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EDITOR’S DEPARTMENT. ATHENS, SATURDAY, OCT. 7, 1848. Perseverance. We have chosen a trite theme for our customary weekly essay, gentle reader, hut it is one that can not be too frequently presented to the young —to whom it is a quality of inestimable importance. It matters little what may be the favoring circum stances which surround a young man starting on the career of life —it matters not that he may have wealth, frieuds, or even great talent, to sustain him —unless he possesses the talismanic virtue of Perse verance, he will reach no lofty summit —he will at tain no commanding position. On the other hand, it matters little what disadvantages attend his en trance into life ; it matters not that he is poor and friendless —nay, that he is destitute of what men call Genius, or dazzling ability, if he be but strong in the purpose to achieve his end, he shall eventually succeed! We cannot over-estimate the value of this quality of human nature, for it is the kev-stone in the arch of complete success. It is “ a Roman virtue, That wins each god-like act, and plucks success Even from the spear-proof crest of rugged danger.” We have seen a tiny insect struggling under a load larger than itself, and although repeatedly over come by the burden, never despairing of the end — never yielding its purpose —never abating its exer tions —but gathering, it would seem, fresh energy from each defeat, it has finally accomplished its de sign and borne the treasure to its secret hoard Repeated effort seldom fails of success in any en terprize, however feeble its beginning or hopeless its results. The history of great men is indeed a re cord of the trophies of Perseveiance. We will not positively affirm that Perseverance will yet discover perpetual motion, or find the philosopher’s stone, though, by the way, we are greatly inclined to think that the latter is actually comprehended in the qual ity we are speaking of —yet, if we adopt the senti ment of quaint old Herrick, we must believe that it will be so, for he says — “Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt, Nothing’s so hard hut search will find it out.” One thing we will affirm —that whenever Persever ance aims at a positive result, it will, sooner or later, effect it. How many splendid achievements in the physical, intellectual, and moral world, have been compassed by men who seemed to possess scarce any of the requisite powers for their astonishing success. The world has, perhaps, derided their efforts, re garded individually, and called their confidence pre sumption, starting from its blindness only when the thunders of applau-e at the final triumph of Perse verance has resounded in its ears. It has not seen, in its proud indifference, the steps of that progress, of which the consummation is so astounding. It did not dream that results so magnificent could flow from efforts so puny. Yet so it is. The mole may undermine the walls of a castle, which the cannon of a besieging enemy have as-ailed in vain. The French motto, “ Pen et peic,” and its equivalent in our ver nacular, “ Every stroke tells!” should be borne in mind by the young man who proposes to himself the accomplishment of any great object. “ For Hercules himself must yield to odds; And many strokes, tho’ with a little axe, Hew down and fell the hardest-timbered oak” ! T be idea of failure should not be suffered to enter the mind of him who would succeed in bis purpose. He must banish it from his creed, and “force his soul ?o to his own conceit” that success shall seem the °nly possible result of his endeavors. Without a resolution strong as this, he may, perchance, suc ceed—but with it, he cannot fail. \ oung man, whoever you are, and whatever is - our purpose in life —be it only worthy of your dig mty as a man and of your destiny as an immortal — persevere! When yon are beset by difficulties, re vive to rise superior to them, and thus add bright ness to the crown of your triumph. “Do not for one repulse forego the purpose That you resolved to effect;” n °. nor f° r a hundred repulses. Remember that fa difficulty you vanquish gives you fresh strength i' ,r the contest—each obstacle you overcome lops something from the height of succeeding ones. Ask not-—for your life, ask not—“Am I sufficient to the ut-ignl” That were to doubt, and “our doubts l!t traitors” that oft defeat our will. Your motto Oa a if &&&&¥ n. must be “ Onward.” If you look back you are de feated, and he who attempts a possible end and ig nobly fails, sinks beneath the level of him even whose soul was never moved to a proud daring. Per severance will guide your weary steps to the steep “ Where Fame’s proud temple shines afar.” I Perseverance will place upon your brow the wreath of laurel, and in your hand the palm of victory ! Young man — persevere ! 