34 66 'Well, I do think it would," said Mrs. Woodsum, very particular about who you get, very." On one of these occasions, so strong was her impres- channel, gave her system an opportunity to rally. She sick. It makes me feel dreadfully to think of it, but I sion that her dissolution was near, and so anxious did she gradually grew better as she had done in like cases be- don't know but it might be a matter of duty." appear to make every preparation for death, and with fore and even before night was able to sit up, and besuch solemn earnestness did she attend to certain details came quite composed and cheerful. preparatory to leaving her family, for ever, that Mr. Woodsum almost lost the hope that usually attended again and again it returned upon her, and again and again But her malady was only suspended, not cured; and him through these scenes, and felt, more than ever before, her friends were summoned to witness her last sickness that what he had so often feared, was indeed about to and take their last farewell. And on these occasions, she yourself any uneasiness about that, my dear, for I assure become a painful and awful reality. Most tenderly did had so often slightly and delicately hinted to Mr. Wood- you I shall be very particular. The person I shall proMrs. Woodsum touch upon the subject of her separation sum the propriety of his marrying a second wife, that bably have is one of the kindest and best tempered wofrom her husband and children. gree of indifference which he had once thought he could even he could at last listen to the suggestions with a de- men in the world." 66 Our poor children-what will become of them when I am gone? And you, dear Samuel, how can I bear the thought of leaving you? I could feel reconciled to dying, if it was not for the thoughts of leaving you and the children. They will have nobody to take care of them, as a mother would, poor things; and then you will be so lonesome-it breaks my heart to think of it. never feel. "I certainly shall," said Mr. Woodsum; "don't give "But, have you been thinking of any one in particu lar, my dear?" said Mrs. Woodsum, with a manifest look of uneasiness. I have thought for some time past, I should probably marry, if it should be the will of Providence to take you "Why, yes," said Mr. Woodsum, "there is one, that from us." Mr. Woodsum was in the midst of his "fall work," At last, the sober saddening days of autumn came on. which had been several times interrupted by these periodical turns of despondency in his wife. One morning Here, her feelings overpowered her, and she was un- to do, and had engaged one of his neighbors to come he went to his field early, for he had a heavy day's work able to proceed any father. Mr. Woodsum was for with two yoke of oxen and a plough to help him break wife, with an expression, a little more of earth than some time too much affected to make any reply. At And pray, Mr. Woodsum, who can it be?" said the last, summoning all his fortitude, and as much calmness up" an old mowing field. He was exceedingly desirous heaven, returning to her eye. as he could, he told her if it was the will of Providence him that day, and he was very anxious to plough the that she should be separated from them, he hoped her whole field. not to be interrupted, for his neighbor could only help sum? You hav'nt named it to her, have you?" "Who is it, Mr. Woodlast hours would not be pained with anxious solicitude 'Oh, by no means," said Mr. Woodsum; "but my about the future welfare of the family. It was true, the of their mother, and see that nothing disturbed her through He accordingly had left the children and dear, we had better drop the subject; it agitates you too nurse in the house, with strict charges to take good care world would be a dreary place to him when she was the day. Mr. Woodsum was driving the team and his never could die in peace till you do." much." "But, Mr. Woodsum, you must tell me who it is; I their mind till about ten o'clock, in the forenoon, when Woodsum," and it don't appear to me it would be best neighbor was holding the plough, and things went on to "It is a subject too painful to think about," said Mr. little Harriet came running to the field, and told her fath- to call names." er that her mother was "dreadful sick" and wanted him gone; but he should keep the children with him, and with the blessing of heaven, he thought he should be able to make them comfortable and happy. 66 "But, I insist upon it," said Mrs. Woodsum, Ho had to come in as quick as he could, for she was certainly dy- by this time raised herself up with great earnestness, and ing now. Mr. Woodsum, without saying a word, drove was leaning on her elbow, while her searching glance "Well, there's one thing, dear Samuel," said Mrs. Woodsum, 'that I feel it my duty to speak to you about.' And she pressed his hand in hers, and looked mot solemnly and earnestly in his face. "You know, my dear," she continued, "how sad and desolate a family of chilhis team to the end of the furrow; but he looked thoughtdren always is, when deprived of a mother. They may danger was imaginary, as it had always proved to be was reading every muscle in her husband's face. "Mr. ful and perplexed. Although he felt persuaded that her Woodsum, have a kind father, and friends, but nobody can supply before, still, the idea of the bare possibility that this you insist upon it, my dear--I have thought if it should insist upon it!" the place of a mother. I feel as if it would be your du- sickness might be unto death, pressed upon him with be the will of Providence to take you from us to be here “Well, then,” said Mr. Woodsum, with a sigh, “if ty-and I could not die in peace if I didn't speak of itI feel, dear Samuel, as if it would be your duty as soon his neighbor to let the cattle breathe awhile, walked wife, Hannah Lovejoy." such power, that he laid down his goad stick, and telling no more, I have thought I should marry for my second after I am gone as would appear decent, to marry some good and kind woman, and bring her into the family to deliberately towards the house. Before he had accombe the mother of our poor children, and to make your tion had added such wings to his speed, that he found across the room, and seated herself in a chair. An earthly fire once more flashed from Mrs. Woodplished the whole distance, however, his own imagina- sum's eyes-she leaped from the bed like a cat; walked home happy. Promise me that you will do this, and I think it will relieve me of some of the distress I feel at himself moving at a quick