"No one had exhibited the structure of the human kidneys, Vesalius having only examined them in dogs."Hallam. "The sentence which the woman underwent was not executed."-Gatty. "Sweyn, King of Denmark, and Olaus, King of Norway, invaded England, and spreading themselves in bodies over the kingdom, committed," etc.-Merryweather. "It is well known that the ancients have stolen most of our bright thoughts."-Jeffrey. "A stain, of all others the most readily made and the most difficult to expunge."-Roscoe. Meantime, Mr. Breen is not himself quite free from the very faults he holds up to ridicule. And the critics, after laughing with him, laugh at him. But few are free of faults in style. The commoner, the slighter, the more obvious these errors, the easier it seems to be to fall into them. I think the book a very good one for young writers and older ones too-to study. Some men can never attain to good English. They have not the analytic power which is necessary for clear thought. But many begin carelessly, and may by assiduous study bring their English up to the average standard. To such, a book so keenly analytic in its tendencies, and showing up so clearly the common errors, can not fail of being useful. I presume the volume will be reprinted here, but do not know by whom. Childs & Peterson will have published, ere this comes to the reader's eye, a life of Dr. E. K. Kane, by Dr. Elder, of Philadelphia. I dare say Dr. Elder will do his work faithfully-and if he restrains his natural bent toward eulogy, and his unnatural bent toward comicality, he will give us a good life of the great and good man. But what do we want of his life? I think he has himself written all that it will be profitable to know of it. It is but the vain craving of an idle mind which longs for such biographie tidbits as remain to be gathered up by the biographer of Dr. Kane. No one will suppose that Kane's own account of his labors can be improved. And I think we could well spare the knowledge of his boyhood's traits, and sports, and amusements, or even his early adventures, which have been so cast in the shade by the glorious achievements of his later years. The memory of the man is now enshrined in the heart of every true-hearted man, woman, and child in America. Let us not tamper with our idol, lest it be soiled. We shall not think Dr. Kane greater when we have read all about his boyish days and deeds, however full of promise those may have been. Having the fulfillment, men need care little for the promise. I should say that a very brief biographical sketch, prefixed to his own volumes, would be the best tribute to his memory that any one could now render. Those who desire to know Kane must ever go to his own books. Childs & Peterson are also getting up a complete and very fine edition of Col. J. C. Fremont's explorations during ten years spent in the wilds of western Americaprepared by the explorer himself, and to be enriched with numerous engravings, from daguerreotypes taken on the spot. This will be a work of great interest to every American. The critics of these days are often all animated by a good share of common sense and often hit off admirably the commonplace conventionalities of artists and literary men. Thus a correspondent of the London Athenæum asks: "Had Oliver Cromwell more than one suit of clothes? This question," he adds, addressing his remarks to artists, "has suggested itself to me in the following way. In nearly every painting or group of sculpture into which the Protector is introduced I find him attired in a buff coat, broad-brimmed hat, and big boots." Let the painters of Washington take notice. I gave, in one of my letters, a description of Queen Elizabeth-"good Queen Bess"-taken from an ancient volume of travels. As many among us are accustomed to sigh for the good old days, it may please them to get some idea of how they really lived in those days of squalid splendor. In a manuscript account recently brought to light, in London, it is stated that the maids of honor found it necessary to intimate a "desire to have their chamber in the Castle cieled, and the partition, that is of boards, there, to be made hyher, for that their servants look over." Nor were the gentlemen of the household in much better plight, for "Sir Edmond Carey," it is there stated, "desireth to have a part of the chamber, being appointed for the squires of the body, to be cieled over-head and boarded under foot, for that it is so ruinous and cold." This was in 1580. That particular class of people who sigh for the olden times would scarcely like to take them with such discomforts attached. It is curious to read in this manuscript, how, about that time-1580-wood had become excessively scarce and dear, whereupon the London manufacturers "altered their furnaces, and turned the same to the use and burning of sea coal." But the Queen's majesty was not well pleased with the alteration. She found herself greatly