have proved that the Jesuit writers were guilty of gross exaggerations. Arch bridges exist in China, and some fine ones, of moderate size; but they are few in number. Notwithstanding the length of the great canal, and the crowded population in most of the country through which it passes, it is said that solid bridges are no where erected acsoss it, except in Keang-nan; the greater part being only a plank floor, covered with sticks or hurdles, and gravel spread upon them supported by upright posts of wood. Arches, however, of superior workmanship, were observed in the great Wall, by Captain Paris, who surveyed and described a portion of it; and these prove that the Chinese, were skilful in making them before the Romans and even the Greeks introduced them into their architecture. The Chinese arches are of various forms, varying from curves less than semicircles to those greater. Some are exact semicircles, and others half elipses, cut through the transverse diameter. No mention have we seen made of pointed arches, like the Gothic, though in such as exceed a semicircle they resemble some of the Saxon forms. The stones used in arches were usually in the shape of a wedge, and the sides of them all pointed towards the centre. The extraordinary height of the arch in the bridge above represented, was probably allowed to permit the passage of sail vessels. It must be done to the great annoyance of passengers, although important in places abounding in masted boats. It certainly adds greatly to the picturesque appear ance of the structure. PARENTS' DEPARTMENT. EXAMPLE, Do what we will, go where we please, in solitude or in society, we still are and ever must be pursuing our education. How erroneous is the opinion which is yet so common, that we can be educated only by others, and that we do not and cannot to any considerable extent, educate ourselves! The truth is, that all the instruction which a teacher can give us will prove of but little value, if it does not qualify and induce us to improve our character, to add to our stock of knowledge, and to apply it to good ends. Equally important is it for us all to understand, and ever to bear in mind, that whether we choose or not, we have a hand in the education of those around us, especially of our children. Daily and hourly our words, and still more our example, influence their opinions, feelings and conductand must influence them more or less, as long as they live. This fact, evident as it appears to those who have duly reflected February 2d. This morning I gave the children an account of the migrations of birds to the south, with the reasons for it. Told them that a man who had been to Nicaragua Bay, cutting mahogany, once said to me, that if any body doubted where our birds spend the winter, he had better go there, and he would see. He found almost all kinds, and in immense numbers. I told the children something about the motions of the earth, and something of astronomy, to account for the departure of birds. I then told them something about Wilson's Ornithology, which some of them have never seen; and what observations are recorded of the gradual approach of birds in the spring; saying that some are already on their way. I then offered six-pence to the child who would see and report the first bird. "But I may hear Well," one sing, sir, when I cannot see it." said I, "you shall be paid if you hear one first." It was added that those who should afterwards observe and report the first of any kind or sort, should have a penny. 66 "But how shall we know the kinds and sorts ?" was the natural inquiry. I then took the opportunity, during a walk, to tell them the marks of the five kinds, or classes, of birds and some of the sorts under them. CHURCH MUSIC.-In order to determine the true character of church music, it may be well to bring it to the test of certain principles, which shall approve themselves to the mind as obviously essential to the structure of a sound ecclesiastical tune. 1. The character of the tune should accord with the sanctity of the place and the occasion. 2. It should be such as to allow the meanest and most untutored person in the congregation readily to unite. 3. It should be free from monotony and dullness. 4. It should be suited to the subject of the psalm or hymn with which it is connected.-Religious Herald. One of the German emigrants, says the St. Louis Republican, on the steamer Naraganset, lost five thousand guineas; the chest which contained it having been put in the hold. Several others lost considerable amounts in the same way. SCIENTIFIC. A Geological Theory Undermined by a Favorite Mollusca. Among the ruins of the temple of Jupiter Serapis, at Pozzuoli, (the ancient Puteoli,) near Naples, are three fine columns standing, which have long excited the admiration and the curiosity of intelligent travellers. Their lower parts retain their polished surface, but, at the height of about twenty-five feet, they are all worn away, and bored with small round holes. It has hence been concluded that they must have been below the surface of the neighboring bay, above which the' original floor of the temple, (still partly preserved,) now, as when it was built by the Romans, is elevated several feet. The reason why those columns have been presumed to have been submerged, is this: there has been but one animal known, capable of making such holes in stones; and that is an inhabitant of the water, viz. a pholas, or small shell fish, which bores into rocks by some means, perhaps not well understood. Now it is well known, that one of the theories most current among the geologists of the present day, is that of the recent submerging of tracts of land under the sea, and the raising Now, without of other or the same