ARCHITECTURE FOR EARTHQUAKES. Sumatra is one of the largest islands in the Indian Archipelago, and the houses of the inhabitants are deserving of notice, inasmuch as they furnish a correct and curious specimen of the style of building, which the frequent occurrence of earthquakes renders the safest in the countries where such visitations are common. The frames of the houses are of wood, the under-plates resting on pillars six or eight feet high, which have a sort of capital, but no base, and are wider at top than at bottom. The people appear to have no idea of architecture as a science, though much ingenuity is often shown in working up their materials. The general appearance of their houses is accurately represented in the annexed engraving. For the floorings they lay whole bamboos, four or five inches in diameter, close to each other, and fasten them at the ends o the timbers. Across these are laid laths of split bamboo, about an inch wide and of the length of the room, which are tied down with filaments of the rattan, and over these are usually spread mats of different kinds. This sort of flooring has an elasticity alarming to strangers when they first tread on it. The sides of the houses are generally closed in with bamboo, opened and rendered flat by notching or splitting the circular joints on the outside, chipping away the corresponding divisions within, and laying it to dry in the sun pressed down with weights. This is sometimes nailed to the upright timbers or bamboos, but in the country parts it is more commonly interwoven or matted in breadths of six inches, and a piece or sheet formed at once of the size required. In some places they use for the same purpose the inner bark procured from some particular trees. When they prepare to take it, the outer bark is first THE PASS OF KEIM-AN-EIGH. SCENE OF DESOLATION. torn or cut away; the inner is then marked out with a proper tool to the requisite size, The pass of Keim-an-eigh is one of the usually three cubits by one; it is afterwards numerous wonders of nature. It is situated beaten for some time with a heavy stick to on the road from Macroom to Bantry, in the loosen it from the stem, and being peeled county of Cork, and winds through a deep off, laid in the sun to dry, care being taken and narrow rocky defile, about two English to prevent its warping. The bark used in miles in length. Its name means, in Irish, building has nearly the texture and hard-"The Path of the Deer." Perhaps, in no ness of wood; but the pliable and delicate bark of which clothing is made is procured from a bastard species of the bread-fruit. part of the kingdom, is there to be found a place so utterly desolate and gloomy. A mountain has been divided by some convulThe most general mode of covering sion of nature, and the narrow pass is houses is with the leaf of a kind of palm overhung on either side, as seen in our called nipah. These, before they are laid engraving, by perpendicular cliffs clothed on, are formed into sheets about five feet in wild ivy and underwood, with, occalong, and as deep as the length of the leaf sionally, a stunted yew-tree or arbutus will admit, which is doubled at one end over growing among them. At every step ad.. a slip or lath of bamboo. They are then disposed on the roof so that one sheet shall lap over the other, and are tied to the bambo which serve for rafters. vance seems impossible-some huge rock jutting out into the path, or sweeping round it, seeming to conduct only to some barrier still more insurmountable; while from all G sides rush down the "wild fountains," and forming for themselves a rugged channel, make their way onward, the first tributary to the gentle and fruitful Lee. Nowhere has Nature assumed a more apalling aspect, or manifested a more stern resolve to dwell in her own loneliness and grandeur, undisturbed by any living thing; for even the birds seem to shun a solitude so awful, and the hum of bee is never heard within its precincts. ture and general taste, the fashionable manner of writing was also altered, and a beautifully free Italian hand came into use amongst the most highly educated of the English people. The handwriting of Queen Elizabeth, when in a complimentary humour, is most elegant; she could write in a more bold and vigorous manner, when threatening to unfrock Bishops. Although this handwriting was used to a certain extent, a sort of free, hasty, and very illegible завртия Fromwich John Locke John Dryden. Chris: Thoren A GROUP OF REMARKABLE SIGNATURES. It is curious to glance back at the various styles of penmanship which have been in use in this country for more than a thousand years-there is the richly-emblazoned, highly-ornamented, and yet distinct AngloSaxon lettering; the Norman style, similar in general character, but not so mueh enriched, both of these founded on the Roman characters and then the Church text, which came in with the changed architecture and feelings of the people. In those days, your English gentlemen or merchants were not famous for their clerkly learning, which they were willing to leave in the hands of those dwelling in "cloisters grey." In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, when a change took place in the style of the architec Plodond ye method of writing was much practised- In Shakespeare's days, the art of writing was but little practised amongst the middle classes in England:-a plain cross was the usual signature; some of more artistic ability, made a sign of a sword, a dagger, spade, or some other object; others made a most singular attempt to form the initials of their names; and others with greater power of imitation, were able to make the letters of their name, although they could neither read or write anything besides. In Halliwell's Life of Shakespeare there are fac-similes and the signatures of a number of the relations of the great poet. Only two or three