I saw her to-day, on her favorite tree,

Where she constantly comes in her glory and glee,
Perch'd high on a limb, which was standing out far
Above all the rest, like a tall taper spar:
The wind, it was wafting that limb to and fro,
And she rode up and down, like a skiff in a blow,
When it sinks with the billow, and mounts with its
swell;

She knew I was watching-she knew it full well.

She folded her pinions, and swelled out her throat,
And mimick'd each bird in its own native note,-
The Thrush, and the Robin, the Redbird and all-
And the Partridge would whistle and answer her call;
Then stopping her carol, she seemed to prepare,
By the flirt of her wings, for a flight in the air,
When rising sheer upward, she wheeled down again,
And took up her song where she left off the strain.

Would you cage such a creature, and draggle her
plumes-

Condemn her to prison, the worst of all dooms-
Take from her the pleasure of flying so free-
And deny her her ride on the wind-wafted tree?
Would you force her to droop within merciless bars,
When earth is all sunshine, or heaven all stars?
Forbid it, oh mercy! and grant her the boon
Of a sail in the sun and a song to the moon.

service. After the expiration of her quarantine, which,
coming as she did from Mahon, was of some four hours
duration, several boats came hovering around, and
among them we noticed that of rear admiral Sir Tho-
mas Briggs, an officer well known, and much respected
by every American, who has, during the past seven
years, been at this island, for the many civilities received
at his hands, both in a public and a private way. For
the information of those who have met him here, I
would mention that his term of service as admiral of
this port has recently expired-that he left only yester-
day in Her Majesty's ship "Portland," for England,
and has been succeeded by Sir John Louis, who has no
very easy task to perform, if he expects to make him- '
self so beloved by all classes of the Maltese, and as
popular with all foreigners, as his late predecessor.
This is but a passing, parting compliment, one to which
I am satisfied all of our countrymen who have ever met
admiral Briggs at Malta, will most willingly give their
hearty response.

Sir Thomas Fellowes, of H. M. ship Vanguard, an eighty-four-and of which ship commodore ****, after having witnessed the discipline on board, and the beautiful order in which every thing was arranged, not a long time ago, truly remarked, "if we shall ever have another war with England, our boys will have something to do to capture such a ship as this,"-was also present in the cabin of the Constitution, and marked in his attentions to commodore Elliott. The following anecdote of Sir Thomas Fellowes, as I heard him publicly narrate, may not be uninteresting to some of your American readers. In the year '94, or thereabouts, this officer was cast away in India, and the only chance of his getting away, which was likely to present itself for many months, was by a Philadelphia ship. He accepted the invitation tendered by Mr. Pringle, the supercargo, and during the voyage, was offered the situation of second mate, with a promise of promotion, should he remain in the employ. This was declined, as the then Mr. Fellowes preferred taking his chance in the service of his country. Sir Thomas, with some feeling, observed that most gladly would he again meet Mr. P. to thank him Arrival of the U. S. Frigate Constitution at Malta-Sir T. for his kindness, in having given him a passage, some Briggs--Anecdote of Sir Thomas Fellowes-Celebration of

What a gift she possesses of throat and of lungs!
The gift apostolic-the gift of all tongues!
Ah! could she but utter the lessons of love,
To wean us from earth and to waft us above,
What siren could tempt us to wander again?
We'd seek but the siren, outpouring that strain-
Would listen to nought but her soft dying fall,
As she sat all alone on some old ruined wall.

NUGATOR.

FRIGATE CONSTITUTION.*

the 22d of February-Admiral Sir R. Stopford--Brigade Re

view-Departure of the Constitution.

