another peal of laughter echoes back from the dome. I labored hard until dark, and then discovered a new danger in making it my place of rest. I found a great part

of the interior of the cave to be lined with a shell of stone loosened by the last winter's frost, and ready at all points to fall with crushing force. Going back to the farthest recess of the dormitory arch, I knocked off all the loose stones, propped up my cot on piles of rocks, and composed myself to sleep, not unmindful, as I lay down, that the canopy of my bed was of solid stone two hundred feet thick, with a forest of fir trees on top as the ornamental fringe.

About midnight I arose, lighted a candle, built a fire, and walked forward with my lantern to the farthest block of stone. Here I gazed at the great star-lighted window presented by the portal arch, and as I stood, the polar star just twinkled on the verge of the opening, making the angular altitude equal to the latitude of the place. Again I lay down in the dormitory and listened to the dirge-like music of the ripple, as it kissed the rocky fragments and danced into the labyrinths. In such situations there is often a mirage of sound as wonderful as that of sight: the discords seem to be absorbed, and the harmonious notes are reverberated with more enchanting spells than belong to the Eolian; commingled with the dirge one images imitations of cascades, hail, rain, and storms. This was the pianissi mo; the fortissimo would be witnessed when the northern storm should drive the thunder of the great Lake directly into the grand portal. Suppose this to have happened while I was a tenant--'twas really what I desired. An avalanche of rock sufficient to have crushed a city had fallen just outside of the left arch, and lay rudely piled to the height of fifty feet. Thither would I have retreated to witness the bloodless battle of the elements; for a long war has been waged between waves and rocks, in which the rocks have so far been obliged to yield.

Morning came, and with the dawn myself and nephew were at our work of triangulating. The party on shore, having no one to rouse them, luxuriated until rather late in the forenoon, when the merry boat came round the point. Still we had not done. Finally, having completed the survey, and obtained geological specimens of great interest, we joined

ourselves to the world again. I shall calculate my observations, make drawings of ground-plan and elevations, and include them in my report to the Government, that, if they are found worthy of it, they may be published.

I need hardly say that such a curiosity, in such a climate, deserves a visit. Within half a mile is a boat harbor, a fine camping ground; and still another half a mile along the land beach is the Chapel rock, and still nearer a cascade. Beyond this again is a cascade leaping from the top of the Pictured Rock clear into the Lake, and blowing a blast of wind in all directions from where it strikes the water sufficient to propel a sail boat. The grand portal is less extensive than the mammoth cave, being a mere fraction of it, but it has several compensating beauties. It has light and a fine breeze, and is at the same time as cool. You arrive at all of its beauties without fatigue, and enjoy, through its three open arches, the most extraordinary landscapes. Through the grand portal you see only the shoreless Lake; through the western opening of the cross arch a limited but magnificent view, of the Pictured Rocks overhanging its dark blue waters on whose surface, when calm, those rocks are reflected into a symmetrical counterpart of the original. Through the eastern wing are seen also the Lake and the Pictured Rocks, dying away in well markel perspective, as one point sinks behind the other, to the distance of ten miles. In the course of this perspective are the cascade of Chappel river, the Chappel rock, and the cascade of the winds. The cross arch is five hundred feet long, and so straight that light is seen through it from one side to the other. Mr. Schoolcraft passed through it with his boat: but the Lake having fallen about four feet, it is now nearly dry, and the only entrance by water is by the grand portal.

J. LOCKE, 1st Assistant Geologist, &c.

TRUE GREATNESS.--A man brought up to an obscure trade, and hemmed in by the wants of a growing family, may, in his narrow sphere, perceive more clearly, discriminate more keenly, weigh evidence more wisely, seize on the right means more decisively, and have more presence ef mind in difficulty, than another who has accumulated vast stores of knowledge by laborious study.-Channing.

AGRICULTURAL.

HISTORICAL NOTICE OF THE ISABELLA GRAPE-VINE.--The Isabella Grape-vine, so celebrated throughout the United States, for its hardiness, vigor of growth, and abundant yield of fruit, it is highly probable, is a hybrid produced by cross fecundation between the vine of Europe and one of our native sp cies. Concerning its origin and history, I am indebted principally to General Joseph Swift, U. S. A., of Geneva, New York.

