 12. Into what countries was the Inquisition introduced? Where was its power most cruelly exercised? 13. What appears to be the case in most countries? Mention some instances. 14. Who founded the first monas tery? When? Of what did it consist? When and by whom was a monastery established in France? What of monasteries from this time? 15. Who inhabited them? How did the monks and nuns formerly live? How in later times? 16. By whom were these institutions encouraged? When did monastic institutions begin to decline? When were they abolished in England? In France? Where do they still exist? 17. What of war in early times? Arms? When was gunpowder invented? When were cannon first used by the English? 18. What happened from this time? 19. What is a great discovery of modern times? When was the mariner's compass first used? 20. When was printing invented? How were books fromerly made?