1 ©ur Gossip Column. In a recent letter from a friend who had just com pleted a sea-voyage long enough to make him, al though a member of the Temperance Society, sigh for Port ; he thus feelingly descants upon the de lights of the passage : —“ I cannot imagine what in ducement would take me on another voyage if a land journey were practicable—l have had quite enough of— “ The sea! the D ! The terrible, horrible sea! The stormy, tumbling, Qualmy-jumbling, Spirit-humbling, Shingle-stumbling, Sen-weed-fumbling, Weaving, crumbling, Mischief-mumbling, Growling, grumbling, Like thunder far off rumbling ” I tried every conceivable and inconceivable remedy for tho dreadful sickness which excites no sympathy in those who, from custom or constitution, are happi ly exempt from its attack. In the general commotion which prevailed among the passengers, I was oppo sed to the rising and wished to be neutral, but I was at length compelled to take side, and of course, I went with the majority, though I cannot affirm that it was the stronger party. As I was a passenger in a British Steamer, I could not help thinking as I hung over the side of the vessel, of the oft vaunted boast —“Brittania rules the waves.”— and regretting, as one did before me, that if it be true, “ it is a great pity that she does not rule them straighter.” They may sing who will, the delights of the sea —and I don’t know but the ocean, consid ered as Hood says, ‘ strictly per se,’ may be very fine —but I confess I could not perceive it during any portionof my fortnight’s travel.” We are no stran gers to the maladie du mer as it is called, though why it is thus slightingly termed, we cannot imag ine. A mere malady indeed; we defy Esculapius himself, to invent a worse one. So we can sympa thize with our friend M in his feeling reminis cences of his voyage We cannot suppose our friend Brantly of the Temperance Banner, in tentionally abstracted Judge Charlton’s poem— “ The Tocsin ” —from our columns, without giving us due credit for it. If we could think so, we should wish that the Tocsin might ring in his ears —until he heartily repented and made acknowledgement of his fault. He is too welcome to anything belonging to the Gazette, to have need of taking it clandes tinely ; so we acquit him without even calling for his defence What do you think of Whis key I Dr. Johnson—said Boswell, when he was some what in a spirited mood, having imbibed the arti cle pretty freely. The Doctor solemnly replied, “ Sir, it penetrates my soul like the small, still voice of conscience; and the Worm of the Still, is “ the worm that never dies.” Appropos of the “ worm of the Still.” A friend of ours suggested the other day, that that was a misnomer—for, said he, “it should have been, “ the worm of the noisy.” .... Wo have received a communication from a “A Mechanic,” in which he informs us that he invented a Conundrum Machine some months ago, but ne glected to secure a patent. He rather insinuates that our machine is not quite so original an inven tion as we suppose.. In describing his machine, he says, however, “It is worked by a reciprocating lever, and is not turned at all.” Now here is, at once, a striking difference to ours, which depends al together upon “ quips and turns ” / On the point of speed, “A Mechanic” claims for his machine the decided pre-eminence, judgirg by our own words that our’s “ would turn out about one per minute” —for his, he says, will, “when judiciously worked, produce two to a minute.” Now, this appears con clusive — but, in a recent trial, we ascertained that we had greatly underrated the powers of our ma chine, and really succeeded in making with it three conundrums to a minute, in proof of whieh, and for the benefit of our correspondent, we subjoin them : Why is a second equivalent to a minute 1 Because it is a minute portion of a degree. Why is a minute like a motion for adjournment 1 Because it has a good many seconds. hy is minute like the virtues of our neighbors ! Because it would require many of them to equal our’s [/tours.] We do not dispute the excellence of “A Mechan ic's” invention, and if his machine is really worked with a reciprocating action, it is not too late for him to secure a patent for it, in which case we can, of course, exchange produce with him. Send us some specimens, at least, Mr. Mechanic! A dis tinguished literary friend writing to us from New York, gives us rather a gloomy picture of the present condition of American Literature. He says: “ Ev erything here is in a state of wretched stagnation* The world of books is in dilapidation,—almost in chaos. The prospect seems to threaten the very continuance of our poor domestic literature, which is pretty much driven out of the field.” .... Our Book Table, through the kindness of our excellent friends, the publishers, is literally loaded with beau tiful and valuable works, to which we will pay prompt and merited attention, while we herewith expiress our acknowledgements to those who have so kindly remembered us. Notices to Correspondents. Bayard.