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8 YOUTHS'. DEPARTMENT* ENIGMA—No. T. [Th* following Bnigm* h*« been generally attributed to tho pon of Lord Byron, but it is the production of an Irish lady. Our young readers must try and giro ua a poetical solution of its] Ye Philosophers hark! My complexion is dark ; Reflection and silence, my character mark ; Ho record on earth discovers my birth ; Long reignod I in solitude, silence, and death. I travel away, in sombre array, And my turban and sandals are silvery grey— Majestic my mein, ray dark form is seen, All sparkling in gems, like an African Queen. There's ono pearl that I wear that’s moro brilliant and rare Than the loveliest gem in a Princess’ liair ; My statue is tall, tho’ at seasons I crawl, And sink myself almost to notliing at all ; Invisibly twirled, I travel the world, And in every land is my standard unfurled ; I silently roll round the icy-bound Pole, And long that wild region endures my oontrol. Prom earliest of time I am grave and sublime, And am often made the accomplice of crime ; My intellect tooms with visions and dreams, And wild tales of horror my favorite themes ; Yet sorrow and pain oft welcome my reign, And eagerly watch for my coming again, For a handmaid of mine, with aspect benign, Deals out at mv bidding a Boft anodyne. My sister down there is transcondantly fair, But wo never happen to meet anywhere ; At dawning behold her banner of gold; Then I must away, with my story half told. ENIGMA—No. 8. I am composed of 25 letters. My 7,19, 3, 24, 22, 4, 13, 17, 11, 15, G, 5, is the name of a modern epic poem. My 5,4, 11, 18, 4,5, is the name of a celebrated truce concluded in 1807, Myl , 8, 25, is what God did miracu lously for the people in the desert. My 14, 9, 16, 23, is what gives conso lation to the afflicted. My 8, 19, 10, 2, 12, is the name of an illustrious American poet. xMy 20, 24, 10, 14, 19, 21, 11, is the painter of the famous “Madonna di San ' Sisto.” My whole is to every Southerner the saddest line in the “Conquered Banner.” Answer next week. St. Joseph's Academy, Columbus, Go.. April 14, 18G8. ENIGMA—No. 9. I am composed of 28 letters. My 28, 23, 6, 15, 13, 9, 26, 24, is an ancient name for the brightest planet. My 22, IG, 3, 17, is the remaining spark of life for the South. My 1, 13, 3, 28, 5, 26, 7, is au ancient king of Ethiopia. My 18, 22, 13, 7, 23,26, 24, one of the most famous heroes of antiquity. My n, 10, 21, was formerly used in the signification of “to know.” My 4,2, 19, 27, is a renter of lands in the East Indies. My 12, 17, 11, 27, 25, 12, is the name of an eminent English philosopher. My 8, 25,14, is a cape on New Eng land’s shores. My 20, 9, 13, 5, is what every South erner hopes ere long to be. My whole is the honorable title given to the Poet-Patriot of the South. Answer next week. Rubie. St. Joscj)h's Academy, Columbus, Go., April 15, 18G8. Answers to Last Week’s Enigma.— No s—Still Water Runs Peep :Rat— Win-er—Peter —Sandal —Lip—Aie—Rsll —Peer —Saturn. No. G—Rev. Abram J. Ryan : Reb— Mary—Jamb —Nay—Barn-Jean —\ ary —Ram. E. B. Augusta, Ga., April, 16,1868. .«*. Florence.—Your answers to last week s enigmas arc correct. Rosa, H. 8., Jimmie, Herschel, have all sent correct answers. FAMILIAR SCIENCE, [Prepared for the Banner of the South by Uncle Buddy.] Lightning is what is called accumula tive electricity discharged from the clouds. This electricity is produced by various causes, as for instance the evaporation from the earth’s surface, the chemical changes which take place on the caiths surface,£ and currents ol air ot unequal temperature which excite electricity by friction as they come in contact with each other. The discharge of an electric cloud is caused by the overcharged cloud ap proaching another undercharged, where upon the fluid rushes from the former into th<Tlatter till both contain the same quan tity. There are are two kinds of electricity, one vitrious and the other resinous, more frequently called positive gnd negative electricity. Mountains, trees and steeples, or other elevated points will sometimes discharge the lightning from a clond floating near them, and sometimes tho electric fluid rushes out of the earth into the clouds. These clouds are sometimes four or five miles high, and sometimes they actually touch the earth with one of their edges. They” are seldom, however, discharged in ’a thunder storm when they are more than 700 yards above the surface of the earth. In a fine day the clouds arc often four or five miles above us, but their average height is from one and a hall to two miles. You have seen what is called “forked lightning.” This is produced by the cloud being at a great distance, and the resistance of the air so great that the electric current is diverted into a zigzag course. The lightning condenses the air in its path, and so flies from side to side in order to pass where there is tho least resistance. In very severe storms the flash divides itself into two or more parts, and so produces two flashes of lorKed lightning at the same moment. When the lightning cloud is near the earth the flash meets with very little resistance, and hence is quite straight. Sheet light ning is the reflection of distant flashes, not distinctly visible, or beneath the hori