annoyed "with the taste and smoke of the said coals "— think of this in smoky London-and in high dudgeon absented herself from the city, "to the great hinderance, grief, and sorrow of her loving subjects." The citizens met and consulted what was to be done, but the wisest among them were unable to find "where to get any other fuel instead of coal." Thereupon the brewers, dyers, and hat-makers, who were the great offenders, went to the council and offered as a compromise, that three tall chimneys near the Queen's palace should be altered back again from coal to wood," although the said three houses will yearly consume 2,000 loads of wood," which sacrifice they hoped would be "to the great good liking of her Majesty "-and they besought the lords to make it known to the Queen, that wood to serve all the petitioners could not be gotten without the ruin of the common weal. All this has a delightfully primitive sound. We are at last favored with a real southern original magazine-original means not that the articles it contains shall display any decided originality of thought, but that they shall be all written by persons residing south of Mason and Dixon's line. Of course it will beis a delightfully stupid affair. The numbers I have seen are filled with prosy defenses of slavery upon all sorts of grounds, prosier poetry, and vain babblings against northern celebrities. Russel's Magazine is printed at Charleston, S. C. It enters on its career with a grand flourish of south-side trumpets, and a vehement call for southern patronage, which call, it is fair to suppose, will be repeated monthly till the cause-the Magazine I mean-shall cease to exist. Its cry is not, you will perceive, "hear me for my cause," but, "pay me for my argument"-Billingsgate included. I hope it may get a large paying circulation at the north, for a more promising antislavery journal I have not seen. Items, Literary, Scientific, and Beligious. AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS. The report glances at the condition of the missions in the various parts of the world, and concludes as follows: In Syria, in Persia, in India, and Africa, and China, and in the isles of the sea, also, we must go forward with no faltering step. Within a year seven missionaries, on a visit to this country, have returned to their fields of labor, and twenty-four laborers, of whom ten are ordained missionaries, have been added to the missions. Thirteen are now under appointment; a majority of those designated being to missions in India. A much larger number should immediately be sent; and eight of the missions greatly need missionary physicians. The receipts for the nine months of the financial year, including $19,319.50 for the debt, amount to $246,669.28; an increase of $29,485.13 as compared with the receipts during the same period of the last year. Thirteen thousand dollars were asked for the missionary packet, the "Morning Star," and $28,000, additional to the sum above stated, have been contributed. The surplus will be kept as a fund for the expenses of the vessel. A lively interest begins to be manifested, by the children who made this contribution, in behalf of our "Mission School Enterprise." The cost of this enterprise is $50,000 per year. Is it too much to hope that the children will make it all their own? AMERICAN HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY.-This Society held, this year, its thirty-first anniversary. The number of ministers of the Gospel in the service of the Society, in twenty-four different states and territories, during the year, has been 974. Of the whole number, 522 have been the pastors or stated supplies of single congregations; 315 have ministered in two or three congregations each; and 137 have extended their labors over still wider fields. Nine missionaries have preached to congregations of colored people; and forty-six in foreign languages-22 to Welsh, and 21 to German congregations, and 3 to congregations of Norwegians, Swiss, and Hollanders. The number of congregations and missionary stations supplied, in whole or in part, is 1,985. The aggregate of ministerial labor performed is equal to 780 years. The number of pupils in Sabbath school is 62,500. There have been added to the Churches 5,550; namely, 2,637 on profession, and 2,913 by letter. Sixty-two missionaries make mention, in their reports, of revivals of religion in their congregations; and three hundred and fifty-two missionaries report 2,222 hopeful conversions. Fifty-four Churches have been organized by the missionaries during the year, and forty-six that had been dependent have assumed the support of their own ministry. Fifty-three houses of worship have been completed, thirty-five repaired, and forty-nine others are in process of erection. Seventy-five young men, in connection with the missionary Churches, are in preparation for the Gospel ministry. Receipts, $178,060.68. Expenses, $187,734.16. AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY.