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means there are of extinguishing it, and the best means of escape. If in bed at the time they should not wait to dress, but wrap themselves in a blanket or bedside carpet, open no windows or doors unnecessarily, and shut every door after them.

There is always comparatively a clear space of about twelve inches between the floor and the smoke; consequently, a room full of smoke can be entered on the hands and knees, and, by applying a wet silk handkerchief, a wet worsted stocking, a wet sponge, or any wet flannel substance folded over the nose and mouth, free breathing may be obtained even in the midst of smoke.

In the event of being unable to escape by either the roof or street door, all persons in danger should at once make their way to a front room window, taking care to close the door after them. The head of the establishment should then ascertain that every individual is there assembled. Should no means of escape be procured from without, a rope, or blankets and sheets joined together, with one end fastened to the bars of the grate or a heavy piece of furniture, will enable one person to lower all the others separately, and at last let himself down with very little risk.

Should no rope or other means for lowering the household be at hand, all persons are strongly entreated not to throw themselves out of the window, but to wait till the fire is close upon them, as assistance may come at any moment.

A fire may often be kept well under, and frequently completely extinguished, by means of a hand-pump, provided doors and windows are kept closed to prevent a draught. It is strongly recommended that all public institutions and large private houses should have one or more of these useful little engines always kept in some convenient place, which should be accessible from as many directions as possible.

DIRECTIONS TO BYSTANDERS.

Immediately on a fire being discovered, see that notice is given at once to the Police and the Fire Brigade Station. Ladders and ropes should be sought for. Assistance can also often be rendered by an entrance being made from the roof of an adjoining house to the upper part of the house on fire, either by the attic windows or by removing the slates.

When no other means present themselves, the bystanders had better collect bedding at hand in case the inmates throw themselves from the windows. A blanket, a carpet, or even a policeman's greatcoat held out by several persons breast high, will serve the purpose of a jumping-sheet.

Bystanders should never give vent to the fire by breaking into the house unnecessarily from without; but in the event of anyone entering the house, a strong point should be made of shutting every door after him as he goes through the house.

ACCIDENTS TO THE PERSON.

Upon discovering yourself to be on fire, reflect that your greatest danger arises from draught to the flames, and from their rising upwards; throw yourself on the ground, and roll on the flames, drag the hearth-rug round you, or anything that is nearest and will serve your purpose. Scream for assistance-ring the bellbut do not run out of the room, or remain in an upright position.

HOME EXERCISES.

SIXTH BOOK.

ROBERT AND WILLIAM CHAMBERS-(Page 9).

Peebles-an ancient town in Scot-
land (on the Tweed), 22 miles
from Edinburgh; from its beauti-
ful situation in a hunting
country it became an occasional
residence of the kings of Scot-
land; the name signifies "dwell-
ing-places."

Immemorial (Latin, in, not; memor,
mindful of)-beyond the me-
mory of man.
Woollen manufacturers-the makers
of woollen cloth, a trade intro-
duced into England by Eleanor,
wife of Edward I., who im-
ported Spanish sheep from her
native country, Castile; this was
followed by Philippa, Queen of
Edward III., who brought
Flemish workmen from her na-
tive country to instruct the
people in dyeing and manu-
facturing wool; they were
settled at Worsted, a village in
Norfolk, A.D. 1331, from which
place woollen yarn has taken its

name.

Substantial prosperous and rich. Cotton-spinner--one who converts cotton wool into yarn, by twisting it with a spinning wheel; this was formerly done by hand, but now by machinery, the first "spinning jenny" being invented about 1767 by James Hargreaves, a Lancashireweaver. Looms-machines for weaving yarn into cloth; at first worked by

VI.B.

hand, but now by machinery (see p. 83).

Buts and bens-"but" the outer, and "ben" the inner apartment of a Scotch cottage, consisting only of two rooms; the words are shortened from "be-out" and "be-in."

Box-bed-a shut-up bedstead, look-
ing like a box or chest of
drawers by day.

Power-looms-looms worked by
steam power.
Revolutionized - effected a com-
plete change in the trade.
Grammar School- a school in
which the Latin and Greek
grammars are taught; most of
those in England were founded
by Edward VI. and Elizabeth,
and endowed with money taken
from the monasteries, so as to
supply a free and good educa-
tion to boys, whose parents
were not able to defray the cost.
Harried-stripped.
Spartans-the inhabitants of Spar-
ta, the ancient capital of the
Morea of Greece, celebrated for
the strict way in which its inha-
bitants were brought up by law,
from childhood, to bravely en-
dure the most severe pain and
hardships; so it means brave,
hardy, self-denying.
Encyclopædia (properly, a circle
of instruction) generally used for
a collection of the principal

facts, principles, and discoveries | in science and art, arranged alphabetically under proper titles. Competitive examination-a trial

Antiquarian - belonging to the
study of ancient times and
things, as statues, coins, paint-
ings, books, &c.

by examination of the respective | Topographical-belonging
qualifications of candidates for
an office.