It appears that General Smith, of Smithville, North Carolina, in 1808, procured from Dorchester, South Carolina, several roots and cuttings of a hybrid vine, which, it is said, had been originated there by some families of Huguenots, between the Burgundy grape-vine from France, and the native fox grape, (vitis labrusca) of that vicinity. In the year 1817, a vine produced from these cuttings, was transplanted from Smithville, by Mrs. Isabella Gibbs, in honor of whom this variety was named, to the garden then owned by her husband, Colonel George Gibbs, which was situate along the southerly side of Cranberry, between Willow and Columbia streets, in Brooklyn, New York. In 1819, the garden was purchased by General Swift, who very generously distributed roots and cuttings of this vine among his neighbors and others, more especially to the late William Prince, of Flushing, Long Island, by whose efforts it became widely disseminated throughout the Union, and was sent to several countries in Europe, Madeira, &c. The garden has since been divided into lots, and partially occupied by buildings, and the original Isabella vine, after attaining a circumference of more than a foot, was severed to the ground, about the year 1837, in order to make room for the improvements going on at that time. Portions of the parent stock, however, are still growing in great perfection, and annually produce an abundance of fruit. Mr. A. G. Thompson, their present owner, informs me that, in grading the lots on which they stand, it became necessary to raise the surface some two or three feet, and that the original roots are still supposed to remain at that depth in the earth, a conclusive proof of the advantages derived from deep planting in a free and open soil.Ameri. Agriculturist. D'JAY BROWNE.

POETRY.

The Parrot with the Whooping Cough.
One morning, in a pleasant walk,
I heard a painful cry,

As of a child of three years old,
In dreadful agony.

But soon my sympathy gave place
To laughter and to glee,
When a green parrot I espied
In a cage upon a tree.

And now and then from out a cup
She fed on walnut meats,

And now and then her sobs and cries

Rang through the neighboring streets. Her mistress said that four long years, Which was the parrot's age, The laughter-making serious bird, In that same little cage, Had imitated what, each day,

Her children and the neighbors Had utter'd in their quarrels, plays, In sickness and in labors.

But, stranger yet, when whooping cough
The family intested,

As if, of jokes she'd not enough,
The funny creature jested.

She'd cough and cough, until her breath
Would seem to die away,

As whooping children often do;
But it was all in play.

She'd stop; and for a minute then

You'd feel distress and pain,
For fear some poor sick boy or girl
Would never breathe again.
I'd heard before what parrots do,

They'd often made me laugh;
This was the first I ever knew

That tried the whooping cough. Time darks the sky, time brings the day, Time glads the heart, time puffs all joys

DWIGHT'S AMERICAN MAGAZINE,

AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER;

With numerous Engravings

Edited by Theodore Dwight,

Is published at the office of the New York Express. No. 112 Broadway. To subscribers paying in advance, at $2 a year. 7 copies for $10. Monthly, in covered pamphlets, at same price delivered in this city.

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Distribution of Seeds.-Much has been done by this paper to promote the cultivation of useful and ornamental plants. After preparing the readers to appreciate the pleasure and the duty, in the first volume, above a million seeds of the Ailanthus, that new, ornamental tree from the Moluccas, were distributed through the country, with a drawing, description and directions; and hundreds of thousands of them are now growing, in places where they could not otherwise have found their way in years

Twenty-five seeds of the Ailanthus and Catalpa, will be sent this year to all subscribers, and a larger number to those who may request it. A few seeds of rare or beautiful plants inay also be expected from time to time; and inforination is requested respecting those sent, with suggestions, &c. from subscribers who may send their subscriptions in letters. The editor wishes to enlist all in the interesting work of diffusing useful plants, and embellishing cities and villages in all parts of the Union.

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Preparations have been made to give new intercat and value to this Magazine in the following year; and the following, among other subjects, will be presented at considerable length, by continued articles, in the successive numbers:

1. "Carlo Carbonaro," or the Life of a Roman outlaw, a true biography, just written for Dwight's American Magazine; in which most interesting real characters are drawn, with actual and recent scenes in prisons, convents and mountain-retreats, as well as in Italian private life, quite unknown to the reading world, and illustrating the condition of Italy under the late Pope. If possible some of the numerous drawings prepared by the author, (who is an artist as well as a patriot, and whose name alone is feigned,) will be engraved in season to appear in the appropriate chapters.

1

2. A description and history of the New York Public Schools, with illustrations.

3. A series of various wood-engravings, of a superior kind, with descriptions.

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THE FAMILY CIRCLE will be enlivened, and i'mproved by the monthly numbers of this work.

THE FAMILY LIBRARY will be annually enriched with a large new volume, of nearly 600 pages, containing about 150 illustrative engravings.

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RECOMMENDATIONS.-From the Methodist Quarterly Review, Cet. 1, 18 7.

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"The editor is well qualified for his task."-Meth. Ad

The city enjoys several great advantages, and its great and rapid growth ap. pear likely to continue for a long time to come. It stands at the very head of navigation on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, and is the natural converging point of its commerce. Such is the nature of the Patapsco river in its vicinity, that it may be said to possess three harbors, which lie in succession, and offer respectively depths of 22, 14 and 12 feet, accommodating vessels of the greatest draught below, and those of the lighter classes above. The shore on one side is high and almost perpendicular, offering advantageous positions for fortifications, on the other so low on the margin as to afford convenient access to the water, but gradually rising to considerable eminences, where the opulent citizens find delightful sites for their elegant man

sions.

