never criminal except when it suffers detection; and I crept softly to the spot from whence a clue to the momentary mystery was likely to emanate. "Then, dearest Aurelia, you consent?" said a voice in a low tone; it was the voice of the modest man. "I know not what to say, Alfred," replied Miss Aurelia, softly; "but wherefore this mysteoy? why this secret arrangement? why not apply to my father? he cannot object; our fortunes equal-our hearts—” "My dearest girl, I could not do it," cried Alfred earnestly; I have not the face-this dreadful infirmity of mine; upon my soul, I should never muster courage enough A laugh like that of a hyena with a sore throat startled the dull ear of the night and the sharp ears of the lovers; but a passing breeze wafted it away. I myself was moved, but concluded it to be some oral illusion. ""Twas nothing," said the modest man, and resumed the discourse: "You know that numskull Dashwood will be proposing for you to Sir Harry; let us anticipate the clodpole, eh?" and methought he pressed her hand to his lips. 66 'Spirited young dog!" Impudent rascal!"-exclaimed two, simultaneously, as their respective heads came into violent contactone of which heads belonged to me, while the other was the property of Dashwood. "Mr. Quizley, is that you?" cried the 'squire. "Hush, 'tis I," and drawing him away, we fell back into the trenches of a celery bed, while the lovers made a precipitate retrcat. "Oh, sir!" sighed the 'squire, "I have heard it all." "And must therefore be mute," interrupted I, " or the stigmatizing sobriquet of eaves-dropper will fasten itself upon you for ever; besides, you can never hope to obtain the young lady's consent; let us therefore wait and see the result of this adventure." The 'squire heaved a groan as he scrambled to his feet, while I more leisurely raised myself to mine by applying to the skirts of his coat; and arm in arm we slowly betook ourselves to the interior of the house. Great surprise was manifested the next morning at the absence of Miss Aurelia from the breakfast table.Nor was the non-appearance of Mr. Peony less unac countable. At length, when Jones the butler became visible, scratching his wig, and deposed that he had certain suspicions that Miss Aurelia had eloped with that particularly modest young gentleman, for he had seen them enter a chaise-and-four some hours before "Gracious goodness!" shrieked Lady Goodere; and now, for the first time, I was enabled to ascertain the sound of that good lady's voice. "Whew!" whistled Sir Harry, striking his extensive forehead with the palm of his hand, whereby he committed two fly-cides. "I thought as much-I thought as much"-grinned Dr. Polysyllable Prosy, with a triumphant contortion— while Waver, having involuntarily mimicked the visages of the three, followed my example, and remained si lent. "Well, my dear," said Sir Harry, turning to his wife, "there is no great harm done, after all. Young Peony is a lad of very good property, and a suitable match for Aurelia." Certainly not," said Waver, abashed. and so forth, for half an hour or so, the lady begins to tire, and with "eyes upraised," in most witching langor, petitions her partner for a little more support. This is always givtn without hesitation. The lady leans gently on his shoulder-their arms entwine, in a thousand seducing mischievous curves-dont be alarmed, madam "Say what you please, gentlemen," said I, "but I closer and closer they approach each other, and, in congratulate Sir Harry on his son-in-law." "And so do I," cried Waver, rubbing his hands. I met the modest man a few days ago. He told me he was the happiest fellow in the world, and that he had some thoughts of standing for the county-" But," added he, "you know my weak point-I should never be able to go through with it—and then the maiden speech, I could never accomplish that—the truth is, my unconquerable modesty—" conclusion, the parties being overcome with eccentric fatigue, the lady sinks almost into the gentleman's arms, and then "Well, sir, what then?" "Lord, madam, how should I know?" Female Modesty. Perhaps few female graces have such captivating powers as modesty. It is one of the most distinguishing and attractive characteristics of the sex. It insensibly deprives the profligate of his wanton schemes and exalts his mind to deference. Modesty has a double effect; it heightens the desire of the lover and deters him from rudeness. Were woman to lose this amiable quality, all her charms would vanish, and the ardor of love be extinguished. Their beauty would be contemptible, their address disgusting, and their conversation loathsome.— The modest man reddened, and giving me a knowing There is no part of the female character which men revere so much as modesty. A woman without modesty, wink-" A blush," said he, is easily raised, and serves one's purpose at a pinch, Mr. Quizley, and moreover, instead of gaining the affections of men, becomes an obcommunicates a pleasant warmth to the countenance.