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PUBLISHED EVERY OTHER WEEK

AS A PART OF THE

CONNECTICUT COURANT.

VOL. XX.

Poetry.

FOR THE COURANT.

The Visit of Connecticut to Rhode Island. "The City of Providence :-in intelligence, in refinement, nwealth, in cordiality, and in this sumptuous repast, she responds to the question, What cheer ?"

Sentiment of Hon. H. C. Deming, Mayor of Hartford.
'Twas dreary in those days of yore,
When the good, banish'd Man
From Plymouth Colony went forth
Beneath the scathe and ban,—

Yet, as the tangled waste he trod,
He, starting, joy'd to hear
A savage hunter, with his bow,

Exclaim-"What cheer? What cheer?"

Oh! Founder of a happy realin!

Had one prophetic dream Unfolded to thine exiled eye,

With bright, exulting gleam,

The power and beauty that should make
Old Narragansett's tide

Their mirror,-as the crystal lake
Reflected Eden's bride,-

The winged steeds, whose iron feet
All distance set at nought,-
The telegraphic wires that thrill

With the transmitted thought,
The zeal, the wealth, the taste refined,
So soon to bless thy line,-
The prospect of such glorious cheer
Had tax'd even faith like thine.

But when two hundred summers sped,
A different pilgrim came,—
Connecticut, with smiling brow,-
A staunch and thrifty dame;
And by her side, her chosen sons—
For skilled was she to know
What jewels when she went abroad
She need not shame to show.
Warm words of courteous welcome fell
Upon her well-pleased ear;
The riches of the land and sea
Spread out their gorgeous cheer;
And Music smote the sounding string,
While, with supreme control,
Strong Eloquence arose to play
Upon the harp of soul,

And lingering 'neath an ancient dome
For classic lore renown'd,
Paid homage to its honor'd Head,
With heavenly laurels crown'd.
Now, blessings on thy noble heart,
Our sister Rhoda fair,-
May all thy spindles and thy looms
An added vigor share;

And when our other banded States
Their neighbor's love shall test,
Be thou a model, how to greet
And entertain a guest.

Hartford, Conn., April 16, 1855.

The Dead.

The dead alone are great?

L. H. 8.

While heavenly plants abide on earth,
The soil is one of dewless dearth;
But when they die, a morning shower
Comes down and makes their memories flower
With odors sweet, though late.

The dead alone are fair!
While they are with us, strange lines play
Before our eyes, and chase away
Goa's light; but let them pale and die,

HARTFORD, SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1855.

And swell the stores of memory-
There is no envy there.

The dead alone are dear!
While they are here, long shadows fall
From our own forms, and darken all;
But when they leave us, all the shade
Is round our own sad footsteps made,
And they are bright and clear.

The dead alone are blest?
While they are here, clouds mar the day,
And bitter snow-falls nip their May;
But when the tempest time is done,
The light and heat of Heaven's own sun
Brood on their land of rest.

Every body knows Charles Hosmer of this cityactive and zealous in all good works. Would any body suspect that these lines were applicable to him? We hope he will pardon us for alluding to him, in this connection; but if we are not misinformed, he might have sat for the picture:

"I'M OLD TO-DAY {"

An aged man, on reaching his seventieth birth-day, like one surprised, paced his room, exclaiming,-"I am an old man! I am an old man !"

I wake at last; I've dreamed too long,
Where are my three score years and ten?
My eye is keen, my limbs are strong;
I well might vie with younger men.
The world, its passions and its strife,
Is passing from my grasp away,
And though this pulse seeins full of life,
"I'm old to-day-I'm old to-day "

Strange, that I never felt before

That I had almost reached my goal.
My bark is nearing death's dark shore;
Life's waters far behind me roll;
And yet I love their murmuring swell,-
Their distant breakers' proud array,-
And must I,--can I say, "Farewell

"I'm old to-day,-I'm old to-day."

This house is mine, and those broad lands
That slumber 'neath yon fervid sky;
Yon brooklet, leaping o'er the sands,
Hath often met my boyish eye.

I loved those mountains when a child;
They still look young in green array ;-
Ye rocky cliffs, ye summits wild,

"I'm old to-day,-I'm old to-day !"

'Twixt yesterday's short hours and me,
A mighty gulf hath intervened.

A man with men I seemed to be

But now, 'tis meet I should be weaned
From all my kind; from kindred dear;
From those deep skies,-that landscape gay;
From hopes and joys I've cherished here;-
"I'm old to-day,-I'm old to-day !"

O man of years, while earth recedes,
Look forward, upward, not behind!
Why dost thou lean on broken reeds?
Why still with earthly fetters bind
Thine ardent soul? God give it wings,
'Mid higher, purer joys to stray !
In heaven, no happy spirit sings
"I'm old to-day,-I'm old to-day."

Original.

Our City-No. 2.

