Ir is not certainly known when or by whom the microscope was invented. On the one hand, we are told that one Drebell, a Dutchman, had the first microscope in the year 1621, and that he was reported to have been the inventor of the instrument. On the other hand, the invention is claimed by Francis Fontana, a Neapolitan, in 1646, who dates it from the year 1618. Thus far, however, appears to have been distinctly ascertained, that they were first used in Germany about the year 1621. The telescope is generally believed to have been invented in the year 1590; and, as a microscope is only a telescope inverted, the invention of the one may be readily believed to have originated in the use of the other. It may, perhaps, be matter of doubt which of these instruments has introduced the most wonderful facts to our notice. If the telescope has brought us acquainted with vast bodies which we had not previously conceived to exist, and thus unmeasurably extended our conceptions of the vastness of the universe, and the power of its Creator, it is no less true that the microscope, though perhaps with less imposing pretensions, has laid open to us most unexpected revelations of the wisdom, the power, and the providence of the Almighty, by discovering to us innumerable orders of living beings, endowed with numerous capacities, and provided with ample means of enjoyment.

An example which partially illustrates this last remark is supplied in the engraving prefixed to this article, which represents a single drop of water as it appears through a microscope, peopled with various species of minute animals called animalcules, of the habits of some of which we propose to give a brief account.

It may be observed in general of the microscopic orders of animals, that the smallest which have ever come under notice have been discovered in water. Not that we may infer from this that there are not creatures of equally diminutive size inhabiting the air, or creeping upon the earth; the reason is simply that, from the transparency of water, and from its confining the creatures in it, we can more easily bring the assistance of the microscope to bear on the examination of them. Of these, indeed of all animated beings, the monas is the most simple. The termo is the most minute creature of this genus, being so extremely delicate and transparent as often to elude the highest magnifying powers, and seeming to blend with the water in which it swims. Another and very minute class of animalcules is that which has been termed by Mr. Baker the hair-like insect, on account of its shape, being extremely slender, and frequently a hundred and fifty times as long as it is broad. These creatures are so small, that millions of millions of them might be contained in the space of a square inch. Yet low in the scale of being as they may appear to stand, owing both to their extreme minuteness and the simplicity of their structure, even these, in common with those orders of inferior animals with which we are more ordinarily conversant, exhibit indications of sagacity, and of the formation of habits. They seem, for example, to be fond of society; for, after viewing for some time a quantity of them taken up at random, the observer will see them disposing themselves in a kind of regular order. If a multitude of them are put into a jar of water, they will form themselves into a regular body, and ascend slowly to the top. When they are

weary of this situation they form themselves into a kind of rope, which slowly descends as low as they intend; but if they happen to be near the side of the jar, they will descend upon it. In one experiment, a small quantity of matter, containing these animalcules, having been put into a jar of water, it so happened that one part went down immediately to the bottom, while the other continued floating at the top. When things had remained for some time in this condition, each of these swarms of animalcules began to grow weary of its situation, and appeared disposed to change it. Both armies, therefore, set out at the same time, the one proceeding upwards, and the other downwards, so that after some hours' journey, they met in the middle. A desire of knowing how they would behave on this occasion engaged the observer to watch them carefully, and, to his surprize, he saw the army that was marching upwards open to the right and left to make room for those that were descending. Thus, without confusion or intermixture, each held on its way; the army that was going up marching in two columns to the top, and the other descending in one column to the bottom, as if each had been under the direction of intelligent leaders.

Another very singular animal, whose existence and habits have been discovered by the microscope, has been dignified with the name of the Proteus, from its assuming so great a variety of shapes as scarcely to be recognised as the same animal in its different transformations. Its general shape bears a considerable resemblance to that of the swan, and its changes are chiefly effected by its neck, which it sometimes extends to a considerable length, and sometimes disposes of it altogether. It also appears to have the power of increasing its transparency or opaqueness at will. There are no eyes, nor any opening in the head like a mouth, to be discerned; but its actions clearly prove that it possesses the faculty of vision; for though multitudes of other animalcules swim about with it in the same water, and its own progressive motion is very swift, yet it never strikes against any of them, but directs its course between them with astonishing dexterity.

