Unfortunately for these conjectures no ruins are to be seen beneath. The
bridge has formed the scene of several hair-breadth escapes.

The Colossus of Rhodes.

The city of Rhodes is situated on the island of that name, which lies
some twelve miles from the coast of Asia Minor. It was founded four
hundred years before the birth of Christ, and, among other things, was
noted for its Colossus--pictured in our heading--which was reckoned to
be one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The Colossus was a
gigantic statue in brass of Helios, or the Sun, and stood at the
entrance of one of the ports. It was 105 feet high. According to one
belief--which, however, is now abandoned--the Colossus bestrode the
harbour, one foot resting upon a pier at one side, the other upon a pier
at the other, while the figure itself was so lofty that ships in full
sail could pass underneath the outstretched legs. Sixty years after it
was built it was thrown down by an earthquake.

Chinese Palanquins.

A favourite mode of travelling in China and other countries of the East
is by palanquin, which is a kind of wooden box, about twice as long as
it is high, with shutters and other appliances to make it comfortable.
The palanquin is carried by porters--just as in the drawing given above.
The vehicle is furnished inside with a mattress--on which the traveller
reclines--and cushions, and is also fitted with shelves and drawers.
Travelling is continued day and night. There are different kinds of
palanquins, some resembling the sedan chairs that used to be fashionable
in England.

The Flamingo.

This queer bird--also shown in the heading above--is found in the
tropical and temperate regions of the globe, and frequents marshes and
shallow lakes. In deep water flamingoes swim, but they prefer to wade,
for then they can bend down their necks and rake the bottom with their
peculiar-shaped bill in search of food. Flocks of these birds, with
their red plumage, when seen from a distance, have been likened by
observers to troops of soldiers.

"God's Providence House."

The house represented in the new heading, and bearing the above quaint
name, is situated in Chester, a city famed for its picturesque old
buildings. It is built of timber and brick, and upon the beam supporting
the second floor is carved "God's Providence is mine Inheritance, 1652."
It is supposed that Chester was visited with plague in that year, and
that this house was the