Lago Maggiore. Who has not heard this beautiful sheet of water described in historic tale, or romantic legend? Its principal charm, however, is its wonderful natural beauty, which a love of art has contributed in no small degree to enhance and celebrate. It is an object of travel to men of leisure, affords many a rich scene for the painter's glowing canvass, and is desired by all those whose fancy has been fired by descriptions of its beauties. The climate is mild--the heat even in summer is seldom oppressive, and the rich variety of scenery is unsurpassed. On the north rise the Swiss Alps, and farther south the rich and luxuriant fields of Italy burst on the view, forming a paradise brighter than the brightest creation of the Poet's fancy. The eye, too, is delighted with the variety of natural wonders which are developed, as you follow the windings of this beautiful lake; first, you behold the sublime crown of mountains by which it is partially encircled; below is seen Mount Rosa, on the bank of Laveno, and, far away in the distant blue, Mount Simplon towers in solitary grandeur, wood-crowned heights overhang the clear waters, beautiful villages rest on the sides of the sloping hills, stately towers rise, and blooming gardens wreathe the Italian shore. The lake is bounded on the north by the Swiss Canton, Tessin, on the east by the Lombardin district, and on the west by the Kingdom of Sardinia; thus three states claim a right in this Dorado. On the north, the Ticino brings down its tribute from the Alps; on the east, the Toccia contributes the melted snows from the glacier sources of the Simplon ; and on the west the Tresa brings the sparkling waters of the Luganor Sea. Lago Maggiore is about nine miles in length from north to south, and in this distance it describes three beautiful curves: its southern outlet is through the Ticina which flows into the Po. The breadth varies much, and thus contributes greatly to its beauty; between Raveno and Laveno, where a number of Islands form a small Archipelago, it stretches to about a mile and a half, but in the southern part, between Arona and Angera, it is only 1200 paces. Of the islands scattered over its glassy surface, the Borromeo isles are worthy of particular notice; they are four in number, their names are Isola San Giovanni, Isola Pescadore, Isola Bella, and Isola Madre: the last two are spots of incomparable beauty. Isola Bella was originally a naked rock, but by the care and labor of the Borromeo family, it has been transformed into a blooming island; the toil and labor it must have cost to cover it with rich soil, and adorn it with all the plants and flowers congenial to that clime, cannot well be imagined; indefatigable perseverance, however, has converted the naked rock into a blooming garden, and it stands as a monument of the skill and taste of those by whom it has been made to smile. The island rises in the form of a pyramid in regular terraces from the bosom of the lake, and is adorned with a palace of singular beauty. The rarest trees and plants abound; Palms, groves of Olive, clumps of Orange, Laurel, Pomegranate, and Cypress rise there, bowers of Jasmine, Myrtle, Roses, and Wine grapes, varied with green spots, where bubbling fountains send forth their pearly watersmagnificent statues embellish the scene, and golden pheasants charm the eye with their rich plumage. Smaller, less dazzling, but still lovelier is Isola Madre: all the plants of the former isle, with the addition of the Fig and Cactus abound there, and a palace of more exquisite beauty rises in the midst. The view of the lake, when Chestnuts, Mulberries and Olives are ripening on its banks, is one of indescribable beauty. -Prot. Union. HAVE SOME OBJECT IN VIEW.-Constituted as mankind is, no human being can be happy without some object in view. A person brought up in a maze of folly, with a fortune at his command, and without any regular business, is one of the most miserable creatures on God's footstool. The beggar on a dunghill is a prince to him. Young men who dream that it would be a fine thing to have riches showered upon them, know not what they desire. If you have no object in view--are not engaged in any steady pursuit or employment, we know you must be miserable. When we look back upon the past, our heart is filled with unutterable gratitude, to know that we were born in poverty and had to jostle our way in the world.--SEL. LAMENT OF A MOTHER FOR THE A dew-drop on a withered leaf, I fondly hoped that thou would'st be Care not how soon with thee I lie ;- The beam that lights the crystal tear Upward again to heaven it goes- me, And thy pale lips so sweetly smiled, As if death wore no frown for thee: And then-(Oh God! why hast thou dealt Such anguish to the widow's breast?) While mutely by thy couch I knelt, And thy cold cheek to mine was prest, Without a sigh, without a groan, Thy spirit fled-my son! my son! Thou art in yonder heaven now, A cherub near th' Eternal throneOh! teach my heart to bear the blow That leaves me here on earth alone! I should not weep-but tears will flow, Whene'er my thoughts are backward cast; That thou art blessed I know-I knowBut ah! I can't forget the past! I can't forget that I'm bereft Of all that formed my solace here; Nought, nought in life, to me is