discovered that continent in 1492. The Spaniards first introduced it into Europe; but it was only cultivated at first from curiosity, and not as an article of food. In 1585, Sir Francis Drake brought it into England, where it did not attract much attention, till Sir Walter Raleigh, a few years afterwards, imported a fresh supply. To show what slow progress it made in English gardens, we may state that it is not even mentioned in the Complete Gardener, published in 1719. People, however, began to think that it might be useful in feeding pigs and cattle, and soon afterwards it was recommended as food for poor people in case of famine. In 1750, its growth had become general throughout the kingdom, and it was extended about the same time to Germany, and other parts of the continent.

Potatoes, unlike many other food plants, flourish in almost every part of the globe. It grows feebly in gardens, even within the arctic circle, and it is cultivated in countries a short distance from the equator. Its introduction into Great Britain has been of great benefit to the people, furnishing a cheap and useful article of food, and preventing the once frequent returns of famine.

According to Humboldt, the extent of land which would supply thirty pounds of wheat, would produce one thousand pounds of potatoes. Potatoes, however, are not nearly so strengthening as bread, and it is not advisable for people to live altogether upon them. The best way in which they may be cooked is by boiling, as all that is hurtful in them then comes out in the water, which is therefore rendered unfit for use.

New kinds of potatoes are produced from seed; but

potatoes are commonly procured by planting the tubers or cuttings of them in the ground. After they are planted, they should be kept free from weeds; the soil should be loosened occasionally, and earthed up on both sides when the plants have grown to a sufficient size. The potatoes which are grown in gardens, are commonly used in an unripe state, when they are known as new potatoes. Although they form a favourite dish for the table, they are not wholesome, and sometimes produce cholera and other diseases. Those potatoes, which when growing have been partly above the ground, are green in colour, bitter in taste, and unwholesome in quality. This difference in colour and quality is produced by the light of the sun, which is not favourable to the tubers or roots of potatoes. Potatoes dug out of the ground before they are ripe are very liable to heat and sprout.

The potato is subject to a variety of diseases, the chief of which is the potato disease, or the potatc murrain, which was first observed in Germany in 1842. In 1844 it appeared in Canada, and proved very destructive. It was first noticed in England in 1845; and in the year 1846 its ravages were so exten sive, as to produce a famine in Ireland. The cause of its appearance is not known.

Other diseases which affect the potato are the scab, curl, dry rot, and wet rot. The chief cause of these diseases appears to be the exhaustion of the powers of the plant, by producing it for too long a period from the roots or tubers, instead of the seed.

The potato is valuable in other respects besides its use as a vegetable. The starch it contains is easily separated, and appears in large proportions. It is, therefore, cheaper than other kinds of starch, and is

manufactured in large quantities both in this country and on the continent. In the north of Europe a liquor made for drinking is produced from potatoes ; it is called potato brandy.

THE HOUR OF PRAYER.

Child, amidst the flowers at play,
While the red light fades away;
Mother, with thine earnest eye,
Ever following silently;
Father, by the breeze of eve,
Called thy harvest work to leave—
Pray ere yet the dark hours be,
Lift the heart and bend the knee!

Traveller, in the stranger's land,
Far from thy own household band;
Mourner, haunted by the tone
Of a voice from this world gone ;
Captive, in whose narrow cell,
Sunshine hath not leave to dwell;
Sailor, on the darkening sea,
Lift the heart and bend the knee!

Warrior, that from battle won,
Breathest now at set of sun;
Woman, o'er the lowly slain,
Weeping on his burial-plain ;
Ye that triumph, ye that sigh,
Kindred by one holy tie,

Heaven's first star alike ye see-
Lift the heart and bend the knee!

Mrs. Hemans.

THE DOG AND THE CHEVALIER. Aubri de Mondidier, a gentleman of family and fortune, travelling alone through the forest of Bondi, in France, was murdered, and buried under a tree. His dog, an English bloodhound, would not quit his master's grave for some days, till at length, compelled by hunger, he proceeded to the house of an intimate friend of his unfortunate master, and by his mournful howling seemed desirous to express the loss they had both sustained. He repeated his cries, ran to the door, looked back to see if anyone followed him, returned to his master's friend, pulled him by the sleeve, and with dumb eloquence entreated him to go with him.

This strange conduct of the dog, added to the circumstance of his coming there without his master, whose faithful companion he had always been, induced the company to follow the animal, who led them to a tree, where he renewed his howl, scratching the earth with his feet, begging them, as well as he could, to search that particular spot. Accordingly they dug down to the extent of a few feet, and found the body of the unfortunate Aubri.

Some time after, the dog, by accident, met the murderer, who is styled the Chevalier Macaire; when he instantly seized him by the throat, and was with great difficulty compelled to let him go. Whenever the dog saw the chevalier, he continued to pursue and attack him with equal fury. Such singular violence in the animal, displayed only against Macaire, appeared very strange, especially to those who had witnessed the dog's remarkable attachment to his master, and also knew that Macaire regarded him with feelings of envy and hatred.

D

Other things that occurred created suspicion, and at length the matter reached the ears of the king. Louis VIII. accordingly sent for the dog, who appeared very mild and gentle till he perceived Macaire in the midst of several noblemen, when he ran fiercely towards him, growling at him, and attacking him as usual. Struck with this singular conduct of the dog towards Macaire, the king, according to the barbarous custom of that age, determined to refer the decision to the chance of battle, and gave orders for a combat between the chevalier and the dog. The lists were appointed in the Isle of Notre Dame, and Macaire was allowed a great cudgel for his weapon.

An empty cask was allowed to the dog as a place of retreat to enable him to recover his breath. Everything being prepared, the dog no sooner found himself. at liberty than he ran around his adversary, avoiding his blows, and threatening him on every side till Macaire's strength was exhausted. Then, springing forward, he gripped him by the throat, threw him on the ground, and obliged him to confess his guilt in the presence of the king and the whole court. In consequence of this, a few days after, the chevalier was convicted of murder upon his own confession, and beheaded on a scaffold in the Isle of Notre Dame.

THE BATTLE OF CRESSY.

This glorious victory was won by Edward III. and his son, the Black Prince, over the forces of King Philip of France, in the year 1346. Edward, having advanced into the heart of France, had placed himself in a position of great danger, as the French troops threatened to surround his small army on all sides.