run. the thought of dying." He entered the house, "What!" she exclaimed in a trembling voice, aland found his wife as he had so often found her before, most choked with agitation-"what! marry that idle, This remark was, to Mr. Woodsum, most unexpected in her own estimation, almost ready to breathe her last. sleepy slut of a Hannah Lovejoy! Mr. Woodsum, and most painful. It threw an anguish into his heart, Her voice was faint and low, and her pillow was wet such as he had never experienced till that moment. It with tears. She had already taken her leave of her dear dure that, nor I wont. that is too much for flesh and blood to bear. I can't enforced upon his contemplation a thought that had never children, and waited only to exchange a few parting Hannah Lovejoy to be the mothbefore occurred to him. The idea of being bereaved or er to my children! No, that's what she never shall. So words with her beloved husband. Mr. Woodsum apthe wife of his bosom, whom he had loved and cherished proached the bedside, and took her hand tenderly, as he your heart at rest. Susan," she continued, turning to you may go to your ploughing, Mr. Woodsum, and set for fifteen years with the ardent attachment of a fond had ever been wont to do, but he could not perceive any husband, had overwhelemed him with all the bitterness symptoms of extreme sickness or approaching dissoluone of the girls, "make up more fire under that of woe, but the thought of transferring that attachment tion, different from what he had witnessed on a dozen dinner pot." to another object, brought with it a double desolation.- formier occasions. His associations before had all clothed his love for his Now, my dear," said Mrs. Woodsum, faintly, wife with a feeling of immortality. She might be remov-time has come at last. I feel that I am on my death bed, ed from him to another world, but he had not felt as and have but a short time longer to stay with you but I though that would dissolve the holy bond that united hope we shall feel resigned to the will of Heaven. These them. His love would soon follow her to these eternal things are undoubtedly all ordered for the best; and I realms of bliss, and rest upon her like a mantle for ever. would go cheerfully, if it was not for my anxiety about But this new and startling idea, of love for another, you and the children. Now, don't you think, my dear," with the English painters at Rome to meet in the evenings came to him, as comes to the wicked the idea of annihila- she continued, with increasing tenderness, "don't you for conversation, and frequently to make little excursions, tion of the soul-an idea, compared with which, no think it would be best for you to be married again to together in the country. On one of those occasions, on degree of misery imaginable, is half so terrible. A cloud some kind good woman, that would be a mother to our a summer afternoon, when the season was particularly of intense darknes semed for a moment to overshadow dear little ones, and make your home pleasant for all of hot, the whole company threw off their coats, as being him, his heart sank within him, and his whole frame you?" trembled with agitation. It was some minutes before he She paused, and seemed to look earnestly in his face showed great reluctance to take off his. This seemed an incumbrance to them, except poor Astley, who alone could find power to speak. And when he did, it was for an answer. only to beseech his wife, in a calm and soleinn tone, not Well, I've sometimes thought of late, it might be some jokes on his singularity they at last obliged him to very unaccountable to his companions, when making to allude to so distressing a subject which he could not best," said Mr. Woodsum, with a very solemn air. think of nor speak of, without suffering more than a "Then you have been thinking about it," said Mrs. explained; for it appeared that the hinder part of his take off his coat also. The mystery was then immediately thousand deaths. Woodsum, with a slight contraction of the muscles of waistcoat was made, by way of thriftiness, out of one of The strong mental anguish of Mr. Woodsum seemed the face. to have the effect to divert his wife's attention from her own sufferings, and by turning her emotions into a new thought about it, since you've had spells of being so very tators. "Why, yes," said Mr. Woodsum, "I have sometimes terfall on his back, to the great diversion of all the spechis own pictures, and thus displayed a tremendous wa "the Mr. Woodsum went to the field, and parsued his work, and when he returned at the dinner hour, he found the family dinner well prepared, and his wife ready to do the honors of the table. Mrs. Woodsum's health from that day continued to improve, and she was never afterwards visited by the terrible affliction of hypochondria. ANECDOTE OF AN ARTIST.-It was an usual custom . SUPPLEMENT TO THE COURANT. From the Ladies Companion. HARD TIMES! LETTER FROM FLORETTA TO HER COUSIN. I DEAR COUSIN :-You see I am faithful to my promise of writing, as soon as possible, after I arrived in this great city, and shall at once proceed to acquaint you with all have seen and heard since I have been here. I entered the city with a sorrowful heart as, before I came, and on the way hither, the hard times, bad state of business affairs, and scarcity of money, had been so much the theme of conversation, that I felt much sympathy for the suffering inhabitants. I almost regretted accepting my aunt's invitation, fearing I should be a burden to her. However, the idea struck me she might wish to make me useful, in case she was forced to part with some of her servants, or take the children from school. As I never 35 "Really she is very partial," said Helen, with pique, I had expressed so much anxiety to see poor cousin Sophia, as I have called her ever since I heard of her "I am sure we waste money enough upon her." husband's failure in business, that the next morning aunt "She made me pay well for this," said Sophia ;ordered the carriage, and with Helen, we drove to her "only think of her charging me thirty dollars for this house. As it was now two months since we heard of little hat." cousin Cotton's misfortune, I was afraid they were suffer- "Oh, I do not wonder," said aunt, "the rich lace and ing from privation. In the way thither I asked if they feathers make it worth that." had changed their residence. "Yes, one must pay for these things. But how do you “Oh no," said my aunt, "they are very well satisfied like my new palletot?" she added, pointing to what I had with their