264 MODE OF PRESERVING ICE. 



why we should not still find it so growing in France; but if 

 the mistletoe of the Druids was the Loranthus, we can easily 

 conceive that it may have been destroyed in those provinces 

 where the Druidical worship was in full force, and that it 

 now only exists in those where the plant has not been exter- 

 minated by frequent cutting.* 



The party had now reached the farm, where they found two 

 men busily employed in burning charcoal. 



MRS. F. 



This is an unusual season of the year for this operation, 

 which is generally performed in the spring. While I speak 

 to the bailiff, you can amuse yourselves in. learning the pro- 

 cess by which charcoal is made. 



The young people speedily questioned the charcoal burner, 

 who explained to them how he arranged the billets of wood 

 round a centre, in a kind of conical form, and then covered 

 them with sand, in order to prevent the admission of more 

 atmospheric air than sufficed to keep the fire alive. They 

 saw him carefully cover in every little aperture by which he 

 perceived smoke escaping; he told them the time the wood 

 took in charring, which varied, according to its quality, age, 

 &c., from one to three days, during which time he was ob- 

 liged to watch it day and night; and having heard the whole 

 operation fully explained, the young people rejoined Mrs. 

 Fortescue, who was now ready to~~return home. 



ESTHER. 



Seeing the charcoal, reminds me of the expedient used in 

 the American ships for preserving ice. 



HENRIETTA. 



What is that 1 ? 



ESTHER. 



A double frame-work or case is made of boards, and in the 

 space between them, charcoal is rammed down as closely as 



* De Candolle, Proprietes des Vegetaux. 