-This Society has added 179 new books and handbills to their list of publications in English, German, French, Italian, and Swedish languages. The whole number of publications is 2,229, besides 3,218 approved for circulation in foreign lands. The Society has circulated, during the year, 996,358 volumes-10,972,646 publications, or 282,899,770 pages; total circulation since the formation of the Society, 12,350,169 vol- 179,080,922 publications, or 4,503,360,851 pages. Gratuitous distribution during the year has amounted to $51,000. Weekly circulation of the American Messenger, 195,000; German Messenger, 28,000; Child's Paper, 310,000. Receipts in donations and legacies, $163,985. For sales, including periodicals, $266,559. Total, $450,585. Total expenditures, $618,929.53. umes The Society has eight principal colporteur agencies, located at Rochester, Philadelphia, Richmond, Charleston, New Orleans, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Chicago; and the efficiency of the colporteur work has exceeded that of any previous year. The number of colporteurs in the country is 580, besides 176 students laboring a part of the time-total, 754. AMERICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.-The thirty-third anniversary of this society reports as follows: The receipts in the missionary department have been : in donations, $71,982.37; in legacies, $11,945.87, and a ted by the donors, $769.43, making the total resources of balance on hand from last year, being specially designathe department for the year $34,697.67. This sum has been faithfully appropriated in accordance with the wishes of the donors. A large corps of missionaries have been sent forth into twenty-six different states and territories, who have established more than 1,800 new schools, gathered into them about 80,000 children, and secured for the instruction of these children over 13,000 teachers; supplying poor and needy schools and children with books and other Sunday school requisites. In addition to planting these new schools, they have visited, supplied with books and otherwise assisted, nearly 3,000 Sunday schools, containing more than 100,000; making a total of Sunday schools organized and aided of nearly 5,000. If we take into our estimate the result of the last six years, we find that the Society has organized in that time, through the direct labors of its missionaries, more than 12,000 new Sunday schools, containing about 78,000 teachers, and nearly 500,000 children. AMERICAN TEMPERANCE UNION.-The report from this society is rather cheery than otherwise, notwithstanding the partial reverses of the temperance cause in the country. It says: The law of Maine was followed by a vile system of license; prohibition in New York, by free trade then license; unparalleled success in Connecticut, by a general apathy; while Indiana and Wisconsin, baffled in virtuous efforts by judicial and executive vetos, have become stagnant pools, filled with loathsome and venomous serpents. Yet our rejoicing was more rational than has been the triumph of our foes. The Maine law is no failure. Nothing is lost. No fundamental principle has been over thrown. If a tide of drinking and drunkenness has rolled in upon us with our wealth, luxury, and mighty increase, we have nothing compared with the past, or what would have been ours had no reform ever been known. Maine again stands upon her feet, and will tread the serpent in the dust. New Hampshire and Vermont are firm and successful in their prohibitory law. Wealthy violators of law in Massachusetts, are finding a home in the House of Correction. Grogshops in Rhode Island are abated as a common nuisance. Michigan and Iowa, like the tabernacles of the righteous, are places where men dwell in safety. AMERICAN SEAMAN'S FRIEND SOCIETY.-To supply the means of grace to seamen, to rescue them from vice, to relieve, as far as possible, their wrongs and hardships, and to save their souls; to elevate the character of the commercial service and make it worthy of a great Christian nation; to render commerce itself an auxiliary of civilization and Christianity in their sublime progress through the earth-this is the work to which this Society has been called, and upon which, since its first feeble beginnings, nearly a third of a century ago, the blessing of Heaven has signally rested. gathered English congregations. Since then their prosperity has been much increased. SLAVE CASE IN OHIO.