left But frenzy's dream, and memory's tear! Come, on the wings of slumber, come Thou bright one! from thy place of rest! Descend from thine eternal home, Again to soothe thy mother's breast!Dispel these clouds of doubt and gloom That gather round the mourner's brow; Tell her of hope beyond the tomb O, be her guardian angel now! I'll not provoke thy wrath, my God! But nature speaks in anguish still; These burning tears I cannot smother; There is a voice in every gush Proclaims I am-no! was-a mother! Death! thou hast quenched the only beam That glimmered on life's stormy wave; Thou'st left me child ess on the stream That rushes darkly to the grave:; Yet, yet, I triumph o'er thee, Earth, And rise above thy poor control, ́ Thy touch may chill the ebbing breathThou can'st not quell th' immortal soul! And while the tempest round me rages, I know there's rest, at last, in heaven; My faith is on the Rock of Ages, The glorious Promise God hath given. [Selected. Hope. Hope on, frail mortal; what though thy path be rugged, and strewed with thorns ?-thou hast orly to persevere, and thy reward awaits thee. Many days and nights, perchance years, hast thou struggled with adversity. Thou hast said in thine heart, wo is me-wherefore was I born? Hope then whispered--Persevere before thee lies thy reward. What though thou art poor, despised by those, it may be, who are thy inferiors in all save wealth? What matters it, that thy short life is exposed to the rude blasts of adverse fortune, if at last thou art crowned with immortality, which those who rudely push thee from them think not of. Hope on, then, in thy poverty-be honest in thy humility--aspire to be truly great, by being truly good.-SEL. A GOOD RULE.-It is always a good rule to follow, to step in no path-to speak no word, to commit no act, when conscience appears to whisper, beware. You had better wait a twelvemonth and learn your duty, than take a hasty step, and bring tears and repentance to a dying day. How many a lost man might have been saved, had he listened to an inward monitor and resisted the first inclination to deviate from the holy path of rectitude. See far away before you, and on either side, the ground whitened with the bones and sinews of millions who have perished ignobly in the march of life. They resisted the spirit of truth, and fell. They trusted to themselves, and sunk at the outset. Take warning by them. Could their bones live, breathe, and speak, how earnestly would they appeal to you. They would compel you, as it were, to pursue a virtuous course, that your end might be joyous and not degraded.-SEL. NATURAL HISTORY. Instructions on the best mode of Collecting, Preserving and Transporting Objects of Natural History. BY THE DIREC TORS OF THE FRENCH MUSEUM OF NAT. HIST. (ABRIDGED FROM M. VATTEMAR'S PAMPHLET FOR DWIGHTS' AM. MAGA.) These instructions are divided naturally into three chapters, corresponding to the three kingdoms of nature; each part has been prepared by such of the professors as it especially concerns. The instructions will make known 1. The manner of collecting and preparing objects of Natural History. 2. The choice and form of the notes which should accompany them. 3. An indication of those which are more particularly wished for. As soon as the objects prepared as here directed, have been placed in case, these cases must be closed in the best possible manner and covered with pitch or tar on their whole surface; so that neither air nor moisture can penetrate. After this they must be enveloped in oilcloth, and then put on board ship, in such places as will be likely not to be disturbed till their arrival, and as far from the heat and vermin as possible. Glass bottles should be packed in wood. en boxes well filled with tow and seaweed; and arranged so that they will run no risk of breaking; objects which may be spoiled by liquids in the glass bottles, should they happen to break, should not be placed with them. When a package has been sent, information should be given directly, with the statement of the number and weight of the boxes, of the ship by which they are sent, the time of sailing, and the port to which they are bound. These statements should be made in time, so that boxes may be sealed at the Custom House and not be opened until they arrive at Paris. It is evident that if living animals or vegetables are sent, the time necessary for the voyage should be calculated and the speediest and safest conveyance chosen. CHAP. 1. Mineralogy and Geology. Minerals are found either in regular and geometrical forms, when they are called crystals, or in more or less irregular mass Others compose salient imbedded in rock. groups; others are Specimens of each of these three states should if possible be procured; with regard to crystals enveloped in surrounding matter, particles of this matter should be detached with them, so that the different materials which accompany them may be observed. Also portions of the masses composed of needles and fibres, or granulous or compact, having care to choose them fresh and free from those alterations that take place in these at the surface. The metallic mines should call the attention of travellers. They will observe if they are in parallel beds with the surrounding rocks or in clefts called veins which cross