OLD VENETIAN GLASS.

VENICE took up the manufacture of glass, the rudiments of which were taught by Greek workmen coming from Byzantium (Constantinople), who in their turn had learnt it from the ancient Roman, Greek and Phoenician workmen. Even before the thirteenth century began the Venetians were in full activity supplying the markets of the Mediterranean, principally with ornamental articles, such as beads and imitation jewels. The island of Murano was given up to the glassworkers, and remains, indeed, to this day the place where the Venetian glass is still to be seen being manufactured, though not in the same state of finish and taste for ornament, nor to the same extent, as was maintained up to the eighteenth century, when Bohemian workmen became rivals in the art and competitors in comMurano gradually lost its trade, and the glassworkers those exclusive privileges which had been granted them by the old republic of Venice. At present it is merely occupied in producing very clumsy imitations of the beautiful old latticinio (lace-glass) and millefiore (flowered-glass), with occasionally some new application of spun-glass, such as the pretty basketwork articles which have recently been introduced into our shops.

merce.

In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the great masters in the glassworks of Venice were so esteemed that they were the rivals of the old nobility, and filled the highest positions in the State. The art was not confined to making vessels for domestic use, such as those shown in our illustration, but the largest chandeliers were made, and these were ornamented with the most elaborate devices in flowers of every color and form, with fantastic branches and pendants in imitation of crystals and jewels. Occasionally these magnificent chandeliers are seen in the salerooms, and many are still used in the old halls of the nobility; there are also several in the South Kensington Museum, some of which belonged to the Soulages Collection, as the specimens of wineglasses did which we have selected.

The peculiarity of the Venetian glass is its remarkable lightness, the elegance of its forms, and the purity of the colored portions, especially where flowers are imitated in opaque glass. A good example is the wineglass with the stem formed in spikes and flowers, with scrolls. The bowl of these glasses was made always as delicate as possible, and there was a superstitious notion that if poison, which in those days of Venice was not uncommon, were in the wine the glass would detect it by instantly bursting. These glasses were much larger than ours, being generally from eight inches to a foot or more in height.

The Venetians were fond of grotesques, and frequently made vessels in the shape of animals, sometimes moulded, but more commonly blown into the form. The goblet with a stag is one of these, and it also shows a contrivance like a syphon, of which the body and neck of the stag are the short limb, communicating with the central tube by the legs, through which the wine would flow by the mouth of the stag into a small glass when the goblet was slightly tilted, the object, perhaps, being to obtain the wine without disturbing any dregs there might be in the liquor.

Large bowls or tazze were also made in various ornamental shapes, and on these frequently very beautiful patterns were painted in enamel colors, some of the best being a very good imitation of the eye of the peacock's feather, arranged in circles round the vessel, and giving a very charming effect. But a most pleasing kind of glasswork is that by which the appear

ance of white or colored network, like lace, is given, inclosed in the transparent glass which forms the vessel, and leaving a small airbubble in the meshes.

Another effect is given by inclosing slices of colored strips, formed of several different colors melted together. All these kinds of glass manufacture have been recently very successfully revived, principally through the researches of Mr. Apsley Pellatt, the well-known manufacturer; but the characteristic delicacy of the old Venetian glass has never yet been equalled.

The first glass factory in England appears to have been established in 1557, at the Savoy House in the Strand, and in 1635 a patent was granted to Sir Robert Mansell for glassmaking, and empowering him to import Venetian glass. In 1670, also, the second Duke of Buckingham brought over some Venetian glassworkers to settle in London; but the great advances in glass. work have been made by our own manufacturers during the last thirty years, though principally in the direction of large plate and every kind of moulded and cut glass in pure crystal. The colored glass manufacture is still in the hands of the French and Germans for all the superior kinds.

THE STORY OF AN EASY-CHAIR.

ALL are ready to acknowledge that the power of retaining presence of mind, under circumstances of sudden danger, should be possessed by every reasonable being, and yet how few there are who act as though they believed this to be either attainable or desirable!

Men have generally far more physical courage than women, and from this fact arises the universal contempt manifested for one of the "nobler sex" whose strength of mind and self-respect may have chanced to be suddenly overcome by a strong sense of personal danger. Doubtless, it is no small assistance to the "lords of the creation" to remember what is expected of them; and perhaps there are not many who would care to acknowledge how often they have been enabled to maintain outward composure by the timely recollection of the flattering tribute thus paid, by common consent, to their superior presence of mind.