-ject of abhorrence. There is no part of creation so inGood morning." "Will never prevent your advancement, depend upon it, my dear sir, in any course of ambition in which you may please to embark." learn what odd capers their daughters sometimes On a signal being given by the music, the gentle- "About the room, madam, to be sure." The whole economy of this dance consists in turning "So he is," cried Waver, putting his oar into the cur- lestial impudence; and anon, the lady, meaning as litrent of discourse. "Do you say so, Mr. Waver?" remonstrated the doctor in a tone of rebuke; "adumbrate, I implore you, a reminiscence of the unpleasing occurrences to which I have been subjected during my domiciliary visit; can the perpetrator of such atrocities be a fitting consort for tle harm as the gentleman, takes him round the waist sufferably disagreeable to men of delicate taste and real merit, as an immodest woman. On the contrary, modesty is the highest and most valuable jewel that adorns the female breast. It is the legitimate offspring of a noble mind. It is the criterion of innocence, the badge of purity, and the sure presage of future dignity and happiness. It is that which makes woman lovely, which heightens the charms of beauty, supplies the want of it, ameliorates the passions of men and commands their perpetual admiration. American Ladies. Perhaps there is no country in the world where the women are more completely domestic than they are in our own; and none where female influence is more generally felt. This is a most happy circumstance. And it affords a most powerful argument in favor of female education. It is trite, I know, but very important to remark, that when ladies are distinguished for domestic habits and virtues, their material influence is very great. They mould the hearts, and in a great degree form the understandings of the future mothers and fathers in our country. Now they who have in their hands so great a part of early education, certainly ought to receive that cultivation of heart and mind which would fit them for the discharge of the very important duties of their station. This is no easy work. It demands both skill and judgment as well as attention. Surely preparation ought to be made for it, that it may be well done. Look at the majority of girls of 18, in the country, and see what are their qualifications for the place at the head of a household. But female influence is not only felt in domestic life; it reaches to every part of society. Everywhere it ought to be salutary. Our ladies ought to be intellectual as well as sensitive; intelligent as well as affable, and good as well as pretty. No where, indeed, are they more modest, more pure and delicate than among oursclves; but if to these graces of the female character, were added, suitable mental improvements, the effect on the whole community would be most happy. A higher spirit of literature would pervade our state; and young men would spend that time in study which they now waste in dissipation. A loftier feeling would be awakened, and we might hope to witness the purity, without the extravagance of chivalry. The Mirror. FRANCIS L. HAGADORN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. The Mirror has been well defined NEW BRIGHTON, N. Y. FEBRUARY 9, 1839. TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.-The metrical favor of D. S. should have been introduced by a story of the incident which suggested it. The selection of S. P. has already appeared in the Mirror; his original stanzas are on file. "A visit to Richmond Hill," is inadmissable, as also the "Stanzas to a wedding ring," and "to Dubufe." The translation from the French by P. is under revision, and shall have place in our next-it was a long time on its journey to us. LONG WINDED.-' -The Comptroller of this State in his annual report to the legislature, gravely says that "the periods for which the new banking associations are formed, extend from twenty-five years to four thousand and fifty years." LITERATURE AND SCIENCE. SUPERIORITY CONFERRED BY SCIENCE. amends. The above is one instance among thousands, which might be mentioned, of the advantage scientific knowledge gives its possessor over the ignorant. While the philosopher in his study is engaged in the laborious investigation of abstract truth, the question is often asked "cui bono?" (For what good?) But when the results of his investigations are applied to the affairs of real life, their benefits are at once evident. Perhaps one or two more instances may set this great truth in a still clearer Village Lighted with Natural Gas. The village of Fredonia, in the western part of the state of New-York, presents this singular phenomenon. The village is forty miles from Buffalo, and about two from Lake Erie; a small but rapid stream called the Canadoway, passes through it, and after turning several miles, discharges itself into the lake below. Near to the mouth is a neat small harbor with a light-house. While removing an old mill, which stood partly over the stream about three years since, bubbles were observed to break frequently from the water, and on trial were discovered to be inflammable. A company was immediately formed and a hole one inch and a half in diameter being bored through the rock, a soft foetid limestone, the gas left its natural channel and ascended through this. A gasometer was constructed, and a small house for its protection and pipes being laid, the gas is conveyed through the FATAL ACCIDENT.