tracts. attempting either to corroborate or to combat such a supposition by any arguments of our own, we will merely state a fact which Dr. Buckland made known in the London Magazine of Natural History about two years ago, viz: the existence of a terrestrial pholas, which makes similar cells in rocks, and might possibly, if it had been discovered a few years before, have saved some very learned labors and ingenious suppositions. While on a visit to the French coast, on the British Channel, to examine evidences of submersion, he found the holes of a pholas, at a considerable height above the water; but he discovered also shells of the animal within, which proved, most unquestionably, to his longpractised eyes, the existence of a land pholas, and that the borings in the rocks had been recently made by it for habitations. Among the writers most devoted to the theory of submersions and elevations, is Dr. Lyell, who lately introduced his three interesting and valuable octavos to the world, with a picture of the celebrated columns of Jupiter Serapis for his frontispiece. Up to this day, we have not seen the discovery of Dr. Buckland placed by the side of the Pozzuoli columns, nor do we pretend to know whether the learned will regard it as throwing any light upon their origin. It would seem that it ought, at least, to cast the shadow of a doubt over the theory which partly rests upon them. Artificial Production of Rain. Professor Espy appears to have succeeded, at length, in demonstrating the practicability of producing rain, in time of drought. by artificial means. A circular on the subject has been published, comprising certificates from numerous credible witnesses, that the experi- Dr. W. Hembel Salter, of Pulaski county, Indiana, gives an interesting account of a rain which was produced by the burning of a prairie, seven or eight miles north-east of his residence, on the 6th day of August-when there was no appearance of rain, and when the thermometer stood at S8. The formation of the clouds, at a moment when no others were seen within fifty miles of the place, appeared to be in all respects according to the condi tions of the theory. In one of the earliest publications on the subject, Mr. E. stated that "rain could be produced only in time of drought, in calm weather, with a high-dew point; and that when produced, it would travel towards the east from the place of beginning." It will be seen that this prediction appears to have been fully verified.-Country Paper. AMERICAN CANDLES.-The London Times emarks that "the late importation of American candles by the New York packet ship England, at Liverpool, said to be a novelty at that port, is not so at the port of London." For a considerable time past, adds that paper, "the London and New York line of packet ships have been in the habit of bringing large quantities of American composition candles, which, on being landed, are immediately placed in bond for exportation. A merchant has informed us that docks for India, China, and other ports, were supplied with this description of candles; and that the importers, after paying freight, &c., realized a profit of about 2d. per lb. ERIE RAILROAD.-This road commences at the city of New York, and is designed to be extended to Lake Erie. Fifty miles only are completed, but such is the amount of business, that it is designed to push it ahead with all possible speed. What is better than all, the company design to run no freight or passenger cars on the Sabbath, and permit all laborers or agents, of every class, to rest on that day.-Selected. TATTOOING. Tattooing is the marking the human body permanently, by inserting paint into wounds. made in the skin. It is a savage practice, prevailing in different forms and degrees among the rude tribes of Africa and the Pacific ocean. It does not prevail among the American Indians, the Tartars, and some other portions of the human race, where we might as reasonably expect to find it. In Africa tattooing appears to be generally limited to a few spots on the face, which usually show the distinction of tribes, but are probably in many instances connected with their superstitions. Wherever Mahomedism or Christianity comes, it disappears. A man of the Croo tribe, on the western coast of Central Africa, who was in this city in August last, was marked down the nose, and with spots on the temples. He stated that the charcoal which colored the skin, was introduced by rubbing, after the parts had been scarified with a knife. The following are extracts from Ellis's Polynesian Researches: "One of the earliest and singular usages to which Tahitian parents attended, was that of tattooing or marking the skin. This was generally commenced at the age of eight or ten years, and continued at intervals, perhaps till the individual was between twenty and thirty. parted friend; and from the figures we have sometimes seen upon the persons of the natives, and the conversation we have had, we should be induced to think it was designed as a kind of historical record of their lives. But it was adopted by the greater number of the people merely as a personal adornment; and tradition informs us that to this it owes its existence. Tattooing is not confined to the natives of Tahiti, but pervades the principal groups, and is extensively practised by the Marquesians and New Zealanders. Although practised by all classes, I have not been able to trace its origin. It is by some adopted as a badge of mourning, or memorial of a de Tattooing, it is said, originated among the gods, and was first practised by the children of Taaroa, their principal deity. In imitation of their example, and for the accomplishment of vicious purposes, it was practised among men. Idolatry not only disclosed