M. A. W. O.

It may amuse some of our friends who read "the Supplement" to know how we have been passing the winter. Of the weather, "that odd subject!" I will only make, as Mr. Willis says, 'mere mention,' for to do it justice one would need an icicle instead of the cold steel pen, and to sand the paper with hoar frost. Any allusion to it may bring a tear to the eye, or a choaking sensation in the throat, or possibly a twinge of rheumatism. I am confident every one will think it best omitted, except the proprietors of cough candy, and more than one "marble hall" will go up in the Fifth Avenue built upon the colds of the past winter. There are countries where spring is addressed as "gentle," and personi

NO. 9.

fied as "etherial mildness;" where they dance around May poles and have spring flowers; but with us the May poles would be without the garlands, and we should dance around them in our cloaks and furs for the sake of keeping warm. So the less we say

about the weather the better; although it may be the part of Hamlet omitted. But Lent having passedthe beautiful Easter flowers are again fragrant in the fonts. The election too being quietly over there comes an interregnum in the seasons between the dreariness of winter and the blossoms and fruits of summer, giving us time to live over again the intellectual feasts of the past season. Whether it is that we need lecturing more than any other people I do not know, but we are abundantly favored in this respect. To lectures we are indebted for most of our winter pleasures, in connection with our fine Athenæum, which I will endeavor to describe for those who have not seen it. The ground on which it stands was originally the homestead of the Wadsworth family, Mr. Daniel Wadsworth having given the land, provided other gentlemen would contribute a sum sufficient for the building. This was done, and soon the stately structure rose to view, built of white stone,and in honor of its founder, has engraven upon its front "The Wadsworth Athenæum." It looms up finely behind a great elm tree which in winter makes a delicate tracery-work over it. In the old mansion were entertained, General Washington, Rochambeau, and the Marquis de la Fayette. This then is classic soil, for do we not honor every spot of earth on which were left the footprints of the Father of his country?

"He stands alone-there is but one In all this world, one Washington." We can fancy the elm in its younger days waving its green wreaths over the heads of these distinguished guests as they entered the hospitable abode, Washington superior in the majesty of nature, "the king of men," and the noble Marquis with all the studied graces of the French Court. But this is long ago.

Within a very few years those of us who are not "the oldest inhabitants," can remember the old family coach of Mr. Wadsworth, moving through our streets, drawn by its well-kept bays, as gentle and apparently as old as their master. But they have all passed away, and in the green cemetery just out of our city streets, two unostentatious cenotaphs side by side mark the resting places of Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth, as dignified, refined and noble hearted persons as we have ever known. Would there were more like them! Mr. Wadsworth seemed like one of the Dahls of whom Miss Bremer tells us-a Father of the city, towards whom every one showed respect and veneration. We all owed him a debt of gratitude for so much that is attractive about us, from the fairy like Monte Video, to the tasteful residences which adorn our city, and for his good and beautiful example.

But we will enter the Athenæum. One turretted wing is devoted to a well-selected Library belonging to the Young Men's Institute, with a reading-room filled with the magazines and journals of the day. It will sometimes happen that the very book you may want is out of the library, particularly when a favorite lecturer, who is also a favorite author, has

been here; as, for instance, after the visit of the Howadji every body would be 'Lotus-eating' over again. But the Librarian is so patient, courteous and obliging, that from dewy morn to his own beautiful musings at "Eventide," he is sure to be at his post and to find someting to please the most fastidious taste.

The centre of the building is devoted to a picture gallery, admirably adapted to the purpose. Here are the first works of Bartholomew, our own sculptor, indicating the fame that already crowns his labors. Here too may be seen the earliest efforts of Col. Trumbull's genius from his sketch of Brutus on the panel of his mother's kitchen, when he might have said "ed io anche son pittore," to the first studies of his great work which adorn the Rotunda of the Capitol at Washington. A distinguished artist who had studied many years abroad, said he found the pictures of Col. Trumbull at the Capitol, worthy of all praise, nor had he appreciated them, until his taste had become perfected. They will outlive John Randolph's sneers at the first meeting of Congress, for as likenesses drawn from life, their value is inestimable. We have here also the fine picture of "Christ disputing with the Doctors in the temple," by Luther Terry. We have two Terrys-Eliphalet Terry, bids fair to become our Landseer in his exquisite grouping of animals, and his soft rich landscapes. One of our best connoisseurs the Rev. Dr. Bushnell, said on visiting the gallery that the figure of Mary and the group of old Doctors in the picture by Luther Terry, were worthy of Raphael. The Madonna has the modest, womanly, and humble expression which the mother of the Son must have possessed, as the great truth came upon her, and she pondered it in her heart. The artist has conveyed this, in his truly original face of a Madonna, and her timid attitude and wrapt countenance, make it what it is, a chef d'oeuvre.

We have also one of Cole's most effective landscapes. It is a view of Mount Etna, bathed in the atmosphere of Italy, the Mediterranean like liquid lapis lazuli, reflects the deep sky that bends over Sicily-a ruin is in the foreground and a solitary monk within it. It recals those exquisite lines of Mr. Willis:

"A calm and lovely Paradise Is Italy for minds at ease, The sadness of its sunny skies Weighs not upon the lives of these. The ruined aisle, the crumbling fane, The broken column vast and prone,It may be joy,-it may be pain,Amid such wrecks to walk alone! The saddest man will sadder be, The gentlest lover gentler thereAs if whate'er the spirit's key, It strengthened in that solemn air." Leaving what is modern-we go up the staircase into the other turret, and enter the Historical rooms where are garnered sacredly all the relics of our past history. The walls are hung with the portraits of many dignitaries of "the stately days of yore." Let us according to the customs of the days in which they lived, even if it would now be called un-American, as we enter this august company, make our obeisance. The venerable librarian, Dr. Robbins, may not be there, but his likeness is, and with Catholic veneration we will pay it our reverHe is in the ancient costume-black small clothes with silver buckles on his shoes. His hair needs no powder for it is white as the snow,-an antiquarian in taste and appearance, surely he has found his niche, among these recollections of the past. He placed at the disposal of the Society, his library, containing all the editions of the Bible ever printed, besides many rare and curious books.

ence.

