and secondly, because there are certain annoyances connected with the " 'quality carriage," which rarely occur in that which is generally patronised in Europe by the bourgeoisie. It is customary to join so few third-class carriages to the train that when it has proceeded about twenty miles on its journey they are usually full, and the consequence is that if at one of the stations ten or fifteen Arabs, in filthy dirty burnouses and greasy chachias, happen to be waiting to take the train, they are bundled pell-mell into the first-class vehicles in spite of the remonstrances of the few unfortunates who purchased the highest-priced tickets with a view of being in select society. Second-class passengers generally escape this annoyance, as their carriages are always tolerably full.-From the "Gentleman's Magazine."

OCEAN SPRINCS.-It is a curious fact, that in many parts of the ocean, fresh-water springs burst from the bottom of the sea. Thus, in the Gulf of Spezzia and in the port of Syracuse, large jets of fresh water mingle with the brine; and Humboldt mentions a still more remarkable submarine fountain on the southern coast of Cuba, in Gulf of Xagua, a couple of sea miles from the shore, which gushes through the salt water with such vehemence that boats approaching the spot are obliged to use great caution. Trading vessels are said sometimes to visit this spring, in order to provide themselves in the midst of the ocean with fresh water.-From "The Sea and its Living Wonders."

THE ARCTIC REGIONS.-It is quite impossible for any one who has not seen the ice in these regions to form any adequate idea of its wonderful appearance. The surge of the heavy sea is breaking upon the outer edge of the huge floating masses of ice, and the distant prospect is laden with heavy-looking blocks, interspersed with flatter snow, covering all the fields on which little hummocks of ice have formed. The first impression naturally is that the barrier is impassable for a ship, and this depressing effect is hardly relieved by the wonderfully beautiful appearance of the obstacle. Here the opposition is seemingly constructed out of a multitude of gigantic gems glittering in all the splendor of the diamond, emerald, and sapphire. The great waves of the sea strike against the glistening diadem, and as the spray dashes down its surface, the sun's rays catch up all the prismatic hues of the frozen facets, and so reflect them with redoubled lustre. Nor is the mind contented with the contemplation of these vast riches of rubies and opals. There are fantastic forms floating over the surrounding sea which have an interest of their own nearly equal to the lustre of the ice itself we mean the air and water-worn portions of the ice, which in their dissolution, grow into the resemblance of quaint forms, but the constant wasting of these objects is very striking; their destruction is rapid, owing to their evaporation

from the causes mentioned; and not only is the sense of sight affected by the prospect, the ear is tortured by the thundering sound of the disrupted masses as they tilt against each other and are rent asunder.-From "The Gateway to the Polynia."

SUBMARINE LANDSCAPES.-When the sea is perfectly clear and transparent it allows the eye to distinguish objects at a very great depth. Near Mindora, in the Indian Ocean, the spotted corals are plainly visible under twenty-five fathoms of water. The crystalline clearness of the Caribbean sea excited the admiration of Columbus, who in the pursuit of his great discoveries ever retained an open eye for the beauties of nature. "In passing over these splendidly adorned grounds," says Schöpf, "where marine life shows itself in an endless variety of forms, the boat, suspended over the purest crystal, seems to float in the air, so that a person unaccustomed to the scene easily becomes giddy. On the clear sandy bottom appear thousands of sea-stars, sea-urchins, molluscs, and fishes of a brilliancy of color unknown in our temperate seas.

Fiery red, intense

blue, lively green, and golden yellow perpetually vary; the spectator floats over groves of seaplants, gorgonias, corals, alcyoniums, flabellums, and sponges, that afford no less delight to the eye, and are no less gently agitated by the heaving waters, than the most beautiful garden on earth when a gentle breeze passes through the "The Sea and its Living waving boughs.-From Wonders."

AFRICAN LADIES' AMUSEMENTS.-The chief amusement of the ladies on the Gold Coast is the Adunkum, or Nautch. A number of girls assemble in a house or yard, and while some of them beat a drum and shake rattles covered with beads, the others clap their hands and sing melodious airs. Then a girl advances into the middle of the circle, and flutters a handkerchief to and fro. She dances with a movement not unlike skating, or merely undulates her body and waves her arms with infinite grace in the air. Then she throws the handkerchief to one of the others, who follows her example. There are dances of all kinds upon the Gold Coast; but this, the dance of the salon, is grave, elegant, and decorous. Sometimes men are present, and dance in the same manner; but the women seem always to enjoy themselves more when they are by themselves. The music is simple enough, and is not changed for hours and hours but the cadence is pleasing, the measure well marked; perhaps this continued reiteration produces a peculiar excitement, just as a dervish makes himself drunk by crying out "Allah !" the whole night without intermission; certain it is, that no one can go to an Adunkum without feeling a violent desire to burst into the middle of the circle and perform a pas seul. At the same time strong liquors are provided, the ladies being given to " 'drawing-room alcoholism;" and what with