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did possess a peculiar sanctity . Amongst various principal forms of transacting business Avhich appear to blend the two characters , some feAv are worth mentioning . The adoption of a son Avas effected in Lombardy by the adopters trimming ,

for the first time , the beard of the adopted ; in Scandinavia , by his giving him his shoe to put on . Have we nofc here the origin of " standing * in his shoes ? " This form seems to have implied a recognition of the shoe proprietor's authority , and ,

as such , was required from a bride , Avho completed the marriage ceremony by putting * on the bridegroom's shoe .

Natural children to be legitimated by the subsequent Avedlock of their parents Avere placed under the mother ' s mantle during the mai * riage ceremony . Taking the keys from a wife Avas equal to a divorce ; and a widow freed herself from her deceased

husband s debts by throAving her keys into his grave , which was a virtual abandonment of her claims upon his property . A silken thread formed an inviolable inclosure . Knights enforced an oath by striking their sAvmals into the earth . When

two Scandinavians wished to SAvear brotheihood , a long strip of turf was raised , supported by a spear in the middle , and resting upon the ground afc both ends ; under this turf the intended brothers suffered their blood , drawn from Avounds

in the palm of the hand or the sole of the foot , to mingle ; and they further mixed the blended stream with earth . They then knelt clown beside or under the turf , and invoked the gods to attest their oath to avenge each others deaths like

brothers . Accursed persons occasionally swore to their innocence with a similar form ; ifc was called going under the earth , and Avas esteemed peculiarly solemn .

The mixing of blood is one of the points upon which the learned and patriotic antiquary is most earnest to clear the old Germans of any extraordinary barbarity ; for Avhich purpose he quotes Greek and Latin authors to show that similar , and

yet more savage practices , such as drinking * each others blood , Avere common amongst other nations . But , as most of his extracts , especially from Herodotus and Lucian , refer to the Scythians , Ave doubt the Classicists being much moved thereby

in favour of the old Germans . In fact a very peculiar combination of seemingly incongruous humanit y and tenderness marked the character of the earl y Germans or Teutones ; and Ave incline to think thafc the incongruity will vanish if we

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duly consider the deeply imaginative tone of their minds , the real tenderness of their hearts , their actually extravagant valour , enhanced by their religious creed , and the utter worthlessness of life in their eyes , save as it might be employed in -acquiring glory .

The Early Ages Of Science.

THE EARLY AGES OF SCIENCE .

Probably but few topics can be selected more interesting to the antiquarian than the origin of the arts and sciences , but the subject is so clouded Avith mystical characters and superstitious associations , that it is by no means an easy task to

eliminate from its history a complete and clear idea of the useful elements from which it sprung . A great proportion of whafc knowledge Ave do possess is derived from tradition alone , and thafc couched in language so figurative as in many

instances to be very uncertain in its meaning . There is , hoAvever , one remarkable fact to be observed regarding all religions , Avhich is , a striking similarity in the general plan , although the details may differ Avidely . Such considerations , however

distinct they may be from those relating to modern art and science , are by no means irrelevant when applied to the knoAA'ledge of the period to Avhich Ave refer , Avhen science Avas intimately associated wifch theological matters , and in fact supplied the

priests Avith perhaps their most potent agent in impressing the masses with an idea of their power and Avisdom .

According to the Biblical narrative some progress must have been made in the constructive arts as early as 2300 years before the Christian era , bufc the accounts of ifc could scarcely be preserved in any certain form until nearly 500 years

later Avhen letters were invented by Memnon the Egyptian , about 400 years after the period at Avhich Noah is supposed to haA r e parted from his offspring and gone eastvfard to found the Chinese monarchy ; hence it may be presumed that the

invention of letters must also have occurred independently in that kingdom , the inhabitants of Avhich appear ahvays to have pursued a most exclusive policy , guarding most jealously their OAVU discoveries , anel looking Avith distrust upon those of other nations .

The systematic prosecution of natural science does not appear to have commenced before the year 2233 B . C ., but the results speedily arrived at from studying the celestial bodies show that very great care and a hi gh degree of talent Avere at once brought into operation ; but those results were at that period concealed under a garb of alle-