Spring Flowers. furnish one of the most useful woods for To go from the lofty to the lowly, let The numerous short stamens surround a cluster of pistils, which become, on ripening, a close, flattened head of small pointed seed-vessels. The whole plant is covered with a soft, silken pubescence. We have described only one variety of this species of Potentilla. Modern botanists have placed under the name of Canadensis, given by Linnæus, two distinct varieties. The one under consideration is the sarmentosa of Muhlenberg. It is early, never erect, always in dry soils, and of a slender, starved growth. The other, P. simplex of Michaux, appears later, is twice as large in every part, greener and ranker, standing erect, or leaning upon the tall grass, and growing in damp soils. The difference between them is such as might be caused by the difference of situation; yet intermediate forms do not so often occur as might be expected. When plants of any extended region are examined together, many nominal species are found to run gradually into each other. which would be considered certainly distinct in an isolated locality. We will close this chapter of our desultory descriptions, with an account of a flower, universally known and esteemed as one of our sweetest spring beautiesthe WILD COLUMBINE or HONEYSUCKLE 545 (Aquilegia Canadensis, L.). It grows All the May-day ramblers eagerly seek cant of the coming season of beauty; to whom its grace and loveliness are an epitome of that perfect harmony which reigns in the whole natural world. The columbine is another representative of the order RANUNCULACEA, which furnishes so many of our early flowering plants. The European species, A. vulgaris, is very common in our gardens, and is an instance of that tendency to procure foreign plants, with an idea that they must be more beautiful than our own. Our species is more elegant in every re spect than the European one, and better deserves cultivation. We have by no means described all the early spring blossoms. There are others, less familiar, but equally worthy of our examination. There is som thing greatly attractive in the first signs of summer life, and we feel peculiar gratification at the discovery of the first specimens of favorite flowers. If our readers are willing to again look over our shoulder to notice the plants we cull, we will at once proceed to collect another bouquet. THE CRUISE OF THE STEAM YACHT NORTH STAR. The Cruise of the Steam Yacht North Star; a Narrative of the Excursion of Mr. Vanderbilt's Party to England, Russia, Denmark, France, Spain, Italy, Malta, Turkey, Madeira, etc. By the REV. JOIN OVERTON CHOULES, D. D., Author of the "History of Missions," Young Americans Abroad," etc. Boston, Gould & Lincoln, 1854. NEVER, since the day when Noah took his sons and his sons' wives on board the Ark, has there been so large a family party afloat as that which embarked with the patriarch Vanderbilt, on his pleasure trip to Europe. It was altogether a most memorable and remarkable excursion, and better worth being commemorated than many voyages of greater pretensions. When the North Star appeared in the British waters, the London journals while chronicling the event and expressing their admiration of the yacht, and the splendid liberality of its patriarchal owner, consoled themselves with the reflection that there were plenty of selfmade millionaires on the London Exchange, who were rich enough in pocket, but too poor in spirit, to indulge in such ostentatious pleasures. The London News said. "Those who ought to be the Vanderbilts of England, would shrink from employing their wealth in the magnificent manner adopted by their American friend. They would dread the effect of making any unusual display which would surely subject them to the reproach of being millionaires and parvenues." Poor creatures! Our Cosmo Vanderbilts are rather proud of being parvenues and the creators of their own fortunes, and would rather than not be accounted millionaires. "Here is the great difference between the two countries," continues the News. "In England a man is too apt to be ashamed of having made his own fortune, unless he has done so in one of the few roads which the aristocracy condescend to travel by-the bar, the church, or the army." Think of getting rich by the church! That which should disgrace a Christian is, it appears, one of the three paths to honor in England. God be praised that we were born on this side of the Atlantic! "And if he is vulgar enough not to feel ashamed of himself." continues the candid News, "his wife and children make amends by sedulously avoiding every thing which can put other people in mind of their origin. It was thought something superhumanly heroic in Sir Robert Peel to confess he was the son of a cotton spinner, though every body knew it." Well then might John Bull open wide his eyes at the apparition of the North Star steaming into Southampton water! The North Star was a steamship of the first class, which was built expressly for her owner to make a pleasure voyage to Europe in, and, of course, combined all the requisites to insure comfort and safety which money could procure. She left New-York last May, having on board Commodore Vanderbilt, his wife and eighteen of his sons and sons-in-law and daughters and daughters-in-law; in addition there were Doctor Linsly, the family physician, and his wife, and the Rev. John Overton Choules, D. D. and his wife. A happier party, or one better satisfied with their prospects, according to Dr. Choules, never crossed the Atlantic. Hiss went the steam, round went the wheels, Doctor Choules was to officiate as chaplain and historiographer of the excursion Cruise of the North Star. and, if ever we go a yachting to Europe, most fortunate shall we esteem ourselves if we can engage so jovial and sunnyminded a D. D. to act in a similar capacity. We fear there are but few such chaplains, and we know that there have never been many such good-natured chroniclers of voyages. If there were any disagreeables attending the excursion, our author, for one, did not see them. He saw nothing but a nimbus of lambent glory surrounding the ship in which he sailed, and encircling every object that he encountered. His glasses were tinged with rosecolor, all odors were