house, and when the new room is finished at foolishly imagined an old cloak made over and curtailed. the back, which they design as a picture gallery, I think "It has just arrived from Paris, and there is not another they will be very comfortable." like it to be seen in the city. It cost me sixty-five dollars." "Dear me, I have been misinformed then," I said, "I "Beautiful! charming!" burst from my aunt, while heard Mr. Cotton had failed." Helen gazed upon it with a gloomy discontented air. I "What difference should that make-it is an event supposed she was vexed with her cousin for her thoughtwhich often happens among merchants-one must live, less extravagance, while her husband's affairs were so flinch from duty, I dismissed all my previous visions of you know. Besides, your cousin has only suspended." embarrassed. My ignorance of mercantile phrases was such, that I parties, theatres, and walks in Broadway, and determined the marble steps. A dandy negro answered the bell-I I in vexation at the turn affairs had taken. 66 rode on in silence. certainly have ordered one exactly like it." "I am sure, cousin," said Sophia," your velvet mantillette is very handsome, with its beautiful fur edging." Besides," said her mother, "she has only worn it a week, and paid sixty dollars for it to Madame Reps, in "I am so tired of mantillettes-I cannot go in the street but they stare me in the face, of every hue and material. Your I want something new. However, I am determined to "Silver Fox." "Mamma," at last she said, "I am so provoked I did to spend the most of my time in the nursery and school-really began to fear Sophia's husband had hanged himself not see cousin's cloak before. It is so lovely, I should room--and even if it were necessary, share my allowance with my cousins. I feared they might have been obliged 'Suspended!" I exclaimed, staring at aunt, with my to leave their comfortable house, but was agreeably sureyes and ears open, like a raw country girl. prised, when the stage stopped, to see the same silver Helen burst into a laugh. "I see you are no merplate-although it was too dark to read the name-which chant, coz. Where a man has suspended, it means he told the stately granite mansion before me was still occuhas suspended paying his debts, and of course has more Broadway." pied by uncle Bankly. Hastily bidding adieu to the kind money to spend upon his family." friends who had taken me under their protection during.. You know nothing about business matters. Nonsense, Helen," said her mother, reprovingly. the journey, I followed the driver who bore my trunk up cousin Sophia, I am sure, is obliged to use much econo- have a new muff. Yours is pretty, Sophia-what do you was glad to see they had not been obliged to part with my lately." Helen shrugged up her shoulders and we call it ?" every servant. I was ushered into the front drawing room, and while the waiter went to report my arrival As we approched Mr. Cotton's lordly mansion, two "Very pretty," said aunt Bankly, taking it," Are had leisure to examine the room and to admire the elegant carriages drew away to give us room. One, I these expensive?" gorgeous carpet, velvet-cushioned chairs, satin curtains, was told, belonged to cousin Sophia, and the other to a "Oh, I only gave a hundred dollars for it," said Mrs. the chandeliers, tabourits, girandoles, candelabras, and a visitor. The foot-boy opened the door-we ascended the Cotton, quietly; "but Helen, why do you wish to get a hundred other articles of magnificence with which they steps, and were ushered, by a gentlemanly-looking new one? Your black lynx suits your mantellette so were adorned. The servant requested me to walk up nificence. The walls were covered with rare paintings waiter, into a room furnished in a style of princely mag- well." stairs, and I eagerly tripped through the soft carpeted in massy gilt frames-the carpets, cushions, and curtains when light furs are in fashion. No, no; I shall get me a "Dear me, you do not think I shall wear a black muff halls and staircases, lighted and warmed as a parlor. At the landing, I was met by a neatly dressed chambermaid, wherever I directed my eye it fell upon gold, or chrystal, of the most costly fabric-the grates were of silver, and stone marten, or natural lynx, or Isabella bear." who ushered me into my aunt's bed room-an apartment 'In the first place you must attend to your new hat," which occupied the whole front of the house. Before a or velvet. A lady sat upon an embroidered divan who said her mother. "As you have seen the new fashions, large psyche, whose richly gilded frame reflected brilwas introduced as Mrs. Manly. In a few minutes, what do you advise, Sophia? A dark changeable silk hantly the fire light, stood aunt Bankly, undergoing the cousin Sophia entered, equipped for a morning round of like your own?" operation of being dressed for a party. She seemed very ourselves in a circle around the fire, and while the others immediately repented, as I fear they will become so calls. After the first greetings were over, we seated Oh, by no means; I selected it for its novelty, but glad to see me, seated me in a luxurious and velvet voltaire, and after asking after you all, begged my permission conversed I amused myself gazing around me upon the to go on dressing, as she was engaged out to a dinner new and splendid furniture. I saw no marks of the "I can then change it," remarked Helen. "I much party. economy of which aunt Bankly had spoken, in any thing prefer it to those greys, drabs, and other grave colors we Pray aunt, do not consider me as a stranger," I said, except in cousin's dress, and I was glad to see her old have been wearing so long. When Julia Fairfax came “I intend to make myself useful, and will do any work things had been made over new. It was true, her collar on here last summer, from the South, she asked if every was of delicate French work, edged with expensive point one had become quakers, as wherever she turned, in "Useful, dear child," she said smiling, "I wish de Paris lace-her pocket handkerchief was a mass o. church, street, or auction, there was one universal hue enjoy yourself; I have plenty of people to do my work." embroidery and mechlin-and her dress a superb silk, of drab or slate." surrounded with two flounces-but her hat, which was Mrs. Manly, who had withdrawn to the other room to so small it would scarcely reach her forehead, I had no look over some new annuals which lay upon a marble doubt had been made out of her last year's old one, the table, now returned. soiled