Alas for the "weaker vessels" of the community, who find themselves placed thus low in the scale of self-command! And yet it must be confessed that too many women give ample grounds for the mortifying distinction. How often do we hear them exclaim, "Oh! how I should have screamed!" or, "Why didn't you run away?" when, in all probability, the danger would have been increased tenfold by doing either the one or the other.

It really is humiliating to think that the being suddenly placed in a perilous position should instantly deprive a woman of her common sense; and what a benefit would be conferred upon the world at large if the acquisition of a little self-control were made a prominent object in the education of young ladies! Much might be done by precept, but more by example.

There have been noble instances in the history of our country, as well as in that of other nations, in which female courage has risen above circumstances which might well have tried the strongest nerves. But it is in the occurrences of every-day life that women so often appear to be deficient in this most necessary virtue. Why it should be so, when, on far greater occasions, they find it possible to exercise the courage of a Grace Darling or a Florence Nightingale, is, perhaps, one of the mysteries of our nature yet to be solved.

We remember one remarkable instance of female courage, which occurred about the beginning of the present century; and although, perhaps, few could undergo a similar ordeal with the same wonderful composure, yet, as the old proverb tells us, "What man has done, man may do," we may hope that there are yet women in the world who could do as much if it were necessary.

At that time there lived in a solitary house on W- Comon a gentleman and his niece, their domestics consisting of a butler and two maid-servants. This gentleman happened to possess a great deal of valuable family plate, and, having occasion to go from home, he gave the key of the strong closet in which it was kept to his niece, requesting that she would

herself take charge of it. This she promised to do; and having every reason to suppose that he was leaving his family under the guardianship of a trustworthy man-servant, her uncle set out on his intended journey.

A day or two afterwards the butler came to his young mistrees, saying that this would be a good opportunity for the spare plate to be cleaned, as he knew his master was particular about it, and requesting that he might have the key of the closet for that purpose.

Not supposing for a moment that he had any other motive in asking for the key, she was on the point of giving it to him, when something in the expression of the man's eye made her hesitate, and, replacing the key in her pocket, she quietly said that her uncle had left no orders about it, and she should, therefore, prefer its being left as it was until his return. Surprised to find that the butler still persisted in his request, the young lady spoke still more decidedly, saying that she never interfered with her uncle's arrangements; and the discomfited butler went down-stairs, leaving his mistress not a little astonished at his strange behavior.

That night, after locking her bedroom door as usual, as she was walking towards the dressing table, with the candlestick in her hand, she was greatly startled by observing this man crouching down behind an easy-chair which stood near the wall. In an instant his conduct in the morning flashed across her mind, and she was no longer at a loss to account for his motive in wishing to possess himself of the key. Determined not to betray, by look or gesture, that she was aware of his presence, she quietly put down her candlestick, and, seating herself in a chair beside the dressing-table, took up her Bible and endeavored to read, praying most earnestly that she might be enabled to do whatever was right. Human help she had no means of obtaining; for, even were he to allow her to leave the room (which was not very likely), she wisely judged that to call two terrified maids to her assistance would be worse than having no help at all; and, therefore, commending herself to the protection of an all-powerful Deliverer, she remained for some time with her eyes fixed upon her Bible, now and then turning over its pages, and gradually becomin» calm and self-possessed.

At length she resolved what to do, and, putting down her book, she proceeded to undress as usual, first taking the key of the plate-closet from her pocket, and laying it down with some little noise, that the man might know just where to find it. She then knelt by her bedside, and, after silently asking for the protection and wisdom she so sorely needed, she lit the rushlight on the hearth, and extinguished her candle; and, as she laid her head upon the pillow, it was in the firm trust that nothing could harm her while under her Heavenly Father's

care.

