The Monument to Sir Walter Scott.

A monument, of which the preceding is a fine picture, was founded in Edinburgh, in the Spring of the year 1812, in memory of Sir Walter Scott. The site is on the south side of Prince's street, on a commanding eminence in the splendid New Town, among whose elegant structures, and from whose numerous points of view, it will make a conspicuous figure. The New Town is as celebrated for its beauty and stricking picturesque effect, as Old Edinburgh, (Auld Reekie, that is, Old Smoky,) has ever been for its close and crooked streets, and the inconveniences arising from the height and crowded condition of the dwellings.

The monument is of the Gothic style, whose intricate ornaments, antique appearance, and religious and political associations, this celebrated author has probably done more than any other to commend to public taste. On that account this order (or as it might with more propriety be called, this disorder) of architecture may be called upon to hold up a memorial of his superior literary superiority, in the capital of his country, and in the midst of scenes which he has rendered conspicuous by his extraordinary pen.

The height of the monument is to be one hundred and eighty feet. From its base numerous objects are in view, which are no less strongly associated with Scotch history than with his prose and poetry. Opposite stands the commanding eminence called David's Height. Beginning on the left, the following edifices are seen in the order mentioned. The rear of the Royal Exchange, built in 1783; St. Giles's Cathedral, founded in 866, and erected into a collegiate church in 1753. In front of the high building stood the old prison, so important in the civil wars the Heart of Mid-Lothian, built in the period of the Reformation, in 1561. It no longer exists, having been demolished in the year 1817. This brings the eye of a spectator, standing at the point from which our view is taken, up to the monument.

On the right of it are seen, first, Victoria Assembly Hall, built in 1842; then the Castle Parade, and the Duke of York's monument, erected in 1828, at the expense of the army. Last rises the strong and celebrated Castle of Edinburgh, on a tall, abrupt and frowning precipice, connected with many important epochs of history, in all the

changing periods which Scotland has passed through, since the early date of the founda. tion of this fortre-s, by the Saxon Prince Ed wina, in the year 626.

In the basement is a sitting statue of Walter Scott, in an apartment of considerable size, open on all sides, and large enough to af ford a view of it to a number of spectators.

Few writers ever rose so suddenly and so generally to popular favor as the author to whose honor this expensive monument has been founded. Being a man of pure morals, refined taste, and philanthropic disposition. a sincere admirer of what is beautiful and grand, both in the natural and in the moral world, he was received by the virtuous and discriminating of the public, with the greater pleasure, because of the contrast his writings presented to many of those of his misanthropic, vicious, and finally selfish and abandoned contemporary, Lord Byron. Some who at first anticipated many beneficial results, and no evil ones, to the public, and especially the young, from a general perusal of the writings of Scout, having long since changed their opinion; for they have had too palpable an influence in turning almost the whole attention of the mass of readers to fictitious works. The dress ng up of historical events and per sonages in the garbs of fancy, proves to have more than one bad tendency; and no man has shown more plainly than this celebrated author, the facility with which, in that mod2, the prejudices and discolored conceptions of a writer may be communicated to his admiring readers.

One great evil naturally following the popularity of a writer of fictions, even of the least exceptionable kind, and of the purest intentions, is the preparation of the way for those of a different character. In every mind over which he gains an ascendancy, in every heart in which he implants or cultivates his taste, he opens the way for successors to enter, with little or no difficulty. He has broken down and swept away the great barrier which our Maker seems to have built up in every mind-that is, a high regard for truth (when it is not our enemy) over what is false or unreal. This appears to be born with us but miseducation can lead us to prefer fiction.

We are among those who never read or recommend anything except the truth; and we have made these remarks that our readers may know the objections to fictitious books

OBITUARY-WILLIAM C. WOODBRIDGE.

Of this o'd end hig siy valued personal triend, the news of whose death has recently arrived, I perceive no less resson to held up a sketch of his life, as an example, than in private o meditace on his worth, to mourn over his loss, and to contemplate his gain in leaving a world in which he has known an unusu al share of oil, sickness and pain.

gree.

