They come, when that pilgrim has rested from woe,
To gild the dark sky of the mourner below;
They smile on the weeper-and brightly appears
A rain-bow of hope through the prism of tears.
Their pinions, now fanning the fever of Care,
Are winnowing fragrance from gardens of air:
Now, brushing from Gladness each hasty alloy,
Bright sparkles they shed on the dew-drops of joy.

Prayer mounts on their wings in its heavenward flight,
And blessings flash back on their pinions of light;
Each moment distils on some soul, as they rove,
Heart-nectar from Heaven's alembic of Love.

Oh! blessings upon them, wherever they fly,
To flower the earth, or set stars in the sky;
Heaven plume us, when parted from time and its cares,
For rapturous flights and glad missions like theirs!

EDITOR'S TABLE.

forbid! Our delicate senses couldn't possibly stand the shock. Then come with your tools and timber, your Grecian art and "Roman cement," and let us rather improve, adorn and extend it up into the regions of fame. From its summit, what a commanding view will then be had of the rich and varied fields of Literature, laid off with purest taste, smiling in perennial beauty and fragrant as the Southern isles! Their flowers it will not only be yours to look upon and admire; but you can dip your vases into the pure wells of English undefiled" and sprinkle them with the dews of fresh thought, until they assume new and more beauteous forms and shed richer fragrance upon the bouyant air.

46

In our late excursion to the North, we were delighted at finding that the Messenger had quite a towering reputation there; and some of the Literati and excellent judges said it was about the best periodical in the Country. "It is true," they said, "it has not the run of some others, and doesn't go for pleasing with pictures, but its matter is solid, its aims are high, and its literature is pure." This was the style that some of the most sensible ones used, from Washington to Boston. This didn't redound to our credit, for we did not wish to appropriate what was due to our worthy predecessor. So with a good word to his memory, we very modestly declared that we thought it the best in the

TO THE EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS OF PER!- Union, from Georgia, where it has its base, to Maine, where

ODICALS.

its summit rises up among the new settlers on the Arostook. For the sake of diffusing the current news, political and We had, too, some agreeable chat with those enterprising commercial, a liberal Government has deemed it right to Editors, in Philadelphia, who sell so many pictures every allow the Editors of Newspapers to receive all their pa- month. "What are the prospects of your work? Won't pers free of postage. This favor, however, is so closely your Southern people sustain such a magazine? I'm sure restricted to political, commercial and general news, that they ought." How could we differ from such just opineven newspaper Editors are compelled to pay postage on ions? Those were our sentiments exactly. But "what are all periodicals that they receive. It can not be believed, your prospects," has been sounded in our cars by every that the Government, if appealed to, would continue to friend, who has cared to inquire about our enterprise. This make this unworthy distinction between Literature and the put us to calculating, and, shuddering one day at the returns of elections and the price of produce. If it be to thought of recurring to the dreaded "Calculi," we cast a the interest of the public that the conductors of the news- startled glance at divers mathematical books reposing in press should enjoy this privilege; may it not be said, even hitherto undisturbed dust upon the shelf. Our eye fell upon much more is it due to the public to grant the same facility the "Differential" and we were horror struck at the vision and immunity to those who diffuse Literary intelligence and of the "ghosts of departed quantities." What a differsound knowledge amongst the people. It is indispensable ence, thought we, will "departed quantities" speedily make that every periodical publisher should receive periodicals in the subscription list! But close by the side of the Difand papers, from all parts of the country. The newspa- ferential was its companion and the restorer to life of its pers are his necessary coadjutors in his work and must be departed shades, which soon called Hope back to her abitaken to carry out his plans, Thus a heavy tax is con-ding place. It seemed to assure us, that if we would only stantly laid upon him, diminishing his reward and often in-perform the functions of an industrious and active Editor, juriously, to himself and his patrons, restricting the range we would receive an expansion far beyond Taylor's or of his general intelligence. The next Congress would not fail to remove this tax, and to this end, an united movement on the part of periodical publishers is here respectfully proposed to be made.

PLUS AND MINUS.

