Chapter 4

_The Pyramids._--The Egyptians, according to Herodotus, hated the memory of the kings who built the pyramids. The great pyramid occupied a hundred thousand men for twenty years in its erection, without counting the workmen who were employed in hewing the stones and conveying them to the spot where the pyramid was built. Herodotus speaks of this work as a torment to the people, and doubtless, the labour engaged in raising huge masses of stone, that was extensive enough to employ a hundred thousand men for twenty years, equal to two millions of men for one year, must have been fearfully tormenting. It has been calculated that the steam engines of England worked by thirty-six thousand men, would raise the same quantity of stones from the quarry, and elevate them to the same height as the great pyramid, in the short space of eighteen hours. It was recorded on the pyramid, that the onions, radishes, and garlic, which the labourers consumed, cost sixteen hundred talents of silver, which is equivalent to several million pounds.

SWAINE.

* * * * *

The generality of mankind will not bear to be viewed too closely, or too often: they lose their value on a nearer approach; which made the honest countrymen say to his friend, who was boasting of a legacy bestowed upon him by a person, into whose company he had accidentally fallen only once in his life, "Ah, Jonathan, if he had seen thee twice, he would not have left thee a farthing."

_Friendship._--Friendship is of so delicate and so nice a texture, so defenceless against evil impressions, and so apt to wither at the least blast of jealousy, that we may say with Horace,

Felices ter et amplius, Quos irrupta tenet copula; nec malis Divulsus querimoniis, Suprema citius solvet amor die. _Ode_ 13, _lib_. i.

"Happy, thrice happy they, whose friendships prove One constant scene of unmolested love, Whose hearts right temper'd feel no various turns, No coolness chills them, and no madness burns. But free from anger, doubts, and jealous fear, Die as they liv'd, united and sincere."

* * * * *

The love between friends is certainly most harmonious when wound up to the highest pitch; but at that very time, is in greatest danger of breaking: and upon the whole, the strongest friendships may be compared to the strongest towns, which are too well fortified to be taken by open attacks; but are always liable to be undermined by treachery or surprise.

A.J.

* * * * *

In the ancient German empire, such persons as endeavoured to sow sedition, and disturb the public tranquillity, were condemned to become objects of public notoriety and derision, by carrying a dog upon their shoulders, from one great town to another. The Emperors, Otho I. and Frederick Barbarossa, inflicted this punishment on noblemen of the highest rank.

* * * * *

POPULAR SCIENCE.

With Engravings, price 5s.

ARCANA OF SCIENCE And Annual Register of the Useful Arts for 1832. Fifth Year.

The Volume for 1828, (fourth edition,) 4_s_. 6_d_. The Volume for 1829 and 1830, (nearly out of print.) and 1831, 5_s_. each.

"Any young gardener, who besides prosecuting his particular profession, wishes to be apprized of what is going on in the great world of human action generally, cannot possibly spend 5_s_. more efficiently than in the purchase of this book; * * * the first spare sovereign to the acquisition of the four back volumes, and then subsequently continue the work annually."--_Gardeners' Magazine_, (just published.)

Printed for JOHN LIMBIRD, 143, Strand.

* * * * *

_Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset House.) London; sold by ERNEST FLEISCHER, 626, New Market, Leipsic, G.G. BENNIS, 55, Rue Neuve, St. Augustin, Paris; and by all Newsmen and Booksellers._