-On Tuesday the 21st ult. as Mr. whole village. One hundred lights, more or less, are Joseph Egbert, accompanied by his son John Egbert, aged fed by it, at one dollar and a half yearly for each. The about 32 was engaged in catting salt hay from their mea-light. streets and public churches are lighted with it. The dow on the "Long Neck," the young man by some ac- On mount Philatus, near lade Luzerne, is a valuable flame is large, but not so strong or brilliant es that from cident fell from the top of the load of hay, and was so growth of fir trees, which, on account of the inaccessi-gas in our cities; it is, however, in high favor with the injured as never to speak afterward. It is not certain ble state of the mountain, had remained for ages unin- inhabitants. The gasometer, I found on measurement, whether he struck the hay-pole in falling, or was after-jured, until a few years ago a German engineer contriv-collected eight cubic feet in twelve hours during the day wards wounded by the wheel. He lingered until the ed to construct a trough in the form of an inclined plane, but the man who has charge of it told me that more morning of the 22nd. He was well known in the cen- by which these trees are made to descend by their own might be collected with a larger apparatus. tral part of the island as a useful and enterprising citi- weight, through a space of eight miles, from the side of mile from the village, and in the same stream, it comes zen, and his loss will be severely felt by the circle in the mountain to the margin of the lake. Although the up in quantities four or five times as great. The Conaverage declivity is no more than one foot in seventeen, tractor for the light-house purchased the right to it, and and the route often circuitous, and sometimes horizontal, laid pipes to the lake, but found it impossible to make it yet so great is the acceleration that a tree descends the descend—the difference in elevation being very great.— whole distance in six minutes. To the spectator, stan- It preferred its own natural channels, and bubbled up beding by the side of the trough, at first is heard, on the yond the reach of his gasometer. approach of the tree, a roaring noise, becoming louder and louder. The tree comes in sight at the distance of half a mile, and in an instant shoots past with the noise of thunder, and almost with the rapidity of an arrow. But for a knowledge of the inclined plane, which the German engineer had acquired, such a work as this would have appected impossible. which he moved. OHIO AND KENTUCKY.-On Wednesday the 16th ult. the Legislature of Kentucky elected the hon. James T. Morehead and the hon. J. Speedsmith commissioners to proceed to the seat of government in the State of Ohio, and represent the unwarrantable interference by the border abolitionists between the slaves of Kentucky and their masters. One of the commissioners was chosen by a unanimous vote. RICHMOND COLLEGE-We had prepared an article in exposition of the present flattering prospects of this interesting institution, but it is unavoidably deferred until our next. MONTHLY GENESSEE FARMER.-We have received the first number of the fourth volume of this most excellent agricultural periodical. The Farmer is among the most useful and cheap publications of the day, having the advantage of a large list of Foreign and American contributors, being illumined with useful and ornamental wood cuts, and afforded at the very low price of fifty cents per annum. The present number contains the usual sixteen pages, and is nearly filled with original matter.— The general tone of its contents is ennobling to the science which they are intended to advance and highly entitles the work to that generous support which is extended to it. Orders for the Farmer addressed to this office, to Luther Tucker, Rochester N. Y., or any of the Post Masters in this county, will be promptly attended to. The chronometer, a species of watch constructed to go with great accuracy, has been applied to the purpose of determining longitude at sea, "After months spent in a passage from South America to Asia," says Arnott, "our captain's chronometer announced that a certain point of land was then bearing east from the ship at the distance of about sixty miles; and in an hour afterward when the mist cleared away, the man at the mast-head gave the joyful call, “land ahead,” verifying the report of the chronometer almost to a mile. It is natural at such a moment, with the dangers and uncertainties of ancient navigation before the mind, to exult at what man has now achieved. Had the rate of the wonderful little instrument changed even a little, its announcement would have been worse than useless--but in the night, and in the day, in storm and in calm, in heat and in cold-while the persons around it were experiencing every vicissitude of mental and bodily condition, its steady bent went on, keeping exact account of the rolling earth and of the The editor of the Philadelphia Gazett is about to pub- stars, and in the midst of the trackless waste, it was allish "a tale of death, from a sketch of real life." "I shall never see you more," as the tall recruit said to his pigmy instructor, upon being ordered always to keep his head up. ways ready to tell its magic tale of the very spot of the About one come from beds of bituminous coal; the only rock visible The gas is carborretted hydrogen, and is supposed to however, here, and to a great extent along the southern shore of the lake, is fœtid