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tion, who, for hundreds of miles, can receive from Foo-Choo-Foo all their supplies by water carriage, and carry the produce of their industry there for sale or barter, at much cheaper rates than to their present market, Canton-and we see advantages which must insure to this port a large portion of the foreign trade of the country. It has been calculated, though brobably the amount is exaggerated, that the transport of teas from this district to Canton costs about four taels per picul. Upon the middling qualities of Congou, this would be from 20 to 25 per cent; but even set it down only at one half, and there is a saving, which must sooner or later render this the principal port for the shipment of black teas. Upon imports of all kinds the carriage is equally great, and upon heavy or bulky articles even more than what we now

state.

As yet, no vessels with cargoes have entered the port, and the information we have been able to glean from the late visitor, cannot be implicitly relied on. It has, however, been carefully collected, by a person having favorable opportunities; and if it is more meagre than could be desired, those who are acquainted with the uncommunicative disposition of the Chinese, will not be astonished at its being so incomplete. Previous to Mr. Lay's settlement, there was little known of this place; Mr. Lindsay, who visited it in the "Lord Amherst," in 1834, calculated that 150,000 piculs of teas might be shipped annually-this is more than one fourth of the entire shipment from China; and now the quantity is probably increased. The infor mation supplied by this gentleman, which is in a great degree conjectural, and that contained in the narrative of an expedition made by Mr. Gutzlaff and the Rev. Edwin Stevens, who in 1835, in a European boat, courageously ran a hundred miles up the river, were captured, liberated, and allowed to escape, after having violated the laws of the country, and only escaped decapitation, through the humanity of their captors, is nearly all that was known until lately of this interesting portion of China. This narrative will be found in the 4th volume of the Chinese Repository, and is one of the many interesting papers which, at the period, were published in that periodical.

BIRDS' NESTS.

The construction of birds' nests is well worthy of attention. It presents us much variety, and makes us acquainted with a surprising number of materials, and modes of arrangement and combination, and adaptation to circumstances. It is a subject which has attracted much attention from naturalists, and they have many useful instructions to give us, in the formation of conclusions drawn from the facts which they have collected. Some of them have ranged birds in classes, according to the modes in which

they prepare their nests: as, burrowers, miners, masons, tailors, felt-makers, &c. To a considerable degree the nidification, or something connected with it, is characteristic of genus or species, so that the sight of a nest often indicates, to a scientific the eye, bird to which it belongs.

There is something so attractive to the young in the nest of an innocent bird, that nothing but opportunity is necessary to fix their attention upon it. Yet, to give them. the habit of observation through life, on this as on every other subject, example and instruction will be required. Whatever the parent regards with indifference, or destroys, the child will soon be apt to look upon, and to treat in the same manner. Whatever, on the other hand, has been treated with interest and tenderness before the eye of childhood, will generally find favor with the man. We may, therefore, confidently assure the parent, who is solicitous for the training of his children in a safe and selfimproving course for life, that one of the most effectual means at his command is the inculcation of a proper regard for the animal creation. The young should have the aid of example and instruction, in learning some of the wonders and beauties which abound in natural history, while they should be taught lessons of practical humanity in their treatment of the inferior animals.

On page 72 of the American Penny Magazine; (No. 5,) we give a view on the banks of the River St. Lawrence, with some remarks on the country and the people. We copy from Chambers' Journal the following description:

"A Run Down the Rapids.

"There are three ways of getting from Kingston to Montreal: that most frequently adopted is by the St. Lawrence, which is navigated by steamers, except in those parts where it is broken by rapids; these are passed in stages, over roads nearly as uneven as the water which runs along-side. Another route is by the Ottawa river and Rideau canal; it is considerably longer than the former, and at this season of the year not very tempting, as many of the lakes through which it is necessary to pass, swarm with mosquitoes, which invariably pay strangers the most assiduous attention.

"On Thursday last, at two P. M. I found myself and baggage under weigh in the steamer Chalotte, seventeen horse-power: a Lilliputian compared with the ordinary lake and river boats, but capable of affording stowage for a considerable number of passengers and a valuable cargo of flour. This was formerly the only route either for ascending or

descending the river; but of late years, since the introduction of steamboats, the other routes have been opened, and the old method, the barges, has been abandoned.

