AN ANECDOTE OF THE TIMES AT
MONTEREY.

CAPT. SPARROW, of the schooner Lambianco, on arriving at Monterey from San Francisco, inquired for Gov. Mason-the house being pointed out to him he entered, found two men sitting in the kit. chen, one with his coat off, sleeves turned up, peeling potatoes; the other in the same dress, washing them and putting them in the pot; and who should these men be but Gov. Mason and the Collector of the Customs. Gov. Mason said to Capt. Sparrow, "It's not my turn to cook to-day, but I am helping the Collector,"- --so destitute are they of servants-cook or starve.

18

A FIGURE OF SPEECH.

COMPLIMENTLY.-Dr. Parr and Lord Erskine are said to have been the vainest men of their time. At dinner some years since, Dr. Parr, in ecstacy with the conversational powers of Lord E. called out to him: "My Lord, I mean to write your epitaph," "Dr. Parr," replied the noble lawyer, "it's a temptation to commit suicide."

AN Irish girl applied to her overseer for leave of absence on St. Patrick's day. He informed her that he did not know how to spare her, as he had no one to take her place; "And sure," said she,

I must go out; for ain't St. Patrick as good a THE New-Hampshire Statesman describes the man as the Fourth of July?" The reason was interesting proceedings at the opening of the North-satisfactory, and leave was granted, of course. ern Railroad in that state, and says:-" In process of time the train arrived at Franklin, and formed in line on the top of an embankment, at the depot. There, as though it had been tapped at half a dozen points, came pouring out a black mass of humanity, and flowed down the sides of the embankment, like so many streams of cold molasses!"

SUNSHINE.

WOMEN go farther in love than men, but men outstrip them in friendship.

I wish to gain time," as the chap said when he raffled for a clock.

The Rural Repository.

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 1849.

YOUNG LADIES' SEMINARY.

THE story in to-day's paper translated from the French, was handed to us, by a young Miss, who is attending School at Misses Peak and Purcell's Seminary. We think the composition does credit to the teacher, as well as the pupil Misses Peak and Purcell are well known to our citizens as teachers highly qualified to teach all that is requisite for a finished education,

as their course of instruction is so extensive, and the mode of conveying it so thorough, as to be equal to any High School in the State.

Many parents have an idea that girls will do well enough, under teachers of very moderate acquirements, until they arrive at a certain age, say twelve or thirteen, and if they are then sent for a year or two, to some reputed Seminary, they will, as a matter of course, at the expiration of that period, have acquired a good education. There cannot be a greater mistake, there is nothing to be found in society more absurd than the belief that any body who can read and spell, is qualified to teach young children. Let a girl between the ages of five or six and twelve, be properly taught, let her unfolding powers,

"GOOD mind to pinch you, Sal," said an awkward Jersyman on his first visit to his rustic flame. during that period, be carefully and judiciously exercised, and "What do you want to pinch me for, Zekil?"

66

Golly, 'cause I love you so."

Now, go 'long, Zeke, you great hatefull I should think you might be big enough to feel ridi

culous."

WERE we to point out a person, as he passes, "There goes a person who has no vice," he would scarcely be noticed; but exclaim, "that man is worth $500,000, and he will be stared at till out of sight.

If you want the milk of human kindness thick-and say, ened into the cream of benevolence, or the cream of benevolence transfered into the butter of beautitude, all you have to do is to fly around and do good. As Dobbs very justly says, there is more sunshine in one act of kindness, than in all July.

THERE can be no christianity where there is no charity; but the censorious cultivate the forms of

religion that they may more freely indulge in the

lonely pleasure of calumniating those who to their
other failing add not the sin of hypocrisy.

A WAG of our acquaintance sawing with a saw
that was not the sharpest saw in the world, after
vainly trying to saw with it, broke out at last, as
follows: Of all saws I ever saw saw, I never saw

a saw saw like that saw saws.'

"PRAY, can you tell me the way to the penitentiary?" "Yes sir-pick the first man's pocket you see."

CAUSE AND EFFECT.-A wag told us the other day that one-half of the lawyers live without cause, and die without effects.

A TAILOR, who, in skating, fell through the ice, declared that he would never again leave his hot goose, for a cold duck.

Ir you want an affectionate, loving wife, choose a thin, lean, raw-boned girl. You'll be nearer her heart.

A PARISHIONER complained to the parson that his pew was too far from the pulpit and that he must purchase one nearer, "Why?" asked the parson; 66 can't you hear distinctly?" "O yes, I can hear well enough." "Can't you see plainly?" "Yes I can see perfectly." "Well, then, what can be the trouble?" "Why, there are so many in front of me, who catch what you say first, that by the time your words reach my ears, they are flat as dish-sir. water."