Another and a very perfect animal is discovered by the microscope in rain water, which has stood for some days in leaden gutters, or hollows on the tops of houses. This is called the vorticella, or wheel-animal. Its most remarkable distinction is the apparatus from which it

derives its name, and which, from all descriptions, would appear strongly to resemble the paddles of a steam-boat. They change their shape considerably in different views, but it seems pretty evident that they are circular wheels, which perform entire revolutions, and are provided with cogs similar to those on the balance-wheel of a watch. All the actions of this creature, says an observer, indicate sagacity and quickness of sensation. At the least touch or motion in the water, they instantly draw in their wheels; and it is conjectured that the eyes of this creature are placed somewhere about this apparatus, as while in the maggot state its motions are slow and blundering, but after the wheels are protruded, they are performed with great regularity, swiftness, and steadiness. It is by these rotatory organs, also, that they are supposed to breathe.

Some very important discoveries have lately been made by Ehrenberg in his observations on these singular beings. By feeding infusoria with very pure coloured substances, as indigo and carmine, he has ascertained the existence of mouths, stomachs, and intestines, and many interesting particulars relating to their structure and functions. But, perhaps, the most astonishing view of these animals, and of the wonders of the microscopic world in general, is presented by a recent improvement in the solar microscope-we refer to Mr. Gould's instrument constructed under the direction of Mr. Cooper and Mr. Carey, the optician, the extraordinary effect of which is daily exhibited at No. 287 Strand. It acts on the general principle of the solar microscope, but is supplied with an artificial and most brilliant light, produced by the mixture of hydrogen and oxygen gases on lime. The writer had recently an opportunity of witnessing the effect of this extrordinary instrument, and, without describing in detail the beauties of the horrors which it brought to light from the invisible world, (in doing which he would be obliged to draw very largely on the faith of his readers,) he may give some general idea of the spectacle, by stating that the instrument magnifies three hundred thousand times, so that a drop of water appears to cover a surface of a hundred square feet!

We cannot but anticipate some important accessions to physical science from this extraordinary instrument, and we confidently recommend it to the notice of our readers as a source of much instruction and amuse ment.-The Tourist.

The noble darings of the human mind, Inspired by science, should be unconfined; Nor suffer men, like grovelling worms, to lie Supine on earth, but boldly wing the sky." THE French writer who calls himself Reinser the 2d, and who was certainly a philosopher of the modern school, possessed considerable merit: we apprehended, however, that his plan for flying, like that which he proposed for the establishment of a Universal Republic, in which every description of Human Nature is to be winged for celestial flight, and united under the sole Empire of Reason, is only adding one more to the many of those

visionary schemes which have long been known in England under the appellation of Utopian.

But though it might be chimerical to expect from the proposals of such projectors all that themselves hope for on such occasions, advantages of a different nature have frequently been derived from similar reveries.

With respect to this French author's Art of Flying, which alone claims our present attention, he begins with observing that Bacon and other ingenious men of his stamp, have thought that human research would in time discover a method of travelling in the air. Wil

loughby, he remarks, has expressed himself in these terms: "It will some day be said, "Bring me my wings," just as a person now says, "Get ready my carriage." For his own part, he cannot see the squirrel and the fish both flying, without thinking that Man, who has in his muscles a prodigious intuitive source of motion, ought to render himself more capable of flying than any of those animals: and he reasons on the small quantity of necessary resistance to the weight of the body, from the ease with which porters are every day seen to mount a staircase, or even a ladder, bearing a load of three or four hundred weight, which they sustain alternately on a single leg. He remarks, that the wings of a bird are in general of greater proportionate dimensions in the smaller than in the larger species; which he ascribes to the property possessed by the air, of augmenting the resistance of a body according to the weight that it bears. This he illustrates, by comparing the weight of a duck, and the size of its wings, with those of a goose; supposing the latter to be seven times the weight of the former, yet to have wings less than thrice the size. From this analogy, he considers that the wings for a man of common stature need only be about thirty feet long, and weigh about fourteen or fifteen pounds.

The mechanism of these wings and the manner of fixing them, are minutely detailed by the author, who also has a helm or tail six feet long, composed of three reeds, in the same manner as the wings. But though this sanguine projector seemed confident of the practicability of his plan, we were not in the smallest degree astonished at the result, which our Flying Philosopher honestly relates.

"In the trial which I made,” says he, “I was raised from the earth at the third or fourth exertion." But, alas! the Flying Philosopher appears to have literally depended too much on a broken reed; for he adds, "I am old, and fell, staggering, on my feet! I was thrown topsy-turvey, without any other accident than a few brokcn reeds; sufficiently convinced, however, that at the age of fifty-eight, we are no longer well qualified to engage in violent corporeal exertions." He recommends his plan, notwithstanding, with much confidence, to young amateurs, and positively assures them that it is susceptible of great perfection!

