iv Thoughts on Friendship, from the PAGE. German of Claudius, The Choice of Colors, 55 A Compliment for Novel Read The Morals of Dreams, 29 The Guardian Angel, a Scene A Pastor's Advice to a Young from an Unpublished Work, The Dying Child, 82 To a Lady, by J. W. Miller, 106 All is Well, by Rev. C. B. Tayler, A Dream, by Jean Paul, 133 The Resurrection of the Widow's Son, from the German of Claudius, 109 To my Child, 114 The Pilgrims, from the German of Krummacher, 'The Hat that I've played in,' The People's Flower, or Field Daisy, The Caged Nightingale, from the The Little Flowers, The Little Genius, No. 1-The Secret of Human Happiness, The Little Genius, No. 2-The Miseries of Men of Genius, Constancy, by George Herbert, Echo and Silence, by Sir Egerton Brydges, Extracts from the Poems of Sir John Davies, 131 149 Evening Reflections, from the Russian, 138 155 Extracts from Professor Henry's Discourse, 151 Education and Literature in our 156 157 Country, from Rev. H. Bushnell's Oration, 183 159 Good and Evil, by J. W. Miller, 86 Home, 52 144 Lines, by William Thompson Ba 196 Mental Development, by Sampson Rules of Life, by Jean Paul, The Pulley, by George Herbert, Thoughts on Poetry, by Dr. Channing, 19 9 Wordsworth, 177 The History of a Trifler, by Miss Jewsbury, 115 The Ass and the Nightingale, from the Russian, The Appropriate Sphere of Woman, by Rev. Hubbard Winslow, The true Value of Books to the Scholar, from R. W. Emerson's Oration, 160 91 172 187 The Ladies' Wreath, 111 Wordsworth's Poetical Works, 95 Voice of the Old Elm, by J. W. Miller, 140 ERRATA. No. 3, page 39, first stanza, fourth line, for figure read finger. No. 10, page 157, first stanza, second line, for rose-hued read rosy-hued. THE MICROCOSM. VOL. III. NOVEMBER, 1836. No. 1. THE EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION. -"Should we, by chance, succeed In what we write, (and that's a chance indeed,) [Altered from an old poem.] IN entering on our duties as Editor of the Microcosm, it seems proper to inform our readers distinctly in regard to the proposed plan and character of the work; and this we shall do as briefly as possible. In the first place, then, the Microcosm will not be, in future, devoted chiefly to wives and mothers. We do not feel in the least qualified to take charge of a work for their especial benefit-more than that, we do not feel at all inclined to take upon ourselves the office of instructing young wives and grave matrons in their conjugal and maternal duties; and though mere incapacity seems to be considered, now-a-days, as no reason for declining any undertaking whatever, yet disinclination is allowed, by all the world, to be a very sufficient reason. We shall endeavor to render our magazine interesting and useful to the female sex generally; but it is for the young, chiefly, that we have undertaken the work-and if, by means of it, we can do any thing to elevate the taste, to arouse the intellect, to strengthen the Christian prin. ciples of youthful females; any thing to inspire them with a deeper love of excellence, or incite them to more earnest efforts for its attainmentwe shall feel that the end for which we labor is accomplished. We shall aim to make the Microcosm truly religious in its tendency, but nothing sectarian will be admitted to its pages. We hope to present our readers with many articles which shall possess, at the same time, a high literary character and a deeply religious spirit, and which will impart just and elevated views of the nature and destiny of man; but the work will not be devoted chiefly to the discussion of religious subjects. Any thing of a literary nature, calculated to refine the taste, to enlarge the mind, to convey useful information, or merely to give innocent amusement, will be considered suitable for our purpose. We shall endeavor to have the work filled with original papers; but we shall always prefer a selected article, which possesses uncommon merit and is not generally accessible, to an indifferently good original production. In regard to the literary resources upon which we rely, we have but a few words to say. We expect the assistance of the late Editor of the work, and of several individuals whose contributions to the Microcosm have been generally acceptable. We hope, also, to obtain communications from some of the most distinguished female writers in the country; at present, however, this is but a hope. We have not been able, as yet, to make such arrangements for rendering our magazine interesting and useful as we intend to make. This assertion, with those who know us, will pass for something more than idle words. We think that future numbers of the work will be, on the whole, better than this one; we hope they will be much better; but we do not like to make many promises. Our exertions to render the Microcosm a valuable publication will, certainly, be earnest and untiring; but it must speak for itself and, by its own merits, let it stand or fall. If our readers do not form any unreasonable expectations, we think they will not be disappointed. Those who "judge of a book by the number of