THE HORRORS OF A SLAVE SHIP. 1. What celebrated astronomer was born on this 'day, in 1738? 2. What did he begin to do in 1779? 443 3. By what were his labours amply rewarded on the 13th of March, 1781 ? 4. What name did he give to this new primary planet? 5. What is it now more generally denominated? 6. Where are his numerous subsequent discoveries recorded ? 7. By whom was he assisted in his observations and calculations? LESSON CCCXX.. -NOVEMBER THE SIXTEENTH. MR. R. WALSH, in his "Notices of Brazil," says, in describing a slave-ship, examined by the British man-of-war in which he returned from Brazil, in May, 1829: "She had taken in, on the coast of Africa, 336 males and 226 females, making in all 562, and had been out seventeen days, during which she had thrown overboard fifty-five. The slaves were all enclosed under grated hatchways, between decks. The space was so low, that they sat between each other's legs, and stowed so close together, that there was no possibility of their lying down, or at all changing their position by night or day. As they belonged to, and were shipped on account of, different individuals, they were all branded, like sheep, with the owners' marks, of different forms. These were impressed on their breasts, or on their arms, and, as the mate informed me, with perfect indifference, burnt with a red-hot iron! Over the hatchway stood a ferocious-looking fellow, with a scourge of many-twisted thongs in his hand, who was the slavedriver of the ship; and whenever he heard the slightest noise below, he shook it over them, and seemed eager to exercise it." The author proceeds to state, that these poor creatures were packed up and wedged together as tight as they could cram, in low cells three feet high, so that they had not more than twenty-three square inches for each man, and thirteen inches for each woman; while the heat of these horrid places was so great, and the odour so offensive, that it was quite impossible to enter them, even had there been room. The English officers insisted that the poor suffering creatures should be admitted on deck, to get air and water; and "they came swarming up, all in a state of total nudity, like bees from the aperture of a hive, till the whole deck was crowded to suffocation from stem to stern; so that it was impossible to imagine where they could all have come from, or how they could all have been stowed away. After enjoying, for a short time, the unusual luxury of air, some water was brought; it was then that the extent of their sufferings was exposed in a fearful manner. They all rushed like maniacs towards it. No entreaties, or threats, or blows, could restrain them; they shrieked and struggled, and fought with one another, for a drop of this precious liquid, as if they grew rabid at the sight of it.” It is melancholy to add, that the wretched captives were soon again doomed to their loathsome dungeon: for the English ship was obliged to release the slaver, as it could not be proved, after a strict examination, that he had exceeded the privilege allowed to Brazilian ships of procuring slaves south of the line. 1. How were the slaves stowed away while on board? 2. In what way were the slaves marked with their owners' names? 3. What was the conduct of the poor creatures when some water was brought to them? LESSON CCCXXI. NOVEMBER THE SEVENTEENTH. Fidelity of the Followers of Charles Edward Stuart. AFTER the battle of Culloden, what must have been tne sensations of the fugitive prince, when he beheld the spectacles of wo, the dismal fruit of his ambition! He was now surrounded by armed troops that chased him from hill to dale, from rock to cavern, and from shore to shore. Sometimes he lurked in caves and cottages, without attendants, or any other support but that which the poorest peasant could supply. Sometimes he was rowed in fisher-boats from isle to isle, among the Hebrides, and often in the sight of his pursuers. For some days he appeared in woman's attire, and even passed through the midst of his enemies unknown. But, understanding his disguise was discovered, he assumed the habit of a travelling mountaineer, and wandered about among the woods and heaths, with a matted beard and squalid looks, exposed to hunger, thirst, and weariness, and in continual danger of being apprehended. He was obliged to trust his life to the fidelity of above fifty individuals, and many of these were in the lowest ranks of life. They knew that a price of 30 000l. was set upon his head; and that, by betraying him, they would THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO BY CORTES. 445 enjoy wealth and affluence; but they detested the thought of obtaining riches on such infamous terms, and ministered to his necessities, with the utmost zeal and fidelity, even at the hazard of their own destruction. In the course of these peregrinations, he was more than once hemmed in by his pursuers, in such a manner as seemed to preclude all possibility of escaping; yet he was never abandoned by hope and presence of mind; he still found some expedient that saved him from captivity and death; and through the whole course of his distresses, maintained the most amazing equanimity and good humour. What a noble example of fidelity and disinterestedness did these poor Highlanders exhibit on this occasion, and how honourable to their country! 1. Who was Charles Edward Stuart ? 