"On leaving Kingston, we entered the lake of the Thousand Islands, which number, I imagine, they greatly exceed. In size, they vary from rocks just large enough to support a single bush, to islands of several miles in extent. The greater number are granite rocks, which rise abruptly from the water; but others are nearly flat; and all are thickly covered with stunted trees and brushwood. I have had the good fortune to see them in nearly every season, and under a variety of circumstances; but would recommend, as the most favorable period for visiting this fairy region, a still evening in autumn, when the leaf begins to change, and the bright red of the maple mingles with the green of its more hardy brethren of the forest. It was here that the pirate Bill Johnson established his head-quarters during the disturbances of 1839-39, and where he continued to elude every attempt that was made to take hima fact which will not surprise those who have once passed through this labyrinth of rocks.

"As we were anxious to see all of the principal rapids, which we expected to approach by day-break, we retired early to our berths, formed of shelves fastened to the sides of the cabin, which during the daytime were taken down and stowed away. Our party appeared on deck soon after four next morning, and we found ourselves approaching the "Long Sault." An island divides the river here into two channels; that on the American side is alone navigated; and the occasional peeps which we had of the other, satisfied us that, if we had not chosen the most picturesque, we had at least taken that which was the least dangerous. The Long Saul is nine miles in length; the south channel for the most part runs between steep and thickly wooded banks, the water running smoothly, though rapidly; occasionally there is a little hubbub, but not sufficient to alarm the most timid voyager. Barges are sometimes wrecked on this rapid, being forced on shore by the current when passing some of the short turns which so frequently occur in this channel.

"After passing this rapid, we entered Lake St. Francis, a shallow lake, with flat banks, and a few rushy islands. To the south may be seen some of the high lands in the State of New York, which make a picturesqe of what would otherwise be a most monotonous scene. We now also got into the French country, and could distinguish the small whitewashed houses of the Canadians. At Coteau-du-lac we took in a pilot, the most dangerous rapids being below this place. The first, the Coteau rapid, was passed without danger or difficulty; and though the water was foaming all around us, we threaded through where it was comparatively smooth.

"The next rapid, the Cedars, is very dan

gerous on account of its shallowness. The rocks are easily discernible by the change of color in the water, which appears of a reddish hue. When approaching the most dangerous part, the engine was stopped for about a minute. The channel here passes over rocks; and there being but a few inches between the bed of the river and the bottom of the vessel, the slightest error in steering would cause certain destruction. This rapid is something less than three miles in length, and the fall thirty-two feet: the distance was run in eight minutes. The next rapid, the Cascades, was more boisterous than any we had yet passed through; the steamer bent like a rod; but as there was plenty of water, and no rocks, there was no cause for alarm. At the bottom of this rapid, the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers meet, but do not unite: the clear green of the St. Lawrence contrasts advantageously with the reddish slate color of the Ottawa; the line dividing their waters is perfectly distinct, and as straight as if drawn with a ruler.

"We now took in an Indian to pilot us down the Lachine rapids; he came off in a canoe with several others from the Indian village of Caughnawaga, the only striking feature of which is a church with a glittering tin spire. The rapids we were now approaching are by far the most boisterous on the river, and the most difficult to navigate: though, with a skilful pilot, they are perhaps less dangerous than the Cedars, as there is plenty of water in the channel, the only difficulty being to keep within it. As we approached, the passengers were made to sit down, that they might not intercept the view of the pilot. The Indian and three others stood at the helm; the current became more and more rapid, but was still smooth; the engine was eased then stopped; we saw the breakers under the bows-a sudden plunge, and we were in the midst of them. Rocks appeared on every side, and it seemed impossible that we could escape driving upon some of them. Suddenly the helmsman sprung across the vessel, which as quickly obeyed the directing power. This, however, seemed but a momentary respite, as others, equally menacing, appeared directly before us; but these were also skilfully avoided, and we passed them without injury. The water was in the greatest possible state of agitation: rushing with fearful rapidity, it is intercepted by rocks, which causes it to boil and foam as if raging at the opposition they offer to its course. The vessel is hurried along by the current, and knocked about in every possible way by the irregular sea which is produced by the diversity of currents. One of the boatmen, who was sitting near me on the deck, appeared highly excited; he half raised himself by resting on one hand, watched the course the boat was taking with an expression of the most intense anxiety, and turning each moment to the helm, appeared ready to spring to it, as if he feared the four men already at it would not