parts being cut away having reduced its size. 66 you may wish to have done." you to I saw the ladies' maids smiling at each other, and felt confused. "Oh, I thought I might be of some use," I stammered," the times are so bad, aunt." flowers?" "Where are the dear children?" I asked. "Are they?" she said, with an indifferent tone. Her cloak, also, although of rich green velvet, had no fulfil the mission upon which I came. I am going around “Jeanette, which turban shall I wear-the gold sprigged doubt been one she had outgrown, as it reached only a with a subscription paper in order to gain a little sum to lace with lappets of fringed gold, or the blonde lace and little way below her knees, and was eked out with a relieve a suffering family." silvery white plush. I commended her economy, but felt sorry for her as I imagined how the wind must blow "Dear me! I am glad you reminded me." said aunt, in her face, and how cold the lower part of her body shall not shrink from it. They were once doing quite It is a disagreeable task, but I feel so much for them I looking at her splendid watch; "it is past five and I have must be. not sent for them. Jane, just ring the bell for Thomas, well with a small shop, but the husband lost all by the and tell him to order the carriage immediately for the darlings." Helen now enter the room. "So, Sophia," said aunt, "I see you have one of the failure of a merchant with whom he was connected in new small hats. I have been waiting for the new fash- business, since then they have only struggled on, it would It was with great pleasure I beheld my dear cousin I cannot imagine how you obtained yours so soon, as sickness." She then handed the paper to Mrs. Cotton. ions to appear in order to purchase my winter bonnet. seem, to plunge themselves deeper into poverty and She wore a riding habit, neither Mrs. Blond nor Madame Brussels have opened Her own name headed it for a reasonable sum. and a man's hat, that being the most fashionable one to yet." ride in at present. She ran towards me-was delighted Really, Mrs. Manly," began cousin Sophia, "I do to see me once more, and in spite of my entreaties she nomical cousin, with exultation," that they always give give away. "I am so good a customer of these ladies," said my eco- not know what to say to this. I have so very little to declared she would relinquish her dinner party and spend me the first choice of their new things. Madame Brussels hear nothing from Mr. Cotton but 'hard times,' and When I ask for money for my own uses, I a quiet evening with me. Her mother, with a remark sent me word two days ago, that she had just received a scarcity of money.' that it would do her good, as she looked jaded from being box of hats from Paris, from which I might choose one out so much, gave her consent to the arrangement. "Ay, true; that is of some importance to us," observed "In what way is it?" "Ah, that is it, Mrs. Manly; it takes so much to keep On reaching the principal hotel, both parties came out as all hopes of ever seeing him alive again, were on the "Oh! there was not the slightest danger of that. We I began to confound right and wrong. Every thing THE CUNNING LUNATIC. "Good morning, then, for the present," said the lunatic as he quitted the superintendent's apartment. “Good morning," mumbled the latter. In about two hours afterwards, a gig with two persons way employed? That was a piece of information in it, was seen to drive up to the gate of the institution: which his keeper learned to his cost a few hours after it was opened, and both proceeded towards the door. the lunatic's return. The latter had been to the asylum As they entered the place,-"Here is an unfortunate for which his friends had destined himself, and having individual," said the lunatic, addressing himself to the procured access to the proper party, gave his keeper's superintendent, "whom you will be kind enough to take name as his own, and represented him as being Mr. So- every care of." and-so, and the brother of Mr. · As it was not The other was so confounded by the unexpected had a brother, who was at that time laboring under insan- utter a word. only well known at the asylum that the latter gentleman observation, that he was unable, for some seconds, to ity, but as on the previous day, notice had been sent to "Very good," said the superintendent of the instituthe asylum, the remainder of his story was the more tion, "we'll take care of him," at the same time laying readily believed. 'Now" says he, addressing himself hold of the astonished keeper of the lunatic, by the breast In many cases lunatics are exceedingly cunning, and to the manager of the institution, "the lunatic is re- of the coat. display a remarkable readiness of resources in unexpect-markably clever, singularly cunning; and ed emergencies. I could mention many instances, but "Sir-Sir-Sir!" stammered the confounded man, “Oh, a great many of our patients are so," interrupt- "you labor under a mistake; that," pointing to the will content myself with one. There was lately, and I ed the superintendent of the institution. "We see in-lunatic, " is the person to be committed to your care. I am not sure whether there be not now, in one of our stances of cunning and shrewdness every day, which the-I-I brought him here." asylums, a lunatic, who, on the first loss of his reason-wisest of us could not exceed." ever. 66 "No doubt of it," said the overseer, still dragging the for he was repeatedly cured, though he always relapsed "I have no doubt of it," observed the lunatic with the hapless wight forward, assisted by another servant of the again-living in a neighboring county. Belonging as he greatest self-possession, and seemingly in the most ration- establishment, in the part of the asylum for which he was did to a family of wealth and respectability, he was pro-al manner possible. 