POETRY.

THE VILLAGE CHURCH. Sweet home of peace! the lingering day Still plays upon thy turrets grey; But silent now the voice of prayer, Which once uprose so sweetly there: The cricket's fitful cry alone

Is mingled with the low wind's moan, Sadly they seem to wail the fate,

That left thy altars desolate.

Sweet home of peace! how oft I've stood
Amid thy little solitude;

A truant boy, stolen forth to get
The crane's bill and the violet,→
And listened to the village hum
Which on the quiet air would come,
With the long echoing laugh and shout,
Sent shrilly from the urchin rout.

And oft at Autumn's balmy eve, When bright flowers begin to leave The faded grass, and gloriously

The harvest moon went up the sky; From the far distant greenwood tree, The kits right notes of melody Stole upwards to the holy ground, As joyously the dance went round.

Here, when the Sabbath day was done, And ruddily the Summer sun

Shone over the little vale below,

Uprose the hymn, so sweet, so slow, The traveller in the distant glen

Paused on his way to catch again The lingering notes, till parting day Threw its cold shadows o'er his way.

Those days have passed; and mournfully
The chilling wind goes rustling by,
But finds not there those beauteous flowers,
It sported with in happier hours;
And gentle forms who loved to gaze

Upon their bloom in youthful days,
Like them have passed away and died,
And humble here sleep side by side.
[Selected.

STARCH FACTORIES IN MAINE.-The Norridgewock Press states that there are three starch factories in process of erection in the small town of Starks, and the amount of capital invested in them is from 15 to $20,000. These factories will be completed and go into operation the ensuing fall. It is estimated that 60,000 bushels of potatoes will be consumed by these mills alone, which must be supplied by the farmers in the immediate vicinity of their locations, and that the needed bushels have been contracted for at 12 1-2 cents per bushel. There are now ten starch factories under way in Somerset county

PRETTY NAMES AMONG THE INDIANS.The names which the Seneca Indians give their women sound pleasantly enough on the ear. To prove this, we have to say that among the most common cognomens are such as Rose-on-the-Bush, the Soft-Air, Welcome Home, Summer-Bud, Birdat-Night, Sweet-Valley-Bush, Wind-onWings, Shining-Star, Young Fawn, Larkin-the Morning, Maple-Bud, and others of equally soft and gentle import. There is some poetry about the names at least of these children of the forest.

OCEAN STEAMERS.-The Liverpool Mercury says that a respectable firm in that town is now engaged in constructing the first of a line of seven steamers, to trade between that port and Rio Janeiro. The same concern is building also a line of steamers for the New York trade, of a thousand tons burthen.—The Sun.

THE DUMB TAUGHT TO SPEAK.-The Lexington Observer states, that Jacob F. Todhunter, born deaf and dumb, aged twenty-five years, has been taught to articulate by his instructor, Robert T. Anderson. The editor was incredulous when he heard this statement, but Jacob called on him, bade thim "good morning," made himself distinctly understood in conversa. tion, and read a chapter in the Bible with ease and clearness.-The Constellation.

THE AMERICAN PENNY MAGAZINE

AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER,

Edited by Theodore Dwight, Jr.

Is published weekly, at the office of the New York Express, N. 112 Broadway, at 3 cents a number, (16 pages large octavo,) or, to subscribers receiving it by mail, and paying in advance, $1 a year. The postage is now Free for this city, Brooklyn, Harlem, Newark, and all other places within 30 miles; only one cent a copy for other parts of the State, and other places within 100 miles; and 1 1-2 cents for other parts of the Union. Persons forwarding the money for five copies, will receive a sixth gratis. Editors known to have published this advertisement, with an editorial notice of the work, will be supplied with it for one year. The work will form a volume of 832 pages annually. Enclo e a One Dollar Bil', without payment of postage, and the work will be sent for the year.

We particularly request the public to remember that no person is authorized to receive money in advance for this paper, except the Editor or Publishers and an Agent in Ohio and the five south-western counties of Pennsylvania, who will show an attested certificate, signed by the Editor.

men of one of their favorite modes of operation. They do not appear in all the processions which they promote or set in motion; but they set in operation other religious orders, to act as they direct. In this consists one of the distingishing characteristics of the Jesuits, that they manage, by some means or other, to get the control of men and institutions of different kinds, and give them such a direction as they please, often without allowing them to suspect their designs; and another characteristic is, those designs are political and extensive, but altogether selfish. The picture given by the author of that new and most popular novel, "The Wandering Jew," is so just, that its author has excited the rancor of the Jesuits by his work, and has probably done much to procure the sudden removal of their order from France.

Public processions, when skillfully managed, produce strong impressions upon public minds; but more effects are aimed at in many of those set in motion by Rome, than we are at first apt to imagine. Let us consider for a moment, the doctrines and the practices, political as well as religious, inculcated by that above depicted. The chief object held up to view, is the wafer or biscuit, which the priest professes to have converted by certain ceremonies, into the real body and blood of Christ. This doctrine is to be admitted, by a practical and visible sign of respect or admiration. Every individual in the streets, therefore, (where the plan is fully carried into operation,) must avow himself for or against the doctrine. This is one of the easy and cheap ways of exercising a spiritual police system over mankind. It is more convenient than domiciliary visitation, or a double set of spies, though not less arrogant or oppressive.