On one side of the room may be seen the portrait

ance.

of Secretary Wyllys, framed in wood of the Charter Oak; for Wyllys Hill, on which the Oak stands, was his residence, and the Chair in which he died, is still preserved, a quaint, high backed "old arm chair," such as befitted "a fine old English gentleman," but from which young America would shrink as a penHere can be seen the box that contained the charter when it was hidden in the heart of the oak, and the charter is in the State House not far offThere hangs too on these walls the tavern sign of General Putnam, who killed the wolf, and by a curious coincidence, a portrait of General Wolfe painted upon it, and as we are told, oddly enough, a wolf was the crest of the Putnam family. The bullet that killed General Wooster can be seen-it was taken out of his coffin, and we can regard it with suitable epithets. We have the old dinner-pôt of Miles Standish, and last, but not least, Elder Brewster's chest. These both came out in the May Flower. Of this, there can be no doubt-the proof is positive. It is truly said that Noah's Ark would not contain all the modern antiques (verde antiques!) said to have come out in this little flower ship, for there are enough old chests, secretaries, and chairs, to fill all our Ocean Steamers, called May Flower furniture-but this dinner-pot furnished the lovely Rose Standish her dinner-Soup Maigre it might be, but eaten with Thanksgiving, and Elder Brewster's chest brought in its depths the golden seed which planted in our soil, became the food, and nourished the growth of Freedom!

Connected with the Historical gallery is a Society for revelling in the past, which brings out of its archives whatsoever is old. The President is the distinguished scholar, and highly cultivated gentleman, the Honorable Henry Barnard, LL. D., (as we suppose him to be on his travels in the cause of Education to which he has devoted so much time and talent, we think we may venture to mention him just as we should do if he were here.) We feel that his labors are justly appreciated here as elsewhere, and are in constant fear lest some great Institution should take him away from us. During a visit to England, the past summer, where Mr. Barnard was entertained by the highest of the nobility and specially presented to Prince Albert, at the request of this Society he visited the ancient city of Hartford, from which ours was named, to discover any resemblance between the mother and daughter. He gratified us by giving us the assurance that the daughter was more beautiful than the mother, and although there was a similarity in the situation of the two cities, yet even in that respect our own was superior. As he eloquently depicted the charms of our surroundings, congratulating us upon so fair a heritage, we felt that there was "no place like home."

It is the custom of this society to have a lecture occasionally, during the winter, followed by a reunion in the Historical rooms, and besides the feast of reason, a few creature comforts in the way of hot oysters, coffee, and ices, are served by the attentive Martin. Long life to him!

One of the lectures was upon the part Connecticut took in the Battle of Bunker Hill, by Mr. Gideon H. Hollister, in whom our State will have great pride as her historian. We shall no longer be bantered by any of the Knickerbockers, and have wooden nutmegs cast in our teeth by those who grated them and did not know the difference; but the "storied urn" of Connecticut, written over as it is, with some of the greatest names in our country, has been raised upon a monument that will vie in splendor, with that of any of the United States.

On its polished and enduring shaft the historian has wrought the gems of his cultivated taste, for in doing justice to our brave old heroes and statesmen, he has thrown around them the halo of his own bright genius.

The closing lecture is yet to be given by Professor Jackson, of Trinity College, on the life of Oliver Ellsworth, the first Chief Justice of the United States. From his connexion with the family, the lecturer has great facilities, and in no respect can it fail to be most interesting.

One of the series was by J. Hammond Trumbull, and was, in one sense, an unusually dry one. Not that the mocha and oysters were wanting, nor that

we were choked with dry dates, but it was full of the driest wit, and the most clever and pithy descriptions of the early habits, customs, dress and manners of our ancestors, and shrewd comparisons between them and ourselves. To illustrate the history, the fair descendants grouped themselves in tableaux, as I mentioned in my first chapter, they were about to do. I remarked that could the sun but daguerreotype them they would form "a book of beauty" that would vie with any Royal or Republican court. That has come to pass, and is now a part of the history of our own times.

We saw the Indian wigwam where sat a young squaw protecting captive children from a terrible savage who held a tomahawk over their heads. So radiant was her look, that I thought it might make more than one white man a pale face. We then saw Governor Winthrop in his "sober suit of solemn black" and wide white collar, presenting to King Charles the Second in the presence of Lord Say and Seal, and all his court, the ring which his grandmother had received from King Charles the First. History tells us that at the sight of this ring King Charles was so much affected that he granted the prayer of the colony.

Next we had Sir Edmund Andros in the legislative chamber, at Hartford, when Capt. Wadsworth seized the charter, from whence it was conveyed and hidden in the Charter Oak. One of the most charming and graceful of her sex was attired in the dress worn by Mrs. Oliver Ellsworth, wife of the first Chief Justice of the United States, at the christening of her son, one of our most highly honored Governors.

In another tableau a fair maiden wore the dress of Mrs. William Samuel Johnson, of Stratford, while her lovely sister appeared in the wedding dress of the first Mrs. Governor Trumbull, wife of that Governor from whom we are all called "brother Jonathan." As they were troubled in early times (exclusively?) by witches, we witnessed a trial of those dangerous individuals. If to "look like a witch" means to resemble those we saw on this occasion, it would be only bewitching. Governor Saltonstall in his great wig, came down from his station on the wall, to sit in judgment with his fair daughter beside him, whose bright eyes sparkled back the diamonds in the Governor's snuff box, while he married the Rogerines, while stately ladies in richest brocades, with powdered heads, were witnesses of the ceremony, forming a contrast to the fair little Quakeress bride.