'I have no doubt of it; none what- intended. vided with a keeper as soon as the first symptoms of the I have seen many cases of it myself; but this un- "Gracious Heaven, Sir! what is the meaning of this?" disease appeared. It was hoped that the unfortunate happy man exceeds, in cunning and shrewdness, any one exclaimed the luckless party, half suffocated with astonman's lunacy would be but of temporary duration; and I ever heard of. Why, he would almost deceive me."ishment and indignation, and struggling hard to disengage that, by committing him to the care of a keeper, his "Oh, he will not deceive us," interrupted the other, himself from the grasp of the parties. friends would be spared the pains of sending him to an hastily; "we are too well accustomed to such things." "Come away, my good man, quietly with us,” said the asylum. His insanity however lasted much longer than "I am happy to hear it," continued the lunatic. "My superintendent soothingly. his friends had fondly hoped it would; and it was thereonly reason for coming out here, before taking him with "By all that's sacred, Sir," shouted the other with the fore eventually determined to send him to an institution me, was, that I might acquaint you with the circumstan- utmost vehemence, "I'm not the lunatic; that is he," for the reception of persons laboring under mental aberagain pointing to the actual party. ration, in the hope that through the superior treatment "That was unnecessary; let him try all the tricks he he would there receive, an additional chance of recovery chooses, they will be lost here," remarked the other, with might be afforded him. On the day previous to that ap- a consequential air, as if he were beyond the power of pointed for his being sent to the asylum, he overheard ingenuity to deceive. his brother giving instructions to his keeper on the sub ces beforehand.” "Very good," observed the lunatic, in a satisfied tone. ject. He took no notice of the circumstance that night, I shall bring him here in an hour or so; I have left nor next morning; but when told that he, accompanied him at the Fountain hotel, in care of a friend. by his companion-the name by which his keeper was always called-was to have along drive that day, he ex "We shall be ready for him," said the superintendent of the asylum, in that careless sort of tone which is so pressed himself delighted with the idea, and displayed a characteristic of men in authority willingness to take an airing, which strongly contrasted "I knew it all; I told you how it would be,” said the latter, in a steady voice, and with the greatest self-pos session. "This way," said the superintendent carelessly, still dragging the unfortunate party forward. "It's a mistake, Sir" "Oh, there's no mistake, my good man; no mistake," interrupted the guardian of the place. "No mistake," echoed the lunatic, with the most per fect nonchalance, displaying all the while the most rational demeanor. 'Sir,” shouted the unfortunate party; "Sir, are you serious? Are you aware of what you're about?" "Perfectly serious; perfectly aware of what we are doing," replieed the superintendent dryly. "Sir, I'm not the lunatic; THAT is the lunatic," point was unusually cheerful and docile all the way. And here "Oh, I beg your pardon!" said the lunatic, hastily "Let go your hold, or you retain it at your peril," "Never mind the poor fellow; I told you how he would conduct himself, and what he would say," observ-[with skewers-a statement in which there was too strong which arises from the scepticism of ignorance. Its prined the lunatic. a combination of the ludicrous and horrible to allow of cipal doctrines-the great age of the earth, and the exist A few pulls more, and the astonished and enraged its being any thing but a fiction. He gave drawings of ence of tribes of plants and animals many ages before the party was actually dragged into his destined apartment. many plants of extraordinary appearance and properties, birth of the human race-are both met by every thing but When both the superintendent and the inferior servant previously unknown in Britain,-one, for instance, open condemnation. Ignorant minds, (and this descrip let go their hold, I leave the reader to fancy what were giving out milk when cut; likewise of many singular tion does not exclude many of the so called educated the feelings of the poor wight. animals, particularly of a fly named zimb, which had been classes,) find it impossible to admit such things, while the "Quite safe now; he's in our custody now! and you known to destroy whole armies, These were evidently enlightened see no difficulty in giving them at least a are relieved from all further responsibility," said the grown falsehoods. Accordingly the book was scouted; place as respectable and probable hypotheses. superintendent to the insane party, the moment he had the author even met with personal insult; and the last The great body of the ignorant seem to take a positive shut the door on the supposed lunatic. years of a life which had been devoted to the public pleasure when they can catch a philosopher tripping, or "All right," said the real lunatic, as if relieved from a service were spent in morose solitude, instead of the see reason to suspect the soundness of any great discov load of responsibility. "The family of the unfortunate enjoyment of those honors which his magnanimous hardi-ery, though nothing can be more clear than that every man will make the necessary arrangements as to the hood and great sufferings, his industry, learning and tal-new sentence added to the book of nature is a gain of a expense." ents, had deserved. How has the question ultimately most important kind to the whole of mankind. Such "Oh, that's settled already; the necessary arrange- turned out! Several years after the grave had closed conduct reminds one of the Irishman in the jest book. ments were made yesterday, when the first intimation of over the ill-used Bruce, Dr. Clarke met at Cairo, an who, when carried for a wager in the bod of his companhis coming here was sent us." Abyssinian clergyman, who, on being interrogated as to ion up a tall ladder set against a house, had hopes of “So I understand," said the lunatic, in a matter of the above, and many other points in the work, confirmed being let fall about the third story. course sort of style; and with that he quitted the place, every thing which the author had stated, excepting in a and springing into the gig which had remained at the few trivial matters in which Bruce had evidently been THE LAW PARAMOUNT TO THE WILL OF A MONARCH.gate all this time, drove away home again. mistaken, and which only served to show how entirely At a meeting of the "Society for the due observance of It is impossible to describe the mingled surprise and he had written in good faith. The investigation was the Lord's Day" in London, May, 1838, the Rev. Mr. consternation with which his relatives and friends were conducted in circumstances of such caution, as to make Stowell made the following statement: "A gentleman seized on his return home. Their first apprehension, on deception impossible. Every plant delineated in the who resides at Brighton-where is located one of the missing his keeper was, that he had murdered him on his