Early on the morning of the third of February, which was one of the most gusty days of our past wintry season, a foreign frigate was observed, under her reefed

forty odd years ago, from Madras to Bengal, when shipwrecked and friendless, he was cast ashore on one of the most unfrequented places of Indian navigation. Captain Fellowes commanded a frigate at the battle of Navarino, distinguished himself in the engagement, with despatches for the admiralty, and for this service was charged by the admiral, Sir Edward Codrington,

topsails, sailing near our uneven and rocky shores, and making for the harbor of Valletto. She was only seen was knighted on his arrival in England. This gentleduring the intervals of the heavy squalls of wind and rain, and an hour had elapsed from the time of her first man also commanded, within the last quarter of a cenbeing signalized, before the man at the observatory was had his vessel hove down, and coppered there, and from tury, a merchantman at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, enabled to make her out sufficiently well, as to telegraph thence loaded a cargo of "notions" for the West Indies. to the admiral, Sir R. Stopford, "that she was an American ship, and bearing the flag of a commodore." Sure Does Mr. S***** remember him? Not a few instanenough it was "Old Ironsides," of "Guerriere," "Java," within the circle of my observation. Need I name capces of this kind, have within the last few years come "Cyane" and "Levant" memory. In she came, entertain F., of the "Asia," 74; captain I., of the "Belleroing in a most masterly way-anchored off Burmola, with its many walls, and bristling fortifications-having on one side the "Princess Charlotte" of one hundred and four guns, and on the other the razeed "Barham," one of the finest men of war, of her class, in the British

• From a Correspondent of the S. L. Messenger, at Malta.

phon," 80; captain McK., late of the “Vernon," all of whom have attained their rank by their own exertions, and not by family patronage.

look better than when riding at anchor in our waters, Never, may I venture to say, did the Constitution and amidst the beautiful ships of all classes of Her Ma

jesty's present Mediterranean squadron. Her crew were | The policy of England—and many will not blame her→→ a fine looking set of men, who had been upwards of three was once expressed in the following quaint lines of an years on board, appeared well content with their situa- old English poet; it is,

tion, and perfectly at home when duty called them to their respective stations. As regards the officers, I would only say, that where such disciplinarians are, no American at home need ever blush at a want of neatness or discipline on board our men of war, when stationed or cruising abroad. Every day brought with it for them new acquaintances and new invitations, and these were never received without also being repaid in a most liberal and handsome manner. The best proof is, that the longer "Old Ironsides” remained, the longer the officers wished her; and the more they became acquainted, the more by their English neighbors and friends was their absence regretted. It was not only with the navy, but also with the army, that intimacies were created; and on lieutenant Watson's dining with the fifty-ninth mess, they gave him "Hail Columbia!" and one of their oldest and most meritorious officers of the regiment, a captain Harward, rose and remarked, "that the corps to which he belonged was the first which fired a shot in the revolutionary war, on the plains of Lexington, and afterwards on the heights of Bunker Hill, and sincerely did he hope that if they were ever again called into action, it would be in defence, and never against their American brethren." This was not an isolated instance, but numerous anecdotes might be given of the general good feeling exhibited at all times, and even in instances where it was neither called for or expected.

The Constitution was known, on her arrival, for her deeds during the past war. She is now far more pleasantly remembered, by the urbanity, hospitality, and gentlemanly bearing of her officers.

"The good old rule, the simple plan,

That they may take who have the power,

And they may keep who can."

England has as much territory, and as many people on her possessions, as she can now well govern, therefore all jealousy has ceased with us, and we are friends again. The praiseworthy conduct of the American government, with reference to the affairs of Canada, doubtless was one reason, why such attentions were shown to commodore Elliot, and such honors paid to our flag.

Major-general Sir H. A. Bowverie, the present governor of this island, is of the Radnor family, a distin guished officer, having served throughout the Peninsular war, and also acted as principal aid de camp, to the duke of Wellington, at the battle of Waterloo.

The Constitution left us at break of day on the 8th of March. As she passed out, her band was playing "God save the Queen,” while those of Her Majesty's ships, gave in return "Hail Columbia." This visit of commodore Elliott has been a fortunate one, and to quote general Bowverie's words "the oftener we meet, the better it will be for both."

W.

SCIENTIA MISCELLANEA.
BY A. D. G.
No. I.

HAPPY ACCIDENTS.

"In speculating on the future prospects of physical science, we should not be justified in leaving out of consideration the probability, or rather certainty, of the occasional occurrence of those happy accidents which have had so powerful an influence on the past." Herschel's Int. Dis. page 267.