Besides these, there were several scenes from Universal History. We had Queen Esther attended by her lovely maidens, kneeling before Ahasuerus, and were not surprised that he could not refuse her even "the half of his kingdom." The High Priest was gorgeous in his jewelled robes and mitre.

From Queen Esther the scene changed to the Court of Ferdinand and Isabella, and we are sure

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that all the blood of the old Castille ne'er saw so true a Queen, as she stood in her magnificence, surrounded by the beauties of her court, receiving the bomage of the noble Columbus, as he laid at her feet a world.

But to describe all properly I should have to invoke the muses and graces, arts and sciences, war and peace, which were so exquisitely grouped in the last tableau, with the coronation of history by music, who "heavenly maid was young" as well as her sister, poetry. In the foreground I saw the noble face and form of Religion, her superb dark tresses floating around her, as in her pure white robe and veil she knelt with arms crossed, her snowy brow uplifted, and her full clear blue eye reflecting the light of Heaven.

The next evening the tableaux proved themselves vivants by dancing merrily to the music of a fine band in a gay salon.

It was amusing to see King Ferdinand lay aside his crown, and whirl the ladies of his court in their Re- own national dance-the waltz-while the charm

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ing Jewess, like Queen Esther, threaded the mazes of a quadrille with one of the Saxon Kings. The Indian who had been the evening before, on the point of such frightful massacres, and wore his neck tung with trophies, gave a war whoop, but having become civilized, danced the polka with one of the fi: ladies of Wyllys Hill, fitting representatives of the lovely Queen whose surname they bear.

Charles the First was there, notwithstanding the affecting parting with his children the night before, and executed himself a series of dances with the watch of Endor, who had called him up by her pells. The pretty Quaker bride had doffed her Quaker dress and donned a rich antique satin, more lie the world's people, while her lovely sister war, Loked like a perfect dove, in her dress of dove col

The daughter of Governor Saltonstall resembied one of Sir Peter Lely's beauties, just stepped ❘st of its frame, as she was led to the dance by Led Say and Seal, who was in a very happy vein, but what was said, and what was sealed, our histry does not say. Perhaps the fairy-like lady with the flamingo plumes could tell, or the dark-eyed, ged Evangeline, the Huguenot, might have heard sub Rosa) or modest Mary Dyer might know; for these demure little Quakeresses under their prim ap do a world of mischief, and as she stood with Ser knitting work, she knit little webs round many 1 heart. My uncle Toby was present, tapping his damond snuff box, and looking in vain for a speck the widow Wadman's eye. The widow herself Tin high feather. There was an arch look about ere, but never a speck in its clear depths! Fair La the Lady of the Lake, in her highland plumes, tripping on "the light fantastic toe." As I hed her Cinderilla-like step, I realized Sir Ter Scott's description of the original.

Ten the light hare bell raised its head
Zlatic from her airy tread.”

sister cities, New Haven and Norwich, were heated both by their beauty and chivalry-the a of Norwich and the Rose of New Haven, ancing with the gifted sons of "Old Yale." hearted ex-mayor of the "City of Elms" wing the scene. To him his beautiful city ced for much of its taste and ornament, as nost justly called, a worthy successor of Fillhouse.

rilliant and beautiful Lady of Lyons was with Ahasuerus, who wore a dress of richacus silk and turban of the finest cachemire. as just come from the East, I heard some

one, merely for information, ask if Sebastopol was taken. He replied that it was (by the Russians) and that the Dutch had taken Holland. I was about to ask Scæva, who was there for a wonder, how these days compared with "Hartford in the olden time" which he has so eloquently portrayed, when our carnival was over, and Ash Wednesday came like an extinguisher upon it all. Some one says that ladies put sackcloth on their heads first, to keep the ashes out of their hair; but in this case they were powdered already. So with the rest, we advanced to say our adieux to the hostess, who stood looking like a queen, in a robe of richest crimson and gold brocade, over a dress of meire antique, her hair powdered high over two cushions and a miniature of Mrs. Gov. Wolcott on her breast. I may tell herself and the host how much pleasure they gave us by a 'nearer view' of the pictures, and thank them for their kind attentions to their guests. May I not here also thank the gallant Major B., to whose true courtliness and great exertions the success of the tableaux was owing, combined with the beautiful grouping and exquisite arrangement of the distinguished artist*-the High Priest.

In the name and as one of many spectators,

VIVA.

*Mr. George F. Wright, of whom Mr. Hollister says in his history, I am proud that among her other historical names, Connecticut can boast an artist whose fine genius and taste will be devoted to adorn the little republic whose name is but a synonym of Liberty.

A Hartford Lawyer on his Travels. LOUISVILLE, March 24th, 1855. Editor of Courant :-The attention of capitalists and business men was early turned to the Falls of the Ohio. The descent is about 23 feet in two miles, which totally obstructed continuous navigation in ordinary stages of the water.

On the Indiana side the ground is broken, but it rises gently on the south side some 70 or 80 feet to a level plain, on which the city mostly stands.

The situation of Louisville is not surpassed by any city at the West, with perhaps the exception of St. Louis. It is regularly laid out, and contains about 60,000 inhabitants. It is the most important place in Kentucky, and ought to have been the capital. A few years since the citizens commenced a Court House, to accommodate the Legislature, but it has not yet come, and the House is unfinished.

Louisville has always been noisy about public improvement. They hold meetings, resolve well, but for want of concerted continuous action fail to bring their works to a successful end; the consequences are they are beginning to be cut off from their trade.