zon, or else a number of flashes together. Lightning is sometimes globular and this is the most dangerous form. The flash generally produces a change in the physical condition of the air, ren dering it unable to hold as much water in solution as it could before in consequence of which a part is given oil in heavy rain. This charge generally causes gusts of wind also. In summer, or “heat light ning” as it is called, we have no thunden on account of the distance of the cloud. Lightning from the earth to the cloud is popularly called the “returning stroke,” because, the earth being overcharged, re turns the surplus quantity to the clouds. Lightning is more common in summer and autumn than in spring and winter, because the heat of the former seasons produce great evaporation, and the con version of water into vapor always de velopes electricity. The electric fluid scorches by its own positive heat. Light ning passes from the earth to the clouds when the latter are in a “negative” state of electricity : and from the clouds to the earth when they are in a “positive” state. When they contain more electricity than usual they are said to be in a “positive” state of electricity, and when less than usual they are said to be in a “negative state ot electricity.” The flash always proceeds from a positive or an overcharged body. I’LL TAKE WHAT FATHER TAKES. “What will you take to drink ?” asked the waiter of a young lad, who for the first time accompanied his father to a public dinner. Uncertain what to say, and feeling sure that he would not be wrong if he followed liis father’s exam ple, he replied, “I’ll take what father takes.” The answer reached his father’s car, and instantly the responsibility of his [position flashed upon him. If he said, “I’ll take ale,” as he had always said be fore, his son would take it. also, and then ! And the father shuddered as the history of several young men, who, once promis ing as his own bright lad, had been ruined by strong drink, started up in sol emn warning before him. Should his hopes all be blasted, and that open-faced noble lad become a burden and a curse as they had become ? But for strong drink they would have been active, ear nest, prosperous men; and if it could work such rui i upon them, was his own lad safe ? Quicker than lightning those thoughts passed through his mind, and in a moment the decision was made. “If the boy tails he shall not have me to blame ;” and in tones tremulous with emotion, to the astonishment of those who knew him, said, “Waiter, I’ll take wa ter and from that day to this, strong drink has been banished from that man’s table and from that man’s home. That young lad, in the brief utterance, was really the representative of the gen eration to which he belongs. God has so directed it, that a father is the highest authority in the world to his child. Who does not know that “My father said so,” is the end of controversy with the little ones around us ? Who does not see the I parent’s tones, and gait, and maimers, ftHHSHft ©I SMS §©fSS. reproduced continually in the children, whose nature is now “soft as wax to re ceive an impression, and rigid as marble to retain itand who watch with a quick and an imitating eye, those who, to them, are God’s viccregent’s ! Would that we could impress upon the fathers and mothers of this country tho solemn fact that the future character of the children is being formed by them. That if they are trained up in the way they should go, when they are old they will not depart from it. But if they be come vain, sensual, and degraded, the seeds will have been deposited, and the bias given in the early morning of their lives. If we teach them that strong drink is a good creature of God, they will believe us ; and when, depending upon our judgment and truth, they shall have taken it, and it shall have shown it self to be the devil’s masterpiece, and have birUn, crushed, and dragged them down to ruin, we may weep and pray as we please ; the blame will be our own, and we must not accuse God, or cast re flection upon the Gospel. We shall havo sown to the flesh and of the flesh have reaped corruption. God will have visited the sins of the father upon..the children. They only took what their fathers took. If, on the other hand, we banish the fiends from our homes, and in the hours when their young and trusting hearts are most open to our teaching, we tell them that wine is a mocker, that strong drink is raging, and warn them that no serpent is so dangerous, no adder so much to be dreaded, we shall be co-workers with that all-merciful and wise God, who, to pre serve them from taking it, has sent them into the world with a loathing of its taste. Our children will believe us. They will grow up with natural instinct, forti fied by our instructions and examples. They will be preserved from the poisonous influences of the destroyer. There will be a bridgeless gulf between them, and the companions who are most likely to lead them into the ways of sin. They will be preserved from habits of extrava gance and waste. They will have no companions but those who walk in the ways of God, no employment for their spare time, but that which is elevating and purifying ; and when we pass to our reward, they will rise up and call us blessed, for they “took what their father’s took.”