During my residence here, I have oftentimes seen crowned heads, and heirs to crowns, received as strangers, but never have I observed more marked honors paid to them, than has recently been shown to commodore Elliott, and through him to the American nation. Perhaps a brief account of some of these "happy On the twenty-second of February, it being the anni-accidents," as Herschel has termed them, may not be versary of the birth of Washington, the United States uninteresting. Hiero, king of Syracuse, ordered his flag was seen waving at the fore royal-mast-head of jeweller to make him a golden crown of a certain specievery man-of-war in our harbor. At twelve o'clock fied weight. The artist attempted a fraud, by subprecisely, and at the moment when the Constitution stituting a portion of silver. In some manner the had finished her firing, a national salute of one and suspicions of the king were awakened, and he appointed twenty guns was given from each British ship, and I Archimides, one of the most celebrated philosophers think they numbered fourteen in all, from the "104 of antiquity, to examine the matter, and determine, if flag" down to the two gun vapore 66 Confiance." It possible, the portion of silver which had been fraudu was thought the salute would have been returned from lently introduced. For a long time Archimides could the "Princess Charlotte," but never did any one dream see no possible way of solving the question. At length, that it would have been answered by all. Never has entering his bath one day, he is said to have caught the the memory of Washington been so deservedly ho- idea of specific gravities, and the method of determin nored before, on one day, from the "wooden walls" of ing them, by observing the water rise as his body was old England. At sun-set when, with the merry sounds immersed in it. Perceiving at once the many impor from the fife and the beat of the drums, the American tant uses to which this knowledge might be applied, he flags were hauled down, that of England was happily, was so overcome with admiration and delight, that he and handsomely run up by the orders of commodore leaped from the water, and unconscious of his nakedElliott, and saluted with an equal number of guns.ness, pursued his way homeward, crying out, "I have Thus closed the twenty-second of February at Malta. Sir Robert Stopford, by whose orders this compliment was paid, is the fifth on the navy list of the admirals of Great Britian, served on our coast during the war of our revolution, and was with admiral Digby when he attempted to relieve "Cornwallis and his army."

found it--I have found it." The doctrine of specific gravities, which he seems in this accidental manner to have become acquainted with, he afterwards developed more fully in his work "De Humido Insidentibus."

One of these "happy accidents" laid the foundation for our knowledge of galvanism. It occurred during

revolution. This phenomenon connecting itself in his mind with similar optical phenomena, which from the nature of his studies were fresh in his memory, led him to investigate the subject with all possible attention. The result has been (as remarked above) the creation of a new department of physical optics. Respecting this department, Herschel has justly remarked, that "the phenomena which belong to it, are so singular and various, that to a person familiar with the other departments of optics only, this is like a new world; so splendid as to render it one of the most delightful branches of experimental inquiry; and so fertile in the views which it lays open of the constitution of natural bodies, and the minuter mechanism of the universe, as to place it in the very first rank of physical sciences."

It may admit of question how far such facts as these are properly characterized as "happy accidents." In every instance, the attention of the observer had been previously awakened and his mind prepared by study and meditation for receiving the fact observed; and, had not this been the case, it would in all probability have passed without attracting his notice. The know