A few years since they commenced a bridge over the Ohio. The Architect Town took a large amount of stock, commenced the work, spent several thousand dollars; but the city did not pay her subscription and they are yet without a bridge. Now, much is said about tunnelling the river but it will end in talk.

A Canal has been built around the falls sufficient to accommodate large but not the largest Steamboats, the stock is mostly owned by the United States and it is probably an injury to the City.

A few years since a Rail Road to Lexington would have retained the trade of that neighborhood. Now a Rail Road runs from the Ohio opposite Cincinnati to Lexington which will be continued in time to Nashville thus completing a line to Charleston. Already the trade of central Kentucky is turning to Cincinnati which is the successful rival of Louisville. The inhabitants of the latter assume a superiority

over those of the former, accusing them when they meet at the springs, of their want of gentility, and of coming into Society to rub off their Grease, though nearly as much pork is packed in Louisville as in Cincinnati; and much more according to the population. You know one man may more safely steal a horse than another look over a hedge.

Weather is dry and cold, I go down the river today for a warmer climate. Yours, S.

ANOTHER LETTER.

Editor of Courant:-After leaving Louisville, there are but two places worth notice till you come to Cairo; Evansville, in Indiana, and Paducah, at the mouth of the Tennessee. Other places as Shawnce, just below the mouth of the Wabash, and Smithland, at the mouth of the Cumberland, have at different times made some pretensions; but they are slowly wasting away. In Gen. Jackson's day, Smithland bid fair to become a place of importance, as it was at the mouth of a river, running by Nashville, and the Hermitage, and a National River, because in addition to being a Tennessee River, it ran for a small distance in Kentucky. Large sums were spent by the United States to make it navigable, while the Hudson and Detroit and others of tenfold importance, were neglected on the ground that their improvement must be made by the several States in which they ran. We reached Cairo on the morning of the 26th. It is a miserable place, as can be found, notwithstanding it looks so well on the map. Large amounts of money have been spent here in banking out the Ohio and Mississippi, and more will be spent-many have died in trying to live, and, more will do so. It is the terminus of the Illinois Central Rail Road, and in time will become of importance. Forty-six miles below is Hickman, which has a promising appearance. From here to Memphis all is monotonous and uninteresting. We have as yet no signs of spring, and there being no evergreens-the forests which line the river, have a dead and dreary look.

Memphis is situated on a higb bluff, in the southwest part of Tennessee, and contains about 12,000 inhabitants.

Tennessee being an inland State, and generally democratic, is not in favor of public improvements, internal or external-nevertheless she got a Navy Yard for Memphis, near 1000 miles from the mouth of the Mississippi. After spending several hundred thousand dollars, it was found to be totally unfit for a Navy Yard, and was given to the Corporation of the City, who refused to receive it-insisting that as Government had begun to squander money there, she should continue to do so.

The whole matter was like the erection of the light-house at Natchez, and sundry Hospitals in the West, a mere matter of favor for speculators, and trading politicians.

Eighty miles below we come to Helena. Here is the only high ground to be seen on the west side of the river, from the Ohio to the Gulf. It is the end of the ridge running to the Rocky Mountains, dividing the waters of the Missouri from those of Arkansas. Helena is as large and pleasant town as any in the State, containing about 2000 inhabitants.

Here for the first time we have seen something like spring-peach blossoms and green leaves. The season is a month later than usual-no rain since Christmas. Near this place the celebrated De Soto died and was sunk in the river, to prevent his body S. from falling into the hands of the Indians.

Mr. Simples wants to know if a "Board of Trade" trades in boards. Mr. Simples is to build a wheelbarrow, and wants to know the price of lumber.

68

Mormon Party.

Frederick Tyler Esq. has kindly furnished a Salt Lake paper from which we condense the following account of a Legislative Party given by the Governor at Salt Lake City in compliment to Judge Kinney and other U. S. Officers of the Territory and to Lt. Col. Steptoe and his officers-1st Jan. 1855.

President Kimball remarked "that it was time to begin the party. He wished to give a little counsel first and would be plain and distinct. We want to set an example for generations to come, to keep good order. Where there is dancing and music playing, no conversation nor disorder, but every man behave like a gentleman and every lady like a lady. Do not wish any gentleman or lady to go down to the lower room, until they are invited.We want no whiskey or brandy in this party and that none who are invited here should go out and get it; if this is done we will consider it an insult. We introduce the cold water system until the table, then tea and coffee if you please. We wish that the angels in connection with whom we hold the keys, may be well pleased with us, and touch us all with the power of God that we may act well our parts and that our musicians may be touched with an holy touch, that their instruments may inspire and exalt our feelings. We will dedicate this party ourselves and the music to the Lord. If these are your feelings, hold up your right hands to heaven and say, Aye! (which was unanimously done.) No person has been invited here, whose name was not on the list. This is the order of the Governor.His health is poor and he does not know that he can come here, but I wish him remembered in our prayers, that God may touch him with an holy touch, for I desire that he shall be here to see us during this evening.

President Grant then offered up prayer to the Lord, dedicating to him the assembly and the evening's proceedings. President Kimball then organized the room with cotillion sets and at the words "all ready" the lively strains of music filled each heart with the spirit of the dance. At 4 P. M. the U. S. officers entered, and Lieut. Tyler of this clty with others, was introduced by the Hon. J. M. Grant.