WHERE does the sun set? He sets in the west What does he set in the west for? To hatch out another day.

her mind stored with facts at once interesting and useful, and three fourths of the labor requisite to make her an intelligent woman, and a valuable member of society, is done. The truth of this remark will not, we are certain, be denied by any one, and we doubt not that at some future period, we shall spend some of our leisure hours in reading the production sent to us, by some of those young ladies' that are now attending Misses Peak and Purcell's Seminary.

be

Perhaps 'tis but a dream of fancy-yet,
We may indulge it-their fair world
may
A future residence, a dwelling meet
Where angel spirits from earth's thraldom free,
May taste more near the joys of heavenly love,
Due preparations for the final realms above,
Then trace, survey, contemplate and inquire;
But be humility thy guiding star;

To higher being, nobler worth aspire!
Joys purer-limitless, in worlds a far;
But dare not to essay presumptuous man
More than thy God hath willed thee here to scan.

Letters Containing Remittances, Received at this Office, ending Wednesday last, deducting the amount of postage paid.

R. S. D. Valatie, N. Y. $0,50; E. W. New-York, $1,00; L. A. Northeast Centre, N. Y, $1,00; J. W. H. Bolivar, N. Y. $2,00.

MARRIAGES.

At Troy, on the 29th ult. by Rev. Edward Lounsberry, William H. Tedford, of Plattsburgh, to Margaret A. Morris, formerly of Hudson.

At New York, on the 3d inst. in the Church of the Holy Apostles, by the Rev. Mr. Howland, Mr. Harris Palmer, to Miss Mary Ann Gray, all of that city.

On the 5th inst. by the Rev. Mr. Toggot, Mr. Henry C. Mace, to Miss Catharine Loyd, all of New-York.

DEATHS.

In this city, on the 1st inst. Mr. Stephen Allen, aged 63

years.

On the 9th inst. Mr. William Hallenbeck, Esq. in the 61st year of his age.

On the 8th inst. Mrs. Catharine Schryver, in the 35th year. On the 29th ult. of consumption, William J. Rowley, aged 20 years.

On the 14th ult. Barbara Shafer, widow of Peter Shafer, in the 83d year of her age.

At Valatie, on the 25th ult. after a lingering illness, Mr. James Williams, in the 46th year of his age.

At New-York, on the 2d inst. Mrs. Sarah Burchested, relict of John L. Chase, aged 76 years, I month and 22 days. At Nantucket, on the 22d ult. Mrs. Rebecca, widow of the late Wyer Swain, aged 81 years.

At New Concord, (Chatham,) on the 30th ult. Miss Ruth, daughter of Thomas Tompkins.

A Semi-monthly Journal, Embellished with Engravings.

spot, and was in full view from near the door of the original tomb, every glimpse of it is shut out from this, and not a single sound intrudes to interrupt the solitude.

Few visiters to the spot obtain an entrance into the tomb, or even through the gate. The stone coffin, which contains the ashes of the venerable occupant, is engraved with the arms of the United States, and the simple name of " Washington."

The following description of General La Fayette's visit to the old tomb, was written by his companion and secretary, Levasseur:

I shall feel myself injured and neglected if you
don't ask it of me in preference to any other.

"Unless my health should fail," said Elinor,
you know that I need no pecuniary favors."
"Say, rather that you will not accept them,"
replied Julia. "If you would only be controlled
by me, you would leave your situation as gover.
ness for a few months, and accompany me to the
North. Aunt Hollis would give her consent for
you to leave thus long, I have no doubt."