book was named, as Bruce had named it, by the Abys- most beautiful palaces of England's sovereign-owns a way; and their fears were only partially calmed by his sinian divine. "The result," says Dr. Clarke, "left a magnificent property there, called the Park. In the true assuring them in answer to their inquiries as to what had conviction upon our minds not only of the general fidel- spirit of Christianity, he had given directions to his serbecome of his companion, that when they both proceeded ity of the author, but that no other book of travels pub- vants residing at the porter's lodge, that no person should to the asylum, the parties having charge of the institution lished so long after the events took place which he has be permitted to enter it on the Sabbath. On one Sunday, insisted that his companion was a lunatic, and took him related, and exposed to a similar trial, would have met however, Victoria, in taking her accustomed airing, apunder their care accordingly. An express was sent off with equal testimony of its truth and accuracy." plied at the gate for admission to drive through the park. to the asylum, to inquire whether the parties had been It is an instructive circumstance, that Mungo Park, in The man who kept the gate, however, unabashed by her there at all, when the messenger found to his unutterable the account of his travels in Africa, saw fit to suppress royal presence, said that he had strict orders not to admit surprise, that the facts were as the lunatic had represent- many remarkable adventures which had befallen him, any person on the Sabbath, and he dared not disobey ed; and as the messenger's statements and protestations from a sense that their marvellous nature would probably those orders. Of course the royal carriage was obliged as to the mistake which had been committed, were equally expose him to the same fate which had befallen Bruce. If to turn back, and was not permitted to cross even the discredited with those of the unfortunate keeper himself, this principle were to be followed out, knowledge would threshold of this park. the latter was not liberated until the following day. SCEPTICISM OF IGNORANCE. 66 be at a stand still. Noman would venture to announce any Mr. Stowell added that though yielding to none in new discovery, or any new combination of moral circum- loyalty to their beloved Queen, he wished that every stances which in the least went beyond what was familiar man in the realm had such a reverence for the authority before. and laws of the King of kings, that no earthly power We often see this kind of scepticism exercised with About sixty years ago, the Portuguese who explored should constrain them to desecrate the Sabbath. regard to alleged truths in nature, of a kind which an the interior of South America, announced the extraordiGlimpses of the Old World. unlearned mind does not readily apprehend. When nary fact that a natural connection existed between the such a truth, for instance as the double motion of the great rivers Amazon and Orinoko. They spoke of a THE FREQUENCY OF FAMINES IN INDIA.-In 1764-5-6, earth, is presented to a thorough clown, he, struck by its river Casiquiari, which they said, extended like an arti- a famine raged on the coast of Coromandel. In 1770-71, inconsistency with his daily observations, and incapable ficial canal from a certain point on the Oronoko to the a famine raged in Bengal, which swept off, under the of following the train of reasoning by which the thing is Rio Negro, a great tributary of the Amazon; so that two administration of Lord Clive, 3,000,000 of its inhabitants. proved, rejects it at once. "My cottage," says he, "has rivers, the mouths of which were at least a thousand miles In 1782-3, another famine raged on Coromandel coast. stood ever since I can remember, with its front to the apart, had a communion of waters in the upper part of In 1792-3, another famine raged there. In 1803-4, a famsouth, and nothing will ever convince me that it moves." their courses. The statements of the Portuguese on this ine raged in Bombay and the Deccan. In 1820-1, there Accordingly. all endeavors to convince him are vain. subject were not believed, and systematic geographers was a famine in the Southern part of the Deccan. In His mind, employed since infancy upon a very limited showed with triumphant success that the thing was phy-1823-4, famine raged in the Deccan, from Kandiesh to field of observation, and accustomed to consider only the sically impossible. Nevertheless, it has been proved, Mysore. In 1832-3 in Bombay and the Deccan. In most obvious and common-place things, is positively un- beyond all doubt that such a connection really exists. 1833-4, there was famine in the Madras territory. In fitted to receive the idea. It is like presenting a thirty-Humbolt sailed along it from the one river to the other, 1835-6, there was famine in Orissa and on the Coromantwo pound shot to the muzzle of a fowling piece. To and gave a minute description of it to the public. It has del coast. In 1837-8, there was a famine in the Agra make such a man fit for belief in the Copernican system, also been ascertained that similar curiosities exist else- Presidency; and during the end of the last year, famine it would be necessary to work upon his mind for several where. A geologist, recollecting that hollows exist in appeared in the Bombay Presidency. The amount of years in a process the reverse to that by which fire is made the surface of the earth, of a different nature from those mortality caused by these famines is frightfully great; in -presenting always a larger and larger idea to it, till at permeated by common rivers, and which he accounts for the neighborhood of Agra, 500,000 persons are said to length, perhaps, it might be expanded to the proper cali- by supposing great floods to have worn them down in have perished from want. bre for so large a conception. And all this in a country where millions of acres of the The history of James Bruce and his Travels in Abys- might exist between rivers flowing in the same direction. richest soil are lying waste and uncultivated, and where sinia supplies a remarkable illustration of this kind of But the systematic geographers of fifty years ago knew half-a-dollar's worth of rice will sustain a man's existscepticism. When the book came out in 1790, it was nothing of these hollows. They only reflected on the ence for thirty days. Something must be wrong, to proadmired by a judicious few-and it is so far honorable ordinary valleys in which most rivers flow, and which duce such effects. early ages, could readily imagine how such connections to the understanding of George the III. that he was of certainly appear to preclude at least the likelihood of any this number; but from the great mass one loud cry of such connections existing. They were, therefore, inPAUSE BEFORE YOU FOLLOW EXAMPLE.