in the 8th century. The first known English version of the Bible is supposed to have been produced in the year 1290. Of this, only three manuscript copies are known to be preserved; and they are in libraries belonging to the University of Oxford.

Wickliffe translated the Bible from the Latin into English, about the year 1380.

The first printed English version of the New Testament, was a new translation from the Greek, made by William Tyndale and others. It was printed in Holland in 1526.

The entire Bible was translated into English, and printed in 1535, by Miles Coverdale; this was the first complete Bible printed in the English language. In 1536, it was ordered, by the king, that a copy of the Bible, in Latin and in English, should be provided and placed in every parish church, for the use of every one to read.

The authorised version, that now in use, was made by order of King James the first. Forty-seven learned men were engaged in the work. They were divided into six companies; each of which had a portion of the Bible to translate from the original languages. This version was first printed in 1611. Before the art of printing was discovered, copies of the Scriptures were made in writing; and they were very costly. Some of the copies were very beautifully written and ornamented.

In the year 1429, the sum of 27. 16s. 8d. was given for a copy of the New Testament. This sum is computed to be equal to forty pounds at the present day. Now a copy of the whole of the Bible may be obtained for tenpence.

The following statement is from an anonymous writer of the last century.

The Old Testament contains 39 books; 929 chapters; 23,214 verses; 592,439 words; 2,728,800 letters. The New Testament contains 27 books; 260 chapters; 7,959 verses; 181,253 words; and 838,380 letters.

The middle chapter, and the least in the Bible, is Psalm 117.

The middle verse, is the eighth of the 118th Psalm.

The middle line, is the 2nd Chronicles, 4th chapter, 16th

verse.

The word "and" occurs 35,543 times in the Old Testament, and 10,684 times in the New Testament.

The book of Esther does not contain either the word God, or Lord.

The 21st verse of the 7th chapter of Ezra contains all the letters in the alphabet, except the letter j.

The 19th chapter of the 2nd Kings and the 37th chapter of Isaiah are alike.

GEMS OF THOUGHT.

WHAT is joy? The honey of existence; really beneficial and agreeable when partaken of in moderation, but highly injurious when used to excess.

What is contentment? The philosophy of life, and the principal ingredient of the cup of happiness: a commodity that is undervalued, in consequence of the very low price it can be obtained for.

POETRY.

LITTLE BENJAMIN.*

How happy are the joyous hours
Of innocence and youth,

When not a wand'ring foot hath stray'd

From rectitude and truth.

Youth has its sweet and blooming hopes,

It is a joyous thing;

"Tis like the budding of a flower;

"Tis like a pleasant spring.

Brothers and sisters, love them all,

"Whatever be amiss,

Be reconcil'd before you sleep,

And seal it with a kiss."

The word, Benjamin, is a Hebrew word, which, in English, signifies, "The son of my right hand."

When health shall fail, and sickness come,

To bear thee hence away.

When friends have bid their last farewell,

(Thy sins through grace forgiv'n),

May this their consolatlon be,

That thou art gone to heaven.

HERIOT'S HOSPITAL, EDINBURGH.

THE city of Edinburgh is distinguished not merely by its grand scenery, its university, its other public buildings and monuments, but also by its charitable institutions. Among the latter, Heriot's Hospital is specially deserving of notice. Hospitals, generally, are buildings provided for the reception of poor persons who are out of health, and require medical attendance. Formerly, however, the word Hospital was given to buildings designed for the accommodation of poor persons whether ill or in health,d to buildings in which poor children were to be clothed, fcd, lodged, and educated. Of this latter kind of hospitals is the Blue Coat School in the city of London, called Christ's Hospital, and the school in Edinburgh, designated Heriot's Hospital.

This noble institution was founded in accordance with the will of a citizen of Edinburgh, who left a large property for its establishment and future support. This gentleman's name was George Heriot; and it is said that he was born in Edinburgh in June 1563. His father was a goldsmith; which business the son also followed, and he became jeweller to Mary Queen of Scotland, and afterwards he was jeweller to king James, who, after the death of queen Elizabeth, became king of England, and united the kingdoms of England

and Scotland. When king James left Scotland, Mr. Heriot accompanied the king to London; and, while resident in the British metropolis, he greatly increased his wealth. He died in London on the 12th of February, 1624, and was buried at St. Martin's in the Fields. By his will, after making provision for the support of his relations and dependants, he directed that the remainder of his property should be applied to the building and maintaining an hospital, or school, in Edinburgh, "in imitation of the public, pious, and religious work founded within the city of London, called Christ's Hospital."

On the 3rd of June, 1628, the erection of Heriot's Hospital was commenced, but its completion was by circumstances delayed until the year 1650. The cost of the erection was £30,000. At this time the civil war had commenced; and Oliver Cromwell soon after took possession of the city of Edinburgh, and used Heriot's Hospital, as a military hospital, and for eight years it was so occupied. In the year 1659 it was opened for the reception of scholars.

The Hospital stands in a fine situation, in a field not far from the High Street; and is overlooked from the Castle hill. The building has four fronts, each of which is 162 fect long. In the interior is a court yard, 94 feet square; over the gateway entrance stands a statue of George Heriot, which is decorated with flowers on his birth-day. The building has 200 windows; and its centre tower is 100 feet high. The hospital chapel is a fine room, 61 feet long and 24 feet wide; the ceiling is richly ornamented; and the floor is covered with black and white marble. The management of the hospital is vested in governors who are annually elected. The boys receive a liberal education. Those who possess superior talents, if they desire it, are, upon leaving the hospital, sent to College, and supported there for four years; the others are allowed the sum of £50 each, to apprentice them, to learn trades. The funds of the hospital are chiefly derived from land in the vicinity of Edinburgh. The income, twenty years since, was between eight and nine thousand pounds a year; and we suppose it has since then increased.