limestone. Brewster's Journal. DESULTORY SELECTIONS, Dead Languages. The custom of Plutarch's time was very different from these of ours, when the greatest part of our youth is spent in learning the words of dead languages. The Grecians, who thought all barbarians but themselves, despised the use of foreign languages, so that the first elements of their breeding was the knowledge of nature, and the accommodation of that knowledge by moral precepts, to the service of public and private offices of virtue. By this sort of education, study was so far from being a burden to them, that in a short time it became a habit; and philosophical questions and criticisms of humanity were their usual recreations at their meals. Boys lived then as the better sort of men do now, and their conversation was so well-bred and manly that they did not plunge out of their depth into the world when they grew up, but slid easily into it, and found no alteration in their company. Dryden. The White Jessamine, We are told that before its arrival in France, the jessamine sojourned in Italy; a Duke of Tuscany was its first possessor; tormented by envy, this duke wished to enjoy alone so charming a possession, and forbade his gardener to give away a single flower. The gardener Anecdote of Gibbons. up his name, and was admitted. "Sir," said he, "I am now publishing a history of England done by several good hands. I understand you have a good, a pretty good sort of a knack at them ere things, and I should be glad to give you every reasonable encouragement." would have been faithful had he never known love; Printing. As soon as Gibbons recovered from his astonishment, and could muster up the use of his legs and tongue, he ran to the bell, and summoning his servant, ordered him to show that generous "encourager of learning" down stairs, BIOGRAPHY. warmly in the animated discussions of that excited period, and was afterwards a member of the convention, called in Virginia, to ratify the constitution. In 1788, the legislature having passed an act allowing a representative to the city of Richmond he was invited to becomea candidate andwas elected. He continued in the legislature till 1791, when he retired, mingling however, actively in the politics of the day. One of the earliest meetings called to express public sentiment, as to the conduct of citizens Genet, was at Richmond and Mr. Marshall drew up a resolution there passed, expressing a strong disapprobation of Genet's course, and a deep sense of the danger of foreign influence. In 1785 he was again elected to the legislature. About this period he was invited by president Washington to accept the office of attorney general, but declined it on account of its interfering with lucrative practice. upon the recall of Mr. Monroe, as minister from France, president Washington solicited him to accept the appointment as Mr. Monroe's successor; this offer he likewise declined. A year afterwards he was appointed by president Adams one of the three commis CHIEF JUSTICE MARSHALL. JOHN MARSHALL was born in Fauquier, Virginia, on Before the art of printing, books were of incredible the 24th of September, 1755, the eldest child of colonel Thomas Marshall, a planter of small fortune, who had price. From the sixth to the thirteenth century, many fifteen children. From his intelligent father the future sioners to be sent to France, in place of one minister. bishops could not read, and many kings were scarcely able to sign their names; and hence the use of seals and sealing. These were the ages in which superstition, witchcraft, and priestcraft, obtained so universal an ascendancy. From 600 1200, all learning was in the hands of Arabs, Saracens and Chinese. chief justice of the United States received the first rudiments of education. By him he was introduced into the study of history and poetry. From his father's tuition he passed, between his fourteenth and eighteenth years, successively the hands of several teachers, one of whom The first printed books were trifling hymns and psal-carried him as far as Horace and Livy in the Latin classics. Upon this foundation he afterwards made himself a good Latin scholar. ters, with images of saints, and being printed only on one side, the leaves were pasted back to buck. One of the first was the Biblia Pauperium, of 40 leaves, which The crisis was alarming, and from a sense of public duty he reluctantly accepted the appointment. He return ed in 1799. In 1799, at the earnest solicitation of Gen. Washington, who invited him to Mount Vernon for the purpose of discussing the subject, he bocame a candidate for Congress and was elected. The distinguished part he played in the memorable session of 1799-1800, is well In his eighteenth year, while studying the Law he known. In 1800, without the slightest personal compasted together made 20. An entire Psalter was print- engaged enthusiastically in the growing controversy be- munication, he was nominated by the president, secretaed in 1458 by Faust and Schoiffer, and a bible in 1673, tween Great Britain and her American colonies, devot-y of war, and immediaely afterwards secretary of state. Chief Justice Ellsworth dying about this time, Mr. Marleaves in moveable types, was printed at Mantz, be- ing much time to military exercise in volunteer corps, to shall was made, on the 31st of