the origin, but sanctioned the prac tice. The two sons of Taaroa and Apouvaru were the gods of tattooing. Their images were kept in the temples of those who practised the art professionally, and every application of their skill was preceded by a prayer addressed to them, that the operation might not occasion death, that the wound might soon heal, that the figures might be handsome, attract admirers, and answer the ends of wickedness designed. Tattooing, which must have been a painful operation, was seldom applied to any ex'tent at the same time. There were tahua, professors of the art of tattooing, who were regularly employed to perform it, and received a liberal remuneration. The coloring matter was the kernel of the candle-nut, aleurites triloba, called by the natives tiairi. This was first baked, then reduced to charcoal, afterwards pulverized and mixed with oil. The instruments were rude, though ingenious, and consisted. of the bones of birds or fishes, fastened with fine thread to a small stick. Another stick, somewhat heavier, was also used to strike the above when the skin was perforated. The figure, or pattern to be tattooed, was portrayed upon the skin with a piece of charcoal, though at times the operation was guided only by the eye. When the idolatrous ceremonies attending its commencement were finished, the performer, immersing the points of the sharp bune instrument in the coloring matter, which was a beautiful jet, applied it to the surface of the skin, and striking it smartly with the elastic stick which he held in his right hand, punctured the skin, and injected the dye at the same time with as much facility as an adder would bite and deposit her poison. So long as the person could endure the pain, the operator continued his work; but it was seldom that a whole figure was completed at once. Hence it proved a tedious process, especially with those who had a variety of patterns, or stained the greater part of their bodies. Both sexes were tattooed. The tattooing of the Sandwich and Palliser islanders, though sometimes abundant, is the rudest I have seen; that of the New Zealanders and the Marquesans is very ingenious, though different in its kind. The former consists principally of narrow, circular, or curved lines on different parts of the face; the lines in the latter were broad and straight, interspersed with animals, and sometimes covered the body so as nearly to conceal the original color of the skin. and almost even to warrant the description given by Schouten, of the inhabitants of Dog Island, who, be observes, were marked with snakes and dragons, and such like reptiles, which are very significant emblems of their own mysterious nature.'" [To be concluded.] CURIOUS AND INSTRUCTIVE-A stone crossed the Frith with the S. W. wind on the fifth. A single plant of sea-weed had grown upon it, and being covered with numerous airbladders, migrated with the stone to the north shore. Upon being lifted out of the water, the stone weighed 3 lbs. 11 oz. and the material of the plant 2lbs. 3 oz.-making, in all, a weight of nearly 6 lbs. which the buoyancy of the air, inclosed in a multitude of small pods, had safely ferried over. The plant did not seem to be loaded to its full floating power; although some of the pods had been injured, enough remained entire to transport the stone, thus suggesting an idea to all makers of floating jackets, chairs, and other contrivances to be used in shipwrecks, never to inclose the air in one mass, but in a great number of subdivisions, each water-tight, and containing each a number of little balls filled with the gas. A slight injury, such as perforation of a pin, may now render the best Mackintosh Hoater fatal. Not so, however, with the alge, when they go a sailing, and execute on a small scale what icebergs are said to have performed, in transporting the large boulder stones over the globe.-Caledonian Mercury. CHINESE APHORISMS. A wise man adapts himself to circumstances, as water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it. Misfortunes issue out where diseases enter in at the mouth. The error of one moment becomes the sorrow of a whole life. A vacant mind is open to all suggestions, as the hollow mountain returns all sounds. BIOGRAPHICAL. Life and Character of M. Guizot. From the New York Evangelist. One of the most interesting modes of passing time profitably for an intelligent foreigner, during his sojourn in this great city, is to devote some hours daily to the study of its history, in connection with that of the country of which it is the capital. He ought, even before he sets out to visit Europe at all, to sit down and read a good history of Modern Europe at least, in connection with the best maps. Very many of our wealthy Americans, especially those who have grown rich suddenly and risen from families of little education, are extremely ignorant. I have been refreshing my memory of the scenes which in years gone by I had read of relating to the great Revolution of 1789. I have frequently broken off in the midst of the narrative, and taking my hat, have sallied out to visit the localities illus. trated by the events which took place-such as the Place de la Concorde, between the Gardens of the Tuileries and the ChampsElysees, where Louis XVI. his queen, his sister, the father of the present King, and some seventeen thousand other people were put to death by the guillotine. My evenings have usually been spent in some of the soirées of literary men, such as those of M. Jomard at the Royal Library, M. Felix, editor of the Law Journal, or Charles Dupin, President of the Academy of Sciences, and one of the best scholars in France. And once or twice a week, on Tuesdays or Friday nights I go to those of