Be not afraid, most gentle readers, of a prosing disquisition upon Algebraic signs. Such a bugbear can not be farther from your wishes than it is from our intention. The plus and minus of the Mathematician are but the pro and con of the Logician, the for and against of every judicious man, the ups and downs of human life.

Maclauren's conception. From that time was formed the determined resolution to "go the Integral." You must not wonder at our being so Scientific, in these matters, for we always had a passion for the mixed mathematics only, for the sufficient reason that we had no tact at separating its quantities which often disturbed our temper. We had, however, an important problem to solve. Before us stood in bold phalanx many items pretty well known, and some others rather strongly anticipated, whilst opposite to them were drawn up unknown ones, whose name was “Legion."

Well, this grand problem was to be solved and we tried it, for some time, in vain; when suddenly a smile of joy We have high authority for the wisdom of building no lit up our lengthened phiz, and a loud coŋka (Eureka) protower without first counting the cost. This must hold good claimed a brilliant thought. Plus and Minus will settle whether the tower be of porcelain, substantial brick, or un- the difficulty; the question shall be stated and propounded substantial paper; whether spiritual or material. Which" to all whom it may concern." plainly meaneth, whether you build a church steeple, or On the side of minus must be placed all the known and publish a magazine, "count the cost." anticipated things, which constitute deductions and drawBut here the French adage comes with its proffered con-backs; in other words the visible obstacles in the field of solation, "c'est premier pas qui coute." But what is "the our prospects. On the other side must be arrayed what is first step"? "Ah! there's the rub." Has it not been taken positively unknown, though strongly desired and hoped for. already? We have succeeded to a "tower" reared by others. To begin, then, with the negatives, the most pregnant is the Shall it tumble about our ears? All ye builders and props large indebtedness to printers, binders, paper dealers, land

lords, (who despise the common Law privilege of "tenant to the Gulf: they alone could give splendor enough to please by the courtesy,") and other classes of worthy citizens, the most fastidious. But theirs is not all the light that will which is necessarily incurred; to say nothing of the debt to one's self, which is by no means inconsiderable when he labors diligently and finds himself.

The supposed indifference and supineness of Southerners to enterprises like that in which we are engaged is another negative. We have no disposition to libel you, and therefore will not subscribe to any such notion. Your blood is too warm and your pride too justly great for this to be true. Those in the North, who would very willingly afford you a substitute, all say that the South ought to have a magazine of its own. It is not possible that they can see your interest and honor more plainly than you do. We do not dread that supineness, which when it wishes to indulge itself will take the Messenger in its hand, to sweeten its elegant ease.

be shed upon our pages. Some of the Northern galaxy will lend their lustre. But the most celebrated Northern writers are professional authors, and must be remunerated, and those who wish to see their productions in the Messenger must supply the quid pro quo. The Messenger, so long as we have the control of it, shall be a distinctive, but not exclusive, Southern periodical. As such, the North can be expected the more readily to receive it; whilst the South will uphold it, as identified with herself. To our own loved region we look principally for support; from her we desire to receive it. We heard that a gentleman of Philadelphia expressed a fear that we we were not a true Southerner. His fears are groundless, as we will demonstrate. We have only been out of the Old Dominion enough to know how to prize her and her sisters. We invite that genOne of the things we anticipated was the withdrawal of tleman and all others to assist us in giving our northern many subseribers. To be sure some have discontinued; friends some hearty whacks, whenever they deserve it, and but not near so many as we feared, or even expected, in repelling the onsets made upon us from whatsoever which proves that the attachment of its patrons to the quarter. We wish, however, our contests to be literary and Messenger is decidedly stronger than we had imagined; conducted with fairnes, and all the mildness consistent and that it has a firm hold upon many hearts. Another with true boldness. In these views we look for a consideminus is the absence of engravings. There is a great rush rable offset to the aforesaid negatives. at present made after pictures. The absence of them is a minimum with us; but they are a maximum with others. Some of our most enterprising publishers have many capital writers and the influence of some great names-yet they are running the engraver's tools into the ground.

We are fond of pictures and like to see the beautiful art of engraving encouraged. But we go for improving your minds, not the skill of the engraver. Still the ill-natured may say the grapes are sour." Such grapes are beyond, our reach, we admit, and yet some kinds, at eertain seasons, are very sweet, and we would like, now and then, to add them to the feast we endeavor to prepare. But to be plucking them in every stage, ripe, green and shrivelled, and offering them as a taste of the fine arts, is not to our

taste.

