The distaff was the instrument which wrought the materials for the robes of the Egyptian Kings, and for the "little coat" which Hannah made for Samuel; by it, too, were wrought the cloths, and other fabrics used in Solomon's temple. By reference to the above engraving, it will be seen that nothing can be more simple than this ancient instrument, which is a sort of wooden skewer, round which the flax is wrapped; it is then spun on the ground in the same manner as a boy's top, and the thread wrought off, and wound upon a reel shown in the foreground of the picture. "Querns," or stone hand-mills of various sizes, similar to that represented in our engraving, have been repeatedly found in connection with Roman, Saxon, and other ancient remains in this country. They are still to be met with in constant use over the greater part of India, in Africa, and also those districts of the East which are more particularly associated with Holy Writ. It may be worth while to mention that this description of mill is an improvement upon the method of simply crushing the corn laid on a flat stone with another held in the hand. The "Quern" is a hard stone roughly rounded, and partly hollowed, into which another stone, which has a handle, is loosely fitted. The corn required to be ground is placed in the hollow receptacle, and the inner stone is moved rapidly round, and, in course of time, by immense labour, the wheat &c. is ground into flour. The Scripture prophecies mention that of two women grinding at the mill, one shall be left, and the other taken--the two-handled mill will explain the meaning of this passage. CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF REMARKABLE EVENTS. The following curious table is extracted _literatim_ from Arthur Hopton's _Concordancie of Years_, 1615:-- 1077.--A blazing star on Palm Sunday, nere the sun. 1100.--The yard (measure) made by Henry I. 1116.--The moone seemed turned into bloud. 1128.--Men wore haire like women. 1180.--Paris in France, and London in Englande, paued, and thatching in both left, because all Luberick was spoiled thereby with fire. 1189.--Robin Hood and Little John lived. This yeare London obtained to be gouerned by sheriffes and maiors. 1205.--By reason of a frost from January to March wheate was sold for a marke the quarter, which before was at 12 pence. _Anno Regni_ 6. John. 1209.--London bridge builded with stone; and this yeare the citizens of London had a grant to choose them a maior. 1227.--The citizens of London had libertie to hunt a certain distance about the citie, and to passe toll-free through England. 1231.--Thunder lasted fifteen daies; beginning the morrow after St. Martin's day. 1233.--Four sunnes appeared, beside the true sunne, of a red colour. 1235.--The Jews of Norwich stole a boy and circumcised him, minding to have crucified him at Easter. 1247.--The king farmed Queene-hiue for fifty pounds per annum, to the citizens.