January, 1801, the Chief tween 1459 and 1455; but the most important part of training a military company in the neighborhood, and to Justice of the United States--which post, one of the the invention (that of the moveable types,) is uncertain, both as to name and date. The first characters were Gothic, and Roman types were first used in 1497. Caxton was the first English printer, and his printing office was in the chapter house of Westminster Abbey. He learnt the art in Germany, and was liberally patronized in England. The first book printed by Caxton, was in 1471, and bore for its title="William Caxton's Reculved of the Hystoyrea of Troy, by Raoulle Feure." While the Biblomania pervailed, a copy was knocked down by auction for £1060. Taglioni and the Emperor. The following anecdote, in proof of the Emperor Nicholas' unbounded admiration for the talents of Mademoiselle Taglioni, we extract from the Gazette des Thea tres. reading the political essays of the day. In the summer of 1775, being in his twentieth year, he was appointed first lieutenant in a company of minute men enrolled for actual service, and was soon afterwards engaged with his company in the battle of the Great Bridge, where the British troops under lord Dunmore were repulsed with great gallantry. In July 1776, he was transferred as first lieutenant to the eleventh Virginia regiment on the continental establishment. The following winter he marched to the north, and in 1777 was promoted to the rank of captain. He was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth. In 1780 he returned home and resumed the study of the law, while waiting for orders from the state legislature. In the autumn of the same year he obtained a licence to practice, and rejoined the army, in which he continued till 1781, when there being a redundancy of offiers in the Virginia line, he resigned his commission. He was distinguished in service for courage and acti most important known in the history of government, he has occupied for thirty-four years, discharging its arduous and responsible functions with the highest credit to himself, and the greatest benefit to his country. He calmly departed this life on the 6th day of July last, in the city of Philadelphia, surrounded by three of his children and many valuable friends. A few days before his death he penned an inscription for his tombstone, and was fully prepared for the event. Biography can furnish the lives of few men, if any, who have had a longer, loftier and purer parcer. His biographer eloquently observes, 'What indeed strikes as most remarkable in his whole character, even more than his splendid talents, is the entire consistency of his public life and principles. There is nothing in either which calls for apology or concealment. Ambition never seduced him from his principles--popular clamor never deterred him from the strict performance of his duty.— | Amid the extravagancies of party spirit he stood with a "The Emperor was present at one of Mademoiselle Taglioni's representations at St. Petersburgh, and passed by the stage a few moments before the entrance of thevity, and such was the estimation in which he was held calm and steady inflexibility-neither bending to the admirable dansatrice. "You have forgotten your bou- by his brother officers, that quarrels and points of differ-pressure or adversity, nor bounding with the elasticity of quet," observed his Majesty. Mlle. Taglioni upon this ence amnog them were often submitted to his arbitration. success. He lived as man should live, by and with his showed the Emperor the bouquet which she held in her Thus early was he noted for that union of sound judg- principles. If we were tempted in one word to say in hand, and in exchange for which his Majesty presented ment and integrity which has since given to his deci- one word in what he excelled all other men, we should her with a bouquet of precious stones. The one which sion a value and weight unsurpassed by those of any say in wisdom; in the union of that virtue, which, rihe had received from her he kept through the whole of other judicial tribunal in the world. pened under the hardy discipline of principles, with that the representation. After the ballet, Taglioni was called He soon rose to eminence at the bar. In the spring of knowledge, which constantly sifted and refined its old for, crowned with flowers, and the Empress, in the height of 1782 he was elected a member of the State legislature, treasures, and as constantly gathered new. The Conof her enthusiasm, detached her rich bracelets from her in the autumn of the same year a member of the exe-stitution, since its adoption, owes more to him than to wrists, and threw them at her feet. It is added that two cutive council. The following Jauuary he married Miss any other mind for its true interpretation and vindicahundred thousand francs have been placed at the dispo- Ambor. In 1784 he resigned his seat in council in order sal of the administration of the theatre, for getting up to return to the bar; and he was immediately afterwards the ballet of Gitana, the first representation of which re-elected to the legislature from Fauquier county. In will take place the same day both in Paris and St. Pe- 1787 he was elected member for the county of Henrico, tersburg. of which Richmond is the shiertown. He