Next, as to the discontinuances: they have been already nearly, if not quite neutralized by new comers. A friend meets us and says, "send me the Messenger." Now, we reason, that as the friends, with whom we have met, take this sensible view of the matter, why will not those at a distance? They are only waiting for the commencement of a new year. Then, in will come their names with those of the new recruits enlisted by their zeal.

Upon an extensive acquaintance with young men, who have enjoyed the advantages of Education, expectations have been founded. Entering into our new pursuit with an ardor derived from the same sources as theirs, incited once by the same instructors and now by the same inducements, we felt authorized to calculate upon their aid and influence. Will they not give them? Flattering evidences of their willingness have been received from some and many others may have been preparing a response to our first appeal. Let it come in speedily, and may it be worthy of themselves and the cause of Letters.

Another minus is the sharp competition between the numerous periodicals, of every grade of price and of every possible plan, from weeklies to quarterlies, original and selected, with and without illustrations. Hence, the circulation of the Messenger in the North, even to a limited ex Our next dependence is upon the press, which has such tent, is most flattering, Its merits alone can force its way vast influence in our free country. Its conductors have alamong the multitude of attractive publications to be met on ready been exceedingly generous and have given us even every hand. The class of its readers there, too, is a source more than we deserve. They will doubtless continue their of pride. We found it in the hands of the most intelli- cooperation and will ever receive our thanks. The young gent, in the reading rooms of flourishing Library Associa-politician, too, who is ambitious of oratorical fame, can mount tions, in Athenæums and University Libraries. We found the stump and, with his Literary documents in his hand, hait at Cambridge and, before this, Brown University has probably added it to its catalogue of foreign and domestic periodicals. The glory of the North is her public and private Institutions for the promotion of knowledge. In some of her cities all classes have the opportunity of attending courses of lectures, such as few of our Colleges afford.

rangue the people upon the merits of the candidates we have nominated, for the Presidency and Vicepresidency of the REPUBLIC OF LETTERS. There is a virtue in this nomination that no other possesses. It will suspend the heated contests between the friends of the different candidates, allay the asperitics and bickerings of party and harmonise with the feelings and principles of all.

Now, let us turn to the positive side and ascertain how the balance is likely to result. To meet the indebtedness And now, what are our prospects! Not so bright as they spoken of, the subscription list must be amply sufficient, or lately appeared in a dream to a friend; but there is before us our tower will be like that of Siloam; and the subscrip- a fair field of laudable exertion, in endeavoring to call forth tions must come in according to the "terms," in order for the powers of the genius of the South, and to improve her financial matters not to embarass the intellectual labors of literature. To this honorable task we cheerfully devote the Editor. The whole plus side of the question, then, is ourselves; and, forgetting its difficulty, shall strive for its resolved into an inquiry concerning future patronage.

"E pluribus unum," i. e. one of the pluses, is the "cloud capped" reputation of the work. Can this be sustained? Give it a trial and judge for yourselves.

accomplishment. These exertions can not but be appre ciated, and whilst success and usefulness will be their chosen reward, a generous public will not suffer them to want that which is necessary to perpetuate them. Why The ablest of Southern writers are manfully enlisting in should not the Messenger have ten thousand patrons, as her behalf. The stars of the Sunny clime shine benig- easily as one. Ten thousand, just such persons as those who nantly and brightly on her path. We can confidently pro-now encourage the work, would be but a small portion of the mise contributions from the best writers from the Potomac communities in which it circulates and it addresses to them

the same appeals, and affords the same inducements. It flow, seek only to purify and elevate the hearts from which can and ought to have a constant circulation of at least it gushes. If the morale of our people could only be brought that number. From this time forth, we have a standing re- to accord with the beautiful and sublime natural advanta ply to all who enquire about "the prospects of the Messen-ges of our Country, we would forever remain, as we now ger," that she has ten thousand subscribers, more or less; are, the happiest nation in the world:-and, if those who which we hope to change to plus ten thousand.