fested themselves. She had hoped that her funds would last till her health was re-established, but they were already reduced so low, that, in order to lessen their expenses, she engaged a room in the third story of a house, situated in a part of the city where rents were low. Elinor grew worse, and it was not long before she found it difficult to walk across the floor. She thought of Julia Ferres, but the time of her anticipated return from Europe was still distant. There was no one to depend on but "You forget that I have a sister too young, as herself, and while thinking one day of sending yet, to support herself, whose board and tuition I Florence to try to obtain some plain sewing of a "After a voyage of two hours, the guns of Fort have to pay. No, Julia, it would be wrong for me person she had been informed employed several Washington announced that we were approaching to go with you. It is my duty to remain where I poor women, it occurred to her that she had a talent the last abode of the Father of his country. At am, and while my health continues good, to en- for drawing. She had the necessary materials for this solemn signal, to which the military band ac. deavor to lay up something for a future day." drawing, but nothing to copy from. She had, companying us responded by plaintive strains, we "I have half a mind to accuse you of obstina- however, on several occasions, successfully tried went on deck, and the venerable soil of Mountcy," said Julia, "yet after all, if we could exchange her skill at designing, and selecting a subject from Vernon was before us.. At this view, an involun. situations, I don't know but that I should do the one of a few volumes, which she, as yet, had been tary and spontaneous movement made us kuce same as you do, and I can only repeat what I have able to retain, she went diligently to work. She We landed in boats, and trod upon the ground so already said, and beg of you, should anything hap-succeeded better than she had anticipated, and often trod by the feet of Washington. A carriage pen which would render a favor acceptable, to ap- sustained by enthusiasm as well as hope, she soon received General La Fayette, and the other visiters ply to me with the same confidence as you would completed a domestic sketch, such as she thought silently ascended the precipitous path which con- were I your sister. There, the carriage is ready would be likely to appeal to sentiments and affec ducted to the solitary habitation of Mount Vernon. to take my uncle and me to the steamboat, and Itions shared in common by all. While felicitating In re-entering beneath this hospitable roof, which must go and take leave of Aunt Hollis and the had sheltered him when the reign of terror tore him children. I shall write you a long letter as soon as violently from his country and family, George La I arrive in Boston, and shall expect a long one in Fayette felt his heart sink within him, at no more reply. Good bye, Elinor ;" and turning away has. finding him whose paternal care had softened his tily to conceal the tears which started into her misfortunes; while his father sought with emotion eyes, she ran down stairs. for everything which reminded him of the companion of his glorious toils.

herself on her success, Florence entered with a newspaper in her hand, which she said the lady who had a room on the first floor told her she might have to read.

"O, how glad I am," said she, after having looked at the paper a few moments-" Julia Ferres has arrived here it is in the paper."

"Let me see," said Elinor, her countenance

Five minutes afterward, she was seated in the
carriage beside her uncle Hollis, who having busi-
ness to transact in the New England metro-suddenly lighting up.
polis, was to be the companion of her jour-
ney.

"Three nephews of General Washington took
La Fayette, his son, and myself, to conduct us to
the tomb of their uncle; our numerous companions
remained in the house. In a few minutes the can- A correspondence between the young friends
non, thundering anew, announced that La Fayette was regularly sustained for about a year after they
rendered homage to the ashes of Washington.-parted, when Elinor received a letter from Julia
Simple and modest as he was during life, the tomb { informing her that she was about to depart for Eu-
of the citizen-hero is scarcely perceived among the rope, in company with her brother, over whose es-
sombre cypresses by which it is surrounded. A tablishment, he being a bachelor, she had presided
vault, slightly elevated and sodded over-a wooden since her residence in Boston. More than half of
door without inscriptions-some withered and green the time of Julia's contemplated absence had ex-
garlands, indicate to the traveller, who visits, thepired, when Elinor, in consequence of exposure to
spot, where rest in peace the puissant arms which
broke the chains of his country. As we approached
the door was opened. La Fayette descended alone
into the vault, and a few minutes after reappeared
with his eyes overflowing with tears. He took his
son and me by the hand, and led us into the tomb,
where, by the sign, he indicated the coffin. We
knelt reverentially, and rising, threw ourselves into
the arms of La Fayette, and mingled our tears
with his."

TALES

From the Model American Courier.

ELINOR VERE;
Or Suffering caused by Another's Curiosity.

BY MRS. CAROLINE ORNE.

"You must think of me often, Elinor," said Julia Ferres, a young lady, who, attired in a travelling dress, had just entered the room of Elinor Vere.

"I shall never forget you," replied Elinor. "And you must remember also, that I claim the first place in your friendship, and that if you ever need a favor which it is in my power to confer

Florence handed her the paper, and among the names of the passengers who had arrived in the last packet, she found those of her friend, Julia Ferres and of Aylmer Ferres, her brother. According to the date, nearly a week had already passed since their arrival.

"Let me go and tell her that you are here, and how unwell you are," said Florence.