be able to move it quick enough. He was an old man, who knew the channel, and was consequently well aware how much depended on the skilful management of the helm. The Indians pass these rapids in canoes: a few years since one was upset, and several persons drowned-a circumstance which will not surprise any one who has once gone down them: it is far more surprising that any who attempt to pass them in such a manner should do so in safety.

"This route will probably become very popular, as all idea of danger has already nearly vanished. At present, it takes about twenty-four hours to perform the distance (200 miles;) but with boats of greater power, it must be done in nearly half that time."

JUVENILE DEPARTMENT.

SOCIETIES OF LEARNED MEN.

Some of the boys and girls who read the last Penny paper will expect to hear about scientific and useful societies, or companies of men, who meet and talk about curious stones, plants, animals, &c.

In New York we have several. The Historical Society was formed about thirty years ago, and was very small for a long time; but now they have many thousands of books, placed in a large room in the University, where they meet on the first Tuesday evening of every month, to hear something of what the white people or Indians did many years ago. You might often see piles of books which have been sent to them, or carved stones, Indian pipes, arrow-heads, and other curiosities on the table.

The Lyceum of Natural History has thousands of stones, seeds, shells, insects, mammoths' teeth, &c. from different countries. There is not a stone you could pick up, or a leaf of a tree, or any strange bird, fish, or butterfly, that you could carry to them, but some of the members of the society could tell you what it was, what it was food for, where it came from, &c. Then they could go to their library, and take down books that would tell you all about it. They get all the books and papers which are printed in other countries about such things, and read them, and grow more learned every week.

Then we have the American Institute, which has a large room in the Park, where are always to be seen many curious machines and tools, with seeds of useful plants, and many other things. Here the Farmers' Club meet, to talk about raising different crops, cattle, &c.; and the manufacturers, artizans, and scientific men, to talk about melting iron and other metals, and making

them into different things. In the autumn, the Institute have their great Fair and Exhibition at Niblo's, when there is a splendid show of manufactures, vegetables, &c.

The way to form a society is this: One boy or one man must begin it. He must find another who is willing to join him, and they must talk to others. If they meet with some who do not care about it, or who laugh at them, they must not be discouraged, but say to one another: "It is a good thing to join together to learn, and all our friends will think so too by and by." Then they must invite all who are friendly to it, to come together, and make one chairman and another secretary. They should have a constitution written, and by-laws to keep everything regular; then appoint officers, and committees on different subjects, determine when to meet, and have reports made, papers read, &c.

One of the first things that each should determine to do is, to try to prevent any disagreement; for many a society has been broken up by one or two conceited, impatient, or meddlesome members. It is just as it is in a family, a neighborhood, a town, a state, and a conntry: all should mind the Bible rules-"Let none think more highly of himself than he ought to think," and "Do unto others as ye would that they should do unto you."

I shall tell you next week how some boys began to make such societies some years

ago.

How they get Tar and Turpentine.

Extract of a Letter to the Editor.

The principal pursuit of the inhabitants, in many places near the sea coast of the southern states, is that of getting turpentine. It is made from the pines which there abound, almost to the exclusion of

every other forest tree. Many persons

have no other means of a livelihood than this employment, especially those of the poorer classes.

As soon as the sap begins to run in the season, a notch is made near the root of the tree, to catch the turpentine. This is called boxing the tree. Then it is dipped out, generally with a simple gourd, into buckets, which are emptied into the barrels on the spot. These are ready for market as soon as they are filled.

Another small portion of the tree is then pared off, and the sap again descends freely into these receptacles. Under this operation a pine will usually live for six or seven years, and is used in this manner

until it is thus deprived of its bark and a small portion of its trunk, to the height of ten or fifteen feet.

One man, it is calculated, will attend to 7000 boxes in a season, and will collect from 100 to 130 barrels of turpentine in a year.

