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SYRA WITH ITS OLD TOWN.

At the beginning of the Greek Revolution in 1820, many thousand Greeks sought for refuge in the island of Tenos, and some of these refugees commenced gaining their livelihood by trade. But the defective harbour of Tenos, and its unfavourable situation, also the plague which raged violently at this time, with other political reasons, compelled many to seek for an asylum in a more suitable location, and as such Syra was selected. This island was then an insignificant place, with only one town built on a conical hill at the back of the present new city. The spacious and secure harbour of Syra, its excellent situation for commerce, and the protection which the inhabitants (being Roman Catholics) enjoyed from the French government, induced numbers of Greek families to settle there also; and as much people crowded together they began to build a town toward the south-east of the island, and gave it the name of Hermoupolis. Part of this new town is built on a small peninsula near the harbour, but the greater part on hills looking towards the south. It is about one mile in width, and two in length. It contains at present near 5000 houses with magazines, and about 14,000 inhabitants, comprising families from all parts of Greece. There are, however, but few good houses, partly on account of the poverty of the builders, and partly because they were only put up for a temporary purpose, as the Greeks had never the intention to remain permanently in the town of Hermoupolis. But the confluence of European and Greek vessels, the commerce with many places in Greece and foreign parts, especially with Egypt, the native country of the plague, induced them soon to build a Lazaretto, which stands partly on a rock without the western side of the town; also a Health Office was established. The Hermoupolis contains but two Greek churches which are served by 15 or 16 priests with a bishop at their head, whose see is here. One of these churches was erected in 1825, in an excellent situation, and bears the name of the "Transfiguration

of the Saviour." The other distinguished public building is the hospital, which is large and commodiously built, and stands on an eminence at the western extremity of the town near to the sea. Tho' the streets are at present narrow, the houses low and small, with a white-washed exterior, yet many great improvements are daily progressing in these respects. Streets are being widened, old houses pulled down, while larger, loftier, and more commodious ones are taking their place, and new churches are being built. In 1828 the first Lancasterian school was established, and there are now existing in the town six school-houses, while 2000 of the youth are averaged as being now under instruction. The harbour of Syra is acknowledged by all travellers to be a most interesting scene of industry. This port is capable of receiving the largest ships; its entrance is to the S. E. of the island: six or seven steamers are to be seen here every ten days, which considerably enlivens the town, whilst Greek, English, and Turkish merchant ships are continually visiting it. The new Lazaretto, now building under the direction of a German architect, is situated S. W. of Hermoupolis, and presents a very interesting scene of industry. The first carts seen in the island of Syra were introduced three months since, for the purpose of carrying stones for the accomplishment of this building, which occupies about 200 hands.

Article in the Ecclesiastical Code of Iceland.

In the ecclesiastical code of this country an article is extant, singular, perhaps, in its nature, but admirable in its design, which gives to the bishop, or even to the inferior clergy, the right of preventing any marriage where the female is unable to read. This law, which provides so powerful a pledge for the instructions of the rising generation, ⚫ is still acted upon, though, perhaps, not with so much strictness as in former times.

The books in the possession of the lower classes are generally of a religious nature, a great number of such works having been printed in Iceland during the last two or

three centuries, and very generally circulated through the country. In many parishes there is a small collection of books belonging to the church, from which, under the superintendence of a priest, each family in the district may derive some little addition to its means of instruction and improvement.-Sir George Mackenzie's Travels.

EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE.

The education of the working classes abroad attracted much of my attention; and to the care afforded by foreign governments to its advancements do I attribute much of the greater contentment and lesser criminality which characterises the artizans of the continent, and which I particularly remarked in the manufacturing districts. Here education is left to the philanthropy of individuals or to the accidental wisdom of parents. Abroad it is deemed an element of government, essential to the comprehension of and obedience to the laws, and requisite alike to the interest of the state and to the welfare of the recipient. In France the cost of education is provided for out of municipal funds, which are by law authorised to support schools. In Belgium it is equally provided for by law. In Switzerland ignorance is punished; In Prussia and Bavaria education is compelled. In Austria, in addition to scholastic establishments, certificates of attendance are made passports to employment. Even in Russia, Alexander did establish throughout his dominions schools on the most approved system, and conducted by masters supplied from the normal schools of the civilized nations. Egypt, under the superintendence of her singular pacha, schools and universities on the most liberal scale are every where arising; in England, enlightened literary England alone, does legislation reject education as an handmaid of government! and in point of the instruction of the population at large, she stands sixth among the nations of Europe!-Symon's Arts and Artizans.

In

The Rev. Mr. X.... a member of the Benedictine order, whilst passing thro' Malta some time ago, was asked what differ

ence he had found in the state of education in the northern states and those of the south, such as Italy and Sicily. To this he frankly replied: The difference is very great;-in Italy and Sicily people enjoy a freedom which the inhabitants of the northern states know nothing of. The governments of the latter countries have adopted such laws as oblige all their subjects to become civilized members of Society: but in Italy and Sicily, generally speaking, government leaves every one at liberty to live like a brute in respect of education.

Of the Reducing Powers of the Stomach.