— Exchange. RULES EOR YOUNG MEN. Keep good company or none. Never be idle. If your hands cannot be usefully employed, attend to the cul- ’ tivation of your mind. Always speak the truth. Make few promises. Live up to your engagements. Have no very intimate friends. Keep your own secrets, if you have any. When you speak to a person, look him in the face. Good company and conversation are the very sinews of virtue. Good character is above all things else. Never listen to loose or idle conversa tion. You bad better be poisoned in your blood than in your character. Your character cannot be essentially injured except by your own acts. If any one speaks evil of you, let your life be so virtuous that none will believe him. Always speak and act as in the pre sence of God. Drink no intoxicating liquors. Ever live, misfortune excepted, within your income. When you retire to bed, think over what you have done during the day. Never play at any kind of game. Avoid temptation through fear that you may not withstand it. Earn your money before you spend it. Never run in debt, unless you see a way to get out again. Always go to church when you can. Road some portion of the Bible, or some other good book, every day. Never borrow, if you can possibly avoid it. Be just before you are generous. Keep yourself innocent, if you would be happy. Save when you are young, to spend when you are old. Never think that which you do for re ligion is time or money misspent. Another admirable specimen of Robie’s peculiar skill in fruit and flower painting lias just been put on exhibition at Sehaus’ Gallery. It is entitled “Autumn,” and symbolizes the glories of the season in a glimpse of the vineyard, with its clusters of purple and amber grapes gleaming among the brilliantly pencilled foliage. It is rich, soft, ami glowing, and pleases the eye with its fine harmonies of color and form, no less than the mind with its generous interpretation of the spirit of the crowning months of the year. WIT AND HUMOR. The gallant young officer to whom al lusion is made in the following anecdote will be remembered by many persons in this city, says the Louisville, (Ky*,) Courier. He was for some time associ ated with the wholesale house of J. M. Robinson & Cos. Lieut A. R. Boteler is the son of a former distinguished Whig member of Congress from Virginia : TIIE STAMMERING LIEUTENANT. During the battle of Trevillian,s sta tion, Virginia, in June, 1864, between the Confederate cavalry, under General Wade Hampton, and that of tho enemy under Sheridan. General Butler’s divi sion had dismounted and advanced some distance on foot, and were seriously en gaged, when it was discovered that the enemy had flanked around and suoceeded in capturing the horses of Butler’s sharp shooters, as well as the ordnance wagons of the cavalry corps. At this critical moment, General Ros ser, at the head of the laurel brigade, came up, and seeing how matters stood, attacked the Federals and recaptured Butler’s horses and ordnance wagons. Lieut. A. R, Boteler, of the ordnance departmennt, seeing Gen. Rosser, rode towards him for the purpose of acknowl edging the service he (R.)had done him (B.) in saving his train ; but Boteler was such a stammerer that Rosser could not wait to hear his remarks, and, as he rode away, he said : “Lieut. Boteler, I will leave a courier with you, and he ean report to me when you get done telling him.” Whether Lieut. Boteler ever told the courier what he intended telling the Gen eral, or not, your correspondent does not know. During the war a regiment of Arkan sas men was marching one day knee deep in mud, a part of them dragging a heavy cannon. An officer riding by was hailed by one of them with the remark : “Wa’al, Colonel, I’ll go through with you this hith, but if you have any more Unions to break up, you may just bet yer life 1 ain’t thar.” “John/ said a stingy curmudgeon to his hired man, as ho was taking dinner, “do you know how many pancakes you’ve eaten ?” “No.” “Well, you’e eaten four ten.” “Well,” said John, “you count and I’ll eat,” A publisher of a newspaper out West, in the first issue of his journal, returns his thanks to those who loaned him the pecu niary means, and gratitude toheaven that there is no law in the State enforcing im prisonment for death. A steward wrote to a bookseller in Lon don for some books to fit up his master’s library, in the following terms : “In the first place I want six feet of theology, the same quantity of metaphysics, and near a yard of civil law in folio.” “Can I bid, Mister ?” roared out a country looking individual at a recent auction in Boston. “Certainly you can,” replied the auctioneer, (with a gracious bow) ; “any one can bid that wants to.” “Well, sir,” replied the fellow, “then I bid you good night,” and pushed his way out into the street. A bright little girl, eight or nine years old, who had heard much talk upon the subject of woman’s rights and woman’s wrongs, came home one day and asked in a somewhat indignant tone, “Mamma, what makes the minister always say amen Why don’t he ever say u woman ?” A Paris paper prints this advertise ment : “A young lady of forty-eight, having a model ate income, but possessing a patent for anew invention, wishes to marry a gentleman