After awhile she heard the chair gently pushed, and, through her closed eyelashes, she could see the man cross the room, and take up the key and the candlestick. He lit the candle at the hearth, and then came to the bedside. She had just time to perceive some kind of instrument in his hand, but lay perfectly still, breathing as regularly as a little child. Not by the quiver of an eyelid, or the slightest flutter of the breath, did she show that she was awake, even though she felt the bedclothes drawn down from her face, and knew that he was stooping over her, watching her countenance most intently. He then went to the foot of the bed, and stood for some minutes shading his eyes with his hand, so as throw the full light of the candle upon the quiet face before him.

At last, to her intense relief, he appeared satisfied, and left the room, leaving the door ajar; and she distinctly heard him unlock the strong closet at the end of the gallery into which her own and the other principal bedrooms opened. She soon heard him busily employed in packing up his booty, and recollecting that he would probably have left the key in the outside of the lock, this courageous girl instantly resolved that she would try to save her uncle's property and secure the thief. Hastily throwing something round her, she stole along the gallery, and, finding the key where she had expected, she suddenly shut the door and locked him in. In vain did the man alternately call, threaten and promise what he would do if she would only let him out. With the key in her hand, she ran up-stairs to rouse the women-servants, who were not a little amazed to see their young lady standing beside them with such

a story to tell. Neither of them wished for any more sleep that night; and, as soon as they were dressed, they all sat up together, watching and longing for the daylight.

When morning came, the thief was soon removed to prison by the proper officers, and admitted, when tried for the offence, that, had he believed it possible for any young lady to behave as his mistress had done, he should certainly have murdered her; but she had completely thrown him off his guard; and when he saw her (as he thought) so soundly asleep, he did not like to do it, for she had been kind to him, and he had no personal grudge against her.

Whilst readily allowing that few are likely to have their courage put to so severe a test, we cannot but think that it would be time and thought well bestowed if women would seriously consider how far it is in their power to conquer nervous fears. These, we know, are never so easily overcome as in early life; and of what real use can any one hope to be who accustoms herself to shrink from everything of which she is afraid? At the same time we sincerely hope that no young lady's peace of mind may ever again be disturbed by the unwelcome apparition of a man behind her easy-chair.

PHOSPHORUS IN OYSTERS.-Some little time ago, in the opening of an oyster, I was much surprised at observing a very bright fiame about the centre, which, when examined little closer, I found to proceed actually from a small quantity of real phosphorus; the quantity I could not ascertain, but there might be half a grain. I took it from off the oyster, and immersed it in water, till I had an opportunity of observing it more minutely; which, when I did, I found it to be in every respect the same as the phosphorus obtained from bones, urine, &c. The oyster itself was perfectly alive and fresh, so that it could not happen from any decomposition of the constituent parts of the shell by the aid of putrefaction; it must have proceeded from some other source. As I have never read of this substance being furnished perfectly ready formed in nature, any elucidation of the subject, from some of your numerous readers, will be very acceptable. The circumstances, moreover, may serve to explain the accidental poisoning from eating particular kinds of shell fish; and again, those cas rares of "spontaneous combustion in the buman body, as phosphorus, when heated, requires no more air than what is contained in the stomach to produce combustion which would perforate that organ.- James Bruce.

A RATTLESNAKE'S ATTACK.-When a rattlesnake is disturbed it sounds an alarm, and then, if compelled, it will fight. When the victim is within reach the jaws of the snake are separated, and the head thrown back so as to bring the fangs into a favorable position to penetrate the object. The head is then darted rapidly forward, the unsheathed tooth penetrates the body of the victim and the poison is injected into the flesh. The same muscular acts which open the wound inject the venom through the duct, and into the part penetrated by the tooth. The diver génce of the fang-points when the snake bites often causes a considerable distance between the two wounds. The power with which the venom is ejected from the tooth depends somewhat! upon the amount contained in the gland and in its ducts. If the snake fails to strike the object aimed at, the poison is sometimes projected several feet; and a case is on record where it was thrown into the eyes of a man who was six feet from the snake, when it struck upwards at a stick held above its coil.

MAXIMS FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS.-Never give reproof, if it can be avoided, while the feelings of either party are excited. If the parent or teacher be not calm, his influence is diminished, and a bad example is set. If the child is excited or provoked, he will not feel the force of argument or rebuke. On the other hand, do not defer too long. Seize the first favorable opportunity while the circumstances are fresh in the memory. Reprove each fault as it occurs, and do not suffer them to accumulate, lest the offender be discouraged by the amount.