-The Supreme Court of this state, not having the fear of the Dred Scott decision be. fore their eyes, have recently rendered a decision in direct opposition to that of Judge Taney. They have adjudged Henry Poindexter free, on the ground that neither Ohio nor Kentucky can demand an abrogation of the Constitution and laws of the other; and if a Kentucky slave comes into Ohio by the consent of the owner, the Constitution and laws of Ohio operate on the condition of such person, and effect his immediate emancipation. The Constitution declares that if a person held to service in one state escapes into another he shall be given up. In this case Poindexter did not escape, but was sent into Ohio by his master. This case is, therefore, not covered by the Constitution, and he became entitled to the full benefit of the express prohibition of slavery in Ohio, and was to all intents and purposes free. SALE OF A MUMMY.-The Egyptian mummy, which has been lying at Southampton docks, was recently sold by auction. It was 1nocked down for a small sum. Some Bedouin, or Copt, had, it appears, unrolled it and Mis-diminished its value. The bones and skull were visible. The latter was of a small size. The coffin was well proserved, and on its lid was raised the resemblance of a beautiful human face, the features of which had that sphynx-like repose so characteristic of Egyptian art. It was curious to notice persons, amidst the levity of a modern auction-room, looking at a skull, the living eyes of which might have seen Jacob, the progenitor of the Jewish nation, enter Egypt; or beheld Pharaoh, at the head of his army, en route to the Red Sea in pursuit of the emancipated Israelites. FIVE POINTS OLD BREWERY.-The Ladies Home sionary Society report that this mission, during the year, has found homes for 143 adults and 161 children-mostly in the country. The Society has been enabled, through the public liberality, to distribute to the poor of that locality, during the past year, provisions to the amount of $675, thirty tuns of coal, four hundred and forty-two quilts and other articles of bedding, four hundred and eighty-nine pairs of shoes, five hundred and seventy-five hats and bonnets, besides 14,410 garments. In many cases these benefactions have relieved intense suffering, and in other cases prevented starvation. In reviewing the labors and results of the past year, the ladies of the mission feel encouraged to persevere in woman's workrelieving the poor, instructing the ignorant, and cheering the sorrowful. GROWTH OF CORAL.-According to Professor Le Conte, coral of the reef-building species will not grow in water of a mean winter temperature less than sixty-eight degrees, which circumstance confines it principally to the torrid zone. On our own coast they grow to a greater distance north than elsewhere, owing to the presence of the Gulf stream. Their growth is also limited by the depth of water, ten or fifteen fathoms being the limit of the reef-building species. Other species have been brought up from a depth of 1,800 fathoms. Another condition is that the reef coral will not grow in fresh water, nor in turbid or muddy shores. Wherever rivers or muddy waters pour into the sea there is a break in the coral reef. The washing of the waves is necessary to its growth. THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST.-The Generai conference of this body recently held its quadrennial sessions in Cincinnati. It was composed of three bishops and seventy delegates. This denomination originated in the year 1755, or a little before the Methodists in this country. Their founder and first bishop, William Otterbein, assisted at the ordination of Mr. Asbury, at the request of the latter, by whom he was highly esteemed. "The United Brethren in Christ" are not to be confounded with the United Brethren, or Moravians, of this country. Their doctrines are the same as those of the Methodists, and they have the same order of conferences namely, PRACTICAL USES OF GLYCERINE.-M. Mallement, surquarterly, annual, and general. They have also class- geon dentist of Paris, has discovered a simple means of leaders, stewards, exhorters, and also local and traveling making an elastic and imputrescible gelatine. He mixes preachers. The quarterly conferences are composed of glycerine in equal proportions by weight with strong glue these, the annual of the elders, and the general of three melted in a water-bath. Properly prepared, it serves elders from each annual conference district. They ac- admirably for printers' rollers, for stamps, elastic toys, knowledge but one order in the ministry; namely, that models for galvanoplasty, or for anatomical figures, artifiof elder. Their bishops are elected quadrennially. They cial limbs, etc., to which the color and suppleness of the have a Book Concern at Dayton, Ohio, and publish a muscles and tendons may readily be given. This is not German and also an English weekly paper-the latter least important among the practical uses of glycerine. ably conducted and also a monthly magazine. The M. Lallement suggests another. Dentists find it difficult membership is about 67,000. They are also pushing to preserve natural teeth till opportunity occurs for fitting their missionary enterprises in Africa, Oregon, and other them in the mouths of patients. After a time the teeth places. It is only a little over thirty years since any of become brittle; but soak them in glycerine, and their the body performed religious exercises in English and quality remains unimpaired. NEW BOOKS. Literary Notices. HEROINES OF METHODISM; or, Pen and Ink Sketches of the Mothers and Daughters of the Church. By Rev. George Coles. New York: Carlton & Porter. 