-A mule, contemptuous incredulity burst forth. The author stated credulous; whereas a little more knowledge might have laden with salt, and an ass laden with wool, went over a that in Abyssinia fossil salt was used as money, a thing given them confidence in the Portuguese discoverers, brook together. By chance the mule's pack became which had never before been heard of, and which there- and induced them to receive respectfully a fact which wetted; the salt melted, and his burden became lighter. fore could not be true. He related how he had seen subsequent observation has proved to be true. The After they had passed, the mule told his good fortune three soldiers, travelling with a cow, throw the animal history of science in all its departments is full of similar to the ass, who, thinking to speed as well, wetted his down, and cut two slices of meat from her body, which cases. That very science which has just been alluded to pack at the next water; but his load became the heavier, they ate raw, closing up the wound at the same time (geology) is at this time undergoing the persecution and he broke down under it. AGRICULTURE IN EUROPE. but I did not hear his remarks. After a general and very appropriate preamble, Mr. Webster observed that the primary elements in the consideration of the agriculture of a country were four; climate, soil, price of land, and price of labor. traordinary advances in chemical science since his time (sumed on the land where it grows. The sheep are fed I observe that you have repeatedly devoted some space to the farmers' interest, and I therefore conclude that you rotation of crops. It is a settled principle that two white often folded by wattled fences or hurdles temporarily erectA second material feature in this agriculture is the fields where a dry spot could not be found. Sheep were will feel some interest in an agricultural meeting held here a few evenings ago at the State House, being the would be discharged by his landlord who should violate to place, as the portions of the crop were consumed. In crops shall not come in immediate succession. A tenant ed in different parts of the field, and removed from place first of a series got up by Mr. Colman, State Commis- this rule. White crops are grain crops-wheat, barley, some cases they were folded, and the turnips dug and sioner for Agricultural Surveys, &c. and intended spe- rye, and oats. These are succeeded by, or alternated carried to them. In such case they were always fed on cially for the benefit of the Legislature, about one-half of with, potatoes, vetches, tares, beans, peas, turnips, and lands intended the next year to be brought under culwhom, I believe, are farmers. The meeting was one of clover, which are green crops. great interest, owing chiefly to the presence of Mr. tivation. In one case he saw a man employed in the Webster, who is well known to have paid particular at- craced to the introduction, from 60 to 80 years ago, of was expected to be occupied exclusively in this business The great improvements in English husbandry are all field, raising turnips with a crow-bar for the sheep, who tention to the subject of husbandry, while abroad, partly the cultivation of turnips. Before that time, when lands the whole winter. It is deemed by many farmers much no doubt from patriotic views, and also because that is became exhaused by the repetition of grain crops, they the preferable mode to dig all the turnips as they are his taste. He occupies himself one of the finest farms in the State, at Marshfield, which, I understand, contains red as often as every 4th year, so that one-quarter of the The swedish turnip does not suffer even by being frozen were left fallow, that is, not cultivated at all. This occur- wanted. In this case they are more completely consumed. nearly 1,000 acres. He has brought out a variety of arable land was always out of cultivation. Turnips are English improvements at this time, including seeds, the now substituted for these fallows, and land in turnips is housed; or they are covered with straw on the land which in the winter. In the North, turnips are generally different breeds of sheep, &c. Mr. Webster's remarks extended beyond an hour, and the raising of crops does not in itself enrich, but exhausts signated, by way of excellence, as "land that will carry considered as fallow; the philosophy of which is, that is to be brought under the plough. Land is often dewere listened to with the deepest interest-the more so the land. The exhaustion, however, takes place mainly sheep" that is, land on which crops of turnips are from their perfect plainness and admirable precision-for when the seeds of a plant are allowed to perfect them- raised for feeding the sheep; and such lands are genernothing could be more practical, definite, or german to selves. The turnip is a biennial plant. It does not per- ally enriched by their being fed upon it. In the Lothians the welfare of the State. I shall give you a mere out- fect its seeds before it is consumed. Again: plants, it is of Scotland, where the cultivation is as fine as in any line of what he said. Professor Silliman followed him, well understood, derive a large portion of their nutriment part of Great Britain, turnips are largely cultivated.leaves of turnips expose a wide surface to the atmosphere, from the air. The leaves of plants are their lungs. The Here they are generally covered or housed. The Sweand so derive much of their subsistence. The broad dish turnips are particularly suited to a cold climate. leaves likewise shade the ground, preserve its moisture, ture is their system of irrigation, by which you are to Another important improvement in English agriculThe climate of England differed essentially from ours. and prevent its exhaustion by the sun and air. understand, not a flowing back of water to stand upon They were on the western side of the eastern, and we animals are sustained upon a farm, the more meat and moist to support vegetation. One of the most remarkMeat and clothing come from animals. The more that shall keep their light and sandy soils sufficiently the lands, but a trickling of water from canals or carriers, on the eastern side of the western continent. The climate