We are ourselves inclined to imagine, that the art of flying in the air may in some measure be practicable, but not on the precise plan of this really ingenious Frenchman, who, in legislation, like the generality of political and philosophical speculators, too little regards the potent influence of human passions; and, in science, vainly expects Art to surpass the operations of Nature, and overcome her invincible agents. In a judicious combination of the mechanical powers, with due attention to the source of what may be denominated Ærostation, must be sought, as we apprehend, whatever can rationally occupy an enlightened mind on this curious and interesting subject.-Anecdote Library.

EXPLANATION OF WORDS, PHRASES, &c.

A BON CHIEN IL NE VIENT JAMAIS UN BON OS. Fr. (pron. ah bong she-ang ele neh ve-ahn zhama zun bong os.) "A good bone does not always come to a good dog;" or, merit does not always receive its deserts. AB ORIGINE. Lat. " From the origin."

AB OVO USQUE AD MALA. Lat. "From the eggs to the apples;" or, from the beginning to the end of the entertainment; eggs having been formerly served at the beginning, and apples at the end, of a Roman feast. It may be used figuratively, to denote the beginning and end of an intellectual banquet.

ABSENTEM LEDIT CUM EBRIO QUI LITIGAT. Lat. from Syrus; "He hurts the absent who quarrels with a drunken man;" that is, the drunken man is not the same as when he is sober, and therefore you do the sober man an injury, by harming the body when influenced by liquor,

POETRY.

THE GREEN ISLE OF LOVERS.

THEY say, that, afar in the land of the west,
Where the bright golden sun sinks in glory to rest,
'Mid fens where the hunter ne'er ventured to tread,
A fair lake, unruffled and sparkling, is spread;
Where, lost in his course, the rapt Indian discovers,
In distance seen dimly, the green isle of lovers.
There verdure fades never; immortal in bloom,
Soft waves the magnolia its groves of perfume,
And low bends the branch with rich fruitage depressed,
All glowing like gems in the crowns of the east;
There the bright eye of nature in mild glory hovers:
'Tis the land of the sunbeam, the green isle of lovers.
Sweet strains wildly float on the breezes that kiss
The calm-flowing lake round that region of bliss;
Where, wreathing their garlands of amaranth, fair choirs
Glad measures still weave to the sound that inspires
The dance and the revel, 'mid forests that cover,
On high, with their shade, the green isle of the lover.
But fierce as the snake, with his eyeballs of fire,
When his scales are all brilliant and glowing with ire,
Are the warriors to all, save the maids of their isle,
Whose law is their will, and whose life is their smile;
From beauty, there, valor and strength are not rovers,
And peace reigns supreme in the green isle of lovers.
And he who has sought to set foot on its shore,
In mazes perplexed, has beheld it no more;
It fleets on the vision, deluding the view;
Its banks still retire as the hunters pursue:
O, who, in this vain world of wo, shall discover

The home undisturbed, the green isle of the lover!-Yamoyden.

GERMAN EPIGRAM.

Welcome to memory-and forgetfulness;

The one for joy, the other for distress.-GÖTZ.

SELF-LOVE.

Men own each little fault and failing,

But of their heavier sins-not one;

A thousand 'gainst their memories railing,

But 'gainst their understanding-none!-LEANDER.

OSSIAN'S ADDRESS TO THE MOON.

DAUGHTER of heaven, fair art thou! the silence of thy face is pleasant! Thou comest forth in loveliness. The stars attend thy blue course in the east. The clouds rejoice in thy presence, O moon? They brighten their dark-brown sides. Who is like thee in heaven, light of the silent night! The stars are ashamed in thy presence. They turn away their sparkling eyes. Whither dost thou retire from thy course when the darkness of thy countenance grows? Hast thou thy hall, like Ossian? Dwellest thou in the shadow of grief? Have thy sisters fallen from heaven? Are they who rejoice with thee, at night, no more? Yes! they have fallen, fair light! and thou dost often retire to mourn. thou thyself shalt fail, one night, and leave thy blue path in heaven. The stars will then lift their heads. they who are ashamed in thy presence will rejoice. Thou art now clothed with thy brightness. Look from thy gates in the sky. Burst the cloud, O wind, that the daughter of night may look forth! that the shaggy mountains may brighten, and the ocean roll its white waves in light.

But

The best part of beauty is that which a picture canno express.-Lord Bacon.

That which is not for the interest of the whole hive, cannot be so for any single bee.-Marcus Aurelius.

RELIGIOUS ANNIVERSARIES.