The different operations of cookery, as roasting, boiling, baking, &c., have all a reducing effect, and may, therefore, be considered as preparatory to the solvent action of the stomach. Of these operations man's nature has taught him to avail himself, and they constitute the chief means by which he is abled to be omnivorous; for, without such preparation a very large portion of the matters which he now adapts as food would be completely indigestible. By different culinary processes the most refractory substances can often be rendered nutricious: thus, by alternate baking and boiling, the woody fibre itself may be converted into a sort of amylaceous pulp, not only possessing most of the properties of the amylaceous principle, but capable of being formed into bread. The culinary art engages no small share of attention among mankind; but, unfortunately, cooks are seldom chemists, nor indeed do they understand the most simple of the chemical principles of their art; hence their labour is most frequently employed, not in rendering wholesome articles of food more digestible-which is the true object of cookery,

but in making unwholesome things palatable, foolishly imagining that what is agreeable to the palate must be also healthful to the stomach. A greater fallacy can scarcely be conceived; for, though by a beautiful arrangement of Providence, what is wholesome is seldom disagreeable, the converse is by no means applicable to man, since those things which are pleasant to

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MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

MIND your own business," is an expression very often in use, and not unfrequently it would be as properly applied to the speaker as to the person to whom it is addressed.

Sometimes it is spoken very opportunely, and sometimes it had much better be withheld; for those who neglect their own business are not exactly the proper persons to correct others for disregarding theirs. Yet still, without reflecting whether we are faulty in this respect or not, we are all too ready to cry out to those who intrude upon, or among us, "Mind your own business;" for true it is that we see a small hole in our neighbour's coat plainer than a large one in our own. We are, indeed, most of us a great deal disposed to neglect our own business, as well as to intermeddle in the busines of others.

Whenever we spread an evil report, the truth of which is doubtful, but which must by its publicity do some one an injury, we are travelling out of our way to do mischief. It would be a better deed to hide a fault than to publish it. It would be better to correct failings of our own, than to

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inquired into, would be found owing to this, that they have not minded their own business.

Depend upon it, it is an excellent thing to mind your own business; by doing this you may be more respected, more useful, more benevolent, and ten times more happy. Do this, and things will go on right; neglect it, and every thing will go wrong. If you have any love to your neighbour, or any respect for yourself, mind your own business.

Drunkards, and gamesters, and libertines, are sure, one day or other, to be overtaken by the dreadful effects of their folly, intemperance, and wickedness; but is this to be wondered at? No: it must be it is the natural consequence of not minding their own business

How is it likely if we do not mind our own business, that any one will mind it for us? And if neither we nor other people attend to our affairs, disorder and ruin are written legibly upon them; and whether we read it or not, disorder and ruin will inevitably follow. Show me a man who does not mind his own business, and I will show you one who will soon be miserable.

But do you ask me if it is wrong to do a kindness to another? to bear the burden of the weak? to watch by the bedside of a sick neighbour? to relieve the destitute? to instruct the ignorant? to warn the careless? and to read the word of God to the blind and unlearned? I reply, that it is a part of your business to do these things according to your ability; for it is the business of every one to do what he can for the glory of God, and for the welfare of mankind: therefore, in doing these

make known those of our neighbour; therefore, by things you are really minding your own business.

spreading an evil report, we are not minding our own business.

Whenever we engage in quarrels, undertake to settle differences without being asked, or waste our time in pursuing idle and visionary projects; in each and all these cases, we are not minding our own business.

Every one has business of some kind or other, which he ought to attend to; and whether it be a family, a town, a county, or a kingdom, it is sure to be under better management when every member of it minds his own business.

When is it that we are dissatisfied with ourselves? that our affairs get into confusion? that we are behind hand in what we have undertaken to do? Why, when we have been idle, thoughtless, or foolish; when, in short, we have not minded ouro wn business.

Look at the world around you; there are, doubtless, many instances wherein sickness, accident, and misfortune, have brought down the richest, the wisest, and the most industrious members of the community to poverty; but if all those who are in circumstances of comfort were to be placed on one side, and all those who have been reduced to rags, want, and misery on the other, the greater part of the distresses of the latter, were they

Fail not, then, to follow His bright example who when he was on earth "went about doing good," remembering, that it is your business on earth to prepare for heaven. Employ every talent you possess usefully; pray in the Saviour's name fervently; read the word of God frequently, and confide in its promises firmly. Do these things, and you shall not fail to find in life and death, in time and eternity, the advantages of having minded your own business.

GRIEF at the loss of friends is natural. To say, therefore, that tears for the deceased are unsea. sonable, because they are unprofitable, is to speak without regard to the state and condition of human nature. A pious tear is a sign of humanity and generosity; but still, exceeding care must be taken, that men do not run into excesses in this kind. To grieve mey be laudable: to be loud and querulous is childish, and to carry matters so far • as to refuse comfort, is inexcusable. It is impious towards God, without whose permission nothing happens in the world: it expresses too great a disregard to other men, as though no one remained worthy of esteem or love; and it is highly prejudicial to ourselves, as it impairs our health, weakens our minds, unfits us for our several offices, and sometimes ends in death itself.

Quarterly Subscriptions at Is. and communications received at No. 97 Str. Forni.

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