cubic inches it contains," may despise our magazine on account of its size. It is, indeed, an insignificant, Lilliputian affair; but has not the wise man (or some other man) said, "The bee is little among such as fly; yet her fruit is the chief of sweet things!" Should our subscription list be much enlarged, we intend to add eight pages to each number of the work, without increasing its price. It has been said that an author should ask the question, "Reader, how do you please me ?" as well as, " Reader, how do you like me?" And so, we would say to each of our subscribers-if you are one of that class whose leading principle of criticism, we have often thought, might well be resolved into some such aphorism as this-contempt is the beginning of wisdom; if you consider it necessary to the maintenance of your reputation for critical acumen to find fault with every thing you come across; if you are quick-sighted in respect to the faults and shortsighted in regard to the merits of every literary production-then, we like you not at all. You may be very wise-yea, even a second Daniel, at least in your own estimation; but we write not for you. We reverence your wisdom so much that we desire ever to keep at a respectful distance from it; and we have but this favor to ask of you-that you will take your eyes from our magazine, and your names from our subscription list, right speedily, and leave us to get along without you as well as we can. But on the other hand, if you are of a kind and charitable spirit; willing to be pleased; ready to acknowledge the merits as well as to point out the faults in our little work-we like you well, and we hope to journey on with you, from month to month, in good fellowship, cheered by your approving smile. We have engaged in this work with some misgivings in regard to our entire fitness for the undertaking; yet not, we must be allowed to say, without feeling ourselves in some degree qualified for it. We are prepared for some unpleasant things in the path upon which we have entered, but we trust we shall also meet with much that is cheering. We look, with confidence, for the indulgent criticism and lenient judgment of the enlightened and charitable; and as for the opinion of the ignorant and uncharitable, we shall be most careful not to trouble our selves about that matter. In conclusion, we respectfully request those ladies who approve the design and character of our magazine to aid us, each according to her ability, by subscribing for the work, contributing to its pages, or speaking a word in its behalf. I, AND MY WINDOW. Ir is very likely that I am not even so interesting a personage as my window-but, in order to the proper description of my window and the objects connected with it, it is necessary that a brief history of myself should be given. In the first place, then, I am a very respectable lady, boarding in a very respectable family, in a very pleasant town, in "the land of steady habits." Two rooms, on a second floor, belong exclusively to myself and my dear old Tabby. In my front room is the window which I purpose shortly to describe, where I sit, day after day, in an exceeding ly comfortable old arm chair, covered with the gayest calico imaginable. Here, secure from the tumult of the world, you will be apt to suppose I am contented and happy-but alas! I have nothing to do. For a long time past, I have regularly seized on the family basket of weekly mending, and thus, till lately, have been enabled to drive away the hypo. But, a week or two since, an old aunt arrived on a visit to the family, and taking advantage of her relationship and my naturally peaceful disposition, has regularly, since then, taken possession of the basket, and thus deprived me of my only business. Immediately after this cruel deprivation, I was in a most deplorable state, and even endeavored to peruse some of the old novels which my landlady possessed-but finding they only increased my dejection, I threw them by, and, in desperation, have been driven, as you see, to taking up my pen. The choice of a subject occupied me, for some time, most agreeably. · At first, I attempted a history of my own life, but I saw, by its total want of incident, that it could not last me long. Many other subjects I tried, but none satisfied me. At last, my window suggested itself, and as it has hitherto been the principal source of my own amusement, I cannot forbear hoping it may be productive of some entertainment to my readers. My window is an uncommonly fortunate one, possessing the rare and much envied advantage of being placed directly in front of the most shady street in L- so that I can look through it to a distance of nearly half a mile, where the view terminates by a broad and very beautiful river. By this window I sit all day long, and am much edified, as well as entertained, by the scenes which fall under my observation. Some of the groups before me, I shall now do myself the pleasure of picturing for your benefit. What shall I select? Here are ladies, gentlemen, cows, horses, carriages, carts, teamsters, dogs, and children. I will take first our two |