"I will write her a line or two," said Elinor, "which you may carry her," and she rapidly wrote the following:

"MY DEAR JULIA-I have just scen, by the paper, that you have returned from Europe. I am unable to leave my room, or I should call on you instead of writing. Florence and I occupy a barely comfortable room, at No. 4 in but if you are the same Julia Ferres that you formerly were, this, I know, will not prevent you from coming to me. ELINOR VERE.

street;

a sudden shower, took cold, which brought on a
severe illness. After many weeks of pain and suf
fering, she partially recovered, but remained so
weak and languid as to be utterly unfit to resume
the duties of a governess. The warm season had
just commencing, and as she was a native of one
of the Northern States, her physician recommen-
ded that she should return thither, as he imagined
that her constitution would stand a better chance "I must put on my best dress and my best
to recover its usual tone, than if she remained ex-bonnet, musn't I?" said Florence: "for Julia will
posed to the enervating influences of a Southern
summer. She, therefore, sent for her sister Flor-
ence, whom she had placed at a boarding-school,
and with a comparatively handsome sum-for her
employers had generously insisted that no deduc-
tion should be made from her salary on account of
her illness-they took passage in a steamboat for
Boston. The only relation they knew of in the
world, was an uncle, who was a wealthy merchant
and a resident of that city; but as he took no no-
tice of them at their father's decease, he was as a
stranger to them.

Elinor engaged board for herself and sister with a respectable family, and imagined, for a while, that her health was improving. It was not long, however, before symptoms of spinal disease mani

want to see you so much, that likely as not she will come back with me, and I shouldn't like to look mean, you know, and perhaps she wouldn't like to have me."

"Yes," said Elinor, "for your best is poor enough."

"But when you get well, you know, I shall have some new clothes," said Florence, trembling with excitement, as she hurried on a de laine dress, made out of one of her sister's old ones.

Elinor's thin, pale hands trembled, too, as she arranged the rich curls which fell over Florence's shoulders, and which, in her haste, she had sadly discomposed.

"I will come back as soon as I possibly can," said Florence, as she left the room.

"You know where to find the street she lives in, don't you?" said Elinor, calling after

her.

O, yes," replied Florence, and the next minute she was in the street, walking rapidly in the direction of the princely residence belonging to Aylmer Ferres. She had no time for thought, till she ascended the steps and pulled the bell. Then, as she waited for the door to open, the hard granite walls seemed to look down upon her with a cold, dark frown, and a chill crept over her. The door was soon opened by a servant.

"Is Miss Ferres at home?" she enquired. "She is not ?" was the reply.

"Will you please give her this when she returns?" said she, handing him the letter.

"I will take it and hand it to her when she returns ?" said a young girl, whose steps had been arrested in the hall through which she was passing at sight of the letter.

made any effort to dispose of them, for her feelings {tiful and appeared as if they might be as amiable,
recoiled at the idea of sending Florence to offer as the two young girls she could see through the
them for sale. But necessity, that imperious and open window, who had repulsed her, very un-
stony-hearted mistress of the poor, has no respect kindly.
of delicacy of feeling. Elinor had paid her quarters
rent in the morning, which left only one half dollar.
She marked the price of the sketches at four shil-
lings each, though she knew that they were worth
as many dollars, and placing them in a small fort-
folio, she directed Florence to offer them at those
shops where she saw prints displayed in the show-
windows.

Suddenly, a gleam of hope brightened her countenance. She remembered, early in the morningto have seen a Swiss girl, with a bunch of clothessprinklers for sale, ascend the door-steps of a house where she sang a song to attract the attention of those within. She could sing songs as well as the Swiss girl sang, or she could if her strength were not too much exhausted. She rose, and taking

The heart of poor little Florence fluttered pain-her station in front of the window, near which the fully as she entered the first store, and exhibiting young girls sat, she with a tremulous voice comher sketches, made known her request. The ow. menced singing. She had finished the first stanza, ner of the store looked at them, praised them, and and was about to begin the second, when one of wished that he could take them, but as he could those faces she had been watching through the afford to sell engravings of the same size for a less window, and which looked so happy and so full of price than that set upon the sketches, he was ob. sunshine, that the bare sight of them had almost liged to refuse them. Florence offered them at cheered her own sinking heart, was put out of the many other stores, with no better success, and was window. at last, with exhausted strength and drooping spirits compelled to return home.

66

The expectations of Florence had been raised so high, that she was greatly disappointed on account of Julia's absence, and she could hardly prevent the tears from coming into her eyes as she turned Nobody will buy them," said she, and layslowly away from the house. Elinor, too, wasing the portfolio upon the table, she burst into much disappointed, though she blamed herself for what she considered a weakness, in being so impatient, for Julia, as she told Florence, would certainly call the next day.

"It will seem a great while till to-morrow," said Florence.