the bed. In detaching pieces from these mines, care should be taken to leave around the principal metal portions of other metals which may be associated with them, or stony substances which often accompany crystals. It is to be desired for the progress of historic and technical mineralogy that pieces of stone should be selected which are most commonly used in the construction of public monuments and houses; and the most authentic samples should be procured of all the mineral substances employed in the useful and ornamental arts: such as sharpening stones, stones for ovens, stones to polish with, and stones for potteries; having care to indicate the kinds of earth and stones which enter into the composition of each kind of pottery; whether minerals are indigenous or exotic, it must be particularly mentioned whence they come. If organic remains should be found in these earths, such as the bones of animals, shells, impressions of fish or vegetables, samples should be taken with care from these different bodies, leaving around them a portion of the earth or stone in which they are imbedded. In case these earths should offer traces of volcanic origin, pieces will be taken of each substance ejected by the explosions, some of a stony nature, some as basalts, some as glass, some as obsidiennes, some scoriæ, etc. For those which are prisms, care must be taken to remark the form of these prisms and the extent they occupy in the earth. To each sample should be attached a ticket indicating the name of the country where they were found, the particular spot from which they were taken, the distance and situation of some neighbouring known town from it, the nature and appearance of the country and its elevation above the sea. Wherever mineral waters shall be found, care will be taken to fill a bottle, to cork and cement it closely. On all coasts and islands where vessels stop, travellers can land and procure objects with little trouble, which, having little value in themselves, become instructive and interesting by the simple annotations which accompany them. Wherever a rock is seen to rise, should it be in the water or land, it should be observed if it is all of the same substance or homogeneous or compound, or formed of different beds. In the first case a fragment must be detached, in the second case, they will observe the relative position of the beds, their inclination and thickness; and take a sample of each of the beds, and put the same mark on all the pieces coming from the same mountain, and a number on each to indicate the order of their position or reciprocal situation. If the person who procures these samples could make a simple sketch, to show the form of the mountain, the thickness and inclination of its layers, he would render an essential service. In case the rock is an isolated one, it is useful to examine and sketch on both sides to be more certain of the inclination of the beds. It would be well to gather some sand from the bottoms of rivers; above all those which have metallic dusts; but this sand must be taken as far from the mouth of the river as possible. In some countries are found isolated masses to which the people attribute a singular origin; pieces must be taken: perhaps they are aerolites; others may be transported by the revolutions of the globe. The merit of geological collections being principally in the knowledge of local circumstances in which each sample is taken, it is indispensable to join to these collections well-arranged catalogues. They will repeat the numbers of the samples and directions written on the labels; all details should be inserted which may give a complete idea of the strata which have been observed, and sketches and drawings taken on the spot should be placed either in the margin or the body of the books. It would be well to have duplicates of the catalogues. One of them pressed between two pieces of board well tied, should be placed on the top of one of the boxes, the others should be addressed directly to M. Vattemare. [These are the chief directions on minerals.] CHAP. II. Botany. The botanical riches of the museum are composed: 1. Of living vegetables cultivated in the garden. 2. Of the collection of dry plants or herbals, of the different parts of plants dried and in alcohol, such as woods, fruits, etc., and of all the products of the vegetable kingdom that are capable of preservation. 3. Of the collection of fossil plants. Living Plants. To promote the progress of science, agriculture, and horticul ture, it is important to collect in a central garden, like that of Paris, the greatest num. ber of living plants possible. The transportation of the roots, underground bulbs and tubercles, such as those of the lily tribe, irides, dioscarea, land or chides, aroidees, gesneria, of many of the Oxalis, Trospoculum, etc., is easily effected by packing these parts carefully in dy moss, or very dry sand, with which the box should be filled up; the parasitic or chides or epyphites, with green bulbs, can be sent in wooden boxes, pierced with little holes, and kept dry; all the old leaves. should be taken off, as, in their decay, they cause dampness, and the roots wrapped in dry moss or cloth. The same means may be used for the pulpy plants, such as the cactus: any dry flexible substance, not