We can easily make heat pass from one thing into another, but when things which have different amounts of heat are put together the heat will spread itself around so as to make all of the same temperature. A piece of iron put into fire becomes hot, because the warmth passes from the fire into the iron until both have the game amount of heat.
Most of the heat in the world comes from the sun. We can set fire to things by gathering the sun's rays and bringing them to a point with a lens.
Ice, you well know, "is water in a solid state. It is formed under the influence of extreme cold. It is a nearly solid, transparent, brittle substance, of a crystalline structure. It melts into water at the temperature of thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit."
In hot countries ice is made in a machine worked on philosophic principles.—Selected.
SKATING IN HOLLAND.
HOLLAND is the country for skating. People of all ages engage in it. The rivers there are very numerous. It is a pretty sight to see a grand plain of ice covered with persons thus amusing themselves. The most skilful skater is at the head; each catches the coat of the one before him—the weakest in the middle.
Some of the best-trained ones perform all manner of dexterous tricks, much to the amusement of the great crowds. A good skater makes twelve miles an hour. Some who do not like skating have a curious sledge, resembling a ship, in which you may go twenty-four miles an hour. Is not that very wonderful?
They fasten to the vessel a very strong piece of iron which cuts into the ice. It has a sail larger than that of a real vessel of the same size, so the wind propels it, and it is steered as though on water. This, however, is quite a dangerous amusement. They are often dashed against something and broken to pieces. Besides, some cannot endure cutting the air at such a speed.
It is a grand sight to see all things like a fine panorama before you whilst travelling at lightning speed, in one of those singular sledges. In these they often go from Amsterdam to Saardam; this latter place is one of the nicest in Holland. The houses are wooden, and all nicely painted. The people are so neat that they will not permit a carriage to pass through their streets. Wealthy Dutch merchants reside here. Here Peter the Great once worked as a carpenter, to learn ship-building. Near by are two thousand windmills, and one for grinding coffee, and also sawmills, which saw thirty planks at a time.