2. To the fidelity of how many persons was he obliged to trust his life? 3. How did they show their noble-mindedness when a reward of 30,000l. was offered for the Pretender's apprehension ? LESSON CCCXXII. NOVEMBER THE EIGHTEENTH. The Conquest of Mexico by Cortes. On this day, in 1518, Ferdinand Cortes, a Spanish adventurer, sailed from the island of Cuba, in the West Indies, to attempt the conquest of Mexico. He had 11 small vessels, on board of which were embarked 617 men, soldiers and sailors, with 18 horses, and 10 field-pieces, but only 13 firelocks. With this small force he landed at Tabasco, which he took after dreadful slaughter; and, advancing to St. Juan de Ulva, he was met by the ambassadors of Montezuma, the King of Mexico, who by entreaties and presents solicited him to cease from his enterprise, and not penetrate into the country. Cortes knew the terror which his arms inspired; the fire of his artillery was compared to the thunder of the heavens; the horses on which the Spaniards rushed to the battle were unknown and irresistible monsters, and the huge vessels which, floating on the ocean, had brought these strangers, were such extraordinary objects in the eyes of the superstitious Indians, that the Spaniards were regarded as more than human beings. After building a small fort at Vera-Cruz, and burning his ships to inspire his followers with confidence, Cortes advanced through the provinces to the capital of Mexico, supported by the co-operation of some tribes which were dissatisfied with Montezuma. With only 500 men, badly armed, and 15 horses, he defeated the Kascalans, who disputed his progress; and, after rewarding the hospitality of the inhabitants of Cholula with rapine and slaughter, he presented himself at the gates of Mexico. He was received with great pomp by Montezuma; but though treated with confidence, Cortes acted with duplicity, and seizing the person of the monarch, he compelled him to acknowledge himself the vassal of Spain. 1. What Spanish adventurer sailed from the island of Cuba on this ay, in 1518? 2. How many vessels had he? 3. How many men were embarked in these vessels ? 4. Where did he land with his small force?-and what followed? LESSON CCCXXIII.-NOVEMBER THE NINETEENTH. Fraternal Affection. WHEN the St. James, Portuguese ship, was wrecked on the coast of Africa, the captain and twelve other persons betook themselves to the pinnace. On putting off, numbers hurried on in hopes of getting on board; but their more fortunate comrades, fearing that they might be sunk with the weight of all those who endeavoured to get admittance, pushed them back into the sea, and, with their sabres and hatchets cut, without mercy, the hands of such as would not quit their hold. It is impossible to describe the anguish of those who remained on the floating fragments of the wreck and witnessed the barbarous scene. Those in the boat, in order to prevent the anarchy and confusion which would have aggravated their misery, agreed to submit to the authority of a head, which they would choose from among themselves; and they immediately made choice of one, whom they invested with absolute authority. This power he soon found it necessary to employ, in causing the weakest, whom he merely pointed out with his finger, to be thrown overboard. In the number of those was a carpenter, who had assisted in preparing the pinnace; the only favour he requested was a little wine, after which he suffered himself to be thrown into the water without uttering a word. Another, who was proscribed in the same manner, was saved by an uncommon exertion of fraternal affection. He was already seized, and on the point of being sacrificed to imperious necessity, when his younger brother demanded a moment's delay. He observed, that his brother was skilful in his profession; that his father and mother were very old, and his sisters not yet settled in life; that he could not be of that service to them which his brother could; and, as circumstances required the sacrifice of one of the two, he begged to die in his stead. His request was complied with, and he was immediately thrown into the sea. But this courageous youth followed the boat upwards of six hours, making incessant efforts to get on board, sometimes on one side, sometimes on the other, while those who had thrown him over endeavoured with their swords to keep him off. But that which appeared likely to accelerate his end preserved it. The young man snatched at a sword, seized it by the blade, and neither the pain, nor the exertions made by him who held it, could make him quit his hold. The others, admiring his resolution, and moved by the proof of fraternal affection which he had displayed, unanimously agreed to permit him to enter the pinnace. At length, after having endured hunger and thirst, and encountered the dangers of several tempests, they landed on the coast of Africa. 1. What arguments did the younger brother use to save the life of the elder? 2. What was the cause of his preservation? LESSON CCCXXIV. -NOVEMBER THE TWENTIETH. Lead. THIS useful metal is found in considerable quantity in many parts of the earth, but seldom, if at all, in the pure metallic state. Lead is of a bluish-gray colour, and very brilliant when fresh cut, but soon tarnishes from exposure to the air. It is the softest and least elastic of all the metals; easily flattened under the hammer, and dụctile in a very great degree, though much less so than gold. It may easily be cut with a knife, and stains the fingers bluish-gray when rubbed. It fuses at 612° Fahrenheit, and renders other more refractory metals fusible, |