Mr. Woodbridge early devoted himself to a life of active benevolence, having become, in youth, deeply and unchangeab y impressed with a sense of the du ties he owed to his fellow men. arising out of the character he professed as a servant of God. Few men. I think, have made active benevolence the fixed and regular business of lite in a greater deAfter graduating at Ya e College, (I believe in 1811.) he pursud a course of theological study, but was prevented, by constitutional ill health, from devoting himself permanently to the mistry of the Gospel. Soon after the instruction of the Deat and Dumb was commenced in America, he joined Mr. Gallandet and M. Le Clerc as a fellow techer in the first institution, in Hartford, Con,, and rendered great service in the early stages of its operation.— From abou that time we date the commencement of his attention to the improvement of education, in its different bra ches, to which he devoted his subsequent sife, almost without exception, so far as a dis. eased ani teeb'e frame allowed him to engage in any business whatever.

About that period we first heard him speak of his views respecting the defects of the means and modes of education in use, and the ways in which they might be corrected. A better plan for teaching geography particularly, engaged his attention, which he afterwards presented to the world in his first improved school geography, of which many educators have approved. and whose outlines and much of whose comments have been extensively embodied in later works of the same class Of all those who have published geographies in this country, he Is the only author who has devoted years to travel and study, in collecting the materials for publication. Wodbridge & Willard's Geography, for higher institutions, was formed on a plan simultaneously devised by himselt, and Mrs. Emma Willard, foundress of the Troy Seminary, unknown to each other. The arrangement is scientific, in departments, corresponding with that alterwards published, by Malte Brun and others.

Twenty-five years ago this month, Mr Woodbridge first sailed for Europe, for the improvement of his health, in company with the writer of this notice: and, n the intei vals of a severe and depressing dvsretic disorder, he displayed his devotion to the conscientious and philanthropic course which he afterwards deliberately adopted in the spirit of a missionary, often directing couversation to subjects which he subsequently prosecuted to a great degree. He also was one of the first passengers then known who ever attempted to practice religious services at sea, Among other of his experiments that might be mentioned, on crossing from Gibraltar to Algesiras, he orce engaged a motley company of Spaniards, Moors. &c. into an animated and interesting conversation in the language of natural signs.

After remaining some time in Sicily during the revo mion, and travelling through Italy, amidst scenes of war and contusion, which prevailed in 1821,_he spent several months in the middle countries of Enro, e. then and at several subsequent visits to the Old World, devoting his time to the collecting of information on education, and especially materials for h geograpy. He formed the acquaintance of many of the most liter ry, scientific and phi'anthropic men of Europe, whose respect he enjoyed; and he mace, at different times valuable communications to several foreign Magazines and other publications, chiefly on topics connected with the United States. With his return from his first foreign travels, we may date he commencement of the operations for the im provement of Common Schools in this country. For,

although he had before aroused much interest in Baron Fellenberg's institution at Holwyl, in Switz. erland. by the publication of a series of letters writ ten on the spot, and which contained almost every. thing that our countrymen have ever read on that subject. no cons derable attempt was made to produce any general e operation for the benefit of com mon education, until he made know his plans and commenced his operations.

The American Anuals of Education, which he conducted in Boston for a series of years under many difficulties, abounded in facts and suggest ons of the soundest kind; which were the ground work, as well as the exci ing cause of the movements successively made by the legis'atures of different States, and the friends of education who gradually arose in all quarters of the country. The conventions of teachers and others, in counties and larger districts, owed their plan and first impulses in a great measure to Mr. Woodbridge; as did the innumerable lyceums and other popular literary societies. He was one of the first to foresee opportunities to act in Massachusetts for the advantageous distribution of the money appropriated to the schoo's. and the most energetic in taking measures for that purpose. At every meeting held for the promotion of this favorite cause he was personally present, or represented by some valuable essay or other communication, and most of the enlightened and liberal proposals offered came from him or received his ardent support. He wrote the first letter on popular education in music, and incited and aided Messrs. Mason & Ives to attempt the introduction of that important science and art on modern principles. It is needless to remark on the extent to which their example has since been followed.

Mr. Woodbridge moved the first resolution, ever offered, recommending "the study of the Bible as a classic." The first Literary Convention in New York placed him at the head of a commutee on that subject, and he not only drew up, but gratuitously published and w dely circulated the report, which embraces, in a most distinct and forcible manner, the grand rguments in favor of that object, in a style which no man can read without admiration.No writer before or since has exceeded it; and in all the discussions which have since taken place, it would be as difficult to discover any new thought or argument, as t point at any other commencement of the steps which has led to them.