After the floor had been formed for a contra dance, at a quarter past eight P. M. dinner was announced. Whereupon, beginning at No. 1. until No. 43 were severally called on the floor with their respective partners and were introduced in order, The Bill of Fare is rich. They to the lower room. had Oyster, Ox-tail, Lobster and Tripe Soups.They had Boned Turkey, Beef a la mode, Roast Bear, Roast Mutton, Hares, Fried Steaks &c. They had parsnips, fritters, slaw, cabbage, turnips and potatoes. For pastry, they had Pain-au-ris, Charlotte la Rushe, Ladies' cake, Peach balls, Deseret pudding, Omelets, Ice-cream and Water-melons.

The several courses were announced by ringing of the bell. The waiters, who were gents, were all uniformed alike-having white jackets and aprons with black pants and although the courses, dishes and dainties called forth the wonder and admiration of all present especially the strangers, yet it in no way superceded the taste, skill, magnificence and ingenuity displayed in fitting up the apartments.Brother The party was fed by detachments. Mabin sang "The man who could not get warm" "The Good Saint Anthony" and a Mormon song, in his usual chaste, bold and comic style, which gave much satisfaction. Elder Orson Hyde made a very rich and characteristic speech. Judge Kinney replied, and said "I can scarcely realize that we are

here, ten or fifteen hundred miles from civilization,
and yet are in the very midst, not only of civiliza-
tion, but of the most perfect refinement."

On the music returning from dinner the U. S. of-
ficers resumed the dance by waltzing and dancing
the polka and seemed to enjoy themselves, while
the spirit of order and of the meeting perfectly con-
trolled all present.

At half past twelve A. M. the company took sup-
per in the same order as dinner, Prest. J. M. Grant
The invitation cards
acknowledging the Lord.

were of an unique and superb description, small
note paper, ornamentally embossed and fringed,
headed New Year's Festival, under which was the
eagle beautifully bronzed, semicircled by bronzed
stars, representing the States in the Union and at
both sides of the Eagle were bronzed stars repre-
senting the Territories. A quarter past one A. M.
Prest. Kimball called the house to order, and said
we should before dismission, as we always do, ac-
knowledge the name of the Lord, that his blessing
which had been over us while we had been together,
might go home with us. Brother Mabin sang "the
Merry Mormons," nearly the whole company join-
ing in the chorus. Benediction by Orson Hyde.—
Robert Lang Campbell, Reporter, who signs for the
first time Lang, because his mother's maiden name
was Agnes Lang. There is a primitive simplicity
about this people, a straight forward downrightness
that smacks of our Puritan progenitors. These
Mormons are deluded; but the mass of them are
sincere and have accomplished a wonderful feat in
the seven years they have lived at G. S. L. City.

Miscellaneous.

Discoveries of Ancient Cities.

A party of twelve Mormons and one Indian have been exploring the southern part of Utah territory,. and endeavoring to open peaceful relations with the Navajos who dwell in that quarter. They left Manti on the 17th of October last with five wagons. The following is their description of some of the ruins they met on the route.

On the north side of the St. John river, and about five hundred miles southeast from Great Salt Lake City, we traveled over a section of country mostly among the mountains, and about forty miles in length, up and down the river, by twenty five miles in width, covered with the ruins of former towns and villages. The walls of many buildings are still standing entire, some of them three or four stories high, with the ends of the red cedar joists yet in the wall, some projecting eight or ten inches, but worn to a point at their extremities. Every building was a fortification built in the strongest manner imaginable, and in a style that the present age know nothing of; many of them still plainly show the whole manner of structure, and even the marks of workmen's tools. The first ruins we discovered were three stone buildings, crumbled to mere heaps. One appeared to have been a pottery, for in and around it were loads of fragments of crockery of fine quality ornamented with a great variety of figures, painted with various colors as bright as if put on but yesterday.

From here we traveled ten miles, with occasional ruins by the way, and entered a deep canon with projecting shelves of rocks, and under these shelves were numerous houses or fortifications. The one we examined was divided into twenty-one rooms, each nearly square, and inclosing an area of about one hundred and forty-four square feet. The front wall was built up to the overhanging cliff, which formed the roof, and was carved full of port holes. The stones were all squared and faced, were of an equal thickness, and laid up with joints broken in a workmanlike manner. The only entrance we could find was a hole about two feet square, and eighteen inches from the ground, which is the usual size of

all the doors, both in the outer and partition walls
with the exceptions of some subterranean entrances,
which were yet smaller, and difficult to find.-
Through the perfection of the rocky roof there was
From the first
very little rubbish in the rooms.
room we passed through a small hole in the right
hand corner to the second, and there through an-
other hole into the third, and so on, from left room
to right, and from right to left all through the
twenty-four rooms; and every wall was supplied
with port holes.

Fifty yards above this was a large cave, with a
narrow, winding entrance, guarded by a high wall.
Near the mouth of this entrance is an opening in
the rock leading off into the mountains, which we
did not explore, and after a little looking and rum-
For
maging about we found an outlet to the cave.
three or four miles up this canon buildings were
everywhere in view of various forms and dimen-
sions in almost every stage of decay.

From here to St. John's River, a distance of ten miles, there were scattered ruins, and from there, in twelve miles northeast, we came to the head of a canon, whose sides or banks, even to the very head, were perpendicular and shelving, and near the bank Right on the there were no soil on the rocks. brink of this precipice and under the shelves of rock beneath were the best building sites for those beings who built and dwelt here years ago.

Changes of Climate.

