presently cried out, that, "he had totally lost sight of
the money." "Then," said Mr Barlow, "I will enable you to see it, merely
by putting water into it." So he gradually poured water into the basin,
till, to the new astonishment of Tommy, he found that he could plainly
see the half-crown, which was before invisible.

Tommy was wonderfully delighted with all these experiments, and declared
that from this day forward, he would never rest till he had made himself
acquainted with everything curious in every branch of knowledge.

"I remember reading a story," said Mr Barlow, "where a telescope (for
that is the name of the glass which brings distant objects so much
nearer to the eye) was used to a very excellent purpose indeed." "Pray,
how was that?" said Tommy.

"In some part of Africa," said Mr Barlow, "there was a prince who was
attacked by one of his most powerful neighbours, and almost driven out
of his dominions. He had done everything he could do to defend himself
with the greatest bravery, but was overpowered by the numbers of his
enemy, and defeated in several battles. At length he was reduced to a
very small number of brave men, who still accompanied him, and had taken
possession of a steep and difficult hill, which he determined to defend
to the last extremity, while the enemy was in possession of all the
country round. While he lay with his little army in this disagreeable
situation, he was visited by a European, whom he had formerly received
and treated with the greatest kindness. To this man the unfortunate
prince made his complaints, telling him that he was exposed every
instant to be attacked by his stronger foe; and though he had taken his
resolution he expected nothing but to be cut off with all his army.

"The European happened to have with him one of these curious glasses,
which had not long been invented in Europe, and was totally unknown in
that part of the globe; and he told the prince, his friend, that he
would soon inform him of what his enemy was doing, and then he might
take his own measures with the greater confidence. So he produced his
glass, and after having adjusted it, turned it towards the enemy's camp,
which he observed some time with great attention, and then told his
friend that he might at least be easy for the present, for the enemy's
general was at that instant thinking only of a great feast, which he was
giving to the officers of his army. 'How is it possible,' replied the
princ