engaged tion. Whether it lives or perishes, his exposition of its principles will be an enduring monument to his fame, so long as sound reasoning, profound analysis, and sober views of government, shall invite the leisure, or command the attention of statesmen and jurists." SELECT MISCELLANY. JANUARY. Stern winter's icy breath, intensely keen, Or driving snows obscure the turbid air. A year is not only an astronomical, but a natural period, and the first imperfect year of ancient times must, no doubt, have originated from observing the regular vicissitudes of heat and cold, of the leafing, flowering and fruiting of the various tribes of vegetables; and the coincidence of these appearances with the laying and the hatching of birds, and the production of the young of quadrupeds. This way of reckoning, however, was subject to so many variations, that it was soon necessary to make choice of some more constant periodical recurrence by which to mark the annual revolution. The ancient year began in the month of March, and it may appear singular that the modern civilized nations should choose to commence their year at a period when Nature lies almost dormant, in preference to that season when the race of vegetables and animals is actually renewed. In defence of the present custom it may, however, be said that the time of the renovation of nature varies in different countries, and is affected so much by accidental circumstances as to preclude the possibility of an exact calculation; that now the year does not commence till ten days after the winter solstice, and that the length-sight of these phenomena. ening of the day, as it is the chief cause, so it is in fact the commencement of Spring. So little influence, however, has this change at first, that the month of January is usually found to be that in which the cold is most intense; there being but little intensely cold weather in this country before the shortest day, conformably to the old saying, "as the days begin to lengthen the cold begins to strengthen." The weather is commonly either bright dry frost, or rain and snow, with severe cold about the close of the month. It has been asked, how it comes to pass that water, deprived of its heat, should occupy more space than it did before? for water, when frozen, is expanded, and hence ice is lighter than water, and swims upon it. The following explanation will sufficiently account for this fact, without supposing that frost is a substance, which, by a union with water, increases the bulk of it. If any one will observe the process of the formation of ice, he will perceive that it is composed of a number of needlelike crystals that unite to each other at angles of a certain size; hence the space between these crystals is much more considerable than between the particles of water, and on this account water, when frozen, occupies more space than before, although it receives no increase of weight. It may also be mentioned that, in the act of congelation, a quantity of air is intercepted and fixed in the Ice, which generally appears to be full of bubbles.It is from this disposition in water to crystalize at angles of a particular measurement, that if a bottle full of water hard corked be set to freeze, the bottle will be broken for want of room for expansion of the water, while assuming its solid form. Water-pipes often burst from the same cause, and hoops fly off from barrels; and in the intense frosts of Canada it has been found, from experiments made at Quebec, that cannons and bomb-shells, filled with water, and the appertures strongly plugged up, have in the course of a few hours been burst. The some property of water, when frozen, tends every year to diminish the bulk and height of the Alps and other lofty mountains; the different fissures and crevices which become filled with water during the summer, either from rain or the melting sf the snow; are frozen during the winter, and, by their irresistibly expansive power, detach huge masses of rock from the summits of the mountains. Nothing can be conceived more wonderful and striking than the effects of frost. To behold the liquid surface of the lake changed into a firm marble-like pavement; the rapid river arrested in the midst of its course the headlong cascade, "whose torrents only seem to roar," converted into a cluster of translucid pillars of the most grotesque forms; or to view the intricate, varied, and beautiful crystallizations, that form on our windows of a winter's night; and all these effects produced by a rapid, silent, invisible agency, cannot but strongly interest the observer. Some of these appearances, indeed, are so familiar to us, that we cease to regard them; but it is only their frequency that causes them to be overlooked, as is evident from the surprise and admiration they excite 'in persons, who, having been born and brought up in the West Indies or other hot climates, show the greatest surprise and pleasure upon the first SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION. whence they roll into the valleys below, to the terror of Here glitt'ring turrets rise, upbearing high The sunbeam. There embossed and fretted wild The beauty of a country all clothed in new fallen snow is very striking. The effects of snow on the transmission of sound is rather curious. A new fallen snow deadens