M. Guizot, Minister of Foreign Affairs. M. Guizot lives in the establishment of Foreign Affairs, and so long as he remains Minister of that department he will occupy that house, which belongs to the government, and is furnished at the public expense. The soirées commence at eight or nine o'clock. Few persons come before nine, and many not till ten. There are always some ladies, but the number is small in comparison with that of the gentlemen, who are Leputies, Peers, savans, military and naval officers, strangers, etc. etc. There are no refreshments, excepting a cup of tea and some simple cakes, etc. chi fly for the ladies-and these are offered only in one of the smaller rooms. Each individual, as he enters the door of the vast saloon, billiantly lighted and adorned with several large mirrors, is announced by a servant in livery, whose business is to call aloud the This name of each gentleman and lady. enables all who have already assembled to know those who enter, and saves a vast deal of trouble. M. Guizot stands, during the former part of the evening, not far from the door or rather between it and the center of the saloon-and receives with great simplicity and respect each guest as he en ters. I have often taken my stand near him, for the purpose of hearing distinctly the names of those who enter, and of getting a good view of their faces and persons. "Monsieur le Mareschal Soult!" "Monsieur Theirs!" "Monsieur L'Admiral Jacob!" "Monsieur L'Ambassadeur de Russie!"Monsieur Hugo!" "Monsieur La Martine!" such are some of the names which the herald at the door cries out. M. Guizot was boin at Nismes, on the 4th of October, 1787. His father was a lawyer of distinction, and suffered death by the guillotine in the year 1794. His grandfather was a Protestant preacher. M. Guizot is, therefore, a Protestant by birth and education. He has told me that he is a protestant from conviction as well as by birth and education, and that he considers it his highest glory that he is such. He is, however, I fear only a Protestant in theory, after all, rather than in heart and life. After the death of his father, the youthful Guizot was taken by his mother-who still lives, and is an excellent and pious woman-to Geneva, where he pursued his academical education. In the year 1805, being eighteen years old, he came to Paris to study law. He had even then that profound philosophical turn of mind which has so eminently distinguished him since. He was, too, a fine scholar. He had read all of the writings of Demosthenes, Thucydides and Tacitus, before he was sixteen. It is probable that he derived much of his philosophical habit of mind from the last named author-by far the most profound thinker of all Roman writers. Death of Dr. Abercrombie. The death of this distinguished physician and most amiable man took place at Edinburg. Dr. Abercrombie was in such health on the day of his death as to be preparing to go out on his usual professional visits, when he was found dead. His work on the "Brain" stamped him as a man of genius, in the estimation of Europe, and greatly contributed to advance the science which he practiced with so much success. Dr. Abercrombie was much regarded by the poorer classes in Edinburgh, among whom his labors were incessant; and, indeed, one more worthy of the regard of the poor could not be found. Dr. Abercrombie was the author of two valuable treatises on the Intellectual Powers, and the Investigation of Truth; and on the Philosophy of the Moral Feelings; and to these subjects the knowledge acquired in the course of his profession enabled him to contribute many important facts. He is also the author of a work on the Moral Condition of the Lower Classes in Edinburg, and of seve ral publications designed for the young, the last of which, The Elements of Sacred Truth, has but recently appeared. In 1835, Dr. Abercrombie was elected Lord Rector of Mareschal College and University, Aberdeen, and published his inaugural address, which afterwards appeared in an enlarged form under the title of Culture and Discipline of the Mind. But while Dr. Abercrombie's name will long illustrate the annals of science and his works be referred to as landmarks in the progress of medicine, it was his chiefest boast to consecrate his talents, his science, his celebrity, and the fortune which these secured, to the cause of Christianity.-Selected. A native of China, named Auit, was naturalized in the United States District Court at Boston, on Friday. He has been for eight years a resident of Boston, and declared his intention to become a "barbarian," in 1843. JUVENILE DEPARTMENT. [SELECTED.] A FRAGMENT FOR THE YOUNG, Are there any among you, my young friends, who desire to preserve health and cheerfulness through life, and at length to reach a good old age? If so, listen to what I am about to tell you. A considerable time ago, I read, in one of the newspapers of the day, that a man had died near London, at the advanced age of 110 years, that he had never been ill, and that he had maintained through life a cheerful, happy temperament. I wrote immedi ately to London, begging to know if, in the old man's treatment of himself, there had been any peculiarity which had rendered his life so lengthened and happy, and the answer I received was as follows: "He was uniformly kind and obliging to every body; he quarreled with no one; he ate and drank merely that he might not suf fer from hunger or thirst, and never beyond what necessity required. From his earliest. youth he never allowed himself to be unemployed. These were the only means he used." I took a note of this in a little book where I generally write all that I am anxious to remember, and very soon afterwards I observed, in another paper, that a woman had |