The neighbouring country possesses uncommon advantages for manufacturing, which is carried on throughout the county in great variety, and to a large

amount.

The principal streets are straight, long

of a good breadth and well built; and the several monuments erected in different parts give it a striking appearance, both from the near and distant parts. Yet, with all its natural advantages, it was long neglected, having had no consequence before the Revolution. Even so late as the war of 1812, it was near being captured by 6000 British troops. An extensive trade in flour, and the construction of fine swift-sailing vessels have given the city its highest celebrity abroad: but its commerce and manufacturers in various departments are annually increasing with remarkable rapidity, aided in a very great degree by the railroads and canals which have been constructed chiefly by the enterprise of its inhabitants.

The entrance to the lower harbor is defended by Fort Mc Henry, which stands on the extremity of a long sandy point, extending four miles from the city. That fort, in 1814, stood a bombardment through a whole night, from the enemy, who were compelled to retire. The land battle was fought at some distance in the rear of the heights seen on the left.

Washington's Monument is a column, 20 feet in diameter, rising 163 feet, from a base 50 feet square, and 23 in height. It stands in a conspicuous position, at the head of Charles street, and is the finest monument ever erected to the Father of our Country. His statue, of gigantic size, is placed on the top.

The statue represents Washington in the act of resigning his commission, is sixteen feet high, weighs sixteen tons, and cost nine thousand dollars. The corner stone of the monument was laid July 4, 1815. There are four gates and twelve steps to the main entrance. inscription over each of the four doors is as follows:

The

"To George Washington, by the State of Maryland."

On each side of the base is an inscription:

"Born February 22d, 1732, Died 14th Debember, 1799.

Commander-in-chief of the American Army, 15th June, 1775. Commission resigned at Annapolis, 23d December, 1783. Trenton, 25th December, 1776. Yorktown, 19th October, 1781.

President of the United States, March 4, 1789. Retired to Mount Vernon, 4th March, 1797."

The exchange, custom-house, courthouse, Barnum's City hotel, and the jail, are distinctly seen from the summit, and a fine view of the city and surrounding country for several miles is enjoyed.

Battle Monument, situated on Monument square consists of a square base, on which rests a pedestal, ornamented on each corner with a beautifully-carved griffon. From the centre rises a column, on which are inscribed the names of those who fell in the defence of Baltimore in 1814, and in whose honour it was erected. This column is surmounted by a superb statue, representing the Genius of Baltimore, holding a laurel or triumphal crown in her right hand, and an antique helm in her left, emblematic of commerce, having an eagle, bombshell, &c., at her side.

This monument is of white marble, over fifty feet in height, and surrounded by a railing. The statuary is by Cappelleano, an Italian artist.

Armistead Monument, in the rear of the city fountain, was erected by the corporation to the memory of Colonel Armistead, in honour of his defence of Fort M'Henry.

The city is about two miles in extent from east to west, and one and a half from north to south, and most of the streets are straight and at right angles. The favorite walk is Baltimore street, the principal avenue, which is two miles long; and the west part is the favorite residence of the wealthier citizens. The

principal public buildings are the cityhall in Holliday street, the court-house at the corner of Washington and Monument streets, the state penitentiary, above one hundred churches, eleven banks, seven markets, eight insurance offices, two theatres, the circus, the museum, and the savings bank.

The Merchants' Exchange.-The erection of this building was commenced in the year 1815. It is two hundred and twenty-five feet in length and one hundred and fourty-four in depth, the ground plan being in the form of the letter H. It is four stories, including the basement, which is vaulted. The grand hall is 86 feet long, and lighted by a dome, ninety feet from the floor.

There are four colonnades at the eastern and western extremities, each of six Ionic columns, in pure style, and each consisting of a single block of Italian marble.

The Baltimore Museum and Gallery of Fine Arts is a fine spacious building, on the north-west corner of Baltimore and Calvert streets, remarkable for its two steeples and fine appearance.

It is in latitude 39 deg. 17 min. 23 sec. and longitude 76 deg. 37 min. 30 sec. west from Greenwich, being forty miles from Washington, ninety-seven from Philadelphia, one hundred and eighty-five from New York, and fifty-nine from Pittsburg. The population in 1840 was 102,213.

Early history of Baltimore.--The first settlement of Maryland, under the patent of Lord Baltimore, was made on the north bank of the Potomac, at St. Mary's, which was intended to become the capital of the new colony, but is a place of no distinction.

The first settler within the limits of Baltimore was a man named Gorsuch, who took a patent of lands, twenty-eight years later, on Whetstone point. This is now included in the review-ground of the Baltimore Militia. Among those who settled soon after him in this vicinity was Charles Carroll, whose estate, on the high