The old trees, when they can yield no more turpentine, are cut up into small pieces, and then piled in heaps to make tar, which is only turpentine heated and smoked. The whole is then covered carefully with dirt, and a smothered fire is kept up beneath. As the wood slowly burns out, the tar runs from beneath into gutters prepared for its reception.

While burning, the kiln is carefully watched, day and night. One hundred barrels of tar are usually made at one burning. When the kiln is burned out, the charcoal still remains from the wood, and becomes also an article of use and value.

How wisely are the provisions of Providence adapted to the good of man! Thus pine, growing as it does on the poorest of lands, affords support to thousands of per

sons.

How useful is the tree! It produces the turpentine, and, when worn out for this purpose, tar and coal are obtained from it; from the wood are made, also, the barrels to convey the tar and turpentine to market. The whole process is carried on in the very forests where nature has planted this beautiful tree.

The road in those regions often runs for miles through these pine woods; and I know of no sight more singular, than for the eye to rest upon these trees, thus rising up on every hand, and naked, and stripped for many feet from the ground.

In their resemblance, the imagination figures many things. I have often beheld them silent and majestic, and thought they resembled an immense army, drawn out in columns, and at rest. At night, especially by clear moonlight, the scene becomes impressive. There they stand, naked, and white, and solemn, like the tomb-stones of some vast grave-yard, impressing the mind. with serious and profitable reflections.

Good Sayings and Short Maxims.

For the Use of Young Mothers. Rise so early in the morning that you may be able to secure at least half an hour for reading the Scriptures and prayer before your domestic concerns require your attention. You will find this exercise admirably adapted

to prepare and strengthen you to encounter, with a becoming temper and spirit, the trials and vexations of the day.

Accustom your children to make prayers and praise to God, the giver and preserver of life, the first employment in the morning and the last at night. Remember that the duties of a mother are untransferrable; therefore, except in cases of unavoidable necessity, never suffer the devotional exercise of your children to be superintended by another.

See that your daughters rise early, and that they employ themselves about such domestic affairs as are suited to their years and capacities.

Never suffer your children to require services from others which they can perform for themselves. A strict observance of this rule will be of incalculable advantage to them through every period of life.

Let all the young members of your family be regularly washed and combed before breakfast; never permit them to treat you with so much disrespect as to appear at your table in a slovenly condition. It should ever be remembered that the highest respect which a child can pay is due to its parent. This respect may be insured by forming correct habits in youth.

"Resist in time - all medicine is but pay,

When the disease has strengthened by delay." Never overload either the plates or the stomachs of your children; give them sufficient and suitable food. Recollect "milk is for babes, and strong meat for men.'

Selected.

The Unicorn Discovered.-A recent number of the "Journal Asiatique" (published in Paris,) states that Mr. Fresnel the profound Orientalist, now French Consul at Jedda, in Arabia, has published a notice of the existence of the real Unicorn in the wilds of Hadramaut. This strange beast has a single horn attached to its head by a joint, through which it can elevate or depress its horns at pleasure; remarkably confirming Psalms 92, 10, where it speaks of the "horn being exalted like the horn of the Unicorn."

CAST-IRON BUILDINGS IN CHINA.-The German missionary Gutzlaff, has visited a cast iron pagoda in China, 1200 years old. It is graceful and adorned with bas reliefs.

Prof. Von Raumer, in a lecture in the University of Berlin, has exposed the foolish fashion of corrupting the German language by the introduction of unnecessary foreign words. He might find work of the same kind in English.

A fortune-teller died recently in Paris, leaving a large property and many letters written to her by persons of rank. The letters were burnt at her request. Superstition is a natural companion of ignorance and vice.

POETRY.

Ancient Poetry-on Monastic Life. Was it for this the breath of Heaven was blown Into the nostrils of this heavenly creature? Was it for this that sacred Three in One

Conspired to make this quintescence of nature?
Did Heavenly Providence intend
So rare a fabric for so poor an end?

Was man, the highest masterpiece of nature,
The curious abstract of the whole creation,
Whose soul was copied from his great Creator,
Made to give light, and set for observation,

Ordained for this: to spend his light

In a dark lantern, cloistered up in night?