Cooper

THIRTY YEARS FROM HOME; OR A VOICE FROM THE The contrast in the History, as soon as Canada is introMAIN DECK, BEING THE EXPERIENCE OF SAMUEL LEECH, duced, immediately reminded us of Dickens when speakyears in the British and American navies, ing of Halifax and the United States. In former parts of llished with Engravings. BOSTON, TAP- the work, there were sufficient evidences of his strong ET, 1843. Mr. Leech went through many national bias; but upon the broad theatre of European poliomes with "recommendations" before the tics and warfare, we were compelled to trust mostly to his hem. He fought for and against us and statements. When he enters upon our own country, howlate war; and was in the engagement be-ever, we have a better opportunity of Judging for ourselves, d States and the Macedonian, his descrip- and, though a European writer is likely to be more correct as gone the rounds of some of the newspa- in relation to the affairs of that continent, yet we must Drinker and Morris have the book for sale; make allowance throughout for any strong bias which we lowing: detect in any portion of his works. "Democratic ambition" and "the fervor of innovation" have been Mr. Ali

48

ture have.

Haven and other Northern Cities.

:

THE BOOK OF PROVERBS, topically arran- son's bugbears throughout his voluminous history. The sta▲ system of practical ethics, for the use of tistics, which he presents, are important and interesting ols and Bible classes. BOSTON, TAPPAN & and are brought down to the period of our last census. 3. In this neat little work, the wisdom of The population has increased at the rate of 34 per cent. for ystematised, under separate heads, and illusevery ten years, since 1790, when it amounted to 3,929,326. forced by questions and references to scrip-In 1840, it was 17,068,666. In the Mississippi valley, the With all thy gettings get wisdom." These population has increased, in the last fifty years, from 112,000 works of Messrs. Tappan and Dennet, whose circular we to 5,385,000, near fifty fold. The picture of immigration have also received, should have had an earlier notice; is vivid and in its main features true; but Mr. Alison, in but we were absent from our post at the close of the last his occasional grandiloquence, exaggerates a little. The month, enjoying the pleasures and beauties of Boston, New more bustling and restless traits of our character are well portrayed, but much truth may yet make a false impression. We are represented as having no local attachments; but ALISON'S HISTORY. No 15. Harper & Brothers, New when we smash in the east, set out for the inviting west, York Smith, Drinker & Morris, Richmond. This is a transferring the quondam daughters of ease and luxury to very interesting number of this extensive History, con- the homely dwelling in the lone backwoods. Of course, taining, as it does, the closing struggles and successes of there are solutions provided for all that is described-someNapoleon, as well as his defeat and downfall. It also con- times not a little amusing. The most so is the following: tains a short portion of the seventy sixth chapter, which is to the extensive circulation of bank paper maintaining the devoted to the United States. To this portion of the work, industry of the citizens, more than to any other cause, "the the Harpers have procured notes to be prepared, to correct superior cultivation, wealth and population of the southern the mistakes and errors of the author and to impair the side of the St. Lawrence and lakes, to that which appears force of his disparagement of Democratic Institutions. So on the British side of those noble estuaries, is to be attrifar as Mr. Alison's views of government are concerned, it buted." This is probably ungrammatical as well as unwould be necessary to append notes to the whole work, for sound. The difference alluded to was as striking years it is throughout a labored defence of the inequalities and ago, before the paper system could have produced any injustice of Aristocratical establishments. He publicly so- effect, yea before it was even introduced. Again, one realicited information that his ignorance might be enlightened, son why our people are so little attached to the soil and so and has been induced to make some alterations himself. readily leave their former homes, is that "agriculture being Chancellor Kent undertook the task and some of his com- the general, and in many places almost only profession, it munications are given in the notes. The author opens is regarded as a vulgar occupation; the aristocracy, except with a high wrought description of the West India islands in Virginia and the Carolinas where primogeniture has and of this western world, drawing his bright pictures from more strongly taken root, is never to be found among the the most glowing descriptions he could find, and some-land-owners, any more than among the merchants." The times bordering close on that El Dorado, once fancied to last clause might be true without proving the first. Mr. exist on this continent. Alison frequently introduces these sweeping generalizations into his history, but they are sometimes more oratorical than philosophical.