In the next place, it humbles the people at the feet of the priesthood. There goes the ecclesiastic who has performed the miracle, the man who has made the object of adoration! Let the reader turn to the "Important Distinction," between Christian Ministers and Priests, drawn by Bishop Whately, and given in the 23d number of this magazine, (page 362,) and he may be better able to perceive how all this machinery is made to establish the hierarchy of Rome.

But let him not lose sight of the political connections of scenes like this. The State is intimately interested in the business; and the secular arm" stands ready, in some countries, even at the present day, to enforce those expressions of respect to the host, and the countless images, relics, &c., which are held up for adoration. We have not room to-day to add the many facts and remarks which present themselves to our minds. We have seen countries where this system prevails, and have known much of the sufferings of nations whom it oppresses. We would that our countrymen knew the long history of which it forms a part, and rejoice that they have more desire and opportunity to become acquainted with

it. We will merely add, that in Paris, under Louis 18th, we have seen the host borne through the streets amidst crowds, proceeded by twenty-four fine little boys, neatly dressed, who carried baskets of fresh rose-leaves, and at every dozen steps, halted, turned, and spread them on the ground, like farmers sowing grain, to be trodden by the haughty ecclesiastics in their splendid dresses, who delight in degrading man even from childhood.The French Revolution of July, put an end to such scenes-but the Jesuits had just begun to revive them only a few months before their late re-expulsion. We would repeat, that this topic is important, chiefly as a part of a great system.

Chinese Printing simplified by American ingenuity.

We have received, from the Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Missions, two small volumes of specimens of the Chinese type recently manufactured by that society, on a new plan.

It is well known to the reading public generally, that the Chinese still adhere to their ancient practice, of cutting in a wooden block every page of a book or other work which they print. Foreigners have hitherto been obliged to conform to this practice, in everything they wished to publish in that language; and it has always been regarded as a most serious obstacle in the way of missionary operations, as the expense of book-making is thus rendered very great. The peculiar nature of the written language of that people is such, as apparently to render it impossible to devise any simpler or cheaper mode: for the characters, with but few exceptions, stand for words; and any common book, even if it should extend to but a few pages, would demand a vast number of char

acters.

About ten years ago, however, the idea occurred to some of the Chinese scholars of Paris, to separate compound characters into their elements, and make a type for each. The thought was made public some time since, in one of the letters of Rev. Dr. Baird; and Rev. Mr. Lowry, Secretary of the Society above mentioned, after several years of toil and study, with the mechanical aid of a skillful hand in cutting matrices, (Mr. Dyer,) and such other assistance as could be obtained, has succeeded in procuring a valuable set of moulds and type, which are already in use in China.

The reader will easily apprehend the nature

and importance of the improvement, after taking into view the following facts:

1. About 20,000 characters are used in the most common kinds of Chinese books; far too many to be prepared separately beforehand.

2. About one half of these are compounds, of two simple characters each, which are easily separable, and then leave but about 250.

3. A number of other compounds, which are not easily susceptible of such a division, are placed in separate cases, in the order of their radicals and the number of other strokes by which they are respectively formed. This order may be understood from the following remarks:

2. There are 214 Radical characters, formed of different numbers of strokes, from one to dictionaries are seventeen. Most Chinese arranged first according to this simple plan: that is, characters containing a radical of one stroke are placed first, succeeding each other according to the number of strokes superadded; those with a radical of two strokes next &c. On this plan the types of the radicals and compounds are arranged in their

cases.

we were assured by a learned native lately in this country, is four cents for every char

acter.

THE LAST IMPRECATION.

Communicated for the Amer. Penny Magazine.
A True Tale,

BY AN OFFICER'S WIDOW.

It is remarkable of the third and fifth commandments, that while the latter contains a promise of long life to children who honor their earthly parents, the former contains a solemn and equally plan intimation of retribution to those whose daring impiety to their Heavenly Father, has exhibited itself The threat to by profaning his holy name. the impious is not the less awful, because it is general and undefined; and though the punishment of many, "whose mouths are filled with cursing," is delayed, yet my observation has led me to think that the most striking manifestations of God's anger towards man, have fallen on those guilty of this dreadful impiety.

Some years since, I spent a summer at the country-seat of a friend, to which was attached an extensive farm. His mansion was most beautifully situated on a high hill, a few miles from one of our principal cities, which, with its domes, spires and masts, its harbor dotted with islands, and its fortifica tions, was plainly to be seen from the windows; while, in other directions, towns and villages, with their white steeples, to the number of at least thirty, with country seats, a winding river and its rich meadows, groves and gardens, completed the panorama.

Adjoining, but not disfiguring it, was the farm-house, which was under the charge of a respectable middle-aged woman; while the laborers, about ten in number, were under the superintendence of a young farmer, whom I will call Thomas Langton. He was four or five-and-twenty, and one of the most perfect specimens of rustic masculine beauty I ever saw. It required but a glance, to convince any one who saw the young men grouped together, that he was far superior, in person and deportment, to his associates. His industry and integrity had placed him over them, and his employer gladly acceded to his wish, to have a younger brother added to the number.