could write their names fairly, and it is remarkable that of all the valued writings of William Shakespeare,only three little scraps remain which can be authenticated: one of these is preserved with great care in the Library of the Guildhall, London. The group of signatures, close by, have much interest, and are traced carefully from the originals: first comes the signature of William Shakespeare-next that of Oliver Cromwell, an equally great worker in another way. Some of the autographs of WATCH PRESENTED BY LOUIS XIII. OF FRANCE TO CHARLES I. OP ENGLAND. Cromwell, scrawled hastily on the battle band of deep blue; the wheel-like ornament in the centre on a ruby ground. The back is chased in high relief with a figure of St. George conquering the Dragon; the horse is covered with white enamel; the flesh tints on St. George are also of enamel; his tunic is red, and his scarf blue. On the side of the watch is the motto of the Order of the Garder; fleurs-de-lys above and below it on a ruby ground. The interior of the case is enriched by a delicately executed arabesque filled with black enamel upon a dotted ground. The entire works take out of the case, being secured thereto by springs, and all are more or less decorated with engraving, the whole interior being chased and gilt. The maker's name is S. Vallin. LETTER TO YOUNG LADIES DESIROUS OF STUDYING MEDICINE. BY DR. ELIZABETH BLACKWELL. I AM often consulted by young ladies in relation to the way in which a woman may enter the medical profession; I therefore willingly comply with the suggestion of friends, to write down the results of my experience as to the best method of study that can at present be pursued by a woman who desires to become a physician, and the qualifications which the student should possess. A WORD OF CAUTION. Let me say, however, first of all, that though a woman may now become a legally qualified practitioner of medicine, the task is still a very arduous one, and should not be lightly undertaken. Independently of the difficulties involved in the study itself, there are moral and social difficulties which are far greater. Society has not yet recognised this study as fit woman's work. Gossip and slander may annoy the student, and want of confidence on the part of women, with the absence of social and professional support and sympathy, will inevitably make the entrance of the young physician into medicine a long and difficult struggle. There is a noble and useful life to be gained by the conquest of these difficulties, but they must not be overlooked nor underrated by any one who desires to become a physician; and they require perseverance, courage, and self-reliance to overcome them. PRELIMINARY QUALIFICATIONS FOR A STUDENT OF MEDICINE. Should the mind, however, be clearly made up on these points, and the resolution formed to pursue the study, I think the following preliminary qualifications necessary. The student should be between the ages of twenty and thirty; the health and constitution should be good, and she should have enjoyed a good education. Not only is a liberal English education a pre-requisite, but familiarity with French and Latin, and some knowledge of Greek. The two former languages are indispensable to a student of science, and a certain amount of Greek is equally necessary, the mastery, for instance, of such a book as Anthon's Greek Lessons. FOUR YEARS' MEDICAL STUDY NECESSARY. When possessed of these qualifications, the student must look forward to four years of special medical study, the last two years of which, under existing circumstances, must be spent abroad. DIVISION OF THESE FOUR YEARS. I suggest the following division of these four years. The first to be spent at home, i.e., wherever the student may happen to be, in medical reading, under the direction of a physician or surgeon. The second to be spent, six months as nurse in a hospital, and six months in a laboratory, and in private classes, if such openings can be found. A year and a half must then be spent in America, to obtain a college education and medical degree; and the remaining six months should be passed in La Maternité, Paris, where an invaluable acquaintance with midwifery may be obtained. VARIATIONS IN THIS PLAN. no This is a general outline of the four years' study, variations to be made according to circumstances: for instance, should openings for really valuable study occur in the second year, except the period of nursing, it would then be better to go at once to America, and reserve the additional six months for the study of disease in Paris, after the period passed in La Maternité, or it might be that, by that time, some new openings in England might be found. These variations may occur, but the essential points to observe are, four years definite medical study: the first passed in patient preparatory study; one portion in a hospital; another period in America; some time in La Maternité; and the rest wherever the best opportunities for medical instruction may be found. DETAILS OF THIS PLAN DURING THE FIRST YEAR. Let me say a few words on each of these periods, The first year's private study is needed, not only for the good of the study, but as a test of the student's own purpose, when being in no way committed to any future plan, she can drop the whole matter if it do not suit her taste, etc. It is an injurious thing to give up anything once resolutely undertaken, and in so serious a matter as this, a year of reflection is absolutely needed. This reading should be directed by a medical practitioner, who should also examine the student on the subjects of study, and give a certificate of the examinations at the end of the year. There would having such a friend at hand, and I should be a great advantage to the student in counsel her strongly to seek for a respectable medical practitioner, who would take an interest in this year of study, and direct |