HISTORICAL LESSONS FROM A BRICK.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9190, 18 September 1891, Page 4

HISTORICAL LESSONS FROM A BRICK .

Who would suppose that a humble brick could be capable of imparting valuable and important information, even to corroborate the sacred writings? But an Austrian mvont has discovered, by means of a microscope, >n a Btone taken from the Pyramid of Dashour, many interesting particulars connected with tho life of the ancient Egyptians. Thejbrick itself is made of mud of the Nile, chopped straw, and sand,' thus confirming what tbe Bible and Herodotus have handed down tons as to the Egyptian method of brickmaking. Besides these materials, tho microscope has brought other things to light — the debris of river sheila, of fish, and of insects, Beeds of wild and cultivated flowers, corn and barley, the field pea, and the common flax, cultivated probably both for food and textile purposes, and the radish, with many others known to science. There were also many other manufactured products, such as fragments of tiles and pottery, and even small pieces of string made of flax and sheep's wool.

The home circuit — Night-walking with the baby. Stout gentleman : " What time does the 7.45 train start ?" Porter: "At a quarter to «ight." Stou i gentleman: •• Bless ihq." yov are alvrayitolianging the tima of traina."