Every thing belonging to the farm and farm-house, went on quietly for some weeks after the commencement of my visit, and nothing occurred to invite attention to the inmates of the latter, until the season for haymaking arrived, when Langton accidentally received a severe wound in his right arm, from a hay fork. Every thing was done for him, that prudence or kindness could sug gest, and it healed rapidly; too rapidly, in all probability, as it left him nervous and irritable, which was an unwonted mood for him.

This unhappy state of mind, led him into a quarrel with the good woman who was mistress of the farm-house; and, in one of his paroxisms of anger, he expressed, in terms too shocking to repeat, the hope, (though he probably would have disowned the wish in a calmer moment,) that God would make him eternally miserable, if he ever ate again at the table at which she presided, until she had asked his pardon, which she did not feel inclined to do, considering herself, justly, the injured person.

Notwithstanding the dreadful malediction he had invoked upon himself, he continued to take his meals as usual, for a week. When that had elapsed, some new subject of displeasure made him leave his breakfast unfinished, and again he called on his Maker to inflict everlasting punishment upon him, if he ever sat down to eat at that table again.

His employer, who generally visited the city every day, had scarcely left home, when his wife learned that it was the intention of the farmers, who had been instigated by a worthless foreigner among them, by the pretence of espousing Langton's quarrel, to quit the hay-field, and dine at a low tavern in the neighborhood. She sent immediately for Langton, and expressed her surprise that he should sanction such improper conduct; and then, for the first time, was informed of his dissatisfaction. In a mild manner, she remonstrated with him on the course he was pursuing, in taking such a step without first informing her husband, and giving him an opportunity of adjusting the difficulty. Langton appeared much affected, and made many professions of respect for the family, though he spoke with asperity of the conduct of the house-keeper, and when Mrs.

not

having heard of the oaths he had taken, told him she should expect him to return to his work, and take his meals as usual, until her husband returned, he withdrew in evident agitation. When the dinner hour arrived, he took his seat at the table, and, after sitting in silence a few moments, without having tasted anything, rose, and saying, "I cannot eat," abruptly left the room. As he walked from the farm-house, apparently for the purpose of resuming his work, I saw him from the window where I sat, wiping the tears from his cheeks. No doubt he then remembered the oath he had that morning repeated, after having broken it for a whole week, and dared not put food into his mouth. At that moment, like a spirit of evil, the foreigner before alluded to joined him, and, taking him by the arm, they were soon out of sight. We afterwards heard, to our great regret, that all, with the exception of Langton's young brother, had followed them to the tavern.

About four hours afterwards, as one of my young friends and myself were returning from an afternoon walk, we met her brother, a boy of about thirteen, running towards us, with a face pale with emotion. "O! come

home, come home!" he exclaimed,-" Langton had drowned himself, and mother is distracted.' We returned as fast as possible, and found all was indeed changed during our brief absence. We learned that one of the laborers had burst into the room where Mrs was sitting, and, exclaiming "Langton has drowned himself," rushed out. The shock was so great as nearly to deprive her of her reason; and we found her walking up and down the garden, wringing her hands in agony, supposing that Thomas had committed suicide, and that, in some way or other, she was implicated, though she had not intended to be severe in her censure, or harsh in her reproof.

I can never forget the few following hours; not a man was at home to aid us with his counsel when the catastrophe was announced. Mr. ➖➖➖➖was in town and his wife utterly incapable of thought or action. Several men from the neighboring village had been hired to assist in the hay-field, and, not being involved in the quarrel at the farm-hous, were at work as usual; and, as one and another came up, the long avenue of trees, hedged in by immense lilac bushes, were constantly agitated by the supposition that the low, hearse-like sound betokened the approach of those who were bringing home the body of Langton.

While making some hurried arrrangements, in anticipation of that dreaded moment, I passed through the kitchen of the now deserted farm-house; and there,-all alone and forgotten in the confusion, sat poor William Langton. His face was resting on his crossed hands, which lay on the table, and he appeared totally unconscious of my presence, until I spoke to him. He then raised his eyes for a moment, and such a look of anguish met mine, as I shrink from recalling to memory. Oh, how my heart smote me, that I had not thought of him before any thing else! I could only tell him, that the dreadful exclamation,-"Langton has drowned himself," which had crushed him to the earth, could not mean that Thomas was a suicide, and, when thus assured, tears came to his relief, and he wept.

Langton and his companions had drank more freely during their dinner at the tavern than they were in the habit of doing; and, having determined not to return to their work that day, went to the banks of the river, which added so much to the prospect mentioned in the beginning of the story, to bathe. On arriving at the spot, which was distant a mile or more, heated with his walk and the spirit he had drank, Langton challenged one of the men, to try which could swim across the river first. The tide was running rapidly up the stream,-the water was very turbid; but he threw off his clothes, and plunged in. He outswam his competitor decidedly; but, when about two-thirds across the stream, he turned his head and shouted. The spectators, (and they were many,) could not hear