While thus engaged, through years of ill health, and all the difficulties and discouragements arising from very limited pecuniary means. Mr. WoodTM bridge, not only found strength to perform numerous journies, to carry on an extensive correspondence, to hold innumerable interviews with intelligent persous, and to devote money with a liberal hand for the pubre lenefit, but his heart and hand were ever open at the calls of philanthrophy. Few men, it is believed, have ever been more noble in giving, in proportion to their means.

Yet, strange as it now appears, when, as the result of his long, arduous and disinterested exertions, public interest was excited, and his plans were adopt. ed. nd men were called for to carry them into effect, he was never found in an office with a saJary; but places of all sorts, created for the improvement an extension of common education. were filed by men, whose faces were wholly strange to him and the small bend who had long labored in the parched field, who had gone to the war, and carried it brough, at their own charges." But those who value general results will not on this account, be dispose to depreciate the judicious, disinterested and persevering labors of Mr. Woodbridge. We hope our readers will do justice to his memory, and that young men especiaily, who read this brief memoir, which we have hastily written, with many a mournful recollection of a dear departed friend, will be encouraged to im tate an example, so full of duty to God, and love to man. -(N. Y. Express.)

THEO. DWIGHT, JR.

PUBLIC WINTER ENTERTAINMENT. Will some of our intelligent and public spirited readers ask themselves the question, whether they cannot make some arrangements, at the approach of the cold season, and the long winter evenings, for the provi sion of the rational enjoyment of their neigh bors or town-men? In years past many a pleasant and profitable evening party has been held among hills, valleys and plains, in different parts of the county, in hearing faniliar lectures on various subjects, sometimes illustrated by the exhibition of objects of different kinds; in collecting books for public. libraries, in distributing and reading them, or in listening to amicable discussions of well selected topics and of written communica tions, signed or anonymous.

When well lanned and conducted, such associations produce good effects, both moral, intellectual, and social. They promote harmony and good neighborhood while they assist in the education of all, and guard from temptation those whose leisure time might be otherwise dangerous to their character, habits, and prospects. It seems to be a plain duty for good persons to devise and pursue plans of this nature; and it is easy to invite meetings at the present time, and lay before them views like the following.

Extracts from a Lecture to the Young. "How gratifying is the sight, when the young persons of a community associate, to devote their leisure hours to the improvement of their minds! How much credit it gives to their character, the good principles inculcated by their parents and teachers; and how many favorable anticipations of the future!

What can cause more sincere regret to an experienced man-a well-wisher to his country, than to find the youth around him deaf to remonstrances of private friendship and public virtue, hurrying on in the pursuit of folly and vice? Too often have the best of our countrymen had to lament such melancholy symptoms of national decay, and to waste their good counsels and upright examples on heedless throngs of scoffing youth, passing down the slippery steep of speedy destruction.

But how is the heart of the intelligent patriot encouraged, when he hears bursting from the throngs of gay and ardent youth the cry: Which is the road to learning? Who will show us the gate of knowledge?' Many, my young friends, are the good and the virtuous around you. Many are ready to assist those who desire to learn.

I appear before you in their name, to say to the young persons who may enlist in this

commendable career, your enterprize is honorable, your views are enlightened, your objects are valuable, your success is certain, if your efforts be but well directed, and your perseverance sure.

It is easy to show how every good citizen, every member of every large and small community in our country, is interested in the intellectual and moral improvement of every other, and especially of the young. What renders property and life secure? Our countrymen must be intelligent enough to distinguish the right from the wrong, as well as virtuous enough to prefer the one to the other. Why are some parts of our country subject to crimes and disorders, while others are tranquil and safe? Why do not all our citiizens think and feel more alike, co-operate more heartily for the common good, and better understand than many de, that this is also the highest private interest?

In forming the plan of a popular literary association, a little precaution is necessary. Experience has plainly taught two things, through the history of the hundreds of such societies as have risen in our country at different times.