agreeable that saluted his wide nostrils, and none but the sweetest and genteelest sounds ever reached his ears. His presence must have been perpetual sunshine in the saloons, and on the deck of the North Star. He heard, we have not a doubt, "a mermaid on a dolphin's back, Uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath, 6. For he naively remarks at the close of his volume that, although one of the passengers "reckoned up sixteen days of bad weather," he did not remember one he should call a regular storm." So uniform is the chaplain's amiable temper, and so resolutely was he bent on looking only upon the silver linings of black clouds, that he has even a good word for the Emperor Nicholas, an unhappy man, whom all the rest of the world unites in execrating. Dr. Choules says, he has "heard anecdotes in plenty respecting the Czar, and all of them reflect great honor upon the qualities of his head and heart," and he left Russia "with exalted opinions of the wisdom and patriotism of the Emperor." The incipient state of great events is always a subject of interest to the world, and Dr. Choules records the time and the place when Mr. Vanderbilt first revealed to him the project of his pleasure voyage, and made its future historian acquainted with the happiness which was in store for him. "Early in the spring of the present year," says our author, "the attention of the country was directed to an item in the daily papers of New York, containing information that Mr. Vanderbilt was constructing a steam-ship of large dimensions, which he intended as a yacht for the accommodation of his family and some invited friends in a voyage to the principal sea-ports in Europe. The announcement of this project excited a deep interest in the public mind, and the excursion became a prominent subject of conversation. "Mr. Vanderbilt was known to his countrymen as a thoroughly practical man, whose energy and perse. verance, combined with strong intellect and high com 547 mercial integrity, had given him immense wealth; all his undertakings had been crowned with signal success, and his great enterprise in opening a communication with the Pacific by the Nicaragua routo had made him a reputation in Europe; and a general expectation existed that he would carry out his plan in a manner that would redound to the honor of the country. Various opinions were entertained as to his ultimate designs. Many imagined that Mr. Vanderbilt proposed to effect some great mercantile operation, he was to sell his ship to this monarch, or that government,-or, he was to take contracts for the supply of war steamers; all sorts of speculations were entertained by that generally misinformed character, -the public. In February I was sitting with Mr. Vanderbilt in his library, when he gave me the first information I had received of his intentions, and he kindly invited me and my wife to accompany him to Europe in the month of May. The ship was then on the stocks, but he named the very day on which he should sail, and gave me the details of his proposed route, and from which few deviations were afterwards made. Mr. V. expressly informed me that his sole object was to gratify his family and afford himself an opportunity to see the coast of Europe, which he could do in no other way; aud he observed that, after more than thirty years' devotion to business, in all which period he had known no rest from labor, he felt that he had a right to a complete holiday." The style of Doctor Choules is equal to his subject, being free, flowing, and easy, and though here and there a sentence occurs to which a severe or pedantic critic might object, it is very readable, amiable and pleasant. It would be impossible for the most ill-natured of the whole tribe of critics not to relent and grow tenderly good humored while accompanying the pleasant author on his rose-tinted excursion. There is one sentence in the preface of the Doctor's book which. we must confess, rather startled us before we got entirely through with it. This world is full of beauty," says Doctor Choules, " and it teems with wonders; and I never see a fresh portion of God's earth, but I feel some respect for the old gentleman's opinion," the remainder of the sentence leaves us room to imagine what the good Doctor means, but as the oddness of its phrasing did not at the first glance permit us to discover it, we were rather startled until we did-" who, on going from Maine to Albany for the first time that he had left his native State, declared, on his return, that the world was more extensive than he had supposed." It will be perceived that the two D.'s which the reverend historian wears at the end of his name are no hindrance to his enjoyment of a small joke. There are several like it in the volume. It was a remarkably fine moonlight night as the North Star steamed past one of the sweetest islands of the world," where the venerable mother of Mr. Vanderbilt resided, in whose honor "rockets were let off and a gun fired;" and when the pilot left the yacht outside Sandy Hook, he was presented with a "purse of gold, which was intended to show that no blame was attached to him by Mr. Vanderbilt," for an accident which had delayed the steamer the day before. "Soon after leaving Sandy Hook," says Dr. Choules, "Mr. Vanderbilt requested me to conduct family worship on board the ship throughout the voyage, and to appoint such an hour as I thought most suitable. It was accordingly agreed that prayers should be attended every evening at nine o'clock, and that grace should be said at all the meals on board ship." The voyage commenced most auspiciously, and Dr. Choules remarks, on the very first day out, "it seemed a happiness to exist," and, as he immediately after says, 66 our table was equal to that of any hotel in America, and the desserts rivalled in richness any thing that I have witnessed in the Astor, Metropolitan and St. Nicholas; " we have no doubt that the seeming was a reality. Not only were the desserts rich, but the music was delightful. "One gentleman of the party possessed a fine taste in Italian music-the ladies were always in voice-the sailors, too, were decidedly fond of negro melody. One of them who answered to the euphonious name of Pogee, was thought to be quite equal to the Christy