The common punishment at schools is the world renowned bastinado, or falaka. The apparatus consists of a cylindrical piece of wood, about five feet long, and one inch in diameter. Near the centre of this rod, there is a loop of rope, sufficiently wide to hold both the feet of the truant. The rod being turned the rope winds upon it, and thus secures the feet, which are placed therein. The person is then thrown upon his back, by the raising of the feet, upon the soles of which the blows are applied with a cudgel by the schoolmaster. It is a rather painful operation, as some can tell from sad experience, who, like other boys that are never naughty, had to go through with it in their younger days. The Turkish, originally Tartar, is at present composed of three different languages, viz: Arabic, Persian, and Tartar, owing to the different people with whom the Turcomans came in contact. The Koran being their fundamental study, the Arabic has become the basis of the language, as the Latin is of the European dialects. It is written from right to left, like all other Oriental languages, with the exception of the Armenian. The Turkish has no capitals or Roman letters, but consists of italics--or in other words, the written and printed characters have the same forms, nor have they any punctuation. Their calligraphy may be divided into five different styles. The Rika, or ordinary hand-writing, the same being used for printing. Sülüs, or enlarged writing, is used for inscriptions, title-pages, or the headings of chapters. Divany, or the court script, which is an ornamental style of writing, and only used at the Porte for firmans, or edicts. Taalik, or the Persian letters, is used in the judiciary courts, and for poetry. Siyakat, or Turkish hieroglyphics, is only used for treasury bonds. The Turkish language is, in itself, most copious and expressive, euphonious in sound, and capable of the greatest variety of expression, and is well adapted to the composition of poetry. Although the Osmanlis formerly possessed but little mathematical, philosophical, or scientific learning, the Muses have never denied their inspiration to them. Foreign literature has been much in vogue in latter times, and many translations have been made into Turkish. The languages of Europe are also cultivated to some extent, and many are now to be found at the Porte, who speak the French and English quite fluently. The present sultan has done much to elevate the system of public instruction in his dominions. He has ordained a council to superintend all educational affairs, and also has commenced the erection of a magnificent public university, opposite the mosque of St. Sophia.