the sound of voices, sleigh-bells, &c. and in a remarkable degree, as many of our young readers must have noticed. The sounds are dimmed, if we may be allowed the expression, so that they seem to be struggling through an atmosphere surcharged with moisture, or with a shower of feathers or cotton. This is easily accounted for, when we recollect the interruption which the indulations in the air, by which sound is transmitted, must suffer in passing over the light, uneven and porious snow-drifts. Whether we understood the philosophy of the spontaneous combustion of ashes or not, a knowledge of the fact, cannot fail of being important; and should lead householders, and firewardens, to see to it that ashes are never deposited in wooden vessels, within or near buildings; however long they have been extinguished. Probably, when they have been burned a long time, and freely exposed to the air and moisture, the danger is over; as we see such ashes stand in wooden buildings, in large quantities without mischief. Probably, too, ashes that have been removed from the fire immediately after they have been formed, and excluded from the air and moisture, and then, suddenly, a large quantity of ashes mingled with a small quantity of water, would be most likely to occasion the spontaneous combustion. But as so little is known of this matter * Leyond the * Amos Bliss Esq., of Poultney Vermont, had an out mere fast, of the occasional occurrenbe of the ignition, the only safety, is in keeping the ashes out of the wooden boxes and flour barrels. Vermont Mercury. Roman Skeletons. Dr. Allmat, of Wallingford, has written an account of some most interesting discoveries which have been made at Shooter's hill, near Pangbourn, Berks, on the Great Western rail-way. Several human skeletons, in Judge. What is your business, sir. What do you a high state of preservation, have been disinterred, that Examination of a Witness. follow for a livelihood? Witness. Nothing particular. Judge. You do not appear to be a man of property-ons. how do you get your bread? Witness. I sometimes get it of Mr. Humbert, the baker, sir, and sometimesStop, sir. support yourself? Witness. On a chair, sir, in the day time; on a bed at night. Are you a me Understand my question. How do you by base ssbjection to tyrannic power-where the poor man has no voice in his country's councils-no interest in her welfare-no share in her triumphs-where Liberty, equal rights, and free sufferage, are tales of the fancy, which may shed a dim light upon the imagination, but have never illumed the pathway to Freedom. There are remains of Roman soldiers, who fell in all probabili- are countries where the will of one man is the law-where ty in their sanguinary conflicts with the ancient Brit- the King can do no wrong-where might gives rightSmall sepulchral urns of jude workmanship, but and where the ballot box is unheard of; but in this gloelegant and classical devices, were in the graves, and rious land it is not so; here we acknowledge no soveupwards of forty Roman coins of gold, silver and brass, reign, but the Constitution and the Laws; we yield to no of the reigns of Domitian, Constantine, of Julian the power but public opinion; let these have their fair and Apostate, Constantinus, Grabianus, Licinius or Lupici- honest operation, and you behold, Sir, millions of freenius (the Pro-prætor who was invested with regal au- men in this mighty republic obedient to that silent but irthority) and several others. Spear heads, battle axes, restible power, which teaches the nations of the old and spurs, of British and Roman manufacture, were al-world so instructive a lesson, and illustrates the truth, so found; and some of the graves contained considera- that submission is not alone the citizen's duty, but his deble masses of charcoal, without bones, indicating that fu- light. neral honors had been paid to the deceased warrior, and that his remains had been burnt previous to interment.Some of the coins are in good preservation, but others are worn, cankered and illegible. The bones are well preserver, having lain in the dry gravel, about four feet Witness. I would thank your honor to do it, for the from the surface, lying immediately over the chalk, and times are so hard that I cannot take care of myself. Judge. You work around the wharves, I suppose. Witness. No sir-You can't get around them without a boat, and I don't own one. Judge. I do not sit here to trifle, sir. chanic? Witness. No sir. Judge. What are you then? Judge. If you do not answer me I will have you taken care of. Judge. I believe you are an idle vagabond. Witness. Your honor is very slow of belief, or you would have found that out before. one of the skulls was heavier and more consolidated than Welch Literature. By this power, is the poor man shielded from oppression-the rich, man from wrong; by it, the vicious are restrained, the virtuous encouraged; to all, it secures the dear and valued right of free sufferage, the very "life blood of our republican institutions "--the very vital spirit which cheers, invigorates, sustains them. Without this, sir, what is Liberty but a name? And with it, how rich, indeed, are all her varied blessings? Sir, without it, where would have been this "pride of the nations" -this first successful experiment in the science of free government? Do