have
counted the years. Still greater was the astonishment of those who
discovered that a great many of the religious ceremonies, prayers,
hymns, which were held particularly sacred in their native country for
the same reason, were observed and treasured with only slight
differences by those whom they had always looked upon as the merest
strangers. When the holy books and the sacred laws of both nations, also
the stories of favorite ancient heroes, were found to be so much alike
that it was clear they were all heirlooms from the same family treasure,
no more proof was needed for those who had so recently fought--and might
fight again any time--to say: "We are kin; years and years ago, our
fathers were brothers and lived in one common home."

It was not in one place, or two, or three, that such discoveries were
made, but in many and all over the world. For after chance had led to
the first, people became interested and began to look for forgotten
kindred to turn up. The well-known signs were watched, and compared,
and verified, till nowadays no one doubts that the descendants of the
families who once upon a time recklessly migrated from the
long-forgotten valley are scattered over the face of the earth and can
know one another by the token of their languages, their customs,
stories, songs, their sacred legends and laws.

* * * * *

What family is this whose history we have briefly sketched? Is it a real
family, and a true history? Or is it just a "made-up" story, the fancy
of an idle moment? No: the history _is_ a true one, and it is the
history of a real family--the family to which we all belong, and the
name of which is--MANKIND.

* * * * *

="The Great Round World" PRIZE CONTEST=

THE GREAT ROUND WORLD is now over six months old, and it feels some
anxiety to know just how much interest its readers have taken in the
news and how much information they have gained from its pages. To
ascertain this, it has been decided to offer ten prizes for the best
answers to the following:

=Name ten of the most important events that have been mentioned in
"The Great Round World" in the first 30 numbers, that is, up to
number of June 3d.=

_In mentioning these events give briefly reasons for considering
them important._

This competition will be open to subscribers only, and any one desiring
to enter the competition must send to thi