History informs us that many of the countries of Europe which now possess very mild winters, at one time experienced severe cold during this season of the year. The Tiber, at Rome, was often frozen over, and snow at one time lay for forty days in that city. The Euxine Sea was frozen over every winter during the time of Ovid, and the rivers Rhine and Rhone used to be frozen so deep that the ice sus tained loaded wagons. The waters of the Tiber Rhine and Rhone, now flow freely every winter ; ic is unknown in Rome, and the waves of the Euxing dash their wintry foam uncrystalized upon the rocks Some one has ascribed these climate changes t agriculture; the cutting down of dense forests, th exposure of the upturned soil to the summer's sur and the draining of great marshes. We do not be lieve that such great changes could have been pr duced on the climate of any country by agricultur and we are certain that no such theory can accou for the contrary change of climate-from war to cold winters-which history tells us has take place in other countries than those named. Gree land received its name from the emerald herba which once clothed its valleys and mountains; a its east coast, which is now inaccessible, on accou of perpetual ice heaped upon its shores, was, in t eleventh century, the seat of flourishing Scandin vian colonies, all trace of which is now lost. Co Labrador was named Vinland by the Northmen w visited it A. D. 1000, and were charmed with then mild climate.

The cause of these changes is an important quiry. A pamphlet, by John Murray, civil gineer, has recently been published in London which he endeavors to attribute these changes the climate to the changeable position of the m netic poles. The magnetic variation or declinat of the needle is well known. At the present tim amounts in London to 23 degrees west north, w in 1658, the line of variation passed through F land, and then moved gradually west until 181In that year a great removal of ice took place on coast of Greenland; hence it is inferred, that cold meridian, which now passes through Car and Siberia, may at one time have passed thre Italy, and that if the magnetic meridian return it is now doing, to its old lines in Europe, R may once more see her Tiber frozen over, and merry Rhinelander drive his team on the ice classic river. Whether the changes of the cli mentioned have been caused by the change o magnetic meridian or not, we have too few fact fore us at present to decide conclusively; bu idea, once spread abroad, will soon lead to suc vestigations as will no doubt remove every obsc and settle the question.—Scientific Americana.

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THE FARM AND THE GARDEN.

THE BLACK RASPBERRY.-Editors Rural:-I have often wondered why farmers do not cultivate a greater variety of fruits in their gardens. In addition to what is generally cultivated, I would mention the black raspberry-a small fruit, well known in most parts of the United States. It grows wild by the sides of fences, edges of forests, &c., but common as it is, and delicious as is the fruit, but few think of cultivating it. H. Perry, of Porter, has a fine lot of twenty-five or thirty bushes, which for the past three seasons have yielded a good supply for his own table, some for his friends and neighbors, and also to dry for future use, and richly paying for the little trouble they cost. He took them from the forest and other places, in the fall of the year, and planted them in his garden. This any one will see, is attended with no expense, and very little trouble. It may be done in the spring. They may be set along the sides of fences, as this situation appears to be the most natural for them. Give the black raspberry a trial, and you will not regret it.-J. SIBLEY, Wilson, N. Y., March, 1855.-Rural New Yorker, March 24.

Few of our native berries improve so much by cultivation as the black raspberry or thimbleberry. They are a safer crop than any of the raspberries, because they adhere more strongly to their receptacle, and are not so easily shaken off. Their flavor is delicious. Now is the time to transplant them.

'PLANTING ORCHARDS.-On this subject 'a reader' in the N. E. Farmer, well remarks that on most 'old lands' the use of some kind of compost in planting, to give the tree a start, is essential. Mud or muck, mixed with ashes, lime, salt, plaster, leaves, &c., or piled up alone to 'slack' a few months before being used, will put three inches on the ends of the twigs and on the body of the tree, the first year. A great many apple trees have been set within a few years past, yet a person will see but a fow thrifty young orchards, in a trip of one hundred miles in any part of New England. These remarks are equally applicable all over the country.

CALOMEL FOR THE PIP.-Å writer in the Farmer's Herald, gives the result of an experiment of using calomel for the cure of pip in chickens. He says he used a boiled potato as a medium to convey the mercury into the craw of the fowls, into three pills of which he put three grains of grey powder and five grains of rhubarb, which were administered with a little cold water. The result was entirely successful. Here, then, is a remedy for this fatal disease, which may be worth a trial by those who raise chickens.

RHUBARB.-Rhubarb, or pie plant as it is commonly called, is so easy of cultivation, and such a capital institution in the way of pies and sauce, that it should be found in every garden. For a family, make a bed twelve by twenty feet, dig it well, and put in or dig in plenty of well rotted manure. Get plants of the Common Early, the Giant and the Victoria, say one row of ten plants of Giant, one row of the Victoria, and about three rows of the Common. Set the plants two feet and a half each way, keep the ground clean, keep down the seed stalk, and do not gather much the first year.In the fall put a shovelfull of good manure over the crown of the root, and spade it in as early in the spring as possible, or as soon as the leaves show themselves. The great secret in raising the pie plant in perfection is to keep the ground clean and and rich, and not allow the seed stalks to grow. In gathering for use, select the leaf that has fully opened, and slip it off from the stem by running your finger down between the leaf stalk and the stem; never cut the leaf; always pull it off as described. If properly attended a dozen plants of each kind will furnish all that any family can well consume. The Giant is late, and both that and the Victoria should be planted at least three and a half feet each way.

We have found the flavor of pie plant much improved by using maple sugar in preference to caue sugar.—Rural New Yorker.

CHEAP COMPOST FOR CORN.-Having received the credit for two years past, of having as good pieces of corn as any in our neighborhood, and attributing our success mainly to the use of a single handful of cheap compost, dropped in a hill before planting the corn, we give you a statement as to how we form it.