— Thanks for your letter of the 27th and its very kind invitation. We would, if we could, with the greatest pleasure. W. H. P.—We do not find your article “ availa ble” for the columns of the Gazette, though possess ing considerable merit, and indicating a talent wor thy of assiduous cultivation. E. T. F.—We are surfeited with rhyme. We want poetry—which, with all due deference to your self, yours is not. Caroline Howard. —Will our esteemed corres pondent oblige us with some early communication. (Ffje mean smo Meal s3iess, The Southern Quarterly Review. Charleston : Burgess & James. We hope the people of the South are doing justice to this only organ of criticism amongst them, but we fear at the same time they are not; and we must urge upon those who understand the uses of such a Journal, to lend their aid to this. We are gratified that it is in our power to bear testimony to the abil ity with which the Review is conducted. One thing alone in its management requires to be amended, and that is the delay in its publication. The July number did not appear until September, and now the October issue is due. Among the articles in this number we note a pretty fair critique upon the Fu gitive Poetry of America, to which we may allude again. There is an interesting paper on the “ Reli gious Instruction of Slaves,” and another on the French Republic. The Daguerreotype, Vol. 11, No. 11. Circumstances have occasioned delay in tho issue of this beautiful Eclectic, which, for the Publishers’ sake, we much regret; and we are sure its readers will be glad to learn that it is established on a per manent basis. It is, in our opinion, the best work of the kind extant, and we shall do our readers a service by bringing it to their notice. We honestly think it an admirable and cheap repository of choice British and foreign Literature. The present (semi monthly) issue contains, among other papers, a spi rited sketch ofWm. Ellery Channing, and an article on the Irish Movement fromTait —a curious article on Cahet’s Voyage En Icarie, from the Quarterly — an article on “ The Next War,” translated from the Bremen Gazette —sundry agreeable Collectanea — Reviews, Notes, &c. Let our readers who are on the look-out for a valuable Electic send on Three Dollars for the Daguerreotype. The Columbian, for October. This number is embellished with a second of the “Greenwood” views, the tomb of William Anson Lawrence, somewhat after the model of the Lantern of Demosthenes, It is a very beautiful engraving. A glance at the “ Contents” affords promise of pleas, ant and not unprofitable reading. We notice a dis position and effort on the part of the Editor to make his Magazine a vehicle of high-toned Literature und elevated moral instruction, in which we cordially bid him “ God speed.” Blackwood, for September. New York: L. Scott & Cos. Not to appreciate Blackwood is to confess a want of literary taste, for, notwithstanding its rank tory ism, it is at the head of English Periodical Litera ture, where common consent years ago placed it. — There is, moreover, a redeeming feature in its polit ical character, and that is an absence of all hypoc risy. Blackwood is an honest tory —means all he says, and says all he means. We are content to let his political views alone, and admire him for his high-tonod literary excellence. His pages are not filled with maudlin sentiment and wishy-washy ro mance. Generally speaking, his articles are of gen uine merit, whether they deal in fact or fancy.