The United States are quite extensive and have vast resources and advantages, and the Missouri is a prodigious river; but, then, Canada is the country, excepting its barrens and icebergs; and "the St. Lawrence, fed by the im mense inland seas, which separate Canada from the United States, is the great commercial artery of North America," commencing beyond lake Winnipeg; when the waters, as stated by Judge Kent, run westward, even from this side of the Lake of the Woods. Mr. Alison would easily connect this "great artery" with the Columbia River and the Pacific, by leaping over, or running through the Rocky mountains. Whenever this barrier is overcome, the restless activity of Americans will have achieved it.

He says, "Nature has marked out this country (Canada) for exalted destinies; for if she has not given it the virgin mould of the basin of the Missouri, or the giant vegetation and prolific sun of the tropics, she has bestowed upon it a vast chain of inland lakes, which fit it one day to become the great channel of commerce between Europe and the interior of America and eastern parts of Asia." Mr. Alison is certainly "out of his latitude." One day! But it will be as a day "in the sight of the Lord," a thousand years.

SILLIMAN'S JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ARTS.

October, 1843.

The second number of the XLV. volume of this able journal comes to us freighted with its usual valuable contributions of Science and Art. It is a source of regret to learn that there is any necessity for the appeal which its learned Editors make for increased patronage. They assure their friends that the work is in jeopardy and must be discontinued, unless the well wishers of Science come to its support. The scientific class of the United States is rapidly increasing, and this journal affords them not only useful information in the various departments of Science and Art, but an appropriate vehicle for their speculations, investigations and discoveries. Up to this time, it has been sustained with great ability, and we understand has elicited high commendation from distinguished men of science abroad. It is to be sincerely hoped, that the work will be supported, for it is certainly an honor to the country. One has but to read the very interesting accounts of the pro

ceedings of the "Society of American geologists and naturalists" to see what advances science is making among us, under the auspices of her zealous votaries.

The number of the journal before us contains the remaining part of their proceedings and important and abstruse discussions are found to have been conducted with a warmth and interest, that might have been expected only in a political assembly. Among those who took an able and active part in these discussions, last Spring, two are now no more, Prof. Hall, a zealous Mineralogist and benefactor of Dartmouth College, N. H., and Mr. J. N. Nicollet, "the favorite pupil and friend of La Place." We can not dive deep into Scientific matters; but will mention a few items of more general interest.

"Specimens of various seeds were exhibited to the Association, which demonstrated the presence of phosphates in the cotyledons only. This was stated to be a general fact in every case where the experiment had been tried. The presence of the salts above noticed is a most important discovery. It explains the origin of the bones of animals.

"Around the cotyledon of Indian corn, Mr. Hayes discovered a layer of a salt of peroxide of iron. This was also demonstrated by examples shown to the Association. This iron shield around the cotyledon of corn is not to be overlooked, for it is the source of the oxide of iron which enters into the composition of the red globules of the blood of animals.

"Indian corn also contains a fat oil which exists in the transparent hard portion of the corn, combined with starch and a peculiar nitrogenized body called zeine. This serves to form the fat of animals, and the starch and zeine form the carbonaceous compounds of the muscles and tissues."

"Dr. Owen read a paper on fossil Palm Trees, found in Posey County, Indiana."

They were discovered above twelve miles from New Harmony, in excavating in a slaty clay on the banks of Big Creek, a tributary of the Wabash, for the purpose of laying the foundation of a saw and grist mill, and forming a rag dam. The stratum in which they are imbedded is one of the upper members of the Illinois coal-field.

"From the first commencement of the excavation from twenty to twenty-five fossil stumps have been seen. Dr. Owen has disinterred only three himself. These were found standing erect, with from five to seven main roots attached, and ramifying in the surrounding material. There is every reason to helieve that if pains had been taken to expose the others, all would have been found provided with

have been thrown upon it, overwhelming it with their flood, the mountains and vales have been formed as also the "drift” of the Northern Latitudes, concerning the origin of which there was at the same meeting of the association a very animated discussion. Prof. Rogers also gave some calcu lations of the velocity of earthquakes; from which it ap pears that they travel from thirty to thirty-six miles a minute, moving in a paralel, linear direction like an advancing wave. A great many new members enrolled themselves among the society, and we may confidently expect much for the cause of science from the individual and united efforts of this honorable and learned body.