12mo. 336 pp. This book is a fit companion of the "Heroes of Methodism." Conceived on an excellent plan, and executed with equal taste and skill, it must become a popular work with the thousands of our Zion. We should have been well pleased had some of the sketches been more extended, and this is almost the only fault we have to find with the book. Brother Coles deserves well of the Church for his valuable contributions to her literature. Let the work be scattered through the lengths and breadths of the land, and find its way into every household collection. THE sixth volume of Agnes Strickland's LIVES OF THE QUEENS OF SCOTLAND has been issued by the Harpers. This volume contains the melancholy history of Mary Stuart-beginning with her imprisonment at Lochleven and the coronation of her infant son, and closing with her attempt to obtain a separation from Bothwell, and her marriage contract with the Duke of Norfolk. MINISTERING CHILDREN is a small 12mo., of 542 pages, edited by Rev. Daniel Wise, and just issued by Carlton & Porter. Its popularity in England is attested by the fact that over 30,000 copies have been sold ir. a very short time. The design of the work is to show that even a child may be as a ministering angel of love to the poor and sorrowful. The American editor justly says that "this book is suited to charm and benefit all classes of readers. It is so simple a child may understand it, and so full of pathos, beauty, and instruction that an adult may find intense delight and spiritual profit from its perusal." We had before examined the English edition of this work, and its re-examination only confirms our judgment of its excellence. "THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM" and "THE GOOD SHEPHERD" are two little Bible story books-edited by our indefatigable Sunday school editor, and published by Carlton & Porter. They are beautifully illustrated, and gotten up in a most attractive style-just the books to put into the hands of a child of from five to eight years of age. Parents should see that their children are liberally supplied with books of this description. PHILOSOPHY OF SKEPTICISM AND ULTRAISM. By J. B. Walker. New York: Derby & Jackson. 12mo. 286 pp. $1. Mr. Walker is one of the most acute, logical thinkers and writers of the age. "The Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation," and "God Revealed in the Process of Creation and in Christ," are justly ranked among the choicest productions in the language. The present work is a pungent, scathing, and exhaustive dissection of the pseudo philosophy of Theodore Parker and kindred writers, showing it to be inconsistent with sound reason and the Christian religion. Rickey, Mallory, & Webb, of Cincinnati, are the western publishers. THREE very neat and attractive little volumes are those by Dr. Worthington Hocker, entitled ANIMALS, PLANTS, AIR, WATER, etc. The little folks will be de lighted with them. New York: Harpers. Cincinnati : H. W. Derby & Co. PERIODICALS AND PAMPHLETS. THE WESTMINSTER, for April-republication by L. Scott & Co., of New York-contains, 1. The Present State of Theology in Germany. 2. The Hindoo Drama. 3. Gunpowder and its Effects upon Civilization. 4. Glaciers and Glacier Theories. 5. Progress: its Law and Cause. 6. The Danubian Principalities. 7. Literature and Society. 8. China and the Chinese. 9. Cotemporary Literature. THE EDINBURGH, for April, contains, 1. Alexander the Great. 2. The Last Census of France. 3. Physical Geography of the Sea. 4. Kaye's Life of Malcolm. 5. Roumania. 6. The Festal Letters of Athanasius. 7. Boswell and Boswelliania. 8. The Dilettanti Society. 9. British Relations with China. 10. The Past Session and the New Parliament. BLACKWOOD, for May-No. 499, or Vol. xliv, No. 5contains, 1. Scenes in Clerical Life. 2. A Run to Nicaragua. 3. Afoot, Part II. 4. The Athelings, Part XII. 5. Oxford and Thomas Hearne: a Letter to Irenæus. 6. The Sculptured Stones of Scotland. 7. Life in Central Asia. 8. Columbus. 9. Lays on the Elections. 