subject to dampness, as hair, wool, etc., may be used to pack them. These pulpy plants, if large, should be separated from the others, so that they may not be tainted by their de cay. For the transportation of living plants, neither pulpy or tuberculous, it is necessary to place them in glazed boxes of a peculiar construction, first invented and used in England, by M. N. Ward. The bottom should not touch the deck, but must be raised some centimetres by the feet on the four corners, so that the sea water may not damp the box. A bed of clayey earth moist enough to stick to the bottom, is first put in the box; then a layer of earth, mined if possible with vegetable decay of 15 or 20 centimetres; the plants are embedded in this earth either in pots or wicker baskets. Seeds, especially of the kinds that preserve with difficulty their germinating power, may be sown among these plants, such as those of the palms, laurels, oaks, several conifers, roses. etc. Plants put in these boxes should have good roots, and not taken directly from the country. In case they are, time should be given them to take root, before closing the box. [To be Continued. Health. Description of the Water Cure.' The Cold-Water process is calculated, by its severity, to startle patients of weak constitutions or nervous temperaments. It commences daily, between 3 and 4 o'clock in the morning, by being enclosed first in a linen sheet dripping wet with cold spring water. Then a woolen blanket is put round the body. Then a feather bed is laid over you. Then the patient falls into a gentle slumber, from which, in fifteen minutes, he is awakened in a profuse perspiration, and smoking like a coal pit. He remains for threequarters of an hour in this state, drinking two glasses of spring water in that time; and then goes wrapped up in the sheet and blanket to the bath-room, throws off his wrappers and plunges into a cold bath! After remaining a few minutes in the cold bath, he gets out, wraps up in the blankets, goes to his bed-room, and is rubbed dry, dresses, and then walks less or more as he has strength and inclination, returning at 7 o'clock with a fine appetite for breakfast. At 11 o'clock, the Patient goes to a Fountain for shower bathing. Here a stream of water, from a height of fifteen feet, directly from a cold spring, falls upon the neck and runs down the spine for several minutes, after which you are rubbed with the flesh brush or hair mittens, then wiped dry, dress and read or take gentle exercise till Dinner. During the afternoon, Patients take a "Hip Bath," and on going to bed, a "Foot Bath." Patients drink from twenty to thirty glasses of spring water daily. Some drink a dozen before breakfast. Strict attention is paid to Diet. The breakfast consists of Bread, Butter, Milk and Fruit, Dinner, of a joint of Fresh Meat, with Vegetables; Tea, of Bread, Milk and Fruit. Salt Meats, Spices, Wine, Coffee, Tea, &c &c., are prohibited. Professor Longfellow is among the Patients. The Patients soon not only cease to dread the cold-water, but go to their ablutions with alacrity and pleasure. Many of them are, and all believe themselves, recovering. Of the great virtues of cold water, nobody doubts. Nor is there any doubt of the efficacy of a rigid course of dieting. I had not expect ed to find so simple a remedy for so many of the "ills that flesh is heir to," nor am I satisfied that such a remedy has been We will not vouch for the accuracy of the calculations below; but we will vouch for this that any man who will make the calculations for himself will be perfectly astounded by the enormous results. The importance of figures was demonstrated a short time since by a bargain made between a railroad clerk and a traveller. "Mr. Clerk, what will you carry me 50 miles up the river for" says the traveller. "What will you give ?" was the reply. "Will you give me one kernel of corn for the first mile, two for the next, four for the next, and so on doubling to the end of the 50 miles ?" "Most certainly I will, if you will take it," says the traveller, thinking that he had made a speculation. The bargain being closed, our clerk began to cast about to see what should be done with the corn when the traveller had fulfilled his contract. In the first place, I will return to the Railroad Company, says he, the full amount to which they are entitled. I will give the proceeds of 500 bushels to the widow of Jerry Coughlin, who was drowned from the cars of the Auburn and Rochester Railroad Company, a few days since while, in their employ, and 10,000 bushels to each of the orphan asylums of this city. I would says he, keep a few thousand bushels for myself, for he who takes not proper care of himself and family is counted worse than an infidel. The residue I would send to Ireland, and the other starving nations of the old world, the general government furnishing ships to carry it, and that they may be prepared for it on its arrival at the seaports, I will mention the quantity, after deducting the above small items, 22,354,628,110 bushels of corn, requiring 134,187,768 ships of 500 tons each, forming a line, ship touching ship, 179 times round the globe.-SEL. God is on the side of virtue; for whoever dreads punishment, suffers it, and whoever deserves it, dreads it.-LACON. |