The present week has been the great Anniversary Festival of the religious community of this country. Clergyman and delega ted laymen from every part of the Union have been congregated in this city, for the purpose of celebrating the Anniversaries of the religious institutions of a national character that form so prominent a trait in the features of the present day. As might be expected on such occasions, the first talent of the religious community is put in requisition, to render the exercises interesting. We intend next week to notice them more particularly.

No room for news, and none of importance if we had room

NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF KNOWLEDGE AND INDUSTRY.

PREAMBLE.

WE, whose names are hereto annexed, believing that the wellbeing of society depends upon industry, intelligence, and virtue; that ignorance and idleness are the principal sources of pauperism and crime; and that these evils may be greatly diminished by the benevolent and well-directed efforts of an extensive association of our citizens, do hereby form ourselves into a society to be called, THE NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF KNOWLEDGE AND INDUSTRY, and do make and ordain the following

CONSTITUTION.

ART. I. The objects of this Society shall be, 1st. The diffusion and extension of useful knowledge and common education.

2d. The encouragement of industry, and the elevation of the moral condition of the indigent; and also, but only so far as may be compatible with these objects, the relief of their necessities. ART. II. No religious or political discussions shall be allowed in the society; no political or sectarian publication shall be distributed by it; and no preference shall be given by its members, as such, on account of religious or political distinctions.

ART. III. The management of the affairs of this society shall be vested in a Board of Managers, composed of five members from each ward, who shall have the controul of the funds of the society, and who may make any regulations or by-laws concerning the same not inconsistent with this Constitution. Nine members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

ART. IV. Sec. 1. The members of this society shall meet in .their respective wards on the last Wednesday of May in each year, to choose delegates-five to be chosen from each ward; which delegates, when chosen, shall constitute the Board of Managers of the Society.

Sec. 2. The Board of Managers shall choose their own officers, and the President of the Board shall be President of the society. ART V. Sec. 1. The members of the society belonging to the different wards, shall constitute Ward Associations of the society. Sec. 2. The Ward Associations shall meet as often as they may think necessary, and at such other times as may be recommended by the Board of Managers.

Sec. 3. The Ward Associations shall, severally, choose annually a President and two Vice Presidents, a Secretary and Treasurer. Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Secretaries to keep minutes of all the proceedings.

Sec. 5. The Treasurers of the Ward Associations shall pay the moneys in their hands monthly (after making provision for their necessary expenses) to the Treasurer of the Board of Managers.

Sec. 6. The ward Associations shall cause their respective wards to be completely districted, and shall assign to each district some one or more individuals, who shall be called the Ward Visiters of the society.

Sec. 7. The Ward Visiters of each district shall make a record of the names of all such persons as may be directed by the Board of Managers.

Sec. 8. Copies of the Records kept as aforesaid, or of such parts thereof as the Board of Managers may direct, shall be furnished by the Ward Visiters to the Ward Associations, and by the Ward Associations to the Board of Managers, as shall be required by them.

Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the Ward Visiters to aid in procuring relief for the sick from the Public Dispensary, or otherwise -to procure to be sent to school, as far as practicable, such children as do not attend school, and may be received there-and also to get into the free schools for adults, whenever such schools shall be provided, such persons as ought to be taught there-to encourage industry, by procuring employment for those unemployed-to inculcate, as far as possible, a sense of moral duty and a feeling of self respect and to obtain from individuals and the public authorities such necessary relief as may be furnished, without encouraging idleness or vice. They shall keep and render to the Ward Associations accounts of all moneys and donations received and distributed by them, and shall pay over, when required by said Associations, any balances in their hands.

Sec. 10. No person belonging to any district shall receive any relief without the bounds thereof, nor without the knowledge of the Visiters of that district.

Sec. 11. No person of intemperate habits shall receive any pecuniary relief through the medium of the society, except in cases of dangerous illness.

ART. VI. Every person who shall subscribe this Constitution, and pay one dollar or more into the treasury, annually, shall be a member of this society; and every person who shall pay ten dollars or upwards at any one payment, shall be a life member thereof.

ART. VII. The Mayor and members of the Common Council shall be, ex officio, members of the Board of Managers.

ART. VIII. No alterations shall be made in this Constitution, except concurred in by two thirds of the Ward Associations.

BY-LAWS OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS.