of sixty-five well versed in chemistry. Beau Brummel was asked tho ques tion what constitutes a gentleman ? “Starch, my lord.” “Steel your heart,” said a considerate father to his son, “for you arc going among some fascinating girls.” “I had rather steal theirs,” said the promising young man. A man with a very large Dald head was complimented on the fact that his ca put was analogous to Greenland. /Why so ?” he arked. “Because it is a great white bare place,” was the reply. A little three-year old girl, on being told that she was too little to have a muff, asked indignantly, “Am I too little to be cold ?” In consideration of this being leap year, the Clerk of St. Joseph county, In diana, has concluded to issue marriage licenses free of charge, to all ladies who apply for them in person. An Irish magistrate, censuring some boys for loitering in the streets, asked ‘ ‘if everybody were to stand in the streets, how anybody could get by ?” From tha 5. Y. Home Journal. LITERATURE AND ART ITEMS. Her Majesty’s Theatre is to be rebuilt. The Prince of Wales will lay the first stone on his return from Ireland. Mr. Charles Lee is to* be the architect, and the cost is to be £65,000. It is expected that tho new buildings will be ready for the lessees next season. Duprez, the celebrated tenor, has just completed an oratorio, “ The Last Judg raent,” both words and music being by him. It will be brought out next month, at the Cirque de l’lmperatrice, Duprez himself singing the recitatives. Anew opera of “ Hamlet,” composed M. Aristide Hignard, libretto by M. Gavel, will soon be produced in Paris. Auber’s “ Premier Jour de Bonlicur” is given four times a week at the Opera Comique, such is its attraction. Adelina Patti’s Leoiiora , in the “ Tro vatore,” has proved a great hit; she sang it three times in one week. A young Milanese, named Agostino Boito, has composed an opera called “ Mephistopliiles,” which lias been pro duced at La Scala with considerable suc cess, but has given rise to a great contro versy, several feuilletonists stating that it is nothing more than a plagiarism from other operas. A duel, of course, has been fought over the matter, and one of the feuilletonists wounded. At the seventh representation of Thomas ’ “ Hamlet,” in Paris, the receipts were 11,246 francs. A gold medal is offered by the Cobden Club as a reward for the best essay “ On the best way of developing improved po litical and commercial relations between Great Britain and the United States of America.” The essays arc to be sent in before next January. Madame Musard has purchased the celebrated Cross diamonds for £24,000. It appears the set belonged to the Queen of Spain, and originally contained a frag ment of the true Cross beneath the en graved symbol on the central stone. The fragment was removed previous to the sale. D. Appleton A Cos. announce among their new works to appear this week, “ Dora,” by 7 Julia Kavanagh ; “ Not Wisely but too Well,” by the author of “ Cometh up as a Flower,” and the Globe edition of “Hudibras.” It is said that one of the theatres in Paris is about to produce a piece written expressly for a danseuse and a fountain ! Most extraordinary effects, in the shape of water, light, and naiads are to be pro duced from this fountain. It is a German invention, and called Riese- Wunder- Fontaine; in Greek it is named the Kalospiniecro moci'ene, and in French the Fo ntai ne-monstre-m erveille use. A collection of about two hundred water color drawings, and a variety cf objets d'art , selected by Mr. S. P. Avery during his recent sojourn in Paris, are now on exhibition at the Fifth Avenue Art Gal leries, corner of Fourteenth street, New York. The water-color drawings com prise specimens of more than one hun dred different artists, and some of them are executed with charming delicacy and finish. Among the many interesting ar ticles in the galleries, is a cast in bronze of the face of Napoleon, taken after death, at St. Helena, by his physician, Dr. An tommarchi. Also a very interesting re presentation in plaster, colored, of a part of the Alhambra. Kuntz, the sculptor, is engaged on a statuette of Governor Jay. The work has been undertaken by order of Hon. .John Jay, and is to be caste in bronze. It is intended to commemorate the form ing of the treaty of independence in Paris, in 1783, in which the illustrious patriot acted as Commissioner from the United States, and through his exertions the north western territory was secured to this country. This service has contributed A True Lady.—l was once walking a short distance behind a very handsomely dressed young girl, and thinking, as I looked at her beautiful clothes. “I won der if she takes half as much pains with her heart as she does with her body 1" A poor old man was coming up the walk with a loaded wheelbarrow, and just before he reached us, he made two at tempts to go into the yard of a small house; but Hie gate was heavy arm would swing back before lie could get through. “Wait,” said the young girl, springing forward, “I’ll hold the gate open.” And she held the gate until he passed in, amt received his thanks with a pleasant smile, as he went on. “She deserves to have beautiful clothes, I thought, “for a beautiful spirit dwells in her breast.”— Little Corporal.