the year 1791, in the laboratory of Galvani, professor | ference in the intensity of the two images; the most of anatomy at Bologna. His wife being in a delicate refracted alternately surpassing and falling short of the state of health, employed as a restorative a soup made | least refracted in brilliancy, at each quadrant of the of frogs. Several of these animals were lying on a table near to an electrical machine. While the machine was in operation, a pupil of Galvani, happening to touch the crural nerve of a frog with one end of a knife, whilst the other end was in contact with the prime conductor of the machine, noticed that the muscles of the limb were thrown into strong convulsions. This curious fact attracted the notice of the professor's lady, who communicated it to her husband on his return. Galvani was at the time engaged in an examination into the nature of muscular motions. These he conceived to be owing to electricity; the nerve and the muscle with which it was connected, being oppositely charged (like the two coatings of a Leyden jar) and muscular motion ensuing whenever a discharge was made from one to the other. This newly observed fact seemed to confirm his hypothesis, and led him to prosecute his investigations with renewed ardor. During a course of experiments which he was in this way led to commence, he discovered that the same effect could be produced by establishing a metallic communication between a nerve and a muscle. This fact he communicated to the world in his treatise concerning animal electricity, and thus laid the foundation of that depart-ledge of such occurrences as these, when properly conment of general physics which has since borne his name. Had not the attention of Galvani been directed at the time, to the subject of muscular motion, it is probable that this fact would have passed unnoticed; as it had in the case of Du Verney who had made the same observation about a century earlier, without its having received that attention from philosophers which it deserved. Another of these "happy accidents" gave rise to the modern science of crystalography. The Abbe Hauy, was engaged on a certain occasion in examining the collection of minerals belonging to M. France de Croisset, when accidentally he dropped a beautiful specimen of calcareous spar, crystallized in prisms. The specimen was broken by the fall, and Hauy observed with astonishment, that the fragments had the smooth regular form of rhomboid crystals of Iceland spar. "I have found it all,” he exclaimed, for at that moment he conceived the fundamental idea of his new system. Having collected the fragments, he carried them home, and soon discovered the manner in which the derivative forms of crystals could be reduced to their primatives, as well as the geometric law for calculating the angles of the one, from a knowledge of the angles of the other. His discoveries were afterwards made public at the solicitation of La Place and Daubenton. The investigations to which this accident gave rise, have resulted in dispelling much of the mystery which before enveloped this subject, and in bringing to light many curious facts respecting these "flowers of the mineral world" as they have been called.

Another of these "happy accidents" has resulted in the creation of a new department of physical optics; that which treats of polarized light. A remarkable fact was noticed by Malus, in 1808, whilst accidentally viewing through a doubly refracting prism the light of the setting sun, as reflected from the windows of the Luxembourg palace in Paris. On turning the prism around, he was surprised to observe a remarkable dif

sidered, will not lead us, when brought to a temporary stand, in a course of investigation, to sit down and idly wait for some "happy accident," which shall at once relieve us of our difficulty; but rather, to press forward, so that if haply one should occur, we may be ready to turn it to some good account. "The seeds of great discoveries are everywhere present and floating around us, but they fall in vain upon the unprepared mind, and germinate only where previous inquiry has elaborated the soil for their reception, and awakened the attention to a perception of their value.”

No. II.

EXCEPTIONS TO GENERAL LAWS.

In the study of the natural sciences, we frequently meet with "exceptions to general laws." Doubtless the question has often suggested itself to the student: In what sense am I to consider these as exceptions? Have they arisen from an oversight in the Creator? Are they points in the structure of the universe, which have escaped the notice of the great architect, when he planned this mighty fabric? To all such questions, I would answer, no. Those cases which we are in the habit of considering exceptions, are instances, in which bodies are taken out from under the dominion of one law, to be placed under that of another. No substance can, in any circumstances, be looked upon as an outlaw in creation. I will illustrate this statement, in the case of one of these exceptions. It is a general law of nature that the dimensions of bodies should increase with an increase of temperature, and vice versa. A familiar instance of this change in dimensions, consequent upon a change in temperature, is afforded by the mercury in our common thermometers. This law may, with the strictest propriety, be called a general law of nature. So general is it in its application, that we can pardon the mistake of a certain Irish scholar, who wished

bring even time itself under its dominion, and to account for the varying length of the days, by supposing that they were expanded by the heat of summer and contracted by the cold of winter.

to dissolve before the first soft breath of spring, we should have had them converted into solid masses of ice;-and further north, it may be doubted whether even the midsummer sun, would have been able to loose their waters from the "bands of winter." Instead of considering these exceptions as blemishes in the work, we ought rather to look upon them as its very perfec tions. Like the abutments to the walls of a gothic tower, they break in upon the uniformity of the struc ture, it is true, but, like them, they do so in order to confer a varied beauty, and substantial strength.

THE SISTER'S GIFT OF FLOWERS.

By the author of "Love at the Shrines," etc.

