down, so as only to show the point of the foot. Their hair is plaited and hangs down the back.

The learning of the Turks is such that it is said there is only one bookseller in Constantinople. He has a small collection of French and Italian works, with a few En, glish.

FUNERAL CEREMONIES OF THE CHINESE.

On the day of the funeral, the relations are assembled, and attend the corpse to the burial-place in the following order. A number of men march in file, carrying pasteboard figures of slaves, elephants, lions, tigers and other animals. Next follow men with flags, censers filled with perfumes, and tables of sweet-meats: while melancholy airs are played upon drums, bells, and various instruments. Immediately after the musician, follows the coffin, which is carried under a canopy of violet-coloured silk, neatly embroidered and covered with net-work.

The eldest son, clothed in a canvass frock, having his body bent and leaning on a staff, follows near the coffin. Behind him are his brothers, two and two, leaning on crutches, as if unable to support themselves. The procession is closed with the mother and daughters, carried in close chairs, and all the other relations and friends of the deceased in mourning. They all make a great show of sorrow, and fill the air with their mournful cries.

When they arrive at the burial-ground, the coffin is placed in a tomb prepared for it, and at a small distance there are several halls, where tables are spread with pro.

visions for the mourners and attendants. If the deceased were a grandee of the empire, his relations do not leave the tomb for a month or two, but reside in apartments prepared for them and renew their respects to the dead daily. The magnificence of these funerals depends upon the rank or wealth of the deceased. That of one of the emperor's brothers was attended by upwards of sixteen thousand persons.

Mountains and solitary places are generally chosen for the burial of the great. If the tomb be erected in a valley or plain, a large heap of earth is raised over it, and covered with white plaister. In the vault, an altar is erected, and covered with meats, incense, lighted tapers, and figures of slaves and animals, which are supposed to be of service to the dead in another world.

If the deceased held any considerable office, his most virtuous actions are engraved on marble and fixed up in front of the tomb; while figures representing officers, eunuchs, horses, stags, camels, lions and elephants are ranged round in different rows. About the tomb are groves of aged cypresses, giving an air of solemnity and sadness to the whole scene.

Each family of respectability has a large building, called the hall of ancestors, erected on some part of their estates, and common to all the branches of that family. In this hall, a long table is set against the wall, which bears the figures of their ancestors who have distinguished themselves by their talents or their patriotism. Sometimes, however, it contains only the names of men,

women and children belonging to the family, with their ages and dignities, inscribed upon tablets.

In spring the relations assemble at this hall, and the wealthiest of them prepare a banquet which seems to have been originally designed for the dead. None of the viands are touched till an offering has been made with due solemnity.

Besides these annual entertainments, the Chinese consider themselves obliged to visit the tombs of their ancestors once or twice a year. At these times, they pluck up the weeds and bushes that surround the sepulchre, and place wine and provisions upon it. The poorer classes, who have no hall to honour their ancestors, are satisfied with fixing up their names in the most open part of their houses.

THE CHILDREN OF NAPLES.

It is said that there is not a city in the world, the neighbourhood of which is so stirring and bustling as that of Naples. You perceive an extraordinary liveliness and animation long before you reach the capital; so that you are well prepared for the astonishing scene which awaits you on your arrival.

One of the most interesting sights is the great number of very young children, who are already of use to their parents. You see little boys and girls as busily employed as their elders. One is the bearer of his father's breakfast to the fields. Another carries a pick-axe or spade, which you would hardly think him strong enongh

to lift. Another is driving an ass with vegetables to market. I saw a little creature standing on a chair, grinding a knife, while another still younger was turning the wheel.

In short, in Naples, every one is busy, and every body seems to be in a hurry. The sight of this active crowd is extremely entertaining.

In a Chinese theatre, the following wonderful feat of strength was exhibited. Four men placed themselves in a solid square, two others then got up and placed themselves on their shoulders, and one man again ascended upon theirs. Another performer then mounted a ladder and got on the shoulders of the last. This raised him as high as the top of the scenes, from whence another man was handed to him, whom he took in his right hand by the waistband, and held up over his head a considerable time. Then raising one leg, he balanced himself and his burthen on the other. After this he threw his live lumber, head over heels among the surrounding actors, who caught him in their arms; whilst at the same time he made a somerset on the other side, and descending disappeared among the crowd. In this feat there appeared to be no deception, and the stage was as distinct as midday.

MECHANISM.

CURIOUS CLOCK AT STRASBURG.

The most famous clock in the world is at Strasburgh, in Germany. It was invented by Conradius Dasipodius, in the year 1571. Before the clock stands a globe on the ground, showing the motions of the heavens, stars and planets. The heavens are carried about in twenty-four hours, and the moon in one month.

To the clock itself, there are two tables, on the right and left hand, shewing the eclipses of the sun and moon from the year 1573 to the year 1624. In the middle frame of the clock is a metal plate, showing the sign in