In this way it changes its state to that of a moth, after which it lays its eggs and dies.

But the moth, in finding its way out of the cocoon, or ball of silk thread, would spoil the silk. This is prevented by killing the little spinners of those cocoons which are intended for use.

The silk is then collected in its rough state, packed in bales, and sent to be MANUFACTURED into articles of use. A great deal of this work is done in England, and still more in France.

The chief towns in England in which the silk trade is carried on are Macclesfield and Congleton, in Cheshire; Manchester, in Lancashire; Coventry, in Warwickshire; Derby, in Derbyshire; and Leek, in Staffordshire. In all of these towns large factories, or "mills," as they are called, are to be seen, some of them five or six stories high, and employing hundreds of people.

One of the first processes is to wind the silk thread on reels, or bobbins, and this is done by machines called the "engines." Boys and girls are employed to piece the ends of the silk threads, so as to make them in one length; and they do this with a peculiar knot, which at first takes them some time to learn, but afterwards is done so rapidly by them, that the eye cannot follow them in doing it. These children have to be CONSTANTLY on the watch for the ends of the threads, in order to piece them. They are called piecers at the engines." They seem to be very quick and lively over their work, and often, when many are thus employed in one room, they make the time pass CHEERFULLY by singing not only simple tunes, but more difficult pieces of music.

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The threads of silk are very fine, and yet they are full of little holes, or pores. The dyer knows this, and he mixes some colouring substances, called dye, and dips the silk in it. The dye enters the threads through the small pores, and causes them to have the PARTICULAR colour which the dyer wants them to have.

It again goes to the engines, and is now called

"thrown silk;" and, after being pressed and made up into suitable skeins, is fit for the weaver.

The weaver has a very curious machine, called a "loom," in which some of the silk threads are placed lengthwise, and others are made to cross them over and under. When these threads go close together silk cloth is made, which can in this slow method be produced to great lengths. Sometimes the machine is worked by the hands and feet, but now more commonly by steam. All manner of pretty patterns can be woven in the loom. Some of these patterns are first cut in cardboard, in the form of little holes, placed here and there. The cardboard is then placed at the top of the loom, and the little holes, allowing certain parts of the machine to pass through them, assist in forming the pattern on the woven silk. This was the clever INVENTION of a Frenchman.

Silk is a beautiful MATERIAL, useful in many articles of dress, and also for sewing. The trade of Coventry is chiefly that of ribbon weaving. All kinds of silk weaving is done at Macclesfield, which may be considered one of the oldest towns engaged in this trade.

There is one thing which affects the silk trade very much, and that is the necessity of having good designs or patterns. We are hardly so forward in this pattern making as the French, and, as a consequence, they obtain a greater sale for their articles. The art of designing is a separate calling, and employs many men, who often earn good wages.

It is difficult to meet with articles made entirely of silk, as cotton of the finer sort is so much mixed up with it in weaving. The manufacture of silk is of a much cleaner and lighter kind than cotton, and the EMPLOYMENT not so unhealthy.

EXERCISE.

How is silk obtained? What is the cocoon? What towns in England are employed in this manufacture? How are children employed in the silk trade? What does the weaver do? What is the pattern-maker called? What material is much mixed with silk ?

COLUMBUS was a great man, who discovered AMERICA in the year of our Lord 1492. As America is a very large CONTINENT, and is nearly half of the whole world, it was at first called the New World. No one knew that there was such a large continent till Columbus sailed with a number of ships and found it out. When the people on the shore saw him coming in the ships, they thought it was a number of their, gods come down from heaven.

It was a very difficult thing for Columbus to persuade his sailors to continue on their voyage. They began to grow frightened at getting so far from land, and often wanted to turn back. He SOOTHED their fears as well as he could, and at last SUCCEEDED in finding out strange countries that had never been heard of before.

When Columbus came back to Spain he was thought a very famous man, and the king and queen sent for him to come to court. Then he told them all about the WONDERFUL countries he had seen, and the people that lived in them, which pleased them very much. They gave him great riches and honours, because, by finding out America, he had done such service to his country, and to the whole human race.

But there were some people who ENVIED Columbus his riches and fame, and who said that he did not deserve them. They said anybody might have discovered America, This did not make Columbus

angry, because he was a meek, patient man, who did not mind what foolish people said about him. But he one day thought he would like to show them how wrong they were.

After listening to all they had got to say with great PATIENCE, he took an egg out of a dish, and asked them which of them would make it stand upright on one of its ends. They all took the egg in turn, and tried it in every possible way, but it would not stand upright. Any boy who takes an egg and tries it in the same way will find that it will always tumble down and roll about.

After trying some time, and not being able to succeed, they put the egg back in the dish, and said that no one could make it stand upright on one of its ends. "Give it to me, gentlemen," said Columbus, "I can do it, and I will show you how." He then took it in his hand, broke it on one end, and made it stand on the broken end.

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Each then cried out, "Why, I could have done that!" "Yes," replied Columbus, you could have done it if the IDEA had come into your heads; and if the idea had come into your heads, you might have DISCOVERED America."

EXERCISE.

Who was Columbus? When did he discover America ? By what means did he show his enemies their mistake?

I DARE say some of you may have watched the boats on the canal, as they were being drawn along by the horses. How smoothly they seemed to float along, and yet what a great weight of goods they will carry!

I am going to tell you of a canal large enough for ships to sail along without the ASSISTANCE of horses. Large ships with sails, many of them moved by steam, can pass along this canal.

It is in a country a long way from England, called Egypt. Egypt, as you know, is situated in the northeastern corner of Africa, and is the same country in which the ISRAELITES were in BONDAGE for four hundred years.

This canal is called the "Grand Ship Canal." It took five years to make it, and is about ninety miles long, about three hundred and twenty feet wide, and about twenty-six feet deep.

The gentleman who PLANNED and overlooked this great work was a Frenchman, by the name of MONSIEUR Lesseps. It would surprise you to read of the trouble and labour which this clever man had to go through before he could finish this canal.

His workmen SUFFERED a great deal at first from want of water, and, when you remember that Egypt is