Young and loved sister, I have now, within that tumbler clear,
Your gentle gift, so like thyself-the angels of the year,
With kisses that were pressed on them by spirits in the night.
Culled by thy hands at early morn, while every leaf was bright
How beautiful-how delicate--the messengers from earth
Come up, and bloom, and blush away, as things of little worth!
But he who rules and reigns above, from his majestic bowers
Looks down with joy upon the buds, and gladdens in the flowers.
The deep dark sea, in vain lifts up its flashing waves on high,
And howls around the caverned earth-it cannot reach the sky.
No blessed dew falls down on it; but gloomily and dread
It covers with its mighty pall the bodies of the dead.
One little knoll, bedecked with flowers, is dearer to his sight,

Yet we meet with a few exceptions to this general law. If we take a portion of water at the boiling point, and gradually cool it, we will find that it contracts regularly, until it reaches the temperature of about 400 Far. It then commences expanding, and continues to do so, until converted into ice. If we continue the cooling process, it will again commence contracting, and continue so to do, until we are no longer able to trace it. If we reverse the process, just the opposite changes will take place, but in the same order. The ice first expanding with an increase of temperature, until it reaches the melting point, then contracting until its temperature is about 40° Far., then again expanding so far as we are able to trace it. In thus expanding, as its temperature is reduced from 40° to 32°, and also in contracting, as its temperature rises through the same part of the scale, water forms an exception to the general law which governs other matter, and which governs water itself, under other circumstances. But we must not on this account look upon it as an outlaw in creation. Its apparent want of obedience to the law of expansion and contraction arises from its real obedience to a different law, and one which can be looked upon as little less gene-Than millions of those stormy waves, that seem to spurn his ral than the former, viz., the law of crystallization. Whenever the particles of a body so arrange themselves as to give to that body the form of a regular geometric solid, they are said to crystallize. In thus regularly arranging themselves, the particles are generally compelled to occupy a larger space than they did when existing together, without any regular arrangement. When a company of soldiers, previous to mustering, are standing together in a crowd, they occupy a less space than the same number do when drawn up in the form of a hollow square, or in rank and file. The same is the case with the particles of water. Whilst existing in a perfectly liquid state, they stand irregularly crowded together; but so soon as the trumpet-call of the chill north wind is heard, they commence their marching and countermarching, until at length they present a solid and impenetrable front.

Ice is not, as is generally supposed, a simple sheet of particles, bound together by their mutual attractions, but consists of an infinite number of needle-shaped crystals, crossing and recrossing each other, at definite angles, until they present to the eye the appearance of a homogeneous mass. To be convinced of this, nothing more is necessary, than to watch the water of a pool as it freezes. At first, we will notice a number of long slender crystals, shooting out from the sides of the pool; then the enlargement of these by the addition of other particles in lines parallel to their sides, as well as a second set of crystals shooting from the sides of the first; then a repetition of this process, and so on until the whole surface of the pool is covered.

So far are such exceptions as these from being oversights in the Creator, that they furnish us with the most convincing evidence of his designing supervision. Had not water, between the temperatures of 32° and 40° Far., been made an exception to the general law of expansion and contraction, instead of having our rivers covered in winter with a thin coat of ice, ready

might. Washington, May 16.

THE EARLY DEAD.
He did not linger out his span,
Of a proud line the end,
A lonely and time-stricken man,
His staff his only friend;
Repining at the long delay
That barr'd him from his kindred clay:
But ere a sorrow stain'd,

Or thorn beset the path he trod,
Shook off its dust, to walk with God.
So the fair flower of morn displays
A rest as early won,
Ere scorch'd by Sol's meridian rays,
Or shut when day is done.
He left us as the early dew
Goes up from earth, to glass anew

The glories of the sun :
Saw just enough of life to know
Its joy, but not to feel its woe.

The crown that holy men have sought
In danger's stormy track;
For which the martyr's faith has fought
Through flood and flame and rack;
Came down to him, a placid boon,
As the calm sunlight falls at noon:
Oh! who could call him back,
To lay his robe of glory down,
That heav'n of love, that starry crown!
What could we offer in exchange,
To tempt his spirit's flight
Away from her unbounded range,

Through boundless fields of light?
The day of care; the night of pain;
Death's valley and dark shade again;
Hope's blossoms and their blight!
Their bloom he saw; their blight he fled:
Thrice happy are the early dead!

Camden, S. C.

