embosomed in a wood. Here we stopped for refreshment at one of the tea-houses situated on the edge of a stream, the balconies of the upper room overhanging the water. Entering, we find, through the absence of chairs, sofas, and other requisites, that, if we would rest, we must seat ourselves, à la Japanese, on the clean matting; and joining a party of Japanese ladies and gentleman, with whom my friend was acquainted, we soon became on the most excellent terms. Refreshments had been ordered, and we were invited to join, but my alarm was great when I saw what was spread before us-lacquer bowls containing such odd mixtures: fish, raw and cooked; rice, seaweed and soy; slices of strange-looking materials, whether flesh or fowl, it was difficult to say; vegetables and saki. These dishes the waiters in attendance seemed delighted, with roguish fun, to press on us, apparently for the amusement our wry faces afforded them. It was a hazardous attempt at first, but, after all, some of the dishes were palatable enough. 4. By way of dessert, oranges, apples, pears, and sweets were brought in; so there was no difficulty in satisfying our hunger. 5. Tea and saki were afterwards served by our attendants, and after the long walk we were glad to stretch on the soft matting for repose, while imbibing the pleasantflavoured tea. 6. Afterwards the dancers, with lute and tom-toms, came tripping in; but they elicited from their musical instruments such discordant sounds that we were glad to take refuge in the balcony, from which point nothing could have been more picturesque than the landscape presented; the hillsides, dotted with temples and teahouses combining to form a scene of beauty that we could not fail to enjoy. 7. As the evening was closing on us, we took leave of our friends at the tea-house, and retraced our way to Yeddo.-Cruise of the Challenger. sa tered, spread about. beverage, drink. pedestrian, traveller on foot. requisites, things needful. palatable, tasteful. dessert, fruit after dinner. Of what parts of England were the travellers reminded in their journey in Japan? What is to be found at frequent intervals on the Japanese roads? What do they sell at these stalls? Where did the travellers stop for refreshments? What was fixed outside the tea-house windows? What furniture is to be found in these ta-houses? Name some of the refreshments that were served up. What was brought in for dessert? What was served up after dessert? What instruments of music were afterwards played? 1. His raven locks were clustering thick Upon his marble brow, The bloom that tinged his youthful cheek Closed were the eyes that brightly shone, 2. He lay upon his lowly bier, But none were by his side Of those he loved, to shed a tear, Or bless him when he died; His home was o'er the dark blue wave, In the land where dwelt the free and brave. 3. Beneath the cold, cold turf, unknown, No mournful form strays there alone, But on his grave grow wild flowers fair, 4. Pale shall be many a blooming cheek, Of those he loved, in days to come, When the wandering youth returns not home. -Stephen Wilson. THE HARVEST OF THE SEA. 1. The sea is more abundantly stocked with living creatures than the land. In all parts of the world a rocky and partially protected shore perhaps supports, in a given space, a greater number of individual animals than any other station. The sea is filled with animals of several kinds, and each layer of water in depth seems to have its own varieties, thus resembling the changes which take place according to elevation in the organized portions of the land. 2. The animals are among the mightiest and among the smallest. There are swimming mammals, as whales, seals, and walruses; there are fishes of various kinds and sizes, crustaceans, soft or jelly fishes, the molluscs, down to those creatures resembling live plants-the zoophytes or corallines, which partake of the qualities of plants and animals. All these are peculiar to the sea or to the fresh waters; and the ocean has its marine plants-sea-weeds which remain growing on the ground-shoals or rise to the surface and then float. 3. Pliny enumerated but 94 species of fish; Linnaeus increased the number to 478, but recent naturalists have described over 13,000 species, one-tenth of which confine themselves to the fresh waters. 4. The human race derives almost incalculable benefits from them, as is evidenced by the extent and value of the river, coast, and sea fisheries of the world. 5. The harvest of the sea has not yet been attended to 'and garnered to the same extent as that of the land. Some nations, as the Chinese, have, it is true, long given close attention to the profitable utilization of its commercial products, and several European nations and the Americans have also prosecuted certain fisheries; but systematic and scientific management has only of late years been specially directed to the various branches. 6. That the supply of fish is most abundant and indeed inexhaustible on all our coasts has never been called in question. This harvest is ripe for gathering at all seasons. of the year without the labour of tillage and without expense of seed or manure. 7. In spite, however, of this large supply of wholesome, palatable, and nutritious food, yielded by the surrounding seas of Great Britain, every acre of which is infinitely more productive than the same quantity of the richest land; notwithstanding that these salt-water fields are perpetually "white to the harvest," it is a remarkable. fact that, in the inland and middle counties of England, the labouring classes scarcely know the taste of fish. Of late years it has even become a scarce article in some of the maritime counties. 8. Formerly salmon whilst in season was the common food of all ranks in the northern counties bordering on |