Tell me, recluse monastic, can it be

A disadvantage to thy beams to shine?
A thousand tapers may gain light from thee:
Is thy light less or worse for lightning mine?
If, wanting light, I stumble, shall

Thy darkness not be guilty of my fall?
*

*

*

*

*

Make not thyself a prisoner, that art free:
Why dost thou turn thy palace to a jail?
Thou art an eagle; and befits it thee

To live immured like a cloistered snail!

Let toys seek corners; things of cost
Gain worth by view; hid jewels are but lost.

My God! my light is dark enough at lightest;
Increase her flame, and give her strength to shine:
'Tis frail at best; 'tis dim enough at brightest;
But 'tis her glory to be foiled by thine.

Let others luik; my light shall be
Proposed to all men, and by them to Thee.

A Prayer.

O God! how high and bright a throne
Is that thou bidst me seek in prayer!
Though friends desert and leave me lone,
I ever find a refuge there.

A peaceful refuge: sadness, pain,

Or present want, or coming gloom, Can never in despair enchain,

While there I find the humblest roomRoom but to bow with downcast eye, And dust enough my face to hide, With strength to raise a feeble cry: "Unclean! Restore me, purified!"

Receipts from an old Cookery Book.

Soft Gingerbread.-5 cups of flour, 3 of molasses, 1 of sour milk, 1 tea-spoonful of pearlash, 1 table-spoonful of ginger, and a few cloves.

Hard Gingerbread.-1 lb. of butter, 1 lb. of sugar, 1 pint of milk, 4 eggs, 1 tea-spoonful of pearlash, and flour enough to make it stiff.

Ginger Snaps.-3 lbs. of flour, 1 lb. of sugar, 1 pint of molasses, 3-4 lb. of butter 1 tea-spoonful of pearlash, 1-4 lb. of ginger, and a little spice at choice.

Muffins.-1 lb. of flour, 1 pint of milk, 2 eggs, 1 gill of yeast, 2 ounces of butter-beat them well-bake them quickly.

Crullers.-2 lbs. of flour, 3-4 lb. of-butter, 8 eggs, leaving out half the whites.

Sponge Cake.-lb. of flour, 1 lb. of sugar, 10 eggs, some lemon-peel, and the juice of half a lemon. Boil the yolks and whites of the eggs separately.

LACONICS.

Ladies of fashion starve their happiness to feed their vanity.

A Christian profession saves many a good name in this life, but never a soul in the next. Working men-let your sweat-drops wash all dishonesty from your gains.

Of much speaking cometh repentance, but in silence is safety.

On the heels of folly treadeth shame.

He who hath found a virtuous wife, hath a greater treasury than costly pearls. "She openeth her mouth in wisdom, and on her lips is the law of kindness."

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The tears of the compassionate are sweeter than dew drops, falling from roses upon the bosom of the earth.

Industry and economy will get rich, while sagacity and intrigue are laying their plans. A bankruptcy of moral principle is the worst bankruptcy that can be imagined.

Trust him little who praises all, him less who censures all, and him least who is indifferent about all.-Selected.

APPOINTMENT BY THE CHRISTIAN ALLIANCE. -At a meeting of the Board of Councillors of the Christian Alliance, held in the Methodist Buildings, No. 200 Mulberry street, New York, January 16th, 1845, the Rev. Washington Roosevelt was unaninmously appointed Financial Secretary of the Society.

SPENCER H. CONE, V. President, Chairman.
EDWIN HOLT, Corresponding Secretary.
THOMAS S. SOMERS, Recording Secretary.

Oncota, or Red Race of America, A series of Pamphlets, by Henry R. Schoolcraft, Esq. Nos. 1 to 5, (to be continued,) for sale at this office. This is an original, valuable, and highly interesting work, superior to anything before published. Twentyfive cents each number, or one dollar for five.

THE AMERICAN PENNY MAGAZINE AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER, Is published weekly, at the office of the New York Express, No. 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 one cent a number for all parts of the State, or within 100 miles of the city, and one and a half cents for greater distances. Personsf orwarding 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. By the quantity, $2 a hundred. The work will form a volume of 832 pages annually.

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