1st. That provision should be made for the employment of all. Every member should have some duty assigned him, and some opportunity to occupy his mind and to stimulate him to exertion.

When the society is large, let sections or departments, or committees hold separate meetings weekly, or at some other convenient periods, and pursue such different studies or exercises as they may prefer; and report the results at stated general meetings.

2d. Let the operations by no means be confined to one subject or form. Many a mere debating or lecture club has soon declined, and then there has been no way of saving it from dissolution. Some bave ceased after an expenditure of $1,000, 10.000, or 100,000; and others, now no more, live in the branches or scions which have sprung from them.

Every person within the hearing of my voice, I trust, approves of the objects and designs which have called us together. Ev ery one, I hope, feels convinced, that the pursuit of knowledge is honorable, that its session is valuable; yet, let me assure him, that its value surpasses his power to estimate it, and none can expect to value it in any adequate degree, until he has it in his posses

sion.

pos

Weather in Vermont.-The weather has been remarkably mild and pleasant here this season. One of our neighbors picked about a pint of red raspberries, last week. Strawberries were also in bloom last week. But Sunday night the weather caught a chill; and yesterday morning the snow was near an inch deep in the streets, and it stormed severely till about 10 o'clock, A. M. The tops of the Mountains have been a little white with snow once or twice before, this fall.Bennington Gaz. 11th November.

MISCELLANEOUS.

CURIOUS. Among the pageants at the coronation of Queen Mary, in 1553, was the following singular fact, related by Hollinshed:

"Then there was one Peter, a Dutchman, that stood on the weathercoke of Paul's steeple, (London.) holding a streamer in his hand of five yards long, and waving thereof, stood sometimes on the one foot and shooke the other, and then kneeled on his knees to the great marvel of all people.—He had made two scaffolds under him, one above the crosse, having torches and streamers set on it, and another over the ball of the crosse, likewise set with streamers and torches, which could not burne, the wind was so great. The said Peter had sixteen pounds thirteen shillings given him by the Citie for his costes and paines, and for all his stuffe."

OLD BIBLE. A perfect copy of the first edition of the English Bibie, printed by Miles Coverdale in 1535, was recently discovered in the bottom of an old oak chest, a Holkham Hall, England, the seat of the Earl of Leicester. There are numerous imperfect copies of this edition in existence, two being deposited in the library of the British Museum. one in the Bodleian library, and one in the Cambridge University li brary-but it is believed this is the only perfect copy in existence.-Con. Courant.

RARE BOOKS-A sale by auction took place a few weeks since in London, of a portion of the library of a nobleman, consisting of many rare and curious books. The sale excited an unusual degree of interest in consequence of there being includ ed in the sale one of the most splendid missals extant, with other books of costly value, entitled, Officium Christiferæ Virginis Maria secundum legem Ecclesiæ Parisiensis, a manuscript of the 16th century, in vellum. This most beautiful volume is writen in Roman characters, the paintings being most exquisitely finished, and the borders ornamented in the best style, with the devices and the mottoes of the family for whom it was executed. This bijou formerly belonged to Mr. Edwards, and was by far the most elegant and delicate of the illuminated offices he was ever able to procure. Dr. Di din has given a very ela. borate description of it, which is also noticed by Decameron, vol. 1., p. 180 1, as matchless. The bidding was very spirited, and eventually it was knocked down for

£135 to Mr. Rodd as was understood, for the British Museum. The Pentateuch (Tindal's version,) newly corrected and amended by W. T., the last leaf inlaid, but a very fine copy, with plates, 1534, extremely rare, sold for the large sum of £121. The Psalter, translated into English metre by Archbishop Parker, very rare, imprinted by J. Day, 1557, sold for 201. The New Testament, in Englyshe and in Latin of Erasmus, imprinted by W. Powell, 1549, sold for 401. The sale lasted three days, and realized a large sum of money.