the more clothing. Those things bear, of course, a pro-able specimens of improvement of this kind, is seen on of each country was materially affected by their respect- portion to the number of bullocks, sheep, swine, and ive situations in relation to the ocean. The winds which poultry which are maintained. The great inquiry then prevail both in this country and in England are from the is, what kind of crops will least exhaust the land in their a celebrated estate in Holland, called Forest. By forest west, and westerly winds blow three days out of four. The cultivation, and furnish support to the largest number of we must understand a tract of land containing here and consequences are, that our winters are colder and our animals ? there an oak, and which is mainly covered with a shrub summers much hotter. Our latitude was about that of similar to our brake. On this place he was told by the Oporto, yet the temperature was very different. On three, four, and even five hundred acres are not uncom-heath, not worth one shilling per acre; but now, in conA very large amount of land is in turnips. Fields of foreman that only a few years since, the sand was often these accounts, the maturing of the crops in England and agitated by the winds, and that it was mainly a barren the power of using these crops would create a material trebled in number; turnips, for the reasons given, fur- over the sides of which it trickles, three cuttings of hay mon. Since their introduction, bullocks and sheep have difference between their agriculture and ours. It may nishing abundant food. For one bushel of oats, ten of are annually obtained, of two tons each to the acre. sequence of letting on water from a brook, along canals, be supposed that our climate must resemble that of China turnips may be grown at the same cost. in the same latitudes, and this fact may have an essential ference in the two crops is to be found in the barn yard. bearing on one branch of agriculture, the production of Here is the test of their value. The value of manure in clayey sub-soil. The method is to dig a narrow ditch, The great dif- these lands not a spoonful of manure has ever been used. Another improvement is draining moist lands with a The second point lies in the soil. That of England is value of it annually applied to the crops, at current prices, row of semi-cylinders, four or five inches in diameter.agriculture is well appreciated. Dr. Ure states that the 20 to 24 inches deep. mainly argillaceous—a soft and unctuous loam on a sub- surpasses in value the whole amount of foreign commerce. These are placed the flat side down, and afford a drain for tratum of clay. The southern parts are sandy, resting on The turnip crop returns a vast amount of nutritive mat- the waters. Over the tile, a little straw or rubbish is In this are placed a continuous deep beds of chalk. The rocks are of a different form-ter to the soil. The farmer then, from his green crops, thrown, and the ditch is filled up. The drains are made ation from ours. Ours is a granite soil. There is granite and by a regular system of rotation, finds green feed for as numerous as the character of the land requires, and in Great Britain, but this species of soil prevails in Scot- his cattle and wheat for the market. The growth of the perceptible advantages are very great. It is said that land, which more resembles our own country. Our soils green crops is intimately connected with a system of in dry seasons, they serve to keep the surface from are stony, which are not found in England. We may rotation of crops. have lands as good-our alluvial soils on Connecticut river, &c. are equal to any, but these have no clay. It guished improvements of Mr. Coke, now Lord LeicesThe lands in Norfolk are sandy. Here are the distin- water. baking, and in wet ones carry off the superabundant is not proper, however, to compare the two soils, because ter. His usual rotation is barley, clover, turnips, wheat. England. Our implements are lighter, and are constructof the extreme differences in different parts of our coun- These lands resemble much of the land in the county of ed on more scientific principles. The fork, harrow, and In agricultural implements, America is in advance of try, through so many degrees of latitude. The price of land is three times as high in England as of the Connecticut and Merrimack rivers. The cultivaPlymouth, and the sandy lands to be found in the vicinity plough were named as examples. in Massachusetts. The price of labor is much higher in Massauchsetts. What would be the best kind of succulent vegetables, try. There, however, we find large numbers together, tion of green crops in New England deserves attention. English animals as are often found in the mother counWe have seen in this country as fine specimens of In different parts of England the price is various, but it whether turnips or carrots, or Swedes, he was not pre- of great beauty and excellence, which is not often the may be set down twice as dear with us as there. These are general remarks. Have we any thing to us of a systematic agriculture; and, until we enter upon ter suited to the poor pastures of Massachusetts than the pared to say. But no attempts had been made among case here. Mr. W. thinks the Ayrshire cows are betlearn? Is there any thing in their condition applicable to some regular rotation of crops, and our husbandry be- Durham. In England few cattle are trained to the yoke. Agriculture in England has strongly attracted the at looked for. As to our soil, there was no inherent incapa-portant point there to feed animals that have not attained come more systematic, no distinguished success could be The bullock is intended for the shambles. It is an imtention of men of science. They have studied particu- city for any of the common crops. We could raise wheat. their full size. The food which adds a pound of fat to larly the soil. More than twenty years ago DAVY treated The average crop in England is 26 bushels to the acre. the full-grown animal, would probably give a pound in the application of chemical knowledge to agriculture in From his own farm, a poor soil, he had obtained this growth, in addition to the pound of fat in the younger the chemical analysis of soils and manures. attention has been continued to the subject, and the exThe same summer 76 bushels of wheat upon three acres of land. In England, a large portion of the turnip crop is con-erable extent, in the selection of sheep for fattening. It bullock. The same principle guides them to a consid silk. ours? On |