B. W. H.

WASHINGTON COLLEGE,

LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA.

soon gave eclat to the institution. The neighborhood viewed this novelty, a Latin school, as it was called, as an important acquisition to the country. I happened at Mount Pleasant during Mr. GraAbout threescore years ago, the Hanover Pres-ham's superintendence. It was noon, the hour of bytery, (at that time the only Presbytery in Vir- recreation. Here was seen a large assemblage of ginia,) taking into consideration the low state of fine, cheerful, vigorous looking youth, apparently literature in this commonwealth, conceived a pro- from ten to twenty years of age. They were ject of establishing a seminary of learning in the mostly engaged in feats of strength, speed or upper country. They wisely concluded that such agility; each emulous to surpass his fellows in an establishment in the limestone valley would those exercises, for which youth of their age geneafford to all classes an opportunity of acquiring a rally possess a strong predilection. Presently the liberal education, thereby rendering unnecessary sound of a horn summoned all to the business of the inconvenience and extra expense of resorting the afternoon. The sports were dropped as by to northern colleges. In accordance with these magic. Now you may see them seated singly or views, the Presbytery appointed agents to solicit in pairs, or in small groups, with book in hand, and receive donations; and trustees to carry their conning over their afternoon's lesson. One porplans into execution. It was readily foreseen, that tion resorted immediately to the hall, and, ranging the times were unfavorable for making collections themselves before the preceptor in semicircular of money for any public purpose. The whole order, handed him an open book containing their valley was, comparatively, a new settlement; hith- recitation. He seemed not to look into the book, erto a frontier; often subjected to Indian depreda- and presently closed it; thinking, as I supposed, tions and to draughts on the militia for protection. that he knew as well as the book. Of the recitaThis checked population; retarded enterprise and tion I understood not a syllable; yet it was highly improvements, and whatever might contribute to agreeable to the ear, sonorous and musical: and the wealth of the country. although more than sixty winters have rolled

have not been entirely effaced from my memory. I have since discovered that the recitation was a portion of that beautiful Greek verb, Tupto; in which the sound of the consonants pi, tau, mu, theta, predominate. It was observable that, during the recitation, the preceptor gave no instruction, corrected no errors, made no remarks of any

The Presbytery, however, considering the ne-away since that time, the impressions then made cessity of the case, thought that something might be done; and on making the experiment, something was done. The trustees soon determined to erect a building; and the site chosen was in a grove, on the summit of Timber-ridge, about one mile northwest of the present village of Fairfield. Here, on either side, was a delightful prospect of a picturesque country. The situation afforded kind. He seemed to sit merely as a silent witness plenty of firewood; timber sufficient for building, of the performance. The class itself resembled and good water convenient; and was very appro- one of those self-regulating machines of which I priately denominated Mount Pleasant. It was have heard. Each member stood ready, by trapencircled by a numerous population. By contri- ping and turning down, to correct the mishaps and butions from the vicinity, of labor, &c. a building mistakes of his fellows: and as much emulation was soon reared. I will not here stop to describe was discovered here, as had been, an hour before, the materials of which it was composed; its di- on the theatre of their sports, in their athletic exmensions or proportions; its ornaments or orders ercise. Since that day, I have often thought that of architecture-suffice it to say, that it blended emulation would be a noble engine in the hands of comfort and convenience with cheapness, and was a skilful teacher. It excites attention; creates sufficiently large for present purposes. A teacher accuracy and promptitude; and gives zest and was now employed. The first whose name I variety to subjects, otherwise dry and jejune. remember was William Graham. He was a During this recitation, an incipient smile of apprograduate of Nassau-Hall, during the administra-bation was more than once observed on the countion of the celebrated Doctor Witherspoon. Mr. tenance of the preceptor, maugre his native gravity Graham came to this country with the character and reserve. This happened when small boys, by of a gentleman of genius, scholarship and piety, their superior scholarship, raised themselves above which character he supported through life. those who were full grown. This class having

A number of students from this and the neigh-gone through, several others, in regular order, boring counties now resorted to Mount Pleasant. presented themselves before the teacher and passed In a short time a very respectable grammar- the ordeal. The business of the afternoon was school was formed. This was the first germ of closed by a devotional exercise. And now, Washington College.

The ability of the preceptor; the industry, proficiency, and decorous demeanor of the students,

the whole number, without delay, issuing from the hall, spread themselves over the area before the door; each conversing with much glee with those VOL. IV.-46