Muscular powers-the powers of
strength of muscle.
Academy originally a garden,
grove, or shady walk, near
Athens, where Plato instructed
his pupils in philosophy;
now it mears either a school
between a college and a common
school, or a society of men (as
the Royal Academy) for pro-
moting the study of some art or
science.

Pecuniary subsidy-assistance in
money, in addition to one's
earnings.

Lottery a game of hazard, in which small sums are risked for the chance of gaining larger ones; certain tickets are bought, to some of which prizes are attached, and to the others blanks; they are all thrown into a vessel or cylinder, shaken up, and then drawn by chance, those getting the prizes who draw the number to which the prizes are attached, the rest losing their money; they were used by many European governments as a means of obtaining money, so called state lotteries; but were entirely abolished in this country A.D. 1823.

Tholes (a Scotch word)-bears; endures; strives against difficulties.

Aye to haud forrit always to press forward.

Comport (Latin, con, together; porto, to carry)—agree with, suit, accord.

Contraband (Latin, contra, against; and French, ban, proclamation) -goods forbidden to be exported or imported; or such as are brought in without having paid the necessary duty.

to the
study of the position and his-
tory of particular places, cities,
towns, castles, &c.
Remainders-books left on hand
when the demand for them had
ceased.

Eked out—increased; enlarged;
supplied what was wanted.
Her seaport-Leith.

Fount of types (or font)—a com-
plete assortment of printing
types of one size, including a due
proportion of all the letters in
the alphabet (both large and
small), points, and accents, com-
monly consisting of 100,000; it
is so called from the types being
cast or founded.

Kaleidoscope-a toy formed of a cylinder of tin with a glass at the bottom and a hole at the top, through which the eye looks towards the light, and a variety of beautiful colours and forms are seen by the reflection of small pieces of glass placed inside it - these forms and colours being varied by each turn of the instrument; its name signifies "beautiful ap

pearance.

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Mediæval (Latin, medium, middle;
avum, age).
the middle age,
referring to the transition of
the human race from the savage
to the civilized state.
Tradition (Latin, trado, to deliver)
-the handing down from one
generation to another of
opinions, practices, or history.
Manuscript (Latin, manu, by the
hand; scriptum, written) a book
written by the hand or pen, not
printed.

Literary world-learned men; per-
sons interested in literature and
publications.

Compiled (Latin, con, together; pilo, to drive)-driven together

or made thick; collected from various books and put together. Pedestrian (Latin, pede, on foot)made on foot or by walking. Rigorous economy -- a strictly frugal expenditure of money. Geology-the science which treats

of the structure and composition of the earth. Scientific-belonging to the higher branches of knowledge, . g., philosophy, physics, mathiematics, &c.

Give the

QUESTIONS.-Where were the brothers born? Describe Peebles. character of their father and mother. How and where were the boys educated? What made them go to Edinburgh? How did they begin business? Describe the way they got on at first. What was the first book they published, and what the first periodical? What first brought them into notice What great author helped them? What books did he write? What was their most successful publication? What caused Robert's death? Explain "encyclopædia "academy"-"lottery". -"contraband -"kaleidoscope -"medieval ""Spartan mother."

PLEASURE ARISING FROM VICISSITUDE—(PAGE 21).

Dew-bespangled-dotted or sprin-
kled with' dew, so as to cause a
sparkling appearance.
Wintry trance-a state of sleep
or unconsciousness during the
winter.

Ecstacy-excessive joy or rapture
that absorbs the mind.
Lyric-poetry composed to be sung
to the harp or lyre.
Vernal (Latin, ver, spring)-spring-
like, or belonging to spring.
Crystalline - like crystal; pure,
clear, transparent.
Madding-raging, furious.
Hebe-the fabled cup-bearer of
Jupiter.

Phantom- -a ghost, spectre, or ap-
parition.

Spleen-the milt, a spongy substance between the cleventh and

twelfth ribs, of an oval form, supposed by the ancients to be the seat of anger, melancholy, or vexation; so, often used for "spite" or ill-humour." Scorpion-a kind of insect with a long body terminating in a slender tail, formed in six joints, and containing a very sharp sting, which sends out a poisonous liquid; this sting causes very great pain. Scorpions are found in the south of Europe, Africa, East Indies, South America. Used here for malicious and spiteful."

66

Hies him home-runs home quickly; with haste or diligence. Vicissitude (Latin, vicissim, by turns) change, revolution, or turn of fortune.

QUESTIONS.-What is the description of spring? How does "nature lead the song"? What difference is marked here between man and beast? How is the sick man affected by spring? What is the description of indolence and pride? How is the peasant happier than the ambitious man? Explain ecstacy"-" lyric"-" vernal"-"Hebe "-" penury."

JAVANESE-(PAGE 24).

Java-one of the Sunda Islands,

to the south of India, and east of Sumatra. Sacrilege (Latin, sacer, sacred; and lego, to take)-stealing that which is sacred, or appropriating it to any common purpose.

Era (Latin, æra, time)-a fixed
point of time, from which years
are counted, as the "Christian
Era."
Praise-giving-a service composed
of praises or hymns.
Betel-a kind of pepper; a climb-

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