AMERICAN TEA.-It appears from the Southern Planter that a successful attempt has been made in Virginia to cultivate the Chinese tea plant. Mr. N. Puckett, who has given considerable attention to the subject, is to have specimens of his tea at the Henrico agricultural fair, in November. We make the following extracts from Mr. P's letter concerning it:

The rolling of the leaf into the form in which it is brought from China, is wholly unnecessary, but, if it is desired, you have only to take the leaf after it is cleared of the stalk and partly dried, and, placing it between your finger and thumb, give tight squeeze.

a

Once in seed never out. After you have once sown the tea seed you will never lack for plan's; for, manage as you will, more seed will always fall upon the ground than would be necessary for any plant bed; they will be in the ground all the winter, and come up with every rain during the next summer, and you may either transplant them, or you may thin them out into rows at the proper distance. Thus, notwithstanding the dryness of the season, I have now volunteer plants in the greatest profusion and of the finest quality.

I assure you, sir, there is no reason in the world why the farmers and gardeners in the Southern States should not grow their own tea, and grace their tables with this delightful beverage. infinitely more pure and wholesome than can be obtained from the unknown adulterated stuff that comes from abroad.

Since the great flood in the Mississippi, last year, several kinds of fish, before unknown to the vicinity of St. Louis, are caught in great abundance in the river and the small streams running into it. One kind is a very handsome fish, with bright silvery. sides, reddish colored back, flat and broad,

resembling in shape the salt water shad; for want of a better name the fishermen call them flounders. Another kind resembles in appearance the pike, but is smaller and more delicate in its proportions, with a brownish circle or ring round its body near the gills; these are called ringed sturgeon. Both are excellent fish. The latter is free from and the former full of small wiry bones. Herring, precisely like those of Cape Fear, have also made their appearance in the waters at St. Louis. They run in shoals, and are easily taken with hook or seine. Shrimps are now caught in the small necks and streams near that city, with the seine, by bushels.

DIAMONDS.-While at Gainsville last week, we were shown two diamonds (one weighing, we believe, 3 and the other 33 carats,) which were found in a gold mine belonging to Doctor Banks. We also saw a more valuable Diamond found some time since, and which, having been cut in the form of a brilliant, and handsomely set in a breast-pin, is in possession of Doctor Daniell. We learn that the Geological formation of much of Hall county, is favorable for finding these gems. Athens (Ga.) Banner.

PATRICK'S COLT.-A gentleman who favors us with some reminiscences respecting the early settlement of this place-formerly old Derryfield, N. H.-relates the following anecdote:

"When my grandfather resided at Goff. stown and Derryfield, then settled by the Irish, he hired a wild sort of an Irishman to work on his farm. One day, soon after his arrival, he told him to take a bridle and go out in the field aud catch the black colt. 'Don't come back without him,' said the old gentleman. Patrick started and was gone some time, but at last returned minus the bridle, with his face and hands badly scratched. as if he had received rough treatment. Why Patrick, what is the, matter, what in the name of wonder ails you? | ?" 'An' faith, isn't it me, yer honor, that never catch the ould black coult again? bad luck to him. An' didn't he all but scratch me eyes out o' my head? An' faith as true

as me head's me own, I had to climb up a tree afther the coult! Climb a tree after him? Nonsense! Where is the beast?' 'An' it's tied to the tree, he is, to be sure, yer honor.' We all followed Patrick to the spot to get a solution of the difficulty, and on reaching the field, we found, to our no small amusement, that he had been chasing a

wear;

And the sky with c'ouds to cover, when the sun is glad and bright,

And to bury ev'ry nation in its old and deadly night;

And the youthful Easter morning, in its majesty sublime.

With the impious blade to scratch out from the almanack of time;

In the very bud to stifle revelations as they rise, Truth to overload with curses-honor to bestow on lies;

And to shriek throughout creation, yelling "Backwards!'-word profane,* And by form and rule to slaughter what the mind's exer ions gain;

And the hand on culture's dial to turn back, and check the tone

Of the silver bel of freedom, when it scarce bas sounded One;

And a code of laws to fashion, treating man but as a thing,

Which, as despots, they encompass with oppression's iron ring

Yes, a cove that makes the freeman a machine and nothing more,

And deprives the salt of savour, and forbids the mind to soar;

'Tis for this the Jesuits labour-'tis for this the dark. lings plan,

Whoan mpius game are playing with the holy mind of man:

But, ve brave and skilful miners, in your gloomy vaults beware,

Lest your own dread mines, exploding, hurl you thund'ring through the air.

* Und das ungeheure "Rückwärts" hinzurächzen durch die Welt.