Minstrels." The first sermon preached by the Doctor, he informs us, was on the 22d of May, "the text selected for the occasion, Proverbs xvi. 32; 'He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.' The singing was fine, and the accompaniment of the piano very acceptable." Doctor Choules had a very natural admiration for his generous patron. "Often," says he, "did I wish that more than the members of our privileged company could have seen him day by day kind and attentive to his officers, polite and liberal to his guests. Mr. Vanderbilt I had long known to be possessed of great qualities, a mighty grasp of intellect, and capabilities of the highest order. Yet till I entered upon this voyage I did not adequately appreciate his knowledge of men, his fine tact, his intuitive perception of the fitting, and his dignified self-control; and I felt glad that such a man, self-made as he is, should be seen by the accidental sons of nobility and fortune in the Old World." The amenities and splendors of the voyage across the Atlantic came to an end on the 1st of June, and, quite as a matter of course, it was one of England's most joyous, brilliant mornings," when the doctor and his companions woke up in Southampton water, "and gazed out upon as richly cultivated a landscape as the southern coast of England can present." Here the party "found several fine hotels;" but we are sorry to learn that one, called the New York Hotel, which had the star-spangled banner displayed, did not favorably impress "some of our gentlemen who repaired to it for a lunch." This was about the only unfavorable impression which seems to have been made upon the party during this brilliant excursion, but the Doctor adds that "Radley's Hotel near the railroad, and, I think, the Dolphin, are well-kept houses." unfavorable impression caused by the unfortunate lunch which had a star-spangled banner to recommend it, probably soon wore off, for the Doctor immediately grows amiable again. But a poor lunch was not a thing to be passed over by so exemplary a chaplain, and so veracious a historian. It was one of the few dark spots in the bright picture he has given us of this memorable excursion. Every thing is beautiful, fine, glorious and charming, excepting that unfortunate lunch. The They see some soldiers, and the Doctor remarks they looked like fine fellows." He calls upon the Rev. Thomas Adkins in Southampton, whom he had known many years ago. "I told the ladies," says the Doctor, "that Mr. Adkins used to be regarded as one of the noblest looking men in England-and our ladies thought him one of the most splendid men they had ever seen." The next day they were off for London, and in Winchester "partook of the hospitalities of Mr. Alderman Andrews, whose name is so endeared to Americans." The Doctor was anxious to "get in" at his "old favorite house, the Golden-Cross, nearly opposite to Northumberland House, but Mr. Gardiner was unable to take even half our number." How natural that he should desire to get in at the Golden-Cross, so fitting an emblem of that cross which he bore about. The Doctor informs us with much satisfaction that the house where they at last "found good accommodations," was the St. James' Hotel, in Germyn-street. "Two or three noblemen reside in this hotel, and one, Lord Blayney, has made it his city residence for many years." The day of their arrival in London happened to be a "drawingroom." "Every street was thronged with carriages (we imagine this is not to be taken literally) waiting for their Cruise of the North Star. The turn to take up the company at the palace. The coachmen and footmen all had immense bouquets in their bosoms, and the splendid liveries, and powdered heads, and white wigs of the drivers were novelties to most of the North Star party." The Doctor was anxious to know "what would be the first object of curiosity to the ladies, and was not a little surprised to find that the Thames Tunnel was voted for as the primary visit." Doctor Choules is a great lover of rural scenery, and, while the other members of the party were seeing the lions in London he took a run down to his native Bristol to refresh himself with views of the scenery of the Avon. In the ecstasy of again beholding the scenes of his boyhood he exclaims, "I really believe that either from the impressions which I received in childhood in this glorious region, or from some peculiar organization (we rather imagine it is the organization), I have felt so much delight in rambling abroad among scenes of beauty, sublimity, and historical interest. O, the happy hours of my boyhood that I have passed in this village, on the Avon's banks! And, what tea-drinkings have I had in these cottages, and in the arbors which surround them!" child is father to the man beyond a cavil. Returned to London, the excursionists went to hear "the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, brother to the Earl of Gainsborough," preach. The Rev. gentleman "has a fine figure," and, 66 we were much gratified with the prayer offered." The next day "Mr. Peabody proffered Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt and ladies the use of his boxes that evening at the Opera, and as long as they remained in town." Whether Doctor Choules visited the opera or not we are not informed, but we are sorry to learn from "a notice of the opera furnished by one of the gentlemen of the party who was present," that the splendor of the scene was not quite up to their expectations. Like the lunch at Southampton the opera was a failure. "It was the height of the season; a large and fashionable assemblage filled the house; England's favorite Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were there; and many of the fairest and noblest of the land, yet we were disappointed. The spectacle was not so gorgeous and brilliant as we had expected on a court night,-neither in the first coup d'œil, the beauty of the ladies, nor the elegance of the toilet." This is not Dr. Choules; he would not have been disappointed, neither in the first, nor the second coup d'œil. "The Queen" we are informed, by this disap 549 pointed gentleman, wore a rich white The party were greatly favored atmos- But the Doctor soon recovered from his "On our arrival at Southampton, we found the |