10. Letters from a Light-House, No. IV. Republished by L. Scott & Co., New York. Each Review $3. "The four quarterlies and Blackwood" for $10 per annum. THE editorial fraternity of Ohio are accustomed to have an annual gathering for social intercourse, free discussion of matters concerning the press, and to listen to papers prepared with special reference to the occasion. A neat pamphlet of ninety pages, published by Follet, Foster & Co., Columbus, Ohio, contains the proceedings for the years 1856 and 1857. THE anniversary address of Rev. Professor Harrison to the graduating class of New Carlisle Academy is full of vigorous thought and replete with sound moral maxims. THE annual Catalogue of Emory and Henry College, Washington county, Virginia, shows a total of 227 students-86 in the collegiate and 141 in the preparatory. Rev. E. E. Wiley, D. D., President, assisted by six professors. THE Catalogue of the New Carlisle Academy, Clark county, Ohio-Rev. T. Harrison, A. M., Principal-shows an attendance of 160 students. THE NATURE AND PERPETUITY OF THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT is the title of a sermon by Rev. J. C. Kimber, of the Illinois conference. The points discussed arethe parties to the covenant, its character and perpetuity, its visible sign, and the identity of the Abrahamic and Christian Church. The author relies mainly on Scripture for his authorities, and makes a clear and convincing argument. SHELBY MALE AND FEMALE SEMINARY, Shelbyville, Ill. Rev. C. W. Jerome, Principal, with feur teachers. Students-ladies, 114; gentlemen, 123: total, 237. Notes and Queries. ELIZABETH. — The POETICAL EPITAPHS ON QUEEN Queen is buried at Westminster. Her epitaph at St. Mary-le-bow consisted of prose and verse, the latter running thus: "Fame blow aloud, and to the World proclaim, There never ruled such a Royal Dame. The word of God was ever her delight, In it she meditated Day and Night. Spain's Rod, Rome's Ruin, Netherland's Relief, Earth's Joy, England's Gem, World's Wonder, Nature's Chief. She was, and is, what can there more be said, On Earth the chief, in Heav'n the second Maid.” The following was the inscription at St. Michael, Woodstreet: "Here lies her Type, who was of late The prop of Belgia, stay of France, Spain's Foil, Faith's Shield, and Queen of State, In brief, of Women ne'er was seen So great a Prince, so good a Queen, Death-envying all that can not dye- But so her Spirit inspired her Parts, At St. Savior's, Southwark: "St. Peter's Church at Westminster, Her sacred Body doth inter; Her glorious Soul with Angels sings, THE COURSE OF HUMAN AFFAIRS.-The following epigrammatic lines remind one forcibly of Cole's Course of Empire: "War begets poverty: poverty, peace; Peace doth make riches flow-fate ne'er doth cease- WIT AND POLITENESS.-The following lines are said to have something of the ring of Dryden : "As in smooth oil the razor best is whet, So wit is by politeness sharpest set. The want of edge by the offense is seen; ORIGIN OF WRITTEN LANGUAGE.-The following poetic query and answer is worthy of preservation: "Tell me what genius did the art invent, The lively image of the voice to paint? Who first the secret how to color sound, THE ANSWER. "The noble art to Cadmus owes its rise, Of painting words and speaking to the eyes; The first in wondrous magic fetters bound The airy voice, and stopp'd the flying sound. The various figures by his pencil wrought Gave color, form, and body to the thought." GRACE AT A MISER'S TABLE.-Here are two different copies of a very witty grace, both claiming to have been pronounced at a miser's table-the first copy reading thus: "Thanks for this feast, for 'tis no less Here meager famine bears controlless sway, Yet here-O how beyond a saint's belief!— It is found in Watson's Life of John Wesley-attributed to Samuel Wesley. The other-which I have seen somewhere, and upon respectable authority, too-is accredited to Dean Swift, and reads- "Thanks for this miracle! for 'tis no less And we have dined where we shall dine no more." That this is more elegant than that can not, in our opinion, be denied; but whether or not it is the original, and Dean Swift the author, is the point in question. WILL. P. HOOSIER AND SUCKER-ANOTHER VERSION.-Your correspondents have not given the true origin of the words "hoosier" and "sucker," as applied to the citizens of Indiana and Illinois, in answers to queries, page 315 of the May number. "Hoosier" is a bad pronunciation of hussars, a corps of soldiers very much extolled by Col. Lehmanowski, who is well known as a lecturer on the wars of Europe." This Polish Colonel lectured through the old counties of Indiana when Louisville was the only resort for labor and trade from the southern part of the state. The laborers on the canal at Louisville from Indiana were assaulted by the Kentucky boys, boasting that they were "half horse, half alligator, and part snapping-turtle," and "could whip any thing from the other side of the Ohio." On one occasion a stout boy from Washington county was the triumphant champion, and cried out, "I am a hoosier."* This soon became common in the market-place and among boatmen, and has finally got into the Ladies' Repository. Sucker is the name of a numerous species of fish, common in all our western waters. These swim up the streams every spring in large quantities and return toward autumn. So did the citizens of the lower counties of Illinois go up every spring to the lead mines, and by *Col. Lehmanowski's pronunciation of "Hussars fighting Cossacks." |