— Thanks to the liberal spirit of its re-publishers, the American reader can obtain an authorized, not a pi ratical edition, for Three Dollars per annum—far less than the cost of an English copy. Holden’s Magazine, for October We are at a loss to understand how Mr. Holden can give so much and such excellent matter for One Dollar, as his Magazine contains. Its contents are exceedingly varied and spirited. The “Fulpit Sketches” alone are worth the cost of each number, but they are a small moiety only of tho contents Tales, Essays, Poems, Original and Selected—and a copious Review Department, with Editor’s Table superadded, make up a feast of no common attrac tion. Holden should be taken by every intelligent family in the land. The Western Literary Messenger, for October Mr. Clement conducts his monthly with iudustry and taste. The contents are judiciously chosen. — The half of the present issue is occupied with a foil Report of the New York State Fair recently held at Buffalo—a valuable document for present and future reference. The Miscellany of this number is very interesting. Wheler’s Monthly Journal. Brothers Wheler, Athens, Ga. If we greet this new aspirant for public favor with more than common cordiality, an excuse will be found in the fact that it is a “ native” production, and so far kindred to our Journal as to be issued from the same press. It is a neat little pamphlet of 16 pages —handsomely printed and freely embellished with wood cuts. Somewhat on the plan of Wright’s Pa per, it exhibits, we think, moro taste and talent than that Journal. Its object is to afford instructive read ing at a cheap rate, and no one will question that it answers its end. It will be issued monthly, at Fifty Cents a year, and to clubs of ten for Three Dollars. The editor of the Journal, Mr. C. L. Wheler, was formerly of the “ Madison Family Visitor,*’ which under his administration gained a good name. His enterprise deserves well of the South, and we hope will be sustained liberally. <s>ut 3300fe (Fable. Publishers and authors who may wish to have their Books noticed in the “ Literary Gazette” will please send copies for the editor to Burgess, Stringer k Cos., N. York, who will send a parcel to him every week, by express. The Church in Earnest : by John Angei.l James. One vol. 18mo, pp. 292 ; Boston: Gould Kendall & Lincoln. We do not hesitate to say, that the Christian World is deeply indebted to Mr. James for his con tributions to her Literature. His name is known throughout Christendom, and honored whereever it is known. The present work, is one eminently needed at this period in the history of the Church. At no former era, has there been more danger of lukewarmness in spiritual affairs ; and theprac tieal, elevated and evangelical views of Mr. Janie; will doubtless awaken hundreds and thousands to a clos er perception of the earnestness which is demanded of them. The style of the book is well suited to its subject. The writer is in earnest, and the fervor of his spirit has kindled his thoughts and inspired his pen. To give the work a word of approbation, were but a poor tribute. It should receive the earnest atten tion of professing Christians of every name, for it is eminently catholic in its spirit. 1. The Shippers’ and Carriers’ Assistant, and Marine and Inland Insurers’s Guide —adapted to the wants of Merchants, Mariners, Insurers. Shippers and Carriers, throughout the United States. 2. The Rights and Liabilities of Landlord and Tenant. 3. The Business Man’s Assistant —containing the mod; useful Forms of Legal Instruments, &c. 4. The Rights of Seamen : The Coaster’s and Fisherman’s Guide, and Master’s and Mate’s Man ual. By J.JR. Butts: New York ;H. Long & Bro. We have enumerated the titles of four little vol umes at twenty-five cents each —a price which bears no proportion whatever to their value —for they pre sent, in a nut shell, as it were, the law upon all points in which the interests of Merchants, Planters, Land lords, Tenants, Seamen and others are concerned. It is certarnly needless to commend them : they speak for themselves —and should be in every one’s hand. The Poetical Works of Thomas Campbell.— New York : Leavitt, Trow & Cos. We are indebted to the Publishers for a copy of a very neat pocket edition of Campbell’s Poems, which will be acceptable to his admirers It is hand somely printed and very cheap. Evenings with the Old Story Tellers. Being a choice collection of Ancient Moral Tales, etc.— New York : Leavitt, Trow & Cos. This is a neat edition of the “ Ge3ta Romanorum,*’ and comprises many entertaining stories invented by the Monks of old, not only to amuse but to instruct; and under the pleasant guise of fiction they convey admirable and valuable moral lessons. W e have been long familiar with these Ancient Stories, and can bear witness to their interest and quaintness. TEMPERANCE ADDRESS. The Father Mathew Division S. of TANARUS., wiil hold a public meeting at the Baptist Church on Tuesday night next. Oct. 10th, on whieh occasion an Address will be delivered by their Chaplain Rev. S. Lan drum. The public is respectfully invited to attend. 175