In the morning, Elinor spread her paper before her, and attempted a second sketch, but her hands trembled so at the sound of every step on the stairs and her thoughts strayed so constantly from her employment, that she could make no progress.Florence also started at every noise, and many times during the day she descended to the streetdoor, to see if Julia were coming The long July day closed at last, without bringing either her or an answer to the line sent by Elinor. The next day dawned to renew expectation and bring disappointment. Others passed away in like manner, and then Elinor was compelled to come to the conclusion that Julia wished all intercourse between them to cease. The conflicting hopes and fears and doubts of this interval, prevented her from pursuing her new employment to any advantage: but the struggle was now passed, and with a calmness and an ability to concentrate her energies which surprised herself, she designed and

finished her second sketch.

She had worked diligently all day-much more so than the state of her health warranted-and, pale and languid, she, towards evening, with the assistance of Florence, took a seat by an open window that looked into the street. In a few minutes afterward, she saw Julia Ferres turn a corner, and come in the direction of the house.

tears.

Elinor's pale cheeks flushed a little, and then she addressed herself to the task of soothing Florence.

Nothing more was said about the sketches for several days. Elinor had never opened the portfolio, nor had she ever felt courage to resume her

"Little girl," said the maiden," don't stand so near the house while you sing;" and then turning to her companion," this," said she, "makes only the third street-singer I have been annoyed with to-day."

The poor child had gathered up all that remained of her expiring energies, and cast aside her natural timidity, in order to make the necessary effort to sing, and these heartless words, instead of causing the tears to spring to her eyes as they had doue when she had been repulsed before, fell upon her like a blow, causing her to succumb to the exhausOne morning she handed Florence a half dime, ting effects of mental and physical suffering. She to purchase a loaf of bread. Florence knew that fell to the ground, not wholly bereft of conscious. it was all that remained of the half dollar. Sheness, but without the ability or even thought of went out and procured the bread, and after eating making any exertion to save herself. A hand, a slice of it, but with little appetite, she said to her however, immediately raised her, which had been sister. almost near enough to prevent her from falling.

pencil.

"I am going again to see if I can sell the A young man, unperceived by her who had been sketches."

Elinor could not object, for though there was but little hope of being able to dispose of them, they were their only resource.

so annoyed with the child's singing, had been near enough to both see and hear what had taken place He was the young girl's cousin, and with the license of a favored and favorite relation, he took Florence in his arms, and bearing her into the roomin occupied by her and her companion, placed her on a sofa. The only thought or wish of the child now appeared to be to retain the portfolio containing the sketches which had glowed and brightened beneath her sister's pencil, while her cheeks paled, and her eyes grew dim. The small fingers, now cold and rigid, held the silken cord by which she had carried it, with a clasp so tenacious, that the young man, after one or two unsuccessful attempts to free her from its encumbrance, suffered it to re

main.

The noontide beams of the August sun imparted a brassy glare to the atmosphere, and rendered the heat of the narrower and more compact streets almost suffocating. Florence had now, for seven long hours, been wandering through the crowded thoroughfares, or threading the close and narrow lanes of the city, and still the six sketches remained unsold. Exhausted from weariness and want of food, she at length seated herself at the foot of a magnificent elm, which, with several others, threw its graceful shade over the front of one of those palaces, which adorned a street aloof from those whence rose the strife and din of the great "battle of life," waged by the wealthy, striving for still greater wealth, down to those whose hopes scarce went beyond the power of earning the means to purchase one more meal for a hungry family. Here, as she sat on the ground, she could see through the window, from which the curtain was Miss Ferres paused a moment, looked round, and half drawn, to admit any air which might chance then passed on. to be stirring, two bright and happy-looking faces. "It is my opinion," said Frederic Layton, who Her ear also was occasionally greeted with gushes was the brother of Isabel," that over-exertion this of that sweet and merry laughter which is the mu-hot, suffocating day, and the want of food, have sic of young and buoyant hearts that have never occasioned her illness." been touched by any, save some light sorrow.But Florence had several times, during the day, offered her sketches to those who looked as beau

"She is coming at last," thought Elinor, and leaning over the window-sill, in the excitement of the moment, she involuntarily pronounced her

name.

"Cold and false-hearted," murmured Elinor; yet I thank you, for you have given me strength to resent what before only pained me. I would, now, sooner die than receive a favor from you."

One day after another had passed on, till Elinor had completed six sketches, without having

"I am afraid she is dying," said Isabel Layton, who was the companion of her who had spoken to Florence, from the window, and who now bent over her and seduously chafed her forehead and temples.

Erminia Emmons also, who though extremely impatient of any annoyance, was not hardhearted, and was now much alarmed, assisted in trying to restore her.

As soon as she was able to sit up, food was consequently set before her, but while they pressed her to partake of delicacies, such as she for a long