3. There shall be the following Standing Committees of the Board:-1. A Standing Committee shall be appointed to inquire into, and report, from time to time, upon the best means of diffusing useful knowledge, and extending common education. 2. A Standing Committee shall be appointed to inquire and report in like manner upon the best means of finding employment for those who want it, and such other standing committees shall be ap pointed as may be necessary. 4. All committees shall be appointed by the presiding officer of the Board, as occasion may require, unless otherwise ordered by the Board.

REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF MANAGERS.

1. The records to be kept by the ward visiters shall contain the names in their respective districts-of all persons who may be proper subjects for a common school education, and have not the means of procuring it, distinguishing between those who are under four years of age, those who are between four and sixteen years, and those who are above sixteen-of all persons who are in want of employment, or of the necessaries of life, or in imminent danger of the want of such necessaries, distinguishing the occupations of all males on such record. 2. Statistical returns shall be made from these records once every year by the ward associations, but these returns shall not include the names of individuals.

3. All bills against the Society shall be paid by the Treasurer, when approved by the President and Recording Secretary. OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY.

Hon. Gideon Lee, (Mayor of the city,) President-Robert Sedgwick, Corresponding Secretary-Isaac Peirce, Recording Secre tary-Silas Brown, Treasurer.

BOARD OF MANAGERS.

First Ward.-John Y. Cebra, David Clarkson, Oliver Cobb, John I. Labah, J. J. Rosevelt, jun.

Second Ward.-Walter Bowne, William Van Wyck, Benjamin Demilt, Silas Brown, Saul Alley.

Third Ward.-James Munroe, Ralph Olmsted, Robert Sedgwick, Thomas Herttell, William H. Aspinwall.

Fourth Ward.-Charles G. Ferris, Isaac Peirce, Geo. S. Mann, Linus W. Stevens, Joseph N. Lord.

Fifth Ward.-Anthony Lamb, David Banks, John R. Murray, George F. White, James Campbell.

Sixth Ward.-John T. Irving, J. R. Rhinelander, Daniel E. Tylee, Henry Durell, Shivers Parker.

Seventh Ward.-Ja's R. Whiting, Zebedee Ring, Perez Jones, Timothy Hedges, Samuel Akerly.

Eighth Ward-Hendrick Booram, James Lynch, Frederick A. Tallmadge, Francis D. Allen, Redwood Fisher.

Ninth Ward.-Henry Meigs, Ja's N. Wells, Robert Halliday, Charles Oakley, Silas M. Stilwell.

Tenth Ward.-Stephen Allen, P. S. Titus, Eliphalet Wheeler, M. M. Quackenboss, Morris De Camp.

Eleventh Ward.-Samuel C. Ellis, Henry P. Robertson, Fyler Dibblee, Lewis Willcocks, Peter Stuyversant.

Twelfth Ward.-Charles H. Hall, Peter Cooper, George B. Thorp, David Cargill, Isaac L. Varian.

Thirteenth Ward.-James Palmer, Jacob Westervelt, E. D. Comstock, Isaac D. Merrit, Nathan Roberts.

Fourteenth Ward.-Joseph Curtis, Charles Dusenbury, Philip W. Engs, Austen Baldwin, John L. Moffitt. Fifteenth Ward.-James B. Murray, Samuel Cowdrey, Samuel Ward jun. Benjamin Birdsall, Abraham Mason.

ONE HUNDRED AGENTS

Could be advantageously employed in different sections of the Union, in obtaining subscribers for the Magazine. It is not of a local character, but is calculated for general circulation; and hence subscribers may as well be obtained in one part of the country as another. Good encouragement will be given to agents; and a number to the amount of one hundred at least, could be furnished by us with profitable employment.

We have taken the office recently occupied by the "Free Enquirer," 222 William street. Letters should be addressed thus: Editor of the Family Magazine, 222 William street, New York.

TERMS.

ONE DOLLAR AND FIFTY CENTS PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE. Should an order for the Magazine be received unaccompanied by advance payment, one number will be sent, showing our terms; after which, no more will be forwarded till payment shall have been received.

Companies of four individuals, sending FIVE DOLLARS, current here, free of postage, will be furnished with four copies for one furnished with ten copies. year. Companies of ten, sending TEN DOLLARS as above, will be

Schools adopting the Magazine, will be supplied at ONE DOLLAR per annum for each copy.

As the sum of $1 50, which is the price of the Magazine to a

2. There shall be a President of the Board and two Vice Presidents, a Treasurer and two Secretaries, one of whom shall be the Corresponding Secretary.

two subscribers at least send payment in a letter together.

The postage on the Magazine is 3-4 of a cent under one hundred iles, and 1 1-4 cent for any distance over.