Supposing a load to contain twenty-five bushels, we take two loads of muck manure from our hogyard, one load of wood ashes, and three bushels plaster paris. Work the parts thoroughly together with a hoe or shovel. Our corn ground having received a coating of manure before being plowed, the harrow follows the plow lengthwise of the furrows until the surface is well pulverized. We mark one way for the hills with a shallow furrow of the plow, and then draw a chain the other way, which shows the place for each hill. The compost gives the corn a good start, and the manure helps it out. We have also, for the two years past, soaked our seed corn in a strong solution of tobacco water, and Let it have not been troubled much with worms. remain in the solution from twelve to twenty-four hours. WM. E. COWLES.

Canton, Conn.

THE WHITE BLACKBERRY.-The white blackberry is a most vigorous grower, often attaining a height of ten feet. It is a much more prolific bearer than the common variety of field blackberry, the buds being set on the stalks in the immediate vicinity of each other, there being generally not more than the distance of two inches between them, and each bud having but two spurs instead of one, as in the case with the latter. The berries are of large size, amber-colored, and possessing a flavor remarkably rich and sweet. There is no difficulty whatever attending its cultivation; all that is essentially requisite being a rich, light and moderately warm soil, and copious and sustained supply of forest leaves and scrapings. A compost formed of these, with a small quantity of gypsum, and frequent hoeings to lighten the soil, and prevent the radiation and growth of weeds, will almost invariably secure success in the cultivation of this valuable fruit. The original cultivator of this fruit in this country is Mr. J. S. Needham of Danvers, Massachusetts. The white blackberry and black raspberry are both valuable fruits, and should have a place in every fruit and kitchen-garden in the land.-N. E. Farmer.

LIME IN AGRICULTURE.-Professor Johnson says, 'the effects of lime are greatest when well mixed with the soil, and kept near the surface within easy reach of the atmosphere. Its value is greater upon newly plowed arable surface soils.-Such soils usually contain a large amount of vegetable and other organic matter, hence the rule that lime ought always to precede putrescent manure when old leas are broken up for cultivation. It produces a greater proportional improvement on poor soils in their natural state, than on such as are richer; as naturally poor soils contain a greater or less quantity of organic matter, but are nearly destitute of lime. On the other hand, on poor arable lands which have been worn out by repeated liming and cropping, it does no good whatever, as such soils, if they do not already abound in lime, are generally destitute of other kinds of food, organic and inorganic, by which healthy plants are nourished, and they can only be restored to fertility by a judicious mixture of all. On all lands in which vegetable matter is wanting, lime may even do harm to the immediate crops. A consideration of the circumstances above adverted to are sufficient to induce the entire abandonment of it. Where soil has been impoverished through its unskilful application, or by large admixtures of lime and marl for a series of years, new additions are a waste of material and labor. When natural causes have removed the superabundance, and produced an accumulation of those other substances which, when associated with lime, increase the productiveness of the soil, its use may be resumed.'

"Friend, it is very wrong to swear as you do. Why do you do it?"

"Because," replied the prisoner, "I've understood that a man may swear out of jail in thirty days, and I want to see if it can't be done in fifteen. I am going to sit up all night and do my worst."

A Little Incident.

It was about half-past nine o'clock in the morning; the dense fog through which we had been running for the last four or five hours had rendered the track so slippery that we had lost considerable time in climbing up grades; but we were now running down a moderate grade, and as the fog was gradually clearing away, we ventured to increase our speed, and our engineer, ever attentive to his business, was constantly enveloped in clouds of watery vapor. As we were thus running along, I observed the engineer raise his hand to the cord attached to the whistle. He held it for a moment, and then gave the signal to "brake." Turning my eyes in the direction in which we were moving, I was barely able to discern some small object upon the track a considerable distance ahead, but could not make out what it was. A moment later the engineer repeated the signal to "brake," in that particular manner which is instantly recognized by the experienced brakeman as indication of immediate danger. The engine was reversed as if by magic, and as the steam was applied, the driving wheels whirled round in an opposite direction to that in which the train was moving. I now discovered that the object before us was a little child, apparently unaware of its danger. The almost constant screaming of the whistle, with which the engineer sought to frighten the little one from the track, seemed only to amuse it.

The wheels of our engine grated and hissed upon the iron track, unable to stop the train, which, owing to the slippery condition of the rails, it was certain would send us far beyond where the child was standing, before we could stop. Thus we rushed on with the almost certainty that the next minute the innocent, unsuspecting child, too young to know its danger, would be a mangled corpse.— Turning my eyes to see if there was no one near to save it, I saw a lady who seemed almost flying towards the child, but one glance showed me that the engine must reach it before her. The engineer had left his post, and was running rapidly along the frame work to the front of the engine. In an instant he was crouching upon the "cow-catcher," with one foot upon its lower bar, his hand extended towards the child, which, at the very moment it would have been crushed, he caught by its little arm, raised it from the track, and bore it along in safety. One more minute, and the child, uninjured, was restored to its mother's arms.

Uncle Bill Todd was a drover from Worcester county. Being exposed to all weather, his complexion suffered some; but at the best, he was none of the whitest. Stopping at a public house near Brighton, a man, rich in this world's goods, but of notoriously bad character, thought as Uncle Bill came in, he would make him the butt of a joke. As the black face of the weather-beaten man appeared in the doorway, he exclaimed: "Mercy on us, how dark it grows."

Uncle Bill, surveying him from head to foot, coolly replied

"Yes, sir; your character and my complexion are enough to darken any room."

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