There are many interesting papers in the present number of the Journal-and among them an account of Prof. Morse's experiments with his Electro Magnetic Telegraph; and an article on " Vilrating Dams," by Prof. Loomis.

The Dams at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; at East Windsor, Connecticut; at Springfield, Northampton, Hartford, &c., were found to vibrate quite violently, sometimes even causing annoyance to the people in the vicinity, by the jarring of the doors and windows of their houses. It was observed, singularly enough, that when the water was highest, the jarring of the windows, &c., ceased, and was greatest,

when the water ran over the dams, in a sheet three or four inches thick,-and was prevented by placing obstructions on the dams, so as to divide the sheet of water.

Prof. Loomis thinks the vilrations are produced by the friction of the water on the Dam, as it passes over. His inferences are not conclusive; but with the modesty and caution of a true lover of science he admits that he may soon have reason to change his opinions.

We will conclude our imperfect notice of this learned journal, to which we felt the more desirous of inviting attention, on account of the appeal of its Editors, by alluding to the controversy between Mr. Dana and Mr. Couthouy. It appears that Science has its bickerings and personal strifes as well as Politics; but the general tone of Mr. Couthouy's reply is highly commendable. Mr. Dana charged Mr. C. in a paper read before the association, with having purloined from his portfolio, which he had confidentially laid open to Mr. C. in the Sandwich Islands, the results of his investigations as to the formation of Coral reefs, about the Gallepagos and Bermudas. Mr. C. denies and rebuts the charge and promises to disprove it incontestibly at the next meeting of the association. It will turn out, perhaps, that both are entitled to credit and the genuine scientific spirit is to share honor and to combine effort and information for the promotion of the cause. Such conflicts "Prof. H. D. Rogers communicated to the Association are much to be regretted and we trust this will be amicathe results of his researches in relation to the recent earthquakes, and gave an outline of a theory of earthquake acbly adjusted, without much unpleasantness between the partion, by which he and his brother, Prof. W. B. Rogers, pro- ties. The subject of dispute is quite novel and interesting. pose to explain the forces concerned in the formation of It has been ascertained that corals do not exist in water anticlinal flexures, and to account for several other dyna- below 66° of temperature. About the Gallepagos, though mic phenomena in geology." nearly under the Equator, Corals do not exist,-" whilst

roots."

"Dr. Owen supposed from the present position of these trees, that they have been quietly submerged and now occupy the spot where they originally grew.

"A more detailed description of this locality of fossil palm trees will probably appear hereafter in this Journal."

four or five degrees beyond the usual Coral limits." The solution of this anomaly is what Mr. Dana charges Mr. C. with having surreptitiously taken from him and it is this. The cold Southern current along the South American coast reduces the temperature about the Gallepagos to 60° during some seasons of the year, whilst the warm Gulf stream raises that about the Bermudas.

It is a source of pride to find our State University repre-growing reefs have formed the Bermudas in latitude 33°, sented in the association. We have heard of this magnificent theory before, from the lips of one of its eloquent authors. They suppose that the interior of the earth is in a state of complete fusion, "that fluid lava underlies large regions of the earth's crust and that the crust is of very moderate thickness." This crust itself is formed and thickened by the gradual cooling of the melted mass; and, occasionally, large portions of it give way from the arched earth and fall violently into the burning gulf beneath. This great force, operating upon the liquid lava, throws it into terrible commotion, producing immense billows, undulating This valuable work is now complete, the sixteenth numalong its surface and imparting their motion to the superin- ber having come out with the title, contents, &c. It contains cumbent earth. At the same time, the steam rushes forth also two plates, the one exhibiting various kinds of Enand produces the tremendous dislocations of formations and glish and Scotch ploughs; and the other different breeds of strata, which the geologist has discovered. By these up- British Horses. Farming, one of the most honorable, useheavings of the glowing sea within the earth, the waters' ful and important occupations, which engage the energy

THE FARMER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA.