Kandy, the old capital of Ceylon, is in the centre of the island, and to reach it a range of mountains must be crossed. Between Colombo and Kandy, a railroad has been made, which is quite a triumph of scientific skill. It winds through plains dotted with villages, up the slopes of the mountains, through tunnels and ravines, and round the rugged sides of the mountains, with deep precipices below and high rocks above. Everywhere the eye turns, it is charmed by the varied scenery; every inch of ground seems covered with vegetation. There is scarcely a tropical plant that is not found in Ceylon. Splendid trees of most 10valuable woods, groves of palms and banyans, gardens of 11cinnamon, plantations of 12coffee, are passed in rapid succession. Elephants abound in the forests of Ceylon. There are also found elks and several kinds of deer, including a lovely little creature, the musk deer, scarcely a foot high. The buffalo, leopard, wild hog, monkey, and many other animals live in Ceylon; but no lions, tigers, or wolves. Leaving Ceylon, the Prince and his party crossed the 13gulf at Manaar, landed at Tuticorin, and proceeded overland to Madras. Madras, the capital of the southern part of India, has often been described as a most unhealthy city, with nothing attractive about it. It is well known that vessels cannot come close to the shore on account of the 15surf, and that passengers and goods are conveyed by a boat which, being made very high at the bow and stern, is especially adapted to ride over the waves. It may be that those who described Madras, referred only to the Black Town, or that part where the natives reside; for of this it is scarcely possible to say a good word. It is separated from modern Madras by a park, and is really the blackest of black places. The houses are built of mud, are of one storey, with holes for windows. They have a terrace in front of each of the rows of houses, where the population eat, drink, and sleep. Along each side of the road runs a gutter, into which the 16sewage of the town runs freely. As a consequence, fever and cholera often prevail; indeed, it is a marvel that human beings can exist there at all. Modern Madras, where the English reside, is really a grand city. Splendid mansions, broad parks, and sheltered walks give it an 18imposing appearance. In Madras the Prince began a work which when finished will be a great 19boon to the inhabitants. He laid the foundation-stone of a 20harbour, by which passengers will be able to get to shore without being drenched by the surf. How and when did Ceylon become a British possession? Tell what you know of Colombo, of the vegetation and animals of Ceylon. Give an account of the coffee plant. Tell what you know of Madras. Explain surf, sewage, harbour, pyramid. An 1 Malabar, a district in South-west India. 2 escorted. escort is a person or persons attending as a mark of respect, honour, or attention; sometimes as a safeguard; to be escorted is to be attended by such. 3 Ceylon, an island and valuable British possession in the Indian Ocean, to the south-east of 9 4 7 Hindostan, from which it is separated by the Gulf of Manaar and Palk's Strait. (see app.) triumphal arches, arches raised and decorated to celebrate a joyful occasion. 5pyramid, a solid body standing on a square or triangular (three-cornered) base, and terminating (ending) in a point at the top. • Colombo, the capital of Ceylon, is situated on the western side of the island, near a rocky headland. (see app.) triumph, success causing exultation (very great joy). 8 scientific skill, knowledge arising from studying and becoming well acquainted with the rules or principles of science. varied, ever-changing in appearance. 1o valuable woods; satin-wood, rose-wood, sand al-wood and ebony are in high esteem for fancy articles and articles of furniture. The trees which furnish these woods abound in Ceylon. "cinnamon is the bark of a species of laurel. The finest cinnamon trees grow in Ceylon. (see app.) 12 coffee. In a wild state the coffee tree is a slender tree of from fifteen to twenty-five feet high, with few branches; in cultivation it is seldom allowed to grow higher than ten feet. (see app) 13 Gulf of Manaar. The greatest pearl-fishery in the world is in the Gulf of Manaar, off the northwest coast of Ceylon. "attractive, that which attracts, invites, or entices. 15 surf, the swell of the sea which breaks upon the shore or upon sand-banks or rocks. sewage, water and filth. 17 cholera, a very devastating and fatal disease, generally supposed to originate in India, and thence to spread over vast populations; sometimes travelling as far as this country. (see app.) 18 imposing, grand; striking; likely to command notice. 19 boon, benefit. 20 harbour, an inlet of the sea, so protected from the winds and waves as to form a secure refuge for ships. Sometimes the land is so shaped that a harbour is formed; at other times piers are built out into the sea so as to form a harbour. 16 OH! THE SHAMROCK. THROUGH 'Erin's Isle to sport awhile Where'er they pass, a 'triple grass Oh, the Shamrock, the green, immortal "Shamrock! Of bard and chief, Old Erin's native Shamrock! Says Valour," See, they spring for me, A "type that blends three godlike friends, Oh, the Shamrock, the green, immortal Shamrock! Chosen leaf Of bard and chief, Old Erin's native Shamrock ! 2 3 14 Moore. 4 1 Erin's Isle, Ireland. love, affection; very great kindness and devotion of one person to another. valour, warlike courage ; personal bravery; strength of mind in regard to danger. wit, mind, intellect, understanding, sense; especially the power of the mind which seizes on some thought or occurrence, and by a sudden turn presents it in a new and unexpected form, which generally surprises people and causes great amusement. Love, Valour, and Wit are spoken of as persons-that is, they are personified. (See note on Education, app.) sprite, a spirit; a soul. 'quiver, a case or sheath for arrows. a thousand arrows: this refers to the bright, amusing, witty sayings flashing from the lips of Wit. squandered, scattered them without regard to their number or the objects which called them forth. triple, consisting of three united. 10 emerald, a precious stone of a rich green colour. crystal, a solid of geometrical form, in this, clear like glass. 12 Shamrock, a national emblem of Ireland, a leaf 11 5 9 Iwith three leaflets. The shamrock is a kind of clover. It is said to have been first assumed as the badge of Ireland, from the circumstance that St. Patrick made use of it to illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity. 13 type, a token; a sign; a symbol. This illustrates note 4. Wit seized on the appearance of the leaf, and quick as lightning the thought it suggested flashed upon his mind. 14 Moore, see note 6, page 54. WHANG, the miller, was 'naturally avaricious; nobody loved money better than he, or more respected those who had it. When people would talk of a rich man in company, Whang would say, "I know him very well; he and I have been long acquainted; he and I are intimate; he stood for a child of mine.” But if ever a poor man was mentioned, he had not the least knowledge of the man: he might be very well for 'aught he knew; but he was not fond of many acquaintances, and loved to choose his company. Whang, however, with all his eagerness for riches, was in reality poor. He had nothing but the profits of his mill to support him; but though these were small, they were certain. While his mill stood and went, he was sure of eating; and his "frugality was such that he every day laid some money by, which he would at "intervals count and 'contemplate with |