STRENGTH.-Strength does not consist only in the more or the less. There are different sorts of strength, as well as different degrees. The strength of marble to resist; the strength of steel to oppose; the strength of the fine gold, which you can' twist round your finger, but which can bear the force of innumerable pounds without breaking.

CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE.

PUBLIC attention has been directed to the Alexandrian obelisk, popularly known as Cleopatra's Needle, presented to England by the late Mehemet Ali, in consequence of the suggestion recently made in the London Times that it should be brought from Alexandria, where it lies prostrate, and erected in some part of the British metropolis as a memorial to the late Prince Consort. We give an engraving of the "Needle" from a sketch by Captain E. Ottley, as it appeared in October, 1851. "At that time," says Captain Ottley, "it was lying embedded in sand, and one end of it was absolutely built into a wall close to the sea. The hieroglyphics seemed to be disappearing fast; in fact, it was with some difficulty I was enabled to give even the idea of them that the sketch annexed furnishes. Above eight feet and a half more of the obelisk was above ground when I saw it, but the hieroglyphics were so thoroughly worn, that trying to copy them was hopeless. The fellow obelisk to the one shown in our engraving is still standing, and, as far as my memory serves me, is in good preservation. It is at no great

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CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE.

distance from its prostrate brother, as will be seen by a glance at Roberts's magnificent work on Egypt, published in 1846. At the time Mr. Roberts made his sketch much more of the obelisk in question was visible than when I saw it. It would seem that both of these obelisks were brought from Heliopolis to Alexandria by one of the Cæsars. They are said to be the ones which Pliny makes mention of as having been placed before the Temple of Cæsar, and which he supposes to have been cut and sculptured at Mesphres.' This theory has found favor with Mr. Roberts. The obelisks are of red granite, and between sixty-five and seventy feet in height."

STRAY THOUGHTS.

SPEAK gently! Kind words and gentle looks cost neither silver or gold; yet, cheap as they are, they are of inestimable value. That omniscient eye which searcheth the hearts of men alone can tell how a cheerful smile, accompanied by cordial, heartfelt words of sympathy, will steal into the darkened soul in its hour, of deepest sadness, and drive out the clouds of despondency

which had flung their chilling shadows of gloom around it. Like some sweet note of heavenly music, they always find a response in our heartsalways touch some chord that will awaken the angel hope, even though her wings may now be folded in the dust. If, then, fellow mortal, thou hast it in thy power to lighten the load of human woes beneath which thy brothers are each day groaning, by speaking kind words, will ye not use that power in the holy cause of humanity?

True, it may cause some exertion, some selfdenial, for the smile which sends its radiance down into the heart must be something more than a meaningless simper, and the words that have the magic power to infuse new life into drooping hope must be something more than soulless words to which the heart gives the lie direct. But they must come from the heart, the legitimate fruit of a divine benevolence broad enough to encircle the 'whole brotherhood of man.

It matters not how plain that man or woman's face may be, if it is but lighted up by this soulful smile; then it will contain at least one angelic feature, the beauty of which will glorify al the rest and clothe them with a majesty and loveliness that will win their way direct to the heart of their fellow-men. I care not how stammering or slowspoken they may be, if in their tone or accent breathes the spirit of this divine benevolence; then theirs is an eloquence more potent than the melody of flowing numbers, and they the possessors of a key that will unlock to them all the good in the hearts of their fellow-beings. And is it not our duty to ever exercise a feeling of good-will toward our brothers, which will enable us to speak kindly and think leniently even of the erring? Thus shall we make our lives a living and a practical demonstration of the beauty of that divine injunction, "Love thy neighbor as thyself." Suppose that every life was governed by this law of love which bears within itself the unmistakeable evidence of its divine origin, what would be the result? Why, the next sun that rose would usher in the "millenium."

STATISTICS OF SHAVING.-Suppose a man commences shaving at seventeen, and continues the practice until he is seventy-six, it will be found that he has shaved 15,700 times. Going to the barber's, stopping and returning, cannot be estimated at less than half an hour, which, at ten working hours a day, will consume two whole years. At six cents each time, the amount will be $942, enough to build an ornamental cottage, or pay his board for six years.