you believe, sir, that in the gloomy The Welch poetical triads are part of a species of lit-period of our revolution, American valor would have erature with which the reader may not be acquainted, dared so much, or triumphed so gloriously, if the right of Judge. What do you know of the case now before as the Welch is not taught in this country either as a free sufferage was not to have been one of the results? the court? Do you believe, sir, that amid the empires of the world, ́ she could, since that fearful struggle, have taken and mainteined her loftiest rank-that the "stars and stripes " The three foundations of genius are-the gift of God, of her loved Flag, would now win respect and honor human exertion, and the events of life. Witness. Nothing, sir. Judge. Then why do you stand there? The Old Bachelor. living or a dead language. The following specimen con- The three first questions of genius are--an eye to see Nature, a heart to feel it, and a resolution that dares to follow it. from every nation-her commerce whiten every seaher citizens receive preud welcome in eaery clime-that her destiny would now be "upward and onward "—if, in her Constitution, the sacred right of free sufferage had not been secured to the people! No, sir, no! You may force your citizens to yield temporary obedience to your The three things that improve genius-proper exer- laws, but it is a nobler effort to win their love for all your tion, frequent exertion, and successful exertion. institutions. Give the People, sir, an interest in the The there things that support genius-prosperity, so- land they love as Home, they will feel they are its childclal qualificutions, and applause. ren; give them a voice in their country's councils, and a choice in her rulers, they will feel that they help to govern. Show them that they, by the magic of the ballot box can elevate the meritorious, and degrade the unworThe three pillars of learning-seeing much, offering thy, and you form a bond of adamant around your counmuch, and writing much. try, which the enemies of human liberty-never, can destroy. The three qualifications of poetry are-endowment of genius, judgment from experience, and felicity of thought. The Bachelor-the confirmed, systematic old Bachelor-God pity him! Man, woman nor child will not. The three tokens of genius-extraordinary understanHe is as one marked out and fitted for the abuse and ca-ding, extraordinary conduct and extraordinary exertion. valing of his neighbors; he is a lonely wanderer on the great thoroughfare of being-his sympathies fettered down in his bosom-his affections unshared, un reciprocated, and wandering like the winged messenger of the patriarch of the deluge over the broad waste of an unsocial humanity, and finding no rest-no place of refuge-no beautiful oasis in the eternal solitude; no green branched forest looking above desolation, where the wearied wing might be folded, and the fainting heart have rest. It is a weary thought of the human heart to brood over, rhat in the universe of life, there is no other heart to quicken with his own-no smile to welcome his coming-no eye to brighten with his joy or weep with his affliction. There is no thonght that falls so heavily on the human spirit. It is as if a leaden hand had been laid upon it—never to be lifted-never to be warmed from frozen communion. Picayune. Plantations on the House Top. In Sweden, it is not a rare occurrence to find in the that the roof, covered with grasf, serves as pasture for a country, and even in small towns, houses built so low goat. In Norway, trees are planted in the turf which covers the cottages; so that a village, when seen from a distance, bears no slight resemblance to a grove. Nois more common than to see kitchen herbs cultivated on the roofs of houses in those countries. THE POLITICAL MIRROR. "VOX POPULI !" AN EXTRACT. From the speech of R. P. Thompson Esq. delivered before the Democratic Convention assembled in the city of Trenton N. J. on the eight of January 1839. There are countries, where the pure spirit of Republican Liberty, has never shed its holy influence upon the people—where tyranny and oppression are borne with the torpor of death, where the manly spirit is broken, the fire of patriotism quenched, the love of Freedom crushed, To this, sir, you must add the great and cherished truth, that the "WILL OF THE MAJORITY SHALL GOVERN.” Impress this with the earnestness its importance demands, upon the hearts of your children; mingle it with the first streams of knowledge, which paternal love provides for childhood; teach it in every lesson of political wisdom given to the people-then, sir, will you have secured the republican inst tutions of this land upon a foun Idation which the assaults of time can never disturb. But, Mr. President, this must be not idle fancy; this great truth is immutable !—it is unquestionable in all its rights, and irrestible in all its conclusions; it must be practised as well as taught--the people must feel that the majority does govern; the daring spirit that would question it, must be instantly and effectually rebuked— then will it be, in every deed, a truth eternal as our everlasting hills-durable as the granite of our northern mountains-firm and unyielding as the ocean rock, which Old Neptene's fury may brighten but never destroy. |